Academic Policies

Governing Catalog

The catalog issued the year in which a student enters the graduate program at Salem College as a fully-admitted student governs the degree and licensure-area requirements, provided that coursework is completed within five years of entrance and that the student’s enrollment has not been interrupted for one calendar year or more. Changes to specific courses and/or evidences required for the degree and/or licensure may be necessary in order to conform to state of North Carolina requirements. A student may petition the Graduate Education Council with a request to follow the general degree requirements listed in a subsequent catalog in force during her period of enrollment. Any student who is approved for readmission after an absence of one calendar year or more (two consecutive regular terms) will be bound by all requirements of the catalog in force in the student’s semester of re-enrollment after readmission.

If a graduate student steps out of his/her graduate program and does not enroll for a period of five or more years, that student risks not being able to continue with the previous program. Students should understand that the education programs are approved by the Department of Public Instruction and courses and expectations for licensure can change. An education student in this position should make an appointment to meet with the Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies regarding readmission.

Awarding Credit

A semester hour is defined as 50 minutes of classroom instruction per week for a 15-week semester or the equivalent amount of instruction for a shorter term. In addition to in-class instruction, students should expect to spend a minimum of 100 minutes per week per semester hour on class-related work done outside of class. Courses will be awarded credit according to this standard, and any deviation from this standard must be approved by the Graduate Education Council. When courses are offered in hybrid or fully online formats, the expectations for overall time spent on a course are the same. The course content and student learning outcomes should match those established for face-to-face sections of the same course.

Immunizations

North Carolina law requires individuals attending a college or university, whether public, private or religious, to receive certain immunizations. All new and transfer students are required to submit documentation of state-required immunizations. Per North Carolina state law, students will be WITHDRAWN FROM THE COLLEGE 30 days after classes begin if immunization requirements have not been met.

Academic Advising

Upon enrollment, graduate candidates will meet with the appropriate program director to develop a plan for completing the course of study. The candidates will be assigned an advisor from among the graduate faculty. She/he may also continue to consult with the director. Any exceptions to established course requirements must be approved by the director of the graduate program.

Academic Load

A full-time graduate course load will be six (6) hours per term. Half-time status will be defined as three (3) semester hours. In order to meet particular financial aid criteria, additional semester hours/term may be required.

The MAT programs are offered in two phases. Phase 1 culminates with initial teacher licensure, and Phase 2 (graduate candidacy) leads to the advanced (graduate) license and the master’s degree. Phase 2 has been designed to be completed during the candidate’s first few years of teaching.

Thirty-three (33) hours are required for Phase 1 of the MAT in elementary education or special education; twenty-seven (27) hours plus possible undergraduate content area semester hours are required for Phase 1 of the MAT in middle/secondary grades. Phase 2 of the MAT is offered in two permutations. Phase 2X requires 15 semester hours of graduate core and specialty coursework; Phase 2L requires eight (8) semester hours in graduate core coursework and 24 semester hours of additional specialty content.

The MEd teaching-focused programs have been designed for teachers who are currently in the classroom and may be completed on a part-time basis over two to three years. Thirty-six (36) hours are required for the elementary, language and literacy and special education MEd programs.

The MEd in Educational Leadership requires 36 hours. The MEd in School Counseling requires 48 hours. These programs follow a cohort model with students attending classes in fall, spring, and summer sessions.

Grading

Salem College uses the following quality points for grading:

The Graduate Studies in Education uses the following course grading scale:

Other valid grades are:

Incomplete (Grade I) Policy

A grade of I is a temporary indication on the student’s record that the requirements of the course have not been completed for justifiable reasons. Given at the discretion of the faculty member, typically for the following three reasons: illness, accident or death in the student’s family, Incompletes must be made up within 8 weeks, or the grade will automatically turn into an F. Extensions beyond the 8 weeks may be granted by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies or the director of the graduate program with the written support of the faculty member. If the student is receiving financial aid, they must consult with the financial aid office to discuss the impact of the Incomplete on the student’s satisfactory academic progress and financial aid eligibility. A student may not graduate with an “I” or an “NR” on their record.

Audited Courses

A student may not attend a class unless officially registered, either for credit or as an auditor. Registration as an auditor permits a student to enroll in a course without working for a grade or credit. An auditor is expected to attend class regularly and participate in class discussions or activities as invited by the instructor. The auditor is not required to take tests and examinations and is not usually expected to submit papers. An auditor who finds it necessary to completely discontinue class attendance must formally drop the course. Since an audit course does not involve academic credit, it may be taken in conjunction with credit courses, and it has no bearing on course load status for full-time students. The full-time student may not audit more than one course each term, and audit courses cannot be repeated for academic credit at a later date, unless permission is granted by the director of the designated graduate program upon recommendation of the student’s academic adviser and with the cognizance and input of the course instructor. An audit course may be changed to a credit course and a credit course may be changed to an audit status only before the end of the drop/add period.

Auditors may not register for a research course, a seminar, a practicum, a studio, a laboratory or another course where, in the instructor’s opinion, auditing would be inappropriate. The final decision for admittance to the class as an auditor rests with the instructor. Students registering for credit have priority over students who wish to audit only.

If a person who is not a current Salem student wishes to audit a Salem course, that individual must submit the appropriate graduate program application and complete the audit request form.

Grade Appeal Policy

Student appeals of grades earned in a course are welcomed on a professional basis by the faculty. Students must explain to the instructor involved their specific disagreement with the grading outcome. If the matter is not resolved at this level, the student may then take the matter to the director of their program. If the matter is not resolved at the director’s level, the student may then refer the matter to the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs for a final decision.

Repeating Courses

If a student who has been academically excluded in granted re-admission, the student will be required to re-take any required courses in which a failing grade (F) was earned. The grade for a course repeated at Salem will replace the original grade. Both grades, original and repeated, appear on the permanent academic record. Students may repeat a course and replace the grade only once per course; exceptions to this must be approved by the Graduate Education Council, and students should be aware that financial aid will not cover the second repeated course.

Minimum Grades / Requirements for Persistence

If a graduate student earns one (1) F or more than two (2) C’s in graduate courses - regardless of his/her status (degree, licensure only, or special student) - he or she will not be permitted to continue to enroll in graduate courses. Appeals regarding persistence and or re-admission to the program must be made in writing to the director of the graduate program who will present them to the Graduate Education Council for deliberation and decision.

In order for a graduate student to be readmitted to the Master of Arts in Teaching or the Master of Education program, the students must submit the documents specified below. Submission of documents does not guarantee re-admission. The documents, along with the student’s Salem College records, will be evaluated by the Graduate Education Council. The director of the graduate program will communicate with students after the Graduate Education Council has reached a decision.

Personal Letter: The personal letter (not to exceed one page) should provide a context for the Graduate Education Council and will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Clear description and explanation of the situation
• Convincing argument for re-admission
• Appropriate evidence to support argument for re-admission

Plan for Success: The plan for success should provide a description that links past impediments to success to a current plan for success. The plan may include both narrative and graphics/charts as appropriate. The plan will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• SMART Goal (specific, measurable, agreed upon, realistic, and time-based)
• Support resources
• Timeline
• Opportunities for assess progress

Checkpoints

MAT and MEd graduate students must have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in all graduate courses at Salem College, to be permitted to enter the Teachers as Practitioners (Student Teaching) term, to be permitted to enter the Graduate Research Seminar semester, and to be recommended for licensure (initial or advanced competency).

Progress checkpoints have been established at various points during the program. At some checkpoints, candidates’ progress will be evaluated with input from school-based cooperating teachers and administrators. Checkpoints are typically established at admission, admission to Teachers as Practitioners semester (EDUC 594/596/599), application for initial licensure, application for Graduate Candidacy, and application for advanced competency licensure.

Teachers as Practitioners (TAP) Semester

All candidates for initial licensure in the MAT program will complete the TAP Semester, a full term of supervised/guided internship (student teaching) experience in a school district or partner school with which Salem College has a memorandum of understanding. Graduate candidates have either the fall or spring terms as options for the TAP semester. Candidates may take no other courses during student teaching. All required coursework must be completed prior to student teaching. Candidates must have taken and passed all required licensure exams by the published deadline prior to student teaching.

Graduate candidates for initial licensure must apply for the TAP Semester on or before the published deadline of the term preceding the term in which they will student teach.

Fall TAP semester application deadline: March 1st of the preceding term
Spring TAP semester application deadline: October 1st of the preceding term

Students approved for the TAP semester must register for EDUC 599, Teachers as Practitioners, EDUC 596 edTPA Support, and EDUC 594, Teachers as Practitioners Seminar. EDUC 599, EDUC 596, and EDUC 594 will be graded pass/no credit.

Each student teacher will be evaluated using the state-required Teacher Candidate Evaluation Rubric and the LEA/IHE Certification of Teaching Capacity Form. These collaborative evaluations are completed by the cooperating teacher, the Salem supervisor, and the candidate. Successful student teaching experiences require the approval and certifying signature of school officials. All candidates also submit the edTPA, an extensive portfolio that demonstrates specific knowledge, competencies, and dispositions for teaching and documents candidates’ readiness to be recommended for professional teaching licensure.

Professional Research Seminar Semester

All candidates for advanced competency licensure in teacher education programs (MAT) will complete a full-term Professional Research Seminar (EDUC 699) semester as a capstone to their graduate studies. Prior to this semester, students must complete and receive approval of the IRB application for the College.

In order to complete EDUC 699 Professional Research Seminar and to be recommended for graduation and for advanced competency licensure, candidates must present and successfully defend the action research thesis to an oral defense panel. The oral defense presentation will be scheduled once in each of the spring and fall terms. Any two professors from the Department of Teacher Education may serve as the oral defense panel; candidates will not be told in advance which faculty members will serve.

Graduation Requirements

All degree requirements must be completed within five (5) years of initial enrollment in the program. Degrees are conferred in May, December, and August. However, actual graduation ceremonies are held only in May. Students graduating in December or August may choose to participate in the ceremony held the following May.

Education

To be eligible for graduation, the student must:

1) Complete all course requirements including:

1. MAT Phase I Candidates: grade of P of the Teacher as Practitioner guided internship (student teaching); receive recommendation for licensure, including a passing score on the edTPA, a state-mandated assessment.
2. MAT Phase II: successful completion of the Professional Research Seminar semsster including the MAPP and the written portion of the ART

2) Pass the oral defense presentation of the action research thesis
3) Obtain an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above
4) File an application for graduation and pay the required graduation fee

Music

To be eligible for graduation, the student must:

1. Complete all course requirements, including a minimum of 40 semester hours (organ) or 39 semester hours (piano)
2. Successfully pass a graduate level recital
3. Successfully pass the Final Comprehensive Examination
4. Obtain an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above
5. File an application for graduation and pay the required graduation fee

Transcripts and Grade Records

Grades and records may be accessed through the secure Salem Information System (PowerCampus Self-Service). Grade reports are not mailed to students. Students may request official copies of their academic transcript from the Office of the Registrar (www.salem.edu/transcripts). A fee is payable in advance of the release of each transcript. Please note that transcripts cannot be released for students who are indebted to the College or if any other holds (including, but not limited to, library fines, unreturned equipment or missing immunization records) are on the student’s record.

Background Checks and Drug Screening

In order to ensure compliance with North Carolina professional teacher licensure eligibility requirements, all candidates for initial licensure will be required to have a background check prior to admission to MAT or MEd programs. A drug screening will be required prior to admission to the Teachers as Practitioners (TAP) semester (student teaching). These requirements may be waived for students who are currently employed by organizations that required a background check and/or a drug screening. Such candidates must provide written evidence of clear screenings to the Director of Educator Preparation.

All applicants will complete the Candidate for Professional Licensure (CPL) form as required by the state. This form requires that candidates document a felony or crime other than a minor traffic violation to determine eligibility for a teaching license in North Carolina.

During graduate education programs, graduate students who are convicted of a felony or crime (other than a minor traffic violation) should notify the Director of Educator Preparation and contact the Licensure Division of the North Carolina State Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh regarding continued eligibility for licensure.

Criminal Records

All applicants will complete the Candidate for Professional Licensure (CPL) form as required by the state of N.C. This form requires that candidates document a felony or crime other than a minor traffic violation to determine eligibility for a teaching license in N.C.

During their programs, graduate students who are convicted of a felony or crime (other than a minor traffic violation) should notify the Director of Educator Preparation or contact the Licensure Division of the North Carolina State Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh regarding continued eligibility for licensure.

Education graduate candidates are also required to complete a background check (at admission) and a drug screening (prior to the Teacher as Practitioner semester). Information on both will be provided as part of the admissions and Teachers as Practitioners (student teaching) application materials.

Immunization Records

In adherence with North Carolina state law, all candidates are required to submit, as part of the application process, documentation of having met the immunization requirements applicable to the student’s age and degree program. The form and guidelines for completing the immunization record are included with the application materials.

The completed immunization record must be received and approved by the Director of Health Services BEFORE the student will be allowed to attend class. The immunization record should be submitted directly to the Health and Counseling Center. Staff is available to accept immunization records and to answer questions Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and from 1:00 pm to 4:00 p.m. Records may also be faxed to (336) 917-5763. The phone number is (336) 721-2713.

Class Attendance

Students are expected to attend classes regularly and promptly. The individual faculty member has the right to establish attendance regulations for his or her classes and the responsibility to inform students of these regulations at the beginning of each term. Students assume responsibility for class attendance by meeting the standards set by their instructors and are also responsible for discussing with the faculty member any extenuating circumstances that affect their attendance. If the student is absent from class, it is her responsibility to meet with her faculty members who will determine whether or not the absence was excused and how missing work will be handled. Authority for granting excused absences or extensions for missed class time or assignments rests with each individual faculty member. Faculty may request that the students provide written verification of health or counseling appointments, but this information serves as notification/verification only.

In accordance with Title IX, Salem will excuse all pregnancy and childbirth-related absences for as long as the student’s physician deems the absences medically necessary, and will allow students to make up any work that was missed during that time. Questions about Title IX should be directed to the College Title IX Coordinator.

In the event of a family emergency or an extended illness that results in absence from more than two class sessions, students may contact their graduate program director, who will provide information regarding the absences to the appropriate faculty. 

Graduate Registration and Drop/Add Policy

The registration period each term begins and ends on the dates designated on the graduate calendar. Graduate students are responsible for following the policies governing registration. Students sign the registration agreement as part of the application process. It reads as follows:

I understand that I may add or drop a course any time from the opening of registration until the last day of the drop/add period of a term (specified in the published schedules for each semester). I also understand that if I drop a class/classes after the last day of the drop/add period, I will be financially responsible for the class/classes. I further understand that - if I have applied for financial aid for the term - it is my responsibility to inform the Office of Financial Aid that I have decreased or increased the number of semester hours I am carrying.

I acknowledge that I am financially responsible for the payment of tuition costs due to Salem College. If I have not dropped a course (by submitting a change of registration form approved by the student’s academic advisor) on or before the specified last day of the drop/add period, I am fully aware that I will owe the full tuition for the course. I understand that my name remains on the class roster until I officially drop the class (by completing the appropriate drop/add card in the Education Office). If I do not fulfill my payment obligations to Salem College, I agree to pay all costs of collection, including attorney fees.

To add or drop a course, the student should consult with the academic advisor and complete the add or drop process in PowerCampus Self-Service.

A student may drop a course with the following conditions:

1. With no grade or conditions during the specified drop/add period for each regular term (no tuition charge).
2. With a grade of Withdrawal (W) after the first week and through the ninth week of the regular term.
3. If a student must withdraw for health or family emergency reasons at any point during the term, the Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies may authorize the grade of withdrawal (W) for the student’s courses, provided that the student has submitted the appropriate documentation for this type of withdrawal. Grades of W do not affect the student’s grade point average. For more detail, see the official Salem College catalog.
4. If a school counseling student withdraws from the program, permission from the Dean is required for reentry to that program.
5. With a grade of F after the ninth week of the regular term unless the student successfully appeals to Graduate Education Council.

A student may add another course during the first complete week of classes. Courses may not be added after that time.

Specific dates, including for January and summer term courses, are published annually on the Salem College website.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Process

Graduate students completing research projects should follow the IRB guidelines established by the College. Education students are required to submit an application to the College IRB Committee for approval prior to beginning EDUC 698 /EDUC 699 , as well as the required application to the Department of Teacher Education. Students in EDUC 619 /EDUC 620  will be given support for completing this application. These are examples of what information will be addressed:

1. What is the purpose of the study? This should be a specific statement including the kind of measurements to be made of the subjects, the type of analysis and potential relevance of the results. Indicate:
   1. number of subjects required
   2. subjects
   3. time required per subject in the study
   4. the manner in which subjects will be recruited for the study
   5. how “informed consent” is obtained from the subject
   6. how confidentiality is maintained
   7. how this will be an educational experience for the subjects involved
2. If a questionnaire is to be administered, a cover letter that conveys a brief description of the study and the nature of the items contained in the questionnaire should be included. The letter should emphasize the voluntary nature of participation and assure anonymity and confidentiality of results. Finally, it must instruct students of their right to withdraw from the study at any time.

Documentation for Writing Assignments

The following statement regarding the documentation of papers has been adopted by the faculty:

The method of stating where your source for a statement is located varies with the kind of writing you are doing. In a formal paper, you will use the elaborate methods of citation detailed in your term paper guide; in a less formal paper, you will often simply mention the name of the author in the statement. In a test, when you are referring to a matter of fact you learned from your textbook or from class, you will assume that it is common knowledge and needs no specific citation. Matters of opinion or distinctive phrases, however, require some mention of the name of the person who uttered them.

Showing what you got from a source, once you have cited it, is done by making the following distinction in your writing: an idea, a fact or an opinion, stated entirely in your own words, needs no further acknowledgement beyond citation of the source. Any quotation (including technical terms which might not be recognized by your reader), however, must be included in quotation marks; or if the quoted matter is long, it may be single-spaced and indented. You must quote exactly, showing omissions by the use of three spaced periods and insertions by the use of square brackets. (For an example, consult the APA Style Manual, sixth edition.) In order to show that you understand your subject beyond what is implied by the ability to copy someone else’s words and in order to make what you cite serve your purposes rather than those of the original author, you will normally paraphrase material written by someone other than yourself. Remember that when you paraphrase you must use the words that come naturally to you rather than those suggested by your source. Even short phrases of two or three distinctive words - and long ones regardless of their degree of distinctiveness - that come from source must be set in quotation marks.

Failure to make acknowledgement by these forms gives a false impression to your reader. The reader may think some idea, perception or elegance of phrasing is your own when it really is not. It is your responsibility to go out of your way to play fair with your reader in giving credit where it is due by means of scrupulous acknowledgement of sources. If you have any doubt as to the correct way to treat a source, ask your instructor what to do. Failure to document papers properly is plagiarism and an honor code offense.

The style and formatting manual for the Department of Teacher Education at Salem College is the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th edition.

The style and formatting manuals for the School of Music at Salem College are the Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 8th edition, by Kate L. Turabian; and the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th edition.