FAQ - Academics

Academic Questions

How do I find out who my TCF tutor is, and where should I send or resend my project to the committee?

Your TCF (Capstone) tutor will be identified in the support forums posted on the Announcements Wall of your AVA environment. All information and rules about the Capstone process are shared through that channel.

Attention: all communication with the tutor must go exclusively through TALK (the chat bubble icon in the AVA). That is the channel you must use to request that the space be opened for posting or resubmitting your project to the committee.

Is there a process to appeal a grade in a suspected plagiarism case when there is no clear evidence?

You should contact the professor responsible directly and schedule a meeting through TALK (the chat bubble in the AVA), or open a ticket to your program Coordination.

What should I do if I do not receive a reply from my professor or tutor?

The standard response time for professors and tutors is 24 to 48 hours. If you do not receive a reply within that time, contact your program Coordination by opening a ticket at https://mustedustudents.freshdesk.com/pt-BR/support/tickets/new.

What should I do if my professor does not answer questions about assignments or how the forum works?

Remember that the standard response time is 24 to 48 hours. If your professor does not answer your questions in the forum or through another channel within that time, you can open a ticket addressed to your program Coordination. In the form, describe the situation clearly and name the course and the professor. Coordination will review your case and guide you: https://mustedustudents.freshdesk.com/pt-BR/support/tickets/new.

How do I sign the Acceptance Term to unlock my access to the AVA?

1. Log in to the AVA with your user account.
2. Enter the course you want to take.
3. In the center menu, click “Acceptance Term” (the second option in the list).
4. Read the term and click “Acceptance Term – Release of Content and Activities.”
5. Click “Continue” and answer the questionnaire.
6. Once submitted, the term is considered signed and the content is released.

What should I do if I fail Capstone and need to redo it?

If you fail because you did not meet the required steps or deadlines, you will need to redo Capstone, following the course instructions and the Welcome Capstone guidance:

• There is no extension of the deadline.
• Capstone can only be redone once.
• You will be automatically reassigned to a new group.
• The cost will be added to your payment plan.

To check the fee or to request a cancellation, open a support ticket.

Where can I find the guidance materials for the Capstone course, and where should I post the related assignments?

In the AVA, inside the Capstone course, go to “TCF Support Guidance.” Assignments must be posted in the “TCF Submissions” space.

Why is the Scientific Methodology course not available before Capstone?

Under new academic guidelines, the Scientific Methodology course was discontinued and replaced with specific guidance built into the Capstone course itself.

Where can I find examples of TCF projects completed by other students to use as a reference?

You can view examples in the institutional journal MUST Reviews, at https://mustedu.com/pt/revista-must-reviews/.

How do I request an extension for Capstone assignment deadlines?

The extension rules are described in the Capstone regulation and manual, available in the AVA. Important: any request or question must be handled directly with the responsible tutor.

Where do I find the Capstone manual, schedules, and deadlines?

Once you are placed in the course, you will find the manual, schedules, and all deadlines in the AVA environment, on the Announcements Wall or in the course forums.

How does the Completion Plan work for failed courses, and how can its cost be spread out?

With the Completion Plan, the student gets access to a new course plan that includes both the courses to be retaken and the regular upcoming courses. Requesting the Completion Plan is mandatory in case of failure, since Capstone only becomes available after passing all required courses. The Completion Plan generates additional costs, and pricing information can be obtained from the Finance department.

How to request it:

• Go to https://app.pipefy.com/public/form/NVxH5w12.
• Fill in all your information correctly.
• Under “Program,” click “Add” and select your Master’s or Doctoral program.
• Under “Student Request,” click “Add” and select “Completion Plan.”
• Further instructions for the process will be sent to the email address you provide.

If your browser automatically translates the page, the term “Completion Plan” may appear translated; the form field itself keeps the original name.

How do I request a deadline extension for submitting assignments or Capstone?

Follow the guidance available in the Capstone Regulation, located in your AVA.

How do I know who my course professor is?

In the AVA dashboard, click the course in progress and then one of the Discussion Forums. The forum author is the course professor. To contact them, click their name inside the forum to open their profile and send a message.

How do I request the cancellation of my course?

A Withdrawn (cancellation) can be requested by the student for a variety of reasons (financial, academic, health, family, or others). The institution can also carry out a compulsory withdrawal in cases of non-payment (a minimum of two overdue tuition payments), failure to return after an LOA/PLOA, or a serious ethics violation. In this last case, the withdrawal is final.

How to request it:

• Go to https://app.pipefy.com/public/form/NVxH5w12.
• Fill in all your information correctly.
• Under “Program,” click “Add” and select your Master’s or Doctoral program.
• Under “Student Request,” click “Add” and select “Withdrawn.”
• Complete the form and justify your request. Further instructions will be sent by email.

I did not sign the Acceptance Term, and now I cannot access my AVA. What should I do?

You will need to request a Re-Enter to regain access to the AVA. A fee applies. After re-entry is approved, you will be able to access your courses normally again.

How to request it:

• Go to https://app.pipefy.com/public/form/NVxH5w12.
• Fill in your information correctly.
• Under “Program,” select your Master’s or Doctoral program.
• Under “Student Request,” select “Reentry Process and Fee.”
• Complete the form with your justification. Your return date will be confirmed by email.

Check the fee amounts in the MUST University Catalog (p. 37, “Get Started” tab in the AVA).

I requested a Withdrawn for personal reasons. How can I come back to the course afterward?

You will need to request a Re-Enter, following the same instructions described in the previous question.

I need to be away for health reasons, jury duty, or military service. What should I do?

You can request a Leave of Absence (LOA), for a maximum of 180 days. You must have completed at least three courses beforehand. The request must include a justification and supporting documentation. LOA can be requested once per year. If the student does not return within the approved period, their enrollment is automatically cancelled.

How to request it:

• Go to https://app.pipefy.com/public/form/NVxH5w12.
• Fill in all the information.
• Under “Program,” select your course.
• Under “Student Request,” select “Leave of Absence (LOA).”
• Attach the documentation and wait for further instructions by email.

What happens if I do not return after my LOA or PLOA ends?

The student is automatically withdrawn from the institution. To resume studies, a new Re-Enter request will be needed, subject to review.

What is the difference between LOA and PLOA?

Both are temporary leave-of-absence options, with one key difference:

• LOA can be requested once a year and is intended for temporary absences due to health, military, family, or similar reasons.
• PLOA applies when the student has already used LOA in the same year and needs an additional absence. It also requires supporting documentation.

I completed all activities, but the AVA does not show 100% completion. Does that affect my grade?

The completion indicator in the AVA is only an internal progress counter and does not affect your final grade. What actually counts is the sum of the grades earned on each activity, based on the criteria set out in the course Syllabus.

If all required activities have been completed, your average will be calculated normally, regardless of the percentage shown in the AVA.

I missed the deadline for the course evaluation survey or the pre/post questionnaire. Does that affect my grade?

The course evaluation surveys and the pre/post questionnaires (the post-questionnaire being required to unlock the final assessment) have deadlines set automatically by the system and cannot be reopened once closed.

This does not affect your grade or your academic record, since these are internal tracking tools. What impacts your final average are only the required activities set out in the Syllabus, such as forums, quizzes, assessments, and the paper.

Does the “Must University – Library Department” tab count as a regular course? Is it graded? Can I be penalized for not following it?

The “Must University – Library Department” tab is not a graded course and carries no weight in your final grade. Only your program’s required courses contribute to your academic performance.

That said, this section is highly recommended, since it offers valuable resources and services for producing research, articles, and academic papers. If you need guidance on the Library, you can open a ticket addressed to Prof. Vilma, who is responsible for that area, at https://mustedustudents.freshdesk.com/pt-BR/support/tickets/new.

What happens if I submit two identical files?

If you submit two identical files (for example, two identical papers), grading will proceed normally. However, if both are flagged as plagiarism by the anti-plagiarism system, the activity will be considered invalid and the course will remain pending. You will need to request a Completion Plan to resolve the situation.

Academic Processes

How do I get the academic calendar or the schedule of due dates?

The academic calendar is available in the AVA. In the left-hand side menu, click “Academic Calendar” to view all the important deadlines for your program.

How do I request an extension or an “Incomplete” to submit the WebQuest after the course has closed?

You can request an Incomplete Grade if you have completed at least 50% of the course’s graded activities and can provide a justification with supporting documents. The request must be made within 3 days of the course closing, at https://app.pipefy.com/public/form/NVxH5w12.

How do I request a deadline extension for submitting assignments?

You can request an Incomplete Grade, as long as you have completed at least 50% of the course’s graded activities and have a valid, documented justification. The request must be made within 3 days of the course closing, as shown in the Academic Calendar.

To request it:

• Go to https://app.pipefy.com/public/form/NVxH5w12.
• Fill in your personal information correctly.
• Under “Program,” select your Master’s or Doctoral program.
• Under “Student Request,” click “Add” and choose “Incomplete Grade.”
• Attach the documents supporting your request.
• Wait for the review result, which will be sent to the email address on file.

I already requested an LOA before, and I need to be away again. What should I do?

If you already used an LOA in the same academic year, you will need to request a Prolonged Leave of Absence (PLOA), which also requires a justification and documentation. The deadline and conditions are the same as for LOA. If the student does not return within the period, their enrollment is automatically cancelled.

How to request it:

• Go to https://app.pipefy.com/public/form/NVxH5w12.
• Fill in your information.
• Under “Program,” select your course.
• Under “Student Request,” select “Prolonged Leave of Absence (PLOA).”
• Send the documentation. Next steps will be sent by email.

How will I know if my request was accepted?

Every request is reviewed individually. The response will be sent to the email address you provided on the form. Check your inbox and your spam folder as well.

I need to be temporarily away from my graduate program for personal reasons. What can I do?

You can request a Personal Leave of Absence (PLOA). This leave allows an absence of up to 90 days without affecting your enrollment, as long as you have already completed at least three courses. It can be requested once per year. If you do not return within the approved period, your enrollment is automatically cancelled and you will need to request a Re-Enter to come back to the program.

How to request it:

• Go to https://app.pipefy.com/public/form/NVxH5w12.
• Fill in your information correctly.
• Under “Program,” click “Add” and select your Master’s or Doctoral program.
• Under “Student Request,” click “Add” and select “Personal Leave of Absence (PLOA).”
• Fill in the details and, if you wish, attach a document supporting your request. The response will be sent to the email address on the form.

How do I return from LOA/PLOA?

You must return from leave (LOA/PLOA) within the period set when your request was approved. If you do not return in time, your enrollment is automatically cancelled and you will need to request a Re-Enter to re-enroll in the program. The return request must be made at least 3 weeks before the start of your next course.

How to request it:

• Go to https://app.pipefy.com/public/form/NVxH5w12.
• Fill in your information correctly.
• Under “Program,” select your Master’s or Doctoral program.
• Under “Student Request,” select “LOA/PLOA Return.”
• Fill in the details and attach the document supporting your request. The decision (approved or denied) will be sent to the email address on the form.

I failed one or more courses. How can I retake them to pass?

You will need to request a Completion Plan. This plan is prepared by the program Coordination and proposes a new academic path, reorganizing your failed courses within the current curriculum. Retaking the courses requires paying a fee as described in the Institutional Catalog. The Completion Plan will include both the courses to be repeated and the upcoming regular courses. This process involves costs, and pricing details can be obtained from the Finance department.

Attention: requesting the Completion Plan is mandatory in case of failure, since Capstone only becomes available after passing all regular courses.

How to request it:

• Go to https://app.pipefy.com/public/form/NVxH5w12.
• Fill in your information correctly.
• Under “Program,” select your Master’s or Doctoral program.
• Under “Student Request,” select “Completion Plan.”
• Wait for further instructions on the email address on file.

What is SAP Warning?

SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) is the academic progress indicator. Every cycle of three courses, your grades and your GPA (Grade Point Average), which reflects your weighted average performance, are reviewed.

If a student does not reach the minimum required grade, they enter a SAP Warning period. Coordination will schedule a meeting with the student, present the GPA calculation, and deliver a Status Change Form with guidance for that period.

This document must be signed and returned. At the end of the semester, performance is reassessed. If the GPA remains below the minimum, the student moves into SAP Probation.

Can I take courses ahead of schedule or take two at the same time?

No. It is not allowed to take courses ahead of schedule or take two courses at the same time, since this can disrupt the academic schedule and the proper distribution of credits.

How is the final course grade calculated?

The final grade is made up of four activities, each weighted 25%: quizzes, forums, assessment, and webquest.

To pass, you need to earn Grade A or B (minimum 8.0). Otherwise, you will need to retake the course.

What is the Completion Plan?

It is an individual plan prepared by the program Coordination for students who have failed a course. It reorganizes the curricular path, including the courses to be repeated and the upcoming ones still to be taken.

How do I request a Completion Plan?

• Go to https://app.pipefy.com/public/form/NVxH5w12.
• Fill in your information correctly.
• Under “Program,” select your Master’s or Doctoral program.
• Under “Student Request,” select “Completion Plan.”
• Further instructions will be sent to the email address you provided on the form.

When do I need to request the Completion Plan?

The Completion Plan must be requested whenever a student fails a course. Without it, you will not be able to take Capstone.

Do I have to pay to do the Completion Plan or retake a failed course?

Yes. The new course offering under the Completion Plan requires payment of an additional fee, as described in the MUST Institutional Catalog.

What happens if I do not request the Completion Plan?

Without the Completion Plan, you will not be able to retake the failed course. As a result, you will not be able to take Capstone, which will stop your progress in the program.

Does the Completion Plan only cover the failed course?

No. The plan will include all pending courses, both failed ones and upcoming ones still to be taken, with a new organization of your academic path.

What is INCOMPLETE?

It is an option that allows a student to request additional time to finish a course’s activities, as long as the set criteria are met. It is not a new course offering, but an extension of the submission deadline.

How do I request an INCOMPLETE?

You must fill out the form available at https://app.pipefy.com/public/form/NVxH5w12.

In which situations can I request an Incomplete grade?

You can request an Incomplete grade if you were unable to finish all activities within the course deadline, as long as you completed at least 50% of the coursework and can provide supporting documentation (such as a medical certificate or a technical report, among others).

What is the deadline to request an Incomplete grade?

The request must be made within 3 days after the course closes (check the Academic Calendar). After that period, the student is considered to have failed and must retake the course through the Completion Plan.

What happens if I do not request the Incomplete grade in time?

If you do not request it within the deadline, or do not meet the required criteria, you will be considered to have failed the course and will need to request a Completion Plan to retake it later.

Does an Incomplete exempt me from paying for the course?

Yes. Unlike the Completion Plan, an Incomplete does not require payment of an additional fee, since it relates only to finishing the same course, with no new offering involved.

Does an Incomplete change my average or performance?

No. It only grants more time to finish the pending activities. The final grade will be calculated normally once the work is submitted.

If my Incomplete request is denied, what happens?

If your request is denied, you will be considered to have failed and will need to request a Completion Plan, with payment of the fee, to retake the course.

What is a withdraw (course cancellation)?

Withdrawn means the cancellation or discontinuation of your course, resulting in the loss of your academic relationship with the institution. After the withdrawal, you will no longer be able to access the AVA or take part in academic activities.

How do I request a course cancellation (withdraw)?

The request must be made by filling out the form available at https://app.pipefy.com/public/form/NVxH5w12.

• Fill in your information correctly.
• Under “Program,” select your Master’s or Doctoral program.
• Under “Student Request,” select “Withdrawn.”
• Complete your justification, finish the request, and wait. Instructions about the process will be sent to the email address you provided.

Didn’t find your answer here? Do this