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Academic Integrity at Boston College

The pursuit of knowledge can proceed only when scholars take responsibility and receive credit for their work. Recognition of individual contributions to knowledge and of the intellectual property of others builds trust within the University and encourages the sharing of ideas that is essential to scholarship. Similarly, the educational process requires that individuals present their own ideas and insights for evaluation, critique, and eventual reformulation. Presentation of others' work as one's own is not only intellectual dishonesty, but it also undermines the educational process. The Lynch School abides by the University鈥檚 policy on Academic Integrity outlined in the University Catalog.听

Lynch School students are encouraged to become familiar with these policies and procedures, as they are held responsible for this knowledge.听 Students with questions regarding what constitutes a violation of Boston College鈥檚 Academic Integrity Policy, especially with regard to specific courses and assignments, are invited and encouraged to ask these questions of their professors and the Associate Dean for Graduate Student Services.

Students are also expected to be familiar with the ethical standards of their profession. See the and the . Students are held to the professional standards outlined in these documents.

Violations of Academic Integrity听

Faculty, students, and community members who would like to report an allegation of an academic integrity violation should refer to the . Individuals who would like to discuss potential violations involving Lynch School graduate students prior to reporting through the form should contact the Associate Dean of Graduate Student Services.

Academic Progress & Good Standing

Academic progress and performance, satisfactory progress and performance in internships and practica, and progress and performance in other program specific degree requirements determine a student鈥檚 academic standing in his or her program and at the Lynch School of Education and Human Development. Students that are not meeting good standing in any manner may be placed under academic review and sanctioned appropriately for the concern. Sanctions may include, but not be limited to, academic warning, probation, suspension or dismissal from the program and/or LSEHD.

A student in one or more of the following situations is considered under academic review:

• the student鈥檚 cumulative grade point average (GPA) falls below 3.0;
• the student receives a grade of 鈥渋ncomplete鈥� for one or more courses in a given semester;
• the student has any incompletes that are not resolved by the end of the semester following the one in which the incomplete was obtained;
• the student has a C or F on their record;
• the student鈥檚 Program Director, Department Chair, or Practica Supervisor notifies the student is not meeting degree program expectations; and/or
• the student has withdrawn from two or more courses in the previous two or more semesters.

If a student is under academic review, the student will be notified in writing by the Graduate Office. The student will need to follow the instructions in their academic standing letter to demonstrate progress towards good academic standing.听

If a student does not engage with the Graduate Office in order to improve their academic standing, the student may be dismissed from the University听 the student will be placed on a leave and required to meet with the Associate Dean before continuing in their respective program. If the student does not engage for a period of two semesters, they will be withdrawn until contact is made. For more information regarding these procedures, please refer to the Advising Website.听

A student who has been dismissed may not register for further study unless reinstated by a majority vote of the faculty in her or his department. Under certain conditions, and with the recommendation of the student's Department Chair, a student may apply to the Associate Dean for reinstatement. Ordinarily, at least one semester or summer session must pass before reinstatement.

The program faculty will review a student's progress each academic year and will notify a student of any deficiencies that require correction. All required work in any course or component of the degree program must be completed by the date set for the course examination.

Academic Standards Committee

The Academic Standards Committee is comprised of faculty members and academic administrators in the Lynch School. This committee reviews all cases in which a student's academic record is poor and it recommends to the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies what action should be taken.

As a result of this review, the committee may recommend the student be placed on academic probation, dismissed from the program or some other appropriate sanction, depending on the severity of the academic problem. Students who have been placed on Academic Probation must complete the terms specified by the Committee before they can be considered for readmission to their program.

Attendance

Students are responsible for being familiar with and following the attendance policy in the University Graduate Catalog. In addition, each instructor has the right to specify their own, more stringent attendance policy for a course, provided it is clearly defined in the syllabus.

Absences for Religious Reasons

The Lynch School follows the policy set forth in the University Graduate Catalog.

Audits

Lynch School graduate students must consult the Graduate Office before they can audit a course. An audited course cannot count toward the degree requirements. Not all courses are eligible for audit and students must receive permission from the course instructor as well as the Graduate Office in order to audit a course.

Once approved, students enrolled in Lynch School degree and certificate programs may request their course grading be changed to audit and will be charged half the per-credit tuition rate.听 Students will not receive financial aid/tuition remission for audited courses and audited courses will not count toward degree programs. Please note, requests to audit a course received after the drop/add deadline must also be approved by the Director of Operations and Bursar for Student Services.

Students not enrolled in Lynch School degree or certificate programs can apply through the Admissions Office to audit Lynch School courses for half of the credit rate per course as non-degree students.

Comprehensive Exams

All graduate students must complete a comprehensive exam or equivalent requirement to complete a Lynch School program. Specific requirements for the exam are set by the program, and students should make inquiries regarding format, length, and scheduling of the exam to the appropriate department. The following grading scale is used for all comprehensive examinations: pass with distinction (PwD), pass (P), and fail (F).听

Master鈥檚 Students

Master鈥檚 students who have completed most of their coursework or are in the final semester of coursework should sit for the master鈥檚 comprehensive examination. All students must have completed any 鈥淚ncompletes鈥� and have filed an approved copy of their Program of Study before registering for the comprehensive exam.听听

Students must formally register for the comprehensive exam through EagleApps by the drop/add deadline for the semester they plan to complete the exam. There is no credit associated with the exam but it does carry full-time status for students. The following programs fulfill the comprehensive exam through a course and must register for the comprehensive exam at the same time as the course listed below:

• Educational Leadership and Policy, M.Ed. - ELHE7756 Reflection Seminar
• Global Perspectives, M.Ed. - EDUC7312 Action Research III
• Teacher Licensure Programs - EDUC7432 Graduate Inquiry II
  

A candidate who fails the Master's Comprehensive Examination may take it only one more time.

Doctoral Students

Doctoral students must successfully pass the Doctoral Comprehensive Examination and complete all course requirements in order to gain admission to听 Doctoral Candidacy. Students not taking another Boston College course for credit in the semester in which they will be taking the comprehensive exam must register for Doctoral Comprehensives for that semester. Students who are registered for a Boston College course for credit in the semester in which they are taking the exam do not register for the 1 credit Doctoral Comprehensive course.听

A student who fails the PhD Comprehensive examination may take it once again, no sooner than the following semester, and at a time designated by the Department. Ed.D. students should confirm with their Department Chair about the timing of a second administration of the Comprehensive Examination. In the case of a second failure, no further attempt is allowed.

Once the student has passed the comprehensive exams, the Department Office will send a letter officially recognizing his or her admission to candidacy.

Degree Completion Requirements

The University awards degrees in May, August, and December of each year. Commencement ceremonies are held only in May. Students who have completed all requirements for the degree before a specific graduation date are eligible to receive the degree as of the university鈥檚 next official graduation date. A diploma will not be dated before all work is completed. Students who graduate in December or August may participate in commencement exercises the following May.

In order to ensure timely clearance, all students who plan to graduate should confirm their diploma names online at bc.edu/myservices according to the deadline listed on the diploma name/address link.

Enrollment Status

In accordance with federal regulations, graduate students in the Lynch School are considered part-time when enrolled in at least 6 credits (typically two courses) and are considered full-time when enrolled in at least 9 credits (typically three courses).听

The credit amounts listed above are used to determine a student's enrollment status for loan deferments, immunizations, medical insurance requirements, and verifications requested by other organizations. However, individual programs may have different expectations for part-time or full-time status for degree completion purposes.

Official enrollment status is updated each semester based on a student鈥檚 registration. However, students may be granted 鈥淔ull-time Enrollment Status鈥� when registered for less than 9 credits if they fall into one of the following situations;

• Employed as a Graduate Assistant for academic and administrative departments, Teaching Fellows, or Research Assistants
• Enrolled in a full-time Student Teaching Practicum or Internship Experience as listed on their Program of Study
• Registered for Master鈥檚 Comprehensive Exam, Interim Study, Dissertation Direction, or Doctoral Continuation

Cross-Registration

Graduate students may be eligible to take courses in BC-affiliated consortia if the same courses are not offered at Boston College at any time during the academic year under the following programs of Cross-Registration.听

The Consortium

Lynch School graduate students may cross register for one course each fall and spring semester at Boston University, Brandeis University, or Tufts University. Students are not eligible to cross-register during summer terms. Please visit the Academic Forms page to access an editable version of the cross registration form.

Consortium for Graduate Studies in Gender, Culture, Women, and Sexuality

Graduate students enrolled in degree programs during the academic year may apply to participate in the Consortium for Graduate Studies in Gender, Culture, Women, and Sexuality, an inter-institutional enterprise established to advance the field of women's studies and enlarge the scope of graduate education through new models of team teaching and interdisciplinary study. Faculty and students are drawn from six member schools鈥擝oston College, Brandeis, Harvard, Northeastern, MIT, and Tufts. Graduate students enrolled in degree programs at Boston College may, with the permission of their department, apply to participate in this program. Registration forms will be mailed from the Consortium to accepted students.

For more information, visit the .

Grading Scale

The Lynch School adheres to the University policies on grading as outlined in the University Graduate Catalog. In each graduate course, in which a graduate or professional student is registered for graduate credit, the student will receive one of the following grades at the end of the semester: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C, F, W, J, U, P, S, or I.听

At the Lynch School, graduate students must earn an average of 鈥淏鈥� in all graduate courses and credit hours applicable to the degree except those that are listed as pass/fail, meaning students must maintain a 3.0 GPA.

A student who receives a grade of "C" or "I" in two courses (six semester hours) or a grade of "F" in an elective course (three semester hours) may be reviewed by the Academic Standards Committee and face academic disciplinary actions if necessary and as appropriate. A subsequent grade of "C" or "F" in an elective course may be grounds for dismissal from the Lynch School. A grade of "F" in a required course is grounds for review by the Academic Standards Committee and possible dismissal from the Lynch School. Please refer to the section on Academic Progress and Good Standing.

Incompletes

All required work in any course must be completed by the date set for the course examination. A student who has not completed the work for a course may request, with adequate reason and at the discretion of the instructor, to receive a temporary grade of Incomplete (I). Students requesting an incomplete must meet with their instructor and set up an academic plan with established deadlines for completion of all assignments. All "I" grades will automatically be changed to "F" based on Boston College鈥檚 schedule:

• Summer: August 1
• Fall: October 1听
• Spring: March 1听

Students may take no more than two incompletes during each semester. Students in teacher licensure programs are not eligible to participate in pre-practicum or full practicum experiences with an incomplete on their record and must complete all outstanding work and earn a grade before the start of their practicum experience.

Instructors are encouraged to establish a completion date prior to the Boston College dates listed above. If established deadlines fall after the dates listed above, and/or deadlines need to be extended or readjusted, the instructor must notify the Graduate Student Services team of this change and the student should submit the .

Instructors are encouraged to only grant incompletes if a student:

• Has completed at least 75% of the coursework and
• Has a C or better, or will earn a C or better after completing the remaining coursework

Please note if a student does not resolve their incomplete before the designated deadline set by the professor, they must meet with a staff member in the Graduate Student Support team.

If a student hasn't made any progress, their accounts will be put on hold, and they may be referred to academic review for lack of progress.听

An academic review may result in one or more of the following:

• academic probation;
• removal from coursework in the following semester;
• loss of financial aid; and/or
• removal from the graduate program after consultation by the Associate Dean of Graduate Student Services with the instructor and program coordinator.
  

Pass/Fail

Lynch School students may not opt to take courses as pass/fail unless the course is only offered as pass/fail.听

Grievance Policy

Students who believe they have been evaluated or treated unfairly may file a grievance with any academic, supervisory, or administrative decision/outcome related to their graduate program.听

Grievance Process

To begin the grievance process, the student should discuss the matter with the faculty member, supervisor or committee involved as soon as possible after the evaluation has been received or the grievance arises. This discussion should provide an opportunity for further dialogue and clarification between faculty and student about how the matter was determined, what criteria were used, and any related issues. If such a discussion results in a mutually acceptable resolution, the matter will be considered closed. If either party wishes to have a written statement of the outcome, the parties will put the resolution in writing, sign it, and each retain a copy. This written statement must be completed no later than two weeks after the mutually acceptable resolution has been reached.

If, however, a mutually acceptable disposition cannot be achieved, the student may present the matter in writing to the Chairperson of the department in which the faculty member, supervisor, or committee is located administratively. The student's written statement to the Chair must be submitted no later than two weeks from the date of the final meeting with the faculty member, supervisor, committee or program staff and clearly specify the nature of the complaint and the remedy requested.

The Chairperson will review the matter by meeting individually with each individual involved and reviewing any written materials related to the grievance. The Chairperson will meet again with the individuals involved, either separately or jointly or both, in an attempt to resolve the matter. The Chairperson will provide a written response within two weeks of this meeting. If a settlement is reached, it is to be put in writing and signed by the Chairperson and each of the parties, with each to retain a copy. If no resolution is reached, the Chairperson will prepare a written summary of events relevant to the grievance and provide a copy of it to the student and the faculty member or other individuals involved.

In the event that the grievance concerns treatment or evaluation in the practicum, the student should follow this same procedure, discussing the matter first with his or her field supervisor. If this discussion does not lead to resolution, the matter should be brought to the appropriate Director of Field Placements who will follow the guidelines described above for Department Chairs. If a field site grievance involves an organization other than Boston College, the student should pursue the grievance through that organization's applicable procedures. In such a case, the student is advised to inform his or her Lynch School supervisor of the grievance.

Appeal Process

If an undergraduate or graduate student is dissatisfied by the outcome of the discussions and process at the Chairperson level, the student may initiate a formal appeal. The student must initiate the appeal as early as possible, but not later than thirty (30) days after receiving the Chair鈥檚 resolution. A formal appeal consists of a written explanation of the grievance sent to the relevant Associate Dean of Graduate or Lynch Office of Undergraduate Programs, which should include the reasons the student believes the faculty member's, supervisor's, or committee鈥檚 evaluation was arbitrary, unethical, or based on extrinsic error, and the reasons why previous discussions were not satisfactory. The Associate Dean may request that the faculty member, the Chair and any other individual involved provide the Associate Dean with a written evaluation of the merit of the appeal and a summary of the attempts to resolve the grievance.

The Associate Dean will then convene an ad hoc committee composed of three members. Two members will be members of the Academics Standards Committee and will be appointed by the co-chairs of that committee. A third member will be appointed by the Associate Dean. If a student is appealing a decision of the Academic Standards Committee, no member of the Academic Standards Committee would be included in the ad hoc committee. The ad hoc committee will conduct an independent review of the grievance, which will include discussing the grievance with the Chair, the student, and other individuals involved. Within thirty (30) days of receiving the formal appeal, the ad hoc committee will provide a statement of the committee鈥檚 resolution of the matter to the student, the Department Chair involved in the earlier level of the process, the person(s) against whom the grievance was brought, and the Associate Dean.

If the student is dissatisfied with the conclusions of the ad hoc committee, the student may submit a written appeal to the Dean. The appeal must be submitted as soon as possible but no later than thirty (30) days after the student has received the conclusions of the ad hoc committee. A formal appeal to the Dean consists of a written explanation of the appeal which should include the reasons the student believes the faculty member's, supervisor's, or committee鈥檚 evaluation was arbitrary, unethical, or based on extrinsic error, and the reasons why previous discussions were not satisfactory. Copies of decisions made by the Department Chair and the ad hoc committee will be forwarded to the Dean for the Dean鈥檚 consideration in this review of the student鈥檚 appeal. Within thirty (30) days of receipt of the student鈥檚 appeal, the Dean will render a decision. The decision of the Dean is final, and will be communicated to the student in writing, with copies to the person(s) against whom the grievance was brought, and the relevant Department Chair and Associate Dean.

If a student鈥檚 grievance relates to the student鈥檚 legal rights under any law or regulation, the grievance will be addressed in accordance with the applicable legal requirements. In such cases, the faculty member or administrator responding to the grievance should consult with the Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs who will facilitate communication with the Office of the General Counsel.

In some cases, a student鈥檚 grievance may be more appropriately addressed by another University grievance procedure. Students should pursue the matter through that procedure. For example, students who wish to grieve treatment or evaluation related to their second major outside the Lynch School should follow the policies of the relevant department. If the student believes that he or she has experienced discriminatory harassment, the student should follow the discriminatory harassment policies described in the University Policy against Discriminatory Harassment in the Boston College Policies and Procedure Manual.

Leaves of Absence

The Lynch School adheres to the student separation policies set forth in the University Graduate Catalog.

Master's students who do not register for courses or Interim Study in any given semester must submit the . The Associate Dean of Graduate Student Services will review the leave request.

A leave of absence is granted for no more than two semesters. When taking a leave of absence after the withdrawal deadline of the current semester, students must remain on leave through the following semester. Students are not eligible for financial aid or funding while on leave.

Readmission Application

Graduate students requesting readmission from a Leave of Absence must contact Graduate Student Services at least two weeks prior to the start of semester in which they expect to re-enroll. The Readmission Request Form should be submitted to the Graduate Student Services form submission link for approval.听

A student seeking readmission must meet the following conditions in order to be considered for readmission:

• Must be in good academic standing;
• GPA of 3.0 or aboveNo more than 2 C鈥檚 or 1 F
• Should be making satisfactory academic progress, with no incompletes on their record; and
• Have no academic, financial or health services holds on their account.

Students who do not meet the conditions above should consult Graduate Student Services prior to submitting the Graduate Readmission Request.

Graduate Student Parental and Adoption Accommodation Policy

Boston College recognizes the importance of family obligations to its graduate students. Any full-time graduate student in good academic standing who is the parent of a newborn child or an adoptive child under the age of 13 newly placed in the home is eligible for accommodation. This student accommodation is not an employee medical leave or an absence from the academic program.

Following the birth of a child, a graduate student who is the parent of the child is eligible for an accommodation extending for a period of up to twelve consecutive weeks. A graduate student who is the parent of an adoptive child under the age of 13 newly placed in the home is eligible for an accommodation extending for a period of up to twelve consecutive weeks immediately following the placement of the child in the home. The accommodation must be taken within the 12-month period following birth or placement of the child.

During the accommodation period, the graduate student will be relieved of the service requirements that accompany his or her funding. During the remainder of the semester (before and/or after the accommodation period), the student鈥檚 program will assign service duties consistent with the academic nature of a graduate assistantship.

During the accommodation period, the graduate student may attend classes and work on course assignments to the extent possible. The student and graduate program director should work with the professors in these courses to adjust attendance requirements, assignment deadlines, and exam dates during the accommodation period to the extent reasonably possible. Graduate program directors and professors should work with graduate students to establish appropriate timetables for completing coursework and exams during the semester in which the accommodation is taken.

Funding provided by the University, including funding for health insurance, will continue during theaccommodation period. In addition:

• The accommodation policy will not extend the total number of years of funding available to a student.
• Students who receive an accommodation under this policy will automatically receive a one-semester extension to their maximum time to complete their degree for every childbirth or adoption placement. Total extensions invoked under this policy will ordinarily not exceed a year.
• For students with 9-month stipends, funding is for the academic year only.

Students funded by government grants or other external sources must follow the policies of their funding agency. If external funding is suspended or reduced during the accommodation period, the university will assume funding responsibility for the accommodation period. Details of the arrangement should be worked out in writing between the student, graduate program director, and the Associate Dean for graduate Academic Affairs and reported to the Vice Provost for Faculties before the accommodation period begins.

Graduate students anticipating a childbirth or adoption accommodation must notify their advisor and submit a written request to their graduate program director and the Associate Dean. The Associate Dean will inform the Vice Provost for Faculties of all such requests. Requests for accommodation should be made as soon as practicable and ideally no less than three months before the expected start of the accommodation period in order to allow appropriate arrangements to be made to cover any teaching, teaching assistantship, or research responsibilities. Departments are encouraged to work out specific arrangements with students, on a case-by-case basis, within the broad framework of this policy.

Program of Study

The Program of Study (PoS) is the roadmap to completing a degree at the Lynch School. The forms can be found online and outline the courses required in each program. For more information about the Program of Study, please visit the .

All students are required to submit a Program of Study by deadlines set by their program. Failure to submit a Program of Study by the appropriate deadline results in an academic hold placed on the student鈥檚 account and makes the student ineligible to graduate until a correct Program of Study is submitted.

Any time a student makes extensive changes to their Program of Study, such as a change in their electives, their graduation term, or their concentration, a new Program of Study must be submitted for approval.

Some changes to the Program of Study can be represented through a Course Substitution or Course Waiver form, without resubmission of the Program of Study. Students should confer with their advisor or the Graduate Office to determine which paperwork is needed.

Course Waivers

Students who have completed similar graduate level work or who have previous work experience or who majored in a similar content area may be permitted to waive required coursework. Students must submit an official Course Waiver form, along with the appropriate supporting documentation, to the Graduate Office for review.听

Course Waivers should be discussed with a student鈥檚 advisor, and approval of waivers is up to the discretion of the advisor and Associate Dean of Graduate Student Services. Students who waive courses will still be required to complete the minimum number of credits required for their degree program.

Course Substitution

Students who are replacing a program requirement with a course approved by their Academic Advisor may submit a Course Substitution form. Approval of substitutions is up to the discretion of the advisor and Associate Dean of Graduate Student Services.

Independent Study/Readings & Research

Students are eligible to take an Independent Study/ Readings and Research course as part of their coursework if an equivalent course is not offered. Permission must be secured from the supervising faculty member and the proposed course must be an approved part of the student鈥檚 program of study.

Students must complete the Readings and Research form, get it approved by the faculty supervisor and then return it to the Graduate Office in order to be officially registered through EagleApps.听

The maximum number of Readings and Research courses that are permitted within any given degree is limited by University policy to the number of electives within a student鈥檚 degree program. The Department Chairs and/or Program Coordinator may choose to further limit the number of Readings and Research courses permitted in a particular program.

Time-to-Degree

All requirements for Lynch School programs must be completed within the parameters listed below:听

• All master's degree programs must be completed within five consecutive years from the first term in which a student is officially registered for a course at Boston College.听
• All requirements for the Ph.D. programs must be completed within eight consecutive years from the first term in which a student is officially registered for a course at Boston College.听
• All requirements for the Ed.D. programs must be completed within three consecutive years from the first term in which a student is officially registered for a course at Boston College.听

Any time away from the University counts towards the maximum duration of completion of a program. Students may petition for extension of time if they will exceed the maximum duration of their program. Students should meet with the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and submit the appropriate Petition for Extension of Time.

Transfer of Credit

Requests to transfer credits from another university must be reviewed and approved by a student鈥檚 academic advisor and the Associate Dean of Graduate Student Services. Graduate students may request a transfer of no more than six graduate credits. Only courses in which a student has received a grade of B or better, and which have not been applied to a prior degree, will be considered eligible for transfer.听

Credit received for courses completed more than ten years prior to a student's admission to their current degree program are not acceptable for transfer.听

If approved, the transfer course and credit, but not the grade, will be recorded on the student's academic record.听听

Official requests for a Transfer of Credit should be submitted to the Graduate Office and must include the Graduate Transfer Request Form as well as an official copy of the transcript(s) listing the transfer courses.听

Courses taken within the Boston-area Consortium during fall or spring semester are not considered transfer courses, since the student registers for these through Boston College. However, all summer courses taken outside of Boston College (including summer courses taken within the Consortium) are considered transfer credits and count towards the 6 credit limit for transfer credits.

Withdrawal from the University

Graduate students may choose to withdraw from the program if they are unable to complete their program of studies in a consistent and timely manner or do not wish to continue their studies.听

Students who wish to withdraw must complete the . Completion of this form will result in permanent separation of the student from the University.