Academic Policies

The following policies apply to students enrolled in Boston University’s degree programs at military bases.

• Academic Advising
• Academic Probation
• Academic Standing
• Degree Requirements
• Directed Study
• Grade Reports
• Grading System
• Grades
• Incomplete Coursework
• Program Termination

Academic Advising

Faclty are available to students for academic advising during times outside class on regularly scheduled weekends. In addition, students may contact faculty from home at numbers and times designated by the faculty member, or may contact the program director.

Academic Probation

Graduate degree candidates must maintain a grade point average of not less than 3.0 (B) in order to be considered in good academic standing. Any degree candidate falling below a GPA of 3.0 will be placed on probation. Students who do not bring their GPA up to 3.0 within one semester will not be permitted to continue in the program.

Academic Standing

Graduate students must complete each course with a grade of 2.0 (C) or higher. An overall grade point average of 3.0 (B) must be maintained to be in good academic standing and to graduate. All requirements for the degree must be satisfied within six years of the date of initial registration.

Degree Requirements

Students are expected to satisfy the degree requirements as stated in the program bulletin published at the time of their acceptance into the program.

Directed Study

Directed study consists of a rigorous program of research or independent study that is used to enhance a student’s program when formal coursework is not available. If a faculty member determines that a directed study is in a student’s academic interest, it is essential that the application be filed no later than one month before the last day of registration. Required courses may not be completed through directed study.

Admitted degree candidates are eligible to apply for directed study once they have completed no less than six courses in their degree program and have maintained a grade point average of 3.3 or higher. To register for directed study, the applicant must provide a detailed statement of the proposed outline of study or research, texts and references, the schedule of consultation with faculty, and a justification for taking a directed study instead of a scheduled course. Each application must receive written approval of the faculty member concerned, the program director, and the associate dean for academic affairs before the student may register or begin work on the project.

Grade Reports

Records of Progress are kept by this institution on veteran and non-veteran students alike. Grade reports are furnished to students, veterans, and non-veterans at the end of each scheduled school semester.

Grading System

Grade Honor Points Explanation

Grade	Honor Points	Explanation
A	4.0	Excellent
A–	3.7
B+	3.3
B	3.0	Good
B–	2.7
C+	2.3
C	2.0	Satisfactory
C–	1.7
D	1.0	Poor
F	0	Fail, no credit
P	Not applicable	Pass with credit
X	Not applicable	Unresolved status
I	Not applicable	Incomplete, additional work required
AU	Not applicable	Audit, no credit
W	Not applicable	Withdrew after fifth class (or 15 hours)

The grade point average (GPA) is obtained by dividing the total honor points earned by the total semester credits of those subjects completed. The letter grades P, I, and W are not computed in the GPA. The correct GPA can be obtained only after Incompletes have been replaced by a grade for completed work.
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Grades

Boston University employs the standard grading symbols described below, with the following explanations. The grade of C (2.0) represents passing performance and is the lowest passing grade acceptable for credit toward graduate degree and certificate requirements. Courses with grades below C must be repeated. The original grade for any course repeated is calculated in the cumulative grade point average.

Incomplete Coursework

If, for reasons acceptable to the course instructor, a student fails to take the final examination or to complete any other required work within a course, he or she may receive a grade of I (Incomplete). In order to obtain an Incomplete, students must file an Application for Incomplete Grade before the final exam. Once the application is filed, the students must complete the course requirements within the time set by the instructor, but not later than the end of the following semester. If the work is not completed after one semester, the grade of I will automatically be changed to the default grade assigned by the instructor on the Application for Incomplete Grade. This grade includes all work, complete and incomplete, for the entire course. If there is no written contract posting this default grade, an automatic F will be posted for that course. It is the student’s responsibility to submit an Application for Incomplete Grade to the instructor and to ensure that the work necessary to remove the Incomplete is sent to and received by the instructor in accordance with the above time limits.

Program Termination

Boston University reserves the right to schedule the termination of the program if circumstances require. In the case of program termination, the University will phase out the scheduling of courses in such a way that students have the opportunity to complete degree requirements.