Academic Regulations

Course Numbering System And Requirements

Courses numbered 500–599 primarily serve as graduate courses taught at the graduate level, and are open to graduate students and qualified undergraduate students. Qualified undergraduate students seeking graduate credit are seniors with at least a 3.00 overall GPA, or students who have obtained permission from the course instructor and the chairman of the department offering the course, as well as the consent of the Dean of the Graduate School. (Refer to the graduate catalog section on Bradley Seniors Taking Courses for Graduate Credit for complete eligibility requirements.) Because these courses are not open to all undergraduates, no undergraduate program of study may require a student to enroll in a course numbered 500–599. Students who wish to use 500-level courses for undergraduate credit must meet the requirements imposed by the department and the college in which the course is offered. These college and departmental requirements are available in the appropriate college and department offices and in the Graduate School.

Courses numbered 600-699 are reserved for graduate students only. Courses numbered 700-899 are open only to students in doctoral programs.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites may be met by approved equivalent courses taken at other universities. You should consult your academic advisor if you have a question about prerequisites. Students who enroll in courses for which they do not meet the prescribed prerequisites may be required to withdraw from those courses. Prerequisite courses below 500 level are not eligible for Graduate School financial assistance.

Grading System

The grading system of the University which applies to graduate students is as follows:

A High Competence (4.0)
B Competence (3.0)
C Minimum Competence (2.0)
D Limited or Incomplete Competence (1.0)
F Inadequate Competence for Credit
W Official Withdrawal
IN Incomplete Work
IP Work in Progress
S Satisfactory
U Unsatisfactory

Only courses with a grade of “C” or higher can be used toward completion of degree requirements.

IN – Incomplete Work

  • “IN” is the symbol used when the instructor lacks sufficient evidence to award a letter grade. The purpose of an “IN” is to provide the time necessary for a student to complete coursework which, through no fault of the student’s, was not completed in the normal time allowed. Reasonable time necessary for completion is decided by the student and the faculty member teaching the course. The “IN,” once assigned, remains on the official academic record upon conversion to a grade or permanent “I.”
  • The “IN” should not be mistakenly considered as an incentive for the faculty to recommend or for students to believe that this extension permits students merely to retake courses, or to extend the time for the completion of the prescribed work beyond the end of the semester of enrollment, as a means of removing the “Incomplete.”
  • At the time the “IN” is assigned, the instructor and students must sign a contract specifying what must be done to complete the “IN” and the date by which the “IN” must be converted. Copies of the contract must be provided to the student, faculty member, graduate advisor, and Graduate School office. An “IN” must be converted not later than four weeks before the end of the next regular semester. Under unusual circumstances, the student may be granted an extension to the end of the semester with the approval of the instructor involved, provided that the request was received prior to the normal deadline for the removal of incompletes. If the instructor does not submit a letter grade by the specified deadline, an “I” will remain permanently upon the student’s record and may not thereafter be removed. Once a permanent “I” is recorded for a course, if a student must complete the course to fulfill degree requirements, the student will have to register for the course again and satisfactorily complete the course requirements.
  • Contracts are available in the Graduate School, 200 Bradley Hall, or from the graduate coordinator.

IP – Work in Progress

  • “IP” may be assigned to a student in a graduate course when the instructor agrees that the student requires more than one semester to complete the course. Normally, “IP” grades will only be assigned for thesis courses, other courses involving extensive projects involving research/creative production, or independent study courses. At the time the “IP” is assigned, the instructor and student must sign a contract specifying what must be done to complete the “IP” and the date by which the “IP” must be converted. The “IP,” once assigned, remains on the official academic record upon conversion to a grade or a permanent “I.” Copies of the contract must be provided to the student, faculty member, graduate advisor, and Graduate School Office. If the “IP” is not removed by the specified date, it will be recorded as a permanent “I.” Once a permanent “I” is recorded for a course, if a student must complete the course to fulfill degree requirements, the student will have to register for the course again and satisfactorily complete the course requirements.
  • Contracts are available in the Graduate School, 200 Bradley Hall, or from the graduate coordinator.

This is the official catalog for the 2014-2015 academic year. This catalog serves as a contract between a student and Bradley University. Should changes in a program of study become necessary prior to the next academic year every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes via the Dean of the College or Chair of the Department concerned, the Registrar's Office, u.Achieve degree audit system, and the Schedule of Classes. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of the current program and graduation requirements for particular degree programs.