A graduate student may be terminated from the Rural Sociology program for violation of academic or professional standards or for violation of University, Graduate School, Departmental, or graduate program policies.
9.1. Annual Review of Student Progress and Performance
The Director of Graduate Studies, on behalf of the Rural Sociology Graduate Committee, will request that students complete activity reports annually. These reports will be used to assess adequate progress, performance of assistantship duties, and involvement in professional activities among all students. Students who do not submit the reports will be ineligible for Department, College, and University awards.
9.2. Termination for Unsatisfactory Academic Performance
Students may be terminated from the program for lack of academic progress, inadequate scholarly performance, or failure of examinations, each outlined below.
9.2.1. Lack of Academic Progress
Lack of academic progress for a graduate student in Rural Sociology is indicated if the student:
- Has not identified an advisor within the first year of the program
- For MS students:
- Has not completed required coursework within 6 semesters of matriculation into the MS program
- Has not successfully passed the thesis defense within 8 semesters of matriculation into the MS program
- For PhD students:
- Has not formed a committee within 4 semesters of matriculation into the PhD program
- Has not completed required coursework within 6 semesters of matriculation into the PhD program
- Has not successfully passed the comprehensive exam within 7 semesters of matriculation into the PhD program
- Has not successfully passed the dissertation defense within 12 semesters of matriculation into the PhD program
Students violating these timelines (and their advisors) will be notified by letter from the Director of Graduate Studies and provided opportunity to present reasonable justification. Determinations of lack of academic progress may result in probation (as long as the student is not in violation of Graduate School timelines) or termination, as determined by the Director of Graduate Studies. Students may appeal the determination, as outlined below.
9.2.2. Inadequate Scholarly Performance:
Inadequate scholarly performance is indicated if a student:
- Has a cumulative grade point average less than 3.0
- Receives any grade of D or F, at any time during their course of study
- Receives deferred or incomplete (NG) grades (even if the work is subsequently completed and a grade is registered) during three or more semesters at any time during their course of study
Students violating these provisions (and their advisors) will be notified by letter from the Director of Graduate Studies. Determinations of inadequate scholarly performance may result in probation or termination, as determined by the Director of Graduate Studies. Students may appeal the determination, as outlined below.
9.2.3. Failure of Examinations:
An overall failure in the thesis, qualifying, comprehensive, or final oral examination will result in termination from the program.
9.2.4. Transition from the MS to the PhD Program
During the second year of their MS programs, students who so choose may apply for admission into the PhD program. Admission into the PhD program, if offered, is contingent on completing the MS program in a timely manner. Students admitted to the PhD program must complete all MS program requirements and graduate within 6 semesters of matriculation into the MS program. Students who do not complete the MS degree within 6 semesters may have their PhD admission offer rescinded.
9.3. Probation and Termination Procedures
Students who exhibit unsatisfactory academic performance through the above criteria will be notified by the Director of Graduate Studies. Students may, at the determination of the Director of Graduate Studies, be placed in probationary status. Students in probationary status are considered not in good academic standing and are consequently not eligible to complete pertinent milestones (e.g., qualifying examination, comprehensive examination, defenses) until they have completed the requirements to be removed from probation. They are also not eligible for financial support from the Department (e.g., assistantships, scholarships, professional development support).
The Director of Graduate Studies, in consultation with the advisor and Department Head, will develop a formal letter including a set of criteria and related timeline that, if satisfied, would allow the student to be removed from probationary status. Failure to meet these requirements by the timelines specified in the letter will result in termination from the program. Students who are being terminated from the program will be notified via formal letter from the Department Head.
Students may enter probationary status for only one semester during the duration of their graduate program. Students who fall into probationary status for a second semester during any point in their graduate program will be terminated from the program.
9.4. Termination Appeals Process
When it is determined that a student is to be terminated, the student will be given written notice by the Department Head. The student will be advised in general terms the reason(s) for termination.
Students wanting to appeal a termination may do so by following the Penn State Graduate School policy related to appeals of termination.
9.5. Violation of Professional Ethics or University Policy
A student may be terminated from the program if they violate University or Graduate School policies related to professional ethics; academic integrity; research misconduct; or discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, and related inappropriate conduct.
Concerns about violations of professional ethics or academic integrity may be brought to the Director of Graduate Studies. They will consult with the Department Head and other relevant university offices, document the complaint, and investigate further to assess the severity and the circumstances of the concern. If the concerns are substantiated, the Director of Graduate Studies, in consultation with the Department Head and the University's Code of Conduct Office, will seek appropriate levels of response, which may include verbal warnings, written warnings, suspension from the program, and, if the violation is egregious, repeated, or affects the safety of other students, termination.
Students who have received or witnessed any types of threatening, biased, or harassing behavior are encouraged to report these directly to the Office of Student Affairs. If you feel like you or someone else is in immediate danger, please contact University Police at 814-863-1111 or call 911.
