Students in RBS are graded in each course at the end of each semester as follows:
Numerical
GradeDefinitionEquivalent
ADistinguished4.00
A-3.67
B+3.33
BGood3.00
B-2.67
C+2.33
CFair2.00
C-1.67
DPoor1.00
FFailed0.00
The graduate faculty accepts for graduate credit only a limited number of courses in which a student earns a grade of C+ or C (see Scholastic Standing later in this chapter). A grade of F is assigned to students who fail to earn credit in a course they completed and to students who do not complete a course from which they have not withdrawn officially. In addition, RBS uses the following grade symbols:
INC (Incomplete). May be assigned at the discretion of an instructor who believes that an extension of time is warranted for a student whose work is incomplete at the end of the semester. Within any period agreed to by the instructor and the student, incomplete work may be made up, and a change of grade may be authorized by the instructor. This makeup period may not extend for more than two semesters beyond the original course registration (excluding Summer Session). Incompletes generated in a Summer Session must be completed by the end of the following Summer Session. Programs may establish shorter time limits. Students with two or more incompletes are not permitted to register for additional courses until one semester after they have completed the incompletes.
S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory). For 700-level courses of research carrying credit or in regular courses taken "not-for-credit" (N prefix).
W (Withdrawal). Officially withdrew.
Credit Prefixes
The number of credits appearing on course records and registration cards may be preceded by a letter prefix as follows:
E. Course excluded from credit toward a degree; all course requirements must be completed and a regular grade is assigned.
G. A 300- or 400-level undergraduate course for which credit toward the graduate degree sought has been approved.
K. Course taken as a nonmatriculant; not counted towards degree.
N. Course taken "not-for-credit." The final examination is not required. A final grade of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory) is assigned. Graduate students registering for undergraduate courses are subject to the credit prefix rules of the undergraduate division offering the course.
M.B.A. Degree Requirements
The general M.B.A. degree program requires a minimum of 60 credits. The professional accounting M.B.A. program requires 63 credits. Completion of the prescribed program of courses is a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for the award of a degree. Consult the Degree Programs chapter for specific course requirements. All M.B.A. candidates must complete the program with a grade average of 2.500 or better. Students who do not complete the program with a grade average of 2.500 or better may petition to enroll in additional courses to raise their average to 2.500. The courses that a student may take to attempt to raise their average must be at the 600-level and must be preapproved (submit request to the Office of Student Services). In no case is student permitted to attempt more than 75 credits of approved courses toward their degree.
Time Limits
A time limit of eight calendar years from the date of first enrollment is permitted for achieving the M.B.A. degree. Any courses (including challenge examinations) taken more than eight years before the date of graduation are not counted toward the degree. Students are required to retake such courses.
Incomplete Course Work
If for legitimate reasons a student is unable to complete all the required course work or examinations, a faculty member may choose to submit a grade of INC (incomplete). If the course work is not completed, the INC is automatically changed to an F on February 1 for the summer trimester, June 1 for the fall trimester, and September 1 for the spring trimester. Justified reasons for the submission of the grade of INC might include illness requiring medical attention, personal emergency obligations claimed by the student and recognized as valid, recognized religious holiday(s), and severe inclement weather causing dangerous travel conditions.
Students incurring more than two INC grades in the same trimester may be contacted by the scholastic standing committee. The committee reserves the right to place on probation any student who consistently fails to complete course work on time, in which case that student will be permitted no future INC grades.
Scholastic Standing
Students must maintain an academic average of no less than 2.500. The student`s average is computed on the basis of all courses taken for credit. Each grade received in a course that has been failed and then repeated is included in the calculation. Grades received in courses not given at a graduate department of Rutgers, New Jersey Institute of Technology, or the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey are not included in the computation.
Grades are rounded to the third decimal place; a 2.499 is not equivalent to a 2.500. The scholastic standing committee reviews each student`s academic record at the end of each trimester. However, the committee may at any time review any student`s record and take appropriate action, including placing the student on probation or dismissing him or her from the program. Appeals of these actions may be submitted in writing, addressed to the chair of the scholastic standing committee. Mail or drop off such appeals to the Office of Student Services in Newark. Students on academic probation may be required to follow a program of study prescribed by the scholastic standing committee. The successful completion of such a program is a condition of the student`s continued enrollment at Rutgers Business School: Graduate Programs-Newark and New Brunswick.
Grade Deficiency
A student may repeat a failed credit or not-for-credit course only once. Both grades will be used in computing the grade-point average. A second failure in that course will be grounds for the dismissal of the student from the program.
Conflict with Faculty
Sometimes students feel they would like to appeal a faculty member`s decision. Matters such as review of a specific grade given by a faculty member should first be discussed with the faculty member and then referred to the department chair. However, if unresolved, the university policy allows students to appeal to the following persons in the exact order listed:
Professor
Department Chair
Director, M.B.A. Program
Associate Dean for Academic Programs
Dean
Provost, Newark Campus
University President
Each appeal to these individuals must be made in writing with a copy to the school for the student`s file. Each person in turn will respond in writing with a copy for the student`s file. If a student appeals to all of the above persons without gaining satisfaction, he or she may then engage independent legal counsel.
M.B.A. Credit by Challenge Examination(s)
Students may apply to sit for a challenge examination in core course subjects. There is a $50 fee for each examination. Contact the department secretary for information.
Residency Requirement
No more than 18 credits may be applied toward the degree via transfer and/or challenge examination.
Class Attendance
Students are expected to attend all regularly scheduled classes. A student is permitted to make up required exercises and examinations missed as a result of justified absences when these are authenticated and presented in a timely manner. University regulations permit instructors to include attendance among the factors determining a course grade.
Readmission to the Program
Students who do not register for three consecutive trimesters must request readmission by writing to the Office of Student Services. The school retains student files for a period of one year; thus, depending upon the length of time out of the program, the applicant for readmission may be required to resubmit all admissions credentials and pay the application fee. All persons requesting readmission must have on file a Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score no older than five years prior to the date of readmission. It is the responsibility of each applicant to check with the Office of Student Services as to the exact credentials needed. All readmitted students must fulfill the current curriculum requirements. The application of a student with a cumulative average below 2.500 or a student who has attempted 69 credit hours or more is referred to the scholastic standing committee for review and possible action.
Readmission to the program is based upon the avail- ability of space for the specific trimester of reentry; thus, students are advised to make their applications well in advance. Readmitted students are also advised that any courses, examinations, advanced standing credits, or waivers taken or given prior to eight years before the date of graduation are not counted toward the degree.
