GRADUATE STUDIES PROGRAM

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ACADEMIC POLICIES

Academic Performance - Evaluation of student academic performance is the responsibility of the course instructors. Students must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress to continue in the program. Grades of “B-” or higher are considered satisfactory.

Students are allowed only one grade of “C+” or “C” during their entire graduate program. A student who receives a second grade of “C+” or “C” will be placed on graduate academic probation and required to repeat the course the next time that it is offered. On the second attempt, the student must obtain a grade of “B” or higher.

Students who receive a grade of “C-” or below (failing grades) in a course will immediately be placed on academic probation and must repeat the course the next time the course is offered. Students must obtain a grade of “B” or higher on the second attempt. Students who receive more than two grades lower than “C” will be dismissed from their program of study.

No student may carry more than two incomplete “I” grades at any one time in the program. All “I” grades must be resolved within eight weeks after the original course grade was issued.

Admissions Information - The following are minimum requirements for entrance into all graduate programs. Individual programs may require higher grade-point averages and/or additional requirements for admissions. Please consult the applicable program page.

• Minimum GPA - 2.75 from an institutionally accredited (formerly known as regionally accredited) college or university.

Provisional Admission Requirements - Students who meet GPA requirements for acceptance but do not have the necessary prerequisites will be granted provisional admission into the program. Prerequisite courses must be completed with grades of “B” or better. (Not all programs require prerequisites.)

Probationary Admission Requirements - Students who do not meet the required GPA of 2.75 may be granted probationary admission. Prerequisite courses must be completed with grades of “B” or better. (Not all programs require prerequisites.)

Transfer Credit - Graduate credits presented for transfer should be relevant to the student’s academic program at WAU. The university reserves the right to reject credit earned at other institutions or require validation examinations, especially in professional programs, to meet current content requirements in specific courses.

A maximum of nine graduate semester-hour credits from institutionally accredited (formerly known as regionally accredited) colleges and universities can be accepted with an official transcript. These hours must have been completed within three years of enrollment at WAU. Students wising to transfer credits must provide the appropriate SGPS program coordinator with course descriptions and syllabi.

Transfer credits must be from institutionally accredited colleges and universities. Students must have earned a grade of “B” or better in all courses. A validation examination may be required in cases of some transfer students to update the content of courses required by the program.

CLEP Credits - No College Level Examination Program (CLEP) credits will be accepted for graduate credits. CLEP will be allowed as evidence of completion for prerequisite requirements.

Submission of Late Work - No materials that may affect a student’s grade will be accepted after the official ending date and time of the course (the last night of class) unless an incomplete form has been approved by the instructor and Dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies.

Guest Graduate Student Policy - Non-degree-seeking graduate students visiting from other universities may enroll in graduate courses at Washington Adventist University under the following guidelines:

• Guest graduate student status is granted for one semester. If a student wishes to enroll in additional graduate courses, he or she will need to submit a new guest student application each semester.
• Proof of baccalaureate degree completion as evidenced by official transcripts from institutionally accredited colleges and universities (or the international equivalent) is required.
• All policies regarding course prerequisites apply to guest graduate students unless a specific written exception is made by the chair of the academic department.
• Enrollment as a guest student does not guarantee admission into one of Washington Adventist University’s graduate programs.
• A maximum of 9 credits taken while enrolled as a guest graduate student may be applied toward a Washington Adventist University degree.
• Financial aid is not available to guest graduate students.

Programs

• BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, M.B.A.
• BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, M.B.A. & HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION, M.A. (Dual Degree Pathway)
• CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, M.A.
• COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY, M.A.
• HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION, M.A.
• SCHOOL COUNSELING, M.Ed.

• NURSING AND BUSINESS LEADERSHIP, M.S.
• NURSING AND BUSINESS LEADERSHIP, M.S. (R.N.-M.S. Pathway)
• NURSING EDUCATION, M.S.
• NURSING EDUCATION, M.S. (R.N.-M.S. Pathway)
• PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, M.A.

Return to: SCHOOL OF GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES | SGPS