Progression in the program is based on satisfactory scholarship in pre-requisite courses. The Graduate School has set policy stating that one or more failing grades or a cumulative grade-point average below 3.0 for any semester or combination of semesters may be considered as evidence of failure to maintain satisfactory scholarship. Students in the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing are expected to achieve a quality grade of B or higher in required core courses. Students who fail to meet The Graduate School’s GPA requirements or achieve a quality grade of B- or lower in any nursing course are counseled by the academic adviser or the option coordinator and a remediation plan is developed with guidance of the Graduate Admissions and Standards Committee, if needed. Methods for evaluation are provided in each syllabus (Adapted from the Graduate Degree Programs Bulletin). When a student drops a course after the regular drop/add period, it is considered a late drop. This action will be reflected on his/her record with the symbol LD.

This guideline delineates the academic standards for students admitted to the graduate nursing program. The following requirements are necessary for progression in the nursing program.

Overall Criteria:

1. Successful completion of prerequisite courses is defined as a grade of “B” (83%) or better according to the University grading scale.

2. Successful completion of required nursing courses is defined as a grade of “B” (83%) or better according to the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing grading scale.

3. All prerequisite courses and required Nursing courses may only be repeated one time.

4. A student who earns a “B-” or lower in any two required nursing courses will be dismissed from the nursing program.

5. M.S.N. degree candidates are limited throughout their degree program to 6 credits of late drop that occur while the student is in academic jeopardy and/or after 50% of the semester has been completed. 

6. A combination of 6 credits of late drop that occur while the student is in academic jeopardy and/or after 50% of the semester has been completed and one “B-” will result in dismissal from the nursing program.

7. Students who wish to return to the University after a leave of absence or to re-enroll after withdrawing will apply to resume study, and if accepted, re-enter under the curricular requirements at the time of re-enrollment. If a significant amount of time has lapsed, additional coursework may be required. Scheduling of both didactic and clinical courses may depend on availability of space.

8. Students enrolled in clinical courses are required to complete at least half of their clinical hours by the semester mid-point or be deemed in academic jeopardy.

Approved by Graduate Affairs Committee September 26, 2016