General University Requirements

See current University catalog.

Departmental Policy

The preparation of high quality psychologists requires close monitoring of academic and professional competence to insure that students are well prepared and competitive for a career in their chosen field. Students are required to maintain at least a "B" average in their general course work. Failure to maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 will result in the student being placed on academic probation. The Graduate Program Coordinator will ask the Chair to provide written notice to the student of such probation. A student who fails to raise his/her GPA to 3.0 for two consecutive semesters may be dropped from the Program. In such cases, the Graduate Program Coordinator shall specify, in writing, performance criteria which the student must meet, along with a time schedule, in order for the student to be removed from academic probation. Failure to meet these requirements will result in a recommendation to the Chair, to the Dean of the College and to the Dean of the Graduate School for termination from the Program. In all cases of academic deficiencies, students will receive a letter from the Graduate Program Coordinator indicating placement on probationary status and the reasons for such actions.

In addition to academic evaluation of students by each area faculty, formal evaluations of professional development and competence will also be conducted on a regular basis, at least once a year. Each program area is responsible for delineating minimal professional requirements and formally providing students with feedback describing any deficiencies and a recommended course of remediation. Continued deficiencies in professional competence will result in placement on probationary status and eventual recommendation for termination from the Program.

Students have the right to appeal such decisions of probationary status or recommendations for termination. Such appeals should consist of a formal letter from the student to the Area Director describing the basis of appeal. The area faculty will discuss the appeal and, if appropriate, invite the student to meet with the faculty. If the appeal is granted, the student shall be so notified of the status change in writing. If the appeal is denied, the student may continue the appeal to the Chair of the Department for further consideration and action. At this level of appeal, the Chair may appoint a Departmental committee to investigate the case and make its recommendations to the Chair or present the case before the general faculty for consideration and decision. Final student appeal sources lie with the Dean of the College.