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Degree Programs Overview

Graduate degree programs offered through MSPS place special emphasis on advanced learning that links theory and professional practice. The programs require successful completion of 40 semester credit hours; a minimum of 34 credits must be taken at The Catholic University of America. Students are allowed a maximum of 7 years from their initial enrollment to meet all degree requirements.

Transfer of Credit

With approval from the Dean of MSPS, matriculated students may take courses at other regionally-accredited institutions of higher learning on a limited basis.

Students may transfer in no more than a total of 6 credits, which includes all transfer credits pre- and post-matriculation. Transferability of credit is determined at the discretion of the program based on course equivalence, date of completion (typically, no more than 5 years prior to entry into program), and grade (minimum B/3.0). Students entering MSPS graduate programs as Metropolitan Bachelor's to Master's Scholars may apply a total of 9 credits earned from 1) 500-level courses taken as an undergraduate student and/or 2) pre-approved, graduate-level transfer courses taken at other regionally-accredited institutions, with a maximum of 6 credits of the latter.

Students planning to take courses at another regionally-accredited institution (during any academic semester or summer session) must obtain approval from the dean of MSPS before the end of the semester prior to the semester in which they plan to take the transfer course(s). Approval is granted on a case-by-case basis depending on the student's need for the course(s), degree requirements, etc. Without prior approval, transfer of credit is not guaranteed. Students hoping to take courses at another institution should also contact the Office of Financial Aid at (202) 319-5307 to determine how funding may be impacted.

Students who wish to transfer in credits from another institution of higher education must have all transcripts submitted one semester prior to their expected date of graduation.

International Students

Students from countries other than the United States of America wishing to attend the Metropolitan School of Professional Studies must provide the same credentials (e.g., proof of high school completion,

 official transcripts, etc.) as students from the United States. International students, however, must provide official evaluations of all transcripts from recognized evaluations services. The Metropolitan School especially recognizes evaluations from World Education Services (WES), American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), and Education Credential Evaluators (ECE).

Probation and Dismissal Policies

Probation

Any student who falls below a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) is on academic probation for the following regular semester. For example, a student whose cumulative GPA is below 3.0 at the end of the spring semester is on probation through the end of the following fall semester, even if the student takes summer courses to raise his/her cumulative GPA. A student whose cumulative GPA is below 3.0 at the end of the fall semester is on probation through the end of the following spring semester. A student on academic probation may be required by the academic dean to take a reduced course load during the time of probation.

Dismissal

Any student who earns less than a B- in more than three courses, or whose grade point average falls below a (3.0) B for two consecutive semesters, is subject to dismissal from the program.

See below (i.e., Requirements for Graduation) for additional policies relevant to probation and dismissal.

Requirements for Graduation

All students are responsible for knowing academic and university policies. Policies specific to MSPS's graduate programs include the following:

  1. Graduate students must earn an overall grade point average of at least a B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) on course work applied toward a master's degree, which may include no more than one course completed with a grade of C. Students are permitted to retake, no more than one time each, up to two courses for which they earned less than a B. The grade from the second enrollment in the course will replace the original grade for the purpose of determining academic standing
  2. Students must complete the program's capstone course (MSM or MADM 674) with a grade of B or better.

There are numerous academic policies that apply to students enrolled in MSPS. These policies may be found in various Catholic University and MSPS documents, including these Announcements and the university's web-based policies page. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with these policies and will find the information very helpful in understanding academic regulations, responsibilities, and expectations. Students are also encouraged to contact their MSPS academic adviser at (202) 319-5256 for additional information.

Class Attendance and Absences

Success in college coursework requires regular attendance and participation by the student enrolled in a course, and all class sessions are enhanced by the presence and participation of the whole course roster. Therefore, while recognizing that extraordinary circumstances can prevent a student from being able to attend a specific class session, all students are expected to attend and arrive on time for all class sessions. Students who are absent from more than 33% of a given course (i.e., students who miss more than 5 classes in a 14-week course or more than 3 classes in a 7-week course) will be given a failing grade (F*) automatically. The Metropolitan School of Professional Studies makes no distinction between “excused” and “unexcused” absences. Instructors teaching in MSPS may include supplemental attendance policies for their courses, and are required to report weekly attendance to MSPS.

Incomplete Grades

A student may request the provisional grade of I (incomplete) in a course when the student is unable to complete the course requirements for grave reasons (e.g., family emergency, personal illness or injury, death in family, etc.). The student must make the request by submitting a signed MSPS Incomplete Grade Request Form to the Associate Dean after the last day to withdraw from class but before the last day of the class in which the student wishes to receive the incomplete. The Dean’s office will only approve a grade of incomplete when all of the following conditions are met:

  1. The student requests a grade of incomplete from the instructor by using the MSPS Incomplete Grade Request Form which can be obtained from the student’s advisor; and
  2. The student provides specific evidence to verify that the reason for the request is legitimate; and
  3. The student must be passing the course at the time of the request; and
  4. The amount of work remaining in the course can be reasonably and sufficiently completed after the conclusion of the course session; and
  5. Both the student and the instructor sign and submit the MSPS Incomplete Grade Request Form to the Associate Dean; and
  6. The Associate Dean approves the request by signing the MSPS Incomplete Grade Request Form.

Students granted an incomplete for the fall semester must complete the outstanding work by January 15 of the following spring semester; students granted an incomplete for the spring semester must complete the outstanding work by June 15 of the following summer term; and students granted an incomplete for the summer term must complete the outstanding work by September 15 of the following fall semester. In extraordinary circumstances, the student or the instructor may request an extension of the deadline for the outstanding work to be submitted. Such a request must be approved in writing by the Associate Dean. An incomplete grade not resolved by the deadline automatically becomes a failing (F) grade.

The student is responsible for completing all outstanding work and submitting it to the instructor on time.

Student Support Advising

Once admitted to MSPS, each student will be assigned a credentialed and qualified academic advisor. A student who contacts the advisor will receive a timely response. All students are encouraged to contact their adviser at least once a semester for pre- registration advising for the next semester's classes. However, students may see their adviser at any time during the academic year regarding their academic program and status. Students are responsible for knowing and understanding the requirements of their specific degree programs and for keeping track of their progress in working toward their degrees.

Leave of Absence/Continuing Students

An approved Leave of Absence is required for students who are requesting a break in enrollment. Students who do not register for a Fall or Spring semester without filing for a Leave of Absence (LOA) will be administratively withdrawn (automatically), required to re-apply for admission, and charged an application fee.

Student Services

MSPS strives to deliver an unparalleled level of service to adult students. In addition to the opportunities for involvement and support provided by the university, MSPS delivers a wide range of services to include personal, professional, and academic development seminars; a new student orientation; student organizations; a weekly e-newsletter disseminated to the entire MSPS student community; and a host of other student development programs. Students wishing to learn more about student services are welcome to visit the online Student Development Resource Center.

Grievance Policies

The Metropolitan School is bound by the university’s policies for handling student grievances, which can be found at https://enrollment-services.catholic.edu/students/complaint-procedure/index.html  A student at the Alexandria educational location can contact the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia as a final resort in seeking resolution after the internal process is exhausted. The institution will not retaliate against a student for initiating a complaint.