Academic Calendar

Academic Calendar 2012 - 2013

 Academic Calendar 2013-2014

Monday, July 15 - Friday, July 26, 2013 Fall Registration Period Monday, August 5, 2013 First day of instruction Friday, August 9, 2013 Last day to add/drop a class without grade record or billing Monday, September 2, 2013 University Holiday (Labor Day) Monday, September 16, 2013 Last day to Withdraw from the University

JAN Term 2013-2014                                           OCTOBER 21, 2013 through JANUARY 10, 2014 Monday, Sept. 30 - Friday, Oct. 11, 2013 JAN Registration Period Monday, October 21, 2013 First day of instruction Friday, October 25, 2013 Last day to Add/Drop a class without grade record or billing Thursday - Friday, Nov. 28 - 29, 2013 University Holiday (Thanksgiving) Monday, December 9, 2013 Last day to Withdraw from the University Monday - Tues., Dec. 24 - Wed., Jan. 1, 2014 University Holiday

SPRING Term 2014                                            JANUARY 21 through MARCH 28, 2014 Monday - Wed., Dec. 30 - Jan. 1, 2014 University Holiday Wed., January 2 - Friday, Jan. 10, 2014 Spring Registration Period Monday, January 20, 2014 University Holiday (MLK) Monday, January 21, 2014 First day of instruction Friday, January 24, 2014 Last day to Add/Drop a class without grade record or billing Monday, March 10, 2014 Last day to Withdraw from the University

MAY Term 2014                                                     APRIL 7 through JUNE 13, 2014 Mon., March 17 - Friday, March 28, 2014 May Registration Period Monday, April 7, 2014 First day of instruction Friday, April 11, 2014 Last day to Add/Drop without grade record or billing Friday, April 18, 2014 University Holiday (Good Friday)  Monday, May 26, 2014 University Holiday (Memorial Day) Friday, May 30, 2014 Last day to Withdraw from the University

SUMMER Term 2014                                          JUNE 16 through JULY 18, 2014 Monday, June 2 - Friday, June 13, 2014 Summer Registration Period Monday, June 16, 2014 First day of instruction Friday, June 20, 2014 Last day to Add/Drop without grade record or billing Friday, July 4, 2014 University Holiday (Independence Day) Monday, July 7, 2014 Last day to Withdraw from the University

 University Policies and Procedures

The Dispute Resolution (DR) Program is open to persons holding a bachelor's or higher professional degree from an accredited university or college. An applicant to the program must submit a completed admissions application and an official academic transcript from the institution which awarded his/her bachelor's degree. A student must receive official acceptance into the program before being enrolled in any classes.

Registration

Registration dates, class schedule, tuition, and procedures for the forthcoming term are emailed to DR students five times a year in December, March, May, July and October. Student services such as admission, adds, class drops and swaps are handled by the DR office. Payments can be made on-line with MASTERCARD, American Express or Discover with a service fee of 2.75%, or via debit from a checking or savings account with no service fee.

University Financial Policies

A DR student who is financially indebted to the University will not be awarded a certificate, diploma or transcript until all financial obligations have been met.  Penalty fees are assessed for dishonored checks ($30) and late payment ($150).  Tuition charges are listed in the registration materials and due at the time of registration in the form of a check (payable to SMU), eCheck or MasterCard, Discover or American Express credit card payment.  Application fees are nonrefundable; tuition refunds for Add/Drops and Withdrawals are described below.

General Class Attendance Policy

Attendance is crucial and class participation will be factored into a student's final grade.  Whenever possible, instructors should be given 24 hour notice of any absence.  Please note the religious holiday provision detailed in the SMU Dispute Resolution Student Handbook.  Students missing two regular classes may face a 1/2 grade reduction, missing three or more regular class periods without instructor approval will result in a failing grade or incomplete based on circumstances.  Missing 5 hours or more of a weekend class may require the student to take an Incomplete if eligible.

Add/Drop Policy

 A student who drops a course within the Add/Drop period (refer to the DR Calendar for dates) will not be charged tuition for the dropped course. A student who drops a course after the scheduled dates, but remains registered for at least one other course will not received a tuition refund for the dropped course. NOTE:  Seminars have separate policies regarding drop and refund: Drops for seminars must be received no later than two weeks prior to the start date of the class to receive a refund.

Withdrawal Policy

Students who wish to withdraw from all their courses must notify the Dispute Resolution office at 972-473-3435. Nonattendance or notifying the instructor does not constitute an official withdrawal. The following is a representative schedule of tuition refund policies for withdrawals:

On or prior to Payment Due Date       100%
1^st day through 5^th day                       90%
6th through 10th day of term               50%
11th through 15th day of term             25%
16th through 20th day of term             10%
After 20th day of term                          0%

Academic Regulations

Graduate study in the DR Program is governed by the academic regulations established for graduate programs in the Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development.

Scholastic and Academic Records

A student's permanent record includes all SMU courses attempted and grades assigned. Official transcripts are issued by the Office of the Registrar. Unofficial transcripts, grades, class schedules and account holds may be checked online by the student at ACCESS.SMU through www.smu.edu. In order to use ACCESS SMU it is necessary to have an ID number and a password. Once accepted into the program, students will receive email and password information. For password questions/problems, call 214 768-HELP.

Academic Probation

Graduate Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00. If in any semester a student falls below this GPA, the student will be placed on probation for one term. If at the end of the probationary term the cumulative GPA is not up to 3.00, the student will be removed from the program.

Prospective Graduates

Students must notify the Dispute Resolution office of intent to graduate during the term before completion of program requirements. An Application to Graduate (ACG) form must be filed with the DR office. Academic records will be reviewed at this time to verify that program requirements have been met. All "Incompletes" must be resolved (with completed records) before graduation is permitted.  No student may have grades of Incomplete in more than two classes on their transcript at any given point.

Weather Policy

It is the general policy of the University not to cancel classes except in extreme cases. Please check TV and ration stations for closings. If in doubt, call SMU Info (214) 768-4436. A notice will also be posted on the SMU web site.

Additional Information

For further information concerning Dispute Resolution program, policies and regulations, call (972) 473-3435 or e-mail us.

****Failure to read this bulletin does not excuse students from information or regulations contained therein. The University reserves the right to make changes in this bulletin at anytime.

Southern Methodist University will not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, or educational activity on the basis of race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, or veteran status. SMU's commitment to equal opportunity includes nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.****