Master of Public Administration Academic Policies
Incomplete Marks
No student carrying two incomplete ("I") marks, either of which has been extended over one semester, may enroll in additional course work without the written consent of the MPA program coordinator. No degree will be conferred on a student who has an unresolved incomplete mark remaining on his or her transcript.
Repeated Courses
No student enrolled in the MPA program and no non-degree student taking MPA courses may repeat courses for credit in an attempt to improve a grade.
Academic Standing Policy
MPA students who have been regularly admitted and whose academic performance is unsatisfactory will be subject to the following:
- Probation — Student will be placed on probation for any of the following reasons:
- Student's cumulative grade point average falls below 3.00.
- Student earns a U or any other grade below C.
- Student earns any third grade below a B (including U).
No student may be a candidate for the degree or sit for the comprehensive examination while on probation due to a GPA below a 3.00. Probation will be removed when the student's GPA reaches 3.0 or higher. Students who are on probation may not register until advised.
- Suspension — Student will be placed on suspension for any of the following reasons:
- Student earns two grades below C (including U's).
- Student has already served three consecutive terms on academic probation.
No student may enroll in graduate courses at North Georgia while on suspension. Courses taken at another institution during the period of suspension will not be recognized for transfer credit. If suspended, a student must apply to the North Georgia's Office of Graduate Admissions for readmission. Students seeking reinstatement in the MPA program must petition the MPA program coordinator in writing presenting a rationale for their reinstatement. They will be readmitted only upon approval of the Dean of the School of Arts and Letters and the MPA program coordinator.
Academic and Professional Conduct Policy
At the end of each semester, the program faculty or MPA program coordinator may intervene to establish a plan of action for any student in the program whose competency is in question, for reasons including unprofessional, disruptive, or unethical behavior in the classroom or applied setting. The plan should be signed by the student and the program coordinator with copies forwarded to the Dean of the School of Arts and Letters.
Academic Regulations
Students are expected to perform in accordance with the regulations stated in the Academic Regulations section of this bulletin. All of the rules, regulations, and standards published in the "Regulations of the MPA Program" are incorporated by reference in this bulletin. Each student is responsible for obtaining a copy of this document and for adhering to its contents.
Transfer Residency Requirement
To be awarded a Master of Public Administration degree, students must earn a minimum of 27 hours of graduate degree requirements in residence. In addition, no more than nine hours of transfer credit may be applied toward meeting North Georgia's Master of Public Administration degree requirements. The MPA program coordinator and the Dean of the School of Arts and Letters must approve all transfer credit. Transfer credit will not be given for any course in which a grade of less than a B was earned.