Directed Independent Study [DIS] coursework is intended to offer the opportunity for greater depth of learning or the supplementation of content otherwise not offered by the Bryant curriculum. Hence, the role of DIS should be considered as an alternate for academic credit in a student’s program only when it augments existing courses or provides opportunity for more specialized learning. Directed independent study will not be approved when such proposals represent a duplication of existing coursework alternatives or simply course topics justified on the basis of convenience or instructor preference. No more than one directed-independent study is permitted within each graduate student’s curriculum.

Any student who registers for a directed independent study course must perform the following steps:

1. The student should contact the Graduate Program Office in the appropriate discipline to request a graduate faculty member to oversee a course in Directed Study, as an advisor.
2. When a faculty advisor has been identified, the faculty member and student are expected to develop a detailed outline of requirements that would satisfy three graduate course credits. A detailed syllabus of assignments, including time and output expectations needs to be established, including course milestones and evaluation criteria.
3. If the faculty member and graduate student agree on the proposal, the student then meets with the Graduate Program Office, who initiates the Directed Independent Study online process in Banner.  After the process initiation, the student must confirm and accept the Directed Independent Study through the Banner system and then notifies the faculty member through email.  The faculty member downloads and attaches the syllabus and accepts the Directed Independent Study. The student then notifies the Department Chair to view and approve the Directed Independent Study. The appropriate Associate Dean/Director will be notified to make the final approval.
4. Once the Directed Independent Study has been approved by the Associate Dean/Director, the Office of the Registrar will register the student and assign the faculty to the Directed Study in Banner.  The student and faculty member will receive a confirmation email that all steps have been completed.
5. The advising faculty member is expected to submit a final grade at the end of the term.

Auditing A Course

Graduates of any graduate degree program may audit a course as long as prerequisites have been met and there is space available in the course. Students wishing to audit a course should complete an "Audit" request form from the Office of the Registrar with permission of the instructor.  No credit or quality points are given for the audited course. The grade on the transcript will appear as “AU” (for audit). Students are responsible for paying 100 percent of tuition.

NOTE: Bryant Graduate alumni will pay 50 percent of course tuition to audit a course.

Cancellation/delay of classes due to weather conditions will be announced over local radio and television stations. A detailed message will also be available by calling the University’s emergency line at (401) 232-6002. The announcement to cancel or delay classes will also be available on the university website at www.bryant.edu. When individual classes are cancelled, students will be notified via their Bryant e-mail accounts.

Grading Policies And Academic Standing

CREDIT HOUR

As an institution of higher education, Bryant University holds the responsibility for determining and upholding standards related to the awarding of credit hours for student work consistent with national standards.

• One hour (50 minutes) of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours out of class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester. 
• A least an equivalent amount of work as required outlined above for other academic activities as established by the institution including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work relating to the award of credit hours.

Bryant University ensures a minimum of 750 minutes of instruction per credit hour (2,250 minutes of instruction for a standard, three-hour course), regardless of mode of delivery. Winter and Summer terms offer accelerated courses, and the schedule is adjusted to meet the above standard.

GRADING SYSTEM

The graduate programs use the following grading system:

Grading Policies and Academic Standing

Credit Hour

As an institution of higher education, Bryant University holds the responsibility for determining and upholding standards related to the awarding of credit hours for student work consistent with national standards.

• One hour (50 minutes) of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours out of class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester. 
• A least an equivalent amount of work as required outlined above for other academic activities as established by the institution including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work relating to the award of credit hours.

Bryant University ensures a minimum of 750 minutes of instruction per credit hour (2,250 minutes of instruction for a standard, three-hour course), regardless of mode of delivery. Winter and Summer terms offer accelerated courses, and the schedule is adjusted to meet the above standard.

Grading System

The graduate programs use the following grading system:

NOTE: Values assigned to each letter grade are determined by individual faculty members.

Letter Grades of B-, C+, and C: These grades, though acceptable, represent average performance and thus, must be offset by other higher grades in order to maintain a 3.0 cumulative average and subsequently to graduate from the program.  Courses in which a student earns a B-, C+, or C cannot be repeated.

Letter Grade of F: A letter grade of “F” indicates a course failure and remains on the transcript and is included in all future GPA calculations. If an “F” was earned in a core course, the core course must be repeated. If an “F” was earned in an elective, that specific course does not have to be repeated. However, the student must enroll in another elective in order to successfully complete the total number of credits required to earn the degree. The student’s transcript will record both course enrollments and grades.

I – Incomplete (because of extenuating circumstances, the instructor has allowed additional time, (e.g. two weeks, to complete the course.) The Incomplete is not included in calculating the GPA. If the Incomplete is not finished before the midterm of the next regular term (i.e., Fall or Spring terms), the grade will automatically be converted to an F. For purposes of this policy, “midterm of the next regular term” shall be interpreted to mean the date which the institution has identified when midterm grades for the term must be submitted.

AU – Audit grade. Grade not included in calculation of GPA.

W – Student is allowed to withdraw from a course after the add/drop period and up until the end of the 10th week of regularly scheduled classes for on-campus programs, as designated by the university calendar by making a written request to the Office of the Registrar with no academic penalty incurred. For online programs, student is allowed to withdraw up until the end of the 6th week of regularly scheduled classes, as designated by the university calendar.  This request must be made in writing to the Office of the Registrar.

WD – Student is allowed to withdraw from a semester after the add/drop period and up until the end of regularly scheduled classes, as designated by the university calendar, by making a written request to the Office of the Registrar with no academic penalty incurred. Any course that has been completed and graded will remain on the student's record. 

(W and WD) - When appropriate, it is advisable that prior to withdrawal, a student confer with the professor of the course to confirm the soundness of the decision to withdraw; however, such a conference is not mandatory. Professors will be notified of a student's decision to withdraw when the Course Withdrawal Notice has been received. 

GPA Calculations

Only courses taken and credits received in the graduate programs at Bryant University are included in the computation of the grade-point average.

Quality points are determined by multiplying credits by grade points. Grade points are listed in the table above.  The grade point average is determined by dividing the total quality points earned by the total credits completed. 

Final GPA is truncated (not rounded) to the hundredths (i.e., two decimal places) for all official university records, academic standing, honors, etc.

Academic Standing

The academic standing measures a student's advancement toward meeting the grade point average requirements for a degree. Students are required to earn a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 to successfully complete a graduate program.

If at the completion of the graduate program, the final GPA is below 3.0, a student may petition the Dean of the College to complete a maximum of six additional credits (i.e., two, three credit courses) all to be completed at Bryant to meet the GPA minimum.

NOTE: Values assigned to each letter grade are determined by individual faculty members.

ADD/DROP POLICY

During the spring and fall terms, students may add courses for one (1) week after the first day of classes. Students have two (2) weeks to drop classes after the first day of  classes. Students must submit an add/drop form to the Office of the Registrar with appropriate faculty signatures. Refer to the Office of the Registrar web page for add and drop deadlines for the winter and summer terms.

Grade Replacement Policy

Graduate students may have the option of replacing a grade in a course by retaking the course. The grade replacement policy is subject to approval by the Executive Director of Graduate & Professional Education and the appropriate faculty director/department chair, and the following conditions:

• For any one course this grade replacement option may only be used once. Also, credit for a repeated course may be used only once.
• This policy can be applied to a maximum of two different courses.
• For purposes of GPA calculation, the grade earned during the first course enrollment will stand until the recording of the final grade in the second enrollment is completed. When the second enrollment is completed, the grade for that second enrollment will become the grade used in all GPA calculations regardless of whether the grade earned is higher or lower than the grade obtained during the first enrollment.
• The transcript will record both course enrollments, and the grade earned in each enrollment. The first attempt will be marked with an X to indicate grade replacement (e.g., XF, XC).
• Students will not be allowed to apply the grade replacement policy to a course in which there has been documented academic dishonesty that has not been reversed on appeal.
• The grade from the first attempt will continue to stand for those students who withdraw with a W from the course during the second attempt.
• Repeat courses must be taken at Bryant University.

A student who wishes to apply for grade replacement should petition the Graduate Programs Office. Petitions must be filed before the start of the term in which a student would like to repeat the course. The Executive Director of Graduate & Professional Education and appropriate faculty director/department chair will review all applications and may deny permission in cases where repeating a course will not positively impact the students’ progress toward degree completion. A student may appeal the decision to the dean/director of the appropriate college or school. 

During the semester preceding their intended graduation, on-campus students should complete and submit an online Application for Graduation form through their Banner web account. Students who complete their degree requirements during a summer or fall term may participate in commencement exercises of that academic year.

During the second to last term in the online students should complete and submit an online Application for Graduation form through their Banner web account. Students who complete their degree requirements are welcome to the Bryant campus in Smithfield, RI and may participate in commencement exercises in May of that academic year.

Academic Honesty Policy

A high standard of conduct is expected. A graduate student’s education is the result of his or her initiative and industry. Each Bryant graduate student, accordingly, understands that to submit work that is not his/her own is not only a transgression of University policy but also a violation of personal integrity.

The academic community, therefore, does not tolerate any form of “cheating” – the dishonest use of assistance in the preparation of outside or in-class assignments.

Graduate Programs Code Of Conduct

Bryant University is an educationally purposeful community – a place where faculty, staff and students work together to strengthen teaching and learning on campus. The campus is a place where high standards of civility are set and violations are challenged. Bryant University is a community whose members speak and listen carefully to each other. Bryant University is a place where the sacredness of each person is honored and where diversity is aggressively pursued. Bryant University clearly states both its academic and social expectations. All must accept their obligations as citizens of the Bryant community and expect to be held accountable for behavior as individuals and members of groups. The University is a caring community where the well-being of each member is supported and where service to others is encouraged. All students are expected to obey applicable local state and federal laws as well as the policies of the university. These policies are found in The Student Handbook and the University Policy Manual. All students are subject to disciplinary action for violations. Graduate student violations of policy shall be adjudicated by the Graduate Disciplinary Committee. Procedures applying to this process are found in The Student Handbook.

Behavior And Discipline

The University expects students to assume responsibility for their actions. It also has an equal obligation to protect its educational purpose and the interests of its student body; therefore, it must be concerned with the actions of individuals or groups that are in conflict with the welfare and integrity of the University or in disregard for the rights of other students, faculty, or other members of the University community.

Complete guidelines and policies are found in The Student Handbook. When students enroll at Bryant University, it is assumed that they have a serious purpose and a sincere interest in their own social and intellectual development.   It is also assumed that students familiar with the regulations, procedures, and policies set forth at Bryant University have accepted them as a “way of life” during their stay at the University. They are expected to learn to cope with problems intelligently, reasonably, and with consideration for the rights of others; to obey laws and ordinances of the nation, state, and community of which they, as well as the University, are a part; and to conduct themselves peaceably in espousing changes they may consider necessary. As students prize rights and freedoms for themselves, they are expected to respect the rights and freedoms of others.

Students are subject to federal, state, and local laws as well as University rules and regulations. A student is not entitled to greater immunities or privileges before the law than those enjoyed by other citizens generally. Students are subject to such reasonable disciplinary action as deemed appropriate, including suspension and expulsion in appropriate cases for breach of federal, state, or local laws, or University rules or regulations. The principle extends to conduct off campus that is likely to have adverse effects on the University, or on the educational process, or which stamps the offender as an unfit associate for other students.

Harassment

PROTECTION FROM HARASSMENT — POLICY STATEMENT

Bryant University is committed to maintaining a working and learning environment which supports respect for the individual and for academic freedom, where all members of the community can work and learn in an atmosphere that is free from sexual or other types of harassment. It is the policy of Bryant University that no member of the University community, including faculty, staff, students, volunteers, interns, and third-party contractors, may subject another to sexual or any other type of harassment.

Harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual preference or orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, ethnicity, disability, veteran or marital status undermines the basic principles of the Bryant community and will not be tolerated.

Harassment includes but is not limited to unwelcome verbal, electronic and/or physical conduct directed toward an individual or regarding an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual preference or orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, ethnicity, disability, veteran or marital status that has the purpose or effect of humiliating and/or intimidating an individual or hindering and/or interfering with work performance, academic status, or college life. In particular, sexual harassment is defined as unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and all other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature where: submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment or academic status; or submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or academic decisions affecting such individual; or such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment in which to work or learn.

Bryant University considers harassment a very serious matter. Any person found to be engaging in harassment, including sexual harassment, or who aids and abets or incites such conduct, will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or expulsion from an educational program of the University. Further, any retaliation against an individual for filing a complaint or for cooperating in an investigation of such a complaint is similarly prohibited and will not be tolerated.

REPORTING PROCEDURES:

Bryant University encourages the reporting of all perceived incidents of discrimination, harassment or retaliation, regardless of the offender’s identity or position. To encourage persons to come forward, the University provides several channels of communication, information, and complaint resolution as outlined below.

INFORMATION, COUNSELING AND ADVOCACY:

Anyone may seek advice, information or counseling on any matter, including matters relating to harassment, without having to lodge a complaint. Names and telephone numbers of these resources are listed under “Information/Counseling Resources.”

INFORMAL COMPLAINT PROCESS:

Either verbally or in writing, notify the offender firmly and promptly that his or her behavior is unwelcome. While dealing informally with a problem of harassment may resolve the matter more expeditiously and more confidentially, no action can be taken by the University when it is not aware of the harassing conduct. Hence, informal complaint procedures should not be used for severe or habitual cases of harassment.

FORMAL COMPLAINT/REPORTING PROCESS:

When a formal complaint is received, the University will promptly investigate the allegation in a fair and expeditious manner. The investigation will be conducted in such a way as to maintain confidentiality to the extent practicable under the circumstances.

The investigation will include a private interview with the person(s) filing the complaint and with witnesses. The person(s) alleged to have committed harassment would also be interviewed. When the investigation has been completed, the results of that investigation, to the extent appropriate, will be shared with the person filing the complaint and the person alleged to have committed the conduct. If it is determined that inappropriate conduct has occurred, the University will act promptly to eliminate the offending conduct, and where appropriate, will impose disciplinary action.

RESOURCE LIST

INFORMATION/COUNSELING RESOURCES:

Counseling Services (401) 232-6045

Health Services           (401) 232-6220

Student Affairs (401) 232-6046

INTERNAL CONTACT LIST

Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students   (401) 232-6046

Associate Vice President for Human Resources           (401) 232-6011

Provost                                                                         (401) 232-6060

INFORMATION SERVICES NETWORK ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

All members of the Bryant University community who use the University computing, information, and communication resources must act responsibly. Every user is responsible for the integrity of these resources under their control. All users of University-owned or University-leased Information Services systems must respect the rights of other users, respect the integrity of the physical facilities and controls, and comply with all licenses and contractual agreements.  More information-on-Information Services Network Acceptable Use Policy can be found at http://infosec.bryant.edu/acceptable_use.html.

Prior to the start of their program, graduate students are required to have their own laptops that meet the following minimum technology requirements, which are fairly standard on introductory-level laptops:

• Processor: Intel Core i5 or equivalent
• Memory: 16GB
• Hard Drive: 256GB SSD
• Video Card: Integrated Intel Graphics
• Operation System: Windows 11 Home Version

For questions on these requirements or to inquire about affordability options, please contact the Graduate Programs Office.  

E-MAIL

The University’s electronic mail services are University facilities and are intended for use for teaching, learning, research, and administration in support of Bryant University’s mission. Bryant University e-mail services may not be used for personal business or personal gain except as permitted by other University policies.

PEER-TO-PEER FILE SHARING

The Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17 U.S. Code) governs the making of copies of copyrighted material. UNAUTHORIZED COPYING IS PROHIBITED!  The person using this equipment is liable for any infringement and can be prosecuted or held liable for monetary damages.

BRYANT.EDU DOMAIN NAME

According to the guidelines of the managing body of the top-level .EDU domain space, a registrant of a name in the .EDU domain may not use the .EDU domain for commercial purposes. The use of the “BRYANT.EDU” in any commercial related transaction is a violation of those guidelines. Any student using the “BRYANT. EDU” in any electronic service (e-mail, web, etc.) for commercial purposes jeopardizes his/her privilege to use those services.