IU Indianapolis Campus Bulletin 2024-2025

IU Indianapolis Bulletin » Schools » Herron School of Art and Design » Policies & Procedures » Graduate Policies

General Policies and Procedures

 

Grading requirements for MFA and MDes

All graduate courses utilize the standard Indiana University Grading Scale. Grading policies applied to MFA majors utilize policies of the Indiana University Graduate School.

Only courses with grades of “C” or better will count toward the necessary hours for graduation, although ALL grades (except ineligible course work and transfer credit) are used in computing the GPA. A course grade of “C” represents minimum performance.

A candidate must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 per semester for graduate courses to remain in good academic standing, to complete graduation requirements and to maintain funding of Herron scholarships and fellowships. Courses not approved as a part of the student’s MFA curriculum will not be included in calculation of the MFA GPA (Grade Point Average).

If a “D+”/ “D”/”D-” is earned, the hours will NOT count toward graduation, but the grade will be used in calculating the GPA. The course cannot be repeated; additional course work to replace the hours and review work will be recommended.

If an “F” is received in a course, the hours will NOT count toward graduation but the grade will be used to calculate the GPA. If the course is an elective, it may not be repeated. Required courses must be repeated, however (sequencing rules will apply).

No points are assigned for the following grade symbols: I (incomplete), NC (no credit), NR (no report filed by the instructor), S/F (satisfactory/failure), or W (withdrawn).

 

Grade requirements for MA Art Therapy

Students must maintain an overall grade point average of 3.0 to remain in their graduate program. In addition, all students must maintain a 2.0 in each course of their graduate program for the course to count towards their degree requirements. Any grade below a 2.0 will need to be retaken to count towards the completion of the master’s program.

 

Incomplete

An incomplete grade in a graduate course will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances, such as a documented serious illness or injury. No one may have an incomplete simply to gain more time to complete course requirements.

 

 Academic probation, dismissal

An MFA, MDes, or MA candidate will be put on probation if they have not met the academic, research, or professional conduct standards expected for their level of professional study. In case of academic/thesis probation, the student will be notified in writing of the terms of probation including the criteria that will need to be met along with a timeline for the successful completion of the terms. If a candidate does not, or cannot, meet the terms, timeline, and/or criteria outlined by the probation period, one academic semester unless noted otherwise), then the candidate will be dismissed from the program.

 

Residency Requirement for Degree Purposes

 The institution maintains structures or practices that ensure the coherence and quality of the programs for which it awards a degree. Typically institutions will require that at minimum 30 of the 120 credits earned for the bachelor’s degree and 15 of the 60 credits for the associate’s degree be credits earned at the institution itself, through arrangements with other accredited institutions, or through contractual relationships approved by the Commission. Any variation from the typical minima must be explained and justified.

 

Leave of Absence Policy Overview

 Leaves of absence allow graduate students enrolled at Herron School of Art and Design to pause their degree requirements due to unforeseen events that interfere with their academic progress. During a leave, you are not expected to make progress toward your degree. Although you may complete coursework from previous terms during a leave, you may not attend class, use the leave to advance current coursework, prepare for exams, or work on your thesis or master’s culminating project.  Additionally, students granted leave of absence will not be allowed to complete any university-related work or faculty-guided research. After a leave of absence, you are expected to return to your program of study and resume progress toward your degree. All leave requests are reviewed and granted on a case-by-case basis. If you feel you need to request a leave of absence, please contact the graduate director in your program area to discuss whether or not this may be appropriate for your situation.

Continuing enrollment
 
Students who have completed all required coursework but whose thesis is incomplete must enroll each
semester (excluding summer sessions) until the committee has approved the final document. Once such
students have accumulated 60 credit hours in completed course work and deferred thesis credits, they must
enroll for 6 hours of graduate credit (HER-G901) each semester until the degree is completed. The fee for
this course each session is $150. Students are permitted to enroll in G901 for a maximum of 6 semesters.
Failure to meet the continuous enrollment requirement will automatically terminate the student’s enrollment
in the degree program.

Withdrawal After Automatic Withdrawal Period

 After the automatic withdrawal period a student may withdraw only with the permission of his or her dean. This approval is given only for urgent reasons relating to extended illness or equivalent distress. To qualify for the grade of W, a student must be passing the course on the date of withdrawal. If the student is failing, the grade recorded on the date of withdrawal will be F.

 

Last updated:  April 2022