Additional policies, procedures and regulations are detailed in the booklet titled "A Supplement to University Policies and Procedures for Graduate Students." The publication is on file in administrative offices and in the libraries.

Students are considered full-time if they satisfy one of the following:

1. They are enrolled for a minimum of 12 credits per semester.

2. They hold a graduate assistantship and are enrolled for a minimum of nine credits per semester.

3. They are registered in a full-time academic internship.

4. They are working full time on a dissertation and are maintaining matriculation.

In special cases, preparation for examinations, non-credit or remedial courses, practice teaching, clinical practice, research or other academic activities may be substituted for part of the credit requirement if approved by the school as part of an appropriate plan of study for the student. Students following such a plan of study must apply to the chair of their department for full-time certification.

It should be noted that in some instances financial aid and/or housing eligibility may require enrollment in a minimum of 12 credits or the equivalent per semester. Students interested in maintaining such eligibility should consult the Financial Aid Office and/or the Office of Student Life for specific details.

Students are advised to assume credit and course loads that consider the time and energy demands imposed by employment and other responsibilities. For example, students engaged in full-time employment are advised to limit their program of study to two courses during the fall and spring semesters, and one course in each summer session. Generally, it is recommended that students take no more than 15 credits during each of the fall and spring semesters.

Most classes are held in the late afternoon or evening and the majority of graduate students are part-time students who hold full-time employment during the day. Full-time attendance is possible for students who are not employed full time.

All international students studying at Pace University on student visas are required to enroll for a full-time program each semester in order to comply with the regulations of the U.S. Immigration Service.

For information on the length of time required to complete a particular graduate program, consult the section of the Graduate Catalog that describes the program.

See "Tuition Assistance Program" for program load requirements for this form of financial aid.

The University recognizes that some graduate students may wish to change schools or degree programs at some point in their studies. Those wishing to do so must meet the admission requirements of the school and program that they wish to enter, obtain approval from the dean of that school and comply with the appropriate admissions procedure.

Any student wishing to initiate a change of major or change of degree program must file an "Application for Change of Program" in the Registrar's Office. If approved, only those credits earned prior to the change in program, which are accepted toward the student's new program, will be included in the calculation of the QPA associated with the new program.

Students must accept the responsibility to be honest and to respect ethical standards in meeting their academic assignments and requirements. Integrity in academic life requires that students demonstrate intellectual and academic achievement independent of all assistance except that authorized by the instructor.

The use of an outside source in any academic paper, report or submission for academic credit without the appropriate acknowledgement is plagiarism. It is unethical to present as one's own work, the ideas, words or representations of another without the proper indication of the source. Therefore, it is the student's responsibility to give credit to any quotation, idea or data borrowed from an outside source.

Students who fail to meet the responsibility for academic integrity subject themselves to sanctions ranging from a reduction in grade or failure in the assignment or course in which the offense occurred, to suspension, dismissal or expulsion from the University. Students penalized for failing to maintain academic integrity who wish to appeal such action may petition the department chair to request a hearing on the matter.

Every graduate student in The Dyson College of Arts and Sciences is required to maintain a cumulative scholastic average of B (3.00). A student whose academic performance falls below this average is subject to academic review by the Scholastic Standing Committee in accordance with its guidelines. Depending upon the degree of the academic deficiency, a student may be placed on conditional continuation (probation) or dismissed from the program. A student with a cumulative grade point average below 3.00 is automatically in academic jeopardy whether or not he or she receives written notification.

A letter grade is awarded as a measure of student performance only by the faculty member assigned to a particular course and section. The spectrum of letter grades ranges from A through F; in addition, certain plus and minus refinements to the letter grade are available to allow faculty greater flexibility in the measurement of student performance.

The following describes the letter grade system and its descriptive and quantitative (percentage) equivalents. These equivalents are shown only as guidelines for faculty. Specific grading policies are established by the instructor in a given course.

The following grading system is used in the graduate school:

Any course in which a failure is received must be repeated if the course is a degree requirement in the student's program. If a failure is received in an elective course requirement, another course may be substituted.

Nursing Clinical Course Grades: A student who receives a grade of F for any major clinical practice segment in a course will receive a grade of F for the course.

In special circumstances, a grade of K (pending) may be permitted to enable the student to complete work in progress. The extension may not exceed one year from the awarding of the K grade.

The Department of Education requires that Pace University consider grades earned for Study Abroad as if they were grades earned in residence. This pertains only to courses taken at those countries with which we have consortia and contractual agreements. Therefore, -D+ grades earned in those courses must be counted as if they were taken here at Pace.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, commonly referred to as the -Buckley Amendment,+ became effective November 19, 1974. This Act has the following purposes: (a) To protect the privacy of additional records by limiting the release of records maintained by the University and information contained therein, with written consent of the individual student, with some exceptions in special circumstances (e.g., parents of dependant students), (b) to establish the rights of students to inspect and review their educational records and (c) to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading information contained in such records through formal and informal hearings. In compliance with the provisions of this law, the University grants access to students requesting an opportunity to review records as provided in this legislation.

The law covers many of the educational records of all present and former students of Pace University. This includes part-time, as well as full-time, students. The term -educational records' includes all records, files, data and other materials that contain information directly related to a student and (which) are maintained by Pace University or by a person acting for Pace. Not included among the materials to which a student shall have access are the following:

1. Financial records of a student's parents.

2. Confidential letters and statements or recommendations placed in an individual's file prior to January 1, 1975.

3. Letters of recommendation in those circumstances specified by the Act, in which a student may waive his/her right of access.

4. Records maintained solely for law enforcement purposes by Pace.

5. Records of instructional, supervisory, administrative and certain educational personnel, which are in the sole possession of the maker thereof, and are not accessible or revealed to any other individual except a substitute, who performs on temporary basis (defined in the institution personnel policy) the duties of the individual who made the record.

6. Records relating to individuals, who are employed by the institution, which are made and maintained in the normal course of business, relating exclusively to individuals in their capacity as employees, and which are not available for use for any other purpose. (Records of individuals in attendance at an institution who are employed as a result of their status as students are education records - e.g., Workstudy.)

Any student who wishes to review his/her official University records is asked to file a written request with the administrator responsible for the record in question. All legitimate requests will be honored within five working days. Valid identification will be requested at the time of review and a University official will be present throughout the period of inspection. Copies of the material will be available at the cost of $.10 per page.

After viewing the records, a student who believes that the information or data contained therein are incorrect, misleading or otherwise in violation of privacy or any other of his/her rights may request a hearing. Such a hearing enables the student to challenge the accuracy or appropriateness of the information contained in the records. The Dean for Students is responsible for arranging a hearing according to the procedures established by the University for this purpose.

Pace University will disclose information from a student's education records only with the written consent of the student, except:

1. To school officials who have a legitimate educational interest in the records. A school official is:

	A person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, legal or support staff position.
	A person elected to the Board of Trustees.
	A person employed by or under contract to the University to perform a special task, such as a consultant, attorney, auditor or collection agent.
	A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official is:
	Performing a task that is specified in his or her position description or by as contract agreement.
	Performing a task related to a student's education.
	Performing a task related to the discipline of a student.
	Providing a service or benefit relating to the student or student's family, such as health care, counseling, job placement or financial aid.

2. To officials of another school, upon request, in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.

3. To certain officials of the U.S. Department of Education, the Comptroller General and state and local educational authorities, in connection with certain state or federally supported education programs.

4. In connection with a student's request for or receipt of financial aid, as necessary to determine the eligibility, amount or conditions of the financial aid, or to enforce the terms and conditions of the aid.

5. If required by a state law requiring disclosure that was adopted before November 19, 1974.

6. Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the University.

7. To accrediting organizations to carry out their functions.

8. To parents of an eligible student who claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes.

9. To comply with a judicial order or a lawfully served subpoena.

10. To appropriate parties in a health or safety emergency.

In addition to the forgoing, the law provides that -Directory Information' may be released to all parties seeking this information without prior consent of the student unless the student has specifically requested that prior consent be obtained in all cases.

At Pace University -Directory Information' is on file in the Registrar's Office and includes student's name, date of birth, major field of study, attendance dates, degrees and honors and awards received.

In addition, participation in intercollegiate sports and the height and weight of athletes are considered -Directory Information.' Student athletes who do not wish this information made public without their prior consent must so advise the Director of Athletics in writing.

Students who wish their prior consent to be sought before -Directory Information' is made available to third parties must file their written requests in the Registrar's Office.

Pace will honor any student's request to withhold any or all of the -Directory Information' applicable to said student but cannot assume responsibility to contact that student for subsequent permission to release such information, regardless of the effect upon that student. Pace assumes no liability for honoring that student's instructions that such information be withheld.

Students also have the right to file complaints with the Family Educational Right and Privacy Act Office (FERPA) concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the Act.

A Pace University policy statement in connection with this Act may be obtained from the Dean for Students Office.