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Academic Rules and Regulations
Academic Good Standing
Graduate students in the School of Architecture must meet the following criteria to remain in academic good standing
- Complete at least 12 credits of coursework.
- Maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
Academic Warning: A Graduate student will be placed on academic warning if they fail to maintain academic good standing in any semester (see the “Academic Good Standing” section of the Record).
Academic Suspension: Any student will be suspended if they fail to maintain academic good standing for two consecutive semesters. The term of the first suspension will be a minimum of one complete fall or spring semester. The term of a suspension may be longer if the Dean’s Office decides it is appropriate for the circumstances. A second suspension is final, and the student is not allowed to return to the University.
Academic Good Standing – Addendum for “minimum passing grade”
Departments reserve the right to amend the definition of Academic Good Standing with “minimum passing grade” requirements for select courses.
Procedures for Returning to the University from suspension are described below under Returning to the University. Academic credits taken elsewhere while on academic suspension are not accepted for transfer towards a UVa degree.
Affiliated Status
- Doctoral Completion (Doctoral Students Only)
- External Internship/Study
- Degree Conferral in Absentia
For further information please see the section University Regulations: Academic in the Graduate Record.
Attendance
Students are expected to attend all class sessions in person, including lectures and other prescribed activities of the courses for which they are registered. Although the course instructor sets course attendance requirements, any student who is absent from more than 50 percent of the class sessions may automatically receive a grade of F in that course.
Consistent with the UVA Graduate Record, unless otherwise notified by the instructor, students enrolled in all School of Architecture graduate courses are required to attend every scheduled class session in person and to arrive on time prepared for the class. If you are unable to attend a class session for any reason, you must notify your instructor in advance of the class. In courses where class participation represents a portion of the course grade, the instructor has complete discretion to assign the class participation grade that s/he decides is appropriate.
Audit (AU) Grade Option
You may audit courses with the permission of the instructor. Courses successfully taken on an audit basis have the symbol AU (audit) recorded in the grade column of the academic record.
As no credits or grade points are earned in audited courses, these courses are not applicable toward a degree. Instructors have the option of deciding whether students may or may not take their courses on an audit basis.
A grade of W is recorded for any student who discontinues the audit after the drop deadline or who fails to meet the instructor’s standards.
Course Expectations
In each of the degree programs, students should expect that courses may require the purchase of textbooks, software, materials, or equipment, or students may incur costs in the form of field trips upon occasion. Students are also expected to complete online course evaluations at the end of each semester.
Course Load
The minimum course load, in order to be classified as a full-time graduate student, is 12 hours. Special written permission is required for a graduate student to register for fewer than 12 hours or more than 19 hours in any semester, from his or her departmental chair.
Complaints and Grievances Procedures
Due process is guaranteed to all students. See the University Regulations section or consult the Associate Dean of Academics.
Grade Appeals
Students who wish to appeal a grade must first attempt to resolve the issue with the instructor of the course. If there is not a satisfactory outcome, the student must consult with the Director of Advising + Academic Support in conjunction with the graduate program director of the department. If this path proves unsuccessful in the resolution of the matter, the student may appeal to the Associate Dean of Academics. Appeals must be made within 7 days after the end of that semester’s examination period.
Once a grade appeal has been approved and activated, the Associate Dean of Academics will convene a panel of independent reviewers to consider a student’s grade appeal based on the information provided by both the student and their instructor. The grade review panel will make recommendations for consideration to the Associate Dean of Academics who will then render a final decision based on those recommendations. Possible outcomes of a grade appeal review process are as follows:
- The grade may remain as is
- The grade may be raised
- The grade may be lowered
Grade Changes
No grade may be changed after it has been submitted to UREG (Office of the University Registrar) without the approval of the Associate Dean of Academics. The Associate Dean of Academics may authorize a grade change only in accordance with the school’s grade appeal policy or when an instructor certifies that, because of an error in calculation or transcription, an incorrect grade has been submitted. The Associate Dean of Academics is also authorized to change incomplete grades to an F or Withdrawal. Instructors must submit grade changes via the Student Information System (SIS). Except as noted below, grades cannot be changed after a degree is conferred, or more than one semester following the end of the course, whichever comes first. If evidence is discovered that a student has violated the integrity of the course, a grade can be changed at the time of the conclusion of this assessment.
Grading System
The following letter grade symbols are used for grading graduate students in the Graduate School of Architecture. Graduate students are not allowed to take a graduate-level course on a Credit/ No Credit basis. Graduate students may take undergraduate courses on a CR/NC basis or audit graduate-level course but said courses will not count toward a graduate degree.
Note: The University has created a Default Grading Basis Thresholds in UVA Canvas.
For consistency purposes, the School of Architecture has adopted this University-wide numeric breakdown for courses that use a point system for assessing grades:
A+ 100
A 95
A- 90
B+ 87
B 83
B- 80
C+ 77
C 73
C- 70
D+ 67
D 63
D- 60
F 0
Incomplete
A grade of “Incomplete” (IN) is to be given only in cases due to medical emergencies and extenuating family circumstances that necessitate additional time to complete course work. Prior to the end of the class, students must initiate the request for an IN and secure the instructor’s approval in accordance with the policies and procedures of the school offering the course. A request for an ‘IN’ is then submitted to the School of Architecture Registrar prior to the last day of exams using the “Incomplete Grade” form approved by the Associate Dean of Academics. An ‘IN’ is not considered an acceptable default final grade and will convert to a grade of ‘F’ five days after the end of the examination period unless an “Incomplete Grade” form is submitted by the course professor with the approval of the Associate Dean of Academics. Documentation supporting the medical excuse is to be provided by a doctor or healthcare provider with the “Incomplete Grade” form. Additionally, a work plan outlining the scope and extended deadline for completion of coursework is due to the Associate Dean of Academics at the time of the form submittal. An approved grade of ‘IN’ will convert automatically to a grade of ‘F’ thirty (30) calendar days after the grading deadline unless the professor submits a final grade based on the work completed during the additional time or a work plan identifying a specific date for completion of course work. Instructors are not authorized to extend the time for completion of course work without the approval of the Associate Dean of Academics. Up to two incompletes is a reasonable request per semester; requesting more than two incompletes indicates a need to withdraw from the semester.
An Incomplete Grade (IN) is an Appropriate Option only when the following criteria are met:
• Student has a consistent and dependable attendance record.
• Student has completed approximately 75% or more of the work for the class.
• Student is not failing the class.
If a circumstance arises that does not meet these criteria, the student and professor are required to appeal to The Associate Dean of Academics and The Director of Advising + Academic Support to discuss other potential academic options.
Leave of Absence
Leaving the University (Leaves, Withdrawals)
A student who wishes to suspend their full-time or part-time status for a temporary period of time must request approval from the director of graduate studies and the Associate Dean of Academics. As a result, this leave will postpone their expected date of graduation.
A student who wishes to take a leave of absence must apply by completing the “Leaving the University” e-form in their SIS Student Center no later than one week prior to the beginning of the semester in which the students plan to be on leave. Leaves are approved for a full semester or one academic year, with a student eligible for up to two years of leave cumulatively.
How to Apply for Leaving the University
- Email the Associate Dean of Academics, Director of Advising + Academic Support, and the Director of the Program in which you are enrolled, about your intentions on taking a Leave of Absence.
- Meet with Care and Support Services staff (Optional)
- Contact SARC Director of Financial Aid (if applicable) about your intentions on taking a Leaving the University.
- If students want to ensure their eligibility for financial aid, they should contact Student Financial Services (sfs@virginia.edu) prior to that semester.
- Contact the International Studies Office (if applicable) at issp@virginia.edu.
- Fill out the “Leaving the University” e-form in your SIS student center. It is located on the bottom left side of the home page.
- This process will need to be no later than one week prior to the beginning of the semester in which the student plans to be on leave.
- Until your leaving form is approved, you will remain enrolled in all coursework and will be expected to satisfy all financial obligations to the University.
Once the e-form has been approved, you will receive an email from the University Registrar’s Office (UREG) that the process has been completed and an option to meet with staff within Care and Support Services to discuss additional support and resources.
This process for the “Returning to the University” eform in their SIS Student Center can be started by March 1st for the fall + summer semesters, and October 1st for the spring semester. (Please see “Returning to the University” section)
Students who have not been enrolled for more than two years or longer must follow the procedures for admission by applying to the Graduate School of Architecture. For more information about the admissions process, please visit www.arch.virginia.edu/admissions/graduate/.
Part-Time Enrollment
Students are ordinarily expected to be enrolled as full-time students. However, students may choose to enroll on a part-time basis depending on the degree program. Please check with the program director on whether a degree program allows part-time enrollment. A request for part-time status must be submitted to the director of the program for approval. Registered full-time students at the University are required to submit a request to convert their registration to part-time status one semester prior to the desired enrollment as a part-time student. Please be in contact with the Director of Advising & Academic Support for the part-time form.
Ownership of Student Work
The School of Architecture reserves the right to retain student coursework for purposes of exhibition and/or publication with appropriate credits. Professors who wish to retain student work for their own purposes must gain the student’s consent and provide adequate documentation of the work for the student.
Returning to the University
Students who wish to return to the University after an absence must be formally readmitted to their last school of enrollment. Readmission requires review and approval by the Associate Dean of Academics, the Department of Student Health (if applicable), the International Studies Office (if applicable), the Office of Student Financial Services (if applicable), and the Office of the Care and Support Services Students who withdrew for medical reasons will need a medical review from the Department of Student Health before they will be approved for readmission to the University; this medical review may take up to three weeks in addition to any deadline set by their school, so students should apply as early as possible when they wish to return to the University.
This process for the “Returning to the University” eform in their SIS Student Center can be started by March 1st for the fall + summer semesters, and October 1st for the spring semester.
If students want to ensure their eligibility for financial aid, they should contact Student Financial Services prior to that semester. Students completing the application must include a statement that (1) addresses the student’s readiness to return to the University in light of any serious difficulties, academic suspension, or extenuating circumstances related to his/her absence (e.g. financial, medical, or personal hardship), and (2) outlines the student’s academic plan for his/her remaining semesters.
How to Apply for Readmission
- Email the Associate Dean of Academics and the Director of the Program in which you are enrolled, about your intentions on coming back to the A-School
- Email Director of Advising + Academic Support about your curriculum.
- Contact SARC Director of Financial Aid (if applicable) about your intentions on returning to the School of Architecture.
- If students want to ensure their eligibility for financial aid, they should contact Student Financial Services (sfs@virginia.edu) prior to that semester
- Contact the International Studies Office (if applicable) at issp@virginia.edu.
- Fill out the “returning to the university” e-form in your SIS student center. It is located on the bottom left side of the home page. This process can be started by March 1st for the fall + summer semesters, and October 1st for the spring semester.
- Once the e-form has been approved, you will receive an email from the University Registrar’s Office (UREG) that the process has been completed.
Returning to the University is not guaranteed.
Repeated Course
If a course is passed or failed, and taken a second time for credit, both grades are included in the computation of grade point average and appear on the student’s transcript. A student may repeat a course only once.
Student Owned Computers
Graduate students are required to own a personal laptop or Desktop computer with specified base software.
A list of specifications is at http://www.arch.virginia.edu/IT_Resources/Computer_Requirements.
Time Limitation
All work for the master’s degree must be completed within five years. Unless it is due to medical reasons or other extenuating circumstances, students who have not been enrolled for more than one year or longer must follow the procedures for admission by applying to the Graduate School of Architecture. Academic credits earned more than ten years prior to the date of application for admission will typically not be considered as applicable credits for admission to graduate programs at the School of Architecture.
All work for a Ph.D. degree must be completed within seven years. Unless it is due to medical reasons or other extenuating circumstances, students who have not been enrolled for more than one year or longer must follow the procedures for admission by applying to the Graduate School of Architecture. Academic credits earned more than ten years prior to the date of application for admission will typically not be considered as applicable credits for admission to graduate programs at the School of Architecture.
Transfer Credit
Courses taken at other institutions are normally not accepted. Under exceptional circumstances, a petition along with supporting materials (i.e. syllabus and work samples) may be submitted to receive an exemption from taking a required course. Candidates a.re required to fulfill the total degree credit requirement regardless of course exemptions granted. Petitions are to be submitted to the instructor of the course for which a waiver is desired; the Graduate Director must approve the waiver.
Withdrawal from the University
Course Disenrollment
Students are expected to contribute to a positive culture at UVA by conducting themselves in accordance with a high standard. In instances when a student’s behavior impairs an Instructor’s ability to conduct a class or otherwise interferes with other students’ engagement in the learning process, the instructor must reasonably attempt to resolve disruptions directly with the individual responsible. Examples of such behavior include, but are not limited to, repeatedly disrupting class or failing to properly engage in group activities. In rare cases, when the student’s behavior does not improve in response to the instructor’s attempts, a dean’s office may disenroll the student from the course with a grade of W. For more information see “Course Disenrollment” under the University Academic Regulations.
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. Students who are forced to withdraw during a given term will have the notation “Withdrawal Date: MM/DD/YYYY” entered on their permanent academic records following the semester in which the action occurred. A grade of W (withdrawal) will be entered for each course in which the student was registered. Students must complete the “Returning to the University” form in their SIS Student Center by March 1st to return in the fall term + summer term and by October 1st to return in the spring term (Please see “Returning to the University” section).
Voluntary Student Withdrawal
Students who wish to leave all of their classes during a fall or spring semester at any time after the first day of classes and through the last day of exams must request permission to withdraw from the University by completing the “Leaving the University” form in their SIS Student Center, communicating with the Director of Advising & Academic Support, the director of the program and the Associate Dean of Academics, If the student’s academic dean or designee approves the student’s request to withdraw, Office of the Care and Services will discuss the proposed withdrawal with the student and, if appropriate, grant final approval. UREG will notify the student once the withdrawal becomes official. Students requesting to withdraw from the University must be aware of the following rules:
- Applications for withdrawal must be approved by the Associate Dean of Academics.
- Students may withdraw from the University before the conclusion of a semester, specifically up to the last day of the final examination period.
- Students may specify on the “Leaving the University” form whether their request to withdraw is for medical reasons. Students approved for withdrawal for medical reasons will need a medical review from the Department of Student Health before they will be approved for readmission to the University; this medical review may take up to three weeks in addition to any deadline set by their school, so students should apply as early as possible when they wish to return to the University.
- Students who voluntarily withdraw from the University will have the notation “Withdrew: DATE” recorded on their permanent academic record and their official transcript. Students will receive a grade of W in all classes. A grade of W cannot be changed.
- In extreme medical circumstances, documented by a medical professional, a School of Architecture student has one semester in which to petition to the Associate Dean of Academics for a retroactive medical withdrawal. If approved, all grades convert to W’s.
Students wishing to withdraw from classes during Summer Session or J-Term should contact the Office of Summer & Special Academic Programs, 434-924-3371; summer@virginia.edu or januaryterm@virginia.edu.
Withdrawals Grading System
If a student decides to discontinue a course after the drop deadline, they must withdraw from the class (see note below). Students have eight weeks from the start of the semester to leave a class using this option. This will result in a ‘W’ on the student’s transcript. If, after the withdrawal deadline has passed, a student is enrolled in a class, but has never attended, the student will need to contact the Director of Advising & Academic Support. Failure to do so will result in a failing grade.
If a student is failing a course after the withdrawal date and at the end of the semester due to lack of attendance and/or due to not meeting the academic standards of performance set by the professor/SIA of the course, the student will receive an ‘F’ as their final grade.
A student is allowed to withdraw from classes in SIS until 11:59 PM on the day of the class withdrawal deadline date, see https://www2.virginia.edu/registrar/calendar.html.
To get started, go to the drop tab in the SIS Student Center. Use the DROP transaction for the desired class. When the message is received about withdrawing, click on the “Request Class Withdrawal” link and follow the directions.
Course Descriptions
Courses are subject to change; certain courses are offered in alternate years or are temporarily suspended when the instructor is on leave or for other reasons. 5000 level elective courses are open to students in undergraduate and graduate programs.
Degree Information
The School of Architecture offers five graduate programs leading to the Master of Architectural History; Master of Architecture; the Master of Landscape Architecture; the Master of Urban and Environmental Planning; and PhD in The Constructed Environment The programs are accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board, the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board, and the Planning Accreditation Board; and the school holds memberships in the Collegiate Schools of Architecture, the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning, the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture, the National Council for Preservation Education, the Society of Architectural Historians, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In addition to the graduate degree programs, the school offers three interdisciplinary programs leading to a Certificate in Historic Preservation, Certificate in Real Estate + Design and Development, and a Certificate in Urban Design.
To obtain a graduate degree in the School of Architecture, a student must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on all graded graduate course work taken while a graduate student.
Upon completion of an academic program which may lead to initial licensure in another U.S. state outside of Virginia, graduates may apply to the licensing board or agency in that state. Please visit the University’s Licensure Program Compliance page University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states’ educational requirements for initial licensure are met by the program. (668.43(a)(5) (v)(A) - (C))
Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. (34 CFR 668.402).
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