2.15 Satisfactory Academic Progress

Program Evaluation and Education Research

Aggregated, de-identified student data also may form the basis for professional publications and scholarly presentations at professional meetings by HMS faculty. HMS policy (as reviewed and approved by the HMS Committee on Human Subjects; see Section 10.04) provides that student data may be used for purposes of educational scholarship, provided that the identity of individual students is not possible to ascertain. When reported, any research involving aggregated/de-identified student data will use only aggregate student information to maintain strict confidentiality. For more information on program evaluation and medical education research involving student data, see Section 6.05 Program Evaluation and Section 10.04 Office for Research Subject Protection.

2.15 Satisfactory Academic Progress

The academic requirements for Master’s degrees include the satisfactory completion of the student’s Master’s program curriculum at Harvard Medical School as described above (Sections 1.02, 1.03 and 1.04). The progress of each student working toward a Master’s degree is monitored carefully, and the determination of satisfactory academic progress (SAP) is reviewed at least annually. At the end of each academic year, students must have academic standing consistent with HMS’s curricular and graduation requirements. The Academic Progress and Review Board for the Master’s Programs (APRB) will review, at least annually, the academic performance and conduct status of each student. The APRB will review students’ academic and conduct status each semester in one-year Master of Science programs. Federal law and regulations require that all students receiving financial assistance maintain satisfactory academic progress. Satisfactory academic progress is the successful completion of degree requirements according to established increments that lead to awarding the degree within published time limits. The following policy delineates the standards for satisfactory academic progress in HMS Master’s programs, which apply to all matriculated students, whether or not they are recipients of financial aid.

Qualitative Measures of SAP

Each Master’s student at HMS is required to complete successfully all of the required courses, examinations, and scholarly projects required for their specific Master’s program (MMSc: mentored research project; Master of Academic Discipline: capstone project) in order to graduate with a Master’s degree. Successful completion means that students receive passing grades (A, B, or satisfactory) in each course and for the scholarly project as defined by each program. For letter grade courses, students are required to maintain a B average. SAP for the scholarly project is defined by each program and described in Sections 1.02, 1.03 and 1.04 above. HMS Master’s students cannot graduate with a failing (F) or unsatisfactory (UNSAT) grade in any course, including the scholarly project. In addition, HMS Master’s degree students are expected to meet professional conduct standards.

Students who are not on track to complete the program requirements within the allowed timeframe (see section 2.07) may also be considered to not be making Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Review and Notification of Lack of Satisfactory Academic Progress

The program director will review each students SAP at least once per term and will make a recommendation regarding progression to the next academic year. For oneyear programs, the program director will review each students SAP once per term. Any student who has not achieved a minimum of a passing grade in all courses will be required to develop a remedial plan with the program director.

The Academic Progress and Review Board for the Master’s Programs (APRB); Section 3.03), in consultation with the Registrar, will notify in writing all students who have not met the standards for satisfactory academic progress outlined above (Qualitative Measures and/or Maximum Time Frame). The notification will indicate the nature of the deficiency, any methods that may be available for correcting the deficiency, and any consequences that have resulted or may result, such as Formal Notice, Monitored Academic Progress, Academic Probation, or Requirement to Withdraw. A student who fails to meet one or more of the standards for SAP (qualitative and/or time frame) is ineligible for financial aid beginning with the term immediately following the term in which the SAP requirements were not met, pending results of the appeal process, outlined below. A designation of Formal Notice or Monitored Academic Progress can occur for a variety of reasons and does not necessarily affect SAP if the student is still considered to be progressing toward the degree (see Section 3.03).

Appeals to reinstate financial aid

Eligibility for continued financial aid will only be re-established if the student subsequently meets Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements, or if the student successfully appeals the decision to the APRB. The appeal must state the reasons for failing to meet SAP requirements, including, if applicable, special circumstances that contributed to the student’s failure to make satisfactory academic progress (e.g., an injury or illness of the student, the death of a relative, or other special circumstances), and the changes in circumstances that will allow the student to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress at the next evaluation. The assistance of the student’s program director may be sought in the preparation of appeal. A student may also be required to submit a degree audit, course plan, and/or letter from the program director. All relevant materials will be presented to the APRB. If the APRB determines that the student’s appeal should be approved, the student’s aid will be reinstated.

Financial Aid Probation

Once an appeal has been approved, a student is placed on financial aid probation and is eligible for financial aid. The program director, in conjunction with the student, will develop an academic plan for the student that will ensure, if followed, that the student is able to meet the program’s SAP standards by a specific point of time. Ordinarily, this time frame will be for an academic term. The student is eligible for financial aid during the time frame stated in the academic plan. During this time, the student will be