Academic Fresh Start

Academic fresh start allows graduate students who have been in a different graduate program from their current graduate program at EKU to void a portion of the work attempted during one or more semesters of the prior enrollment(s). EKU offers this option because it recognizes that some students fail to perform satisfactorily due to factors that interfere with their academic performance.

Students considering academic fresh start should make careful note of the following policy conditions:

1. The student must apply to a different graduate program than the one in which he or she was enrolled during the semester of the work to be considered for fresh start.
2. The student must have been out of the previously enrolled program for a period of at least one year after attempting the work to be considered for fresh start.
3. The student must not have previously participated in academic fresh start (or declared bankruptcy) of EKU work. Students can participate in Fresh Start only once.
4. Only semesters where the term GPA is below 2.0 will be considered for fresh start.
5. Within eligible terms (see 4. above), only courses with grades of “C”, “D”, or “F,” or the equivalent, may participate in fresh start.
6. Before formally requesting consideration for fresh start, the student must confer with experts in the Graduate School to determine which semesters may qualify for fresh start and the impact the fresh start program will have on the student’s GPA. The student must then complete the graduate academic fresh start form indicating their intention to participate in academic fresh start to the Graduate School.

If fresh start is granted, the work will remain on the transcript but it will not be counted in the student’s GPA and will not count toward degree requirements. Students admitted to a new degree program under this policy will only be admitted with probationary status and must meet the requirements for probationary admission in order to maintain enrollment in the new graduate program.

Academic Integrity

EKU students are expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity. Students who are found guilty of academic dishonesty will be sanctioned in a manner that is appropriate to the infraction. Sanctions may range from receiving a failing grade on the assignment to being assigned a failing grade in the course. Stronger sanctions are possible in the event a case is assigned to the Student Disciplinary Council.

For a full description of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, cheating, and fabrication, refer to the section entitled Academic Integrity Policy in the University Handbook for Students.

Academic Load

The normal full-time course load for a graduate student is 9-12 credit hours. Exceptional graduate students may request permission from the Graduate Dean to register for additional course work, up to a maximum enrollment of 15 credit hours.

Graduate assistants are permitted to carry a maximum course load of 12 hours and a minimum load of nine hours of graduate work toward their program.

*Graduate students utilizing Veteran's benefits enrolled in 8-week terms may be subject to different enrollment status requirements as defined by the VA; please contact the Office of Military and Veteran Affairs for further details.

Academic Probation and Dismissal

All graduate students are expected to maintain a 3.0 graduate grade point average at all times. Students falling below the 3.0 GPA will be placed on academic probation. One semester may be allowed for removing the GPA deficiency. Students who fail to achieve a graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher after their probationary semester will be dismissed from their graduate program. Students who wish to appeal their dismissal must do so within two years of the date of notification of dismissal. Reinstatement in the graduate program will be permitted only with the recommendation of the advisor and the department chair/program coordinator to the Office of Graduate Education and Research and approval by the Graduate Dean. Students on academic probation or who have been dismissed cannot take a course from another institution for the purpose of transferring the credit to their program.

Cross Listed Courses

Some courses are offered under different prefixes with the same course content. Students will not be awarded credit in any course for which they have previously received credit under a cross listed prefix.