Academic Policies (Liberty University Online)
Appeal procedure/guidelines for graduate and post-graduate students:
Students Academically Suspended or Academically Dismissed from Liberty University may appeal for readmission under Academic Amnesty per the following protocols:
- The student must not have been enrolled at the University for a period of at least three years. Example: If the graduate student’s last enrollment was in the Spring 2012 semester, he/she would not eligible to appeal for Academic Amnesty until after the Spring 2015 semester.
- The student must submit a written appeal for readmission to the Associate Registrar for Graduate Studies. The appeal should include a thorough explanation of (1) the circumstances which contributed to the academic performance which resulted in the student’s Academic Suspension or Dismissal and (2) why the student’s present circumstances are more conducive to improved academic performance if permitted to resume his/her studies.
- Students who were Academically Dismissed because of academic dishonesty are not eligible for Academic Amnesty.
- The Associate Registrar for Graduate Studies will confer with the Director of Graduate Student Affairs to determine whether or not there are any student-conduct-related considerations that should render the student ineligible to resume his/her studies through Liberty University.
- If the Director of Graduate Student Affairs determines that the student is eligible to resume his/her studies from a student-conduct perspective, the Associate Registrar for Graduate Studies will then present the student’s appeal for review to the Associate Dean or Program Director over the student’s degree program.
- If the student is determined by the Associate Dean or Program Director to be eligible for readmission, the Associate Registrar for Graduate Studies will submit the student’s appeal to the Vice Provost for review.
- If the Vice Provost approves the student’s appeal, all grades of C, D and F (including +/- grades) will be revised to Q, and will no longer be included in the calculation of the student’s cumulative GPA. Grades of A and B (including +/- grades) will not be revised, and will continue to be included in the calculation of the student’s cumulative GPA.
- Students in degree programs requiring a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for good academic standing and graduation will retain grades of C (and C+/-), as well.
- If the Vice Provost denies the student’s appeal, his decision will be final. The student will not be permitted to resume the pursuit of any Graduate or Doctoral degree through Liberty University.
- Once the approved student’s grades have been revised, he/she is eligible to apply for readmission. (He/she must meet all applicable admission requirements to gain readmission.) The student will be readmitted on Academic Caution, and will be required to take and pass GRST 500 Intro to Graduate Writing in his/her first semester (unless he/she has already passed the course).
- The previously assigned academic standings will not change, and will remain part of the student’s academic records for the respective semesters for which they were earned.
- Students who have been granted Academic Amnesty are not eligible for graduation honors.
General Complaint Policies
The following policies can be found on the Graduate Student Affairs and Liberty University Online Student Advocate websites:
A. General policy for online undergraduate and graduate student complaints:
Complaints not specifically addressed by policies in any portion of the above student support areas should be directed to the Liberty University Online Student Advocate Office by following the complaint procedure below and completing the Student Complaint Form.
The Liberty University Online Student Advocate Office will assess the complaint, identify the appropriate person(s) to assist the student, and facilitate contact with the student and appropriate office(s) to ensure resolution of the complaint.
It is important to note that this policy is ONLY for complaints not addressed by other stated policies. Additionally, the Liberty University Online Student Advocate Office may be contacted in cases where a student is uncertain on how to proceed with a complaint, or if a complaint remains unresolved after a reasonable amount of time.
Procedure for online undergraduate and graduate student complaints:
- Students may submit a formal complaint for an issue occurring during their current or previous term of enrollment.
- Student expresses grievance via online complaint form. Only complaints submitted via the online complaint form will be considered official complaints. Complaints submitted via other forums will not be reviewed.
- Student advocate reviews complaint and accompanying documentation.
- Student advocate contacts (or assigns complaint to) other university office (Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Academics, etc.) for research/decision making purposes.
- Complaint decision is rendered based on research findings.
- The decision making party will rule on the complaint and update the online complaint form.
- The student is notified via email of the decision.
- If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of their initial complaint, they may appeal within five business days of the rendered decision by providing additional support/documentation for review.
- A second review of the complaint will be completed by a higher authority whose decision will be final.
Honor Code
You can view the honor code for all Liberty University undergraduate and graduate students.
Liberty University Online Grade Appeals
Liberty encourages students to have open and respectful communication with their professor to resolve any concerns regarding individual course assignment grades and/or the final grade for the course.
Please click here to access the grade appeal form.
(To access the form, you will need to login using your Liberty username and password)
Criteria for appeal:
Only final posted grades may be appealed beyond the professor. Appeals are accepted only when the grade assigned conflicts with:
- The published grading rubrics for the course assignments
- Written communication (i.e., email, announcements, etc.)
- Calculation error on an assignment (resulting in a change to the final grade)
Appeals, other than those mentioned above, will not be reviewed.
The student must provide written documentation that demonstrates the occurrence of one or more of the above grounds for appeal. Documentation may be in the form of email correspondence, graded assignments, proof of timely submission, etc.
Appeal process:
A student wishing to appeal a final grade must submit the appeal to their professor and seek to resolve the situation with them. If the student wishes to appeal further they must follow the process outlined below:
- Within 30 calendar days of the end of the term, the student may submit a written appeal to the Online Chair/Chair, but should do so through Liberty University Online Advising. The student must include the information required above. The Online Chair will consult with the instructor and review the student's written appeal. The Online Chair will then notify Liberty University Online Advising, the instructor and the student of his/her decision.
- If the student has additional support for their appeal, the student may submit a written appeal to the Online Associate Dean, through Liberty University Online Advising after receiving the decision by the Online Chair. This written appeal must be received by Liberty University Online Advising within 5 business days of the Online Chair’s email. The Online Associate Dean will review the student's appeal, as well as any information provided by faculty member. When a decision has been reached, the Online Associate Dean will notify Liberty University Online Advising, the Online Chair, the faculty member and the student.
- If the student has additional support for their appeal, after receiving the decision by the Online Associate Dean, the student may submit a written appeal to the Online Academic Dean through Liberty University Online Advising. This written appeal must be received by Liberty University Online Advising within 5 business days of the Online Associate Dean’s email. The Associate Dean will review the student's appeal, as well as any information provided by faculty member. When a decision has been reached, the Online Academic Dean will notify Liberty University Online Advising, the Online Associate Dean, the Online Chair, the faculty member, and the student. The Online Academic Dean’s decision is final.
Privacy Policy and FERPA
Liberty University is committed to protecting your privacy when you visit our website. The University Privacy Policy outlines how we collect information when you visit one of our sites, how we use that information, and how you can update that information.
Liberty University and Liberty University Online respect the rights and privacy of our students, and strictly adheres to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. This means relatives and other individuals may not obtain information about a student unless the student issues formal written consent to the university.
Learn more about the FERPA Act or about Liberty's FERPA policy and release form.
Withdrawal Policy
For more information about our Withdrawal Policies and Financial Aid Policies, visit the Financial Aid Policies webpage.
