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Enrollment and Academic Progress Academic Progress Academic progress standards for continued receipt of financial aid are separate and distinct from the university’s academic progress benchmarks. Please refer to Financial Assistance Programs section of this catalog for a description of the academic progress standards for the receipt of financial aid.
Minimum Academic Progress Benchmarks and GPA Requirements
First-Year Ph.D. Academic Benchmarks and Progress Standards
KAM-Based Ph.D. Programs
KAM/Course-Based Ph.D. Programs/Specializations
Course-Based Ph.D. Programs
Academic WarningEach student’s academic progress is reviewed at least annually. Students who have not met the minimum GPA requirements or academic benchmarks may be placed on academic warning. Students placed on warning will be notified in writing as to what action(s) they must take or what task(s) they must complete, within a specific period of time (not to exceed two full quarters or semesters), to regain positive academic standing or progress. Students on academic warning who receive financial aid must contact the financial aid office about their eligibility for aid.
Academic DismissalStudents who fail to meet the academic progress standards and who fail to reach the minimum standards set by the college or school will be dismissed from the program and the university. Students will receive a letter from the associate dean confirming their dismissal and the grounds for this determination.
Students who receive an academic dismissal and are eligible for readmission may be readmitted to the university after two semesters (for semester-based programs) or two quarters (for quarter-based programs) following the term of dismissal, at the discretion of the college or school and the Office of Admissions.
Leave of AbsenceWalden University’s programs are designed to permit students to pursue their studies full time while managing the many responsibilities they have as adult professionals. The university will, however, consider a student’s request for a leave of absence if the student is experiencing hardships that make effective academic progress unusually difficult. A leave of absence is defined as a temporary break (30–180 days) from academic registration with a clear intent to return to the Program of Study.
Requesting a Leave of Absence Students requesting a leave of absence are required to contact their academic advisor to verify that all university resources have been extended to assist them in continuing their studies. Students may request a leave of absence by submitting a Leave of Absence Request form, found in Registrar Forms or on their myWalden page. The registrar’s office will notify the student, faculty mentor (if applicable), financial aid office, and bursar of the approval of the leave request. Students with federal financial aid or federal loan obligations are advised to contact their lender to ascertain their loan repayment status during the leave of absence. Students on a leave of absence are not eligible for loan deferment and may begin to deplete their repayment grace period. Students are not eligible to receive academic services during their leave period.
Course Grades During a Leave of Absence If students request a leave of absence during a term in which they are taking courses, rather than between terms, the following grading policies apply. Students whose leave of absence begins before or on the last day to withdraw from classes will receive a grade of W (Withdraw) for all course registrations in that term. Students whose leave of absence begins after this deadline will receive grades based on the coursework they completed up until the time the leave starts, for each course for which they had been registered in the term. A grade of I (Incomplete) may be awarded if the leave of absence does not exceed 60 days, provided that other conditions related to the award of an I are met (see the Grades of Incomplete section). Students should refer to the Academic Calendar to confirm withdrawal deadlines for each term.
Returning to the Academic Program Following a Leave of Absence Students should notify the registrar’s office in writing of their desire to return from a leave of absence at least 15 days prior to their intended start date. The registrar’s office will notify the bursar of the student’s intent to return. The student is required to submit the current term’s tuition and any previously owed tuition to the bursar.
Students who fail to return from a leave of absence will be administratively withdrawn from the university as of the date the leave began. If this action is taken, the registrar’s office will notify the student, academic advisor, financial aid office, and bursar.
Military Leave of Absence Policy Walden University stands ready to support those students who are members of the armed forces. Students whose military obligations make it difficult or impossible for them to be successful in their academic program are urged to request a military leave of absence (MLOA). For purposes of granting an MLOA, military obligation is defined as (a) deployment, (b) mobilization leading to deployment, or (c) attendance at a military school or college.
Students must contact their academic advisors to request the MLOA and forward a copy of their military orders to Walden’s Veteran Affairs Office for authentication. Students who have yet to receive orders need to provide a memo from their commanding officer supporting the request for the MLOA.
Students should make every attempt to work with their instructors to determine (a) if they need to drop their courses, (b) if they need to withdraw from their courses, or (c) if they might receive an Incomplete in the courses following the university policy for incomplete grades.
Students approved for MLOA are eligible for a leave from the university of up to 545 days. Students who are currently on MLOA with a limit of 365 days may extend their leave beyond that 365-day limit up to a total of 545 days provided they present military orders supporting the extension. Students needing time away from their studies to relocate (Permanent Change of Station-PCS) or those who are assigned to temporary duty (Temporary Duty Assignment-TDY; Temporary Assignment of Duty-TAD) need only request a standard leave of absence.
Students who are forced to drop or withdraw from their classes due to military obligations will be credited the full cost of those classes for the term. Military students who are forced to withdraw will receive a grade of W even if they withdraw after the last day to withdraw from classes. Students will be required to retake those courses upon their return.
Students with federal financial aid, federal loan obligations, or military tuition assistance must contact their lenders or the military education office to ascertain their loan repayment status or repayment of tuition assistance during the leave of absence. Students receiving benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill will have their benefits terminated for the term of the leave of absence and any subsequent leaves of absence that have been appropriately certified.
Once the MLOA is approved by the student’s academic advisor, with input from the Veteran Affairs Office, the request for MLOA is forwarded to the registrar’s office for processing. The student will receive a confirmation of approval via email with instructions on how to return to the university. To return from a military leave of absence, students must contact (a) the registrar’s office, (b) their academic advisor, to be reinstated without penalty, and (c) the Veteran Affairs Office, if they wish to reinstate benefits. For students on MLOA, the duration of leave is not counted toward the time in which their degree program must be completed; however, relevant academic constraints concerning the time during which a course must be completed in order for it to count toward the degree program still apply.
Withdrawing From the UniversityThe university’s programs are designed to permit students to pursue their studies full time while managing the many responsibilities they have as adult professionals. The university will, however, accommodate a student’s request to officially withdraw when effective progress is not possible because of extraordinary hardships. Students requesting a university withdrawal are required to contact their academic advisor to verify that all university resources have been extended to assist them in continuing their studies. Phone requests, failure to participate in coursework, and/or notification to the course instructor do not constitute an official withdrawal request. The date of the withdrawal will be no earlier than the date of the student’s written request to the advisor. Students must submit a university withdrawal request form, which can be found in Registrar Forms or on their myWalden page.
Course Grades and Official Withdrawal From the University Students who withdraw during a term but on or before the last day to withdraw from classes will receive a grade of W (Withdraw) for all course registrations for the that term. Students who withdraw after the last day to withdraw from classes will receive grades based on the coursework they completed up until the time the leave starts, for each class for which they had been registered in the term. Students should refer to the Academic Calendar to confirm the last day to withdraw from classes for the relevant term.
Administrative Withdrawal When students cease to attend class but fail to notify the university that they are withdrawing, the university will administratively withdraw them from their courses. In the case of an administrative withdrawal, Walden University will determine whether a return of federal funds is necessary, in compliance with federal regulations relating to Student Assistance General Provision [34 CFR 668.22].
Class Participation Requirement Students are required to log in to their classes and complete their first assignments within the first 7 days of the term. Students who do not participate by Day 7 will be administratively withdrawn from the university. To avoid being withdrawn, students who are unable to participate before Day 7 must inform their academic advisor and instructors immediately and receive permission to begin the classes late. Note: Once students begin participating in class, they are considered active and are responsible for adhering to all university policies and for paying all applicable tuition and fees.
Leave of Absence or Withdrawal for Recipients of Federal Financial AidThe Financial Services Policies chapter of this catalog contains information about how a leave of absence or withdrawal may affect a student’s financial aid. |
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