Key Policies - Department of Communication and Film

Current students, as well as applicants, should familiarize themselves with the general policies of the Graduate School at the University of Memphis, and with the specific policies that govern graduate study in the Department of Communication of Film. These are outlined in the Graduate Catalog, and encompass everything from graduation requirements to guidelines for the plan of study to credit transfer and necessary dissertation/thesis hours.

Compliance with core University and Departmental policies is presumed, as is a student's satisfactory progress toward degree completion.

Maintaining Satisfactory Progress (MA program)

At the end of every semester the graduate faculty in the Department of Communication evaluates the progress of every MA student in the program. During the review, the graduate faculty also evaluates the performance of GTA/GRA work. For a student to continue in the program, they must maintain satisfactory progress. The student will be judged as NOT making satisfactory progress if:

1. The student’s cumulative GPA drops below 3.0 and remains there for more than one semester or nine credit hours.

2. The student has acquired more incompletes than they can complete during one semester of normal academic work.

3. The student does not pass comprehensive exams, MA thesis or a special project within two (2) semesters of completing coursework.

Should a student fail to maintain satisfactory progress, the Department Chair, in conjunction with the Graduate Director may begin a termination process as outlined in the graduate catalog (Academic Performance Termination and Appeal). Moreover, students found by the Office of Student Conduct to have committed misconduct will be sanctioned by the University in accordance with the policies contained in the “Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities.” In these cases, the Department Chair, in conjunction with the Graduate Director, may also begin a termination process as outlined in the graduate catalog (Academic Performance Termination and Appeal.)

Maintaining Satisfactory Progress (Ph.D. program)

At the end of every semester the graduate faculty in the Department of Communication evaluates the progress of every PhD student in the program. During the review, the graduate faculty also evaluates the performance of GTA/GRA work. For a student to continue in the program, they must maintain satisfactory progress. The student will be judged as NOT making satisfactory progress if:

1. The student’s cumulative GPA (during the student’s initial 36 hours of coursework in the COMM PhD program) drops below 3.0 and remains there for more than one (1) semester or nine (9) credit hours.

2. The student does not pass comprehensive exams within two (2) semesters of completing thirty-six (36) hours of coursework.

3. The student does not defend prospectus successfully within two (2) semesters of passing comprehensive examination.

4. The student has acquired more incompletes than they can complete during one semester of normal academic work.

5. The student’s coursework does not demonstrate promise for independent scholarly work.

Should a student fail to maintain satisfactory progress, the Department Chair, in conjunction with the Graduate Director may begin a termination process as outlined in the graduate catalog (Academic Performance Termination and Appeal). Moreover, students found by the Office of Student Conduct to have committed misconduct will be sanctioned by the University in accordance with the policies contained in the “Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities.” In these cases, the Department Chair, in conjunction with the Graduate Director, may also begin a termination process as outlined in the graduate catalog (Academic Performance Termination and Appeal.)

Maintaining Satisfactory Performance as Graduate Teaching and Research Assistants

To maintain satisfactory performance as Graduate Teaching Assistants in the department those awarded these assistantships must:

1. Attend all mandatory teaching meetings during GA contract dates. If there is an unexpected conflict, the student should discuss this and come to an agreement with the Basic Course Director (BCD) prior to the absence.

2. Report any cancelled classes to BCD and the office staff (for Comm 2381) and the department chair and the office staff for all other courses.

3. Not change venue or format of the course without the approval by BCD (for Comm 2381) or the department chair (for any other courses).

4. Follow uniform syllabi and rubrics for Comm 2381.

5. Not make changes to Comm 2381 major assignments without the approval of BCD.

6. Be available to teach on campus or online as assigned by the department.

To maintain satisfactory progress as Graduate Research Assistants in the department those awarded these assistantships must:

1. Work 10-20 hours a week (depending on the assignment) performing assigned duties.

2. Complete work according to the deadlines set by the supervising faculty.

3. Attend all meetings required by the supervising faculty.

4. Maintain a work log to be regularly shared with the supervising faculty.

5. Be available to work on campus or online as assigned by the department.

Should a GTA/GRA fail to maintain satisfactory performance in their assistantship duties, the Department Chair, in conjunction with the Graduate Director, may decide to terminate the assistantship.