Course Grades
Grading is the responsibility of the faculty member(s) teaching the course. Information about grading criteria must be included in the course syllabus.
The grading system for the Department of Physical Therapy is the following:
A – 90-100
B – 80-89
C – 75-79
D – 65-74
F – 0 –64
Students must score 75% or above on all clinical performance-based assessments (practical examinations) during the curriculum.
The letter “S” is used to indicate Satisfactory completion for those courses graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. The letter “U” is used to indicate Unsatisfactory. The letter “I” is used to indicate coursework that has been of passing quality, some part of which is unfinished (incomplete). The work/unfinished work must be completed and the terminal grade must be submitted by the end of the next semester of enrollment, otherwise the “I” becomes “W.”
Course grades are posted on HawkWeb which is accessible through the University website. No grades will be given over the telephone.
Retention Policies
Didactic Program Phase
- A final grade of D in any course (lecture and/or lab) during the program will result in the student being placed on academic probation.
- Students attaining probationary status twice during the program (including any probation that occurred prior to a reinstatement) are subject to automatic academic dismissal from the program.
- A final grade of D in any two courses (including a retake of the same course) during the program (lecture and/or lab) will result in an automatic academic dismissal from the program.
- A final grade of F in any course (lecture and/or lab) results in automatic dismissal from the program.
- A student who receives a final grade of D in a course (lecture and/or lab), will need to retake the course and will be referred to the faculty member who will make recommendations to the Department Chairman as to how this grade may be removed and the time limit for removal. Failure to remove the grade in a specified time limit may result in dismissal from the program.
- Students engaging in any unethical practices as outlined by the policies of University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Code of Conduct of American Physical Therapy Association, and State or Federal laws may be dismissed from the program.
- It is the policy of the Graduate School that a student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of “B” (3.0 GPA) or better for all graduate courses completed and must satisfy all departmental and UMES Graduate School Program requirements. If a graduate student falls below the minimum GPA, he/she has two semesters (not including the summer) in which to bring their average GPA back to a 3.0 or greater. The admission of all students, both degree and non‐degree, is continued at the discretion, as applicable, of the Academic Advisor or Committee, the Department Chair, the Program Coordinator and the Graduate School. The School of Graduate Studies Office will notify the student via a letter of the probationary status.
- Students have the right to dispute grades that they feel are inaccurate or unfair. For information on how to dispute a grade, please see the policy on arbitrary and capricious grading located in the Undergraduate Academic Catalog.
- Students who have been dismissed as a result of poor academic performance or progress and wish to appeal must follow the Appeal of Dismissal/Discontinuation Policies and Procedures. The policy is found at the following link:
https://wwwcp.umes.edu/grad/wp-content/uploads/sites/120/2021/10/Appeal-of-Dismissal-Discontinuation-Policies-and-Procedures.pdf
Departmental Probation
- A final grade of D in any course (lecture and/or lab) during the program will result in the student being placed on academic probation.
- A letter will be sent to the School of Graduate Studies from the Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy regarding the student’s grade status.
- The School of Graduate Studies will notify the student via a letter of the probationary status.
Graduate Studies Probation
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of “B” (3.0 GPA) or better for all graduate courses completed and must satisfy all departmental and UMES Graduate School Program requirements. If a graduate student falls below the minimum GPA, he/she has two semesters (not including the summer semester) in which to bring their average GPA back to a 3.0 or greater. The School of Graduate Studies Office will notify the student via a letter of probationary status. The admission of all physical therapy students is continued at the discretion, as applicable, of the Admissions Committee, the Department Chair/Program Coordinator, and the Graduate School.
Reinstatement / Readmission Policies
- Students who have been dismissed for academic reasons may seek reinstatement by submitting a Reinstatement Application form to the Graduate School and a letter of request to the Department Chair. These documents must be submitted within ten calendar days from the date on the letter from the Graduate School notifying the student of his or her dismissal.
- Students who have had to withdraw for personal reasons may seek readmission by submitting a letter of intent to the Department Chair at the time the withdrawal is requested and follow the Graduate School Policies for Readmission.
The request for reinstatement/readmission will be reviewed by the Department of Physical Therapy faculty. Cases are considered on an individual basis and are not automatically granted. A student may be readmitted only once to the program, on the basis of the appeal.
