Mar 28, 2024  
Graduate Record 2022-2023 
    
Graduate Record 2022-2023 [ARCHIVED RECORD]

Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy: Academic Rules, Regulations, and Information


About   Academic Rules Programs/Courses  

Click on a link to be taken to the entry below. 


Admission Requirements


Master of Public Policy (MPP)

In addition to policy research and data analysis, the Batten MPP program teaches and cultivates effective, value-based leadership in order for our graduates to make significant strides toward becoming the dynamic leaders the world demands.

The core curriculum consists of eleven three-credit required Batten School courses and one one-credit Foundational Skills Workshop. Additionally, students are required to take 15 elective credits in order to gain substantive expertise in their areas of policy interest. For detailed curriculum information, visit the Master of Public Policy (MPP)  programs/courses page.

Admission Requirements: Post-Graduate MPP

The Post-Graduate MPP is open to applicants who will have earned a baccalaureate degree by June of the year of their fall matriculation into the MPP program.  In addition to the core MPP curriculum students are encouraged to identify specific issues that interest them and to explore these issues through elective coursework, the experiential components of the curriculum (policy projects and internships), discussion groups, and the rich array of events on public policy organized by the Batten School.

Admission to the Batten School is competitive to ensure a well-rounded class and to limit class size. Prospective students from all disciplinary backgrounds are invited to apply. The application for the Post-Graduate MPP program can be found on the Batten School’s website. While there are no prerequisite courses required, it is advantageous to have taken introductory courses in microeconomics, calculus, and statistics prior to admission. Summer coursework before the fall semester in which the student begins the program may be required as a condition of admission.

International applicants are required to provide additional information. See the Admission Requirements: Post-Graduate MPP (International Applicants) section below.

All admitted Post-Graduate MPP students must submit an official transcript to the Batten School reflecting conferral of a baccalaureate degree prior to matriculation.

Admission Requirements: Accelerated Bachelor/MPP

Open to current UVA undergraduates from all majors except the Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and Leadership, the Accelerated Bachelor/MPP  Program allows admitted students to complete both a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Public Policy degree in five years, rather than the normal six. In addition to the core MPP curriculum students are encouraged to identify specific issues that interest them and to explore these issues through elective coursework, the experiential components of the curriculum (policy projects and internships), discussion groups, and the rich array of events on public policy organized by the Batten School.  

Admission to the Batten School is competitive to ensure a well-rounded class and to limit class size. UVA undergraduate students typically apply for admission to the Accelerated Bachelor/MPP Program during their third year. The application for the program can be found on the Batten School’s website. Applicants must demonstrate that they will have earned at least 90 undergraduate credits before matriculation into the program. In addition, prior to enrollment in the Accelerated Bachelor/MPP program, students must complete and earn a grade of ‘C’ or higher (or ‘CR’ for Spring 2020 and/or AY 2020-21) in ECON 2010 or equivalent, and one of the following math courses or equivalent: MATH 1190 - A Survey of Calculus I with Algebra; MATH 1210 - A Survey of Calculus 1; MATH 1310 - Calculus I; APMA 1090 - Single Variable Calculus I; or any more advanced calculus course. Taking a statistics class prior to admission is highly recommended.

In special circumstances, a student may apply for admission to the Accelerated Bachelor/MPP program during their second year at UVA and complete the program over the course of their third and fourth year of study. In such cases, the student must still fulfill the requirement of having completed 90 credits prior to entry to the Batten School and be on track to graduate with their bachelor’s degree in a total of three years. All students must complete the MPP curriculum in two academic years.

Once admitted to and enrolled in the Accelerated Bachelor/MPP Program, students begin their professional studies at the Batten School while completing their remaining undergraduate coursework to receive their bachelor’s degree in another discipline. They will take three three-credit Batten core courses per semester of their first year with Batten, plus a one-credit Foundational Skills Workshop for a total of seven Batten courses during the first year of the program. The remaining two courses per semester of their final undergraduate year are available for students to complete their major, minor, other undergraduate requirements, or electives relevant to the MPP program. Any graduate electives taken in the final undergraduate year will not reduce the required number of credits in the second year of the program, but rather will help students explore more fully the policy issues they find most relevant to their future professional careers.

Students must complete all the academic requirements for and receive their undergraduate degree by the end of their first year in the Accelerated Bachelor/MPP program to be eligible to advance to graduate standing and receive the MPP degree. During the summer after their first year in the Accelerated Bachelor/MPP program, Batten students participate in a required 400-hour internship in a public policy field of the students’ interest. At the conclusion of the summer internship, Batten students return for their final year as graduate students, taking 30 credits and completing their MPP coursework.

Admission Requirements: Post-Graduate MPP (with Internship Waiver)

The internship waiver is open to applicants who will have earned a baccalaureate degree by June of the year of their fall matriculation into the MPP program and who are employed on a full-time, permanent, professional basis (internships not included) for a minimum of one year in a field relevant to their graduate studies. This program, designed for individuals with careers that approve time off for graduate work, allows students to complete the Master of Public Policy degree in under two years in order to return to their full-time position after graduation. Due to students’ leave from a full-time work position, the internship requirement is waived for students admitted to this program. This allows students to take summer courses and return to their full-time employment as quickly as possible. In addition to the core MPP curriculum, students are encouraged to identify specific issues that interest them and to explore these issues through elective coursework, the experiential components of the curriculum (policy projects), discussion groups, and the rich array of events on public policy organized by the Batten School.

Admission to the Batten School is competitive to ensure a well-rounded class and to limit class size. Prospective students from all disciplinary backgrounds are invited to apply. The application for the Post-Graduate MPP program can be found on the Batten School’s website. All students who wish to be considered for the Internship Waiver must complete an additional one-page application to determine their eligibility. Students must also provide a letter on official letterhead from their current employer stating that they will be returning to this organization upon completion of the MPP. While there are no prerequisite courses required, it is advantageous to have taken introductory courses in microeconomics, calculus, and statistics prior to admission. Summer coursework before the fall semester in which the student begins the program may be required as a condition of admission.

Internship Waiver requests will undergo committee review, with final determination made before decisions are complete on the MPP application.

Admissions Requirements: Post-Graduate MPP (International Applicants)

In addition to completing the online application for admission, international students must satisfy additional requirements when applying to the Batten School’s Post-Graduate MPP.

All international applicants whose primary language is not English must take the TOEFL or IELTS examination. International students who attended a primarily English-speaking University for their baccalaureate degree will be exempt from submitting TOEFL or IELTS scores. A TOEFL or IELTS score cannot be more than two years old. Any applicant who receives below 100 on the TOEFL or below 7 on the IELTS will be required to take the Duolingo English Test (DET) and receive a score of at least 120 or apply to the Dean for a waiver. Additionally, some students may be required to video conference with the Office of Admissions. Finally, there may be a conditional admission requirement for some students to enroll in and successfully complete the University’s Summer English for Academic Purposes Program prior to matriculation.

If an international applicant attended a prior institution located outside of the United States where the primary method of instruction was not in English, a course-by-course report of their academic transcript must be obtained from a NACES-member academic credential verification service prior to the application deadline. While students may upload an unofficial transcript in the online application, a verified outside report must also be obtained. If an international applicant attended an institution located within the United States, including the University of Virginia, no additional verification is required and an unofficial transcript will suffice for the purposes of application.

Deferring Admission

A student admitted into the MPP program may petition to postpone enrollment in the Batten School due to extenuating circumstances. Requests to defer an offer of admission will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Disclosing Criminal History

The University of Virginia strives to provide a safe living, learning, and working environment for all members of our community. Although we do not ask candidates for admission into Batten to disclose criminal convictions or pending charges when they apply, we do require that admitted students provide this information before they enroll. Failure to disclose criminal convictions or pending charges is grounds for revocation of an offer of admission. When an admitted student discloses a conviction or pending charge, Batten does not automatically withdraw admission. Rather, a committee that represents varied interests evaluates the circumstances thoroughly and holistically and determines whether the student’s enrollment would be consistent with the safety of the University community.

Rescinding an Offer of Admission

It is the Batten School’s expectation that all applicants uphold the intellectual, ethical, and professional standards of the School and the University of Virginia.  By applying to the School, students agree to abide by the principles of the UVA Honor Code and the Standards of Conduct.  The School may rescind an offer of admission up until the date of matriculation for, but not limited to, the following reasons:

  1. An applicant fails to successfully complete any conditions of their admission or program prerequisites.
  2. An admitted applicant fails to show satisfactory academic progress in any courses completed after receiving their offer of admission.
  3. An applicant is found to have presented misleading or fraudulent information during the application process.
  4. An applicant fails to disclose a criminal conviction or pending charge prior to matriculation.
  5. An applicant fails to follow the principles of the Honor Code and the Standards of Conduct described above.

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


The Assistant Director of Graduate Academic Programs is responsible for the academic advising of Batten School MPP students. The Assistant Director meets with students regularly to monitor curricular progress, and administers school policies regarding 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 Assistant Director of Graduate Academic Programs counsels students who are facing academic difficulties and applies any academic sanctions imposed at the discretion of the Academic Standards Committee.

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 Assistant Director of Graduate 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 the student’s 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 Assistant Dean for Academic Programs of an intention to appeal.  Academic suspension becomes effective upon the Assistant Dean for Academic Programs’ 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 Academic Standards Committee. Students will be notified of a decision within 14 days.


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. 

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.

 

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 Assistant Director of Graduate Academic Programs. If necessary, the Assistant 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 considered by the instructor in any manner for grading purposes. The instructor will bring cases of excessive absence to the attention of the Assistant Director of Graduate Academic Programs.

If 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 Assistant Director of Graduate 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 Assistant Director of Graduate 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 to graduate with the MPP degree. The maximum course load of 17 credit hours may only be exceeded upon approval of the Assistant Director of Graduate 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 a 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 Academic Standards Committee. Students who fail to appear for the 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 Academic Standards Committee 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.


Dual Degree Programs


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.

MPP/JD  

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 is a highly demanding program recommended only for students who are able to manage a concentrated academic load and who are clearly able to see the applicability of both degrees to future career plans.

MPP/MBA  

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 is a highly demanding program recommended only for students who are able to manage a concentrated academic load and who are clearly able to see the applicability of both degrees to future career plans.

MPP/MPH  

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 is a highly demanding program recommended only for students who are able to manage a concentrated academic load and who are clearly able to see the applicability of both degrees to future career plans.

MPP/MUEP  

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 is a highly demanding program recommended only for students who are able to manage a concentrated academic load and who are clearly able to see the applicability of both degrees to future career plans.

MPP/PhD  

The Batten School offers a combined program with the University of Virginia 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 is a highly demanding program recommended only for students who are able to manage a concentrated academic load and who are clearly able to see the applicability of both degrees to future career plans.


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 Assistant Director of Graduate 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 the 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 Assistant Director of Graduate 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 causes acceptable to the Assistant Director of Graduate 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


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 request to the Batten School Academic Programs Office. If approved by the Batten Academic Programs Office the grade change request is submitted to the University Registrar.

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 it is 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 except when Batten core MPP courses are only offered with the CR/NC grading basis. 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 Academic Programs Office. 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 is June 1, and for December graduation the deadline falls is October 1. Students who miss a deadline may apply for the subsequent graduation date and must be registered 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 credits, 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) basis. 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 and both will be calculated in the cumulative grade point average, 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 as well as the undergraduate GPA. In the second year, students must complete a minimum of 30 graded credit hours of graduate work in residence to be awarded the MPP degree from the University of Virginia. All courses taken (or attempted) toward the fulfillment of the MPP requirements will be included in the graduate GPA.

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 Assistant Dean for Academic Programs.


Withdrawal, Leave, Reenrollment, and Readmission


Please refer to the University Regulations: Academic  for policies on Leaving and Returning to the University.

Entering Students Whose Medical Circumstances Preclude Enrollment

Entering students who for significant medical reasons need to discontinue their enrollment in the Batten School after the first day of the semester must withdraw from the University as noted below.  They may return in accordance with Batten policy on readmission. Students who withdraw from the semester may take courses elsewhere with the prior permission of the Batten School Academic Programs Office, and in accordance with Batten policy on transfer credit.  All such course work will be as elective credit only.

Enforced Withdrawal

Students may be forced to withdraw from the University for habitual delinquency in class, habitual idleness, or any other fault that prevents the student from fulfilling the purpose implied by enrollment at the University.

Further Information on Withdrawal 

For further information about voluntary withdrawal, medical withdrawal, and enforced withdrawal please see the University Regulations section of this Record.  Students on financial aid should consult the Financial Aid page for additional information.  Any questions about tuition and fees for withdrawn students should be directed to Student Financial Services. 

Leave of Absence

The Batten School expects students to register each semester and proceed to the completion of their degree programs.  However, students may request to take a leave of absence, which is valid for up to two consecutive semesters.  Students who plan to be away from the University in a subsequent semester (or semesters) should file for a Leave of Absence. The Leave of Absence form must be filed no later than the day before the beginning of the semester the student plans to be on leave. Due to the sequencing and progression of the Batten School curriculum, permission to take a leave of absence is subject to review by the Academic Standards Committee and is granted only in rare circumstances.

Students in the Batten School who have been on an approved leave of absence apply for readmission when returning to the University (see below).  Students who enter a degree program at another institution, however, must reapply to the University and are not guaranteed acceptance.

Medical Withdrawal

Due to significant medical reasons, a student may need to withdraw from the University.  A student may withdraw for medical reasons at any point in the semester, with the same conditions and restrictions applying as with a voluntary withdrawal.  In addition, students who return to the Batten School after a medical withdrawal must be cleared by Student Health (see Readmission below).     

In very unusual medical circumstances, documented by professional certification, a Batten student who did not withdraw during the semester has one semester in which to petition for a retroactive medical withdrawal.  If approved, all grades convert to W’s and the student is obliged to be absent for a full semester before resuming full-time study.

Readmission 

Students should consult “Returning to the University” in the University Regulations—Academic section of this Record for policies that govern their readmission to the University.  Application for readmission must be made to and approved by the Academic Standards Committee in accordance with the Batten School’s readmission deadlines and policies.

Students will be notified in writing of the Batten School’s decision on readmission.  For readmission following a medical withdrawal, students should also follow the steps outlined by Student Health.

Voluntary Withdrawal

Students may withdraw from the University before the conclusion of a semester, specifically up to the last day of the final examination period, if they meet the conditions stated in the University Regulations section of this Record.  However, students in the Batten School who withdraw within 10 class days immediately preceding the final examination period are not permitted to reenter the Batten School for the succeeding semester nor to present transfer credit earned during the same time.  A grade of W will be entered for each course in which the student was registered.  Students initiate the withdrawal process with the Assistant Dean for Academic Programs.

Involuntary Medical Withdrawal

Students who are withdrawn from the University by the Department of Student Health for reasons of health will receive a grade of W (withdrawal) for each course in which the student was registered.