Credit and Tuition Requirement

Satisfactory results in courses totaling 48 credits and four semesters of full tuition are required for the two-year master's degree programs. Satisfactory results in courses totaling 24 credits and two semesters in residence are required for completion of one-year master's degree programs.

For joint degree candidates: three semesters of full tuition and a minimum of 12 full courses (36 credits, equivalent to one and one half years in residence) must be taken while enrolled at F&ES eight courses of which must be taken at the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. The student's course schedule must meet the curriculum requirement of one of our programs that should be so designated on the registration form.

Only work completed under the supervision of a Yale University faculty member is accepted as credit toward these degrees.

A full semester course load normally consists of four courses totaling 12 or more course credits. Taking more than five courses in a semester is strongly discouraged and rarely approved. Anyone seeking to take more than five courses must have approval by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Audit Policy

The basic requirement for recording an official Audit is attendance at a minimum of two-thirds of the class meetings, but the instructor may make additional requirements and may, in fact, require that the student do all of the work of the class including exams. However, if the instructor requires more than two-thirds attendance, auditing students should be so informed early in the semester.

At the end of the semester, the instructor is asked to certify whether or not auditing students have satisfactorily completed the course. Satisfactory completion is defined as meeting the two-thirds attendance standard and the work requirements (if any) set by the instructor. Only audits certified as satisfactory are entered on the student's transcript.

Grading System

The system used at the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies to evaluate the work done in regular and project courses provides for grades of H (Honors), HP (High Pass), P (Pass), and F (Fail). This is a subjective classification, based on the professor's overall appraisal of the student's work.

HONORS Work of exceptional character, not only as indicated by examinations, reports, and project work, but coupled with assurance of the student's ability to perform work of similar character in association with professionals, following graduation. (Approximate numerical range 90–100)

HIGH-PASS Work of outstanding character, as indicated by examinations, reports, and project work, coupled with an indication of interest, attitude, and ability decidedly above average. (Approximate numerical range 80–89)

PASS Work of acceptable professional character, as indicated by examinations, reports, and project work, including satisfactory completion of all work assigned. (Approximate numerical range 70–79)

FAIL Work below professional character, or failure to complete assigned work on time without adequate reason. If a student fails a course, it may not be made up. (Approximate numerical threshold 69)

SATISFACTORY COMPLETION (SC) Is used to record the required summer training modules and any modules taught during the academic year by a faculty member.

COURSE WITHDRAWAL (W)

CREDIT/FAIL (CR)

Grade point averages and class rank are not calculated, nor are any numberical equivalents assigned to grades.

Incomplete Grade Policy

It shall be generally understood that all of the work to be done by any students in a given semester shall be completed, with all reports, papers, and examinations in the hands of the instructor, on or before the final day of that semester. No exceptions may be granted in the case of students expecting to receive any degree at the conclusion of the semester involved. Any course recorded as incomplete (TI) must be completed in the next semester or the ti becomes a failure.

A student who wants an extension of time beyond one semester must apply, before the end of the semester, in writing, to the instructor for permission to use all or part of the ensuing vacation for the completion of specific named items of work. The granting of any such extension of time shall be at the discretion of the instructor and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Extensions beyond the end of a given vacation period can be made only in the event of illness or other problems beyond the control of the student. Failure to comply with these procedures will result in reduction of grades or failure in the courses involved.

An Incomplete grade can only be recorded in cases where permission for an extension of time has been granted. If an extension has not been granted, incomplete work shall be recorded as fail.

The practice of reporting temporary minimum grades shall be restricted to cases in which a student has finished all required work but there has not yet been time for the instructor to evaluate it.

Appeals for departure from these procedures involving unfinished required work shall be to the faculty Academic Standing Committee.

Scholastic Requirements

If a student has failed two or more courses (regardless of credit weight), and in the absence of extenuating circumstances, he/she will be considered ineligible for the master's degree based on that record, and will be obliged to withdraw. This applies to students enrolled in all F&ES degree programs including joint degree programs. Extenuating circumstances may include illness, personal problems, or death in the immediate family. All students receiving F grades will have their case reviewed by the Academic Standing Committee. The Academic Standing Committee will make recommendations to the full faculty on a case-by-case basis.

If a student receives a Fail grade or two Pass grades for any semester, a copy of his or her transcript will be sent to the Advisor and to the Academic Standing Committee. The student will be consulted about the reasons for substandard performance and counseled regarding corrective action that may improve academic achievement. If a student receives three or more Pass grades, they will be placed on ACADEMIC PROBATION.

A student who has one "Incomplete" course will be in the same category as one with one "Fail" course, except that the faculty may give the student the option either to complete the work or to obtain a degree immediately with the "Incomplete" shown as a "Fail" on the record.

Continuation of studies by a master's student who has failed to qualify for the degree at the end of the approved program of study is subject to the following rules: (a) the master's degree will be awarded only upon completion of satisfactory work done in residence at the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies–other evidence of professional competence or graduate course work at other institutions will be considered irrelevant for this award; (b) a student whose course requirements are unfulfilled for any reason may be allowed to complete the work by vote of the faculty. Each case will be considered separately, and voted upon when the student's master's degree is first withheld. Students who have failed two or more courses will not be eligible to continue in residence.

Field Trip Policy

School-sponsored field trips shall be regarded in the same way as conventional classes but as ones which are in session, day and night, from beginning to end. It shall be the special duty of faculty members on such trips to encourage the kind of professional attitude and responsible behavior that will bring credit to the School, all participants, supporting entities, and the hosts of the tours.

Leave of Absence Policy

Candidates for the MF, MFS, MESC and MEM degrees may apply in writing to the Registrar for leave of absence after completion of one full year of academic study. Applications must be received prior to registration for the semester for which leave is requested. Leave for candidates with satisfactory academic standing will be granted by the approval of the Academic Dean.

The maximum leave of absence is normally one academic year, but an extension to a maximum leave of two years may be granted in exceptional circumstances.

Candidates for the MF, MFS, MESC and MEM degrees will be required to complete all requirements for their degrees within four years.

Students who have been granted leaves of absence will be readmitted automatically upon the termination of their leave, but must reapply for financial aid by February 15 of the academic year preceding their readmission.

Students who wish to leave the School for longer than two years are advised to withdraw and reapply for admission at a later date. Their applications will be considered by the Admissions Committee in the usual manner.

A leave of absence will normally be granted for special study or work related to the degree program, but may also be granted for personal reasons, e.g., maternity, health, or financial need.

Grades and Transcript Policy

Grades are available on-line under the Student Information Systems. Follow link www.yale.edu/sis. Grades are entered as soon as they are reported.

Requests for transcripts must be in writing to the Registrar indicating the correct mailing address. Typically, a week's notice is required. There will be a charge of $3.00 per transcript.

Unofficial transcripts also will be issued upon written notice of one week; no payment is required.

Requests for copies of undergraduate or other graduate school transcripts in student files will not be honored unless for use within the Yale University community. A week's notice is required.

Letters of Recommendation that are used to gain admission to the School may not be used for any other purpose in compliance with the Buckley Amendment.

Transcript Request Form (download)

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F&ES Transcript Request Form