Policies
- Credit Requirements for Master's and Doctoral Degrees
- Application of Credits for Students Earning Graduate Degrees
- Doctoral Degree: Performance Standards and Progress
- Master's Degree: Performance Standards and Progress
- Readmission and Changes to Master's or Doctoral Degree Objectives
- Leave of Absence and Reinstatement from a Leave: Graduate Students
Course Withdrawals
No approval is required to drop a course during the first 10 weeks of regular full-term fall and spring classes (4 weeks for 7-week courses; summer deadlines vary based on how many weeks the course runs); however, a “W” will appear on the transcript for any course dropped after the second week of the term. After the withdrawal deadline students must petition to withdraw using the Graduate Registration Exception Request form. Complete petitions must include a personal statement detailing your extenuating circumstances. Note: If you are receiving financial aid during the semester for which you wish to withdraw, please speak with a One Stop Student Services counselor as there may be negative implications.
Change of Grading Basis
No approval is required to change the grading basis of a course through the first two weeks of the semester (A-F to S/N or S/N to A-F). After the add/drop/change grade basis deadline students must petition to change their grade basis using the Graduate Registration Exception Request form.
Add a Course Past the Deadline; Change Sections After the add Deadline
No approval is required to add a course through the first week of the semester. After the first week of the semester instructor permission is required (and a permission number). After the second week of the semester, courses can be added using the Graduate Registration Exception Request form.
Grievance Procedures
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering has instituted a grievance procedure for graduate students for matters relating to graduate student and faculty relationships. If the parties in question cannot work through the issue themselves, then the following procedures can be followed:
Step 1
First point of contact is the graduate advisor, Sarah Dohm. Set up a meeting with her to discuss the issue. Traditionally, many issues can be resolved at this level.
Step 2
If Step 1 does not result in a satisfactory resolution, the graduate advisor or the student can initiate a meeting with the ECE Director of Graduate Studies Prof. Murti Salapaka, at murtis@umn.edu to further explore this issue and a possible resolution. For matters relating to TA issues Prof. William Robbins and/or the Center for Teaching and Learning is available for consultation.
Step 3
If Step 2 does not result in a satisfactory resolution, the ECE Director of Graduate Studies may recommend either a meeting with ECE Department Chair Prof. Randall Victora, or with University resolution personnel (see Step 4).
Step 4
University resolution options:
The University’s Office for Conflict Resolution provides various services for faculty, TAs, RAs, and staff including anonymous consultation and mediation by a neutral third-party. Some aspects that they deal with include employment concerns such as expectations and workload in TA and RA relationships. For more information, please see their web site.
The Student Conflict Resolution Center (SCRC) provides a full range of services to students with campus-based complaints or concerns. An ombudsman helps students resolve problems informally. An advocate also is available to assist students in formal grievance or disciplinary hearings. SCRC can help students deal with university regulations and policies, or misunderstandings between students and instructors or administrators. Students also may have concerns about unfair treatment or may have been accused of a violation of the student conduct code.