Academic Information

Mission Statement

Graduate programs at University of North Georgia (UNG) advance the institutional mission by promoting scholarly and creative activity, professional practice, leadership, and community service across disciplines.  Graduate programs at UNG support the achievement of professional competencies by offering programs that respond to state and regional demands in an increasingly globalized society.

Academics

The individual student is responsible for being familiar with the academic regulations of University of North Georgia. Each student is urged to read the regulations carefully and to seek clarification from the Office of the Registrar if they have questions concerning academic procedures (i.e., registration, recording of grades, graduation) or seek interpretation from the Office of Academic Affairs if they have questions concerning academic policies or degree program or graduation requirements.

Academic Credit

Credits are expressed in terms of semester hours. One semester hour is the credit given for the work associated with one hour of class per week throughout one semester (approximately fifteen weeks).

Academic Year

The academic year is divided into two semesters (fall and spring) comprised of approximately fifteen weeks each and a summer semester. Summer semester includes a May session, full session and two short sessions.

Uniform Grading System

All institutions of the University System of Georgia are on a 4.0 grade point average system. The following grades are approved for use in institutions of the University System of Georgia and are included in the determination of the grade point average.

The following grading symbols are approved for use in the cases indicated, but will not be included in the determination of the grade point average.

Cumulative Grade Point Average

The cumulative grade point average in each institution of the University System of Georgia will be calculated by dividing the number of hours scheduled in all courses attempted in which a grade of A, B, C, D, F, or WF has been received into the number of quality points earned on those hours scheduled. The cumulative grade point average will be recorded on the student’s permanent record.

Institutional Grade Point Average and Repeated Courses

If a student repeats a course, only the grade of the most recent attempt of the course is used for the purpose of calculating the institutional grade point average. This is the case even if the grade in the most recent attempt is lower than in previous attempts. When the grade in the most recent attempt of a course is lower, this grade is used in addressing graduation requirements. For example, if a student earns a grade of C in a course and upon repeating it earns a grade of D, then the previous credit and the grade of C are not applicable toward meeting graduation requirements.

Grade Changes

All grade changes must receive the approval of the dean of the appropriate school before the Registrar can record changes.

Communication with Faculty Advisor

The academic advising process is a responsibility shared by the advisor and the student. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate with the advisor concerning contemplated changes in class schedule, program of study, or career plans.

Course Load

A graduate student who is registered for nine semester hours or more for one semester is classified as a full-time student. A graduate student who is registered for six semester hours for one semester is classified as a part-time student, and a graduate student who is registered for five or less for one semester is classified as less than half-time. A graduate student must be registered for at least five hours for the semester to be eligible for financial aid.

Course Numbering

The course numbering systems used by UNG is such that, in general, the first digit of the course corresponds to the level of the class (1000-4999, undergraduate, and 5000-8999, graduate). Students must be admitted as a graduate student in order to take courses numbered 5000-8999.

Course Schedules

The university makes every effort to maintain the schedule of courses as announced in its catalog. However, the university reserves the right to withdraw courses, change instructors, or change the schedule of classes at any time without previous announcement.

All students should be aware of enrolling in courses that they have previously taken. The final responsibility for non-duplication of courses rests with the student. Students may not retake a co-listed course for graduate credit if undergraduate credit for the same course has been earned during the previous three years.

Class Schedule Changes

Class schedule changes must be made during the first five days of the fall semester and the first five days of the spring semester. The final day for changing a schedule will vary during summer sessions. Students should consult the university calendar for this information. Schedule changes should be made only after careful consultation with the academic advisor. Students are held responsible for unauthorized changes in schedules. Such changes may result in loss of credit. After the initial period for adjusting class schedules, a withdrawal from a class will result in the assignment of a grade of W (withdraw without penalty) or WF (withdraw failing) as determined by the instructor. The University System of Georgia regulations require that students being withdrawn from classes after midterm receive the grade of WF. Instructors may request the Office of Academic Affairs approve a grade of W after midterm in cases of extenuating circumstances.

Registering for Graduate Courses in Other Programs

Students currently enrolled in a graduate program at UNG who seek to register for a course offered by a different graduate program in which they (students) are not enrolled must secure written permission from the graduate coordinators of both graduate programs (email exchange between both program coordinators and copied to Graduate Admissions is sufficient). Approval must be gained prior to the start of the semester in which the student is seeking to enroll in the course.

This policy does not preclude currently enrolled students in one graduate program from enrolling in cross-listed courses of their plans of study offered by a different graduate program.

Time Limit

In any graduate program, all work submitted for a degree (including the comprehensive examination) must be completed within a continuous six-year period. It is expected that the student will complete the program with reasonable continuity. Students called into military service, stricken by serious illness, or the like may apply for an extension of time.

Former UNG graduate students who have been absent from a program for 18 months or more will reenter under the graduate catalog that is currently in effect.

Accredited Institutions

For the purposes of admissions applications and possible articulated transfer credit, University of North Georgia defines an accredited institution of higher learning as being accredited by one of the following commissions: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC), Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), or WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Transfer Credit

In order to earn a Graduate degree at UNG, a student must earn a minimum of 24 semester hours of credit in residence applicable toward the degree. Some graduate programs may require a higher number of credits in residence; consult the transfer credit policy for the specific program. Transient credits earned are not included in residency requirements.

Credits may be transferred from another accredited institution (as defined in the Accredited Institutions section) subject to the following conditions:

1. Work offered for transfer credit already applied toward another degree cannot be accepted;
2. Work offered for transfer credit must each carry a minimum grade of B or higher;
3. Work offered for transfer credit must have been completed within the six-year period allowed for the completion of degree requirements;
4. Work offered for transfer credit must have been applicable toward a graduate degree at the institution where credit was earned; and,
5. Work offered for transfer credit must have the approval of the student’s advisor, the program coordinator/director, and the dean of the appropriate college.

For graduate credits earned outside of the United States to be considered as transfer credit, a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc., (NACES) is required. The evaluation must certify the equivalency of an accredited institution (as defined in the Accredited Institutions section) for the credits to be considered for transfer. Students must request that the agency submit the evaluation directly to Graduate Admissions.

Acceptance of transfer credit does not reduce the residence requirement stated above.

Transient Credit

Any graduate student may apply to the dean of the appropriate college for authorization to complete certain courses at another institution as a transient student by submitting a transient permission form downloadable from myUNG (password required) or contact Graduate Admissions at grads@ung.edu. Transient student permission will not be granted to students on academic notice, probation, or suspension, or for the purpose of repeating courses.

Transient credits earned are not included in residency requirements.

Change of Program

Before a graduate student may transfer from one graduate degree program to another, the student must submit a new admission application to Graduate Admissions for the intended program. Changing programs may result in additional admission requirements and degree requirements.

Graduation

Before the degree can be conferred, all indebtedness to the university must be met and published requirements for the particular degree fulfilled. Responsibility for meeting these requirements rests with the student, and each candidate should ensure her/his program of study is on file for graduation with the Office of the Registrar.

A student must submit an application for graduation and pay the graduation fee by the published deadline for the semester in which the student anticipates completing degree requirements. Additionally, the student must be on-track to complete all degree requirements no later than the grade submission deadline for the semester in which the student is to be awarded the degree. The Registrar’s Office will determine whether or not a student is eligible to participate in a commencement ceremony. The application for graduation may be secured from ung.edu/commencement.

Degree candidates may participate in only one commencement ceremony per semester and will be recognized for only one degree when they cross the stage during that ceremony. Any degree candidate eligible to receive multiple degrees must choose one degree for which they will be recognized during the commencement ceremony.

Students who, at the end of the semester in which they are eligible to graduate, receive one or more failing/inadequate grades or grades of IP or I in a course or courses that are required to complete the degree will be allowed to participate in the commencement ceremony, but will not be certified to receive the degree until all degree requirements are met.

Study abroad students who, at the end of the semester in which they are eligible to graduate, receive one or more failing/inadequate grades or grades of IP or I in a course or courses that are required to complete the degree will be allowed to participate in the commencement ceremony, but will not be certified to receive the degree until all degree requirements are met.

Transient students who, at the end of the semester in which they are eligible to graduate, receive one or more failing/inadequate grades or grades of IP or I in a course or courses that are required to complete the degree will be allowed to participate in the commencement ceremony, but will not be certified to receive the degree until all degree requirements are met. Transient students who, at the end of the semester in which they are eligible to graduate, do not have official documentation of transient course credit on file in the Registrar’s Office will be allowed to participate in the commencement ceremony, but will not be certified to receive the degree until all degree requirements are met.

In order to participate in a commencement ceremony, students who plan to earn required course credit via credit by examination (departmental examinations for course credit, CLEP, DSST, etc.) during the semester in which they are eligible to graduate must attempt to earn the appropriate credit by examination and have official documentation of that attempt on file in the Registrar’s Office no later than the grade submission deadline for the semester in which the student is eligible to be awarded the degree.

No student may be declared a graduate of the university until all requirements for entrance and for graduation have been met, the degree has been conferred, and the diploma has been awarded.

Second Master’s Degree

A student who wishes to earn a second master’s degree at UNG must complete all specific course requirements related to the second degree. The program coordinator and the head of the department may recommend to the dean that the number of credits required for the second degree be reduced by up to 30 percent to reflect course content common to both degrees. The student has two options:

1. Student shall complete all of the aforementioned requirements and apply for the two degrees to be conferred simultaneously.
2. Student who earned a master’s degree from UNG and wishes to pursue a second master’s degree shall complete all of the aforementioned requirements for the second degree and, if they have not maintained continuous eligibility to enroll, complete a minimum of 24 additional credit hours in residence. Some graduate programs may require a higher minimum number of credit hours in residence.

Appeal of Grades Obtained in Graduate-Level Courses

The procedure for student complaints concerning faculty-grading practices will be as follows:

1. The course syllabus is considered an agreement between the instructor and student. If classroom procedures outlined on the syllabus conflict with institutional policies, institutional policies shall supersede the syllabus. A student who believes a grade violates classroom and/or institutional policy should first, within the first 30 calendar days of the start of the subsequent semester, attempt to resolve a grade appeal directly with the instructor.
2. If this attempt fails, the student must, within the first 30 calendar days of the start of the subsequent semester, submit via college email a written appeal to the instructor’s campus-based administrator, copying the instructor as well as the associate dean of the college, requesting mediation in his/her grade appeal. The campus-based administrator will facilitate a dialogue between the student and the instructor within 14 working days of receipt of the written complaint. If the complaint cannot be resolved at the campus level, the associate dean will review the complaint and render a decision.
3. In instances that cannot be resolved at the departmental/campus or college level within 30 calendar days of the decision reached in step 2 above, the student will complete and submit a Grade Appeal form (available on the Academic Affairs website), including supporting documentation, to the Associate Provost for Academic Administration or campus-based designee. Academic Affairs will, within 14 working days, schedule the hearing as well as elicit additional information from all parties involved (i.e., student, instructor, department chair, campus administrator, dean) necessary for the Student Grade Appeals Committee to conduct the hearing.
4. The faculty pool for the Student Grade Appeal Committee will be chosen in the following manner:
   1. Faculty Senate/Leadership Appointments Committee will select each year a pool of faculty members with representation from each college. When a student grade appeal is submitted to the Associate Provost for Academic Administration or campus-based designee, three faculty members will be selected to serve as a Student Grade Appeal Committee for that particular appeal. A committee chair and a recording secretary will be designated.
   2. Faculty from the same degree program as the instructor(s) involved in the appeal will not serve on the committee.
   3. Faculty from the same degree program of the student’s academic major will not serve on the committee.
   4. Faculty who are potentially biased against or in favor of the student or the involved instructor(s) will not serve on the committee.
   5. The aggrieved student and each involved instructor may strike one member from the panel without prejudice.
5. The committee functions in the following manner:
   1. The committee investigates the circumstances of the appeal, allowing both the student and the involved instructor(s) to present their cases. The student and the instructor have the option of addressing the committee in person or providing the committee with a written statement of appeal in lieu of appearing in person. Both the student and the instructor(s) may name other individuals with relevant, first-hand information to address the panel in person or in writing. If the student chooses to address the committee in person, he/she has the privilege of bringing to the meeting one advisor, selected from the faculty, staff, or student body. The advisor is not allowed to address the committee or to ask questions of committee members during the meeting. During the meeting, the student is allowed to confer privately with the advisor. The student and the instructor(s) have the right to remain in the room while testimony is being given. All oral testimony will be recorded. If the student chooses to provide the committee with a written statement of appeal in lieu of appearing in person, the student will be required to submit a signed statement indicating that he/she has chosen not to meet with the committee. If there are follow-up questions from the committee, they will be mailed to the student with a request that they be answered in writing.
   2. After considering all information relating to the appeal, the committee will formulate recommendations based on the decision of the majority.
   3. The committee will forward a record of the hearing and a recommendation to the Office of the Provost.
6. The Associate Provost for Academic Administration will review the recommendation. It will be the responsibility of the Associate Provost to render a decision in the case, whereupon the student, the department head, and the faculty member shall be advised in writing. If circumstances warrant, the Provost shall have the authority to change a student’s grade upon recommendation of the committee.
7. In the event the student wishes to appeal the decision of the Associate Provost, he/she may direct his/her appeal in writing to the Provost within five business days from the receipt of the letter sent by the Associate Provost. The decision of the Provost shall be final and binding.

Code of Conduct

The standards of conduct expected of University of North Georgia students are basically those prevailing in any well-ordered society composed of intelligent, moral people. In terms of disruptive behavior, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia has stated that any student who, acting singularly or in concert with others, obstructs or disrupts, or attempts to obstruct or disrupt, by force or violence, or by threat of force or violence, any teaching, research, administrative, disciplinary, public service, or any other activity authorized to be held or conducted on the campus of University of North Georgia or on any campus of the University System of Georgia shall be subject to immediate dismissal. The words force and violence shall be construed to include such obstructive and disruptive acts as stand-ins, sit-ins, and lie-ins.

Any student who remains in or refuses to vacate any building on the campus of University of North Georgia or on the campus of any institution within the University System of Georgia at a time when such building is normally, usually, and customarily closed to students, and after having received notice to vacate from the President of the institution or other officer charged with the custody and control of the building, shall be subject to immediate dismissal.

Dismissal of a Graduate Student

1. Students dismissed from the university and one of its graduate programs shall have the right to appeal.
2. Students are encouraged to attempt to resolve appeals through the program coordinator/director and, if necessary, through the appropriate academic dean.
3. In instances that cannot be resolved at the program or college level, the appeal will be forwarded to the Dean for consideration.
4. The appeal will be heard as soon as possible so that, if the appeal is successful, the student will be readmitted to the program with a minimum of interruption. However, the student will not be allowed to enroll while his/her appeal is pending.
5. The members of the Dismissal Appeal Committee will be the Chair, who is also Dean, and members of Graduate Council.
6. The committee functions in the following manner:
   1. Prior to the hearing, the committee will investigate the circumstances of the appeal, allowing the student and the program coordinator/director to present their cases in writing. If the program has a dismissal-appeal process, the program committee will also submit, in writing, a summary or documentation from the program’s hearing process.
   2. The committee will schedule a hearing, making every conceivable effort to identify a date, time, and place when the student and instructor will be able to attend.
   3. During the committee hearing, both the student and the program coordinator/director will be allowed to present their cases. The student and the program coordinator have the option of addressing the committee in person or providing the committee with a written statement of appeal in lieu of appearing in person. Both the student and the program coordinator/director may name other individuals with relevant, first-hand information to address the panel in person or in writing.
   4. If the student chooses to address the committee in person, he/she has the privilege of bringing one advisor, selected from the faculty, staff, or student body, to the meeting. The advisor is not allowed to address the committee or to ask questions of committee members during the meeting. The student is allowed, during the meeting, to confer privately with the advisor.
   5. If the instructor (and, if applicable in clinical or internship situations, the clinical instructor or on-site supervisor) additionally chooses to address the committee in person, he/she may bring one advisor, selected from the faculty or staff, to the meeting. The advisor is not allowed to address the committee or ask questions of committee members or any other attendee during the meeting. The instructor is allowed to confer privately with the advisor during the meeting.
   6. The student and the instructor(s) have the right to remain in the room while testimony is being given. All oral testimony will be recorded.
   7. If the student chooses to provide the committee with a written statement of appeal in lieu of appearing in person, the student will be required to submit a signed statement indicating that he/she has chosen not to meet with the committee.
   8. If there are follow-up questions from the committee, they will be mailed to the student or program coordinator/director, along with a request that they be answered in writing and promptly submitted.
   9. After considering all information relating to the appeal, the committee will formulate recommendations based on the decision of the majority.
   10. The chair will forward a record of the hearing and a recommendation to the Office of Academic Affairs.
   11. The Associate Provost for Academic Administration will review the recommendation. It will be the responsibility of the Associate Provost for Academic Administration to render a decision in the case, whereupon the student, the program coordinator, and the appropriate dean shall be advised in writing.
   12. In the event the student wishes to appeal the decision of the Associate Provost for Academic Administration, he/she may direct his/her appeal in writing to the President within five business days from the receipt of the decision letter.
   13. If the student is not satisfied by the final decision of the President, he/she may apply to the Board of Regents for a review of the decision. The application for review must be submitted in writing to the Board’s Office of Legal Affairs within a period of twenty days following the decision of the President. It shall state the decision complained of and the redress desired.

Academic and Professional Integrity Policy

Preamble

The University of North Georgia is dedicated to providing an educational climate characterized by integrity. Academic Integrity must be the cornerstone of an institution of higher learning and must pervade all segments of the UNG community. Furthermore, academic integrity is the mutual responsibility of the various constituencies (students, faculty, staff, and administration) that compose the university. At the graduate level, academic professional programs are further committed to upholding the standards of Professional Integrity as often outlined by Professional Codes of Ethics.

UNG’s Honor Code, “On my honor, I will not lie, cheat, steal, plagiarize, evade the truth, or tolerate those who do” reflects the institution’s commitment to academic and professional integrity. The Graduate Council recommends that the Honor Code be placed on all syllabi and in all graduate program student handbooks. The absence of the Honor Code statement on syllabi or assignments or the absence of a student’s signature in no way releases the student from the responsibility to know, understand and follow the university’s Honor Code.

Academic Integrity

The University of North Georgia recognizes honesty and integrity as being necessary to the academic functioning of the university. UNG graduate students are expected to uphold the university regulations addressed in the Student Code of Conduct, Article 3, Rule 2.

Professional Integrity

A professional is one who willingly “adopts” and consistently applies the knowledge, skills, and values of a chosen profession. Integrity may be the most appropriate word used to describe the person who willingly and consistently acts in accordance with the social standards or moral values of society.

Professional Integrity Defined

A professional is one who willingly adopts and consistently applies the knowledge, skills, and values of a chosen profession. A person with integrity willingly and consistently acts ethically, honestly, and truthfully in all endeavors. Thus, one who has professional integrity consistently and willingly practices within the guidelines of the mission of a chosen profession under the obligation of a code of ethics. The following rules and principles define the concept of Professional Integrity.

1. Student shall not violate the provisions of the Code of Ethics prescribed or adopted by the relevant graduate program.
2. Student shall not lie to or otherwise deceive instructors, peers, internship supervisors, or clients.
3. Student shall not show disregard for the well-being, safety, or dignity of clients, peers, or supervisors.
4. Student shall not misuse resources of the university or any agency for which the student is conducting an internship, clinical experience, etc.
5. Student shall comply with the policies and regulations of the program and any agency for which the student is conducting an internship, clinical experience, etc.

Violations of the Academic and Professional Integrity Policy are processed by misconduct reports submitted to the Office of the Dean of Students. Procedures for filing a misconduct report are outlined on the UNG website, Dean of Students, Student Code of Conduct, Article 4 - Procedures.