Graduate work is evaluated by letter grades, with only grades of A, B, C and P being credited toward graduate degrees. Grades of D and F are failing grades in graduate programs for which students will receive no credit. Failed courses must be repeated at the earliest opportunity if they are required courses. An elective course in which a D or F is received must be repeated unless the academic unit approves an additional course to be taken in its place.
The basic requirement for receiving any graduate degree or certificate is a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The program GPA is based on the student's program plan, and includes all courses shown on the program plan as a requirement, both graduate numbered and undergraduate numbered. Prior to submission of the program plan, the GPA will be based on all graduate-numbered courses taken at Florida Tech with the exception of any that may previously have been used to satisfy the requirements of a bachelor's degree.
In cases where the degree-related GPA referred to above does not include all courses taken as a graduate student at Florida Tech, an overall GPA will also be calculated and reported. No degree or graduate certificate may be awarded at any time when the overall GPA is below 3.0. Courses used to compute the overall GPA, but not the program GPA, include graduate courses taken as deficiencies, courses unrelated to the student's degree program, courses taken prior to a change of major and courses taken in satisfaction of the requirements of a previous graduate degree. English as a Second Language (ESL) courses are not included in the overall GPA.
It is not possible to delete a course from a program plan once the course has been taken until such time as the Statute of Limitations for the course has been exceeded.
Three categories of exceptions are allowed whereby graduate-numbered courses are not included in the overall GPA:
If the Graduate Council determines that a course should be deleted from the overall GPA due to change of major, the course will be marked "NA" or "E" and a footnote will be added: "Change of Major."
No student may be formally enrolled in two graduate programs, or a graduate program and an undergraduate program, simultaneously. Similarly, no graduate degree may be awarded in the same semester as any undergraduate degree, graduate certificate or any other graduate degree. If the requirements for two different degrees are satisfied in the same semester, only one will be awarded in that semester. The second degree will then be reported under a heading for the next following semester. This delay is essential for a careful and accurate review of the student's satisfactory completion of all requirements for both degrees.
Note: University policies are subject to change. Please consult the official Florida Institute of Technology catalog for the most up-to-date information.
For a summary of graduate policies, please see the official Florida Institute of Technology Online programs catalog.
A graduate student must continue to demonstrate academic proficiency in the program by attaining passing grades and maintaining a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA at all times. Failure to do so will result in warning, probation, suspension or dismissal.
Dismissal may result from cheating or plagiarism when acted on by the University Disciplinary Committee and approved by a committee consisting of the student’s college dean, the associate provost for student affairs and Dean of students, and members of the faculty and student body.
The office of Online Learning will send notification of academic dismissal from the university to the student. Graduate students will receive written notification when they are not in good academic standing. They may appeal as specified in their letter of notification.
Students who are not in academic “Good Standing” will usually be returned to academic “Good Standing” when a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA is attained.
Students' transcripts will be annotated at the end of each term. Students and their Academic Unit will be informed about students’ academic standing via email at the end of any term when the Cumulative GPA is below 3.0.
Any time a graduate student earns a Term or Cumulative GPA less than 2.0 will be cause for immediate dismissal. Dismissal will also result from two or more grades of F received as a graduate student.
In all cases of academic dismissal, student notification is sent to their Florida Tech email account. Dismissed students are de-registered from all current and future courses and may not register again unless reinstated and given permission to do so. A letter of appeal requesting reinstatement must be submitted by the student as instructed in the dismissal letter. The appeal letter is forwarded to the Academic Unit Head for careful consideration. The Academic Unit Head makes the decision about whether or not to reinstate the dismissed student. The student is informed about the decision via email and instructed regarding if and when registration may resume.
Reinstated students will be so notified via their Florida Tech email and will be placed on probation. Their transcripts will be so annotated. Failure to meet reinstatement conditions will result in another dismissal.
A denial of the request for reinstatement will usually be considered final. Students who have additional, different, or new circumstances may contact their academic unit head. A re-appeal will only be considered on the basis of new information not previously submitted by the student. The student will not be permitted to register for or attend class until a final decision on any re-appeal has been reached.
Note: University policies are subject to change. Please consult the official Florida Institute of Technology graduate policy manual for up-to-date information.
