MSFA - Academic Information

Matriculation. Students who have not matriculated may complete up to nine (9) credit hours of graduate coursework at Gordon College prior to acceptance into the Program. After completion of nine (9) credit hours of graduate work, students who have not matriculated may not register for additional courses. Courses expire after 5 years and will not be counted toward degree requirements.

Advising. Degree-seeking students will be assigned a program advisor. In addition to acting as an advocate for the student, the advisor and the student will work out a program of study leading towards graduation.

Attendance. Students are expected to attend all class sessions as attendance ensures course content knowledge. In the event of unforeseen circumstances causing students to miss class, communication and documentation is required for the professor and the program advisor. Students with excessive absences may be required to withdraw from the course.

Grade Point Average (GPA). Students are expected to maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA to remain in the program. Only grades of B- quality or better will be counted towards completion of the program requirements. Courses may be repeated. The higher of the grades will be calculated in the cumulative grade point average.

Transfer credit. The MSFA program allows transfer credits if the course(s) are equivalent. After matriculation, students should submit a Transfer of Credit form and an official transcript as well as a description of the course being transferred to the Executive Director of the program. The course(s) will be reviewed and the student will receive email confirmation of approval/disapproval. A maximum of six (6) graduate credit hours with a grade of B- or better may be transferred from another accredited graduate program. Transfer credit must be no more than five (5) years old. The Executive Director of the program notifies students of final acceptance or rejection of transfer credits.

Auditing. Students who are not pursuing a degree may enroll in graduate courses for professional development purposes. The cost is $400 per credit plus the necessary fees. Nonmatriculated students must apply to the Executive Director for approval. Class attendance is required but no work may be submitted for evaluation. 

Requirements for Graduation

• An application for graduation submitted to the Executive Director of the program with a fee of $75
• Completion of all program requirements with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
• Endorsement from the Board of Trustees
• Final administrative and academic clearance

Commencement Participation. Graduate students who will have completed all requirements by the end of the summer semester are eligible to participate in Commencement. Degree candidates who have no more than five courses remaining during the summer semester may petition to walk at Commencement.  Final approval is given by the Executive Director. Candidates must be registered for the final course(s) and have all balances cleared prior to April 30. Degrees are conferred on three dates each year: May Commencement, August 31 and December 31. All work must be completed and graded prior to the date of the degree conferral.

Grading. MSFA students are expected to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0. Only courses with grades of B- quality or better will be counted towards completion of the program requirements. The GPA is calculated on the credit hours attempted at Gordon. If a student receives approval to repeat a course, only the higher grade earned will be used to calculate the grade point average. Grade points are assigned for each credit earned according to the following chart:

Grade point averages are determined by dividing total grade points by total hours attempted at Gordon.

Students wishing to withdraw from a course must contact the Executive Director and complete a withdrawal form by the established deadlines. See Withdrawal Policy  in Registration.

Request for changes of assigned grades, due to error or misinformation, must be submitted by the instructor, signed by the program advisor, and received by the Registrar’s Office within the first 30 days after the course has ended.

The grade I (Incomplete) is allowed when a student is unable to complete course requirements due to unpreventable or unforeseen circumstances. Students have seven weeks after the start of a new term to complete coursework for a course granted an Incomplete. Students may petition for an additional seven weeks due to extenuating circumstances. Request an Incomplete Grade Request form from the Executive Director.