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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.
Credit Hours and Credit Points
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Friends University defines the unit of credit hour as follows: A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than:
(1) one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester hour of credit, or ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or (2) at least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other activities as established by an institution, including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, experiential and prior learning, and other academic work leading toward the award of credit hours.
Credit Points are assigned as follows for the purpose of determining scholastic averages:
| Each semester : |
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1 hour of “A” = 4 credit points |
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1 hour of “B” = 3 credit points |
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1 hour of “C” = 2 credit points |
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1 hour of “D” = 1 credit point |
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1 hour of “F” = 0 credit points |
The Cumulative Grade Point Average, commonly spoken as a GPA, is determined by dividing the GPA hours taken in all graded courses accepted by or completed at Friends University into the quality points received. Example: Four hours with a “C” grade (or 8 quality 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.
For all CAPS Students:
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.
Faculty have primary authority for the assignment of grades. Students have the right to appeal a grade through the University Exception process.
Grade “SS” 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”.
The mark “AU” (audit) 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.” No more than 12 hours of graded Pass/Fail will be accepted for elective credit. Pass/Fail grades will not be accepted for meeting General Education requirements.
Grade “NC” indicates No Credit and is used to indicate when no credit is being awarded for the course.
Grade “CR” indicates Credit is being awarded for the course.
Academic Course Taxonomies for Non-Traditional Coursework
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Friends University classifies online course and program offerings according to four discrete taxonomies. These taxonomies are consistent with many other colleges and universities that offer online courses and programs.
- Online Course/Program (ONL): Online courses have all content delivered online through a Learning Management System (LMS) and do not have regularly scheduled classroom meetings.
- Blended Course / Program - BLD (formerly Hybrid Course/Program - HYB): Blended courses are a mix of classroom meetings and technology mediated distance delivery. Those courses through which a predominance of the instruction (50% or more) is delivered at a distance are considered blended.
- Web Facilitated Course / Program (formerly Web-Enhanced Course/Program - WEB): Web facilitated courses are traditional courses that use a LMS to facilitate communications and content delivery. Regularly scheduled meetings are not substituted with technology mediated content delivery.
- Traditional (TRA): Traditional courses are delivered as regularly scheduled classroom meetings that utilize methodologies such as lecture, discussion, group work, writing, etc. and do not use a LMS to support communications or content delivery.
Online and Blended delivered courses are managed through specific University policy and approval processes. Web Facilitated courses are guided and managed by University policies consistent with on-ground courses.
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.
ONLINE PROGRAMS AND COURSES - COURSE WEEK DEFINITION
An academic class week is for all online courses is defined as Monday through Sunday.
Academic Probation and Dismissal Policy
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Probation:
A CAPS (PACE or DCP) student will be placed on academic probation if their Friends University cumulative grade point average falls below 2.0.
Probationary students will have the following semester or term to raise their Friends University cumulative grade point average above 2.0.
Dismissal:
Students will be dismissed if their Friends University cumulative grade point average falls below 2.0 for two consecutive semesters or terms. The University reserves the right to suspend anyone failing to make normal progress at the end of any term or semester.
Students who receive a dismissal letter will have 10 business days to appeal the dismissal in writing. If the appeal is denied, or if the student chooses not to appeal, application for readmission may be made after sitting out a minimum of one traditional semester (spring/summer/fall).
Dismissal does not release the student from his/her financial responsibility to the University.
Entry and graduation requirements for PACE and degree completion programs (DCP) is 2.0 CGPA.
Associate and Bachelor Degree Students
The minimum standard for graduating SUMMA CUM LAUDE 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 MAGNA CUM LAUDE 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 CUM LAUDE is both an overall grade point average of 3.60 and a grade point average of 3.60 on Friends University coursework.
Degree Completion Students Only: An additional 15 or more semester hours of credit must be earned subsequent to the Commencement exercise for the conferral of the Associate’s degree.
Order of the Tower: Students graduating with an associates and bachelor’s degree and maintaining honors are automatically members of 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. Students who earn both an overall grade point average of 4.0 and a 4.0 on Friends University coursework are awarded a gold honor cord at Commencement.
Previous DCP Students and Completed Coursework Requirements
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Any student returning after an absence of two catalog years becomes subject to the Catalog and program and/or degree requirements in effect at the time of their re-entry to the College and University. Returning DCP students in certain majors identified by the College (Accounting, Human Resource Management, Criminal Justice, Computer Information Systems, or as the College designates) who have previously accomplished coursework with a final grade of ‘C’ or better will have their coursework reviewed at the time of their re-entry for currency. The College reserves the right to determine what/if additional course will be required to bring the student’s coursework up to date if prior major requirements have been completed more than two years prior.
Transfer Student Credit Policies
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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 regionally 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 major course in residence.
Students may not transfer in duplicate coursework taken after the start of his/her major coursework.
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 bachelor’s degree seeking 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:
- 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.
- 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.
Students submitting transcripts from previously non-regionally accredited institutions will have coursework transcripted in accordance with current transfer coursework policies in place at the University at the time of the student’s entry. All courses and credit hours will be evaluated for appropriate course equivalency or elective credit at Friends University.
For courses with transcripted clock hours only, Friends will request the granting institution to calculate a conversion. If no conversion is submitted, Friends will employ the following conversion calculation: 40 clock hours equal to 1 credit hour. If a grade scale is not provided, letter grades will not be transcripted; the University will transcript a grade of CR for credit.
Clinical clock hours will be transcripted following the same conversion calculation of 40 clock hours to 1 credit hour. Current policy and limits on clinical training, practicum, internship and cooperative education credit hour transfers will remain in effect.
Enrollment and Registration Policies
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MAXIMUM COURSE LOAD
Juniors and Seniors (58-124 earned credit hours)
CAPS students identified as junior or senior level may not be enrolled in over 25 hours at any point in time at the University without prior written approval by the Dean of CAPS.
Freshmen and Sophomores (0 - 57.9 earned credit hours)
CAPS students identified as freshman and sophomore may not be enrolled in more than 7 credit hours per 8-week term without prior approval. The freshman or sophomore student requesting more than the maximum hours allowed must be achieving academically as demonstrated by a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and receive written approval from a CAPS Academic Advisor by submitting the Overload Request Form prior to enrolling. No freshman or sophomore level student will be allowed to exceed 10 credit hours per 8-week term - no exceptions.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
In the event that unforeseen circumstances prevent a CAPS 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 identified elective courses in other degree completion programs at the approved tuition rate for elective credit. In addition, enrollment in DCP elective courses is open to students with the rank of junior or senior, or those with admission status of guest or special students. 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.
EXPERIMENTAL COURSES
In addition to the courses which are described in the Catalog, Friends University offers experimental courses. These courses are not listed in the Catalog since they are designated to meet the special needs of the community or students or arise out of the interest of the faculty. These courses are offered a maximum of three times and require the approval of the Program Director and the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Such a course is designated with the number 300 in the class schedule publication.
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 current year fee rate, no credit is given and there may be fewer obligations for coursework.
Non-Students: Students who are not seeking an undergraduate degree at Friends University, but who wish to continue personal and professional development may be admitted to CAPS degree completion elective courses or general education undergraduate courses. A maximum of 16 semester hours may be accumulated under Special Student status. All non-degree seeking admissions classifications are ineligible for financial aid. Current high school students are not eligible for Special or Guest student status in the College of Adult and Professional Studies at Friends University. Students should submit the regular admissions application and fees, and must meet the course pre-requisites. No transcript or ACT scores are required.
Changes in Registration
PACE Students:
With instructor approval, PACE students may request an add/drop to a different section of the same PACE course within the same term without the application of the refund penalty. The refund policy will remain in effect for all other course add/drops.
An Add/Drop 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. Attendance in a class does not constitute addition or withdrawal from a 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.) Attendance in a class does not constitute addition or withdrawal from a class.
DEGREE COMPLETION Students:
Adding and Dropping Courses
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. Students may drop a course up until the final day of class. All drops will be subject to the refund policies in effect and may impact current financial aid. Attendance in a class does not constitute addition of a class. Non-attendance does not constitute withdrawal from a class.
International Travel
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Required International Travel Courses
Students traveling internationally as part of any Friends University course, regardless of college, for the purposes of meeting a requirement for graduation will enroll in the Friends University course for the term of travel and pay the standard tuition and fees for their college in addition to any direct costs associated with the trip.
Students travelling as part of a program in partnership with another university or institute where contractual agreements regarding tuition, fees, and other direct expenses are in place will enroll in the appropriate Friends University course(s) and pay the tuition, fees, and other direct expenses set by the partnership agreement.
Policy for International Travel Courses where students do not fall into the above categories:
All persons wishing to travel with a Friends University international course but where the course does not fall under one of the cases listed above must enroll in the course for (graded) credit. This includes each of the following:
• Students wishing to travel with, and earn credit for, a course in their current college of enrollment but not for graduation credit.
• Students wishing to travel with, and earn credit for, a course in their current college of enrollment but beyond the current package load.
• Students wishing to travel with, and earn credit for, a course outside of their current college of enrollment where the course will not apply toward graduation credit.
Note: Those persons not currently enrolled as a student at Friends University, who wish to audit an international travel study course, must apply to and be accepted by the University as a “Non-Degree Seeking Special Student” or a “Non-Degree Seeking Guest Student” and must obtain a student ID. The fee for admission to the University will be waived if admission is solely for the purpose of participation in a travel course.
For these Non-Degree Seeking students, tuition will be assessed a per credit hour fee set at the current Education Workshop rate for the number of hours of the course.
Credit by Examination and/or Evalution
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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 accredited 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 Office of the University Registrar.
DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)
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 designee), Dean of the College 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 charged 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
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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: Degree Completion students are eligible to earn up to 30 credit hours of Experiential Learning credits, and may use Life Learning essay (LLE), and/or Professional and Technical (PT) credit options. Credits awarded from a DD214 document are not included in the maximum 30 credit hour limit.
PACE Students Only: PACE students are eligible to earn up to 15 credit hours of Experiential Learning credits, and may use Professional and Technical (PT) training credit options only. Additional experiential learning credits (a combined maximum of 30 credit hours) can be earned once a student has been fully admitted to and is attending courses in a degree completion program.
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 Prior Learning and Assessment (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 a Friends University 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) 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— The College of Adult and Professional Studies accepts four-year credits and transfer credit hours from two-year institutions.
DCP program students may transfer up to 78 credit hours from two-year institutions. PACE student may transfer up to 64 credit hours from two-year institutions.
However, degree completion program 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.
Developmental/remedial courses and/or courses numbered below 100 may not be included in any requests for elective hour conversions through the PT process.
Internship Program / Clinical Training
Degree Completion Program Students may earn up to twelve hours in an internship or clinical training program. These hours can be transferred or earned in residence. Internship credits earned in residence at Friends University must be approved by the Program Director prior to enrollment. Please refer to the internship course descriptions for complete details.
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
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| 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.) |
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| IB Area |
Requirement |
Course |
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Hours |
| Language A |
Competency |
Writing 1, 2 |
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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. |
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| Total Credit Hours |
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|
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30 |
Degrees & Graduation Requirements
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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
Requirements for Associates Degree:
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 Degree:
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.
Minimum Credit 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.
Residence:
- A minimum of 30 semester hours must be earned in residence at Friends.
- All major requirements must be earned in residence at Friends University.
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.
Credit for Activities:
A maximum of 8 credits earned in campus activities may be counted in the 62 associate or 124 bachelors credit hours required for graduation. Activity credit may be earned in physical education, intercollegiate athletics, co-curriculur, music, and drama experience. Hours earned as part of a previous program of study will be exempt from activity limits.
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.
Remedial Study:
Developmental/remedial courses and/or courses numbered below 100 may not be included in the elective or degree requirements for any CAPS degree.
Policy for Degrees in 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.
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:
Declaration of Intent to Graduate:
Associate degree (PACE) 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. Bachelor degree (Degree Completion) students will complete their Intent to Graduate form no earlier than 60 days of anticipated completion of degree requirements. If any student fails to complete their degree requirements as planned when submitting their Intent to Graduate form, a new form will be required when they believe all outstanding requirements have been satisfied. This form is required to initiate a review of their academic record for degree award. Intent to Graduate forms are available via www.friends.edu, the student’s academic advisor, or from the Office of the University Registrar.
Financial Obligations:
No student will be granted a diploma of graduation, or receive an official transcript until all financial obligations to the college have been met. A graduation fee for each degree awarded may be charged. A graduation fee will be added to charges at least by the last term of attendance before graduation for traditional undergraduate degrees.
Commencement Attendance:
Each candidate for a degree is eligible to 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.
Major Fields - Baccalaureate Degrees (Degree Completion):
All degree completion students must satisfy all general education requirements, all program (major) requirements, any supporting coursework for the major and elective hours to total a minimum of 124 earned hours. 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 least 24 hours.
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 9 of the 15 hours must be earned in residence at Friends University.
Grades of D:
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.
Double Majors:
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.
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).
Disclaimer
The University reserves the right to modify or change policies, programs, curriculum and schedules contained in this catalog at its sole discretion at any time without further notice. Further, the University reserves the right to correct data entry issues or correct erroneous information contained in this catalog at its sole discretion at any time without further notice.The contents of this catalog do not constitute a contract between students or prospective students and the University.
Friends University does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding this policy: EEOC/Title IX Coordinator, Friends University, 2100 W. University Ave., Wichita, KS 67213, 316-295-5000. |