Student Handbook: Key Policies and Regulations
In this section we summarize key policies and regulations that likely affect Sacramento State’s Ed.D. students. Some of these are based on the University’s original proposal for a stand-alone Ed.D. Program. Others are drawn from the University Policy Manual, and more generally applicable at Sacramento State. In a few cases we have drawn from the wording used in the PPA Student Handbook. For the sake of convenience, we list polices and regulations in alphabetical order. Additionally, cross-references are made to topics that have been discussed at length in earlier sections of this handbook.
Please be aware that this section is not exhaustive. Ed.D. students remain bound by other provisions of the University Policy Manual, as well as Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations, the State Administrative Manual (SAM), the State University Administrative Manual (SUAM), current collective bargaining agreements, CSU system-wide policies, and the Sacramento State Catalog.
Note that the University Policy Manual is available on-line at www.csus.edu/umanual. The current University catalog and prior catalogs are also available on line at http://aaweb.csus.edu/catalog/default.asp (with respect to catalog provisions, Ed.D. students and all other CSUS student are bound by the catalog provisions in effect at the time they enrolled). Students should consult those sources as necessary.
Academic Honesty (Prohibition against Cheating and Plagiarism)
The University expects that both doctoral students and faculty will honor the principles of truth and honesty, thereby protecting the integrity of academic work and student grades. Academic dishonesty defrauds all those who depend on the University, its courses and its degrees.
Both cheating and plagiarism are strictly prohibited and subject to sanction. Cheating is defined as the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for academic work through the use of dishonest, deceptive, or fraudulent means. Examples include (but are not limited to) copying in whole or part from another person’s test or evaluation instrument and submitting work previously graded in another course unless permission has been obtained from the instructor. Plagiarism is a specific form of cheating and involves using distinctive work or ideas belonging to another person without adequate recognition of that person’s contribution.
For more information on what constitutes academic dishonesty, the steps to be followed if academic dishonesty is suspected, possible consequences from a finding of academic dishonesty, and student rights if an accusation is made, see the University Policy Manual statement on academic honesty at:
www.csus.edu/umanual/student/UMA00150.htm.
Academic Probation and Disqualification
See previous discussion on pages 3 - 14 in Section IV of this handbook.
Advancement to Candidacy
See previous discussion on p. 15 in Section IV of this handbook.
Advising
Sacramento State is guided by the philosophy that effective academic advising is essential to the realization of the University's instructional mission. Thus, the University strives to offer a workable program of academic advising for every enrolled student.
With respect to the Ed.D. Program in particular, advising adheres to the principle that academic and professional development is central. Advising of Ed.D. students is aimed at: 1) promoting a well-planned and efficient course of study that can be completed by five years by working professionals; 2) providing academic discussion and dialogue that fosters embedding of discussion research within each component of the curriculum; 3) providing expert supervision of Ed.D. candidates in the conduct rigorous dissertation research; 4) providing guidance and information that fosters professional development; and 5) facilitating advocacy on behalf of students and their needs.
During the summer or early in the first semester of the program, each incoming Ed.D. student is assigned a faculty advisor. Advisors will be chosen with consideration given to such factors as mutual scholarly interest and balancing the advising load across faculty members. Advising assignments are not “set in stone,” and if for any reason the student or advisor determines that another advisor assignment is desirable, a reassignment can be made. The new assignment will be determined by the program director after consulting with the student and advisor about the reasons for the change.
Each advisor must meet with each first year student advisee as necessary during the course of the academic year. The advisor is also expected to have a one-on-one meeting with the advisee at the end of the academic year to discuss program requirements and plan for the second year. The core faculty will be developing a more detailed and specific policy with respect to academic advising during the course of the 2008-09 academic year.
A first year student’s initial advisor is expected to remain the student’s advisor until such time as a supervisory/dissertation committee is established. Normally this will occur in the student’s second year. The initial advisor may also become the student’s primary dissertation advisor, but this is not necessarily the case and will depend on the nature of the student’s project, the faculty member’s expertise and availability, etc. For a broader discussion of the dissertation committee and the role of the advisor, see Section IV of this handbook.
In addition to the faculty advisor, each year it is expected that first year students will be assigned a peer advisor from among volunteers in the cohort of second year students. It is expected these peer advisors will be available to help students make the transition to a doctoral program.
Attendance
The doctoral program requires a major time commitment and carries an expectation that it will be a top priority in student’s lives. Just as the program has been designed to accommodate the schedule of working professionals, we ask for accommodation by employers to promote candidates’ regular and on-time attendance
Accordingly, students are expected to attend every class session and arrive on time for each one. A student who believes that he or she will not be able to attend a particular session, or will likely arrive late, should contact the instructor to consult about the appropriate course of action, including how to obtain the information covered. All Ed.D. instructors will develop their own policies on how excessive absences from seminars affect a student’s grade, and can result in academic warning or dismissal. These policies will be included on each instructor’s syllabus.
Financial Aid
Doctoral student are eligible for financial aid. Indeed, the Ed.D. fee policy sets aside 10% of student fees in the program for financial aid. Students interested in financial aid should contact Sacramento State’s Financial Aid Office at: https://webapps1.csus.edu/faid_general.
Human Subjects & Institutional Review Board (IRB)
Research involving human subjects, and conducted by Ed.D. core faculty and/or students, is subject to review by the campus Institutional Review Board aimed at protection of humans subjects. Guidelines for human subject protection are available on the Office of Research Administration Web site at: www.csus.edu/research/humansubjects.
For Ed.D. students, the campus human subjects protection process is likely to be most relevant at the dissertation stage. Students at that stage should consult with their thesis advisors regarding what is necessary to satisfy IRB requirements. Note that some dissertation projects may be exempt from IRB review.
Incomplete Grades
Pursuant to University policy, incomplete (“I”) grades will only be given when a student cannot complete a course due to a serious, unforeseen problem. It is the responsibility of the student to bring pertinent information to the attention of the instructor and to determine from the instructor the remaining course requirements which must be satisfied to remove the incomplete. Agreement as to the conditions for removal must be in writing, approved by the instructor and program director, and placed in the Ed.D. student’s file. The instructor assigns a final grade when the work has been completed and evaluated. Satisfaction of the requirements for removal of the incomplete must be completed within one year following the end of the semester in which the “I” grade was assigned, regardless of whether or not the student maintains continuous enrollment. If the work is not completed within 12 months the incomplete will be converted to a grade of “F” and the student will need to retake the course to receive credit toward the doctoral degree.
Leaves of Absence
Students should normally enroll in the doctoral program with the intention of committing to three years of study, including summers. However, unforeseen problems may arise that prevent continuous enrollment, such as health or family emergencies. A student facing such circumstances may take a leave of absence for up to two semesters. A student considering a leave should consult with his or her advisor. Note that a leave of absence does not alter the seven year deadline for completion of all degree requirements.