Degree Candidacy Termination - Appeals Governing Masters and Doctoral Students

Academic assessment of students resides with the departmental faculty. Through its faculty, the Mailman School has developed academic progress guidelines for both master's and doctoral students (see academic progress guidelines for masters students and doctoral students). 

http://mailman-handbook.com/2011/node/28

http://mailman-handbook.com/2011/node/5

Appeals related to an individual course grade (or graded assignments within a course) are governed by the Grade Grievance Procedure - http://mailman-handbook.com/2011/node/156

An appeal to a comprehensive, degree based academic progress evaluation (registration holds, limited registration, temporary suspension, but not full termination, see below) should be directed to the dean of students (Marlyn Delva at mmt22@columbia.edu).  This written appeal should be directed to the dean of students within fifteen business days of notification to the student of the academic evaluation.   The appeal procedure is limited to assuring that the assessment was made impartially and according to procedures applicable to all students. 

If a student is removed from degree candidacy (terminated) based on academic progress, the student will receive an official letter and have the opportunity to meet with the Dean of Student Marlyn Delva (mmt22@columbia.edu), to discuss further career options. This meeting will occur within fifteen business days of receipt of the termination letter.  If the student disagrees with the decision of termination, the student may appeal this decision in writing within fifteen business days of meeting with the dean of students (for a total of thirty business days from receipt of the letter).  This written appeal should be sent to Vice Dean Melissa Begg (mdb3@columbia.edu).   The appeal procedure is limited to assuring that the academic assessment and termination were made impartially and according to procedures applicable to all students.  The vice dean will review the appeal and may consult with other colleagues in this review. The decision of the appeal is final.  Notification to the student and his/her department will occur in writing within twenty-five business days of receipt of the appeal request.

Please see the following Student Handbook sections for other school and university policies:

http://mailman-handbook.com/2011/node/163

http://mailman-handbook.com/2011/node/196