Application of Policies
Application of Batten School Policies
Policies and procedures apply to all students enrolled in the Batten School, as stipulated below, and are subject to change.
Petitions for exception should be addressed to the Batten Academic Standards Committee.
Policies and procedures governing enrollment in a degree program or course at the Batten School also apply to students from other schools who are enrolled in Batten programs and courses.
Application of Other School and University Policies
Students enrolled in the first year of the Accelerated Bachelor/MPP program are still candidates for their undergraduate degrees. They are therefore governed by the regulations of the school in the University in which they are completing those degrees, as well as with the general policies of the University of Virginia, presented in the Undergraduate Record and available on-line at records.ureg.virginia.edu/. Upon successful completion of the undergraduate degree and the first year of the Batten curriculum, these students will be officially admitted to the Batten School graduate program. Students may not be admitted to the graduate program without an undergraduate degree. Accelerated Bachelor/MPP students who are not in good academic standing at the end of the first year in the program will not be admitted to the Batten School for the second year of the graduate program.
All students enrolled in the Batten School’s graduate programs are responsible for complying with the policies of the University of Virginia, presented in the Graduate Record and available on-line at records.ureg.virginia.edu/.
The Graduate Record and the Undergraduate Record contain information on policies that apply to all University students, regulations governing undergraduate, graduate and dual-degree programs, the Honor System, tuition, fees, and financial aid.
Academic Advising
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The Director of Academic Programs is responsible for the academic advising of Batten School students. The Director meets with students regularly to monitor curricular progress, and administers school policies with regard to student retention, degree progress, academic probation, and graduation status.
Academic Standing
Academic Standing
At the end of each semester the Academic Standards Committee reviews the academic records of all Batten students to see if they are in good academic standing and making satisfactory progress toward their degree. This review ensures that students are informed of academic problems in a timely way. The Director of Academic Programs counsels students who are facing academic difficulties and applies any academic sanctions imposed at the discretion of the Dean.
Good Academic Standing
To remain in good academic standing in a graduate degree program of the Batten School, MPP students must:
1) earn a final grade of B minus or higher in all core courses of the degree program
2) earn no more than six credit hours with final grades lower than a B minus in elective courses required for the degree
3) maintain a cumulative grade point average of B (3.00) or higher in all courses required for the degree, including elective courses taken in other schools at the University of Virginia
4) make satisfactory degree progress
Academic Probation
A student who fails to earn Good Academic Standing will be placed on academic probation, pending review by the Academic Standards Committee. The Academic Standards Committee will notify the student of this status in writing and explain the probationary terms of restoring good academic standing. Students on academic probation will be required to meet regularly with the Director of Academic Programs beginning no later than the add period of the ensuing semester. A student whose cumulative grade point average falls below B (3.00) must attain the minimum cumulative grade point average of B (3.00) or higher in all courses required for the degree, including elective courses taken at other schools at the University of Virginia, by the end of the next semester. A student who is required to retake a core course must do so at the earliest opportunity and earn a final grade of B minus or higher.
Failure to meet the terms of restoring good academic standing will result in enforced withdrawal from the program in which the student is enrolled, pending review by the Academic Standards Committee. If a student is granted permission to continue in the degree program under exceptional circumstances, failure to meet the terms of restoring good academic standing may jeopardize his or her financial aid.
Students on Academic Probation who withdraw or take a leave of absence are eligible to apply for readmission. If the application is approved, they return on Academic Probation and must attain Good Academic Standing by the end of the next semester or face Suspension by virtue of two consecutive semesters on Academic Probation.
Suspension
Students who fail to earn at least nine grade points in a semester are subject to suspension. One full fall term and one full spring term must elapse before they are eligible to apply to return to the Batten School. The Batten School considers application for readmission upon presentation of evidence that the difficulties that led to the academic suspension have been overcome (see below). Students under suspension may not apply transfer credits from other institutions toward their degree from the Batten School. Two semesters must pass before a suspended student may enroll in the University’s Summer Session.
Students to whom notice of suspension has been sent have five business days in which to notify the Director of Academic Programs of an intention to appeal. Academic suspension becomes effective upon the Dean’s notification to UREG (University Registrar). That date is determined according to the schedule below or upon notification to UREG (University Registrar) that the suspension has not been overturned on appeal.
- Following Fall semester: Upon notification to UREG (University Registrar) and no later than two days prior to the first day of the spring semester
- Following Spring semester: Upon notification to UREG (University Registrar) and no later than one week prior to the start of Summer Session II
- Following Summer Session: Upon notification to UREG (University Registrar) and no later than two days prior to the first day of the fall semester
Appeals from Students
Grade Appeals
A student who wishes to appeal a grade must first attempt to resolve the issue with the instructor of the course. The appeal must be submitted to the instructor in writing within 30 days of grade posting. If no resolution is reached, the student may submit a written appeal to the Academic Standards Committee.
Other Academic Grievances
All other academic grievances should be addressed to the Dean of the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and will be handled at the discretion of the Dean.
Awards and Honors
Pi Alpha Alpha
Pi Alpha Alpha is the global honor society for public policy, public affairs, and public administration. There are more than 160 chapters located around the world at NASPAA member schools. Nomination to Pi Alpha Alpha is limited to students who have achieved academic excellence within the Frank Batten School of Leadership & Public Policy. Students who accept the nomination commit to continued academic leadership within the school and wider community.
Pilot Awards
The Pilot Awards are for graduating MPP students whose excellence and outstanding contributions have, in their own way, led the Batten School. The late Frank Batten, Sr., desired that his company be distinguished by two things: extraordinary dedication to public service and outstanding performance. Beyond the example set by Mr. Batten through his leadership at The Pilot, the name for the Batten Council award also is derived from the more common use of the word “pilot”— recognizing those who “guide or direct a course of action for others.” Particularly important in a young school with new academic programs, the Pilot Award celebrates those students who have so ably helped the Batten community members navigate uncharted territory.
Nominees for the Pilot Awards must be Master of Public Policy degree candidates in the current academic year. Nominations will be accepted from any Batten students, faculty, and staff, and nominators may recommend more than one student (through submission of individual forms). Nominations will be reviewed by a Batten Council-appointed committee of students, faculty, and staff members. Each year 3-5 awards are conferred.
Policy Analysis
MPP students submitting completed Applied Policy Projects in the spring semester are eligible for the Outstanding Applied Policy Project Award. Decisions are reached by faculty committee and are based on APP instructor nominations. The Batten School may also confer a variable number of Honorable Mentions for this award.
Teaching
In recognition of notable teaching and considerable skill in motivating and inspiring students, the Batten School and the University of Virginia are pleased to offer an annual outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) award, conferred at the conclusion of the academic year. All GTAs serving in Batten School undergraduate courses in the fall semester are eligible. Decisions are reached by faculty committee and are based on official University end-of-semester teaching evaluations.
Course Rules
Attendance
Given the intensive nature of the curriculum, students are expected to attend all scheduled class meetings. When necessary, excuses for absence from class are arranged between the student and the instructor of the course. It is the responsibility of the student to discuss numerous absences with the instructor and the Director of Academic Programs. If necessary, the Director may ask the Department of Student Health to evaluate the effect of any illness on a student’s attendance and academic performance.
Poor attendance may be taken into account by the instructor in any manner for grading purposes. The instructor will bring cases of excessive absence to the attention of the Director of Academic Programs.
In the event that the student falls behind in coursework for any reason, it is the responsibility of the student to make up the work in a manner that is approved by the instructor.
Changes in Schedule
Changes in students’ class schedules are made via SIS. If admission to a course requires the instructor’s permission, students should add their name to the instructor’s permission list and wait for an invitation to join the class. Note that being on a permission list does not guarantee that a student will be offered a space in a class. Students may add and drop courses through the deadlines stated in the current Schedule of Classes.
Course Enrollment
Students are required to register for a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester for full-time student status. The maximum course load of 17 credit hours may only be exceeded upon approval of the Director of Academic Programs.
For students enrolled in the Accelerated Bachelor/MPP Program, the credit hours for all Batten coursework taken during the first year counts toward the undergraduate degree. In the second year, students must complete a minimum of 30 graded credits of graduate-level work in-residence.
Students should enroll during pre-enrollment to avoid problems with tuition bills and financial aid. Registration is not complete until all fees have been paid or satisfactory arrangements have been made with Student Financial Services.
Course Enrollment Deadlines
The Batten School takes seriously all deadlines related to course enrollment. Students are responsible for being aware of the well-publicized dates each semester for adding, dropping or withdrawing from a course, or for changing the grading basis of a course. Students who miss these deadlines may be subject to enrollment penalties. Students who wish to appeal penalties attached to missed deadlines must see the Director of Academic Programs.
Course Load
Students are required to register for a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester for full-time student status, however, Accelerated Bachelor/MPP students must enroll in 15 credit hours each semester of their second year in order to graduate with the MPP degree. The maximum course load of 17 credit hours may only be exceeded upon approval of the Director of Academic Programs.
Courses Taken in Other Schools of the University
Students are subject to the course enrollment deadlines of the School in which the course is being offered. As such, Batten students taking courses in other schools of the University must follow that School’s deadlines for dropping, adding, and withdrawing from a class. Similarly, non-Batten students must abide by the Batten School’s enrollment deadlines when taking Batten courses. Non-Batten students who seek to withdraw from a Batten class after the Batten School’s deadline are to consult with the dean of the School of their enrollment. The student remains in the class unless that Dean’s office authorizes a late withdrawal.
Disability Accommodation
Students with disabilities may contact the Student Disability Access Center (SDAC) to arrange accommodations. The SDAC coordinates disability accommodations, which may include alternate text formats for course material, peer note-taking, extended time for tests, sign language and other interpreting, and housing arrangements. Initial evaluation of academic difficulties is also available as needed to students who pay Student Health fees. Students with disabilities must submit appropriate documentation to the SDAC in support of a request for accommodations. All accommodation requests must be submitted in a timely manner, usually at or before the beginning of each semester. For requests involving on-Grounds housing, appropriate deadlines within the Housing Office should also be met.
Discontinuing a Course
Students may not be removed from a course due to lack of skills or knowledge unless these requirements are identified in the course prerequisites. Students who decide to discontinue a course in which they have enrolled must use SIS to drop the course within the well-publicized deadlines. Students who fail to revise their list of current courses by using SIS within the deadlines become subject to penalties determined by the Dean. Students who fail to appear for a first class meeting and who have not made arrangements with the instructor are subject to disenrollment from the course. However, it is the student’s responsibility to drop the course via SIS by the drop deadline. After the drop period, students may withdraw from a course in SIS with a grade of W until eight weeks from the first day of the semester. After this point, students must either complete the course or, with the instructor’s endorsement, submit a request for an incomplete to the dean’s office. Students who discontinue a course at any point without complying with the proper procedure receive a failing grade.
Exclusion from Classes
A student who is making no real progress in a class, or whose behavior is detracting from the class, may be excluded from that course by the Dean with a grade of W or F. Students have five calendar days following written notification of this exclusion in which to appeal. Until the final disposition of the appeal, the student is considered enrolled in the class.
Original Work
Students are required to submit their own work in all courses, properly citing the words and ideas belonging to others in all assignments, in accordance with instructor guidelines and the University of Virginia Honor System. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action.
Work that has been submitted as an assignment for one course may not be submitted as an assignment for another course without the explicit approval of the instructor.
Repeated Courses
If a course is failed and repeated, both courses and grades appear on the transcript. The repeated course with a passing grade counts toward the 49 credits needed for the MPP degree. Both the failed and the repeated course grades are computed in the Batten graduate grade point average (GPA).
Student Email
Email is a mechanism for official communication within the University of Virginia. The University has the right to expect that such communications will be received and read by students in a timely fashion. Official email communications are intended only to meet the academic and administrative needs of the campus community. Official University email accounts are available for all enrolled students. The email address for a student is: computingID@virginia.edu. This account must be activated by the student before the University can correspond via the official email account. When students use non Virginia.edu email accounts, it is their responsibility to make sure their UVA mail is forwarded to that account.
The Batten School offers five Dual Degree programs with other graduate and professional schools at the University of Virginia. Each program includes the entire first year of the Batten MPP curriculum and the first year curriculum of the participating school. The dual degree programs allow students to complete the two programs in less time than would be required if each were taken separately. Additional information for each dual degree is located on the individual Programs/Courses pages as linked below.
The Batten School offers a combined program with the University of Virginia School of Law, in which the student may obtain the MPP degree and the JD degree in four years instead of the five that would be required if each were taken separately. The MPP/JD program is particularly demanding, and unless the students is clearly able to see the applicability of both degrees to future career plans, he or she should not assume that the chance to squeeze one year from a normal five-year sequence is in itself a persuasive rationale for this undertaking.
The Batten School offers a combined program with the University of Virginia Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, in which the student may obtain the MPP degree and the MBA degree in three years instead of the four that would be required if each were taken separately. The MPP/MBA program is particularly demanding, and unless the students is clearly able to see the applicability of both degrees to future career plans, he or she should not assume that the chance to squeeze one year from a normal four-year sequence is in itself a persuasive rationale for this undertaking.
The Batten School offers a combined program with the University of Virginia School of Medicine, in which the student may obtain the MPP degree and the MPH degree in three years instead of the four that would be required if each were taken separately. The MPP/MPH program is particularly demanding, and unless the students is clearly able to see the applicability of both degrees to future career plans, he or she should not assume that the chance to squeeze one year from a normal five-year sequence is in itself a persuasive rationale for this undertaking.
The Batten School offers a combined program with the University of Virginia School of Architecture, in which the student may obtain the MPP degree and the MUEP degree in three years instead of the four that would be required if each were taken separately.The MPP/MUEP program is particularly demanding, and unless the students is clearly able to see the applicability of both degrees to future career plans, he or she should not assume that the chance to squeeze one year from a normal four-year sequence is in itself a persuasive rationale for this undertaking.
The Batten School offers a combined program with the University of Virginia Curry School of Education and Human Development, in which the student may obtain the MPP degree and the PhD in Education degree in five or six years of study. The MPP/PhD in Education program is particularly demanding, and unless the students is clearly able to see the applicability of both degrees to future career plans, he or she should not assume that the chance to complete both degrees on a shortened timeframe is in itself a persuasive rationale for this undertaking.
Final Examinations
Final examinations are to be given only at the time announced by the University Registrar. Under no circumstances should class time be used for the administration of final examinations. An instructor may, however, give the examination on a “take home” basis during the examination period. Students who are scheduled to take three final examinations within 24 hours may approach an instructor with a request to make up one of those examinations in accordance with the following policy.
A student who wishes to request the postponement of an examination under rare, extenuating circumstances beyond his or her control must contact the instructor no later than one week before classes end. Absence from a final examination for any course offered in the Batten School may be excused only by the Director of Academic Programs, and then only when accompanied by evidence of arrangement with the instructor for a deferred examination, to be taken within ten days after the regular examination. An emergency that justifies extension of this period will be considered only when supported by satisfactory documentation submitted immediately after the period of emergency. After the ten-day period, or its extension if granted by the Director of Academic Programs, the temporary grade of IN (incomplete) will officially become a grade of F unless the deferred examination has been completed. Absences are excused only for sickness on the day of the examination or for other providential cause acceptable to the Director of Academic Programs. An excused absence may be absolved by taking a special examination at a time mutually acceptable to the instructor and the student. Special examinations are not granted for reasons other than those stated above.
Unexcused absence from an examination incurs an automatic failure in the course with a grade of F.
Grades
The academic performance of a student in each course taken for a grade is recorded as one of the following grades: A+, A, A-; B+, B, B-; C+, C, C-; D+, D, D-; F. All courses intended to fulfill degree requirements must be taken for a grade, unless exclusively offered for the MPP degree on a credit/no credit basis.
Grade Appeals
A student who wishes to appeal a grade must first attempt to resolve the issue with the instructor of the course. The appeal must be submitted to the instructor in writing within 30 days of grade posting. If no resolution is reached, the student may submit a written appeal to the Academic Standards Committee.
Grade Changes
Errors in calculation or transcription are the only acceptable reasons for a grade change. Grades cannot be changed after a degree is conferred, or more than one semester following the end of the course, whichever comes first. Instructors may change grades electronically for winter term and spring semester through December 31 of that year, and for summer sessions and fall semester through May 31 of the following year. After this point, instructors must submit a grade change form to the Batten School Registrar, who will seek approval from the Dean.
Incomplete and Missing Grades
The symbol IN (incomplete) is used when additional coursework or examination is required to fulfill the obligations of a given course. A student may not request an incomplete in an attempt to raise his or her grade. An IN is not a valid final grade and becomes an F 200 days after the grading deadline (30 days for undergraduates), unless the student requests an extension from the course instructor prior to the end of the course, and secures approval. The time allowed to complete course requirements is determined between the student and the instructor, but may not exceed one semester beyond the term in which the student took the course. Students must enter into a written agreement with the instructor, specifying the remaining requirements and timeline. If the student fails to fulfill the agreement, the grade automatically becomes an F unless changed by the instructor. Grade changes from IN to a final grade cannot be made more than one semester following the end of the course. Students will not be permitted to take an incomplete in coursework one semester, and then request to take an incomplete the next semester if the incomplete from the previous semester is not resolved first.
Credit/No Credit Grades
Students have the option of receiving the grades CR (credit) or NC (no credit) in place of the regular grades A through F for a given course. This option is taken at the time the student registers for the course and no later than the add deadline. The Professor has the right to deny students permission to take his or her course on a CR/NC basis. If this occurs, students may either change back to the regular grading option or they may drop the course entirely. Courses taken for CR/NC may not be used toward the Batten MPP degree. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm with the instructor the minimum academic level of achievement for the grade of CR.
Graduation and Degree Information
Apply to Graduate
To receive a degree, students must comply with the procedures administered by the Batten School Registrar. The application process for May graduation begins in October, with the final deadline to file a May degree application falling on February 1. The application deadline for August graduation falls in June, and for December graduation the deadline falls in September. Students who miss a deadline may apply for the subsequent graduation and must register for the semester in which it occurs.
Degree Completion: Master of Public Policy and Accelerated Bachelor/MPP
All work for the Master of Public Policy degree must be completed within five years of matriculation.
The student must be registered in the Batten School during the semester in which the student is an applicant for a degree.
Degree Requirements
Degree candidates must complete all required core Batten School courses, 15 elective courses, and a pre-approved, 400-hour, policy-related summer internship between the first and second years of the program. All courses taken to fulfill requirements must be taken on a graded (A-B-C-D) bases. A candidate must earn a final grade of B minus or higher in all core courses of the degree program. In cases where a student earns a final grade lower than B minus in a core course, the student must retake the course and earn a final grade of B minus or higher. While both grades will appear on the transcript, the Batten School will only allow degree credit for the course in which a grade of B minus or higher is achieved.
In addition, degree candidates must earn a cumulative grade point average of B (3.00) or higher in all courses required for the degree, including elective courses taken in other schools at the University of Virginia, and must earn no more than six credit hours with final grades lower than a B minus in elective courses required for the MPP degree. A degree candidate must be enrolled at the University in the semester in which he or she is an applicant for the MPP degree and must be in good academic standing at the Batten School for degree conferral. In extraordinary situations, the Dean may elect to exercise discretion in waiving certain graduation requirements. The Dean’s discretion is not appealable and is exercised only in rare circumstances.
English as a Second Language Competency
All incoming international students, whose first language is not English, are required to take the English Language Proficiency Exam administered by the UVA Center for American English Language and Culture (CAELC) unless they have been exempted from the TOEFL or IELTS. Based on the CAELC assessment of the test results, students who demonstrate a need for additional instruction in English communications need to take courses specified by CAELC. A grade of “S” (Satisfactory) is required to pass the course(s).
Residency Requirement: Accelerated Bachelor/MPP
For students enrolled in the Accelerated Bachelor/Master of Public Policy Program, the credit hours for all Batten coursework taken during the first year count toward the undergraduate degree. In the second year, students must complete a minimum of 30 graded credit hours of graduate work in residence in order to be awarded the MPP degree from the University of Virginia.
Transfer Credit
The Masters of Public Policy Program typically requires students to complete all 49 credits of the program during their period of enrollment. Transfer credits must be approved by the Director of Academic Programs.
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