Becker School of Design and Technology - 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.

To ensure academic integrity and safeguard students’ rights, all suspected violations of academic integrity are reported to the Academic Review Board who will review the case. Such reports must be carefully documented, and students accused of the infraction are notified of the charge. In the case of breach of academic integrity, student will receive a sanction, which may range from an F in the assignment or course to suspension or expulsion from the University. 

Academic Review Board

1. In determining the appropriate sanction, the Academic Review Board will take into consideration the student’s prior history of academic integrity, and the seriousness of the violation. Sanctions may include but are not limited to one or a combination of the following responses depending on if it is a first or second offense:
   • Letter of warning to the student
   • Grade of zero for the particular assignment
   • Grade of F for the course
   • Academic probation, the length of which will be determined by the ARB.
   • Notation of sanction on student’s academic record
   • Suspension: student may be suspended for one semester or one year; the ARB may suspend the student without opportunity for transferable credit
   • Expulsion from the University

1. An appeal of a BSDT Academic Review Board decision in an academic integrity case may be made only either by the respondent or by the complainant.
2. Any appeal of the BSDT ARB’s decision must be filed in writing within 10 business days of notification by the BSDT ARB. Exceptions to this limit may be made at the discretion of the BSDT ARB, if circumstances warrant.
3. Appeals must be based either on new information not available at the time of the original hearing or on flaws in the procedure of the original hearing. Appeals may not be based solely on dissatisfaction with the decision of the BSDT ARB.
   1. Appeals of the BSDT ARB’s decision based upon submission of new information are filed with the chair of BSDT ARB and will be reviewed by the full Board.
   2. Appeals based upon a perceived flaw in the hearing process are filed with the Dean of the Becker School of Design and Technology. Appeals are heard by the Dean of the Becker School of Design and Technology or by the Dean’s designee(s).
4. When appeal is heard by the Dean of the Becker School of Design and Technology, all documents and recordings of the hearing will be made available to the Dean or the Dean’s designee(s).
5. The decision of the Dean of the Becker School of Design and Technology or the Dean’s designee(s) will be final.

Academic Standing

Credit toward a Clark 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 MFA requires successful completion of 15 units of courses, 13 of which must be completed at Clark University, and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0. 

The academic standing for each student is reviewed at the end of every semester.

Good standing indicates that a student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA) is at least 3.0.

Students are placed on academic probation when their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 after completing a semester regardless of the number of units attempted/completed.  BSDT academic advisor will assist the student with a plan to get back on track.

More than 2 W grades, regardless of the student’s cumulative GPA, could result in being placed on academic probation.

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

An F grade in any course may constitute grounds for immediate dismissal from the program without a probationary period. An F grade received as a consequence of a violation of academic integrity will result in permanent expulsion from the University.

The Becker School of Design and Technology reserves the right to curtail continuous registration if a student fails two courses attempted in their first year at Clark. A student will receive notification about their dismissal and has the right to appeal the dismissal decision to the BSDT Academic Review Board within one week of receipt of such notification.

The Academic Review Board for the Becker School of Design and Technology is chaired by the Associate Dean of BSDT.  The primary function of the BSDT ARB is to monitor student academic progress and respond to requests for exceptions to established university academic regulations or procedures.  Common cases that are heard by the BSDT ARB include: grade dispute, academic dismissal decision, and academic integrity cases.

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

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

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.

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 listed below. 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.

For more information, visit: https://web.clarku.edu/policies/detailpolicy.cfm?pid=61.

Attendance Requirements

There is no university-wide class attendance policy. However, many individual instructors do set attendance requirements for their courses.

When in-person Clark 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.

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.

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. 

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. 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Courses in Other Clark University Graduate Programs

BSDT students wishing to take graduate level courses in other Clark University graduate programs must first get approval from their academic advisor.  If approved, the student will also need to obtain approval from the intended course instructor 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.

Students who are studying in F-1 status must be enrolled full-time each semester.

Students who are not studying in F-1 or J-1 status 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).

Active/Inactive

A student is considered “active” for 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” wish to re-enroll, they will need to contact the academic advisor to formally request a return.

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

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.  

Grading

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 symbols + or - attached to letter grades increase or decrease the grade respectively by 0.3. There is no A+ or C- grade); F is failing (0); I (Incomplete - see notes below, only the instructor of the course may assign an incomplete). The letter W is a Withdraw: indicates that the student withdrew from the course (withdrawal requests must be submitted in writing).

Students who have made significant progress in the course and experience extenuating circumstances that impede their ability to complete the requirements of a course within the semester may petition their instructor for a grade of incomplete.  An incomplete in a course given in the Fall Semester or Winter Intersession must be made up by the end of Spring Semester.  An incomplete grade given in the Spring Semester or Summer Session must be made up by the end of the 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, student should contact the academic program lead with a statement of support from the instructor. The petition must be filed on or before the specified due date. Extensions of incompletes are granted solely at the discretion of the Becker School of Design and Technology Dean.

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.

A student who wishes to appeal a course 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 is to submit an appeal to the BSDT Academic Review Board.  A final appeal may be brought to the Dean of the Becker School of Design and Technology after a review by the BSDT 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 does not support a request for an appeal.

Graduation Requirements

To earn the MFA from the Becker School of Design and Technology at Clark University, a student must complete 15 course units, as identified in the program requirements, with a minimum overall (cumulative) 3.0 grade point average.  Student must complete at least 13 units at Clark University (residency requirement).  Student must complete all requirements for their degree program. 

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 or access their official transcript.

The MFA requires 15 units of courses, 13 of which must be Clark University courses.

Praxis
The Praxis is the culminating project/product which students will present and exhibit as part of the MFA. 

The MFA is a terminal degree.  Consistent with University policy, MFA students have seven (7) years to complete their degree.  Students who require an extension due to documented extenuating circumstance may petition the academic program lead.  If a student’s only remaining degree requirement is the Praxis and requires more time to complete it, they may apply for nonresident status.

Nonresident status is for students who have completed all of their required course work but must still fulfill a graduation-related requirement (e.g., dissertation, thesis, fieldwork, praxis). Thus, it is unlikely that a nonresident student will register for courses again, although this is possible with the approval of the student’s advisor and the Dean of BSDT. A student must apply for nonresident status through BSDT. Although students with nonresident status are not eligible to participate in or register for regular classes, they must register each semester as a nonresident student and pay the required nonresident fee. The Registrar emails information to all nonresidents via their Clark email accounts each semester with information regarding registration. Students who fail to register and pay the fee will be withdrawn from the University and must request to be readmitted through BSDT.  All full-time nonresidents may defer their federal loans and must carry health insurance that meets the Massachusetts state law requirement

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, unless otherwise notified. 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.

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 the 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 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.  Any transfer credit, including Prior Learning Assessment credit, previously awarded will be evaluated by the receiving school or department to determine eligibility and applicability to new intended program. 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 accumulated 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 accumulated 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 course requirements of the new program based on the academic calendar 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.

Leaves of Absence

Leaves of absence may be granted by the Dean of the Becker School of Design and Technology at Clark University on the recommendation of the program for a designated period. A student may apply for a voluntary leave of absence for a period up to 180 days (typically one semester at a time) during periods of enrollment, most often Fall and Spring. Summer is not considered part of the leave of absence period if it is not required for the student’s specific program. At the end of the requested leave of absence, the student may re-enroll; file a request for an extension of their leave of absence or withdrawal from the university. One extension beyond the initial leave of absence is permitted, after which time the student will be withdrawn from the university. The University Leave (including Medical Leaves) 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.

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. Medical documentation will also be required when the student returns to Clark to support the student’s readiness to return to Clark.

Whether a leave is voluntary or medical, the student is considered a degree seeking student who has temporarily separated from the University and is expected to return at the end of the leave period to resume their studies.  While on the leave, the student is not considered an enrolled student because no registration exists; benefits available to enrolled students are not available to students who are on a leave.

Students who wish to take a leave of absence must contact their academic advisor.

• Students who are currently enrolled in and attending class(es) who receive active-duty orders need to provide a copy of their orders to their academic advisor. 
  • Under the Valor Act students have the option to complete the course when they return from Active Duty without penalty.  Students who receive active-duty orders also have the option to withdraw from the course with a full credit of fees and tuition paid. 
• If the academic course is no longer available upon the student’s return from active duty, they will be permitted to complete a replacement course, as approved by their academic advisor, for equivalent credit without penalty.
• With respect to any health insurance fee, the refund policy is subject to the concurrence of the carrier.
• Students who have received any form of financial aid including a full or partial scholarship or student loan, or those who expect to receive such aid should contact the Financial Aid office to make appropriate arrangements.
• Students shall receive non-punitive withdrawals in all courses from which they are required to withdraw.
• Students residing in residence halls shall receive refunds on a pro rata basis for the remainder of the semester. 
• Verification of the call to service must be provided by providing their academic advisor with a copy of the Order to Active Duty within one week of receipt of the order.
• Also, if the student chooses to withdraw, they will follow the withdrawal procedures.  In the event of a short notice/no notice deployment, a student can have someone in their family or unit provide their academic advisor a copy of the order.
• The Dean may waive or suspend any institutional policy or regulation that negatively impacts the students in their withdrawal or readmission to the institution due to a call to active duty.
• Any student required to withdraw due to being called to active duty shall be given priority in enrollment in the program of their choice upon return to the institution for the two semesters immediately following their discharge from active duty.
• International students who must take a leave of absence to engage in military service in their home country must additionally contact the ISSO.

International students should discuss maintenance of proper U.S. immigration status with an advisor at ISSO before requesting any type of 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.

Posthumous Degree

The University may grant 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.; have a draft of their praxis project and completed all other degree requirements for the MFA).

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.

Prior Learning Credit  

Students with significant professional experience may be awarded academic credit for that work.  For more information, please consult with the academic program lead.   Students are eligible to apply for Prior Learning Credit once they begin their degree program studies.  Prior Learning Credits are treated as transfer credits and do not apply as university residency requirements.  Students may not be awarded more than two units of transfer credits.  No prior learning credits are accepted during the student’s last semester.

The following Prior Learning Assessment steps should be taken to apply for Prior Learning Credit:

1. Student must be an accepted student and actively taking courses in their degree program.
2. Student completes application for Prior Learning Assessment available from the academic advisor. Application covers employment and job-related training both formal and informal as well as other professional experiences such as volunteering, community advocacy, etc.
3. Student meets with the academic advisor to discuss alignment between curriculum offerings and their professional experience to gain approval to proceed with the application.  Professional experience and job training outcomes must map to the learning outcomes for the particular course that the student is seeking credit.
4. Student works with their advisor to review pertinent course syllabus(i) to determine if the professional experience is related to graduate course learning outcomes.  
5. Student submits completed application, which includes a portfolio to outline their experience, to the academic advisor for review to assess if the application documentation is sufficient to award credit.
   1. The portfolio shall map the student’s experiences directly to the learning outcomes of the course and provide evidence of how those outcomes have been met or exceeded.  The evidence in achieving the outcomes can include (but is not limited to) industry certifications, professional job descriptions, documented professional development, training sessions, etc.
6. If the application is in order, the academic advisor will arrange for a review meeting with academic program lead.  The student may be asked to present their case for Prior Learning Assessment portfolio.
   1. An evaluation of the student’s portfolio is conducted by an academically qualified individual within the academic unit.  The evaluation should focus on the intersection of the student’s professional experiences and the curriculum’s learning outcomes. The evaluation should result in a clear and unambiguous assessment of the file and recommend that the student receive 0, 1 or 2 course equivalents. The evaluation may include interviewing the student and calling upon professional references to triangulate and verify the information presented.
7. The decision for approval will be made by the academic program lead and the Associate Dean.  The decision will be sent by the academic advisor to the student within 3 days of the meeting.
8. Upon BSDT approval, they will notify the Registrar’s Office to update the student’s transcript accordingly.
9. Student Accounts will assess a fee for the processing of the prior learning credit if approved.

Registration and Taking Courses

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.  This is an opportunity for students to review their academic progress toward degree completion.

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 $100 late fee.

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 at https://www2.clarku.edu/offices/registrar/courses/webinstruct.htm.

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.

It is the policy of Clark University to allow students to repeat any course. However, the 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 and both will be computed into the term and cumulative 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.

Certain courses in the Becker School of Design and Technology can be audited. There is no cost reduction for auditing a course. Audited courses do not satisfy major requirements.  A MFA student enrolled in at least one (1) unit of credit, excluding the course to be audited, may request to audit one graduate or undergraduate course in the Becker School of Design and Technology.  Student must seek and receive approval from their academic advisor/academic program lead and the instructor of the intended course prior to registering for the intended course. 

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 content differs.  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.

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 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.

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 the course substitutions on the graduation clearance form.   

Students who will benefit from an independent study, may do so if approved by the program advisor.  Independent studies must be clearly articulated in the Independent Study syllabus when the equivalent study is unavailable in the regular curriculum. Information regarding Independent Studies may be obtained from the degree program advisor.

Internships involve placements in outside agencies and organizations. Students who wish to pursue an internship must consult with their academic advisor for approval and must meet with the Internship advisor for internship site selection. All approved internships are graded.  Students participating in an internship must work with the Internship director to complete the necessary paperwork before registering for the internship course.  The Internship advisor will provide the course override for the student to register for an internship.  International students are eligible for internships upon completion of two semesters of graduate study.

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

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

https://www2.clarku.edu/offices/its/support.cfm

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.

Reference the academic calendar for specific dates when students may withdraw from a course and the tuition refund schedule to determine refund eligibility. 

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.

Students must withdraw from courses by completing the appropriate form with the Registrar’s Office by the deadline.

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 with their academic advisor prior to withdrawing from a course. Withdrawals may impact a student’s time to degree completion.

Transfer Credit Policy

The Becker School of Design and Technology Graduate Programs at Clark University awards transfer credits for eligible graduate courses completed successfully at regionally and programmatically accredited institutions. The minimum grade earned must be B or 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale.  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 accepted for transfer. 

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.

Once a new student has been accepted into the degree program and all official transcripts and/or exam results have been received, the Becker School of Design and Technology conducts an official transfer credit evaluation within the first academic term.  Students may be required to provide additional documentation for transfer credit evaluation. A maximum of two full units (equivalent to 8 credit semester hours) of graduate course work at another institution may be approved by the Dean upon recommendation by the academic program lead.  

After evaluation, approved courses for transfer are posted on the transcript.  Transfer credits will be converted to 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.  Grades for course work completed at another institution are not posted on the student’s Clark transcript or calculated into a student’s Clark GPA.

The Becker School of Design and Technology 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 BSDT which will be communicated to the student.

Students who wish to transfer credits earned at BSDT 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 BSDT or the University for cause, e.g., poor academic performance; violation of code of conduct; violation of BSDT or University policy.