Grade Grievances and Appeals Process
If a student wishes to dispute a grade given by an instructor or preceptor, he/she may appeal the grade to the instructor in writing including a date and signature (if e-mail must be from the student’s UMES email account) within five (5) business days of the program’s decision. All grievances must be based upon the following:
1. A substantial mistake of fact occurred
2. A fundamental misinterpretation of official policies is evident
3. A significant procedural error took place
If the situation is not resolved, the student can appeal to the Didactic Education Director in the Didactic Year and Clinical Education Director in the Clinical Year, Program Director and finally the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies as outlined below. The Program Director may appoint the Assistant Program Director to rule on the appeal in his/her place if the Program Director becomes unavailable. Initial requests sent to anyone other than the Instructor will not be considered. Non-written complaints or written complaints received after the deadline will not be accepted under any circumstance.
A student seeking a grade appeal will proceed in the stated order in the following table:
| Appeal Step | Maximum number of business days in each step of the appeals process |
| Student submits appeal to the Instructor | 5 |
| Instructor rules on the appeal (First appeal level) | 5 |
| Student submits appeal to Didactic/Clinical Education Director | 5 |
| Didactic/Clinical Educational Director rules on the appeal (Second appeal level) | 5 |
| Student submits appeal to the Program Director and Department Chair | 3 |
| Program Director and Department Chair/Assistant Program Director rules on the appeal (Third appeal level) | 5 |
| Student submits appeal to the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies | 3 |
| Dean of the School of Graduate Studies Rules on the appeal (Final appeal level) | 5 |
| All parties involved in the appeals process may respond/rule as soon as the ruling/request is received. If the person responsible for receiving the appeal is not available, another faculty member or administrator may be designated by that person or by the Program Director to function in his/her stead. The Didactic and/or Clinical Education Director collaborates with the faculty/Preceptor who taught the material in determining the ruling. The student, Program Director, and Dean of the SPHP will be informed of the Dean’s ruling If program/university cannot make decisions within the five (5) business days due to extenuating circumstances (including but not limited to illness, seeking legal counsel, or request for additional information), such delay will be documented in an e-mail that will be sent to the student and the time extended accordingly. In such cases, all reasonable efforts will be made to expedite the process to reach a final decision. | |
