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2022-2023 SCS Academic Rules and Regulations
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Welcome 6
University Mission Statement 7
School Mission Statement 7
Jesuit Values at Georgetown University: The Spirit of Georgetown 7
Accreditation & Certification Information 9
Disclaimer, Website, and Update Information 10
Owner of Institution 10
University Policies 10
Responsibilities of the Revenue and Receivables Department 10
Course Registration and Tuition Liability and Fees 13
Educational Records Policy 14
Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination in Education 18
Policy Statement on Harassment (Related to Protected Categories) 18
Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment 19
Title IX Pregnancy Modifications and Adjustments 19
Accommodating Students’ Religious Observances Policy 19
The Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act 20
Change of Address 20
Directory Information Disclosure Policy 20
Emergency Closures, Preparedness, and University Safety 20
HOYAlert 21
Academic Integrity & Student Conduct 21
Human Subjects Research 23
Student Conduct, Civility, and Engagement 23
Program Enrollment & Course Registration 24
Technology Skills Required 24
Technology Equipment Required 24
Transfer Credits 25
Undergraduate Certificates 25
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies 25
Graduate Certificates 26
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Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, Master of Professional Studies, Executive Master of
Professional Studies, and Doctor of Liberal Studies 26
Transfer Credit through the Consortium (MPS, DLS, and BALS) 28
Use of Earned Credits When Applying to Another SCS Program 29
Advanced Standing (DLS Program Only) 30
Waiver Requests: MPS Foundation Courses 30
Continuous Enrollment Requirements 31
Student Responsibility for Degree Planning 31
Internships and On-Site Practical Experiences for Credit 31
Traveling for Study Tours, Residencies, and Other Georgetown Sponsored Events 32
Independent Studies and Tutorials 32
Course Modalities (On-Campus & Online Courses) 33
Graduate Programs: Degree and Certificate 33
Changing the Primary Modality Designation 36
Academic Calendar 36
Student Responsibility for Registration Decisions 36
Student Enrollment Status 37
Provisional, Non-Degree Enrollment 37
Part-Time Student Status 38
Full-Time Student Status 38
Registration Holds 39
Leaves of Absence 39
Personal Leave of Absence 40
Medical Leave of Absence 41
Military Leave of Absence 42
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for Financial Aid 46
Withdrawal 46
Course Withdrawal 46
Program Withdrawal 46
Retroactive Course Withdrawal 47
SCS Academic Council 48
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Certificate and Degree Time Limits 48
Academic Overload 49
Re-Admission after Prior Attendance 49
Re-Enrollment after Prior Attendance 50
Termination and Dismissal Appeals 51
Grades & Grading 52
Undergraduate Grading System 52
Graduate Grading System 52
Grading Scales 53
Course Syllabi and Grading Criteria 54
Incomplete Grades and Deadlines 54
Repeating a Course 56
Course Grade Changes and Time Limits 58
Course Grade Appeals 58
Academic Standing 60
Undergraduate Certificate Academic Standing 61
Bachelor of Liberal Arts Academic Standing 61
Graduate Certificate Academic Standing 62
Professional Studies Academic Standing 63
Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Academic Standing 64
Doctor of Liberal Studies Academic Standing 66
Certificate to Degree Matriculation 66
Earning an embedded graduate certificate as an MPS Student 67
Eligibility for Graduate Certificates 67
MPS Alumni seeking Graduate Certificates (post-MPS graduation) 67
Certificate Completion 68
Application to Complete 68
Certificate Distribution 68
Graduation (For Degree Seekers) 68
Application to Graduate 68
Degree Conferral 69
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Welcome
Welcome to Georgetown University and the academic programs in the School of Continuing
Studies (SCS).
Students should familiarize themselves with all of the rules, regulations, and procedures relevant
to pursuing a degree at SCS and attendance at Georgetown. In addition to the information in this
handbook, students are responsible for adhering to all policies set forth by their academic
program, as well as University regulations including but not limited to: registration, withdrawal,
and refund deadlines, the Honor System, the Code of Student Conduct. Students in the BALS
program must also adhere to the guidelines set forth in the Undergraduate Bulletin
(https://bulletin.georgetown.edu/scs).
Unawareness of these rules will not be accepted as an excuse for failure to act in accordance with
them. Students should seek clarification from their academic advisors regarding any policies or
regulations they have questions about.
Sincerely,
The Office of Academic Affairs and Compliance
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University Mission Statement
Georgetown is a Catholic and Jesuit, student-centered research university. Established in 1789 in
the spirit of the new republic, the university was founded on the principle that serious and
sustained discourse among people of different faiths, cultures, and beliefs promotes intellectual,
ethical and spiritual understanding. We embody this principle in the diversity of our students,
faculty and staff, our commitment to justice and the common good, our intellectual openness and
our international character.
An academic community dedicated to creating and communicating knowledge, Georgetown
provides excellent undergraduate, graduate and professional education in the Jesuit tradition for
the glory of God and the well-being of humankind. Georgetown educates women and men to be
reflective lifelong learners, to be responsible and active participants in civic life and to live
generously in service to others.
School Mission Statement
To deliver a world-class, values-based education to a diverse array of communities and
individuals throughout their academic and professional careers; to improve employability and
develop workforces; and to contribute to building a civic-minded, well-informed, and globally
aware society.
Jesuit Values at Georgetown University: The Spirit of Georgetown
https://missionandministry.georgetown.edu/thespiritofgeorgetown/values#community
By its very definition as a Jesuit school, Georgetown is an inclusive community that welcomes
students and faculty members from all backgrounds. In the words of Father Philip Borroughs,
former Vice President for Mission and Ministry at Georgetown, “Because we respect the wide
variety of religious and humanist perspectives of our colleagues, we often describe ourselves as a
'centered pluralism.' In other words, as we cherish Catholic and Jesuit identity which centers this
great University, we also respect and engage the plurality of traditions which are held by
members of our community.”
Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the core values that define the
University. We understand and appreciate that some of these values will resonate more directly
with some students than others; however, our hope is that our students will endeavor to find
ways to incorporate these values into their academic experience as they deem appropriate and
practical.
The following text is quoted directly from the website listed above: A Jesuit institution,
Georgetown is grounded in a 450-year-old educational tradition inspired by St. Ignatius of
Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus. Today, as a consequence of this long tradition, we
can identify a number of characteristics or values that inspire our University and that are referred
to in our University Mission Statement, our institutional documents, and our iconography.
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The following values and definitions will help you to understand what makes Georgetown such
an inviting and distinctive educational community. And just as Bishop Carroll welcomed
Georgetown students from various religious and cultural backgrounds, we hope that whatever
traditions you bring to this University community, you will find here values that you can
appropriate in your own distinct way.
"Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam" (For the Greater Glory of God), the motto of the Society of Jesus,
appears over the entrance to Wolfington Hall, the Jesuit Residence on campus, and above the
stage in Gaston Hall. This motto identifies the religious purpose of all Jesuit endeavors. It is not
simply doing good that Jesuits propose, but rather doing what will better or more effectively
reveal God's active presence in our work and in our world. Discerning what is better is always an
important principle of Jesuit decision-making.
Contemplation in Action St. Ignatius believed that prayer and reflectivity should so guide our
choices and actions that our activity itself becomes a way of entering into union with and
praising God. Contemplation is a critical dimension of the spiritual life and it is reflected in
Georgetown's commitment to prayer, worship and retreats. Analogously, in the academic life, a
spirit of reflectivity is a critical aspect of intellectual inquiry.
Academic Excellence In 1547, the first Jesuits were invited to begin a college in Messina, Italy,
so that the young men of that town could receive the same quality of education that the early
Jesuits promoted in training their own. Georgetown University is a descendant of this original
Jesuit commitment to education. Academic excellence describes the great importance that Jesuits
have placed on the life of the mind as a means for uncovering truth and discovering meaning.
Georgetown's emphasis on academic excellence is reflected 26 in the careful selection of faculty
and students, the quality of teaching and the importance of research on our campus, and it has led
to our recognition as one of the top 25 universities in the United States.
Educating the Whole Person St. Ignatius believed that God could be discovered in every human
endeavor, in every facet of learning and experience, and in every field of study. Consequently, he
promoted the development of the spiritual, intellectual, artistic, social and physical aspects of
each person. Georgetown's commitment to educating the whole person is evident in our strong
core curriculum, our wide array of academic programs and our commitment to athletic, living-
learning and religiously-centered communities.
"Cura Personalis" This Latin phrase translates as "Care of the Person," and originally was used to
describe the responsibility of the Jesuit Superior to care for each man in the community with his
unique gifts, challenges, needs and possibilities. This value now is applied more broadly to
include the relationship between educators and students and professional relationships among all
those who work in the University. "Cura Personalis" suggests individualized attention to the
needs of the other, distinct respect for his or her unique circumstances and concerns, and an
appropriate appreciation for his or her particular gifts and insights.
Faith and Justice In 1965, following the 31st General Congregation of the Society of Jesus, the
Jesuits made a significant institutional commitment to "the service of faith and the promotion of
justice." This commitment links the authentic following of the Gospel of Jesus with an obligation
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to address the social realities of poverty, oppression and injustice. While not all members of the
Georgetown community would base their commitment to justice on these religious principles,
our institutional commitment to promote justice in the world grounds our Center for Social
Justice Research, Teaching and Service, and inspires numerous University projects with the
underserved.
Women and Men for Others Fr. Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Superior General of the Society of Jesus
from 1965 to 1981, employed the phrase "Men for Others" in a notable 1973 presentation in
Valencia, Spain. Father Arrupe provocatively challenged the alumni of Jesuit schools and
universities to be engaged in the struggle for justice to protect the needs of the most vulnerable.
Today, this phrase has become more inclusive and its spirit is evidenced in Georgetown's
promotion of service-learning; our local, national and international service projects; and the
impressive commitments of our graduates to serve in organizations such as the Jesuit Volunteer
Corps and the Jesuit Volunteer Corps International, Teach for America, and the Peace Corps.
Interreligious Understanding Reflecting themes from the Second Vatican Council, the 34th
General Congregation of the Society of Jesus made a significant commitment to ecumenical and
interreligious engagement and understanding. As the Georgetown University community
comprises a wide variety of religious traditions, our Office of Campus Ministry supports Roman
Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Jewish and Muslim chaplaincies, a variety of affiliated
ministries, and numerous ecumenical and interreligious events and services. In addition, the
University sponsors the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding
the Program for Jewish Civilization; the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs;
the Catholic Studies Program; and a partnership with the Woodstock Theological Center.
Community in Diversity As a Catholic and Jesuit University, the Georgetown community
welcomes and sustains rich diversity among our students, faculty and staff. Approximately 52
percent of our student body are women, 22 percent of our undergraduate students are from a
minority ethnic background, and over 2,000 students, faculty and researchers come from 130
foreign countries. The University supports the diversity of our community through a variety of
resources that include the Diversity Action Council, the Center for Minority Educational Affairs,
the Patrick F. Healy Fellows Program, the LGBTQ Resource Center and a wide array of student
cultural and performance groups. These values are central to the identity of Georgetown
University, and each generation of students, faculty and staff is invited to engage them in ways
that sustain our Jesuit character.
Accreditation & Certification Information
Georgetown University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education,
3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. The Commission on Higher Education is an
institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council
for Higher Education Accreditation.
The Commission is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education for accrediting activities in
the Middle States region, which includes the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, New
Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Institutions based
outside of the United States, whether or not chartered or licensed within the Middle States
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region, may not make reference to the Commission's recognition by the U.S. Secretary of
Education. Any reference to accredited status may not imply that the Secretary's recognition of
the agency extends to foreign institutions.
Disclaimer, Website, and Update Information
The University may update its policies, procedures, admissions requirements, curriculum, course
offerings and requirements, course delivery modes or methods (including whether virtual or in
person), arrangement of courses, academic and semester calendar, schedule, and duration
graduation or degree requirements, conditions for eligibility for financial aid, tuition rates and
fees, and resources and programming offered to students at any time for any reason.
Any updates made to the Handbook will be communicated to students. It is the responsibility of
each student to keep well-informed with respect to the policies and requirements in this
Handbook and all other policies of the University, school, and program in which they are
enrolled. This Handbook applies to current students and is not a contract.
Owner of Institution
Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit, congressional chartered institution of higher
education located in Washington, DC. As a private corporation, Georgetown University is
governed by the President and the Board of Directors. The names of the Board of Directors for
Georgetown University are listed on the University’s website:
http://www.georgetown.edu/about/board-of-directors/index.html
University Policies
I. Responsibilities of the Revenue and Receivables Department
The Revenue and Receivables department (RR) is responsible for accurate assessment of charges
to students’ accounts, timely issuance of billing statements and processing of payments to
Georgetown University for charges assessed to students’ accounts, and for refunding
overpayment of students’ accounts in accordance with Georgetown University policy and federal
law. Students and individuals authorized by students to access student account information may
contact RR by phone at 202-687-7100, or by email at stude[email protected], and can
expect a response within two business days.
II. Responsibilities of Students
By the act of registration, class attendance, or participation in other activities associated with
enrollment at Georgetown University, the student accepts financial responsibility for charges
assessed to their student account. Charges include those for tuition, mandatory fees, room, board,
and fines (such as late payment penalties, library fines, and fees associated with the cost
of collection in the event of a delinquency, among others). This financial responsibility is not
relieved until payment has been made for any and all charges incurred.
III. Billing and Due Dates
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Georgetown University does not issue paper bills. Electronic copies of the student bill are
periodically posted online. Upon the issuance of a new bill, an email will be sent to the student’s
Georgetown email address as well as to the email addresses of any authorized user. The email
itself is not a bill, but a notification that a new bill has been posted online at Student Account
Services (accessible only via MyAccess to students, and directly to authorized users).
In general, bills will be issued for active students with debit balances on a monthly basis. At the
beginning of the fall and spring semesters, additional bills may be issued to ensure that students
are kept fully apprised of changes to their accounts. Unofficial billing calendars, listing
anticipated billing dates, will be posted online at https://studentaccounts.georgetown.edu.
IV. Financial Penalties: Service Charges and Non-Payment Fees
Non-Payment Fees: The Office of the Registrar considers a student's registration for a given term
to be complete only when payment (or payment arrangements, e.g., payment plan enrollment) for
tuition and fees has been made in full. Following the end of the registration period, any student
with an outstanding balance will be assessed a flat-fee (which varies by campus) at the behest of
the Registrar for non-payment.
Service Charges: Any billed amount due which remains unpaid as of the due-date articulated on
a published billing statement will be subject to a service charge equal to 1.50% of the overdue
amount. All charges incurred before the start of classes are eligible to be billed as due
immediately when classes begin. Service charges are assessed on a monthly basis.
V. Third Party Billing
RR offers to invoice directly third-party sponsors (such as the US Federal Government, foreign
governments, private companies, and so on) for the educational costs of Georgetown University
students, at no cost to the student. In order to meet the requirements of FERPA, and to ensure
that bills are issued only for eligible students, official documentation endorsed by the
sponsors detailing the third party's obligation to the student must be submitted to RR.
Georgetown University expects sponsors to process invoices and submit payment upon the
issuance of an official invoice. RR at its discretion, may grant the student an exemption from late
fees, service charges, or other penalties for the amount covered by a sponsor by granting
temporary credit, in order to give the sponsor ample time to process the invoice.
However, financial responsibility always resides with the student until an invoice is paid.
RR reserves the right to refuse to invoice any third party, to refuse to grant temporary credit for
anticipated payments, or to reverse credit granted for anticipated payments never submitted by
the sponsor. Additional information about documentation requirements and standard invoicing
procedures can be found at studentaccounts.georgetown.edu/policies. All inquiries regarding
third party billing should be sent to thirdpart[email protected].
VI. Financial Holds
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Any student with an outstanding account balance may not register for classes in future semesters
or obtain an official transcript. Financial holds prevent academic registration, the generation of
official transcripts, and the issuance of diplomas and certificates. Holds are applied to the
accounts of students with amounts due prior to the start of registration for the following term.
Additionally, any student that has become inactive and for whom there remains an outstanding
balance will have a hold placed on their account.
Financial holds are not released until the past-due debt is paid in full; payment arrangements are
not sufficient to release these holds. RR reserves the right to keep a financial hold in place until it
can verify that funds have been deposited (without the possibility of reversal) into a Georgetown
bank account.
VII. Refunds of Overpayment
RR generally requires a student's request in order for a refund to be generated; students may
request a refund whenever total payments to their account exceed total charges. Requests must
be submitted online via MyAccess. RR will automatically issue refunds in two circumstances:
when payments for a particular semester from Title IV sources exceed institutional charges (as
required by federal law and regulations) and when the student has become inactive while
retaining a credit balance.
RR processes refund requests within three business days of submission. Additional processing
time for the generation and mailing of a refund check, or for the execution of an electronic
transfer of funds, is outside the control of the RR.
RR reserves the right to hold or deny a refund request when there is the possibility that the
charges on the student account were not properly assessed, or when payments are subject to
adjustment. If for any reason a refund request is not approved, an email will be sent to the
student indicating the reason and the contact person with whom the student should discuss the
matter.
If the student has established an electronic refund profile, refunds will be deposited to the
account indicated via ACH (Automated Clearing House) transaction. If the account information
is inaccurate, or if the account has been closed, the student will be notified via email of the failed
transaction. For students who have not established an electronic refund profile, refunds will be
issued via paper check and mailed to the student's local address, if one is on file, otherwise to the
permanent address on file.
In compliance with FERPA, all refund payments are made directly to students. The only
exceptions are in certain cases of payments submitted by third party sponsors or outside
scholarships organizations, Parent PLUS loans, and rare extenuating circumstances as defined by
Georgetown University. If a student receives a refund to which they were not entitled, any
outstanding balance that may result must be paid back to the student account immediately to
prevent penalties.
VIII. Delinquent Accounts
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Debt to the university is immediately due at the time a student becomes inactive. The reason for
the inactivity is immaterial, whether it be graduation or completion of an academic program,
withdrawal, an approved leave of absence, failure to register for the next semester in the
student’s academic program, or any other reason.
RR will issue a final invoice to inactive students with debt. Payment is due within 30-days of the
date that the statement was issued. If payment has not been made by the due date, the account
will be forwarded to a collection agency. The cost to the University for the use of the services of
a third-party collection agency is equivalent to one-third of the value of the debt; the student will
be responsible for paying this fee in addition to the original outstanding balance. Once debt has
been transferred to a collection agency, all payments will be processed by that agency. In
addition, the collection agency may report the debt to the nation's three credit reporting agencies.
Past due balances are non-negotiable and will not be recalled from the collection agency once
submitted.
IX. Payment Options
An up-to-date list of accepted payment methods is posted at:
studentaccounts.georgetown.edu/policies. Georgetown University reserves the right to alter this
list of acceptable payment methods at any time.
Course Registration and Tuition Liability and Fees
By the act of course registration, students will be assessed tuition as articulated in the schedule
below. This schedule, corresponding to the rates approved by the Board of Directors for the 2022
fiscal year at Georgetown University, is effective for the Fall 2022, Spring 2023, and Summer
2023 semesters.
Program
Description
Fall 2022
Spring 2023
Summer 2023
BALS
On-ground
$984.00
$984.00
$984.00
EMPS
N/A
$2,346.00
$2,346.00
$2,346.00
MPS
Students matriculated prior to Fall 2021
$1,484.00
$1,484.00
$1,484.00
Students matriculated Fall 2021 and later
$1,527.00
$1,527.00
$1,527.00
Graduate
Certificates
Students matriculated prior to Fall 2021
$1,484.00
$1,484.00
$1,484.00
Students matriculated Fall 2021 and later
$1,527.00
$1,527.00
$1,527.00
MALS
Students matriculated prior to Fall 2021
$1,140.00
$1,140.00
$1,140.00
Students matriculated Fall 2021 and later
$1,173.00
$1,173.00
$1,173.00
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DLS
Students matriculated prior to Fall 2021
$1,545.00
$1,545.00
$1,545.00
Students matriculated Fall 2021 and later
$1,590.00
$1,590.00
$1,590.00
Registration includes Pre-registration, Registration, and all courses added after the student's
initial registration. Any student who initiates course registration after the close of the regular
Registration period must show documented justification for such an exception. If an exception is
approved, a late registration fee may be assessed to the student account.
Changes in Tuition Liability and Fees
Current students will be assessed tuition as articulated in the schedule above until they graduate
unless they meet the following conditions:
1. They are required to reapply for admission to their current academic program following a
period of time during which they withdrew themselves from the program or had been
withdrawn for failure to register as a result of not meeting the continuous enrollment
requirements (see Readmission After Prior Attendance).
2. They apply and are admitted to a new academic program, distinct from the academic
program they were previously admitted and matriculated into.
Students who are granted readmission into their current academic program will be assessed
tuition as articulated in the schedule above based on the semester and year they re-matriculate
into their current program following the time of their last enrollment. They will not maintain the
previous tuition rate assessed to them at the time they originally matriculated into their academic
program.
Students who are granted admission to a new academic program will be assessed tuitionas
articulated in the schedule above based on the semester and year they matriculate into the new
academic program.
Educational Records Policy
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (also known as FERPA and the Buckley
Amendment) is a federal law which states that a written institutional policy with respect to
student records must be established and that a statement of adopted procedures covering the
privacy rights of students must be made available annually. The law provides that the University
will maintain the confidentiality of student educational records.
Georgetown University accords to its students all rights under this law. No one outside the
University shall have access to students' educational records, nor will Georgetown disclose any
information from these records without the written consent of the student, except to:
1. Personnel within the University, on a need-to-know basis;
2. Persons or organizations providing student financial aid;
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3. Accrediting agencies carrying out their accreditation function;
4. Persons in compliance with a judicial order or a lawfully issued subpoena (provided that
the University will first make a reasonable attempt to notify the student);
5. Organizations conducting studies to develop, validate, and administer predictive tests;
6. Authorized representatives of federal or state government agencies for the purpose of
audit and evaluation of government programs; and
7. Persons in an emergency in order to protect the health and safety of students or other
persons.
All of these exceptions are permitted under the Act. Information will be released only on the
condition that the party to whom the information is released will not disclose it to a third party
without the written consent of the student. Furthermore, the University will maintain records of
any access provided without the expressed consent of the student, and these records will be made
available to the student on request. The University expects that students dependent on their
parents will normally wish to share academic and other information with them. This information
will not be provided directly to them, however, without the student's consent.
Within the University community only those members individually or collectively acting in the
student's educational interest are allowed access to student educational records. These members
include personnel in the offices of the Deans and the Registrars, directors of admissions and
directors of financial aid, personnel in counseling offices, and academic personnel within the
limitations of their need to know.
The University will provide directory information at its discretion. This information includes the
student's name, addresses and telephone numbers, date and place of birth, parents' names, major
fields of study, dates of attendance, enrollment status, expected date of graduation, degrees and
awards received, the most recent previous educational institution attended, participation in
officially recognized activities and sports, and height and weight of members of athletic teams.
Students may instruct the Registrar to withhold the release of directory information by providing
written notice to the Office of the University Registrar by the second week of classes of the Fall
semester. Since instructions will be honored for only one academic year, such notice must be
filed annually with the Registrar.
The law provides students with the right to inspect and review information contained in their
educational records, to challenge the contents of their educational records, to have a hearing if
the outcome of the challenge is unsatisfactory, and to submit explanatory statements for
inclusion in their file if they find the decision of the hearing panel to be unsatisfactory. The word
"student" in this context is defined to include all current and former students, but not applicants
for admission.
Academic files are maintained by the graduate and undergraduate program offices, Academic
Affairs & Compliance Office, and the University Registrar. These files may contain admission
credentials, requests for exceptions to policies, and records of current and previous academic
work. Records are also contained in certain instances by the following Offices or Departments:
the Associate Dean of Student Affairs; the Career Education Center, the Office of Student
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Financial Services; the Office of Global Services; the Center for Minority Student Affairs;
Revenue and Receivables; and certain academic programs.
Students who wish to review their educational records must make a written request to the
custodian of these records. The information will be made available within 45 days of the request.
Students may have copies made of the records with certain exceptions (e.g., a copy of an
academic record on which a hold has been placed because of an unsatisfied financial obligation
to the University). These copies will be made at the student's expense, at the rate of fifteen cents
per page.
Copies of transcripts or an original permanent record from another institution submitted to
Georgetown University as admission credentials will not be released to the student or to other
institutions.
It should be noted that educational records do not include the following:
1. Records of instructional, administrative and educational persons which are in the sole
possession of the maker and which are not accessible or revealed to any individual except
to a temporary substitute;
2. Records of the Campus Public Safety Department;
3. Student health records;
4. Employment records; or
5. Alumni records.
A master's or doctoral thesis submitted to SCS in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a
graduate degree is not an educational record as defined herein but a scholarly document intended
for disclosure and publication by inclusion in the University's library and by other means, and
the student's act of submitting it to SCS is deemed to be consent to its disclosure and publication.
Health records, including those maintained by members of the Student Health Service, the
Counseling Center, and the Department of Psychiatry, may be personally reviewed by a
physician or other appropriate professional of the student's choice.
Students may not inspect or review these records, which are specifically excluded by federal law:
Financial information submitted by their parents;
1. Confidential letters and recommendations associated with admission, employment or job
placement, or honors, to which they have waived their rights of inspection and review;
2. Confidential letters and recommendations which were placed in the records prior to
January 1, 1975; and
3. Educational records containing information about more than one student, in which case
access will be permitted only to that part of the record which pertains to the inquiring
student.
Students who believe that their educational records contain information that is inaccurate or
misleading, or is otherwise in violation of their privacy or other rights, should discuss their
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concerns informally with the custodian of those records. In most cases this will be the Office of
Academic Affairs and Compliance or the University Registrar. If this discussion does not lead to
a resolution of the student's concern, the student has a right to an informal hearing. During this
process the student will be afforded a full and fair opportunity to present relevant evidence. If the
result of the hearing process is in agreement with the student's request, the appropriate records
will be amended. If not, the student will be notified within a reasonable amount of time that the
records will not be amended; the student will then be informed of their right to a formal hearing.
The Dean of SCS may establish a subcommittee comprised of representatives of her Executive
Committee and charged with the responsibility of adjudicating challenges to the contents of
student records. The formation of the subcommittee is at the Dean’s discretion. Requests for a
formal hearing must be made in writing to the appropriate Dean's office within one calendar year
after the initial denial of the student's request. This petition must be dated and signed by the
petitioner and must contain a brief and concise explanation of the item being challenged and the
basis for the challenge. It must also contain a statement that the petitioner's initial request to a
University official was denied, naming the official and stating the date of the denial. The petition
must further specify what relief is being requested.
The Dean will forward the petition to the chairperson of the appropriate committee, the hearing
will be convened within a reasonable time, and all concerned parties will be notified in writing of
the date, place, and time of the hearing; the hearing will be closed to the public. The chairperson
may request a written response to the petition prior to the hearing from the University official
who initially denied the student's request. The student will receive a copy of any written response
prior to the hearing. The chairperson may also request written verification of the item in question
from the author.
The hearing will include an informal presentation of arguments from both sides. The student will
have a full and fair opportunity to present evidence relevant to the issues and may be assisted and
represented by individuals of their choice at their expense, including an attorney. Evidentiary
rules will be disregarded. Committee members have the obligation to disqualify themselves if
there is any indication of personal bias. Additionally, the student has the right to disqualify any
member of the committee, after giving adequate reasons to the chairperson; in such cases an
alternate will be appointed. After both parties have presented their cases, the committee will have
48 hours to render its decision.
The written findings and conclusion of the committee will be provided in writing to both parties
within a reasonable time and will include a summary of the evidence and the reasons behind the
decision. Minutes of the hearings will be kept on file in the appropriate Dean's office. The
powers of the committee shall include but not be limited to:
1. ordering the destruction of the document;
2. ordering the removal of the document from the file and its return to the author;
3. ordering the denial of the student's request.
After the decision of the committee has been rendered, the student whose request has been
denied will have ten days to file a written appeal to the Dean. If the Dean is an interested party to
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a particular action, the Dean shall appoint a surrogate. Failure to file an appeal within ten days
after the decision shall constitute a waiver of appeal rights.
After assessing the grounds for the appeal, the Dean will decide to accept or reject the request for
a further review of the case. Upon allowing an appeal, the Dean will review the hearing record
and any new evidence submitted. The Dean is empowered to sustain, reverse or alter the board's
decision. The Dean's decision will be communicated in writing within 30 days of receipt of the
request for an appeal and this decision will be final.
The above procedures constitute general guidelines for these committees. The committees,
however, may establish additional procedures as deemed necessary and appropriate to insure
fairness and to facilitate the hearing process. All time limits are to be determined without
counting Saturdays, Sundays, and University holidays and vacation periods.
It should be noted that a student may challenge a recorded grade only on the grounds that it was
inaccurately recorded, not on the grounds that it was lower than what the instructor ought to have
awarded.
Students who believe that the adjudication of their challenges was unfair or was not in keeping
with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 may submit a
written request for assistance from the appropriate Vice President of the University. Further,
students who believe that their rights have been abridged may file complaints with the Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act Office, Department of Health and Human Services,
Washington, DC 20201.
Student academic records, including transcripts and grades, will be kept permanently. Student
disciplinary records will be kept permanently if the student is found responsible and through
graduation or withdrawal if the student is not found responsible.
Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination in Education
Georgetown University provides educational opportunities without regard to, and does not
discriminate on the basis of, age, color, disability, family responsibilities, familial status, gender
identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, personal appearance,
political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, source of income, veteran’s status or
any other factor prohibited by law in its educational programs and activities. Inquiries regarding
Georgetown University’s non-discrimination policy may be addressed to Institutional Diversity,
Equity & Affirmative Action, 37th and O Sts., N.W., Suite M36, Darnall Hall, Georgetown
University, Washington, D.C. 20057.
The most up-to-date policies and grievance procedures can be found online at
ideaa.georgetown.edu/policies/.
Policy Statement on Harassment (Related to Protected Categories)
Georgetown University prohibits harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, family
responsibilities, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, national
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origin, personal appearance, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual
orientation, source of income, veteran’s status or other factor prohibited by federal and/or
District of Columbia law.
The most up-to-date policies and grievance procedures can be found online at
ideaa.georgetown.edu/policies/.
Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment
Georgetown University is committed to providing a safe and hospitable environment for all
members of its community. Sexual Misconduct subverts the University's mission, and threatens
permanent damage to the educational experience, careers, and well-being of students, faculty,
and staff. Georgetown University prohibits sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment,
sexual assault, domestic/dating violence, and stalking (http://sexualassault.georgetown.edu/).
The most up-to-date guidelines for University policy and D.C. law, supportive resources,
resources for reporting, and Title IX contacts can be found at
https://sexualassault.georgetown.edu/.
Title IX Pregnancy Modifications and Adjustments
Georgetown University is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for
pregnant students. At any point throughout their pregnancy students may request
adjustments/modifications based on general pregnancy needs or accommodations based on a
pregnancy-related complication or medical need. Students may also request accommodations
following labor and delivery based on a complication or medical need.
More information about pregnancy modifications can be found on the Title IX at Georgetown
University Website: https://titleix.georgetown.edu/title-ix-pregnancy/student-pregnancy/
Accommodating Students’ Religious Observances Policy
Georgetown University promotes respect for all religions. Any student who is unable to attend
classes or to participate in any examination, presentation, or assignment on a given day because
of the observance of a major religious holiday or related travel shall be excused and provided
with the opportunity to make up, without unreasonable burden, any work that has been missed
for this reason and shall not in any other way be penalized for the absence or rescheduled work.
Students will remain responsible for all assigned work. Students should notify instructors in
writing at the beginning of the semester of religious observances that conflict with class
meetings.
Before classes begin for a given semester, the Office of the Provost, in consultation with Campus
Ministry and the Registrar, will publish a list of major religious holidays likely to affect
Georgetown students. The Provost and the Main Campus Executive Faculty encourage faculty to
accommodate students whose bona fide religious observances in other ways impede normal
participation in a course. Students who cannot be accommodated should discuss the matter with
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a program advisor. Approved holidays can be found at:
https://campusministry.georgetown.edu/religious_holy_days.
The Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act
In compliance with the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act, it is the policy of
Georgetown University to make readily available information concerning the completion or
graduation rate of all certificate or degree-seeking, full-time undergraduate students entering the
University, as well as the average completion or graduation rate of students who have received
athletically-related student aid. This information is available upon request from the Department
of Athletics (202-687-2435) and the University Registrar (registrar.georgetown.edu/).
The Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 requires that the University prepare
information on current campus law enforcement policies, crime prevention programs, and
campus security statistics. This information is available upon request from the Department of
Public Safety (police.georgetown.edu/; 202-687-4343).
Change of Address
Students may change/correct their address and contact information via MyAccess
(https://myaccess.georgetown.edu/).
Directory Information Disclosure Policy
A student directory is published annually by the Office of the Registrar containing names and
contact information of all current Georgetown students. The Georgetown directory is available
online by clicking on the directory link on the homepage of the main University website. The
University may provide directory information at its discretion. This information includes the
student’s name, address, and telephone numbers, date and place of birth, field of study, dates of
attendance, and expected date of graduation. Students may instruct the Registrar to withhold the
release of directory information by completing an Information Disclosure Form annually and
giving this written notice to the Office of the University Registrar by the second week of classes
of the fall semester each year that the student is enrolled at the University.
The most current University guidelines and process for limiting the disclosure of directory
information can be found at https://registrar.georgetown.edu/records/information-disclosure.
Emergency Closures, Preparedness, and University Safety
During inclement weather or other emergencies, check georgetown.edu/campus-life/safety-and-
emergency-preparedness/ or call (202) 687-SNOW for information on whether the university is
open. If the University announces a “liberal leave” policy in the event of inclement weather and
announces that classes will meet as scheduled, then a faculty member who believes that it is
unsafe to come to campus may elect to cancel their class by notifying the students by email
through MyAccess (and notifying the appropriate program offices of this decision).
An individual student who believes that it is unsafe to travel to campus should notify the faculty
member by email and, if necessary, request to be excused from submitting any assignments or
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tests scheduled for that day until the next possible time to do so. The University can send text
messages and recorded messages about emergencies to cell phones and other mobile devices.
Please sign up for this service through the MyAccess system.
HOYAlert
All current students, faculty and staff are automatically enrolled in HOYAlert, Georgetown’s
mass notification system used in the event of an emergency situation or incident. HOYAlert
sends messages with guidance in the event of an incident affecting the safety or security of
Georgetown University’s Main Campus, Medical Center, School of Continuing Studies and Law
Center. HOYAlert allows users to receive these alerts via Georgetown University or personal
email addresses, SMS text messaging to cell phones and PDAs, as well as voice messaging to
cell or landline phones. Messages can be sent at any time as incidents occur, 24 hours a day, 7
days a week, 365 days a year. More information about Hoya Alert can be found at
https://emergencymanagement.georgetown.edu/HOYAlert.
Academic Integrity & Student Conduct
The Georgetown University Honor Code and System
As a Jesuit Catholic university, committed to the education of the whole person, Georgetown
expects all members of the academic community, students and faculty, to strive for excellence in
scholarship and in character. To uphold this tradition, the University community has established
an honor system for its undergraduate schools, including Georgetown College, the School of
Foreign Service, the School of Business, the School of Nursing and Health Studies, the Law
Center, and the School of Continuing Studies. The Honor Council is the principal administrative
body of this system. The Honor Council has two primary responsibilities: to administer the
procedures of the Honor System and to educate the faculty and undergraduate student body about
the standards of conduct and procedures of the System. Upon matriculation, you may be required
by your program leadership or instructor to state or write the pledge as follows:
In the pursuit of the high ideals and rigorous standards of academic life, I commit myself to
respect and uphold the Georgetown University Honor System: To be honest in any academic
endeavor, and To conduct myself honorably, as a responsible member of the Georgetown
community, as we live and work together.
Faculty may, at their discretion, require students to include a signed version of the pledge with
their assignments and tests. Without regard to motive, student conduct that is academically
dishonest, evidences lack of academic integrity or trustworthiness, or unfairly impinges upon the
intellectual rights and privileges of others is prohibited. A non-exhaustive list of prohibited
conduct includes but is not limited to cheating on exams and other assignments, committing
plagiarism, using false citations, submitting work for multiple purposes, submitting false data,
falsifying academic documentation, abuse of library privileges, and/or abuse of shared electronic
media.
All students are required to abide by the Honor System regardless of whether or not they have
been required to state or write it. The Honor System includes detailed provisions for
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investigating and adjudicating allegations of academic misconduct. Students found to have
committed any such offense will be subject to academic penalties. These include but are not
limited to failure of the course, suspension or dismissal from the University, and revocation of
degrees already conferred.
Detailed information about the Honor Council and the most up-to-date policies can be found at
https://honorcouncil.georgetown.edu/
Plagiarism, Citing Sources, and Academic Research
Plagiarism is defined by the Georgetown Honor Council as "the act of passing off as one's own
the ideas or writings of another" (Please see The Honor Council’s “Plagiarism Checklist,”
available at: https://honorcouncil.georgetown.edu/faculty. Plagiarism, whether intentional or
unintentional, is a serious breach of academic integrity at the University. As such, any suspected
incidence of plagiarism will be referred to the Honor Council for investigation and review.
Paraphrasing is the act of putting someone else’s ideas into one’s own words without quoting
that source directly (using quotation marks). Even when paraphrasing, students must cite the
original source of the information in both the text of their paper and in their bibliography.
Uncited paraphrasing, whether intentional or unintentional, is also a serious breach of academic
integrity. As such, any suspected incidence of uncited paraphrasing will be referred to the Honor
Council for investigation and review.
Students are required to write academic papers that contain both their own original ideas and
interpretations and research gathered from outside sources (books, journals, newspapers,
websites, blogs, encyclopedias, and so on). Students should discuss appropriate formatting and
citing guidelines with their instructors, as different instructors and programs can use different
style manuals.
The primary style manuals used by the Professional Studies programs are:
● The American Psychological Association (APA)
● The Modern Language Association (MLA)
● The Chicago Manual of Style
● The Associated Press Stylebook
Avoiding Plagiarism and Uncited Paraphrasing
Students are required to cite all information (including, but not limited to: general ideas that are
not their own; direct or indirect quotations; and data) taken from outside sources – regardless of
that source – in (a) the text of their papers and (b) in their bibliographies. Including a source in
the bibliography without citing it in the text of the paper is not satisfactory, nor is including a
source in the text of the paper without citing it in the bibliography.
SCS students are expected to maintain the highest standards of personal and academic integrity
in pursuit of their education at Georgetown. Academic dishonesty in any form is a serious
offense against the academic community in general, and against SCS and Georgetown in
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particular. Students found to have violated the standards of academic integrity will be subject to
academic penalties including, but not limited to, failure of the course, termination from the
program, and revocation of degrees already conferred. We strongly encourage all students to
complete Georgetown University’s Scholarly Research and Academic Integrity Tutorial at
www.library.georgetown.edu/tutorials/academic-integrity.
Human Subjects Research
Federal law requires that all proposed research involving human subjects first be reviewed by an
authorized institutional body in order to ensure that adequate protections are provided to those
persons who are participants in or subjects of the proposed research. Research on human subjects
includes not only work in the biomedical sciences but also projects in the social and behavioral
sciences. Students in all courses, but particularly in the Capstone, should be mindful of this
important review process.
Research involving on-the-street intercept surveys or detailed questionnaires delving into
attitudes about a controversial subject is also considered to involve human subjects. As such, it is
also subject to review. These legal requirements apply regardless of the source of research
support. In a large number of cases, research proposals fall into categories which exempt them
from full review. For example, research on standard educational techniques or strategies, work
using publicly available survey data where the respondents are not identified, or interviews with
public officials or candidates for public office are normally exempt. However, a specific project's
eligibility for exemption cannot simply be determined by the individual researcher. The law
requires that institutions provide structured mechanisms for determining exemptions and that
they keep records documenting the process and its results.
Any student whose research will involve human subjects should contact the University's
Institutional Review Board, IRB-C, at 202-687-6553 or 202-687-1506 before beginning their
research. Additional information about the Institutional Review Board and required forms are
available on the IRB-C website at: https://ora.georgetown.edu/irb/forms.
Student Conduct, Civility, and Engagement
The School of Continuing Studies offers students the opportunity to engage with faculty, staff,
and peers in ways that foster intellectual growth and development in their chosen field of study.
It is important to recognize that each member of our community brings their own values,
thoughts, perspectives, and experiences into each interaction. We expect students to behave in a
manner that is civil and respectful of others, and appreciate the learning opportunities that come
from engaging pluralistic perspectives in a dynamic educational environment.
Engagement within the SCS Georgetown community takes place in on-campus meeting spaces
and classrooms, and extends to online learning platforms and forums. Students should be
particularly mindful that participation in class discussions, group assignments, emails, blogs, and
social media reflect upon them personally, academically, and professionally. All viewpoints,
editorials, and opinions expressed by students represent those students exclusively – and not the
students’ instructors, classmates, academic program, School, or University – even in cases when
students are using Georgetown-affiliated systems like email, blogs, and online portfolios. The
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expectations for respect and civility are consistent for on-campus classes and spaces, as well as
cyber, virtual, and online environments. Thus, civility and cybercivility are expected of all
students, in all campus spaces.
Any perceived infraction of the Student Code of Conduct (studentconduct.georgetown.edu) or
SCS guidelines for student conduct can be referred to the student’s program leadership, to the
Office of Student Conduct (studentconduct.georgetown.edu), and to other University Offices as
appropriate. Such instances can include but are not limited to: disruption of official university
functions (including teaching, research, administration), failure to comply with a directive issued
by a University official, harassment and bullying, and incivility.
Students found in violation of the Code of Conduct could be subject to a variety of sanctions,
including mandatory withdrawal from courses (without a refund) and suspension or termination
for non-academic reasons.
Program Enrollment & Course Registration
Technology Skills Required
Academic programs use Canvas as the learning management system and other tools,
applications, and platforms depending on the nature of the course or program to effectively
facilitate teaching and learning. Students will not need to be proficient with distance education
technology before enrolling, but basic computer literacy such as knowing how to access a Web
site, upload and download documents, conduct basic Web-based research using Library
databases and similar sources is required. Students must log onto the learning management
platform using a secure GU login and password, and may find that having a landline or mobile
device helpful in completing the authentication process. Some courses make extensive use of
asynchronous content and synchronous sessions via a cloud-based platform for video and audio
conferencing. Technology support and a help-desk is available to both students and faculty.
Technology Equipment Required
For courses that require the use of Canvas students will need access to the following resources
and tools:
● High speed internet connection.
● A computer ( Mac or Windows ) with a webcam, microphone, and speakers. Please
reference the buying guide for meeting the recommended specifications.
○ Computer Buying Guide - https://uis.georgetown.edu/buying-guide/
○ Approved Laptop computers - https://uis.georgetown.edu/standard-computers/
○ Approved Desktop computers - https://uis.georgetown.edu/standard-desktop-
computers/
Additional Helpful Links:
● Supported teaching | learning software for and their function ( Zoom, Canvas) -
https://uis.georgetown.edu/teaching-tools/
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● Student Software (Microsoft Office, Adobe) -
https://georgetown.onthehub.com/WebStore/Welcome.aspx
● Google Apps ( Gmail, Google Drive ) - https://uis.georgetown.edu/google-apps/
● Document Sharing - https://uis.georgetown.edu/file-sharing/
● Data Security - https://security.georgetown.edu/technology-
policies2/#_ga=2.211358933.131539691.1596475382-1171884951.1583262423
● Students in the Continental US with an inadequate internet connection can request a MiFi
hotspot device thru the GU Helpdesk (help@georgetown.edu)
● Main Login page for SCS students (Destiny, MyAccess) -
https://scs.georgetown.edu/resources-current-students/technology-passwords/
● Students are now required to enroll in Duo Two Factor Authentication -
https://uis.georgetown.edu/security/duo/
● SCS Students are now eligible for Mobile GoCards -
https://gocard.georgetown.edu/getting-started/
Transfer Credit
Georgetown University accepts credits earned at institutions which are fully accredited by their
regional accrediting association for colleges and universities, provided that such credits have
been earned through university-level courses appropriate to the student’s degree program. To
receive transfer credit for courses, students must have completed undergraduate courses with a
grade of C or higher and graduate courses with a grade of B or higher. Georgetown University
reserves the right to accept or reject credits earned at other institutions of higher education.
Additionally, academic programs may have specific standards for the consideration of credits
earned prior to beginning study at SCS as outlined in the following sections.
Undergraduate Certificates
Students must complete at least 9 of the 18-credit hours required for the certificate within the
program. Students may be eligible to transfer credits towards the certificate pending program
approval.
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies
Students should consult with their academic program about the possibility of transferring some
already completed course credits into their new program before completing their first semester.
Requests for transfer credit should be submitted during the student’s first semester of study to
ensure a timely review and to allow the student to plan appropriately. Transfer credit will be
posted following the add/drop period of the student’s first semester.
The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies program honors up to 64 transfer credits for completed
courses with a minimum C grade from regionally accredited institutions. Credits that have been
or are being applied to another degree or certificate may not be transferred, nor will Pass/Fail or
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory or Audit courses be considered. The grades earned in coursework
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completed elsewhere are not reflected on the transcript and are not calculated in the Georgetown
University GPA.
Transfer credit evaluations are conducted on a case-by-case, individual basis by the program.
Factors considered when reviewing transfer credit include, but are not limited to: accreditation,
timeliness of content (computer science and technology courses no older than 10 years), and
overall academic relevance within the program. In addition, CLEP exam credit, AP exam credit
(grade of 4-5), and all Joint Services Transcripts will be considered for transfer.
BALS Students reference the Undergraduate Bulletin for additional program guidelines on
transfer credits at https://bulletin.georgetown.edu/schools-programs/scs/.
Transfer Credit from Another GU Undergraduate Program to SCS
BALS students who have previously attended another Georgetown University undergraduate
program should be aware that their entire undergraduate academic record will be reflected on
their transcript. This means that all courses, grades, and credits earned at Georgetown University
will be factored into the cumulative GPA and credit totals, without exception. While all
previously completed undergraduate coursework will be reflected on the transcript and will be
applied towards the cumulative GPA and credit totals, students are still responsible for
completing all of the BALS program requirements, including a minimum of 57 credits within the
BALS program and all required courses.
Transfer Credit from SCS to Another Undergraduate Program or Institution
In the event that a BALS student transfers from SCS to another academic program within GU or
to another institution, the credits earned in SCS will be subject to the transfer policies and
procedures of the receiving program and/or institution.
Graduate Certificates
Students pursuing a graduate certificate must complete all coursework for the graduate certificate
at SCS as outlined in the certificate requirements. Students are not eligible to apply transfer
credits to meet graduate certificate requirements.
Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, Master of Professional Studies, Executive Master of
Professional Studies, and Doctor of Liberal Studies
Some graduate programs may accept credit for coursework completed prior to beginning study at
SCS. Students should consult their academic program about the possibility of transferring credits
before completing their first semester. It is the student’s responsibility to submit the Transfer
Credit Request form, official transcript, syllabus, and all other requested materials to the
academic program for review during the first year of study to ensure a timely review and to
allow the student to plan appropriately.
● Only graduate-level courses completed for credit and for which the student received an
official grade of “B” (3.000) or better can be considered for transfer into a graduate-level
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program. Under no circumstances can undergraduate credit be applied or transferred into
an SCS graduate degree program.
● Credits that have been or are being applied to another degree may not be transferred, nor
will Pass/Fail or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory or Audit courses be considered.
● Only courses completed within the past 7 years will be considered for transfer. Some
programs may also impose stricter time limits due to the ever-evolving nature of their
industry.
● The GPA earned in coursework completed elsewhere is not calculated in the Georgetown
University GPA. No course titles of transferred courses appear on the Georgetown
transcript, nor do previous grades earned.
● The Ethics and Capstone courses are considered core requirements to each MPS and
EMPS program and cannot be transferred from other institutions or academic programs
under any circumstances.
The academic program and the Office of Academic Affairs & Compliance have final say
regarding which course credits may transfer, and, in general, will consider the content of the
course in question and its similarity to a program course, the syllabus, the grade received, the age
of the course, and the accreditation of the institution offering the course. Following the academic
program and Office of Academic Affairs and Compliance review, approved transfer credit is
posted to the transcript. Submitting a request for transfer credit does not guarantee approval.
Programs are not required to accept transfer credit. Programs may also limit the transfer of
program-specific foundation courses. Unless approved in advance by the program and Office of
Academic Affairs and Compliance transfer credit is not awarded for study at other institutions
after students have started their study in SCS. Students should therefore plan on completing all
coursework in residence once they have matriculated at the University.
The maximum number of transfer credits associated with a specific program follows:
● A maximum of 6 (six) credits in the form of 3-credit courses can be transferred for all
MPS programs that are 30 or 33 credits. MPS programs that are 42 credits or more can
transfer 9 credits in the form of 2 or 3 credit courses.
● Zero (0) credits for the Executive Masters of Professional Studies in Emergency &
Disaster due to the cohort and lock-step nature of the program. All EDM courses include
required on-ground experiential components unique to these programs.
● A maximum of 2 courses/6-credits for the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program.
● A maximum of 6 (six) credits for the Doctor of Liberal Studies program. Please note that
up to 6 credits can be applied either for Transfer or Advanced Standing to the DLS
program, but not both.
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Transfer Credit from another GU Graduate Program into SCS
To transfer from one GU graduate-level program to an SCS academic program students must
apply formally through SCS Admissions.
Acceptance into one graduate program at GU or within SCS does not guarantee acceptance into
another program. Students who would like to transfer from one program into another must
undergo a formal credit review by their new program’s leadership to determine the applicability
of previously earned credits. The transfer credit evaluation process will follow the guidelines set
forth in the transfer credit policy (see above). Students should keep in mind that they may not be
able to apply credits (and/or grades) awarded from their previous program – whether at GU or
through transfer from another institution – to their new program. Courses that are not approved
for the program will be excluded from the degree GPA and be awarded no credit, but will remain
on the transcript.
Please note that SCS students who officially withdraw from one SCS program and matriculate
into a new SCS program should refer to the “ Use of Earned Credits When Applying to Another
SCS Program” policy.
Transfer Credit from SCS to another Program or Institution
In the event that a student transfers from SCS to another academic program within GU or to
another institution, the credits earned in SCS will be subject to the transfer policies and
procedures of the receiving program and/or institution. Students currently enrolled in other
graduate programs at the University should secure the advance, written permission of their own
program before requesting permission to register in SCS graduate-level courses.
Transfer Credit through the Consortium (MPS, DLS, and BALS)
https://registrar.georgetown.edu/registration/consortium
Georgetown University partners with thirteen institutions in the Consortium of Universities of
the Washington Metropolitan Area: American University, The Catholic University of America,
Corcoran College of Art & Design, Gallaudet University, George Mason University, The George
Washington University, Howard University, Marymount University, National Defense
Intelligence College, National Defense University, Trinity Washington University, University of
the District of Columbia, and University of Maryland, College Park.
Students enrolled in the Executive Master of Professional Studies (EMPS) programs are not
eligible for enrollment through the Consortium.
Students in good academic standing who are enrolled in a Master of Professional Studies (MPS),
Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS), Doctor of Liberal Studies (DLS) graduate degree
program and the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies (BALS) undergraduate degree program in
the School of Continuing Studies may enroll for courses through the Consortium, subject to the
following limitations:
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a. MPS, DLS, and BALS students may not enroll through the Consortium for courses that are
available and regularly offered within the School of Continuing Studies at Georgetown
University.
b. MPS, DLS, and BALS may not audit Consortium courses, nor can they enroll on a pass/fail
basis. All courses must be completed for a grade and credit.
c. Provisional and Visiting Non-Degree students may not register for courses through the
Consortium.
d. Students who are simultaneously matriculated at another Consortium institution are not
permitted to cross-register between Georgetown and the other institution via the Consortium.
e. Tuition for courses registered through the Consortium will be billed at Georgetown University
rates and paid to Georgetown University.
f. Course records and grades for Consortium registrations will appear on the Georgetown
University transcript. The visited institution will not issue transcripts for Consortium courses.
Grades posted to the Georgetown transcript for Consortium registrations will be those of the
institution offering the course. Although those grades will not be used in the determination of the
student's Georgetown GPA, unsatisfactory grades of B- or lower for graduate students and C-“ or
lower for undergraduate students may be used in the determination of Warning, Probation, or
Termination.
h. Courses completed through the Consortium count towards the total allowable number of
transfer credit per program. Please consult the Academic Regulations under “Transfer Credit” for
the total number of credits allowed to transfer into your degree program. Students who have
already transferred the maximum allowable number of credits will not be permitted to enroll in
courses through the Consortium.
i. Students are responsible for researching available courses and times through the Consortium
and submitting accurate requests to their program for timely review.
j. Students enrolled via the Consortium are responsible for abiding by all academic, personal, and
professional regulations of the other institution, including but not limited to enrollment,
attendance, and withdrawal.
All students should note that if they enroll in courses by registering directly at a Consortium
institution, rather than by registering at Georgetown using the Consortium procedures, those
courses will appear on the other institution's transcript. Similarly, courses taken at another
Consortium institution prior to admission to Georgetown University, as well as any Georgetown
University courses taken while enrolled at another Consortium institution, will appear on the
other institution's transcript. Such courses may be applied to a Georgetown University MPS or
BALS degree only by means of transfer, subject to the School's overall transfer limits and
criteria.
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Use of Earned Credits When Applying to Another SCS Program
A student who officially withdraws from an SCS degree program may be able to apply some or
all of the coursework completed to the requirements of another SCS degree program. The
receiving SCS academic program will determine which, if any, of the graduate courses the
student has taken at Georgetown will be accepted toward the credit requirements of the new
program.
Students are strongly encouraged to ask the receiving academic program to perform a review of
credits earned prior to matriculation to the new program so that the student is aware of what will
be required to complete that program.
Please note:
● Courses that are absorbed into the new program in this manner will not be considered
“transfer” courses. They are absorbed into the new program in accordance with this
policy.
● Only courses completed within the past 7 years will be considered for absorption.
● Core courses (Ethics and Capstone) cannot be absorbed to meet the core course
requirements in the new program.
● Courses that are not approved for absorption will be marked for exclusion on the
transcript and will not apply to the requirements of the new program.
● SCS academic programs are not required to accept coursework completed in other SCS
or Georgetown University programs. If it is determined that no coursework will be
absorbed, the student is expected to complete all requirements of the new program in
accordance with the associated academic policies.
Advanced Standing (DLS Program Only)
A new DLS student who has been awarded at least two advanced degrees (i.e., Ph.D., M.A.,
M.S., J.D., etc.) will be awarded Advanced Standing toward the coursework required for the
DLS. A maximum of six credits of Advanced Standing may be awarded. Advanced Standing
credits will be posted to the student’s DLS transcript upon completion of the first two
Foundational courses. Please note that up to six credits can be applied either toward Advanced
Standing or for Transfer, but not both.
Waiver Requests: MPS Foundation Courses
Due to the timeliness of content, continuity of the lock-step curriculum and cohort model,
students in the Executive MPS in EDM programs cannot be waived from any foundation courses
or program requirements.
MPS students enrolled in traditional programs may be waived from some selected courses
required within that major or within a concentration with written permission from their program
and the Office of Academic Affairs & Compliance. Students must supply documentation of their
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proficiency in that course (such as a writing portfolio to request a waiver of the "Fundamentals
of Reporting and News Writing" Journalism requirement) during their first semester of study to
their academic program for review. Approved waivers will only be posted following the review
by the program and Office of Academic Affairs and Compliance.
Students do not receive grades or credit for waived courses; rather, this process allows them to
take an Elective in place of a waived course. MPS degree-specific requirements, including the
Ethics and Capstone courses, cannot be waived under any circumstances.
Continuous Enrollment Requirements
Students in the undergraduate certificate, BALS, graduate certificate, MALS, MPS, and DLS
programs are required to maintain active registration in all Spring and Fall semesters to make
academic progress toward degree-completion. Executive MPS students are expected to be
registered in Fall, Spring and Summer semesters. Students who cannot register for any reason
must request a formal Leave of Absence (please see policy below) to prevent being withdrawn
from the University with the notice “Withdrawn for failure to register” placed on their official
transcripts.
Regarding Tuition Liability and Fees
Upon being withdrawn for failure to register, students may be required to re-apply to their
academic program should they want to return to study (see Readmission After Prior Attendance).
If this is the case, students who are granted readmission into their current academic program will
be assessed tuition as articulated in the schedule as outlined under Course Registration and
Tuition Liability and Fees based on the semester and year they re-matriculate into their current
program following the time of their last enrollment. They will not maintain the previous tuition
rate assessed to them at the time they originally matriculated into their academic program.
The Schedule of Classes can be found at registrar.georgetown.edu/. Courses that are conducted
entirely online may be found on the “Distance” listing while in-person courses may be found on
the “Main Campus” listing.
Student Responsibility for Degree Planning
Students are accountable for their own program enrollment, course registration decisions, and for
meeting all of the requirements for the degree, concentration, track, and major. No academic
requirements or regulations will be waived based upon allegations of an advising error.
Internships and On-Site Practical Experiences for Credit
Students seeking to complete an internship or on-site practical experience for course credit must
follow all university, school, and program policies and guidelines. Students must have the
internship/on-site practical experience approved by the program prior to registering for course
credit. Each academic program has their own approval process, please refer to the program
requirements for more information. Students who have not completed the pre-approval process
will not be permitted to register. In addition to receiving program-level approval, students must
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also complete the internship agreement
(https://static.scs.georgetown.edu/upload/kb_file/scs_internship_agreement_form.pdf).
All requests for internships/on-site practical experience should be submitted to academic
programs for review no later than two weeks prior to the first day of classes. Requests received
after that deadline may not be reviewed or approved. Students are responsible for meeting all
deadlines and requirements.
All approvals and course registrations must be completed by the stated add/drop period on the
academic calendar. Students who are unable to secure an internship/on-site practical experience
and/or complete the approval process before the end of add/drop period will not be permitted to
register for the course. No late adds or adjustments to students’ schedules will be made.
Finally, students should be aware that securing an internship/on-site experience can be a lengthy
process. It is not uncommon for the interview process to take longer than anticipated or to
receive an offer after the stated deadlines. While this can be disappointing, no exceptions to the
policy will be made and no late adds or schedule adjustments will be permitted. For this reason,
students are encouraged to work well in advance of deadlines to ensure they have the greatest
opportunity for successfully completing the process.
Important Note for International Students:
International students receiving F1/J1 Visa support from Georgetown must contact their
International Student and Scholar Advisor in the Office of Global Services to discuss their Visa
requirements as it pertains to internships/on-site practical experiences. Students should be aware
that regardless of any approvals they receive from their academic program, they must also
receive approval from the Office of Global Services. In all instances, students must remain
compliant with visa regulations, regardless of advising they receive from their academic program
regarding internships/on-site experiences.
Traveling for Study Tours, Residencies, and Other Georgetown Sponsored Events
Students who participate in a study tour, residency, or other travel-based program are expected to
comport themselves in a manner that is professional and consistent with Georgetown’s values
and student conduct policies. Depending on the travel experience, students might be provided
with transportation, hotel rooms, meals and other travel-related activities. Any such
accommodations, whether paid for or organized by Georgetown, are for the benefit of students,
faculty, and staff directly affiliated with the academic program only. Visitors and other guests are
not permitted to stay in hotel rooms, utilize transportation, participate in meals or other activities
associated with the travel experience.
Independent Studies and Tutorials
The process for submitting an independent study or tutorial proposal varies by program so
students are encouraged to contact their program administrator prior to submitting a proposal.
Independent study and tutorial courses must reflect the contact hours and rigor commensurate
with the level and credit offering. The Tutorial Registration form, found on the Office of the
University Registrar’s website, must be completed and submitted with all signatures by the
academic program to the SCS Office of Academic Affairs and Compliance at
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scsoaac@georgetown.edu no later than 1 week (5 business days) prior to the start of the full
session term in which the course will take place for final approval. Students will only receive
grades, hours, and credit for independent study or tutorial courses for which they were officially
registered.
Course Modalities (On-Campus & Online Courses)
Graduate Programs: Degree and Certificate
General Information Regarding Course Modalities:
SCS offers courses in two modalities or formats: on-campus and online. Depending on the
program, courses are offered exclusively in one modality (on-campus or online) or across both
modalities (on-campus and online). For graduate programs that offer courses both on-campus
and online, students are able to enroll in whichever format best fits their needs and learning
styles, depending on space availability. Specific information for students enrolled in online
courses from states outside the District of Columbia can also be found under the Distance
Education website maintained by the Office of Compliance & Ethics at:
https://compliance.georgetown.edu/student-consumer-information/distance-education
For academic programs that offer courses on-campus and online, students may enroll exclusively
in on-campus courses, exclusively in online courses, or in both on-campus and online courses
during the same semester (mixed modalities). However, at the time of admission students must
choose a primary modality: on-campus or online. This designation has specific implications for
veteran students/students using military benefits and international students (i.e. students using a
Georgetown University sponsored visa to study in the U.S.). Additionally, the primary modality
designation affects health insurance eligibility, registration priority, and the level of support that
CAPS and other similar departments may be able to provide due to students being located
outside of the DC metro area. Therefore, students and advising staff should be aware of the
following information:
I. Veteran Students/Students Using Military Benefits
A. Online Only
Students who choose to take courses exclusively in the online modality receive a percentage (not
the entire amount) of their distance education housing allowance. The VA only provides housing
allowance for the specific dates of the modules (i.e. the dates the class actually runs). Housing
allowance is not provided for any breaks between modules and payments are prorated based on
the module dates, NOT the full term of the semester. Most (but not all) of our online classes meet
in 7.5-week, half-semester modules. Some of our on-campus courses also meet during these half-
semester periods. The dates for these modules can be found on the modular academic calendar.
B. Mixed Modalities
Students who enroll in both online and on-campus courses (mixed modalities) within a semester
should consult the 15-week, full-semester academic calendar and the 7.5-week, half-semester
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modular academic calendar. Students who take at least one on-campus course receive a
percentage of the in-residence housing allowance.
In all cases the VA determines the amount of housing allowance students receives based on the
students’ eligibility of funds and their enrollment in courses. Students using military
benefits should consult with the Veterans Office before making any adjustments to their
schedules as this could affect their benefits eligibility.
II. International Students/Students Using a Georgetown Sponsored Visa to Study in the U.S.
A. Online Only
In order to remain compliant with federal visa regulations, international students are not eligible
to take courses exclusively online or in hybrid format.
B. Mixed Modalities
Students who enroll in both online and on-campus courses (mixed modalities) within a semester
should consult the full-semester and modular academic calendar. International students are
required to be enrolled full-time (3 courses) and can take one online or hybrid course each fall
and spring, provided that the other two courses are on-campus and span the duration of the full-
semester. Please review the guidance provided by the Office of Global Services regarding full-
time enrollment requirements for students on an F1 visa.
Additional Guidance for Modality Selection
I. Selecting a Primary Modality
At the time of their acceptance to Georgetown, students must select a primary modality (on-
campus or online) to indicate whether they intend to take primarily online courses or on-campus
courses. While students will not be limited to one modality or the other, for the purposes of
course registration, specific types of financial aid, and access to student health insurance a
modality must be indicated. When selecting a primary modality, students should consider the
following:
A. Registration
The primary modality selected determines course selection and registration access.
Students who select online as their primary modality will be given priority registration and
access to online courses. Similarly, students who select on-campus as their primary modality will
be given priority registration and access to on-campus courses. Students may register in courses
outside of their primary modality if seats are still available once the priority registration period
ends. Each program sets the guidelines for priority registration (deadlines, number of seats
available) so students should contact their academic programs for more information.
B. Health Insurance
Students who select online as their primary modality are not eligible for the Georgetown
University student health insurance plan.
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C. International Students/Students Using a Georgetown Sponsored Visa to Study in the U.S.
International students must select on-campus as their primary modality in order to be eligible to
apply for a student visa.
D. Veteran Students/Students Using Military Funding
Under the guidelines set forth by the US Department of Veterans Affairs, students using military
benefits who select online as their primary modality should be aware that the amount of housing
allowance provided varies based on the student’s eligibility, number of credits a student is
enrolled in, and the specified start and end dates for online courses. Students can visit
http://veterans.georgetown.edu/ for more information on Georgetown’s Veterans Office and
links to the US Department of Veterans Affairs.
II. Changing Primary Modalities
At the time of admission and enrollment, students select a primary modality (online or on-
campus) that indicates their preference for taking the majority of their courses online or on-
campus. Although students may have the option to take courses in either modality, students may
find it necessary to change their primary modality selection. International students should only
choose on-campus as their primary modality.
When changing their primary modality preference, students should consider the following:
A. Changing from online to on-campus
1. Registration
Students who change their primary modality to on-campus will be given priority registration for
on-campus courses. Students may register for online courses if seats are still available once the
priority registration period ends. Each program has guidelines for priority registration (deadlines,
number of seats available) so students should contact their academic programs for more
information.
2. Health Insurance
Students who change their primary modality from online to on-campus become eligible for
Georgetown University’s student health insurance plan.
3. Veteran /Students Using Military Benefits
The amount of housing allowance available to students using military benefits differs when
taking on-campus courses (compared to online). Students who are taking all of their courses on-
campus must review their benefit eligibility in light of their change in enrollment status. Please
visit http://veterans.georgetown.edu/ for more information on Georgetown’s Veterans Office and
links to the US Department of Veterans Affairs.
B. Changing from on-campus to online
1. Registration
Students who change their primary modality to online will be given priority registration for
online courses. Students may register for on-campus courses if seats are still available once the
priority registration period ends. Each program has guidelines for priority registration (deadlines,
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number of seats available) so students should contact their academic programs for more
information.
2. Health Insurance
Students who switch their primary modality from on-campus to online are ineligible for
Georgetown University’s student health insurance plan.
3. Veteran /Students Using Military Benefits
The amount of housing allowance available to students using military benefits who were
previously taking all of their courses on-campus and now want to take one or all of their courses
online varies significantly. Students should review their benefits and eligibility based on
enrollment before making this decision. Please visit http://veterans.georgetown.edu/ for more
information on Georgetown’s Veterans Office and links to the US Department of Veterans
Affairs.
Changing the Primary Modality Designation
Students enrolled in a graduate program may change their primary modality designation (e.g.
from on-campus to online, and back to on-campus; from online to on-campus, and back to
online) a maximum of two times throughout the course of their education. In order to make this
change, complete the Program Modality Change Request form found at
https://scs.georgetown.edu/resources-current-students/student-forms/. Once this change has been
made two times, no additional changes will be made.
Academic Calendar
SCS maintains an academic calendar that reflects important dates throughout the semester. Dates
are set in accordance with university deadlines and requirements. Students are responsible for
referencing the academic calendar that corresponds to the term for which they are registered (full
session, module A, module B) and for meeting all deadlines.
The most up to date academic calendar can be found at
https://scs.georgetown.edu/resources-current-students/academic-calendar/
SCS strictly adheres to the posted academic calendar for course registration deadlines (add/drop,
withdrawals) and tuition refunds. Students are responsible for verifying the accuracy of their
registrations and course schedule via MyAccess every semester in advance of the passing
deadlines. Changes to course registrations are not permitted outside of the stated deadlines.
Refunds are not permitted outside of the tuition refund periods.
Student Responsibility for Registration Decisions
Students are responsible for all registration decisions and must manage their registrations
(add/drop, withdrawal) via MyAccess.
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Students are responsible for verifying the accuracy of their academic schedule, including all
course and section numbers, before the end of the add/drop and withdrawal periods. Students
must confirm that they have accurately added, dropped, or withdrawn from a course by verifying
that the change is reflected in MyAccess.
Students must be registered via MyAccess and reflected on the course roster in order to attend
class. Students not officially registered and reflected on the roster are not permitted to attend any
course sessions.
Courses dropped during the add/drop period will be deleted from the student’s record with 100%
tuition refund. After the add/drop period ends, students can withdraw from a course in
MyAccess. Course withdrawal requests are listed as “W” (withdrawn) on the record and the
tuition refund is prorated according to the date of the withdrawal. Students should be attentive to
the fact that dropping or withdrawing from a course may have implications on their loan or Visa
status, and they must keep the appropriate offices and authorities informed.
Students who register for a course, fail to attend, and/or fail to withdraw via MyAccess will
receive an “F” in the course and are responsible for all charges assessed to their student account.
Refunds will not be issued in these cases.
Student Enrollment Status
SCS offers multiple degree programs, each with their own registration and student status
requirements. Please see below for greater detail regarding, provisional, part-time and full-time
status.
Provisional, Non-Degree Enrollment
Students who have been permitted to enroll in provisional, non-degree status have the
opportunity to demonstrate their academic potential through coursework. Upon successful
completion of the requirements outlined in the admission letter and below, they will be
transferred into degree-seeking status. All coursework, credits, and grades completed in
provisional, non-degree status will be applied toward the graduate or undergraduate degree.
● Provisional students may defer the start of their program through the SCS Office of
Admissions but are not permitted to take a Personal Leave of Absence after courses are
on their transcript.
● Graduate provisional students are limited to 2 courses/6-credit hours (part-time status),
and must earn grades of “B” (3.00) or better in both courses before being considered for
full admission to a graduate degree program. Graduate provisional students may not
register for more than 2 courses/6 credits.
● Undergraduate provisional students are limited to 2 courses/8-credit hours (part-time
status), and must earn grades of “C” (2.00) or better in both courses before being
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considered for full admission to the undergraduate degree program. Undergraduate
provisional students may not register for more than 2 courses/8 credits.
● Provisional students are limited to 3 consecutive semesters to complete these two courses
(for example, spring, summer, and fall).
● Earning one grade of “B-” (2.67) or below for graduate students or “C-” (1.67) or below
for undergraduate students while in provisional status, including a “U” grade, will result
in academic dismissal.
● Provisional students who earn unsatisfactory grades or do not meet grade requirements in
3 consecutive semesters will be academically dismissed. Dismissal is final; provisional
students may not submit an appeal to return from an academic dismissal.
Provisional students are responsible for understanding the conditions of their enrollment and
confirming their non-degree status on the admissions letter, in MyAccess, and on their transcript.
The review of eligibility to transition to degree-seeking status will commence after the deadline
for final grades per the full semester academic calendar and all grades have been posted and will
conclude by the end of the add/drop period in the following semester. If approved, the change to
degree-seeking will be communicated to the student’s Georgetown email account, posted on the
transcript, and reflected in MyAccess.
Part-Time Student Status
Students in the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, Master of
Professional Studies, and Doctor of Liberal Studies programs are permitted to register in part-
time or full-time status each semester. Students in the Executive MPS (EMPS) programs are not
permitted to register in part time status. The EMPS programs are all full-time only and cannot be
taken part-time.
Students on J-1 or F-1 student Visa must be registered as full-time to satisfy the terms and
conditions of the Visa.
Full-Time Student Status
Students requiring full-time status (such as the Executive MPS programs and international
students on a University-sponsored Visa) should meet with their academic program in their first
semester to develop a degree plan for the duration of their studies. Full-time status for graduate
students is nine credits in the fall and spring semesters and six credits in the summer semester.
Full-time status for undergraduate students is 12 credits in the fall and spring semesters, and nine
credits in the summer.
International students on a University-sponsored Visa must contact their International Student
and Scholar Advisor in the Office of Global Services if they are planning on going part-time (6
or fewer credits in fall/spring semesters) in their final semester to learn if they are eligible for an
exemption under federal regulations. Please review the guidance provided by the Office of
Global Services regarding full-time enrollment requirements for students on an F1 visa.
39
Full-time status may be required by some University offices (such as the Counseling Center,
University Health Insurance, and the Office of Global Services) for students to receive specific
services and support. Students who register full-time during the Fall or Spring semesters are
billed automatically for student health insurance. To opt out, the student must contact the Student
Health Insurance Office (studenthealth.georgetown.edu/insurance/; 202-687-4883) to secure a
waiver by showing proof of alternate coverage.
Undergraduate Certificate Student Status and Registration
Students in an undergraduate certificate program are permitted to register in part-time or full-
time status each semester. Students may not exceed 12-credits per semester to complete program
requirements.
Graduate Certificate Student Status and Registration
Students in a graduate certificate program are permitted to register in part-time or full-time status
each semester. Students may not exceed 9-credits per semester to complete program
requirements.
Registration Holds
A registration hold may be placed on a student's record for a variety of reasons. Common causes
include failure to supply documentation of immunization, an outstanding balance with Revenue
and Receivables Office, incomplete forms with the Office of Student Financial Services, or a
failure to complete a required tutorial or training such as the Honor Council Tutorial or Sexual
Misconduct Prevention Training. If a registration hold has been placed on a student's record, the
student must contact the appropriate office or department and clear the hold before they will be
permitted to register. Students must clear registration holds and register before the end of the
add/drop period. If they are unable to clear the hold and register before the end of the add/drop
period they must request a personal leave of absence for the semester or they risk being
withdrawn from the University for failure to register.
Leaves of Absence
Students needing to interrupt their studies temporarily should discuss the situation with their
program to request an official Leave of Absence. An approved Leave of Absence (LOA) allows
the student to remain active in the system and to receive limited access to University services
(such as email and the library).
The LOA form is located at: https://scs.georgetown.edu/resources-current-students/student-
forms/ and needs to be received before the end of the add/drop period of the semester the leave is
requested to begin. Students who request a LOA during a semester during which they
concurrently withdraw from courses will be subject to the registration, payment, and refund
deadlines and policies for that semester. All registration periods and cessations (including Leaves
of Absence and Withdrawals for Failure to Register) are recorded on the transcript.
Students in the Executive MPS (EMPS) programs are required to be registered in courses in Fall,
Spring and Summer. Students in the MPS majors who do not register for at least one course in
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Fall and Spring semesters and who are also not on a formal LOA will be automatically
withdrawn for failure to register. The statement “Withdrawn for failure to register” will be
recorded on the student’s transcript. These students are subject to Re-Enrollment and Re-
Admission policies. Prior acceptance to a program does not guarantee re-admission, as
admissions standards may be higher and more competitive in subsequent semesters.
Students cannot take courses elsewhere for transfer credit and no program requirements can be
completed during a LOA, nor can a student graduate during one. However, the LOA will not
alter deadlines relating to the completion of specific course requirements, such as deadlines for
completing work in a course for which an "Incomplete" grade was received.
A LOA does not confer the registration or residency status necessary to qualify for financial aid
or to meet Visa requirements. International students must contact their academic advisor, the
Academic Affairs & Compliance Office, their International Student and Scholar Advisor in the
Office of Global Services prior to initiating a request to take a LOA.
Personal Leave of Absence
A personal Leave of Absence (LOA) is defined as any leave of absence other than one granted
for medical reasons or for military service. Such requests are usually for such documented
reasons as work, health, or family obligations in a fall or spring semester. The LOA is not needed
to be away for the Summer semester, except for Exec. MPS students who are required to
maintain course registration.
Length of a Personal LOA:
● A total of no more than four semesters of personal LOA (Summer is excluded from being
a semester requiring course registration) can be allowed in the student's graduate career in
an MPS program.
● A total of no more than two semesters of personal LOA (Summer is excluded from being
a semester requiring course registration) can be allowed in the student's graduate career in
a graduate certificate program.
● A total of no more than two semesters of personal LOA (Summer is included as a
semester requiring course registration) can be allowed in the student’s graduate career in
an Executive (cohort, year-long) MPS program.
● Up to two consecutive semesters of leave may be granted at any one time: all
Professional Studies programs.
● The length of time that would otherwise be permitted to complete all requirements for a
degree and to graduate generally will be extended by one semester for each semester of
approved LOA.
Returning from a Personal Leave of Absence
Returning from an LOA is not automatic, and in some cases, not guaranteed. Before an approved
LOA comes to an end, the student must request to return by completing and submitting the
Return from Leave of Absence Form with the program's signed approval by the deadline for a
return in a specific semester they plan to resume their studies.
● Fall Return – August 15
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● Spring Return – December 10
● Summer Return – May 5
Exec. MPS students program uses the same forms and process, but follow an accelerated
schedule to initiate a LOA and request to return from a LOA. These specific dates are available
to EDM students by their program Director. EDM students returning after a LOA are placed in
the same module they received a “W” for, but in a different cohort.
Students who do not complete this process must either: (a) withdraw; (b) request an extension to
the LOA (if a return is not possible, an extension may be allowable); or (c) be withdrawn for
failure to register.
Regarding Tuition Liability and Fees
Upon being withdrawn for failure to register, students may be required to re-apply to their
academic program should they want to return to study (see Readmission After Prior Attendance).
If this is the case, students who are granted readmission into their current academic program will
be assessed tuition as articulated in the schedule as outlined under Course Registration and
Tuition Liability and Fees based on the semester and year they re-matriculate into their current
program following the time of their last enrollment. They will not maintain the previous tuition
rate assessed to them at the time they originally matriculated into their academic program.
Medical Leave of Absence
The university recognizes that students may experience medical situations that significantly limit
their ability to function successfully or safely in their role as students. In these situations,
students should consider requesting a Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA), which permits
students to take a break from University life and their studies, so that they may focus on their
treatment. MLOA students later return to the University with an enhanced opportunity to achieve
their academic and co-curricular goals.
University guidelines and policies for the administration of MLOAs:
http://studenthealth.georgetown.edu/medical-care/medical-leave/
Information for students seeking an MLOA due to a physical health condition:
https://studenthealth.georgetown.edu/medical-care/medical-leave-2/#
Information for students seeking an MLOA due to a mental health or wellbeing condition:
https://studenthealth.georgetown.edu/mental-health/medical-leave/#
Students approved to begin or return from an MLOA by Student Health Services or Counseling
and Psychiatric Services should direct their university clinician to submit all required
documentation to the Office of Academic Affairs and Compliance ([email protected])
for review and processing.
Deadlines for MLOA Approval and Return to Study
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The Office of Academic Affairs and Compliance (scsoaac@georgetown.edu) must receive the
required documentation from Student Health Services or Counseling and Psychiatric Services in
accordance with the following deadlines:
Approval to begin an MLOA:
● By the last day of the add/drop period for the full semester session
(https://scs.georgetown.edu/resources-current-students/academic-calendar/).
Approval to return to study following an MLOA:
● Fall Return – August 15
● Spring Return – December 10
● Summer Return – May 5
Additional Information:
Students seeking an MLOA who are not approved by the above deadlines should submit a
request for a personal leave of absence by the end of the add/drop deadline for the full semester
session or risk being withdrawn for failure to register.
Once the add/drop period for the full semester session has passed, students cannot be placed on a
medical leave for that semester. If approved, the MLOA will be applied for future semesters, as
guided by the decisions of the health services provider.
Students who elect to seek a medical leave of absence while the semester is in session (i.e. once
the add/drop deadline for the full semester session has passed) and are unable to continue in their
course of studies should withdraw from their courses via MyAccess in accordance with the
deadlines noted in the academic calendar.
Approved periods of medical leave will extend the time permitted to complete certificate and
degree requirements. Leaves for documented medical reasons, when properly approved in
advance, will not be counted against the four-semester limit for LOAs.
Regarding Tuition Liability and Fees
Students who return to study in their current academic program following an MLOA will be
assessed tuition as articulated in the schedule outlined under Course Registration and Tuition
Liability and Fees based on the semester and year they originally matriculated into their current
program. There will be no changes to the tuition and fees based on the semester/year they resume
their studies.
Military Leave of Absence
I. Military Leave and Refund Procedures
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A. Definition
For purposes of this policy, a “military service leave” is a University approved withdrawal from
all in-progress University classes that is necessitated by service, whether voluntary or
involuntary, in the United States Armed Forces, including service by a member of the National
Guard or Reserve, active duty, active duty for training, or full-time National Guard duty under
Federal authority, for a period of more than 30 consecutive days under a call or order to active
duty of more than 30 consecutive days.
B. Student Responsibilities
A student who is called to active duty or active service in a branch of the United States Armed
Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard or Reserve) and wishes
to take a military service leave must :
Provide the University with advanced notice of such service and the intention to take a leave of
absence. As soon as possible, after receiving military orders that require withdrawal from a
program or course of study, a student must contact their academic dean to request a formal leave
of absence and attach a copy of the military orders or other appropriate documentation to the
request. This advanced notice can be made by the student or may be made by an appropriate
officer of the U.S. Armed Forces or official of the U.S. Department of Defense to the University
Registrar, but the student is responsible for making sure the dean receives notice. The notice
need not include a statement of an intention to return to the University. If military necessity
renders it impossible to provide advance notice to their academic dean, the student may initiate a
military service leave by providing notice at the first reasonable opportunity, in writing,
personally signed, and with a copy of the military orders attached.
C. University Procedures
Upon receiving notice of a student’s request to withdraw from the University or a program or
drop all enrolled courses because of military obligations, the dean shall promptly contact the
campus registrar. The campus registrar will review the request and initiate the military service
leave of absence by notifying the Office of Student Financial Services and Revenue and
Receivables Office or equivalent offices at the Law School and Medical Center. The Office of
Student Financial Services (or equivalent) will review the student’s eligibility for financial aid
funds received before the time of withdrawal and inform the student about the status of their
financial aid and actions required to defer loan repayments based on military obligations.
Students who are granted a military service leave will receive a 100% refund of tuition and fees
charged for the semester or academic term in which they withdraw, but will be charged for
housing and meal plan expenses already incurred. If the University determines that it is
appropriate to award academic credit for work completed in the semester or academic term in
which a student takes military service leave, the student shall not receive a refund for the portion
of the course of study for which academic credit is awarded. No refund will be provided until the
University receives a copy of the military orders necessitating the withdrawal. Students who are
granted a military service leave may be on leave for up to five academic years, after which an
extension may be granted with their dean’s approval. To apply for an extension, students must
contact their dean. Students who do not request an extension will be withdrawn from the
University and at a later date may choose to seek readmission. To seek readmission at a later
date, students must contact their dean.
44
II. Military Re-Enrollment Procedures
A. Definition
For purposes of this policy, a “military re-enrollment” is a University approved re-enrollment
after a military service leave.
B. Student Responsibilities
A student who has taken military service leave from the University or has had studies interrupted
because of active duty or active service in a branch of the United States Armed Forces and
wishes to re-enroll must:
A student who has taken military service leave from the University or has had studies interrupted
because of active duty or active service in a branch of the United States Armed Forces and
wishes to re-enroll must notify the University of the intent to return to resume a course of study
upon conclusion of duty or service and present appropriate documentation prior to the semester
in which the student is requesting re-enrollment. To qualify for military re-enrollment, a student
must provide notice to the University of the intention to re-enroll within three years of the time
they are discharged from military service or is placed on inactive duty. Notice should be
provided in writing to the appropriate academic dean in accordance with the program’s re-
enrollment leave of absence process and should include documentation (including an official
certificate of release or discharge, a copy of duty orders, or other appropriate documentation) to
confirm/(verify) the student’s withdrawal was related to service in the uniformed services and
that the student is able to resume studies.
1
Military re-enrollment guarantees a student who meets
these requirements access to the same course of study they were in at the time of withdrawal
without incurring a re-enrollment fee, unless a student receives a dishonorable or bad conduct
discharge or has been sentenced in a court-martial.
2
Any student who, because of military
necessity, did not give written or oral notice of service to their academic dean or the campus
Registrar prior to withdrawal, may, at the time the student seeks readmission, submit
documentation that the student served in a branch of the U.S. Armed Services that necessitated
the student’s absence from the University.
C. University Procedures
A student who meets the notice requirements set forth herein will be granted military re-
enrollment in the semester following the notice of intent to return, or, if the student chooses, at
the beginning of the next full academic year. Upon returning to the University, the student will
resume their course of study without repeating completed coursework and will have the same
enrollment status and academic standing as before the military leave. If the student is readmitted
to the same program, during the first academic year in which the student returns, the student will
be assessed the same tuition and fee charges that the student was or would have been assessed
during the academic year in which the student left the institution.
3
However, for the first
academic year in which the student returns, the University may assess an amount up to the
amount of tuition and fee charges that other students in the program are currently assessed for
that academic year if the student’s veterans’ education benefits
4
or other service member
education benefits will pay the amount in excess of the tuition and fee charges assessed for the
academic year in which the student left the institution.
45
If, in the judgment of the University, a student is not academically prepared to resume a course
of study in which they were previously enrolled, or is unprepared to complete a program, the
University will determine whether reasonable means are available to help the student become
prepared. The University may deny the student re-enrollment if it determines that reasonable
efforts are not available, or that such efforts have failed to prepare the student to resume the
course of study or complete the program. A student who has been away from the University on
military service for more than five years (including all previous absences for military service
obligations after initial enrollment but including only time the student spends actually
performing service in the uniformed services) will not be guaranteed military re-enrollment, but
may petition their dean for consideration of military re-enrollment.
5
A student who chooses at
the conclusion of military service to enroll in a different course of study than the one the student
was in at the time of military withdrawal must complete the regular admission and enrollment
process for that course of study.
Notes
1. The University shall determine the adequacy of documentation with reference to 34. C.F.R.
Sec. 668.18(g).
2. The appropriate point in a course or program for a student to resume studies, the timing of re-
enrollment, and the determination of the “same course of study” will be determined by the
University, taking into account the unique characteristics and requirements of that course or
program and the modes in which it is offered (e.g., non-degree vs. degree, evening vs. day
program, special program vs. standard program). If the program in which the student was
enrolled has been discontinued or is no longer offered, the University will enroll the student in
the program that it determines to be most similar to that program or in a different program for
which the student is qualified. If the student is admitted to a different program, and for
subsequent academic years for a student admitted to the same program, the University shall
assess tuition and fee charges that are no greater than other students in the program are assessed
for that academic year.
3. The appropriate tuition and fee amounts will be reflected on the bill that the student receives.
4. As defined in section 480(c) of the HEA.
5. This cumulative leave of absence restriction shall be interpreted and applied with reference to
34 C.F.R. Sec. 668.18(c) and (e), which set forth rules for calculating cumulative absence due to
military service.
Regarding Tuition Liability and Fees
Students who return to study in their current academic program following a Military Leave of
Absence will be assessed tuition as articulated in the schedule outlined under Course
Registration and Tuition Liability and Fees based on the semester and year they originally
matriculated into their current program. There will be no changes to the tuition and fees based on
the semester/year they resume their studies.
46
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for Financial Aid
Students on federal financial aid may be notified by the Office of Student Financial Services that
they have been placed on financial aid warning or financial aid probation as a result of making
unsatisfactory progress toward degree completion. It is very important that all students remain on
track and any academic questions should be addressed to program advisors. All financial aid
questions should be addressed to the Office of Student Financial Services.
Withdrawal
Course Withdrawal
Students must withdraw from courses via MyAccess. Course withdrawal requests cannot be done
by calling or emailing academic advisors, program staff, faculty, or other university
administrators or departments. It is the student’s personal responsibility to withdraw from a
course in MyAccess before the official withdrawal deadline. Failure on the student’s part to
withdraw officially from a course will result in a grade of “F” in the course which will be
factored into the student’s academic standing (probation and termination) and official GPA.
Students are also responsible for all charges assessed to their student account.
Students who intend on resuming their studies in the following semester may withdraw from all
courses in a semester without withdrawing completely from their program. Students on financial
aid must consult with the Office of Student Financial Services prior to withdrawing from any
course. Withdrawal may result in a reduction in the financial assistance the student is eligible to
receive.
International students must meet with their International Student and Scholar Advisor in the
Office of Global Services for advising prior to withdrawing from a course or from a program.
Program Withdrawal
Students who wish to withdraw formally from a program must submit their request in writing via
email to their program and the Office of Academic Affairs & Compliance
(scsoaac@georgetown.edu). Withdrawals are recorded on the transcript. The date of the email
will be used as the official date of withdrawal and for any applicable refund. Once the email has
been submitted, the request is considered final. Students should also contact Revenue and
Receivables to satisfy all financial obligations to the University. It is the student’s responsibility
to keep all email correspondence related to withdrawals.
Students who began pursuing a MPS degree may decide to complete only the graduate certificate
that corresponds to their degree program. In these cases, students must submit the Graduate
Certificate Completion Request form and send a withdrawal request to their academic program
and the Office of Academic Affairs & Compliance (scsoaac@georgetown.edu) as outlined
above. If the student has met the certificate requirements, the certificate will be reflected on the
transcript as will the withdrawal from the degree program. Students who fail to submit the
Certificate Completion Request at the time of withdrawal will not have the certificate noted on
their transcript; the notation cannot be added retroactively. The date of the email will be used as
47
the official date of withdrawal and for any applicable refund. Once the email has been submitted,
the request is considered final. They should also contact Revenue and Receivables to satisfy all
financial obligations to the University. It is the student’s responsibility to keep all email
correspondence related to withdrawals.
Students who have withdrawn (or been withdrawn for failure to register) officially from their
program may be required to re-apply should they wish to return in the future (see Readmission
after Prior Attendance). Prior acceptance to a program in SCS does not guarantee future
acceptance to that same or another program.
International students on a University-sponsored Visa must meet with their International Student
and Scholar Advisor in the Office of Global Services for advising prior to withdrawing from a
course or from a program.
Retroactive Course Withdrawal
We are committed to academic excellence and understand that a student’s academic progress
might be hindered by unexpected, non-academic circumstances. In the rare circumstances in
which students were unable to withdraw from a course by the deadlines set forth in the academic
calendar, they may request a one-time only retroactive withdrawal.
The Office of Academic Affairs and Compliance convenes a committee to review these requests
for exceptions. Once the committee has reviewed a case and made a decision, the decision is
final and without right of further appeal. If approved, a retroactive course withdrawal results in a
notation of “W” next to the withdrawn course(s). Refunds are not permitted even if a withdrawal
is approved. Students will be notified in writing of the outcome by the Office of Academic
Affairs and Compliance.
Retroactive course withdrawals are not permitted under the following circumstances:
● Registration errors on the part of students who did not adjust and verify their schedules
during the regular add/drop and withdrawal periods;
● For students who took on too much (academically, personally, professionally) and did not
adjust their schedules during the regular add/drop and withdrawal periods;
● To avoid an unsatisfactory grade in a course or resulting academic termination or
dismissal. Thus, the student’s instructor and/or academic program may be contacted for
input regarding attendance and grades earned throughout the semester when SCS reviews
such requests.
Guidelines for submitting a retroactive course withdrawal appeal:
● Retroactive course withdrawal requests can only be made once a final grade has been
entered for the course.
● Retroactive course withdrawal requests must be submitted electronically by the student to
the Office of Academic Affairs and Compliance (scsoaac@georgetown.edu) no later than
48
60 days after the beginning of the semester following the semester in which the failing
grade was issued.
● Appeals must include a written statement and verifiable third-party documentation that
confirms the student was unable to withdraw from the course within the deadlines set
forth in the academic calendar. Appeals will not be considered without verifiable third-
party documentation.
A note about verifiable third-party documentation:
As each case is unique and the type of third-party documentation available varies based on the
circumstances, students are responsible for determining what documentation to submit in support
of their appeal. Students are encouraged to submit any documentation they believe will be
helpful in demonstrating to the committee that they were unable to withdraw themselves within
the stated deadlines. Submission of third-party documentation does not guarantee the request will
be approved.
SCS Academic Council
The SCS Academic Council reviews student requests for appeals related to academic actions
(terminations and dismissals), exceptions to academic policies, and other complex academic
matters that are best decided by a committee of individuals, rather than at the sole discretion of
the academic program or the Office of Academic Affairs and Compliance. The SCS Academic
Council is composed of academic administrators from across the School.
Students must submit requests in writing to the Office of Academic Affairs and Compliance
(scsoaac@georgetown.edu). Requests should clearly outline the appeal or policy exception that
is being requested, include a brief statement outlining the relevant circumstances in the case, and
any documentation that supports the request. Upon receiving the appeal, Academic Affairs and
Compliance may contact the academic program, faculty, or other university offices to request
documentation or information they have regarding the case. Once all documentation has been
collected, Academic Affairs and Compliance refers the appeal to the SCS Academic Council for
review.
The SCS Academic Council conducts a blind review of the student’s appeal materials and any
supplemental information to determine if an exception can be made. The Office of Academic
Affairs and Compliance notifies students in writing of the outcome. Decisions made by the SCS
Academic Council are final and without right of further appeal.
Certificate and Degree Time Limits
Students are required to complete their degree within the time limit specified for their degree
program.
Students in the Undergraduate Certificate program: 3 years
Students in the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies program: 10 years
Students in the Graduate Certificate program: 2 years
49
Students in the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program: 7 years
Students in the Master of Professional Studies: 5 years
Students in the Executive Master of Professional Studies: 1year
Students in the Doctor of Liberal Studies program: 7 years
Students must request extensions in writing beyond the allotted time period. These requests are
considered exceptions; they are neither automatic nor guaranteed and they will be reviewed on a
case-by-case basis by their program and then by the Office of Academic Affairs & Compliance
(scsoaac@georgetown.edu). Students who are not approved for an extension on the degree time
limit will be academically terminated or dismissed from the program for violating the time limit
for completion of the degree.
International students with F-1/J-1 Visa status are required to register full-time (9 credits in the
regular fall and spring semesters) and must therefore complete their degrees within four to five
semesters. International students on a University-sponsored Visa who anticipate completing their
programs sooner than anticipated (by registering in summer courses, for example), or later than
expected, must contact their program, the Office of Academic Affairs & Compliance, and their
International Student and Scholar Advisor in the Office of Global Services as soon as those
changes occur to discuss the possible ramifications to their Visa status.
Academic Overload
Students enrolled in a credit-bearing SCS certificate or degree program may only receive
financial aid for courses that are required to complete their certificate or degree program.
Enrolling in additional coursework beyond the program requirements should be discussed with
an academic advisor as well as the financial aid office (https://finaid.georgetown.edu/). Students
assume all academic and financial responsibility for the courses in which they enroll.
Students are not permitted to enroll in additional coursework for the purpose of improving their
GPA and/or preventing academic actions like Warning, Probation, or Dismissal. Under these
circumstances, satisfactory grades may be excluded (without a refund) at the time of graduation
review. Unsatisfactory grades will not be excluded at any time, regardless of whether or not a
student has received permission to enroll in those courses.
Note:
Grades of B or better are satisfactory for graduate certificate and degree programs.
Grades of C or better are satisfactory for undergraduate certificate and degree programs.
Re-Admission after Prior Attendance
Students are expected to make adequate, timely progress towards completion of their degree.
Students who have 1) withdrawn themselves from an academic program or 2) who have been
withdrawn for failure to register due to failing to meet continuous enrollment requirements who
would like to return to study must reapply for admission to their program through the SCS Office
of Admissions if they meet any of the following conditions:
50
1. The student is requesting a return after any absence during which s/he studied at another
institution without prior written permission.
2. The student was on academic probation at the time of last attendance;
3. The student has not been enrolled at Georgetown for two years;
4. The student has exceeded the time to degree completion.
A return to study should not be expected. Prior acceptance to an SCS program does not
guarantee future acceptance to that same or another program regardless of coursework completed
or GPA. Students who are permitted to return to study may be required to complete additional
coursework or requirements for the degree if earlier requirements have changed. They may also
be held to higher academic standards than what is stated for their academic program or degree
requirements. The original withdrawal notice remains on the official transcript. A second
withdrawal is final and without right of further appeal.
Students must submit their application materials to the SCS Office of Admissions by the
published deadline. Former students who were terminated or dismissed from the School and
University due to academic reasons or due to a violation of the Honor Code or Student Conduct
must complete the “Appeal of Termination or Dismissal” process. Students seeking a return who
do not meet the above criteria must complete the “Re-Enrollment After Prior Attendance”
process.
Regarding Tuition Liability and Fees
Students who are granted readmission into their current academic program will be assessed
tuition as articulated in the schedule outlined under Course Registration and Tuition Liability and
Fees based on the semester and year they re-matriculate into their current program following the
time of their last enrollment. They will not maintain the previous tuition rate assessed to them at
the time they originally matriculated into their academic program.
Re-Enrollment after Prior Attendance
If none of the conditions listed for required readmission review are met, then former students
may submit a request to re-enroll by (a) completing the Re-enrollment Request Form and (b)
writing a brief essay explaining the reasons they left their studies, why they would like to return
at this time, and how they are prepared to successfully complete their studies within the time
limit for their degree*. The form and essay should be returned to the Office of Academic Affairs
& Compliance ([email protected]) with the approval of the program in accordance with
the following deadlines:
● Fall Return – August 15
● Spring Return – December 10
● Summer Return – May 5
Re-Enrollment applies only to students who have matriculated into a degree program. Students
who have deferred their enrollment, whether officially in writing or unofficially through failure
51
to register, are required to re-apply after the maximum time period for deferral has elapsed. The
Student Forms page contains the latest Re-Enrollment Request Form.
*Students may be required to submit a re-enrollment appeal to the SCS Academic Council if
they fail to meet other academic requirements or guidelines set forth in the SCS Academic Rules
and Regulations, Undergraduate Bulletin, or the Graduate Academic Catalog. The Office of
Academic Affairs and Compliance will notify students if this is the case.
Regarding Tuition Liability and Fees
Students who are granted re-enrollment into their current academic program will be assessed
tuition as articulated in the schedule outlined under Course Registration and Tuition Liability and
Fees based on the semester and year they originally matriculated into their current program.
There will be no changes to the tuition and fees based on the re-enrollment date.
Termination and Dismissal Appeals
Students are terminated or dismissed for failing to meet the academic and degree requirements
outlined under the academic standing guidelines. Students are notified in writing of the change in
their status by the Office of Academic Affairs and Compliance. If a student is eligible to appeal
to the SCS Academic Council for a return to study, the termination or dismissal letter will note
this.
The Office of Academic Affairs and Compliance convenes the SCS Academic Council to
conduct a blind review of these exception requests. Once the Council has reviewed a case and a
decision has been made, the decision is final without right of further appeal. Students will be
notified in writing of the outcome by the Office of Academic Affairs and Compliance.
A return to study should not be expected. Appeals will only be considered for cases in which
exceptional, complicating circumstances contributed to the student's inability to meet the
standard academic requirements. In such cases, the Academic Council will consider whether a
return is appropriate based on the student's academic record, appeal materials, and feedback from
the academic program (as appropriate).
If an appeal is denied, students are not permitted to submit an additional appeal or a new
admissions application to return to study in the program from which they were academically
dismissed or terminated from.
If an appeal is approved, students will return to study on probationary status, may be held to
higher academic standards than what is required for the program or degree, may be required to
earn specific grades in certain courses, and/or be required to repeat or take additional courses.
The original termination or dismissal notice remains on the official transcript. A second
dismissal or termination is final and without right of further appeal.
The appeal process is not allowed for:
52
● Registration errors on the part of students who did not adjust and verify their schedules
during the regular add/drop and withdrawal periods.
● Students who took on too much (personally, academically, professionally) and failed to
adjust their schedules accordingly.
● Students who have been terminated or dismissed because their cumulative GPA is at such
a low level that raising it to the minimum GPA required to be eligible for graduation
within the program credit limit is mathematically impossible.
Guidelines for Submitting an Appeal
● Materials must be submitted to the Office of Academic Affairs and Compliance
(scsoaac@georgetown.edu) 90 days from the date the termination or dismissal letter was
issued. Appeals will not be accepted once the deadline has passed. Once the deadline has
passed, the termination or dismissal becomes final without right of further appeal.
● Students must submit a written statement that demonstrates the exceptional, complicating
circumstances that prevented them from meeting the minimum academic requirements of
the program and degree. Though not required, students may include documentation that
supports their case beyond what is discussed in the written statement.
A note about supporting documentation:
As each case is unique and the type of documentation available varies based on the
circumstances, students are responsible for determining what documentation, if any, to submit in
support of their appeal. Students are encouraged to submit any documentation they believe will
be helpful in demonstrating to the SCS Academic Council that exceptional, complicating
circumstances played a role in their case. Submission of supporting documentation does not
guarantee a return to study will be approved.
Grades & Grading
Undergraduate Grading System
Undergraduate certificate and BALS students reference the undergraduate grading system and
related academic regulations found in the Undergraduate Bulletin at
https://bulletin.georgetown.edu/regulation/studying.
Graduate Grading System
Final course grades for graduate-level coursework are recorded as follows:
A 4.00 I Incomplete
A- 3.67 W Withdrawal
B+ 3.33 S Satisfactory (“B” or better required for “S”)
B 3.00 U Unsatisfactory (“B-” or lower results in “U”)
53
B- 2.67 IP In Progress
C 2.00 NR Not Reported*
F 0.00 AU Audit (Not an option for SCS graduate students)**
Course grades of C+ or C- or D cannot be assigned to any graduate-level course under any
circumstances.
The Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated by dividing the total number of quality points
earned at GU in the program by the total number of academic credits attempted at GU in the
program. The current GPA is included on the student’s degree audit and transcript which the
student views in MyAccess. (Transfer credit counts toward the total number of academic credits
earned, but grades from those courses are not transferred or included in the cumulative GPA.)
The “NR” code is not considered an Incomplete (“I”) and is not treated the same way as an
Incomplete (“I”). The “NR” code is reserved for the few situations that arise when the deadline
for that grade has been met but the grade for that course has not yet been submitted by the
instructor as a result of a pending Honor Council case.
Beginning in Spring 2012, MALS and DLS courses that are not graded, such as Continuous
Registration courses, but are required for students to maintain their enrollment status receive a
designation of “NG” upon completion.
The grades of Satisfactory (“S”) or Unsatisfactory (“U”) are awarded for pass/fail courses only
and cannot be earned in classes not already officially designated to be pass/fail by the Office of
Academic Affairs & Compliance and the academic program. A grade of “B” or better is required
for a graduate student to be assigned an “S”; a grade of “B-” or lower results in a grade of “U”
and there will be no earned credit. Grades of “S” and “U” are not included in the calculation of a
student’s GPA; however, for the purpose of reviewing academic performance leading to
academic probation or termination, a “U” is treated the same as an “F.”
SCS graduate courses cannot be audited (by students within those programs or by visiting
students). SCS firmly believes that our students register for courses for credit and grades to help
ensure active participation and the successful, timely completion of assignments.
Grading Scales
Instructors determine the point value required for final grades in their course. Instructors are not
required to round grades, and many choose not to do so; therefore, a student who has earned
89.99 points could reasonably be assigned a “B+” in a course in which that instructor requires 90
points for an “A-”. Additionally, instructors are not required to use the +/- system in assigning
grades. Instructors teaching graduate courses may assign grades of “C+” or “C-” or “D” on
individual assignments, tests, or papers during a course (and include such grades on their
syllabi), they cannot assign these as final course grades. Thus, a student with a “C+” average in a
class could be assigned a “C” as the final course grade, and a student with a “C-” or “D” average
in a class could be assigned an “F” as the final course grade.
54
Course Syllabi and Grading Criteria
Each course will have a syllabus that clearly describes the performance expectations for the
course including details on each assignment, quiz, and examination. Learning outcomes will be
included along with appropriate measurements for those outcomes.
Students should note that course syllabi are agreements between the instructor and students, but
they are not contracts, nor should they be regarded as such. In certain situations, instructors may
need to change some course requirements (including due dates and percentage allocations for
assignments) during the semester. In those cases, instructors should notify students of those
changes as quickly and clearly as possible, and they should apply those changes uniformly to the
course.
Incomplete Grades and Deadlines
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies
Grounds for an Incomplete Grade
Students are expected to complete all coursework by the end of the semester in which that
coursework is taken. In extreme, documented instances it may be necessary for BALS students to
request an Incomplete, “N,” grade and a limited extension of time to complete the required
coursework. Students can request an Incomplete when they need a little more time to apply the
finishing touches to the remaining one or two assignments. Incompletes are not appropriate when
students have more than one or two assignments to complete, need longer than the SCS deadline
to complete the remaining assignments, or have taken on too much academically and did not
adjust their schedules within the published add/drop and withdrawal periods. Incomplete grades
are not automatic, some instructors do not allow Incompletes, and all Incompletes require final
approval by the academic program. If approved, instructors or the academic program may
establish a date prior to the dates given here, and they may also assign a grade penalty or other
penalty for late work. If the Incomplete is not approved by the program, the student will be
issued a final grade in the course based on the work submitted.
Process for Requesting an Incomplete
Students should reach out to their academic advisor and instructor if they would like to request
an Incomplete. The academic program and faculty member will determine if an Incomplete is
appropriate. If the request is not granted, the student will receive a grade in the course based on
the work submitted
When an N grade is granted, the course must be completed by the new deadlines agreed upon by
the student, instructor, and academic program. The final grade must be submitted by the
instructor no later than (1) March 30 for the fall semester; (2) September 30 for the spring
semester; or (3) November 30 for the summer sessions. If the student has not completed the
outstanding work by the new deadline(s), faculty will be required to submit a letter grade (A
through F) on the basis of all work completed previously.
55
Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, Graduate Certificates, Master of Professional Studies,
Executive Master of Professional Studies, Doctor of Liberal Studies
Grounds for an Incomplete Grade
Students are expected to complete all coursework by the end of the semester in which that
coursework is taken. In extreme, documented instances (typically related to unexpected work or
health reasons), it may be necessary for MALS, MPS, and DLS students to request an
Incomplete, “I,” grade and a limited extension of time to complete the required coursework.
Students can request an Incomplete when they need a little more time to apply the finishing
touches to the remaining one or two assignments. Incompletes are not appropriate when students
have more than one or two assignments to complete, need longer than the SCS deadline to
complete the remaining assignments, or have taken on too much academically and did not adjust
their schedules within the published add/drop and withdrawal periods. Incomplete grades are not
automatic, some instructors do not allow Incompletes, and all Incompletes require final approval
by the academic program. If approved, instructors or the academic program may establish a date
prior to the dates given here, and they may also assign a grade penalty or other penalty for late
work. If the Incomplete is not approved by the program, the student will be issued a final grade
in the course based on the work submitted.
Process for Requesting an Incomplete
All Incompletes should be requested first by the student of the instructor in writing prior to the
last day of class. Requests received on or after the last day of class will not be considered.
Students should include an explanation for their request and any supporting documentation they
have.
Upon receiving the request, the instructor will determine if an Incomplete should be granted. If
the instructor would like to grant an Incomplete, they will submit the request to program
leadership for final approval. The instructor must receive the program’s approval before an
Incomplete can be granted.
The instructor should submit to the program the student’s initial request, explanation of
remaining course requirements, and the proposed due date (not to exceed the deadlines listed
below). The academic program will notify the instructor and the student of the final decision. If
an Incomplete is granted, the instructor will enter a grade of “I” for the course. If the Incomplete
is not approved, the student will receive a final grade for the course based on the work submitted.
Decisions made by the academic program are final and without right of further appeal.
If the instructor grants a student additional time to complete the coursework and the work is
completed on or before the established extension deadline, the “I” is changed to the appropriate
grade. This policy is applicable to all Professional Studies courses as well as courses students
may take outside the program here at Georgetown or another university.
Deadlines for the submission of Incomplete coursework by the student:
Courses following the standard academic calendar:
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● March 1: for a course taken in the fall term
● July 15: for a course taken in the spring term
● October 15: for a course taken in the summer term
Courses following the modular calendar:
● November 10: for a course taken in the fall module A term
● January 5: for a course taken in the fall module B term
● March 25: for a course taken in the spring module A term
● May 25: for a course taken in the spring module B term
● August 5: for a course taken in the summer module A term
● September 10: for a course taken in the summer module B term
If these dates fall on a weekend, the following Monday will be the deadline. All assignments to
be completed by those dates must be delivered to the program leadership and instructors no later
than 4 p.m. EST on or before the date listed above. The student is responsible for ensuring any
emailed work, including attachments, is received and can be opened by the recipient.
Submissions after the published deadline date and time will not be accepted and the grade of “I”
will automatically change to the grade of “F.” Upon receipt of the final assignment(s) by the
deadline, the instructor will review the work submitted and send a grade change report to the
Office of Academic Affairs & Compliance ([email protected]) for final review. The
instructor must submit this grade change within two weeks of receiving a student’s completed
work.
EMPS in EDM Students please note: An incomplete in the field experience of an Emergency &
Disaster Management (EMPS) module is not possible, and an incomplete in the technology
enhanced portion of an EDM course is highly discouraged. In the event of an unanticipated
emergency, a one-week incomplete may be allowed for coursework. If the incomplete is not
satisfied within that timeline, an “F” grade will be applied to that course and the student will be
terminated from the program.
Repeating a Course
Undergraduate Certificate and Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies
Students may not repeat any course except under the following circumstance:
Students who have not been academically dismissed may be permitted to repeat a single course
one time at their own expense in which a grade of “F” has been received. If such a course is
repeated, all registrations for that course and the respective grades, including the original grade
of “F,” will remain on the transcript. Both the original grade of “F” and the grade of the repeated
registration will be included in calculating the GPA used to evaluate the student’s academic
standing and eligibility to graduate. Credits in a repeated course only count once toward the
requirements of a student’s degree even though both grades are factored into the GPA and
remain on the transcript. If a course is no longer offered, the program may allow the student to
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take a content-similar course as the “repeat” for it. Students cannot repeat for credit a course in
which they earned a grade of D or better.
Graduate Certificate and Professional Studies
Students may not repeat any course except under the following circumstances:
A. Students who have not been academically dismissed may be permitted by their program
to repeat a single course one time at their own expense in which a grade of “F” has been
received. If such a course is repeated, all registrations for that course and their respective
grades, including the original grade of “F,” will remain on the transcript. Both the
original grade of “F” and the grade of the repeated registration will be included in
calculating the GPA used to evaluate the student’s academic standing and eligibility to
graduate. If a course is no longer offered, the program may allow the student to take a
content-similar course as the “repeat” for it.
B. If a program requires a grade of “B” (3.00) or better in a required course, and the student
earns a grade below this level (without having been terminated or dismissed academically),
the program may permit the student to repeat it one time at their own expense. Both the
original and the grade of the repeated registration will be included in calculating the GPA
used to evaluate the student’s academic standing and eligibility to graduate. Individual
programs may also limit courses that can be repeated.
Credits in a repeated course only count once toward the requirements of a student’s degree even
though both grades are factored into the GPA and remain on the transcript.
Students in the Executive MPS programs who have earned a grade of “B-“ or “C” in the first
module of the program (MPEM 500, “Theory & Legal Framework” or MPGC 500, “Global
Leadership & Communications”) or Capstone and were not academically terminated, or who
withdrew from either course, must request to go on a Leave of Absence until that course can be
repeated in the next year’s cohort.
Master of Arts in Liberal Studies and Doctor of Liberal Studies
Students may not repeat any course except under the following circumstances:
A. Students who have not been terminated or academically dismissed may be permitted by
their program to repeat a single course one time at their own expense in which a grade of
“F” has been received. If such a course is repeated, all registrations for that course and
their respective grades, including the original grade of “F,” will remain on the transcript.
Both the original grade of “F” and the grade of the repeated registration will be included
in calculating the GPA used to evaluate the student’s academic standing and eligibility to
graduate. Credits in a repeated course only count once toward the requirements of a
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student’s degree even though both grades are factored into the GPA and remain on the
transcript.
B. If a course is no longer offered, the program may allow the student to take a content-
similar course as the “repeat” for it.
C. If a program requires a grade of “B” (3.00) or better in a required course, and the student
earns a grade below this level (without having been terminated or dismissed
academically), the program may permit the student to repeat it one time at their own
expense. Both the original grade of “F” and the grade of the repeated registration will be
included in calculating the GPA used to evaluate the student’s academic standing and
eligibility to graduate. The program may also limit courses that can be repeated.
D. Thesis Proposal students who withdraw or have earned one “U” already in that course
may repeat it only one time.
E. Thesis Writing students must register for Continuous Registration for no more than two
semesters, the maximum length to write the thesis.
Course Grade Changes and Time Limits
Students are responsible for verifying the accuracy of their grades, degree audit, and transcript at
the conclusion of every semester. If the student believes the grade recorded is not accurate, they
should follow the grade appeal process. The first step is to contact the instructor of the course
immediately (within 30 days following the last day of classes for the semester in which the
course was offered) to discuss the matter.
No additional or revised coursework can or will be accepted to improve a student’s course grade
after that course has been completed. Assignments that were graded real-time during the
semester cannot be re-evaluated after the course has been completed. For example, if students
were evaluated on in-class presentation skills or received a grade for in-class participation, the
points/grades for those assignments cannot be altered at a later time as they were assessed based
on the student’s real-time performance in the course.
Grades cannot be changed more than three consecutive semesters (fall/spring/summer;
spring/summer/fall; summer/fall/spring) following the end of the semester in which the course
was originally offered. After the degree has been conferred, the transcript is considered final.
Course Grade Appeals
Grounds for Appeal
Our faculty members have been chosen due to their unique experience and expertise in their
respective fields. As such, SCS strongly believes in the authority of its faculty to determine the
academic merit and grades of their students. While students may request a review of their final
course grade, they should also keep in mind that the faculty member is considered the academic
and professional expert in determining their grade. A mathematical error, error in grading
procedures, or inequity in the application of policies stated in the course syllabus are grounds for
59
an appeal. A disagreement with the professional judgment of the instructor should not be the
basis of an appeal or any resulting change of grade.
No additional or revised coursework can or will be accepted to improve a student’s course grade
after that course has been completed. Assignments that were graded real-time during the
semester cannot be re-evaluated after the course has been completed. For example, if students
were evaluated on in-class presentation skills or received a grade for in-class participation, the
points/grades for those assignments cannot be altered at a later time as they were assessed based
on the student’s real-time performance in the course.
The grade appeal procedure is not set up to address allegations of discrimination. However, SCS
takes all such allegations very seriously and advises that students who believe they have been
discriminated against make a formal complaint through the Office of Institutional Diversity,
Equity, and Affirmative Action (202-687-4798; ideaa@georgetown.edu). The Grievance
Procedure and Discrimination Complaint Form can be found at ideaa.georgetown.edu/policies/.
The grade appeal process only appeals to final grades. Students with questions about grades
received on individual assignments while a course is in-progress should speak directly with their
instructor.
Grade Appeal Process
In the event that a student would like to appeal the final grade received for a course, the
following steps are to be taken:
A. Students should first contact the instructor via email specifying the grounds upon which
they are appealing their grade. This process must begin no later than 30 days after the beginning
of the semester following that semester in which the contested grade was received. In their email
to the instructor, students should include copies of the course syllabus and all graded
assignments, so the instructor can review all aspects of the grade and how it was calculated and
recorded. The syllabus should serve as a guideline with the understanding that instructors can
make amendments to their syllabi during the semester (adding or deleting assignments, for
example, or changing a percentage allocation for an assignment under unusual circumstances) if
needed as long as all students in the course are held to the same academic standards. Once the
instructor has reviewed the appeal, students will be provided with a written explanation of the
grade breakdown, how the grade was calculated, and the instructor’s decision to sustain or adjust
the grade. If the instructor recommends a grade change, they will submit the recommendation to
program leadership for review. If approved by program leadership, the recommendation will be
submitted to the Office of Academic Affairs and Compliance to ensure the grade change is
consistent with University and School policies. Once the recommendation has been reviewed, the
Office of Academic Affairs and Compliance will confirm the outcome with program leadership.
The academic program will follow up in writing to the student with the final decision. Grade
changes are not considered final until the Office of Academic Affairs has completed a policy
review.
B. If, after receiving the instructor’s decision, the student still believes the final grade was
incorrectly assigned, s/he may then appeal in writing to the leadership of the program offering
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the course. The student must supply a copy of the syllabus, relevant emails, and copies of all
graded assignments. This process must begin no later than 60 days after the beginning of the
semester following the semester in which the contested grade was received. The course instructor
may also be contacted by the program for additional information. Upon completion of this
review, the program may decide (1) there is no basis for the appeal and the original grade will be
upheld or (2) the appeal warrants further review by a faculty committee comprised of three
faculty members within that program. If a committee is called, the program leadership will name
a chair and all members will complete a blind review of the information and assignments and
then make a formal, written recommendation. In re-evaluating the student’s work, the committee
can decide to raise or sustain the grade. In either case, the program leadership will not judge the
academic merit of the assignments; rather, they will review the situation solely to ensure that the
grading criteria were followed and applied to all students. After investigating the matter fully, the
program will notify the student in writing of the decision. If the appeal results in a grade change,
a recommendation will be made to the Office of Academic Affairs & Compliance. The Office of
Academic Affairs and Compliance will review the recommendation to ensure the grade change is
consistent with University and School policies. Once the recommendation has been reviewed, the
Office of Academic Affairs and Compliance will confirm the outcome with program leadership,
who will follow up in writing with the student with the final decision. Grade changes are not
considered final until the Academic Affairs has completed a policy review.
C. If, after completing the appeal process with the instructor and the program offering the
course, the student would like to appeal further based solely upon procedural grounds, s/he may
then submit a formal request in writing to the Office of Academic Affairs & Compliance
(scsoaac@georgetown.edu) for final review. Students are responsible for providing all written
documentation they received throughout the appeal process. The academic program and course
instructor may also be contacted for additional information. Academic Affairs will complete an
investigation. This process must begin no later than 90 days after the beginning of the semester
following the semester in which the contested grade was received. This final level of appeal
reviews the administrative handling of the appeal only, to ensure the grade appeal policy and
process was followed as outlined in the handbook. Neither the Office of Academic Affairs and
Compliance nor the SCS Dean’s Office will evaluate the academic merit of the work (such as re-
grading a paper or test). Academic Affairs will confirm the outcome of the procedural review to
students in writing. The decision at this level of appeal is final and not open to further appeal.
Academic Standing
Academic excellence is one of the defining characteristics of Georgetown. SCS students are
expected to make consistent progress in their degree programs. Good academic standing is
required to be considered for some special requests at the School-level (such as participation in
the Consortium of Universities) and for other requests at the program level (such as approval for
certain internships and independent studies). Students are subject to academic warning,
probation, dismissal or termination depending upon their GPA and other factors.
The Office of Academic Affairs and Compliance reviews academic standing at the end of each
full semester, once all final grades have been posted. Students who take classes according to the
modular academic calendar will have their academic standing reviewed at the end of the full
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term, once module A and module B has been completed. Students are responsible for monitoring
their academic progress and final grades. If a student believes they are in danger of being
academically dismissed or terminated due to their academic standing following a module A
course, they should consider dropping or withdrawing from any future course registrations.
Students who choose to continue with courses following the posting of module A grades are
responsible for all academic and financial outcomes associated with their registration decisions
for module B and beyond.
Undergraduate Certificate Academic Standing
Good Academic Standing
Students with a cumulative and semester GPA of 2.000 (solid “C”) or better are considered in
good academic standing. Georgetown does not round the GPA. Thus, a student with a 1.999
cumulative GPA would not be allowed to graduate and would be dismissed from the program.
There are no exceptions to this minimum academic standard.
Academic Probation
Certificate students are placed on academic probation when (1) they earn one “F” or “U” in a
single semester; or (2) when their cumulative GPA falls below 2.000. Unless they meet the
criteria for dismissal, students remain on probation until their GPA improves to a 2.000 or better.
Students placed on probation due to earning a grade of “F” or “U” in a single semester remain
academically at-risk as students are dismissed upon accumulating three “F’s” regardless of GPA.
Academic Dismissal
Students in an undergraduate certificate program are dismissed upon meeting the following
conditions:
1. Earning one “F” in a semester while on probation;
2. Earning two “F’s” in any one semester regardless of previous record;
3. At any time accumulating three “F’s” regardless of GPA; or
4. If their cumulative GPA is at such a low level that raising it to the required 2.000 to be
eligible for certificate completion within the program credit limit (18-credits) becomes
mathematically impossible. Dismissal for this reason is considered final and not open to
appeal.
5. If they are unable to complete program requirements with acceptable grades upon having
repeated a course once (see Repeating a Course policy). Dismissal for this reason is
considered final and not open to appeal.
6. Student is unable to complete program guidelines within the time limit for certificate
completion.
Bachelor of Liberal Arts Academic Standing
Good Academic Standing
Students with a cumulative and semester GPA of 2.000 (solid “C”) or better are considered in
good academic standing. Good academic standing is required to be considered for some special
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requests at the School-level (such as participation in the Consortium of Universities) and for
other requests at the program level (such as approval for certain internships and independent
studies). Georgetown does not round the GPA; thus, a student with a 1.999 cumulative GPA
would not be allowed to graduate and would be dismissed from the program. There are no
exceptions to this minimum academic standard.
Academic Probation
Students are placed on academic probation when (1) they earn one “F” or “U” in a single
semester; or (2) when their cumulative GPA falls below 2.000. Unless they meet the criteria for
dismissal, students remain on probation until their GPA improves to a 2.000 or better. Students
placed on probation due to earning a grade of “F” or “U” in a single semester remain
academically at-risk as students are dismissed upon accumulating three “F’s” regardless of GPA.
Academic Dismissal (Degree Candidacy Terminated)
Students in the BALS program are dismissed upon earning one “F” in a semester while on
probation, two “F’s” in any one semester regardless of previous record, or at any time
accumulating three “F’s” regardless of GPA.
Academic Dismissal (Provisional, Non-Degree Students)
When academic standing is reviewed at the end of each full semester, provisional, non-degree
students are automatically academically dismissed academically under any of the following
conditions:
1. Upon accumulating one grade of “C-” or lower at any point, regardless of their
cumulative GPA. For purposes of Dismissal, a “U” is considered a “C-” or lower at the
undergraduate level.
2. If they are unable to complete individual program requirements with acceptable grades
during the allotted time period of one academic year (fall/spring/summer).
Provisional students who are ineligible to become degree-seeking and are therefore dismissed
may not appeal the dismissal.
Graduate Certificate Academic Standing
Good Academic Standing
Students with a cumulative and semester GPA of 3.000 (solid “B”) or better are considered in
good academic standing. Georgetown does not round the GPA; thus, a student with a 2.999
cumulative GPA would not be allowed to earn the certificate and would be dismissed from the
program. There are no exceptions to this minimum academic standard.
Academic Probation
Students are placed on academic probation when they earn one unsatisfactory grade of “B-” or
lower in a single semester or when their cumulative GPA falls below a 3.000. Unless they meet
the criteria for dismissal as outlined below, students remain on probation until their GPA
improves to a 3.000 or better.
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Academic Dismissal
When academic standing is reviewed at the end of each full semester, graduate certificate
students are automatically academically dismissed under any of the following conditions:
1. Upon accumulating one grade, 3-credits of “F” at any point, regardless of their
cumulative GPA. For the purpose of evaluating academic standing, a grade of “U” is
considered the same as an “F”.
2. If their cumulative GPA is at such a low level that raising it to the required level to be
eligible for certificate completion within the program credit limit (12-credits) becomes
mathematically impossible. Dismissal for this reason is considered final and not open to
appeal.
3. If they are unable to complete program requirements with acceptable grades during the
allotted time period or upon having repeated a course once (see Repeating a Course
policy). Dismissal for this reason is considered final and not open to appeal.
4. Student is unable to complete program guidelines within the time limit for certificate
completion.
Professional Studies Academic Standing
Good Academic Standing
Students with a cumulative and semester GPA of 3.000 (solid “B”) or better are considered in
good academic standing. Good academic standing is required to be considered for some special
requests at the School-level (such as participation in the Consortium of Universities) and for
other requests at the program level (such as approval for certain internships and independent
studies). Georgetown does not round the GPA; thus, a student with a 2.999 cumulative GPA
would not be allowed to graduate and would be terminated from the program. There are no
exceptions to this minimum academic standard.
Academic Warning
Students with a semester GPA under 3.000 but with a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or better are
placed on academic warning. A notice is sent to the student and the student’s academic program
when a student is on warning. Students are academically terminated upon accumulating three
grades or 9-credits of “B-” or lower and their cumulative GPA is below 3.000; therefore, we
notify students upon earning even one unsatisfactory grade. Some programs may require a
meeting when a student is placed on Warning.
Academic Probation
Students are placed on academic probation when (1) they earn one “F” or “U” in a single
semester; or (2) when their cumulative GPA falls below a 3.000. Unless they meet the criteria for
termination or dismissal as outlined below, students remain on probation until their GPA
improves to a 3.000 or better. Students placed on probation due to earning a grade of “F” or “U”
in a single semester remain at-risk of termination upon earning an additional “F” or “U,”
regardless of their cumulative GPA. Some majors may require a meeting with their program
leadership when a student is placed on Probation.
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Termination of Degree Candidacy
When academic standing is reviewed at the end of each full semester, MPS students are
automatically terminated from degree candidacy under any of the following conditions:
1. Upon accumulating two grades or 6-credits of “F” at any point, regardless of their
cumulative GPA. For the purpose of evaluating academic standing, a grade of “U” is
considered the same as an “F”.
2. Upon accumulating three grades or 9-credits of “B-” or lower and their cumulative GPA
is below 3.000.
3. If their cumulative GPA is at such a low level that raising it to the required level to be
eligible for graduation within the program credit limit becomes mathematically
impossible. Termination for this reason is considered final and not open to appeal.
4. If they are unable to complete program requirements with acceptable grades (such as
Ethics and Capstone with a “B” or better in each) during the allotted time period or upon
having repeated a course once (see Repeating a Course policy). Termination for this
reason is considered final and not open to appeal.
5. Student is making unsatisfactory progress toward a degree as defined by that student’s
specific major or is unable to complete program guidelines within the time limit for
degree completion.
Academic Dismissal (Provisional, Non-Degree Students)
When academic standing is reviewed at the end of each full semester, provisional, non-degree
students are automatically academically dismissed academically under any of the following
conditions:
1. Upon accumulating one grade of “B-” (2.67) or lower at any point, regardless of their
cumulative GPA. For the purpose of evaluating academic standing, a grade of “U” is
considered the same as an “F”.
2. If they are unable to complete individual program requirements with acceptable grades
during the allotted time period of one academic year (fall/spring/summer).
Provisional students who are ineligible to become degree-seeking and are therefore
dismissed may not appeal the dismissal.
Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Academic Standing
Good Academic Standing
Students with a cumulative and semester GPA of 3.000 (solid “B”) or better are considered in
good academic standing. Good academic standing is required to be considered for some special
requests at the School-level (such as participation in the Consortium of Universities) and for
other requests at the program-level (such as approval for certain internships and independent
studies). Georgetown does not round the GPA; thus, a student with a 2.999 cumulative GPA
would not be allowed to graduate and would be terminated from the program. There are no
exceptions to this minimum academic standard.
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Academic Warning
Students with a semester GPA under 3.000 but a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or better are placed
on academic warning; unless they meet the conditions for academic probation or termination.
Academic Probation
Students are placed on academic probation when (1) they earn one grade of “C” or lower in a
single semester; or (2) when their cumulative GPA falls below 3.000. Unless they meet the
criteria for termination or dismissal, students remain on probation until their cumulative GPA
improves to a 3.000 or better. Students placed on probation due to earning a grade of “C” or
lower remain at-risk of termination or dismissal upon earning an additional grade of “C” or
lower, regardless of their cumulative GPA.
Academic Termination of Degree Candidacy
MALS candidates are automatically terminated from the degree program for any of the following
reasons and are not permitted to take additional courses:
1. Upon earning two grades of "C" (2.00) or lower, as all grades, including grades of “F”
(0.00) and “U”, are calculated in determining the cumulative GPA. For the purpose of
evaluating academic standing, a grade of “U” is considered the same as an “F”.
2. If the student’s GPA is below a 3.00 at the completion of eight courses (24 credits
attempted).
3. If the student fails to complete and submit a thesis by the final deadline and does not
confirm in writing with the program administration a request to withdraw from MALS
Thesis Writing before the grade submission deadline of Continuous Registration.
4. Being unable to complete program requirements upon repeating a course once.
Termination for this reason is final and without right of further appeal.
5. Being unable to complete program guidelines within the time limit for degree
completion.
Academic Dismissal (Provisional, Non-Degree Students)
When academic standing is reviewed at the end of each full semester, provisional, non-degree
students are automatically academically dismissed academically under any of the following
conditions:
1. Upon accumulating one grade of “B-” (2.67) or lower at any point, regardless of their
cumulative GPA. For the purpose of evaluating academic standing, a grade of “U” is
considered the same as an “F”.
2. If they are unable to complete individual program requirements with acceptable grades
during the allotted time period of one academic year (fall/spring/summer).
Provisional students who are ineligible to become degree-seeking students and are therefore
dismissed may not appeal the dismissal.
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Doctor of Liberal Studies Academic Standing
Good Academic Standing
Students with a cumulative and semester GPA of 3.000 (solid “B”) or better are considered in
good academic standing. Good academic standing is required to be considered for some special
requests at the School-level (such as participation in the Consortium of Universities) and for
other requests at the program-level (such as approval for certain internships and independent
studies). Georgetown does not round the GPA; thus, a student with a 2.999 cumulative GPA
would not be allowed to graduate and would be terminated from the program. There are no
exceptions to this minimum academic standard.
Academic Warning
Students with a semester GPA under 3.000 but a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or better are placed
on academic warning; unless they meet the conditions for academic probation or termination.
Academic Probation
Students are placed on academic probation when (1) they earn one grade of “C” or lower in a
single semester; or (2) when their cumulative GPA falls below 3.000. Unless they meet the
criteria for termination or dismissal, students remain on probation until their cumulative GPA
improves to a 3.000 or better. Students placed on probation due to earning a grade of “C” or
lower remain at-risk of termination or dismissal upon earning an additional grade of “C” or
lower, regardless of their cumulative GPA.
Academic Termination of Degree Candidacy
DLS candidates are automatically terminated for any of the following reasons and are not
permitted to take additional courses:
1. Upon earning two grades of "C" (2.00) or lower, as all grades, including grades of “F”
(0.00) and “U”, are calculated in determining the cumulative GPA. For the purpose of
evaluating academic standing, a grade of “U” is considered the same as an “F”.
2. Upon failing the Qualifying Examination upon the second attempt.
3. Upon failing to complete or to defend the Thesis Proposal upon registering for the course
twice.
4. Upon failing to complete or to defend the Thesis.
5. Being unable to complete program guidelines within the time limit for degree
completion.
Certificate to Degree Matriculation
Students in a certificate program who would like to continue into a corresponding degree
program must submit the Graduate Certificate Completion Request or Undergraduate Certificate
Completion Request form to their program for approval by the last day of classes (per the SCS
full semester academic calendar) in the semester in which the student is planning to complete the
certificate. Pending program approval, the student will matriculate into the corresponding degree
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program upon successful completion of the certificate requirements. Upon matriculation to a
degree program students must meet all of the academic standards and program requirements laid
out for the degree.
Students who successfully complete a graduate certificate and would like to continue into an
MPS degree program for which the certificate does not correspond must submit an admissions
application to be considered for an MPS degree program. For more information about the
admissions process, please contact the SCS Admissions office.
Students who successfully complete a certificate but fail to indicate their intention to matriculate
into the corresponding degree program by the deadline must submit an admissions application to
be considered for a degree program. If a student completes a certificate but decides to pursue a
degree at a later time, they must submit an admissions application to be considered for a degree
program. For more information about the admissions process, please contact the SCS
Admissions office.
Earning an embedded Graduate Certificate as an MPS Student
Graduate certificates may be earned in-passing as part of an MPS degree provided at the time the
student is actively enrolled and completing their MPS degree provided that the graduate
certificate is a designated part of the course of study for the MPS degree, as noted in the
Graduate Academic Catalog. Students must submit the Graduate Certificate Completion Request
form prior to their MPS graduation. No retroactive conferrals of graduate certificates will take
place. Once the MPS degree is conferred, the transcript is closed and cannot be modified.
Eligibility for Graduate Certificates
MPS students cannot retroactively earn the grad certificate and/or have it applied to their
transcript at a later date if the certificate did not exist at the time they matriculated to the degree
program as it was not an approved part of their course of study. That is to say, students who
completed their MPS degree prior to the existence of the graduate certificate cannot later have it
applied to their transcript even if they have completed all the courses associated with the
certificate as it was not an existing part of the course of study at the time they were enrolled.
MPS Alumni seeking Graduate Certificates (post-MPS graduation)
Graduates of MPS programs cannot use credits earned (courses with a grade of C or better)
during the MPS degree program towards the completion of a graduate certificate at a later
date. Students cannot repeat courses they earned a grade of C or better in after graduation in
order to complete a graduate certificate at a later date. Students who graduated from an MPS
degree program can apply to complete a graduate certificate at a later time if they have not
successfully completed any of the coursework required for the graduate certificate that was
already taken as part of their MPS degree program as outlined above.
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Certificate Completion
Application to Complete
Certificate completion is not an automatic process, and all students must be cleared to complete
by the academic program and the SCS Office of Academic Affairs & Compliance (OAAC).
Students who plan to complete a School of Continuing Studies certificate must submit the
Graduate Certificate Completion Request or Undergraduate Certificate Completion Request form
in the semester in which all certificate requirements will be completed by the published
application deadline.
Certificate Distribution
Certificates are custom ordered and take several weeks to create and ship. Your certificate will
be mailed directly from our vendor to the address provided on the Certificate Completion Form.
Please note that only students who matriculated into a certificate program will receive a physical
certificate. Students who began as degree-seeking students (such as MPS) and complete a
certificate in passing will receive a notation on their transcript only. Please see the “Certificate
and Diploma Name” policy.
The following certificate award dates will be listed on official transcripts:
August 23rd for Summer Completers
December 31st for Fall Completers
May (Date of Commencement Ceremony) for Spring Completers
Graduation (For Degree Seekers)
Application to Graduate
Students are required to submit an application to graduate by the published deadlines set forth by
SCS Office of Academic Affairs & Compliance and the University. Students can only apply to
graduate when they are nearing graduation as indicated by overall credit hours. Application
periods will be announced by the SCS Office of Academic Affairs and Compliance and in
program communications each semester.
Failure to submit an application by the deadline will result in delays conferring the degree and
ordering the diploma. If a student misses the deadline to apply to graduate in a given semester,
the student must apply again in the next semester’s application period. Students without all final
recorded grades (for example, “I” or “NR” grades) will be excluded from the Commencement
Book and degree conferral will be delayed. Students who do not meet all degree requirements in
the semester in which they’ve applied to graduate must submit a new application to graduate
during the application period of the semester in which degree requirements will be met.
Students should contact their academic program no later than the start of their final semester to
review their progress toward completion. Graduation is not an automatic process, and all
students must be cleared and certified to graduate by the Office of Academic Affairs &
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Compliance. In order to facilitate this process, students complete the following steps during their
final semester:
1. Retrieve your transcript from MyAccess to review on your own and with your program
advisor. While your program advisor can provide you with academic guidance, it is
ultimately your responsibility to ensure that you have met all requirements (including
specific course, GPA, credit, and major requirements, which can differ by program).
2. Degree candidates should fill out the graduation application found in MyAccess under
“Student Services,” “Student Records,” and “Apply to Graduate.” If you have questions
about the online application to graduate, please contact the Office of Academic Affairs &
Compliance at [email protected].
3. All students should contact the Revenue and Receivables Office at (202) 687-7100 or
student a[email protected] to ensure that they have settled their financial
obligations. Financial holds prevent academic registration, the generation of official
transcripts, and the issuance of diplomas and certificates.
4. International students should contact the Office of Global Services at (202) 687-5867 to
update their status.
5. Under University policy, no credits may be completed in excess of the number required
by the program without advance, written permission of the program to Academic Affairs
& Compliance.
Submission of an application does not guarantee graduation clearance, as all grades must be
entered and students must complete the standards and requirements of their program, the School,
and the University.
Degree Conferral
The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, Doctor of Liberal
Studies and Master of Professional Studies degrees are recorded on the official transcripts by the
end of May for spring graduates, September for summer graduates, and January for fall
graduates. The Executive Master of Professional Studies degree is recorded on official
transcripts by the end of September.
The following degree conferral dates will be listed on official transcripts and diplomas:
August 23rd for Summer Graduates
December 31st for Fall Graduates
May (Date of Commencement Ceremony) for Spring Graduates
Commencement
The University’s Commencement Ceremony is held in May every year. Graduates who have had
their degrees posted earlier (in the prior fall or summer semesters, depending on the program) are
welcomed and encouraged to participate in this formal ceremony.
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The Commencement Book is published once per year for this Ceremony. Only the names of
students expected to complete their degree by the end of the current spring semester (and who
earned their degree in the prior year's fall and summer semesters) will appear in the annual
Commencement Book. While every effort is made to ensure complete accuracy within the
Commencement Book, please note that appearing in it does not guarantee degree conferral, nor
does the act of walking in the Commencement Ceremony.
Academic Awards and Honors
SCS academic programs review their graduating students and make recommendations for
program-specific awards to be presented at the annual Tropaia Ceremony which takes place
during the week of Commencement. Programs consider a variety of criteria in making their
recommendations (such as cumulative GPA; social impact; Capstone presentations; and so on).
Students should contact their advisors to learn more about these awards.
Graduate students are not ranked. The minimum acceptable GPA for good academic standing
and graduation is a 3.000 (“B” average), and all graduate students are expected to perform at a
high academic level in their specific field of study. Therefore, undergraduate academic honors
(such as summa/magna/cum laude) are not applied at the graduate-level.
Undergraduate students are eligible for graduation honors. Information about grade point average
requirements for graduation honors can be found here
https://bulletin.georgetown.edu/regulation/studying#Grades.
Diplomas
All Georgetown University degree program graduates earn the official Georgetown diploma,
written in Latin, and reflecting the history, tradition, and values of the University along with a
traditional blue-and-gray ribbon (the Georgetown colors). The Office of the University Registrar
manages the ordering and distribution of diplomas for the School of Continuing Studies.
Diplomas are custom ordered and take several weeks to create and ship. Please contact the Office
of the University Registrar at univregistrar@georgetown.edu for any questions or concerns
regarding the diploma
SCS is not responsible for damage or loss of your diploma. In case of damage to or loss of your
original diploma, you are able to order a replacement by visiting the Office of the University
Registrar’s site (https://registrar.georgetown.edu/) and completing the diploma replacement
form.
Diploma and Graduate Certificate Name Policy
University policy states that the name used on the diploma must match the legal name listed in
MyAccess. Chosen names, nicknames, or anticipated names (for example, as a result of
marriage) cannot be used. If a student’s name has changed or if part of their name (e.g. a middle
name) is not indicated on their record, they may submit a name change request form and
supporting documentation to [email protected] prior to applying to graduate. If a
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name change request is not received by the deadline, the Office of the University Registrar will
proceed with printing the official name on record. To verify the official name on record, students
may view this information in MyAccess or on their unofficial transcript. Please contact the
Office of the University Registrar at [email protected] for any questions or
concerns regarding the diploma name. Students do not need to complete a name change request
if they wish to exclude part of their name from the diploma (e.g. a middle name/middle initial).
Financial Clearance
Financial holds prevent the generation of official transcripts and the issuance of a diploma or a
certificate. Financial holds are not released until the past due balance is paid in full. All students
should settle all financial obligations to the University – e.g. overdue tuition, library fines, and
late fees – so that their account balance is $0 before completing their last course.
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Academic Calendar, 3, 36
Academic Council, 4, 49, 52, 53
Academic Integrity, 2, 21, 23
Academic Overload, 4, 50
Academic Standing, 4, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 67
Accreditation, 2, 9
Advanced Standing, 3, 28, 31
Appeals, 4, 48, 52, 53, 59
Application to Graduate, 5, 69
Certificate Completion, 5, 47, 68, 69
Certificates, 3, 4, 13, 26, 27, 56, 68, 69
Closures, 2, 21
Commencement, 5, 69, 70, 71
Consortium, 3, 28, 29, 30, 61, 63, 64, 66, 67
Continuous Enrollment, 3, 31
Course Registration, 2, 13, 24, 31, 41, 43,
46, 51, 52
Degree Conferral, 5, 70
Diplomas, 5, 71
Directory Information, 2, 20
Dismissal, 4, 38, 50, 51, 52, 62, 63, 64, 65,
66
FERPA, 11, 12, 14
Financial Aid, 4, 46
Financial Holds, 12
Grade Changes, 4, 59
Grades, 4, 29, 50, 53, 54, 55, 59, 71
Graduate Grading, 4, 53
Harassment, 2, 19
Holds, 3, 12, 39
Honor Code, 21, 51
Honor Council, 21, 22, 39, 54
HOYAlert, 2, 21
Human Subjects Research, 2, 23
Incomplete, 4, 40, 53, 54, 55, 56
Independent Studies, 3, 33
International students, 32, 34, 35, 39, 40, 47,
50, 70
Internships, 3, 32
Jesuit Tradition, 7
Leave, 3, 31, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 58
Military, 3, 34, 35, 36, 43, 44, 45, 46
Military Leave of Absence, 43, 46
Mission, 2, 7
Modalities, 3, 33, 34, 35
Name Policy, 5, 72
Non-Discrimination, 2, 18
Pregnancy Modifications, 2, 19
Probation, 29, 50, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67
Provisional, 3, 29, 37, 38, 63, 65, 66, 67
Re-Admission, 4, 40, 50
Re-Enrollment, 4, 40, 44, 51
Refunds, 12, 37, 48
Religious Observances, 2, 19
Repeating a Course, 4, 57, 62, 64, 65
Revenue and Receivables, 2, 10, 16, 39, 44,
47, 70
Security, 2, 20, 25
Sexual Misconduct, 2, 19, 39
Student Conduct, 2, 6, 21, 24, 51
Student Right-to-Know and Campus
Security Act, 2, 20
Student Status, 3, 38, 39
Syllabi, 4, 55
Technology, 2, 3, 24, 25
Termination, 4, 29, 51, 52, 65, 66, 67
Time Limits, 4, 49, 59
Title IX, 2, 19
Transfer Credit, 3, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29
Travel, 19, 21, 33
Tuition, 2, 13, 14, 29, 31, 41, 43, 46, 51, 52
Tutorials, 3, 33
Undergraduate Grading, 4, 53
Veteran, 34, 35, 36
Visa support, 32
Waiver, 3, 31
Warning, 29, 50, 64, 66, 67
Withdrawal, 4, 46, 47, 48, 53
Withdrawn for failure to register, 14, 31, 40,
41, 42, 47, 50
