Academic Policies

The Kettering University Graduate Program adheres to a set of policies and procedures which have been approved to ensure a high level of academic quality and integrity. These policies are designed to ensure that individuals who are enrolled in our graduate programs understand the expectations and limitations for each degree program.

Program Requirements

To graduate, the student must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Successfully complete all prescribed courses within the six- (6) year limit. A student who anticipates not meeting the time limit must notify the Graduate Office and Academic Services at least six (6) months prior to the expiration of the six- (6) year limit. Please contact the Academic Services Dept. at 810-762-9775 for questions regarding an extension.
  • Achieve a final cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher.
  • Fulfill all financial obligations to Kettering University.

Transfer Credit

The maximum number of graduate credits for which a person may receive transfer credit is eight (8) credit hours. Credit is considered for transfer for classes with grades of B or better. All requests for transfer credit should be for graduate-level courses significantly similar to a specific course within the student's program.

To apply for transfer credit, the student must complete a Transfer Credit Application and furnish an official transcript from an accredited institution, plus a course description and syllabus. There is a processing fee of $5.00 (U.S.) per credit hour for transfer credit (i.e., the processing fee to transfer a 4-credit course is $20.00). A student wishing to transfer credit(s) should begin by obtaining an Application for Transfer Credit.

Grades

Course grades are available after each term via BannerWeb. Federal law prohibits communication of grades by telephone. Students may access their grade report and/or print a grade report to provide to their company by logging on to BannerWeb.

Course Withdrawals

When circumstances occur whereby a student feels that completion of a course is not possible or in the student's best interest, the student may request a non-punitive grade of W (Withdrawn) be issued by the Registrar's Office.

Such requests will be accepted and honored if submitted before 5:00 p.m., Friday of the eleventh week of the respective term. After that date, the student may not withdraw from the course and is committed to receiving a Kettering University letter grade.

A student who wishes to withdraw from a course must submit a written request. The student may use the Course Change Form (available on the Kettering University web site under the Registrar or Graduate pages). Withdrawal past eleventh week is not permitted. Refunds or reduction of tuition will not be made after the seventh week of the term. (See Tuition Refund Policy.)

Course Changes

Students who wish to add an additional course after the deadline for registration and prior to the start of the term must do so in writing. Students may use the "Graduate Program Change Form" available on the Kettering University website under the Registrar or Graduate pages. Tuition payment must be included with the "Graduate Program Change Form." Courses will not be added after 5:00 p.m. on the Friday before on-campus classes begin.

Curricula Restrictions

A student may elect no more than four (4) courses numbered below 600-level to count toward their Master's degree.

Incomplete Grades

The use of Incomplete (I) as a grade is reserved for special cases involving accidents, illnesses, or extenuating circumstances. It is intended for students who have been participating in a course but find themselves, near the end of the term, unable to complete the coursework on time and are in need of an extension. It is not for those who find themselves unable to keep up with the class. A student may not file for an Incomplete before the beginning of the ninth week.

Off-campus students who seek an Incomplete must view all of the class recordings by the end of the term. The course coordinators will return the course materials when the term has ended. Kettering University does not maintain a bank of courses past the end of a term. The student must complete a "Request for Incomplete Grade" form and send it to the course Professor. It is at the Professor's discretion whether an Incomplete will be granted. The student will be granted an Incomplete for the course if the following conditions are met:

  • The Professor approves the Incomplete grade;
  • The Professor approves the plan of study for completing the work; and
  • The request form is signed and submitted before the deadline (the last Friday of the term).

Important: Three months after the official end of the term, an Incomplete grade is automatically converted to a grade of F for any student who has not completed the coursework by that time.

Repeating a Course

A student who receives a failing grade must retake the course. Both grades will appear on the transcript but only the second grade is used in the computation of the cumulative grade point average. A student may retake any course to improve his/her cumulative grade point average.

Academic Misconduct

The mission of Kettering University rests on the premise of intellectual honesty whether on-campus or off-campus through distance learning. Graduate students are expected to perform ethically under all circumstances. It is the policy of Kettering University to foster the qualities of fairness, openness, and intellectual honesty, and to discourage and punish dishonest behavior in any form.

All students in the Kettering University Graduate Programs or any of its graduate courses (both on-campus and distance learning programs) are bound by the Code of Academic Integrity policy. The Code of Academic Integrity policy can be found in the Kettering University Undergraduate Handbook or on the Kettering University website. Please reference this Code for guidance regarding behavior and conduct, as well as for information regarding academic misconduct procedures.

Probation

A graduate student whose cumulative grade point average falls below a 3.0 is automatically placed on academic probation. Probationary status is removed only when a graduate student's cumulative GPA equals or exceeds the minimum of 3.0 required to earn a Master's degree.

A graduate student who remains on probation after completing 12 credit hours since being placed on probation will be dismissed from the program. A probationary student whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.5 will automatically be dismissed from the graduate program. Such dismissals may be appealed to the Academic Review Committee. Advisement regarding the appeal process to return after academic dismissal is provided through the Academic Services Department, Room 3-322 AB; by phone 1-800-955-4464 ext. 9775; by email academic@kettering.edu.

Separation

A student may be separated from the University if he/she fails to demonstrate progress toward the degree by successfully completing a class within any consecutive two-year period.

Appeal Process to Return After Academic Dismissal

After academic dismissal through the Graduate Academic Review process, students may appeal to the Graduate Academic Review Committee for readmission by submitting a letter of appeal to the Graduate Academic Review Committee via the Academic Services Department one term prior to the term in which they are seeking readmittance.

This letter of appeal for readmittance must state the cause(s) of the student's academic problems, changes in the student's situation that may rectify those problems and a proposed plan of action to ensure success in the Graduate Studies Program. Students are readmitted on a probationary status for one term.

Decisions of the Graduate Academic Review Committee are final.

Independent Student Status

If a student is not employed at or near an existing learning center, they may choose to become an Independent Student. For independent students, videotapes, CD-ROMs and class materials will be mailed directly to the student's home address, while exams will be mailed directly to the designated Ketteringapproved proctor. If you are interested in becoming an independent student, please contact the Graduate Office at (810) 762-7953.