Academic policies are intended both to maintain the integrity of the University and to assist students manage their academic careers. It is the student's responsibility to be aware of and follow all academic policies. Guidance from the student's college office is always available.
Following are some of the more common policies and accompanying procedures for students at DePaul CDM. Additional policies may be found in the program descriptions on the CDM website and in the Handbook for Undergraduate Studies.
The following procedure is to be used only until the "Last Day To Add A Class" each quarter (typically one week after the start of the quarter). After that day, students may not be added to a class.
If a class is closed and you still want to attempt to register for it, please follow these steps:
- Check the the Registration System on the Campus Connection website every day. If you see that the class has a status of "open", you may register for it. All students have the ability to do their own drops and adds. If this doesn’t work there is no guarantee that you will be able to register for the closed course.
- You may register for an alternate class which has a status of “open”.
- Report to the first class meeting of a closed class.
- The instructor will keep a sign-up list for anyone who is attending the class but not on the class roster. Make sure that the following information is indicated on the list: your name, DePaul ID number, and e-mail address.
- The instructor will submit the list to the College of CDM. The College and the instructor will determine how many, if any, students from the list may be added to the class.
- You will be notified of your registration status in the course via e-mail if provided.
Special Note: Students are NOT allowed to sit in on a class after the first week if they are not on the class roster.
An incomplete grade is defined in the Student Handbook as follows (note that the policy in the undergraduate student handbook applies to both undergraduate and graduate students): A temporary grade indicating that the student has a satisfactory record in work completed, but for unusual or unforeseeable circumstances not encountered by other students in the class and acceptable to the instructor is prevented from completing the course requirements by the end of the term. An incomplete grade may not be assigned unless the student has formally requested it from the instructor, and the instructor has given his or her permission for the students to receive an incomplete grade. At the end of the second quarter (excluding summer) following the term in which the incomplete grade was assigned, remaining incompletes will automatically convert to "F" grades. Ordinarily no incomplete grade may be completed after the grace period has expired. Instructors may not change incomplete grades after the end of the grace period without the permission of college-based Exceptions Committee.
CDM policy requires the approval of the instructor and associate dean for all incomplete requests. Only exceptional cases will receive such approval. Students must initiate the incomplete request process before the end of the term they are enrolled in the course by obtaining the 
Incomplete Request Form and discussing the circumstances with the instructor. Further instructions may be found on the form itself.
Before submitting a grade challenge, students must carefully read the section on Grade Challenges in the Student Handbook. This section gives the procedures that must be followed when submitting a grade challenge. If attempts to resolve the grade dispute with the instructor fail and the student wishes to proceed with a grade challenge, he/she must submit a Grade Challenge Form and must include with the form a clear and coherent typed statement with the reason for the appeal, together with all relevant supporting documents. All documents should be submitted to the 
CDM Advising Office.
Student are required to maintain the minimum grades and cumulative grade-point averages required by their degree progam. Generally, an undergraduate CDM student must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA and a graduate CDM student must maintain a 2.5 GPA. Additional grade and GPA requirements may be in place for a degree program. Refer to the Undergraduate Student Handbook or the appropriate degree program description for further information. Students who fail to maintain the minimum grade and GPA requirements are subject to academic disciplinary action according to the School's policy.
Students who fail to meet the minimum grade and GPA requirements for their program are subject to academic disciplinary action by the School. All students are encouraged to be familiar with the official grade, GPA, academic probation and dismissal policies as outlined in the catalog and within the program descriptions on the CDM website.
Generally, when a student's GPA falls below the minimum required by the program, a letter will be sent to the student explaining the probation status and giving further instructions about probation removal procedures. Students will have the responsibility to:
- Review rules about probation/dismissal in the Catalog.
- Raise his/her GPA to the minimum level by developing a written academic plan that includes:
- An outline with attainable academic goals for the next three quarters
- Registration decisions for a maximum of three courses per quarter for undergraduates and two for graduates
- A list of courses that need to be repeated
- A target GPA per quarter
- Make an appointment with staff advisor to discuss the prepared plan.
- Follow-up with faculty advisor at least twice per quarter while on probation.
- Schedule an exit appointment with faculty advisor once minimum GPA is met.
- A staff advisor or faculty advisor approves/adjusts academic plan in consultation with the student. If a registration block is imposed on the student record it can be lifted only with the approval of the faculty and staff advisor.
Preferably the plan should be submitted to the advisor in advance of the initial appointment. This allows the student the opportunity to think through the situation before the meeting, and also encourages him or her to be more proactive in finding a solution to the situation.
Undergraduate CDM students are subject to the University's policy regarding course repeats as outlined in the Handbook for Undergraduate Studies. For CDM graduate students, all grades earned are used to calculate the graduate GPA except those grades earned in prerequisite phase courses.
CDM understands certain extenuating circumstances can hinder one’s ability for academic success and completion of course work. For these types of circumstances, we ask that a formal petition be submitted to attention of the CDM Exceptions Committee and forwarded to the CDM Advising Office. Along with the Appeal Form, we ask that you provide the documentation indicated below:
- Explanation of circumstances that you believe warrant a withdrawal (with or without refund)
- Supplemental documentation (e.g. travel receipts, employer notices)
- Instructor communication records, if applicable
Please Note: If a circumstance deals with death, illness or personal hardship, all such requests should be forwarded onto the Dean of Students Office using their Appeal Form.