Enrollment, Progression, and Performance Policy

The BGSU Graduate College “Academic Progress, Probation, and Dismissal” policy describes criteria for academic progress, including graduation, in addition to policies for academic probation and dismissal.

• Per the Graduate College, in order to remain in good standing and to graduate, a student must make “satisfactory progress toward a degree.” Academic good standing is defined as:

• The maintenance of a 3.0 grade point average.
• The maintenance of standards of academic and professional integrity expected in a particular discipline or program.
• No incomplete grades.
• The completion of departmental requirements other than course work, such as comprehensive and preliminary examinations, thesis research, or foreign language requirement, by established deadlines.
• The absence of current suspensions, probations, or other disciplinary sanctions for violations of the Student Handbook. A course taken for graduate credit in which a D, F, or WF was received may not be used to meet degree requirements nor to meet the minimum credit hour requirements for a graduate degree; however, the hours and grade are used to compute the cumulative grade point average. If a graduate student repeats a course, each grade received is counted in computing the cumulative grade point average. To compute GPA, the total number of points (on the 4.0 scale) are divided by the total number of hours undertaken for graduate credit, excluding courses in which the marks INC, IP, S, U, or W are recorded.

University policy establishes the criteria for assessing whether master’s degree students are making satisfactory progress toward their degrees. 

If a student is not in good standing at the end of an academic term, the MSFS program must recommend one of three actions to the Graduate College:

• Grant a probationary period in which the student is to remedy existing academic deficiencies, i.e., place the student on probation.  Failure to achieve a GPA of at least 3.0 by the end of the probationary semester (i.e., the second semester) is grounds for dismissal from the program. 
• Continue the student on probation for another academic term.  Graduate College policy indicates that full-time students should not remain on probation for more than two semesters.
• Dismiss the student from the program.  Earning a D, F, WF, or U is grounds for dismissal. 

• In accordance with the Graduate College Master’s Degree – General Requirements Policy, “If a student does not pass the final oral examination (thesis defense), they may take a second examination four months or more after the date of the first oral examination.  Dismissal from the master’s program will result if the second oral examination is failed.”   

• Academic honesty is extremely important in the MSFS program.  A student found guilty of any form of academic dishonesty may be dismissed from the program.  Even a grade penalty in a single course may result in dismissal if it triggers the application of the satisfactory progress policy described above. The lock-step nature of the MSFS program and requirements outlined by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) does not permit students to substitute courses from a second graduate program for required MSFS courses. 

Course Revalidation Process

There may be occasions when a student has to take an extended leave of absence from the program. In such cases, it may be necessary to recertify older coursework. Below is information on the process from the Graduate College:

If a course has been taken more than six years before graduation (master’s, certificate, or specialist), or more than eight years before graduation (doctoral), students should consult their graduate program coordinator. The graduate program coordinator will determine if that course needs to be retaken, or if a revalidation experience can be offered. If offered, a revalidation experience may include a special examination or other written assignment, a portfolio, a new comprehensive or preliminary examination, or another academically appropriate experience. A thesis or dissertation may also serve as a revalidation method if approved. Students may be required to register for academic credit to accompany the academic revalidation experiences

Click here for link to Graduate College Limits for Degree Certification & Revalidation.