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Kelley School of Business

Policies & Procedures

Graduate Policies

Kelley School of Business Evening MBA Program Handbook

Graduation Requirements

In order to receive the Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana University Kelley School of Business on the Indianapolis campus, the candidate must: 

  • Apply and be admitted into the MBA program.
  • Complete 54 credit hours of graduate work with no individual core course grades below a C-.
  • Compile a 3.0 GPA or better cumulative grade point average in all graduate business course work. 
  • Complete at least 48 hours in residence as a regularly-admitted MBA student at Indiana University (Bloomington/Indianapolis). 
  • Meet all of the course requirements as stated in the MBA Student Handbook for the quarter of matriculation.
  • Meet all of the above requirements within five (5) calendar years of initial matriculation.
Additionally, the following rules will apply:
  • All courses are graded A, B, C, D, F. No courses are Pass/Fail. 
  • Students will be placed on Academic Probation if their GPA falls below 3.0. Students must bring their GPA to 3.0 or above within two quarters or are subject to dismissal. 
  • Graduating MBAs should submit an "Application for Graduation" form to the MBA Program Office two quarters prior to the final quarter before graduation. It is recommended students make an appointment with an Academic Advisor to ensure all requirements have been fulfilled prior to registration for their final quarter. 

Exemptions

No exemptions from course work will be granted. Professional experience and/or previous undergraduate course work will not be a basis for a waiver or alteration of required course work.

The exception to this policy are students admitted to dual degree programs: MBA/MD, MBA/JD, MBA/MSA and MBA/DDS. These students must keep in close contact with the MBA Office and their Academic Advisors to be sure they are meeting their special degree requirements. 

The Major Area of Study

All students who graduate from the MBA program in Indianapolis will be conferred a Master of Business Administration degree from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business.

Although students are not required to major (in which case they will earn a General Management MBA), students may choose to major in Finance, Management/Entrepreneurship, Operations/Supply Chain Management, or Marketing   They may make a broad selection of elective course work or may focus all of their elective course work in one area.  

Grading Systems and Standards

The official grading system of the Graduate School of Business and the grade point values are: 

A+ or A

4.0

  C

     2.0

A-

3.7

  C-           

     1.7

B+

3.3

  D+

     1.3

B

3.0

  D

     1.0

B-

2.7

  D-

      0.7

C+

2.3

  F

       0

 

Zero (0) 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). 

Based on the above values, students must compile a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in all Graduate School of Business course work to remain in good standing and to complete graduation requirements. Courses not approved as a part of the student's MBA curriculum will not be included in calculation of the MBA GPA (Grade Point Average). 

Targeted Grade Distribution

Beginning in August 2000, the targeted distribution of grades for each course is: 

Category Designation

Reported Grade

Target Distribution

Distinguished

A

10-15%

Excellent

A

25-35%

High Pass

B+

0-50%

Pass

B

0-50%

Marginal Performance

B- or C+

0-20%

Poor Performance

C through D-

As Needed

Failure

F

As Needed

Incomplete

I

As Needed

The following policies apply: 

  • All courses with grades of "C-" or better will count toward the necessary hours for graduation and are used in computing the
  • 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 coursework to replace the hours and review work will be required.
  • If an “F” is received in a CORE course, the course MUST be repeated with a passing grade. If an “F” is received in an elective course, the course may not be repeated. In both cases, the hours will NOT count toward the 54 credit hour requirement for graduation, but the grade will be used in calculating the GPA. 

Incompletes

An "incomplete" indicates that the work is passing as of the end of the quarter but a relatively small part of the course has not been completed. In order to give a grade of "I", the faculty member must agree with a request for an incomplete. The faculty member must file an "Incomplete Form" which states the reason for the incomplete, the requirements for completion, and when the course is expected to be completed. An incomplete not removed within one year of assignment automatically converts to an "F." A student cannot be certified for graduation until their record is cleared of all "Incompletes" in both elective and required coursework.

Withdrawals

There are times when the "W" is an appropriate grade. Students will need to consult with their academic advisor if they feel the need to withdraw from a course. A grade of "W" is automatically assigned if withdrawal occurs during approximately the first five (5) weeks of a regular-length quarter. Reference the IU Indianapolis graduate quarters academic calendar for exact dates each quarter. After that time, it is necessary to petition to withdraw. If the petition is granted, the student may withdraw and a "W" will be assigned for the course. If the student is passing at the time of the request, a "W" may be assigned. If the student is failing at the time of withdrawal, an "F" must be assigned. 

Coursework Taken Outside of the School of Business

Transfer Elective Coursework

When prior approval is obtained, part of the elective coursework for the MBA degree may be met by graduate coursework taken from other schools at IU Indianapolis, provided that such credit is related to the MBA degree and would usually be accepted toward a graduate degree in the school in which it is offered. A grade of "B" or better must be received for the course and the course may not be counted toward another degree.

In order to receive credit for the elective course work, approval must be received from the Chairperson, MBA Program or a representative, prior to enrolling in the course. Elective course work taken outside of the School of Business is limited to a total of six (6) credit hours.

Transfer Credit from Another Institution

Transfer credit is designed to benefit the student who has completed elective course work as a student in another program or the IU MBA student who must relocate prior to completing the degree requirements. Transfer of credit may be requested for courses that meet ALL of the following conditions:

  • The course was taken within the last 5 years for graduate credit only. It cannot have been a combined graduate/undergraduate course.
  • If taken prior to entering the IU program, the course was an elective course taken while the student was a regularly enrolled graduate student in a program leading to a Masters or similar advanced degree from an accredited institution. If the course was taken in a business school, the program must be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
  • The grade earned was an "A" or "B". Pass/Fail and other such grades are not acceptable. A grade of "B-" or lower is not acceptable.
  • No more than six (6) credit hours of transfer credit will be granted for courses that meet the above criteria.
  • With the exception of requests resulting from temporary job transfer, coursework taken at another institution while a candidate is an active student in the IU MBA program is NOT eligible for transfer credit. It is recommended that academic advising and approval from the School of Business be obtained prior to enrollment in course work at another institution.

Approval for transfer credit is conditional upon receipt by the recorder in the MBA Office of official transcripts. Grades received on courses granted transfer credits are not included in the computation of the Indiana University GPA.

Residency Requirement

Of the 54 hours required to complete the MBA degree, at least 48 hours of graduate credit must be obtained in-residence. The residency requirement is met while a student is officially admitted and enrolled as an MBA student in the Graduate School of Business at Indiana University, Bloomington/Indianapolis. Credit hours earned while enrolled in another degree-granting program cannot be included in the 48 hours required in-residence.

Independent Study (590) Coursework

Independent study course work provides a unique experience for the advanced MBA student through the opportunity to work on an individual basis with a faculty member. Output requirements are not specified in detail, but in most cases, a paper is required by the faculty member.

The material covered by the independent study project should not be found in a regularly scheduled graduate business course nor should this be used as a means to take an undergraduate course for Graduate School of Business credit. Participation in such a course may, however, be part of the 590 experience. 

The procedure for obtaining a 590 course should be initiated by the student well before the planned quarter of work. The student should contact the faculty member who will supervise the work. They will jointly decide on the number of credit hours to be awarded, noting that the MBA student may not receive credit for more than a total of six (6) hours of 590 work toward the degree. A written proposal should be submitted prior to the quarter of study and likely contain:  

  • The purpose of the proposed study and why the arrangement is appropriate.
  • The question or issue to be investigated and the required deliverables.
  • The outcome or result and the form anticipated.
  • The standards and means proposed for interim, ongoing or terminal evaluation.
  • Any unusual or special conditions relating to the character, timing or supervision of the arrangement.

Although the faculty member may require more written documents, the above points should be outlined with documented approval from the faculty.

Audit Policy

Auditing of 500-level business courses is not permitted. 

MBA Student Status

Student in Good Standing - Any student who maintains a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.

Student on Academic Probation - Any student whose cumulative grade point average falls below a 3.0 is placed on academic probation. If the GPA goes below the 3.0 minimum, the candidate is notified in writing immediately following grade posting for the quarter in which probation occurs. The candidate is required to enroll in at least two (2) out of the next four (4) quarters and attain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 within the next two (2) consecutive quarters.  Failure to meet the enrollment and/or the minimum GPA requirement results in potential dismissal from the program.

Student Dismissed - Dismissal will result from one of the following situations: 

  • A probationary student who fails to meet the conditions of probation.
  • A student who receives a grade point average of 2.25 or below in each of two (2) consecutive quarters.
  • A student who does not complete all requirements within the five-year limit.
  • Candidates subject to dismissal may petition the Assistant Dean for Academic Programs - Indianapolis on an ad hoc basis. However, only in rare cases is continuation allowed.

Student in Inactive Status - Occasionally a student in good standing may find it necessary to interrupt progress through the program for a quarter or more. In such cases, the student is classified as inactive. To remain in good standing while inactive, the student must inform the MBA Program Office in writing that they will be interrupting the program. Inactive students should be aware that the five-year time limit for completion of degree work begins from the date of matriculation.  To continue the program, the inactive student should notify the MBA Program Office at least 30 days prior to the start of the quarter in which they wish to return. 

Code of Student Ethics

Indiana University regulations governing the actions and interactions of members of the university community are intended to enhance the values which must be maintained in the pursuit of the university's purposes and goals of preserving, improving, increasing, transmitting, and applying knowledge. These values include freedom of inquiry, commitment of searching for the truth, the exercise of the critical judgment, intellectual honesty, and freedom for the open expression of ideas and opinions with limits that protest the rights of others, respect for the news and the dignity of other persons, and openness to constructive change.

The Indiana University Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct is outlined and defined in the on-line publication which defines student rights and responsibilities, including individual rights in the areas of freedom from unlawful sexual harassment, racial harassment, and harassment based on sexual orientation. This code exists as a guide for students, faculty, and staff and is available from the MBA Office or from the Office of the Dean of Students to assist students in the conduct of their affairs. 

MBA Code of Student Ethics

The MBA student is expected, in all activities and relationships connected with their academic program, to act in a professional manner. This expectation implies being honest and acting in good faith. The following activities are prohibited: cheating (including unauthorized cooperation or the use of unauthorized material in preparing an assignment to be graded), plagiarism, changing a grade in connection with any assignment, gaining unauthorized access to an examination, using without authorization the same material in preparing assignments in two separate courses, lying to instructors or school administrators, and knowingly permitting copying or other participation in dishonest behavior.  

Academic Misconduct

Indiana University, like all academic institutions, exists for the advancement of knowledge, the pursuit of truth, the development of students, and the promotion of the general well-being of society. Free inquiry and free expression are indispensable to the attainment of these goals.

Students are expected to exercise their freedom to learn with responsibility and to respect the general conditions which maintain such freedom. The university has developed general regulations concerning student conduct which safeguard the right of every individual student to exercise fully the freedom to learn without interference.

The university may discipline a student for academic misconduct which is defined as any activity which tends to compromise the academic integrity of the institution and undermine the educational process. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to cheating, including unauthorized cooperation or the use of unauthorized material in preparing an assignment to be graded, fabrication, plagiarism, interference, violation of course rules, and facilitating academic dishonesty and all other defined by Indiana University.

The university may also discipline a student for acts of personal misconduct which occur on university property and include falsifying emergency warnings, release of access codes for university resources, lewd, indecent, or obscene conduct, unauthorized entry, damage to university or property belonging to others, sexual or racial harassment, and verbal abuse and all other acts of personal misconduct as defined by the Indiana University Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct .

A faculty member who believes that a student has engaged in any form of academic dishonesty shall initiate the following process:  

  • Hold an informal conference with the student to discuss the matter and include information on both the act and the information upon which the allegation is The student must be given an opportunity to respond to the allegation of misconduct.
  • If the faculty member concludes that the student did commit the act of misconduct, the faculty member is authorized to impose an appropriate academic sanction related to the particular course
  • The faculty member is required to report the matter promptly in writing to the student, the dean, the director of the Graduate School of Business, and the Dean of
  • The student has the right to appeal the faculty member's decision that the student committed the act of misconduct, the faculty member's decision to impose a particular academic sanction, or the decision of the Dean of Students to impose an additional The appeal must be filed within five days of receiving written notice of the sanction.