Graduate Catalog

Academics

OVERVIEW

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Franciscan University of Steubenville is a Catholic, liberal arts institution dedicated to providing, in an environment of free intellectual inquiry, the kind of education that develops mature Christian men and women. These persons may, building on the foundations of their education received at the University, engage in personally satisfying careers, serve others to the best of their abilities, and develop their capacity for intellectual, emotional, and spiritual growth.

ACADEMIC YEAR

MBA: There are two 15-week semesters each year (Fall and Spring) and one 13-week summer session with vacations as follows: four weeks at Christmas and three weeks in August.

MA Counseling: The curriculum is offered during two semesters (Fall and Spring) of the regular academic year and assumes full-time participation by students during two academic years. A summer session (optional) is available for the internship.

MS Education/Educational Administration: The academic year is divided into five (5) terms: Fall Semester, Spring Semester, Maymester, 1st Summer Session and 2nd Summer Session.

MS Nursing: There are three 15-week terms each year (fall, spring, and summer) with vacations as follows: four weeks at Christmas, one week at Spring Break and three weeks in August.

MA Philosophy: The academic year is divided into five (5) terms: Fall Semester, Spring Semester, Mini-Session; 1st Summer Session and 2nd Summer Session.

MA Theology: The academic year is divided into six (6) terms: Fall Semester, Spring Semester, Mini-Session; 1st Summer Session, 2nd Summer Session and 3rd Summer Session.

ACCREDITATION AND MEMBERSHIPS

Franciscan University of Steubenville is officially accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and is authorized by the State of Ohio to offer the degrees listed above.

Accreditation:

The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools at 

www.hcahigherlearningcommission.org 

• Department of Education of the State of Ohio
• Ohio Board of Regents
• National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc.
• Approval: Ohio Board of Nursing

Memberships:

• Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities
• Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges
• Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Ohio
• Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities
• Christian Library Consortium
• Coalition for Christian Colleges and Universities
• Council of Independent Colleges
• Council for Higher Education Accreditation
• The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
• The Academic Library Association of Ohio
• The American Library Association
• The College Board
• The National Association of College and Admissions Counselors
• The National Association of Graduate Admissions Professionals
• The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
• The National Library Association
• The Ohio College Association
• The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges
• Ohio Library and Information Network
• Ohio Private Academic Libraries
• Franciscan Federation

ADMISSIONS CLASSIFICATION

Graduate students are classified according to their relationship to formal programs, as follows:

Regular Status: The student who has met satisfactorily all the general requirements of the University at the graduate level and the specific requirements of the department in which the graduate program is given.

Conditional Status: The student who must fulfill some conditions imposed by the department before admission to regular status; and the student whose preparation cannot yet be determined.

Non-degree or Special Student Status: A student who fulfills all the requirements and is taking courses for credit but is not seeking a degree. Non-degree students who intend to apply formally for admission in a degree program may complete up to 9 semester hours before making formal application. Should a student accumulate 12 semester hours without making formal application in a degree program and the student intends to become a degree student, the student MUST apply for degree status BEFORE TAKING ADDITIONAL COURSES. Hours earned beyond 12 as a non-degree student WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED TOWARD COMPLETION OF THE DEGREE. (Exception: Post-Master in Counseling requires 20 hours.) All students contemplating studying for a degree are encouraged to complete formal application immediately. Special Student status applies to those students who are admitted to take a limited number of graduate courses but are not matriculated into a master’s program.

ACADEMIC ADVISING

Each graduate student will be assigned an advisor from his or her graduate department to provide individual help and guidance in selecting courses and other academic matters.

APPEAL FOR CHANGE OF GRADE

Any appeal for change of grade for a particular course should first be directed to the class instructor. The student, if not satisfied, may then speak with his/her advisor and the instructor. If not resolved in a manner satisfactory to the student, the student may appeal to the Director of the graduate program in which the student is enrolled. If the student is still dissatisfied, a final appeal may be made to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. At this time, the decision of the Vice President for Academic Affairs is final, and no further appeal is possible.

PROGRAM TIME LIMIT FOR COMPLETION

All requirements for a master’s degree must be satisfied within seven (7) calendar years from the time of matriculation.

SECOND MASTER’S DEGREE

In some cases, a student, either possessing a master’s degree or currently studying toward one, wishes to obtain an additional master’s degree in a related field. Only 6 semester hours from the first program may be applied toward the requirements of the additional degree.

GENERAL STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The student must assume responsibility for knowing University and his or her graduate department regulations and for complying with all applicable procedures. In no case will a requirement be waived or an exception granted because a student pleads ignorance or claims that his or her advisor or other authority did not inform the student of the requirement. While advisors and personnel of Graduate Departments will assist in any way possible, the student has the responsibility for meeting the requirements stated in the catalog. A student is subject to the requirements of the catalog in force at the beginning of the semester in which the student enters the program.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS

The student’s proficiency in graduate coursework is recorded in the following manner on a 4.0 Quality Point Average (QPA) grading scale.

A 3.0 QPA or “B” average in all graduate and required undergraduate work undertaken at Franciscan University of Steubenville should be maintained by graduate students. In order to qualify for graduation, the student must have a 3.0 average for all graduate courses attempted. According to University policy, graduate students must retake any graduate courses in which they earn less than a grade of “C” (2.0). These are minimum University standards; individual graduate programs may have more stringent requirements.

Other grades recorded:

P — Passing. No quality points. Used for specific courses.

W — Withdrew - no quality points.

I — Incomplete - no quality points

NR — No grade reported to the Registrar - no quality points

The grade of Incomplete indicates that the work has not been completed because of factors outside of the control of the student. Students must complete the work 30 days after the beginning of the succeeding semester to remove the Incomplete grade. If it is not removed within this period, the grade becomes an “F.”

PROBATIONARY STATUS

A student can be placed on probationary status as a result of one or more semesters in which he or she has done substandard work or has created disciplinary problems. The director of the program will set the conditions that must be fulfilled by the student to have the probationary status removed.

CANDIDACY

Candidacy for graduation will be reviewed by the Registrar near the completion of a student’s coursework. Students are required to apply for graduation in the semester prior to the anticipated graduation date.

NON-DISCRIMINATORY POLICY

Franciscan University of Steubenville admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, disability, and sex to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school as required by Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments.

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