Master of Arts (Teaching) and Non-Degree Programs Additional Information

Academic Policies

• All degree programs require a grade point average (GPA) of “B” (3.0) for graduation. When a student’s average falls below “B” (3.0) in either a degree or certification program, he or she is placed on academic probation and must bring his or her GPA up to 3.0 by the end of the next term after being placed on probation or face academic dismissal. No more than six (6) semester hours of “C+” (2.33) work may be included as degree credit. Further “C” work makes the student subject to academic dismissal. A grade of “F” or “WF” in any graduate course may constitute reason for academic dismissal.
• Certification students are responsible for communicating with the Certification Division of the Department of Education in Tallahassee, Florida, for specifics regarding their certification status.
• Certification and degree-seeking students are assigned an advisor who prepares an Individual Plan of Study for each student. Any changes in this Individual Plan of Study may be made only with the approval of the advisor.
• During the term prior to Student Teaching, Certification and M.A.T. students must apply to student teach. To be eligible for Student Teaching, and in addition to admission requirements, a student must have submitted passing scores on either the Professional Education (PED) or Subject Area Exam (SAE) section of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE), completed all degree or certification requirements, and have academic recommendations from three (3) faculty members. Two (2) recommendations must be from full-time faculty.
• Students who wish to change degree status must submit a written request to the Director of Teacher Education. If this request is approved, students must meet all requirements of the new status.
• Degree-seeking students may apply to transfer up to six (6) semester hours of graduate-level coursework from another regionally accredited institution by filing an “Application for Transfer Credit” form available in the Graduate Studies office. Transfer credit is approved when the following conditions are met:

1. The course is relevant to the degree program.
2. Graduate credit is earned from a regionally accredited institution.
3. Graduate credit is earned within six (6) years of the anticipated Rollins graduation date.
4. The course carries a grade of “B” or better, and the course has not been graded credit/no credit.
5. No transfer credit is approved until 12 semester hours are completed in Graduate Studies at Rollins College.
6. Credit obtained through correspondence study, teaching experience, or distance learning is not applicable to any graduate degree program.

• Directed Independent Studies (DIS) that are existing courses need to be approved by the course instructor of record and the Director of Graduate Studies in Education.
• Directed Independent Studies (DIS) that are not existing courses must be approved by the Education Department faculty and the Director of Graduate Studies in Education.
• All credit applied to a degree program must be earned within six (6) years of the first registration. All students who have not taken courses within a three-year period must re-apply for admission and meet all admission requirements in effect at the time of application.
• All academic policies of Graduate Studies programs are approved by the faculty.
• Special students in Graduate Studies programs are subject to graduate policies and graduate fees.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation requirements include the following:

• Admission to degree candidacy.
• Completion of all certification and course requirements for the degree with a grade point average of “B” (3.0) or above.
• Evidence of acceptable performance for each of the Accomplished Practices (M.A.T. students only).
• Filing the Intent to Graduate form. This should be filed prior to the last term of study.
• Payment of the $75 graduation fee.
• Payment of any outstanding fees to the College.
• Recommendation by the faculty.

To be eligible for Florida Professional Teacher Certification, students must submit passing scores for the  PED-Professional Education and SAE-Subject Area Exams. Students who complete all degree requirements except the FTCE will graduate without a transcript statement indicating completion of a state-approved teacher education program. These students may submit passing FTCE scores after graduation to have the transcript statement added.

Deadlines are as follows:

• Spring graduates - submit scores by December 15
• Summer graduates - submit scores by December 15
• Fall graduates - submit by scores by August 15

Commencement is held once each year in the spring. All degrees are awarded pursuant to the policies of the Board of Trustees of Rollins College.