Business Academic Policies

Academic Policies

Policies that are specific to the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business undergraduate programs are outlined below. University Undergraduate Academic Policies apply to all other situations and can be found in the University Undergraduate Catalog.

Official Notices and Communication via Email 

Consistent with Duquesne University's E-mail Communication Policy, official communication of educational and administrative matters -- including student billing notifications, insurance requirements, correspondence from faculty and staff, instructions for following procedures, and notices that require a timely response -- are sent to the student's Duquesne University e-mail account. Students are expected to check their Duquesne University e-mail daily from Monday through Friday, and electronic correspondence is considered received within one working day after posting to a student account. Failure to check e-mail communication does not excuse or exempt students from responsibility for reading, responding to or acting upon e-mail communiques from the University.

Degree Requirements

Transfer Credit

Consistent with Duquesne University's undergraduate transfer credit policy, coursework completed at other approved* institutions may be considered. Transfer credit requests are evaluated individually based on a review of official transcript(s), course catalog descriptions, and syllabi. To transfer credits, the course grade on the transcript must be a "C" or higher (no "C-"), or the equivalent, and the date completed must be within the past six (6) years.

A maximum of 60 credits may be transferred from a two-year regionally-accredited institution, and a maximum of 90 credits may be transferred from a four-year regionally-accredited institution. Students must complete at least 30 credits at Duquesne University. Additionally, the last 30 credits of a student’s program must be completed in residence at Duquesne University. 

Transfer credits can include up to 50% of the total business core and major course credits.  The maximum number of transfer credits is determined by the primary major:

• For Accounting majors, this means that a maximum of 37.5 total business credits can be accepted in transfer.
• For Economics majors, this means that a maximum of 34.5 total business credits can be accepted in transfer.
• For Entrepreneurship majors, this means that a maximum of 34.5 total business credits can be accepted in transfer.
• For Finance majors, this means that a maximum of 36 total business credits can be accepted in transfer.
• For Information Systems and Technology majors, this means that a maximum of 34.5 total business credits can be accepted in transfer.
• For Management majors, this means that a maximum of 36 total business credits can be accepted in transfer.
• For Marketing majors, this means that a maximum of 34.5 total business credits can be accepted in transfer.
• For Supply Chain Management majors, this means that a maximum of 37.5 total business credits can be accepted in transfer.
• For undeclared and/or business co-majors who have not yet selected a primary major, this means that a maximum of 34.5 total business credits can be accepted in transfer.

Once a student has completed 58 credits, business core and major/minor courses completed away from Duquesne must be taken at an AACSB accredited institution. 

The complete University policy on Transfer Credits is available in the Academic Policies section of the University Undergraduate Catalog.

*Approved Institutions:  U.S. institutions that are (or were at the time coursework was completed) fully accredited by one of the nation's regional accrediting associations; tertiary-level international institutions formally recognized by that country's accrediting body, ministry of education, or its equivalent.

Academic Standing

Good academic standing requires a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above.

Students' academic performance will be reviewed at the end of each fall and spring term , and student whose cumulative GPA is below a 2.0 will be placed on academic warning, academic probation, or be subject to dismissal, depending on their cumulative GPA and total attempted credits per the full policy in the University Undergraduate Catalog.

Students who earn three "F" grades in one term (fall, spring, or summer) are subject to dismissal.

Students who are dismissed based on academic standing may appeal to the Student Standing Committee for reinstatement. Those wishing to initiate an appeal of an academic dismissal should work in consultation with their Student Success Coach. Students who have been dismissed for a second time will be without the option of appeal.

The full University policy on Student Standing is available in the Academic Policies section of the University Undergraduate Catalog.

Statute of Limitations

In accordance with University policy, students have ten (10) years from the initial date of registration to complete an undergraduate degree.

The full University policy on Statute of Limitations is available in the Academic Policies section of the University Undergraduate Catalog.

Graduation Requirements

Students must earn a minimum overall GPA of a 2.0 and a minimum of 120 credits.

Registration and Enrollment 

Academic Load

Students typically take 15 credits per semester.  Students on academic probation may not take more than 12 credits (13 credits, if required to take CLPR-016 Pathways to Success or equivalent).

A 12-18 credit schedule in a regular semester is considered full-time study.

Official Registration

Consistent with Duquesne University Policy, unless students are officially registered, they are not permitted to attend classes, engage in student affairs, have general access to the buildings and grounds, or use the University's facilities.

Official registration is the recognition given by the University to persons who have met these conditions:

1.    Appropriate authority for admittance to study in a school or department has been given by an authorized officer of the University.

2.    Authorization to continue in the selected program has been given and registration for classes has been accomplished in compliance with all academic requirements and procedures.

3.    Arrangements have been made to the satisfaction of the University for payment-in-full of all financial charges, including tuition and housing charges, which are due and payable in full by the end of the first week of classes.

Official course registration is processed via Duquesne Online Resources and Information (DORI) according to the dates set on the academic calendar. Course enrollment is determined on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who register for a class or classes and do not attend remain financially responsible for tuition unless the course is formally dropped by the Drop/Add deadline noted in the Academic Calendar. Students who register for courses but do not attend will receive a final grade of "F".

Change of Schedule (Add/Drop)

Students who wish to add or drop a class are permitted to do so during the registration period and add/drop period. A change of class schedule is not permitted after the add/drop deadline, which is posted in the University's Academic Calendar.

Once the add/drop period has ended, the withdrawal period begins.

Withdrawal

Courses dropped after the deadline for making schedule changes are classified as course withdrawals or complete withdrawals. Withdrawal deadlines are specified in the University's Academic Calendar.

Course withdrawals result in a final grade of "W" for the class. Refunds are not issued for individual course withdrawals in the fall and spring semesters. During the summer term, refunds for course withdrawals will be issued according to the summer refund schedule posted on the University's academic calendar.

Students may be eligible for refunds for complete and/or medical withdrawals and should consult the University's academic calendar for deadlines and refund amounts.

The University Policy on course withdrawals and complete withdrawals are available in the Academic Policies section of the University Undergraduate Catalog.

Active/Inactive Status

Students who register for at least one course during two (2) consecutive academic year semesters (fall and spring) are considered to be in active status.

A student who has not registered for at least one course during two (2) consecutive academic year semesters (fall and spring) will be converted to inactive status.

Leave of Absence

Students who do not want to enroll in courses for a fall or spring semester should request an official Leave of Absence through their Student Success Coach. There are three types of approved leave: medical, military, and personal.

The complete University Leave of Absence Policy is available in the Academic Policies section of the University Undergraduate Catalog.

Readmission

Students who have become inactive must apply for readmission though the Office of Admission. Students applying for readmission are required to be in good financial and conduct standing with the University. If readmitted, students are subject to the degree requirements and all academic regulations in place at the time of readmission. 

Only courses taken within the past ten (10) years will be counted toward the degree. Students will need to adhere to the Statute of Limitations, which stipulates that all degree requirements must be completed within ten (10) years from the date of initial matriculation.

The complete University Readmission policy is available in the Academic Policies section of the University Undergraduate Catalog.

Coursework and Attendance

Class Attendance

Regular class attendance in the School of Business Administration is strongly recommended for maximum educational advantage and, in some cases, may be required. The responsibility for all course material rests wholly with the student. It is the prerogative of each instructor to establish specific policies for attendance at examinations and class lectures, deadlines for reports, and other specific course requirements.

A student who is unable to attend class because of serious illness, hospitalization, a serious accident or other extenuating circumstances is responsible for notifying his/her Student Success Coach. The student should supply a written verification as soon as possible. A student who is absent for cause is expected to complete all of the work in all courses. It is the student's responsibility to make up all assignments in all courses and to be familiar with any instructions that may have been given during the absence

Students have primary responsibility for notifying professors of mild, non-acute, non-critical absences.

Academic Integrity

The Palumbo-Donahue School of Business expects students to follow the University's Academic Integrity Policy and Procedures.

Please review the University policy on Academic Integrity found in the Academic Policies section of the University Undergraduate Catalog.

Internships

The Business Administration Internship is strongly recommended for all who qualify. This three-credit internship program provides the student with professional work experience in an organizational environment. Internships must be approved in advance by a faculty sponsor and are available to students in all Business majors. Grading is Pass-Not Passing. Prerequisites: Junior standing, an overall GPA of 2.5 or better, and completion of at least 15 credits at Duquesne University. SCM and IST majors must also have completed at least six credits in their major to be eligible to complete an internship for credit. 

Students desiring to earn academic credit for an internship should work through the Center for Career Development, in consultation with their Student Success Coach in the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business. Internships are available for 0-3 credits with a maximum of three internship experiences and a maximum of six (6) credits. If an internship is renewed with the same employer, a student must demonstrate that the responsibilities of the experience are significantly different. A pass/no pass grade will be assigned. Students should be aware that Internship credits do not typically count toward their program of study.

International students are required to obtain approval from the Center for Global Engagement, regardless of whether the internship is being completed for academic credit.

Taking Graduate Courses

To obtain graduate credit, students enrolled in a single course that carries a separate undergraduate and graduate designation or number (e.g., courses cross-listed as both undergraduate and graduate courses) must register for the graduate course and must complete the published requirements as specified in the graduate course syllabus.

The University policy on Cross-listed UG/GR Courses is available in the Academic Policies section of the University Undergraduate Catalog.

Enrollment in Business Courses by Non-Business Students

Students enrolled in other schools at Duquesne are welcome to take 100-200 level Business courses without being enrolled in a business credential (i.e., certificate), provided they meet all prerequisites.

Taking Courses at Other Institutions

All courses taken away from Duquesne must be approved in advance by the student's Student Success Coach.

Academic Year Courses Elsewhere

Students may be able to take courses at another PCHE (Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education) institution during a fall or spring term through cross-registration. Students should review the full policy, available in the University's Undergraduate Catalog, and work with their Student Success Coach to seek approval.

Summer Courses Elsewhere

Students may receive permission to take summer courses off-site. However, they must receive written approval from their Student Success Coach before the end of the spring term.

Please see the Transfer Credit portion of this School of Business Undergraduate Catalog for a full list of criteria and stipulations. 

Grading 

Grading Policy

Incomplete ("I") Grades

Students who are unable to complete assigned coursework for any reason may discuss with their instructor the possibility of receiving an incomplete ("I") grade for the course. To be eligible for an "I" grade, a student must have completed a majority of the coursework and attended a majority of classes in the course.

A final course grade must be earned and submitted by the deadline posted in the University's Academic Calendar, though the instructor may specify an earlier date for course completion. The Office of the University Registrar will convert incomplete grades that remain after the deadline to final and permanent grades of "F" (Failure). "F" grade rules will then apply.

Failure ("F") Grades

Students who receive an "F" grade in any required course should repeat the course during the semester immediately following the semester in which the "F" grade was received. In the case of certain required or elective courses that are not offered each semester, the student should repeat the course the next semester in which the course is offered. All coursework required in a program of study must be satisfactorily completed to be eligible for graduation.

Repeat Policy

Students may choose to repeat a course if they earn a grade of "D" or lower. The most recent course grade and credits are included in the cumulative credit totals and GPA. However, the prior grade for the repeated course remains on the student’s academic transcript. 

Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities requiring special assistance are urged to notify Disability Services before the first day of class.

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Parents and guardians wishing to discuss their student's education must have appropriate FERPA permissions on file with the University.

Students are encouraged to have open communication with SOBA faculty and staff on their own behalf. Students have the right to include their parent(s), legal guardian or other advisors in communication between the student and a faculty or staff member. In such cases, it is the student's responsibility to request a meeting in writing and inform the faculty or staff member who else will take part in the meeting. Prior to the meeting, the student must complete a FERPA Waiver and Nondisclosure in Dori authorizing the faculty or staff member to speak with the student's parent or legal guardian regarding information contained in the student's educational record. SOBA Faculty and staff members are available to answer a parent or legal guardian's questions regarding policies and procedures but are not obligated to meet with a parent or legal guardian without the student present, or to address questions regarding the student's specific academic performance, such as grades. When follow-up communication is necessary or requested by the student, either by paper or electronically, it will be sent directly from the faculty or staff member to the student only. It is the student's option and responsibility to share written communication with others, if they so desire.

Degree Applications and Commencement

Graduation

To graduate, all students are required to:

1.    Apply for graduation no later than the deadline specified in the Academic Calendar during the semester in which degree requirements will be completed. Graduation applications are done online through Duquesne Online Resources and Information (DORI);

2.    Have satisfied all academic requirements;

3.    Have satisfied all financial obligations to the University.

To be eligible to graduate, students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. Students who do not meet this requirement must continue in the program until they have obtained a GPA of 2.0 or higher (subject to the academic probation policy). Additionally, students must not have any "I" or "F" grades in required courses.

Please review the University policy on Graduation in the Academic Policies section of the University Undergraduate Catalog.

Honors

Degrees are awarded with honor to students who have completed at least 60 credits in residence at Duquesne with a cumulative GPA of 3.50 to 4.0. Cum Laude honors will be awarded for a cumulative GPA of 3.50 to 3.74; Magna Cum Laude honors will be awarded for a cumulative GPA of 3.75 to 3.89; and Summa Cum Laude honors will be awarded for a cumulative GPA of 3.90 to 4.0. Honors are noted on students’ diploma and final transcript. 

Student Records

Transcripts

Request for official transcripts must be made through the Office of the University Registrar. Official copies of transcripts can be ordered online or in person for a nominal fee. Transcripts released directly to the student will be stamped with the designation, "Issued to Student" and be considered an unofficial document. Current students can access and print an unofficial transcript in Duquesne Online Resources and Information (DORI). No transcript will be issued unless all financial obligations owed by the student to the University have been satisfied.

Change of Address

It is the student's responsibility to maintain at all times a correct permanent and local address with the Office of the University Registrar. "Authorization to Change Student Information" is completed through Duquesne Online Resources and Information (DORI).