Academic Policies for Graduate Programs

EMCON Grading Policies

All graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0. DNP students may receive no less than a B in clinical practicum courses. DNP and Certificate students may receive no less than a C in didactic courses. PhD students may receive no less than a B- in required courses.

University Grading System

As indicated in the Graduate Student Handbook Graduate School Grading Policies, seminar and course grades are assigned solely by the course instructor.

The following letter grades are given to graduate students in graduate-level courses:

*Graduate students enrolled in undergraduate courses may receive these grades. Grade of C or higher are required in all courses numbering 500 or above.

In Progress: An interim grade of In Progress (IP) is routinely recorded for thesis/dissertation credits until the candidate receives their graduate degree. At that time, grades of Satisfactory (SAT) are assigned for all thesis/dissertation credits. Should a student choose not to complete their thesis/dissertation after registering for the credit, a grade of Drop (DR) is recorded for each registration.

• Course Withdrawal: Grades of Drop (DR), Withdraw Passing (WP), or Withdraw Failing (WF) are recorded when the student formally drops the course prior to the end of the semester. The instructor must indicate "WP" or "WF" and date last attended when entering the withdrawal into Spire. A student may convert an otherwise passing course to an audit up to the last day of classes.
• Audited Courses: A grade of Audit (AUD) is recorded for students who register for and successfully complete the course requirements for auditing students. The instructor determines what constitutes successful completion. If an AUD grade is not reported, the course will not be included on the student's transcript. No required courses for a graduate degree can be taken as an Audit.
• Undergraduate Courses: A graduate student who enrolled in an undergraduate level course (100-499) may receive any grade that is valid for undergraduate students enrolled in the same course. Grades of C- and D+ and D are valid only for undergraduate-level courses.

Incomplete

A grade of INC (incomplete) can be given at the discretion of the faculty based on criteria outlined by the University Graduate School policy. Incompletes are not automatic. A contract between the faculty and student for remaining work must be submitted to the program director with current grades and a timeline for remaining work. A student can obtain credit for an incomplete only by completing the work of the course before the end of one calendar year from the time of enrollment in that course. At the end of that period, if a grade is not submitted, a grade of IF (incomplete failure) will be recorded. An INC that turns to an IF can negatively affect the GPA. No more than three incompletes may be present at any one time.

The responsibility for arranging the removal of an incomplete rests with the student. Students receiving a grade of incomplete may need to pay a continuous enrollment fee if they have no other courses to take in order to remain an active student while finishing the INC. Advisors should work closely with advisees who are not progressing in their course work and notify the graduate program director. NOTE: PhD students must resolve all incompletes before moving to the dissertation phase of their program. DNP students may not proceed to the next clinical course in their sequence until all incompletes have been resolved.

An INC grade is given at the discretion of the faculty member of record for the course if extraordinary circumstances occur such as:

• Personal/medical
• Clinical placement challenge or issue
• Academic challenge or issue
• If half or more of the course has been completed successfully

If a grade of INC is granted, it is recommended that the faculty and the student:

• Complete a Teaching/Learning contract indicating the expectation for completing the incomplete, including measurable outcomes and a timeframe for completion.
• Review plan of study: Students cannot proceed to courses for which the INC course is a pre-requisite until the INC grade is completed.
• Review plan of study to determine if there are other non-clinical courses to which the student can progress.

Failing a course

The minimum passing grade for graduate courses is a C (B- in PhD courses). If a student fails a required course in their plan of study, the student must apply in writing to the program director and graduate program director to be allowed to retake the course. The original grade remains on the transcript, and it will not be replaced by the new grade. However, a passing grade may help raise the cumulative GPA, which must be maintained above 3.0 in order to remain an active graduate student.

If a DNP or Master’s student receives a failing grade in a practicum course, the student may retake the practicum course. The companion didactic course may need to be repeated if the instructor feels that the student needs the content of the didactic course as a refresher in order to successfully pass the practicum. The didactic course may be audited. Please review the University Without Walls (UWW) website for information about how to register to audit a course.

Course Waivers and Course Challenges

In addition to adhering to the Graduate School grading policies, the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing internally provides both course waivers and course challenges in some instances. These waived courses do not go on a student’s official transcript but are counted towards his/her plan of study work as “completed.”

A course may be waived as a requirement for a degree program if the student documents that a previous course sufficiently meets the same course requirements. The course previously taken by the student must be equivalent to the required course at the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing and be documented on the plan of study. This must be approved in writing by the student’s faculty advisor or program director. No credit is given for this, as the student does not register for the course that is being waived. Courses over five years old must be repeated.

A student may request to challenge a required course for academic credit. The challenge requirements are negotiated by the student’s advisor and the faculty of record teaching the course. University policy currently allows a maximum of 6 qualified credits to be applied towards course requirements in the plan of study.

Independent Study

Students interested in an independent study are required to discuss their proposed independent study with an EMCON graduate faculty member prior to engaging in an independent study course.  In order to register for an independent study the following requirements must be met:

1. Complete the Independent Study/Practicum Enrollment form. You must have the name and email of your Faculty Sponsor.
2. Upon submission, an email will be sent to your Faculty Sponsor, to the email you designate on the form, with instructions on how to approve your request.
3. You will receive a copy of the email to serve as confirmation that the request was sent to your Faculty Sponsor for approval.
4. Once we receive approval from Faculty Sponsor via email, you will be enrolled in the class and will be notified at your UMass email address. You may also check your schedule in SPIRE.
5. Requests received from students will not be accepted..

Online Courses and Posting Requirements

Students should read and understand the expectations of their online courses for each and every course that they take. Students are responsible for making themselves familiar with the posting requirements for all online courses and that they are following ALL requirements for their specific courses, including, but not limited to, how many postings they need to make and how often they need to post in order to fulfill the requirements of the class. If students have any questions they should ask their instructor BEFORE beginning the course, if the course syllabus is not clear.

Continuous Enrollment/Program Fee

Graduate students not enrolled for course/thesis/dissertation credits and who are candidates for a degree must pay the Program Fee and register for Continuous Enrollment every semester until that degree has been formally awarded, not simply filed for. An incomplete grade (INC/IP) from a previous semester does not maintain a graduate student's enrollment status. Newly admitted graduate students cannot register for Continuous Enrollment or pay the Program Fee to defer entrance into the University, nor is Continuous Enrollment applicable for Non-Degree graduate students. Before the end of the registration period, graduate students may register for Continuous Enrollment (GRADSCH 999) in SPIRE. The student will then receive a bill for the Program Fee from the Bursar's Office. If the student wishes to pay by credit card, the Graduate Records Office should be contacted by the registration deadline.

Leave of Absence

A student who takes a leave of absence may have conditions for returning set by the faculty advisor in consultation with the program director and dean of nursing. To maintain continuous enrollment, students must pay the continuous enrollment program fees during their leaves of absence.

Academic Probation

A student will be placed on probation if a cumulative GPA of 3.0 is not maintained. A student on probationary status is given one semester to raise the cumulative GPA to 3.0. If, in this semester, the cumulative GPA is not raised to 3.0, the student is subject to academic dismissal. Students placed on probation are notified in writing and a copy is sent to the student’s faculty research advisor. If a student is in jeopardy of failing a course by mid-semester, an email  will be sent to
students informing them of their most current grade and  reminding them of the GPA policy.

Statute of Limitations

The Statute of Limitations (SOL) is the period within which all degree requirements must be completed, and it is determined during the acceptance process. Because SOLs vary with degree, please see the Graduate School website for a complete description of the SOL guidelines.

A student may be granted additional time to complete his/her degree program by the dean of the Graduate School, provided the graduate program director makes such recommendation and provided satisfactory and reasonable progress is being made.

Posting of Grades

Grades are recorded on SPIRE approximately 1 week following the date they are due from the instructors. The actual date grades will be available is announced in SPIRE each semester. As incomplete or missing grades are received and posted, they are uploaded to SPIRE. If a printed copy of your grades is required, you can print an unofficial transcript from SPIRE, or an official transcript from the Graduate Records Office can be requested (see Transcripts).

Transfer Credit Policy

A limited number of course credits may be transferred toward a master's program provided the graduate program director recommends to the graduate dean that the credits be transferred, and that request is approved (See Sample Request for Transfer of Graduate Course Credit Form). No courses taken outside of the University of Massachusetts Amherst may be transferred toward doctoral or Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study programs. No credits can be transferred toward the completion of the PhD program. Any requests for exceptions to the regulations specified below must be made by the student's graduate program director and to the graduate dean, outlining the specific reason(s) for the request.

• Course Eligibility Requirements:
  Grades received for courses requested for transfer must be B (3.00) or better. Graduate level courses to be transferred must have been taken no more than five years prior to the student's acceptance into the EMCON and may not have been used previously to fulfill the requirements for any other degree, certificate or program. An official transcript of the course(s) to be transferred is required.
• Use of Courses to Fulfill Requirements:
  Non-University of Massachusetts Amherst transfer credits may be used to fulfill elective or departmental course requirements. These courses may not, however, be used to satisfy the 600-800-level requirements, nor can the grade received in a course taken at another institution be used to satisfy the University's requirement for letter-graded credits (see Master's Degree Requirements).
• Number of Credits:
  No more than a total of twelve (12) graduate credits may be transferred. Of these, a maximum of six (6) credits may be from any one of the following sources:
  • Course(s) taken at another regionally accredited college/university within the United States
  • Course(s) taken while enrolled as a non-degree graduate student at UMass Amherst
  • Course(s) taken as an undergraduate student over and above requirements for the baccalaureate degree
• Transfer Credits to Another Institution:
  Courses taken as a non-degree student are listed separately from the degree transcript. A course taken while enrolled in a degree program, but not applied toward a University of Massachusetts Amherst degree, may be transferrable. The Graduate School can, if necessary, certify that a course was not applied to any degree requirement at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and was eligible for graduate credit, when appropriate.

Transferring Non-Degree Courses to UMass Amherst Transcript: Students are responsible for providing the graduate program director an official transcript for the courses they wish to transfer into their degree program. The graduate program director then sends an official form to the Graduate School, with that transcript, requesting the transfer.

Credentialing

Statement of the ANA Position

In the nursing profession, the use of credentials is an essential component to designate levels of attained education and licensure, certification, and professional achievement. The listing of credentials when identifying a nurse ensures credibility and competence to the consumers of nursing care. Standardized use strengthens a unified understanding of credentials among nurses, within the healthcare delivery system, and for healthcare consumers. In an effort to establish a recognizable and understandable credential usage process across all spectrums of nursing, the following order of credentials is recommended: Highest earned degree, mandated requirements (i.e. licensure), state designations or requirements, national certifications, awards and honors, other certifications.

The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing does NOT endorse the use of the credentials PhD(c) or DNP(c). These are not legitimate credentials and can be confusing to the public. Instead, we suggest using the following language regarding your status in any communication, publication, or conference proceedings:

During course work:

Michael Torres, BS (or MS, not both), RN
PhD Student
Elaine Marieb College of Nursing
University of Massachusetts Amherst

Michael Torres, BS (or MS, not both), RN
DNP Student
Elaine Marieb College of Nursing
University of Massachusetts Amherst

After passing the written comprehensive exam:

Michael Torres, MS, RN
PhD Candidate
Elaine Marieb College of Nursing
University of Massachusetts Amherst

In the final year of your DNP program:

Michael Torres, MS, RN
DNP Candidate
Elaine Marieb College of Nursing
University of Massachusetts Amherst

Guidelines for Conduct in Clinical Settings

It is expected that each student will understand and act in accordance with the mission, vision, and goals of the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing, The Code of Nursing Ethics as promulgated by the American Nurses Association, and the Academic Honesty Policy of the University. Failure to do so will constitute cause for dismissal regardless of academic standing. Please see previous section on professional conduct. Confidentiality (HIPPA) of information related to clinical experiences and anonymity of patients and families are to be preserved. Professional accountability and responsibility include timely attendance at all scheduled clinical experiences, being adequately prepared for the respective experiences, and always maintaining safety in clinical practice. It is imperative that each student communicates respectfully in collaboration with the health care team and patients.

Clothes and lab coats must be neat and clean. Students must wear their UMass Student Name tag and abide by the dress code at their assigned clinical agencies.   

Preparing For Your Clinical Practicum

Practicum Placement

All graduate students are required to work with our clinical placement staff to secure their practicum placements and preceptors in quality health care agencies or practices. The Psych/Certificate, MS and DNP programs are online programs with students located in communities throughout the United States. The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing clinical placement coordinator will be able to give assistance with placements. Program directors must approve all preceptors before a student can begin a practicum experience. Preceptors should hold advanced degrees in nursing, public health, medicine, or a related field. Preceptors and agencies should be selected based upon their suitability with the course objectives and practicum focus areas.

You should start negotiating for a preceptor at least 6 months before you begin a practicum. Negotiating several semesters ahead or an entire year in advance may be necessary to ensure placement in a busy medical practice that may provide spots to students from multiple institutions.

General Information Regarding Practicum and Assignment

Please note the start and stop dates for practicum courses as you register for courses each semester so that you know the dates you must have preceptors secured for and the dates they will be working with you. Also note that we may have more than one section for any one practicum course. You may need to enroll for a section under your name or you may be asked to “swap” to another section to even out the number of students per section.

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