Norm-Referenced Grading System

Grades are assigned based on each student's performance compared to the group's performance on specific evaluations. This system ensures students are not at risk of low grades due to assessment difficulty.

Purpose

To establish grading criteria for core, elective, and thesis courses in the MBA program, ensuring students achieve a minimum cumulative GPA (CGPA) of 3.0 for successful program completion.

Grading Scale

1- Minimum Grade Requirements by Course Type

To successfully complete the 100% online MBA program, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, which is equivalent to a "B" average. As outlined in the university's grading policy, core courses and theses are crucial to passing the program. The following section provides detailed information about the specific grading requirements and policies:

Core Courses:

Students must achieve a minimum grade of B (83%) or higher in each core course. Grades below B- (2.67 GPA) will require the student to retake the course to remain in good academic standing.

Thesis or Capstone Project:

Students must achieve a minimum grade of B (83%) or higher on the final thesis or capstone project. Failure to meet this standard will result in a revision request or retake, subject to program policies.

2- Calculation of Cumulative GPA (CGPA)

The CGPA is the weighted average of grade points earned across all courses, calculated as: CGPA = Total Grade Points Earned / Total Credit Hours Attempted.

Impact on CGPA: A grade of B in core courses and thesis ensures the student maintains a CGPA of at least 3.0.

3- Academic Standing and Remediation

• Good Standing: Students must maintain a CGPA of 3.0 or higher throughout the program.
• Probation: Students whose CGPA falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation and may be given one semester to improve their standing.
• Dismissal: Failure to meet CGPA requirements after probation may result in dismissal from the program.

4- Monitoring and Advising

• Periodic Reviews: Academic advisors will review student GPAs after each term.
• Support Services: Students at risk of falling below the CGPA requirement will be closely monitored by the professor. The professor will provide targeted support to address any underlying issues contributing to the decline in GPA. This support may include additional resources, guidance, and strategies to help the student improve their academic performance and meet the minimum CGPA requirement.

1- Passing Grades and CGPA Calculation:

Students must maintain a CGPA of 3.0 or higher at all times to remain in good academic standing and graduate. While individual grades may vary, students must not accumulate more than one grade below B- (2.67 GPA) across all courses.

2- Impact of a Single Low Grade:

A grade of C- (1.67 GPA) in any course will be accepted only if the CGPA remains 3.0 or higher by compensating with A or A+ grades in other courses. If a student receives a C- in a course, their academic advisor will review their performance to determine if a retake is necessary to avoid CGPA risk.

Retake Policy

If the CGPA falls below 3.0 due to a low grade, the student must retake some the course to improve their standing. Students are allowed up to two retakes during the program, with only the highest grade counting towards the CGPA.

We aim to provide a fair, transparent, and consistent grading structure that aligns with course objectives and academic standards. Below is an overview of our assessment policy designed to evaluate student performance throughout the semester.

Important Notes on Discussions/Projects/Case Studies/Presentations:

• The student must only have one project or case study and one presentation throughout the course reflecting the course's learning outcomes.
• These components should be completed in groups, with each group assigning one team leader who will serve as the main point of contact and communicate with the professor on behalf of their team.
• Students should have the option to attempt these components individually if needed, due to valid reasons such as time zone conflicts or other constraints.
• If a student is unable to present live due to time zone differences, they should be allowed to submit a recorded presentation instead.
• If a student is at risk of failing any assessment, the professor should reach out to offer support and allow the student to adjust and resubmit their project or case study.
• If the professor wishes to include in-class discussions or activities in the assessment, they should be counted as bonus marks only, and kept lightweight and on a limited scale.

Coursework Duration and Submission Policy:

All of the graded assessments for the course are hosted on Windsor University's learning management system, Moodle. Each assignment has its own open and accessible date period. For successful completion of the course, students must complete and submit all assignments by the due date that coincides with the last week of the semester. Late submissions will not be accepted. Extensions for late work must be requested via the Office of Student Affairs. Late work that is approved and accepted may be graded with penalty points, at the discretion of the instructor. The instructor will have three weeks to provide students with feedback and posted grades after each assignment submission unless otherwise stated by the instructor.

Late Submission and Extension Policy:

Submissions after the official deadline will not be accepted unless an extension has been formally approved by the Office of Student Affairs. Windsor University recognizes that students may face exceptional circumstances, such as medical emergencies, family emergencies, or personal hardship, that require deadline extensions. Students must submit a formal request for an extension through the Office of Student Affairs, with supporting documentation where applicable. To maintain academic integrity and ensure fairness to all students, extensions are granted at the university's discretion. Approved extensions will be documented and communicated to the student's records.

End-of-Semester Submission Guidelines:

All written coursework must be submitted no later than the final week of the semester. This means that no assignments will be accepted after the final week of the semester. The final week of the semester is defined as the last seven days of the semester. This policy applies to all courses, regardless of the delivery method. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that all coursework is submitted by the deadline. The university reserves the right to make exceptions to this policy in extenuating circumstances, such as medical emergencies or military deployment. In such cases, students must contact the Office of Student Affairs to request an extension. The university will review the request and make a decision on a case-by-case basis.

Assessment Scheduling:

All the assessments will be distributed at appropriate intervals throughout the semester to ensure ongoing assessment of student progress. The final assessment will be scheduled towards the end of the semester, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of the student's learning.

Important Notes:

Consistency and Fairness: The course's grading structure and assessments are designed to ensure fairness and to align with the learning objectives.

Transparent Evaluation: Students will receive clear guidelines and schedules for each assessment, and will have adequate time to complete coursework and prepare for exams.

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