ZAYED UNIVERSITY GRADUATE PROGRAMS Graduate Student Handbook 2012-2013 1
The Graduate Student Handbook documents Zayed University s academic rules, regulations, procedures, guidelines and other information related to the academic progress of graduate students, as authorized by the Provost and Provost s Council. The Graduate Student Handbook contains information current as of 2 January 2012. The information in the handbook is subject to change at the discretion of Zayed University. 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION... 9 PART 1 GRADUATE STUDIES... 10 MISSION... 10 VISION... 10 CORE VALUES... 10 MESSAGE BY THE DEAN OF GRADUATE STUDIES... 11 OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES... 12 GRADUATE PROGRAMS COMMITTEES... 13 Graduate Programs Standing Committee... 13 Graduate Programs Advisory Committee... 14 UNIVERSITY ACCREDITATION STATUS... 14 GRADUATE PROGRAM APPROVAL STATUS... 15 GRADUATE PROGRAMS... 16 Masters Programs (Currently Offered)... 16 Graduate Certificate Programs (Currently Offered)... 17 Graduate Program Representatives... 18 Masters Program Calendar... 20 Graduate Course and Course Instructor Evaluations... 20 Graduate Program Exit Surveys... 21 Follow Up Surveys and Focus Groups... 21 PART 11 ACADEMIC POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND DEADLINES... 22 ADMISSION... 22 Admission Requirements... 22 3
Prerequisites... 22 Other Admission Requirements... 23 Degree Certificate and Transcript... 23 Essay... 24 Writing Sample... 24 Letters of Recommendation... 24 Interview... 25 International Students... 25 Other Requirements... 26 Admission Policies... 26 Application... 26 Application Process... 27 Admission Offers... 27 Deferment... 28 ENROLMENT AND REGISTRATION... 28 Definition of Student Status (Degree-Seeking Student)... 28 Enrolment... 28 Conditional Enrolment... 28 Provisional Enrolment... 28 Enrolment Holds... 29 Registration... 29 Course Listings... 29 Registration of New Students... 29 Continuous Registration... 30 Course Add or Course Repeat... 30 Student Identification Card... 31 Academic Credit Transfer... 31 Academic Credit Transfer from another University... 31 Academic Credit Transfer to another University... 32 Challenging a Zayed University Graduate Course... 33 Change of Graduate Program Post Admission... 33 Attendance... 36 Class Schedules... 36 Attendance Requirements... 36 Absence from Class... 36 Missing a Class due to Outside Activities/Work Commitments... 36 4
Missing a Class due to Illness... 37 Attendance Suspension... 37 Attendance Dismissal... 37 Program/Course Cancellations... 37 Leave of Absence... 37 Suspension/University Leave of Absence... 38 Leave of Absence Guidelines... 38 Returning from Leave of Absence... 39 University Withdrawal... 39 Voluntary University Withdrawal (Initiated by the Student)... 39 Administrative University Withdrawal (Initiated by the University)... 40 No Show... 40 Academic Dismissal... 40 Unsatisfactory Progress... 40 Reinstatement... 40 CURRICULUM AND GRADUATION... 41 Curriculum... 41 Curricular Requirements... 41 Course Numbering System... 41 Non-Degree Admission... 41 Graduate Course Audit... 42 Orientation Program... 42 Course Delivery Format... 43 Computer Requirements... 43 BlackBoard... 43 Course Textbooks... 44 Assessment... 44 Field Trips... 44 Out of Class Assignments... 44 Tests and Examinations... 44 Review of Final Examination Grade... 45 Request for a Makeup Test or Examination... 45 Grading Policies... 45 Grade Point Average (GPA)... 45 Calculating the Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)... 45 Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)... 46 Grading Systems... 46 Letter Grades and Quality Points... 46 Grades Not Computed in the Grade Point Average (GPA) (0 Value)... 48 5
Grading and Academic Progress... 48 Academic Distinctions... 48 Receiving a D and D+ Grade... 49 Receiving a F Grade... 49 Incomplete Standing... 49 Academic Probation... 49 Academic Dismissal... 50 Reporting of Grades... 50 Grade Changes... 50 Grade Appeals... 50 Course Repeat... 52 Academic Credit Transfer... 52 Official Academic Transcripts... 53 Time Limitations to Degree Completion... 53 Extension of Time beyond Five Years... 53 Graduation... 53 Degree Requirements... 53 Conferral of Degrees... 54 Application to Graduate... 54 Walkthrough of Graduation... 55 Withdrawal of Application for Graduation... 56 FINANCIAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES... 56 Payment of Tuition Fees... 56 Payment Schedule... 58 Course Fees for Conditional Enrolment... 58 Course Fees for Provisional Enrolment... 59 Course Fees for Conditional and Provisional Enrolment... 59 Repeated Course Fees... 59 Scholarships, Graduate Bursaries and other forms of Financial Aid... 59 Academic Merit-Based Scholarships... 59 Other Scholarships... 60 Graduate Bursaries... 60 Outside Sources of Financial Aid... 61 Tuition Fee Reimbursement... 61 Tuition and Fee Adjustments... 61 6
Change in Enrollment Status... 61 Official Withdrawal Tuition and Fee Adjustments... 61 Medical and Non-Medical Leave Tuition and Fee Adjustments... 62 Tuition Fee Refund Policies... 62 Discrepancies in Invoice... 62 Late Payment of Tuition Fees... 62 Tuition Fees and Default Policy... 63 Cohort Cancellation or Deferment... 63 Mandatory Health Insurance... 63 GENERAL REGULATIONS... 63 Student Rights and Responsibilities... 63 Student Rights... 63 Student Responsibilities... 64 Sensitive Materials or Incidents... 64 Library Materials... 64 Ethical Clearance for Research... 65 Classroom Materials or Incidents... 67 Off-Campus Activities... 67 Policies and Procedures... 67 Code of Academic Conduct... 67 Desired Behavior... 68 Prohibited Behavior... 68 Addressing Violations of the Academic Code of Conduct... 71 Discipline... 72 Withdrawal of the Degree... 73 Code of Student Conduct... 73 Expected Behavior: The Student... 73 Prohibited Behavior: The Student... 73 Prohibited Behavior: Student Group or Student... 74 Student Discipline... 75 Disciplinary Sanctions... 75 Student Discipline Process... 75 Appeals Process... 76 Petition for Readmission Following Suspension... 76 Student Complaints... 77 STUDENT RECORDS AND FILES... 77 Definition of Official Student Records... 77 Retention of Student Records... 77 7
Academic Transcripts... 78 Change of Personal Data... 78 Mailing Address, Personal Email Address and Telephone Number... 78 Official Campus Email Address... 79 Name Changes... 79 Certification of Enrollment and Degrees... 79 Confidential Records... 79 Access to Student Records... 80 Right to Explanation... 80 Right to Obtain Photocopies... 80 Disclosure of Confidential Information to Third Parties... 81 PART 111 UNIVERSITY RESOURCES... 81 Career Services... 82 Career Resource Center... 82 Library and Learning Resources... 82 Graduate Students Study/Research Space... 84 Other Support Services... 84 Photocopy Machines and Printers... 84 Book Delivery Service... 84 Learning Enhancement Center... 85 Office of Research... 85 Service Desk... 85 Administrative Support during Workshops... 86 Catering... 86 8
INTRODUCTION Part I of the Graduate Student Handbook contains information related to graduate education at Zayed University, a description of the Office of Graduate Studies, committees, and staff directory. Part II describes the academic, financial and student regulations and procedures. Part III provides an overview of University resources available to graduate students. Although the Office of Graduate Studies has attempted to include most of the regulations governing graduate academic programs, many programs have additional requirements and regulations of their own that could be more stringent than the general requirements in the Graduate Student Handbook. It is the student s responsibility to be aware of, and comply with all regulations procedures, and deadlines mentioned in the Graduate Student Handbook. 9
PART 1 GRADUATE STUDIES MISSION As a federal institution, Zayed University is committed to provide excellence, creativity and leadership in its graduate programs. VISION Zayed University will be the institution of choice for students seeking a quality graduate education that meets the needs of the United Arab Emirates. CORE VALUES Commitment to Academic Excellence Continuing Professional and Career Development Academic and Professional Integrity Innovation and Flexibility Leadership, Teamwork and Collaboration 10
MESSAGE BY THE DEAN OF GRADUATE STUDIES Congratulations on choosing Zayed University for your graduate education. As a national institution, Zayed University stands on its reputation for delivering quality, internationally recognized and accredited graduate programs. As Dean of Graduate Studies, I have responsibility to ensure that the University s masters and graduate certificate programs meet all your expectations. The Graduate Student Handbook is designed to help you get the most from your graduate experience. It presents the necessary rules, regulations and procedures and provides useful reference material to assist you in meeting all the academic and financial responsibilities related to your graduate program. Please take the time to review the handbook and use it as a first reference to guide you through your graduate program. I would like take this opportunity to wish you a successful and fulfilling graduate experience. Dr. Chet Jablonski Professor Dean of Graduate Studies Zayed University 11
OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES The Office of Graduate Studies is an administrative body and source of information for graduate education, i.e. the Office promotes graduate programs of study and manages student recruitment, student admissions, tuition, fees and funding, and graduation. The Office of Graduate Studies: Is committed to the enhancement of the graduate experience and development of all students; and Continually seeks to improve its services to the graduate community to offer exceptional service and high quality graduate student engagement and support before, during and after graduate studies. Students may contact the Office of Graduate Studies for any issues related to graduate student recruitment, admissions, enrolment and course registration, graduation and academic transcripts, tuition fees and other financial requests. Dr. Chet Jablonski Professor and Dean of Graduate Studies Email: chet.jablonski@zu.ac.ae Ms. Maureen Goodwin Manager Graduate Programs Marketing and Development Tel: +971-50-454-1257 Email: maureen.goodwin@zu.ac.ae Mr. Hamza Olabi Graduate Registrar Tel: +971-50-654-3188 Email: hamza.olabi@zu.ac.ae Ms. Abir Jadallah Graduate Assistant Registrar and Budget Specialist Tel: +971-50-900-2161 Email: abir.jadallah@zu.ac.ae Mr. Salah Shembesh Graduate Student Recruitment Specialist 12
Tel: +971-2-599-3605 Email: salah.shembesh@zu.ac.ae Ms. Hala Albaldawi Graduate Facilities Officer Tel: +971-50-557-0678 Email: hala.albaldawi@zu.ac.ae Ms. Kalthoum Al Marzouqi Administrative Assistant Tel: +971-2-599-3562 Email: kalthoum.almarzouqi@zu.ac.ae Ms. Hasnaa Al Korbi Administrative Assistant (Temp) Tel: +971-2-599-3522 Email: hasnaa.alkorbi@zu.ac.ae GRADUATE PROGRAMS COMMITTEES Graduate Programs Standing Committee Colleges determine the membership and selection process for college standing committees. The colleges or units nominate two faculty members, one member from each campus, to the Provost for the Graduate Programs Standing Committee position. Except for designated staff and student positions, nominees are faculty members whose primary responsibilities are teaching, research, and outreach. The Graduate Programs Standing Committee is charged as follows: To review and recommend academic policies and procedures for graduate programs; Upon request, to review academic strategic plans related to graduate programs; To review and make recommendations on proposals for new, revised, and discontinued courses and programs at the graduate level, including o Implementation of and policies for degree programs; o Changes in academic requirements and programs; and, o Proposals for new academic programs. To frame issues and advise on such matters as 13
o o o Expectations of faculty qualifications for teaching in graduate programs; Support services required for graduate programs (Library, IT, Student Affairs, etc.); and, Scholarly and creative activity within graduate programs. Graduate Programs Advisory Committee The purpose of the Graduate Programs Advisory Committee is to provide a pan university platform for discussion of all matters that are important to graduate education and that impact the graduate student experience. The Graduate Advisory Programs Committee meets regularly with the Dean of Graduate Studies to bring forward ideas and concerns relevant to the ZU graduate enterprise. The Graduate Programs Advisory Committee is made up of the Dean of Graduate Studies who acts as Chair, Deans and Directors of units offering graduate programs, Graduate Program Representatives, the Chair of the Standing Committee on Graduate Programs and staff members of the Office of Graduate Studies. From time to time, additional individuals representing graduate students, alumni and the public or private sector may be invited. UNIVERSITY ACCREDITATION STATUS Zayed University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA (267-284-5000). Thus, the University s programs, and graduate degrees, are recognized internationally as coming from a quality-assured university. Furthermore, the College of Business is a candidate for: The U.S.-based Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International); and The Association of MBAs (AMBA) based in the U.K. The College of Communication and Media Sciences endeavors to achieve accredited status with the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC). The College of Education is a candidate for the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). 14
GRADUATE PROGRAM APPROVAL STATUS Graduate programs are approved by the U.A.E. Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. 15
GRADUATE PROGRAMS Masters Programs (Currently Offered) College Program Executive Masters in Health Care Administration (EMHCA) Executive Masters in Public Administration (EMPA) College of Arts and Sciences Master of Arts (M.A.) in Diplomacy and International Affairs Master of Arts (M.A.) in Museum Studies Executive Masters in Business Administration (EMBA) College of Business Master of Science (M.S.) in Finance (Closed Cohort) Master of Science (M.S.) in International Business College of Communication & Media Sciences Master of Arts (M.A.) in Communications (Specialization in Tourism and Cultural Communication) Master of Arts (M.A.) in Communications (Specialization in Strategic Public Relations) Master of Education (M.Ed.) Specialization in Educational Leadership College of Education Master of Education (M.Ed.) Specialization in School Administration Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education Master of Science (M.S.) in Teaching and Learning 16
College of Information Technology Master of Science (M.S.) in Information Technology (Specialization in Cyber Security) Master of Arts (M.A.) in Judiciary Studies (Closed Cohort) Master of Arts (M.A.) in Contemporary Islamic Studies Institute for Islamic World Studies Master of Arts (M.A.) in Endowment (Waqf) Studies Master of Arts (M.A.) in Islamic Economics and Wealth Management Master of Arts (M.A.) in Islamic World Studies Graduate Certificate Programs (Currently Offered) College Program Graduate Certificate in Health Care Administration College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Certificate in Diplomacy and International Affairs Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies College of Business Graduate Certificate in Business Administration 17
College of Communication and Media Sciences Graduate Certificate in Tourism and Cultural Communication Graduate Certificate in Public Relations Graduate Certificate in Advanced Professional Study in School Leadership for Principals College of Education Graduate Certificate in Advanced Professional Study in Teaching and Learning (Primary) College of Information Technology Graduate Certificate in High Technology Crime Investigation Graduate Certificate in Information Security Graduate Program Representatives The Graduate Program Representative provides leadership at the college level and is integral to the success of graduate programs. Graduate Program Representatives, in liaison with College Deans, graduate faculty, and the Office of Graduate Studies, are broadly responsible for maintaining program quality. They assist the College Dean in representing the resource needs of the program, effectively communicate accurate information of program characteristics and requirements, communicate with administration regarding graduate students, facilitate the admission of graduate students, mentor and advise graduate students, and monitor graduate students progress. In communication with the College Dean, the Graduate Program Representative serves as the College representative for all matters relevant to the graduate enterprise. Students may contact the Graduate Program Representative at the respective college for content related issues including course material, grade appeals, and employer letter requests. College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Justin Thomas Assistant Professor (EMHCA ) Tel: +971-50-594-8161 Email: justin.thomas@zu.ac.ae 18
Dr. Simon H. Okoth (EMPA) Assistant Professor Tel: +971-56-656-1059 Email: simon.okoth@zu.ac.ae Dr. Federico Velez Assistant Professor (M.A. in Diplomacy and International Affairs) Tel: +971-50-328-6176 Email: federico.velez@zu.ac.ae Dr. Jane Bristol-Rhys Associate Professor (M.A. in Museum Studies) Tel: +971-50-323-5023 Email: jane.brystol-rhys@zu.ac.ae College of Business Sciences Dr. John Zimmerman (EMBA and M.S. in International Business) Associate Professor Tel: +971-56-698-5224 Email: john.zimmerman@zu.ac.ae Dr. Issam Tiemsami (M.S. in Finance - NBAD) Assistant Professor Tel: +971-2-599-3111 Email: issam.tiemsami@zu.ac.ae College of Communication and Media Sciences Dr. Gaelle Picherit-Duthler Associate Professor Tel: +971-50-682-5854 Email: gaelle.duthler@zu.ac.ae College of Education 19
Dr. Barbara Harold Professor Tel: +971-50-578-1879 Email: barbara.harold@zu.ac.ae College of Information Technology Dr. Andrew Marrington Assistant Professor (Chair of MSIT Graduate Program Comittee) Tel: +971-4-402-1199 Email: andrew.marrington@zu.ac.ae Dr. Ibrahim Baggili Assistant Professor Tel: +971-2-599-3111 Email: ibrahim.baggili@zu.ac.ae Dr. Zakaria Maamar Associate Professor Tel: +971-4-402-1461 Email: zakaria.maarmar@zu.ac.ae Institute for Islamic World Studies Dr. Mohamed Rashwan Assistant Professor Tel: +971-55-667-1148 Email: mohamed.rashwan@zu.ac.ae Masters Program Calendar The master s program calendar for graduate program offerings is maintained by the Office of Graduate Studies and available on the website www.zu.ac.ae/zu_calendar Graduate Course and Course Instructor Evaluations At the end of each course, graduate students are provided with the opportunity to evaluate the course and the course instructor s performance online, providing an opportunity to address current students concerns and suggestions while in the program. Course and course instructor 20
evaluations are mandatory and the student s final course grades will not be released if the evaluations have not been submitted online. Course instructors are not permitted to review evaluations until final course grades and narrative evaluations have been submitted. Graduate Program Exit Surveys This mandatory benchmarking instrument at the end of each student s graduate program provides a clear picture of perceptions of graduating students on a range of attributes including faculty, curriculum, teaching methods and measuring career outcomes. The survey also assesses professional development outcomes, identifies areas for improvement and captures testimonials to promote graduate programs. The Office of Graduate Studies may contact each student individually to request him or her to complete the online program exit survey. The program exit survey may also be completed by personal or telephone interviews with the student. The Dean of Graduate Studies shares the aggregate data with the appropriate College Dean and Graduate Program Representative. Follow Up Surveys and Focus Groups From time to time, the Office of Graduate Studies conducts graduate programs quality assessment exercises to collect student views, ideas, and suggestions on the image, activities, value added features, content and quality of the graduate programs of the University. The objective is to determine the need, extent and content of change, repositioning and restructuring of Zayed University s graduate programs through a series of focus group sessions with past and current students as well as questionnaires and interviews with the University s industry partners. As an important constituent and stakeholder of Zayed University, the Office of Graduate Studies seeks graduate student s co-operation and assistance in providing their valuable views, opinions and suggestions. Aggregate information collected is shared with the appropriate College Dean and Graduate Program Representative. 21
PART 11 ACADEMIC POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND DEADLINES ADMISSION Admission Requirements The Office of Graduate Studies sets minimum admission requirements. Individual programs may require higher academic standards or additional admission criteria. Specific entry requirements for each graduate program are available in the Zayed University Catalog or on the Office of Graduate Studies website at http://www.zu.ac.ae/main/en/colleges/graduate_studies/admissions.aspx Admission to any graduate program is limited and competitive and students meeting minimum academic standards for individual programs may not receive an admission offer. The University reserves the right to rank applicants or categories of applicants in order of merit for the purpose of admission. The Program Admissions Committee makes admission recommendations to the Dean of Graduate Studies based on review of the application and interview performance. Prerequisites A four-year baccalaureate degree with a grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher from an accredited university. Applicants holding a baccalaureate degree not meeting the minimum requirements must include a personal statement justifying why an exception should be made. The justification could include appropriate work experience, references, and certified copies if any other documents, awards or examples of completed works to support the application for admission. Executive Masters degree applicants (EMBA, EMHCA and EMPA) must have at least three years of mid- to upper-level management experience. Executive Masters in Business Administration, Master of Science in Finance and Master of Science in International Business degree applicants are required to have a basic knowledge of accounting, finance, economics and statistics prior to gaining entry into the 22
main masters program. Applicants may therefore be required to successfully complete appropriate pre-program courses at the discretion of the Program Admissions Committee. Students who have completed the equivalent courses at other institutions will be exempted from this requirement. The language of instruction in graduate programs (except the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Islamic Studies programs that are delivered in Arabic and English) is English and student success is therefore closely tied to English proficiency. Applicants to graduate programs offered in English must meet one of the following requirements: o An IELTS score of 5.5 (with minimum sub scores no less than 5.0 in reading and writing) o A TOEFL paper-based score of 550 o A TOEFL computer-based score of 213 o A TOEFL internet-based score of 79 English language proficiency test results are normally considered valid if the tests were taken no more than two years prior to the start date of the Zayed University graduate program. The proficiency exam is likely to be waived for applicants holding a baccalaureate degree from a university in which English is the language of instruction and which is located in a country where the principal language is English. The standard English language proficiency requirements for admission to the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Islamic Studies programs in the Arabic track are waived as an entry requirement, but English language proficiency must be proved as an exit requirement. Graduates in the Arabic track must have at least: o An IELTS score of 5.0 o A TOEFL paper-based score of 500 o A TOEFL computer-based score of 173 o A TOEFL internet-based score of 61 Master of Arts (M.A.) in Islamic Studies degree applicants in the English track must have proficiency in Arabic reading. Other Admission Requirements Degree Certificate and Transcript 23
Applicants are required to submit an official transcript with an English translation (if necessary) from the university granting the degree. Transcripts in Arabic must be translated into English. The transcript should indicate the degree and when it was received. If the transcript does not include this information, an official degree certificate must be submitted. If the degree is awarded by a foreign university, an equivalency letter from the U.A.E. Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research recognizing the degree must be submitted. Essay Applicants, other than Education program applicants, are required to submit a 250-word essay in English (or in Arabic for graduate programs offered in Arabic) stating how the graduate program would support their career goals. Hand written essays will not be accepted. Education program applicants are required to submit two essays in English as part of the application. Limit each essay to two print pages using 12 pt. font. 1. Describe your aptitude and motivation for graduate study in education, including your preparation for this field of study, your academic plans, and your future career goals. 2. Discuss how your personal background informs your decision to pursue the education program of your choice. Please include any educational, familial, cultural, economic or social experiences, challenges, or opportunities relevant to your wish to continue your education. Discuss how you might contribute to improvement of education and how you might serve education with your degree or graduate certificate. Writing Sample In addition to the essay, Master of Arts (M.A.) in Communication and Master of Arts (M.A.) in Diplomacy and International Affairs applicants are required to include a writing sample in English (preferably a technical document such as a report; an academic essay is also acceptable). Limit the writing sample to five print pages using 12 pt. font. Letters of Recommendation 24
Applicants must include two letters of professional or academic recommendation in English (or in Arabic for graduate programs offered in Arabic). One letter should be from the applicant's current line manager/supervisor. An applicant who does not have work experience may provide two academic letters for reference. Interview Download and complete the appropriate Letter of Recommendation form from the website www.zu.ac.ae/gradstudies and return it to Zayed University or alternatively contact the Office of Graduate Studies to request one to be sent. Both letters should be returned in a sealed envelope signed across the flaps to the Graduate Student Recruitment Specialist at Zayed University. A successful interview in English (or in Arabic for graduate programs offered in Arabic) with the Program Admissions Committee is required to confirm interest in the program and academic preparedness. The Program Admissions Committee may also request an English writing sample and/or admissions test as part of the interview process. International candidates may request to be interviewed by videoconference. International Students International students seeking to study at Zayed University must obtain an international student visa. Procedures for sponsorship cannot commence until after the student has accepted an unconditional offer of a place and has paid all fees due as per the Letter of Offer. Students need to allow at least two weeks for processing. Acceptance by Zayed University does not guarantee issue of a student visa by the immigration authorities. Students should apply for an international student visa before the commencement of their studies. Students arriving in the United Arab Emirates on a tourist or any other service visa must exit the country in order to amend the issued visa or entry permit. A UAE international student visa is normally valid for a period of 12 months and it can be renewed on a yearly basis. The student is responsible for the student visa application fees. Student visa applications which are rejected will incur costs associated with the visa application process. The University reserves the right to monitor the academic progress and attendance of all international students. International students are expected to study full time to meet the 25
requirements of their student visa, and any withdrawals from individual courses are monitored. In case of non-attendance and/or failure to satisfy the minimum requirements for academic progress, the University's sponsorship of the student's visa will be terminated. Students who wish to terminate their studies prior to the expiry date of the visa will have their Zayed University sponsored visa cancelled immediately. In these circumstances, students will have to make arrangements to leave the United Arab Emirates or seek other forms of sponsorship. It is the student s responsibility to maintain a valid visa at all times. To apply for an international student visa, a student should submit to the Office of Graduate Studies the following: o A passport copy o Six passport-size photos o A deposit of AED 2,000 Please note that, in addition to an international student visa, international students must also have appropriate and current international medical insurance for the duration of their planned period of study. Also, international students sponsored by Zayed University are not permitted to work while studying. For more information on an international student visa and/or advice on rights to employment in the United Arab Emirates while studying, please contact the Office of Graduate Studies at +971-2-599-3605. Other Requirements A completed application form A current resume A passport copy Two passport-size photos Admission Policies Application Admission to graduate programs is open to males and females of all nationalities. An important factor in the success of the graduate programs is the quality of the participants. We seek highly motivated individuals who can make a strong personal commitment to the time requirements of the program. Graduate programs are delivered on a cohort basis to maximize 26
the ability of students to learn from each other. The size of each entering cohort class is normally limited to 30 highly qualified and committed participants. The application is the candidate's introduction to the Program Admissions Committee. All materials should be submitted in English as error free print using 12 pt. font. A carefully assembled and professional set of application materials will strengthen the case for admission to the program. Application Process Students may apply to study at any time throughout the year. However, early application will facilitate interview scheduling and allow the Office of Graduate Studies to process applications more effectively. Download and complete the appropriate Application for Graduate Program Admission form from the website www.zu.ac.ae/gradstudies and return it to Zayed University or alternatively contact the Office of Graduate Studies to request one to be sent. Applications will not be processed unless they are accompanied by all relevant documentation and the non-refundable application fee of AED 400. Certified photocopies of original documents are preferred to originals. Documents may be mailed to: Office of Graduate Studies Zayed University P.O. Box 144534 Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. Tel: +971-2-599-3605 Fax: +971-2-446-5457 Admission Offers Students who are recommended for admission by the Program Admissions Committee and approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies will receive a formal letter of offer. Admission offers may be withdrawn if it is determined that such offers were made on the basis of incomplete or inaccurate information supplied by the applicant of a certifying authority, or where an applicant is excluded from any tertiary institution or tertiary program, and has not so advised the University, at any time up to the commencement of the teaching in the program to which admission is sought. 27
Deferment On recommendation of the Program Admissions Committee, Zayed University will permit deferment of an offered place for up to one (1) year. ENROLMENT AND REGISTRATION Definition of Student Status (Degree-Seeking Student) A graduate student is considered a full-time student at Zayed University if enrolled in a master s degree program during a 24-month period or a graduate certificate program during a 9-month period. Students will be considered full time if they are continuously enrolled for at least two consecutive courses. Enrolment Students are eligible to enroll for any regularly scheduled Zayed University graduate programs, provided they have a valid admissions offer, meet all academic and language prerequisites, the program is offered during the particular academic year and space is available. Final approval by the Dean of Graduate Studies is necessary to enroll students in a graduate program. The deadline for registration in a graduate program and payment of the non-refundable registration fee is five (5) working days before the commencement of a program. (See Payment of Tuition Fees) Conditional Enrolment Students may be admitted on a conditional basis on recommendation of the Program Admissions Committee if, for example, an official admission application document is missing. Admission is granted when the stated condition is satisfied, normally prior to enrollment. Provisional Enrolment The Dean of Graduate Studies may approve applicants whose records, inclusive of academic preparation, are considered deficient to register for individual courses as provisional students. Provisional students must obtain an average of a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in the first three courses (9 credits hours) in order to enroll in the graduate program. After completion of 28
the three courses (9 credit hours), students must either satisfy regular admission standards or be denied further registration in the graduate program. Conditional and Provisional Enrolment Applicants not meeting the English proficiency and baccalaureate GPA requirements will be permitted to only register for the first (1) course in a program. Conditional and provisional students will be fully admitted to the program once they submit the English language test result (IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 550) and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 upon the completion of the first (1) course. After completion of the first (1) course, students must either satisfy regular admission standards or be denied further registration. Enrolment Holds Holds are placed by the Office of Graduate Studies on a student's record when an action by the student is required before the student can register. Typical holds include an outstanding invoice, missing admissions materials, or overdue documentation of a milestone (such as passing a prerequisite course). It is necessary to resolve the problem and have the hold removed as quickly as possible as students are not able to register for additional courses until it is removed. Students should contact the Office of Graduate Studies to determine the reason for the hold and to get it removed. Registration Course Listings A schedule of course offerings is available from the Graduate Programs Representatives, Office of Graduate Studies, or can be viewed on the website www.zu.ac.ae/gradstudies. The Zayed University Catalog is available online at www.zu.ac.ae/gradstudies, and from the Office of Graduate Studies. It includes information on graduate policies and regulations as well as course descriptions and degree program curricula. The Graduate Program Representatives and staff members of the Office of Graduate Studies are also available for course advice. Registration of New Students Students enrolled for course/research/internship credits, which are candidates for a master s degree or graduate certificate and are in good academic standing, will be registered by the Office of Graduate Studies for each course until the master s degree or graduate certificate has 29
been formally awarded. Registration is required because a student s name must appear on the official course roster by the end of the add/repeat and/or drop period in order to be eligible to receive credit for the course. Continuous Registration Currently enrolled students who are in good academic standing will also be pre-registered by the Office of Graduate Studies for the subsequent courses in the program. Course Add or Course Repeat Students are required to register for the course(s) that they intend to add or repeat. Once the course add or repeat request has been approved by the Graduate Program Representative, a student should submit the completed Graduate Course Add or Repeat Request form to the Office of Graduate Studies one (1) week before the commencement of the course. Requests for adding or repeating a course will be considered only if there is a vacant seat in the course. The Office of Graduate Studies will notify students of the results of their registration requests by email. Students must pay a per course fee to add or repeat a course, as determined by the Office of Graduate Studies, prior to course commencement. (See Payment of Tuition Fees and Repeated Course Fees) Students may repeat any graduate course taken at the University as long as it is still offered. Students may repeat any courses completed to increase their grade point average (GPA). A course may be repeated several times. The best grade received for the course is used to compute a student s grade point average. Credit hours earned in a repeated course(s) may be counted toward graduation only once. The course is identified as a repeated course on a student s academic record. Course Drop A course may be dropped within the first week (seven calendar days) from the commencement of the course without any indication on the transcript. A grade of Withdrawal (W) will be recorded on the transcript for courses dropped after the deadline. Students should submit the completed Variation to Graduate Enrolment (Course Drop Request) request form to the Graduate Registrar. Any amount paid for the dropped course before the deadline will be refunded or credited in the student s account as determined by the Office of Graduate Studies. Students opting to repeat a course after the deadline will be responsible for an additional fee. (See Course Repeat and Repeated Course Fees). 30
Refund of residual fees for students electing to or required to withdraw will be determined by the number of courses attended. (See Tuition Fee Refund Policies) Student Identification Card Upon registering, a student identification card is issued by the Office of Graduate Studies. This card is the property of Zayed University and must be returned if the student withdraws from classes, suspends registration, is dismissed, or graduates. The student is expressly prohibited from using any other student s identification card for any purpose. Failure to comply with this policy will result in student disciplinary action. Students require a student identification card to borrow library books and may be requested to present this card before the commencement of examinations. Academic Credit Transfer Academic Credit Transfer from another University Zayed University may provide academic credit for previous graduate studies provided: The graduate courses have been successfully completed at a recognized tertiary institution; The graduate courses have not been applied to a previously awarded degree: The graduate courses meet the requirements of the Zayed University master s degree or graduate certificate; and A positive recommendation is received from the Graduate Program Representative and approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies. Students who wish to transfer graduate course credits from recognized institutions will undergo an evaluation by the College responsible for the program that will recommend courses for transfer to the Dean of Graduate Studies for approval. Students should submit the following documents to the Graduate Program Representative in order to have their academic credit application assessed: A certified copy of the academic transcript, including the final results for all the relevant courses; and A full course outline for each of the relevant courses completed. In addition, the following guidelines apply: 31
Grades do not transfer from other institutions; only credit hours. Normally, only courses in which the student received grades of "B" (GPA 3.0) or higher will be considered for transfer; normally, a maximum of 25% of the total number of required program courses can be transferred for any given student. Transfer of research/internship credit, or of credit for any masters project from another academic program, is permitted if the Graduate Program Representative agrees the research/internship/project complies with the general standards of the graduate program the student intend to register for. Graduate level courses or research/internship credit, or of credit for any masters project to be transferred must have been completed no more than (3) three years prior to the student's acceptance into a graduate program and may not have been used previously in any graduate program to fulfill the requirements for any other masters degree or graduate certificate program. An Application for Graduate Course Credit Transfer Request form signed by the Graduate Program Representative must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies at the time of admission to the program or before the commencement of the second course of the program. Students successfully transferring courses from another institution to a Zayed University graduate program are subject to seat availability and the standard program tuition fee. Students should consult the relevant Graduate Program Representative or the class schedules at www.zu.ac.ae/zu_calendar for the recommended order in which to take courses as well as course delivery dates. Transfer credit is designated on the academic transcript with the grade of TC. Students seeking academic credit for previous graduate studies are advised to contact the Office of Graduate Studies for further information and advice on whether they qualify for academic credit towards a Zayed University graduate program. Academic Credit Transfer to another University 32
A course taken while enrolled in a master s degree or graduate certificate program but not applied toward a Zayed University graduate program may be transferrable. The Office of Graduate Studies can, if necessary, certify that a course was not applied to any master s degree or graduate certificate program requirement at Zayed University and was eligible for graduate credit when appropriate. Students seeking to transfer must apply directly to the institution they wish to enter. Students must apply to transfer within three (3) years of the date of their last registration at Zayed University. Upon acceptance at another university, students must formally withdraw from Zayed University. Challenging a Zayed University Graduate Course Students admitted to a Zayed University graduate program may have the opportunity to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the general course matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or skills that would normally be found in a university graduate level course. The following guidelines apply for challenging a Zayed University graduate course: Normally, only courses in which the student received grades of B (GPA 3.0) or higher will be considered for challenge; normally, a maximum of 25 % of the total number of required program courses can be challenged for any given student. Students may challenge, or request an examination in any Zayed University graduate course that the course instructor, responsible for the delivery of the course in question, has deemed appropriate for challenge and for which the students have not already received credit. Courses are available for challenge unless they are granted non-challenge status. Not all courses consist of materials in which comprehension can be evaluated by means of examination. The option of whether or not to grant the request rests with the course instructor of the course in question and may be further limited by policies set by the college in which the course is offered. Credits earned by challenging Zayed University graduate courses by examination apply to degree requirements as though the courses had been completed in the normal manner, except that since a grade of CR is awarded, such courses are not included in the Zayed University grade point average. Students may challenge the same Zayed University graduate course only once. To challenge a graduate course, a student must enroll in the course and request the challenge examination from the course instructor. A Challenge Examination Request form approved by the course instructor, Graduate Program Representative and Dean of Graduate Studies, must be filed with the Office of Graduate Studies. The test, approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies, 33
must be administrated before the end of the course in question. Students may not withdraw from a challenge of a graduate course examination, once approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies. The course instructor will provide students with a course syllabus for the challenged course. In addition, students registering for challenge for credit will have access to Zayed University learning resource materials, limited to textbooks and readings at full cost. However, challenge students will receive no tutor or course instructor support. The regular program tuition fee must be paid before the challenging course examination. (See Challenging Course Fees) Prior to making a course available for challenge, the course instructor is responsible for determining the appropriate method of evaluation. In undertaking the challenging, students will be judged against the explicit course matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skill objectives which have been established. Challenging graduate course examinations may be comprised of any one or combination of the following: A completion of assignments, projects, reports, etc. A written examination; A oral or practical assessment; and/or Any other means considered appropriate by the course instructor and approved by the Graduate Program Representative. If the student s performance on the examination is at the grade level of B or a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher, a grade of C is submitted at the end of the delivery of the course in question by the course instructor for the course. Unsuccessful attempts to earn credit by challenge examination do not become part of the student s official record. Students who fail the challenging examination will be assigned a Failing (F) grade and must either drop the course by submitting the Variation to Enrolment (Course Drop Request) form to the Office of Graduate Studies, or complete the course on a regular basis. If a student elects to complete the course, the student must submit the Graduate Course Add and Repeat request form to the Office of Graduate Studies. Students must pay a per course fee, as determined by the Office of Graduate Studies, prior to course commencement. (See Payment of Tuition Fees and Repeated Course Fees) Information on challenging graduate courses at Zayed University is available from the course instructor and Graduate Program Representative who will describe the various tests that may be accepted for credit at the University, the types of tests available, when and where they are given, procedures for having test scores submitted for consideration for credit, the amount of credit that may be earned, and how to obtain additional information on each test. 34
All appeals to the challenging a Zayed University graduate course policy must be made in accordance with the appeal procedures and its associated procedures. (See Grade Appeals) Change of Graduate Program Post Admission Students admitted to a graduate program who wish to change to a new graduate program must meet with the Graduate Program Representative at the time of admission to the new program to review their graduate program plans and for approvals. Once their change of graduate program requests have been approved by the Graduate Program Representative, the form will be forwarded to the Office of Graduate Studies to check their eligibility for transfer to the new graduate program they have applied for. Such requests will be considered along with all other current applications to that graduate program following the normal admission criteria. The change of a graduate program post admission requires the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies. Transfer of course credits requires recommendation of the Graduate Program Representative and approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies. (See Academic Credit Transfer) The Office of Graduate Studies will notify students of the results of their requests by email within five (5) working days from the date of submission. Articulation from a Graduate Certificate to a Master s Degree Courses successfully completed no more than 3 (three) years prior to the student s acceptance into a graduate program, with a "B" or grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher grade may be transferable into the affiliated Zayed University master s degree program. However, admission into the graduate certificate program does not guarantee admission into the affiliated master s degree program. Students eligibility for admission will be assessed once they have submitted the completed Articulation from a Graduate Certificate to a Master s Degree Program Request form to the Office of Graduate Studies. Transfer of graduate certificate course credits requires the recommendation of the Graduate Program Representative and approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies. The articulation may be evaluated in competition with those of other current applicants and is subject to availability in class. No tuition fee is assessed upon submitting the Articulation from a Graduate Certificate to a Master s Degree Program Request form. Normally, the graduate certificate program tuition fees are transferrable to the affiliated master s degree tuition fees. 35
The Office of Graduate Studies will notify students of the results of their requests by email within five (5) working days from the date of submission. Attendance Class Schedules Class schedules are posted on BlackBoard by the course instructor prior to the commencement of graduate programs. Class schedules vary; it is the student s responsibility to ascertain what each course instructor requires. Students should not make conflicting commitments until the class schedules for the graduate program are final. Schedule changes to accommodate absences such as family holidays and work trips, etc. are difficult and are therefore not normally possible. Students may access class schedules at www.zu.ac.ae/zu_calendar Attendance Requirements Class attendance is limited to students who are registered officially in the course. Zayed University expects students to meet attendance requirements in all courses to qualify for credit. Absence from Class Students enrolled in a course are expected to attend each class meeting, to arrive on time, to remain for the entire period, and to participate actively in all assigned learning activities. Course requirements such as examinations, oral presentations, participation in discussion, or the like will not be waived because of absence from class. Whatever the reason for absences, students are always responsible for the material covered in the lectures they have missed. Failure to attend will normally result in course deregistration. Course instructors may establish penalties for an absence, arriving late to class, or leaving class early. Failure to meet attendance requirements may force a student to drop the course and subsequently receive a Failing (F) grade for excessive absences, as recommended by the course instructor with the approval of the Graduate Program Representative. The Office of Graduate Studies will notify students dropped from courses in writing within 5 (five) working days after notification of excessive absence is received. Re-registration in the next offering of the course is not automatic and may be evaluated in competition with those of other current applicants. Missing a Class due to Outside Activities/Work Commitments 36
A student who is absent from class meetings due to outside activities/work commitments must inform the course instructor and Graduate Program Representative by letter or email. The student is required to provide the course instructor and Graduate Program Representative with supporting documents for missing a class due to outside activities and/or work commitments. Missing a Class due to Illness A student who is absent from class meetings due to illness must inform the course instructor and Graduate Program Representative by letter or email. A student is required to provide the course instructor and Graduate Program Representative with a medical certificate for each absence because of illness. In the very rare instances that attendance is impossible; approval to miss a workshop day must be confirmed in writing by the Graduate Program Representative. In such instances a make-up workshop will not normally be available and the student remains responsible for the entire course syllabus. Attendance Suspension A student who is deemed to have been excessively absent in a course will be suspended from the course and will receive a Failing (F) grade. Attendance Dismissal The student whose registration is suspended for two courses because of attendance will be dismissed from the graduate program. Program/Course Cancellations Zayed University reserves the right to alter, add, defer or cancel a graduate program cohort or course offerings in the event that an insufficient number of students are enrolled, or due to unforeseen circumstances without further general notice. However, the Office of Graduate Studies will make every effort to inform faculty and students of the cancellation of a course as early as possible. Leave of Absence 37
Zayed University recognizes that circumstances may arise where continuous registration may not be possible. In such circumstances, a student may request a leave of absence for up to one year. Students on an approved leave of absence retain their admitted student status; however, they do not pay tuition fees, are not registered and therefore do not have the rights and privileges of registered students. Suspension/University Leave of Absence A student who is required to be absent from the University for an extended period of time for medical or other reasons must complete and forward the Application for Leave of Absence Request form to the Office of Graduate Studies. Leave of Absence Guidelines Students who wish to take a leave of absence without any indication on their transcripts are encouraged to apply for the leave by filing the proper petition with the Office of Graduate Studies within the first week (seven calendar days) from the commencement of the course during which they plan to take the leave. The usual limit for a leave of absence is up to one (1) year. A leave of absence, if approved, will take into account the following conditions: o o o o o Students must be currently enrolled in a graduate program. An extension of leave, for a maximum of one (1) year, is approved only in exceptional circumstances. Extension requests must be made before the expiration of the original leave of absence. Leave of absences for graduate students may not exceed a cumulative total of two (2) years. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with the Graduate Registrar to discuss their academic and financial standings before going on leave. Students who do not return at the end of the leave will be suspended from the program and must submit a petition for subsequent readmission to the program. Readmission in not automatic and reapplication may be evaluated in competition with those of other current applicants. The student s remaining tuition fee obligation will be determined at the time of readmission. 38
o o o o o If a student does not return at the end of the approved absence of leave or does not have an approved extension of leave absence, the student is eligible for dismissal and must submit a petition for subsequent readmission to the program to the Office of Graduate Studies. A student who receives a medical withdrawal may be required to receive medical clearance before being readmitted to the University. An approved leave of absence does not extend the amount of time allowed for degree completion or the makeup of incomplete grades. Requests to complete the graduate program course(s) at another institution while on leave must be approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies. Students in good academic standing who did receive approval for a leave of absence or a withdrawal request from the Dean of Graduate Studies may apply to have their academic transcripts evaluated for the purpose of receiving transfer credits from another institution. (See Academic Transfer from Another University) Students who completed the graduate program course(s) at another institution while on academic probation or suspension and/or under a requirement to withdraw from Zayed University will not receive transfer credit(s) for the graduate course(s). Returning from Leave of Absence Students returning within the time period indicated on an approved leave of absence form must submit the Return to Graduate Studies Request form one (1) month prior to the start of the course they intend to attend to the Office of Graduate Studies. The Office of Graduate Studies will preregister students for courses upon their return from a leave of absence. Readmission is not automatic; the former student must have left the University in good academic standing (GPA 3.0 or higher) and reapplication may be evaluated in competition with those of other current applicants. University Withdrawal Voluntary University Withdrawal (Initiated by the Student) Withdrawal from the University is not equivalent to a formal leave of absence. Graduate students voluntarily withdrawing from the University for any reason must submit a completed Request for Program Withdrawal from Zayed University form to the Office of Graduate Studies indicating the reasons for withdrawal. The Graduate Program Representative must endorse the 39
request and attest to the student's current academic standing. Submitting this form will assist the Office of Graduate Studies in closing academic and financial accounts and determining tuition refunds, if appropriate. Medical Withdrawal (Initiated by the Student) A medical withdrawal is for a student who plans permanent departure from the University due to a major medical condition. The procedure for withdrawal is the same as for university leave of absence. Administrative University Withdrawal (Initiated by the University) Students may be administratively withdrawn from the University, after due notice, for failure to comply with financial obligations, disciplinary, or academic reasons, or in response to extraordinary personal circumstances. No Show Students who are admitted to a graduate program but do not register or attend class, and fail to provide a satisfactory rationale, will be withdrawn from the University on the start date of the first course of the graduate program. The Office of Graduate Studies will notify students by email. Academic Dismissal Students receiving a third C grade (with or without a plus or minus sign), while their cumulative grade point average (GPA) is below 3.0, or a Failing (F) grade are eligible for academic dismissal from the program for failure to make satisfactory academic progress. Unsatisfactory Progress Graduate students who are not making satisfactory or reasonable progress toward the completion of their graduate programs are subject to termination. Upon the recommendation of the Graduate Program Representative and the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies, students will be notified of any formal termination by the Graduate Registrar. Reinstatement 40
Students returning to Zayed University must submit the Return to Graduate Studies Request form to the Office of Graduate Studies. It should be submitted no later than one month prior to the start of the course they intend to attend. The Office of Graduate Studies will preregister students for courses the students intend to attend. An application for readmission must be filed within two years of the student s last enrollment at Zayed University. Students who are withdrawn and are applying for commencement may be reentered pending the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies. Readmission is not automatic; the former student must have left the University in good academic standing (GPA 3.0 or higher) and reapplication may be evaluated in competition with those of other current applicants. CURRICULUM AND GRADUATION Curriculum Curricular Requirements The minimum curricular requirements and academic standards of graduate courses are given by the syllabus that will be posted on BlackBoard by the course instructor prior to the commencement of each course. Students are expected to carefully study the curricular requirements of their graduate programs. They are encouraged to seek guidance from the course instructor to ensure that all program prerequisites and requirements are being met. Electives are offered for some graduate programs and students should plan ahead to include those in their schedules. Students should also meet with the appropriate Graduate Program Representative before they finalize their selection of concentration areas. Course Numbering System All course work applied toward the masters degree and graduate certificate must be earned in courses designed for graduate students (numbered 500 and above). Non-Degree Admission Non-degree admission may be used to permit registration of qualified applicants in Zayed University graduate courses, for example applicants who do not wish to pursue a degree or who 41
are completing conditions prior to program admission. Admission to a non-degree student is on the recommendation of the Graduate Program Representative and requires the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies. The minimum program academic admission requirements must be met prior to admission to non-degree status. Admission to non-degree status does not constitute admission to a degree program. A maximum of 15 credit hours of course work may be accumulated in graduate non-degree status. Students registered with non-degree status must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 to continue enrollment. Transcripts will be provided, however no academic credits will be awarded for courses taken in non-degree status. A maximum of 15 graduate credit hours taken in non-degree status may be applied toward a Zayed University graduate degree, if recommended by the Graduate Program Representative and approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies. Students admitted as non-degree status must pay a per course tuition fee, as determined by the Office of Graduate Studies, prior to course registration. Graduate Course Audit A registered student in good academic standing may petition to audit any class; however, such a course cannot be used to complete any master s degree or graduate certificate requirement. Requests for course audit require recommendation of the Graduate Program Representative and the Dean of Graduate Studies and will be considered only if there is a vacant seat in the course after the registration deadline and if the course instructor agrees. Students attending with audit status will normally not receive course instructor feedback, graded assignments or exams. The deadline for registering as an auditor is one week before the commencement of a course. Satisfactory completion will be indicated in a transcript by an Audit (AU) grade. No credits for audited courses will be awarded. Students auditing a course must pay a per course tuition fee, as determined by the Office of Graduate Studies, prior to course registration. Orientation Program At the beginning of the graduate program, students take an intensive one-day orientation seminar. The orientation offers a number of workshops to introduce students to the program, BlackBoard (virtual classroom software), case study and analysis, library resources, and the writing of reports and reference citations. Attendance of the orientation program is compulsory. 42
Course Delivery Format The format for delivering graduate programs is designed to minimize time away from work and family while maximizing interaction with fellow students and faculty. See the master s program calendar for graduate program offerings on the website www.zu.ac.ae/zu_calendar Some of the graduate programs such as the Master of Arts, Master of Education and Master of Science programs are delivered face-to-face on campus. For some of the graduate programs, faculty members utilize a mix of in-classroom and distance learning instruction that demonstrates the flexibility needed to accommodate experienced working graduates. Additional off-site lectures are provided on CDs. BlackBoard customized courseware, with e-mail and course management features, is used to deliver the off-site computer-based portion of the curriculum. Portions of some courses involve videoconferencing. Students and faculty interact frequently to exchange e-mail, transfer files, submit papers, and access course materials in the form of PowerPoint slides during courses. If students are unsure what their Microsoft Office Outlook login and password are, they should refer to the document on Zayed University Resources, p. 24 (PWG35), or contact the Graduate Facilities Officer, Hala Albaldawi by email at hala.albaldawi@zu.ac.ae or by mobile phone at 050-557-0678. Computer Requirements Students must have their own laptop computer no more than three years old with the following minimum specifications: Intel Dual Core (2.40GHz,3MB) processor, 512MB RAM graphics memory, 250GB hard disk drive, 4096 MB RAM memory, 8X DVD+/-RW Drive, 56.6K V.92 modem, built-in Wireless 6200 (802.11 a/g/draft-n 2x2) card and English Windows Vista Home Basic SP2 (32Bit OS) operating system. Applicants must be able to use email, the Internet, and Microsoft Word, OR be willing to develop technical expertise prior to the beginning of the program. BlackBoard Student accounts are automatically created or activated with registration and tuition fee payment. BlackBoard customized courseware, with e-mail and course management features, is used to deliver the off-site computer-based portion of the curriculum, requiring reliable access to the internet. BlackBoard is a password-protected course management website. All course material, presentations (except video conference presentations) and assignments will be completed online through BlackBoard. See the document on Zayed University Resources, p. 27 (PWG 28) for instructions on how to use Blackboard or contact the Office of Graduate Studies. Any technical problems may be directed to the Graduate Facilities Officer, Hala Albaldawi by email at hala.albaldawi@zu.ac.ae or by mobile phone at 050-557-0678. 43
Course Textbooks Students will be informed by email one week before the commencement of the course (where possible) of the date to collect the pre-ordered course textbooks from the Office of Graduate Studies. Assessment The course syllabus, which will be distributed before the first class, will indicate the assessment methods for each course. Assessment of each course is determined by the course instructor and may be based on tests and examinations, class participation, individual or group projects, research projects, internships and out of class assignments. The course syllabus will normally outline grading policy for group projects. Field Trips Zayed University is aware that not all graduate students are able to attend field trips outside the United Arab Emirates for a variety of reasons. These students are requested to inform the course instructor and Graduate Program Representative accordingly and to request approval to submit an individual project instead. Out of Class Assignments Assigned work should be submitted to the course instructor as per the deadline stated in the course syllabus. Assignments not received by the course instructor as per the deadline may result in the student receive a Failing (F) grade for the course. Students may petition for an exception to this policy because of illness, disability, or emergency. (See Grade Appeals for the appeal procedure) Tests and Examinations All Zayed University courses will be expected to have a final exam or summative assessment during the exam period except labs, internships, practica, advising, and independent studies. Tests and examinations are scheduled according to the course meeting time and held in the regular assigned class room. In the event of conflicts, the Office of Graduate Studies will assign alternate rooms. Some courses which do not meet on a regular schedule (e.g. research, independent study, internship) do not require final examinations. Students must have completed all the required course work to be eligible to sit for the final examination. Reexamination on course work is not permitted. Any questions about tests and examinations should be directed to the course instructor. The following policies apply to final examinations which are usually monitored by invigilators. (For other tests, the course instructor sets the requirements.) Punctuality 44
The student is expected to arrive ten minutes before the examination is scheduled to begin. No student will be allowed to enter the examination room thirty minutes after the commencement of an exam, resulting in failure in the course, suspension, or dismissal. The student may petition for an exception to the punctuality policy because of illness, disability, or an emergency. (See Grade Appeals for the appeal procedure) Student Identification Card The student may be requested to present a student identification card issued by the University to be admitted to the examination room. Student Conduct during Tests and Examinations The student must adhere to the rules and regulations set for all tests and examinations. Violation of these rules may result in discipline, including cancellation of the examination (resulting in failure in the course), suspension, or dismissal. Review of Final Examination Grade A student may request a grade review of a final examination from the course instructor after five (5) working days of notification of the grade and upon presentation of substantial and convincing evidence to warrant a review. See Grade Appeals for procedure for requesting a grade review. Request for a Makeup Test or Examination Provision of the makeup test or examination is the decision of the course instructor in consultation with the Graduate Program Representative. Grading Policies Grade Point Average (GPA) The student s grade point average is the measure used by the University to calculate a student s academic standing and eligibility for graduate scholarships. Calculating the Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) The cumulative grade point average (GPA) is calculated by dividing the sum of all grade points earned in the courses completed by the total credit hours attempted. 45
Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) Grades in courses submitted to satisfy, in whole or in part, the requirements for any graduate degree or graduate certificate must yield a cumulative quality point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher. Grades for courses granted transfer credits from another institution will not be used in computing the cumulative grade point average. Grading Systems Course grades are assigned solely by the course instructor and are based on examinations and assessments, class participation, projects, and homework assignments. Letter Grades and Quality Points Students receive letter grades for their performance. Each letter grade has numerical quality points assigned to calculate the overall grade point average (GPA). Grade Quality Points Description A 4.0 The highest academic grade possible. The grade is not automatically given to the student who ranks highest in the course but is reserved for truly distinctive and demonstrably outstanding accomplishment. It represents superior mastery of course material and demands a very high degree of understanding as well as originality or creativity. The grade usually indicates that the student works independently with unusual effectiveness and often takes the initiative in seeking new knowledge outside the requirements of the course. 46
A- 3.7 B+ 3.3 B 3.0 B- 2.7 C+ 2.3 C 2.0 C- 1.7 D+ 1.3 D 1.0 F 0.0 Achievement considerably above acceptable standards. Good mastery of course materials is evident and the student s performance demonstrates a degree of originality, creativity, or both. The grade usually indicates that the student works fairly well independently and often demonstrates initiative. Indicates an appropriate level of competency in the course s basic learning outcomes. It is the grade that may be expected of a student with average performance who gives a reasonable amount of time and effort to the course work. The grade implies understanding of the content of the course, acceptable mastery of course material and learning outcomes, and completion of all requirements. The student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) in order to earn a master s degree or graduate certificate from Zayed University. Denotes limited understanding of the subject matter, meeting only the minimum requirement for passing the course. It signifies work that falls below the average acceptable standard in quality or quantity for passing the course. Performance is deficient in analysis, synthesis, and critical expression. There is little evidence of originality or creativity. Indicates inadequate or unsatisfactory attainment, serious deficiency in 47
understanding of course material, or failure to complete the requirements of the course. Grades Not Computed in the Grade Point Average (GPA) (0 Value) Incomplete Grade/Course I Temporary grade. Course requirements not completed Pass P Satisfactory achievement Withdrawal W Student withdrawal Transfer Credit TC Credit granted for course taken at another institution Audit AU Course taken without credit Withdrawal/ Unsatisfactory Credit W/U CR No Grade NG No grade given Administrative withdrawal/ Unsatisfactory achievement Credit for challenging a Zayed University graduate course Except as modified by the following, Zayed University graduate students are subject to University grading policies and academic progress policies provided in the preceding sections. Only courses graded A, B, and C (with or without plus or minus signs) are accepted in satisfaction of graduate degree requirements. Courses graded below C- are counted in a student s cumulative grade-point average calculation, but do not yield credit towards a graduate degree. Grading and Academic Progress Academic Distinctions Academic distinction is awarded to students successfully completing a graduate program as follows: Graduating GPA = 3.80-4.00 (Distinction with Honor) Graduating GPA = 3.60-3.79 (Distinction) Graduating GPA = 3.40 3.59 (Very Good) Graduating GPA = 3.00-3.39 (Good) 48
Receiving a D and D+ Grade Students receiving a D (with or without a plus sign) in a course taken as part of their graduate program must repeat the course. (See Course Repeat as well as Repeated Course Fees) Until the student passes the course (grade of C- or better), the student may not enroll in any course for which the course is a prerequisite. When a course is repeated and passed, the passing grade replaces the D grade in calculating the student s grade point average. The prior D grade is still indicated on the student s academic transcript. Receiving a F Grade Students receiving an F grade are eligible for academic dismissal from the program for failure to make satisfactory academic progress. Incomplete Standing The notation I (incomplete) indicates that a final grade for the course is being withheld by the course instructor until the student completes all course requirements or examinations. Students have four (4) months from the end of from a course in which to complete an incomplete grade. If a student does not remove an incomplete grade by the deadline, it lapses to Withdrawn (W). The period in which to complete an incomplete grade may be extended for a maximum of four (4) months. When course requirements have been completed, the course instructor should obtain a Change of Grade Request form from the Office of Graduate Studies. The course instructor must assign the grade, sign the form and obtain the signature of the designated Graduate Program Representative. The completed form must be returned to the Office of Graduate Studies. At no point may the grade change form be in the possession of the student. Academic Probation A student who receives two C grades (with or without plus or minus signs) will be placed on academic probation if the student s cumulative grade point average (GPA) is below 3.0. The student will be removed from academic probation if and when the student s cumulative gradepoint average (GPA) increases to 3.0 or above. 49
Academic Dismissal Students receiving a third C grade (with or without a plus or minus sign), while their cumulative grade point average (GPA) is below 3.0, or an F grade are eligible for academic dismissal from the program for failure to make satisfactory academic progress. Reporting of Grades Upon completion of a course, students may normally view their grades within five (5) working days of notification of the grade on Banner. Graduate students grades are considered confidential information and may not be posted (in part or in full) in any public space. Grade Changes Reasons for changing grades include: Data entry error Instructor error Inequity in grading An Incomplete Grade Medical, family, or personal emergency Course instructors must submit grade change forms to the Graduate Program Representative who will make a recommendation to the Dean of Graduate Studies for approval. No grade may be changed after it has been submitted to the Graduate Registrar without the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies. Grade Appeals Course grades are solely determined by the level of student academic performance as evidenced by academic assessment(s) determined by the course instructor. Academic performance assessment is a professional responsibility of the course instructor and it is essential for the integrity of Zayed University degrees that their professional judgment is not subject to influence from any other source. A student who believes that he or she has not been assessed equitably may formally appeal a course grade after the grades are posted. For a formal appeal of a course grade to succeed, it must be based upon one or more of the following grounds and upon allegation that the ground or grounds cited influenced the grade assignment to the student s detriment: 50
Arithmetic or clerical error; Demonstrable and substantial inequity in grading; Failure to adhere to the course syllabus distributed at or prior to the initial class meeting; Substantial irregularity in the assessment or examination process; and A medical, family, or personal emergency which has substantially affected the student s academic performance. The following summary details the steps involved in a grade appeal: 1. The student should first address his or her concerns within 10 (ten) working days of notification of the grade to the course instructor. The burden of proof falls upon the student. The course mark is based on evidence of student academic performance and the course instructor must be able to substantiate the mark assigned on the basis of that evidence to the student. If the course instructor accepts student s arguments, he or she files a grade change form with appropriate rationale to the Graduate Program Representative. (See Grade Changes) A course instructor may not initiate a change of a course grade as a result of reevaluating the quality of the student s performance or as a result of additional work performed by the student unless a medical, family, or personal emergency is cited. In that instance the student must supply acceptable supporting documentation which must accompany the grade change request submitted by the course instructor. 2. If a satisfactory resolution cannot be reached, the student may file an appeal of the course instructor s decision in writing with the Graduate Program Representative within five (5) working days of the course instructor s decision. The appeals document must contain a summary of the evidence and arguments that the student believes supports his or her position in the appeal. The burden of proof falls upon the student. It is the responsibility of the Graduate Program Representative to determine whether the evidence cited by the student warrants further investigation. The determination by the Graduate Programs Representative shall be made only after providing the course instructor with the opportunity to reply to appeals document in writing. If the determination is made that the evidence cited warrants further investigation, it is the responsibility of the Graduate Program Representative to investigate the complaint. 51
If, in the judgment of the Graduate Program Representative, the evidence cited by the student is sufficient to warrant further investigation, the appeal may be upheld by the Graduate Programs Director. In that instance the Graduate Program Representative files an appeals report and a grade change form with appropriate rationale to the Dean of Graduate Studies. (See Grade Changes) If, in the judgment of the Graduate Program Representative, the evidence cited by the student is insufficient to warrant further investigation, the appeal may be denied by the Graduate Program Representative. 3. If a satisfactory resolution cannot be reached, the student may lodge an appeal of the Graduate Program Representative s decision in writing with the Dean of Graduate Studies within five (5) working days of the decision. The burden of the proof falls upon the student. The Dean of Graduate Studies will review the written appeal and supporting documents of the student, the course instructor s response, and the Graduate Program Representative s report and may opt to investigate further. If, in the judgment of the Dean of Graduate Studies, the appeal is successful, a decision on the final course mark to be awarded will be made. The decision and rationale will be provided to the student, the course instructor, College Dean, Graduate Program Representative and Graduate Registrar. If, in the judgment of the Dean of Graduate Studies, the appeal is denied, the original mark will stand and decision and rationale will be provided to the student, the course instructor, the College Dean, the Graduate Program Representative and the Graduate Registrar. Decisions of the Dean of Graduate Studies are final and cannot be appealed. Course Repeat Please refer to the general guidelines for course repeat. (See Registration and Course Repeat Tuition Fees) Academic Credit Transfer Please refer to the general guidelines for academic credit transfer. (See Registration) 52
Official Academic Transcripts An official academic transcript is available on request from the Office of Graduate Studies. Transcripts and other official documents will not be issued to students having a financial hold on their records. (See Student Records and Files) In order to report academic progress, the Graduate Registrar will, after the completion of each course, provide academic transcripts to sponsors of graduate students. Time Limitations to Degree Completion All masters degree and graduate certificate course credits earned in a program of graduate study, or accepted by transfer, must be completed within a maximum of five (5) years. Extension of Time beyond Five Years Students who cannot complete a program on time because of illness or other extenuating circumstances may be granted additional time to complete their masters degree or graduate certificate program by the Dean of Graduate Studies, provided the student s Graduate Program Representative makes such a recommendation and provides satisfactory proof that reasonable progress is being made. A student must submit the Application for Extension of Time beyond Five Years form to the Office of Graduate Studies before the end of the initial five (5) year time limitation. The Office of Graduate Studies will notify students of the results of their requests by email within ten (10) working days from the date of submission. Students will be suspended from the program if they have not received approval for an extension of time beyond five years. Graduation Degree Requirements To complete a master s degree or a credit bearing graduate certificate program, students must successfully complete a degree or program audit, which verifies that: All required courses in the approved program curriculum are completed; A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 has been achieved; All required fees and charges (including library fees and charges) have been paid; The Graduate Student Exit Survey had been submitted online; and There is no charge or appeal of a violation of the Academic or Student Code of Conduct or other University rule, regulation, or policy is pending. The University may further restrict or withhold the issuance of transcripts or certificates or the transfer of academic 53
credits during such times. Notice of such actions, which the University may make in its sole discretion, shall be provided in writing to the student, the Dean of Graduate Studies, the College Dean, the Graduate Program Representative and the Graduate Registrar. Conferral of Degrees Graduate degrees are conferred by the authority of the President of Zayed University upon the recommendation of the Dean of Graduate Studies, Graduate Program Representative, and Graduate Registrar. The Office of Graduate Studies is responsible for the requests for conferral, printing and distribution of all masters degrees and graduate certificates. Masters degrees and graduate certificates are awarded once a year, usually during the first six months of the year. Application to Graduate The Office of Graduate Studies will inform students regarding the conferral date. After having completed the graduate program, graduation is not automatic. A student has to apply for graduation by submitting the Application for Graduation Request form to the Office of Graduate Studies. Graduates of university graduate certificates are not listed in the printed graduation program booklet and do not participate in the graduation ceremony. The Office of Graduate Studies is responsible for producing final recommending lists, based on students applications to graduate. If a student files an Application for Graduation and does not fulfill the requirements before the deadline, or defer graduation, he or she must file another Application for Graduation form for the next conferral date. If a student has a confidential hold on his or her account, their names will be published in the printed graduation program booklet and they will participate in the graduation ceremony but they will not receive the official degree certificate. Students can release the confidential hold by contacting the Office of Graduate Studies. 54
The name that appears on a student s official University documents is the name that will be printed in the graduation program booklet and the name that a student will be announced by in the graduation ceremony. If a student s name appears incorrectly, or if a student wishes to change the name by which he or she will be presented, they will need to inform the Office of Graduate Studies by email. Changes to family names through marriage, divorce etc., and must be accompanied by relevant supporting documentation. In exceptional cases students who miss the deadline for filing their Application for Graduation may petition the Dean of Graduate Studies for permission to graduate by submitting a written statement to the Office of Graduate Studies. Masters degrees and graduate certificates are distributed to students in digital format during the Commencement. Masters degrees and graduate certificates state the student s name, master s degree or graduate certificate program completed, and date of conferral. The Office of Graduate Studies can provide a printed master s degree or graduate certificate, issued during the Commencement, upon a student s written request. Students have two options for graduation: in person and in absentia (if a student wishes to graduate but do not wish to attend a ceremony for this qualification). After the graduation ceremony, a student s degree certificate will become available for collection from the Office of Graduate Studies. A student can choose one of the following degree certificate collection options: o o Collect the degree certificate from the Office of Graduate Studies on one of the nominated collection days; or Nominate a third party to collect it (with identification card) on one of the nominated collection days. Walkthrough of Graduation Students may be requested by the Office of Graduate Studies to participate in a graduation ceremony rehearsal prior to actual degree conferral. Students who do not wish to do so should inform the Office of Graduate Studies. The Office of Graduate Studies will inform students by email of the address for the collection of their academic dress for graduation. 55
Withdrawal of Application for Graduation Students who wish to withdraw a request for conferral or make changes to the Application for Graduation should submit a Withdrawal of Application for Graduation Request form to the Office of Graduate Studies by the deadline indicated by the Office of Graduate Studies. By signing and submitting a Withdrawal of Application for Graduation, the student requests the Office of Graduate Studies to withdraw the application to graduate for the date indicated. The student acknowledges that he or she must submit a new application to graduate for the date upon which graduation is anticipated by the deadline advised by the Office of Graduate Studies. After the last date to withdraw from graduation the Office of Graduate Studies cannot remove a student s name from the printed graduation program booklet. If a student misses this deadline, the graduate degree may confer in absentia in the graduation ceremony for which the student was scheduled. If this happens, a student will not be able to graduate at another graduation ceremony, as the graduate degree can only be conferred once. FINANCIAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Graduate students must pay a program tuition fee to enroll in graduate programming at Zayed University. Program cost includes the introductory workshops, course fees, textbooks, course notes, access to library facilities and computing services as well as graduation. However, students must provide their own laptop computer. Payment of Tuition Fees Zayed University charges fees for its graduate programs as published in the Program Cost schedule available at: http://www.zu.ac.ae/gradstudies/admissionfees.aspx The program cost schedule details tuition fees and payment methods for master s degrees and graduate certificate programs offered by the University and operates alongside a number of other related University policies and procedures. These policies and procedures work together to provide a framework for the payment, collection, refund and reconciliation of tuition fees. Payment of the registration fee confirms registration for the graduate program cohort. 56
Students who fail to register by the end of the Orientation Day will be presumed not to be attending their program and will not be considered University students. The University reserves the right to exclude any student who fails to pay his or her registration and tuition fees. Tuition fee invoices are mailed to students by the Finance Department at Zayed University. Alternatively, students can view their tuition fee balances and pay their outstanding tuition fees on BlackBoard. Students should log onto BlackBoard at http://learn.zu.ac.ae and click on View and Pay Tuition Fees to view outstanding tuition fee balances. For any assistance regarding tuition fees, please email ar@zu.ac.ae Graduate students are responsible for paying their invoices by the deadline indicated even if they do not receive an invoice; therefore, students should check with the Finance Department regularly and pay their invoices by the due date indicated. Accepted methods of payment are: Cash or cheque paid in person to the Office of Graduate Studies. (Provide the cashier with the exact amount of money due.) In-person, using debit or credit card (not via phone). Cheque or banker s draft (in-person or through post). Online payments can be made via the secure online payment system. Students should log onto BlackBoard at http://learn.zu.ac.ae and click on View and Pay Tuition Fees. Bank to bank transfer is not allowed. In order to identify the student whose fees are being paid, all payments must be accompanied by a copy of the relevant letter of admission and invoice. The University reserves the right to refuse or reject any financial transaction where the payment origin cannot be identified or confirmed. The University shall not accept payments for an amount less than the applicable fee. An official receipt will be issued by the University and given to the payee as and when the payment has been made. In case of a post-dated cheque, receipt will be sent to the payee as soon as the bank has notified the University that the payment has been duly processed. The onus is upon 57
students to keep and produce evidence, when required, of all payments made since the start of their graduate program. Payment Schedule A non-refundable fee of AED 400 must accompany the application for graduate program admission. The payment schedule is as follows: A non-refundable cohort registration fee of 10% of the total program tuition fee must be paid within five (5) working days after students have received the admissions letter to guarantee program registration. The remaining amount due is payable as follows: o o o o Twenty five percent (25%) before the start of the first course; Twenty five percent (25%) before the start of the fourth course; Twenty five percent (25%) before the start of the seventh course; and, Twenty five percent (25%) by the start of the tenth course. Students not in compliance with the fee payment schedule are subject to suspension of registration and an AED 500 reinstatement fee. If the student's tuition fee is to be paid by his/her employer or a sponsor, fifty percent (50%) of the total tuition fees is due at the beginning of the first course, with the remaining fifty percent (50%) due at the beginning of the seventh course. Sponsored students should note that it is their responsibility to ensure that their sponsoring organizations pay tuition fees promptly in accordance with the schedule. Course Fees for Conditional Enrolment The initial first (1) course will be charged at the rate of 10,000 AED and full payment for the course must be made prior to registration of the course. On transfer to the program, all academic credits and tuition will be transferred to the program and a student will be responsible for the remaining amount. 58
Course Fees for Provisional Enrolment The initial three (3) courses will be charged at the rate of 10,000 AED per course and full percourse payment must be made prior to registration of the course. On transfer to the program, all academic credits and tuition will be transferred to the program and a student will be responsible for the remaining amount. Course Fees for Conditional and Provisional Enrolment The initial first (1) course will be charged at the rate of 10,000 AED and full per-course payment must be made prior to registration of the course. On transfer to the program, all academic credits and tuition will be transferred to the program and a student will be responsible for the amount remaining. Repeated Course Fees The University requires that graduate students be charged the full cost of instruction the second time they enroll in the same course. If students are repeating a graded course, they will be assessed AED 10,000 per course. The repeated course fee has to be paid before the commencement of the course. Challenging Course Examination Fees The regular program tuition fee must be paid before the challenging course examination. Scholarships, Graduate Bursaries and other forms of Financial Aid Academic Merit-Based Scholarships Academic merit-based scholarships are offered to all qualified male and female applicants of all nationalities. The graduate programs offered by the Institute for Islamic World Studies as well as Graduate Certificates are excluded from academic merit-based scholarships. Both sponsored and unsponsored students are eligible. These scholarships are automatically assessed when a student applies to study at Zayed University. The academic merit-based scholarships are valued at AED 25,000, AED 35,000 and AED 50,000 and are awarded on the basis of academic merit as determined by the grade point average (GPA) based on the last 20 graded courses of an applicant's undergraduate degree. 59
Academic merit-based scholarships will be credited to the final program tuition fee payment provided the student: Has successfully completed all academic requirements for the conferral of the degree; Adheres to and respects the Student Honor Code; and, Is in good financial standing. Other Scholarships From time to time community-minded individuals provide tuition funds in the form of scholarships to support participants in graduate programs. Their aim is to assist in providing the opportunity of an excellent educational program to exceptional individuals who may not otherwise be able to access this opportunity. The expressed wishes of scholarship donors will be taken into account by Zayed University when considering granting of scholarships. In order to determine who will receive a scholarship, the University retains flexibility in awarding part scholarships so that more students may benefit from the graduate program. The University may also choose not to award any scholarship or part scholarship. Any person unable to attain sponsorship within their own organization may apply for a scholarship. All applicants will be notified of the receipt of their request after lodging the Application for a Scholarship Application Request form with the appropriate College or Office of Graduate Studies. The decision relating to granting of a scholarship will be provided to applicants when the approval of the Vice President of Zayed University is secured. Graduate Bursaries Each fiscal year (Jan 1 Dec 31), a small number of graduate bursaries, valued at a maximum of 50% of the tuition fee, will be made available to academically qualified male and female students of all nationalities admitted to a graduate program. Applicants for a graduate bursary: Must be admitted to a Zayed University graduate program; Must be unable to obtain sponsorship from their own organization; Must demonstrate financial need; Must be in good academic standing; Must be in good financial standing; Must have successfully completed all academic requirements for the conferral of the degree; Must adhere to and respect the Student Honor Code; and Must apply before the end of the first course. 60
Recipients of graduate bursaries will be determined on the basis of financial need by a committee consisting of the Graduate Programs Directors and chaired by the Dean of Graduate Studies. The University may opt to award partial bursaries or not to award a bursary. Applicants must submit the Application for a Graduate Bursary Request form to the Office of Graduate Studies. A proportion of the total award will be deducted from the final program tuition fee payment. To continue receiving a graduate bursary, graduate students must maintain the academic requirements for satisfactory progress set by the Office of Graduate Studies. Outside Sources of Financial Aid Students must notify the Office of Graduate Studies of any financial aid received from outside sources, such as scholarships. Scholarships and graduate bursaries provided by the University may need to be adjusted. Tuition Fee Reimbursement Many companies directly reimburse students for their educational expenses upon successful completion of courses. In these situations, the student is responsible for paying the invoice at the beginning of the graduate program or selecting another payment option. Tuition fees may not be left unpaid pending reimbursement by a third party. Tuition and Fee Adjustments Change in Enrollment Status If a student is considering a change in his or her planned period of enrollment, he or she must submit to the Office of Graduate Studies the necessary completed request forms, i.e. withdrawal from a course, a leave of absence, a change in an academic program, or withdrawal from the University, etc. Official Withdrawal Tuition and Fee Adjustments Students who officially withdraw during an academic year will receive a tuition refund based on the policy specified in this handbook. Scholarships and graduate bursaries awarded by Zayed University will be adjusted based on the actual charges incurred during the year. 61
Medical and Non-Medical Leave Tuition and Fee Adjustments Medical and non-medical leaves are granted when a student cannot complete the current academic period for health or personal reasons but is confident that he or she will re-enroll within six months. Tuition payments for such periods of leave will be suspended. Graduate scholarship and bursary recipients should contact the Office of Graduate Studies to understand the effects on financial aid received. Tuition Fee Refund Policies The registration fee and amounts paid or credited by scholarship or bursary are nonrefundable. Refund of residual fees for students electing to or required to withdraw will be determined by the number of courses attended. o For the purpose of refunds, a course is considered attended if the student participates in more than the equivalent of 8 (eight) hours of instruction or if the student fails to formally withdraw. For example, a student who has attended the first two courses and has paid the first 25% fee installment is eligible for a refund of 1/3 of the first fee installment. Students granted academic leave to suspend their studies are eligible for fee refund under this same policy. On resumption of study, the student will resume payment according to the above fee payment schedule and will be subject to a reinstatement fee of AED 1,000. Tuition fee refunds are approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies. Discrepancies in Invoice Discrepancies in an invoice should be addressed in writing to the Office of Graduate Studies. A student should include his or her name, program name, student identification number, amount in question, date of invoice, and other relevant information. Late Payment of Tuition Fees If a student s invoice is not paid by the posted due date, a hold will be placed by the Office of Graduate Studies on the student s record. This hold will prevent registration for the graduate courses and access to the facilities of the University. The Office of Graduate Studies will not 62
provide letters or release official documents such as academic transcripts to students with a financial hold on their records. If the invoice is not paid and the hold removed by the end of the enrollment period for the upcoming course, the student will be administratively withdrawn from the graduate program and must be readmitted. Tuition Fees and Default Policy Tuition rates, all fees, rules and regulations, and courses and course content are subject to revision by the Provost and Provost s Council. Students will be subject to a fee of AED 500 for each bounced cheque or payment not honored. Deferred credit card payment rejected or not authorized will be subject to an AED 500 charge. In cases where the student defaults on his or her tuition fees, the student shall be liable for the outstanding tuition fees and all reasonable associated collection costs incurred by the University. Transcripts and other academic records will not be released until all financial obligations to the University have been met. Cohort Cancellation or Deferment Registration and tuition fees collected for cohorts cancelled or deferred by Zayed University will be reimbursed at full cost for those students registered in the program. Zayed University will not be responsible for any additional expenses incurred. Mandatory Health Insurance It is expected of all international students enrolled in a graduate program offered by Zayed University that they have medical insurance. GENERAL REGULATIONS Student Rights and Responsibilities Student Rights Students have the right to be taken seriously as a responsible student, to be treated with respect and consideration by all members of the University community and to pursue studies without unwarranted intrusion. Within the University, the student will be encouraged to think critically and globally, to understand and appreciate diverse views, and to develop the 63
intellectual competencies and work habits appropriate to the student s field of study and career aspirations. The University will treat a student with respect and ensure that student rights are protected. The University will maintain the confidentiality of its transactions with every student. Student Responsibilities The University expects students to meet the highest standards in their academic work and personal conduct during their stay at Zayed University. Each student is required to obey the rules and regulations of the University as laid out in the Graduate Student Handbook and Zayed University Catalog. In particular, each student is expected to abide by the Zayed University Honor Code, and all rules and regulations expressed in the Code of Academic Conduct and the Code of Student Conduct. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with these codes and their obligations and responsibilities toward the institution, its faculty and staff, other students and visitors to the University. Students who breach any of the requirements of the Code of Academic or Student Conduct, as specified in the Zayed University Graduate Student Handbook 2010-2011, are subject to University discipline. Sensitive Materials or Incidents The University adheres to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 19, which states: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. In a university, students may encounter ideas or images that fall outside their personal value system or frame of reference. The University s goal is not to alter beliefs or values but rather to produce globally aware, responsible graduates with the capacity for independent critical judgment, exhibiting respectful understanding of diverse points of view and a tolerance for perspectives that differ from their own, as Islam promotes. Sensitivity to local culture is considered. Library Materials The Library collects information about many topics and information that reflects different opinions on the same topic. Occasionally students may encounter a book, magazine or video that seems questionable. When that happens, the student may submit a Challenged Materials or Incident form to the Dean of Library and Learning Resources (See LIB-03 under Policies on the Intranet). The Dean will establish a review panel composed of an administrator, a faculty member and a U.A.E. national from among the University staff. The panel reviews the item that 64
has been challenged and determines appropriate action. The student is notified of the panel s decision by the Office of Graduate Studies. Ethical Clearance for Research All proposed research should consider ethical clearance at both the application and implementation stages. Ethical clearance for involvement of human subjects in a student s research should be sought prior to any research work being undertaken, including pilot studies or focus groups. Most research granting organizations will require completion of ethical clearance from a student s organization the approving body often referred to as the Institutional Review Board (IRB) in US universities. Always check the ethical clearance requirements of the research granting organization you are applying to, as there can be marked variations. Collaborative research projects involving other researching institutions will often require the ethical clearance of all participating institutions, and can be quite time consuming. All researchers wishing to conduct research in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, or collaborating with researchers in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, should familiarize themselves with the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) Human Subjects Research Policy and Institutional Licensing Policy. These policies clearly detail requirements for the conduct of human subjects research and the possible sanctions for non-compliance. At Zayed University, the Research Ethics Committee (REC) was established at the start of the 2009-2010 academic year and reviews all applications for ethical clearance. Clearance should be sought for all research in which it is anticipated that human or animal subjects will be involved as subjects of the research (e.g. as subjects of surveys or interviews or as subjects of clinical trials) including: unfunded research conducted by faculty, staff,or students which intends to use students, faculty or staff within ZU as subjects for their research ; research which is funded through research grants (e.g. ZU RIF Grants, ZU Start-Up Grants, or from externally funded grant organizations such as the National Research Foundation or Emirates Foundation); research conducted by people external to ZU, who are seeking to use students, faculty or staff within ZU as subjects for their research ; and 65
all clinical research. The following procedure applies to obtain ethical clearance for research: 1. Read the Ethical Clearance Guidelines Depending on the nature of their research, some applicants may be required to complete a Full Application for Ethical Clearance form. However, the research projects of graduate students at Zayed University are usually exempt from the full application process, unless they are intended to be published or are considered a thesis. In cases that qualify for an exempt status, an Exemption from Full Ethical Clearance form should be completed. 2. Complete the relevant ethical clearance form o Full Application for Ethical Clearance o Exemption from Full Ethical Clearance 3. Attach all required documentation o A copy of the informed consent form applicants will use with participants o A copy of all survey tools, questionnaires or interview templates applicants will be using 4. Attach any other relevant supporting documentation o Principal investigator s resume o Any co-investigator s resume o CITI completion report o Any prior ethical clearance approval issued by another institution o Any prior ethical clearance approval issued by applicant s co-investigator s institution o Evidence of the qualifications of any research assistants or other supporting staff o Any budget outlines, resource or equipment lists 5. Submit all materials to the ZU Research Ethics Committee (REC) Application forms and additional documents shall be submitted to research@zu.ac.ae Applicants will receive a written response within a few days of the monthly committee meeting. Approved applicants will receive an approval letter including their ethical clearance approval number and other relevant information. Unsuccessful applicants will receive an email with recommendations for revision and resubmission. For more information on ethical clearance for research, please see the website: http://www.zu.ac.ae/main/en/research/for_researchers/research_integrity/ethical_clearance. aspx 66
Classroom Materials or Incidents If a student wishes to challenge materials or incidents in a class, he or she must submit a Challenged Materials or Incident form to the Office of Graduate Studies. The Dean of Graduate Studies will establish a review panel composed of the Graduate Program Representative, a faculty member, an administrator from the Office of Graduate Studies, and a U.A.E. national from among university staff. The panel reviews the item that has been challenged and determines appropriate action. The student is notified of the panel s decision by the Office of Graduate Studies. Materials will not be removed from class unless the panel determines that they are inappropriate. If the panel determines that certain materials were inappropriate, the panel will explain its position to the course instructor. Off-Campus Activities Instructionally related off-campus experiences, such as internships, field trips and research projects, are key elements of the Zayed University curriculum, provide meaningful interaction with local and international communities, and reflect University priorities and the University and Major Learning Outcomes. Successful completion of any course at Zayed University requires students participation in all course-related assignments. Policies and Procedures Code of Academic Conduct Zayed University expects and requires all students to demonstrate integrity in all of their academic work. Zayed University Honor Code In the Name of God Most Gracious Most Merciful As a student of the University that carries the name of the beloved and revered father of the nation, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan (May his soul rest in eternal peace), I pledge to: Demonstrate the virtues of honesty, respect and fairness Adhere to the highest standards of personal moral conduct Refrain from any and all forms of academic dishonesty 67
Present a positive image of myself by acting with maturity and honor Take responsibility for my actions and do my part to maintain a community of trust Dedicate myself to the achievement of the University s excellence I promise to honor Sheikh Zayed and to preserve his legacy by following the example set by the wise and beloved father of the United Arab Emirates. Desired Behavior In general terms, academic integrity means studying, learning, and producing work without resorting to deception, cheating, or fraud of any kind. Students are expected to do their own work, citing all of the sources they use and being honest and open in all of their dealings with course instructors, advisors, classmates, and administrators. Prohibited Behavior Prohibited behavior includes, but is not limited to the following forms: Cheating; Plagiarism; Falsification of data; Inventing or misrepresenting research or citations; Helping others to cheat, plagiarize, or falsify material; Obtaining copies of tests without permission; Misrepresenting coursework done for another course as new work without prior permission from the course instructor; Interfering with other students' work; Taking a quiz or exam for another student, or having another student take a quiz or exam for oneself; Collaborating with others on assignments meant to be done on one's own, without the prior permission of the course instructor; and, Abuse, misuse, destroying or tampering with, withholding or hiding, or the appropriation of shared instructional or research resources. 68
All forms of academic dishonesty are strictly prohibited. Violators of this code are subject to University discipline. Cheating Cheating is any attempt to do an assignment or take a test or quiz by any other means than the exercise of one s own knowledge and by doing the work by oneself. Examples of cheating are: Using a textbook, notebook, dictionary, calculator, or notes during a test, quiz, lab assignment or other course exercise without prior permission of the course instructor; Looking at another student's test or quiz or allowing another student to look at one s own during the examination period; Doing an assignment (paper, project, exercise, etc.) for another student or having someone else do one s own work without the prior permission of the course instructor; Taking a test in place of another student or having someone else take one s own test; Giving help to, or asking for help from, another person without prior permission of the course instructor; Unauthorized use of a computer or other instructional aid, for example, using a calculator during a mathematics test or using the Arabic dictionary in MS Word to translate without prior permission of the course instructor; Changing an answer on an already-graded examination and then asking for a grade review; Obtaining improper knowledge of the contents of an exam; and, Permitting another student to plagiarize one s own work. Plagiarism Plagiarism is presenting someone else s work or ideas as if it were one s own. Examples of plagiarism include the following: Copying another person s work either word for word or making some changes but keeping the structure, much of the language, and main ideas the same. Even if the work is not published, it should be treated as someone else s work and not one s own work; Buying, borrowing, or otherwise obtaining and handing in a paper, project or course assignment as if it were one s own; Turning in someone else s paper as if it were one s own is strictly prohibited, even if the paper is enclosed in quotation marks. A large part of a paper cannot simply be quotations; 69
Allowing someone else to edit, rewrite or make substantial changes in one s work and turning it in as if one had done it all, without acknowledging the other person s contribution and without prior permission of the instructor; Using someone else s words or ideas without crediting that person; If a student uses someone else s words, the student must identify them by putting quotation marks around them and citing the source; If a student downloads a picture from the Internet, the student must cite the source of the picture; If a student paraphrases someone s work, the student must specify the source of the statement; and, Every source used in a paper must be identified in the bibliography. At any time, if students think they may have unknowingly plagiarized someone's work, they are urged to discuss it with their course instructor before turning in the assignment. Faculty have available various electronic resources to assist students in recognizing and correcting plagiarism and to assist faculty in detecting and confirming plagiarism. Misuse of Instructional Resources or Research Materials At all times, students are required to do their own work within the guidelines established by the course instructor. If students use instructional resources or research materials other than as specified by the course instructor, they are subject to discipline. Examples are the misuse of Internet or e-mail for other than course work or research. Students may not intentionally destroy, misplace, alter or lose laboratory equipment or demonstration materials prepared to assist students with course assignments. Students may not intentionally misplace, lose, deface or destroy library or computer software resources provided to assist students with course assignments. Students may not alter, withhold or hide shared instructional resources from other students. Behavior in an Instructional Setting Students are expected to behave appropriately in classroom, laboratory, studio, library or other instructional or study settings on campus at all times, and not to disrupt classroom learning or the work of other students. Behavior Off Campus 70
Students are expected to behave appropriately at University activities off campus, obeying rules of behavior laid down beforehand by the course instructor or trip sponsor, as well as the orders of campus instructors or personnel on site. Interfering with the Work of Other Students Students may not intentionally or persistently disrupt class or otherwise interfere with the work of other students and the course instructor. Relations with Faculty and Staff When communicating with faculty or staff, students are expected to tell the truth at all times and not attempt to deceive or hide the truth. Students are expected to behave courteously and obey the commands of faculty and staff as required in the Student Code of Conduct. The course instructor sets the standards of appropriate behavior in the classroom or lab, and students are required to live up to them. In the Library and study rooms, library staff set and enforce standards for behavior, and students are required to obey them. Addressing Violations of the Academic Code of Conduct University Discipline The student who engages in behavior prohibited by the Code of Academic Conduct may be subject to University discipline as well as discipline in the classroom or college in which the offense occurred. First Offense Most first-time violations of the Code of Academic Conduct are dealt with by the course instructor and Graduate Program Representative. The Graduate Program Representative should inform the Office of Graduate Studies of the penalties that may include a warning letter, reduction course, or an F grade in the course. Multiple or Subsequent Offenses If students are found guilty of multiple violations of the Code of Academic Conduct or the Code of Student Conduct or a combination of both, they are subject to University discipline through the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies. The Dean of Graduate Studies may convene a committee consisting of the Dean of Graduate Studies, College Dean, Graduate Program Representative and course instructor to review multiple or subsequent offenses. 71
Discipline If a course instructor determines that a student has violated the Code of Academic Conduct, the course instructor should first discuss the matter with the student to determine if there is cause to impose discipline. If the course instructor determines there is cause for discipline, the instructor notifies the Graduate Program Representative in writing within five (5) working days. Appeal review varies in details but typically follows a process like the following: Academic discipline starts with the course instructor, who meets with the student to determine if a violation of the Code of Academic Conduct has been committed. If the course instructor determines there is cause for discipline, the course instructor is encouraged to communicate with the Office of Graduate Studies to determine whether the student has been found guilty of a similar academic offense in the past. (See Multiple or Subsequent Offenses) If the course instructor determines that a violation has occurred, the course instructor assigns a penalty (warning letter, or a drop in grade or failing grade (F) for the assignment or course) and notifies: o o o The student; The Graduate Program Representative; and, The Dean of Graduate Studies. The student has five (5) working days from notification of the penalty to appeal the course instructor's decision. The appeal must be in writing, addressed to the Graduate Program Representative, and may include documentary evidence to support the student's appeal. The Graduate Program Representative decides whether the student should be called upon to testify in person. There is no requirement that the student must be interviewed. The Graduate Program Representative may confirm or reverse the penalty assigned by the course instructor, or require the course instructor to review the case again, but typically where there is disagreement between the course instructor and the Graduate Program Representative, the Graduate Program Representative will first discuss the case with the course instructor before issuing a decision on the appeal within five (5) working days. In cases where the student has appealed to the Graduate Program Representative, subsequent to appealing to the course instructor and the outcome is not satisfactory to 72
the student, the student may lodge an appeal to the Graduate Program Representative decision, in writing, within five (5) working days with the Dean of Graduate Studies. The Dean of Graduate Studies then notifies (1) the student, (2) the course instructor, (3) the Graduate Program Representative and (4) the College Dean of the final decision, and, if the penalty is reversed, the reasons for reversal. There is no further appeal. The decision of the Dean of Graduate Studies is final. Withdrawal of the Degree If there is evidence that a student has earned his or her degree under false pretenses or by an unethical practice, the University reserves the right to withdraw the degree. Code of Student Conduct Expected Behavior: The Student In addition to the requirements for academic work set forth in the Code of Academic Conduct, a student is required to: Attend the University during scheduled class hours; Attend class regularly and punctually; Have in their possession the assigned textbooks, manuals, course notes and other supplies that may be necessary in a classroom or laboratory. Textbooks and other course materials will be distributed by the Graduate Program Representative before the commencement of each course. Complete assignments on time; Meet all requirements for course completion and program completion; and, Understand and make every effort to maintain good academic standing. Prohibited Behavior: The Student A student is prohibited from: Engaging in criminal behavior as defined by laws of the country; Using or selling illegal substances or materials; 73
Gaining access to or downloading date from inappropriate sites on the Internet, including chat rooms; Downloading pornographic material from the Internet, viewing or sharing pornographic material on campus; Disobeying or ignoring a direct order from Zayed University faculty or staff; Refusing to provide security guides with personal identification and appropriate documentation when requested; Using another person s name or ID number to gain entry to enter campus; Leaving campus during scheduled class hours without prior and express authorization from the appropriate authority; Lying, holding back information, or otherwise deliberately deceiving a University instructor or staff member; Falsifying documents, or using falsified documents for any purpose connected with Zayed University; Engaging in disruptive behavior in or out of class; Behaving discourteously or inconsiderately to other students, faculty, staff, or visitors to campus; Engaging in intimidating, harassing or threatening behavior; Engaging in inappropriate physical contact with another student; Smoking on campus; Bringing animals without prior permission from the Dean of Students or Dean of Graduate Studies; Using a mobile phone in a prohibited area or class room, except with the prior written authorization of a course instructor for use in a class project or exercise or if there is some emergency reason; Reading either course or non-course-related materials during class time; Entertaining unrelated personal conversations in the class room; Using a camera on campus except with the prior written authorization of an instructor for use in a class project or exercise; using a camera on campus in an unauthorized location or photographing students without their express prior permission; Borrowing or taking someone else's property without prior and express permission; Abusing the use of campus e-mail; Giving money or gifts of substantial value to a Zayed University employee or receiving substantial gifts from the same; and, Engaging in any behavior that damages the reputation of Zayed University, whether on campus or at a University-sponsored event off campus. Prohibited Behavior: Student Group or Student Both student groups and individual students are prohibited from: 74
Inviting outside speakers in the name of the University without prior written permission; Issuing public statements in the name of the University without prior written permission; Organizing and conducting public meetings or activities on campus or at University events without prior written permission; Using University facilities without prior written permission; Distributing leaflets or journals, posting notices, or collecting signatures on the premises of the University without prior written permission; Holding a rally or demonstration on campus or in the University's name without prior written permission; Holding an off-campus event without prior written permission; Performing a dance on campus except at a University sponsored program, in a designated area and with prior written permission; Playing music in public that interferes with others' privacy or is in poor taste; and, Dressing inappropriately. A dress code is required for all international students in order to meet expectations for professional appearance and sensitivity to local culture. Male students should wear an acceptable, non-casual standard of dress. Female students should dress modestly, with formal pants/trousers or dresses/skirts, tops with sleeves to the elbow. If a dress is worn, then the hem should be well below the knee. Leggings are not considered appropriate for the female dress code. Student Discipline Disciplinary Sanctions Violators of the Code of Student Conduct are subject to discipline. Disciplinary measures may include any or several of the following sanctions: Verbal notice or warning; Written warning; Administrative probation, with or without restrictions for a defined length of time; Suspension from the University (usually no longer than a year). A student who has been suspended may be readmitted after review by the Dean of Graduate Studies; and, Dismissal from Zayed University. Dismissal means there is no opportunity for readmission. Student Discipline Process The academic disciplinary process is described above (See Addressing Violations of the 75
Code of Academic Conduct) Violations of the Code of Student Conduct are dealt with by the Dean of Graduate Studies. Upon receipt of a report that a student has violated the Code of Student Conduct, the Office of Graduate Studies will communicate with the student, requiring him or her to meet with the Dean of Graduate Studies within five (5) working days of receipt of the Office of Graduate Studies notification. Failure to attend a meeting within the required time will result in the immediate suspension of the student's registration or resolution of the situation in absentia. At the meeting, the Dean of Graduate Studies will explain the nature and severity of the charge against the student and listen to the student's explanation or rebuttal of the charges. The Dean of Graduate Studies may then: Reach a decision on the charge, either with or without further investigation, and assign an appropriate sanction or sanctions; or, Convene a hearing panel to investigate the charge and advise the Dean of Graduate Studies on the student's culpability and, if the student is judged guilty of the charge, the appropriate penalty. The Dean of Graduate Studies will then proceed to a decision and the assignment of penalty. The Dean of Graduate Studies will review all cases where suspension or dismissal is considered. Upon receipt of the Dean's recommendation, the Vice President will make the final determination as to suspension or dismissal. Appeals Process To appeal a decision on administrative discipline, the student must write to the Dean of Graduate Studies within five (5) working days of receipt of the decision, outlining the grounds for their appeal. If the Dean of Graduate Studies determines that the case requires further review, the Dean of Graduate Studies may form a review committee to evaluate the case. During the period of appeal, the student is not yet adjudged guilty of the offense and is required to attend all classes. Petition for Readmission Following Suspension To petition for reentry following suspension, the student must write to the Dean of Graduate Studies. The petition must demonstrate that the student has learned a lesson from the suspension and will not engage in the prohibited behavior again. To be eligible to petition for reentry, the student must have been in good academic standing at the time of his or her suspension. The Dean of Graduate Studies may form a review committee 76
to evaluate the case or may review it by himself. Unless circumstances necessitate a longer review, a decision will be rendered within five (5) working days, and the student will be notified of the Dean's decision. If the decision is negative, the petitioner may not reapply for another year. If the student is readmitted, the Graduate Program Representative will determine whether he or she has to fulfill new or additional requirements in order to progress and graduate. Student Complaints If a student believes a course instructor has behaved unfairly or unprofessionally towards him or her, the student should first discuss his or her complaint with the course instructor directly. If a student is not satisfied with the result of the discussion, the student may submit a written complaint to the Graduate Program Representative. If the Graduate Program Representative determines that further review is necessary, the Dean of Graduate Studies may convene a review committee. The decision of the Dean of Graduate Studies on all complaints is final and will be communicated to the student and Graduate Program Representative in writing. If a student wishes to file a complaint against a staff member or against an office, the student should first discuss the complaint with the staff member. If the student is not satisfied with the result of the discussion, the student may submit a written complaint to the Dean of Graduate Studies. If the Dean of Graduate Studies determines that further review is necessary, the Dean of Graduate Studies may convene a review committee. The Dean's decision is final and will be communicated to the student in writing. If the complaint is about an office or individual outside of the Office of Graduate Studies, the Dean of Graduate Studies will forward the complaint to the appropriate supervisor. The same review procedure applies. STUDENT RECORDS AND FILES Definition of Official Student Records The terms official records, files and data include material pertaining to students status as graduate students held by any department of the University that is intended for University use or is to be available to parties outside the University. Retention of Student Records 77
The Office of Graduate Studies is responsible for the collection, handling and disposition of student records for each enrolled graduate student. Student files generally contain the student s application to Zayed University, required supporting documents, and copies of official letters and documents. The Office of Graduate Studies does not keep records from applicants who were denied admission or who refused the University s offer of admission. Banner is the official system of record for student data at Zayed University. Staff in departments and central offices uses Banner to track and manage student information. An electronic record of the student s academic achievements at the University is preserved permanently, but all other documents in student files are destroyed after three (3) years. Students should keep their own records of all transactions with the University (e.g. registration, enrolment, grade reports, payment, etc.). It is also advisable to keep copies of out of class assignments, digital files, etc. submitted in fulfillment of course work. Academic Transcripts Zayed University issues only official academic transcripts. The courses taken and grades given do not appear on any student's academic transcript until all grades received by the grade deadline have been recorded; generally, this is five (5) working days after the final grades had been received from the course instructor. The University reserves the right to withhold academic transcripts and similar records where students, for example, have unmet obligations to the university. (See Enrollment Holds) All requests for academic transcripts must be made by the student (or former student) by submitting the Academic Transcript Request form to the Office of Graduate Studies. Processing normally takes less than five (5) working days and there is no charge for official transcripts. Students can receive no more than five (5) academic transcripts per week unless extenuating circumstances warrant an additional number of copies. Every attempt will be made to immediately process transcripts in person between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. At the discretion of the staff in the Office of Graduate Studies, there may be times when immediate processing is not possible, especially for large quantities. In these cases, students will be requested to return a subsequent day to receive them, or accept them by mail. Change of Personal Data Mailing Address, Personal Email Address and Telephone Number 78
All official correspondence is sent to the student's current mailing and email addresses, as listed on the application for graduate program admission form. As official information is sent by the University to the most recent mailing address on record, it is absolutely critical that the Office of Graduate Studies be kept informed of mailing and email address changes. Mailing addresses, including email addresses as well as telephone numbers, can be changed by informing the Office of Graduate Studies by email. Official Campus Email Address Official notifications from the University, College and the Office of Graduate Studies are sent by email to a graduate student s official University campus email account. All students are assigned an email account without charge after enrolment in a graduate program. Students are responsible for checking their University email accounts and for responding to or act upon email messages accordingly. Name Changes Name changes must be made to the Office of Graduate Studies by email. The student must indicate exactly how his or her name should, henceforth, appear on all educational records at the University. Changes to family names through marriage, divorce etc., must be accompanied by relevant supporting documentation. A student should provide the following information: o o o o New name; Previous name; The date the change is to become effective; and, Student identity card number Certification of Enrollment and Degrees The Office of Graduate Studies can provide oral or written confirmation of enrollment in a program, registration in a course, or degree status. The printed certification can be used whenever enrollment or degree verification is required. After conferral, the degree awarded to a student can be verified by contacting the Office of Graduate Studies for an official transcript or a certification form. Requests for transcripts must be made by the student by submitting the Application for Transcript Request form to the Office of Graduate Studies. Confidential Records 79
All policies and practices concerning student records shall be based on respect for the privacy of the individual graduate student. Record keeping is performed only by the staff members of the Office of Graduate Studies. No one outside the faculty or administrative staff of Zayed University may have access to the record of a graduate student s offenses against University regulations without the written permission of the student. Access to Student Records By applying for admission and enrolling at the University, the student accepts the University s right to collect pertinent personal information for institutional purposes. Documentation submitted in support of application for admission becomes the property of the University and is used to assess performance in programs and courses, provide the basis for awards, and assist in the academic and financial administration of University affairs. Graduate students shall have the right to inspect any of their own educational records, barring confidential letters of recommendation, including their official transcript. Students also shall have the right to inspect reports and evaluation of their academic performance. Access will be provided in the presence of a Graduate Program Representative or an Office of Graduate Studies staff member. The student may request that false information is corrected and recipients of false information are advised of the correction. The right does not extend to applicants, those denied admission, or those admitted who do not enroll. Where such information involves other students, the student is entitled to inspect or be informed of that portion of the information pertinent only to him or herself. The Office of Graduate Studies requires that requests for access be submitted in writing and may ask for, but not require, the reason for the request. Right to Explanation A graduate student is entitled to an explanation of any information contained in official records directly related to the student. A student may challenge the factual and objective elements of the content of student records, but not the qualitative and subjective elements of grading. Right to Obtain Photocopies The right to inspect and review official records includes a provision for copying the records upon request (except where copies are already available to students under established University procedures). Students may obtain copies from the Office of Graduate Studies maintaining the records. 80
Disclosure of Confidential Information to Third Parties The University will not release a transcript or personal information about a student to a third party without the student's knowledge and consent. Only those data items which have been defined by the University as directory information are released without prior student consent. The University is not required to release information to third parties upon request by the student. In case of an emergency, the University may release personal information to protect the health and safety of students. 81
PART 111 UNIVERSITY RESOURCES Career Services Zayed University provides many opportunities for career preparation and employment through course work and assignments, on-campus employment, off-campus summer employment, internship programs, and full-time employment. The Office of Career Services assist students in making informed career choices to achieve career and life goals. Career Resource Center The Career Resource Center has career-related books, articles, magazines, information on employers, career planning software, videos and web sites available for students. The Career Education Coordinator assists a student with research careers and jobs, writing resumes, practicing for job interviews and making decisions about which program to select. See the web site http://www.zu.ac.ae/cs for more resources. Library and Learning Resources The library is an exciting place with many resources for reading, research, individual and group study. Librarians are available to assist students in finding information and using various kinds of information resources. The library has a range of resources in both Arabic and English, including books, magazines and newspapers, CDs, videos, graded English readers and the Emirate Collection. The library provides equipment to scan, print, photocopy and laminate documents. Data-ports for laptop and desktop computers (including Macs) are available to search online databases and the Web, to write reports and to work on projects. Students may check out books, videos, cassettes and kits by presenting their student identification cards. Students are responsible for all materials they borrow and students are expected to return them when they are due. If students do not return books, at the end of the term they will be billed for them and will not receive academic transcripts or graduate until their library records are cleared. Abu Dhabi Campus library hours during the semester (unless otherwise posted): Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday: 7:30 a.m. 7:00 p.m. 82
Monday and Thursday: 7:30 a.m. 5:30 p.m. Saturday: 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Friday and Public Holidays: Closed Ground and First Floor All students may access the gender specific areas on the ground and first floor of their specific library at all times the library is in operation. Second and Third Floor Access to these floors for students is assigned as follows: Day Female Male & Graduate Students Sunday 7:30 a.m. 7:00 p.m. Monday 7:30 a.m. 5:30 p.m. Tuesday 7:30 a.m. 7:00 p.m. Wednesday 7:30 a.m. 7:00 p.m. 83
Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Friday Closed Closed Saturday 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Graduate Students Study/Research Space Graduate students study/research space are available and staffed at the Abu Dhabi campus library. Besides good study space as well as an enclosed formal study space suitable for group work, the following facilities and services are available to graduate students: Desktop computers Library services (information, interlibrary loan requests) Other Support Services Photocopy Machines and Printers Photocopy machines and printers are available for all students to use in the first and second floors of the library. Graduate students may inquire about these services and how to configure their laptops to be able to use library printers. In addition, the library has a few computers which are directly connected to the printers for patrons to use. Book Delivery Service The library will operate book delivery services from the General Collection to the Learning Enhancement Centers for students who may not use the second and third floors due to gender separation. On the days when the General Collection is closed to men, books may be requested for delivery to the male Learning Enhancement Center. When the General Collection is closed to women, books can be delivered to the female Learning Enhancement Center. Books will be delivered to both the Learning Enhancements Centers at the following times: 84
All books requested by 9:00 a.m. will be delivered to the respective gender Learning Enhancement Center by 10:00 a.m. All books requested between 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. will be delivered at 2:00 p.m. Requests will be accepted through: Library Catalog Request (Please visit the Library Circulation Desk located on the second floor to create a PIN) In person at the Learning Enhancement Centers (Please complete the forms available with the relevant information in order for library staff to locate the book(s) with ease.) Learning Enhancement Center The Learning Enhancement Center (LEC) is open to help students with writing, reading and listening in both English and Arabic and in improving their math skills. Library staff offers individualized instruction to students, small groups and specialized courses. Librarians, staff and advanced students, called peer tutors, can provide extra help. The LEC is open the same hours as the Library. Office of Research Research at Zayed University has been actively supported in a variety of ways, including the provision of training opportunities, support for university journals and conference hosting, grant application support, and direct financial support for both annual research grants and a bi-annual Provost s Research Fellowship Awards. The support for research at Zayed University for both faculty and students will increase in forthcoming years, especially in the areas of student training, fellowships, assistantships, and research opportunities, for an expanded Research Fellowship Award program, and for the establishment of ten endowed chairs, well-supported by resources for research. For more information, please visit the website research@zu.ac.ae or contact +971-4-402-1485 (Dubai campus). Service Desk 85
The Service Desk is the first point of contact for students, faculty and staff seeking resolution to problems with software, network connectivity, and hardware. The Service Desk troubleshoots hardware and software problems with laptops, desktops, and peripherals such as printers and other IT equipment. The Service Desk also supports equipment in classrooms and other campus buildings. Contact the Service Desk at http://servicedesk.zu.ac.ae Administrative Support during Workshops Students may contact the Office of Graduate Studies for administrative support (tuition fee payments, photocopying, and IT support) during classes and workshops. Catering The University s cafeterias are open on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., serving breakfast, lunch and snacks. Students can bring their own snack/lunch to the University but may not bring other food to the campus without the prior and express permission of the Dean of Graduate Studies. All food must be eaten in the cafeteria and not in classrooms, laboratories, studios, computer rooms or the Library. Student groups wishing to bring other food to the campus should submit their requests to the Graduate Facilities Officer, Hala Albaldawi at +971-50-557-0678 or email hala.albaldawi@zu.ac.ae 86