Academic Regulations

Graduate Grading System

The acceptable letter grades and corresponding grade points for grade point average (GPA) calculations are as follows. All grades except IN (Incomplete), NGR (No Grade Reported), W (Withdrawn), and XX (Audit) are used in calculating a student’s GPA. Graduate students must maintain a minimum 3.00 cumulative grade point average to be eligible to earn a degree.

Non-credit earning courses will receive a Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory, rather than a letter grade.

Academic Deficiencies

All students must maintain a 3.0 GPA. Any student failing a course or dropping below a 3.0 GPA will be placed on academic probation. Any student on probation will be reviewed at the end of a probationary semester by the Graduate Student Academic Status Committee (GSASC), composed of the Program Directors, Dean of Studies, and one Program faculty member. The GSASC will decide to either remove probation, continue probation, or dismiss the student. Any student failing more than one course at any time during the program is subject to dismissal. Decisions to dismiss are approved by the Director and forwarded to the Provost. A dismissed student can appeal to the Provost for the dismissal to be overturned. The final decision on dismissal rests with the Provost.

Repeating Courses

A student must repeat a course if they received a letter grade of F in their first attempt. If a student received an Incomplete, they must complete the coursework and get a grade change (if the grade is changed to an F, they must repeat the course). A student has the option of retaking a course (more than once if necessary) if they received a C- or lower in their first attempt. After two or more attempts, only the most recent letter grade of C or higher will be factored into the cumulative GPA calculation. Please note however that all course attempts will be reflected on final transcripts. Students should also be aware of the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Financial Aid Purposes, as detailed in the Graduate Catalog.

Readmission

Students who have withdrawn or been dismissed from New College and wish to enroll again will be treated as new applicants. 

Degree Conferral

Upon recommendation from the Student Academic Status Committee, the New College faculty, in its executive session, votes to approve the conferral of all degrees. New College awards graduate degrees once each year, in May, for all students who have completed the requirements of their respective degree during the preceding academic year. Diplomas are distributed to graduates at the College’s commencement ceremony held during the week following the conclusion of the spring term. In exceptional circumstances, students can also graduate in August after an additional summer
semester.