Academic Policies

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity lies at the heart of intellectual life. The academic integrity code for American University of Sharjah describes standards for academic conduct, students’ rights and responsibilities as members of an academic community, and procedures for handling allegations of academic dishonesty. As an institution of higher education, American University of Sharjah views academic integrity as an educational and judicial issue. The full text of the AUS Student Academic Integrity Code is found at: www.aus.edu/osa/handbook/

Graduate Probation Policy

Graduate students must maintain a 3.0 (B) grade point average in all course work taken for graduate credit at AUS and must meet any additional academic requirements imposed by their specific graduate program of study. Normally, graduate students who receive an F in a graduate course will not be allowed to continue in the program. If a graduate student’s cumulative GPA is below 3.0, the student is placed on academic probation. During probation status, the following conditions apply:

• A graduate student on probation who is not restored to good academic standing by the end of the regular semester following the term in which the cumulative GPA fell below 3.0 will be dismissed from the university.
  
• A graduate student on probation may not register for more than six credit hours.
  
• A graduate student on probation may not register for thesis or final project credit hours until a cumulative GPA of 3.0 is achieved. 

In the case of ineligibility to continue in the graduate program as a result of academic probation, a graduate student may petition for re-enrollment in the program to the director of the graduate program. Petitions will be reviewed by the director, who will make a written recommendation first to the appropriate dean and then to the Director of Graduate and Undergraduate Programs. The final decision will be made in consultation with the Director of Graduate and Undergraduate Programs.

Academic Petitions, Appeals and Grievances

Graduate students may petition the Director of Graduate and Undergraduate Programs for exceptions to academic policies of the university or in cases of academic grievances. Petitions are received by the Office of Graduate and Undergraduate Programs through the appropriate channels, which include an initial discussion with the involved faculty member. If the issue or grievance is not resolved, the student should contact the graduate program director and then the Director of Graduate and Undergraduate Programs or dean’s designee. Students who wish to petition the Office of Graduate and Undergraduate Programs should first consult with the graduate director of their program of study to determine if a petition is actually required.