Graduate Program Policies

The following academic policies apply to all of the graduate degree programs in the College. Please refer to the program description for any specific policies.

1. Transfer Credits. Graduate courses taken within the last five years at an accredited college or university may be accepted at the discretion of the coordinator of the graduate program. A maximum of 12 graduate credits in graduate courses, with a minimum grade of 3.0 (B) in each course, may be applied toward a graduate degree from the College of Staten Island. For specific requirements, please see the program description.
2. Undergraduate Courses. Graduate students may not enroll in undergraduate courses for graduate credit. Graduate students may, however, enroll in undergraduate courses in order to remedy deficiencies in their preparation for graduate study. Such courses will not be credited toward the requirements of the graduate degree. Non-matriculated students who are completing undergraduate coursework to qualify for matriculated status must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in order to be considered for matriculation. (See also specific requirements for remedying deficiencies in the description of the degree program.)
3. Credits as a Non-Matriculated Student. Not more than 12 credits of graduate courses may be taken as a non-matriculated student, unless the student already holds another master's degree.
4. Independent Study. Graduate students may take a maximum of two independent study courses. Approval of the graduate program coordinator and the dean of the division is required.
5. Five-Year Time Limit. All credits for a graduate degree must be completed within five years. Extensions may be granted only with the written permission of the program coordinator.

   Grade Point Average for Retention. Students must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) to be retained in a graduate program. Students whose GPA falls below 3.0 are on probationary status. While they are on probationary status, their registration forms must be signed by the coordinator of their program. Students may raise their GPA only through enrollment in graduate courses approved by their program coordinator.

   Students on academic probation will not be dismissed but will be automatically continued on probation as long as they achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or better each year until they have reached the required minimum grade point average. Students who fail to achieve the minimum 3.5 grade point average for any year while on probation will be dismissed.

6. Grade Point Average for Graduation. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (B) in graduate-level courses in their program to graduate.
7. Grade Appeals. Students wishing to appeal a grade other than WU (withdrew unofficially) or FIN (F from incomplete) must do so within 60 school days, excepting summer session, following the end of the semester. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the chairperson of the department in which the course was offered. Upon receipt of the appeal, the chairperson shall direct the student to discuss the issue with the instructor who assigned the grade. If the issue remains unresolved, the student may request a review by the Department Committee on Grade Appeals, composed of three faculty members. The committee shall review all information presented by the student and the instructor and render a decision within 30 days after the student requested the grade review. If the committee upholds the appeal by a vote of 3-0, the chairperson shall change the grade to reflect the decision of the committee. If the committee does not uphold the student, there is no further appeal within the College.

   In all deliberations on grade appeals, the burden shall be on the student to prove that a violation of the College's regulations occurred or that the instructor's own stated criteria for grading, which shall have been enunciated at the beginning of the semester, have not been followed. Students needing advice on the procedure may consult a counselor.

   Students wishing to appeal a WU or a FIN grade must file a written petition supported by documentation to the Graduate Studies Committee.

8. Academic Dismissal. Students whose academic performance falls below the minimum requirements may be dismissed from the College upon review by the Graduate Studies Committee.
9. Graduation. Students who believe they will have fulfilled the degree requirements must file for graduation by the date specified in the College calendar in the Semester Bulletin. There is no fee for this application. Application for graduation may be submitted online at www.csi.cuny.edu/registrar or in person at The Hub, North Administration Building (2A), Room 106.