Policy Directory

• Academic Honesty
• Complaints and Appeals
• Fairness for Students
  • Student Conduct
  • Student Affairs Handbook
• Privacy Rights
  • Counseling Services
  • Student Conduct Records and Confidentiality
• Case Management -  Resolution of Grievances
• Use of Space Policy (PDF)

• All HR Polices
• Advancement
• Conflict of Interest
• Evaluation
  • Collective Bargaining
  • HR Forms
• Fairness for Faculty
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Faculty Handbook
  • Contracts (Day and Graduate and Continuing Education)
• Fairness for Staff
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Policies
  • Employee Handbook (PDF)
  • AFSCME Contract 
  • APA Contract
  • Non-Unit Personnel Policies Handbook (PDF)
• Intellectual Property Rights
• Non-Discrimination
• HR Resolution of Grievances

Fitchburg State University has a number of policies in place to ensure safety and security of its computer resources, and to ensure the integrity of the system.

• Technology Policies and Planning

• Research
  • Faculty Handbook
  • Institutional Review Board
    • Policy Revision
  • Biosafety Committee
  • Animal Care and Use

Every member of the university community is expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. A student shall not submit work that is falsified or is not the result of the student’s own effort. A student who is in doubt regarding standards of academic integrity in a course or assignment should consult the faculty member responsible for that course or assignment before submitting the work. A student’s lack of understanding of the academic integrity policy is not a valid defense to a charge of academic dishonesty.

A student’s name on any written or creative exercise (e.g., examination, report, thesis, theme, laboratory report, computer program, artistic production, etc.), or in association with an oral presentation, declares that the work is the result of that student’s own thought and study. Any work that the student declares as their own shall be stated in the student’s own words and produced without the assistance of others. Students must make clear through accurate citations when they make use of other sources. Talking during an examination, or possession or use of unauthorized materials or equipment during an examination constitutes an infringement of the academic integrity policy. Aiding and abetting academic dishonesty also constitutes a violation of the academic integrity policy.

Unless permission is received in advance from the faculty member in charge of the course involved, a student may not submit, in identical or similar form, work for one course that has been used to fulfill any academic requirement in another course at Fitchburg State University or any other institution. A student who perceives the possibility of overlapping assignments in courses should consult with the appropriate faculty members before presuming that a single effort will fulfill requirements of both courses. Students should consult course syllabi for additional guidance on matters of academic integrity.
When an alleged offense of the Academic Integrity Policy has occurred, the following process will apply:

1. If the accuser is a faculty member, and they decide to make a formal accusation of a violation of the academic integrity policy, the faculty member will provide the student with a letter describing the case for academic dishonesty within 14 days of discovering the alleged infringement. This letter may be presented to the student in person or delivered to the student’s home, local or campus address or mailbox, or Fitchburg State University email account. The student will either:
   • agree with the accusation of academic dishonesty and the sanction as imposed by the faculty member, or
   • disagree with the accusation of academic dishonesty. (A student cannot agree with the accusation of academic dishonesty but disagree with the sanction. Disagreement with a sanction, in other words, is not grounds for an appeal.)
     
     If the student has agreed with the accusation and signed the letter accordingly, the sanction identified by the faculty member will be imposed, and the matter will be considered closed. If the student disagrees with the accusation and again signs the letter accordingly, the student may appeal the matter to the  university conduct board. With all formal accusations of a violation of the academic integrity policy, the faculty member will forward the letter with the student’s signature and other relevant information to the Office of Student Affairs. Faculty are encouraged to inform the Office of Student Affairs regarding Academic Integrity violations prior to submission of formal paperwork. (Proceed to No. 3 below.)
2. If the accuser is not a faculty member, and they decide to initiate the formal process, the accuser must submit a report and/or relevant information to the Office of Student Affairs within 14 days of discovering the alleged infringement of the academic integrity policy.
3. Once a case is forwarded or as an appeal (in the form of a report, signed letter and/or other relevant information), the designated student affairs administrator, or designee, will review all relevant information and either:
   • dismiss the incident due to lack of merit or timeliness or
   • contact the accused student to schedule a conduct board hearing or
   • when a conduct board is not available, an administrative hearing shall be utilized.
4. If the case goes to the conduct board/hearing administrator, the board will determine whether the student is responsible or not responsible for violating the academic integrity policy. If the student is found responsible, the board/hearing administrator will recommend sanctions to the appropriate academic dean, or designee, or, in the case of graduate students, the dean of graduate studies. These sanctions will include those identified by the faculty member and, in the event a student has a prior disciplinary record, may also include the additional sanctions of:
   • a grade of zero on the assignment;
   •  failing grade in the course;
   • suspension from Fitchburg State University;
   • dismissal from Fitchburg State University;
   • or other sanctions.
5. In cases of undergraduate student violations of the academic integrity policy, the appropriate academic dean (or designee) will either impose the sanction recommended by the conduct board or determine that the sanction is excessive or inadequate and alter it accordingly. In cases of graduate student violations of the academic integrity policy, the dean of graduate studies (or designee) will take the above action.
6. The student may make a final appeal to the University  Provost only for a sanction of suspension or dismissal.
   
   Note: If the student agrees with the academic dishonesty finding by the faculty member, the case will not go before the conduct board; however, if they have a prior disciplinary record, the designated student affairs administrator may pursue other charges and sanctions once the academic integrity issue has been resolved.

Last updated: 2025

Unless specified otherwise, a student’s academic standing is determined by submitted grades. Incomplete grades are not factored into academic standing. Retroactive adjustments are not made to a student’s standing once a grade has been submitted for the Incomplete.  

Good Academic Standing

To achieve good academic standing, students must:

• Maintain an overall cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in the major
• Meet any additional requirements of the major which have been approved by the All-University Committee and are consistent with university policy

Academic Warning

Students whose cumulative GPA falls in the range of 2.0 to 2.2 will be placed on academic warning. Students on probation and academic warning must:

• Meet with their academic advisor before the start of the second week of the relevant semester to review their current course load and arrange periodic meetings throughout the semester and
• Meet with an academic coach for the number of times stipulated in the probation or academic warning contract.

Students who maintain the University’s academic standards for probation must also meet the financial aid and athletic eligibility requirements for satisfactory academic progress.  (Financial Aid and Athletics offices have additional academic requirements for probationary students.  Students should consult the appropriate office to determine their eligibility.) 

Academic Probation

Students whose cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0 will be placed on probation.  

• Probation 1: The first semester in which a student’s cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0, the student is placed on Probation 1.
• Probation 2: The second consecutive semester in which a student’s cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0 but at or above a 1.0 will be placed on Probation 2. Students with a cumulative GPA below a 1.0 will be placed on suspension.

Taking a leave or withdrawing does not change a student’s probation status. Upon returning to the university, students will retain the same probation status they had prior to their departure. Students that readmit with a GPA below a 2.0 that are not already on Academic Probation or a Dean’s Probation will be placed on Probation 1. See below for information on Dean’s Probation. Students will be suspended if they have a cumulative GPA below a 2.0 for more than two successive semesters and do not meet the criteria for Deferred Suspension.

Deferred Suspension

Deferred suspension provides students who would otherwise be suspended with an opportunity for an additional semester to achieve good academic standing.  Eligibility for Deferred Suspension:  

Any student in their second semester of probation that has  

• made notable improvements in their GPA, but still falls short of the required cumulative GPA of 2.0
• successfully completed a minimum of 12 college-level credits
• have not have received a 0.0 or Unsatisfactory in any course in that term, and
•  their semester GPA is at or above a 2.0

Any student currently on Deferred Suspension who

• is registered for a minimum of 12 college-level credits
• has not received a 0.0 or Unsatisfactory in any course in that term, and  
• their semester GPA is at or above a 2.0  

Additional considerations: If a student should receive a grade of Incomplete during the semester of Deferred Suspension, the student’s status will be determined by the GPA graded courses only. No future adjustments will be made to a student’s status once the grade has been submitted for the incomplete. 

Dean’s Probation  

A Dean’s Probation contract is an agreement that requires a student to earn a term GPA of 2.0 or more and pass all of their classes. This allows for students to make progress toward good academic standing while recognizing it may take more than one semester to bring the cumulative GPA over a 2.0.    

Academic Suspension

Suspended students are ineligible to enroll in any courses at Fitchburg State University for at least one semester. Suspension status remains unchanged by voluntary withdrawal. To seek readmission, students must submit a Readmission Application by the Registrar’s established deadline (see Readmission to the University policy.). If readmitted, students return under a Dean’s Probation contract and remain on the Dean’s Probation contract until they return to good standing or fail the contract. See below for information on Dean’s Probation. 

Academic Dismissal

Students will be dismissed from the University if, after having been readmitted following a suspension, they do not meet probationary standards as laid out in a Dean’s Probation contract. Dismissal status results in the student’s dismissal from all divisions of Fitchburg State University.  A dismissed student may not enroll in any courses in any division of the University for a period of two years.  

Request for Updated Standing  

Students in poor academic standing who have completed additional coursework during semesters when academic standing is not calculated (winter and summer) may request a revaluation of their academic standing from the Registrar if their cumulative GPA qualifies for a change in their status. 
 

In keeping with the Fitchburg State University commitment to excellent educational experiences and high-quality programs for its students, and consistent with practices at other institutions within the state, region, and nationally, Fitchburg State University routinely engages in the assessment of student learning at the course, program, institution and system levels. The learning outcomes assessment process may include a variety of methods such as standardized tests, student surveys, polls, questionnaires, and focus groups. In addition, student coursework and co-curricular work, including but not limited to, exams, papers, written assignments, and presentations, may be retained for the purpose of assessment and continuous improvement. The identity of the student will be protected, student’s name, grade or other identifying information will be removed before the student work is reviewed. Selected student work may be subject to review by a limited cohort of higher educational personnel, primarily faculty. Assessment of student learning is undertaken primarily for the purpose of continuous improvement in the areas of student learning, curriculum development, instruction, and student academic success. Assessment activities will have absolutely no effect on a student’s grade, academic standing, ability to transfer, or ability to be graduated. Fitchburg State University takes all necessary steps to ensure the confidentiality of all student records and student work reviewed through this process in accordance with FERPA regulation.
 

Each instructor has the prerogative to place a value upon class attendance and must inform the class of that value early in the semester. The instructor’s class attendance standard should be stated in the course syllabus. If a student is absent from a class meeting, the student is required to produce appropriate documentation for the instructor’s review.
Section 2B of Chapter 151c of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts reads as follows:
Any student in an educational or vocational institution, other than a religious or denominational educational or vocational training institution, who is unable, because of religious beliefs, to attend classes or to participate in any examination, study, or work requirement on a particular day shall be excused from any such examination or study or work requirement, and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up such examination, study, or work requirement  which may have been missed because of such absence on any particular day; provided, however, that such makeup examination or work shall not create an unreasonable burden upon the school. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to the said student such opportunity. No adverse or prejudicial effects shall  result to students who avail themselves of the provisions of this section.
 

The university may cancel courses for insufficient enrollment or for other reasons deemed to be in the best interest of the university. Students who sign up for a course which is cancelled may transfer to another course or receive a full refund of tuition and fees.

Last updated: 2025

Fitchburg State University hosts its single annual commencement ceremony at the conclusion of each spring semester. Graduating students are highly encouraged to take part in the celebration. Undergraduate students who do not meet all graduation requirements in time for the May ceremony may still be eligible to walk participate in commencement, provided they have no more than two remaining courses of three (3) or four (4) of up to eight (8) total credits each OR one outstanding internship (up to 12 credits) or practicum and seminar (up to 15 credits), while otherwise meeting all graduation requirements for their degree program. A degree will be officially awarded only after all graduation requirements have been fully met. Students may participate in only one commencement ceremony. They must notify the Registrar’s Office of their intent to participate at least two calendar weeks prior to the ceremony to ensure their name is included in commencement materials and when applicable, to secure ticket availability. Failure to provide notice within this timeframe may result in ineligibility to participate. If a student declares their intention to participate but does not—and fails to notify the Registrar’s Office prior to the ceremony—they will be ineligible to participate in any future commencement. Students approved for participation may choose to attend their scheduled ceremony or request to reschedule to the following ceremony, provided it occurs within two years of their graduation date.
 

Graduation requirement: a minimum of 120 semester hours in all majors.

Half-time status: a minimum of 6 semester hours each fall and spring, or in combined summer sessions. Students must maintain at least half-time status for eligibility for financial aid.

Full-time status: a minimum of 12 semester hours each semester. Students must maintain full-time status to remain eligible for varsity athletics, academic honors including Dean’s List, participation in student governance, health insurance coverage. Some financial aid options and scholarships may require 12 credits. Both day and continuing education courses are included in calculating total semester hours.

Maximum allowable course load, fall and spring terms: 18 semester hours. Students registering for more than 18 semester hours (whether solely at Fitchburg State University or in conjunction with courses taken at another university) must have the permission of their department chair and appropriate dean along with their major advisor. Students taking overloads without permission may be denied credit for overload courses, regardless of grades earned.

Maximum allowable course load, winter session: Maximum academic load is six credit hours.
 
Maximum allowable course load, summer sessions: The maximum academic load during the combined summer sessions is twelve credits. Students are strongly advised to avoid taking more than 8 credits in one summer session.
 
Note: Any student seeking to register for credit beyond the maximum load must submit a student petition with support from their advisor. A student with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 will normally not be granted permission to register for more than the maximum course load in any semester.

Four-year undergraduate degree: At least 15 semester hours per semester are recommended for graduation in four years. Certain majors may require enrollment in specific courses or with specific course loads in certain semesters; students are responsible for understanding requirements for their major.

Program enrollment: Under certain circumstances, day program students may be permitted to enroll full-time for a semester through the Graduate and Continuing Education division, and vice-versa. Approval for such enrollments must be granted by the appropriate dean for your major.
 

Last updated: 2025

Undergraduate Day:

• Approval of Course Schedule - Prior to course registration each semester, students must meet with their advisor to review their academic progress and to develop a course schedule for the upcoming semester. Advisors must approve course selections before the student is permitted to register. 
• Add/Drop - Students may add or drop courses online during the first five class days of the semester. In the following 5 class days, students may continue to drop courses online, but instructor approval is required to add a course. For specific dates, refer to the academic calendar. While advisor approval is not required during the add/drop period, students are encouraged to consult their advisor before making any changes that could impact their progress toward graduation or fulfillment of major requirements. 

Undergraduate Evening/Online:

Students must register for courses within the curriculum requirements as set in the University Catalog of the year of matriculation. However, it is the right of the university to alter the requirements to meet statutory, educational, or professional standards.

For regularly scheduled courses, students must register before the deadlines noted in the School of Graduate, Online and Continuing Education academic calendar. Early registration is recommended for all matriculated students and applicants in order to secure seats in the courses needed to proceed in degree programs. Please check the website for specific registration dates and late registration dates, which carry a late registration fee.

Course Drops - Course drops must be made by the deadlines noted in the School of Graduate, Online and Continuing Education academic calendar. No course drops are permitted after the deadlines. After the deadline, the dropping of a course is considered a withdrawal.

The Credit Elimination Policy applies to students who leave the university and desire to return after five or more calendar years. Such students may eliminate all or part of previously earned credits from their transcripts, in units of one semester or more, with the understanding that any eliminated credits will still count as attempted and thus potentially affect financial aid eligibility. When a particular semester of credit is designated to be eliminated, all credits from this semester must be eliminated.

This policy requires that:

• Credit elimination may only occur once
• A request for credit elimination must be in writing
• The appropriate academic dean must approve the request

Last updated: 2025

Unless specified otherwise, a student’s academic standing is determined by submitted grades. Incomplete grades are not factored into academic standing. Retroactive adjustments are not made to a student’s standing once a grade has been submitted for the Incomplete. 

President’s List

Degree-seeking students are named on the President’s List when they have attained a semester average of 3.75 or higher and were named on the Dean’s List for three successive semesters while maintaining full-time status in college-level courses and a minimum of 9 GPA credits (graded credits that impact GPA). In cases where students are considered full-time with less than 12 credits, no more than one course with a grade of S is allowed. Students with incompletes and/or an Unsatisfactory grade (U), at the time the President’s List is determined are not awarded the President’s List. 

Dean’s List

Degree-seeking students who have attained an average of 3.2 or better for the semester while maintaining full-time status in college-level courses and a minimum of 9 GPA credits (graded credits that impact GPA). In cases where students are considered full-time with less than 12 credits, no more than one course with a grade of S is allowed. Students with incompletes and/or an Unsatisfactory grade (U) at the time the Dean’s List is determined are not awarded the Dean’s List. 
 

Students may declare a major when they are admitted to the university. If a change of major is desired, students must complete a change of major card available in the Registrar’s Office. For application and policies related to educator licensure programs, visit the Admissions section of this catalog.

Students not making satisfactory progress in completing the academic requirements of the major may be asked to select another major.

Professional programs of study may require a departmental review of students to determine if they are qualified to continue in the major. If in the review process the student is judged as unsuitable for the profession, regardless of academic standing, the student may be asked to select another major.

Successful completion of an academic program in any major field or professional program does not obligate the faculty to recommend licensure or certification, even if the candidate is awarded the academic degree.

To fulfill requirements for a bachelor’s degree, students must complete either the requirements of the General Education Program (explained in The Curriculum section of catalog) or the requirements of the Honors program, as well as the requirements for their major.

Grades are awarded on a numerical scale as described on the Grading Scales page.

Professors who assign grades to students using the percentage scale may choose to adjust their scale to accommodate for variations in difficulty of the exam, assignment, or task.  In these cases the professor will inform the students of the initial score, the adjusted score, and the reason for the adjustment.

All grades except 0.0, U, IN, IP, W, and AU are passing grades and earn credit toward the degree.

Grade Guidelines

All requirements and grading standards identified in individual class syllabi must be met.

• The Grade of 4.0 - The grade of 4.0 implies excellence in thinking and distinguished performance within the domain of a subject and course, along with extensive development of a range of knowledge acquired through the exercise of critical thinking skills and abilities. This level work is consistently clear, precise, well-reasoned and displays depth of insight.
• The Grade of 3.0 - The grade of 3.0 implies sound thinking and performance within the domain of a subject and course, along with the development of a range of knowledge acquired through the exercise of critical thinking skills and abilities. This level work is generally clear, precise, well-reasoned and displays some depth of insight.
• The Grade of 2.0 - The grade of 2.0 implies mixed thinking and performance within the domain of a subject and course, along with some development of a range of knowledge acquired through the exercise of critical thinking skills and abilities. This level work is inconsistently clear, precise, well-reasoned and does not typically display depth of insight.
• The Grade of 1.0 - The grade of 1.0 implies limited thinking and performance within the domain of a subject and course, and the student displays limited critical thinking skills and abilities requisite to understanding course content. The student attempts to acquire knowledge by memorization rather than through comprehension and  understanding. This level work represents thinking that is typically unclear, imprecise, and poorly reasoned, and does not display depth of insight.
• The Grade of 0.0 - The grade of 0.0 implies poor thinking and performance within the domain of a subject and course, and the student does not display critical thinking skills and abilities requisite to understanding course content. The student relies on acquiring knowledge by memorization rather than through comprehension and  understanding. This level work represents thinking that is regularly unclear, imprecise, and poorly reasoned, and is lacking depth of insight.
• Incomplete - The purpose of an incomplete is to account for extraordinary circumstances in students’ academic and personal lives and to accommodate a need for extra time.
  • Instructors may assign an incomplete grade (IN) at their discretion, but only in those cases when it is mathematically possible for a student to pass the class with a 1.0 or higher, on successful completion of the incomplete work. An instructor will initiate the incomplete grade process with the student by filling out an official “incomplete grade form.” Instructors will indicate on this form the graded assessments of course content that must be completed and the grade the student will receive in the event that they are not completed. This information will be shared with the primary academic advisor.
  • Instructors will assign a deadline for completion of the work no later than the last day of classes of the next semester. If the student does not complete the work, the grade indicated on the “incomplete grade form” will be assigned. Extensions may be granted through the petition process.
  • Students should be aware that, while an IN is not counted in the determination of academic standing, it may have an impact on eligibility for financial aid, athletic participation, and the satisfaction of prerequisite credits.
• In Progress - An In Progress (IP) is given in lieu of a grade under extraordinary circumstances where a course spans longer than one semester. IP grades can only be submitted by petition to the registrar by a department chair and must include a final date by which the IP must be completed.
• Audit -
  • An Audit (AU) is entered into the transcript to indicate that a student has been officially enrolled in a course for neither grade nor credit.
  • Students who wish to audit a course during the day must record the audit designation with the Registrar’s Office by the end of the add/drop period.
  • Students who wish to audit a course during the evening must register the audit designation with the Registrar’s Office before the third class meeting.

Mid-Semester Grades

Faculty will be encouraged to submit a mid-semester grade for all students that are achieving at the 1.7 grade level or lower, and/or are not attending their classes. The grades should reflect student achievement to date on graded assignments. Faculty report deficiency grades by the Friday before advising begins.

Final Grades

Final grades for courses are available to students online as soon as grades are posted. Contact professors for information about the grades you receive. For more information, see registrar page.

Computing Quality Points and Cumulative GPA

• Quality Points = semester hours carried by the course multiplied by numerical grade. (For example, a three credit course with a grade of 3.0 would earn nine quality points.)
• Cumulative grade point average = total quality points earned in all courses divided by total credit hours completed.

Graduation honors recognize outstanding academic careers as signified by a high cumulative average. To graduate with honors, a student must have completed at least 45 credits with a numerical grade at the university.

• Summa Cum Laude honors students who graduate with a cumulative GPA of 3.8 or higher.
• Magna Cum Laude honors students who graduate with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 to 3.79.
• Cum Laude honors students who graduate with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 to 3.49.

For the purpose of registration and financial aid, the following classifications are identified:

• Freshmen - students with between 0-23 earned credits
• Sophomores - students with between 24-47 earned credits
• Juniors - students with between 48-71 earned credits
• Seniors - students with 72 or more earned credits

Last updated: 2024

Students enrolled in the university may request a period of separation – normally not to exceed one semester. Students who are on an approved Leave of Absence (LOA) maintain their active status.  Students on a personal leave of absence (not a medical or veteran leave) will be able to contact their advisor directly in order to register themselves for the semester of their return.  Students on a medical leave of absence should contact the Student Affairs office prior to their return. Veterans should reach out to the Registrar’s Office. Please note: Taking a Leave of Absence does not change the status of a returning student who was not in good academic standing at the start of their Leave of Absence.

A student who does not return for the approved semester will be withdrawn unless an extension is granted through the Student Affairs office.

A student who wishes to extend a Leave of Absence must request that through the Student Affairs Office and present a valid reason for the extension. A leave that extends beyond one semester is reported as a withdrawal from the university however your student account will remain active.

Most common exceptions to the one semester limit would include military deployment and medical conditions that require more than a semester for recovery. Appropriate documentation (medical documentation, military orders) may be required.

Please note: A leave of absence does not pause federal loan repayment and Title IV refund policy will be applied to all leave of absences.

Undergraduate degree candidates must declare and complete a major in one program of study offered by the university. Requirements for undergraduate majors are described in the Undergraduate Day Programs and Undergraduate Evening Programs sections.

Pre-Majors (undeclared)

Students with 45 semester hours of university course work must apply for and be admitted to a major prior to registering for additional courses. All pre-majors are assigned to advisors in the Career Counseling and Advising Center.
Transfer students with 45 or more credits when admitted as pre-majors have until either October 1 or March 1 of their first semester at Fitchburg State University to declare their major.

Students may apply for readmission to the registrar for any semester/term no later than one week prior to the start date. Applications received after this date will be considered but readmission is not guaranteed for the semester requested. The registrar will consider academic, financial, and university discipline records, in addition to space available, when granting readmission. Readmission is not guaranteed. 

Veterans who left for active service and were in good academic and disciplinary standing will be granted readmission provided their withdrawal was effective within the last five years and the university was notified of their return to service prior to withdrawing.

Veterans that have been readmitted into the Nursing program may be required to repeat some courses as required by the Nursing Department depending on length away from the program. 

Repeating Courses after a Failing Grade

A student may repeat a course in which the assigned grade is a 0.0 or Unsatisfactory. In these cases, the new grade will be substituted for the original grade in calculating the student’s cumulative GPA. The original grade, however, will continue to appear on the transcript. A transfer grade of 1.7 or better eliminates the original failing grade in calculating the cumulative GPA. Because grades from transfer courses are not transferable, the new grade itself is not calculated into the cumulative average.

Repeating Courses after a Passing Grade or Audit

A student may repeat once any Fitchburg State University course for which a 1.0, 1.3, 1.5, 1.7, or AU is earned. Courses must be taken at Fitchburg State University and, if at all possible, should be taken within the following year. Students may petition the appropriate academic dean to repeat courses at other colleges.

The repeated course will be indicated as such on the student’s transcript. The higher grade will be counted toward the overall GPA on the transcript.

A 2.0 cumulative GPA and 2.0 GPA in courses in the major are the minimum requirements for both admission to and completion of all major programs. Some majors, however, may have requirements higher than a 2.0 GPA in major courses for either entrance or completion.

 A 2.0 cumulative GPA and 2.0 GPA in courses in the minor are the minimum requirements for both admission to and completion of all minor programs. As with the majors, some minors, may have requirements higher than a 2.0 GPA for either entrance or completion.

Any course can be taken for a S/U grade with the following exceptions:

• Courses required for a major unless the department has designated them as acceptable
• Courses taken to fulfill the General Education writing requirement
• Courses taken to fulfill the General Education quantitative reasoning requirement

And with the following limitations:

• A maximum of 12 credits of S/U can be applied toward the minimum credits required for a degree
• No more than two courses in any discipline (as identified by course-number prefix) may be taken S/U
• Only one course per semester may be taken S/U
• No quality points are awarded with the S/U grade

Students must request the S/U option by the deadline to withdraw from a course. Once recorded, the designation cannot be changed by the student.

In addition to the above, remedial courses, which do not count toward graduation, may only be taken for a S/U grade.

The School of Graduate, Online and Continuing Education schedules courses at times that are convenient for working adults. Schedules are created in the academic departments in consultation with the School of Graduate, Online and Continuing Education. Most courses are offered in the late afternoon or evening; some courses are scheduled on weekends, and many courses are available online. Winter session courses are online and summer session courses are scheduled during mornings, afternoons, or evenings, as well as online.
 

A senior level student (90 semester hours or more) with a 3.5 GPA or better may register for graduate credit courses at the 6000 level and above with the following restrictions:

• Approval must be obtained from the dean or designee
• Combined graduate and undergraduate credit load in a semester is not more than 15 hours
• No more than three graduate credits may be taken in a semester
• Recommendation of the appropriate undergraduate advisor must be submitted to the dean for approval through a student petition form, which can be found in the registrar’s website
• No more than nine semester hours of graduate credit may be accumulated by a senior. Graduate credits are applicable to maintain full-time status to receive financial aid
• Graduate courses taken toward undergraduate degree requirements cannot be transferred into a graduate program at Fitchburg State University

A student who is dissatisfied with a grade received or with any other aspect of instruction in a particular course is to confer with the instructor, who will explain the reasons for awarding the grade. If such a conference fails to achieve a satisfactory resolution, the student should confer with the department chair. If still unsatisfied, the student may then appeal in writing to the appropriate academic dean to adjudicate the situation.

Unofficial transcripts are available to students online. Official transcripts may also be requested online at www.parchment.com. For more information, see the Request a Transcript page.
 

Credit received for courses completed at other regionally accredited institutions of higher education may be transferred to Fitchburg State University and applied toward degree programs if:

• The courses are equivalent to courses offered by Fitchburg State University or appropriate to programs at the university
• The grade of the course is no lower than a 1.7 (C-), except for courses taken in the spring 2020 semester.   For spring 2020 courses we will accept grades of P/F or S/U as transfer credit even if they do not have a numerical grade, and we will accept credits for courses in which students received a D (1.0) or above.  
• A maximum of 75 semester hours credit from two year institutions, college level examinations, and/or military training will be considered for transfer
• A maximum of 90 semester hours of credit will be considered from four year baccalaureate institutions

Value of transferred credit

• Transferred credits count only as credit hours earned
• No quality points or grades are transferred or calculated in the student’s cumulative GPA
• A minimum of 30 semester hours toward a baccalaureate degree must be completed at Fitchburg State University
• A minimum of 50% of credits must be completed at Fitchburg State University for Undergraduate certificate programs.
• For students with one major degree program, no more than 50% of major credits can be completed as transfer credits. In order to receive a minor, a student must complete at least two minor courses (or a minimum of 6 credits) in residence at Fitchburg State University. 
• Major departments may have additional requirements

Approval of transfer credit may be authorized by the registrar, or academic deans.

International Baccalaureate Credit

The official IB transcript and World Education Services (WES) translation of non-English originals are required.

Fitchburg State University awards transfer credit to students who are recipients of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma or Certificate as follows:

IB Diploma recipients may be awarded six to eight semester hours of credit, based on articulation, for each higher level (HL) subject examination passed with a score of 4 or higher.

IB Certificate recipients (those not awarded the Diploma) may also be awarded six to eight semester hours of credit, based on articulation, for each higher level (HL) subject examination passed with a score of 4 or higher.

A maximum of 30 semester hours of credit may be awarded. No credit is awarded for standard level (SL) subject examinations.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), Defense Activity for Nontraditional Educational Support (DANTES), Departmental Examinations

Students entering Fitchburg State University with college-level training or experience can be tested on college course material to earn credit toward their degree. The Fitchburg State University examination program is especially valuable for individuals who have had learning experiences outside the college classroom (employment experience, life experience, independent study, etc.) which may come to bear upon their formal academic training.

On the CLEP exams, Fitchburg State University adheres to the standards established by the American Council on Education granting credit for tests on which a score of 50 has been achieved. This credit is awarded only to students enrolled in degree programs at Fitchburg State University.

The nearest CLEP and DSST exam site is at the testing center of Mount Wachusett Community College (978) 630-9244.
It is possible to gain up to 60 university credits through the program for all majors except criminal justice. Criminal justice majors can earn no more than 12 credits through examination.

Advanced Placement

For students who score 3, 4, or 5 on the advanced placement examination, the university grants advanced placement status and credit in the area tested. See the Academic Glossary for the advanced placement courses accepted.

Last updated: 2023

Students who have a cumulative 3.2 GPA or above at Fitchburg and meet the minimum residency requirement for graduation but do not meet the 45 credit minimum for honors consideration may still be eligible for honors if GPA from the transfer institution(s) combined with the GPA from Fitchburg State, each weighted by percentage of completed courses.

For example, if 25% of courses are taken at Fitchburg State and 75% are taken in transfer, the GPA from the transfer institution will be multiplied by .75, the GPA from courses taken at Fitchburg State will be multiplied by .25 and the two are added together. If the combined GPA reaches the 3.2 minimum, the student is eligible for honors. See Graduation Honors for the GPA requirements for each level of Honors.

In order to qualify for an internship, a student must be matriculated and have completed a minimum of 60 credits with at least 12 credits earned at Fitchburg State, and have a 2.0 GPA prior to placement. While these are university requirements, individual departments may have additional GPA requirements in the major and other entry requirements. In addition:

• The maximum number of credits a student may earn toward their major through an internship is limited to 12 credits.
• Additional internship credits may be allowed as free electives.
• Internship credit cannot be substituted for core and required courses in any major.
• Students may register for an internship either through sections created for that purpose in the schedule or through the use of a Special Studies Request form.
• No student will intern at a site or with a site supervisor which poses a conflict of interest.  Conflicts of interest may include, but are not limited to, supervision by a student’s family member, internships doing an existing job, etc.  If a current job site is considered, the internship must include tasks outside of the normal job duties so that it is a true learning experience.
• No retroactive credit will be given for internship hours prior to registration.

Undergraduate Day:

Withdrawals from a regularly scheduled individual course without academic penalty (a “W” on the transcript) may be made through the end of the 11th week as indicated on the University Academic Calendar. Special scheduling or institute course withdrawals will be determined on a prorated basis. A withdrawal is initiated by completing a withdrawal form at the Registrar’s Office in the Anthony building or by emailing the form to your advisor for approval and then to the Registrar’s office. The signature of your academic advisor is required on the form. After this period a grade of 0.0 will be automatically applied unless the appropriate Academic Dean for your major approves a student petition form requesting a late withdrawal. The petition requires documented extenuating circumstances. Students who withdraw by simply not attending the class will receive a failing grade for the class. There is a different process for withdrawing from all classes for a term, see “Withdrawal from the University.” You may also refer to the university “Refund Policy” for further information.

Undergraduate Evening/Online:

Withdrawals without academic penalty may be made until the deadline noted in the School of Graduate, Online and Continuing Education academic calendar. Course withdrawal is initiated by contacting the Registrar’s Office at (978) 665-4196 or registrar@fitchburgstate.edu. Any student who withdraws by simply not attending classes automatically receives a failing grade for the course. See tuition and fees refund policy in Tuition and Fees catalog section.

Undergraduate Day:

Students who withdraw from the university, either during or between semesters, must complete a withdrawal form with the Office of Student Affairs. Students who withdraw within the first 11 weeks of the semester will receive a W in each course. 

Students who leave the university after 11 weeks of the semester will receive a grade of 0.0 or U in all their courses unless granted a waiver by the Office of Student Affairs for documented extenuating circumstances. Students who are called to active military duty after 11 weeks of the semester and choose to withdraw from the university (see also Leave of Absence policy) will receive a grade of “W” in all their courses once a withdrawal form is completed through the Office of Student Affairs. 

A degree seeking student who does not register for a course for one year is automatically withdrawn by the Registrar. A degree seeking student who decides to return to Fitchburg State University must initiate readmission through the Registrar’s Office.

See Readmission to the University Policy for more details. 

Students who are called to active military duty and choose to withdraw rather than take a leave of absence should contact the Office of Student Affairs immediately in order to expedite the withdrawal and refund process. Upon application through the Registrar’s Office, readmission will be granted following a break in attendance due to service requirements. 

Undergraduate Evening/Online:

A degree-seeking undergraduate student may initiate withdrawal from the university by completing an SGOCE University and Program Withdrawal form. A student who does not register for a course for one year is automatically withdrawn. A degree-seeking student who decides to return to Fitchburg State University must initiate reinstatement through the Registrar’s Office.

Students who are called to active military duty should contact the School of Graduate, Online and Continuing Education immediately in order to expedite the withdrawal process.

Graduate Advisors

Every student is assigned an advisor from the student’s area of specialization. The advisor:

• Provides a vital link between the students, faculty and the dean
• Assists the degree candidate in developing a plan of study
• Approves all courses, including electives, accepted in the student’s degree programs

All variances from the approved plan of study must be filed with the Registrar’s Office.

Students must register for courses within the curriculum requirements as set in the University Catalog of the year of their matriculation. However, it is the right of the university to alter the requirements to meet statutory, educational, or professional standards.

For regularly scheduled courses, students must register before the second class meeting. Early registration is recommended for all degree seeking graduate students and graduate applicants in order to secure seats in the courses needed to progress in degree programs. The regular registration period ends two weeks prior to the start of the semester, with late registration and registration fees commencing thereafter. Please refer to the website for specific dates.

Definition - A graduate non-degree seeking student has a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university who is not applying for a degree program but wishes to enroll in University graduate courses.

Enrollment and Registration

• Enrollment as a non-degree student is not guaranteed and may be subject to approval.
• Applicants who have been denied admission to a degree program may not register as a non-degree seeking student without approval from a department chair and school dean and must complete and submit a student petition form for review.
• Course registration is on a space-available basis.
• Coursework taken as a non-degree student only counts towards a degree program if the student is admitted to an academic program at the University, the coursework meets the GPA requirements and has been completed within the statute of limitations for that degree. Up to 12 semester credit hours earned as a graduate non-degree student may be applied toward a graduate degree within the statute of limitations for that degree (provided that a grade of “B” [3.0] or better has been achieved).

Academic and Student Policies

Non-degree students must adhere to the same academic and student code of conduct policies that apply to degree-seeking students (e.g., application, deadlines, fees, drop/add, withdrawals, refund policies, grading, retention policies, etc.).

Admission

Students who subsequently decide to pursue a degree must submit the appropriate admission application.  Enrollment as a non-degree student does not guarantee admission to the University as a degree-seeking student.  All information used to make an admission decision must be received by the published deadline.

Programs Not Eligible for Non-Degree Seeking Registration

Non-degree seeking registration options are not available for the online accelerated programs

Graduate students must register for a minimum of six credit hours in fall and/or spring to be considered full-time. Course load for part-time status is less than six credit hours; halftime status is three credit hours.

Graduate assistants who work 20 hours per week and are registered for at least six credit hours are considered to have full-time status. Students who are registered for at least six credits in thesis, continuation of thesis, or internship/practicum are also considered to have full-time status.

The maximum course load for any graduate student is 12 credit hours in fall, spring or the combined summer I/II sessions.

The maximum course load for graduate students is three credits for the winter session. Students who want to register for credit beyond the normal load must have written approval from the dean of graduate and continuing education prior to registering. Forms are available from the Office of Graduate and Continuing Education, university website or from the academic advisors.

Every graduate student registered for 4.50 or more credits is required by law to show proof of health insurance. Students must enroll in the school sponsored health plan or show proof of comparable coverage in an alternate health plan in order to waive the insurance. For more details, see Tuition and Fees.

A special student holds a baccalaureate degree or higher and may take classes in most graduate or certificate programs, but is not matriculated as a degree candidate. Additional policies applying to special students are as follows:

• Special students who intend to matriculate into a degree are allowed to register for a maximum of 12 credits toward that degree prior to admission.
• Graduate courses at the 6000 level are exempt from this policy.
• Credit from courses taken prior to admission may apply to a degree only if prerequisites for the program are met and approval is received from the program chair or advisor at the time of admission to the program.
   

Waivers of course prerequisites, when authorized, are not to be construed either as waivers of program matriculation requirements or as waivers of credit hours required to complete a program.
 

To maintain enrollment in a graduate program, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their academic program. (Please see the retention policies for the MS programs in Counseling and Forensic Nursing below.)

A graduate student will be placed on probation if:

• Their overall GPA falls below 3.0.
• They receive a failing grade (below 2.0) in any course; students who fail a course must retake the course the next time it is offered in order to replace the failing grade with a passing grade.

Students on probation have one year to raise their GPA to 3.0 or better. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation.

A graduate student enrolled in a program may be dismissed if:

• The student is found in violation of the Academic Integrity Policy
• The student violates ethical/professional standards as defined by the profession and/or the academic department
• The student receives failing grades (below 2.0) in two or more courses
• The student’s GPA remains below 3.0 for three consecutive semesters

A graduate student who is dismissed from a program may seek readmission after one semester, but the decision for readmission rests with the department and/or the Dean of Graduate & Continuing Education, and is considered final.

In addition to the requirements of the graduate school, and to maintain enrollment in the counseling program, students must:

• Maintain an overall GPA of 3.25
• Earn at least a 3.0 in each course
• Demonstrate appropriate ethical/professional behavior
• Demonstrate competent interpersonal behaviors

Automatic Dismissal

Automatic dismissals are issued by the GCE office and do not undergo review by the graduate
counseling committee.

• Students who meet GCE criteria for dismissal will be automatically dismissed
• Any student who earns a grade of 0.0 in any class will be automatically dismissed
   

To maintain enrollment in the graduate forensic nursing program students must earn at least a 3.0 in each course.

Dismissal Following Program Review

Student progress is reviewed at the Stage 1 and 2 time points. In addition, a program review may be initiated by the student’s advisor at any time. At program reviews, students may be dismissed for any of the following:

• Failing to maintain an overall GPA of 3.25
• Not earning a 3.0 in each course
• Failing to demonstrate appropriate ethical/professional behavior
• Failing to demonstrate competent interpersonal behavior

As part of the program review, it is possible that the committee may require additional documentation from the student and/or require a face-to-face meeting with the student.

Matriculated students who do not register for classes for one full academic year (1 fall semester, 1 spring semester, and 2 summer semesters)  will be withdrawn from the University and will need to be readmitted if they wish to continue their studies. Students can request a leave of absence if they meet the qualifications to remain enrolled beyond the one year.
 

Matriculated students who do not plan to register for classes for an extended period of time may request a leave of absence by completing the online form and submitting it to their Academic Advisor and Dean of The School of Graduate, Online and Continuing Education for approval. Without an approved request, a student can be dismissed from the degree program for inactivity and must follow readmission procedures. An approved leave of absence can extend the 6-year limit for completion of a graduate degree to no more than 2 additional years in total. Although a student may be approved for up to 2 LOA’s while in the program, any approved extension on the 6-year limit must fall within 2 years or under in total so a second LOA may not be approved pending time to completion for the student.

A graduate student who is dismissed from a program may seek readmission after having been out of the program for at least one full 15 week semester.

Students seeking readmission from a program must reapply by completing a Student Petition Form located on the Registrar’s website. 

Petitions for readmission from students that have been dismissed can be submitted after they have been out of the program for a minimum of 60 days. Petitions submitted prior to the 60 day minimum will be returned.
(Please see the readmission policies for the MS programs in Counseling below.)

The decision for readmission rests with the academic department and dean and the dean of graduate, online & continuing education, and is considered final. 

Readmission is contingent on the capability of the student to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA and evidence that there are sufficient courses remaining in the student’s program to achieve a 3.0 GPA.

For those seeking readmission into a different degree program, the admissions process must be completed after permission from the dean is secured.

A student who has been withdrawn from a program because of failure to request a leave of absence but is in good academic standing with the program may petition for readmission at any time. 

The program/policies in effect at the time of readmission are those that the student must follow.

A graduate student who has been dismissed from the program because of failure to request a leave of absence may reapply to the program.

A graduate student who is dismissed from the program for academic reasons may seek readmission after one year, but the decision for readmission rests with the department in consultation with the Dean of Graduate & Continuing Education and is considered final. Students seeking readmission must reapply by completing a petition form. The form will be reviewed by the graduate counseling committee and additional documentation and/or face-to-face meetings may be required. For readmission for the Summer and Fall semester, students are required to submit their petition no later than March 1st.  For readmission for the Spring semester, students are required to submit their petition no later than October 1st.

As part of the readmission process, it is the student’s responsibility to provide evidence of successfully resolving the issues that prompted the program dismissal. The committee will also consider the reasons for the initial dismissal. Readmission is also contingent on the capability of the student to maintain at least a 3.25 GPA and on evidence that there are sufficient courses remaining in the student’s program to achieve a 3.25 GPA.  The program/policies in effect at the time of readmission are those that the student must follow.

Graduate students may change their major or degree program as long as they can meet the requirements for their new major/degree. Frequently, changing one’s major or degree increases the amount of time required to complete a graduate program. Courses taken from the previous major or degree may not count towards the new major or degree. A review of courses would be conducted by the chair of the receiving major or degree.

Graduate students must fill out a student petition form to request a change of major. They will need to obtain the signature/approval of the program chair for the major they wish to enter and the appropriate dean. If you are an education major you will need the approval of the dean of education. All other majors will need the approval of the dean of graduate and continuing education. To obtain a student petition form go to the registrar page. 

Students seeking to change their degree (ex: MBA to M.Ed.) will need to formally withdraw from their degree through the Office of the Registrar and then reapply for the new program through the Office of Admissions. All application materials required for the new degree must be submitted with the exception of official transcripts previously submitted to the Office of Admissions.

Students who have been dismissed from a graduate program on academic grounds and who are subsequently readmitted to a program may retake courses in which they have received a 2.0 or a 0.0 grade. If the class is repeated, the new grade will be substituted for the original grade in calculating the student’s cumulative GPA. The original grade, however, will continue to appear on the transcript. Transfer courses cannot be used to substitute for courses in which a grade of 2.0 or a 0.0 has been obtained.
 

Grades are awarded on a numerical scale as described on the Grading Scales page.

Incomplete Course

The purpose of an incomplete is to account for extraordinary circumstances in students’ academic and personal lives and to accommodate a need for extra time.

Instructors may assign an incomplete grade (IN) at their discretion if a student has completed 80% of the coursework and only when it is mathematically possible for a student to pass the class with a 2.0 or higher, on successful completion of the incomplete work.

Instructors will assign a deadline for completion of the work no later than the last day of classes of the next semester (Semesters Include, Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer).  If the student does not complete the work, this will result in an automatic grade of 0 for the course.

Students should be aware that, while an IN is not counted in the determination of academic standing, it may have an impact on eligibility for financial aid, athletic participation, and the satisfaction of prerequisite credits.

In-Progress Course

A grade of IP (In-Progress) may be awarded for thesis, practicum, internships, Arts and Music Presentations, and clinical experience at the end of a given semester. Practicums, internships, and Arts and Music Presentations need to be completed within two semesters. The time limit for thesis is the six years allowed for the completion of a degree. If the thesis, internship and/or practicum are not completed within the allotted time then the IP grade will be changed to either an incomplete (IN) or a grade of 0.0.

Withdrawal from courses may be made prior to the 11th class for regularly scheduled courses and prior to the 26th class hour for special scheduling or institute courses without academic penalty. Withdrawals may be initiated by phone by calling the Registrar’s Office, or by visiting that office in the Anthony Building.

• Fall and Spring through the 11th week of the semester
• Winter through the 13th day of the session
• Summer through the 25th day of the session
• Accelerated through the 35th day of the 7-week course
• Special Scheduled courses or Institute courses by the 26th class hour

Students who withdraw by simply not attending class automatically receive a failing grade for the course.

Students enrolled in a graduate degree program including a masters, certificate or EDs degree that wish to withdraw from their program and the University must notify the University Registrar and The School of Graduate, Online and Continuing Education (SGOCE) office by submitting the “University SGOCE Program Withdrawal” form. This form should be completed and emailed using a student’s Fitchburg State email address to gce@fitchburgstate.edu. Withdrawal from the University may have a financial impact on students that are utilizing financial aid or students that have been given a tuition voucher. Students should contact the financial aid office or student accounts if they have any questions. International students should connect with the Office of International Studies if they have questions on how a withdrawal from the University impacts their status. Please see the University policy on course withdrawals and refunds for graduate courses and also the financial aid refund policy.
 

The university may cancel courses for insufficient enrollment or for other reasons deemed to be in the best interest of the university. Students who registered for a course which is canceled may transfer to another course or receive a full refund of tuition and fees.
 

Students may request a course exchange through the 2nd day of the term for 7-week and 5-week courses or through the 7th day for 15-week courses.

Refer to the academic calendar for specific deadline dates, and visit the refund schedule on the Student Accounts website to determine eligibility for a refund percentage based on the course drop date.

Students may enroll in courses on an audit (or non-credit) basis. The availability of seating in all classes is determined after all degree seeking students, program applicants and credit-seeking students have registered. Permission of the instructor and the dean is required prior to registration. Tuition and fees for audited courses are the same as those which apply to the courses when taken for academic credit. Students enrolled on an audit basis must have completed all applicable course prerequisites in order to have achieved the sufficient level of knowledge and expertise required by the course content. Students who elect the audit option may be required to complete course assignments, papers, presentations and other work. Final grades are not issued; however, courses audited will be noted on the student’s transcript. A change from credit to audit status, or from audit to credit status, must be made by the second class meeting of the course (Class meeting is defined as 2.5 hours).
 

Independent study allows degree candidates to step outside of course offerings and explore a specialized area of study in a challenging new environment. Students are encouraged to seek out independent study opportunities under the guidance and supervision of a professor in whose specialization they wish to study. A maximum of six independent study credits is allowed in a master’s degree program. Vouchers, graduate assistant tuition waivers, tuition remissions and veterans’ tuition benefits may not be applied to independent study. Before embarking on an independent study applicants must receive approval from the instructor, advisor, and the dean of graduate and continuing education by submitting a special studies form. Independent study should not be substituted for any course listed in the current catalog.
 

Directed study allows degree candidates to carry out a non-research project or participate in an activity under the direct supervision of a faculty member. In exceptional circumstances, it can be used to offer an existing course to an individual student. All directed studies require approval of faculty sponsor, advisor, program chair and dean of graduate and continuing education. Students seeking directed study should submit a special studies form.

Several of the graduate programs at Fitchburg State University include a thesis requirement or thesis option. Students completing a thesis must adhere to the policies and standards set forth in the thesis guidelines. Thesis guidelines can be found on the Student Resource Center page under “Helpful Links.” Students seeking to register for thesis submit a special studies form.

Students interested in obtaining a second master’s degree from Fitchburg State University are encouraged to speak to their past or present advisor and the graduate program chair of the program they are considering. In some cases a Education Specialist (Ed.S.) program would be more appropriate. However, once having decided to pursue a second master’s degree from Fitchburg State University, students must, in their application, include a recommendation from a professor or chair from their first master’s degree from the university. Students should be aware that courses taken as part of the first master’s program will not count toward a subsequent master’s degree.
 

Students must:

• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the degree program with no graduate coursework below a 2.0
• Successfully complete all program requirements
• Submit completed petitions/waivers for review to the Office of Graduate and Continuing Education no later than the eighth week of the spring semester prior to anticipated graduation
• Students who are writing a thesis should refer to the thesis guidelines for specific requirements
• An application for degree or certificate must be filed with the Registrar’s Office no later than September 15 for May graduation or March 1 for Winter graduation.

Graduate degree programs must be completed within six years of the date of the student’s first course in the program.

Students must request a review of their degree requirements prior to the semester in which they plan to graduate. An application for degree or certificate must be completed no later than the fall semester for May graduation, and no later than the spring semester for December graduation. The Registrar also awards degrees in August for students who finish during the summer. Students must apply by the end of the spring semester in order to have their degree conferred in August. Students can apply online.

Every member of the university community is expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. A student shall not submit work that is falsified or is not the result of the student’s own effort. A student who is in doubt regarding standards of academic integrity in a course or assignment should consult the faculty member responsible for that course or assignment before submitting the work. A student’s lack of understanding of the academic integrity policy is not a valid defense to a charge of academic dishonesty.

A student’s name on any written or creative exercise (e.g., examination, report, thesis, theme, laboratory report, computer program, artistic production, etc.), or in association with an oral presentation, declares that the work is the result of that student’s own thought and study. Any work that the student declares as their own shall be stated in the student’s own words and produced without the assistance of others. Students must make clear through accurate citations when they make use of other sources. Talking during an examination, or possession or use of unauthorized materials or equipment during an examination constitutes an infringement of the academic integrity policy. Aiding and abetting academic dishonesty also constitutes a violation of the academic integrity policy.

Unless permission is received in advance from the faculty member in charge of the course involved, a student may not submit, in identical or similar form, work for one course that has been used to fulfill any academic requirement in another course at Fitchburg State University or any other institution. A student who perceives the possibility of overlapping assignments in courses should consult with the appropriate faculty members before presuming that a single effort will fulfill requirements of both courses. Students should consult course syllabi for additional guidance on matters of academic integrity.

When an alleged offense of the Academic Integrity Policy has occurred, the following process will apply:

1. If the accuser is a faculty member, and they decide to make a formal accusation of a violation of the academic integrity policy, the faculty member will provide the student with a letter describing the case for academic dishonesty within 14 days of discovering the alleged infringement. This letter may be presented to the student in person or delivered to the student’s home, local or campus address or mailbox, or Fitchburg State University email account. The student will either:
   1. agree with the accusation of academic dishonesty and the sanction as imposed by the faculty member, or
   2. disagree with the accusation of academic dishonesty. (A student cannot agree with the accusation of academic dishonesty but disagree with the sanction. Disagreement with a sanction, in other words, is not grounds for an appeal.)
      
      If the student has agreed with the accusation and signed the letter accordingly, the sanction identified by the faculty member will be imposed, and the matter will be considered closed. If the student disagrees with the accusation and again signs the letter accordingly, the student may appeal the matter to the  university conduct board. With all formal accusations of a violation of the academic integrity policy, the faculty member will forward the letter with the student’s signature and other relevant information to the director of student conduct. (Proceed to No. 3 below.)
2. If the accuser is not a faculty member, and they decide to initiate the formal process, the accuser must submit a report and/or relevant information to the Office of Student Conduct within 14 days of discovering the alleged infringement of the academic integrity policy.
3. Once a case is forwarded by a student or as an appeal (in the form of a report, signed letter and/or other relevant information), the director of student conduct, or designee, will review all relevant information and either:
   • dismiss the incident due to lack of merit or timeliness or
   • contact the accused student to schedule a conduct board hearing.
4. If the case goes to the conduct board, the board will determine whether the student is responsible or not responsible for violating the academic integrity policy. If the student is found responsible, the board will recommend sanctions to the appropriate academic dean, or designee, or, in the case of graduate students, the dean of graduate studies. These sanctions will include those identified by the faculty member and, in the event a student has a prior disciplinary record, may also include the additional sanctions of:
   • a grade of zero on the assignment;
   • a failing grade in the course;
   • suspension from Fitchburg State University;
   • dismissal from Fitchburg State University;
   • or other sanctions.
5. In cases of undergraduate student violations of the academic integrity policy, the appropriate academic dean (or designee) will either impose the sanction recommended by the conduct board or determine that the sanction is excessive or inadequate and alter it accordingly.
6. The student may make a final appeal to the Vice-President for Academic Affairs of the university only for a sanction of suspension or dismissal.

Note: If the student agrees with the academic dishonesty finding by the faculty member, the case will not go before the conduct board; however, if they have a prior disciplinary record, the director of student conduct may pursue other charges and sanctions once the academic integrity issue has been resolved.

In keeping with the Fitchburg State University commitment to excellent educational experiences and high-quality programs for its students, and consistent with practices at other institutions within the state and nationally, Fitchburg State University routinely engages in the assessment of student learning at the course, program, institution and system levels. The learning outcomes assessment process may include a variety of methods such as standardized tests, student surveys and focus groups, campus developed instruments, and a review of student course and co-curricular work. In circumstances beyond the individual program level, the identity of the student will be protected. The student’s name, grade or other identifying information will be removed before the student work is reviewed. Selected student work may be subject to review by a limited cohort of higher educational personnel, primarily faculty. Assessment of student learning is undertaken primarily for the purpose of improving student learning, curriculum development, instructional improvement, and enhancing student academic success. Assessment activities will have absolutely no effect on a student’s grade, academic standing, ability to transfer, or ability to be graduated. Fitchburg State University takes all necessary steps to ensure the confidentiality of all student records and student work reviewed through this process in accordance with FERPA regulation.
 

1. Graduates will master the discipline-based skills appropriate for success in the field and will be able to apply them to common problems within the field by integrating knowledge with practice.
2. Graduates will demonstrate a graduate-level mastery of the contemporary knowledge base of their field of study.
3. Graduates will demonstrate ethical and responsible professional conduct in their discipline.
    

Grade Appeal:

The Instructor is the primary authority with respect to a student’s proficiency and final grade in a course. A student who believes that their final grade reflects an erroneous, capricious, arbitrary, or prejudiced academic evaluation may appeal the grade. The academic judgment used in determining the merits of the grade to be awarded shall not be reviewable. This process does not apply to instances in which the student’s grade is based on findings of academic dishonesty, which are addressed through the Academic Integrity Policy. Students should make every effort to resolve questions with their course instructor about grades prior to going through a grade appeal process. A grade appeal should be pursued only after all other efforts for resolution with the instructor have been exhausted.

Students submitting a grade appeal must provide evidence that they have tried to resolve their grading question with the instructor prior to submitting an appeal. The student submitting the appeal is responsible for developing and presenting the case for changing a grade.

Grade Appeal Steps:

The appeal must be submitted within 30 days of the assigned grade. The appeal should be submitted using the student petition form and should include all relevant facts including but not limited to: evidence that the student has connected with the instructor to resolve the questions prior to submitting an appeal, a statement of the grounds for the appeal; the desired outcome from the appeal; summary and documentation of the appeal; name(s) of the faculty or administrator(s) involved in the appeal as well as their responses and decisions; and supporting documents.

If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the program chair, they can submit a final review request to the Academic Dean of their School. The student should forward the appeal and supporting documentation along with a summary of why they are appealing the decision made by the program chair. These materials can be emailed to gce@fitchburgstate.edu for processing. The academic dean will respond within 15 working days of receiving the appeal after conducting a thorough investigation of the evidence provided by the student. The instructor will also be asked to submit any related evidence for review. The response will include a rationale for the decision.

All decisions made by the academic dean are final. This concludes the grade appeal process.

Fitchburg State University’s Office of Graduate and Continuing Education offers courses which may be used for licensure purposes in several different areas, including early childhood, elementary, middle school, secondary, special education, counseling, and school administration. Licensure is the function of the Commonwealth’s Department of Education, not the university.

Please contact the Educator Licensure Office for information on teacher licensure programs at 978.665.3239. Students are advised to address any questions regarding licensure to:

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906
781.338.3000
www.doe.mass.edu

Unofficial transcripts are available to students online. Official transcripts may also be requested online at www.parchment.com. For more information, see the Request a Transcript page.
 

Fitchburg State University hosts its annual commencement at the conclusion of each spring semester. Graduating students are highly encouraged to take part in the celebration.

Students must have fulfilled all degree requirements or be on track to complete them by the end of the semester in which the commencement ceremony takes place. A degree will be officially awarded only after all graduation requirements have been fully met.  Students may participate in only one commencement ceremony. They must notify the Registrar’s Office of their intent to participate at least two weeks prior to the ceremony to ensure their name is included in commencement materials, and when applicable, to secure ticket availability.  Failure to provide notice within this timeframe may result in ineligibility to participate. If a student declares their intention to walk but does not participate - and fails to notify the Registrar’s Office prior to the ceremony - they will be ineligible to participate in any future commencement.

Students approved for participation may choose to attend their scheduled ceremony or request to reschedule to a later ceremony, provided it occurs within two years of their graduation date.

Graduate students cannot be enrolled/registered in more than one degree/credentialed program at a time including, credit based certificate programs.