Program Policies
Program Changes
Students are responsible for the program selected when registering. Changes thereafter are made by filing a "Request to Add or Drop Courses" form in the Registrar's Office. For regularly scheduled courses, dropping a course during the first four weeks may be done without being reflected on the transcript. For regularly scheduled classes, a class may be dropped with a grade of "W" within the fourth through eighth weeks of the semester; thereafter the grade will be recorded as an "F" when a student withdraws from a course. There is NO AUTOMATIC DROPPING of courses resulting from a student’s failure to attend class sessions.
For those courses that are offered on a non-traditional calendar, the following principle applies: withdrawals received in the Registrar's Office during regular business hours prior to the end of the first quarter of the total number of class hour sessions offered in the course will have no entry made on the transcript; withdrawals received in the Registrar's Office during regular business hours prior to the end of the second quarter of total number of class hour sessions will receive a "W" on the transcript; withdrawals received in the Records Office during regular business hours prior to the last class hour session will receive a grade of "F" unless the professor, aware of extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the student, is willing to grant a "WP" or "WF".
Withdrawal From the Program
Students contemplating withdrawal from the Graduate Program in Education must first have a conference with the Coordinator. If a student finds it necessary to withdraw from the Graduate Program during a regular academic term, he or she must officially withdraw from all classes. Students must procure an "Application for Official Withdrawal" form from the Registrar's Office, complete the form, including the required signatures, and return the completed form to the Registrar's Office. Students who do not officially withdraw from classes will automatically be given a grade of "F" (failure) by the professor(s). Failure to withdraw officially, therefore, may lead to future problems in transferring units to other graduate institutions or when applying for readmission. Students who follow the proper procedures in withdrawing due to justifiable personal circumstances will be classified as having withdrawn in good standing. The tuition refund policy is observed in cases of official withdrawal from the Graduate Program in Education.
Student Academic Load
A full-time academic load at the credential level is 12 unit hours or more per semester, depending on specific program requirements. Credential students should be enrolled in a minimum of twelve units during the first semester of the teacher preparation course work, and 6-12 units during the second semester of student teaching. Outstanding students may enroll in up to sixteen (16) unit hours upon the counsel of the academic advisor. Students may not enroll for more than sixteen (16) unit hours in a regular semester without the approval of the Director of the Graduate Program in Education. A full-time academic load at the graduate level is 6 unit hours.
Course Numbering System
In order to interface with the undergraduate program, academic units at the graduate level are also measured in semester hours. The course numbering system is as follows:
500 level = credential, certificate and/or M.A. students
600 level = M.A. students only
No more than six (6) unit hours of equivalent and applicable graduate course work with a "B" or better grade may be transferred in and applied toward the M.A. degree. The Director of the Graduate Program in Education must approve all unit transfers prior to admission into the M.A. program. The transfer policy applies only to students in regular standing at the time of admission. Please refer to "Transfer Credit" policy in the catalog.
Program Grade Requirements
Students in the credential and/or certificate program must maintain a "B" (3.0) GPA. A "D" grade is not acceptable in any of the course work in the sequence. No more than one "C+" or "C" grade will be acceptable in credential and/or certificate course work. Courses may not be taken on a "pass/fail" or "credit/no credit" basis, with the exception of student teaching. "Credit" will be granted for student teaching based on an overall evaluation of "B-" or better.
Students in the Master’s Degree Program must maintain a "B" (3.0) grade point average in all program course work. All M.A. core courses must be completed with a grade of "B-" or above. A "D" grade is not acceptable in any of the course work in the sequence. Courses may not be taken on a "pass/fail" or "credit/no credit" basis, with the exception of student teaching. "Credit" will be granted for student teaching based on an overall evaluation of "B-" or better.
Students are expected to gauge the course load for each semester so that they will achieve a minimum of a "B" grade in each course attempted. Any grade below "B" is considered below minimal performance and indicates improvement is needed if the student expects to complete the program. If the student receives a second grade that is below a "B", he/she will be required to meet with the Director of the Graduate Program in Education to determine whether the student should continue in the graduate program. Grades of "C-" and below will remain on the permanent record of students.
Students accepted under provisional standing for the credential or degree program should carefully review the grade requirements for transfer of status for their specific program.
EDUG 599: Continuous Registration: Credential students who have completed the first semester of credential methodology coursework and can not proceed to Advanced Student Teaching until the appropriate subject matter is passed must enroll in EDUG 599 until the examination is passed.
EDUG 699: Continuous Registration: Master’s Study will carry a grade of "CE" (continuing enrollment) until all course requirements are met and the professor turns in a grade change to "CR" (credit). Exceptions or extensions to this policy are made only with the approval of the Director of the Graduate Program in Education.
Academic Deficiencies
If a student has provisional standing due to coursework deficiencies, they may still enroll in graduate classes. However, all deficiencies must be removed before completing twenty (20) credit hours of graduate work, and before making application for advancement to candidacy. The use of pass/fail grades may be permitted for general undergraduate deficiency courses taken at VUSC.
Credential Candidate Dismissal
According to CTC regulations, the institution has an obligation to public schools to dismiss candidates who are unsuited to be teachers. The institution reviews each candidate’s competence throughout the program, informs candidates of their strengths and weaknesses, provides opportunities for corrective learning, places marginal candidates on probation, dismisses candidates who are found to be unsuited to be teachers and considers candidate appeals.
Time Limits on Graduate Study
All work for the Master’s degree must be completed within five (5) years from the time of official admission into the Graduate Program in Education. All work for the preliminary Credential and CLAD Certificate must be completed in three years. Time spent on leave of absence is counted in the five-year time limit for the M.A. degree. A credential or certificate bound student who interrupts the sequence of study may be subject to changes in requirements when returning, particularly CTC credentialing modifications.
Leave of Absence
Credential and/or M.A. students who find it necessary to interrupt the regular sequence of enrollment are required to file notice of an official leave of absence to ensure proper communication between the student and the Graduate Education Office. The forms for this purpose are available in the Graduate Education Office. Time spent on leave of absence is counted in the five-year time limit for graduate course work. Students may file for a two-consecutive-semester leave in one application. Students who interrupt their program and do not file a leave of absence will be required to reapply and will be subject to all new academic regulations in effect in the Graduate Education Catalog at the time enrollment is resumed (see Readmission). If the request for a leave of absence is denied, the student will be required to reapply. Any credential bound student who interrupts the sequence of study may be subject to changes in requirements when returning, particularly CTC credentialing modifications. Degree bound students who have completed the M. A. Core courses must be enrolled in EDUG 699 for continuous enrollment status. When considering a leave of absence, degree bound students must plan to be officially enrolled in EDUG 610 or EDUG 699 in the semester in which they intend to submit their application for graduation.
Re-Entry from a Leave of Absence
Credential and/or M.A. students who have filed an official “Leave of Absence” and have been absent from the Graduate Program in Education for one or more consecutive semesters must submit a "Petition for Re-Entry" form when they are ready to resume enrollment. If the student’s petition is accepted, he/she will be held responsible for academic regulations and program requirements in effect at the time of the student’s initial enrollment, excluding any changes required by CTC or legislative action. If the student’s petition is denied, he/she will be required to reapply (see Readmission).
Readmission
Credential and/or M.A. students who have been absent from the program for one or more consecutive semesters (and did not file a Leave of Absence), are considered "out of status," and must submit an "Application for Readmission" (along with the appropriate fee) to the Graduate Education Office. Students applying for readmission are subject to new graduation requirements, which have come into effect by the time of their readmission. Credential students are subject to any changes due to CTC and legislative action. The Candidate Performance Assessment Committee will review readmission applications and the students will be notified of the decision.
Transfer of Credits/Units
Students transferring from an accredited graduate program may transfer a maximum of six (6) unit hours when the courses transferred are equivalent and have direct applicability to the students’ program design. Only courses with a grade of "B" (3.0), or higher will be considered for transfer toward the M.A. degree. Units being considered for transfer must have been taken no more than five years before the time of admission. No transfer unit can be granted for course work used for a degree awarded by another institution. All core courses must be taken at VUSC. The Director of the Graduate Program in Education must approve all transfers of units prior to admission.
M.A. Degree Course Requirements
Students pursuing the Master of Arts in Education are required to satisfy the following graduation requirements:
1. Advancement to M.A. Candidacy.
2. Successful completion of an approved program with a minimum cumulative grade point average of "B" (3.0), and with no more than one (1) courses grade of "C+" or "C". All M.A. Core courses must be completed with a grade of "B-" or above.
3. The filing of all the necessary forms in accordance with the time table provided by the Graduate Education Office;
4. Successful completion of all degree requirements within the maximum time limits allowed (five years); and
5. Settlement of all financial obligations to the University.
Commencement
Commencement exercises are held at the end of the Spring semester for students who wish to participate. Degrees are formally awarded at the end of the Fall, Spring and Summer sessions. The date of degree posted on the transcript is the last day of the semester or Summer session in which the graduation requirements were met.
Employment
Growing centers of employment in Costa Mesa and surrounding areas afford students some of the best job opportunities in the nation. Most students needing employment have been able to secure the type of work and schedule that makes it possible for them to carry out their graduate studies. An employment referral service to assist students in finding part-time employment while attending the university is maintained through the Career Center. Campus employment is also available on a limited basis. Graduate students who have passed the CBEST exam are eligible for daily and long-term substitute teaching in public schools throughout the county. Orange County is home to 26 public school districts and 70 private Christian schools. Students should contact the individual school districts and private schools for potential employment. The Orange County Department of Education is also located in Costa Mesa.