Expectations

Students are expected to complete all assignments and to participate in classroom discussions and activities. Regular and punctual class attendance is required. Any absences should be explained to the instructor in advance if at all possible. The satisfactory explanation of absence may release students from disciplinary action but does not relieve the student from responsibility for the course work during their absence. A student who misses an announced test or examination with the instructor’s prior permission may be given an opportunity to make up the work at the instructor’s convenience. The instructor determines in all instances the extent to which absences and tardiness affect each student’s grade.

The Guildhall program was designed to be highly multi-disciplinary and to require students from the three specializations of art creation, level design, and software development to work in teams on several game projects.  To ensure the desirable mix of artists, designers, and programmers, The Guildhall matriculates students in cohorts (students groups) who progress together through the program in a lock-step manner.  As a result, the success of the individual student is inextricably connected to the work ethic and commitments of all the students in a given cohort.  Therefore, it is the expectation of The Guildhall at SMU that each student participates fully in team work and be accountable to their team members and cohort peers.

Course Enrollment

The courses for each cohort are provided to the students approximately six weeks prior to the start of the new term. Guildhall students process their own enrollment transactions from these course selections, including add, drop, and swap on the web-based ACCESS.SMU. Students are responsible for complying with enrollment procedures and for the accuracy and completeness of their enrollment.

Grades and Credits

A student’s grade point average (GPA) is computed by multiplying the credit hours of each course attempted in the program by the grade points earned in the particular course and then dividing the total number of grade points by the total number of hours attempted, excluding hours associated with a letter grade of I (Incomplete), P (Pass), S(Satisfactory), Credit (Credit),  NC (No Credit), or W (Withdraw). When a course is repeated, both grades are used in the GPA computation.

Grading System

The following grading system is used for all courses in The Guildhall curriculum.

Incompletes

A student may receive a grade of Incomplete (I) if a substantial portion of the course requirements have been completed with passing grades but for some justifiable reason, acceptable to the instructor, the student has been unable to complete the full requirements of the course. The grade of Incomplete (I) can only be requested and given at the end of the semester. At the time a grade of I is given, the instructor must stipulate on an Incomplete Grade Assignment Report Form the requirements and completion date that must be met and the grade that will be given if the requirements are not met by the stated completion date. The instructor and student sign the form with a copy of the form given to the student and to the academic director with the instructor retaining the original form. The maximum period of time allowed to clear the Incomplete is the end of the immediately following term. If the Incomplete grade is not cleared by the date set by the instructor or by the end of the next term, the grade of I will be changed to the grade provided by the instructor at the time the Incomplete was assigned or to an F if no alternate grade was provided. Graduation candidates must clear Incompletes prior to the start of the term during which they will graduate.

Grades for Repeated Courses

Students who earn a D or F in any course in The Guildhall are generally required to leave the program.  Any student allowed by the academic director to repeat a course will have both the original grade and the repeated grade (and course) appear on the transcript.  Also, both grades will be calculated in the student’s cumulative GPA.

Appeal of Grades

The award of a grade is a matter solely within the academic discretion of the faculty member. A student who feels that an assigned grade is other than the grade earned must first discuss the matter with the course instructor to determine if the discrepancy is caused by error or misunderstanding. The student may be required to provide a written petition requesting the change of grade.

If the student feels that an error has not been corrected or that the assigned grade was capriciously or unfairly determined, the student may appeal the decision to The Guildhall academic director.  After discussing the matter with the student, the academic director will consult with the instructor, and the instructor will report a decision to the student. A student who still is convinced that a complaint has not received a fair determination may appeal the decision to the Provost, but the final authority in the determination of a grade rests with the course instructor.

Academic Performance Standards

The Guildhall maintains a selective admissions policy and strict academic standards for continued enrollment. Satisfactory progress toward a degree by a student is defined as successful completion of all required courses for the term. A student admitted to The Guildhall program and allowed to continue enrollment is considered to be making satisfactory progress toward completion of the program provided that the student receives a passing grade (A to C-) in each course for the term.

The cumulative nature of the material and the integrity of the cohort system require that students who fail any course leave the program. Students who are otherwise outstanding but receive a letter grade of D in a course may, once and only once during the program, petition the academic director of The Guildhall to demonstrate that they have acquired the knowledge presented in the failed class by taking a supplementary exam. Such petitions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will be granted only if, in the judgment of the academic director, such an opportunity would be in the best interest of both the student and The Guildhall.

To graduate from the Master’s degree program, students must earn a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or better with no grade less than a C- (1.70) applying toward the degree.  To graduate from the Professional Certificate program, a student must earn a cumulative GPA of 2.70 or better with no grade less than a C- (1.70) applying toward the certificate.

Probation

The academic performance of all Guildhall students is reviewed at the end of each term. A student who fails to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 for master’s degree program or a cumulative GPA of 2.70 in the  professional certificate program will be placed on academic probation and is not considered in good standing. Guildhall students on academic probation are not permitted to serve in any student leadership position of any organization representing The Guildhall or SMU.

Suspension and Dismissal

Suspension and Dismissal are involuntary separations of the student from The Guildhall. Suspension is for a set period of time. Dismissal is a permanent and involuntary separation of the student from The Guildhall as a result of failure to meet established minimum acceptable standards of academic or disciplinary performance. The dismissed student is not eligible for readmission to The Guildhall.

Withdrawal from the Program

Withdrawal means the student’s enrollment is cancelled and the student is no longer enrolled for any classes. The student must contact the academic director of The Guildhall and the SMU Registrar’s Office in writing to withdraw from The Guildhall. To stop attending class or notifying the instructor does not constitute an official withdrawal. The effective date of the withdrawal is the date the Student Petition for Withdrawal is processed in the Registrar’s Office. This date is the date used for credit or refund purposes. When the term withdrawal is complete, a grade of W (withdraw) is recorded for each course in which the student was enrolled for that term. The grade of W may not be revoked or changed to another grade, as the act of officially withdrawing is irrevocable.

Re-entry and Readmission of Former Students

Students who wish to re-enter the program after a withdrawal or suspension must submit a petition for consideration for readmission.  This petition should be addressed to the office of the Executive Director and should address the circumstances for withdrawal or suspension and actions taken during the time away from the program.  The petition will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee for a determination of re-entry and additional information necessary to determine outcome of petition and if readmission is possible the appropriate module of re-entry if approved.   Students may re-enter only with another cohort in the appropriate term of study. This deadline for re-entry is extended by any time spent after withdrawal in active U.S. military service.

Due to the cohort nature of The Guildhall program, students who are dismissed for failure (earning a grade below C-) in a course may only be readmitted to join a later cohort group.

Courses and Hours

Candidates must complete all courses in their program of study and earn all term hours of credit with a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or better in the master’s degree program,  or 2.70 in the certificate program.   Due to the specialized cohort nature of The Guildhall program, all credit hours must be earned at The Guildhall, with the exception of thesis completion hours.

Graduation

Before approving a graduate student for degree conferral, The Guildhall faculty will consider any documented judicial or disciplinary complaints on record and audit the student’s academic standing.

Students must file an “Application of Candidacy to Graduate Form” with The Guildhall academic director’s office at the beginning of the term in which the student expects to complete all degree requirements. Applications must be filed by the posted deadline date for applicants to be considered graduates at the end of that term.

Statute of Limitations

The maximum length of time for thesis completion in The Guildhall graduate degree program is three calendar years from the date of completion of the program course requirements.   All thesis requirements must be completed in this time period.  In computing the period, any time during which the candidate was in active U.S. military service shall be excluded.   Appeals will be considered for other extenuating circumstances.

Accommodations

Students with disabilities will be offered reasonable accommodations upon request.  Requests must be made to the Director of Services for Students with Disabilities (214-768-4557) to verify the disability and to establish eligibility for accommodations.  (See University Policy No. 2.4.)

Intellectual Property

All intellectual property (computer programs, art, design, stories, plots, devices, inventions, or productions) created by the student as part of the academic requirements and using the resources of the program will remain the sole property of The Guildhall.  The Guildhall will grant to each student the reasonable use of the IP developed as a student for use in the professional portfolio.

Admission with Advanced Standing of a Certificate Graduate to the Master’s Degree Program

Students who have already earned a Certificate in Digital Game Development from The Guildhall may apply for admission with advanced standing into the Master’s degree program if they meet all the academic requirements for admission to the degree program, including a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 at The Guildhall. Upon admission by the academic director, these students will need to satisfy the thesis requirements to earn the Master of Interactive Technology degree.

Note:  Students with a Guildhall certificate are considered to have satisfied residency requirements and may therefore complete their work away from the campus.   However, students should expect to be physically present on campus whenever it is deemed important by the student’s supervisory committee, including the initial meeting to approve the student’s proposal and the final defense.  The specialized cohort nature of The Guildhall program precludes admission with advanced standing from other graduate programs.