MA Program

Master of Arts Program

The MA is designed to prepare students from diverse backgrounds to become Jewish educators. Students design their course of study by choosing one of three areas of concentration: Day School Teaching, Educational Leadership in Synagogues and Communal Settings, or Experiential Education. The program accommodates full- and part-time students and distance-learning students. All students admitted to the MA program enroll in a core curriculum that provides a solid grounding in Judaica and education.

Admissions Procedures

The Davidson School accepts and reviews applications for admission and merit fellowships on a rolling basis. The priority application and fellowship deadline is March 1 of each year. It is in the applicant's best interest to apply as early as possible because space in the class fills up—and funding, though merit-based, is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Full-time matriculated students are only accepted in the fall. For more information about admission deadlines and fellowships, please consult the Admissions page.

Matriculated Students

An applicant for admission as a degree candidate must submit the following:

  • A completed online application form together with the $65 fee
  • An official transcript of academic records from all colleges and universities previously attended
  • Official scores of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
  • Three letters of recommendation, two of which should be academic

View the application and apply now.

JTS alumni should email the Office of the Registrar and copy edschool@jtsa.edu to authorize access to their JTS academic files. Please include your degree and date of graduation.

Nonmatriculated Students

The Davidson School accepts and reviews nonmatriculation applications on a rolling basis until the beginning of each semester. It is in the applicant's best interest to apply as early as possible so that there is space remaining in courses. View the Academic Calendar 2012–2013.

Matriculated students have a priority in course registration over nonmatriculated students.

An applicant must submit the following:

  • A completed nonmatriculation application form
  • Official college transcript(s) indicating receipt of a bachelor's degree
  • An application fee of $35 payable to JTS

Download the nonmatriculated student application.

JTS alumni should email the Office of the Registrar and copy edschool@jtsa.edu to authorize access to their JTS academic files. Please include your degree and date of graduation.

MA Degree Requirements

The MA curriculum is designed to provide all students with a strong foundation in Judaica and education, in addition to fostering religious development and personal growth. Unless indicated, all courses are assigned three academic credits.

In order to meet graduation requirements, a student must earn a minimum of 46 credits above any coursework needed to complete the Hebrew requirement and the prerequisites in Judaic Studies listed below. Requirements differ depending on the student's area of concentration. View the MA course grid.

In the first year, each MA Davidson School student is assigned a program advisor with whom the student will make decisions regarding coursework, internships, and practicum placements appropriate to his or her future career goals. The different areas of the curriculum are listed below.

Upon completion of his/her studies at JTS, the student is expected to work in a Jewish educational setting for one year for each year awarded a fellowship, for a maximum of three years.

  • All information about any other funding received for the period of the fellowship should be reported to the Dean's Office. The Davidson School reserves the right to adjust the amount of the award based upon other grants you may receive.
  • A yearly extension of the fellowship will be granted for a maximum of two years beyond the first year, provided funds are available and students are in good academic standing for each semester they are enrolled at The Davidson School.

Full-time students at The Davidson School take 12 credits or more per semester. Part-time students take minimum of 6 credits per semester.

1. Prerequisites in Judaic Studies

The following courses in Judaic studies are prerequisites and do not count toward MA credit:

  • BIB 5012: Survey of the Pentateuch
  • BIB 5011: Introduction to Bible
  • TAL 5025: Introduction to Rabbinic Literature or equivalent course (This prerequisite is only for the Day School Teaching concentration and Educational Leadership in Synagogues and Communal Settings concentration.)
  • MDS 5102: Classics of the Jewish Tradition II

If a student has previously taken a comparable course for credit at an accredited college or university, the student can request to be exempted from any or all of these courses by consulting with the dean of The Davidson School or his/her advisor.

2. Hebrew Requirements

All entering students are required to take the Hebrew placement examination administered by the Hebrew Language Department.

In order to receive their degree, students who choose the Day School Teaching concentration must demonstrate proficiency in Hebrew (speaking, reading, and writing) equivalent to the level of HEB 5301: Advanced Hebrew I. In addition, they need to take HEB 5117: Hebrew Fluency. Students concentrating in Day School Teaching are encouraged to participate in Ivriyon during one of its summer sessions.

In order to receive their degree, students who choose the Experiential Education concentration or the Educational Leadership in Synagogues and Communal Settings concentration must demonstrate proficiency equivalent to the level of HEB 5203: Intermediate Hebrew II.

3. Judaica (15 credits)

All students are required to take:

  • EDU/PHI 5525: Translating Jewish Theology in Educational Settings
  • EDU 5013: Parshanut to be taken concurrently with EDU 5031: Pedagogic Skills
  • Three Judaica electives (Experiential Education concentration students take only two Judaica electives.)
  • Core Course:

Students in the Day School Teaching concentration are required to take the following course or an equivalent as one of their electives:

  • TAL 5026: A Thematic Introduction to the Talmud

Students in the other concentrations may take any Judaica electives, and are not required to take Talmud electives.

4. Education (19 credits)

All students are required to enroll in the following four courses:

  • EDU 5031: Pedagogic Skills (This course should be taken concurrently with EDU 5013: Parshanut.) View more information about the course here.
  • SEM 5005: First Year Seminar - Becoming a Jewish Educational Professional
  • EDU 5116: Developmental Issues in Jewish Education: Childhood or equivalent
  • EDU 5158: Curriculum and Program Implementation

In addition, students in the Day School Teaching concentration and Educational Leadership in Synagogues and Communal Settings concentration must take two education electives at the 5000 level (taking doctoral level courses [8000 level] requires permission of the Dean's Office).

Experiential Education concentration students take only one education elective.

5. Practicum

Students are required to complete a two-semester practicum consisting of one and a half days (in the case of the Educational Leadership in Synagogues and Communal Settings concentration), two days (in the case of the Day School Teaching concentration), and 20 hours a week (in the case of the Experiential Education concentration) of fieldwork experience per week. The practicum takes place within the student's area of concentration. Practicum placements are arranged only by the faculty practicum coordinators.

Students are required to successfully complete the following courses before enrolling in the practicum of their choice.

  • EDU 5031: Pedagogic Skills
  • EDU 5127: Foundations of Jewish Education
  • EDU 5116: Developmental Issues in Jewish Education: Childhood or equivalent
  • EDU 5158: Curriculum and Program Implementation

The Experiential Education concentration and Educational Leadership in Synagogues and Communal Settings concentrations have additional courses that must be taken prior to registration in the practicum, as detailed below.

6. Areas of Concentration

Students are required to choose one of the following three areas of concentration:

Experiential Education (18 credits)

This concentration prepares students to work as educators and leaders with experiential methods in a variety of settings, including camps, retreat centers, day schools, synagogues, Jewish community centers, federations, and boards of Jewish education, in capacities such as program and education directors, and youth and adult education specialists. In addition to the education courses listed above, students in the Experiential Education concentration are required to enroll in:

  • EDU 5213: Theories and Overview of Experiential Education in the fall
  • EDU 5214: Techniques of Experiential Education in the spring
  • EDU 5609: Leading and Managing Jewish Nonprofits or EDU 8610: Executive Leadership for Nonprofit Organizations: Theory and Practice
  • EDU 5559: Staff Development and Supervision in Jewish Educational Settings

During the second year of the program, students participate in a yearlong field placement and weekly seminar (EDU 5515–5516). This practicum, designed with participating organizations in the metropolitan area, consists of 20 hours of fieldwork per week throughout the academic year. In conjunction with the placement, a student is assigned a mentor.

The following courses must be completed prior to or concurrent with the practicum:

  • EDU 5609: Leading and Managing Jewish Nonprofits or EDU 8610: Executive Leadership for Nonprofit Organizations: Theory and Practice
  • EDU 5559: Staff Development and Supervision in Jewish Educational Settings

Students participating in the Experiential Education concentration must be full-time students.

Day School Teaching (12 credits)

This concentration prepares students for day-school teaching positions. Students are required to take two of the following three classes:

  • EDU 5159: Theory and Practice of Hebrew Language Instruction in Jewish Educational Settings or a suitable methods/pedagogy substitution
  • HEB 5117: Hebrew Fluency

Students are encouraged to participate in Ivriyon during one of the summers they are in residency. For more information consult the main page for Ivriyon.

During the second or third year of the program, students participate in a yearlong student-teaching placement and weekly seminar (EDU 5312–5313). This practicum, designed in collaboration with participating day schools in the metropolitan area, consists of 16 hours of fieldwork per week throughout the academic year. In conjunction with the student-teaching placement, a student is assigned a mentor and a supervisor.

Educational Leadership in Synagogues and Communal Settings (12 credits)

The concentration prepares Davidson School students to become outstanding educational leaders who will serve a changing American Jewish community in the 21st century. Students in the Educational Leadership in Synagogues and Communal Settings concentration make the transition from expert learners to novice professionals in a collegial setting that supports the development of relationships, exposes them to practice in the field through internships, and provides mentoring with outstanding practitioners. This concentration builds a vibrant community of practice that supports individual and collective growth, and creates an emerging cadre of reflective Jewish educational leaders.

In addition to the education courses listed above, students on the Educational Leadership in Synagogues and Congregational Settings concentration are required to enroll in:

  • EDU 5609: Leading and Managing Jewish Nonprofits or EDU 8610: Executive Leadership for Nonprofit Organizations: Theory and Practice
  • EDU 5559: Staff Development and Supervision in Jewish Educational Settings

During the second or third year of the program, students participate in a yearlong field placement and weekly seminar (EDU 5513–5514). This practicum, designed with participating organizations in the metropolitan area, consists of 12 hours of fieldwork per week throughout the academic year.

The following courses must be completed prior to the practicum:

  • EDU 5031: Pedagogic Skills
  • EDU 5158: Curriculum and Instruction

The following courses must be completed prior to or concurrent with the practicum:

  • EDU 5609: Leading and Managing Jewish Nonprofits or EDU 8610: Executive Leadership for Nonprofit Organizations: Theory and Practice
  • EDU 5559: Staff Development and Supervision in Jewish Educational Settings

7. Graduation with Honors

In order to graduate with honors, students must fulfill the following requirements*:

  • Register for EDU 5314, a 3-credit course that will be scheduled into the student's fall course load
  • Enrolled students commit to a full year of thesis advisement
  • A cumulative GPA of at least 3.5
  • Completion of a master's project with a grade of at least A-
  • Students receive P/F in the fall; they cannot get a grade for the thesis until after they have handed it in by the end of the spring session
  • Students apply in the spring semester of their penultimate year of the program
  • All students must seek the approval of their advisors before they register for EDU 5314
  • Advisors should ascertain that students have a minimum 3.5 GPA and that students are not on probation before approving registration for EDU 5314

*Please note that Distance Learning students are not eligible to complete honors thesis projects.

Grades:
D (Fail)
C (Pass)
B (Pass with Distinction)
A (Pass with Distinction and Honor)

8. Building a Community of Educators

Big Tent Minyan

Every Wednesday morning, The Davidson School assembles to learn and pray together. Prayer is one of the primary activities of Jewish engagement. Our school is unique in that it is comprised of students from across the spectrum of denominational affiliation. This diversity is one of our school's greatest assets.

Our tefillot are inclusive and open. We work with multiple siddurim so that we can study and experience the traditions and liturgies from a variety of perspectives. Our prayer space is egalitarian; however, we experiment with many forms and types of prayer depending on who is leading and teaching each week. With every service, students have the opportunity to further develop their understanding of how the siddur is structured and to acquire a variety of essential prayer skills.

Mifgash

Mifgash means meeting, and all full-time, first-year students are required to attend the weekly Mifgash. Mifgash takes place every Wednesday from 8:30 to 10:10 a.m., following the Davidson School Big Tent Minyan.

The Wednesday morning Mifgash sessions begin with a school tefillah at 7:45 a.m., and continue with breakfast and conversations about professional goals and aspirations at 8:30 a.m. The First-Year Mifgash series is an opportunity for the first-year students to meet as a cohort in a weekly forum for community building and reflection on what it means to be an emerging Jewish educator.

In the first semester, the focus of Mifgash is on building community, preparation for the Vision and Voices of Israel seminar, and getting comfortable in New York City. The second semester focus is on identity as a Jewish educator. Additionally, during the first semester, students focus on crafting a personal mission statement as they review their pasts in order to determine their futures as Jewish educators.

Participants in the Mifgash are awarded practicum credit hours during the year that they are enrolled in their field placement (in any of the three tracks) equivalent to the number of hours they participate in the Mifgash.

For more information about the Mifgash, contact Rabbi Jonathan Lipnick.

9. Visions and Voices of Israel Seminar

One of the greatest challenges to contemporary world Jewry is the question of the place of Israel in Diaspora Jewish identity. The Davidson School recognizes that in order to enable its students to truly grapple with the complex issues at the heart of this challenge, Israel and Zionism must be a central component in students' experiences throughout the MA program.

To that end, every first-year Davidson School student is required to spend a portion of his or her first winter-semester break in Israel. The Visions and Voices of Israel Seminar is an educational experience in Israel in which our students are confronted with the questions about Israel with which every contemporary Jewish educator must engage.

Next year's Vision and Voices of Israel Seminar begins on January 6, 2014, and ends on January 15, 2014.

The seminar has three themes woven through it:

  • Israel-Diaspora relations: Why is Israel important to us as Diaspora Jews? What does it mean to be a Zionist today? What should our relationship be with Israel as Jews in the United States? How does Israel play its part in our Jewish identity?
  • Educational visions in Israel: What are some of the different educational visions that Israeli institutions and programs are developing? How do these visions of Jewish education relate to visions we might have for our institutions and programs? What conversations about vision can American Jewish educators and Israeli educators have?
  • Engaging with Israel: What different modes are there of visiting Israel? How do we talk about Israel with our students in America? What is the Israel that we should be exposing them to? What kinds of engagement with Israel should we be trying to engender in our students? How can we get our students to engage with the complexity of Israel?

In addition to these three themes, an underlying goal of the seminar is to build the Davidson School student community. Students and faculty work together to become a reflective, learning group of colleagues and friends, sharing wisdom, ideas, practices, hopes, and dreams with each other. The seminar requires participants to create, teach, and work together.

The seminar is based in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and in the southern and northern parts of Israel. During orientation and the fall semester, students receive more information about the program. The cost of the trip is underwritten in its entirety by The Davidson School; students pay for a few lunches and dinners during free time.

The Visions and Voices of Israel Seminar is a required part of the Davidson School curriculum for full-time students. If there are extreme extenuating circumstances that would make attendance on the trip a true hardship, students can apply to the associate dean of The Davidson School for an exemption. Students should be aware, though, that The Davidson School views the seminar attendance with utmost importance, and will only grant exemptions in exceptional circumstances.

Dual MA Degree Opportunities

MA in Jewish Education and MA in an Area of Jewish Studies

Davidson School students may, after their first semester of study, apply to The Graduate School of The Jewish Theological Seminary for an MA in any field of Jewish studies. (However, Davidson School students must have completed Hebrew 5203 by the time they matriculate into The Graduate School.)

A student may apply 9 credits of Judaica from a Davidson School transcript toward The Graduate School's credit requirements, subject to the approval of The Graduate School academic advisor. Likewise, students enrolled in The Graduate School (upon completion of all Graduate School prerequisites and Hebrew requirements) may apply for the MA in Jewish Education through The Davidson School, and count 9 credits of subject-area Judaica from the Graduate School transcript toward the Davidson School MA.

MA in Jewish Education and Rabbinic Ordination

In order to receive the MA in Jewish Education, rabbinical students take 18 non-duplicative education credits and complete a practicum:

  • EDU 5127: Foundations of Jewish Education
  • EDU 5116: Developmental Issues in Jewish Education: Childhood (or equivalent)
  • EDU 5158: Curriculum and Program Implementation
  • EDU/PHI 5525: Translating Jewish Theology
  • EDU/LIT 5055: Teaching Prayer
  • EDU 5559: Staff Development and Supervision in Jewish Educational Settings

Students who would like to be in the Day School Teaching concentration need to take an additional curriculum-design course instead of EDU 5559.

Practicum

Students are required to complete a two-semester practicum consisting of either one and a half days (in the case of the Educational Leadership in Synagogue and Communal Settings concentration) or two days (in the case of the Day School Teaching concentration) of fieldwork experience per week. The practicum takes place within each student's area of concentration. Practicum placements are arranged only by the faculty practicum coordinators. Students receive a stipend during the two semesters of practicum.

The courses required prior to the practicum are EDU 5031 (a requirement of The Rabbinical School), EDU 5127, and EDU 5158.

EDU 5559 and EDU 5609 (a requirement of The Rabbinical School) can be taken concurrently with the practicum.

View the course grid.

View the application.

MA in Jewish Education and Cantorial Investiture

Cantorial students who apply for the MA in Jewish Education will be required to pass Hebrew requirements according to their concentration selection in addition to their Hebrew requirements for the H. L. Miller Cantorial School and College of Jewish Music. In order to receive the MA in Jewish Education, cantorial students must take the following 19 education credits:

  • EDU 5031: Pedagogic Skills
  • EDU 5127: Foundations of Jewish Education
  • EDU 5116: Developmental Issues in Jewish Education: Childhood or equivalent
  • EDU 5158: Curriculum and Program Implementation
  • Two education electives at the 5000 level
  • 12 concentration credits
  • 15 Judaica credits, 12 of which may be transferred in from the H. L. Miller Cantorial School transcript. These 15 Judaica credits must include the courses:
    • EDU/PHI 5525: Translating Jewish Theology
    • EDU/LIT 5055: Teaching Prayer

Practicum

Students are required to complete a two-semester practicum consisting of either one and a half days (in the case of the Educational Leadership in Synagogues and Communal Settings concentrations) or two days (in the case of the Day School Teaching concentration) of fieldwork experience per week. The practicum takes place within the student's area of concentration. Practicum placements are arranged only by the faculty practicum coordinators.

The courses required prior to or concurrent with registration for the practicum are listed above.

View the course grid.

View the application.

Additional MA Program Opportunities

Graduates of List College entering the Davidson School MA Program

Graduates of List College and American Jewish University in Los Angeles, California, are permitted to apply 3 credits of graduate-level education coursework and 9 credits of graduate-level Judaica courses from the BA transcript toward the MA in Jewish Education. Each student must meet with the dean of each school and the departmental advisor to determine exactly what combination of elective and major credits toward the BA will be accepted for the MA, and what additional coursework will be required.

Part-Time MA Students

Part-time students cover the same comprehensive curriculum as their full-time colleagues. Designation as a part-time student is granted upon admission, and students must take 6 credits (two courses) each semester. In rare cases, a full-time student may change status with the permission of the Dean's Office.

  • All part-time students must take two courses per semester and remain in good academic standing. In rare instances, part-time students may take more than two courses with the permission of the Dean's Office.
  • Upon graduation, students are expected to work in a Jewish setting for one year for each year that they received a fellowship, up to three years.
  • Fellowship money will automatically be renewed annually for two additional years beyond the first year, provided the student is in good academic standing and there are funds available.
  • Part-time students are invited (if there are enough funds), but not required, to join Kesher Hadash, The Davidson School's Semester in Israel Program. Students wishing to join this trip must participate in the preparatory meetings associated with it.
  • Part-time students are encouraged, but not required, to participate in the Davidson School Mifgash, the Vision and Voices of Israel Seminar, or the Davidson School Minyan.

Online Master's Degree

Participants in the online program cover the same comprehensive curriculum as their colleagues who study at our New York campus, but take the majority of their courses via the Internet. Students are accepted into the school with a Distance Learning designation and are also designated as part-time students. In rare instances, in-house students may change their status with the permission of the Dean's Office. In addition to online work, students take a minimum of four courses at our New York campus. These courses may be completed over two or more intensive one-month summer sessions or during the academic year.

JTS does not offer Hebrew language online and therefore Distance Learning students must take Hebrew in their home communities (either at accredited universities or with private tutors) until they reach the required Hebrew proficiency level. Students may also choose to take Hebrew onsite at JTS over the summer.

Distance Learners receive the same generous fellowships as onsite students.

  • Upon graduation, students are expected to work in a Jewish setting for one year for each year that they received a fellowship, up to three years.
  • Fellowship money will automatically be renewed annually for two additional years beyond the first year, provided the student is in good academic standing and there are funds available.
  • Distance Learning students are not required to participate in The Davidson School's Visions and Voices of Israel Seminar. However, students who wish to attend the Israel seminar may request admission and will be able to attend if sufficient funding is available. Students wishing to join this trip must participate in the preparatory meetings associated with it.
  • Distance Learning students are encouraged but not required to participate in Davidson School Mifgash.
  • Please note that Distance Learning students are not eligible to complete honors thesis projects.

If a Distance Learning student is unable to take courses in a given semester because he or she has taken all the classes offered, he or she should register for continuous registration instead of registering for a leave of absence.

View the Distance Learning course grid.

View Library resources for Distance Learning students.

Studying at Other Institutions

Transfer Credit

A student who wishes to transfer credit for graduate-level courses taken at other institutions of higher learning must submit an official transcript with complete course descriptions to the Davidson School Admissions Office, which will consult with the appropriate department. Credits counted toward another degree will not be considered. The maximum number of credits accepted for transfer is nine (9). No credit will be accepted for transfer from courses in which a grade lower than B was earned.

Consortium Agreement

All Davidson School students are eligible to take courses at Teachers College with the approval of their advisors.

Instructions for Registering at Teacher's College

Register to all Teachers College (TC) courses through the JTS Office of the Registrar.

Searching for Classes:

1. Go to the Course Search Page at Teachers College.

2. Use the advanced search feature to find courses you want to take in the Course Schedule.

3. When you have decided on course(s): 


4. Fill out the JTS Consortium Registration Form.

Please use a separate form for each course you are planning to take.

You need to receive approval from your advisor and Teachers College instructor.

5. Email the TC professor to introduce yourself and ask for his/her approval to take the course. He/she must send you an email approving your participation in the course, which you should forward to the JTS Office of the Registrar.

Search by professor or department for contact information.

6. You should also ask for your advisor's approval to take the course and send the approval email to the Office of the Registrar.

7. The Office of the Registrar will then enroll you in the course.

After You Are Enrolled:

Once you are enrolled in TC classes, you need to follow the instructions for non-TC students to access your course content.


Summer Study

Courses offered during the Summer Sessions may be used to fulfill program requirements. Summer school is also open to graduate students in Jewish studies and related fields from other academic institutions. For information and application forms, contact the Summer Sessions Office at (212) 678-8886. The Davidson School's MA fellowships do not cover summer school.

Academic Standards

Attendance

Regular attendance is expected. Instructors shall have the right to stipulate attendance requirements and penalties that may be incurred as a result of failure to comply with these requirements, provided that students are informed within the first two weeks of the semester.

Grades

The grading system is as follows: A, excellent; B, good; C, fair; D, poor; F, fail. No credit will be given for grades of C- or lower.

Once a grade has been received in the Office of the Registrar, it may be changed by the course instructor only upon written application from the instructor to the dean of the school. The dean's approval is required.

Full-time graduate students are permitted to take one course per year with a grade of pass/fail, with the permission of the departmental or program advisor.

Auditing

The grade R signifies that the student has attended classes and completed all coursework except for the final exam and/or paper. Students must notify the Office of the Registrar, in writing, by the date stipulated in the Academic Calendar of their intention to audit. Failure to do so will mean that the course is being taken for credit. No credit will be given for courses taken for the grade R; such courses will not count toward fulfilling the requirements for the degree. Students cannot audit online courses.

Withdrawal

With the permission of their advisor, students may withdraw from a course by the date listed in the Academic Calendar. Students are responsible for tuition payment for courses withdrawn past the deadline. The letter W will appear on the transcript in such cases. Students who discontinue attendance in a course and who fail to withdraw formally within the designated period will receive the appropriate alternate letter grade. Fellowship money does not cover these courses.

The Davidson School's Academic Probation Policy
MA

An MA student who receives in any one semester two grades of B- or lower, or one grade of D (or below), will be placed on probation the following semester. To be restored to good standing, the student will be enrolled in the same amount of courses he or she took during the previous semester, not to exceed 12 credits for a full-time student, and not to exceed 6 credits for a part-time student.

The student may neither receive a grade lower than B- nor take an Incomplete during the probation semester. Failure to meet this standard will constitute grounds for dismissal.

No student will be permitted more than one semester of probation toward the degree, and a student whose grades put him or her on a second probation will be withdrawn from the school.

The student will have the right to appeal in accordance with the Student Disciplinary Procedures, available in the Office of the Registrar.

The permanent transcript of a student will list each semester of academic probation.

Incompletes

A student who, for compelling reasons, finds it necessary to postpone the submission of required coursework may petition for the grade of Incomplete (INC). The student must obtain a Request for Incomplete Form from the Office of the Registrar. This form must contain all information requested, including a description of the work to be completed and the due date, which cannot be later than the date specified in the Academic Calendar. The form must be signed by the student, instructor, and dean or academic advisor. The form must be returned to the Office of the Registrar. The last day to request an Incomplete and submit the form is indicated in the Academic Calendar.

All outstanding coursework must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the date specified in the Academic Calendar. Generally, this date is six weeks from the end of the final examination period.

The Office of the Registrar shall record that work has been submitted and provide a written receipt to the student for the work received. The Office of the Registrar will transmit the completed work to the instructor. No work should be sent or given directly to the instructor by the student. The student is advised to retain a copy of all work submitted to the Office of the Registrar.

The grade of INC shall remain on the student's transcript until a grade has been submitted by the instructor.

If a student fails to submit the outstanding work to the Office of the Registrar by the specified due date, the grade of INC will be converted to the alternate letter grade previously submitted by the instructor. This alternate grade reflects the instructor's assessment of a student's performance, taking into account the fact that work is missing. Students should be aware that the missing work may have been counted as an F (or 0) in the computation of the final grade for the course.

In special circumstances, the dean has the authority to grant an extension for the submission of overdue work as long as it is agreeable to the instructor. This extension must be sent in writing by the dean to the Office of the Registrar.

Students may not request an INC for any course during the semester of their graduation.

Absence from Final Examinations

A student who, because of illness or personal emergency, cannot be present for a scheduled final examination must inform the Office of the Registrar as soon as possible to indicate the reasons for the absence. The Office of the Registrar will inform the instructor and the dean of the student's absence. The student must arrange with the instructor for a makeup examination if the student cannot be present for the regularly scheduled makeup examination day. The instructor will inform the Office of the Registrar of the arrangement and provide the office with the exam so that it can be given to the student.

Students may not request Incompletes in advance for an in-class final examination. The student must take the makeup examination as soon as possible, but no later than the date indicated in the Academic Calendar governing the completion of outstanding work.

Leave of Absence

Students who, for compelling reasons, are unable to take courses or continue with appropriate academic progress in a particular semester may request a leave of absence from the dean and must register for a leave of absence each semester until they resume their studies.

MA students may generally not be granted a leave of absence for more than one semester; doctoral students, for not more than two semesters. During the period of leave, a student may not take an examination, written or oral; be advised by the academic advisor; or submit any part of an essay or dissertation required for the completion of a degree.