Academic Policies

NOTE: The organization of this page has changed, effective 2023-2024.  All policies are grouped by category with hyperlinks to each policy in the table of contents below.  The policies also appear in alphabetical order below the table.

University academic policies are subject to change with suitable notice; subsequent editions of this catalog will document such changes.

Table of Contents

(Academic Policy Links by Category)

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Academic Policies

(Alphabetical Order)

A

Academic Integrity and Honor Code

Link to Academic Integrity and Honor Code   

Academic Load

The academic load is measured in terms of “credit hours.” Graduate students enrolled in 6 or more credit hours during a semester are considered full-time students. Graduate students enrolled in less than 6 hours and  more than 3 hours are considered three-quarters time. Graduate students enrolled in 3 credit hours are considered half-time. Graduate students enrolled in less than 3 hours and more than 1 hour are considered less than half time.

Academic Probation (Initial)

Graduate students who fail to maintain the required minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) for a given semester will be placed on academic probation for the following semester.

Academic Probation (Continued)

Graduate students who fail to maintain the required minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) for two consecutive semesters of enrollment, but whose most recent semester GPA meets or exceeds the requirement, will be permitted to return for the following semester. Such students will remain on academic probation until they achieve good academic standing or fail to attain the necessary semester GPA and are subsequently suspended.

Academic Suspension (Initial)

Graduate students who fail to maintain the minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) for two consecutive semesters of enrollment and whose most recent semester GPA is below the requirement will be placed on academic suspension from Anderson University for one semester.

Academic Suspension (Second)

Students re-admitted following suspension are admitted on academic probation. Their academic record is reviewed at the conclusion of the semester they return. Upon review, if the student’s cumulative grade-point average (GPA) meets the minimum requirement for good academic standing, they will be removed from probation.

Students who fail to attain the minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) at the conclusion of the first semester they return, but whose most recent semester GPA meets or exceeds the minimum requirement, will be permitted to return for the following semester. Such students will remain on academic probation until they achieve good academic standing or fail to attain the minimum semester grade-point average (GPA) and are subsequently suspended a second time.

Students who fail to attain the minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) at the conclusion of the first semester they return, and whose most recent semester GPA is below the minimum requirement will be placed on academic suspension for a second time. 

Re-admission following a second suspension is not likely and would be granted only under unusual circumstances.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Anderson University provides accommodations to enable students with disabilities to access the University community in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Reasonable accommodations are determined based on current documentation and are made on a case-by-case basis. Adherence to academic standards that are essential to a course of study is generally considered non-discriminatory.

Students requesting accommodations from Anderson University must self-identify by contacting the Center for Student Success. Applications for accommodations do not ensure that the student qualifies to receive accommodations.

Students requesting accommodations must have a documented disability as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. All documentation is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If provided documentation is deemed insufficient, the student will be required to provide additional documentation. Complete guidelines for documentation are available from the Center for Student Success. In general, documentation should include:

• Letterhead, name, and title indicating that the documentation was provided by a professional, trained in the differential diagnosis of disorders and that evaluation was performed within the last three-years.
• A clearly stated diagnosis which rules out alternative explanations and diagnoses.
• Defined levels of functioning
• An explanation of substantial limitations due to the disability
• Current treatment and medication
• Essential accommodations needed for postsecondary education, including duration and rationale.

The Center for Student Success determines the student’s eligibility for accommodations and for eligible students, determines appropriate accommodations.

Adding and Dropping Courses

Students may add or drop courses through the dates listed in the academic calendar. Any course dropped during the add/drop period does not appear on the student record. Once the add/drop period ends, students can withdraw from courses. (See Withdrawal from a Course, Administrative Withdrawal, and Attendance and Participation Requirement for more information.)

Administrative Withdrawal (Faculty Initiated Course Withdrawal)

If a student consecutively misses 25% of the semester or term noted by a lack of attendance (Seated) or participation (Online), the faculty member will assign an Administrative Withdrawal as soon as the 25% threshold of non-attendance or non-participation is reached. If the student’s disengagement from the class was prior to the last day to withdraw without academic penalty or if the student had been attending/participating regularly and submitting satisfactory (passing) assignments up to the point of their disengagement from the class, a grade of WP will be assigned. If the student has not been attending/participating regularly and unsatisfactory
(failing) work had been submitted and the last day to withdraw without academic penalty has passed, a grade of WF will be assigned.

Application for Graduation (Program Completion)

Students nearing completion of their degree must apply for program completion. Applications are accepted in the fall for spring graduation and in the spring for summer and fall graduation. Deadlines for applications are set by the University Registrar and distributed to students. Failure to meet the stated deadline may result in a delay in time of graduation. The graduate program completion fee is $100. The graduate certificate program completion fee is $25. All fees must be cleared before receiving a diploma or official transcript.

Attendance and Participation Requirement

Enrolled students are expected to maintain regular attendance in Seated (In-Person) courses and regular participation in Online courses. Individual departments establish attendance and participation expectations based on what is required for success within each discipline. Regardless of whether or not department policies establish penalties for insufficient levels of attendance/participation, all instructors will record physical or virtual (synchronous online) attendance for all Seated (In-Person) course class meetings and will track participation during all Online (asynchronous) courses. Participation in Online courses is determined by whether or not students are submitting work for assessment by the instructor.

B

C

Clearing Financial Obligations Prior to Graduation

Any indebtedness to Anderson University for tuition, fees, library fines, parking fines, disciplinary fines, room, board, or Bookstore charges must be cleared before graduation. Failure to do so will result in a delay in receiving a diploma and inability to receive any transcripts.

D

Degree Designations on Diplomas

Diplomas from Anderson University will bear the degree and program earned. The student’s transcript will list the appropriate degree, program, and concentration.

E

F

G

Good Academic Standing

It is the University’s desire that all students successfully complete their programs of study. The following regulations are established to guarantee that a student is making satisfactory progress toward completing a degree program.

To remain in good academic standing, the graduate student must maintain a specific cumulative grade point average (GPA).

The grade-point average (GPA) used to determine good academic standing is reflected in the “Cumulative GPA” line on the student’s Academic History and includes all courses numbered 500 and above.

Good academic standing is reviewed three times per year at the closeof each academic semester: fall, spring, and summer.

Note: Good Academic Standing is separate from the Financial Aid policy of SatisfactoryAcademic Progress (SAP). Questions concerning SAP and financial aid eligibility should be directed to and addressed by the Financial Aid Office.

To be eligible for graduation, students must be in good academic standing at the completion of their program of study. Depending upon the discipline, the required minimum cumulative GPA varies.

Minimum Cumulative GPA Required for Good Academic Standing and Eligibility for Graduation:

Grade Appeals

If a student perceives a grade to be unfair, capricious, or arbitrary he/she may submit an appeal in writing. The appeal must be initiated within one month of the grade assignment and must include a clear rationale for the appeal. For an appeal to have merit, there must be some evidence that the student has been treated inappropriately with regard to the administration of the University’s policies. The line of appeal is the instructor in the course, then the Dean of the college or their designee, and the finally the Office of the Provost. Each person to whom an appeal is made has five working days in which to communicate the decision to the student. Students should understand that mere unhappiness with a grade is not grounds for an appeal.

H

I

Incomplete Grades

It is the student’s responsibility to request the grade of “I”, an incomplete grade, when some extenuating circumstance beyond the student’s control (e.g. serious medical condition with documentation, required change in work schedule, etc.) prevents the completion of a course within the standard time requirement. An “I” is a temporary grade and can only be granted when a student has successfully completed at least 50% of the work required in the course. When the student does not meet this criterion, then it is likely a WP or WF should be assigned.

To initiate the process for assignment of an Incomplete, the student should have an initial conversation with the course instructor. Eligibility for an incomplete grade will be determined by the instructor’s review of the student’s progress in the course and the documentation provided by the student such as medical statements or a statement from the employer, as well as consideration of their own availability to extend the time period. The maximum allowable time for an extension is thirty days.

When the faculty member agrees that the student has met the criteria to be granted an Incomplete, and he or she is willing to accommodate the request, the faculty member will download and complete a copy of the Request for an Incomplete Grade. The instructor and the student must agree on the assignments that will be submitted late, and the form must include a list of these items. Signatures by both parties on the form will be viewed as agreement to the stated requirements for completion. Once the assignments are listed and the signatures provided, the completed form must be delivered to the Registrar’s Office for processing. The Request for an Incomplete Grade Form must be submitted to the Registrar before the end of the last regular class day in a semester or term.

Upon receipt of the completed form, the Registrar’s Office will enter the grade of “I.” The instructor is required to submit the final grade within 10 days of receiving all designated assignments or no later than 10 days beyond the 30-day extension. In the unusual case when a grade is not submitted by the date indicated on the form, the “I” grade will be converted to an “F”. A student can access his or her transcript through the student portal to monitor the resolution of the course grade.

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Policies Governing Final Examinations

1. Exams will be given on the day and hour scheduled. Students will not be permitted to take exams early except for highly extenuating circumstances. Late exams will be scheduled only in rare cases involving extreme extenuating circumstances (such as students with a verifiable debilitating illness or injury or a death in the immediate family, which occurs at a time that requires the student’s absence from an exam). The student is also required to arrange with the instructor a time when the exam can be scheduled.
2. If a student has more than two exams on the same day, he or she may request to take one or more exams with another section of the same course or by another arrangement, approved by the instructor, for  completing the exam within the days designated as the exam period.
3. The course ends when the final examination has been given.

Q

R

Re-Admission Following Suspension

The one-semester period of suspension is defined as beginning after the last day of the semester during which the student received a suspension and continuing until the first day of the semester the student is eligible to begin a new semester at Anderson University.

If a student wishes to enroll at Anderson University following the period of suspension, an Application for Admission must be submitted to the Admission Office. Decisions regarding readmission are based on evidence supporting the probability of successful completion of the academic program at Anderson University.

Right to Appeal

If a student perceives treatment to be unfair, capricious, or arbitrary in any academic decision, then such a decision may be appealed. Students should understand that mere unhappiness with a decision is not grounds for an appeal. For an appeal to have merit, there must be some evidence that the student has been treated unfairly and/or inappropriately with regard to the administration of the University’s policies. 

Appeals must be initiated within thirty (30) calendar days of the date of the decision or action being appealed. The student should first appeal the decision in writing to the person who made it, offering information and supporting rationale for reconsideration. At each step, the respondent has two (2) weeks to reply in writing with a decision. As needed, the student may then appeal the decision in writing to the next highest authority within two (2) weeks of the decision being communicated. 

In matters related to course grades (whether for an assignment or a final course grade), the line of appeal is the instructor in the course, then the College or School Dean (or, for academic units without a Dean, the Program Director), and finally the Office of the Provost, which will render a final decision.

Repeating a Graduate Course (Initial)

If a student receives a grade of D or F in a course, the student may repeat the course one time without obtaining permission from the College Dean/Director. Only one course attempt will be calculated into the grade point average although both course attempts and grades will appear on the student’s transcript. Only the higher grade will be calculated into the GPA. If a student does not meet the minimum GPA requirement for their respective college, the student may petition to take a course with a grade of C for a better grade.

Repeating a Graduate Course (Second)

After repeating a course and a student fails to earn a grade of a C or better, the student may petition the Dean of the College requesting to retake the course a third time. The Dean of the College reserves the right to refuse a third attempt. If after the third attempt and the student fails to obtain a C or better, no additional attempts will be allowed.

Requests for Adjustments in Course Delivery, Participation, or Section

Students enrolled in a seated course section should not expect to change that enrollment to an online section after the Add/Drop Period, nor expect to be able to participate online only, when enrolled within a seated or hybrid course. Students are expected to remain in the same course section and modality for which they registered. Students requesting an adjustment in course delivery, participation, or section, due to special circumstances, have the following options:

1. If the last date of withdrawal without academic penalty has not been reached, the student may withdraw from the course without academic penalty. There may be financial penalties that come with this option. (See “Withdrawal from Courses,” Academic Catalog.)

2. If the student has a medical or other hardship that impedes the student’s ability to complete the semester, the student may request a Temporary Leave of Absence through the Center for Student Success. Requests with appropriate documentation will be considered and, if approved, will relieve the student of academic penalty. (See “Temporary Student Leave,” Academic Catalog.)

3. If the student has successfully completed at least 50 percent of the coursework in a given course, the student may request a grade of Incomplete. If the Incomplete request is approved, the student will have 30 days from the last class period of the term to complete the coursework. (See “Incomplete Grades,” Academic Catalog.)

4. In the case of a prolonged illness or injury during the semester, students may be away from classes for an extended period. Students who provide medical documentation to the Center for Student Success may request from their faculty flexibility in making up work and tests for their courses. While faculty are encouraged to work with students, in some circumstances the absence period may be too long to recover the coursework.

Students with unique circumstances that fall outside the options above may petition in writing to the Center for Student Success for review of the situation and request an adjustment to their schedule. Any such schedule adjustments must be recommended by the Center for Student Success and approved by the Office of the Provost.

S

Statute of Limitations - Time Limits

Graduate degrees awarded from Anderson University require that our students have current useable knowledge in their field: therefore, each program establishes appropriate time limits for their degrees. Students should consult their specific program handbook to determine applicable time limits.

T

Temporary Graduate Leave

In the event of unavoidable and unforeseen circumstances, which will prohibit a student from taking classes for one or more semesters, a student may request Temporary Student Leave. For example, a student may request a Temporary Student Leave for the following reasons: childbirth, military service, physical health, or mental health. Temporary Student Leave allows the student to return to the university within one year without having to reapply or to change catalogs. In order to qualify for Temporary Leave status, the student must (1) be in good academic standing with the university, and (2) provide support documentation and receive approval from the Dean of the College, (or his/her designee), in which the graduate student is enrolled.

Student seeking a Temporary Student Leave will complete a withdrawal form available in the office of the dean of their college. The Dean or his/her designee will be identified on the form as the clearance contact for the student’s return enrollment. Other approval signatures required on the form include the financial aid office and the library.

When the student believes that she/he is ready to return to the university, the student must request an interview with the designated staff member. Following an interview and review of supporting documents, the staff member will determine the student’s readiness to return. Upon determining that the student is ready to return, the staff member will notify the students’ academic advisor that clearance has been granted and that the student may begin the registration process.

If a student is initially denied Temporary Student Leave or if the designated staff member denies the student’s request to re-enroll, the student may appeal the decision to the Office of the Provost, who will assemble a review committee to consider the appeal.

Transfer Policy

Transferability of hours will be determined by the Program Director, in consultation with the University Registrar. Additionally, the following minimum standards must be met for all graduate transfer work:

• Only graduate level courses will be considered for graduate level transfer credit.
• The student earned a grade of B (3.0) or higher. 
• The transfer courses must satisfy requirements in the student’s graduate program. 
• The institution where the student completed the course holds regional accreditation. * 

*Courses completed at institutions that do not hold regional accreditation but have national or specialized accreditation may be eligible for transfer credit. However, additional information, as determined by the Program Director, will be required for consideration. 

*Not more than 6 hours of transfer credits can be awarded to the Ed.D. including transfer credit awarded during the Ed.S. program.

Treatment of Grades, Course Work and Transfer Credits

1. Attempted credits include all courses listed on the academic transcript and include grades of A, B, C, D, F, I, P, NC, W, and IP.
2. If a student is permitted by their program to repeat a course in order to improve a grade, credits for repeated courses will count as additional credits attempted for financial aid purposes.
3. Transfer credits will be counted as attempted and completed credits for the completion ratio calculation and count towards the maximum time frame allowed.

U

V

W

Withdrawal from Courses (Student Initiated)

After the add/drop period, students can withdraw from courses through the last day to withdraw from courses as noted in the academic calendar. Students will receive a grade of “W” in any course from which they withdraw. Any course in which a grade of “W” is received is subject to tuition charges. (See the Anderson Central  Refund Policy for specific information pertaining to charging for withdrawn courses; see Adding and Dropping Courses and Attendance and Participation Requirement for more information.) 

Note to Students: Withdrawing from courses may affect your tuition and fees (see Anderson Central for more information), your financial aid (see Financial Aid & Scholarships  for more information), or your athletic eligibility (if applicable).

Note to Student Athletes: Withdrawing from course may affect your eligibility. Please be sure to consult with Athletics before completing the course withdrawal.

(For more information on faculty initiated course withdrawal, see the Administrative Withdrawal (Faculty Initiated Course Withdrawal) policy.)

Withdrawing from the University

Under certain situations, it may be necessary for a student to withdraw from the University. A student should notify the Dean of the College if they are considering a full withdrawal, and then the student should contact the Journey Coach or the Center for Student Success where the withdrawal process will be initiated. Depending on the date of the official withdrawal, a grade of “W” or “F’ may be assigned. Students failing to follow the procedures of official withdrawal will be awarded a grade of “F” for all courses in which they remain registered.

X

Y

Z

These policies apply to graduate programs at Anderson University in general.  The Anderson University Graduate Catalog takes precedence at any point where the policies disagree.