Academic Policies and Procedures
As a student of MSU, you are responsible for reading and abiding by the
University policies, procedures and deadlines as outlined in the following
documents:
You are encouraged to refer to and review these Web sites periodically
throughout your graduate career at MSU as policies and procedures may
change.
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Academic Probation
When a degree student’s GPA falls below 3.00 and the GPA of the
students not in a degree program falls below 2.5, the student
will be placed on academic probation. The degree student must
raise his/her GPA to at least 3.0 within the next six credits of
course work taken within the next two semesters from the date of
notification of probation. Non-degree students must raise their
GPA to at least a 2.5. This may include summer session. Failure
to achieve a GPA of 3.0 within the prescribed period of time
will lead to final review, which may result in removal of
matriculated status and dismissal. A degree student who receives
three “C” grades (i.e., “C+”, “C”, or “C-“) will be dismissed from the program. The Office of Graduate Admissions and Support Services will make
dismissal actions on a case-by-case basis in consultation with a
degree student’s Graduate Program Coordinator.
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Academic Support Resources
There are a number of academic resources available at no cost to graduate students who may need assistance
with academic issues. Please refer to the list of numbers at the end of this document or visit the Montclair
State University Web site for contact information on any of the following services: The Writing Center,
Center for Academic Development and Assessment (Tutorial Services), Campus Mediation Center,
The Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services, and most importantly, your Graduate Program
Coordinator.
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Analysis of Academic Progress
The Analysis of Academic Progress is available to graduate students via WESS (Web Enrollment Services for
Students) on the Montclair State University web page. Graduate students upon admission to their graduate
program (master’s, doctoral, teacher certification or certificate programs) can find detailed
information regarding their program’s academic requirements including prerequisites, courses and
culminating activity (i.e. Master’s Thesis, Comprehensive Exam). The Analysis of Academic Progress
will also analyze a student’s progress toward completion of their academic program by comparing the
courses appearing on the student’s transcript against the program’s requirements. Transfer
credit, course substitutions, course waivers, and completion of non-course requirements will also be
reflected in the analysis. This system is also used by the Registrar’s Office to verify that a student
has completed all requirements and is eligible to graduate. Graduate students are encouraged to use the
WESS Analysis of Academic Progress to review their program requirements, select course and prepare for
advising sessions with their Graduate Program Coordinator.
Click Here to go to WESS
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Graduate Program Coordinators
All graduate students are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Graduate Program
Coordinator(s) for their program, and to meet with the adviser regularly. Students should also ask their
adviser if there is a “cycle of courses” handout available, which explains when required courses
are typically offered, and can be very beneficial when planning course schedules each semester. Knowing ahead
of time which courses are offered each semester may help students avoid being unprepared to take the
comprehensive exam, or not graduating on time. Visit the Office of Graduate Admissions & Support
Services Web site
http://www.montclair.edu/graduate/current/adviserlist.shtml or call 973-655-5147 for your program’s
Graduate Program Coordinator information.
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Transfer credit
No more than six semester hours of credit completed at another
accredited college or university or at Montclair State
University may be transferred into a degree program. Special
circumstances must be approved by the Office of Graduate Admissions &
Support Services. Courses eligible for transfer to Montclair State University must be
graduate-level courses with earned grades of B or better.
Comprehensive Examination
The comprehensive examination is open only to fully matriculated
students in good standing and is usually administered once in
the fall semester and once in the spring semester by the
individual program departments. Students should check with their
Graduate Program Coordinators to determine the date and time of
the examination.
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It is the student’s responsibility to file the Notification for
Comprehensive Examination form with the appropriate department
at the beginning of the semester in which the examination will
take place. The form is available in the Office of Graduate Admissions &
Support Services, in departmental offices, or online.
Students who fail the departmental comprehensive examination are
allowed to retake the test twice but must reapply each time as
described above.
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Filing for Graduation
PStudents must file an Application for Final Audit with the Office
of the Registrar. In order to be evaluated for completion of
graduation requirements, students must adhere to the following
deadlines:
- June 1 for January graduation
- October 1 for May graduation
- March 1 for August graduation
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Time Limit for Completion of Program of Study
As you begin your graduate school experience, you should be aware that all programs at
the Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services must be completed within a certain time limit of the matriculation date (date of acceptance by The Graduate Admissions & Support Services). The allotted time
limits are as follows:
- A doctoral degree must be completed within ten years of matriculation
- All requirements for a master’s degree must be completed within six years of matriculation
- MBA students must complete their degrees within eight years of matriculation
- All requirements for post-baccalaureate/post-master’s certifications must be completed within
five years of matriculation
- Certificate program requirements must be completed within three years of matriculation
To receive a master’s degree you must:
- Complete the prescribed number of semester hours and courses required by your program, (minimum 32),
- Attain a 3.000 GPA in your program of study, and
- Not present more than 2 “C” grades toward your degree at final audit
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