As a graduate degree program, MLAS follows the academic policies set forth in the Graduate School Catalog of Vanderbilt University. Additional information can be found on the Graduate School website.
Grading System
Students must maintain a B average in all coursework to remain in good standing with the program. All work must be completed within six years of the student’s initial registration. A maximum of six credit hours may be transferred from the liberal arts graduate programs of other accredited universities. Any transferred courses must carry a grade of B or above, must have been completed within the last 10 years, and must be approved by the director of the MLAS program and the Graduate School.
The grading system in the Graduate School includes the letter grades A (+/-), B (+/-), C (+/-), D, and F. A student will not be granted graduate credit for any course in which a grade less than C- is received. The letter I (Incomplete) may be used at the discretion of the instructor in those cases in which the student is not able to complete work in the normal time
Academic Probation
A grade point average of 3.0 is necessary for graduation. Students who fall below an average of 3.0 are placed on probation for one semester. If the student’s performance does not improve during that semester, the Graduate School and the MLAS program director will decide whether to dismiss the student or to allow the probation to continue. If at the end of the second semester of probation the grade point average is still below 3.0, the student may be advised to withdraw or face dismissal. Students who earn a grade point average of 2.0 or less during their first semester are subject to dismissal at the end of that semester.
Intent to Graduate
Students must submit the Intent to Graduate form at the beginning of the semester in which they expect to receive the degree. Students should submit the form to the University Registrar's Office through YES. The Graduate School will send out a notice each term via email in advance of the due date and students should make sure to heed this announced date.
Commencement
The university holds its annual Commencement ceremony on the second Friday in May, following the end of the spring semester. Degree candidates must have successfully completed all coursework and satisfied all degree requirements by the published deadlines to be allowed to participate in the ceremony. A student completing degree requirements in the summer or fall semester will be invited to participate in Commencement the following May; however, the semester in which the degree was actually earned will be the one recorded on the diploma and the student’s permanent record. Students unable to participate in the graduation ceremony will receive their diplomas by mail.