Student & Academic Policies

COURSEWORK ACCOMMODATIONS

Any student wishing to discuss coursework accommodations should contact the American University Academic Support and Access Center. We recommend participants begin this process as soon as possible, collecting medical documentation in advance, since the processing and finalization of accommodation(s) can take several weeks and there is no guarantee that these accommodations will be applied retroactively.

 

 

OVERALL COURSEWORK EXPECTATIONS

• Participants must maintain an overall 3.0 GPA to remain in good standing in the master’s degree program and with Urban Teachers. Students whose cumulative GPA drops below a 3.0 will be placed on academic probation, and a candidate improvement plan that includes a timeline for raising the cumulative GPA above a 3.0 will be developed. Participants who do not earn a final cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 will not receive approval for graduation and will be dismissed from both the master’s degree and Urban Teachers program.
• Students must earn final course grades of C or higher and a final cumulative GPA of 3.0 in order to be awarded a degree. Grades of C- or lower will not be accepted as fulfilling degree requirements and will lead to dismissal eligibility from both the master’s degree and Urban Teachers program.

 

Eligibility to retake courses in order to replace final course grades of C- or lower will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

 

 

SYLLABUS & GRADING POLICIES

As graduate students, Urban Teachers participants enrolled in the master’s program at the American University School of Education are responsible for understanding and adhering to the policies, requirements, and expectations listed in course syllabi including, but not limited to, grading policies, coursework attendance, coursework participation, penalties for late work, requests for assignment extensions, assignment re-submission, and incomplete coursework.

 

 

STUDENT CONDUCT CODE

All American University School of Education students are governed by the university’s Student Conduct Code.

 

 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY CODE AND VIOLATIONS

Academic integrity stands at the heart of intellectual life. The academic community is bound by a fundamental trust that professors and students alike undertake and present their work honestly. As a community of the mind, we respect the work of others, paying our intellectual debts as we craft our own work. The Academic Integrity Code for American University defines honorable conduct, outlines attendant rights and responsibilities, and describes procedures for handling allegations of academic misconduct.

 

Violating standards of academic conduct is a serious matter subject to discipline. Types of violations are listed and defined here.

 

 

IN THE CASE OF AN INTERNAL ACADEMIC REVIEW

Lead Clinical Faculty will conduct an internal academic review for any participant who will receive a final course grade below a C. The review is intended to ensure that all grading policies and procedures were followed.

 

As a result of this review, the following actions may occur:

• The grade may be changed to a passing grade of C or higher.
• If the participant’s cumulative, but not yet final, grade-point average (GPA) falls below 3.0, the participant will be placed on formal academic probation and be provided with a Candidate Improvement Plan by the American University School of Education.
• The participant will be academically dismissed from the program if the:
• participant fails to meet the requirements/goals laid out in the Candidate Improvement Plan within the designated time frame, as well as any other conditions set for reinstatement to good academic standing while on academic probation.
• participant earns a final course grade below C
• participant’s final cumulative GPA is below 3.0.

 

In case of dismissal or resignation from American University, participants remain responsible for any outstanding financial obligation to the University for tuition or other debts. Please also see Urban Teachers’ Program Requirements for additional information regarding the criteria for dismissal from Urban Teachers, appealing dismissals, specifics regarding a formal leave of absence, and/or withdrawing from the Urban Teachers program. Also, see Financial Aid Liability and Tuition Refund for specifics regarding the financial ramifications involved in both circumstances.

 

 

GRADE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES

Students who believe there is a reason to contest a grade given to them in any course taken may follow the standard academic grievance procedures described in the Academic Regulations.

 

 

WITHDRAWING FROM A COURSE

The decision to withdraw from courses should never be made lightly and should only be made in consultation with both Urban Teachers and American University. Participants should only withdraw from a course under two circumstances: when exiting the Urban Teachers program or if the participant is granted an official leave of absence from the Urban Teachers organization.

However, in each of these circumstances it is important that participants withdraw from all courses as soon as possible, and students should note that they will be subject to the Refund Schedule as described on the AU website. To withdraw from a course, the participant should first discuss the decision with their Site Team Director and their Academic Advisor, as withdrawing from course(s) under any other unapproved circumstances will result in automatic dismissal from the Urban Teachers program.

 

If a participant is considering withdrawing from the program, please reach out to discuss this with the Site Team and the AU Academic Program Liaison. It is important that any participant considering withdrawal from the program fully understands the ramifications in terms of tuition, transcript notations, and financial aid. It is highly recommended that students do not make a final decision about withdrawing from Urban Teachers before consulting with their School of Education advisor so that they can be sure that they fully understand the impact that decision would have on their educational options.

 

Discontinuing attendance in a course or notifying an instructor of your intention to drop a class does not constitute an official drop. You will receive a failed grade that will drop your GPA if you do not complete the add/drop course form. Please see your graduate program coordinator for access to this form on the Registrar’s site

 

STUDENT STATUS IN THE EVENT OF EARLY WITHDRAWAL OR ACADEMIC DISMISSAL FROM THE MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAM

Participants who withdraw in good standing from the master’s degree program before completion will need to apply for and go through the SOE admissions process should they wish to enroll into another of the school’s programs.

 

Participants who are academically dismissed from the MAT program will not be permitted to apply to or matriculate in another American University School of Education course or program. Students who have been academically dismissed are permanently barred from registering for any credit-bearing courses or matriculating in another degree/certificate program in the School of Education.

 

FINANCIAL AID LIABILITY IN THE EVENT OF EARLY WITHDRAWAL OR DISMISSAL

Early withdrawal or dismissal from the master’s program may have implications for financial aid. Only the American University Financial Aid Office can provide the specifics for an individual whose status as a student changes.