Academic Policies
Admission
Belmont University's graduate programs are open to applicants without regard to race, sex, national origin, or religious preference. Admission to the graduate programs is based on qualifications and space availability. The university seeks student diversity that enriches the academic community.
International students applying to Belmont University graduate programs may contact International Student Services for information regarding TOEFL testing, student visa information, health insurance, housing, work permission, and social activities sponsored by the International Student Association.
Honor System
The members of the Belmont University community seek to provide students with a high-quality education while encouraging in the entire community a sense of ethics, social responsibility, and interdependence. We believe that trust is a vital part of this enterprise and that self-discipline and responsibility to one another are also essential elements. We also believe that any instance of dishonesty is a violation of the entire Belmont University community. Therefore, the Belmont University Honor System aims to cultivate a community based on trust, academic honesty, and social responsibility that promotes the following:
- to ensure that students, faculty, staff, and administrators understand that the responsibility for upholding honor at Belmont University lies with them;
- to ensure that all members of the Belmont University community understand that all forms of dishonesty represent a profound violation of the entire community;
- to clarify what constitutes academic dishonesty and to define standards of behavior expected of all members of our community;
- to promote an environment at Belmont University where honor is expected and respected and where dishonesty is not tolerated;
- to define a statement of expectations at Belmont University regarding behavior, as well as a mechanism for a consistent and reasonable adjudication process for violations of our community.
Affirmation of Academic Integrity
The Belmont community values personal integrity and academic honesty as the foundation of university life and the cornerstone of a premiere educational experience. Our community believes trust among its members is essential for both scholarship and effective interactions and operations of the university. As members of the Belmont community, students, faculty, staff, and administrators are all responsible for ensuring that their experiences will be free of behaviors which compromise this value. In order to uphold academic integrity, the university has adopted an Honor System. Students and faculty will work together to establish the optimal conditions for honorable academic work.
Student Honor Pledge
I will not give or receive aid during examinations; I will not give or receive false or impermissible aid in course work, in the preparation of reports, or in any other type of work that is to be used by the instructor as the basis of my grade; I will not engage in any form of academic fraud. Furthermore, I will uphold my responsibility to see to it that others abide by the spirit and letter of this Honor Pledge.
Standards for Academic Integrity
Generally, academic fraud and dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following categories: cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, multiple submissions, obtaining unfair advantage, aiding and abetting, and unauthorized access to academic or administrative systems.
Cheating: using unauthorized notes, aids, or information on an examination; altering a graded work prior to its return to a faculty member; allowing another person to do one's work and submitting it for grading.
Plagiarism: submitting material that in part or whole is not one's own work without properly attributing the correct sources of its content.
Fabrication: inventing or falsifying information, data, or citation; presenting data gathered outside of acceptable professorial guidelines; failing to provide an accurate account of how information, data or citations were gathered; altering documents affecting academic records; forging signatures or authorizing false information on an official academic document, grade, letter, form, ID card, or any other university document.
Multiple Submissions: submitting identical papers or course work for credit in more than one course without prior permission of the instructor.
Obtaining Unfair Advantage: a) gaining or providing access to examination materials prior to the time authorized by an instructor; b) stealing, defacing, or destroying library or research materials which can deprive others of their use; c) unauthorized collaboration on an academic assignment; d) retaining, possessing, or circulating previously used examination materials without the instructor's permission; e) obstructing or interfering with another student's academic work; or f) engaging in any activity designed to obtain an unfair advantage over another student in the same course.
Unauthorized Access: viewing or altering in any way computer records, modifying computer programs or systems, releasing or distributing information gathered via unauthorized access, or in any way interfering with the use of availability of computer systems/information.
Aiding and Abetting: providing material, information, or other assistance which violates the above Standards for Academic Integrity; providing false information in connection with any inquiry regarding academic integrity.
For additional information regarding procedures for upholding the Honor System, including sanctions for violation of the system, contact the Office of Student Affairs.
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Auditing Classes
Courses may be audited provided space is available and students satisfy the necessary prerequisites, except in the Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy programs. Current Belmont students and alumni need to request admission to a course in writing. Others must apply for Special Student status and can either be an observer in the class or an active participant (team projects, class discussions, testing). Admission requests should be made to the graduate office of the appropriate program. Cost for auditing is the same as credit hour tuition.
Students will be billed before the term begins. Tuition is due by the published payment deadline.
Class Attendance
Graduate students are expected to attend every class meeting. Any absence must be approved in advance by the professor of the class to be missed. Students also must meet all assignment and testing deadlines regardless of an absence. Each course syllabus will specify the individual professor's policies regarding the impact of absences on grades. Unless stated otherwise, when a student misses more than 10% of total class meeting time, the student's grade will be lowered one letter grade, while missing more than 25% of class time will mean failure of the course.
Class Load
The minimum load for full-time status is six (6) hours of graduate credit per term.
International Students
Belmont welcomes international students into its graduate programs and is authorized to issue F-1 (student) and J-1 (exchange visitor) documentation for obtaining visas. International students interested in pursuing a graduate degree from Belmont University should follow the steps outlined in the graduate catalog for the particular graduate program they wish to pursue with the following additional requirements.
International Applicants Seeking Non-immigrant Visas [F-1 student Visa]
In order to be issued an I-20 for the desired entry term, international students must be admitted by October 1, March 1, or June 1 in order to enroll for the spring, summer, or fall terms respectively.
1) International applicants whose native language is not English must submit official score results from the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language); a minimum score of 550 (written), 213 (computer based) or 80 (internet based) is required for admission. In lieu of the TOEFL, applicants may submit an official academic record demonstrating successful completion of ELS Language Center Level 112.
2) International applicants with college level course work from foreign institutions must have their transcripts evaluated by a credential evaluation service such as World Education Services, www.wes.org.
3) Submit the notarized Sponsor Statement indicating the individual responsible for financing your education. (Note: A bank statement is NOT sufficient.)
4) International applicants who are offered admission to Belmont must complete the Enrollment Confirmation Form and submit a nonrefundable enrollment deposit of $3,000* payable to Belmont University which will be applied to the first semester charges.
5) Upon receipt of the Enrollment Deposit, Belmont will issue an I-20.
6) After receipt of the I-20, you should apply for the visa by taking the Belmont University offer of admission letter and I-20 to the nearest American embassy or consulate. Please check with the U.S. Department of State, www.unitedstatesvisas.gov, for specific information about obtaining an appointment for a visa interview and paying the appropriate fees.
*Students who do not enroll as scheduled, due to failure to obtain a visa, may request a $2,900 refund of the tuition deposit, if requested within 30 days after the close of registration.
Graduate students are not eligible for on-campus housing. All international students must purchase health and accident insurance coverage. Information and application for an insurance plan with coverage for hospitalization, surgical benefits and medical care may be obtained online at www.belmont.edu/ie.
Application to the University for Resident Aliens or Permanent Residents --
International English Competency
Applicants who are permanent residents or resident aliens may follow the application instructions for domestic students with one exception. Applicants whose first language is not English must have a score of at least 550 (written), 213 (computer based) or 80 (internet based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or successfully complete ELS Language Centers Level 112.
International Students Seeking Exchange Visitor Visas [J-1 Exchange/Visitor Visa]
International students interested in attending Belmont through one of its established exchange programs may be considered for admission by completing the Exchange Application available online at www.belmont.edu/ie. A student must be recommended by his or her home institution in order to participate and be issued a J-1 visa.
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Performance Evaluation and Feedback
Getting feedback on your performance is critical to improvement. A variety of instruments will be used by various instructors throughout your courses. Where appropriate, grades will be given that will be an overall indication of your performance. The grading scale for graduate courses is as follows:
| A | A high level of performance has been achieved with respect to course objectives. | |
| B | Competency has been demonstrated in all or most course objectives. Class contribution was meaningful. | |
| C | The student has not achieved competency in some course objectives. | |
| F | The student has not achieved competency in most course objectives. | |
| I | Incomplete is used only in cases of uncontrollable circumstances. Responsibility for completing the work must be assumed by the student. An I is calculated as an F. The grade will be changed to an F at the mid-term of the semester following the one in which it was earned unless a grade is submitted by the instructor. | |
| W | Withdrawal during the first four weeks of the semester. Does not count in GPA calculations. | |
| WP | Withdrawal Passing. Withdrawal after the first four weeks of the semester with a grade of C or better at the time of withdrawal. Does not count in GPA calculations. | |
| WF | Withdrawal Failing. Withdrawal after the first four weeks of the semester with a grade of F at the time of withdrawal. Counts as an F in GPA calculations. | |
| P | Passing. Does not count in GPA calculations. | |
| IP | In Progress. Course work is continued. Does not count in GPA calculations but the student must register for the course each semester following an IP grade until the work is completed. | |
| AU | Audit. Does not count in GPA calculations. | |
| NR | Not Received. This means that the professor did not turn the grades in by the deadline at the end of the semester. This does not affect the student's GPA. The professor must complete a grade change form to change the grade and the student will be mailed a letter stating their grade and updated GPA when processed. |
Each hour of academic work taken for credit in the university is evaluated in terms of its relative quality, as shown by the grade received in the course. The various grades and their corresponding quality points are:
| A | 4.0 quality points for each hour of credit. |
| A- | 3.7 quality points for each hour of credit. |
| B+ | 3.3 quality points for each hour of credit. |
| B | 3.0 quality points for each hour of credit. |
| B- | 2.7 quality points for each hour of credit. |
| C+ | 2.3 quality points for each hour of credit. |
| C | 2.0 quality points for each hour of credit. |
| C- | 1.7 quality points for each hour of credit. |
| F | 0 quality points and no credit. |
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Academic Numbering
Graduate level courses are represented with 5000 and 6000 numbered courses. Beginning in the spring 2004 term, Belmont University converted all three digit academic numbers to four digits. In most instances the change was accomplished by adding a zero (0) to the end of the existing number.
Repeating Courses
If a student repeats a course, it must be done the next semester the course is offered. The last grade will be the permanent grade recorded, and the student's GPA will be recomputed accordingly. No course may be repeated more than once.
Grade Appeals
Students have the right to appeal grades directly to the instructor if they believe that an incorrect grade has been assigned for the course. If a grade issue is not resolved after contact with the instructor, the student may appeal in writing to the department chair / associate dean of the college. This must occur by the mid-term point of the next semester. In the written appeal the student must be prepared to demonstrate and document an unusual circumstance that warrants a review of the grade and evidences of the grade s/he believes should have been given by the instructor. All written appeals will be reviewed within one month of receipt and responded to in writing either confirming or changing the posted final grade. A copy of this response will go to the Registrar’s Office for the student’s record.
Further appeal is through the administrative structure of the college in which the course was taken, with final appeal to the Provost. Any appeal must be in writing and include appropriate documentation to support the student’s position that a grade change is warranted.
The final grade is the instructor’s posted grade, which may be viewed in the student’s grade report on-line at the close of the term or part-of-term. It is solely the responsibility of the student to check that grades are posted for all courses taken during a semester and note the grade given for each class. All grade appeals must be requested by the mid-term point of the next semester. Unless an active appeal is under review, after the mid-term point of the next semester, neither instructors nor the university will consider a grade change.
Once a final grade has been posted the student may not petition the instructor to do additional work or extra credit to raise the grade awarded. Any grade change as a result of such action will be disallowed.
For grades of IP or I, once the I or IP is replaced (required prior to mid-term of the follow semester) by a grade, including a change to F, that becomes the posting date of the final grade. Administrative grades such as W (withdrawal) are handled through the Registrar’s Office.
Transfer Credit
A student may transfer up to six (6) hours of graduate credit with a minimum grade of "B" from an accredited institution upon approval of the student's graduate director. The School of Education has a five (5) year limitation on courses that are transferable.
*The School of Physical Therapy does not accept graduate-level transfer credit from other institutions toward the Doctorate of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) degree. Veteran students who apply to the physical therapy programs are eligible for consideration of graduate level transfer credits from accredited institutions.
*The School of Occupational Therapy does not accept transfer credit from other institutions toward its degree program. Veteran students who apply to the occupational therapy programs are eligible for consideration of graduate level transfer credits from accredited institutions.
Progression Towards Graduation*
It is essential that students make satisfactory progress toward their degree in terms of consistency and performance. Unless stated otherwise in a specific graduate school, unsatisfactory progress will result in the following actions:
| Condition | Action | |
| GPA less than 3.0 | Probation | |
| More than three "C" grades (9 hrs) | Dismissal* | |
| "F" grade in any course | Dismissal* | |
| Failure to enroll in a term | Inactive Status |
If a student remains on Inactive Status for more than one year without the program director's permission, the student must reapply for admission to the program.
Students on probation must raise their cumulative GPA to 3.0 or better within the next two semesters, unless stated otherwise in a specific graduate school. If a student fails to meet this criterion the student is automatically dismissed from the program. Any student who is dismissed may apply for readmission, but only once.
*See section on graduate business MBA for Massey Program. See section on graduate PT for Physical Therapy program.
Graduation
In order to be eligible to graduate, a student in any master's program or doctoral program must:
- complete the specified curriculum
- have an overall GPA of 3.0 or better (unless stated otherwise in a specific graduate school)
- complete all degree requirements within the time period specified for each program. Time limits shall be computed from and will include the first term of credit applied to the degree program.
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