The Roger Williams University community recognizes that, in today’s global society, there is an increasing need for knowledge and skills beyond the baccalaureate level in many fields and disciplines. As a result, graduate education at Roger Williams University seeks to provide advanced preparation and continuing educational opportunities for students in a select number of academic fields.
Our graduate programs are designed to prepare advanced students for independent thought and critical thinking, and to foster team-building and collaborative skills. Thus, graduate education at Roger Williams University enriches the lives of students seeking life-long learning experiences, and provides opportunities for stimulating study and a focus on creativity and critical analysis.
Our programs are designed for both full and part-time students, and courses are available at a wide variety of times and in many different formats. Roger Williams University prides itself on outstanding library resources, excellent computing facilities, and small classes taught by world-class professors. Research is obviously an important component of graduate education, and our students have the opportunity to participate in independent investigation and mentored studies and research projects with experienced faculty, all of which can lead to presentations and publications. In short, Roger Williams University seeks to provide graduate study of an exemplary nature in selected disciplines for especially capable, professionally-oriented students.
- Architecture, M.Arch.
- Business Administration, M.B.A.
- Criminal Justice, M.S.
- Cybersecurity, M.A.
- Cybersecurity, M.S.
- Forensic Mental Health Counseling, M.A.
- Leadership, M.S.
- Real Estate, M.S.
- Public Administration, M.P.A.
- Preservation Practices M.S.
- Special Education, M.A.
- School Finance and Operations, M.S.
Bachelor’s Plus Programs
Joint Master’s / Juris Doctor Programs
Certificate Programs
Graduate School Academic Policies and Procedures
Academic Integrity Pledge
Breaches of Academic Integrity
Academic Standards
We, the students of Roger Williams University, commit ourselves to academic integrity. We promise to pursue the highest ideals of academic life, to challenge ourselves with the most rigorous standards, to be honest in any academic endeavor, to conduct ourselves responsibly and honorably, and to assist one another as we live and work together in mutual support.
Roger Williams University exists to foster the mature pursuit of learning, which is premised upon the exercise of mutual trust and honest practice when representing data, findings and the sources of ideas used in an academic exercise. The University expects students to observe these principles of academic integrity that ensure the excellence of their education and the value of their diploma.
Examples of breaches of academic integrity include but are not limited to:
Cheating: Using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information or citation in any academic exercise. Examples include, but are not limited to
- Copying from another student on exams or assignments;
- Altering graded exams of assignments and resubmitting them for a new grade;
- Submitting the same paper for two classes without both instructors’ written permission.
Fabrication: Unauthorized falsifications or invention of any information or citation in any academic exercise. Examples include, but are not limited to
- Using made-up citations in papers or other assignments;
- Representing collaborative work as the result of individual effort;
- Collaborating on graded assignments beyond the extent authorized by the instructor.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is best defined as the incorporation of words and ideas of another person in an attempt to claim that person’s work as one’s own. Thus, plagiarism fails to engage in civil, scholarly discourse. It is sometimes a form of intellectual theft and is always a form of intellectual fraud.
In its worst form, plagiarism may consist of directly copying large or small portions of either printed or online works, or, as frequently happens in schools, written papers of another student, without properly crediting the source(s) from which they came. There are, however, more subtle forms of plagiarism as well. Paraphrasing, which is the process of using alternative expressions to communicate the meaning of another author’s words, is also a form of plagiarism, unless the sources of those ideas are acknowledged. Roger Williams University provides resources and advice to students to help avoid plagiarism.
See How to Avoid Plagiarism (http://library.rwu.edu/howdoI/plagiarism.php) and Citing Sources (https://www.rwu.edu/library/news/citing-your-sources). Students are encouraged to consult their instructor if they have questions regarding proper documentation of sources and avoiding plagiarism. Examples of plagiarism include, but are not limited to
- Quoting or paraphrasing someone else’s work without correct citation;
- Copying work of another and representing it as your own;
- Purchasing a paper, essay or other work;
- Having someone else do your work for you.
Fraud: Altering, forging, or encouraging another person to alter or forge, official records of the institution, or assisting others in such activities. Examples of fraud include, but are not limited to
- Taking an exam for someone else;
- Changing the grade on an assignment and representing it as the original.
Willful Damage: Damaging another’s creative work or property. Facilitating Academic Dishonesty: Assisting or aiding someone else in committing a breach of academic integrity. Examples include, but are not limited to
- Allowing another student to copy a paper, problem set, exam or other assignment that is meant to be completed individually;
- Taking an exam or completing an assignment for another student;
- Obtaining a copy of an exam ahead of time for oneself or another student.
Consequences of a Breach of Academic Integrity
Civil discourse and the entire academic project depend on mutual trust among the community of scholars that is Roger Williams University. Even a minor breach of academic integrity diminishes that trust. Accordingly, the consequences of a breach of academic integrity, depending on severity, include:
- Failure on the assignment on which the breach occurred;
- Failure of the class in which the breach occurred;
- Academic probation for one semester;
- Suspension for one semester;
- Separation (dismissal) from the Roger Williams University community.
Academic Conduct Committee
The University Academic Conduct Committee is empowered to investigate and adjudicate all cases of suspected breaches of academic integrity. This committee will also serve as the record keeper of all academic integrity breaches. The University Academic Conduct Committee may, as part of its deliberations, consider a student’s prior breaches of academic integrity on file. The University Academic Conduct Committee shall establish and publish by-laws and procedures pertaining to its own operations
Committee Composition
The University Academic Conduct Committee shall be composed of one elected faculty representative from each school or college (including one from each CAS division), two representatives elected by the Student Senate, and one administrator (ex officio) from Academic Affairs.
Procedure for Dealing with Alleged Breaches of Academic Integrity
- A faculty member who suspects a breach of academic integrity shall investigate, including opportunity for the student to answer the allegation. Upon finding evidence of a breach of academic integrity, a faculty member may elect to penalize the offending student by
- Issuing the student a formal warning
- Failing the student on the assignment on which the breach occurred
- Failing the student in the class in which the breach occurred
- The faculty member must communicate directly with the student via RWU e-mail, with copies sent to the Dean’s office of the faculty member, and to the dean of the student’s major, if different. Documentary evidence of the breach of academic integrity must also be forwarded to the dean’s office.
- The Dean’s office will inform the student of her/his right of appeal, along with the forms to be completed to initiate the appeal process.
- The Deans’ offices will forward all actions taken by faculty regarding academic integrity violations, along with all corresponding documentary evidence, to the Office of the Academic Provost, which shall serve as a clearinghouse.
- Students may appeal any penalty for a breach of academic integrity enforced by a faculty member to the University Academic Conduct Committee by notifying the Dean’s office, the faculty member, and the University Academic Conduct Committee in writing within 21 days of the final action of the faculty member.
- The University Academic Conduct Committee shall hear student appeals of faculty actions concerning academic integrity. The decision of the University Academic Conduct Committee will be communicated to the student, to the Dean, and to the faculty member in writing via RWU e-mail. Student(s) may appeal a decision of the University Academic Conduct Committee to the Office of the Provost within 21 days of the decision. The Provost’s decision is final.
- Upon finding recurring or particularly egregious instances of breaches of academic integrity by a student, the Office of the Provost reserves the right to levy
- Academic probation for one semester
- Suspension for one semester
- Separation (dismissal) from the Roger Williams University community.
Students are responsible for knowing and complying with the academic regulations of the University. The University has one Academic Policies Committee that serves as the appeal committee for students requesting exceptions to academic policy. An Academic Policy Appeal may be obtained on the Registrar’s website: https://www.rwu.edu/academics/registrar/registrar-forms. Appeals must be completed and submitted to the Center for Student Academic Success.
Withdrawal, Leave of Absence, Medical Leave of Absence - Changes to Student Enrollment Status
Withdrawal from the University
Non-medical Leave
Medical Leave
Administrative Withdrawal
Reinstatement
Students who wish to change their enrollment status at the University are required to adhere to the following procedures:
- Students must notify the Advising and Peer Mentorship Office and complete the exit interview process.
- Students who plan to process a withdrawal should refer to the Financial Information section of this catalog for information regarding policies governing the refund of tuition and fees.
- Students who withdraw from the University after the last day to drop a course without a W (withdrawal) grade will be graded at the end of the semester by their professor(s).
- The Advising and Peer Mentorship Office submits a Change of Status Form to the Registrar’s Office and notifies the appropriate offices.
- Students who follow the procedure for withdrawal and who are in good academic standing may request their reinstatement to the university through Advising and Peer Mentorship. Students must submit their request for reinstatement 30 days prior to the start of the term for which they intend to enroll.
The application for a non-medical leave of absence must be initiated in the Advising and Peer Mentorship Office prior to the beginning of the semester. If a leave is granted, Advising and Peer Mentorship will notify the appropriate offices.
A student on academic leave of absence may apply for a one-semester extension only prior to the start of the subsequent semester, otherwise, will be considered withdrawn from the university. Students who study away/visit out, must follow the procedure for a non-medical leave.
A student may apply to the Office of Student Life for a medical leave of absence from the University for one full semester. Students are limited to one medical leave of absence during matriculation at the University. Applications are due no later than December 1 for the fall semester and May 1 for the spring semester. Students must complete a medical leave of absence form and submit a letter outlining why they are requesting the leave. The request must be supported by documentation from a physician or psychologist. The student is expected to be in treatment while they are on leave. When requesting readmission, the student should complete a request for readmissions form and submit a letter outlining how they have spent their time away preparing to return. The physician or psychologist responsible for treatment must provide a recommendation supporting readmission of the student.
When students are approved for a medical leave, they receive grades of W and are withdrawn from enrolled classes for any subsequent semester/s. Students should consult with the Office of Financial Aid to discuss financial implications and contact their academic advisor to determine the impact on their academic program. Students are also encouraged to look into the possible health insurance implications.
Requests are reviewed and the student will be notified of the decision in writing. The University reserves the right to place restrictions on a student’s leave and/or readmission.
Students who are not registered for a subsequent semester within 30 days of the last day of final exams according to the Academic Calendar will be administratively withdrawn from the University.
Students who do not follow the procedure for withdrawal must follow the reinstatement process by contacting Advising and Peer Mentorship. If readmitted, they must enter under the requirements of the University Catalog for the year they re-enter unless determined otherwise by the student’s dean.
Students who leave the University on academic or nonacademic probation may be considered for reinstatement; all requests require the approval of their school/college dean.
Students who follow procedure for withdrawal and who are in good academic standing may request their reinstatement through Advising and Peer Mentorship. Students must initiate their reinstatement prior to the start of the term for which they intend to enroll.
All students seeking reinstatement from a Leave of Absence or Withdrawal, initiate this process through Advising and Peer Mentorship prior to the start of the semester they wish to enroll. The condition of the separation will determine the process a student follows.
Withdrawal
Students, who officially withdraw from the university and wish to reinstate, are required to contact Advising and Peer Mentorship. The Dean of the School or College must approve the reinstatement prior to any action being taken. This includes course selection, registration, and housing assignments.
Administrative Withdrawal
Students who failed to follow the withdrawal process resulting in an administrative withdrawal must contact Advising and Peer Mentorship prior to the start of the start of the semester they wish to return, to initiate the reinstatement process. The Dean of the School or College must authorize the reinstatement prior to any action being taken. If students are readmitted they must enter under the requirements of the University Catalog for the year, they re-enter unless determined otherwise by the students’ dean. Students are required to contact their Dean or Academic Advisor to review their academic record and receive permission to register for classes.
Medical Leave
A student returning from an approved Medical Leave must provide a recommendation from the physician or psychologist responsible for treatment supporting readmission to the university. Students must contact the Dean of Students to initiate the process to return to the university.
Non-medical Leave
A student on a non-medical leave may apply through the Advising and Peer Mentorship Office. Students who fail to initiate a return after one semester are automatically withdrawn from the University and must contact Advising and Peer Mentorship to subsequently return to the University. All reinstatements require a school Dean’s approval prior to selecting and enrolling for a subsequent term.
University Transcripts
The University transcript is an official document reflecting a student’s cumulative academic record. An official transcript is reproduced on colored paper stock bearing the seal of the University and is issued directly to the person or institution specified by the student. All transcripts are issued in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 and may not be released to a third party without the prior written consent of the student.
A fee of $7.50 per transcript must be remitted and all outstanding debts satisfied prior to release of the transcript. Requests for transcripts should include dates of attendance or graduation, name at time of attendance and specific school, declared major, and student’s RWU ID number.
E-transcripts are issued within 24 hours; for students attending prior to 1991, paper copies are processed in five business days of receipt of request. However, during certain periods, mailing of transcripts may be delayed by an additional three or four days. To avoid delays in forwarding transcripts to colleges, graduate schools, employers, and government agencies, students are advised to request transcripts well in advance of their deadlines for application, reimbursement, or incentive pay.
Degree Application
Participation in Commencement
All graduate students eligible to complete a graduation application upon their matriculation at the University. Students must complete a graduation application in order for their degrees to be conferred. Completing a graduation application also:
- Allows the student’s name to be added to the commencement list for the semester they are graduating and added to the commencement program
- Is used to order the student’s diploma
- Allows the Registrar’s Office to monitor the student’s progress towards completing their requirements and notify the student of any missing requirements
- Lets the student’s advisor know that they are ready to graduate
Students should apply to graduate in RogerCentral by clicking on the Graduation Overview tab on the home page menu.
Each student is responsible for meeting all degree requirements and for ensuring that the Registrar’s Office has received all credentials. Degrees conferred reflect the graduation date that follows the student’s successful completion of all degree requirements. Degrees are conferred three times a year - in December, May, and August.
Participation in Commencement
Commencement ceremonies occur only in May. Gradaute students in good academic standing may participate in Commencement subject to the following conditions:
- Graduate students will have satisfied all of their graduation requirements by the end of the Spring term or have no more than 1 remaining course (or 5 credits), including courses with Incomplete grades
- All academic matters affecting the graduation, including incomplete grades and matters needing an Academic Standards committee decision are resolved 6 weeks prior to the May ceremony;
- The cumulative grade-point average in the semester before graduation must be 3.0 or higher; this includes summer and winter sessions.
Awarding of Posthumous Degrees
Policy Statement. It shall be the policy of the University to award posthumous academic degrees for students who have successfully completed a substantial portion of their academic programs with diplomas to specifically indicate a posthumous degree. In situations in which the President of the University determines that a particular situation warrants the granting of a posthumous degree, the President shall recommend such action to the Board of Trustees.
Qualifications of Candidate for a Posthumous Degree. To be eligible for a posthumous degree, a deceased student must have been actively enrolled in a degree program and in good standing at the University at the time of his or her death, or was actively enrolled in a degree program and in good standing at the time the medical condition leading to his or her death was diagnosed. More specifically, to be considered for a posthumous degree, the deceased student shall have complied with the above requirements and in addition shall have completed the following requirements for the following degrees:
- Posthumous Bachelor’s Degree. The deceased student must have achieved a grade point average (GPA)of at least 2.0; successfully completed at least 20 credits of course work in a major; completed substantially all of the University core curriculum requirements and service learning requirement; and at least have standing as a second semester junior.
- Posthumous Law Degree. The posthumous law degree will be awarded by the Board of Trustees upon the affirmative recommendation of the Dean of the Law School, the President of the University and the Board of Directors of the Law School. The deceased student must have achieved a grade point (GPA) average of at least 2.5 and successfully completed at least 75% of the required coursework, required hours and other requirements for the degree.
- Posthumous Graduate Degree. The deceased student must have achieved a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5; successfully completed at least 75% of the program’s coursework, required hours and other requirements for the degree; and if a thesis is required for the program, approval of the his or her thesis proposal.
Non-‐Degree Academic Programs. The University will not award posthumous certificates to deceased persons enrolled in non-‐degree programs at the time of death.
Procedure - Undergraduate and Graduate Programs Other than The Law School. In most cases initiation of the awarding of a posthumous degree will come from the academic department in which the deceased student has declared her or his major; however, initiation may come from any interested party, including but
not limited to the family of the deceased student, a member of the faculty or administration, the Dean of the School of College from which the deceased student would have received her or his degree had she or he lived, the Provost or the President of the University. The qualifications (see above) shall be determined jointly by the Registrar and the Dean of the School or College. All recommendations for a posthumous degree shall be channeled through the Provost who shall consider the determination of qualifications made by the Registrar and the Dean, and make his or her recommendation to the President, who in turn may make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees for action.
Procedure - Law School. In the case of the Law School, in most cases the initiation of the awarding of a posthumous Juris Doctor degree will come from the faculty of the Law School; however, initiation may come from any interested party, including but not limited to the family of the deceased student, the Dean of the Law School or the President of the University. The qualifications (see above) shall be determined jointly by the Registrar and the Dean of the Law School. If it is determined that the deceased student meets the qualifications, the Dean of the Law School shall make his or her recommendation to the Board of Directors of the Law School. If approved by the Board of Directors, the recommendation shall be delivered to the President of the University, who in turn may make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees for action.
Consent of Deceased Student’s Family Required. Under no circumstances shall a posthumous degree be awarded to a deceased student, even if he or she has met all qualifications and is recommended for a posthumous degree, unless and until approval has been received by the President of the University from parents, spouse or life partner of the deceased student.
Coursework Undertaken at the Time of Death. If, at the time of death or incapacity leading to death, a student is enrolled in a course or courses, and the student has completed a sufficient amount of the coursework so that the instructor reasonably concludes that a final passing grade is appropriate, the coursework shall be considered completed for the purposes of satisfying the qualifications for a posthumous degree. If the deceased student was in her or his final term, and the instructors are able to conclude that final passing grades are appropriate, and if the final grades are sufficient to award a degree, the degree will awarded as earned, and shall not be designated a posthumous degree.
Ceremony. With the consent of the deceased student’s family, the President of the University will present the diploma to the family in a private gathering of interested persons. If the family (parents and/or spouse) prefers not to have a private gathering, the diploma will be sent by the President of the University to the parents of the deceased student.
APPROVED BY RESOLUTION OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES OCTOBER 17, 2014
Deadlines for Non-Classroom Graduation Requirements
Students must adhere to deadlines for comprehensive examinations, submission of all elements of the thesis process, and any other program requirements.
To be eligible to earn a master’s degree from Roger Williams University, students must earn a minimum of 24 credit hours in residency at the University in the student’s active degree program. Dual degree programs with the RWU School of Law are exempt from this requirement. Students pursuing graduate certificates must earn a minimum of 9 credits in residency.
Transfer of Graduate Credit
Matriculating graduate students may transfer graduate credit earned from another institution at the time of admission provided that those credits carry a minimum grade of ‘C’ and have not been used toward another earned master’s degree. The number of credits eligible for transfer may not exceed the difference between the credits required for the student’s academic program and the Graduate Residency Requirement. In all circumstances, transfer credit requests are not guaranteed and subject to the discretion of the Graduate Program Director in consultation with the appropriate Academic Dean. Individual programs may have additional requirements as established by external accrediting agencies.
To request consideration for transfer credit, students must submit official transcripts reflecting the earned graduate credit to their respective Graduate Program Director for review. Students may also be requested to submit course syllabi or other related documents for consideration. Graduate transfer credit is subject to individual review and will be applied to the student’s degree plan by the Graduate Program Director in consultation with the University Registrar.
Time to Complete Master’s Degree Requirements
All graduate certificate and degree program requirements must be satisfied within 60 months from the first day of the first semester of matriculation. When required, comprehensive examinations, language examinations, thesis requirements, etc. must also be successfully completed within this time frame. Degree candidates must register for all terms during which they are pursuing the degree, including terms after classroom course work is completed.
Registration for Courses
Pre-Registration
Adding a Course
Dropping a Course
Withdrawal from a Course
Cancellation of Courses
Variable Content (Special Topics) Courses
Pre-Registration
Pre-registration is held for returning, degree seeking /visiting graduate and joint admissions students in November for the Winter and Spring semesters, and in April for the Summer and Fall semesters. During the advising period, held two weeks prior to registration, a student meets with his/her advisor to review the student’s progress towards their meeting specific degree requirements.
Students may register online using the myRWU student portal or may register in person at the Registrar’s Office. Before attending any class, students must officially register and satisfy all financial obligations to the University. The University reserves the right to deny admission to class to any student who has not registered or remitted full payment of tuition and fees.
All graduate courses added after the first week of classes must be approved by the course instructor using the Add/Drop form. The last day to add a course is noted in the University Academic Calendar.
Courses dropped during the add/drop period are deleted from the student’s academic record. Dropping a course may, in some instances, impact financial aid awards. The last day to drop a course is noted in the University Academic Calendar.
After the add/drop period has ended, graduate students may officially withdraw from a course by submitting an Add/Drop form before the date designated in the University Academic Calendar for the semester or session involved. A grade of W is recorded, and students are responsible for all tuition and fees. Credit is not assigned.
Courses are available each semester via the MyRWU portal. The University reserves the right to cancel sections and to change course offerings, instructors, locations, and meeting times.
Variable content courses rotate topics on a regular basis. Although the course number remains the same, variable content courses may be retaken provided that the topic is not repeated. A course that is re-numbered or re-titled but retains its original content is not considered a variable content course, and may not be repeated for duplicate credit.
Graduate Program Grades and Grade Points
Culminating Projects, Examinations, and Theses
Incomplete Grades
Repeated Courses
Right of Grade Appeal
Mid-Semester Warning Grades
Final Grades/Holds on Student Records
Graduate Program Grades and Grade Points
Graduate programs at Roger Williams University employ the grading system and GPA calculations as prescribed in the RWU General Catalog. Minimum passing grade in any graduate level work is C. Individual Schools or Colleges may require a higher minimum passing grade. For details refer to relevant sections of the RWU University Catalog.
| Grade |
Description |
Grade Points |
| A |
Excellent |
4.00 |
| A- |
|
3.67 |
| B+ |
Good |
3.33 |
| B |
|
3.00 |
| B- |
Average |
2.67 |
| C+ |
|
2.33 |
| C |
|
2.00 |
| F |
Failure |
0.00 |
The following designations may be applied but are not calculated in the GPA:
| P |
Pass |
NS |
Not Submitted by Instructor |
| I |
Incomplete |
L |
Lab Participant |
| W |
Withdrawal |
T |
Transfer |
| AU |
Audit |
|
|
All graduate degree programs will include both graduate level course work and some sort of culminating intellectual experience. The exact nature of this culminating experience will vary from program to program, but all graduate degree programs must have such a component. The culminating work could be an exhibition, a research study, a comprehensive examination, a research thesis, or a project, depending on the needs and expectations of the graduate degree program. The end product must be evaluated by at least two graduate faculty members. Individual programs / schools may issue their own detailed regulations in addition to these general guidelines.
Faculty may assign a grade of Incomplete (I) directly through the RogerCentral grading module for graduate coursework. In all cases, faculty should stipulate in writing to the student receiving an Incomplete, the remaining work to be completed and the duration of the extension. For non-culminating classroom work, Incomplete grades will automatically change to an ‘F’ if the work is not completed, and a Change of Grade form is not submitted by the faculty member to the Registrar’s Office by the end of the subsequent semester.
Unresolved Fall and Winter Incomplete grades change to ‘F’ grades on the last day of the Spring semester (see academic calendar for specific dates). Unresolved Spring and Summer Incomplete grades change to ‘F’ grades on the last day of the Fall semester (see academic calendar for specific dates).
When extenuating circumstances occur, graduate students with Incomplete grades may request an extension beyond the deadlines stated above with the approval of both the faculty member that assigned the Incomplete grade and the school dean. Incomplete grade extensions must be received by the Registrar’s Office no later than the last day of classes of the subsequent term in which the incomplete was assigned. Once an Incomplete grade lapses to an ‘F’, the Academic Standards Petition process must be followed in order to extend an Incomplete grade.
Students that recieve in Incomplete grade in a capstones, practical experiences, research and/or thesis courses and do not register for courses in the subsequent Fall or Spring semester must be registered for a non-credit Continuous Enrollment course to keep them active with the University. The fee for a Continuous Enrollment course is $300 per semester. Students must be regsitered for a Continuous Enrollment course every Fall and Spring semester until their Incomplete grade is changed to a letter grade.
A course may be repeated for credit with permission of the dean if a grade of B- or less is received on the first attempt. If a student receives a second grade of B- or less in the repeated course, the course may be repeated only once more. The grade for the repeated course is calculated in the GPA in place of the initial grade(s) provided that the course is taken at Roger Williams University and the grade in the repeated course is higher than the previous grade(s). The previous grade(s) remains on the record, but neither the previous grade(s) nor the credits are calculated.
All applicable tuition and fees are charged and must be paid for all repeated courses.
A graduate student who formally appeals a course grade must do so in writing within one semester of receiving the grade. Correspondence should be addressed to the professor and a copy sent to the dean of the college or school in which the course is offered.
A change of grade may be made if the professor and dean both approve and sign a Change-of-Grade form, which is forwarded to the Registrar. If either the professor or the dean disapproves of the change of grade, the student has the right to appeal to the college or school Academic Standards Committee within two weeks of receiving written disapproval. Students may not appeal a grade subsequent to the award date of their degree.
Warning grades are issued to graduate students receiving a B- or below at the discretion of the course instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to meet with their academic advisor and the instructor of any course in which a warning grade is issued to discuss ways to improve the quality of their work, and seek help from all available campus resources.
Holds may be placed on a student’s record for a variety of reasons, incomplete submission of required documents, outstanding balances, etc. The hold may prohibit registration, viewing of grades, obtaining transcripts or receiving a diploma, depending on the type of hold. Students may view the type of hold on their account via MyRWU student portal.
Graduate Academic Good Standing
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher to remain in satisfactory academic standing. However, no more than 20% of credits for course work attempted that carries a grade below B will be applied toward graduation requirements.
Failure to meet the Academic Standards policy in any semester will result in academic probation.
Academic Standings
Graduate Academic Good Standing
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher to remain in satisfactory academic standing.
At the conclusion of each semester, the appropriate school dean reviews the records of graduate students that fail to achieve satisfactory academic progress as a result of their academic performance that semester. In consultation with the appropriate Graduate Program Director the dean may choose to take one of the following actions or may take other actions specific to the noted deficiency in the student file. Written notification of all actions taken by the dean is communicated to the student via certified mail and university email in a timely fashion.
Academic Sanctions
Academic Guidance:
The objective of the Academic Guidance Program (AGP) is to ensure that graduate students experiencing academic difficulty in a given semester, but still satisfying the cumulative academic standards, are identified and offered guidance to achieve success the subsequent semester. Students enrolled in the AGP must meet with their graduate advisors within the first two weeks of that subsequent semester and are encouraged to keep in contact with them throughout the semester. Students are encouraged to avail themselves of the support offered through their department as well as other university resources.
Graduate students will be placed on Academic Guidance if they do not complete 50% of their attempted coursework in a given semester. Graduate students that maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 but who earn one or more grades lower than a B in a given semester will also be placed on Academic Guidance.
Academic Management:
The objective of the Academic Management Program is to provide students with a structured opportunity to work with their advisor to improve their academic performance. Academic Management formally notifies students of conditions that must be met in the subsequent semester. Students placed on Academic Management must meet regularly with their advisor and establish a plan for immediate improvement. Students who do not meet the conditions established by their dean are subject to academic hiatus or dismissal.
Graduate students will be placed on Academic Management for one semester during the traditional fall or spring semester terms if they fail to achieve a minimum term GPA of 3.0 or if they fail to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Academic Hiatus:
The objective of Academic Hiatus is to allow students to take time away from their program to consider their academic and career goals. Academic Hiatus is noted on a student’s transcript. During the hiatus, students may not be registered for RWU courses and may not participate in campus activities. Graduate students placed on Academic Hiatus that wish to return to continue their graduate education must have the approval of their school dean and respective graduate program director.
Graduate students that have previously been placed on Academic Management and fail to achieve Good Academic Standing after the completion of a subsequent Fall or Spring semester will be placed on Academic Hiatus.
Academic Dismissal:
Academic dismissal is reserved for those graduate students whose demonstrated academic performance indicates that they are unlikely to earn a degree as they have not been able to attain the minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 needed to graduate. Academic dismissal is noted on the student’s transcript.
Graduate students that were previously placed on Academic Hiatus and fail to achieve Good Academic Standing by the end of their first semester following their hiatus will be academically dismissed from the University.
Right to Appeal
Graduate students placed on Academic Hiatus or on Academic Dismissal have the right to appeal to the Academic Appeals Committee. If the Committee’s decision is to allow the student to return, the Committee reserves the right to impose restrictions, and the student will be required to participate in the Academic Management Program. The student’s progress will be reviewed again at the completion of the term. If they make significant progress, they will be allowed to continue and may be required to participate in the Continued Academic Management Program until they reach Academic Good Standing. Students who do not make significant progress may be dismissed at the completion of the term.
Appeals of Academic Hiatus or Academic Dismissal are heard by the University Academic Appeals Committee on an announced date in the months of January and June. Students desiring to appeal either hiatus or dismissal decisions should follow the instructions for appealing contained in the letter notifying them of the action.
Appeals may be in person or through electronic media (if prearranged). Students will be given a date and time for their appeal. Students may elect to have an advisor present during their appeal. The advisor is required to be a member of the university community and cannot be a family member or legal counsel. The advisor’s role is to provide support, and therefore they are not permitted to speak during the appeal hearing.
The Academic Appeals Committee may deny the appeal or it may change an Academic Hiatus decision to Academic Management or an Academic Dismissal to Academic Hiatus or Academic Management. The Committee’s decision will be communicated to the student immediately following the student’s appearance before the Committee. The Committee reserves the right to place conditions upon the appeal decision to which the student must agree if the appeal is to be granted. All Committee decisions are final.
Annual FERPA Notification to Students
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (FERPA) is a federal law that gives students certain rights with respect to their education records. FERPA (1) permits eligible students to inspect their education records, (2) prohibits improper disclosure of personally identifiable information from education records without the student’s written consent, (3) provides eligible students with the opportunity to request inaccuracies in their education records be corrected, and (4) provides students the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education for any alleged FERPA compliance failures. Roger Williams University (RWU) complies with FERPA to the extent that FERPA applies to its activities.
Education Records
RWU routinely maintains records related to its students that describe and document their work and progress. These education records generally include items such as admissions records, enrollment status, course grades, reports and evaluations, completion of requirements and progress toward the degree, records of disciplinary actions, letters of recommendations, and other correspondence with or concerning the student. Education records also include personally identifiable information, such as the student’s name, student ID number, permanent and local addresses, and other indirect identifiers, such as date and place of birth.
Records about students made by professors and administrators for their own use and not shared are not considered education records subject to FERPA. Other examples of records that are not subject to FERPA include, but are not limited to, RWU Health Services records and RWU Department of Public Safety records maintained solely for treatment and law enforcement purposes, respectively.
Eligible Students
Any individual who is or has been in attendance at RWU constitutes an “eligible student” under FERPA. RWU defines attendance as a student who is officially registered for at least one class and that class has started. Accordingly, FERPA does not apply to unsuccessful applicants for admission to RWU, or to applicants who have been admitted but who have not actually been in attendance. RWU policy does not allow for the release of a deceased student’s records.
Right to Access Education Records
All eligible students have access to their own education records. To exercise your right to review and inspect your education records, send a written request to the official responsible for the records you wish to inspect. Contact the Registrar’s Office if you have questions about who the appropriate official is. RWU will make records subject to review available within 45 days.
[DISCRETIONARY (see §99.12): An eligible student is not permitted to review (1) the financial records of his or her parent(s), or (2) letters and statements of recommendation to which he or she waived his or her right of access or that were placed in his or her file before January 1, 1975.]
Right to Amend Education Records
Any eligible student may request to have records corrected that the student believes to be inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of his or her privacy rights. However, the FERPA amendment procedure may not be used to challenge a grade, an individual’s opinion, or a substantive decision made by RWU about a student.
Requests to amend a record should be made in writing and directed to the appropriate official. The student should clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed, and specify why it should be changed. If the request is denied, RWU will notify the student of its decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
Right to Limit Others’ Access to Education Records
RWU will seek a student’s written consent before disclosing personally identifiable information from the student’s education records to third parties, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
Disclosure without a student’s prior written consent is permitted, for example, to RWU officials with legitimate educational interests. There is a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for RWU. Professional responsibilities may include instructional, supervisory, advisory, administrative, academic, research, staff support, or other duties in pursuit of an enterprise sanctioned by RWU. RWU officials who may access education records when they have legitimate educational interests include: faculty; administrators; staff; part-time employees; RWU Department of Public Safety personnel; RWU Health Services staff; members of the Board of Trustees; agents of RWU, such as volunteers or independent contractors performing functions on behalf of RWU; and students serving on an official RWU committee, or assisting another RWU official in performing his or her tasks for RWU under proper authorization.
A student’s education records may also be shared with parties outside RWU without obtaining prior written consent under certain conditions:
- Officials of another school or institution in which the student seeks or intends to enroll or is already enrolled so long as disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer.
- Authorized representatives of Federal, State, and local authorities in connection with an audit or evaluation of Federal or State supported education programs, or for the enforcement of or compliance with Federal legal requirements that relate to those programs.
- In connection with a student’s application for, or receipt of, financial aid, to the extent necessary to determine eligibility, amount, conditions, or enforcement of the terms and conditions.
- State or local officials or authorities to whom this information is specifically required to be reported by effective law.
- Organizations conducting studies for or on behalf of RWU to develop, validate, or administer predictive tests; administer student aid programs; or improve instruction.
- Accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions.
- Parents of a student who is a dependent for income tax purposes.
- In response to a judicial order or lawfully issued s subpoena. If permitted, RWU will make a reasonable effort to notify the student(s) in advance of compliance.
- Appropriate parties, including parents of an eligible student, in connection with a health or safety emergency if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.
- A victim of an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or non-forcible sex offense. The disclosure may only include the final results of the disciplinary proceeding with respect to that alleged crime or offense (regardless of the finding).
- The final results of a disciplinary proceeding may be disclosed where RWU determined the student is an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or non-forcible sex offense, and the student has committed a violation of RWU’s rules or policies with respect to the allegation made against him or her. The names of victims, witnesses, or other students will not be disclosed without the prior written consent of these other students.
- Parents of a student regarding the student’s violation of any Federal, State, or local law, or of any RWU rule or policy, governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance if RWU determines the student committed a disciplinary violation and the student is under the age of 21.
- Information RWU has designated as “directory information.”
Disclosure of Directory Information
Under FERPA, information designated as “directory information” may be made available to the general public without the student’s knowledge or consent, unless the student has advised RWU to the contrary in accordance with RWU procedures. RWU regards the following student information as directory information:
- Full Name
- Honors[, Fellowships,] and Awards Received
- Dates and/or Verification of Attendance
- Verification of Graduation and Degree(s) Received
- Participation in Officially Recognized Activities and Sports
- Weight and Height of Members of Athletic Teams
- Most Recent Previous Educational Institution Attended
- Local or Campus Residence Address and Telephone Number(s)
- Classification
- Photograph
- University E-mail Address
- Expected Date of Graduation
- Degree Program
- Major Area of Study
- Enrollment Status
- Reported Date of Birth
- Prior Degree Information
- Home Town or City at the Time the Application for Admission was Filed by the Student
- Students’ and Parents’ or Guardians’ Home Addresses and Telephone Numbers
RWU will give annual public notice to students of the categories of information designated as directory information and will allow a reasonable period of time after such notice for any student to inform RWU that he or she wishes to withhold the information from being disclosed. Current students in attendance who do not want RWU to disclose any or all of their directory information must notify the Registrar’s Office in writing. Students who have previously chosen to put restrictions in place may decide to reverse this decision by also informing the Registrar’s Office in writing. The restriction will remain in place until the student requests for it to be removed. The request for non-disclosure does not prevent the disclosure of information to RWU officials with a legitimate educational interest or in the other circumstances listed in the prior section of this notification.
Right to File Complaint
Students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by RWU to comply with the requirements of FERPA by writing to:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202
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