Registrar's Office
and Student Services

Credit for Previous Work

With the permission of the Program Committee in each case, courses that have not already been credited toward a completed university credential may be accepted for credit in the Master's program.

All courses considered for transfer credit must carry a grade of ‘B-' or higher and must have been completed no longer than seven years prior to the student's admission to the program.

Residence Requirements and Time Limits

Residence is defined as the period during which the student is registered in the program, taking courses, conducting research, or working on the research project or written thesis at the University of Lethbridge.

The minimum residence requirement shall be 24-months continuous full-time registration in the M.F.A. program. If needed, a graduate student may apply for an extension up to one academic year. The maximum time limit for degree completion shall be three academic years. All courses specified by the Program Committee and the thesis must be successfully completed and submitted within the maximum time limit. Failure to complete within this period will result in the candidate being required to withdraw from the program.

Under extenuating circumstances the Program Committee may allow a longer extension.

A student who does not register in the program in any semester will be considered to have withdrawn, unless a leave of absence has been granted by the Program Committee. Since permission is not automatic, students who anticipate an interruption in their program should notify the Program Committee in writing, seeking prior approval for a leave of absence.

With the permission of the Program Committee, a student may maintain resident status while conducting research off-campus (e.g., on field trips, using facilities, or consulting libraries elsewhere). It may be necessary for a student to include in his or her program courses to be completed at other institutions. The Program Committee must approve proposals for these courses.

Academic Standards

A student must receive a minimum grade of ‘B-' (2.70 on a 4.0 scale) in all courses which are graded and which count toward the degree. A student who receives more than two grades below a ‘B-' may be asked to withdraw from the program. Students must present a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all courses in order to graduate from the M.F.A. program. A student whose performance in the program is judged to be unsatisfactory by the Program Committee may be placed on probation; continued unsatisfactory performance may result in the student being required to withdraw from the program.

Appeals

All appeals in the M.F.A. program should be directed to the Program Committee. Grade appeals for courses in the M.F.A. program will be processed through the School of Graduate Studies. The Program Committee will hear other appeals. Any appeal decisions may be addressed to the Executive Committee of the School of Graduate Studies, whose decision shall be final.

Academic Offences and Discipline

A graduate student is expected to exemplify high standards of academic and ethical behaviour and is subject to the University's student discipline and ethical behaviour policies.

Fees

Fees for the M.F.A. program are pending approval.