7.5.1 Waivers for QPR and Course Requirements
(Approved: November 16, 1994) (Amended January 17, 2007)
The Academic Council may, at its discretion, waive small deficiencies in quality point rating required for the award of an academic degree. Such waivers may be granted when there are extenuating circumstances adjudged by the Council to excuse temporarily poor academic performance.
Poor academic performance, such as lack of proper preparation, low grades in the early part of a curriculum, or poor performance in a particular subject, does not in itself constitute grounds for petition for a waiver.
A petition for waiver of QPR requirements must include the following documents:
- detailed arguments in support of the petition
- transcript of academic records
- recommendations of the Program Officer, Academic Associate, and the academic unit Chair
In order to obtain additional information, the Council may, when considering the petition, request the presence of the appropriate representatives.
In each case in which a waiver is granted, the extenuating circumstances upon which the waiver is based shall be stated in the motion made to grant the waiver and recorded in the minutes of the Council.
7.5.2 Waivers for Failing Required Courses
(Approved: November 16, 1994) (Amended January 25, 2012) (Amended May 18, 2022)
Successful completion of a curriculum for the purpose of satisfying stated degree requirements includes not only the taking of the required courses and the obtaining of the required average QPRs, but also passing with a grade of ''D'' or better all courses specified as academic unit degree requirements.
If a student fails a required course and is unable to repeat the course in a later term, a waiver may be granted if the concerned academic unit Chair determines that the passing of a subsequent course in a sequence or the passing of a related non-required course meets the academic unit degree requirements.
In nominating candidates for the award of degrees, Program Officers will forward to the concerned academic unit Chair transcripts for all students failing a course.
If the concerned academic unit Chair determines that a waiver may be granted for failing a required course, the Chair will write a memorandum to the Council, which will accompany the student's nomination for the degree, stating his position with respect to the failed course.
If the concerned academic unit Chair is unable to waive the failure of a required course, the Program Officer will be so informed. In this event, the Program Officer may forward the student's appeal (as per section 219 of the Student Handbook) to the Academic Issues Review Board (Provost, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, and the Dean of Students) for a possible alternative action. The Academic Council will be informed of the action as it pertains to candidacy and graduation status.
7.5.3 Revocation of Degrees
(Approved: January 25, 2012)
NPS may initiate degree revocation procedures if misconduct, academic dishonesty, or serious administrative error is discovered after award of the degree. Revocation procedures are similar to disenrollment procedures cited in NAVPGSCOLINST 1520.2 (series), to include student notification of pending revocation and the opportunity to provide information on their behalf (normally within 30 days receipt of intent to revoke).
If administrative, the student may be given the opportunity to remedy. The academic unit Chair initiates revocation procedures and may convene a review board to assist with recommendations to the Academic Council.
If there is clear and compelling evidence warranting revocation, the student’s official transcript will be corrected to reflect any sanction(s) imposed once notification to the Academic Council is completed. Upon recommendation of the Academic Council, the President’s notification to the student may include a request to return NPS documents rendered "inaccurate" as a result of this process.
7.5.4 Awarding a Degree Posthumously
(Approved April 30, 2014) (Amended May 18, 2022)
The Academic Council may nominate a student for, and the President confer, a degree posthumously. Requests for a posthumous degree may be made by family members or other interested party of the deceased student. Requests must be routed through the student’s department and be endorsed by the Department Chair. The Academic Council may nominate the student for a degree, if at the time of death:
- The student was enrolled at NPS and in good standing; and
- The Academic Council determines that recognition of the student’s accomplishments by the award of a degree is warranted based on graduate work completed and other circumstances pertinent to the request.
Final approval of the request for a posthumous degree rests with the President. Upon approval by the President the student’s official transcript will be annotated with the degree conferred and that the degree was awarded posthumously. The Diploma for the degree will not include any special notation.
Should a request for a posthumous degree be disapproved, a certificate of attendance or other appropriate recognition of the student’s time at NPS may be presented to the student’s family.