Graduate Catalog

Contents
Catalog Links

Assessment and Academic Standing

Assessment of Student Learning

Achievement of intended learning outcomes shall be evaluated through a variety of assessment instruments in a process of frequent evaluation that includes regular and timely feedback to students regarding their performance (refer to KU Academic Policy ACA 3300 Assessment of Student Learning). For policies and processes concerning the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, please refer to the CMHS Medical Student Handbook. Final grades are determined by the student’s performance in a combination of the following:

  • Assigned work, term papers, projects, presentations.
  • Progress tests.
  • Laboratory tests and/or laboratory work.
  • Semester and/or final examinations.
  • Level of written expression.

The performance of each student in a course must be evaluated by the instructor(s) responsible for that course. The weight accorded to the various elements is at the discretion of the academic department responsible for the course. Course policies regarding the submission, grading, return and weighting of all assessment instruments must be clearly communicated in the course syllabus, which is to be shared with students on the first day of class.

To assist students in preparing for final exams, no tests or significant assessments should be administered during the final week of classes.

Examinations

One or more major examinations may be administered for a course to assess achievement of learning outcomes. All examinations at Khalifa University must follow clear and established guidelines to ensure examination integrity and compliance with best practices. Major examinations shall be included in the course syllabus and any changes communicated to students in advance. Final examinations are scheduled through the Registrar’s Office. Guidelines and procedures governing the administration of examinations are outlined in KU Academic Policy ACA 3370 Examinations. Normally, instructors will submit final grades no later than three days after the scheduled final examination in a course or, where there is no final examination, seven days after the last scheduled class in a course.

A student who is absent from an examination without a valid excuse will normally receive a "zero" for that examination. For provisions governing excused absences see ACA 3555 Student Attendance (Graduate Programs).

Coursework

Coursework is an essential component at all levels of study and normally takes the form of a combination of assignments, projects and quizzes. Students should be given clear deadlines for coursework submission. Penalties for late submission or missing coursework must be clearly communicated to students at the beginning of the semester. If late submission is unavoidable due to circumstances beyond the student’s control (e.g. serious illness), the student must inform the concerned instructor as soon as possible and present relevant documentary evidence. The approval of the excuse and any make-up assessment is at the discretion of the instructor. Students should receive timely grades and comments on submitted coursework. In some cases, the instructor may keep the student’s work but must allow students access to review it and the grading breakdown.

Research

The student’s research progress is assessed in each semester that he/she registers for thesis/dissertation credits. The student’s Main Advisor must submit the progress evaluation to the Registrar’s Office latest by the end of the final examination period in the relevant semester. Accordingly, a grade of Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U) will be recorded on the student’s transcript for the thesis/dissertation course.

Records and Transcripts

A permanent academic record for each student enrolled in the University is maintained in the Registrar’s Office. The written consent of the student is officially required to disclose his/her academic record. Exceptions are made for parents, sponsors, and authorized University officials and in compliance with a judicial order. Students may obtain official transcripts of their academic records from the Registrar’s Office. A transcript will only be released with a signed request from the student concerned.

Academic Standing

Academic standing is based on the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) and indicates if a student is meeting the University’s standard for expected academic performance. Academic excellence, rigorous scholarship, demonstrated attainment of learning outcomes and timely progress towards graduation are critical measures of student academic success. The standards of academic standing for graduate students are stipulated by KU Academic Policy ACA 3650 Academic Standing (Graduate Programs).

Good Standing

A student with a CGPA of 3.00 or higher is in good standing and eligible to register for courses.

Academic Probation

A student whose CGPA falls below 3.00 and/or who receives a grade of Unsatisfactory (U) for thesis/dissertation credits or Written Qualifying Exam (WQE or Research Proposal Exam (RPE), is placed on academic probation for the following regular semester. A note is made on the student’s academic record (transcript). The following provisions apply for a student on academic probation:

  • Unless otherwise approved by the AVP of Graduate Studies, a full-time graduate student on probation is allowed to register for a maximum of nine credit hours per semester;
  • Unless otherwise approved by the AVP of Graduate Studies, a part-time graduate student on probation is allowed to register for a maximum of six credit hours per semester;
  • While on probation, a student may enroll in a course on a Pass/Fail basis.

The student will return to good academic standing if he/she achieves a minimum CGPA of 3.00 and/or a grade of Satisfactory (S) for thesis/dissertation credits by the end of a regular semester on probation.

Academic Dismissal

If, at the end of one regular semester on academic probation, the student’s CGPA remains below 3.00 or student receives a subsequent Unsatisfactory (U) thesis/dissertation grade, the student shall be academically dismissed from the University.

If, subsequent to returning to good standing after having been on Academic Probation, a student’s CGPA falls below 3.00 a second time, or the student receives a second grade of Unsatisfactory (U) for thesis credits, or the student receives a second grade of Unsatisfactory in the Written Qualifying Exam (WQE) or Research Proposal Exam (RPE), the student shall be academically dismissed from the University. A student who receives ‘Fail’ as an outcome of the Master’s Thesis Defense, the PhD Research Proposal Examination (RPE), or PhD Dissertation Defense will be dismissed.

Students have the right to appeal a dismissal (refer to KU Policy STL 5450 Student Grievances and Appeals) and must comply with the following provisions:

  • All appeals must be submitted in writing to the Registrar’s Office within ten working days from the dismissal decision date. The Registrar’s Office will forward the appeal to the Graduate Studies Council for consideration in line with relevant policy.
  • In the case of a successful appeal of a dismissal decision, the student shall be placed on academic probation upon resumption of studies.
  • A successful dismissal appeal does not guarantee reinstatement of scholarship benefits.
  • A dismissed student is prohibited from re-enrolling at KU.