Top questions

Can I request an incomplete grade?

A grade of incomplete may be assigned if a student is unable to complete the course work for extraordinary reasons such as illness, emergency, or other reasonable cause; has completed at least two-thirds of the course; has a passing grade average; and a well-defined plan to complete the remaining course work.

Requests for an incomplete must be emailed to the course instructor before the last day of class. The terms of agreement for completing the course work must be forwarded to the registrar’s office by the instructor no later than the published deadline for grade submission. An incomplete grade must be resolved by the agreed upon date with the instructor, but no later than four weeks after the course ends.

Can I repeat a course to earn a better grade?

Yes, a course may be repeated for a better grade. Note, the most recent occurrence of a course grade is used in the calculation of the grade point average (GPA), and all occurrences of the courses are marked on the transcript. The credits and grade earned in the first completion of the course remain in the GPA calculation until the course is repeated, at which time the latest instance of the grade is used in the calculation. Students need to be advised of possible financial aid consequences of repeating courses. Courses taken at Messiah University may not be taken at another institution and transferred to Messiah University to fulfill a requirement in their program.

Can I take a semester off?

Leave of Absence/Stop Out

Students who do not register for a course during a semester but plan to take a course in the subsequent semester are eligible to take a leave of absence/stop out and should notify the registrar’s office by completing the online Notification of Leave of Absence/Withdrawal form. Students are only eligible for a leave of absence/stop one semester at a time, and may enroll in courses the semester following stop out or withdraw from the University.

Medical Leave

Students may request a medical leave for him- or herself due to his/her own documented physical or psychological illness which prevents the student from completing course work. Students should complete a medical leave request via the form on the graduate registrar's office website and provide documentation from a licensed caregiver. The University grants medical leave for one semester based on the time of request. Students on medical leave are not considered withdrawn by the University; however for federal reporting and loan services, students on medical leave are considered withdrawn.

Students are responsible for understanding the implications of a leave of absence or medical leave on financial aid and registration for future course work. Registration for the following semester will be available as scheduled. If a student does not register for courses, he/she will be automatically withdrawn from the University.

How do I withdraw from Messiah?

End-of-Semester Withdrawal Procedure

Students who are not planning to continue their studies at Messiah University should communicate their withdrawal from the University by completing the online Notification of Leave of Absence/Withdrawal form. If a student does not complete this form or does not register for coursework, he/she will be withdrawn by the University.

During Semester Withdrawal Procedure

Students wishing to withdraw from the University before the end of a semester (fall, spring, and summer) must notify the registrar’s office of their intention by completing the online Notification of Leave of Absence/Withdrawal form. The date the student submits the withdrawal form is the date used to determine the effective date of the withdrawal. Student Financial Services determines the student’s bill and sends the student a statement of balance due or refund.

What are the standards for academic standing?

Satisfactory Academic Progress - Good Academic Standing

A student must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 (as calculated at the end of a semester) to remain in good academic standing at Messiah University.

Academic Probation

Students who do not maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher (as calculated at the end of a semester) will be placed on academic probation. In addition, students who earn two final course grades of C (C+ or C) in graduate courses taken at Messiah University (regardless of cumulative GPA) will be placed on academic probation effective at the conclusion of the semester in which the second C (C+ or C ) was earned.

Dismissal for C Grades

Students who earn three final grades of C (C+ or C) will be academically dismissed from the University effective at the conclusion of the part-of-term in which the third C (C+ or C) was earned.

Dismissal for Failing Grade

Students who earn a final grade of F, including a fail in a pass/fail course, in any graduate course at Messiah University will be academically dismissed from the University effective at the conclusion of the part-of-term in which the failing grade was assigned.

What is required to graduate?

Requirements for all Masters’ Degrees:

Successful completion of credit hours as defined by each program and faculty, with a minimum of 30 credits required for a degree beyond the baccalaureate level (Pennsylvania Department of Education, 22 Pa. Code § 31.21(b)(5)).
A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 for all coursework listed for the degree.
Completion of requirements as specified under the department of instruction in which that program falls.

Requirements for all Doctorate Degrees:

Successful completion of credit hours as defined by each program and faculty, and reflect the recommendations of professional associations or National learned societies, (Pennsylvania Department of Education, 22 Pa. Code § 31.21(b)(6)).
A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 for all work listed as requirements for the degree.
Completion of requirements as specified under the department of instruction in which that program falls.