The academic policies listed below are intended for all graduate level programs; however, specific programs may have additional policies detailed in their section.
Graduate Level Study Load
Students must be registered for 8 graduate level semester credits to be considered full-time, and 4 graduate level semester credits to be considered half-time. The normal full-time study load can vary between 8-15 graduate credits per semester, depending on the graduate program. Students who officially represent Carroll College by participating in extracurricular, competitive activities, including but not limited to intercollegiate athletics or forensics, must be enrolled in a minimum of 8 graduate credits and may be required to enroll in more for eligibility reasons.
Summer and Winter Study Loads
Graduate Students in the Masters of Accountancy (MACC) program who are required to take classes during the summer term may enroll in up to 6 credits in a summer term.
Graduate students in the Masters of Social Work (MSW) program must seek written permission from the program director before enrolling in any summer or winter courses.
Graduate Level Good Standing and Academic Probation
The grade point average required to maintain good academic standing for graduate students at Carroll College is 3.00. In order to remain in good standing, a student must have a 3.00 grade point average for both the semester and cumulative work. The Master of Social Work (MSW) program further specifies in order to pass a class, that students must earn a grade of "C" or better; MSW students may not earn more than a total of two grades of "C" over the entire course of their studies.
When semester grade reports indicate that a student has failed to meet the minimum scholastic standards (3.00 grade point average), the student is not in good academic standing.
After a semester of unsatisfactory work, a student enrolled for 6 or more semester hours will be placed on academic probation; however, acute or significant failure to meet minimum academic standards after one semester may warrant academic suspension. Likewise, academic suspension may result upon completion of a second consecutive semester of unsatisfactory work or upon completion of a total of 3 non-consecutive semesters of unsatisfactory work.
A student who has been suspended is not eligible to apply for readmission for at least one academic year.
Suspension may result after one semester of unsatisfactory work should very poor performance warrant such action. The Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, in consultation with appropriate faculty and staff, will evaluate these cases and make an appropriate determination.
The records of part-time students will be reviewed after the student has attempted 6 or more semester credits. If a total of 6 or more semester credits have been attempted and cumulative grade point average is unsatisfactory (below 3.00), the student will be placed on probation.
The grades earned at Carroll College alone will determine the grade point average of the student at Carroll.
Students on academic probation as a result of work at Carroll College may not hold offices in student activities and organizations, nor may they participate in any varsity sports contests, intercollegiate forensic competitions, main stage theatre productions, the Gold Team Ambassadors or Carroll sponsored education abroad.
The academic standing of a student who withdraws from the College and then seeks re-admission will be based on that of the student’s last term of attendance at Carroll.
Students must meet the grade point average described above to be considered as making satisfactory progress. Students who fail to make satisfactory progress may be declared ineligible for financial aid, either institutional or under the Title IV Federal Aid program. Grade point averages falling below this 3.00 standard are considered unsatisfactory. Please see the full Carroll College Catalog for the financial aid, student rights and responsibilities and policies specific to federal aid, including Satisfactory Academic Progress and the Return of Title IV Funds.
Restoration of Good Standing for Graduate Students
Full-time graduate students (8 graduate semester credits or more at Carroll) on academic probation are restored to good standing when their semester grade point average is 3.00 or above and their cumulative grade point average is 3.00 or above when enrolled as a full-time student. A part-time student on probation must complete at least 8 graduate credits with grades of the quality required to be restored to good standing. A student with satisfactory performance in a semester, but a continued unsatisfactory cumulative grade point average, will remain on probation until the cumulative average is above the minimum.
The Pass/Fail Grade for Graduate Students
Graduate level courses (500-600) may not be taken for elected pass/fail grading; some courses may automatically be graded on a pass/fail basis per departmental policy.
Repeating a Course for Graduate Students
Graduate students who receive a grade below a “B-“ may repeat the course at Carroll. Only grades below a “B-” may be repeated. In such cases the most recent grade shall be the one counted in computing the grade point average required for graduation. The credit hours for a course will be counted only once. However, the original course(s) and grade(s) will remain on the transcript. Students cannot attempt to repeat a course under this policy more than 2 times. Grades earned for courses repeated at other institutions and accepted as transfer credit are not calculated into the Carroll College grade point average.
Transfer of Graduate Level Credits
The following criteria will be used to determine whether or not a course from another college will be accepted for transfer credit at Carroll:
- The course in question must be from a regionally accredited college or university.
- The student must have received a “B-” or better in the course; courses taken on a pass/fail basis will not be eligible for transfer.
- A maximum of 20% of a program's overall graduate semester credits will be allowed to transfer (e.g. 6 graduate credits for a 30-credit program). Clinical experience and practicum credits are not included in the calculation of allowable transfer credits and they are not eligible for transfer without special approval from the program director.
- Grades earned at other institutions are not calculated into the Carroll College grade point average.
- Any post-secondary coursework taken within 5 years of being admitted or readmitted to the campus will be included in the transfer analysis.*
- Coursework that falls outside the 5 year guarantee period may be included in the evaluation, at the discretion of the registrar and appropriate department chair.*
- Students are responsible for sending an original translated copy of their foreign transcripts directly to the Registrar’s Office.
*No graduate credit, from either Carroll College or a transfer institution, older than 10 years at the time of graduation, may be used to fulfill graduate degree requirements.
Honorary Societies
Sigma Beta Delta
Sigma Beta Delta, an international honor society for business students, was established to honor students who attained superior scholarship and achievements in business programs in schools and colleges with regional accreditation. Sigma Beta Delta signifies wisdom, honor, and pursuit of meaningful aspirations. To be inducted into the society, students must rank in the upper 20 percent of their junior, senior, or master’s class and be recommended by faculty officers. Sigma Beta Delta encourages students to distinguish themselves through honorable service to humankind. Carroll College evidences this service through KIVA micro-loans in emerging economies.
Requirements for Graduation for Graduate Students
A degree-seeking graduate student enrolled at Carroll College may pursue a one-year program leading to the Master of Accountancy (MACC) degree, or a two-year program leading to the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. Individuals with an undergraduate degree in social work (BSW or BSSW) may be eligible for a one-year advanced standing Master of Social Work (MSW) program option. All degree and program requirements as described in this catalog must be completed.
Catalog Year and Aging of Credits for Graduate Students
Graduate students are expected to satisfy the graduation requirements in effect the year of initial enrollment as degree candidates at the College providing they can complete requirements within a continuous five-year period. If graduation requirements change after that date, students have the option of petitioning to satisfying either the requirements in effect at the time of admission or the requirements of a subsequent catalog. If a student interrupts attendance or transfers from one program to another, he or she must graduate under the requirements in effect at the time of re-admission or transfer. No graduate credit, from either Carroll College or a transfer institution, older than 10 years at the time of graduation, may be used to fulfill graduate degree requirements.
Application for Degree and Commencement for Graduate Students
Application for a degree must be made at the Office of the Registrar within the period indicated in the college calendar. Students should work closely with their academic advisor on course selection to ensure that all requirements for graduation are met; however, each student retains ultimate responsibility for completing all degree requirements. Graduating students, including graduate level students, are expected to be present at the annual Commencement exercises; graduate students whose graduation applications have been approved for the Fall, Spring, or Summer term of the current academic year are eligible to participate in the annual Commencement ceremony in May.