Handbooks

Doctor of Philosophy in
Nursing Science Handbook

Academic Policies

Grading Scale: The grading scale for the CON is as follows:

A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F < 60

Most courses use the traditional grading system, providing grades of A through F. However, grading may take other forms including:

W – Withdrawn: Withdrawn from course without penalty (no grade).

DFR – Deferred: Grade deferred (graduate courses, independent study courses, and certain study-abroad courses only).

S - Satisfactory; U – Unsatisfactory: Used in independent study, graduate thesis research courses and graduate courses given for zero credit.

CR - Credit; NC - No Credit: Used only in courses taken under credit/no credit option.

NR - Not Reported: Missing grade. This symbol is automatically generated when, for a variety of reasons, the instructor submits no grade.

I – Incomplete: Course work is incomplete when a student fails to submit all required assignments or is absent from the final examination. Incomplete course work will normally result in a failing grade if it is not completed within the designated time limit. The "I" may be assigned in lieu of a grade only when all of the following conditions are met: (a) the student has been making satisfactory progress in the course; (b) the student is unable to complete all course work due to unusual circumstances that are beyond personal control and are acceptable to the instructor; and (c) the student presents these reasons prior to the time that the final grade roster is due.

The instructor must submit an Incomplete report with the final grade roster for the "I" to be recorded. This report is a contract for the student to complete the course work with that instructor (or one designated by the department executive officer) in the way described and by a time indicated on the report. In resolving the "I," the student may not register for the course a second time, but must follow the procedures detailed on the report.

An "I" must be removed by the end of the student's first semester or summer session in residence subsequent to the incurrence of the "I" or, if not in residence, no later than one calendar year subsequent to the incurrence. Course instructors may require an earlier deadline. When the student submits the work, the instructor will grade it and change the "I" to the appropriate grade. An IN that is not removed by the deadline will remain on the student's record as an IN, with no credit earned (or may be replaced by a grade, at the instructor's discretion, before the Graduate College deadline to change an IN grade). A course in which an IN was received and not removed by the deadline may be repeated for credit only once.

Academic Standards: The academic standards of the College of Nursing are consistent with those of the Graduate College ; however, the College has developed additional policies for academic standards, which the faculty believes, are essential for a professional practice discipline. A basic premise of these policies is that graduate students are expected to achieve a minimum GPA of 3.00 in all academic pursuits. The policies are as follows:

A grade of "B" or better or "S" is required in all courses. If a student's GPA falls below 3.00, the student is automatically placed on probationary status. One grade of "C" or less or "U" will result in a letter of warning from the Associate Dean for Nursing Science Studies. Along with this letter of warning the student and their advisor are requested to submit an academic improvement plan to the Associate Dean for Nursing Science Studies and the Admissions and Academic Standards Committee - Graduate. Any Core course in which a student receives less than a grade of "B" or "S" is to be repeated. Two grades of "C" or less leads to a formal review of the student's academic record, with possible dismissal from the program.

If a student earns a "D" grade or less for any non-elective course (major or required cognate), to proceed in the program, the student must retake the course or its equivalent during the next period of registration in which it is offered.

Formal Academic Review : A subcommittee of the Admissions and Academic Standards Committee-Graduate is appointed by the chairperson and will review the student's academic record. The subcommittee will consist of no fewer than two members of the committee at large. In the process of deliberations, the subcommittee may use the following data resources.

•  Student

•  Student's advisor

•  Course Instructor(s)

•  Appropriate others

Outcome of the deliberations is reported in writing as a recommendation for action to the committee as a whole. The decision is reported in writing to the student with a copy to the student's advisor and, when appropriate, to the Graduate College .

If a student seeks to resolve a complaint or grievance arising regarding academic standing during their enrollment at UIC, they should refer to the UIC Student Academic Grievance Procedures.  Please note that any grievance must be filed within 60 days from the time of the decision being grieved.  Any questions about this procedure should be asked of the student's advisor or the Associate Dean for Nursing Science Studies.

Probationary Status and Dismissal : The Admissions and Academic Standards Committee-Graduate reviews all graduate-degree students who have received a grade of "C" or less or a grade of "U" in a 400- or 500-level course. One such grade will result in a letter of warning from the Associate Dean for Nursing Science Studies. Along with this letter of warning the student and their advisor are requested to submit an academic improvement plan to the Associate Dean for Nursing Science Studies and the Admissions and Academic Standards Committee - Graduate. Any Core course in which a student receives less than a grade of "B" or "S" is to be repeated. With a second such grade, the committee undertakes a formal academic review for possible dismissal from the program. The chair of the Admissions and Academic Standards Committee-Graduate appoints a subcommittee to review the academic record of any student in jeopardy.

If a student earns a grade of "D" or less for any non-elective course (major or required collateral), to proceed in the program, the student must retake the course or its equivalent during the next period of registration in which it is offered, and receive a grade of "B" or better or "S".

Academic probation is the Graduate College 's mechanism for warning students that their GPA has fallen below the minimum standard of 3.00. Students have two terms of enrollment (including summer, if registered) after the term in which their GPA falls below 3.00 to remove themselves from probation. Departments may enforce stricter limits on probation, provided the student is informed in writing prior to being placed on probation.

Formal Academic Review: A subcommittee of the Admissions and Academic Standards Committee-Graduate is appointed by the chairperson and will review the student's academic record.  The subcommittee will consist of no fewer than two members of the committee at large.  In the process of deliberations, the subcommittee may use the following data resources.

·        Student

·        Student's advisor

·        Course Instructor(s)

·        Appropriate others

Outcome of the deliberations is reported in writing as a recommendation for action to the committee as a whole.  The decision is reported in writing to the student with a copy to the student's advisor and, when appropriate, to the Graduate College .

If a student seeks to resolve a complaint or grievance arising regarding academic standing during their enrollment at UIC, they should refer to the UIC Student Academic Grievance Procedures.  Please note that any grievance must be filed within 60 days from the time of the decision being grieved.  Any questions about this procedure should be asked of the student's advisor or the Associate Dean for Nursing Science Studies.

Students who leave UIC while on probation, whether through formal withdrawal or through failing to meet the registration requirement, will still be on probation if they are later readmitted to the same program. Students currently on probation or who left the University on probation will not be admitted to the same program as a non-degree student. Readmission as a degree-seeking student is not guaranteed.

Students who fail to raise their average to 3.00 or otherwise to fulfill the terms of their probation within the deadline will be dismissed from the University. The Graduate College issues probation and dismissal notices to students and their program directors. However, failure to receive notice does not change the students' probation or dismissal status, since students are expected to monitor their own progress in light of Graduate College policies. The GPA is the average of grades earned in the current degree program in approved 400- and 500-level UIC graduate semester hour courses in which an A, B, C, D, or E is earned, whether or not the courses are part of degree requirements.

Students on probation need to pay careful attention to course selection, study habits, and time management. Students should select courses with their advisor to ensure meeting program and probation status requirements. For a listing of campus resources please see: http://www.uic.edu/nursing/students/campusresources.shtml.

Students on probation should register for an adequate number of hours to make up their grade point deficiency. Remember: grades of "A" must be earned to bring a GPA up to 3.00. The student and advisor should select courses that will enable the student to achieve a 3.00 GPA. Students on probation who have difficulty with a course should seek help from the instructor or tutor early enough to ensure successful completion.

Students sometimes experience personal issues that interfere with successful academic progress. If this should occur, the student may want to consider reducing his or her course load or consider taking a leave of absence until the situation stabilizes. If considering a leave of absence, students should consult their advisor and the Associate Dean for Nursing Science Studies.

Progress to Degree: Degree program deadlines are as follows.

•  Doctorate with prior MS degree 7 years

•  Doctorate without MS degree 9 years

Students who do not graduate by these deadlines will be dismissed from the Graduate College for failure to progress. Time spent on a leave of absence approved by the program and the Graduate College is not counted toward the degree time limit.

At the spring grade reviews, the committee will review the doctoral students' progress reports. Students who have or are reaching their time limit will be identified. After the meeting, the Associate Dean for Nursing Science Studies will contact the student via letter. To remain enrolled in the UIC CON, the student must meet with the academic advisor and develop a time line for completion of the degree program. The Admissions and Academic Standards Committee-Graduate must approve this time line. The advisor will forward the time line with a letter explaining the reasons for the delay in the student's progress.

Petitions: Students may petition the Dean of the Graduate College for exceptions to certain CON regulations, but should do so only after consulting with their advisor and the Associate Dean for Nursing Science, whose recommendations must appear on the petition. Petition forms may be obtained in the Office of Academic Programs (Room 138) and must be accompanied by a full explanation of the circumstances and any appropriate supporting documents. PETITIONS SHOULD BE FILED WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS of the time an individual knows, or reasonably should have known, that an occurrence has affected his or her status. Petitions can take 4-6 weeks to be reviewed and decisions made.

Repeating a Course: Students can repeat a course for credit if:

1. The course is designated in the Timetable with the phrase "May be repeated for credit."

2. The course is one in which a grade of D, E, F, or U was received. In such cases, the course can be repeated only once and counted only once toward the degree requirements, but the original grade continues to be included in the computation of the graduate progress index. To repeat the course, approval is required from both the instructor who will give the course and the Associate Dean for Nursing Science Studies.

3. The course is one in which a student received an Incomplete. If the Incomplete has not been removed by the deadline, the course may be repeated for credit only once.

Registration for Zero Hours: Registration for zero hours is only available to students who have completed all course work, examinations, and all degree requirements except the final submission of the thesis or dissertation. Students wishing to register for zero hours must submit a Graduate College petition and receive permission from their advisor, the Director of the Graduate Studies and the Graduate College prior to registration. Once permission is received, students may continue to register for zero hours provided they remain in the same program, continue to make satisfactory academic progress, and are within the time frame for degree completion.