Graduate & Special Programs Academic Rules & Procedures

Residence Requirements

Students who are enrolled in a graduate degree or a non-degree program at Smith College are considered to be in residence. A full-time graduate student takes a minimum course program of 12 credits per semester; a half-time student takes a minimum course program of eight credits per semester. Students in the Biological Sciences program take a different course of credit to remain full time.

Students may not arrive late or leave the college early, for employment or other reasons, with the intention of completing their programs remotely. Smith College is a residential college, and all students must remain in-person for the duration of their programs.

Degrees & Certificates Requirements

In general, students are expected to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 throughout the program.

Required courses are determined by the department. Minimum credit requirements for each degree/certificate/diploma are as follows:

Master of Arts in Teaching

(one year)

8 credits during the summer program + 12 or 16 credits in the fall + 12 or 16 credits in the spring = 36+ credits (Students already licensed may complete a 32-credit program)

Master of Fine Arts in Dance

(two years)

12 to 16+ credits each semester = 67+ credits

Master of Fine Arts in Theatre

(two years)

16 credits each semester = 64 credits

Master of Science in Biological Sciences

(two years)

8 to 11 credits each semester = 32+ credits

Master of Science in Exercise & Sport Studies

(two years)

12 to 14 credits each semester = 53 credits

Diploma Program

(one year)

12+ credits per semester = 24+ credits

Post-bac/Mathematics Certificate

(one year)

12+ credits per semester = 24+ credits

Degree Completion

Summer Completion: Master of Arts in Teaching students who enroll in classes the summer following completion of the academic year, will have a degree completion date of August 31. Smith College holds only the May commencement ceremony, so the students may participate in the ceremony, but they will not receive their diplomas until after they complete their degree requirements in August.

Maximum Time to Complete Degree: The College strongly recommends that work for an advanced degree be continuous; if it is interrupted or undertaken on a part-time basis, an extended period is permitted, but all work for a master’s degree normally must be completed within a period of four years.

Exceptions to this policy will be considered by Petition for EXCEPTIONS to an academic regulation. During this period, a fee of $60 will be charged each semester during which a student is not enrolled in classes.

If you are considering a withdrawal, please review the information about withdrawing from the college.

Program Standards & Grades

Students are evaluated regularly to ensure that they meet academic expectations and maintain satisfactory program standards. Students who do not maintain program standards and/or who have otherwise violated academic expectations will be asked to meet with their program director and/or the Director of Graduate and Special Programs. Students who are not making satisfactory progress may be placed on academic probation. After review, students on academic probation who do not make satisfactory progress to meet academic expectations and program standards may be administratively withdrawn from the college.

Grade Requirements for all Degree Programs: Students are expected to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 throughout the program.

Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U): Courses for graduate degree credit may not be taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. The exception is if the student has already met the minimum number of required credits, an additional course may be added S/U.

Grade Requirement for the Master of Science in Biological Sciences: Once accepted to the program, Smith College requires all master’s students to take a minimum of 32 credits of coursework, at least 16 of which must be at the graduate level. Of the remaining 16 credits, no more than eight may be given for intermediate-level (200-) courses. To count toward the degree, all grades received must be a B minus or higher. Students have to maintain satisfactory program standards with respect to academic coursework and research work in the laboratory (follow safety protocols, adhere to standard procedures, lab rules, etc).

Grade Requirement for the M.A.T.: To count toward the degree, no more than eight credits may be at the intermediate-level (200) course, and all grades received must be a B minus or higher.

Grade Requirements for the M.F.A. in Dance: Students are expected to maintain 3.0 or higher grade average, and complete all work required for the degree. Students must receive a B minus or higher in all courses required for the degree. Students must take at least two dance technique courses at 200 level or higher each semester for a total of at least 16 credits. To count towards a requirement students must register as a graded student (S/U status is not allowed for required courses.) Students who do not complete their thesis must submit a formal petition for extension to their committee. If not approved, the student will no longer be eligible for the degree. Students who do not complete required coursework must make a formal petition for extension to the Dance Chair and the Office of Graduate Programs. If not approved the student will no longer be eligible for the degree. The M.F.A. in Dance curriculum is structured in a two-year rotation. If a student misses a semester of course work they must wait for the required graduated course(s) to be offered in the next rotation (2 years).

Grade Requirements for the Mathematics Post-Baccalaureate Program: Post-baccalaureate students must take MTH 300, MTH 301 plus at least eight other credits of mathematics each semester. They are expected to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 with no grades below 2.7. The goal of the program is to prepare students to attend graduate programs in the mathematical sciences. Students who are having difficulty meeting the academic standards or whose interests diverge from the program’s goals will meet with the program Director(s) to discuss options. Those who fail to meet the minimum requirements for the first semester or who have otherwise violated program expectations may be removed from the program. To earn the Certificate of Study, a student must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 at the end of two full semesters.

Grade Requirements for the Diploma Program: Students are expected to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Students work closely with the Director of the program and are evaluated regularly to ensure satisfactory progress. Those who are having difficulty maintaining program standards or who have otherwise violated academic expectations will be asked to meet with the Director of the program and/or the Director of Graduate and Special Programs to discuss options. To earn the Diploma certificate, a student must have a 3.0 grade point average or higher at the end of two full semesters.

Academic Probation

A graduate student who does not meet academic expectations and does not maintain satisfactory program standards and/or whose grades fall below the minimum requirement in a given semester will be placed on academic probation. Academic probation is a warning that the student must focus on benchmarks and goals as stated in the academic probation letter to improve overall academic performance and grades. The Director of Graduate and Special Programs may ask course instructors to submit a written report of the student academic progress. While placed on academic probation, a student will be asked to meet regularly with their program director and/or the Director of Graduate and Special Programs. After review, if a student placed on academic probation does not make satisfactory progress to meet academic expectations and program standards, the Director of Graduate Programs, with input from the department involved, may have the student administratively withdrawn from the college. Academic probation is not noted on the transcript.

Students who fail a course are required to retake the course at Smith or request to complete a course at another institution. Please visit the repeat policy at the Registrar’s website page.

Exceptions, Extensions, & Completion of Required Coursework

Students must complete a petition for exceptions to an academic regulation form with their adviser for the following reasons:

  • to enroll in a course after the deadline; to withdraw from a course after the deadline; to change the level of the course; add a Five College course after the deadline;
  • request an extension for work beyond the last class. Note that completing the form does not guarantee approval.

Special Studies Courses: Students must apply for Special Studies with the form on the Registrar’s page entitled Graduate Advanced Studies Form. This form is available during the academic year.

The Director of the Graduate and Special Programs reviews these special studies requests and approves them in tandem with the Registrar’s Office.

Course Extensions: A graduate or special programs student who is unable to complete required course work on time must submit this form to the director of Graduate and Special Programs with a written request for an extension. Individual faculty may not issue extensions. The request must include the date by which the student expects to submit all work. The instructor of the course and the program director must approve all extensions before the Director will consider a request.

Summer M.A.T. students who need an extension beyond the end of class must submit this form no later than the last scheduled date of summer classes by 5 p.m. Summer M.A.T. coursework extensions must be complete by the start of the fall semester.

Thesis Extensions: A student may petition for an extension on a thesis that will continue through the summer. If the student’s records are not complete (including submission of the final grade) by August 31, the student will roll into the next year’s graduating class and will not receive a diploma until the next May. If work is completed on time, the diploma will be issued after thesis copies, evaluation forms, and final grades are submitted to the Graduate and Special Programs office.

Leaves of Absence, Withdrawals, & Readmission

Leaves of Absence

A student who wishes to be away from the college for a semester or academic year may request a leave of absence. Whenever possible, the request must be filed with the Director of Graduate and Special Programs by May 1 for a fall semester or academic-year leave and by December 1 for a second-semester leave. If a request is not approved, the student will have to withdraw from the college. If a student is gone for more than 2 consecutive semesters they must withdraw from the college.

Leaves of absence are considered temporary and students are required to return the semester following the leave of absence. If a student wishes to be away for more time, they must withdraw from the College and apply to return to Smith.

Return after Leaves of Absence: To return to the college after a leave of absence, a student must notify the Office of Graduate and Special Programs no later than the admission deadline for their program if they wish to be considered for financial assistance. Returning students must work with the flow of the student’s program. If the student’s program requires students to follow a specific order of courses, which are offered only in certain semesters, the student may not be given approval to return in a semester in which that student’s needed courses are not being offered and may have to wait to be readmitted until a semester in which the required courses and offered courses align.

Withdrawals & Returns

A student who withdraws from the college and wishes to return at a later date must communicate with the program director and the Director of the Graduate and Special Programs for approval. They must meet the entrance and application deadline(s) for the particular program of interest.

Deferrals

In most programs, an accepted applicant may, upon approval of the department, defer admission for up to one year. This deferral guarantees admission only and does not guarantee financial aid. Departments may opt to deny all requests for deferrals and require applicants to reapply.

Transfer Credit

No more than eight credits will be accepted in transfer from other institutions. Transfer credits may not have been previously applied toward any other degree. Five College credits earned while a student is enrolled in a program at Smith are not considered transfer credits.

Thesis Guidelines for Biology, Dance, Exercise and Sports Science, and Theatre

The following schedule of guideline dates has been set for graduate students writing a thesis for the master’s degree. Each graduate student should work closely with the program director to determine additional alternative dates appropriate to the thesis project.

Thesis Extensions: A student may petition for an extension on a thesis that will continue through the summer. If the student’s records are not complete (including submission of the final grade) by August 31, the student will roll into the next year’s graduating class and will not receive a diploma until the next May. If work is completed on time, the diploma will be issued after thesis copy, evaluation forms, and final grades are submitted to the Graduate and Special Programs office. For program completion in the Fall semester, submission of student work must occur by the last day of the semester.

  1. Student submits to the Graduate and Special Programs office the Thesis Subject and Proposed Readers form describing the general topic of the thesis and listing the three readers:
    1. By the third week of October for a fall-semester thesis
    2. First week of February for a year-long thesis or a spring-semester thesis
  2. The first reader is the Thesis Director/Adviser, who is ultimately responsible for the student’s final grade. The second reader is a faculty member, in the same department, who provides a suggested grade to the Thesis Director. The third reader is considered an “advisory” reader and should be someone outside the department. This reader does not give a letter grade.
  3. Generally, a student submits to the thesis director an outline of the thesis and draft of one chapter. The second reader should also be asked to discuss the outline with the student:
    1. Third week of October for a fall-semester thesis
    2. Beginning of interterm for a year-long thesis
    3. Third week of February for a spring-semester thesis
  4. The student submits the final draft to the thesis director.
    1. First week of December for a fall-semester thesis
    2. Last week of April for a year-long thesis
    3. Last week of April for a spring-semester thesis
  1. Graduate and Special Programs office sends evaluation forms to Thesis director, who forwards appropriate copies to second and third readers:
    1. By first week of May (earlier if requested)
  2. The thesis director approves the final copy. Student submits thesis in final PDF to the Graduate and Special Programs office:
    1. Last day of exams
    2. Note: Students must visit the website for submission information and a link to the Digital Archives Permission Form. The Dance program thesis submission is not the paper but the M.F.A. thesis performance video link. Other program theses are submitted as academic papers.
  3. Thesis director collects readers’ evaluation forms, compiles a final grade, and submits all three forms to the Graduate and Special Programs office:
    1. Deadline for grades
  4. Graduate and Special Programs office submits final grade to the registrar and notifies the student:
    1. Deadline for grades

Graduation Requirements & Commencement

Each spring, the Graduate and Special Programs office will ask program directors to approve students for commencement. Directors should approve these through email or through program completion in Workday. Any student for whom an approval is not received will have his/her diploma held until such approval is received.

Students must complete forms and communications about names for the diploma, and additional information by the deadlines in the spring semester. Students should review these Workday Help forms for information.

Applying for Program Completion Part 1 Applying for Program Completion Part 2