School of Professional Studies - Graduate Academic Policies

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is highly valued at Clark. Research, scholarship and teaching are possible only in an environment characterized by honesty and mutual trust. Academic integrity requires that your work be your own. Because of the damage that violations of academic integrity do to the intellectual climate of the University, they must be treated with the utmost seriousness and appropriate sanctions must be imposed. The maintenance of high standards of academic integrity is the concern of every member of the University community.

Several ways in which academic integrity may be violated are outlined below.

Cheating has three principal forms:

• Unauthorized use of notes, text, or other aids during an examination or in performance of course assignments.
• Copying the work of another (including work generated in whole or in part by artificial intelligence.)
• Handing in the same paper for more than one course unless the faculty members involved give their explicit permission to do so.

Plagiarism refers to the presentation of someone else’s work as one’s own, without proper citation of references and sources, whether or not the work has been previously published. Submitting work obtained from a professional term paper writer or company is plagiarism. This also applies to work generated in whole or in part by artificial intelligence when not explicitly permitted for a specific course. Claims of ignorance about the rules of attribution, or of unintentional error are not a defense against a finding of plagiarism.

Unauthorized collaboration refers to work that students submit as their own but which was arrived at through a process of collaboration without the approval of the professor. Since standards on appropriate or inappropriate collaboration may vary widely among individual faculty, students should make certain they understand a professor’s expectations before collaborating on any class work.

Alteration or fabrication of data includes the submission or changing of data obtained by someone else or not actually obtained in the performance of an experiment or study, except where allowed by the professor. It also includes the changing of data obtained in the performance of one’s research.

Participating in or facilitating dishonest activities includes, but is not limited to:

• Stealing examinations
• Forging grade reports or grade change forms, or altering academic records
• Sabotaging the work of another student
• Selling, lending, or otherwise distributing materials for the purpose of cheating
• Forging or altering Graduation Clearance forms
• Forging letters of recommendation
• Forging signatures on any official university documents
• Training AI programs to generate work for other students for the purpose of cheating.

All suspected violations of academic integrity are reported to the Associate Dean of Students and Operations at the School of Professional Studies who will investigate the allegations. Such reports must be carefully documented, and students accused of the infraction are notified of the charge.

When an alleged violation of academic integrity is reported, the student may not withdraw from the course in question while the case is being investigated. If a student accepts or is found responsible for an academic integrity violation, they lose the option to withdraw from the course.

When a student accepts or is found responsible for violating academic integrity, sanctions will be imposed.

Academic Integrity Sanctions  

In determining the appropriate sanction, the Associate Dean of Students and Operations will take into consideration the student’s prior history of academic integrity and the level of egregiousness of the violation. Sanctions may include but are not limited to one or a combination of the following:

• Letter of warning to the student
• Grade of zero for the particular assignment
• Grade of F for the course
• Academic probation
• Notation of sanction on student’s academic record
• Suspension
• Expulsion from the University

Appeals to Academic Review Board

1. A student who wishes to appeal the Associate Dean’s decision on the sanction for violating the academic integrity policy may submit a petition to the Academic Review Board.
2. Any appeal to the ARB must be filed in writing within five (5) business days of notification by the Associate Dean. Exceptions to this limit may be made at the discretion of the ARB, if circumstances warrant.
3. Appeals must be based on facts that disprove the Associate Dean’s findings of policy violation or evidence to support request to change the issued sanction(s). Appeals may not be based solely on dissatisfaction with the decision of the Associate Dean.
4. If student is not satisfied with the ARB’s decision and has grounds for an additional appeal, they may file a petition with the Dean of the School of Professional Studies. 

a. Appeals must be based either on new information not available at the time of the ARB appeal or on flaws in the ARB procedure. Appeals may not be based solely on dissatisfaction with the decision.

1. The decision of the Dean of the School of Professional Studies or the Dean’s designee(s) will be final.

Academic Review Board

The Academic Review Board (ARB) for the School of Professional Studies is chaired by the Associate Dean of Faculty.  The ARB interprets academic matters that affect individual students, including responding to requests for exceptions to established university academic regulations or procedures; determining appeals related to academic standing, dismissal, and academic integrity. 

The ARB evaluates each request/petition based on the individual student’s circumstances. 

SPS students who wish to submit a petition to the Academic Review Board must first consult with their academic advisor 

Academic Standing

Good Standing, Academic Probation, and Dismissal

Credit toward a SPS graduate degree and certificate is expressed in terms of course units. With few exceptions, each course is equivalent to one unit (four semester credit hours). The academic standing for each student is reviewed at the end of each semester.

Good standing indicates that a student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA) is at least 3.0. While the grade of C earned in a course is a passing grade, a cumulative average of B (3.0) is required for graduation. A cumulative grade point average below 3.0 is considered inadequate academic performance.

Students are placed on academic probation when their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 after completing a semester regardless of the number of units.  SPS academic advisor will assist the student with a mitigation plan to return to good academic standing.

A student is academically dismissed if, after already having been placed on academic probation, their cumulative GPA remains under 3.0 after attempting another 2 units. 

An F grade in any course may constitute grounds for dismissal from the program without a probationary period.

An F grade received as a consequence of a violation of academic integrity could result in expulsion from the University.   

A student will receive notification about their dismissal and has the right to appeal the dismissal decision to the Academic Review Board within five (5) business days of such notification.

Academic Dismissal Appeal

Students have the option to appeal their dismissal by demonstrating extenuating circumstances to the Academic Review Board.  Students appealing a dismissal decision may not be eligible to enroll in classes the term following their dismissal to allow time for the appeal process, unless the appeal process is complete before the next term starts.   A student who wishes to appeal an academic dismissal decision must first discuss the grounds of appeal with their academic advisor, e.g., illness, emergency.  If the student believes firmly that there are grounds for appeal and can provide documentation to support the appeal, they must submit a formal appeal to the SPS Academic Review Board (ARB). 

Upon receipt of the SPS ARB’s decision, the student has five (5) business days to appeal the decision to the Dean if they have new information that could not reasonably have been made available during the original appeal and may have been sufficient to alter the Board’s decision.  The decision of the Dean is final and cannot be appealed further.

Note: Student academic standing impacts financial aid and international student visa status.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Clark University is committed to providing equal access to otherwise qualified students with disabilities who are able to effectively function in a rigorous, liberal-arts campus environment.

Any student with a documented disability is eligible to receive services from the Office of Student Accessibility Services (SAS). Clark University offers a range of legally mandated accommodations to students with documented disabilities to give them access to full participation in equal educational opportunities. Eligibility for these services is based on documented need and is determined on a case-by-case basis. The purpose of accommodations is to reduce or eliminate any disadvantages that may exist because of an individual’s disability. The law does not require institutions to waive specific courses or academic requirements considered essential to a particular program or degree. Instead, they are mandated to modify existing requirements to ensure that individuals are not discriminated against on the basis of their disability.

Reasonable accommodations are not intended to eliminate a student’s disability, but to support the student’s own efforts to circumvent obstacles to learning. Students are expected to meet the essential course and degree requirements. When necessary, SAS staff will consult with faculty regarding essential standards in order to determine reasonable accommodations. Accommodations are not substitutions for faculty academic decisions such as course content, grading, or syllabus requirements. These determinations are not within the jurisdiction of Student Accessibility Services.

Disclosure of a disability is voluntary; however, it is important to note that the university is not responsible for providing accommodations to a student who has not provided appropriate documentation of a disability to Student Accessibility Services and requested a reasonable accommodation.

Filing a Discrimination Grievance Based on Disability

Students have the right to file a discrimination grievance based upon disability. These guidelines provide information on how to proceed if a student believes they have been denied equal access in the form of appropriate accommodations, modifications, auxiliary aids, or effective communication or suffered discriminatory harassment as described in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. These guidelines are not mandatory, and students may proceed with their complaint at any of the levels posted on the SAS website. A complainant is not required by law to use the institutional grievance procedure before filing a complaint with The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of Education; however, both the OCR and the university encourage using internal grievance procedures before filing a complaint with OCR.

Assessment of Prior Learning (APL)

Assessment of Prior Learning (APL) assesses non-collegiate learning for college credit. In other words, APL is a program that helps students earn college credit for learning and skills acquired outside of the traditional college classroom. APL credits count as transfer credits. As such, students may earn up to 2 APL credits, if they are not awarded other transfer credits. Students must fulfill the university residency requirement to graduate.

In order to earn APL credit, students must provide evidence to demonstrate they have acquired the knowledge that satisfies specific student learning outcomes in an eligible course.

Students are eligible to apply for APL credit once they begin their degree program studies. There is a $500 non-refundable application fee for each APL credit request. No APL requests are accepted during the student’s last semester.

For more information and to apply, please consult with your academic advisor.

Attendance Requirements

There is no university-wide class attendance policy. However, individual instructors set attendance requirements for their courses and students have to comply with them.

Weather/Class Cancellations

When School of Professional Studies classes are suspended or cancelled because of severe weather conditions or other emergency situations, announcements are made via Clark ALERT and on the Clark University website.

See also bostonchannel.com. Students are notified by email.

Clark ALERTS is Clark University’s emergency notification system, which uses a variety of methods to contact students, faculty, and staff, including:

• Text messages (SMS) to mobile devices
• Voice calls to mobile phones and off-campus phone numbers
• Emails to Clark and non-Clark addresses

Absence Due to University-Sponsored Activities

Participation in university-sponsored activities, where the students are representing their university, college, or department, may cause absences from class that qualify as excused absences. Excused absences, with appropriate prior arrangement, are not subject to penalty, and missed work may be satisfied through agreement between the student and the instructor. University-sponsored activities that may justify excused absences include athletic competition, performing arts events, and research or other presentations.

Students must discuss absence(s) with instructors at least two weeks in advance of the university-sponsored activity, or as soon as possible if the activity is at the beginning of the term or is the result of an unforeseen circumstance. Instructors may require a written statement from the administrator in charge of the activity. Instructors are expected to make reasonable accommodations for these class absences, including administration of makeup assignments and exams whenever possible. It is expected that students seeking an excused absence will develop a plan and timetable to make up the missed course work with their instructor(s). Note, however, that the requirements of some courses or programs may preclude such accommodations.

Absence Due to Religious Beliefs

Any student who is unable, because of their religious beliefs, to attend classes or to participate in any examination, study, or work requirement should be provided with an opportunity to make up such examination, study, or work requirement that they may have missed because of such absence on any particular day, provided that such makeup examination or work does not create an unreasonable burden upon the university. Students should make appropriate arrangements with the instructor in advance of the absence, preferably at least two weeks before the religious observance. 

Absence Due to Jury Duty

Members of the university community are expected to fulfill their obligations to serve on a jury if called upon. A student selected for jury duty should inform their instructors with as much advanced notice as possible. They will provide a reasonable substitute or compensatory opportunity for any required work missed. Student may be required to furnish their summons notice or their certificate of service when making these arrangements. A student with such an absence will not be penalized in any way.

Other Absences

Unforeseen events or circumstances, including illness, may cause a student to be absent from class. Students must notify their instructors and academic advisor, as appropriate, as soon as possible to apprise them of the circumstances leading to their absence, as well as how much time will be missed. Students must work with their instructors to develop a plan, with a timetable, to make up missed course work. Students cannot be required to provide medical documentation. Instructors are expected to make reasonable accommodations for warranted class absences, including administration of makeup assignments and exams, whenever possible.

Extended Absences

A student who is absent from school for an extended period of time must inform their academic advisor by letter, email, or telephone. The expected length of the absence may determine whether the student should apply for a leave of absence. It is strongly recommended that the student contact their academic advisor to discuss potential next steps.

Unexcused Absences

Faculty members are under no obligation to allow students to complete work missed from unexcused absences.  Faculty may have attendance policies that result in penalties that harm course grades.

Students who abuse the excused absence policy by consciously misrepresenting to the instructor the reason for the absence will be considered to have committed academic misconduct.  Examples of abuse include falsifying an illness or family emergency, falsely claiming that attendance at the event is required, falsely claiming to have attended an event, or falsely claiming that an absence has been approved by university officials.  If an instructor determines that a student is guilty of abuse, the instructor should treat it as they would any other instance of breach of academic integrity.

Nonattendance

Nonattendance does not constitute official course dropping or withdrawal, which means the student is fully responsible for the academic and financial consequences. Like all grades for courses attempted and/or completed, a grade earned due to nonattendance impacts a student’s academic progression, an international student’s visa eligibility, a federal financial aid recipient’s aid eligibility and award, and any applicable scholarship.

Audit Policy

To audit a course in a given semester, a student must maintain full-time enrollment status in that semester (that is, must be registered for at least three (3) units of credit, excluding the course to be audited). Full-time resident graduate students* may audit one undergraduate or graduate course per semester with permission of instructor and based on course availability.  Students registering for credit will be given preference during the pre-registration period; audit requests will be permitted during the add/drop period only.  Faculty reserve the right to deny audit requests.  Courses that are audited may not be taken again for credit except in cases where the course is repeatable for credit and the contents differ.  Students who audit a course are required to adhere to the instructor’s attendance and participation requirements to receive a transcript designation of “AU” for the course.  The audited course will not count as earned units and does not get factored into the GPA.  During the final grade submission period, faculty may request to the Registrar’s Office that a student not receive a transcript audit notation in cases where students do not meet the requirements of the audit.

*Non-resident and less than full-time graduate students may not audit courses.

Courses in Other Graduate Departments

Students wishing to take graduate level courses in other Clark University Graduate programs must first get approval from their SPS Academic Advisor.  If approved, the student will also obtain approval from the course instructor in another Clark Graduate program before registering.  

Course Load

Federal financial aid recipients must be enrolled in and successfully complete a minimum number of credits each semester to maintain eligibility. For more information, contact the Office of Financial Assistance.

F-1 students must enroll full-time, i.e., three units, each semester, with the exception of their last semester. This is a typical full-time course load at the graduate level.

Students who are not studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa and who are eligible to study in the United States may be enrolled part-time or full-time. Applicants in B-1/B-2 status cannot enroll part-time or full-time; however, they may choose to apply for a change to a status in the United States and may enroll only upon approval by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Full-time students may not take more than three units in their first semester at SPS. There are no exceptions to this policy unless you are an ADP student.

Students in good academic standing, i.e., minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, who are interested in enrolling in 4 units are strongly advised to consult with their academic advisor before registering for the 4th course.

Without exception, students on academic probation are prohibited from registering for more than three units.

Course Overload

Students in good academic standing, i.e., minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, who are interested in enrolling in 4 units are strongly advised to consult with their academic advisor before registering for the 4th course.

Eligible students who wish to take more than 4 units, with an absolute cap of 5 units a semester, must seek permission from their academic advisor.  To qualify for the 5th course, students must have

• Successfully completed at least 4 Clark units toward their graduate program
• Earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.75
• Demonstrated the ability to manage an intense course load along with their other time commitments for the intended semester.

Students are required to pay the normal tuition charges/fees for all attempted course units. They are responsible for informing their financial aid counselor, if applicable, and for making the necessary arrangements to manage the increased workload. Should the additional course impact an international student’s degree completion date and their visa end date, the student is responsible for informing the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO).

Active/Inactive

• A student is considered “active” as long as they are registered and enrolled in at least one course. 
• A student is considered “inactive” when there is a gap in their enrollment for one year or more.  Should an “inactive” student wish to re-enroll, they will need to contact their academic advisor to formally request a return.

Only active students may have access to university resources, e.g., library, fitness center.

Course Waivers

Waivers may be granted for foundation courses if competency in the academic area can be demonstrated by prior academic work. Also, mastery of skill areas through extensive professional experience can be used to waive some foundation course requirements. If a waiver is granted, an elective may replace the foundation requirement. The waiver does not reduce the total number of courses required for graduation.

Enrollment Status

At Clark, academic credit is expressed in terms of course units. Most Clark courses are awarded one unit which is equivalent to four semester credit hours or 180 hours of engaged academic time.  

Enrollment status is determined on a semester-by-semester basis based on actual registration. A student is considered to be enrolled as of the first day of classes of that particular semester.  Registration enrollment statuses and criteria are defined as follows:
 

Enrollment statuses are used to determine financial aid eligibility, loan deferment, FICA exemption, health insurance, and for international students, immigration status.   After each term begins, enrollment statuses are reported to the National Student Clearinghouse several times in the semester to ensure that loan agencies have accurate and up-to-date enrollment information, as is required by federal regulations.  

General University Graduation Requirements

To earn a Master’s degree at Clark University School of Professional Studies, a student must complete a minimum of 10 course units, 8 of which must be completed at Clark University (residency requirement), with a minimum overall (cumulative) 3.0 grade point average (GPA).  Student must complete all requirements for their degree program.  To earn a certificate within the School of Professional Studies, a student must complete the required number of courses as outlined in the Clark Catalog.  

In addition to meeting all academic requirements, a student’s disciplinary record must be in good standing in order to be eligible to earn a degree or certificate from the University. Clark may place a hold on the conferral of the degree along with other student records if any of the following exists with regard to a student’s disciplinary record: any pending disciplinary proceeding, any pending appeals of a disciplinary proceeding or sanction, or any pending or active sanctions.  Any hold on a student’s account may impact their ability to receive their diploma.

Time Limit on Program Completion

Master’s

Full-time master’s students must complete the requirements within 4 years of active enrollment, and part-time master’s students must complete the requirement within 7 years of active enrollment. Approved leaves of absence do not count against the time limit, but time spent in nonresident status does.

Certificate

Credit bearing graduate certificate completion will not exceed 4 years of active coursework.  Approved leaves of absence do not count against the time limit, but time spent in nonresident status does.

Extensions of Time to Complete Degree Requirements

Students who will not finish the degree requirements within the time allotted may request an extension of time to complete those requirements. Such requests normally will be for no more than one academic year. Petitions should include a timeline for completion of the degree requirements and must be approved by both the thesis/dissertation advisor (if relevant) and the department before submission to the Dean of SPS for final approval.  Typically, only one extension of time will be granted. In extenuating circumstances where a second extension may be required the petition will be reviewed by a faculty committee.

Curricular Changes

When there is a change to a curriculum or program requirement, students already matriculated and actively enrolled in the program may continue to follow the program requirements at the time of matriculation or to follow the new curriculum/program requirements. If a student wishes to follow the new curriculum/program requirements they must write to their academic advisor requesting a catalog change. Catalog changes are approved by the Office of the Registrar.   No catalog change request will be accepted during the student’s last semester.

Grading

Grade Scales

Grades are an indication of individual performance in each course taken at the University. The letter grades used in performance evaluation are as follows: A Outstanding (4.0); B Good-performing at a graduate level (3.0); C Marginal Pass (2.0).  The lowest passing grade at the graduate level is C.  There is no A+ or C- grade. The IN is for an incomplete (see notes below). The letter W is a Withdraw: indicates that the student withdrew from the course (withdrawal requests must be submitted in writing).

Grades of Incomplete

Students who have made significant progress in a course and experience extenuating circumstances that impede their ability to complete the requirements of said course within the semester may petition their instructor for a grade of incomplete.  To qualify, students may only have remaining one major assignment/exam or no more than three assignments on a smaller scale.  If approved, instructor will submit the Incomplete grade.

Incomplete work must be completed by the deadline specified by the instructor and no later than the end of the following semester.  An incomplete in a course given in the fall semester or winter intersession must be made up by the end of following spring semester.  An incomplete grade given in the spring semester or summer session must be made up by the end of the following fall semester.

An incomplete is automatically converted to the grade of F if a grade change is not received by the specified due date. If there are sound reasons for an extension beyond these dates, the student should contact the Associate Dean with a statement of support from the instructor at least two weeks prior to the original due date. Extensions of incompletes are granted solely at the discretion of the School of Professional Studies Associate Dean.

Grade Changes

Grades may be changed after the initial submission only if an instructor of record has made a computational error in calculating a final grade or has reevaluated work submitted before the grading period ends. Grades cannot be changed on the basis of a second trial, such as a new examination or additional work undertaken or completed after the grade report has been recorded.  A change of grade may not be used as a substitute for an “Incomplete.” If a student has work missing at the end of a semester - exams, papers, assignments to be written or rewritten - the student must petition their instructor for an “Incomplete.”

The instructor of record is the only individual who can change a grade. The faculty member should submit a request to change a grade to the University Registrar who will make the change subject to review by the Associate Dean. Any correction must take place in the semester following the one in which the grade was assigned.  In situations where the instructor of record is not available to make a final determination of change of grade, the Associate Dean and the Registrar will consult on an appropriate resolution.

The initial reporting of a grade does not require the grade change process. If the grade was not properly recorded or if the course is listed as IN (Incomplete), an email from the instructor’s Clark University account to the Registrar’s will suffice to report the grade.

Pass/Fail

In the Pass/Fail grading schema, P (pass) signifies performance at a B- or above level; a grade below B- will show as an F (fail) on transcripts. Good standing is still determined by the letter grade submitted by the faculty member.

Graduate students may only exercise the Pass/Fail grading option if the course instructor selected this grading schema for the course.

Grade Appeal

A student who wishes to appeal a grade must first discuss the grade in question with the instructor. If the student feels that the issue is not resolved at this level, the second step in the appeals process requires a review by the Academic Review Board.  A final appeal may be brought to the Dean of the School of Professional Studies after a review by the Academic Review Board. The decision of the Dean will be the final action taken. 

In all levels of the appeal process, student must articulate the grounds for the appeal and provide documentation to support their position. Dissatisfaction with a decision alone is not grounds for appeal.

Honors and Awards

Honor Societies

The National Honor Society Alpha Epsilon Lambda, established in 1947 as the National Evening College Honor Society, is dedicated to the recognition and encouragement of outstanding scholarly achievement in liberal studies. The society was founded to honor those persons who meet high scholastic standards while artfully coping with their lives as nontraditional students. Each year, the School of Professional Studies Graduate National Honor Sponsor inducts candidates who are matriculated students, have completed their master degree requirements and have performed with outstanding scholastic achievement (minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50). 

Highest GPA

The student with the highest GPA in each degree program is designated as the award winner. In the case of a tie, the program lead will determine the single degree program winner.   The recipient receives a certificate of accomplishment.

Fern Johnson Award

This award is limited to 5th year students in the Accelerated Degree Programs.  The final decision by program leads takes into consideration how well the student has had a positive influence in their community during their 5th year.  The recipient receives a certificate of award.  Their name will also be added to the Fern Johnson Award memorial plaque.

Laura Myers Community Service Award

Students are required to have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and have made significant socially valued contributions to their community through their time, actions, talents, and dedication through the course of their program. (These contributions are outside any volunteer work done on behalf of an employer or any internship/capstone project).  Nominations will consist of a 750-word personal statement.  Letters of support from community leaders are optional.  Decision on the award winner is made by SPS.  The award winner is presented a certificate and their name is added to the Laura Myers Award memorial plaque. 

Internal Graduate Student Transfer Process

The purpose of the Internal Graduate Student Transfer process is to ensure that the accepting Clark school or department has vetted the student’s ability to succeed in the new Clark graduate program.  The process also ensures that all proper documentation has been filed with the appropriate administrative functions. 

The following steps must be followed by the student, the academic administrative staff of the originating program and the receiving program entities. 

Students must request an internal program transfer at least four weeks before the start of a semester. 

1. Student advises their program academic advisor of their desire to transfer to another Clark graduate program.
    
2. The academic advisor of the student’s originating unit reviews and approves the student request to contact the receiving entity for a transfer interview.  The approval is documented and sent to the receiving entity program advisor or director.
    
3. The student is interviewed by the receiving school or department.  During this time, the new advisor will review the student’s transcript and determine suitability for admittance. The same admission criteria for a new admit will be applied to an internal transfer.  While all the student’s courses follow the student to their future academic department, eligibility of those courses for degree requirements is determined by the receiving school or department.  It is at the sole discretion of the receiving school or department to honor or deny any previously awarded tuition remission or scholarships.
    
4. It should be noted that a student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA) represents their entire history at Clark and not only degree requirements.  Therefore, the internal transfer of program does not interfere with the overall calculation of the student’s cumulative GPA.  Students requesting an internal transfer should verify that they will be able to meet Clark’s minimum GPA of 3.0 for graduation requirements. 
    
5. Upon admission to the new school or department, the new academic advisor completes the Dean’s Action Form (DAF) to be distributed to the following functions: Graduate Admissions, ISSO, Registrar, Office of Financial Aid, Student Accounts and the school or department from which the student is leaving.  If the student is an international student, a new letter of admission is also sent to the ISSO for adjustments to the student’s I-20 form.
    
6. Upon approval in the new school or department, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they understand the requirements of the new program based on the academic catalog under which they are admitted to the new entity. This can be accomplished in an advising session.
    
7. It is the student’s responsibility to work with the new academic advisor to register for the appropriate courses for the upcoming semester.
    
8. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that any holds on their account are addressed before registering for the upcoming term.

Leave of Absence

General Leave of Absence

A student may apply for a leave of absence for a period up to 180 days (typically one semester at a time) during periods of enrollment, defined at Clark as fall and spring. Summer is generally considered a period of non-enrollment because it is not a required term and is, therefore, not considered part of the leave of absence period. At the end of the requested leave of absence, the student may re-enroll; file an extension of their leave of absence; or withdraw from the university. Students may request an extension for an additional period up to an additional 180 days. Two extension periods beyond the initial leave of absence are permitted, after which time the student will be withdrawn from the university. The University Leave of Absence policy is for internal purposes only, students will be considered withdrawn to any all-external agencies, including the Federal Government.  Students receiving federally or state funded aid should consult with their financial aid counselor to understand how this may impact their aid.

Students who wish to take a leave of absence must contact their academic advisor.  International students need to also consult their ISSO advisor.

Medical Leave of Absence

A student may apply for a medical leave, based on the leave of absence policy and medical documentation that supports the medical necessity for the student to be away. A student may apply for a medical leave of absence for a period up to 180 days during periods of enrollment, defined at Clark as fall and spring. Summer is considered a period of non-enrollment because it is not a required term for international students and is, therefore, not considered part of the leave of absence period. At the end of the requested leave of absence, the student may re-enroll; file an extension of their leave of absence; or withdraw from the university. Students may request an extension for an additional period up to an additional 180 days. Two extension periods beyond the initial leave of absence are permitted, after which time the student will be withdrawn from the university. The University Medical Leave of Absence policy is for internal purposes only, students will be considered withdrawn to any all-external agencies, including the Federal Government.  Students receiving federally or state funded aid should consult with their financial aid counselor to understand how this may impact their aid.

Leave of Absence Due to Military Deployment

Return from a Leave of Absence

Students must contact their academic advisor before their planned return.

• Students seeking to return in the spring term should contact their academic advisor in November.
• Students seeking to turn in the summer term should contact their academic advisor in March.
• Students seeking to turn in the fall term should contact their academic advisor in June.

International students need to also consult their ISSO advisor.

Multiple Graduate Credentials/Degrees*

The School of Professional Studies offers several post graduate certificates in addition to master’s degrees. While enrolled in graduate level programs (post-baccalaureate certificates, master’s degrees, post-master’s certificates, CAGS, and doctoral degrees) students may only declare and pursue one credential at a time; except in cases when dual degree programs have been intentionally developed to be concurrently awarded as outlined in the University Catalog. Please refer to the Clark Academic policy designed to help students who are interested in earning multiple graduate credentials at Clark University. Multiple Graduate Credentials/Degrees.

*Degrees are conferred after a student completes the requisite degree requirements. Credentials are attestations about the individual’s ability made by a third party who is qualified to do so. Credentials can come in a variety of forms, including degrees, certificates, as well as professional licenses. Degrees are always credentials, but credentials are not always degrees.

Posthumous Degree

The University may grant undergraduate and graduate degrees posthumously. To be eligible for consideration for the awarding of a posthumous degree, the deceased student must at the time of death:

• be an enrolled student in good standing with the university;
• have completed 75% of the degree requirements based on normal academic progress (have achieved senior status as an undergraduate; completed 75% of course requirements for a Master’s degree; have a draft of a dissertation/degree paper and completed all other degree requirements for the Ph.D.).

When a request to award a posthumous degree to an eligible student is received, the President will consult with the Provost, Chair of the Faculty and the Chair of the Board of Trustees prior to deciding whether to proceed with the awarding of the degree.

Readmission

After a period when a student is neither enrolled or on an official leave of absence from the University, a student may apply for readmission to seek permission to continue pursuing a degree for which they were admitted. Readmission is at the discretion of the academic department and the Dean of Graduate Studies (or in IDCE, SOM or SPS the Dean/Director is the final action). Any requests received after 5 years will require the student to go through the departmental admissions process again to ensure the student continues to meet the admissions standards. A readmitted student is subject to the degree requirements in the academic catalog at the time of readmission; course equivalents and substitutions from the original enrollment period will be made at the discretion of the academic department.

Registration and Taking Courses

General Registration

Continuing students are expected to register in November for the spring semester, in April for summer courses, and July for the following fall semester. Students need to connect with their academic advisor to receive a PIN for registration for fall and spring; no PIN is required for summer course registration.  Students should review their academic progress toward degree completion before registration.

Newly admitted and transfer students for fall will register during the summer; newly admitted and transfer students for spring will register for the spring semester in winter. Students may add and drop courses during each semester’s add/drop period; schedules must be finalized by the end of each semester’s add/drop period. The dates for registration are published by the Registrar’s Office and sent via email to all active students. Registration after the announced period results in a late fee of $100.

The Registrar’s Office publishes the course schedule usually two weeks prior to the opening of registration for the following term.

Step-by-step web registration instructions are available on the Registrar’s Website.

Late Registration

Students are expected to register for courses before the term starts and within the add/drop period.  Should a student need to add a course after the add/drop period, they will need to seek permission from the instructor and the academic advisor.  If approved, student will be assessed a late fee in addition to the regular tuition cost for the course.

Repeating a Course

It is the policy of the Clark University Graduate School of Professional Studies to allow students to repeat up to three courses, with a maximum of one repeat per course. However, a graduate student will only get credit for one of the courses (except in cases where the faculty designate a course as one that can earn credit more than once). Both courses will appear on the transcript but only the higher grade will be computed into the GPA.

Students receiving any federal or institutional aid should consult with the Office of Financial Assistance to determine if the repeated course/s will affect their aid eligibility.

Note: some courses (e.g., directed studies) may be considered repeatable for credit; in those cases, students will earn credit for each occurrence up to any limits that may exist for the specific course.

Auditing a Course

Certain courses in the School of Professional Studies Graduate Programs can be audited. There is no cost reduction for auditing a course. Audited courses do not satisfy major requirements.  Please check with your academic advisor to be sure the course you are interested in can be audited. Non matriculated students are prohibited from auditing a course.

Course Prerequisites

Course prerequisites are courses that are required to have been completed prior to enrolling in another course. Before registering for a course, students, regardless of matriculation status, should consult the course description to determine whether they have completed the course prerequisites.

Course Substitution

In some cases, a course that a student wishes or needs to take is not offered. In certain unusual circumstances, a student may request up to three course substitutions to satisfy degree requirements. The substituting courses (and transfer credit courses) must be comparable in content and rigor.   Student must consult with their academic advisor and seek approval.  Academic advisors/program leads must indicate on the graduation clearance from the course substitutions.   

Independent Study/Special Projects

Students who will benefit from an independent study may do so under the guidance of a faculty member. Projects must be clearly defined and equivalent study unavailable in the regular curriculum. Information regarding Special Projects may be obtained through your academic advisor.

• Independent Study courses involve independent work/project research by the student on a particular problem or in a specific topic area. An independent study may, for example, involve a research project, an original creative piece of work, field study or an experiment.

Student interested in an independent study should consult with their academic advisor and potential faculty supervisor for their study.  Student should design the study with a faculty member and then submit a formal proposal outlining work to be done, an appropriate bibliography and the frequency of meetings planned with the instructor. The proposal form should be submitted, with signature of both faculty and student, to the School of Professional Studies during the two-week period prior to final registration. It is wise for students to plan an independent study well in advance of the beginning of the semester. Consultation with their academic advisor will help to assure that the project meets appropriate criteria if it is to fulfill an area requirement.

Internships

Completing an internship is a requirement across all SPS graduate degree programs except for the MPA-Senior Leadership Program.

Students are responsible for securing their own internship.
Students will not earn academic credit for their internship.

Internship requirements

must include a minimum of 140 hours over the course of one semester
must be directly related to the student’s program of study
must be approved by the Director of Experiential Learning

Exceptions

Students who have 7 or more years of professional work experience directly related to their program of study may seek to waive the internship requirement.
Students seeking to waive the internship requirement must receive permission from both their Program Director and the Director of Experiential Learning by the end of their second semester.

Please connect with your academic advisor to plan your studies accordingly.

Course Add/Drop Policy

Refer to the Clark Academic Calendar for specific Add/Drop dates. Students should consult with their academic advisor before adding or dropping courses. 

Students who drop a course before the deadline will not be charged for the course and will not have a W (withdrawal) on their transcript. Thereafter, students are responsible for the tuition charges and applicable fees in accordance with the University refund policy, and the earned grade will be on their permanent academic record. All such dates are specified in the Clark Academic Calendar.

Students must add/drop courses using their ClarkYOU account to access the CUWeb Registration.

Students who experience difficulty adding, dropping, or withdrawing from a course should promptly email the Registrar’s Office at registrar@clarku.edu. If it is determined that there is an issue with ClarkYOU access, they need to contact the Service Desk:

ITS Help Desk, Academic Commons, Plaza Level
508-793-7745 | helpdesk@clarku.edu

Students with holds (e.g., financial, judicial) may have restricted access to add, drop, or withdraw from a course. In such instances, students are responsible for resolving the hold immediately and to meet the established course registration deadlines.

A reduction in a student’s course load could affect a student’s international student visa status or financial aid eligibility.  Students should consult with the ISSO and/or Office of Financial Assistance for more information.

Course Withdrawal and Refund Policy

Students may withdraw from course/s by completing the withdrawal form with the Registrar’s Office by the specified deadline for any given semester.

Students who withdraw from a course after the add/drop deadline and before the last day to withdraw will receive a W grade. The W grade does not affect the calculation of the cumulative GPA, but it does impact a student’s academic progression, which may result in the student being placed on academic probation or dismissal.  Reference the tuition refund schedule to determine refund eligibility. 

Students with holds (e.g., financial, judicial) may have restricted access to add, drop, or withdraw from a course. In such instances, students are responsible for resolving the hold immediately and to meet the established course registration deadlines.

A reduction in a student’s course load could affect a student’s international student visa status or financial aid eligibility.

Students who fail to withdraw from a course by the deadline, regardless of their level of class participation or attendance, are financially and academically responsible. A student’s lack of participation/attendance will likely result in a final grade of F.

All students are encouraged to consult their academic advisor prior to withdrawing from a course. Withdrawals may impact a student’s time to degree completion.

Required Withdrawal

Students may be required to withdraw from the University for financial reasons or failure to register by the registration deadline.  Students who are required to withdraw from the University may not be eligible for a refund, but may be eligible for reinstatement.

Residency Requirement

A minimum of eight (8) Clark units is the minimum residency requirement for students in graduate degree programs. Individual departments or programs may require longer periods of residency. 

Graduate certificate programs also require a different period of residency. 

• For a graduate certificate requiring 3 units, 2 Clark units are required to meet residency requirements
• For a graduate certificate requiring 4 units, 3 Clark units are required to meet residency requirements
• For a graduate certificate requiring 5 units, 3 Clark units are required to meet residency requirements
• For a graduate certificate requiring 6 units, 4 Clark units are required to meet residency requirements

Transfer Credits

The School of Professional Studies awards transfer credits for eligible courses completed successfully at regionally and programmatically accredited graduate institutions with a minimum grade of B- or better. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation provides information about the organizations responsible for these two forms of accreditation. Official transcripts from all institutions should be sent directly to Clark University Graduate Admissions office at the time of application. Credit of a maximum of two course units at another institution can be transferred while ensuring the minimum residency requirement is approved by the Registrar’s office.  Transfer credits will be converted Clark units and if awarded as less than a full unit, students are still responsible for meeting the minimum units required of the degree program.  (Note: APL credits count as transfer credits. Graduate students must satisfy university residency requirement in order to graduate.)

Academic credits earned at institutions outside the United States are considered for transferability on a case-by-case basis. Students should submit an official English evaluation completed by an approved credential evaluator. Course descriptions and/or syllabi also should be translated into English and submitted to the Clark University Graduate Admissions Office upon request.

Once a new student has been accepted into a Master’s degree program or a certificate program and all official transcripts and/or exam results have been received, the School of Professional Studies conducts an official transfer credit evaluation within the first academic term.  Students may be required to provide additional documentation for transfer credit evaluation. The residency policy is applied during the transfer credit evaluation. 

The School of Professional Studies reserves the right to revise transfer credit awards due to course duplication, a student’s change in program of study, or other reasons deemed necessary by SPS.

Students who wish to transfer credits earned at the School of Professional Studies to another institution need to consult with that institution to determine eligibility.

University Withdrawal

Students seeking to withdraw from Clark University for any reason must meet with their academic advisor.  Students should review the financial implications of withdrawing from all courses.

Note that withdrawal from the university will impact an international student’s immigration status. Thus, international students should discuss the means to maintain proper U.S. nonimmigrant status with an advisor at ISSO before requesting or after having been placed on withdrawal.

Students could be withdrawn by SPS or the University for cause, e.g., poor academic performance; violation of code of conduct; violation of SPS or University policy.