The CCNY Graduate Bulletin is the definitive guide to all academic policies at the college. Below are highlights of key academic policies and standards.
Attendance
Students must punctually attend every class session of each course in which they are enrolled in the modality set by the instructor. In accordance with CUNY policy, excessive absence in a course as defined by the instructor, whether excused or unexcused, is grounds to drop the student from the course. Instructors may consider more than two absences to be excessive and may also treat lateness and being unengaged in a class session as equivalent to absence.
Professional Conduct
The program places great emphasis on the behaviors that constitute exemplary professional conduct and characterize effective public servants. These behaviors include:
arriving on time
if session is online, turning on your video for the entire class session
being fully present and distraction-free during class sessions
actively participating in class sessions
meeting deadlines
handling disagreements professionally
proactively identifying and addressing challenges, if necessary, bringing these to the professor’s attention
respecting diversity
treating others with dignity and courtesy
pulling your weight on team projects
checking your email daily and responding promptly to communications
arranging your schedule to be able to dedicate ten hours per week to each course
displaying leadership in proactively resolving differences or challenges
Grades
Please see the official Graduate Student Grading System approved by the college. To graduate, students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or above.
Students with a semester GPA below 3.0 for one semester will be placed on academic probation.
Students with a semester GPA below 3.0 for two consecutive semesters will be dismissed from the program.
Students who receive three grades below B- will be dismissed from the program.
Students who receive an F grade may be subject to immediate dismissal from the program.
Students who withdraw from courses and take incompletes will be reviewed and may be subject to academic probation at the program’s discretion.
Students admitted on a conditional basis must adhere to these requirements and any additional stipulations in their admissions letter, and are subject to dismissal at the discretion of the MPA Director.
Grade of Incomplete (INC)
Instructors may give a grade of Incomplete (INC) to a student who, due to extenuating circumstances, has been unable to complete the assigned course work by the close of the semester. Students struggling in a course must proactively communicate their needs to the instructor and request the INC grade as early as possible. The instructor has discretion over whether or not to grant the INC grade and may consider such factors as the student’s justification for the request, prior academic performance, and conduct in class. If the instructor agrees to give an INC grade, the instructor and student must agree on a clear work plan detailing specific assignments and their due dates. The student must inform the MPA Program’s director and academic advisor by email of the agreement, with a copy to the instructor. This email should include the justification along with completion dates, deliverables and any other agreed upon item that will be required for completion of the incomplete. The student must satisfactorily complete all remaining coursework by the deadline specified in the work plan approved by the course instructor. The approved date should be as soon as possible and no later than 3 months after the end of the semester term. Failure to complete the coursework will result in a grade of FIN (Fail due to incomplete). A FIN grade is equivalent to an F and would subject the student to immediate program dismissal.
Learning Modality
Per CUNY/CCNY guidelines, classes are to be administered in the mode that they are scheduled for on CUNY First. Classes marked as hybrid will have some in-person classes and some online classes, but not both simultaneously. The MPA Program does not allow students to participate remotely in classes that are held in-person. Students must attend all in-person class sessions in-person, and all remote class sessions remotely. Our goal is to have students be fully engaged in class whether in-person or online, including arriving on time, being free from distractions, keeping their cameras on, and having the tech they need to fully engage.
Academic Integrity
In accordance with the CUNY Academic Integrity Policy, academic dishonesty, also known as plagiarism, is prohibited. Plagiarism is the act of presenting another person’s ideas, research or writing as your own. Use of AI-generated content on assignments or examinations is strictly prohibited unless the instructor specifically authorizes it's use - in writing - for a specific assignment. Penalties for academic dishonesty include academic sanctions, such as failing or otherwise reduced grades, and/or disciplinary sanctions, including suspension or expulsion.
Examples of plagiarism include:
Copying another person’s actual words or images without the use of quotation marks and footnotes attributing the words to their source.
Presenting another person’s ideas or theories in your own words without acknowledging the source.
Failing to acknowledge collaborators on homework and laboratory assignments.
Internet plagiarism, including submitting downloaded term papers or parts of term papers, paraphrasing or copying information from the internet without citing the source, or “cutting & pasting” from various sources without proper attribution.
Unauthorized use of AI-generated content, whether in whole or in part, even when paraphrased.
Authorized use of AI-generated content, whether in whole or in part, even when paraphrased, without citing the specific AI as the source.
Any violation of this policy will immediately be referred to the MPA Program Executive Director. A faculty member who suspects that a student has violated the Academic Integrity Policy shall review with the student the facts and circumstances of the suspected violation whenever feasible. The faculty member shall report the violation to the executive director and provide evidence and an assessment of the gravity of the case and potential consequences (e.g. lower assignment grade, lower course grade, dismissal from program).
Incorporating sources without plagiarizing is a learned skill that improves with practice. Students concerned about developing the writing skills necessary to avoid plagiarism may reach out to The CCNY Writing Center.
Non-Discrimination
The City College prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, gender, sexual orientation, transgender, disability, genetic predisposition or carrier status, alienage or citizenship, religion, race, color, nationality or ethnic origin, or veteran, military or marital status in its student admissions, employment, access to programs, and administration of educational policies. Questions, concerns, or complaints based on any of the above may be directed to the Office of Diversity and Compliance, Wille Administration Building, Room 212 (212-650-6310).
Students with Disabilities
At City College, we strive to make classes accessible to every student, regardless of any disability (visible or non-visible; physical, cognitive, emotional, or learning). Please speak to your professors in office hours or via email early in the semester or as soon as you’re aware that you may need accommodations. As soon as possible, contact the AccessAbility Center/Student Disability Services (AAC/SDS), which has a virtual front desk. The Office ensures that, upon request, qualified students are provided reasonable and effective accommodations, as mandated by law, as well as appropriate support services. The office may ask for documentation from a qualified professional describing the nature of the disability and functional limitations. Although law mandates academic adjustments, the College is not required to alter demonstrably essential academic requirements of a course of study nor is the College mandated to lower or effect substantial modifications of reasonable academic standards. Early planning is essential; students should contact SDS at the earliest possible date.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is prohibited by the policies of the Board of Trustees of The City University of New York. Student complaints alleging sexual harassment should be directed to the Sexual Harassment Awareness and Intake Coordinator (see Appendix B.15 of the Bulletin). Brochures are available in the Office of Diversity and Compliance, the Office of Human Resources, the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and at the NAC Welcome Center. Information is also available on the City College website under Office of Diversity.
Gender Identity
Every student has their own identity and can choose what name to use and what pronoun. The CCNY Office of Health and Wellness Services provides a range of education and support services aimed at making the campus safe for the LGBTQIA+ community and survivors of violence.