- Return to Complete Graduate Program Table of Contents
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Higher Education Administration (MHEA)
- Master of Public Administration (MPA)
- Applying for Admission
- Graduate Cost to Attend
- Financial Aid
- Online Program Information
- U.S. Center Program Information
- Delivery, Schedule, and Refund
- Classification and Courseloads
- Grading System
- Graduation and Beyond
- Course Descriptions
Grading System
Grades in the program are:
A 4.00 A- 3.67 B+ 3.33 B 3.00 B- 2.67 C+* 2.33 C 2.00 C- 1.67 F 0.00
* C+ grades and lower are below the standard expected of graduate learners.
Individual instructors have the academic freedom to implement +/- grades in their courses at their discretion.
P – Pass, for internship only
I – Incomplete
A grade of I is given only under extreme circumstances and is determined by the faculty member involved and the program office. After the grade of I is given, the work must be completed by the date agreed upon, no later than eight weeks following the end of the course. If the work is not completed within that period of time, a letter grade (A-F) will be issued based on the work completed in relation to the total course requirements.W – Withdrawal
The grade W is used to denote courses dropped (learner initiated) between the first and the fifth week of an eight-week term. Courses no longer attended after the fifth of the eight-week term will be issued a letter grade based on work completed in relation to total course requirements.AW – Administrative Withdrawal
The grade AW is assigned to courses in which the learner has been administratively withdrawn.NA – Non-Attendance
If you have not attended class (or posted in an online class one or more notes to the main class meeting during the first week of the term) you will be considered to be in non-attendance and will be withdrawn from the course. An NA will be recorded on your transcript and financial aid funding will be affected. Excessive NA grades may lead to disciplinary action.
Grade reports are furnished to all learners at the end of each scheduled term. Grades leading to academic concern, warning, or suspension apply to one three-semester credit course or any combination of courses that equal three semester credits. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in graduate-level courses is required to receive a graduate degree from Upper Iowa University.
Learners must repeat a core or emphasis course in which an F is earned. Learners may repeat an elective course in which an F grade is earned. If a grade of A or B is awarded for the repeated course, warning status may be lifted and the F will not be considered for future warning or suspension. This option does not apply when the F combined with other grades qualifies the learner for dismissal.
The grade for any given course is based on the achievement or success of the learner as defined by the individual instructor. This may be a quantitative score or a qualitative and subjective decision. The grade received for a course is final unless the instructor makes a formal grade change.
Learners dissatisfied with their grade should discuss their concerns first with the instructor and then with the MBA, MHEA or MPA Program Coordinator. If a learner still wishes to appeal a grade, the following procedures shall be initiated within one term after the term for which the grade is recorded:
- The learner will contact the instructor to ensure the grade assigned was correct and/or to request an explanation of how the grade was calculated.
- The learner will notify both the instructor and the MBA, MHEA or MPA Program Coordinator in writing that he or she will appeal the grade received for a specific course.
- The learner will submit, in writing, a request to change the grade to the Dean of the Extended University, PO Box 1857, Fayette, IA 52142 or email euacademicaffairs@uiu.edu. The request should specify why the grade received is not correct and the proposed change in grade. If you are contesting a charge of cheating or plagiarism you are required to submit the document in question in an electronic format i.e. by disk or as an e-mail attachment when making your request to the Dean. This document may be submitted to a plagiarism detection service.
- The Dean of the Extended University will review the learner's appeal, contacting the instructor and any additional personnel as needed to discuss the conflicting issues.
- The Dean of the Extended University will render a written decision within sixty days of receiving the request for grade change.
- To appeal this decision a written request must be sent to the Senior Vice President for the Academic Extension, PO Box 1857, Fayette, IA 52142 within 30 days of the Dean’s decision.
Graduate Standard of Academic Progress
The graduate learner has a responsibility to demonstrate the ability to successfully complete graduate-level study. If you are enrolled in at least three semester credits per term in the graduate program, you are expected to be able to meet or exceed the completion and GPA standards stated below. These standards serve as guidelines for the Academic Review Committee (ARC) to use in determining whether or not a learner will be able to progress toward the 3.0 GPA graduation requirement.
| Semester Credit Completion Standards Per Term | |
| Semester Credits Attempted | Semester Credits Earned |
| 3 or more | 3 semester credits |
If you register for but do not successfully complete at least three semester credits in each of two terms, a letter of concern is issued; three terms, you are placed on academic warning; four terms you are academically suspended. These guidelines are used to determine satisfactory progress over a continuous six terms of enrollment.
Grades of Pass, A-F, Withdrawals, Administrative Withdrawals, repeated courses, and incomplete courses will be considered as hours attempted in the completion standards. Noncredit courses are not considered in either credits attempted or accumulated.
Each term the ARC meets to review the records of all learners not meeting the guidelines stated above. The committee will determine the academic status of each learner reviewed, and the following consequences will ensue:
Letter of Concern
A learner who receives one grade of C+, C or C- is sent a Letter of Concern, which notifies the learner that his/her academic record will be closely monitored.
Warning
A learner who receives one grade of F or two grades of C+, C or C- is placed on academic warning. A notice of warning status is mailed to the learner and his or her graduate advisor. An entry of this action is recorded on the learner's transcript. Learners are advised to contact the Financial Aid Office concerning consequences regarding financial aid.
The learner will be removed from academic warning status if he or she subsequently completes six credits with grades of B- or better; however, the grade of C+, C or C- or F previously acquired remains on the learner's academic record and may contribute to suspension status.
Suspension
A learner who receives a grade of C+, C or C- and a grade of F or two grades of F or three grades of C+, C or C- is suspended from the program for at least one full term. An entry of this action is made on the learner's academic record. Learners are advised to contact the Financial Aid Office concerning consequences regarding financial aid. Suspension from the program may be permanent.
Appeal for Reinstatement
If suspended, learners may submit a written appeal to the Dean of the Extended University within two weeks of receiving the suspension letter. The appeal will be forwarded to the ARC for consideration. Any significant party (such as a graduate advisor) will be invited to review the appeal. Learners will be advised in writing of the ARC’s decision within three weeks.
Readmission
If suspended, a learner may apply for readmission to Upper Iowa University by demonstrating, in writing to the Dean of the Extended University, a reasonable capability to raise and maintain a learner's cumulative GPA or make satisfactory progress toward the degree. The ARC will either approve or deny readmission, and learners will be notified of the decision in writing by the Dean of the Extended University. Copies of the notification will be sent to the Registrar's Office, Financial Aid Office, Business Office, and your program office.
Reenrollment
When a learner returns from suspension, he/she must register for classes through the appropriate program office and will return to academic warning status. If a learner does not satisfactorily progress off academic warning, he/she may become a candidate for academic suspension again. Two academic suspensions from Upper Iowa University may warrant permanent suspension from the University.
Standard of Academic Progress and Financial Aid
Financial aid may be available to a learner as long as the Academic Review Committee determines that the learner is making sufficient progress to meet graduation requirements. Should a learner be suspended, all financial aid will be terminated as of the date of suspension.
A learner readmitted to Upper Iowa University on academic warning will be eligible for financial aid after obtaining approval from the Director of Financial Aid. Application for reinstatement of financial aid must be made in writing to the Director of Financial Aid. The learner will be notified of the Director's decision within two weeks of receipt of the application. If financial aid is reinstated, the learner will be required to conference with the director or director designee before any aid will be dispersed. The first term of financial aid eligibility after reinstatement will be probationary. If the learner fails to show progress toward graduation requirements during that term, further financial aid eligibility will be terminated.
Certain rules and regulations govern awarding or continuation of Veterans Administration assistance and other financial aid that comes from federal or state government sources. Decisions on continuation or termination of Veterans Administration assistance are made by the Veterans Administration. Payment must be withheld if, in accordance with the standards and practices of Upper Iowa University, a learner is not maintaining satisfactory progress in the course of study being pursued.
Graduation and Beyond
Commencement
Diplomas are issued six times each year; however, only one formal commencement ceremony is held each year in Fayette, IA in May. UIU encourages learners to participate in its formal commencement ceremony even if a learner's graduation date falls earlier in the academic year. Learners who graduate in June or August may elect to participate either in the preceding May commencement or the following May commencement. Learners at International Center Programs should contact local staff for commencement information regarding both Fayette Campus and local graduation ceremonies.
As a candidate for graduation, regardless of whether you plan to participate in the commencement ceremony, you must file an application for graduation with your program office or graduate advisor (applications are available from your program). Processing of academic transcripts and diplomas are prioritized by the date the applications are received by your program office. Deadlines for submitting applications for graduation are as follows:
| Graduation month | Application due |
| May or June | February 14 |
| August | June 24 |
| (If participating in preceding May ceremony) | February 14 |
| October | July 24 |
| December | September 24 |
| February | November 5 |
Applications received after the deadline will be honored at the next graduation date. There is an application fee of $65 (even if you choose not to attend commencement).
A learner will have five years after initial enrollment in the first of either a foundational or graduate level course to complete the graduate program under the requirements in effect at the time of enrollment. If the learner does not complete the graduate degree program within the five-year period, the requirements in effect at the time of the next enrollment will be used to determine the learner's graduation requirements. Upper Iowa University reserves the right to make changes in its academic regulations and requirements when, in its judgment, the best interests of the institution are served.
- The learner must request official transcripts in writing. A transcript request form is available at www.uiu.edu. A $5 fee is required for all transcripts that are mailed and a $8 fee is required for faxed transcripts. If you are faxing your request, include an address where you can be billed. Mail transcript requests to: Registrar's Office, PO Box 1857, Fayette, IA 52142. Fax transcripts to 563-425-5287. A complimentary transcript is provided with the diploma.
- Any transcript of grades to date sent by the Registrar's Office prior to graduation is considered an official transcript.
- The Registrar's Office issues diplomas to graduate learners who have completed all degree requirements and whose accounts are paid in full.
- Diplomas will normally be available six to eight weeks after the graduation date, and are mailed by the Registrar's Office.
All fees are in U.S. dollars.
Career Services, located on the Fayette Campus, is available to help learners explore career opportunities with an employment advisory service providing bimonthly listings of employment opportunities, credential files and job-finding resources. Learner referrals are not based on direct contact. A program is available for personal assessment to help plan your career. Neither Career Services nor Upper Iowa University guarantees employment. For further information, call 563-425-5208. Career Services information is also available at www.uiu.edu or careers@uiu.edu.
605 Washington St.
P.O. Box 1857
Fayette, Iowa 52142
800-553-4150 (toll free)
(563) 425-5200
info@uiu.edu
