Graduate students who have been admitted to a degree program should plan their coursework with their advisers before registering.
Students who wish to work toward a graduate degree should file a graduate application available in the Student Records area of the myDrake portal.
Students who wish to receive federal financial aid must be fully admitted to their programs.
A candidate for a master’s degree must complete a program of study with at least a 3.0 grade-point average. A candidate for a doctoral degree in the School of Education must complete a program of study with at least a 3.5 grade-point average. Graduate students enrolled in 100-199 numbered courses approved for graduate credit are required to do extra work and exhibit a higher degree of competency than students taking the courses for undergraduate credit.
Credit for degree purposes is limited to those courses passed with grades of "A," "B," or "C." Students must progress satisfactorily by maintaining a 3.0 grade-point average. This average is based on all work taken for graduate credit at Drake University. Grades of D and F are used in computing the average even though credits do not count for degree purposes.
Students seeking an M.B.A., M.P.A., MAcc, or Master of Data Analytics degree must maintain a 3.0 grade-point average for all graduate coursework and may not have more than two "C" grades in their graduate programs.
Upon recommendation of the graduate program adviser and approval of the department or college/school, a graduate student may repeat one time, and only one time, any graduate course in which a grade of C or below was earned. Ordinarily, a maximum of two courses may be repeated within the program. Only the highest grade and credit hours earned are used in computing the student’s cumulative grade-point average. Lower grades removed from the computation by the student repeating a course appear on the student’s permanent record marked by a designated symbol ("XX").
A student may not graduate/earn a degree from Drake University with an "I" (Incomplete) or an "IP" (In Progress) notation on his/her transcript.
Grade points are earned on the following basis:
| Grade | Point Value |
| A+ | 4.00 |
| A | 4.00 |
| A- | 3.70 |
| B+ | 3.30 |
| B | 3.00 |
| B- | 2.70 |
| C+ | 2.30 |
| C | 2.00 |
| C- | 1.70 |
| D+ | 1.30 |
| D | 1.00 |
| D- | 1.00 |
| F | 0.00 |
Other marks not included in grade point calculation:
| Grade | Description |
| CR | Credit given under Credit/No Credit provision |
| NC | No credit under Credit/No Credit provision |
| W | Official withdrawal from course |
| WU | Unauthorized withdrawal from course |
| XX | Repeated course |
| I | Incomplete |
| IP | Course in progress |
| AU | Audit |
| NR | No grade recorded |
The mark “I” (Incomplete) indicates a student has not submitted all evidence required for a final grade. The student must make satisfactory arrangements with the instructor to complete the work by the end of the next semester of enrollment (excluding enrollment in summer or January terms). The instructor writes out the conditions that must be met to remove the incomplete. As a component of these conditions, the instructor may demand an accelerated deadline (e.g., the midterm of the following semester) or may provide an extended deadline if special circumstances warrant (e.g., a semester abroad, student teaching, etc.). The instructor will indicate the final grade for the course in the event the work is not completed. Marks of incomplete are changed to a final grade either by the instructor (upon completion of the work) or by the Office of the Registrar (if the work is not completed after one semester has passed). Marks of incomplete are not computed in the grade-point average.
The mark of “IP” (In Progress) may be given in certain courses where special conditions make the grade of Incomplete unrepresentative of the status of the students at the close of the semester. The grade of “IP” is appropriate only when the coursework could not be finished during the semester for the entire class (e.g., internships, practicums, or courses that do not fit the standard academic calendar; fieldwork or research presentations that may take place after a semester has ended; theses or dissertations; or other special situations where coursework extends beyond one semester). A grade of “IP” must be changed to a final grade by the instructor by the end of the next semester. The instructor must indicate to the appropriate dean’s office in what courses students will be assigned an “IP”.
On satisfactory completion of all requirements, the mark of "CR" is awarded for enrollments in 299 or 399 credits.
Transfer college work earns credit only and is not included in computing the Drake University cumulative G.P.A.
The G.P.A. is determined by dividing the number of grade points earned by the number of credit hours attempted. Grades of "F" are computed in the G.P.A., but no credit toward graduation is earned. G.P.A. calculations are rounded to the nearest hundredth.
On-Campus Programs
Prior to the start of a semester or term, a student may add a class via the registration tools online. In general, no prior approval is required.
Beginning the first day of the semester or term through the end of the fifth class day of the semester or term (or, in the case of a short course beginning later in the semester, through the second class meeting of the course), a student may add a course via an Add Drop form, which can be downloaded from the Office of the Registrar's web site. Approval from the student's dean's office is required to complete the add.
Drake Online Programs
Students may add a class via the registration tools online up to one week prior to the start of a next six-week session. After that point, students must contact the Drake Online Student Services office at 515-271-2674.
On-Campus Programs
Prior to the start of a semester or term, a student may drop a class via the registration tools online. In general, no prior approval is required.
Beginning the first day of the semester or term through the end of the 10th class day of the semester or term (or, in the case of a short course beginning later in the semester, through the second class meeting of the course), a student may drop a course via an Add Drop form, which can be downloaded from the Office of the Registrar's web site. Approval from the student's dean's office is required to complete the drop.
Drake Online Programs
Students may drop a class via the registration tools online up to the first day of the class. After that point, students must contact the Drake Online Student Services office at 515-271-2674.
Drops that occur after the start of the class affect the student's transcript differently depending on the point of time within a semester. The following definitions explain the beginning and end of each drop period.
Drop Period
Drop-with-W Period
A drop that occurs before or within the drop period will result in no coursework appearing on the student's transcript for that course for that semester.
A drop that occurs during the drop-with-W period will result in the administrative mark of "W" (Withdrawal) on the student's transcript for that course for that semester.
A student may drop a course after the drop-with-W period only if the instructor and/or dean's office finds extenuating circumstances that would make the drop appropriate, in which case the administrative mark of "W" is officially recorded. In cases where extenuating circumstances were not identified, the instructor of the course will be responsible for assigning the grade earned by the student in that course.
A student may withdraw from the University at any time during the semester, up to the completion or submission of the final work of the course(s), by submitting a request in writing to the dean (or the dean's designee) of the college or school in which the student is enrolled.
A. Complete withdrawals that occur within the drop period of the semester will result in no coursework appearing on the student's transcript for the respective semester.
B. Complete withdrawals that occur within the drop-with-W period will result in the mark of "W" (Withdrawal) on the student's transcript for the respective semester's coursework. The "W" is not used in the calculation of the grade point average.
C. Complete withdrawal requests submitted after the drop-with-W period will be considered late withdrawal requests and must document the extenuating circumstances that form the basis for the request, such as a serious illness or a family emergency.
Individual colleges and schools may have additional academic regulations that are stated under the “Specific Regulations” of that college or school in the catalog. Information on the academic regulations of the Drake University Law School appears in the Law School Student Handbook at the Law School web site. Financial implications are not in the purview of the academic colleges and schools. Attendance records will be used to verify attendance dates.
Voluntary and involuntary leaves of absence and complete withdrawals from the university will be handled in accordance with the Student Leave Policy. Students should also refer to the handbooks of their specific programs for additional information concerning the impact of a leave of absence or withdrawal and any additional requirements for such leaves.
A leave of absence is a temporary separation from the university. If approved, the duration of the leave generally will be a minimum of one academic term to a maximum of one year. After one year of non-enrollment, any student who has not returned to the university will be withdrawn. An extension or reduction of the leave period may be requested. There are two types of leaves of absence, voluntary and involuntary.
I. Voluntary Leave of Absence: A voluntary leave may be requested for national service, personal (non-medical) or financial reasons. A student considering a voluntary leave of absence should consult their academic program, department, or school to discuss specific criteria for voluntary leave.
a. Planned Leave of Absence: Students should request their planned leave of absence prior to the beginning of the semester they intended to be gone. Students applying for a planned leave of absence agree to complete any courses in the current term, understanding that if approved, the leave of absence will begin the following term.
b. Immediate Leave of Absence: An immediate or unplanned leave of absence is reserved for the unusual situation (non-medical) where a student is unable to complete the current term. Students may request an immediate leave of absence from the first day of classes through last day of classes.
i. If approved prior to the official drop deadline, all classes for the current term will be dropped from the student’s official record.
ii. If approved after the official drop deadline through the last day of classes for the current term, the student will receive grades of ‘W’ in all classes for the current term.
c. Medical Leave of Absence: The university recognizes that students may experience health issues that significantly impact their ability to function successfully or safely in their role as students. In those situations, students may request a medical leave of absence (MLOA), which, if granted, permits them to take a planned or immediate leave of absence, so that they may receive treatment.
i. If an immediate MOLA is approved prior to the official drop deadline, all classes for the current term will be dropped from the student’s official record.
ii. If an immediate MOLA is approved after the official drop deadline through the last day of classes for the current term, the student will receive grades of ‘W’ in all classes for the current term.
II. Involuntary Leave of Absence: The university may place a student on involuntary leave of absence when a student is unwilling or unable to request a voluntary leave of absence and when there is evidence to suggest that:
a. The student poses significant danger of imminent or serious harm to self or others, or to the property of the campus.
b. The student, although not posing the risk of imminent or serious harm to self or others, impedes the activities of other members of the campus community. Examples of such behavior include being disruptive to the environment or having needs which exceed the level of care and supervision the university can reasonably provide.
c. The student has a medical reason that will prevent them returning to the university in the foreseeable future.
An involuntary leave of absence may be executed at any time.
a. If an involuntary leave of absence is executed for the current term prior to the official drop deadline, all classes for the current term will be dropped from the student’s official record.
b. If an involuntary leave of absence is executed for the current term after the official drop deadline through the last day of classes for the current term, the student will receive grades of ‘W’ in all classes for the current term.
A university withdrawal is a permanent separation from the university. Any student who plans to leave the university on a permanent basis must formally withdraw. Any student who has withdrawn from the university and then wishes to return is required to go through the re-enrollment process. Academic suspension or disciplinary suspension will override a University Withdrawal. There are two types of withdrawals:
I. Planned University Withdrawal: Students requesting a planned university withdrawal agree to complete any courses in the current term, understanding the university withdrawal will begin the following term. Any courses enrolled in subsequent terms will be dropped by the Office of the Registrar.
II. Immediate University Withdrawal: An immediate university withdrawal is reserved for the unusual situation where a student is unable to complete the current term and does not plan on returning in a future term. Students may request an immediate university withdrawal from the first day of classes through the last day of classes. Any courses enrolled in subsequent terms will be dropped by the Office of the Registrar.
a. If approved prior to the end of the official drop deadline, all classes for the current term will be dropped from the student’s official record.
b. If approved after the official drop deadline through the last day of classes for the current term, the student will receive grades of ‘W’ in all classes for the current term.
III. Unauthorized University Withdrawal: An unauthorized university withdrawal is reserved for the unusual situation in which a student stops attending, but takes no action to notify the university. If it is determined that a student stopped attending In the case of an unauthorized withdrawal:
a. If the last date of academic activity is determined to be within the drop period, all classes for the current term will be dropped form the student’s official record.
b. If the last date of academic activity is determined to be within the drop-with-W period, the student will receive grades of ‘W’ in all classes for the current term.
c. If the last date of academic activity is determined to be after the drop-with-W period, the instructors of record will determine if a mark of ‘WU’ (unauthorized withdrawal) or letter grade will be assigned. The ‘WU’ is calculated as an ‘F’ in the grade point average. The ‘WU’ cannot be removed from a student’s transcript upon subsequently repeating the course; however, the calculation as an ‘F’ may be removed from the student’s grade point average.
It is the responsibility of the student who is considering a leave of absence or university withdrawal to contact the Student Financial Planning Office to discuss any possible financial impact, such as loan repayment, before initiating the process. In accordance with federal regulations, the Office of Student Financial Planning will recalculate federal aid eligibility for students who withdraw, drop out, are suspended, or take a leave of absence prior to completing more than 60 percent of the term. For information regarding federal aid recalculations, visit https://www.drake.edu/finaid/financialaidbasics/returnoftitleivfundsregulations/.
If a leave of absence or withdrawal is approved prior to the first day of the term, all classes for the current term will be dropped and students will receive a full tuition refund. If a leave of absence or withdrawal is approved between the first and last day of classes for the current term, students will receive a pro-rated tuition refund. To view the tuition refund percent schedule, visit https://www.drake.edu/finaid/financialaidbasics/completewithdrawals/.
A reduction of credit hour enrollment within the time specified for dropping without a mark of ‘W’ for the term length and type of course may occur without tuition penalty. After the “no W drop date”, a change from full-time to part-time status or a reduction in credit-hour enrollment, other than a complete withdrawal, will not change tuition charges. For example, a student enrolled full-time will receive no tuition adjustment if he or she drops below full-time enrollment after the “no W drop date.” Tuition adjustments for increased enrollment continue throughout the term.
Financial aid may be adjusted until the “no W drop date” based upon changes in enrollment and changes in tuition and fees. Eligibility for financial aid for increased enrollment is not automatically calculated with an enrollment change. Please contact the Office of Student Financial Planning to discuss changes in enrollment and financial aid eligibility.
A student who withdraws from courses, repeats courses, receives incompletes in courses or takes noncredit courses may not be able to complete the number of credit hours required for satisfactory progress; therefore, the student may be jeopardizing his/her financial aid by withdrawing from or repeating courses, receiving incompletes in courses or taking noncredit courses.
A student may withdraw from the University at any time during a semester, up to and including the last day of class, by obtaining the consent of the dean of the college or school in which the student is enrolled. The application for withdrawal must document the extenuating circumstances that form the basis for the requested withdrawal, such as a serious illness or a family emergency.
Upon approval of the withdrawal, the student’s transcript records the courses in which the student was enrolled that semester. If the student leaves the University without obtaining the consent of the dean of the student’s college or school, the student’s transcript records the courses in which the student was enrolled that semester and the grades assigned by the instructors.
Individual colleges and schools may have additional academic regulations that are stated under the “Specific Regulations” of that college or school in the catalog. The academic regulations for graduate students are stated in the Graduate Catalog. Information on the academic regulations of the Law School may be obtained by writing to the dean of the Law School.
At least two-thirds of the total required hours of course credits needed for a master’s degree must be taken in courses offered by Drake University, exclusive of credit for 299-Graduate Project hours. See specialist program and specific doctoral program sections of the Graduate Catalog for specific requirements for residency for those degrees.
Graduate course credits may be considered for transfer that meet the following conditions:
Masters Programs: A maximum transfer of one-third of the course credits in a masters program (EDUC 299-Graduate Project hours excluded) may be considered if they meet the foregoing requirements.
School of Education Specialist Program: The same maximum number of credits (as for the masters programs) for transfer can be considered, except that such credits in addition to the foregoing requirements must have been earned after having completed a master’s degree program and must be from an institution offering specialist and/or doctoral degrees.
School of Education Doctoral Program: See sections of this catalog regarding doctoral programs and transfer of credit for such programs.
Although credits are not transferable, non-graded workshops and seminars from regionally-accredited graduate schools may in some cases be used for waivers of up to six hours of Drake graduate credit. This allows consideration of graduate workshops and seminars where “S” for Satisfactory or “CR” for Credit have been designated on a transcript. Waivers for such credit are limited to a maximum of six hours of credit out of the total transfer of credit limitation for the particular degree program. This same waiver of credit provision for a Drake masters program also is available for consideration of graduate credits from an undergraduate college without graduate degree programs, provided approval for offering graduate credits on a limited basis has been given that college by the regional accrediting association.
When formally admitted to a masters degree program at Drake University, a student may request adviser’s and dean’s approval for transfer of appropriate extension (off-campus) credits from another institution prior to any enrollment in such courses. (Request detailed information from your assigned adviser.) Off-campus credits from another institution cannot be applied to the Drake specialist or doctoral degrees.
Drake University has special procedures for courses with certain Iowa colleges and school systems concerning limited credit arrangements for individual students. Inquiries regarding any such arrangements should be directed to the student’s graduate adviser.
All arrangements under this Transfer of Credit section must be recommended by the student’s adviser, meet limitations and requirements for a particular degree, and be approved by the department or college/school.
The maximum load permitted a graduate student during a regular semester is 15 credit hours. The maximum load for the summer session is 12 credit hours. Students are considered full-time if they carry 9 or more hours per semester and part-time if they carry less than 9 credit hours per semester.
During any given semester or summer session, a graduate student must give early notice to the college/school and the appropriate department of intent to graduate. If the student is certified to have met all graduation requirements, this is reported to the Office of the Registrar. The following month, a diploma is mailed. Commencement ceremonies are held in May and in December each year.
The Provost’s Office and its various subdivisions maintain student education records as an integral part of providing student services. All student education records and the information contained therein are subject to the provisions of the federal privacy act known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) and, subject to exceptions stated in FERPA, are not available for inspection by others without a written release from the student unless the person making the request is a University faculty or staff member with legitimate educational interests. Such personnel might include a faculty adviser, professor, dean or counselor. Parents may or may not be excluded from seeing their student’s education records or receiving information from the records without a release signed by their student, depending on the applicable provisions of FERPA (see “Special Note from the Provost”).
Generally, students may inspect their own education records at any time the record keeping office is open. Prior notice is required to inspect your own file as inspections are done under the supervision of the office staff. Students may copy the contents of their own education records, although if the file is extensive there may be a reasonable copying charge. The following restrictions apply to student review of education records:
In all cases where access to records is denied, the student and supervisor of the record shall attempt to informally resolve the matter. If the situation is not resolved in this manner, then the Provost, or his/her designee, shall make a final and binding decision regarding access after reviewing the arguments for access and denial of access.
If students find objectionable material in their files, they should call it to the attention of the supervisor of that record and if the supervisor agrees, the material can be deleted or amended. If the supervisor of the record does not agree to a student’s suggested deletion or amendment after the student has had a chance to present all evidence in his/her favor, then the student may add additional or explanatory material to the file, which will be kept as part of the educational record.
University files pertaining to students are normally purged after five years, although each department and College follows its own procedures.
FERPA also prevents the University from releasing certain information about students to persons outside the University without first notifying the student.
Drake University may release the following “directory information” about each individual student without prior consent unless the student has previously requested these records be withheld:
Any student not wanting the above-referenced “directory information” released to the public must timely notify the appropriate office. Forms are available from the Office of the Registrar. A notice remains in effect until the student requests lifting of the hold in writing. If personally identifiable information is removed from education records, they can be disclosed without student notification.
Personally identifiable information other than directory information can be released without prior approval under the following circumstances:
Questions regarding FERPA, University policy or parental access to student education records can be addressed to the Office of the Registrar, 515-271-2025 or to the Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Academic Excellence at 515-271-3751.
More information about FERPA can be found at http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html.
The information in this catalog does not constitute a contract between the university and the student. The university reserves the right to make changes in curricula, admission policies and processes, tuition and financial aid, academic standards and guidelines, student services and any other regulations or policies set forth in this catalog without giving prior notice.