- Every graduate student must maintain a
'B' average or 3.00 GPA throughout the MS program curriculum.
Failure to do so will automatically put the student on probation
for the following semester. Once on probation, the student has
one semester (Fall or Spring) to improve their grades, after
which if their GPA is still below 3.00 the student may have
to withdraw from the program. Students who are on probation
and who show dramatic improvement in course grades, may petition
for an extension to the MS Program Advisory Committee.
- Graduate students are allowed only 2 'C'
grades throughout the MS program. Students will be automatically
put on probation upon receipt of their second 'C' grade and
will be withdrawn from the program upon receipt of their third
‘C’ grade.
- In addition, the student will be automatically
put on probation if they receive a grade below a 'C' in any
one course. Individuals who receive a grade below 'C' have one
semester to improve their grades. Students who are on probation
and who show dramatic improvement in course grades may petition
for an extension to the MS Program Advisory Committee.
- Additionally, students receiving a grade
below 'C' in any core course is required to repeat the course
during its next offering. In addition, a student with a D, F,
or I as the most recent grade in a graduate level course for
a degree plan will not be eligible for graduation.
During their first year students will be expected
to meet with all research faculty members in pharmacy administration
and understand their research work. These rotations are to acquaint
the student with the research of each graduate faculty member.
This will help students select a permanent faculty advisor responsible
for overseeing selection of course work, research, and completion
of the project. Although students can work with various professors
to complete their project, only faculty considered as graduate
faculty in pharmacy administration can serve as faculty advisor.
The student is expected to take a proactive
approach to ensure adequate interaction with faculty before selecting
their advisor. Students are advised to select their major advisor
after completion of their first year in the MS program. However,
students may request for additional time to select an advisor
by submitting a written request with adequate justification to
the Director of the MS program.
Following the completion of the first year
in the MS program, the student will be expected to select a permanent
advisor. This must be a mutually agreeable decision between the
student and the advisor, both of whom must sign the Major Advisor
Selection Form (see appendix). This advisor is responsible for
monitoring all aspects of the student's academic and research
progress in the MS program. Students are advised to read the project
committee requirement before selecting their major advisor. Please
see the MS program web site to view which advisors can be selected.
After selection of the permanent advisor,
if the student is unable to work satisfactorily with the advisor,
the student may attempt to find another advisor as long as the
student in not on academic probation. In all instances, the MS
Program Committee will review the written evaluations of the student
by their advisor; review the reports of the student's committee
meetings and attempt to assist the student in either resolving
the problem or identifying another advisor. However, documentation
of repeated notifications to the student to correct deficiencies
in performance without evidence of appropriate action by the student
to correct these deficiencies may result in the student's dismissal
from the graduate program.
The student’s major advisor will monitor the
academic and research progress of the student in the MS program.
The evaluation of a graduate student's research should include
an assessment of the student's ability to read and understand
research articles and evaluate the literature, to design sound
research protocols, to write scientific research articles, to
conduct research without constant faculty supervision, and to
master necessary statistical techniques, etc. This evaluation
is extremely important to ensure that the student and advisor
maintain a clear understanding of what is expected from the student.
Areas of concern or problems must be immediately identified and
the student informed along with a plan to overcome a deficiency
or problem.
In addition, each graduate student must meet
with their advisor and their project committee at least twice
a year, (preferably during September and March) following the
establishment of that committee. If necessary a summary of the
committee's deliberations and recommendations should be prepared
by the student's advisor and presented to the student and to each
of the committee members. A copy of this report should also be
forwarded to the Director of the MS program to be placed in the
student's file.
