Academic Regulations
Course Planning
Each Master of Environmental Management (MEM) and Master of Forestry (MF) student is assigned a coursework advisor based on their degree and concentration. It may be possible to change coursework advisors, with the approval of both the current and prospective advisors. It also may be possible to change concentrations through the end of the second semester (out of four required semesters of enrollment), provided that the student has met the prerequisites for the new concentration and provided that it is still possible for the student to meet all requirements of the new program before graduation. A student changing concentrations will usually be assigned a new coursework advisor. The student is responsible for ensuring that all degree requirements have been met. Faculty coursework advisors and staff in Student Services are available to advise and assist students but the final responsibility rests with the student. Concentration changes, after the second semester, may also be considered if the student meets all requirements of the new program before graduation. Students requesting a coursework advisor change must complete the Advisor Change Form at nicholas.duke.edu/student-life/current-students-guide.
Students in the Duke Environmental Leadership MEM program (DEL-MEM) have most of their required coursework planned for them. Students work directly with the faculty program director, DEL staff, and the Nicholas School registrar to ensure they meet these requirements before graduation; however, the responsibility for successfully managing their coursework and ensuring that all degree requirements have been met rests with the students.
Language Requirements
Non-native English speakers applying to the MEM, MF, and DEL-MEM should consult with that program for specific requirements beyond the English language proficiency requirements at nicholas.duke.edu/admissions/how-apply.
Accommodations
Students desiring accommodations to support their studies should contact the Student Disability Access Office (access.duke.edu/students; email sdao@duke.edu). Complete information and documentation requirements are available at access.duke.edu/students. If SDAO determines that accommodations are warranted, the office will communicate those accommodations to the Nicholas School ADA liaison, who will in turn communicate those accommodations to the student’s instructors. Students are responsible for providing course enrollment details to the Nicholas School ADA liaison in advance of each semester. Students may not request individual accommodation of instructors and instructors should direct students to SDAO or the Nicholas School ADA liaison for the school. The Nicholas School ADA liaison will work with the student and the instructors to ensure compliance.
More information about the SDAO is available in the Duke University Bulletin at registrar.bulletins.duke.edu/resources/sdao.
Registration
Entering students who enroll in the Master of Environmental Management, Master of Forestry, or Duke Environmental Leadership degree programs will receive instructions from the Nicholas School registrar about registering for courses. Registration for new students typically takes place over the summer or during orientation week. Students register for succeeding semesters at times scheduled in the university calendar.
Registration is completed by the student using an online registration system. Registration is required to take courses for credit or audit. A student must be registered to establish eligibility for university and other loans, the student health service, and study and laboratory space. All tuition and fee payments and any indebtedness must be settled before registration can be completed.
Course Credits
The MEM and MF are a minimum forty-eight course credit degree programs. Candidates for the professional degrees are considered fully registered when they enroll full-time for the number of semesters required in their individual degree programs (for example, four semesters for the MEM or MF degree). Students typically register for 12 graduate credits per semester, although a variation from 9 to 16.5 graduate credits is common. Students must have the permission of their advisor to register for more than 16.5 graduate credits in a semester, and all students who wish to enroll for fewer than 9 graduate credits must make a formal request to the Office of Student Services to study half-time. Students who are approved for half-time enrollment status (fewer than 9 course credits) are not eligible for school financial aid. Students must be enrolled in at least 6 credits to be eligible for federal loans.
Undergraduate courses may not be applied toward the required credits needed for a master’s/graduate degree. With the approval of their program, graduate/professional students may enroll in undergraduate courses as a course overload, but these courses will not count toward any graduation requirement (including electives) and will not count toward the credits required to demonstrate full-time enrollment status. Graduate/professional students interested in enrolling in undergraduate courses must complete the appropriate registration form and submit it to the Office of Student Services.
MEM or MF students pursuing a concurrent degree must meet the course credit requirements for the concurrent degree program. Details are available at nicholas.duke.edu/academics/masters-programs/concurrent-degree-programs.
The DEL-MEM program is a minimum thirty-course (30) credit degree program. To complete the DEL-MEM program within four consecutive semesters, students typically take between 6 and 9 graduate credits per semester. Permission is required to register for fewer than 6 graduate credits or more than 12 graduate credits in a semester. Students who are approved for half-time enrollment status are not eligible for school financial aid. Students must be enrolled in at least 6 credits to be eligible for federal loans.
Transfer Credits
The Nicholas School does not accept transfer credits, except between Duke schools/programs. Courses taken through the Interinstitutional Agreement (see Reciprocal Agreements with Neighboring Universities below) are not considered transfer credits.
Late Registration
All students should register at the times specified by the university.
Drop/Add
The period for dropping and adding courses typically ends on the tenth calendar day of the fall and spring semesters. During the summer, dropping or adding courses is limited to the first three days of the term. Students are advised to make all class changes on the first day of class if possible.
Reciprocal Agreements with Neighboring Universities
Students enrolled full-time in the Nicholas School during the regular academic year may enroll for up to 6 course credits (two course maximum) per semester at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, North Carolina Central University, or any other university participating in the Interinstitutional Agreement if they are also registered for at least 6 course credits at Duke during the same semester. Similarly, graduate students at these universities may take up to 6 course credits per semester at Duke. In the summer, students may enroll in one course per summer session (or term) provided that the student is concurrently registered for one course with an equivalent credit value at the home institution. This agreement does not apply to contract programs, such as the American Dance Festival. The student must pay any fees required of students at the host institution and provide their own transportation. The reciprocal agreements with neighboring universities do not apply to distance-learning courses. In general, online or distance-learning courses are not part of the interinstitutional agreement. If a student identifies a course at one of the participating institutions that is offered only in an online format, the student may petition the central registrar's office for permission to take the course through the Interinstitutional Agreement. Decisions will be on a case-by-case basis with no expectation of setting a precedent.
Immunization Requirement
North Carolina State Law (General Statutes §130A 152–157) requires that all students entering college present a certificate of immunization that documents that the student has received all immunizations required by law. While other states or country of origin may have different immunization requirements, all students must comply with North Carolina laws and Duke requirements. Each entering student is required to present proof of these immunizations in accordance with the instructions contained in the Student Health Services form provided with the student’s matriculation material. This form should be completed and returned to Student Health Services prior to the student’s first day of classes. Duke University cannot permit a student to attend classes unless the required immunizations have been obtained. Students who fail to meet the immunization requirements will be withdrawn from the university. Additional information is provided at students.duke.edu/wellness/studenthealth/immunizations.
DEL-MEM students are exempt from this requirement unless the student chooses to take courses on campus. If that happens, then a Certificate of Immunization or record of immunization must be presented on or before the date the student first registers for a semester.
Courses
Course Descriptions
Courses offered by the school are described in this bulletin. However, courses are subject to change. Prior to registration for a given term, the Office of Student Services prepares a list of courses to be offered.
Independent Study
All professional degree students can pursue independent study with individual faculty members. After discussing the potential for an independent study with a faculty member, students register to take independent study credit under ENVIRON 593, ENVIRON 791, ECS 791, or ENVIRON 997 for DEL-MEM students.
Field Trips, Field Work, and Travel Courses
The MEM and MF degrees are applied and experiential in nature. Field trips and travel courses enhance that experiential learning and add significant value to the learning experience. Course field trips are defined as experiential learning trips or field work taking place outside the normal assigned classroom and are considered a required or recommended (but optional) element of a course.
Planning for Travel Courses
Faculty should determine whether experiential learning opportunities are required or optional for a course offering. Consideration should be given to whether there are reasonable alternatives aligned with course objectives for required experiential learning activities. Students who do not participate in optional experiential learning activities should not be negatively impacted through the grading process or otherwise.
Faculty are responsible for planning and working with the Nicholas School administrative staff on the logistics of field trips, including transportation, meals, communications, and safety protocols.
In all cases where a field trip or field work necessitates a student leaving campus, the following policies and procedures must be observed:
The instructor must include all details regarding any field or travel for the course in the course syllabus.
The instructor must discuss the field trip with the students enrolled in the course on the first day of class.
Required field trips may not be scheduled to conflict with other courses.
Students must have the opportunity to consider the requirements of the course and make an enrollment decision prior to the conclusion of drop/add.
If required, the student must sign a participation agreement provided by the instructor and submit the signed agreement to Experiential Learning prior to departure. Students who do not sign the agreement may not participate in the field experience.
The instructor must file an Emergency Response Plan with Experiential Learning in advance of departure.
It is recommended that transportation be provided for all students. An instructor may permit students to drive themselves to a field site provided there is adequate parking.
It is recommended that instructors and teaching assistants complete the required training.
Some courses will require course fees to offset the cost of travel. Those course fees will be listed in DukeHub and assessed to the student’s bursar account. Should the student need additional financial aid to cover the additional travel cost, the student should consult their financial aid counselor.
Required Pathways—MEM and DEL-MEM Students
MEM and DEL-MEM students are required to take a minimum of 6 additional credits from either a Course-Based pathway or a Master's Project (MP) pathway.
The course-based pathway will be followed by most students and provides options from approved courses, depending on their primary concentration. MEM students pursing a course-based pathway will complete 6 additional graded credits of coursework in their chosen primary MEM concentration. DEL-MEM students pursing a course-based pathway will complete 6 additional graded credits of coursework. All pathways are designed to provide hands-on, applied learning and help students deepen skills relevant to their career goals.
For students wanting to pursue the Master’s Project pathway, approval is required. A MP is a problem or inquiry-based project led by a student, or group of students, to develop analytical capabilities, practice and demonstrate professional skills, and produce defined deliverables. During their first year of study, students may propose a topic to a faculty member or apply to a faculty-generated research project, which sometimes involves an external partner.
Students must have the approval of a Nicholas School faculty member to pursue an MP; not all projects will be approved.
When approved, project planning begins as early as the second (spring) semester and culminates in the students’ fourth and final semester. Students will be enrolled for a total of six graded credits: three in the second year fall and three in the second-year spring.
Depending on the nature of the project, summer work may or may not be expected. Students pursuing an MP are encouraged to connect with a possible faculty advisor in their first semester and by the start of the second semester, students must have identified a willing MP advisor and submit a project proposal.
Outputs from the MP experience can be flexible but should reflect future professional practice. In all cases, there must be a written component that can be uploaded to Duke Library’s DukeSpace website and are searchable across the Internet. If the master’s project contains sensitive information (e.g., from the client’s point of view, in terms of future publication elsewhere, or sensitivity for commercial ventures) students may create a redacted version of the written master’s project or request an embargo of up to five years.
Capstone Requirement—MF Students
The Master of Forestry (MF) degree, which is accredited by the Society of American Forester (SAF), requires students to complete a 6-credit MF Capstone Project. Students can propose an MP as an additional capstone activity (optional). MF students electing this option must comply with the MF MP guidelines. Concurrent-degree MF-MEM students who complete the MF Capstone Project are not required to complete an MP or course-based pathway for their MEM degree. If such students elect to complete an MP in addition to completing the MF Capstone Project, then their MP will be administered by their MEM program and need not comply with the MF program’s MP guidelines.
Auditing
Students registered for a full course load may audit courses free of charge. Otherwise, the audit fee is $736 per course credit. In classes in which enrollment is limited, students enrolled for credit will receive priority. Audited courses are recorded with a grade of AD for satisfactory completion or WA for unsatisfactory completion on the student’s permanent record. Regular attendance is expected. Changes from audit to credit are not permitted after the drop/add period. Audited courses may not be used to fulfill either concentration or graduation requirements. Audited courses may not be counted toward the number of credits required for graduation. Students must obtain written permission from the instructor to audit a course.
Retaking Courses
Courses required as a part of the concentration elected by the student or required by the advisor must be retaken if failed. Courses prerequisite to more advanced courses the student wishes to take must be retaken if failed. Elective courses may be retaken if the student wishes to do so. See the section on grades below for additional information.
Class Attendance
It is expected that students attend class every time the course meets. It is understood that on occasion the student may need to miss class. Whenever possible, the student should be in communication with the instructor in advance of the absence. If the absence is unexpected due to illness, the student should alert the instructor as soon as possible. If a medical condition or extended illness causes the student to miss more than one class meeting, a doctor’s note should be provided to Student Services. If a medical condition or extended illness causes absence from a test, midterm, or exam, the instructor may arrange an alternate test date, at the instructor’s discretion. If such is the case the student must provide a doctor’s note to Student Services.
Grades
Grading System
The grading system used in the Nicholas School and The Graduate School is as follows: A (exceptional); B (good); C (satisfactory); F (failing); I (incomplete); Z (continuing). Plus (+) and minus (-) notations are permitted. Course instructors are unable to change grades once final grades have been submitted unless there has been an error in calculation or transcription.
The grades of P (pass) and F (fail) are used in the Nicholas School for seminars and modular courses. At the instructor’s option, the grades of P or F or regular letter grades are used for intensive courses and independent projects. If a student wishes to take a regularly letter-graded course on a Pass/Fail basis, permission for the Pass/Fail option must be obtained in writing from the instructor prior to registration for the course. Regularly graded courses taken on a Pass/Fail basis may not count toward graduation or fulfill programmatic requirements.
The grade of Z is assigned for an independent project or course that extends over a period of more than one semester; a final grade is given upon completion of the project.
Incomplete Grades
A grade of I indicates that some portion of the student’s work is lacking, for an acceptable reason, at the time grades are reported. Students unable to complete course requirements by the deadline must have communicated with the instructor well in advance of the conclusion of the course so that the instructor may determine if an Incomplete is appropriate and necessary. Students who fail to communicate with the instructor and who fail to complete the course requirements will be assigned a failing grade (F). Requirements of all courses in which an instructor assigns a grade of Incomplete must be fulfilled within one calendar year following the date of the assignment of the incomplete grade.
In exceptional circumstances, upon recommendation of the professor who assigned the grade of Incomplete, the associate dean for professional programs (ADPP) and/or the associate dean of student services (ADSS) of the Nicholas School may extend the time for completion of the course requirements. If, in the judgment of the professor and the student’s advisor, completion of the requirements is not a reasonable alternative for the student and a permanent I grade is an appropriate outcome the student may petition the instructor, ADPP and the ADSS to allow the grade of I to stand permanently on their record. No student will be allowed to graduate with an Incomplete unless permission has been granted for it to stand permanently on the record.
Failure
Failing a course may leave a student short of credits for graduation or lacking concentration curriculum requirements. If the failed course is not necessary to complete program curriculum requirements, the student may substitute another course to make up the lost credit, with the advisor’s approval. If the failed course is necessary to complete concentration curriculum requirements, the student must retake either that course or an acceptable substitute, with the advisor’s and program chair’s approval. An Independent Study is not an acceptable substitute for a failed course. Both the original failing grade and the grade received for the retaken or substitute course will appear on the student’s transcript.
Failure of a course also subjects the student to dismissal.
Probation and Dismissal
Any of the following situations will result in probationary status for the following semester:
Failing one or more courses
Two or more C (C-, C, C+) grades in a semester
Failing to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least B- (2.7)
A student on probation must meet jointly with a faculty committee constituted by their advisor and either one additional regular-rank faculty member selected by the student or the ADSS (or Office of Student Services designee) before the end of drop/add (preferably before the beginning of the semester) to discuss the issue and how to remedy it. A student on probation must meet again with the same faculty committee one month after the first meeting to review academic progress. The student is responsible for communicating each meeting date to the ADSS (or the Office of Student Services designee) within one week after each meeting.
In cases where performance or other concerns are particularly severe, the faculty committee, or the combination of the ADPP, ADSS and senior associate dean for academics (SAD-A) have the discretion to suggest or require that a student take a leave of absence for a semester if they judge that to be the best way for the student to improve academic performance.
Any student who does not meet academic standards at the end of the probationary semester will be subject to dismissal from the Nicholas School. The ADPP and the ADSS will make decisions on dismissal. If deemed appropriate, the ADPP and ADSS may choose to require a leave of absence for a semester. If a leave of absence is allowed, upon return, the student will be on academic probation.
In addition, students must have at least 48 graduate credits (30 graduate credits within the DEL-MEM program) with a grade point average of B- (2.7) or better to graduate. Students who fail to meet that standard during their final semester must take additional Duke course credits to meet the standard before they can graduate. Students who fail to meet that standard during their final semester and were previously or currently on probation, are subject to dismissal. Any exceptions will be extremely rare and are at the discretion of the ADPP, ADSS, and/or SAD-A.
For students placed on probation, the Nicholas School’s policy regarding awards from the school (e.g., merit-based financial aid, need-based grants, fellowships, scholarships, recognition awards with no monetary component) is as follows: Students not in good standing (with regard to academics, conduct, or honor code) are not eligible for any new awards from the Nicholas School (e.g., scholarships, fellowships, school-supported internships, and recognitions without monetary component) whether academic performance is a criterion or not.
Students holding scholarships or other awards when they are put on probation may be allowed to keep them for one semester if the student’s petition to do so is approved by the ADPP and the ADSS (or Office of Student Services designee). Any student not released from probation after one semester will not be eligible to retain the scholarship/fellowship.
Students who are dismissed for conduct, honor code or other serious violations must relinquish any awards.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Federal regulations require that, in order to be eligible for assistance from any Federal Title IV student aid program, including but not limited to the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, a student must be making satisfactory academic progress.
For the purpose of Title IV financial aid eligibility only, a student enrolled in the MEM and/or MF degree, or the DEL-MEM degree as a full-time degree-seeking student must meet the following standards of satisfactory academic progress:
The student must have a cumulative grade point average of at least a B- (2.7) or higher after completing their first semester and at the end of each subsequent semester (fall and spring semesters; does not include summer terms one and two).
A student in either the MEM or the MF must earn their degree before earning 72 course credits (150% of the standard minimum 48 credits). A student in the dual MEM/MF must earn at least 72 course credits to graduate and successfully complete the degree requirements before earning 108 course credits. A student in a dual degree program must complete successfully at least 36 course credits and earn their degree before earning 54 course credits on their Nicholas School transcript. A student in the DEL-MEM program must earn their degree before earning 45 course credits (150% of the standard minimum 30 credits). Students must successfully complete all their degree requirements before obtaining 150% of the credits needed to graduate from each program as outlined.
The student must earn satisfactory grades in at least 67% of their cumulative credits. Satisfactory grades in the Nicholas School are A, B, C (including + and -), CR, and P.
Any student who fails to meet satisfactory academic progress will be placed on Title IV warning for one semester. During that semester, the student will continue to be eligible for Title IV aid. At the end of a term during which a student is on Title IV warning, if the student still fails to meet any of the requirements, the student will become ineligible for Title IV assistance.
Academic Irregularities
All cases falling outside the stated policies and procedures of the school are referred to the ADPP and ADSS for decision. This committee reviews and makes decisions regarding course requirements for graduation, student probation, and dismissal, student petitions for waivers of degree requirements, and all actions that deviate from established academic regulations. If deemed appropriate, the committee will consult with the SAD-A and/or the Education Committee. Any waiver requests to reduce credits, course requirements, minimum semesters of tuition, or semester enrollment requirements must be made before half of the total credits are completed for the student’s degree program.
A student who desires to petition the ADPP and ADSS should do so by writing to the ADSS. A precise statement of the reason for the request is required. The student will be notified in writing of the decision of the committee.
Transcripts of Credit
A student who is registered for a course and who successfully completes the requirements as prescribed by the instructor receives credit on university records. A transcript fee, charged to all students during their first semester of enrollment, covers all future transcript requests. Only the Office of the University Registrar issues transcripts of credit. Currently enrolled students may request transcripts through DukeHub. Alumni wishing to request transcripts should go to registrar.duke.edu/student-resources/transcripts and follow the instructions for requesting an official transcript. Diplomas are withheld for students who fail to clear all financial obligations to the university upon graduation.
Length of Study
For full-time MEM, MF, and DEL-MEM students, the typical time for completing a professional master’s degree is four semesters, not including summer. All degree requirements for the MEM, MF, and DEL-MEM must be completed within five years of the first term of enrollment. Any term(s) during which the student is not enrolled for any number of credits still counts and is included in the five-year window for completion.
For a typical dual (or concurrent) degree student, the normal time for completing both professional degrees is five to eight semesters depending on the other concurrent degree being pursued. The time to degree completion remains five years from the first term of Nicholas School enrollment. Any term(s) during which the student is not enrolled for any number of credits still counts and are included in the five-year window for completion.
Any student who does not complete the degree requirements within the five years of the first term of enrollment will be withdrawn from the program. Students who begin enrollment in the fall term will be withdrawn from the program after the fifth spring term. Students who begin enrollment in the spring term (not typical) will be withdrawn from the program after the fifth fall term.
Leave of Absence or Withdrawal
Occasionally, special circumstances require a student to leave the university for one or two semesters at a time. If the reason for the departure is considered an emergency, the student may request a leave of absence for a period not to exceed one year. If the reason is to study elsewhere in a combined degree program, a leave will be granted for the length of study. If the student plans to do field studies or an internship, they must maintain university enrollment by paying a registration fee each semester of the academic year until full-time study is resumed.
Under all circumstances, the student must request the leave for a specific length of time prior to departure from the university. Extensions must be requested, if they are required, for a maximum of two semesters, except as indicated above. Failure to request a leave or an extension of leave may result in a penalty charge and/or dismissal from the university. A student is eligible to request a leave of absence only after having completed at least one semester of study.
A student who wishes to withdraw from the university must make a written request to do so. For refunds upon withdrawal, see the section on financial information on the page Tuition Policies.
Graduation
Even if degree plans are tentative, a candidate for a degree must apply for graduation at the designated time for each semester. The application is valid only for the semester for which it is filed. If the student does not receive the degree as expected, they must reapply at a later time.
Students who do not complete all degree requirements, including required prerequisites, prior to their expected graduation date are not allowed to graduate nor participate in the Nicholas School graduation or University commencement ceremonies. Upon completion of all degree requirements, students will be invited to the appropriate School and University graduation events.