The academic policies and procedures at Allen University are designed to aid the student in fulfilling the requirements in order to complete the degree program.  The following procedures are established to help students secure the best education possible.

ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT
All students are assigned an advisor to assist them in planning their programs of study, clarifying their educational objectives, utilizing available resources, resolving personal issues, and meeting the requirements for graduation.

Students who do not know their assigned advisor should obtain this information from the Vice President for Academic Affairs.  Information, advice, and interpretations of University policies by advisors do not supersede the official statement of policies and academic regulations described in the University catalog.  Advisors cannot make exception to University regulations.

REGISTRATION
Registration dates are listed in the University Calendar.  Students are required to consult with their assigned advisor prior to registration to plan a class schedule.  Each student is expected to register in accordance with the schedule approved by the advisor.  The advisor is to be informed of all changes.  No changes can be made without the advisor’s authorized signature.  No student may receive credit in any course for which he/she has not officially registered.  Students are required to register and pay course fees in full on appointed dates.  Failure to do so may result in late fees or forfeiture of credits.  Late registration fees must be paid in cash.

SCHEDULE CHANGES – (Add & Drop)
For one week after registration, a student may make necessary changes by presenting to the Registrar a Change-of-Course form signed by the student’s advisor.  A student is not officially enrolled in a course or dropped from a course until this procedure is completed.

A student is not officially enrolled in a new course that is to be added to a previously approved course schedule unless he/she completes the add/drop procedure.

COURSE WITHDRAWAL
Students are expected to honor the schedule of classes selected at the beginning of the semester. 

The decision to withdraw from a course must be done in consultation with the advisor and the instructor of the course.  Students must withdraw from a course within the time period indicated on the Academic Calendar.  The final date for withdrawal will be strictly enforced.  Grades of  “W” (Withdraw), “WP” (Withdraw Passing), and “WF” (Withdraw Failing), will be assigned according to the dates on the Academic Calendar.  The final status will be determined by the student’s status at the time of withdrawal.  Any exception to the withdrawal policy must have the approval of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

CANCELED COURSES
Allen University reserves the right to cancel any course during a particular semester in the event of inadequate enrollment.  Students who have registered for a course, which is subsequently cancelled, will be notified of the cancellation.

CLASS ATTENDANCE
It is the responsibility of each student to attend all scheduled class meetings in the courses in which he/she is enrolled.  The specific number of absences for each class should not exceed ten percent (10%) of the total number of meeting days established for the course.

EXCUSED ABSENCES
Students are allowed excused absences in the case of illness, death of an immediate family member, or other circumstances deemed acceptable by the Vice President of Academic Affairs.  The student should submit supporting documentation (doctor’s statement, etc).  A reasonable time period will be negotiated for makeup work for excused absences.
                                                                                 
AUDITING
Students may elect to audit a course.  Students who audit courses must attend class sessions, but are not responsible for assignments and examinations.  Students who audit courses will receive neither grades nor academic credits for the courses.  The notation “AUD” will be recorded on the transcript.

CLASSIFICATION
At the beginning of each academic year, students working toward a degree are classified according to the number of credits they have earned.  Student status is based upon the degree to which the student has completed General Education Core requirements.  Students should carefully monitor the number of credit hours and grade point average (GPA) needed to maintain satisfactory academic progress.

CLASSIFICATION CREDITS EARNED
FRESHMAN          0-29                 Semester Credit Hrs
SOPHOMORE       30-59               Semester Credit Hrs
JUNIOR                 60-89               Semester Credit Hrs
SENIOR                90 or more        Semester Credit Hrs

COURSE LOAD REGULATIONS
The minimum course load for a full-time student is 12 semester credit hours.   A student who enrolls for fewer than 12 credit hours per semester is considered part-time.

A student who wishes to enroll for more than 18 semester credit hours must have earned at least a 3.0 grade point average and should have been enrolled full-time during the preceding semester.

Application for extra credit hours must be made to the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Once approved, the Vice President of Academic Affairs will forward written permission to the Registrar’s Office.  Approval for a student to carry more than 21 semester hours will be considered only when extenuating circumstances have been documented and the requisite approval given.

COURSE NUMBERING
100 Series
Generally freshman introductory courses; require no prerequisites.

200 Series
May be taken after introductory courses, usually in the sophomore year.

300 and 400 Series
Juniors and seniors who have satisfied prerequisites are allowed to take upper level courses.

COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM (CLEP) 
Allen University is authorized to accept results of College Level Examination Programs of the Educational Testing Service.  These examinations are designed to provide the student with an opportunity to earn credit by examination.

A student who believes he/she has mastered the particular content of a course through educational experiences for college credit, may register for and take the appropriate examination.  If the student satisfactorily passes, the appropriate credit will be awarded, but not computed in the student’s grade point average. 

For information concerning the various CLEP examinations, test schedules, and fees, the student should contact the Admissions Office.

PLACEMENT TESTING – (COMPASS Test)
As part of the academic program, a battery of standardized tests is given to all incoming freshmen to determine the student’s placement in English and Mathematics courses. 

*Students who place below the established cutoff score will enroll in the courses that require attendance in a lab attached to the course.

FINAL EXAMINATIONS
Final examinations are held at the close of each semester.  A special schedule is issued prior to examination week to accommodate the testing periods.  EACH COURSE REQUIRES A FINAL EXAMINATION.  Each student is expected to take the final examination at the time scheduled.  The instructor, Divisional Chair, and Vice President of Academic Affairs must approve all exceptions.

GRADING SCALE
The following standard numerical and alphabetical grading scale is utilized at Allen University:

GRADING SYSTEM
Allen University uses the following grading scale:

A:   SUPERIOR – a demonstration of excellence in all aspects of course work.

B:   ABOVE AVERAGE – a demonstration of excellence in several aspects of course work.

C:   AVERAGE – A demonstration of acceptable performance in the course work.

D:   BELOW AVERAGE – A demonstration of work which falls below the acceptable standard. “D is the lowest passing grade possible in subjects other than the students major area of concentration (with the exception of ENG101/English Composition I and ENG102/English Composition II).

F:   UNSATISFACTORY – work which is below the minimum acceptable level.  An “F” can only be removed by repeating the course and earning a passing grade.

I:    INCOMPLETE – Indicates that some major part of the work for the course has been deferred because of circumstances beyond the student’s control, but may complete without further class attendance within the established period of time.  An “I” received in a course in regular session must be removed within six weeks after the beginning of the student’s new semester, or it will become a failing grade of “F”.

WA:  WITHDRAWAL ABSENCE – student is withdrawn from the course by the instructor through the Registrar and Vice President of Academic Affairs because of excessive absences.

WP:   WITHDRAWAL PASSING – student officially withdrew at a time when he/she was passing the course.

WF:  WITHDRAWAL FAILURE – student officially withdrew at a time when he/she was not passing the course.

W:  WITHDRAWAL – withdrawal before midterm examination period with the approval of the instructor,  the Divisional Chair and Vice President of Academic Affairs.

AUD:  AUDIT – official verification on the transcript of an audited course. 

A student may withdraw from a course without penalty based upon the date identified in the academic calendar.  Failure to withdraw from a course as described will result in an automatic grade of “F”.  Students who withdraw from a course after the expiration of the drop/add period will be charged full tuition and fees for the course in question.

GRADE POINT AVERAGE
The University uses a credit-quality point system.  A student’s grade point average is computed on the basis of all semester hours attempted for credit.  The grade points earned in a particular course are determined by multiplying the semester credit hour of the course by the number of quality points with the grade.
A = 4 quality points
B = 3 quality points
C = 2 quality points
D = 1 quality points
F = 0 quality points

The GPA for the semester is determined by dividing the sum of quality points by the number of credits attempted.  The student’s semester GPA is computed at the end of each semester.  A student’s GPA is used in determining academic standing and eligibility for participation in various campus activities and reflects the student’s overall average performance in courses attempted at Allen University.  Withdrawal grades are not included when tabulating a student’s GPA.

REPETITION OF COURSE WORK
A student must repeat any required course(s) for which he/she has received a grade of “F”.  Advisors are required to ensure compliance.  A student must repeat any course in the major area for which he/she failed to earn a C (2.0) or above. Also, a student must repeat ENG101/English Composition I and English Composition II if he/she has received a grade of “D” or below.

GRADE REPORTS AND RECORDS OF STUDENT’S TRANSCRIPTS
The academic transcript of a student is confidential and available for inspection only by institutional personnel who need access to the record in the performance of their professional duties.  Professional organizations and government agencies may also have access to a student’s academic records upon request where appropriate.

RELEASE OF STUDENT INFORMATION
The Registrar’s Office is the official repository of all student records and houses the written instructional policy concerning the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.  The University is restricted in the release of certain student records without the prior written consent of the student.

CHANGE OF NAME OR ADDRESS
Each student is responsible for maintaining communication with the University and current contact with the Office of the Registrar.  Students should make the Office of the Registrar aware of any changes with name, address, zip code, and telephone numbers.  Failure to do so can cause serious delay in the handling of student records and important correspondence.  Final grades for all sessions and registration information will be mailed to the permanent home address unless the Office of the Registrar is otherwise notified.  Campus housing may not be regarded as a student’s permanent home address.

TRANSCRIPTS
Official transcripts – bearing the University Seal – will not be issued without the written consent of the student.  A transcript will not be released if the student is indebted to the University.  Forms for requesting transcripts may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar or through the University’s website.  The required fee must accompany each request for an official or unofficial transcript.  The request must be returned to the Office of the Registrar after fee payment is made in the Student Account/Business and Finance Office.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Integrity in academics, as well as in other matters, is expected of everyone at Allen University.  It is the obligation of all to adhere to this standard.

All students are required to adhere to the University’s honor code.  Charges of cheating on tests or examinations and plagiarism in the production of written papers or projects may subject student to disciplinary action by the faculty and administration.

Students Right to Petition for Readmission
Students have the right to seek specific relief from the application of the academic policy of the University.  To do so, the student must submit the request in writing on a Petition or Appeal for Readmission form (as appropriate) to the Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs.  The request should include a concise description of the circumstances which have led to the request and any required or suggested supporting documentation.  At a minimum, the following deadlines must be observed:

• Petitions must be submitted to the Admissions Committee and Office of the Registrar, no later than the end of the working day prior to the meeting of the committee at which the student wants the request to be heard.
• Appeals for Readmission must be completed and submitted to the Admissions Office (instructions are on the form) no less than two weeks prior to the published deadline for the application prior to the anticipated term of reenrollment.

The forms mentioned above are available in the Office of the Registrar.  The Admissions and Petitions Committee meets at least once during each month of the year; the specific dates and times of these meetings are posted outside the Office of the Registrar and Institutional Research.

ACADEMIC HONORS
Richard Allen Scholar is the highest academic honor at Allen University.  Those students who have been named to the President’s List or Dean’s List for four consecutive semesters are designated Richard Allen Scholars and are awarded a Scholarship Pin.

SEMESTER HONORS
The President Honors List consists of full-time students who have earned a 4.0 GPA.  The Dean’s List is the collection of full-time students who, during the semester, have maintained a GPA of 3.0 or higher.  In addition to the above, Allen students who meet certain criteria may qualify.  To earn a degree with distinction, a student must spend his final year matriculating in residence at Allen University.
 
CUMULATIVE HONORS

• CUM LAUDE is conferred upon students whose cumulative GPA is 3.00 to 3.49.
• MAGNA CUM LAUDE is conferred upon students whose cumulative GPA is 3.50 to 3.75.
• SUMMA CUM LAUDE – is conferred upon students whose cumulative GPA is 3.76 or higher.

UNIVERSITY MARSHALS
The two students in the junior class with the highest GPAs may be invited to serve as University Marshals.  If either should decline, the person or persons with the next highest average in descending order may be invited to serve.

CUMULATIVE GPA REQUIREMENTS
To remain in good standing at the University, a student must maintain at least the minimum cumulative GPA.

ACADEMIC PROBATION/SUSPENSION/DISMISSAL
Students whose Cumulative Quality GPA falls below the minimum allowed for the hours earned (See Satisfactory Academic Progress GPA Scale) and are performing below the level of competence required by the University for graduation are placed on Academic Probation for a period of one year.  Students on Academic Probation may register for no more than 13 hours per semester.

Academic Progress GPA Scale

ACADEMIC SUSPENSION
If, at the end of the probationary period, the student has not achieved the minimum required hours and Quality Points based on the Satisfactory Academic Progress Scale, then he/she is placed on Academic Suspension.

If a student is not enrolled the semester after being placed on probation, the one-year period begins when the student returns to the University.

Degrees and General Requirements
Students are responsible for fulfilling all requirements of the degree pursued.  To meet the general minimum standards for graduation, a student must:

• Complete General Education Core.
• Earn a minimum grade of “C” in English 101, 102, and any course, which counts toward the major.
• Complete all requirements in the major field.
• Complete a minimum of 120 hours of study.
• Attain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C).
• Complete at least fifty percent (50%) of all earned course credits through instruction at Allen University.
• Meet all financial obligations to the University.

GRADUATION TIMELINE
A student is allowed five (5) calendar years from the year of entrance to complete a degree under the requirements and regulations set forth in the catalog in effect at the time of his/her entrance.  After that period of time, he/she must meet the requirements of the current catalog.  Satisfactory academic performance must be met to qualify for major status under a particular catalog.

APPLICATION FOR GRADUATION
Candidates for graduation shall file an application with the Registrar’s Office no later than the end of the semester preceding graduation.  The Registrar’s Office issues specific deadlines and regulations pertaining to these applications.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS
In order to receive a baccalaureate degree from Allen University, the student must complete a minimum of 60 hours in residency at the University.