College of Adult and Professional Studies Undergraduate Academic Program

Click on any of the following links for information:

• Credit Hours and Credit Points
• Grading System
• Class Attendance
• Academic Policies and Regulations

The administration and faculty of Friends University attempt to outline clearly and advise consistently concerning requirements for graduation and the student’s progress in meeting these requirements. Part of the student’s personal development, however, is the recognition and acceptance of responsibility in meeting all graduation requirements. The student is expected to take the initiative and to follow through in the completion of all requirements and details of the academic program.

A Credit Hour (semester hour) is the equivalent of one regular class period a week for a semester. In general, preparation for one hour of class requires two hours of outside work. Credit Points are assigned as follows for the purpose of determining scholastic averages:

Each semester :
	1 hour of “A” = 4 credit points
	1 hour of “B” = 3 credit points
	1 hour of “C” = 2 credit points
	1 hour of “D” = 1 credit point

The Cumulative Grade Point Average, commonly spoken as a GPA, is determined by dividing the credit hours taken in all graded courses accepted by or completed at Friends University into the credit points received. Example: Four hours with a “C” grade (or 8 credit points) results in a GPA of 2.000.

In Good Standing means that a student has met academic and other requirements and has paid all University financial obligations. Registration may be denied to students not in good standing. Transcripts and diplomas are withheld until past due financial obligations are paid.

Grade Change requests must be initiated within one year of completing the course and prior to receiving the degree.

The grade symbols and their significance are as follows:
Grade “A” indicates superior work.
Grade “B” indicates good work.
Grade “C” indicates satisfactory work.
Grade “D” indicates inferior work, but is a passing grade.
Grade “F” indicates failure to complete work sufficient in quantity or quality to receive credit. Credit may be earned only by repeating the course.

Note: A student may not repeat a course more than twice (total of three attempts) in an effort to achieve a satisfactory grade. The most recent grade achieved by repeating a course is the grade utilized in student records and averages.

Grade “S” when given, indicates satisfactory completion of course.

Grade “NS” when given, indicates a letter grade was not submitted by the course instructor.

Grade “I” indicates an Incomplete.  A grade of “I” may be given by the course instructor if circumstances beyond the student’s control prevent completing the coursework.  The student must have started the course to receive the grade of “I”.  The instructor of record for the course will work with the student to complete any remaining coursework.  The remaining coursework must be made up within the time specified by the course instructor but cannot exceed six months from the end date of the course.  If the coursework is not completed by the end of six months and the instructor has not initiated a grade change, the outstanding “I” grade will be changed to a grade of “F”.

IMPORTANT NOTE for 2008-09:  CAPS students with any outstanding grade of “I” will be given one year beginning July 1, 2008 to remediate the outstanding “I” grades.  On July 1, 2009, all grades of “I” will be changed to grades of “F”.

PACE only: The mark “AU” (auditor) is used to indicate enrollment on a “no credit” basis. Audit registration may not be converted to credit registration after the second week of a regular semester nor credit registration be converted to audit registration after the second week of a regular semester. Private lessons from the Fine Arts department are not available for audit.

“WD” means withdrawn. It signifies that the student has officially withdrawn from the course. The grade “F” is given for unofficial withdrawal from a course.

Grade “Pass/Fail” is used when courses are taken on a pass/fail basis and graded either P (for a grade of “D” or above) or “F.”

Students are expected to attend all class sessions. When absence is unavoidable, students should arrange in advance with the instructor for the completion of all work missed. Penalty for unexcused absences rests with the teachers concerned. Excessive absences or tardiness may jeopardize the student’s academic standing. Degree Completion students who have missed more than two class meetings normally will receive an “F” unless they have formally withdrawn.

ACADEMIC PROBATION AND DISMISSAL POLICY

PACE Program:  A student will be placed on probation upon earning a cumulative grade point average of less than 1.60 for freshmen, less than 1.80 for sophomores, less than 2.0 for all others.

DCP Programs:  A student will be placed on academic probation upon earning a Friends University cumulative grade point average of less than 2.0 at the completion of a term or semester.

Students that are placed on academic probation will have the following term or semester to raise their cumulative Friends University GPA to 2.0 or above.

Those who do not raise their University GPA to the required minimum will be suspended or dismissed at the conclusion of that second term or semester. However, the University reserves the right to suspend anyone failing to make normal progress at the end of any term or semester.

Students who are academically suspended or dismissed may apply for re-entrance after sitting out a minimum of eight weeks. The completion of an academic dismissal proceeding does not relieve the student from his or her financial obligations to the University.

GRADUATION HONORS

(Degree Completion Students only)
The minimum standard for graduating HIGHEST HONORS is both an overall grade point average of 3.90 and a grade point average of 3.90 on Friends University coursework.

The minimum standard for HIGH HONORS is both an overall grade point average of 3.75 and a grade point average of 3.75 on Friends University coursework.

The minimum standard for graduating HONORS is both an overall grade point average of 3.60 and a grade point average of 3.60 on Friends University coursework.

Graduate students and associate degree students are ineligible for these honors.

Order of the Tower: Students graduating with a bachelor’s degree and maintaining honors automatically become eligible for the Order of the Tower, the honorary society of the University. These students are presented the crimson honor cord at Commencement and receive special mention during the exercises.

Alpha Chi: Alpha Chi National Honor Scholarship Society was established at Friends University in February 1986 to promote academic excellence and exemplary character. Based on GPA and Friends University hours in residence, membership is by faculty invitation only to students of junior or senior status. The members are presented the Alpha Chi blue and green cords to wear on their gowns during the Commencement ceremony.

TRANSFER STUDENT CREDIT POLICIES

Students from other accredited institutions may be admitted to advanced standing upon the presentation of official transcripts. A transcript is considered official when mailed direct to Friends from the previous institution. An official transcript from each college previously attended is required in order to be considered for admissions. Friends University normally accepts course credit from all accredited colleges and universities. (Exception: In keeping with our Quaker heritage, Friends University does not accept ROTC military credits.)  Care should be taken not to duplicate work completed at the previous institution. (See guidelines for experiential learning credits.)

Courses within the major will not be waived and must be taken at Friends University.  Should an incoming transfer student have a previously completed course with the same or similar course title, the course may be accepted as an elective, and the student will be required to complete the course in residence.

Credit is transferred with the grade earned in the course at the institution where the course was taken. All grades are calculated for a transfer GPA, including courses that might have been deleted from consideration by an “academic fresh start” at the transferring institution. Students should be aware that credits may be transcripted but not counted toward major or graduation requirements. “D” grades in major courses and certain other courses are not accepted toward graduation.

The Degree Completion programs require 46 credit hours from a four-year college (including the 30-hour residency requirement). All students may use experiential learning credits (portfolio) to count as four-year college credits but not as residency credits.

The Friends University guidelines for translating proprietary school credit to Friends University credits are:

1. The student must take proficiency examinations over the proprietary school courses for which they are seeking Friends University credit. The examinations can be given the first semester the student enrolls at Friends. (Refer to the credit by examination section for procedure and cost.) The Friends University faculty will make the final decision on grades and total hours.
2. The student must successfully complete 15 hours of credit at Friends University before these translated credits will be added to the student’s official transcript.

REGISTRATION

Students are listed on official class rosters upon completion of their registration, which includes course selection and the payment of fees and tuition.

In registering for the first time, students will want to keep in mind the opportunities for Credit Examination and Advanced Placement as described elsewhere in this Catalog.

CHANGES IN REGISTRATION

PACE PROGRAM:

To add or withdraw from a class in the semester-based programs, a student must complete the proper form and obtain the necessary signatures. A Change of Registration form must be completed and submitted to the Registrar’s Office. Attendance in a class does not constitute addition or withdrawal from a class.

Adding a Class

No addition to a student’s schedule may be made after 10 academic days from the beginning of classes during a semester or after five days in eight-week sessions. Any exceptions must be approved by the Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs, University Registrar (or the designee) as well as the instructor involved. A student who does not properly add a class to their registration will not receive a grade for the class.

Withdrawing from/Dropping a Class:

Grades will not be recorded for courses dropped by the end of the first week of a regular semester. Courses dropped between the second and tenth week will be recorded as “WD” (withdrawn). Permission to withdraw from a course after the tenth week of a semester or fifth week of an eight-week session is possible only in extenuating circumstances by special permission of the Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs, University Registrar (or designee). A student who does not properly withdraw from a class will receive a failing grade (F) in the course. (Refer to the Student Initiated Withdrawal section for procedures on complete withdrawal from the University.)

DEGREE COMPLETION PROGRAM:  LEAVE OF ABSENCE

In the event that unforeseen circumstances prevent a student from attending class for an extended period of time, the student may request a leave of absence. Circumstances which would qualify for a leave could include but are not limited to: 1) serious illness of the student or immediate family member; 2) temporary employment relocation and/or reassignment; or 3) birth of a child.

A student who does not return to class following an approved Leave of Absence will be withdrawn from the University as of the last date of class attendance prior to the start of the Leave of Absence. 

Coursework missed during a student’s Leave of Absence is graded as ‘LA’. A final letter grade will be issued to the student following their completion of the coursework required upon their return from Leave.

A student who returns from a Leave of Absence but later withdraws from the University prior to completing the coursework missed during the Leave period will have the grade of “LA” converted to a final grade of “F”.

ELECTIVES

CAPS students currently enrolled in a degree completion program are allowed to take courses in other degree completion programs at the approved tuition rate for elective credit. To add or withdraw from a class taken for elective credit, a student must complete the proper form and obtain necessary signatures from their academic advisor. Attendance in a class does not constitute addition of or withdrawal from a class. Students enrolling in elective coursework must meet any and all prerequisite requirements of the course for which they are enrolling.

INDEPENDENT STUDY

Independent Study (IS) for CAPS students may be implemented when required for special circumstances such as:  Students who need only a limited number of credits within their major to complete their degree when it becomes a hardship or impossibility for them to attend regular classes; Students needing to drop out of a cohort temporarily due to extraordinary circumstances, that wish to complete their degree with their cohort by providing an option to make up lost class time; Supplementing coursework for legitimate reasons approved by the program director(s).

The Independent Study will:  Be directly related to the student’s academic program; Be of the quality and level expected for the other classes in the major, and if the course is to fulfill requirements of the major, be of equal substance and objectives to the original course; Not exceed the number of credit hours of the original course if a substitution or retake (course substitution arrangements should be indicated in the comments field on the Independent Study Request Form).  No more than 3 credits or one class will be allowed as substitution.

AUDITING CLASSES

Current Students wishing to audit CAPS degree completion courses or general education undergraduate courses may do so by contacting their academic advisor and obtaining needed permissions for specific courses. Tuition is charged at one-half the regular rate, no credit is given and there may be fewer obligations for coursework.

Non-students wishing to audit CAPS degree completion courses or general education undergraduate courses may do so by completing an application for admission and paying all regular fees. Tuition is charged at one-half the regular rate, no credit is given and there may be fewer obligations for coursework.

DEGREE COMPLETION PROGRAM:  COURSE ADD/DROPS

Students in a CAPS degree completion program may add or drop a course within their program. To add or drop a class in a degree completion program, a student must complete the proper forms, obtain the necessary signatures of their academic advisor and program director, and contact Student Account Services. Attendance in a class does not constitute addition of a class. Non-attendance does not constitute withdrawal from a class.

CREDIT BY EXAMINATION AND EVALUATION

Friends University confers credit by examination, particularly College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests. Hours earned through credit by examination are listed on the student’s transcript but will not affect the cumulative grade point average. A student may earn up to 60 semester examination hours. Scores, which fail to meet minimum standards for conferral of credit, will not be recorded nor will they penalize the student who has attempted the exam.

CLEP GENERAL EXAMINATIONS

CLEP General Examinations, usually taken by prospective students before they begin their college study at Friends, measure general education in five broad areas (English composition, mathematics, natural science, social studies and humanities). An acceptable essay is also required for credit in English by CLEP general examinations. Students may take all five portions or only those in which they feel adequately prepared.

Scores at or above the 50th percentile of sophomore college norms will permit conferral of as much as 3 credits in English and 6 credits in each of the other areas for a total possible on General Examinations of 27 semester hours of Friends University credit.

General examinations may be taken any time during the college career, but credit will not be granted after a student has completed college courses within the broad general area to be tested.

CLEP SUBJECT EXAMINATIONS

CLEP subject examinations will be used for the conferral of credit only if the student completes the prerequisite introductory course exam early in the first semester of registration for advanced coursework.

ACT-PEP EXAMINATIONS

Proficiency Examination Program (PEP) examinations of the American College Testing (ACT) program also may be utilized for credit in most instances, with similar proficiency minimums as the CLEP examinations.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM

Students who have participated in the Advanced Placement Program at the high school level, sponsored by the College Entrance Examination Board of New York, will receive college credit if their grades on the Advanced Placement Examinations are in one of the upper two categories. Further information may be obtained from the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests)

The DSST program is an extensive series of 37 examinations in college subject areas that are comparable to the final or end-of-course examinations in undergraduate courses. Friends University follows the ACE recommendations regarding passing test score criteria and credit hour equivalents when granting institutional credit to students who take DSST tests.

CREDIT BY EXAMINATION

When no satisfactory standardized test is available, a student may request permission to take a campus-created exam to demonstrate proficiency in a particular course or subject. Permission for such an exam must be received from both the Vice President of Academic Affairs or Division Chair and the professor who would design and administer the exam.

Credit earned by examination saves repetition, time and money. Test fees are $45 per credit hour and are non-refundable although a student may fail to score high enough to receive credit.

A student may earn up to 60 semester hours of credit by examination. Credit by examination is recorded only for regular matriculated students, after a semester in residence has been completed. Credit by examination will not be figured into the cumulative GPA.

NON-COLLEGIATE TRAINING

College credit is recognized for certain types of non-collegiate training programs and military service where college credit recommendations have been established. Valid documentation (certificates, diplomas, etc.) must be submitted to the Director of Prior Learning for evaluation. Veterans must submit their Separation Form DD-214 to apply for credit from military service. The amount of credit recognized will vary in accordance with the plans of the student, the recommendations of the appropriate guide (such as The Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services) and the educational policies of the University. A fee may be charged for the evaluation and recording of this credit.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING CREDIT

Degree Completion Students Only: No more than 30 credit hours may be awarded through experiential learning options to bachelors degree seeking students.  Credits awarded from a DD214 document are not included in the maximum 30 credit hour limit.

Life Learning Essays (LLE)— Students may demonstrate what they have learned from their life experiences about a particular subject through LLEs. Essays are submitted to the PLA office and faculty members evaluate essays to determine whether the knowledge displayed is equivalent to college-level learning. An essay format is used to express the knowledge and experiences related to a specific subject area. Each essay must meet the outcomes and/or course description of an accredited university or college course. Credited essays are usually 10 to14 pages in length and generally receive three academic hours.

Professional and Technical Training (PT)— College credit is recognized for certain types of non-collegiate training programs. Valid documentation (certificates, diplomas, etc.) for evaluation of all licensure, certifications and training may be awarded college credit based on an evaluation by the PLA office in consultation with Friends University faculty. As a guideline, a minimum of 40 hours of training (hours spent in a classroom situation), and no less than six hours at one setting, is required to be eligible for one hour of college credit. The student must demonstrate that college level learning has occurred in these trainings by describing in narrative form what knowledge was gained and how the learning has been used and/or evaluated. The amount of credit recognized will vary in accordance with the plans of the student, the recommendations of the appropriate guides, and the educational policies of the University. Credit will be awarded based on an evaluation of the quality of the learning and not on the number of hours spent in a classroom situation. Continuing Education Units (CEU) are also evaluated through the PLA office.  In addition, students who have earned credits documented on an American Council of Education (ACE) transcript, or from recognized technical and/or vocational schools may submit school transcripts in lieu of the narrative. Duplication of credits earned (licensure, certificates, ACE, CEU and training credits) will not be granted for courses already transcripted. A fee may be charged for the evaluation and recording of the credit. 

Two-Year Transfer College Credits—Friends University accepts four-year credits and up to 78 transfer credit hours from two-year institutions. However, students may request through the PLA office (using the PT process) that one elective hour be granted for every three hours earned above the initial 78 two-year school transfer credits.

LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION EVALUATION FOR CREDIT

College credit is recognized for certain types of non-collegiate training programs.  Valid documentation (certificates, diplomas, etc.) must be submitted to the Director of Prior Learning for evaluation of all licensure and certifications.  The amount of credit recognized will vary in accordance with the plans of the student, the recommendations of the appropriate guides, and the educational policies of the University.  A fee may be charged for the evaluation and recording of the credit.

Duplication of credits earned will not be granted for courses already transcripted.  Additionally, licensure, certificates, or training credits may not be duplicated through the Experiential Learning process.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE CREDIT
Friends University will grant 30 hours of General Education credit upon entrance to students who have successfully completed an International Baccalaureate Diploma. (Diploma with high school transcript and standard admissions procedures.)
IB Area		Requirement		Course		Hrs
Language A		Competency		Writing 1, 2		6
Language B		B.A. Requirement		Foreign Lang		8
Exp. Science		Perspective		Phy/Biol Sci		4
Mathematics		Competency		College Algebra		3
Theory of Knowl.		Perspective		Intro to Phil.		3
Study of Man		Foundations		World Civ. OR		3
				American Character
Electives		Perspective		Art/Music OR		3
		Competency		Intro to Comp.
Total Credit Hours						30

DEGREES

The College of Adult and Professional Studies of Friends University confers two bachelor’s degrees and two associate’s degrees:

• Bachelor of Business Administration
• Bachelor of Science
• Associate of General Business
• Associate of General Studies

CAPS DEGREE PROGRAMS		Bachellor of Business Admin.		Bachelor of Science		Associate of
General Studies						*
General Business						*
Business Management		*
Computer Information Systems				*
Criminal Justice				*
Accounting		*
Human Relations				*
Human Resource Management		*
Org. Mgmt & Leadership				*

DEGREES FOR NON-CURRENT MAJORS

Any student who remains continuously enrolled (consecutive fall & spring terms) at a regionally accredited institution from the time of completion of major coursework at Friends, may receive a degree no longer offered in the College of Adult and Professional Studies upon successful petition submitted to the College.  If a student has not successfully completed the major requirements, the degree may not be conferred.

Any student not having successfully completed and passed the major classes (retake situation) must comply with the current degree requirements.

Any student returning after an absence of two catalog years becomes subject to the catalog and program requirements in effect at the time of their re-entry.  Students returning within a two-catalog year time frame will follow the catalog year of their last enrollment. 

If the major requirements have been completed more than two years prior, the College will determine what/if additional classes will be required to bring the non-current major up to date.  Some reviews may result in a change of major for the student.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ASSOCIATE DEGREES

The Associate degrees are conferred upon completion of 62 semester hours of appropriate coursework. All credits earned toward an associate’s degree may be applied toward baccalaureate degrees at Friends University.

At least 15 credits, including six of the last 12 credits applicable toward the degree, must be earned at Friends University.

Only grades of “C” or higher may be applied toward hours in the major, and a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 is required for all coursework accepted by or completed at Friends University.

A bachelor’s degree requires an additional 15 or more semester hours of credit earned subsequent to the Commencement exercise for the conferral of the associate’s degree. (Normally, approximately two years of college study will ensue between conferral of associate and baccalaureate degrees.) See the PACE section for specific requirements for an Associate of General Studies.

REQUIREMENTS FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREES

Students should familiarize themselves with the following requirements for baccalaureate degrees. Students who continue in college without interruption will meet requirements in effect at the time of their first registration, modified by curriculum and certification changes deemed essential by the faculty. Students who leave college for two or more semesters will meet graduation requirements in force at the time of return. Due allowance will be made for changes in course offerings.

1. Hours, Scholarship, Residence:
   Baccalaureate degrees require a minimum of 124 semester hours with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.000 on all courses accepted by or completed at Friends University.
2. Residence:
   
   1. A minimum of 30 semester hours must be earned in residence at Friends.
   2. All major requirements must be earned in residence at Friends University. 
3. Correspondence and Extension: Not more than 30 semester hours earned by correspondence and extension may count toward a degree. (Friends University does not offer courses by correspondence.) Advance written approval for correspondence or extension courses should be secured from the Registrar before taking the course or by the Vice President of Academic Affairs if study abroad is contemplated. As a general policy, Friends University does not approve extension or correspondence courses when coursework applicable toward degree requirements is being offered on campus.
4. Credit for Activities (DCP Students Only):  A maximum of 8 credits earned in campus activities may be counted in the 124 hours required for graduation.  Activity credit may be earned in physical education, intercollegiate athletics, co-curriculur, music, and drama experience.
5. Remedial Study:
   
   1. Up to 4 credits of developmental/remedial courses may be included in the elective requirements for any CAPS degree.
   2. Courses not receiving credit from transferring institutions would not be granted credit from Friends University.
6. General Education: All students must meet the general education requirements in effect when they entered college. See the section on General Education for specific requirements.

ADDITIONAL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS:

Expiration of Credits:  Elective and General Education credits from a regionally accredited institution will be considered non-expiring.  Any student returning after an absence of two catalog years becomes subject to the Catalog and program requirements in effect at the time of their re-entry.  Courses required by the major, either core requirments or those in direct support of the major, will be reviewed for currency.  Additional course may be required.

ADDITIONAL GRADUATION INFORMATION

1. Declaration of Intent to Graduate: Students normally should file an Intent To Graduate sheet with the Registrar’s Office two semesters before their expected degree completion date. The final date for filing the Intent to Graduate application is February 1 prior to the May commencement exercises. Applications received after this date will be placed on the following year’s Commencement program.
2. Financial Obligations: No student will be granted a diploma of graduation until all financial obligations to the college have been met. A graduation fee for each degree awarded will be added to charges at least by the last term of attendance before graduation for traditional undergraduate degrees.
3. Commencement Attendance: Each candidate for a degree will attend the commencement at which the degree is to be conferred unless granted permission, because of extenuating circumstances, to receive the degree in absentia.
4. Major Fields - Baccalaureate Degrees: In addition to General Education and graduation requirements, each student will complete a concentration in a field of special interest known as a “major” along with supporting courses for the major field concentration.  The major consists of at at least 24 hours.
5. Optional Minor:  Optional minors consist of a minimum of 15 hours with a “C” or above grades in all courses applied to the minor.  Recognition of minors cannot be added to the student transcript after the initial degree is awarded.  Students should refer to the respective section of the catalog for the specific courses for each minor.  A minimum of 12 of the 15 hours must be earned in residence at Friends University.

Unremoved “D” grades cannot be counted toward meeting the minimum requirements in a student’s major. This includes all specifically named courses and elective hours required by the major program but does not include requirements from other academic areas.

Grades of “D” are permissible in the areas of the major program if the hours of “D” are in excess of the minimum major named and elective requirements. These can be used as general electives and will count toward graduation to the extent they do not exceed the maximum hours permitted in the major.

Many students complete two majors in the course of their studies. Double majors must fulfill all requirements for both majors. However if the majors cross degree requirement lines, then general education requirements for only one degree shall be required. Second majors cannot be listed on the academic record after the first degree is awarded.

Multiple Degrees: (Awarded at Same Time) A second baccalaureate degree will require 30 semester hours of credit in addition to the hours required for the initial baccalaureate degree. Requirements for all general education and major courses must be fulfilled for both degrees. Both degrees could be awarded at the same Commencement.
Other Programs of Study: Individuals whose interest or needs are not met by a recognized major should consult with the Dean of the College on the possibility of an individually-designed program of study in Liberal Studies.
Second Degrees: Students entering Friends University with a recognized baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution will not be required to fulfill general education requirements but must meet requirements for the major and any supporting courses required as well as the minimum number of hours for any degree from Friends University (30 hours).