Online MSW Program Coursework Extension Policy

May 16, 2022
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Effective May 2022

Preamble

It is the FSW’s responsibility to ensure that students understand course requirements, due dates, and expectations for each course via the course syllabus. To maximize student learning and development, students are expected to actively engage with their peers and the course material through readings, assignments, reflections, weekly discussions, and group work. When making accommodation requests, students have a responsibility to give education providers ample time to ensure that accommodations will be available when needed. As outlined in the MSW program brochure, it is expected that students budget a minimum of 15 hours per course per week in order to meet these demands. All courses in the program are 6 or 12 weeks in length.

Course extension requests

Under rare and exceptional circumstances, a student may be unable to complete their course work within the term limits as expected. As such, students can request an extension to complete coursework from their instructor, who will subsequently determine eligibility. Factors to consider when determining eligibility include the grounds for eligibility listed below, as well as the nature of the coursework that is outstanding (e.g. for some courses, course requirements such as participation, group work, or presentations, may not lend themselves well to independent work that is typical of course work extensions and which are integral learning experiences for many courses in the MSW program).

To qualify for a coursework extension, the student must demonstrate active engagement in the requirements of the course and prior communication with the course instructor. Depending on the course, this may include: completion of previous assignments and engagement with peers in discussions and/or other pedagogical methods as per the course design.

If the coursework extension is approved, the instructor will determine with the student, an appropriate, equitable coursework completion plan and a timeline for completion.

Extension request process

  • Step 1: the student must complete the “Request for Extension to Complete Coursework” form found on the Graduate Frequently Used Forms page submit via email to the course instructor prior to the last day of the course;
  • Step 2: within 7 days of receiving the form, the course instructor will determine if the student is eligible for an extension, complete the instructor approval section of the form, and, if approved, the plan and due date for course completion;
  • Step 3: the instructor will submit an interim designation of incomplete “INC” on the student’s transcript pending receipt of the course material and will submit the approved form to onlinemsw@wlu.ca;
  • Step 4: the student will submit all work to the instructor via mylearning space according to the plan and due date outlined on the “Request for extension to complete coursework form”;
  • Step 5: if the material was submitted by the identified due date, the instructor will change the student’s grade accordingly within 7 business days. If the material is not submitted by the due date, the instructor will change the student’s grade to an F.

Requests for additional time/extensions

If, for whatever reason, the petition and plan for coursework completion is not honored (i.e. the student has not completed the coursework within the specified timeframe), and the student has evidence to support a rationale for a second extension, they can choose to submit a petition to the Graduate Student Appeals Committee. 

This appeal must be initiated no later than the last day of the existing extension and requires comment from the course instructor and Associate Dean. See Graduate Student Academic Appeals for information and  details of the appeals process and timelines.

Grounds for extensions

In order to ensure a fair and equitable process for all students and to set students up for successful completion of the course and the program, the Associate Dean will consider the following grounds when determining support for an additional request for extension

  1. The rationale for the additional requested extension is serious and unexpected in nature (e.g. illness, family emergency);
  2. The student has provided sufficient evidence to support the new request (i.e. the student has outlined in writing the serious conditions that they feel warrant the extension and has included supporting documentation such as a doctor’s note);
  3. The granting of the additional extension does not impose an unfair academic advantage to the student; and/or
  4. The granting of the additional extension would not put the student’s subsequent coursework at risk;

Exceptions due to accommodation needs not identified over the duration of the course will be considered.

Should the student be successful in their request for additional time, registration in future terms may be limited to one 0.5 credit course in order to provide the student with sufficient time to complete the outstanding course work.

Coursework extensions may not be supported by the MSW Associate Dean if the student has requested more than 2 coursework extensions in the course or if the student has more than 2 outstanding coursework completion plans in any given semester. In these circumstances, the FSW may recommend that the student retake the course in a future term.