The
goal of the Student Academic Success-Degree Completion Policy
is to promote undergraduate student success. The policy
establishes a structured framework and criteria to guide
all students to completion of an undergraduate degree within
a reasonable period of time.
Full-time
degree seeking students normally are expected to complete
the undergraduate program in four years. Within this timeframe,
all students are expected to demonstrate continuing progress
in their majors by completing prerequisite or required courses
with the appropriate grades, and by completing other requirements
consistent with graduation progress or benchmarks established
by their academic units (see 2, below). It is ultimately
the responsibility of the student to meet these requirements.
To help students meet these requirements the University
will facilitate student progress to degree by providing
enhanced student advising through the following measures:
1. Academic units will create 4-year graduation templates
that will specify the degree requirements for each major
and provide semester-by-semester course schedule models
that achieve graduation within four years. Students will
prepare individualized plans for completing their degrees
in accordance with the academic units’ 4-year graduation
plans. Students are also encouraged to periodically update
their plans with the assistance of their academic advisors.
2.
Academic units will establish graduation progress benchmarks
for each academic major. These will specify the credit
and course criteria that will indicate satisfactory progress
to degree. Academic units will establish schedules for
regular periodic reviews of student progress, and students
who are in danger of falling behind the program benchmarks
will be required to consult with an advisor prior to registration.
3.
Students who do not achieve the progress expectations
or benchmarks will be permitted to continue in the major
only upon the approval of the dean of their college. If
it becomes necessary for students to change majors, they
will be given assistance in identifying and enrolling
in a suitable alternative major.
4.
When students change majors, they will be required to
present an academic plan to the new major unit that demonstrates
their ability to complete their degree in a timely manner.
While
some students will have valid reasons to take additional
time to degree, any student who completes 10 semesters or
130 credits (see footnote 1 for credits not counted towards
these limits) without completing a degree will require mandatory
advising in his/her college prior to registration for subsequent
semesters. Students with exceptional circumstances, students
whose programs include minors, double majors/degrees, enrichment
activities or who need to pursue a degree part time will
have on record approved plans with approved program benchmarks.
Program benchmarks will be developed by the student in consultation
with and approved by an advisor.
Footnote
1: Degree credits include University of Maryland
credits and all applicable transfer credits from other postsecondary
institutions. The equivalent semesters applicable to the
enrollment limit for transfer credits will be determined
by dividing all transfer credits applicable to the degree
by 15. However, Advanced Placement (AP) and International
Baccalaureate (IB) credits, and credits earned for college
courses taken while in high school and prior to matriculation
at a postsecondary institution, will not count toward this
semester or credit limitation. Such courses may, however,
count toward degrees. Summer Session and Winterterm will
not be included in the semester count. Credits earned during
Summer Sessions or Winterterms will be included in the credit
count.
10.27.04
