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Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Writing Style Students should consult their program policies for the program-specific writing style to be adhered to for all classes within the program. A program-specific writing style must be a recognized published editorial style. If not otherwise noted, the use of the American Psychological Association (APA) style is required.
Program Time Limits Undergraduate and Graduate
All degree requirements must be completed within five years (15 consecutive semesters) with the exception of the Nurse Anesthesia program. The five year period begins with the first semester of coursework. Students who cannot meet this requirement may request extensions in writing from their program director. This request is due by the last day of the semester when the five year period ends. Extension requests must show a willingness to complete the remainder of the degree requirements on a contractual basis with specific tasks and deadlines. Students who transfer from one program to another within the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs will have five years to complete their degree, beginning with the first semester of the new program. All requirements in this policy apply in the event of a program transfer. Students entering the undergraduate programs with fewer than 60 transferable credits may exceed the five year limit by submitting a timeline for completion of their degree. The plan must be submitted to their adviser and approved by their program director and dean.
Doctoral Program
All core and track coursework requirements must be completed within five years of the start of coursework. Comprehensive examinations must be taken for the first time within six months of the completion of coursework and must be passed within two years of the first attempt. Students will be allowed up to seven years following successful completion of the comprehensive examination to write their dissertation. The total time taken to complete the degree may not exceed 10 years.
Academic Probation Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 within their current program. Undergraduate students whose cumulative GPA is below 2.0 are placed on academic probation. Graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 within their current program. Graduate students whose cumulative GPA is below a 3.0 are placed on academic probation. To be removed from academic probation, students must raise their cumulative GPA to 2.0 (undergraduate) or 3.0 (graduate) or above after the completion of six additional credits in the next semester within their current program. Students taking fewer than six credits will be removed from academic probation when they raise their cumulative GPA to 2.0 (undergraduate) or 3.0 (graduate) or above with the first six credits completed in next semester(s). Failure to do so will result in academic dismissal.
Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs Undergraduate or graduate students who have demonstrated academic deficiencies in academic performance or demonstrated deficiencies related to campus-wide outcomes that jeopardize the successful completion of their program will be placed on academic probation. To be removed from probation they must successfully follow the provisions of an academic plan formulated by the student’s program director in conjunction with the dean and with input from faculty to address the deficiencies. Failure to complete any provision of the plan may result in academic dismissal.
Appeal for Academic Reinstatement A student dismissed for academic reasons may appeal once, in writing, for academic reinstatement. The procedure is: 1. A committee composed of the student’s program director, the school dean who dismissed the student, and one other dean convenes to review the student’s written appeal. 2. The committee, chaired by the other dean, either:
a. r equests additional information or,
b. r ecommends or does not recommend reinstatement based on review of the appeal.
3. A recommendation for reinstatement shall include:
a. s pecific provisions for making up the academic deficit (e.g. retaking a course) and,
b. a date for reinstatement (e.g. immediately or the following semester).
Withdrawal from the University Voluntary Withdrawal
Students who wish to voluntarily withdraw from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota must do so in writing to the program director.
Administrative Withdrawal
Since all degree requirements must be completed within the degree completion time limit, students who exceed this limit will be administratively withdrawn unless an extension is granted. Students who have not registered for three consecutive semesters will be administratively withdrawn. Students who have been administratively withdrawn from a course as a result of an unauthorized withdrawal and not enrolled in at least one credit during the same term will be administratively withdrawn from the university. Students who have been administratively withdrawn must reapply and be accepted before resuming their studies.
Degree Conferral and Graduation Prior to graduation, candidates must meet all financial obligations to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota including the graduation fee. The Registrar’s Office will hold transcripts and diplomas for students with outstanding balances; holds will remain until all financial obligations are met. Candidates must complete all academic requirements prior to program graduation deadlines.
4. The academic dean of the schools of graduate and professional programs makes the final decision regarding reinstatement and communicates the decision in writing to the student. The decision of the academic dean may be appealed to the Vice President of the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
Undergraduate and graduate certificate programs with 27 credits or more are eligible to participate in commencement and will be charged the graduation fee.
5. The program director monitors the progress of any reinstated student and reports to the dean whether the student has satisfied the stipulated provisions for reinstatement.
Twin Cities Campus
6. The academic dean writes to the student that all provisions for reinstatement have been met, or that provisions have not been satisfied. If not, the student is dismissed.
Certificates offered with less than 27 credits will not be eligible to participate in commencement and will not be charged the graduation fee.
Programs within the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs that are based on the Twin Cities campus commence in Minneapolis. Degrees are conferred three times during the year in June, October and January. Candidates for graduation must submit the Application for Graduation form to Student Services and pay the required graduation fee. Commencement exercises are held three times a year for students whose programs are administered by the Twin Cities campus. Students must have completed all requirements for graduation to participate in Commencement exercises. Students are eligible to participate in the next Commencement ceremony following their actual degree completion. Students may not participate in Commencement before they have completed their degree requirements. Students may delay attendance at Commencement.
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Winona Campus
Programs within the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs that are based on the Winona campus commence in Winona. Degrees are conferred in May. Student eligibility is determined by the specific program director, in accordance with program specific policies.
Diploma Reprint Saint Mary’s University will reprint a diploma, at the request of the student, to replace a lost, stolen or damaged diploma or to provide a diploma with the student’s current name due to a change in legal name. Reprints are provided at the student’s cost and will be printed in the university’s current diploma format (including overall design and signatures). Requests for a reprint of a diploma must be accompanied by the following:
•
a completed SMU Diploma Reprint Request
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when requesting a reprint due to change in legal name, legal documentation indicating current legal name (ie - copy of current driver’s license, copy of marriage certificate, copy of divorce decree)
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payment of $40 per diploma
Registration and Tuition Registration Instructions Students may not attend classes for which they have not registered. Students will not receive credit for attending and completing a course in which they are not registered. Students may be placed on the waiting list for a course that is full. Please consult the program staff for the programspecific procedure for progressing through wait lists. Registration requests may be submitted online at https://webtools. smumn.edu using WebTools. Online Registration Instructions: 1. Log in at: https://webtools.smumn.edu. 2. Click on: Course Registration. 3. View the online registration tutorial and policy. 4. Register for classes, add/drop a course, and make any needed changes to class schedule. 5. If problems arise with WebTools access, please contact the Helpdesk by e-mail at tchelpdesk@smumn.edu or by phone, toll-free: (800) 372-8176 ext. 7800. 6. For all other course registration problems, contact your program staff.