Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Academic Policies for MBA Program

Academic standing in the UMass Dartmouth MBA program is governed by the following policies:

1. Prospective MBA students can take up to 2 (two) core courses or six credits before matriculation.
2. Students should complete all course work for the MBA degree within ten successive semesters after candidacy status in the MBA advanced core program.
3. Requests for a leave of absence from the university should be submitted in writing to the Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies before the start of any given semester. The deadline for a leave of absence request will concur with that of registration for the coming semester.
4. If a regular (not summer) semester passes with a break in registration, and the student has not secured written permission from the Director, he or she will be dropped from the program. The student may be reinstated upon application to the Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies when one semester is skipped. If two successive regular semesters pass with a break in registration, the student will be automatically dropped from the program and must reapply for admission through the Graduate Studies Office.
5. Students are required to maintain a cumulative average of “B” or better in all courses attempted at UMass Dartmouth. By general policy, only grades of “C” or higher will be accepted toward the MBA degree. When calculating interim cumulative averages, incomplete “I” grades which are older than one semester will be considered as “F.”
6. No more than two grades below “B-” will be allowed. Grades ranging from “A” to “C” are passing grades. If a grade of “C-” or less is received, the course must be repeated and a higher grade must be obtained.
7. Candidates who satisfy all the course requirements but have not achieved the 3.0 average may be allowed to take a maximum of six additional credits to improve their average. Individuals who fall into this category must first appeal to the Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies for permission.
8. If at any time during the course of study a student’s cumulative average falls below 3.0, the individual will be notified in writing and will be placed on academic probation. A student who fails to improve his/her cumulative average in the following semester may be dismissed from the program.
9. The recommendation to dismiss a MBA student is made by the Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies to the Dean of the College with a copy to the student. The individual may appeal to the Dean not to accept the recommendation, in writing, within thirty calendar days of receipt of the copy of the Director’s recommendation. The individual will be permitted to continue in the MBA program while an appeal is in progress.
10. Students are required to notify the MBA Office of formal withdrawal from the program. This should be in addition to official notification to the Registrar’s office.
11. Notify in writing both the Registrar’s office and the MBA Office of change of address.
12. Students may transfer a maximum of 6 semester hours of credits from AACSB  accredited institutions to the MBA program with the approval of the MBA Director, provided the courses have a B or better grade. Exceptions may be made upon a petition to, and approval of, the Graduate Policy Committee and in the case of formal exchange agreements.