Grading Policies and Academic Standards

Grading Policies and Academic Standards

DPT Program Grading and Academic Standards 
Course grades are calculated based on criteria as documented in each individual course syllabus. Faculty will calculate to the tenth level (0.1) and round up (5 and above) or down (4 and below), accordingly (e.g., 89.4 = 89% or “B”; 89.5 = 90% or “A”). Course grades are assigned consistent with the above calculations and Graduate School definitions. 
A 90 – 100; is given for work distinctly superior quality and quantity accompanied by unusual evidence of enthusiasm, initiative, thoroughness and originality 
B 80 – 89; is given for work showing the above qualities to a lesser extent 
C 70 – 79; represents fulfillment of the minimum essentials of a course 
D 60 – 69; represents a passing grade, but cannot be used to fulfill degree requirements 
F less than 60; indicates unqualified failure 

S Satisfactory; is given for courses completed on a satisfactory/no credit basis 
NC No Credit; represents failure to complete the requirements in satisfactory/no credit courses 

I Incomplete; may be given to a student whose work has been of passing quality and who has valid reason for not completing some requirement of the course. Removal of an Incomplete must be submitted by the instructor to the Office of Records no later than three weeks before the last day of classes in the next regular semester, or the Incomplete will become an F. 
IP In Progress; is used as an interim grade to indicate work in progress requiring more than the normal limitations of a semester except for thesis. It is restricted to graduate level courses (5000 and above) and has a one-year limitation for removal. 

Grades for clinical education are assigned by the Director of Clinical Education (DCE) and based on the Clinical Instructor's evaluation and the established criteria for each clinical education experience. If students meet the objectives for the clinical education course, a “S” is earned. An “I” or “IP” may be assigned when a student is making progress, but unable to complete the objectives for the experience within the scheduled experience. 

Laboratory Checkouts/offs and Practical Examinations 
Lab checkouts/offs and practical examinations must be successfully completed for successful course completion. Criteria for satisfactory completion of the checkouts/offs and practical examinations are included on the testing rubrics for each course. 

Remediation and Retest of Practical Examinations 
Remediation = the act of correcting something that is deficient
Retest = to test again 

1. The student must always demonstrate safe behavior in the practical examination. Unsafe activity will result in failure on the practical examination. 
2. A grade of 80% or above must be scored on each practical examination. 
3. At the faculty’s discretion, a practical retest may be offered if the student does not pass the initial practical examination. If a student obtains 80% or above on a practical retest, the final grade awarded for the practical examination will be 70%. If the student fails to obtain the 80% minimum score on the practical retest, this will result in unsuccessful completion of the course. 
4. If a student is ineligible or denied petition to retest or does not successfully pass practical examination retest, the recorded grade for the course will be an F, resulting in unsuccessful completion of the course. 
5. A maximum of two (2) practical examinations in courses across the curriculum may be remediated and retested by any student. If a student fails a third practical examination, the student will be denied remediation and retest as well as progression in the program. Under these circumstances, the student will be dismissed from the DPT Program. 
6. If extenuating circumstances are present that may adversely impact a student’s successful completion of a practical examination, the student is responsible for informing the course faculty before the scheduled examination date so that appropriate accommodations may be considered. 

The course faculty, in consultation with the department head as needed, is responsible for reviewing and approving a student’s request to reschedule a practical examination. 

Remediation and Retest of Course Final Examinations 
Remediation = the act of correcting something that is deficient 
Retest = to test again 

1. The DPT Program includes several courses in which the course syllabus stipulates that success in the course requires passing the comprehensive final exam with a minimum grade. If the student is unsuccessful on the final examination, they may petition to remediate and retest. 
2. At the faculty’s discretion, a second final examination may be offered if the student does not pass the initial final examination. 
3. If a student is ineligible or denied petition to retest or does not successfully pass the final exam retest, the recorded grade for the course will be an F, resulting in unsuccessful completion of the course. 
4. Only one (1) final examination remediation and retest is allowed per semester. 
5. A maximum of two (2) courses may be remediated by a student across the curriculum, only one (1) of which may be a clinical education course. 

Course Remediation Petitions 
Remediation = the act of correcting something that is deficient 

1. In order to continue in the DPT Program, students must earn a grade of "S” or “C" or better in each course. 
2. In a required course, students making less than a “S” or “C” have the right to petition to remediate the course. At the discretion of the faculty, remediation may be granted. 
3. Only one (1) course remediation is allowed per semester. If a student is unsuccessful (grade less than a “C”) in two (2) or more courses in a semester, remediation will not be granted, and without remediation, the student will not be permitted to enroll in additional physical therapy coursework and will be dismissed from the program. 
4. A maximum of two (2) courses may be remediated by a student across the curriculum, only one (1) of which may be a clinical education course. 
5. Courses are taught in sequence and only once a year. This eliminates the opportunity for students to retake a course in consecutive semesters and continue in the program. 
6. In the case of clinical education courses, the student who has demonstrated less than satisfactory performance but is making progress, may petition for remediation. 

At the discretion of the faculty, remediation may be granted. 

Remediation and retest of course comprehensive final examination AND course remediation for other reasons are both considered course remediations. Only one (1) course remediation is allowed per semester. A maximum of two (2) courses may be remediated by a student across the curriculum, only one (1) of which may be a clinical education course. 

If a student is readmitted to the program after being dismissed for academic or professional behavior issues, that student will not be allowed any course remediations throughout the remainder of the program. 

Students should refer to the DPT Student Handbook for petition procedures.

Grade Appeal 
Each faculty member has the prerogative and responsibility to determine in accordance with their best judgment the grade for each student enrolled in their courses. Should a student feel that their rights have been jeopardized by unfair, arbitrary, or malicious exercise of faculty grading prerogative, the student may appeal a grade. Failure to receive the grade desired is not sufficient reason to appeal a grade. The appeal process is clearly defined in the UTC Graduate Catalog. 

Program Progression 
Students must successfully complete each DPT course with a grade of C or better in the current semester in order to advance in the program to the next semester. The current semester courses are considered prerequisite to the courses offered the next semester. With permission from the department’s Student Advisement, Retention & Progression Committee students may advance in the program to the next semester with a grade of “IP” (In Progress), or “I” (Incomplete). 

Courses are taught in sequence and only once a year. This eliminates the opportunity for students to retake a course in consecutive semesters. In such cases, students may petition the faculty to repeat a course the following year and rejoin the DPT Program with a different cohort. Petitions to retake course(s) and change cohorts should be written by the student in letter format and presented to the department head. 

Graduate School Continuation Policies and Standards 
Physical therapy students must meet both the academic standards of the program and the university. A graduate degree-seeking student enrolled in graduate courses must maintain an overall 3.0 GPA. Students who do not maintain the minimum GPA requirement will be placed on academic probation by the Graduate School. Once on probation, a student has the next two (2) consecutive semesters of enrollment (counting the entire summer session as one semester) in which to raise the cumulative GPA to 3.0 or higher. Students will be academically dismissed if they fail to achieve this GPA within the probationary period or if they fail to achieve this GPA for either probationary semester. Refer to the UTC Graduate Catalog for a complete statement and appeal procedures.