Academic Policies



Graduation Requirements


Students must complete  36-54 credit hours, based on their individualized degree plan, from the following areas prior to graduation:

 

  1. The degree candidacy admission standard
  2. Phase I - Foundation Course requirements
  3. Phase II - Core Course requirements
  4. Phase III - Concentration Area Course requirements
  5. Phase IV - Elective Course
  6. A minimum 3.00 GPA ("B" average)
  7. All financial obligations to Lewis University
  8. An application for Graduation  through the Registrar's office (semester prior to anticipated graduation)

 

 

Academic Probation / Dismissal From Program


Any student whose GPA is below the acceptable 3.00 minimum after three courses, or one eight-week session, whichever occurs first, will be placed on probation for the following eight-week session. Students who do not increase their GPA to 3.00 in the following eight-week session may be dismissed from the MBA Program.

 

 

Transfer of Graduate Credit


Students entering the Lewis MBA Program with appropriate prior graduate coursework in business may have a maximum of nine credit hours beyond Phase I (foundation level) applied to their Lewis MBA course requirements (Phase II, III, and IV).

Course credit eligible for transfer consideration must meet the following criteria:

  1. All transfer credit must have been earned prior to matriculation in the Lewis MBA Program
  2. The coursework must have been completed at an accredited graduate school
  3. A minimum grade of "B" must have been earned for the course
  4. The coursework must have been an equivalent in the Lewis MBA curriculum.

Time commitment


Graduate level study requires a significant commitment of time. Because of the concentrated, 8-week course schedule, it is crucial that students attend all class meetings. Students should expect two to three hours of home work for every class hour. Thus, a four-hour class may result in a substantial number of study hours outside the classroom.

Assignments must be submitted on time, or a course grade could be jeopardized. Although most instructors will try to make arrangements for a student whose work demands travel, this may not be possible in all cases. Students are responsible for informing instructors in advance of known absences and as soon as possible in the case of emergencies.

Course Load


The Graduate School of Management strongly recommends that students who are employed full time enroll in no more than one course each eight-week session, for a total of six credit hours per semester.

A course load of three classes (9 credit hours) each semester is considered full-time, and is only advised for students who are not employed or are only minimally employed.

Outcomes Assessment


The program reserves the right to require students to participate in institutional testing programs as part of ongoing assessment of student outcomes.

Withdrawing from a Course


Students should consult with their advisor and the course instructor when considering withdrawal from a course. Refunds are made in accordance with the University policy regarding refunds.

When students officially withdraw by the deadline set for each term, they will receive a grade of "W", which has no effect on the GPA. A student who has not officially withdrawn from a course will receive a final grade of "F".

Incomplete Grade


Incomplete work must be completed within the first six weeks of the following semester or the grade of "F" automatically will be assigned for the course.

Class Attendance


Students are expected to attend scheduled classes regularly. Each instructor specifies the class attendance policy in the course syllabus which is distributed at the beginning of each course.

NOTE: A student registered for a Saturday course may not register for a weekend MBA seminar.

Timeframe for Completion of Degree Requirements


The maximum time allowed to complete all degree requirements is eight consecutive years from the date of matriculation.

Interruption of Studies


Any student who has not taken a Lewis MBA course for two years will be required to:

  1. Submit a new application
  2. Meet all requirements for Degree Candidacy before being allowed to resume studies

Proficiency Examinations


Students who believe they have a strong background in the subject matter of a foundation course, but who do not meet the academic waiver guidelines as described above may petition the GSM for a proficiency examination. Proficiency exams must be completed within the first semester of study.

One attempt is allowed per course. A student who earns a "B-" or higher on a proficiency examination is allowed to waive the course.