Kelley MBA Student Handbook

Transcription

1 Kelley MBA Student Handbook

2 MBA Program Personnel Bloomington Campus Chairperson...Idalene Kesner Director of MBA Program... Terrill Cosgray Director of Leadership Development Institute...Christine Davis Director of Admissions and Financial Aid... James Holmen Director of Graduate Student Services...Lisa Borrero Director of Information Systems...Kristi Brown Office Manager...Tracy Smith Associate Director of Admissions... Briget Collins Associate Director of Financial Aid...Tim Smith Associate Director, Alumni Relations...Rochelle Reeves Assistant Director of Admissions...Lawrence Mur ray Assistant Director of Graduate Student Services...Amy Maidi Assistant Director of Information Systems... Anne McDaniel Assistant Director of Information Systems...Josh Pugh Coordinator of Admissions... Rachel Lawmaster Records Services Representative...Amanda Bannon Scheduling and Relocation Coordinator...Jeanie Bush Event Coordinator...Jenny Longlais Program Assistant...Kristle Hatfield Table of Contents I. Program Description... 4 First Year Second Year II. Degree Requirements... 5 Catalog Requirements Core Courses Sequencing of Courses Flat Fee Policy Program Major Majors and Minors Academies Transfer of Credits Transfer Procedures Residency Requirement III. MBA Academies...11 Academies Application Process Academy Registration Academy Withdrawal IV. Academic Status...13 Probation Dismissal Academic Review Process Withdrawal 1

3 FN Grade for Non-Attendance Low Grade Incomplete Grade Pass/Fail Option Course Audit Policy Graduation Policy Enrollment Status Student Conduct Policy V. Program Services...18 Academic Counseling Records Maintenance Academic Records Policy Transcripts Grade Reports Major/Minor and Address Updates Updating Your Student Profile Administrative Forms Kelley School of Business Faculty MBA Policy Committee VI. Supporting Infrastructure...24 Graduate and Executive Education Center Building Features and Guidelines for Use Kelley MBA Current Students Web Site Technology Services Graduate Career Services Library Graduate Lounge MBA Mail Files VII. Registration...29 Registration Preparations Registration Procedures Schedule Adjustment Procedures Minimum Class Size Policy VIII. Special Study Programs...34 International Programs International Internship in the U.S. Kelley International Perspectives Washington Campus Program IX. Student Feedback...36 Teaching Evaluations Teaching Concerns Grading Concerns X. Financial Aid...37 Types Application Procedures and General Criteria Award Renewal Policy and Procedures Consortium for Graduate Study in Management 2

4 Program Description The underlying philosophy of the Kelley MBA Program is that MBA students should be knowledgeable across a variety of disciplines. A student s education must encompass basic business disciplines and he/she must have a thorough grounding in the functional areas of management operations. The Kelley MBA Core prepares you to deal with key business decisions as they are presented in the business world. However, the faculty also recognizes that each person is unique and has different ambitions and interests. Although general objectives dominate the program in terms of course-work during the first semester of the program, the remaining three semesters allow you to tailor your own program to satisfy your own diverse professional objectives. First Semester First Year During the first 16 weeks, you will enroll in the Foundations Core (X504) and Leadership, Professional, and Career Development (LPCD) (X505) courses. The Core is ordered around situations and business problems. In the core curriculum, you will learn the intricacies of quantitative methods, marketing, finance, financial accounting, operations, economics, strategy and critical thinking. Importantly, however, you will learn these subjects in the context of real world business situations, not isolated functional fields. LPCD meets most Fridays throughout the semester and is designed to help you develop the professional skills needed for a successful career search and subsequent business career. Delivery of the LPCD course is a joint effort between the MBA Office, Academy Directors, Graduate Career Services, and the Leadership Development Institute. During the eighth week of the semester, the Core will stop to allow students to participate in one Career Track Briefing Session (CTB) and Academy Intensive Week #1 (AIW). You will attend one 2-3 hour CTB session that will expose you to additional areas of expertise beyond your primary focus. You are also able to attend a second CTB session, if desired. Contact the MBA Office for details. AIW activities will immerse you in your primary focus. You will be introduced to the basic concepts and learn about the skills and abilities that are critical to your Academy s area of focus. More information on Academies is discussed in Section VIII. Second Semester First Year Following the Core, you will have the freedom to develop a program of study that closely relates to your career objectives. After the first semester, subsequent semesters are divided into two sevenweek modules. During the first seven weeks of the second semester, you will enroll in one required course that will compliment what you learned in the Foundations Core: Strategic Cost Analysis and Control (A548). You will also have the option of fulfilling the required Information Systems course, which can be fulfilled during this semester or as late as the first seven-weeks of your second year. Your four choices for fulfilling the Information Systems requirement are: Information Systems in Modern Organizations (S509), Business Telecommunications (S515), Managing and Designing Database Systems (S520), and Business Systems Analysis (S529). Depending on when you enroll in the Information Systems requirement, you will also enroll in two or three elective courses of your choosing during this seven-week period. During the second seven weeks, you will enroll in three to four electives of your choosing (depending on when you enroll in the Information Systems requirement). Your selected electives will get you on the fast track for your internship. Once again, during the eighth week of the semester, classes will stop in order for you to participate in Academy Intensive Week #2. During this AIW, you will begin to prepare for your summer internship. 3

5 Second Year The second year is devoted to career path specialization based on your interests and career objectives. The Kelley MBA Program offers a wide range of traditional majors from which to choose. The flexibility of the program gives you the option of completing either a double major or a major and minor. A complete list of majors and minors is presented in Section II. During the first week of the fall semester, you will be immersed in Academy Intensive Week #3 in order to prepare for the beginning of full-time job interviews later in the semester. During the first seven weeks, you will enroll in LDI Assessment Program 1: Assessor Training & Development (Z573). In this course, you will learn the skills necessary to serve as an effective assessor and you will sharpen leadership skills essential to securing a job and succeeding long-term in your career. During the eighth week of the second semester, second year MBAs will participate in the Core Exercise, a capstone case exercise, judged by Kelley faculty and industry executives. This case will allow you to compare your performance against the initial case competition in which you participated during your first year. This comparison will highlight the transformation that has taken place in your business skills and leadership abilities over the two years of the program. Degree Requirements Following is a description of the curriculum of the MBA Program by semester with sequencing requirements. Students must complete the Kelley Core before enrolling in elective and required major/minor courses. This sequencing of courses eliminates gaps in a student s background. Catalog Degree Completion Requirements A student entering the MBA Program within the Kelley School of Business is required to fulfill the degree requirements of the catalog that was in effect when that student entered the program. Should a student wish to switch to the degree requirements as specified in a later version of the catalog, the student may do so by notifying the MBA Office in writing. The student will then be held to all the degree regulations as specified in the later catalog. The academic requirements of two catalogs may not be combined. First Year/First Semester X504 MBA Foundations Core (15 cr.) X505 Leadership, Professional and Career Development (1.5 cr.) X513 Career Track Briefing Session #1 (0 cr.); note: the University charges a $15.00 fee for zerocredit-hour courses, which will be added to your bursar bill for your Career Track Briefing Session during your first semester. X515 Academy Intensive Week #1 (1.5 cr.) Total Semester Hours: 18 First Year/Second Semester* A548 (1.5 cr.) Strategic Cost Analysis and Control (1.5 cr.) X516 Academy Intensive Week #2 (1.5 cr.) Major/Minor/Elective Courses (1.5 cr. To 3 cr. each) Total Semester Hours possible: 13.5 *can take Information Systems requirement (1.5 cr.) during this semester (choice of: S509, S515, S520, or S529) Second Year/First Semester* Z573 LDI Assessment Program 1: Assessor Training & Development (1.5 cr.) X517 Academy Intensive Week #3 (1.5 cr.) 4

6 Major/Minor/Elective Courses (1.5 cr. to 3 cr. each) Total Semester Hours possible: 13.5 *First seven-weeks of this semester is last opportunity to take Information Systems requirement (1.5 cr.) Second Year/Second Semester* X507 Core Exercise (1.5 cr.) Major/Minor/Elective Courses (1.5 cr. to 3 cr. each) Total Semester Hours possible: 16.5 *permitted to take up to five courses each seven-weeks during this semester Sequencing of Courses All students are required to enroll in the Foundations Core and the Leadership, Professional and Career Development course during their first semester in the program. Students may not enroll in courses outside of these two courses during their first 16 weeks in the program without written permission from the Director of Graduate Student Services. Students must complete the Foundations Core prior to taking any major or minor elective course. Flat Fee Policy The MBA flat tuition fee is guaranteed for two consecutive academic years on the Bloomington campus. Virtually all students finish their MBA degree in four sequential semesters (fall, spring, fall, spring). If, for some reason, a student does not complete the MBA degree within the first two years after matriculating, the flat fee is no longer guaranteed. The flat fee does not cover course enrollment through the Evening and On-line Programs on the Indianapolis campus. The flat fee covers up to 18 credit hours per 16-week semester. However, credit hour limitations exist and are discussed in Section VII. Current information concerning fees and fee payment can be found through the Office of the Bursar web site at If a student desires to take graduate level courses outside of the MBA curriculum, the Director of Graduate Student Services must approve the credit hours before the flat fee will cover the fees of the outside class. The Director of Graduate Student Services needs to approve the courses before registration occurs. In general, courses taken for design majors and for certain specialty areas may be covered. Personal fitness courses, voice lessons, and general interest courses are not approved under the flat fee arrangement. Courses taken during the summer are not covered by the flat fee with the exception of the Washington Campus program. Courses taken at another institution also are not covered. Program Major Selecting an MBA Major As can be seen from the MBA core requirements, 39% of your MBA education is devoted to broad-based management curricula. However, each MBA candidate is unique, and brings individual abilities, experiences, and interests to the program. For this reason the remaining 61% (33 hours) of the MBA Program is devoted to Academy enrollment and the completion of a major(s), other areas of concentration and other elective courses. You are required to complete one 15 credit-hour major to fulfill MBA degree requirements. You will select a major (perhaps tentatively) during Orientation. Changes to this major are allowed, however, should your interests change, you must ensure that you will be able to have all major requirements completed in time for graduation. In selecting a major, you should consider an area of interest and how to develop an academic background to prepare for entry level and continuing job responsibilities. Candidates with unique career objectives may wish to pursue an individually designed major. Students are encouraged to attend the Major/Minor Fair during orientation to 5

7 learn more about their opportunities. The flexibility of the program also enables students to enroll in courses outside of the major area after the first semester. Majors and Minors Major/minor requirements and course descriptions, are detailed on the Kelley MBA Current Students website. (Please refer to Section VI.) The information has been created to assist you in the development of a program of study. The suggested curriculum for each career path is intended as a guide in the development of a program that will best suit your interests and needs. The on-line information is not intended to replace or in any way to act as a substitute for academic counseling by a faculty member or staff member in the MBA Office. We encourage you to investigate your opportunities by speaking with faculty members and by participating in the various professional development opportunities. Majors Finance Management Marketing Entrepreneurship and Corporate Innovation Operations and Systems Management Strategic Analysis of Accounting Information Minors Finance Strategic Management Consulting International Business Marketing Entrepreneurship and Corporate Innovation Operations Management Decision Support Modeling Information Systems Strategic Analysis of Accounting Information A major consists of 15 credit hours of course work and a minor consists of 6 credit hours of course work. Three of the 15 credits must be earned through outside courses. See the departments descriptions for more information about the definition of outside courses. Students are required to complete only one major, but have the option to complete a second major or a minor, in addition to their primary major. A maximum of 3 credit hours of course work may be double-counted in order to satisfy the requirements of two majors or the requirements of a major and a minor. Students will not enroll in major and minor course work until after successful completion of the Foundations Core. Design Major The Design major best serves those students whose career objectives do not fit into the normal structure of the existing MBA majors. Like other majors, the Design major requires 15 credit hours of graduate-level coursework on the Bloomington or Indianapolis campus. A maximum of 3 credit hours of course work may be double-counted between the Design major and another major or minor. Prior to declaring a Design major, students must submit a Design Major Petition to the Director of Graduate Student Services for approval. A Design major can be comprised of course work taken within or outside the Kelley MBA Program. For a Design major, a maximum of 12 credit hours of outside course work may be applied toward the MBA degree. 6

8 Design majors that have focused on interdisciplinary areas within the Kelley MBA Program include: General Management, Strategic Human Resources Management, Market Research and Product Distribution, Strategic Finance, Organizational Management and Technology, Legal Management, Organization Effectiveness and Change, Business Strategy and Financial Management, Venture Marketing, International Corporate Strategy, Real Estate New Ventures, and Financial Modeling. Design majors that have focused on areas outside the Kelley MBA Program include: Public Management, Environmental Management, Non-Profit Management, Media Management, Health Care Marketing, Management in Outdoor Education, Intellectual Property Management of an International Business, and Business Development in Transitional Economies. Transfer of Credits Most students in the MBA Program will complete all required courses leading to the degree while in residence on the Bloomington or Indianapolis campus. There are a few situations where the limited transfer of course credit may be applicable. The transfer credit policy is designed to benefit those students who have started their studies at another institution and transfer to the IU MBA Program. These students may apply for transfer of credit under the following guidelines: Transfer credit will be considered for the following MBA course work: Any nonintegrated major course Any nonintegrated minor course Any elective course Transfer credit must have been completed at an accredited (AACSB) graduate school. The graduate class must have been for graduate students only. No undergraduates were to have been enrolled. A grade of B or better must have been achieved. The credit hours will be limited to the credit hours of the equivalent Indiana University MBA course. A maximum of six hours of credit toward the MBA degree in the Kelley School of Business may be transferred from other accredited graduate programs with the approval of the Director of Graduate Student Services only upon entry to the program. You also need to be aware that when transfer credit is awarded, this will limit your ability to take independent study courses. An MBA candidate is normally permitted to take a maximum of six credit hours of independent study. This number would then be reduced by the number of transfer credit hours granted. Previous graduate business courses taken at IU may be counted toward the MBA only with the advance approval of the Director of Graduate Student Services. Students must provide a letter from the graduate advisor in the other school or department certifying that the course(s) did not count toward another degree. The conditions listed above must be fulfilled, and the six-hour rule applies as well. In the case of Indiana University courses, the course grade is computed in the student s MBA Program GPA. Courses taken as a Non-Degree student are not eligible for transfer credit unless approved in writing in advance by the MBA Office. Students who are already enrolled in the MBA Program are eligible for transfer credit only in highly unusual circumstances. Work taken elsewhere, including accredited Indiana University regional campuses, during the summer between semesters of the program does not transfer. 7

9 However, involuntary job transfers near the end of the program constitute an acceptable basis for transfer credit. Application for transfer credit must be made in advance in order for any credit to count toward the Kelley MBA degree. Temporary Transfer Procedures from Bloomington to Indianapolis Evening Program During the second year of the program, Bloomington MBA students may enroll in courses offered on the Indianapolis campus. Classes on the Indianapolis campus are conducted entirely at night. Interested students must contact the Bloomington MBA Records Services Representative and obtain permission to take courses in Indianapolis. This does not affect registration for Bloomington courses. However, students may not enroll in more than fifteen hours of total course work (both campuses combined) during an academic semester and not more than six hours on the transfer campus. The Bloomington flat fee does not cover courses taken through the Indianapolis Evening Program. Once permission to register has been obtained from the Bloomington campus, students should initiate the registration process by contacting the Indianapolis MBA Program Records Coordinator. In order to participate in the Indianapolis registration, students wishing to take a course on the Indianapolis campus during the fall semester should begin the above procedures no later than March 1 st, while those interested in the spring semester should do so no later than October 1st. By meeting these deadlines, students will avoid late registration fees. Please note that permission to register is not a guarantee of space availability and some courses may require authorization to enroll prior to registration. Information regarding Indianapolis course authorization is available in both the Indianapolis and Bloomington MBA Offices. However, it is advisable to contact the Indianapolis MBA Office since it will always have the most current information available. The phone number is (317) Should you have any questions or need any assistance, please call either the Indianapolis or Bloomington MBA Office. Permanent Transfer Procedures from Bloomington to Indianapolis Evening Program Bloomington students wishing to transfer to the part-time Indianapolis program are eligible to apply once the Kelley Core has been completed. The student must not have completed more than 30 credit hours of course work. Students wishing to transfer in August must contact the Bloomington MBA Records Services Representative no later than March 1st. Students wishing to transfer to the Indianapolis program in January must contact the Bloomington MBA Records Services Representative no later than October 1st. On-line Option The On-line Option allows Kelley MBA students to have the best of both worlds: a residential MBA Program experience and the flexibility of an on-line MBA Program. Students pursuing the On-line Option will complete their first year on the Bloomington campus and will enroll in the following: First Semester Foundations Core (15 credit hours) Leadership, Professional, and Career Development (1.5 credit hours) X513 Career Track Briefing #1 (0 credit hours) X515 Academy Intensive Week #1 (1.5 credit hours) 18 total credits 8

10 Second Semester Information Systems requirement (S509, S515, S520, or S529) (1.5 credit hours) A548 Strategic Cost Analysis and Control (1.5 credit hours) X516 Academy Intensive Week #2 (1.5 credit hours) A maximum of six electives (1.5 credit hours each) 13.5 total credits possible Thus, students will complete the first year in Bloomington with up to 31.5 credit hours (depending on the number of electives taken during the second semester). Fifty-four (54) credit hours are needed for graduation. Students will have up to six years in which to complete the remaining credit hours. Students transitioning to the On-line Option will be exempted from the following second year requirements. Please note that although the students are exempted from the courses, they are responsible for making up the associated credit hours through elective enrollment. Students do have the option of participating in these courses in Bloomington, if their schedules permit. X517 Academy Intensive Week #3 (1.5 credit hours) X507 Core Exercise (1.5 credit hours) Course offerings through Kelley Direct are limited, so a full-range of major opportunities and electives are not available. Students transitioning to the On-line Option are only able to pursue a major in Management. Depending on course selection, students may be able to pursue minors in other areas. Students will work with the Bloomington MBA Program Office to develop their program of study for their major. On-line Option students are eligible to enroll in courses offered by the Public MBA, Public MS Finance, Public MS Global Supply Chain Management, and Public Strategic Management programs offered through Kelley Direct. Residency Requirement Of the 54 hours required to complete the MBA Program, at least 48 hours of graduate credit must be obtained in residence. That is, while a student is officially admitted and enrolled as an MBA student through the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. While enrolled in a degree-granting program outside of the Kelley School of Business, any course work taken in the Kelley School of Business prior to enrollment in either the MBA Program or Doctoral Program will be evaluated as transfer credit. This means that in some cases the course work may not be used to meet degree requirements and that none of the hours may be included in the 48 hours in residence needed for graduation. MBA Academies Academies are an integral part of the Kelley MBA. Your Academy provides opportunities to focus on a particular industry or career path. You are led by faculty experts through various advanced, specialized coursework and various other programs, which may include industry-focused experiential exercises, consulting projects, field trips, industry speakers, and direct interaction with senior executives in top firms. The faculty directors of the Academies take an active interest in your achievement of your unique professional goals, serving as mentors and advisors. While the specific 9

11 activities vary from Academy to Academy, the result of the Academies is universal: successful preparation for your job search and career success. The structure is particularly beneficial if you are interested in switching industries or careers, but it is also highly valuable if your goal is to speed your progress in an existing career path. The importance of the Academies is emphasized by the time devoted to them in the curriculum. Several sessions in the LPCD course are set aside for the Academies during your first semester in the program. As discussed above, the eighth week of the fall semester is an intensive, 1.5 credit hour, week-long course dedicated to Academy activities. You will also complete an additional Academy Intensive Week course during the spring semester of your first year as well as the fall semester of your second year. While expectations vary from academy to academy, you should anticipate specific day and evening activities, such as attending company presentations, guest speak lectures, or interview preparations sessions The Kelley MBA Program offers nine Academies in various business sectors. Students may seek membership in the following academies: Business Marketing Consulting Consumer Marketing Corporate Finance Entrepreneurial Management: Venture Development, Corporate Innovation, and Emerging Life Sciences Investment Banking Investment Management Sports and Entertainment Supply Chain and Global Management Additional information concerning each academy is available on the Kelley MBA Current Students web site. Application Process One full day during your orientation is devoted to learning about the Academies and the Majors and Minors. This day offers a series of faculty-led information sessions about each of the Academies as well as the Kelley MBA major and minors. It will be your final opportunity to collect vital information regarding Academy options. You must complete the application process to select and prioritize your top three Academy choices by 1:00 pm. on Friday of the first week of classes. To apply, you will be asked to submit three documents for each of the three Academies you are most interested in joining. Two of the documents are common: a resume and a brief application, including a ranking section in which you will rank three Academies in order of your preference. You are allowed to assign the same rank to two or all three of your Academy preferences (i.e. you are allowed two-way and three-way ties). The third part of the application is an essay section specifically written for the three academies you have selected. The number of essays varies by Academy but the total response is limited to two single-spaced pages. During the second and third weeks of the fall semester, you will also complete a personal interview for each academy. Selection The Academy Directors will meet on the third Friday of the semester to make careful and thoughtful decisions regarding who will be admitted to each of the Academies. Consideration is 10

12 given to students choices but faculty also draw upon their extensive experience within their industries to determine which academy placement will most benefit you and best help you meet your optimal career objectives. While there is no guarantee you will be admitted to your first choice, you will be admitted to one of the three Academies you select. You will receive notification of your Academy admission before the end of the day on the third Friday of the semester. The highest ranked of your other two preferenced Academies on your application will be your Career Track Briefing Session. In the event that you want to attend a different Career Track Briefing Session or a second session, you must submit a request to the Director of Graduate Student Services at least two weeks in advance of the session. Academy Registration Academy membership is finalized with each student s enrollment in the Academy Intensive Week #1 and the appropriate Career Track Briefing Session. The MBA Program Office will administratively enroll students in the appropriate courses during the fall semester. Students will be responsible for registering themselves in subsequent registration periods. Students will be provided with additional information regarding Academy enrollment prior to their registration appointment date. Academy Withdrawal Policy The MBA Program administration recognizes that student s interests and specific career goals may change during their two years in the program. Students that do not wish to continue their Academy membership may withdrawal from their Academy and enroll in another Academy. This is contingent on the student receiving written permission from both Academy Directors. Both Academy Directors should provide their written permission for the drop/add to the Director of Graduate Student Services in the MBA Program Office. Changes to Academy enrollment are subject to all University Drop/Add procedures and fees, which are discussed in Section VII. Academic Status Probation Policy MBA students must maintain a cumulative graduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher to graduate. An MBA student will be placed on probation if (a) he/she is assigned a grade of B- or C+ in the Foundations Core during the first semester or (b) has a cumulative GPA between 2.66 and 2.74 at any point during the two years of the program. Reinstatement To be reinstated to normal status, students on probation are required to attain a cumulative graduate GPA of 2.75 or above by the end of the next semester of full-time enrollment. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program. Automatic Dismissal An MBA student will be dismissed from the program on any one of the following cases: 1. A grade of C or lower in the first semester Foundations Core. 2. A cumulative GPA of 2.65 or below at the end of the first year of the program. 3. Receiving a graduate GPA of 2.25 or below in any single semester with six credit hours or more. Academic Review Process It is the responsibility of each student to monitor his/her individual progress and to maintain a position of good academic standing. A performance review will take place immediately 11

13 following the conclusion of the first semester. Students judged to be at risk must meet with the Academic Performance Review Committee. Students dismissed from the program may petition the Academic Performance Review Committee for reconsideration. Petitions must be in writing and must include a clear explanation for sub-standard performance and a plan for improvement. Please note: the Academic Performance Review Committee typically finds very few acceptable explanations that justify reinstating dismissed students. W Withdrawal There are times when the W is a very useful and appropriate grade. However, MBA students should be cautioned that because of the sequencing requirements of the MBA Program, a W in a course means that it has not been successfully completed and therefore students may not progress to the next semester s courses. Thus, a W in a required course could put the student an entire year behind. A grade of W does not count in the calculation of the student s semester and cumulative GPA. A grade of W is given automatically on the date of withdrawal to students who withdraw on or before university designated dates. A complete listing of the exact dates may be found on the Kelley MBA Current Students web site and the Office of the Registrar web site at Withdrawals processed within the designated period require the approval of the chairperson of the academic department. Students who need to withdraw from a class should begin the process by obtaining a late schedule adjustment form from the Records Services Representative in the MBA Office. Withdrawals that are permitted after the automatic withdrawal deadline require the additional approval of the course instructor. The instructor will need to sign the schedule adjustment form and circle W or F. The instructor must assign a grade of W if the student is passing on the date of withdrawal or F if the student is failing on the date of withdrawal. After the instructor s signature has been obtained, the student may officially drop the course at the Office of the Registrar in Franklin Hall, room 100. Withdrawal from All Classes Students wishing to withdraw from all courses must report to Franklin Hall, room 206 (International students should report to Franklin Hall, room 306). When the student has completed the form from that office, a complete withdrawal will be processed by the Office of the Registrar. Before leaving the MBA Program, students are requested to see the Director of Graduate Student Services in the MBA Office and submit a written statement of withdrawal. If the student has a graduate assistantship, the student should also submit a written statement to the Associate Director of Financial Aid in the MBA Office. FN Grade for Non-Attendance Students who fail to officially withdraw from a course they are no longer attending should be aware of the FN grade policy. The FN grade policy has been developed to bring the university into compliance with the unofficial withdrawal policy of the Higher Education Act as it relates to the federal provision for student financial assistance. According to University Faculty Council policy, students who fail to complete a course due to non-attendance will be assigned a grade of FN. The FN grade is awarded only in those cases where the student fails because they either never attended class or ceased to attend class at some point during the semester, whereas the traditional F grade is awarded to those students who fail due to poor class performance. 12

14 The FN grade policy requires the instructor to provide the last date of documented class attendance when awarding the FN grade. If a student never attended class, the instructor will note that the student never attended. The FN grade will only appear on a student s internal record. The FN grade will appear listed as an F grade on the grade report and on the official transcript and will be treated as an F toward GPA calculation. It is the student s responsibility to verify that their semester enrollment is correct. As some courses are scheduled during both the first seven-week and second seven-week session of a semester, students need to pay close attention to their seven-week enrollment to ensure they are enrolled in the correct seven-week session. Low Grade The credit hours of elective courses where a grade below C- is assigned will not apply toward the credit hours required for graduation. Only elective courses where the student earned a grade of C- or above may be used to meet the credit hour requirements of the MBA degree. Although a course with a grade below C- will not count toward the MBA degree, the course credit hours and grade will factor into the calculation of the student s semester and cumulative GPA. Indiana University policy does not grant graduate students the option of re-taking a course in order to improve their grade. A low grade is permanently posted to the student s official transcript. Incomplete Grade An Incomplete indicates that the work is passing at the end of the semester, but a relatively small part of the course has not been completed. This grade may be awarded only when the student s work is of passing quality and upon proof of personal hardships that render the normal course time requirements unreasonable. In order to give a grade of I, the faculty member assigns the I on the grade roster. A student cannot reenroll in a course in which a grade of I has been received. If an Incomplete is not removed within one calendar year from the date of issue, the Office of the Registrar will change it automatically to an F. If the Incomplete places the student below the credit hours required for graduation or prevents the student from meeting the requirements of their major or minor, then the Incomplete must be removed before the student is eligible to graduate. Pass/Fail Option MBA students in good standing may enroll in graduate course work under a pass/fail option according to the procedures outlined on the Office of the Registrar web site ( and subject to the following provisions: The credit hours will not count toward the credit hours required for graduation. The course work is not needed for completion of the core curriculum or any desired major. A grade of P is not counted in computing the student s GPA for graduation. A grade of F will be counted in the computation of the student s GPA for graduation. The grade of P or F will appear on the student s official transcript. Courses which are graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/F) basis are excluded from this policy. Course Audit Policy The MBA Policy Committee recognizes the definite educational value in allowing people to informally audit 500-level Graduate Business Courses. Such informal audits require permission 13

15 of the instructor and are granted on a space-available basis. However, the ability to permit students to audit on a formal basis is no longer feasible. The Kelley School of Business does not permit official auditing of undergraduate or graduate level courses. The school does allow students to informally attend a course for non-credit, provided that space is available and the instructor has given permission. The student and the instructor will mutually decide the student s level of course participation. Neither the university nor the MBA Office will maintain an official record of the student s course attendance. Students desiring to take a course and have it appear on their transcript, but not count toward their degree, are encouraged to enroll in the course under the Pass/Fail option. Since each academic department determines its own audit policy, students wishing to audit courses outside the Kelley School of Business should contact the specific department prior to registration to inquire if auditing is permissible. Graduation Policy In order to receive a Master of Business Administration Degree from Indiana University, the candidate must: Be formally admitted into the MBA Program. This includes providing an official transcript that indicates completion of an undergraduate degree. This must be provided prior to registration for the 2nd semester of the first year. Complete a minimum of 54 credit hours of course work with a minimum grade point average of Complete at least 48 credit hours as a regularly admitted and enrolled MBA student in residence. Completion of first-semester core all other required courses. Completion of a 15 credit hour major. Complete approved major requirements. Complete all elective courses with a minimum grade of C-. Courses where a grade below C- is received will not apply toward graduation. Complete a Graduation Application and submit it to the MBA Office by October 31 st (for May graduates) or April 30 th (for December graduates). Meet all of the above requirements within 7 calendar years from the time the first MBA course is taken. Note: It is the responsibility of each candidate to monitor individual progress and to meet all requirements for graduation. The MBA Student Handbook and Kelley MBA Current Students web site are provided for students to carefully plan their program of study. Candidate Enrollment Status Full-Time MBA The majority of candidates are full-time students pursuing the MBA degree. This includes all those who are admitted on a regular basis and who maintain full-time enrollment. The University considers full-time enrollment during fall or spring semester to be a minimum of 8 credit hours. During the first semester of the program, however, full-time enrollment will consist of 18 credit hours. During subsequent semesters, students are not allowed to enroll in more than 13.5 credit hours each semester, with the exception of their final semester (spring of second year), in which a maximum of 16.5 credits are allowed. A student can choose to enroll in fewer hours than the maximum, if desired. 14

16 Noncurrent Students Occasionally candidates in good standing may find it necessary to interrupt their studies for a semester or more. In such cases, the candidate is then classified as a noncurrent student. Students should inform the MBA Office of their intent to interrupt the program. This should be done in writing with some indication of plans for later continuation. If and when a candidate decides to return, the student should notify the Records Services Representative at least six weeks in advance of the anticipated enrollment. This will permit the MBA Office and the University to send the candidate the necessary pre-registration information. Inactive Student Status MBA students who have not enrolled in graduate business courses for at least three consecutive semesters (not including summer sessions) are automatically designated as inactive. The student is required to submit a reentry request to reactivate their graduate business student status. There is a seven-year limit from the date of initial enrollment for completion of MBA degree requirements. Student Conduct Policy The Kelley School of Business (Bloomington) MBA program is committed to educating students and to fostering the tradition of professional behavior. All Kelley MBA students pledge to live by this tradition articulated in the Kelley Pledge: As a Kelley student I will act professionally with civility and respect toward others and with honor and integrity in all my work. In support of the goal of professional behavior, the Kelley MBA Code of Conduct aims to achieve the following objectives: Promote ethical conduct personal, professional and academic amongst all Kelley School of Business (Bloomington) MBA program students; Effectively communicate the personal, professional and academic standards to which all Kelley School of Business (Bloomington) MBA program students are held; and Provide the procedures and standards by which Kelley School of Business (Bloomington) MBA students who commit personal, professional or academic misconduct will face consequences of such misconduct. The complete Kelley Code is distributed during MBA Orientation. The complete Code can also be found on-line at: Program Services Academic Counseling The Student Services Staff in the MBA Office, located in room CG2010, is here to provide support and serve as a resource for you. The staff is responsible and involved in many aspects of student life both in and outside of the classroom. You should feel free to meet with members of the staff at any time during your time at Kelley. Two of the largest areas of responsibility of the staff are academic counseling and records maintenance. The Director of Graduate Student Services and Assistant Director of Graduate Student Services serve as the academic advisors for the MBA Program. We are available to meet with you to discuss such areas as: Major and Minor Requirements 15

17 Program Policies and Procedures Degree Requirements Registration Personal Matters Suggestions for improvement are always welcome. We also want to hear of any complaints that you might have so that we might try to be of assistance. Our Assistant Director of Financial Aid is also available to provide information on financial assistance. Records Maintenance The MBA Office is the primary location of records concerning MBA students. Students are responsible for meeting graduation requirements and should periodically check with the Records Services Representative to verify their progress in the program. This is particularly important prior to the last semester in the program. Academic Records Policy In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) and Indiana University policy, the MBA Program adheres to the following tenants governing the protection and release of student information: Release of Student Information There are two types of student information public and private. Public Information is directory information that is considered not to be harmful if disclosed. This includes a student s name, address, phone number, major, dates of attendance, admission or enrollment status, campus, school, degrees, awards, activities, and sports. Public information will be released unless the student files the appropriate form preventing the release of such information. The form is available at the Office of the Registrar in Franklin Hall, room 100. Public information that cannot be withheld includes the following: name, enrollment status, degrees, and dates of attendance. Private Information is information that is considered more sensitive and an invasion of privacy if disclosed. This includes a student s social security number or student identification number, grades, academic standing, hours completed, GPA, current class schedule, parent name and address, and date of birth. In order to protect each individual s rights, a student must give written consent before any private information is released to anyone within the MBA community or outside of the community. There are a few exceptions to FERPA, which permit private information to be released to third parties without the student s consent: The MBA Office may release private information to faculty and staff who have a legitimate educational interest/need to know. Faculty and staff may require the information for the purpose of advising, removal of incomplete or special credit forms. The MBA Office may release private information to parents of students who are claimed as IRS dependents. The MBA Office may release private information in response to a judicial order or subpoena (provided that the student is notified prior to compliance or provided that a reasonable attempt to notify the student has been made). Private information may also 16

18 be released to the IU Police or other law enforcement agencies in the investigation of a specific criminal case. Student Access to Records and Record Maintenance Indiana University will permit a student to view his/her records within 30 days of receiving a written request. Electronic records also are subject to the FERPA. A student is excluded from accessing: records of parents financial status, employment records, and medical/psychological records. Access will not be granted for any item covered by a waiver. For example, a student who has signed a waiver to a letter of reference will not be granted access to that document. Indiana University will permit the student to challenge the record if the student thinks that the record is faulty. Students may request a formal hearing of their case from the IU Dean of Students Office. Individual student files will be maintained in the MBA Office for a period of three (3) years post graduation, at which time, the student s file will be permanently destroyed. Only the student s Graduation Application, along with any documentation that would disclose irregularities in the conferral of their degree, will be permanently maintained. The public posting of grades either by the student s name, student identification number, or social security number is a violation of FERPA. Indiana University faculty follows FERPA guidelines when posting grades. The MBA Office will continue to provide quality service to all constituents. The above tenants will guide office policy and decisions. Students should refer to the Indiana University Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct for additional information concerning the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of Transcripts You may obtain an official copy of your academic record from the Office of the Registrar, or request that a copy is sent to a third party by providing an appropriate signed consent. The current cost of each transcript is $9.00 and will be billed to your bursar account. You may order your transcript either in person, by mail, or by fax. In-Person Request Go to the Office of the Registrar in Franklin Hall, room 100. You will need to complete a Transcript Request form (available in the lobby) and provide a valid picture ID. The Office of the Registrar is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In person requests will be processed immediately. If desired, you must request to have the transcript signed and sealed. Mailed Request Complete the Transcript Request by Mail web form at Print and mail your signed form to the Office of the Registrar along with payment for each transcript. Transcripts are $9.00 each. Under normal circumstances, mail-in requests once received, are processed and mailed on the following business day. If desired, you must request to have the transcript signed and sealed. Faxed Request Complete the Transcript Request by Fax web form at Print and fax the signed form to the Office of the Registrar at (812) along with your MasterCard/Visa account number and expiration date. The fax service is designed for those who need a copy of their transcript 17

19 immediately. You will be charged a minimum of $22.00 for use of this service. Under normal circumstances fax requests received by 12:00 noon will be sent the same day. The Office of the Registrar will fax your transcript to any fax number you specify and by law are required to mail a copy of your official transcript to that location as well. For more information on this service, please call the Transcript Information Line (812) , available Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If desired, you must request to have the transcript signed and sealed. Before you request a copy of your transcript you should keep in mind that final grades are posted approximately 10 days after the last day of the semester and final degrees are posted within 30 days of your actual degree conferral date. To receive a copy of your transcript, all financial obligations to the University must be clear/current. If you have any past balance due with any of these offices, there will be a "hold" on your record and Office of the Registrar will not be able to issue your transcript. If you do not need an official university transcript, you may request the Records Services Representative in the MBA Office to provide you with an unofficial printout of your academic record, at no charge. The MBA Office cannot provide an official copy of your transcript. Grade Reports The Office of the Registrar posts final grades at the end of each academic semester. Grades received for first seven-week classes are included on the final semester grade report. Thus, students first seven-week grades will not be viewable in OneStart until the end of the second seven-week term. Students will need to contact their instructors to be informed of their first seven-week grades prior to their official posting at the conclusion of the semester. Grades can be viewed through SIS Self-Service through OneStart ( The MBA Office will post the date that grades are official and available for viewing. Major/Minor and Address Updates Students should update their major, minor, and address through their Student Profile in the Kelley MBA Current Students web site (detailed instructions about updating your profile are listed in the following section). Updates to your major and minor are immediately forwarded to the MBA Office. The MBA Office is responsible for updating your major and minor information with the Office of the Registrar. From your profile, you will be linked to SIS Self-Service to update directly both your local (Bloomington) and home (permanent) addresses with the university. Your local address should reflect where you reside during the current semester and is used by the MBA Office and other university offices for mailings sent during the semester. Both your local and home addresses can be updated directly through and selecting the Self-Service Tab. Updating Your Student Profile An electronic profile has been created for all incoming MBA students. The profile, visible only to faculty, staff, and other MBA students, contains biographical, employment, and academic information. The instructions for updating your profile are as follows: 1. Point your web browser to: 2. Log in using your IU userid and password 3. Click the People link the top menu 4. Click "Update Your Profile" in the left side menu 5. Fill in the appropriate fields 6. Click the Edit Profile button at the bottom of the page to save your changes 18

20 To search for your name and verify that your profile has been updated: 1. Click Student Profiles in the left menu 2. Find your name in the list and click on it 3. Your profile will pop up in a new window. Review the information and click Close Window 4. If you d like to make additional changes, click Update Profile and follow steps 4-7 above. Administrative Forms For convenience, frequently used administrative forms are available through the Kelley MBA Current Students web site. Web accessible forms include the following: Graduation Application Students planning to graduate in May or August must submit this form no later than October 31 st to verify that all degree requirements will be met. Students planning to graduate in December must submit this form no later than April 30 th to verify that all degree requirements will be met. Students should use the Graduation Application to officially declare their major(s) and/or minor(s), plan their course of study, and check their progression toward the completion of their degree. Variance Form Petition This form is used to petition an academic departmental chairperson to permit a course to be used as a substitute for either a major/minor requirement or elective. Students must provide a rationale for their request and obtain the departmental chairperson s signature before submitting this form to the MBA Office. There is a limit on the number of credit hours allowed for substitution. This limit varies across each department. If the substitution course is a nonbusiness course, the Petition to Substitute Non-Business Course form must be submitted in addition to the Variance Petition. To allow adequate time for course planning, this form should be submitted to the MBA Office prior to enrolling in the course, and submitted absolutely no later than March 23, Petition to Substitute Non-Business Course This form is used to petition the MBA Office to permit a non-business course to count as credit toward the MBA degree. The following criteria must be met in order for a course to be considered: Course must be for graduate students only. It cannot be a mixed graduate/undergraduate enrollment. Course must be business-related and carry graduate credit. Course cannot be used to count toward another degree. Course must be passed with a grade of C or higher. Include either a description or syllabus for the non-business course with the petition before submitting this form to the MBA Office. The petition should be submitted to the Assistant Director of Graduate Student Services prior to the registration period of the semester of study. Design Major Petition Students whose academic and/or career objectives do not fit into the normal structure of the existing MBA majors can choose to design their own major. Students must submit a Design Major Petition to the Director of Graduate Student Services for approval of their design major. The petition requires the student to submit a Design rationale and a list of courses, which will be used to complete the requirements of their Design major. 19