Welcome to the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health!
Policies & Procedures
Undergraduate Policies
IU Indianapolis Resources
IU Resources
The following academic policies of the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health are applicable to all School of Public Health undergraduate programs.
Policies for Good Academic Standing, Dismissal and Reinstatement
Good Academic Standing
To be in good academic standing students must have a semester and IU cumulative GPA's (fall/spring/summer) of a 2.5 or higher. Students must have an IU cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher to graduate.
Academic Warning
Students whose semester GPA (fall/spring/summer) falls below 2.5, but whose IU cumulative GPA remains 2.5 or higher will be placed on academic warning.
Academic Probation
Students whose Indiana University semester or cumulative grade point average (GPA) falls below a 2.5 will be placed on probation. Students on academic probation must follow strict conditions as established by the Undergraduate Academic Progress Review Committee during this probation period.
Final Academic Probation
A student whose IU cumulative GPA (fall/spring/summer) falls below 2.5 for a second time will be placed on final academic probation. Students on final academic probation must follow strict conditions as established by the Undergraduate Academic Progress Review Committee during this final probation period. The semesters in which a student is placed on academic probation may or may not be consecutive.
Dismissal
A student on whose IU cumulative GPA (fall/spring/summer) falls below a 2.5 for a third time will be subject to dismissal from Fairbanks School of Public Health at the discretion of the Undergraduate Academic Progress Review Committee. The semesters in which a student earns an IU cumulative GPA below 2.5 may or may not be consecutive.
Reinstatement
A student who has been dismissed from the Fairbanks School of Public Health for academic reasons may petition for readmission after their semester and IU cumulative GPA's have returned to good academic standing (2.5 or higher). In order to allow sufficient time for considering a petition for readmission, an eligible student should submit a petition before June 15 for the fall semester, October 15 for the spring semester, or March 15 for either summer session.
Reinstatement is not automatic and depends on a determination that the student will succeed. This determination is based on a careful review of the student's grades leading up to the dismissal, the students' reinstatement petition, and any other relevant information. Before being reinstated, students may be required to participate in testing, advising, workshop sessions, or other activities designed to enable the student to succeed academically.
Policies for Dean's List, Grading, Grade Replacement, Grade Appeal, Incomplete, Withdrawal, Forgiveness
Dean's List
Students who are enrolled in 12 or more hours of coursework are named to the Dean’s List if they have earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher for the fall or spring terms. Courses must be taken for a letter grade; pass/fail credit hours are not counted in the Dean’s List determination. The Dean’s List is not computed for the summer sessions. Students with a grade of incomplete cannot be named to the Dean’s List until the incomplete is removed.
Grading Policies
The Fairbanks School of Public Health follows the official grading system of Indiana University, described in the introductory section of the bulletin.
Grade Replacement
The Fairbanks School of Public Health follows the grade replacement policy at IU Indianapolis. Students who have retaken a course (must be same department and course number) may request to have only the last grade computed in their grade point average. If a student earns the same or a higher grade after repeating a course, only the second grade will be counted in the GPA. Students may replace a total of 15 credit hours. Replacement does not occur automatically. Students must notify the School of Public Health advisor that the course has been taken a second time and that they wish to use grade replacement for the course.
Grade Appeal (Grade Change Request)
The Fairbanks School of Public Health follows the IU Indianapolis grade appeal process. Under certain circumstances, students can petition for a grade change for a course that has been completed if the student believes that a grade has been calculated or assigned incorrectly. A student who is seeking a grade change must first contact the instructor and ask for the grade changes. A student has 90 days after the conclusion of a course to appeal a grade. In cases of extenuating circumstances, petitions filed after this date may be considered.
Occasionally a student may seek a withdrawal after a course has been completed. Changing a grade to a "W" after the grade is issued is rarely granted and only in extraordinary circumstances that prevented the student from officially withdrawing or would have imposed an unreasonable hardship on the student.
Incomplete
A grade of incomplete (I) indicates that a "substantial portion" of the work in a course has been satisfactorily completed by the student as of the end of the semester. The incomplete can be given to a student facing a hardship such that it would be unjust to hold the student to the established time limits for completing the work. Students should contact their instructor to determine if they are eligible for the incomplete. Poor performance is not grounds for an incomplete.
In some cases, the instructor may recommend or require a student to attend another term (or portion of a term) of the course to remove the incomplete. In this case, the student should not register for the course a second time. Instead, they should make arrangements with the instructor to remove the "I." Note that sitting in on a course to remove an "I" does not count as part of a full-time or part-time load for financial aid purposes or for loan deferments.
Once the student has completed the work the instructor will change the incomplete to the appropriate letter grade.
A grade of incomplete must be removed within the time specified by the instructor of the course; if not, the grade automatically changes to an F one calendar year after the incomplete was given.
Withdrawal
Students must formally withdraw from courses in the timeframe allowed by the Registrar's office. Failure to withdraw properly will result in receiving grades of F in your courses. Students are responsible for all course fees, plus any applicable late fees, through the time of official withdrawal. This information including deadline dates can be found at Student Central.
Dropping classes during the automatic W period: After the 100 percent refund period, all drop requests require the approval of an academic advisor. Students will receive a W (withdrawn) on their transcript.
Dropping classes after the automatic W deadline: After the automatic W deadline students will need approval from their academic advisor, instructor, and school's dean. Additional information may be required to consider a drop this late in the semester. These requests are considered only in extraordinary circumstances beyond the student's control. Students may contact their instructor for other options such as obtaining an "I" incomplete grade. No drop requests will be processed once final exams begin.
Forgiveness Policy
The Fairbanks School of Public Health follows the IU Indianapolis policies and processes for grade forgiveness. This policy applies to former IU students pursuing a first undergraduate degree who have been away from the IU system and have not attended any other college or university, including any campus of IU, for the last five years. For further information, visit Grade forgiveness at IU Indianapolis.
Policies for Student Rights and Responsibilities, Confidentiality, and Academic Integrity
Student Rights and Responsibilities
The School of Public Health fully supports the rights and responsibilities of students as defined in the IU Indianapolis Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct. The Student Code spells out the expectations for faculty and students, and it provides the framework for the School of Public Health's judicial process, which can be accessed at the School of Public Health website.
A student is entitled to rights in the pursuit of his or her education; freedom from discrimination and harassment; and freedom of association, expression, advocacy, and publication. A student also has the right to contribute to University governance, to receive accommodations for disabilities, and to access records and facilities. In accordance with federal law, student records are confidential and are available to other persons only under specific conditions as outlined in university regulations.
A student is responsible for upholding and following all applicable codes of conduct, including the IU Indianapolis Student Code and course policies on classroom etiquette and disorderly conduct, and for obeying all applicable policies and procedures and all local, state, and federal laws. A student is responsible for facilitating the learning process, attending class regularly, completing class assignments and coming to class prepared. In addition, a student is responsible for planning his or her own academic program, planning class schedules, and for meeting the requirements for his or her degree or certificate programs.
Faculty and academic advisors are available to assist students in meeting degree requirements. A student is responsible for maintaining and regularly monitoring his or her university accounts including email and bursar accounts. A student is responsible for using university property and facilities in the pursuit of his or her education, while being mindful of the rights of others to do the same. A student is responsible for upholding and maintaining academic and professional honesty and integrity.
Confidentiality of Student Records
In accordance with Indiana University regulations, student records are confidential and are available to other persons only under specific conditions as outlined in university regulations.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a basic principle of intellectual life that holds students responsible for taking credit only for ideas and efforts that are their own. Academic dishonesty violates that principle and undermines the bonds of trust and cooperation among members of the university community, and it is not tolerated. Academic misconduct includes cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, interference, violation of course rules, and facilitating academic dishonesty.
Students are responsible for knowing what behaviors and activities constitute these different forms of academic misconduct. Penalties and procedures that are applicable when academic misconduct or dishonesty occurs are described in the IU Indianapolis Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct. More information about the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health policy and procedures is available in the school's Student Handbook.
Sex Offenders Screening Policy for Students/Applicants
Students and applicants should be aware that criminal convictions may result in ineligibility for participation in certain courses/activities within the School of Public Health. Questions regarding the school's policy on such matters should be addressed to the appropriate program director.
Policies Concerning Degree Requirements
Applicability of Degree, Certificate and Minor Requirements
Students may choose to complete either the specific degree, certificate, or minor requirements published in the appropriate bulletin at the time of entry into the university or those in the bulletin current at the time of graduation.
Application for Degree
All students must fill out an online Graduation Form at the School of Public Health website. This application should be completed by May 15 for a December graduation, October 15 for May graduation, or January 15 for August graduation.
Degree Completion
Students are expected to complete the requirements for their undergraduate degree within 10 years of admission to the School of Public Health. Students are allowed to continue beyond this time period only at the discretion of the director of undergraduate education. If a student has not taken classes for three years or more, he/she must satisfy program requirements of the School of Public Health in effect at the time of reactivation. Requests for deviation from requirements listed in the bulletin must be approved in writing by the director of undergraduate education, whose decision is final.
Course Substitution and Course Waiver
Requests for course substitutions and course waivers must be made to the faculty advisor.
Degrees Awarded with Distinction
The IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health recognizes outstanding performance by awarding bachelor's and associate degrees with three levels of distinction to students who rank in the upper 10 percent of their IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health graduating class by major and have completed a minimum of 60 hours at Indiana University for a B.S. The levels of distinction are as follows: highest distinction, 3.90 and above; high distinction, 3.70 through 3.89; distinction, 3.50 through 3.69.
Double-Counting
Generally, courses taken to meet a specific degree requirement cannot be double-counted (i.e., used to satisfy any other degree requirement). Students earning a School of Public Health major, minor, or certificate may double-count two courses across any allowable combination of these programs. The following restrictions apply: 1) students are limited to two minors and 2) School of Public Health students may not earn a certificate or minor in the same area as their major.
Grade Point Average Requirement
Matriculation. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required for the Bachelor of Science degree.
Hours/Residency Requirement for degree
The Fairbanks School of Public Health requires at minimum 30 of the 120 required credit hours earned for bachelor's degrees 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.
Internship Credit
With IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health faculty approval, a student in good standing may earn 3-6 credit hours through the Fairbanks School of Public Health internship program. The Fairbanks School of Public Health internship program is described in more detail in the Undergraduate Internship Handbook.
Other Academic Programs
School of Public Health students may choose to pursue a minor or certificate from another school or department or within School of Public Health in an area other than their degree or major. Students interested in a minor should contact that department for additional information.
Pass/Fail Credit
Deadlines for exercising this option are published on the Student Central website and are strictly enforced.
Matriculation
A student in good academic standing may choose to take a maximum of four elective courses (one per academic year) but not to exceed 12 credit hours total pass/fail for a B.S. degree.Requirements for a Second Bachelor's Degree
Students must petition the School of Public Health for approval to work toward a second bachelor's degree. If permission is granted, students are required to take a minimum of 30 credit hours beyond the credits used for the first bachelor's degree and to satisfy all the requirements for the second degree. Generally, the School of Public Health encourages students to work toward a graduate degree or graduate certificate rather than a second bachelor's degree. Petitions should be submitted to the Undergraduate Program Committee.
Honors College and Accelerated Master's Programs
The School of Public Health programs for academically talented students. The programs provide students with an opportunity to earn advanced degrees in an accelerated timeframe.
4+1 Accelerated Degree Program
The 4+1 Accelerated Degree Program is a competitive program for outstanding School of Public Health students who are seeking an advanced degree in health administration, community health or epidemiology. Participation in this program allows students to fulfill some graduate program requirements as undergraduates, and the graduate courses count for both graduate and undergraduate degree requirements. Students seeking admission to these programs must have at least 60 credit hours in the IU system at the time of admission. Specific GPA minimums are required. For additional information students should contact the program director or academic advisor.
Updated: April 2024
