Academic Catalog
Grading & Examinations
All University programs and procedures have been reviewed by an Examining Committee appointed by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) for the purpose of assuring compliance with DEAC academic and business standards. DEAC Standard II (Educational Program Objectives, Curricula, and Materials) requires that graduates of the University ’s programs exhibit skill and knowledge attainment through the demonstrated achievement of educational objectives and outcomes comparable to those of accredited resident degree programs that are similar in nature and level.
As a rule, academic matters such as counseling, readmission, examinations, grades, and informal graduation requirement checks should be directed to Student Support.
Grading Policies
Numerical grades are assigned on a four-point scale ranging from 0.00 to 4.00 with a grade of 0.67 or below considered failing. Graduate level programs, except for the Master of Laws in Taxation program, require a student to receive a course grade of B- or better to receive credit towards the degree. An undergraduate student must receive a grade of C- or better to pass the course.
The cumulative grade-point average (GPA) is determined by dividing the total “grade points” earned to date by the total number of “credit hours” attempted to date. The total “grade points” earned is the product of the course credit hours and the student’s course grade, totaled for all courses in which a numerical grade was received.
Grades are influenced by the accuracy of research and the quality of writing. The extent of research necessary will vary from assignment to assignment.
When grading assignments, faculty considers three general components:
A demonstrated understanding of the material and the learning objectives.
The student’s ability to articulate, synthesize, and analyze the concepts and issues presented in the material.
A clear and logical composition supported by examples and appropriate references.
In most courses, 80% of a Directed Study course grade is based on the written assignments. The remaining 20% is based on the student’s regular and substantive interaction such that “regular” is defined as taking place on a “predictable and scheduled basis” and “substantive” means students are engaged through teaching, learning, and assessment. Faculty support will be provided through the following:
Providing direct instruction
Assessing or providing feedback on a student’s course work
Providing information or responding to questions about the content
Facilitating a group discussion regarding the content of a course
Assessment & Examinations
Accreditation standards of the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) require that adequate steps be taken by an institution offering a degree program to assure that a student has personally fulfilled the course requirements stipulated by the institution. This assurance is accomplished through proctored examinations. You will generally be required to complete and pass at least one proctored final examination per semester. Doctorate students are required to take and pass a Qualifying and Comprehensive Examination.
Students will receive detailed information on the assessment or examination in the course shell.
Final examinations are graded on a credit/no-credit basis. A passing grade on final exams is 70% or higher.
All examinations must be proctored. Students must provide the proctor with an appropriate photo identification. There is no exception to this rule. Students have the following options with respect to proctors:
Students may take examinations under the supervision of an approved proctoring company using a web camera and microphone. The purchase of the items and the cost of proctoring are the responsibility of the student. Additional details can be found here: http://www.proctoru.com/taft.
Students may take examinations at any location of the Consortium of College Testing Centers (CCTC). The CCTC is a group of college and University testing centers throughout the United States that has come together to support distance learning. In January 2020, there were over 250 member institutions representing 45 states and 3 foreign countries. CCTC’s website address is http://www.ncta-testing.org/cctc/find.php. Students are responsible for any proctor fees incurred in connection with this alternative.
If a student resides or is employed more than one hour’s drive from a CCTC testing site, a student may arrange for examinations to be proctored at another educational institution more convenient to the student. If a student does not meet this criterion but nevertheless wants to nominate his/her proctor, the student must appeal to Student Support specifically detailing how utilizing the alternatives above would constitute an unreasonable burden.
Doctorate Examinations
Request for Final Examination
Students will need to submit the Request for Final Examinations form. The University must receive this form at least seven business days prior to the proposed examination date. The examination instructions will be sent to the proctor before the examination date.
Qualifying & Comprehensive Examinations
The Comprehensive Examination is designed to measure a student’s knowledge and understanding of the curriculum content that has been covered in the Program. The six-hour examination is divided into two Parts, three hours each. Part I of the Comprehensive Examination must be given within 24 hours of the scheduled date unless the University approves a new date in advance. Both parts of the examination may be completed in one day or on two separate days within a seven-day period. If taken in one day, the student will be permitted a break of one hour between sections.
Both the Qualifying and Comprehensive Exams are open book/open paper note; eBooks are allowed but need to be viewed on same computer student is testing on.
A student who fails the Qualifying Exam on the first attempt will be allowed one additional attempt. The Qualifying Exam is 3 hours in length and graded credit/no credit. A student must pass the exam to proceed in the program.
If a student is not successful in passing the Comprehensive Examination, one additional attempt will be permitted. In this circumstance, the student will be required to wait a minimum of 90 days prior to the second and final attempt. The Comprehensive Exam is graded credit/no credit.
Make-Up Examinations
In the case where a student fails an examination, one re-take opportunity is permitted.
A make-up examination will be scheduled upon approval of the appeal to re-take. The deadline for make-up examination appeals is 5 business days after receipt of the grade. There will be a fee of $75.00 for each make-up examination payable upon scheduling of the make-up exam.
Failure to take make-up examinations or a failing grade on the make-up examination will result in academic dismissal from the program.
Undergraduate and Master’s Examinations
Request for Final Examination
Students will need to submit the Request for Final Examinations form. The University must receive this form at least seven business days prior to the proposed examination date. The examination instructions will be sent to the proctor before the examination date.
A student must pass the final examination for that course before the grade becomes official and recorded on the transcript.
Make-Up Examinations
In the event of a failed exam attempt, you may appeal to the Dean to make an additional attempt. Requests to retake an examination are handled on a case-by-case basis, and permission to retake any examination is not guaranteed. If you ultimately fail an examination, no credit is awarded for the associated course. If the failed course is an elective, you may appeal to the Dean to select an alternative elective course to fulfill the degree requirements. If the failed course is a required component of the Program, you will be dismissed.
The deadline for make-up examination appeals is 5 business days after receipt of the grade report. There will be a fee of $75.00 for each make-up examination payable upon scheduling of the make-up exam.
Failure to take make-up examinations will result in an automatic "F" for the course involved.
Course Grades
Numerical grades are assigned on a four-point scale ranging from 0.00 to 4.00 with a grade of 0.67 or below considered failing. The following grade scale prevails:
4.00 A 90-100% (Outstanding)
3.67 A- 88-89%
3.33 B+ 84-87%
3.00 B 80-83% (Satisfactory)
2.67 B- 78-79%
2.33 C+ 74-77%
2.00 C 70-73%
1.67 C- 68-69%
1.33 D+ 64-67%
1.00 D 60-63% (Does not meet scholarship standard. Coursework must be repeated for credit.)
0.67 D- 59%
<0.67 F <58% (Failure)
In addition, the following non-numerical grades may also be assigned:
CR = Credit
At the option of the University, courses and examinations may be graded on a Credit/No-Credit basis. Students will be notified in advance if a course is to be graded on a Credit/No-Credit basis.
U = Audit
I = Incomplete
An I is given to students in courses that they have not completed within the registered term. If work is not submitted within the approved time for completion, the grade for the course defaults to an F. Please see the section on Incomplete Grades for more information.
W = Withdrawal
A W is awarded to students who notify Student Support of the student’s desire to formally withdraw from a course in the first 50% of the course. The W is not included in the student’s cumulative GPA, but the course registration is included in the 150% attempted calculation. Withdrawal policies and deadlines are outlined in the Enrollment Agreement.
X = Administrative Dismissal
An X is given for failure to comply with administrative policies, including failure to complete examinations, and are not computed in the grade-point average.
Re-Evaluation of Course Grades
Any student may, during the one-month period following receipt of a final course grade, request a reevaluation of the grade for any course in which the student has been awarded a grade of B- through F. The student must prepare an appeal pointing out specifically why the grade should be raised. This appeal should be addressed to the Dean of their academic program. The Dean, in their sole judgment, may raise the grade, lower the grade, or make no change. The decision of the Dean is final and resubmission of appeals will not be accepted.