School of Medicine & Public Health - Academic Appeals Policy for SMPH Graduate Programs

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Policy Number:
SMPH-9002
Responsible Office:
SMPH Office of Basic Research, Biotechnology and Graduate Studies

School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

To provide any student enrolled in a graduate program in the School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) the opportunity to submit an appeal of an academic decision made by their degree program and receive a prompt review of the decision-making process.

Definitions:
Graduate Guide
An online resource that provides an overview of UW–Madison programs that offer graduate degrees, doctoral minors, graduate/professional certificates, and capstone certificates. The guide references program-specific policies, rules, and regulations, as well as Graduate School-level policies regarding admission, coursework, the awarding of degrees and certificates, and the general criteria governing satisfactory progress in a degree program. It is an official document of record and is reviewed and updated every year
Program Director
The individual appointed by the SMPH dean’s office, in conjunction with the program’s home unit, to oversee the graduate program. The program director for each program is listed on the program’s Graduate Guide page.
SMPH Graduate Program
A Ph.D. or M.S. program that is managed by a unit of SMPH, such as a department or the dean’s office, and for which the degree is conferred by the Graduate School.
Scope:

This policy applies to students in all SMPH graduate programs. It does not apply to students in the SMPH health professions programs (Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Master of Genetic Counselor Studies, Master of Physician Assistant Studies, Master of Public Health).

This policy does not apply to all complaints. Please contact the office identified below if you have a concern related to the following:

This process does not apply to employment related issues for students holding graduate assistantships (RA/TA/PA) covered by UW-5082 Graduate Assistant Policies and Procedures (GAPP). Students holding an assistantship who believe there has been a violation of a specific provision of GAPP must utilize either the formal or informal process as detailed in the GAPP grievance procedures.

This process does not apply to graduate students in a graduate program in the SMPH who would like to submit an appeal of an academic decision. Students should refer to SMPH-9001 Grievance Policy for SMPH Graduate Programs.

Policy:

  1. Policy Statement

    1. A student in a graduate program in the SMPH who would like to submit an appeal of an academic decision must utilize their program’s process for initial appeal of the decision.
      1. A graduate student who wants to appeal their program’s decision may submit an appeal to the SMPH via the procedures outlined in the attachment.
      2. The following academic decisions may be appealed via this process:
        1. Dismissal from the graduate program;
        2. Failure to pass a qualifying or preliminary examination;
        3. Failure to achieve satisfactory academic progress;
        4. Academic disciplinary action related to failure to meet professional conduct standards.

  2. Requirements of Graduate Programs

    1. Each program should clearly articulate academic expectations, the criteria used to make academic decisions, and other relevant policies in the graduate program handbook:
      1. The program must post a link to their handbook in the Graduate Guide.
      2. The program director serves as the initial contact person for academic appeals.

  3. Time Limits

    1. Each step in the appeals process must be initiated and completed in the time periods defined in the procedures. The designated time periods may be modified in consultation with all parties and upon mutual agreement.
    2. If the student fails to initiate the next step in the appeals procedures within the designated time period, the appeal will be considered resolved by the decision at the last completed step.

  4. Appealing to the Graduate School

    If the student is dissatisfied with the SMPH’s decision, they may appeal to the Graduate School. See “Grievances and Appeals” on the Graduate School’s website.
Related UW-Madison Policies:
Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Vice Chancellor for Medical Affairs and Dean School of Medicine & Public Health
Policy Manager:
Academic Planner, Office of Basic Research, Biotechnology and Graduate Studies
Contact:
Academic Planner, Office of Basic Research, Biotechnology and Graduate Studies -- Maddie Sychta, sychta@wisc.edu
SMPH Associate Dean for Basic Research Training -- Laura Knoll, ljknoll@wisc.edu
Effective Date:
05-19-2026
Date Issued:
05-19-2026
Retrieved:
07-16-2026 22:03:51