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Academic Regulations

Course Numbering System And Requirements

Courses numbered 500–599 primarily serve as graduate courses taught at the graduate level, and are open to graduate students and qualified undergraduate students. Qualified undergraduate students seeking graduate credit are seniors with at least a 3.00 overall GPA, or students who have obtained permission from the course instructor and the chairman of the department offering the course, as well as the consent of the Dean of the Graduate School. (Refer to the graduate catalog section on Bradley Seniors Taking Courses for Graduate Credit for complete eligibility requirements.) Because these courses are not open to all undergraduates, no undergraduate program of study may require a student to enroll in a course numbered 500–599. Students who wish to use 500-level courses for undergraduate credit must meet the requirements imposed by the department and the college in which the course is offered. These college and departmental requirements are available in the appropriate college and department offices and in the Graduate School.

Courses numbered 600-699 are reserved for graduate students only. Courses numbered 700-899 are open only to students in doctoral programs.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites may be met by approved equivalent courses taken at other universities. You should consult your academic advisor if you have a question about prerequisites. Students who enroll in courses for which they do not meet the prescribed prerequisites may be required to withdraw from those courses. Prerequisite courses below 500 level are not eligible for Graduate School financial assistance.

Grading System

The grading system of the University which applies to graduate students is as follows:

A High Competence (4.0)
B Competence (3.0)
C Minimum Competence (2.0)
D Limited or Incomplete Competence (1.0)
F Inadequate Competence for Credit
W Official Withdrawal
IN Incomplete Work
IP Work in Progress
S Satisfactory
U Unsatisfactory

Only courses with a grade of “C” or higher can be used toward completion of degree requirements.

IN – Incomplete Work

  • “IN” is the symbol used when the instructor lacks sufficient evidence to award a letter grade. The purpose of an “IN” is to provide the time necessary for a student to complete coursework which, through no fault of the student’s, was not completed in the normal time allowed. Reasonable time necessary for completion is decided by the student and the faculty member teaching the course. The “IN,” once assigned, remains on the official academic record upon conversion to a grade or permanent “I.”
  • The “IN” should not be mistakenly considered as an incentive for the faculty to recommend or for students to believe that this extension permits students merely to retake courses, or to extend the time for the completion of the prescribed work beyond the end of the semester of enrollment, as a means of removing the “Incomplete.”
  • At the time the “IN” is assigned, the instructor and students must sign a contract specifying what must be done to complete the “IN” and the date by which the “IN” must be converted. Copies of the contract must be provided to the student, faculty member, graduate advisor, and Graduate School office. An “IN” must be converted not later than four weeks before the end of the next regular semester. Under unusual circumstances, the student may be granted an extension to the end of the semester with the approval of the instructor involved, provided that the request was received prior to the normal deadline for the removal of incompletes. If the instructor does not submit a letter grade by the specified deadline, an “I” will remain permanently upon the student’s record and may not thereafter be removed. Once a permanent “I” is recorded for a course, if a student must complete the course to fulfill degree requirements, the student will have to register for the course again and satisfactorily complete the course requirements.
  • Contracts are available in the Graduate School, 200 Bradley Hall, or from the graduate coordinator.

IP – Work in Progress

  • “IP” may be assigned to a student in a graduate course when the instructor agrees that the student requires more than one semester to complete the course. Normally, “IP” grades will only be assigned for thesis courses, other courses involving extensive projects involving research/creative production, or independent study courses. At the time the “IP” is assigned, the instructor and student must sign a contract specifying what must be done to complete the “IP” and the date by which the “IP” must be converted. The “IP,” once assigned, remains on the official academic record upon conversion to a grade or a permanent “I.” Copies of the contract must be provided to the student, faculty member, graduate advisor, and Graduate School Office. If the “IP” is not removed by the specified date, it will be recorded as a permanent “I.” Once a permanent “I” is recorded for a course, if a student must complete the course to fulfill degree requirements, the student will have to register for the course again and satisfactorily complete the course requirements.
  • Contracts are available in the Graduate School, 200 Bradley Hall, or from the graduate coordinator.

Graduate Student Policy Violation Issues And Grievance Procedures

The policy violation issues of a graduate student may be academic or non-academic in nature. In the following sections the definitions, policies and grievance procedures to deal with the issues are delineated. The primary source of procedures for dealing with these issues is the Faculty Handbook. The Student Handbook also has a section dealing with policy violation issues. It also uses as its primary source the Faculty Handbook. These handbooks can be found in the Bradley University web pages. The following is not intended and may not supersede any of the policies of the Faculty Handbook. It does in certain cases provide for input from individuals that are primarily associated with graduate programs and students.

Academic Issues

Academic issues are concerns regarding breach of academic integrity by a student or a student’s allegation of unfair academic evaluation by an instructor. A breach of academic integrity is either cheating or plagiarism by a student.

Definitions

  • Cheating is officially defined as giving or attempting to give, or obtaining or attempting to obtain, information relative to an examination or other work that the student is expected to do alone and not in collaboration with others, or the use of material or information restricted by the instructor. Each instructor will indicate beforehand work that may be done in collaboration with other students.
  • Plagiarism is reproducing from published or unpublished print or electronic media, without quotations or citations, another’s sentences as your own, adopting a particularly apt phrase as your own, paraphrasing someone else’s argument as your own, presenting someone else’s line of thinking in the development of a thesis as though it were your own, and someone else’s project work or results thereof as your own.

Policies

  • Cheating. A “zero” or whatever is the equivalent of the failing lowest grade possible, shall be assigned for that piece of work to any student cheating on a non-final examination or other class assignment. A “zero” or whatever is the equivalent of the lowest failing grade possible shall be assigned on a final examination to any student cheating on a final examination. An “F” shall also be assigned as the course grade to any student cheating on a comprehensive final examination.
  • Plagiarism. A “zero” or whatever is the equivalent of the lowest failing grade possible shall be assigned for that piece of work to any student plagiarizing on a non-final piece of work. In the case of a student plagiarizing on a final research paper or project, an “F” shall also be assigned as the course grade.
  • Repeated Cheating or Plagiarism. For twice-repeated or aggravated offenses of cheating or plagiarism, additional action, including dismissal from the University, may be taken pursuant to the Student Handbook procedures related to the University Judicial System and the disciplinary sanctions for violation of University regulations.

University Student Grievance Policy

Student Grievance Committee Operating Procedures

For online students with unresolved grievances or to file a grievance with your state, please see: http://www.sheeo.org/sites/default/files/Complaint%20Process%20Links%2012-2012.pdf

A student grievance is either academic or non-academic in nature. A student academic grievance refers to a case in which the student claims unfair, prejudicial, or capricious evaluation or treatment of an academic nature by a University faculty member; an academic grievance shall not be filed against actions which would impair the exercise by a University faculty member of his/her academic freedom. A student non-academic grievance refers to a case when a student claims practices which deny or restrict his/her access to or participation in course offerings; sexual harassment, racial discrimination, or any other act by a University faculty member that is derogatory or discriminatory in nature.

A student grievance begins with informal procedures and may continue with subsequent formal procedures. A student may not pursue the formal procedures of a grievance before first exhausting all informal procedures.

The right of a University faculty member to appeal to the Faculty Grievance Committee is not limited by participation in a student grievance nor shall it be prejudiced by any actions or decisions of the Student Grievance Committee.

The grievance procedure is intended to deal with matters as expeditiously as possible. Although the times listed below are recommended guidelines for handling the steps of the procedure, it is expected that they will not be exceeded except under compelling circumstances.

In an academic grievance, if the University faculty member is no longer employed by Bradley University, the student shall meet with the chair of the former faculty member’s department and the word “chair” shall take the place of the words “University faculty member” in what follows.

In a non-academic grievance, if the University faculty member is no longer employed by Bradley University or ceases employment before the case is resolved, the Associate Provost for Student Affairs shall offer the former faculty member the right to participate in the informal and formal grievance procedures. If the former faculty member agrees in writing to do so, the process shall move forward as it would for any other faculty member. If the former faculty member declines to do so, or removes himself or herself in writing at any point, the Associate Provost for Student Affairs shall prepare a written summary of events up to the time the former faculty member removes himself or herself and give copies to the student and the former faculty member. At that point, the internal University procedures shall come to a halt without having been resolved.

A student who claims academic grievance may consult with the Academic Ombudsman.

The grievance process is as follows:

a. Informal Procedures

Academic Grievance

  1. In an academic grievance the student shall meet with the University faculty member in an attempt to resolve the issue within fifteen days of the beginning of the next semester. (The student may consult with the Academic Ombudsman). 
    If the student is a graduate student, the student shall consult his or her Graduate Program Coordinator/Director to seek a course of action to resolve the issue. The Graduate Program Coordinator/Director shall advise the student on the procedures to be followed. If a conflict of interest exists between the student and the Graduate Program Coordinator/Director, the student may seek the advice of the Department Chairperson of the department offering the program in which he/she is enrolled.
  2. Should the issue not be resolved to the student's and the University faculty member's mutual satisfaction, the student may, within five working days of the decision of the University faculty member, appeal to the chairperson/director of the University faculty member's department/division. The chairperson/director shall provide the student and faculty member with a written decision upholding or rejecting the appeal within five working days of the appeal. If the chairperson/director upholds the appeal and finds any unfair or unjustifiable injury or disadvantage to have occurred, his/her decision shall specify remedies to rectify the situation. 
    If a conflict of interest exists with the chairperson/director, the student may appeal directly to the Dean of the University faculty member's college as discussed in 3) below.
  3. Should the issue still not be resolved to the student's and the University faculty member's mutual satisfaction, the student or University faculty member may, within ten working days, appeal the decision of the chairperson/director to the Dean(s) of the College(s) in which the given academic concern resides. This appeal shall specify in writing the alleged grievance. The Dean(s) or Dean(s)' designee(s) shall meet with the relevant parties within five working days of the appeal. The Dean shall deliver a written decision within five working days after the conclusion of this meeting upholding or rejecting the appeal. If the Dean upholds the appeal and finds any unfair or unjustifiable injury or disadvantage to have occurred, his/her decision shall specify remedies to rectify the situation. In cases involving a conflict of interest with the Dean, the student shall initiate the formal procedures specified below.
  4. If the student is enrolled in the Graduate School, and the issue still is not resolved to the student's and the University faculty member's mutual satisfaction, the student or University faculty member may, within ten working days, appeal to the Dean of the Graduate School. This appeal shall specify in writing the alleged grievance. The Dean or Dean's designee(s) shall meet with the relevant parties within five working days of the appeal. The Dean shall deliver within five working days after the conclusion of this meeting a written decision upholding or rejecting the appeal. If the Dean upholds the appeal and finds any unfair or unjustifiable injury or disadvantage to have occurred, his/her decision shall specify remedies to rectify the situation. In cases involving a conflict of interest with the Dean, the student shall initiate the formal procedures specified below.

Non-Academic Grievance.

  1. In a non-academic grievance the student shall meet with the Associate Provost for Student Affairs in an attempt to resolve the issue within fifteen days.
  2. The Associate Provost for Student Affairs will attempt to resolve the matter within ten working days. Should the issue not be resolved, the Associate Provost for Student Affairs shall prepare a written summary of the events and discussions among the student, University faculty member, and any other individuals, and give a copy of the written summary to the student and University faculty member involved. In cases involving a conflict of interest with the Associate Provost for Student Affairs, the student shall meet with the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. In cases involving a conflict of interest with the Provost, the student shall initiate the formal procedures specified below.

b. Formal Procedures

Should the issue not be resolved to the student's and the University faculty member's mutual satisfaction using the informal procedures, the student or University faculty member may, within five working days of the final written decision or summary described above, initiate the formal phase of the grievance procedure by appealing in writing to the Chairperson of the University Student Grievance Committee. This written appeal shall specify the alleged grievance and the result(s) of the appeals during the informal phase of the grievance procedure.

Legal counsel may be used by the parties, at the parties' cost, as part of the formal procedure. Legal counsel for either party shall act in an advisory capacity only and shall not be permitted to speak on behalf of any party. The Student Grievance Committee shall have access to the University attorney on procedural matters.

  1. The Student Grievance Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairperson upon receipt of a written grievance.
    1. The Chairperson shall:
      1. Obtain written statements from all parties involved in the appeal.
      2. Call for a meeting of the Committee to be held within ten working days of submission of the appeal to review the statements from the parties involved, unless extraordinary circumstances require a delay.
      3. The Committee shall decide whether a grievance is in order. If the Committee finds a grievance is not in order, the complaint is dismissed and no further action will be taken by the Committee. If the grievance alleges discrimination, a copy of the minutes of the meeting shall be sent to the Affirmative Action Officer.
    2. If the Committee finds a grievance is in order, the Committee shall
      1. Determine a date, time and place for a formal hearing. Determine the procedures for conducting the formal hearing. All parties concerned will be given at least five working days notice of the time, date and place of the hearing, and of the procedures.
      2. Call on other faculty, staff and students if it would serve the purposes of due process.
      3. Retain records of all written matters dealing with each case.
  2. The Committee shall submit its written findings and decisions for review within forty-five working days after the matter has been formally submitted to the Committee. This time period shall not include either University holidays or times when the faculty are not under contract, such as during the summer. If the Committee finds that unfair or unjustifiable injury or disadvantage has occurred, its decision shall specify remedies to rectify the situation.

The Committee shall submit its findings and decision to the Provost or other appropriate academic officer. Within thirty days of the receipt of the findings and recommendations of the Committee, the Provost or other appropriate University officer shall notify all concerned parties of his/her agreement or disagreement with the Committee's decision, stating the reasons in writing.

Upon agreement of the parties, the grievance procedure can be concluded at any time before notification by the appropriate academic officer.

Dismissal For Non-Academic Reasons

Bradley graduate students must abide by all University regulations. Students who violate University regulations may be subject to disciplinary sanctions including dismissal or suspension as listed in the Bradley Student Handbook. The handbook is online at http://www.bradley.edu/campuslife/student-conduct/.

Transcript Of Credits

A transcript of credits is an authentic copy of the student’s academic record. No partial transcript will be issued. Transcripts are released only by written request of the student. This order must be placed in person or by mail to the Registrar’s Office, and be accompanied by a $7.00 fee per copy requested. For other methods of ordering transcripts, please see bradley.edu/registrar/transcripts.

Bradley University does not issue nor certify copies of transcripts from other institutions.

This is the official catalog for the 2016-2017 academic year. This catalog serves as a contract between a student and Bradley University. Should changes in a program of study become necessary prior to the next academic year every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes via the Dean of the College or Chair of the Department concerned, the Registrar's Office, u.Achieve degree audit system, and the Schedule of Classes. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of the current program and graduation requirements for particular degree programs.