Darden Graduate School of Business Administration: Academic Rules & Regulations

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Academic Regulations

Students of the University of Virginia are subject to two sets of regulations, those of the University as a whole and those of the respective schools. Listed below are rules that apply within the Darden School. Appropriate excerpts from University regulations are set forth in the next section.

Attendance Policy

Darden School students are expected to attend all classes on a regular basis (e.g., one or more times per week) in order to contribute as well as to learn. Each course must have a written attendance policy that describes the consequences of missed classes. The course policy must be distributed to students and the Registrar before the end of the first week of classes. Whenever students miss class, they should, out of courtesy, inform their instructor as to the circumstances, in advance if possible.

In accordance with the University’s Policy on Teaching Courses for Academic Credit (https://uvapolicy.virginia.edu/policy/PROV-008), Darden  faculty will reasonably accommodate students so that they do not experience an adverse academic consequence when sincerely held religious beliefs or observances conflict with academic requirements. The University has provided guidance and examples to faculty in implementing this policy here: https://eocr.virginia.edu/accommodations-religious-observance. 

Auditing Courses

MBA students and students enrolled in other schools of the University may audit elective courses with the permission of the instructor.

Credit/No Credit

Grades Darden students may not take courses on CR/NC basis.

General Statement

Darden is a professional school of business at the graduate level with a two-year “terminal” MBA Program designed for the practitioner. The MBA Program is offered in three formats. The first is a two-year Full-Time Format that begins only in the fall semester and is designed to be completed in May of the following academic year. The second is an episodic Executive Format that allows students through a combination of residence periods and off-site learning opportunities to earn the MBA degree over a 22-month period. The third is a Part-Time format that follows a slower cadence of coursework that combines in person and off-site learning to earn the MBA degree over a standard pace of 33 months. This format can be completed in as little time as 30 months or be extended to 48 months. The programs require the completion of the same number of credit hours, and students graduate with the same degree: Master of Business Administration. All statements that reference the MBA Program apply to the Full-Time Executive and Part -Time Formast unless specified otherwise.

Grade Appeals

Darden students who wish to appeal a grade must first attempt to resolve the issue with the instructor of the course. Absent a satisfactory outcome, the student should consult with the administration of their respective program to review the matter. The final level of appeal is the Senior Associate Dean of the students program and must be submitted in writing after the initial appeal decision has been communicated to the student.

Grading System

The Darden School recognizes the following grade categories: Distinguished Performance (DP); High Performance (HP); Standard Performance (SP); Low Performance (LP); Unsatisfactory Performance (UP); Fail/No Credit (F). The following grade categories are recognized only for designated MBA for Executives, Global MBA for Executives and PhD courses: Satisfactory (S); Unsatisfactory (U).

Effective 4/20/2021, the University has added the following transcript notations to all transcripts for Darden students who attended UVA during J-Term and Summer 2021 to explain the optional grading basis implemented in response to the COVID19 global pandemic. Academic disruption due to global pandemic. Student able to select grading option: CR=UP or higher/NC=no credit, for up to 3 credit hours prior to knowing final grade.

Incomplete Grades

The IN grade should be assigned and administered consistently with the following IN grade policy statement:

IN Grade Policy Statement

From time to time, occasions arise that necessitate assigning a student a grade that falls outside the standard range. An IN grade implies that, for reasons known to the individual faculty member, the enrolled student has not completed his or her work at the end of the specified academic period.

The IN grade can only be assigned by the instructor teaching the course, only after the student has informed the instructor of the problem area, and only after the instructor has specifically reviewed in writing with the student the provisions under which the IN grade is granted.

An IN grade for a Residential MBA program student not resolved within 60 days from the ASC notification of the IN grade will automatically convert to an F grade. An IN grade for an Executive MBA program student not resolved within 30 days from the ASC notification of the IN grade will automatically convert to an F grade. Extensions of these deadlines may be granted only by the ASC Committee.

An IN grade can only be cleared by a standard letter grade or a W (withdrawn), not by a second IN. An IN grade that is not cleared by the student within the prescribed period will automatically become an F grade.

Students who receive one or more IN grades will come under ASC jurisdiction and will remain under the ASC until the IN grade becomes a letter grade. At that point, normal rules regarding ASC jurisdiction will apply.

No student can enter the second year or receive an MBA with an IN grade.

Performance Standards

The Darden School requires minimum performance standards for its students to graduate with an MBA degree. There are minimum performance standards that students must meet upon completion of half of the credit hours required to graduate and at graduation. If a student does not meet these minimum performance standards, an automatic dismissal from Darden results and the student must petition for readmission. All performance standards are determined by the faculty and are based on Academic Standard Committee (ASC) points.

Mid-Degree Requirement

The Darden School has a mid-degree minimum performance standard that is evaluated by the ASC upon completion of each grading period prior to and including the grading period closest to 50% of the total credit hours required for graduation. The minimum mid-degree performance standard is not met when the student’s ASC points are 15% or more of the total credit hours required for graduation. For example, if a student accumulates 9 or more ASC points (15% * 60 credit hours) prior to completion of 30 credit hours in the program, they are in violation of the mid-degree requirements.

If a student does not meet the mid-degree requirement of their MBA program, automatic dismissal from the Darden School results. A student seeking readmission must petition the ASC in writing. Dismissed students petitioning for readmission under this Section may continue in previously enrolled classes until their petition has been reviewed by the ASC.

Performance standards for the mid-degree and graduation requirements are enforced on the basis of Academic Standards Committee (ASC) points. Students receive ASC points when they earn a UP or F as a grade of record in a course. ASC points are computed by multiplying the credit hours of the course by the weight assigned to the grade. A UP has a weight of 1 while an F has a weight of 2. For example, ASC points by course credit hours are as follows: 

Graduation Requirement

The Darden School requires a minimum performance standard for its students to graduate with an MBA degree (i.e., the graduation requirement). The minimum performance standard to graduate is not met when the ASC points are 25% or more of the total credit hours required for graduation.

If a student does not meet the graduation requirement of the Darden School at any point of their program, automatic dismissal from the Darden School results. A student seeking readmission must petition the faculty in writing. For example, if the total number of credit hours required for graduation is 60, then students with 15 or more ASC points (60 * 25%) will be automatically dismissed from the Darden School.

 Academic Standards Committee (ASC) Points  

All minimum performance standards are evaluated and enforced on the basis of ASC points. Students receive ASC points when they earn a UP or F as a grade of record in a course. ASC points are computed by multiplying the credit hours of the course by the weight assigned to the grade. A UP has a weight of 1 while an F has a weight of 2. For example, ASC points by course credit hours are as follows:

There are two designations for every course as determined by the respective MBA programs: required and core. Being deemed a “required” course by an MBA program determines whether a make-up assignment is required for receiving an F grade of record. Being deemed a “core” course determines the distribution used to determine grades.

If a student receives an F as a grade of record in a required course, the student must satisfactorily complete a written makeup assignment. Students must receive a grade of Low Performance or better on the written makeup assignment to receive the credit hours for the required course; however, the grade of F will remain on the transcript. Students who do not receive a grade of Low Performance or better will be dismissed from the program and they must petition the faculty for readmission. Written makeup assignments will be given only for required courses. ASC will formally notify the student of the need for a makeup assignment. All required courses must stand ready to administer a makeup assignment to any student receiving an F. The form of the written make-up assignment and the completion date are at the discretion of the MBA programs in conjunction with the course head. The assignment should cover material representative of the entire course for which the credit hours are attributable. This makeup requirement will be administered by the course head of the relevant course, who must inform the Academic Standards Committee and the Registrar of the outcome through a written correspondence. If the course head advises the Academic Standards Committee that the make-up activity has been completed satisfactorily, the original F grade remains on the transcript, but the notation “Credit by Additional Work” is added to the transcript.

Non-required courses are defined as any course that is not defined as a required course by the MBA programs. No makeup assignment is required for a student earning an F grade in a non-required course. First Year Electives in the Full-Time Program are exception to the F course grade requirement for non-required courses. Students are required to earn 4.5 credits of First Year Electives. Students who earn an F grade in a First Year Elective course will be required to make up these credits in their second year by taking:

1. the First-Year Program electives offered in the Second-Year Program,
2. the First-Year Program electives offered in the First-Year Program during their second year.

Faculty permission is required for students to retake the First Year Elective in which they received an F; however, the grade of F will remain on the transcript, but the notation “Credit by Additional Work” is added to the transcript.

Readmission

Students who are dismissed from the MBA Program because they do not meet the mid-degree requirement may petition the Academic Standards Committee for readmission. Students who are dismissed from the MBA Program because they do not meet the graduation requirement (i.e. an accumulation of ASC points equal to 25% of the total credit hours needed to earn an MBA degree), may only petition the faculty for readmission. Readmission will depend on the presence of extenuating circumstances and the ability of the student to complete the remainder of the program satisfactorily.

Students who, based on grades received before the end of the program, have failed to meet the graduation standards of the Darden School may submit a petition for the consideration of the faculty at the time the grades are available or at the end of the program. Students who, based on grades received before the mid-degree evaluation, have failed to meet the mid-degree standards of the Darden School may submit a petition to the Academic Standards Committee for consideration at the time the grades are available or at the mid-degree evaluation of the program.

Transfer Credit

The Darden School of Business typically requires students to complete all 60 credits of the program during their period of enrollment. Transfer credits must be approved by the appropriate officials of the Darden School, except in cases of approved international exchange programs. In such cases credits for elective courses taken at the partner institution are offered under the following conditions:

• The course has been approved by the Electives Coordinator acting on behalf of the MBA Policy Committee. The Electives Coordinator shall require that the course be a graduate level offering that relates to or enhances the Darden MBA Program. Using Darden elective courses as a standard, the Electives Coordinator shall determine the credit hours allowed for such course. Students must satisfactorily complete the course according to the standards of the partner institution. The Electives Coordinator shall determine whether any grade received is equivalent to less than a B− on a Darden scale and report such determinations to the Academic Standards Committee.
• No more than 15 credit hours will be given for courses taken outside the Darden School (other University of Virginia courses outside Darden will count toward the 15-credit-hour maximum, provided the courses have prior approval from Darden).

Students will normally take a minimum of nine credit hours in Darden electives (excluding Business Projects and Research Elective courses).

Withdrawals

The Dean’s office may ask a student at any time to withdraw from a particular course or from the school because of unsatisfactory academic work or for other adequate reasons.