MMA Class of 2026

1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose

The purpose of the Academic Calendar is to acquaint students with the academic requirements, regulations, policies, procedures and expectations of the Program. It is the responsibility of the student to read and understand the entire Academic Calendar. Questions about any of its contents should be directed to the Program Director.

1.2 Acknowledgement of Territory

Queen’s University in Kingston is situated on traditional Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Territory. To acknowledge this traditional territory is to recognize its longer history, one predating the establishment of the earliest European colonies. It is also to acknowledge this territory’s significance for the Indigenous peoples who lived, and continue to live, upon it – people whose practices and spiritualities were tied to the land and continue to develop in relationship to the territory and its other inhabitants today. The Kingston Indigenous community continues to reflect the area’s Anishinaabek and Haudenosaunee roots. There is also a significant Métis community and there are First Peoples from other Nations across Turtle Island present today.

SmithToronto operates on sacred land that has been a site of human activity for 15,000 years.  This land is the territory of the Huron-Wendat and Petun First Nations, the Seneca, and most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit River.  The territory was the subject of the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Iroquois Confederacy and Confederacy of the Ojibwe and allied nations to peaceably share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. Today, the meeting place of Toronto is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work in the community on this territory.

2: PROGRAM CURRICULUM AND GRADING

2.1 Jurisdiction

Students of Smith School of Business at Queen’s University are governed by the regulations, policies and practices of this institution.

It is the responsibility of every student in the Program to read and understand these policies, regulations, and requirements as well as those of their home, exchange and double degree universities.

2.2 Program Format

The Smith Master of Management Analytics (“MMA”) Program is approved by the Senate and Board of Trustees of the University, and by the Ontario Council for Graduate Studies. Upon graduation, students receive a Master of Management Analytics Degree.

The Smith MMA Program provides students with the opportunity to gain the educational and professional advantages of a Smith Program without interrupting a successful career. The curriculum was designed with the understanding that students already have an undergraduate degree and professional experience. Therefore, while management fundamentals in all functional areas will be reviewed and incorporated into our courses, the Program will focus on developing the skills and advanced knowledge required to lead today’s organizations.

2.2.1 Program Delivery

The MMA program is cohort-based. The “Blended” sections are delivered through a blend of remotely-delivered courses and immersive, in-person learning taking the form of onsite sessions. The “Toronto” sections are delivered primarily from the Smith School of Business facility located in Toronto (“SmithToronto”) located at 200 Front Street W, Suite 3020, and immersive, in-person learning taking the form of onsite sessions. Students must take the courses as offered without the option to complete them at a later date.

The Onsite Sessions are mandatory and students must participate in all course and extracurricular offerings. There are no exceptions to full attendance and participation in these Onsite Sessions.

2.3 Timeframe

Once registered in the MMA Program, the student is expected to complete all degree requirements without interruption. The Program is normally completed in 12 consecutive months, beginning in either January or May, and ending in December or April, respectively.

2.4 Degree Requirements and Courses

The Smith MMA Program is a 12-month program in which students complete 12 courses (36.0 units), including 10 required courses and 2 elective courses. To be eligible for graduation, students must complete all courses in the Program in the year in which they are registered, and uphold and/or meet each of the Academic Regulations (Section 3 of this document).

2.4.1 Required and Elective Courses
All required and elective courses for the Program must be completed at Smith in the year that the student is registered in the Program.

2.4.1.1 Required courses 
All students must complete the following required courses in accordance with the Academic Regulations set out in Section 3 of this document.

MMA 801 Foundations of Management

MMA 863 Foundations of Analytical Modelling

MMA 860 Management of Data

MMA 861 Analytical Decision Making

MMA 867 Predictive Analytics

MMA 869 Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence

MMA 804 Leading Change

MMA 803 Analytics Ethics and Policy

2.4.1.2 Elective courses 
Students must take 2 elective courses (6.0 units) in the Program.

2.4.3 Auditing Courses
A student may request to audit a course. A formal written request to audit must be made to the Program Director at least seven days before the first session of the course to be audited. Requests to audit courses will be considered depending on space, instructor approval and other relevant course-specific factors.

2.5 Learning Teams

Learning Teams are a foundation of the Smith MMA Program. The Learning Team is critical to a student’s success in the Program as well as being a means of managing the demanding workload of the Program. It also provides an opportunity to draw on the varied backgrounds and expertise of other team members and enriches the student’s learning experience as a whole. Most courses allocate approximately 50% of the course weight to teamwork.

Students are assigned to a Learning Team at the beginning of the Program. They stay with this Team over the full program for all core courses and are assigned to new teams in the elective courses. It is a Program requirement that students function effectively and supportively within their Learning Teams and make effective and ethical use of team resources in satisfying course requirements. However, additional “working groups” are formed for some courses in the Program.

2.5.1 Performance in the Learning Team
Performance in the Learning Team is an academic requirement for successful completion of the Program (see Section 3). Students must perform effectively and supportively on the Team according to the standards and norms of the Team. Failure to do so can result in a requirement to withdraw from the Program.

2.5.2 Team Coaches
In order to get the best experience on the Learning Team, each team is assigned a professionally trained Team Coach.  The Team Coach works regularly with the Team and its individual members throughout the Program delivering best practices, instruction, advice, and coaching on team processes, development, and performance. Team coaches may also work with a Team on interpersonal issues or concerns with regard to the performance (effectiveness) or behaviour (supportiveness) of individual Team members.

2.6 Grading

2.6.1 Queen’s University Grading

The grading system for courses in the Queen's Program is: 

Other academic entries which may be assigned are: 

*Aegrotat: An academic entry which provides an estimated final grade or, if that is not possible, credit for a course without a grade because of extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control that prevented the student from completing all work of the course, particularly the final examination. 

Normally at least 60 per cent of the work to be evaluated in the course (assignments, midterms, final examination, as specified in the course).
Requests for AG or CR standing should be made to the Program Director.

2.6.2 Grading Specifications
All final marks, including those assigned after special examinations, may be based on the results of formal examinations and on grades obtained from other work throughout the course, which may include essays, exercises, reports, presentations, class tests/quizzes, and class participation or other work.

At the beginning of each course, the instructor will provide a clear statement of the basis on which the final mark will be assessed. All work assigned and the weight that it will contribute to the final mark will be specified.  Normally there is both individual and Team work included in course assessments.

2.6.3 Class Participation
Class participation grades are allocated in some courses. Instructors will specify the specific form and opportunities for participation marks at the start of the course. Some examples include contributions to class discussions or discussion boards, attendance, timely completion of assigned work, or other relevant behaviours determined by the instructor.

3: ACADEMIC REGULATIONS AND STANDING

Academic Regulations exist to maintain the standards of the Program, and to ensure the candidates of the Program have the mandatory knowledge and experience to merit receiving the Degree. Degrees are awarded according to the requirements and processes set out in the Academic Regulations.

Every student is responsible for knowing and meeting or upholding the Academic Regulations of the Program in order to progress through the Program and ultimately be eligible for the Degree. The Academic Regulations below are currently in effect. Regulations are consistently reviewed and may change from time to time. Any changes that take place during the academic year will be communicated to students; it remains the student’s responsibility to be aware of any such changes.

3.1 Academic Regulations

Each candidate for the Degree must successfully meet or achieve the Regulations below in order to be in Good Academic Standing, to progress through the Program, and to be eligible for graduation from the Program.  In a case where a student violates any one of the Regulations, that student is normally required to withdraw from the Program (see section 3.2 for further information).
Every student must achieve the following:

3.1.1 Complete Program Curriculum
The student must complete all components of the curriculum as outlined in Section 2.

3.1.2 Overall Minimum GPA
The student must achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 2.7 (B-) including all courses taken in the Program.

3.1.3 Minimum Course Grades
The student may obtain final grades of less than 2.0 (C) in no more than the equivalent of 2 courses (6 units) throughout the Program.

3.1.4 No Failures
The student must obtain a final grade of at least 0.7 (D-) in each course.

3.1.5 Pass Individual Performance
The student must obtain a grade of at least 0.7 (D-) in the assessment of individual performance of any course.  Course instructors will determine how individual performance is assessed in their course.

3.1.6 Pass Team Performance
The student must obtain a grade of at least 0.7 (D-) on the assessment of team performance of any course.  Course instructors will determine how team performance is assessed in their course.

3.1.7 Function in Learning Team
The student must function effectively and supportively in the Learning Team throughout the duration of the Program.

3.1.8 Attendance
The student may not miss more than 25% of class sessions of any course.
Class attendance is monitored and concerns related to attendance will be addressed with the student. Note that repeated unexcused absences from class may also impact the assessment of performance in the Learning Team.

3.2 Academic Standing

The following Academic Standings may apply, depending on individual circumstances:
 
3.2.1 Good Academic Standing
In order to progress through the Program and to be eligible for the Degree, a student must be in Good Academic Standing. A student is considered to be in Good Academic Standing when they uphold the Academic Regulations set out in Section 3.1 above.

A student who fails to uphold any one of the Academic Regulations is no longer in Good Academic Standing, and is normally required to withdraw from the Program. The student is considered to be in Academic Jeopardy until a decision is made by the appropriate body.

3.2.2 Academic Jeopardy

A student who fails to meet any one or more of the Academic Regulations is deemed to be in Academic Jeopardy until a decision is made about their situation.

Students in this situation will first be reviewed by the Program Director. In some cases an informal resolution may be possible (for example, an opportunity to re-take an exam if the student has official evidence of being gravely ill on the day of the exam) and, if successful, the student may return to Good Academic Standing.

In cases where an informal resolution is not possible, the Program Director will inform the student in writing of the requirement to withdraw from the Program, subject to the student’s right of appeal.

3.2.2.1 Academic Jeopardy Resulting From Failure to Function in the Learning Team 

As established in the Academic Regulations, section 3.1.7, a student must function effectively and supportively in the Learning Team throughout the duration of the Program. Effective and supportive behaviour as a Team member includes meeting the standards of performance and behaviour determined by the Team in conjunction with the Team Coach, as well as full cooperation and responsive communication with the Team Coach.

When significant concerns regarding a student’s Learning Team performance is brought to a Team Coach, the Team Coach will investigate the situation fully and fairly.  The Team Coach will:

1. Discuss the situation with each student on the Learning Team, including the student whose performance is in question.
2. Identify the Learning Team’s established performance, operational and behavioural norms and expectations.
3. Discuss with the student in question any failure to meet the team norms or expectations, and, if necessary:
4. Establish a set of formal expectations (in the form of a Performance Improvement Plan - PIP) that must be achieved by the student within a specified period in order to fulfill the obligation to perform as an effective and supportive Team member.

A student operating under a formal set of performance expectations (a PIP) is considered to be in Academic Jeopardy. If the student successfully completes the PIP, the student is once again considered to be in Good Academic Standing.
If, after a thorough review of the procedure followed and the assessment of the student’s performance during the PIP, the Director of Team Coaching determines that the student has not successfully completed the PIP, the Director of Team Coaching will refer the matter to the Program Director for review and final determination. If the student is deemed to have violated Regulation 4.1.7, the student will be required to withdraw from the Program, subject to their right of appeal.

3.2.3 Academic Probation
A student who has failed to meet one or more of the Academic Regulations and who has successfully appealed to the Academic Progress Committee may be permitted to continue in the Program, on Academic Probation, subject to specific terms, conditions, standards and timeframes tailored to the situation.
A student who successfully completes the conditions of their Academic Probation will be released from Academic Probation and return to Good Academic Standing. A student who fails to meet the conditions of their Academic Probation will normally be required to withdraw from the Program, subject to their right of appeal.

3.2.4 Requirement to Withdraw
A student who has failed to meet any one or more of the Academic Regulations is normally required to withdraw from the Program, subject to their right of appeal (see section 5). Further, a student who fails to meet the conditions of their Academic Probation will normally be required to withdraw from the Program.

3.2.5 Effective Date of Sanctions
Sanctions or adverse academic decisions, such as Academic Probation (and its terms and conditions) or a requirement to withdraw, shall take effect as soon as the student accepts the sanction OR exhausts (or allows to lapse) their right to appeal to the next level in accordance with Part D, s.33 of  the Student Academic Appeals Policy:

3.2.5.1 Effective Date of Sanctions for Failure to Function in the Learning Team 
Students should note that an adverse academic decision (e.g. required to withdraw) as a result of  the violation of Regulation 4.1.7 (Function in the Learning Team) may require that a student’s participation in the  course or program be halted during the appeal process to ensure that the interests of third parties (i.e. the learning experience and academic evaluation of the other members of the Learning Team) are not adversely affected. A student who is subject to an immediate sanction under this paragraph may request that the Chair of the appellate body with jurisdiction over the matter expedite the appeal (SAAP Part D. s.34).

6: STUDENT SERVICES

Students should contact the Program administration with questions about degree requirements, electives or other academic matters as appropriate.

6.4 Personal Counselling

Queen’s University provides personal counselling services through Student Wellness Services. Student Wellness Services supports the personal, academic, and social development of students at Queen's University by providing a range of programs and services.

Students may also contact the Program Director to discuss supports available through Smith School of Business.

6.5 The University Ombudsperson

Queen’s University is committed to the just, fair and equitable treatment of each and every member of the University community.  In keeping with this commitment, the Office of the University Ombudsperson https://www.queensu.ca/ombuds/provides an independent, impartial and confidential office through which members of the University community may pursue the just, fair and equitable resolution of university- related concerns within its jurisdiction.

Among other duties, the Office of the University Ombudsperson: receives, assesses, and facilitates the informal resolution of concerns and complaints; provides confidential and independent advice and support to members of the University community; acts as a liaison between individuals and/or groups at all levels serving as a communicator or informal conciliator; and mediates the resolution of complaints.

Any student who finds themselves in an appeal situation is strongly advised to contact the University Ombudsperson for advice, assistance and support.

Appendix B: Academic Progress Committee Rules of Procedure 

Smith School of Business

Master of Business Administration, Master of Management, and Graduate Diploma Programs Academic Progress Committee

Adopted by Faculty Board September 12, 2017

Rules of Procedure

The following Rules of Procedure apply to the General Proceedings, Appeal Hearings (“Hearings”), Decisions, Post-Hearing and Record-Keeping matters of the Master of Business Administration, Master of Management and Graduate Diploma Academic Progress Committee (“MBA/MOM APC”).

These Rules of Procedure shall be interpreted liberally to facilitate the just, expeditious and cost-effective determination of every proceeding on its merits.

The Terms of Reference for the MBA/MOM Academic Program Committee are available in a separate document.

1 General Rules

The following rules of apply to proceedings before an APC Hearing Panel (“Panel”):

1.1 Panel Decisions will be made in accordance with relevant School regulations and policies

The Panel will adhere to the relevant program Academic Regulations as well as policies and procedures of the School and Queen’s University.

1.2 All appeals are to be heard by the Panel in camera

To protect the privacy and confidentiality of students, Panel meetings and Hearings are closed to the public.

Hearings are not normally recorded, unless a special request is made by the appellant in advance of the Hearing.  In such a case, the Chair of the Panel (“Chair”) will decide whether to record the Hearing.  The Chair may also wish to record a Hearing, and will inform the parties of the intention to do so in advance of the Hearing.  Any transcripts of a Hearing will be provided to either party upon request, in which case a copy will also be provided to the other party. Transcripts must be treated as confidential.  There will be no recording of the Panel’s deliberations.  Participants may take their own notes during the Hearing.  All such notes are transitory1 and are not considered to be University Records.  

1.3 No conflict of interest

In cases where an APC member has, or may be reasonably perceived to have, a conflict of interest with respect to a specific case, that individual may not serve on the APC Panel in connection with that case2.

1.4 No member will participate in the deliberations or final Decision of the Panel unless present for the entire Appeal Hearing

1.5 Supplementary rules of procedure

As needed, the Chair has the power to issue such supplementary rules of procedure as may be necessary to govern the conduct of an Appeal.

1.6 The Panel has no power to compel any person to attend a hearing

The Chair may request the participation of parties and witnesses, but it has no power to compel participation.

2 Appeal Hearing

The student has the right to representation, including an Ombuds Academic Appeal Advisor University from the Office of the University Ombudsperson and/or legal counsel and/or other agent (all at the student’s own expense) at the Appeal Hearing.  The student may make oral submissions or their representative may make submissions on their behalf.  The student must inform the Chair of the name and role of any representatives in advance of the Hearing.

Normally the Program Director or their delegate will attend the Hearing and make oral submissions.  The Program Director may also bring representation who may make submissions on their behalf.

Other witnesses will be asked to participate in the Hearing as deemed necessary by the Chair.  Witnesses are individuals who have first-hand knowledge of the matters at issue in the Appeal Hearing; the evidence of ‘character’ witnesses will not normally be received by the Panel.  Each party shall have an opportunity to question witnesses. The Chair can limit questioning of a witness if the Chair believes the questioning is irrelevant, abusive or otherwise inappropriate. 

The Chair shall determine what evidence is admitted as part of the Hearing.  The Chair shall normally apply a relevance approach[3] to such determinations.  The Chair has the right to exclude evidence that is deemed irrelevant, repetitive or otherwise inappropriate.

If, during the course of the Hearing, the Chair decides that more information is required in order to clarify a matter, the Chair may adjourn the Hearing to permit the relevant parties to bring forward such information or facts or to permit the Panel to obtain such information.

The Chair may decide to adjourn the Hearing at the request of a party if the Chair believes that a party may be unfairly prejudiced should the Hearing proceed.

The Panel has the right to seek confirmation and/or verification of any evidence, claims, or submissions made by any participants in the Hearing; should it be determined that false information was provided to the Panel, the matter may be investigated under the Smith School of Business Academic Integrity Policy.

3 The Decision 

After hearing all the evidence, the Panel shall deliberate in camera.  The deliberations of the Panel are confidential.

Following deliberations, the Panel may:

1. Dismiss the Appeal and uphold the original decision of the Program. In the case that the student be required to withdraw, a formal letter advising the student of the requirement to withdraw will be issued; or,
2. Allow the Appeal and grant the remedy requested by the Student; or,
3. Allow the Appeal in part and modify the Program’s original decision, and impose an appropriate sanction. This may include:
   • Imposing specific conditions under which the student will be permitted to continue in the Program and/or any requirements the student must meet, including the timelines within which such conditions and/or requirements must be met;
   • Requiring the student to:
     • complete additional work;
     • repeat an exam, paper, or course;
     • achieve a minimum grade(s);
     • provide evidence of fitness to continue in the Program;
   • Placing the student on Academic Probation until the student satisfies all conditions and/or requirements within the timeline(s) set by the Panel.
4. Impose other terms and/or conditions as may appropriate for the specific situation. The Panel may not award financial compensation to a student.

The Panel’s Decision shall be communicated to the student within seven (7) days, or within a reasonable time as demanded by the complexity of the case, via a Decision Letter from the Panel Chair. The Decision Letter will include the reasons for the Decision, information about the next level of appeal, to whom to address an appeal, and information about the availability of the support of the Office of the University Ombudsperson.

The Panel’s Decision Letter shall be the official record of the Appeal. The Decision Letter will include the effective date of any actions to be taken by the Program (see Section 4).

4 Post-Proceeding Matters

In accordance with the Student Academic Appeals Policy, section 34, the student is normally entitled to exhaust all levels of appeal before sanctions are applied, except in the rare case where an academic unit determines that the interests of third parties may be prejudiced by the continued enrolment of a student in a course or program.  In such a case, the Panel will determine if the student may continue in their Program until appeal processes are exhausted, and under what conditions the student may do so, having regard for the need to protect the interests of the third party/parties.  The Panel shall address the effective date of any actions and/or sanctions in the Decision Letter.

5 Records Management and Privacy

Queen’s University is subject to provincial access and privacy legislation with regard to the information it holds about the University and the individuals who participate in the Queen’s community.  Specifically, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) apply to various aspects of the University’s operations.  To the extent that the University has operations in the European Union, it is subject to the EU General Data Protection Regulation

Appeal Records consist of all documents filed by the parties, the recording, if any, of the Appeal Hearing(s), the transcript, if any, of the recording, and the Decision Letter issued by the Panel.

5.1 Responsibilities of the Co-Chair

The APC Co-Chair or delegate is responsible for collecting and distributing Appeal Records.  The Co-Chair shall handle such records in a secure manner which protects the confidentiality of the documents.

Following an Appeal Hearing and issuance of the Decision Letter, the Panel Chair shall collect the files and any notes made during the Hearing by Panel members.  All such notes are transitory and are not considered to be University Records.  They form no part of the Appeal Record and shall be destroyed immediately following the issuance of the Panel’s Decision.

5.2 Records Retention Schedule

Once the Panel renders its decision:

1. The Decision Letter is the official record of the Decision, a copy of which shall be kept by the APC Co-Chair, the Program Director and in the Dean’s Office.
2. Original Appeal Records are to be kept by the APC Co-Chair for one (1) year following the date on which the student has exhausted all levels of appeal at the University, or, for one (1) year following the expiry of the deadline for the student to pursue an appeal, whichever occurs first.
3. Transitory records may be destroyed
4. Duplicated records will be destroyed

Appeals of these decisions are made to the Academic Appeals Committee.

MMA Class of 2025

1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose

The purpose of the Academic Calendar is to acquaint students with the academic requirements, regulations, policies, procedures and expectations of the Program. It is the responsibility of the student to read and understand the entire Academic Calendar. Questions about any of its contents should be directed to the Program Director.

1.2 Acknowledgement of Territory

Queen’s University in Kingston is situated on traditional Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Territory. To acknowledge this traditional territory is to recognize its longer history, one predating the establishment of the earliest European colonies. It is also to acknowledge this territory’s significance for the Indigenous peoples who lived, and continue to live, upon it – people whose practices and spiritualities were tied to the land and continue to develop in relationship to the territory and its other inhabitants today. The Kingston Indigenous community continues to reflect the area’s Anishinaabek and Haudenosaunee roots. There is also a significant Métis community and there are First Peoples from other Nations across Turtle Island present today.

SmithToronto operates on sacred land that has been a site of human activity for 15,000 years.  This land is the territory of the Huron-Wendat and Petun First Nations, the Seneca, and most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit River.  The territory was the subject of the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Iroquois Confederacy and Confederacy of the Ojibwe and allied nations to peaceably share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. Today, the meeting place of Toronto is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work in the community on this territory.

2: PROGRAM CURRICULUM AND GRADING

2.1 Jurisdiction

Students of Smith School of Business at Queen’s University are governed by the regulations, policies and practices of this institution.

It is the responsibility of every student in the Program to read and understand these policies, regulations, and requirements as well as those of their home, exchange and double degree universities.

2.2 Program Format

The Smith Master of Management Analytics (“MMA”) Program is approved by the Senate and Board of Trustees of the University, and by the Ontario Council for Graduate Studies. Upon graduation, students receive a Master of Management Analytics Degree.

The Smith MMA Program provides students with the opportunity to gain the educational and professional advantages of a Smith Program without interrupting a successful career. The curriculum was designed with the understanding that students already have an undergraduate degree and professional experience. Therefore, while management fundamentals in all functional areas will be reviewed and incorporated into our courses, the Program will focus on developing the skills and advanced knowledge required to lead today’s organizations.

2.2.1 Program Delivery

The MMA program is cohort-based. MMA-B is delivered through a blend of remotely-delivered courses and immersive, in-person learning taking the form of residential sessions. MMA-S and MMA-W are delivered primarily from the Smith School of Business facility located in Toronto (“SmithToronto”) located at 200 Front Street W, Suite 3020. Aside from the two elective courses, students must take the courses as offered without the option to complete them at a later date.
 
During the first residential, the “Opening Session”, students are introduced to their Team, Team Coach, network support staff, initial instructors, and program staff. This session is mandatory, students must attend and participate in the courses and extracurricular offerings including high performance teams, cultural intelligence and virtual teams’ instruction. Attendance is mandatory. 
 
During the second residential, the “Closing Session”, MMA-B students will participate in their final course(s) and have a chance to close the program together and in-person, while MMA-S and MMA-W students will choose 1 of 2 elective options for delivery during this time frame. Attendance is mandatory.

2.3 Timeframe

Once registered in the MMA Program, the student is expected to complete all degree requirements without interruption. The Program is normally completed in 12 consecutive months, beginning in either January or May, and ending in December or April, respectively.

2.4 Degree Requirements and Courses

The Smith MMA Program is a 12-month program in which students complete 14 courses (42.0 units), including 13 required courses and 1 elective course. To be eligible for graduation, students must complete all courses in the Program in the year in which they are registered, and uphold and/or meet each of the Academic Regulations (Section 3 of this document).

2.4.1 Required and Elective Courses
All required and elective courses for the Program must be completed at Smith in the year that the student is registered in the Program.

2.4.1.1 Required courses 
All students must complete the following required courses in accordance with the Academic Regulations set out in Section 3 of this document.

• MMA 801 Introduction to Management
• MMA 863 Introduction to Analytical Modelling
• MMA 860 Acquisition and Management of Data
• MMA 861 Analytical Decision Making
• MMA 867 Predictive Modelling
• MMA 831 Marketing Analytics
• MMA 869 Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence
• MMA 841 Ops and Supply Chain Analytics
• MMA 865 Big Data Analytics
• MMA 823 Analytics for Financial Mrkts
• MMA 830 Pricing Analytics
• MMA 804 Leading Change
• MMA 803 Analytics Ethics and Policy

2.4.1.2 Elective courses 
Students must take 1 elective course (3.0 units) in the Program.

• MMA 890 Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• MMA 844 Analytics Project Management

2.4.2 Course Substitutions
Students must complete all required and elective courses at Smith within the required timeframe to graduate from the Program.
If extenuating circumstances prevent a student from completing the Program in the required timeframe, the student will be required to complete outstanding courses as directed by the Program Director or Academic Progress Committee.  Normally, if one or more of the missed courses is not offered again in the year the student is registered in the Program, the student will be permitted to take the course in the subsequent year when the course is offered again.

2.4.3 Auditing Courses
A student may request to audit a course. A formal written request to audit must be made to the Program Director at least seven days before the first session of the course to be audited. Requests to audit courses will be considered depending on space, instructor approval and other relevant course-specific factors.

2.5 Learning Teams

Learning Teams are a foundation of the Smith MMA Program. The Learning Team is critical to a student’s success in the Program as well as being a means of managing the demanding workload of the Program. It also provides an opportunity to draw on the varied backgrounds and expertise of other team members and enriches the student’s learning experience as a whole. Most courses allocate approximately 50% of the course weight to teamwork.
 
Students are assigned to a Learning Team at the beginning of the Program. They stay with this Team over the full program. It is a Program requirement that students function effectively and supportively within their Learning Teams and make effective and ethical use of team resources in satisfying course requirements.  However, additional “working groups” are formed for some courses in the Program.

2.5.1 Performance in the Learning Team
Performance in the Learning Team is an academic requirement for successful completion of the Program (see Section 3). Students must perform effectively and supportively on the Team according to the standards and norms of the Team. Failure to do so can result in a requirement to withdraw from the Program.

2.5.2 Team Coaches
In order to get the best experience on the Learning Team, each team is assigned a professionally trained Team Coach.  The Team Coach works regularly with the Team and its individual members throughout the Program delivering best practices, instruction, advice, and coaching on team processes, development, and performance. Team coaches may also work with a Team on interpersonal issues or concerns with regard to the performance (effectiveness) or behaviour (supportiveness) of individual Team members.

2.6 Grading

2.6.1 Queen’s University Grading

The grading system for courses in the Queen's Program is: 

Other academic entries which may be assigned are: 

*Aegrotat: An academic entry which provides an estimated final grade or, if that is not possible, credit for a course without a grade because of extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control that prevented the student from completing all work of the course, particularly the final examination. 

Normally at least 60 per cent of the work to be evaluated in the course (assignments, midterms, final examination, as specified in the course).
Requests for AG or CR standing should be made to the Program Director.

2.6.2 Grading Specifications
All final marks, including those assigned after special examinations, may be based on the results of formal examinations and on grades obtained from other work throughout the course, which may include essays, exercises, reports, presentations, class tests/quizzes, and class participation or other work.

At the beginning of each course, the instructor will provide a clear statement of the basis on which the final mark will be assessed. All work assigned and the weight that it will contribute to the final mark will be specified.  Normally there is both individual and Team work included in course assessments.

2.6.3 Class Participation
Class participation grades are allocated in some courses. Instructors will specify the specific form and opportunities for participation marks at the start of the course. Some examples include contributions to class discussions or discussion boards, attendance, timely completion of assigned work, or other relevant behaviours determined by the instructor.

3: ACADEMIC REGULATIONS AND STANDING

Academic Regulations exist to maintain the standards of the Program, and to ensure the candidates of the Program have the mandatory knowledge and experience to merit receiving the Degree. Degrees are awarded according to the requirements and processes set out in the Academic Regulations.

Every student is responsible for knowing and meeting or upholding the Academic Regulations of the Program in order to progress through the Program and ultimately be eligible for the Degree. The Academic Regulations below are currently in effect. Regulations are consistently reviewed and may change from time to time. Any changes that take place during the academic year will be communicated to students; it remains the student’s responsibility to be aware of any such changes.

3.1 Academic Regulations

Each candidate for the Degree must successfully meet or achieve the Regulations below in order to be in Good Academic Standing, to progress through the Program, and to be eligible for graduation from the Program.  In a case where a student violates any one of the Regulations, that student is normally required to withdraw from the Program (see section 3.2 for further information).
Every student must achieve the following:

3.1.1 Complete Program Curriculum
The student must complete all components of the curriculum as outlined in Section 2.

3.1.2 Overall Minimum GPA
The student must achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 2.7 (B-) including all courses taken in the Program.

3.1.3 Minimum Course Grades
The student may obtain final grades of less than 2.0 (C) in no more than the equivalent of 2 courses (6 units) throughout the Program.

3.1.4 No Failures
The student must obtain a final grade of at least 0.7 (D-) in each course.

3.1.5 Pass Individual Performance
The student must obtain a grade of at least 0.7 (D-) in the assessment of individual performance of any course.  Course instructors will determine how individual performance is assessed in their course.

3.1.6 Pass Team Performance
The student must obtain a grade of at least 0.7 (D-) on the assessment of team performance of any course.  Course instructors will determine how team performance is assessed in their course.

3.1.7 Function in Learning Team
The student must function effectively and supportively in the Learning Team throughout the duration of the Program.

3.1.8 Attendance
The student may not miss more than 25% of class sessions of any course.
Class attendance is monitored and concerns related to attendance will be addressed with the student. Note that repeated unexcused absences from class may also impact the assessment of performance in the Learning Team.

3.2 Academic Standing

The following Academic Standings may apply, depending on individual circumstances:
 
3.2.1 Good Academic Standing
In order to progress through the Program and to be eligible for the Degree, a student must be in Good Academic Standing. A student is considered to be in Good Academic Standing when they uphold the Academic Regulations set out in Section 3.1 above.

A student who fails to uphold any one of the Academic Regulations is no longer in Good Academic Standing, and is normally required to withdraw from the Program. The student is considered to be in Academic Jeopardy until a decision is made by the appropriate body.

3.2.2 Academic Jeopardy

A student who fails to meet any one or more of the Academic Regulations is deemed to be in Academic Jeopardy until a decision is made about their situation.

Students in this situation will first be reviewed by the Program Director. In some cases an informal resolution may be possible (for example, an opportunity to re-take an exam if the student has official evidence of being gravely ill on the day of the exam) and, if successful, the student may return to Good Academic Standing.

In cases where an informal resolution is not possible, the Program Director will inform the student in writing of the requirement to withdraw from the Program, subject to the student’s right of appeal.

3.2.2.1 Academic Jeopardy Resulting From Failure to Function in the Learning Team 

As established in the Academic Regulations, section 3.1.7, a student must function effectively and supportively in the Learning Team throughout the duration of the Program. Effective and supportive behaviour as a Team member includes meeting the standards of performance and behaviour determined by the Team in conjunction with the Team Coach, as well as full cooperation and responsive communication with the Team Coach.

When significant concerns regarding a student’s Learning Team performance is brought to a Team Coach, the Team Coach will investigate the situation fully and fairly.  The Team Coach will:

1. Discuss the situation with each student on the Learning Team, including the student whose performance is in question.
2. Identify the Learning Team’s established performance, operational and behavioural norms and expectations.
3. Discuss with the student in question any failure to meet the team norms or expectations, and, if necessary:
4. Establish a set of formal expectations (in the form of a Performance Improvement Plan - PIP) that must be achieved by the student within a specified period in order to fulfill the obligation to perform as an effective and supportive Team member.

A student operating under a formal set of performance expectations (a PIP) is considered to be in Academic Jeopardy. If the student successfully completes the PIP, the student is once again considered to be in Good Academic Standing.
If, after a thorough review of the procedure followed and the assessment of the student’s performance during the PIP, the Director of Team Coaching determines that the student has not successfully completed the PIP, the Director of Team Coaching will refer the matter to the Program Director for review and final determination. If the student is deemed to have violated Regulation 4.1.7, the student will be required to withdraw from the Program, subject to their right of appeal.

3.2.3 Academic Probation
A student who has failed to meet one or more of the Academic Regulations and who has successfully appealed to the Academic Progress Committee may be permitted to continue in the Program, on Academic Probation, subject to specific terms, conditions, standards and timeframes tailored to the situation.
A student who successfully completes the conditions of their Academic Probation will be released from Academic Probation and return to Good Academic Standing. A student who fails to meet the conditions of their Academic Probation will normally be required to withdraw from the Program, subject to their right of appeal.

3.2.4 Requirement to Withdraw
A student who has failed to meet any one or more of the Academic Regulations is normally required to withdraw from the Program, subject to their right of appeal (see section 5). Further, a student who fails to meet the conditions of their Academic Probation will normally be required to withdraw from the Program.

3.2.5 Effective Date of Sanctions
Sanctions or adverse academic decisions, such as Academic Probation (and its terms and conditions) or a requirement to withdraw, shall take effect as soon as the student accepts the sanction OR exhausts (or allows to lapse) their right to appeal to the next level in accordance with Part D, s.33 of  the Student Academic Appeals Policy:

3.2.5.1 Effective Date of Sanctions for Failure to Function in the Learning Team 
Students should note that an adverse academic decision (e.g. required to withdraw) as a result of  the violation of Regulation 4.1.7 (Function in the Learning Team) may require that a student’s participation in the  course or program be halted during the appeal process to ensure that the interests of third parties (i.e. the learning experience and academic evaluation of the other members of the Learning Team) are not adversely affected. A student who is subject to an immediate sanction under this paragraph may request that the Chair of the appellate body with jurisdiction over the matter expedite the appeal (SAAP Part D. s.34).

6: STUDENT SERVICES

Students should contact the Program administration with questions about degree requirements, electives or other academic matters as appropriate.

6.4 Personal Counselling

Queen’s University provides personal counselling services through Student Wellness Services. Student Wellness Services supports the personal, academic, and social development of students at Queen's University by providing a range of programs and services.

Students may also contact the Program Director to discuss supports available through Smith School of Business.

6.5 The University Ombudsperson

Queen’s University is committed to the just, fair and equitable treatment of each and every member of the University community.  In keeping with this commitment, the Office of the University Ombudsperson https://www.queensu.ca/ombuds/provides an independent, impartial and confidential office through which members of the University community may pursue the just, fair and equitable resolution of university- related concerns within its jurisdiction.

Among other duties, the Office of the University Ombudsperson: receives, assesses, and facilitates the informal resolution of concerns and complaints; provides confidential and independent advice and support to members of the University community; acts as a liaison between individuals and/or groups at all levels serving as a communicator or informal conciliator; and mediates the resolution of complaints.

Any student who finds themselves in an appeal situation is strongly advised to contact the University Ombudsperson for advice, assistance and support.

Appendix B: Academic Progress Committee Rules of Procedure 

Smith School of Business

Master of Business Administration, Master of Management, and Graduate Diploma Programs Academic Progress Committee

Adopted by Faculty Board September 12, 2017

Rules of Procedure

The following Rules of Procedure apply to the General Proceedings, Appeal Hearings (“Hearings”), Decisions, Post-Hearing and Record-Keeping matters of the Master of Business Administration, Master of Management and Graduate Diploma Academic Progress Committee (“MBA/MOM APC”).

These Rules of Procedure shall be interpreted liberally to facilitate the just, expeditious and cost-effective determination of every proceeding on its merits.

The Terms of Reference for the MBA/MOM Academic Program Committee are available in a separate document.

1 General Rules

The following rules of apply to proceedings before an APC Hearing Panel (“Panel”):

1.1 Panel Decisions will be made in accordance with relevant School regulations and policies

The Panel will adhere to the relevant program Academic Regulations as well as policies and procedures of the School and Queen’s University.

1.2 All appeals are to be heard by the Panel in camera

To protect the privacy and confidentiality of students, Panel meetings and Hearings are closed to the public.

Hearings are not normally recorded, unless a special request is made by the appellant in advance of the Hearing.  In such a case, the Chair of the Panel (“Chair”) will decide whether to record the Hearing.  The Chair may also wish to record a Hearing, and will inform the parties of the intention to do so in advance of the Hearing.  Any transcripts of a Hearing will be provided to either party upon request, in which case a copy will also be provided to the other party. Transcripts must be treated as confidential.  There will be no recording of the Panel’s deliberations.  Participants may take their own notes during the Hearing.  All such notes are transitory1 and are not considered to be University Records.  

1.3 No conflict of interest

In cases where an APC member has, or may be reasonably perceived to have, a conflict of interest with respect to a specific case, that individual may not serve on the APC Panel in connection with that case2.

1.4 No member will participate in the deliberations or final Decision of the Panel unless present for the entire Appeal Hearing

1.5 Supplementary rules of procedure

As needed, the Chair has the power to issue such supplementary rules of procedure as may be necessary to govern the conduct of an Appeal.

1.6 The Panel has no power to compel any person to attend a hearing

The Chair may request the participation of parties and witnesses, but it has no power to compel participation.

2 Appeal Hearing

The student has the right to representation, including an Ombuds Academic Appeal Advisor University from the Office of the University Ombudsperson and/or legal counsel and/or other agent (all at the student’s own expense) at the Appeal Hearing.  The student may make oral submissions or their representative may make submissions on their behalf.  The student must inform the Chair of the name and role of any representatives in advance of the Hearing.

Normally the Program Director or their delegate will attend the Hearing and make oral submissions.  The Program Director may also bring representation who may make submissions on their behalf.

Other witnesses will be asked to participate in the Hearing as deemed necessary by the Chair.  Witnesses are individuals who have first-hand knowledge of the matters at issue in the Appeal Hearing; the evidence of ‘character’ witnesses will not normally be received by the Panel.  Each party shall have an opportunity to question witnesses. The Chair can limit questioning of a witness if the Chair believes the questioning is irrelevant, abusive or otherwise inappropriate. 

The Chair shall determine what evidence is admitted as part of the Hearing.  The Chair shall normally apply a relevance approach[3] to such determinations.  The Chair has the right to exclude evidence that is deemed irrelevant, repetitive or otherwise inappropriate.

If, during the course of the Hearing, the Chair decides that more information is required in order to clarify a matter, the Chair may adjourn the Hearing to permit the relevant parties to bring forward such information or facts or to permit the Panel to obtain such information.

The Chair may decide to adjourn the Hearing at the request of a party if the Chair believes that a party may be unfairly prejudiced should the Hearing proceed.

The Panel has the right to seek confirmation and/or verification of any evidence, claims, or submissions made by any participants in the Hearing; should it be determined that false information was provided to the Panel, the matter may be investigated under the Smith School of Business Academic Integrity Policy.

3 The Decision 

After hearing all the evidence, the Panel shall deliberate in camera.  The deliberations of the Panel are confidential.

Following deliberations, the Panel may:

1. Dismiss the Appeal and uphold the original decision of the Program. In the case that the student be required to withdraw, a formal letter advising the student of the requirement to withdraw will be issued; or,
2. Allow the Appeal and grant the remedy requested by the Student; or,
3. Allow the Appeal in part and modify the Program’s original decision, and impose an appropriate sanction. This may include:
   • Imposing specific conditions under which the student will be permitted to continue in the Program and/or any requirements the student must meet, including the timelines within which such conditions and/or requirements must be met;
   • Requiring the student to:
     • complete additional work;
     • repeat an exam, paper, or course;
     • achieve a minimum grade(s);
     • provide evidence of fitness to continue in the Program;
   • Placing the student on Academic Probation until the student satisfies all conditions and/or requirements within the timeline(s) set by the Panel.
4. Impose other terms and/or conditions as may appropriate for the specific situation. The Panel may not award financial compensation to a student.

The Panel’s Decision shall be communicated to the student within seven (7) days, or within a reasonable time as demanded by the complexity of the case, via a Decision Letter from the Panel Chair. The Decision Letter will include the reasons for the Decision, information about the next level of appeal, to whom to address an appeal, and information about the availability of the support of the Office of the University Ombudsperson.

The Panel’s Decision Letter shall be the official record of the Appeal. The Decision Letter will include the effective date of any actions to be taken by the Program (see Section 4).

4 Post-Proceeding Matters

In accordance with the Student Academic Appeals Policy, section 34, the student is normally entitled to exhaust all levels of appeal before sanctions are applied, except in the rare case where an academic unit determines that the interests of third parties may be prejudiced by the continued enrolment of a student in a course or program.  In such a case, the Panel will determine if the student may continue in their Program until appeal processes are exhausted, and under what conditions the student may do so, having regard for the need to protect the interests of the third party/parties.  The Panel shall address the effective date of any actions and/or sanctions in the Decision Letter.

5 Records Management and Privacy

Queen’s University is subject to provincial access and privacy legislation with regard to the information it holds about the University and the individuals who participate in the Queen’s community.  Specifically, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) apply to various aspects of the University’s operations.  To the extent that the University has operations in the European Union, it is subject to the EU General Data Protection Regulation

Appeal Records consist of all documents filed by the parties, the recording, if any, of the Appeal Hearing(s), the transcript, if any, of the recording, and the Decision Letter issued by the Panel.

5.1 Responsibilities of the Co-Chair

The APC Co-Chair or delegate is responsible for collecting and distributing Appeal Records.  The Co-Chair shall handle such records in a secure manner which protects the confidentiality of the documents.

Following an Appeal Hearing and issuance of the Decision Letter, the Panel Chair shall collect the files and any notes made during the Hearing by Panel members.  All such notes are transitory and are not considered to be University Records.  They form no part of the Appeal Record and shall be destroyed immediately following the issuance of the Panel’s Decision.

5.2 Records Retention Schedule

Once the Panel renders its decision:

1. The Decision Letter is the official record of the Decision, a copy of which shall be kept by the APC Co-Chair, the Program Director and in the Dean’s Office.
2. Original Appeal Records are to be kept by the APC Co-Chair for one (1) year following the date on which the student has exhausted all levels of appeal at the University, or, for one (1) year following the expiry of the deadline for the student to pursue an appeal, whichever occurs first.
3. Transitory records may be destroyed
4. Duplicated records will be destroyed

Appeals of these decisions are made to the Academic Appeals Committee.

MMA Class of 2024

1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose

The purpose of the Academic Calendar is to acquaint students with the academic requirements, regulations, policies, procedures and expectations of the Program. It is the responsibility of the student to read and understand the entire Academic Calendar. Questions about any of its contents should be directed to the Program Director.

1.2 Acknowledgement of Territory

Queen’s University in Kingston is situated on traditional Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Territory. To acknowledge this traditional territory is to recognize its longer history, one predating the establishment of the earliest European colonies. It is also to acknowledge this territory’s significance for the Indigenous peoples who lived, and continue to live, upon it – people whose practices and spiritualities were tied to the land and continue to develop in relationship to the territory and its other inhabitants today. The Kingston Indigenous community continues to reflect the area’s Anishinaabek and Haudenosaunee roots. There is also a significant Métis community and there are First Peoples from other Nations across Turtle Island present today.

SmithToronto operates on sacred land that has been a site of human activity for 15,000 years.  This land is the territory of the Huron-Wendat and Petun First Nations, the Seneca, and most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit River.  The territory was the subject of the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Iroquois Confederacy and Confederacy of the Ojibwe and allied nations to peaceably share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. Today, the meeting place of Toronto is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work in the community on this territory.

2: PROGRAM CURRICULUM AND GRADING

2.1 Jurisdiction

Students of Smith School of Business at Queen’s University are governed by the regulations, policies and practices of this institution.

It is the responsibility of every student in the Program to read and understand these policies, regulations, and requirements as well as those of their home, exchange and double degree universities.

2.2 Program Format

The Smith Master of Management Analytics (“MMA”) Program is approved by the Senate and Board of Trustees of the University, and by the Ontario Council for Graduate Studies. Upon graduation, students receive a Master of Management Analytics Degree.

The Smith MMA Program provides students with the opportunity to gain the educational and professional advantages of a Smith Program without interrupting a successful career. The curriculum was designed with the understanding that students already have an undergraduate degree and professional experience. Therefore, while management fundamentals in all functional areas will be reviewed and incorporated into our courses, the Program will focus on developing the skills and advanced knowledge required to lead today’s organizations.

2.2.1 Program Delivery

The MMA program is cohort-based. MMA-B is delivered through a blend of remotely-delivered courses and immersive, in-person learning taking the form of residential sessions. MMA-S and MMA-W are delivered primarily from the Smith School of Business facility located in Toronto (“SmithToronto”) located at 200 Front Street W, Suite 3020. Aside from the two elective courses, students must take the courses as offered without the option to complete them at a later date.
 
During the first residential, the “Opening Session”, students are introduced to their Team, Team Coach, network support staff, initial instructors, and program staff. This session is mandatory, students must attend and participate in the courses and extracurricular offerings including high performance teams, cultural intelligence and virtual teams’ instruction. Attendance is mandatory. 
 
During the second residential, the “Closing Session”, MMA-B students will participate in their final course(s) and have a chance to close the program together and in-person, while MMA-S and MMA-W students will choose 1 of 2 elective options for delivery during this time frame. Attendance is mandatory.

2.3 Timeframe

Once registered in the MMA Program, the student is expected to complete all degree requirements without interruption. The Program is normally completed in 12 consecutive months, beginning in either January or May, and ending in December or April, respectively.

2.4 Degree Requirements and Courses

The Smith MMA Program is a 12-month program in which students complete 14 courses (42.0 units), including 13 required courses and 1 elective course. To be eligible for graduation, students must complete all courses in the Program in the year in which they are registered, and uphold and/or meet each of the Academic Regulations (Section 3 of this document).

2.4.1 Required and Elective Courses
All required and elective courses for the Program must be completed at Smith in the year that the student is registered in the Program.

2.4.1.1 Required courses 
All students must complete the following required courses in accordance with the Academic Regulations set out in Section 3 of this document.

• MMA 801 Introduction to Management
• MMA 863 Introduction to Analytical Modelling
• MMA 860 Acquisition and Management of Data
• MMA 861 Analytical Decision Making
• MMA 867 Predictive Modelling
• MMA 831 Marketing Analytics
• MMA 869 Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence
• MMA 841 Ops and Supply Chain Analytics
• MMA 865 Big Data Analytics
• MMA 823 Analytics for Financial Mrkts
• MMA 830 Pricing Analytics
• MMA 804 Leading Change
• MMA 803 Analytics Ethics and Policy

2.4.1.2 Elective courses 
Students must take 1 elective course (3.0 units) in the Program.

• MMA 890 Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• MMA 844 Analytics Project Management

2.4.2 Course Substitutions
Students must complete all required and elective courses at Smith within the required timeframe to graduate from the Program.
If extenuating circumstances prevent a student from completing the Program in the required timeframe, the student will be required to complete outstanding courses as directed by the Program Director or Academic Progress Committee.  Normally, if one or more of the missed courses is not offered again in the year the student is registered in the Program, the student will be permitted to take the course in the subsequent year when the course is offered again.

2.4.3 Auditing Courses
A student may request to audit a course. A formal written request to audit must be made to the Program Director at least seven days before the first session of the course to be audited. Requests to audit courses will be considered depending on space, instructor approval and other relevant course-specific factors.

2.5 Learning Teams

Learning Teams are a foundation of the Smith MMA Program. The Learning Team is critical to a student’s success in the Program as well as being a means of managing the demanding workload of the Program. It also provides an opportunity to draw on the varied backgrounds and expertise of other team members and enriches the student’s learning experience as a whole. Most courses allocate approximately 50% of the course weight to teamwork.
 
Students are assigned to a Learning Team at the beginning of the Program. They stay with this Team over the full program. It is a Program requirement that students function effectively and supportively within their Learning Teams and make effective and ethical use of team resources in satisfying course requirements.  However, additional “working groups” are formed for some courses in the Program.

2.5.1 Performance in the Learning Team
Performance in the Learning Team is an academic requirement for successful completion of the Program (see Section 3). Students must perform effectively and supportively on the Team according to the standards and norms of the Team. Failure to do so can result in a requirement to withdraw from the Program.

2.5.2 Team Coaches
In order to get the best experience on the Learning Team, each team is assigned a professionally trained Team Coach.  The Team Coach works regularly with the Team and its individual members throughout the Program delivering best practices, instruction, advice, and coaching on team processes, development, and performance. Team coaches may also work with a Team on interpersonal issues or concerns with regard to the performance (effectiveness) or behaviour (supportiveness) of individual Team members.

2.6 Grading

2.6.1 Queen’s University Grading

The grading system for courses in the Queen's Program is: 

Other academic entries which may be assigned are: 

*Aegrotat: An academic entry which provides an estimated final grade or, if that is not possible, credit for a course without a grade because of extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control that prevented the student from completing all work of the course, particularly the final examination. 

Normally at least 60 per cent of the work to be evaluated in the course (assignments, midterms, final examination, as specified in the course).
Requests for AG or CR standing should be made to the Program Director.

2.6.2 Grading Specifications
All final marks, including those assigned after special examinations, may be based on the results of formal examinations and on grades obtained from other work throughout the course, which may include essays, exercises, reports, presentations, class tests/quizzes, and class participation or other work.

At the beginning of each course, the instructor will provide a clear statement of the basis on which the final mark will be assessed. All work assigned and the weight that it will contribute to the final mark will be specified.  Normally there is both individual and Team work included in course assessments.

2.6.3 Class Participation
Class participation grades are allocated in some courses. Instructors will specify the specific form and opportunities for participation marks at the start of the course. Some examples include contributions to class discussions or discussion boards, attendance, timely completion of assigned work, or other relevant behaviours determined by the instructor.

3: ACADEMIC REGULATIONS AND STANDING

Academic Regulations exist to maintain the standards of the Program, and to ensure the candidates of the Program have the mandatory knowledge and experience to merit receiving the Degree. Degrees are awarded according to the requirements and processes set out in the Academic Regulations.

Every student is responsible for knowing and meeting or upholding the Academic Regulations of the Program in order to progress through the Program and ultimately be eligible for the Degree. The Academic Regulations below are currently in effect. Regulations are consistently reviewed and may change from time to time. Any changes that take place during the academic year will be communicated to students; it remains the student’s responsibility to be aware of any such changes.

3.1 Academic Regulations

Each candidate for the Degree must successfully meet or achieve the Regulations below in order to be in Good Academic Standing, to progress through the Program, and to be eligible for graduation from the Program.  In a case where a student violates any one of the Regulations, that student is normally required to withdraw from the Program (see section 3.2 for further information).
Every student must achieve the following:

3.1.1 Complete Program Curriculum
The student must complete all components of the curriculum as outlined in Section 2.

3.1.2 Overall Minimum GPA
The student must achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 2.7 (B-) including all courses taken in the Program.

3.1.3 Minimum Course Grades
The student may obtain final grades of less than 2.0 (C) in no more than the equivalent of 2 courses (6 units) throughout the Program.

3.1.4 No Failures
The student must obtain a final grade of at least 0.7 (D-) in each course.

3.1.5 Pass Individual Performance
The student must obtain a grade of at least 0.7 (D-) in the assessment of individual performance of any course.  Course instructors will determine how individual performance is assessed in their course.

3.1.6 Pass Team Performance
The student must obtain a grade of at least 0.7 (D-) on the assessment of team performance of any course.  Course instructors will determine how team performance is assessed in their course.

3.1.7 Function in Learning Team
The student must function effectively and supportively in the Learning Team throughout the duration of the Program.

3.1.8 Attendance
The student may not miss more than 25% of class sessions of any course.
Class attendance is monitored and concerns related to attendance will be addressed with the student. Note that repeated unexcused absences from class may also impact the assessment of performance in the Learning Team.

3.2 Academic Standing

The following Academic Standings may apply, depending on individual circumstances:
 
3.2.1 Good Academic Standing
In order to progress through the Program and to be eligible for the Degree, a student must be in Good Academic Standing. A student is considered to be in Good Academic Standing when they uphold the Academic Regulations set out in Section 3.1 above.

A student who fails to uphold any one of the Academic Regulations is no longer in Good Academic Standing, and is normally required to withdraw from the Program. The student is considered to be in Academic Jeopardy until a decision is made by the appropriate body.

3.2.2 Academic Jeopardy

A student who fails to meet any one or more of the Academic Regulations is deemed to be in Academic Jeopardy until a decision is made about their situation.

Students in this situation will first be reviewed by the Program Director. In some cases an informal resolution may be possible (for example, an opportunity to re-take an exam if the student has official evidence of being gravely ill on the day of the exam) and, if successful, the student may return to Good Academic Standing.

In cases where an informal resolution is not possible, the Program Director will inform the student in writing of the requirement to withdraw from the Program, subject to the student’s right of appeal.

3.2.2.1 Academic Jeopardy Resulting From Failure to Function in the Learning Team 

As established in the Academic Regulations, section 3.1.7, a student must function effectively and supportively in the Learning Team throughout the duration of the Program. Effective and supportive behaviour as a Team member includes meeting the standards of performance and behaviour determined by the Team in conjunction with the Team Coach, as well as full cooperation and responsive communication with the Team Coach.

When significant concerns regarding a student’s Learning Team performance is brought to a Team Coach, the Team Coach will investigate the situation fully and fairly.  The Team Coach will:

1. Discuss the situation with each student on the Learning Team, including the student whose performance is in question.
2. Identify the Learning Team’s established performance, operational and behavioural norms and expectations.
3. Discuss with the student in question any failure to meet the team norms or expectations, and, if necessary:
4. Establish a set of formal expectations (in the form of a Performance Improvement Plan - PIP) that must be achieved by the student within a specified period in order to fulfill the obligation to perform as an effective and supportive Team member.

A student operating under a formal set of performance expectations (a PIP) is considered to be in Academic Jeopardy. If the student successfully completes the PIP, the student is once again considered to be in Good Academic Standing.
If, after a thorough review of the procedure followed and the assessment of the student’s performance during the PIP, the Director of Team Coaching determines that the student has not successfully completed the PIP, the Director of Team Coaching will refer the matter to the Program Director for review and final determination. If the student is deemed to have violated Regulation 4.1.7, the student will be required to withdraw from the Program, subject to their right of appeal.

3.2.3 Academic Probation
A student who has failed to meet one or more of the Academic Regulations and who has successfully appealed to the Academic Progress Committee may be permitted to continue in the Program, on Academic Probation, subject to specific terms, conditions, standards and timeframes tailored to the situation.
A student who successfully completes the conditions of their Academic Probation will be released from Academic Probation and return to Good Academic Standing. A student who fails to meet the conditions of their Academic Probation will normally be required to withdraw from the Program, subject to their right of appeal.

3.2.4 Requirement to Withdraw
A student who has failed to meet any one or more of the Academic Regulations is normally required to withdraw from the Program, subject to their right of appeal (see section 5). Further, a student who fails to meet the conditions of their Academic Probation will normally be required to withdraw from the Program.

3.2.5 Effective Date of Sanctions
Sanctions or adverse academic decisions, such as Academic Probation (and its terms and conditions) or a requirement to withdraw, shall take effect as soon as the student accepts the sanction OR exhausts (or allows to lapse) their right to appeal to the next level in accordance with Part D, s.33 of  the Student Academic Appeals Policy:

3.2.5.1 Effective Date of Sanctions for Failure to Function in the Learning Team 
Students should note that an adverse academic decision (e.g. required to withdraw) as a result of  the violation of Regulation 4.1.7 (Function in the Learning Team) may require that a student’s participation in the  course or program be halted during the appeal process to ensure that the interests of third parties (i.e. the learning experience and academic evaluation of the other members of the Learning Team) are not adversely affected. A student who is subject to an immediate sanction under this paragraph may request that the Chair of the appellate body with jurisdiction over the matter expedite the appeal (SAAP Part D. s.34).

6: STUDENT SERVICES

Students should contact the Program administration with questions about degree requirements, electives or other academic matters as appropriate.

6.4 Personal Counselling

Queen’s University provides personal counselling services through Student Wellness Services. Student Wellness Services supports the personal, academic, and social development of students at Queen's University by providing a range of programs and services.

Students may also contact the Program Director to discuss supports available through Smith School of Business.

6.5 The University Ombudsperson

Queen’s University is committed to the just, fair and equitable treatment of each and every member of the University community.  In keeping with this commitment, the Office of the University Ombudsperson https://www.queensu.ca/ombuds/provides an independent, impartial and confidential office through which members of the University community may pursue the just, fair and equitable resolution of university- related concerns within its jurisdiction.

Among other duties, the Office of the University Ombudsperson: receives, assesses, and facilitates the informal resolution of concerns and complaints; provides confidential and independent advice and support to members of the University community; acts as a liaison between individuals and/or groups at all levels serving as a communicator or informal conciliator; and mediates the resolution of complaints.

Any student who finds themselves in an appeal situation is strongly advised to contact the University Ombudsperson for advice, assistance and support.

Appendix B: Academic Progress Committee Rules of Procedure 

Smith School of Business

Master of Business Administration, Master of Management, and Graduate Diploma Programs Academic Progress Committee

Adopted by Faculty Board September 12, 2017

Rules of Procedure

The following Rules of Procedure apply to the General Proceedings, Appeal Hearings (“Hearings”), Decisions, Post-Hearing and Record-Keeping matters of the Master of Business Administration, Master of Management and Graduate Diploma Academic Progress Committee (“MBA/MOM APC”).

These Rules of Procedure shall be interpreted liberally to facilitate the just, expeditious and cost-effective determination of every proceeding on its merits.

The Terms of Reference for the MBA/MOM Academic Program Committee are available in a separate document.

1 General Rules

The following rules of apply to proceedings before an APC Hearing Panel (“Panel”):

1.1 Panel Decisions will be made in accordance with relevant School regulations and policies

The Panel will adhere to the relevant program Academic Regulations as well as policies and procedures of the School and Queen’s University.

1.2 All appeals are to be heard by the Panel in camera

To protect the privacy and confidentiality of students, Panel meetings and Hearings are closed to the public.

Hearings are not normally recorded, unless a special request is made by the appellant in advance of the Hearing.  In such a case, the Chair of the Panel (“Chair”) will decide whether to record the Hearing.  The Chair may also wish to record a Hearing, and will inform the parties of the intention to do so in advance of the Hearing.  Any transcripts of a Hearing will be provided to either party upon request, in which case a copy will also be provided to the other party. Transcripts must be treated as confidential.  There will be no recording of the Panel’s deliberations.  Participants may take their own notes during the Hearing.  All such notes are transitory1 and are not considered to be University Records.  

1.3 No conflict of interest

In cases where an APC member has, or may be reasonably perceived to have, a conflict of interest with respect to a specific case, that individual may not serve on the APC Panel in connection with that case2.

1.4 No member will participate in the deliberations or final Decision of the Panel unless present for the entire Appeal Hearing

1.5 Supplementary rules of procedure

As needed, the Chair has the power to issue such supplementary rules of procedure as may be necessary to govern the conduct of an Appeal.

1.6 The Panel has no power to compel any person to attend a hearing

The Chair may request the participation of parties and witnesses, but it has no power to compel participation.

2 Appeal Hearing

The student has the right to representation, including an Ombuds Academic Appeal Advisor University from the Office of the University Ombudsperson and/or legal counsel and/or other agent (all at the student’s own expense) at the Appeal Hearing.  The student may make oral submissions or their representative may make submissions on their behalf.  The student must inform the Chair of the name and role of any representatives in advance of the Hearing.

Normally the Program Director or their delegate will attend the Hearing and make oral submissions.  The Program Director may also bring representation who may make submissions on their behalf.

Other witnesses will be asked to participate in the Hearing as deemed necessary by the Chair.  Witnesses are individuals who have first-hand knowledge of the matters at issue in the Appeal Hearing; the evidence of ‘character’ witnesses will not normally be received by the Panel.  Each party shall have an opportunity to question witnesses. The Chair can limit questioning of a witness if the Chair believes the questioning is irrelevant, abusive or otherwise inappropriate. 

The Chair shall determine what evidence is admitted as part of the Hearing.  The Chair shall normally apply a relevance approach[3] to such determinations.  The Chair has the right to exclude evidence that is deemed irrelevant, repetitive or otherwise inappropriate.

If, during the course of the Hearing, the Chair decides that more information is required in order to clarify a matter, the Chair may adjourn the Hearing to permit the relevant parties to bring forward such information or facts or to permit the Panel to obtain such information.

The Chair may decide to adjourn the Hearing at the request of a party if the Chair believes that a party may be unfairly prejudiced should the Hearing proceed.

The Panel has the right to seek confirmation and/or verification of any evidence, claims, or submissions made by any participants in the Hearing; should it be determined that false information was provided to the Panel, the matter may be investigated under the Smith School of Business Academic Integrity Policy.

3 The Decision 

After hearing all the evidence, the Panel shall deliberate in camera.  The deliberations of the Panel are confidential.

Following deliberations, the Panel may:

1. Dismiss the Appeal and uphold the original decision of the Program. In the case that the student be required to withdraw, a formal letter advising the student of the requirement to withdraw will be issued; or,
2. Allow the Appeal and grant the remedy requested by the Student; or,
3. Allow the Appeal in part and modify the Program’s original decision, and impose an appropriate sanction. This may include:
   • Imposing specific conditions under which the student will be permitted to continue in the Program and/or any requirements the student must meet, including the timelines within which such conditions and/or requirements must be met;
   • Requiring the student to:
     • complete additional work;
     • repeat an exam, paper, or course;
     • achieve a minimum grade(s);
     • provide evidence of fitness to continue in the Program;
   • Placing the student on Academic Probation until the student satisfies all conditions and/or requirements within the timeline(s) set by the Panel.
4. Impose other terms and/or conditions as may appropriate for the specific situation. The Panel may not award financial compensation to a student.

The Panel’s Decision shall be communicated to the student within seven (7) days, or within a reasonable time as demanded by the complexity of the case, via a Decision Letter from the Panel Chair. The Decision Letter will include the reasons for the Decision, information about the next level of appeal, to whom to address an appeal, and information about the availability of the support of the Office of the University Ombudsperson.

The Panel’s Decision Letter shall be the official record of the Appeal. The Decision Letter will include the effective date of any actions to be taken by the Program (see Section 4).

4 Post-Proceeding Matters

In accordance with the Senate Student Academic Appeal Policy, section 34, the student is normally entitled to exhaust all levels of appeal before sanctions are applied, except in the rare case where an academic unit determines that the interests of third parties may be prejudiced by the continued enrolment of a student in a course or program.  In such a case, the Panel will determine if the student may continue in their Program until appeal processes are exhausted, and under what conditions the student may do so, having regard for the need to protect the interests of the third party/parties.  The Panel shall address the effective date of any actions and/or sanctions in the Decision Letter.

5 Records Management and Privacy

Queen’s University is subject to provincial access and privacy legislation with regard to the information it holds about the University and the individuals who participate in the Queen’s community.  Specifically, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) apply to various aspects of the University’s operations.  To the extent that the University has operations in the European Union, it is subject to the EU General Data Protection Regulation

Appeal Records consist of all documents filed by the parties, the recording, if any, of the Appeal Hearing(s), the transcript, if any, of the recording, and the Decision Letter issued by the Panel.

5.1 Responsibilities of the Co-Chair

The APC Co-Chair or delegate is responsible for collecting and distributing Appeal Records.  The Co-Chair shall handle such records in a secure manner which protects the confidentiality of the documents.

Following an Appeal Hearing and issuance of the Decision Letter, the Panel Chair shall collect the files and any notes made during the Hearing by Panel members.  All such notes are transitory and are not considered to be University Records.  They form no part of the Appeal Record and shall be destroyed immediately following the issuance of the Panel’s Decision.

5.2 Records Retention Schedule

Once the Panel renders its decision:

1. The Decision Letter is the official record of the Decision, a copy of which shall be kept by the APC Co-Chair, the Program Director and in the Dean’s Office.
2. Original Appeal Records are to be kept by the APC Co-Chair for one (1) year following the date on which the student has exhausted all levels of appeal at the University, or, for one (1) year following the expiry of the deadline for the student to pursue an appeal, whichever occurs first.
3. Transitory records may be destroyed
4. Duplicated records will be destroyed

Appeals of these decisions are made to the Academic Appeals Committee.

MMA Class of 2023

1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose

The purpose of the Academic Calendar is to acquaint students with the academic requirements, regulations, policies, procedures and expectations of the Program. It is the responsibility of the student to read and understand the entire Academic Calendar. Questions about any of its contents should be directed to the Program Director.

1.2 Acknowledgement of Territory

Queen’s University in Kingston is situated on traditional Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Territory. To acknowledge this traditional territory is to recognize its longer history, one predating the establishment of the earliest European colonies. It is also to acknowledge this territory’s significance for the Indigenous peoples who lived, and continue to live, upon it – people whose practices and spiritualities were tied to the land and continue to develop in relationship to the territory and its other inhabitants today. The Kingston Indigenous community continues to reflect the area’s Anishinaabek and Haudenosaunee roots. There is also a significant Métis community and there are First Peoples from other Nations across Turtle Island present today.

SmithToronto operates on sacred land that has been a site of human activity for 15,000 years.  This land is the territory of the Huron-Wendat and Petun First Nations, the Seneca, and most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit River.  The territory was the subject of the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Iroquois Confederacy and Confederacy of the Ojibwe and allied nations to peaceably share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. Today, the meeting place of Toronto is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work in the community on this territory.

2: PROGRAM CURRICULUM AND GRADING

2.1 Jurisdiction

Students of Smith School of Business at Queen’s University are governed by the regulations, policies and practices of this institution.

It is the responsibility of every student in the Program to read and understand these policies, regulations, and requirements as well as those of their home, exchange and double degree universities.

2.2 Program Format

The Smith Master of Management Analytics (“MMA”) Program is approved by the Senate and Board of Trustees of the University, and by the Ontario Council for Graduate Studies. Upon graduation, students receive a Master of Management Analytics Degree.

The Smith MMA Program provides students with the opportunity to gain the educational and professional advantages of a Smith Program without interrupting a successful career. The curriculum was designed with the understanding that students already have an undergraduate degree and professional experience. Therefore, while management fundamentals in all functional areas will be reviewed and incorporated into our courses, the Program will focus on developing the skills and advanced knowledge required to lead today’s organizations.

2.2.1 Program Delivery
Smith MMA Program is delivered primarily from the Smith School of Business facility located in Toronto (“SmithToronto”) located at 200 Front Street W, Suite 3020. The MMA program is a cohort-based program, where the cohort is broken into two sections. Section one will attend classes on Wednesdays and alternating Saturdays. Section two will attend classes on Thursdays and alternating Sundays. These sessions are supplemented by two on-campus residential sessions.
During the first residential period, the “Opening Session”, students are introduced to their Team, Team Coach, network support staff, initial instructors, and program staff. This session occurs at the start of the program.
During the second residential period, the “Elective Session”, students will choose 1 of 2 elective options for delivery during this time frame.

2.3 Timeframe

Once registered in the MMA Program, the student is expected to complete all degree requirements without interruption. The Program is normally completed in 12 consecutive months, beginning in either January or May, and ending in December or April, respectively.

2.4 Degree Requirements and Courses

The Smith MMA Program is a 12-month program in which students complete 14 courses (42.0 units), including 13 required courses and 1 elective course. To be eligible for graduation, students must complete all courses in the Program in the year in which they are registered, and uphold and/or meet each of the Academic Regulations (Section 3 of this document).

2.4.1 Required and Elective Courses
All required and elective courses for the Program must be completed at Smith in the year that the student is registered in the Program.

2.4.1.1 Required courses 
All students must complete the following required courses in accordance with the Academic Regulations set out in Section 3 of this document.

• MMA 801 Introduction to Management
• MMA 863 Introduction to Analytical Modelling
• MMA 860 Acquisition and Management of Data
• MMA 861 Analytical Decision Making
• MMA 867 Predictive Modelling
• MMA 831 Marketing Analytics
• MMA 869 Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence
• MMA 841 Ops and Supply Chain Analytics
• MMA 865 Big Data Analytics
• MMA 823 Analytics for Financial Mrkts
• MMA 830 Pricing Analytics
• MMA 804 Leading Change
• MMA 803 Analytics Ethics and Policy

2.4.1.2 Elective courses 
Students must take 1 elective course (3.0 units) in the Program.

• MMA 890 Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• MMA 844 Analytics Project Management

2.4.2 Course Substitutions
Students must complete all required and elective courses at Smith within the required timeframe to graduate from the Program.
If extenuating circumstances prevent a student from completing the Program in the required timeframe, the student will be required to complete outstanding courses as directed by the Program Director or Academic Progress Committee.  Normally, if one or more of the missed courses is not offered again in the year the student is registered in the Program, the student will be permitted to take the course in the subsequent year when the course is offered again.

2.4.3 Auditing Courses
A student may request to audit a course. A formal written request to audit must be made to the Program Director at least seven days before the first session of the course to be audited. Requests to audit courses will be considered depending on space, instructor approval and other relevant course-specific factors.

2.5 Learning Teams

Learning Teams are a foundation of the Smith MMA Program. The Learning Team is critical to a student’s success in the Program as well as being a means of managing the demanding workload of the Program. It also provides an opportunity to draw on the varied backgrounds and expertise of other team members and enriches the student’s learning experience as a whole. Most courses allocate approximately 50% of the course weight to teamwork.
 
Students are assigned to a Learning Team at the beginning of the Program. They stay with this Team over the full program. It is a Program requirement that students function effectively and supportively within their Learning Teams and make effective and ethical use of team resources in satisfying course requirements.  However, additional “working groups” are formed for some courses in the Program.

2.5.1 Performance in the Learning Team
Performance in the Learning Team is an academic requirement for successful completion of the Program (see Section 3). Students must perform effectively and supportively on the Team according to the standards and norms of the Team. Failure to do so can result in a requirement to withdraw from the Program.

2.5.2 Team Coaches
In order to get the best experience on the Learning Team, each team is assigned a professionally trained Team Coach.  The Team Coach works regularly with the Team and its individual members throughout the Program delivering best practices, instruction, advice, and coaching on team processes, development, and performance. Team coaches may also work with a Team on interpersonal issues or concerns with regard to the performance (effectiveness) or behaviour (supportiveness) of individual Team members.

2.6 Grading

2.6.1 Queen’s University Grading

The grading system for courses in the Queen's Program is: 

Other academic entries which may be assigned are: 

*Aegrotat: An academic entry which provides an estimated final grade or, if that is not possible, credit for a course without a grade because of extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control that prevented the student from completing all work of the course, particularly the final examination. 

Normally at least 60 per cent of the work to be evaluated in the course (assignments, midterms, final examination, as specified in the course).
Requests for AG or CR standing should be made to the Program Director.

2.6.2 Grading Specifications
All final marks, including those assigned after special examinations, may be based on the results of formal examinations and on grades obtained from other work throughout the course, which may include essays, exercises, reports, presentations, class tests/quizzes, and class participation or other work.

At the beginning of each course, the instructor will provide a clear statement of the basis on which the final mark will be assessed. All work assigned and the weight that it will contribute to the final mark will be specified.  Normally there is both individual and Team work included in course assessments.

2.6.3 Class Participation
Class participation grades are allocated in some courses. Instructors will specify the specific form and opportunities for participation marks at the start of the course. Some examples include contributions to class discussions or discussion boards, attendance, timely completion of assigned work, or other relevant behaviours determined by the instructor.

3: ACADEMIC REGULATIONS AND STANDING

Academic Regulations exist to maintain the standards of the Program, and to ensure the candidates of the Program have the mandatory knowledge and experience to merit receiving the Degree. Degrees are awarded according to the requirements and processes set out in the Academic Regulations.

Every student is responsible for knowing and meeting or upholding the Academic Regulations of the Program in order to progress through the Program and ultimately be eligible for the Degree. The Academic Regulations below are currently in effect. Regulations are consistently reviewed and may change from time to time. Any changes that take place during the academic year will be communicated to students; it remains the student’s responsibility to be aware of any such changes.

3.1 Academic Regulations

Each candidate for the Degree must successfully meet or achieve the Regulations below in order to be in Good Academic Standing, to progress through the Program, and to be eligible for graduation from the Program.  In a case where a student violates any one of the Regulations, that student is normally required to withdraw from the Program (see section 3.2 for further information).
Every student must achieve the following:

3.1.1 Complete Program Curriculum
The student must complete all components of the curriculum as outlined in Section 2.

3.1.2 Overall Minimum GPA
The student must achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 2.7 (B-) including all courses taken in the Program.

3.1.3 Minimum Course Grades
The student may obtain final grades of less than 2.0 (C) in no more than the equivalent of 2 courses (6 units) throughout the Program.

3.1.4 No Failures
The student must obtain a final grade of at least 0.7 (D-) in each course.

3.1.5 Pass Individual Performance
The student must obtain a grade of at least 0.7 (D-) in the assessment of individual performance of any course.  Course instructors will determine how individual performance is assessed in their course.

3.1.6 Pass Team Performance
The student must obtain a grade of at least 0.7 (D-) on the assessment of team performance of any course.  Course instructors will determine how team performance is assessed in their course.

3.1.7 Function in Learning Team
The student must function effectively and supportively in the Learning Team throughout the duration of the Program.

3.1.8 Attendance
The student may not miss more than 25% of class sessions of any course.
Class attendance is monitored and concerns related to attendance will be addressed with the student. Note that repeated unexcused absences from class may also impact the assessment of performance in the Learning Team.

3.2 Academic Standing

The following Academic Standings may apply, depending on individual circumstances:
 
3.2.1 Good Academic Standing
In order to progress through the Program and to be eligible for the Degree, a student must be in Good Academic Standing. A student is considered to be in Good Academic Standing when they uphold the Academic Regulations set out in Section 3.1 above.

A student who fails to uphold any one of the Academic Regulations is no longer in Good Academic Standing, and is normally required to withdraw from the Program. The student is considered to be in Academic Jeopardy until a decision is made by the appropriate body.

3.2.2 Academic Jeopardy

A student who fails to meet any one or more of the Academic Regulations is deemed to be in Academic Jeopardy until a decision is made about their situation.

Students in this situation will first be reviewed by the Program Director. In some cases an informal resolution may be possible (for example, an opportunity to re-take an exam if the student has official evidence of being gravely ill on the day of the exam) and, if successful, the student may return to Good Academic Standing.

In cases where an informal resolution is not possible, the Program Director will inform the student in writing of the requirement to withdraw from the Program, subject to the student’s right of appeal.

3.2.2.1 Academic Jeopardy Resulting From Failure to Function in the Learning Team 

As established in the Academic Regulations, section 3.1.7, a student must function effectively and supportively in the Learning Team throughout the duration of the Program. Effective and supportive behaviour as a Team member includes meeting the standards of performance and behaviour determined by the Team in conjunction with the Team Coach, as well as full cooperation and responsive communication with the Team Coach.

When significant concerns regarding a student’s Learning Team performance is brought to a Team Coach, the Team Coach will investigate the situation fully and fairly.  The Team Coach will:

1. Discuss the situation with each student on the Learning Team, including the student whose performance is in question.
2. Identify the Learning Team’s established performance, operational and behavioural norms and expectations.
3. Discuss with the student in question any failure to meet the team norms or expectations, and, if necessary:
4. Establish a set of formal expectations (in the form of a Performance Improvement Plan - PIP) that must be achieved by the student within a specified period in order to fulfill the obligation to perform as an effective and supportive Team member.

A student operating under a formal set of performance expectations (a PIP) is considered to be in Academic Jeopardy. If the student successfully completes the PIP, the student is once again considered to be in Good Academic Standing.
If, after a thorough review of the procedure followed and the assessment of the student’s performance during the PIP, the Director of Team Coaching determines that the student has not successfully completed the PIP, the Director of Team Coaching will refer the matter to the Program Director for review and final determination. If the student is deemed to have violated Regulation 4.1.7, the student will be required to withdraw from the Program, subject to their right of appeal.

3.2.3 Academic Probation
A student who has failed to meet one or more of the Academic Regulations and who has successfully appealed to the Academic Progress Committee may be permitted to continue in the Program, on Academic Probation, subject to specific terms, conditions, standards and timeframes tailored to the situation.
A student who successfully completes the conditions of their Academic Probation will be released from Academic Probation and return to Good Academic Standing. A student who fails to meet the conditions of their Academic Probation will normally be required to withdraw from the Program, subject to their right of appeal.

3.2.4 Requirement to Withdraw
A student who has failed to meet any one or more of the Academic Regulations is normally required to withdraw from the Program, subject to their right of appeal (see section 5). Further, a student who fails to meet the conditions of their Academic Probation will normally be required to withdraw from the Program.

3.2.5 Effective Date of Sanctions
Sanctions or adverse academic decisions, such as Academic Probation (and its terms and conditions) or a requirement to withdraw, shall take effect as soon as the student accepts the sanction OR exhausts (or allows to lapse) their right to appeal to the next level in accordance with Part D, s.33 of  the Student Academic Appeals Policy:

3.2.5.1 Effective Date of Sanctions for Failure to Function in the Learning Team 
Students should note that an adverse academic decision (e.g. required to withdraw) as a result of  the violation of Regulation 4.1.7 (Function in the Learning Team) may require that a student’s participation in the  course or program be halted during the appeal process to ensure that the interests of third parties (i.e. the learning experience and academic evaluation of the other members of the Learning Team) are not adversely affected. A student who is subject to an immediate sanction under this paragraph may request that the Chair of the appellate body with jurisdiction over the matter expedite the appeal (SAAP Part D. s.34).

6: STUDENT SERVICES

Students should contact the Program administration with questions about degree requirements, electives or other academic matters as appropriate.

6.4 Personal Counselling

Queen’s University provides personal counselling services through Student Wellness Services. Student Wellness Services supports the personal, academic, and social development of students at Queen's University by providing a range of programs and services.

Students may also contact the Program Director to discuss supports available through Smith School of Business.

6.5 The University Ombudsperson

Queen’s University is committed to the just, fair and equitable treatment of each and every member of the University community.  In keeping with this commitment, the Office of the University Ombudsperson https://www.queensu.ca/ombuds/provides an independent, impartial and confidential office through which members of the University community may pursue the just, fair and equitable resolution of university- related concerns within its jurisdiction.

Among other duties, the Office of the University Ombudsperson: receives, assesses, and facilitates the informal resolution of concerns and complaints; provides confidential and independent advice and support to members of the University community; acts as a liaison between individuals and/or groups at all levels serving as a communicator or informal conciliator; and mediates the resolution of complaints.

Any student who finds themselves in an appeal situation is strongly advised to contact the University Ombudsperson for advice, assistance and support.

Appendix B: Academic Progress Committee Rules of Procedure 

Smith School of Business

Master of Business Administration, Master of Management, and Graduate Diploma Programs Academic Progress Committee

Adopted by Faculty Board September 12, 2017

Rules of Procedure

The following Rules of Procedure apply to the General Proceedings, Appeal Hearings (“Hearings”), Decisions, Post-Hearing and Record-Keeping matters of the Master of Business Administration, Master of Management and Graduate Diploma Academic Progress Committee (“MBA/MOM APC”).

These Rules of Procedure shall be interpreted liberally to facilitate the just, expeditious and cost-effective determination of every proceeding on its merits.

The Terms of Reference for the MBA/MOM Academic Program Committee are available in a separate document.

1 General Rules

The following rules of apply to proceedings before an APC Hearing Panel (“Panel”):

1.1 Panel Decisions will be made in accordance with relevant School regulations and policies

The Panel will adhere to the relevant program Academic Regulations as well as policies and procedures of the School and Queen’s University.

1.2 All appeals are to be heard by the Panel in camera

To protect the privacy and confidentiality of students, Panel meetings and Hearings are closed to the public.

Hearings are not normally recorded, unless a special request is made by the appellant in advance of the Hearing.  In such a case, the Chair of the Panel (“Chair”) will decide whether to record the Hearing.  The Chair may also wish to record a Hearing, and will inform the parties of the intention to do so in advance of the Hearing.  Any transcripts of a Hearing will be provided to either party upon request, in which case a copy will also be provided to the other party. Transcripts must be treated as confidential.  There will be no recording of the Panel’s deliberations.  Participants may take their own notes during the Hearing.  All such notes are transitory1 and are not considered to be University Records.  

1.3 No conflict of interest

In cases where an APC member has, or may be reasonably perceived to have, a conflict of interest with respect to a specific case, that individual may not serve on the APC Panel in connection with that case2.

1.4 No member will participate in the deliberations or final Decision of the Panel unless present for the entire Appeal Hearing

1.5 Supplementary rules of procedure

As needed, the Chair has the power to issue such supplementary rules of procedure as may be necessary to govern the conduct of an Appeal.

1.6 The Panel has no power to compel any person to attend a hearing

The Chair may request the participation of parties and witnesses, but it has no power to compel participation.

2 Appeal Hearing

The student has the right to representation, including an Ombuds Academic Appeal Advisor University from the Office of the University Ombudsperson and/or legal counsel and/or other agent (all at the student’s own expense) at the Appeal Hearing.  The student may make oral submissions or their representative may make submissions on their behalf.  The student must inform the Chair of the name and role of any representatives in advance of the Hearing.

Normally the Program Director or their delegate will attend the Hearing and make oral submissions.  The Program Director may also bring representation who may make submissions on their behalf.

Other witnesses will be asked to participate in the Hearing as deemed necessary by the Chair.  Witnesses are individuals who have first-hand knowledge of the matters at issue in the Appeal Hearing; the evidence of ‘character’ witnesses will not normally be received by the Panel.  Each party shall have an opportunity to question witnesses. The Chair can limit questioning of a witness if the Chair believes the questioning is irrelevant, abusive or otherwise inappropriate. 

The Chair shall determine what evidence is admitted as part of the Hearing.  The Chair shall normally apply a relevance approach[3] to such determinations.  The Chair has the right to exclude evidence that is deemed irrelevant, repetitive or otherwise inappropriate.

If, during the course of the Hearing, the Chair decides that more information is required in order to clarify a matter, the Chair may adjourn the Hearing to permit the relevant parties to bring forward such information or facts or to permit the Panel to obtain such information.

The Chair may decide to adjourn the Hearing at the request of a party if the Chair believes that a party may be unfairly prejudiced should the Hearing proceed.

The Panel has the right to seek confirmation and/or verification of any evidence, claims, or submissions made by any participants in the Hearing; should it be determined that false information was provided to the Panel, the matter may be investigated under the Smith School of Business Academic Integrity Policy.

3 The Decision 

After hearing all the evidence, the Panel shall deliberate in camera.  The deliberations of the Panel are confidential.

Following deliberations, the Panel may:

1. Dismiss the Appeal and uphold the original decision of the Program. In the case that the student be required to withdraw, a formal letter advising the student of the requirement to withdraw will be issued; or,
2. Allow the Appeal and grant the remedy requested by the Student; or,
3. Allow the Appeal in part and modify the Program’s original decision, and impose an appropriate sanction. This may include:
   • Imposing specific conditions under which the student will be permitted to continue in the Program and/or any requirements the student must meet, including the timelines within which such conditions and/or requirements must be met;
   • Requiring the student to:
     • complete additional work;
     • repeat an exam, paper, or course;
     • achieve a minimum grade(s);
     • provide evidence of fitness to continue in the Program;
   • Placing the student on Academic Probation until the student satisfies all conditions and/or requirements within the timeline(s) set by the Panel.
4. Impose other terms and/or conditions as may appropriate for the specific situation. The Panel may not award financial compensation to a student.

The Panel’s Decision shall be communicated to the student within seven (7) days, or within a reasonable time as demanded by the complexity of the case, via a Decision Letter from the Panel Chair. The Decision Letter will include the reasons for the Decision, information about the next level of appeal, to whom to address an appeal, and information about the availability of the support of the Office of the University Ombudsperson.

The Panel’s Decision Letter shall be the official record of the Appeal. The Decision Letter will include the effective date of any actions to be taken by the Program (see Section 4).

4 Post-Proceeding Matters

In accordance with the Student Academic Appeals Policy, section 34, the student is normally entitled to exhaust all levels of appeal before sanctions are applied, except in the rare case where an academic unit determines that the interests of third parties may be prejudiced by the continued enrolment of a student in a course or program.  In such a case, the Panel will determine if the student may continue in their Program until appeal processes are exhausted, and under what conditions the student may do so, having regard for the need to protect the interests of the third party/parties.  The Panel shall address the effective date of any actions and/or sanctions in the Decision Letter.

5 Records Management and Privacy

Queen’s University is subject to provincial access and privacy legislation with regard to the information it holds about the University and the individuals who participate in the Queen’s community.  Specifically, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) apply to various aspects of the University’s operations.  To the extent that the University has operations in the European Union, it is subject to the EU General Data Protection Regulation

Appeal Records consist of all documents filed by the parties, the recording, if any, of the Appeal Hearing(s), the transcript, if any, of the recording, and the Decision Letter issued by the Panel.

5.1 Responsibilities of the Co-Chair

The APC Co-Chair or delegate is responsible for collecting and distributing Appeal Records.  The Co-Chair shall handle such records in a secure manner which protects the confidentiality of the documents.

Following an Appeal Hearing and issuance of the Decision Letter, the Panel Chair shall collect the files and any notes made during the Hearing by Panel members.  All such notes are transitory and are not considered to be University Records.  They form no part of the Appeal Record and shall be destroyed immediately following the issuance of the Panel’s Decision.

5.2 Records Retention Schedule

Once the Panel renders its decision:

1. The Decision Letter is the official record of the Decision, a copy of which shall be kept by the APC Co-Chair, the Program Director and in the Dean’s Office.
2. Original Appeal Records are to be kept by the APC Co-Chair for one (1) year following the date on which the student has exhausted all levels of appeal at the University, or, for one (1) year following the expiry of the deadline for the student to pursue an appeal, whichever occurs first.
3. Transitory records may be destroyed
4. Duplicated records will be destroyed

Appeals of these decisions are made to the Academic Appeals Committee.