Graduate Schools Attendance Policy

Adopted by the School of Education Faculty May 4, 2004

In order to maintain the academic integrity of our programs and to meet course learning objectives for all class members, students are expected to attend all class meetings and to participate fully.

In exceptional circumstances when students need to be absent from class, they should discuss with faculty, in advance, any portion of a class meeting they cannot attend

Faculty members reserve the right, in consultation with their academic program division/program director, to set specific attendance requirements for their courses which may include no absences. This applies to all models of delivery including Institutes, Residencies, Workshops, etc. Faculty members establish expectations as part of their syllabus regarding family or medical emergency and "milestone" circumstances that may necessitate student absence from class. Absence from class diminishes the learning community and may have an adverse effect on a student's grade.

In setting their attendance requirements faculty members will be guided by the following standards:

Weekly Model: If a student is absent for more than six hours of class time, the academic consequences will be determined according to the policies of the academic program in which the student is enrolled. Missing more than nine hours of weekly class meetings will result in a grade of technical fail (TF) on the student's transcript. The class needs to be retaken and tuition repaid.

Weekend Model: When missing any class time up to the equivalent of one full day over the two weekends, students are responsible for contacting the faculty member in advance (or as soon as possible afterwards) to discuss the nature of the family or medical emergency or "milestone" circumstance. The faculty member will determine whether the course attendance expectations will permit makeup work and/or whether there may be an adverse effect on the final grade.

Missing more than the equivalent of one full day over the two weekends will result in a grade of technical fail (TF) on the student's transcript. The class must be retaken and tuition repaid.

Serious family or medical emergency and significant "milestone" circumstances may warrant exception to these requirements and will be considered on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic program advisor.

The faculty member has full discretion regarding making up assignments missed including those completed in and out of class, as well as specific course content (i.e. videos, reflections, discussion, readings, etc.).

On-line or hybrid model: (to be developed and recommended to both faculties in consultation with current online program faculty).

(revised 4/8/04)