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Academic Regulations

The Calendar is an official University document defining academic programs and the regulations which pertain to them. It is accurate as of its printing date. The University Senate reserves the right to modify the academic programs and regulations at its discretion after the publication date of the Calendar. In addition, the University reserves the right to modify the published scale of tuition and other student fees at any time before the beginning of an academic term. The most current information is available from the School of Graduate Studies for graduate programs and Enrolment Services. Moreover, the information contained in the Calendar or any other University document related to academic programs and regulations, is subject to verification and correction by the School of Graduate Studies and Enrolment Services.

Academic Year

The academic year begins with a Summer Session (May to August) followed by a Regular Session (September to April).

Summer Session:
The Summer Session covers all courses offered between the beginning of May and the end of August.

Regular Session:
The Regular Session is divided into a Fall Term (September to December) and a Winter Term (January to April), each of 15 weeks’ duration, including an examination period. The Academic Calendar at the beginning of this publication contains precise dates for the beginning and end of classes.

Residence

Minimum Residence for Doctoral Degrees. The minimum residence requirement for a doctoral degree is 6 terms (two years) of full-time graduate study beyond the master’s degree, or the equivalent in part-time study, or 9 terms (3 years) of full-time graduate study beyond the bachelor’s degree for those students who are permitted to enroll for doctoral studies without completing a master’s degree. It should be understood that this is a minimum requirement, and that a longer period may be necessary in order to complete all the work that is required for the degree. In special circumstances, departments may permit or require candidates to spend a period of time in residence at another institution, subject to the approval the School of Graduate Studies in each case. When such arrangements are made, it is understood that the candidate will be engaged in full-time study, and that the institution will be able to provide appropriate supervision and research facilities. In all cases, candidates for a doctoral degree from Concordia University must complete at least two years of graduate study at this university, including the final year of the required residence period.

Minimum Residence for Master’s Degrees. The minimum residence requirement for the master’s degree is 3 terms (one year) of full-time study, or the equivalent in part-time study. This requirement must be met regardless of the amount of graduate work previously completed in any other program or at any other university. Certain master’s programs require longer periods of minimum residence.

Beyond Program Requirements. Courses which are completed, but not counted towards a degree or diploma, may be identified on the record as Beyond Program Requirements - Extra Credits.

Time Limits

Students who exceed the time limit as outlined below will be withdrawn from their program. Under exceptional circumstances a time limit may be extended upon the recommendation of the Graduate Program Committee and the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Duration of Programs. It is expected that full-time students will complete the requirements for most Doctoral Degree programs within twelve terms (4 years). It is also expected that full-time students will complete the requirements for Master’s/Magisteriate degree programs within 6 terms (2 years). It should be noted, however, that the duration of MFA, IMBA and MIM programs is different. Please see specific Calendar sections for program details.

Time Limits for Doctoral Degrees. All work for a doctoral degree must be completed within 18 terms (6 years) of full-time study or 24 terms (8 years) of part-time study from the time of original registration in the program.

Time Limits for Master’s/Magisteriate Degrees. All work for a master’s/magisteriate degree for full-time students must be completed within 12 terms (4 years) from the time of initial registration in the program at Concordia University; for part-time students the time limit is 15 terms (5 years). In the case of the MBA (Investment Management Option) and the Master in Investment Management programs, the time limit for full-time students is 15 terms (5 years). In the case of the MBA, the time limit for full-time students is 9 terms (3 years). In the case of the EMBA, the time limit for full-time students is 6 terms (2 years).

Time Limits for Diploma Programs. All work for a diploma program must be completed within 6 terms (2 years) from the time of initial registration in the program for full-time students; for part-time students the time limit is 12 terms (4 years). Students in the Diploma in Investment Management are expected to complete the Diploma in no more than four years from the year of initial registration in the program.

Time Limits for Graduate Certificate Programs. All work for a graduate certificate program must be completed within 6 terms (2 years) from the time of initial registration in the program for full-time students; for part-time students the time limit is 12 terms (4 years). In the case of the graduate certificate in Management Accounting, the time limit is 9 terms (3 years).

Academic Standing

The academic progress of graduate students is monitored on a periodic basis. To be permitted to continue in the program, students in doctoral and master’s programs must maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.00 based on a minimum of 12 credits. Students whose GPA falls below 3.00 are considered to be on academic probation during the following review period. Students whose GPA falls below 3.00 for two consecutive review periods are withdrawn from the program. Individual programs may have more stringent GPA regulations; students should check their program’s calendar entry or with the Graduate Program Director.

Students in graduate diploma and graduate certificate programs must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.70 during their program of study in order to be considered a student in good standing. Students whose GPA falls below 2.70 are considered to be on academic probation during the following review period. Students whose GPA falls below 2.70 for two consecutive review periods are withdrawn from the program. Individual programs may have more stringent GPA regulations; students should check their program’s calendar entry or with the Graduate Program Director.

Students in qualifying programs or concurrent qualifying programs will be assigned a grade in accordance with the undergraduate grading system. However, a minimum of a B grade is required in order to ensure that the minimum standards of the graduate grading system are maintained. In addition, students must meet specific program requirements for good academic standing. A grade of C- or below will be considered a failing grade and in such cases students will be required to withdraw from the degree or diploma program for which these courses are prerequisite.

C Rule

Graduate students who receive more than one C grade during the course of their studies will be withdrawn from the program unless continuation in the program is requested by the student’s program or Faculty and approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies. Course-based programs in the John Molson School of Business apply a term-by-term GPA requirement. Students should refer to the section on Academic Standing in their program’s calendar entry. Students who have been withdrawn may apply for re-admission. Students who receive another C after re-admission will be withdrawn from the program and will not be considered for re-admission. Individual programs may have more stringent regulations; students should check their program’s entry or with the Graduate Program Director.

F Rule

Graduate students who receive a failing grade in the course of their studies will be withdrawn from the program unless continuation in the program is requested by the student’s program or Faculty and approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies. If withdrawn from program, students may apply for re-admission. Students who receive another failing grade after re-admission will be withdrawn from the program and will not be considered for re-admission.

G.P.A. Graduation Requirement

In order to graduate, students in doctoral and master’s programs must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00. Students in diploma and graduate certificate programs must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.70 in order to graduate. Individual programs may have more stringent regulations; students should check their program’s entry or with the Graduate Program Director.

Graduation Application

Degree, diploma, and certificate candidates who expect to complete their program requirements in a particular term must apply to graduate. Forms are available in the Birks Student’s Service Centre in the Office of the Registrar or online. The forms should be completed by January 15 for spring graduation and July 15 for fall graduation.

Note: In programs requiring a master’s or doctoral thesis, there are deadlines for thesis submission which must be met if a student is to graduate at a particular graduation. These deadlines are outlined in the Academic Calendar.

Credit System

Concordia University has adopted a system of assigning credits to the components of its graduate programs. This system was recommended by the Québec Council of Universities for implementation in all the universities of the Province of Québec. The fundamental concepts in this system are defined in the Rapport du Conseil des Universités sur les Diplômes Universitaires. The credit base takes into account the total activity of the student in terms of lectures, seminars, conferences, laboratories, studio or practice periods, practica, and research, including, where appropriate, the number of hours of personal work required, as estimated by the university. A credit is considered to represent a minimum of 45 hours devoted by the student to an educational activity as described above.

Language of Instruction

While the language of instruction in Concordia University is normally English, students have the right to write their assignments and examinations in French. It must be understood, however, that in a case where a professor cannot read French, the assignments and examinations must be read by another professor, with possible disadvantages and delays for the student. Students are advised to enquire of the instructor at the beginning of the course whether assignments and examinations written in French will be read personally by the professor. Notwithstanding the above, language and literature departments may require assignments and examinations to be written in the language being studied.

Grading System

The grades and other notations described and defined in this section are those used for the evaluation of graduate courses and certain other graduate degree and diploma components. Some programs have academic regulations supplementing these definitions and descriptions. Such additional regulations define what is required in terms of grades for a student to be considered in good standing in a program. Please see the relevant program section of this calendar and, where the academic regulations for a program have not been stated, consult the Graduate Program Director. Grades used for graduate courses or courses taken as part of a graduate program are A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C, Pass, F, Fail, Fail/Absent (F/ABS), Audit and In Progress (IP).

The weight accorded to the various elements of the performance of each student is at the discretion of the instructor or instructors responsible for the course. At the beginning of a course the instructor will provide students with the evaluation scheme in writing. The scheme cannot be altered without appropriate notice.

1. Each doctoral and master’s program has a rule which limits the number of C grades a student may obtain, and still meet the degree requirements. Diploma and Certificate programs also limit the number of C grades a student may obtain. (See C Rule above).
2. Fail or F describes work below the acceptable standard in a course. When a student receives a Fail, F or a Fail/Absent (F/ABS) grade in any course taken as part of a graduate program, it is the responsibility of the department or Faculty to recommend to the School of Graduate Studies whether or not the student should be permitted to continue in the program.
3. Fail/Absent (F/ABS) is used when the instructor at the end of the course has not received the required work and has not granted an extension of the deadline. It is a permanent grade.
4. Using the grade point equivalents listed below, grade point averages are calculated and used to measure academic achievement: A+ = 4.3, A = 4.0, A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, B- = 2.7, C = 2, Fail = 0, F = 0 and Fail/Absent (F/ABS) = 0.
5. Audit is the grade assigned to courses that are not taken for credit and which do not count towards the completion of a program. A course taken for this grade must be so designated at the beginning of the term. Students may audit a graduate course with permission of the Graduate Program Director of the program in which the course is offered, once the director is satisfied that the student is qualified to take the course. Auditing students are expected to attend class, but are not required to complete assignments or write examinations.
6. In Progress (IP) is used when the work of a student in a course extends past the time for reporting grades. This grade may be assigned only to individual students, not to entire classes. Students must complete courses with In Progress grades by the internal program deadline set by the instructor which cannot extend more than one term beyond the term in which the course is registered. The IP designation will be changed to A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C, Fail, F or F/ABS if required work is completed by the deadline assigned by the instructor. In all other cases, the grade will be changed automatically to Fail and a registration block imposed according to the following schedule:
   1. for fall one-term courses: April 30
   2. for winter one-term courses: August 31
   3. for fall-winter two-term courses: August 31
   4. for summer term courses: December 31
   Under exceptional circumstances an additional term of In Progress Extension (IPE) may be granted (e.g. an IPE for a fall one-term course would be extended to August 31). Requests for an IPE should be submitted as a student request, supported by relevant documentation including confirmation of the instructor’s support for a further extension.
7. Accepted (ACC) or Rejected (REJ) is the final grade given to a thesis or thesis-equivalent.
8. Pass or Fail is the final grade normally given to comprehensive examinations, internships and language proficiency examinations. Students who fail a comprehensive examination may be permitted to sit for a second examination. Students who fail a language proficiency examination may be permitted to make no more than two further attempts to satisfy the requirement.

In addition, the following are notations which are not grades:

1. Pending (PEND) is used when a grade has not been reported at the time of production of a transcript.
2. Disc is used to indicate that the student withdrew from the course in question before the withdrawal deadline. Discontinued courses and notations are recorded on official transcripts.
3. No-Cr (No Credit) indicates that a student has not fulfilled the requirements of the course. This notation is limited to the Diploma in Chartered Accountancy program, which is recognized as a qualification to write the Uniform Final Examination (UFE), and it applies only to ACCO 643 and ACCO 685. A student receiving a No-Cr notation must repeat the course in the next semester in which the course is offered.
4. Medical (MED) is used on students’ records to indicate that long-term illness has rendered it not possible for the student in question to complete the academic requirements of a given course or activity. It is a permanent notation; it has no grade point equivalent.

Supplemental Examinations

Graduate students are not permitted to write supplemental examinations.

Comprehensive Examinations

Comprehensive examinations are under the auspices of individual programs and students are advised to consult with their Graduate Program Director concerning program regulations. While the School of Graduate Studies’ general regulations permit a student to write comprehensive examinations a second time, individual programs may have a more stringent regulation in this regard (i.e., not permitting a second writing) and students should verify this with the program. Comprehensive examinations are graded as pass or fail. In cases where two attempts are permitted, an initial grade of fail is not reported on the student’s academic record or academic transcript.

Note: Unless expressly permitted by the instructor, the possession of electronic communication devices is prohibited during examinations.

Programs and Fields of Advanced Study

The Calendar is an official University document defining academic programs and the regulations which pertain to them. It is accurate as of its printing date. The University Senate reserves the right to modify the academic programs and regulations at its discretion after the publication date of the Calendar. In addition, the University reserves the right to modify the published scale of tuition and other student fees at any time before the beginning of the upcoming academic year. The most current information is available from the School of Graduate Studies or the Enrolment Services. Moreover, the information contained in the Calendar or any other University document related to academic programs and regulations is subject to verification and correction by the School of Graduate Studies and Enrolment Services.

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