ACADEMIC CATALOG >>
2007-2008
6-3: Academic Policies - College of Adult and Graduate Studies
6-3-1: Catalog as Guide
6-3-2: Registration
6-3-3: Nontraditional Credit
6-3-4: Grading System
6-3-5: Academic Standing - Undergraduate
6-3-6: Academic Advising
6-3-7: Graduation
6-3-8: Graduate Studies Policies
6-3-1: Catalog as Guide
The catalog provides students with the best information available concerning the university and its programs at the time the catalog was published. Since the university continually modifies and improves the curriculum to meet the needs of students, the catalog does not constitute a contract, but serves as a guide. A student who enrolls in the university will be allowed to graduate under the policies in the catalog published at the time of his or her initial enrollment or selection of a major, as long as the student has maintained continuous enrollment. A student who has not been enrolled for 12 months must apply for readmission and complete a degree program under the regulations published in the catalog that is in effect at the time of re-enrollment.
6-3-2: Registration
The College of Adult and Graduate Studies operates its program on terms that vary from one-week intensive classes to ten-week terms. Students may choose to take several of these sessions during the course of a traditional semester.
6-3-3: Nontraditional Credit
Advanced Placement Examinations (AP)
A high school graduate who has taken the Advanced Placement Examinations
conducted by the College Entrance Examination Board and who has passed with a
score of 3, 4, or 5 may receive university credit. Credit awarded will be
treated as transfer credit and will count toward graduation.
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP/DANTES)
Colorado Christian University will grant credit for students who score at or
above established levels on many College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) and
Defense Activities for Nontraditional Education Support (DANTES) examinations.
Credit received will be treated as transfer credit and will count toward
graduation, as applicable. Information about specific CLEP and DANTES
equivalents and scores may be obtained from the Service Central Office or Academic
Advisors at the various centers.
Armed Forces Educational Credit
Veterans may receive undergraduate credit for Basic Training and other formal
educational experience gained while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Basic
Training is credited as a general elective. Credit awarded will be treated as
transfer credit and will count toward graduation. Veterans must submit a
certified original of their ARTS/ACE transcript, or other documentation of
their experience, to receive credit. To evaluate credit, the University
utilizes the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed
Services.
Independent and Directed Study
Independent or directed studies may be available, with approval, to students
upon request or upon institutional need. An independent study is intended to
provide the student with an opportunity to investigate an area of academic
interest not available through the regular curriculum, but which meets the
requirements of the student's degree program. CCU faculty supervises the
Independent Study and grading follows accepted University policies. The
investigation may include a planned program of readings or may involve research
in some aspect of science. Independent studies are available to juniors or
seniors with a 3.0 cumulative GPA. A directed study is a regular course offered
based on institutional need or to assist a student in maintaining adequate
progress toward completion of their degree. Directed studies are available to
juniors or seniors with a 2.0 cumulative GPA. The studies require periodic
conferences between the student and the instructor. Before the student
registers for an independent or directed study, conference times that are
mutually agreeable to the student and the instructor should be arranged. The
conferences provide an evaluation of the student's progress in the study. In
addition to course assignments, a paper describing the student's findings is
ordinarily required at the conclusion of the study. A listing of specific
readings and assignments, schedule of meetings with instructor and grading is
included in the course syllabus. An independent or directed study must be
concluded within the semester. Enrollment requires the approval of the dean or
director under whose department the course is offered and the Registrar. The
Independent/Directed Study Form must be completed before the student can
register or add the course and the student must complete registration before
the add deadline.
Prior Learning Credit (PLC)
The University may award credit for knowledge and skills developed in corporate
training or other nontraditional educational experiences. Credit is awarded on
the basis of careful evaluation of prior learning that document content,
quality, and extent of the learning experience. It is possible to earn up to 34
credits through the Prior Learning Credit (PLC) process. To receive PLCs, a
student must be enrolled at CCU and register for a three-credit hour PLC course
designed to meet PLC standards. A fee is charged for evaluation of credits.
Credit received will be treated as transfer credit and will count toward
graduation if it is applicable toward a degree program. In assessing and
accepting Prior Learning Credit, the University adheres to guidelines and
standards delineated by the Council for the Advancement of Experiential
Learning (CAEL) and the American Council on Education (ACE).
Internship, Student Teaching, Field Experience, Practicum, Thesis
Internships, graded Pass/Fail, are available to students with the approval of
the Dean. Field experience and Student Teaching generally do not extend beyond
a regular semester. A practicum, thesis, or internship may extend beyond a
regular semester as long as the specific dates are given on the Course
Extension form. A field experience, student teaching, practicum, or thesis is
graded on the standard A-F grading scale. Requirements for the courses are
outlined in the course syllabus and students are closely supervised by
University faculty. Internships, Student Teaching, Field Experience, Practicum
and Thesis are used to fulfill specific requirements of degree programs.
6-3-4: Grading System
The university uses a four-point system to calculate semester and cumulative GPAs.
Grading System with Honor Points
Letter (Honor) Points
A (exceptional quality) - 4.0
A- - 3.7
B+ - 3.3
B (commendable quality) - 3.0
B- - 2.7
C+ - 2.3
C (acceptable quality) - 2.0
C- - 1.7
D+ - 1.3
D (below average, but passing) - 1.0
D- - 0.7
F (failing, no credit) - 0.0
Grading System with No Honor Points
Letter
AU - Audit
I - Incomplete
IP - In Progress (internship, thesis, or practicum)
NC - No Credit
P - Pass (indicates grade of C or better)
W - Withdrawal
WP - Withdrawal Passing
WF - Unauthorized Withdrawal
NR - No Report
Audit (AU)
Students may audit Adult Undergraduate course sections that do not
have pre-requisites. Students auditing a course are expected to purchase
textbooks and materials, meet attendance requirements and complete all
assignments and requirements. By arrangement with the advisor or the Service
Central Office, students may change from audit to credit, or credit to audit
prior to the drop deadline for the course. Students auditing a course do not
get college credit for the course.
Incomplete (I)
Students unable to complete a course for reasons beyond their control may
request an incomplete grade before the end date of the course in which they
would like to request an extension. Every student petitioning for an incomplete
must complete a Course Extension Form from the Service Central Office. The
course instructor and the dean must approve the extension, and the instructor
must assign a new due date. Extensions may not exceed 21 days after the last
class day of the course for which the extension is granted. If the extension is
not completed by the extension date assigned by the instructor, the student
will receive an F. Students may, however, petition the previously mentioned
academic administrators for an additional extension before their first
extension expires.
In Progress (IP)
Students who make satisfactory progress in an internship, thesis, or practicum,
but do not complete its requirements by the end of the semester may, with the
permission of the instructor and appropriate Dean, complete it the following
semester. A grade of IP is assigned until the undergraduate internship or
thesis is completed, at which time it is replaced by a letter grade. If the
internship is not completed by the end of the second semester, an F is
assigned.
No Credit (NC)
An NC is assigned to courses when a student does not earn college credit for a
course.
Pass (P) and Fail (F)
Certain courses are designated Pass/Fail. A passing grade awards credit but
does not impact the student's GPA. A failing grade does not award credit but
does impact the student's GPA.
Withdrawal (W)
W is assigned when a student voluntarily withdraws from a class after the
assigned drop deadline for the course, or when a student has been granted
medical withdrawal from the university. Courses assigned a grade of W are not
counted in the student's GPA.
Withdrawal Passing (WP)
W is assigned when a student, due to emergency, withdraws from a class after
assigned drop deadline for the course and has satisfactorily completed passing
work. A WP does not factor into grade point calculations.
Unauthorized Withdrawal (WF)
WF is assigned when a registered student does not attend a class but fails to
withdraw from it. A grade of WF does not factor into grade point calculations.
No Report (NR)
NR is assigned when no grade is submitted for a registered student. A grade of
NR does not factor into grade point calculations.
Repeat Privileges
Students may repeat any course in which a grade of B or lower was earned. When
the course is repeated, both courses and their grades are shown on the
transcript, but only the last grade received will be used in calculating the
cumulative grade-point average. If the same grade is earned twice, only one
grade will be used to calculate the GPA. The student must pay full tuition for
repeated courses.
Filing a grade appeal
- Prior to the end of the semester following the course in which the contested grade is issued, the student will request that the faculty member reconsider the grade that was awarded. The student should request a face to face or phone meeting with the faculty. An email appeal is not recommended.
- If dissatisfied with outcome of faculty decision, within 10 days of the faculty member's decision, the student may appeal in writing to the program Dean or Director.
- Within 10 days of the program Dean or Director's decision, the student may submit a written appeal to the Assistant Vice President of CAGS Academic Affairs.
- The student is responsible to monitor email daily throughout the appeals process.
Filing an appeal for other academic decisions
- The student will submit a written appeal to the program Dean or Director before the end of the semester following the one in which the decision was made.
- Within 10 days of the program Dean or Director's decision, the student may submit a written appeal to the Assistant Vice President of CAGS Academic Affairs.
- The student is responsible to monitor email daily throughout the appeals process.
6-3-5: Academic Standing - Undergraduate
Transfer, testing and prior learning credits are not calculated in the grade point averages of students enrolled in Colorado Christian University degree programs.
Undergraduate Programs:
-
Regular standing
A student enrolled in a CAGS Associate or Bachelor of Science degree program is (excluding education licensing or degree programs) is considered to be in good standing if he or she has a cumulative 2.0 grade point average or better. A student enrolled in a CAGS licensing program for educators (LPE), including but not limited to Elementary and Early Childhood, Bachelor of Arts degree programs, is considered to be in good standing if he or she has a cumulative 3.0 grade point average or better. -
Probation
a. A new undergraduate student who earns a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0 (3.0 for LPE) shall be placed on probation, provided they have completed at least 6 credit hours.
b. Thereafter, an undergraduate student who earns a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0 (3.0 for LPE) or attains a grade point average of less than 1.5 (2.5 for LPE) in any given semester will be placed on probation.
c. If, for the probationary semester, the student's grade point average is above 2.0 (3.0 for LPE) for the semester but the cumulative average is still below 2.0 (3.0 for LPE), the student will be continued on academic probation.
d. Regardless of academic standing, any student earning less than a 1.5 (2.5 for LPE) in a given semester will immediately be placed on probation.
e. Students on academic probation may register for a maximum academic load of 9 semester hours.
f. Students on academic probation should contact the Service Central Office to determine if their financial aid is affected by their academic status. -
Suspension
a. A student on academic probation will be automatically suspended at the
end of any semester in which the student's GPA earned for the
semester falls below 2.0 (3.0 for LPE).
b. Students who are academically suspended will be notified after the end of the term and counseled concerning their rights of appeal.
c. Suspended students should contact the Service Central Office to determine if
their financial aid is affected by their academic status prior to making an
appeal to be reinstated. -
Appeal of Probation and Suspension status
a. While academic probation and suspension is automatic, suspended students may appeal, in writing, to the Dean of Academic Affairs of the College of Adult and Graduate Studies.
b. In a formal written statement, the student should respond clearly to the
following:
- The student's review of their academic efforts, including any explanations, circumstance, reasons, etc. as to why their performance was unsuccessful.
-
The student's plan for future success to include goals for achieving a 2.0 (3.0
for LPE)
term and cumulative GPA by the end of the semester following the appeal. - A statement acknowledging that, at the end of the semester following appeal, if the student's GPA does not reach the required 2.0 (3.0 for LPE) term or cumulative, the student understands they will be automatically suspended for at least one calendar year with no rights to appeal.
c. The Dean of Academic Affairs may:
- Act to reinstate the student
- Deny readmission
- May set conditions to be met before a second appeal will be considered. A second appeal may be considered only if the student has new information to present.
d. A student who is reinstated from suspension will remain ; on academic probation until a 2.0 (3.0 for LPE) cumulative grade point average is achieved.
6-3-6: Academic Advising and Registration
Student Preparedness and Success
Student Service Advisors are available to advise students and are assigned at
the time of admission. However, responsibilities for selecting courses and
maintaining normal progress toward graduation ultimately rest with the student.
To prepare students for success, CAGS recommends that students starting college
for the first time or transferring to CCU from another college or university
complete or transfer the following courses or their equivalents within the
first 18 semester hours of enrollment at CCU:
ENG 102 English Composition
MAT 110 Math Concepts
CIS 201 Introduction to Computer Applications
Due to the accelerated and compressed nature of the CAGS undergraduate course, it is in the student's best interest to ensure they have appropriate knowledge and skills to succeed in this adult learning environment.
Prerequisites
Students seeking an Associate of Arts (AA) degree may use a maximum of 15
semester hours of 300 or 400 level coursework toward the AA degree. Many
courses will have prerequisites which are intended to prepare the student for
successful completion of the advanced course. It is recommended that students
work with their Student Service Advisor to ensure their course schedule takes
into account any prerequisites needed. Upon successful completion of a
prerequisite, students will be able to enroll in the advanced course.
Transfer of Credit
For credits to be accepted for transfer, a course must be assigned a grade of C
- or better, must be transferred from an institution that is accredited either
by a regional accrediting association or by a nationally recognized accrediting
agency or association, such as the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges,
and must be a relevant or equivalent course required for the student's program
of study. Decisions about transfer credits are based on official transcripts
only, and it is the student's responsibility to request that official
transcripts be sent to Colorado Christian University. The University will
accept credits, but not grades, in transfer; thus, transfer grades will not be
figured into the student's CCU grade point average. Computer Science credits
transferred to meet the General Education must have been completed within 5
years of acceptance for admission to CCU. Credit from unaccredited institutions
will be accepted only when the Dean's Council has approved a transfer agreement
with such an institution. Students transferring credit must fulfill the CCU
Residency Requirement as stated below.
Classification of Students
Students are classified according to their objective, level, load, and
progress. Objective: A regular student is working toward a degree or
certification and must meet all standard requirements for admission. A special
student (non-degree seeking) is not working toward a degree or certification,
but selects courses to meet personal interests. Level: Students working toward
an associate or bachelor degree, or a certification, are classified as
undergraduates. Progress: Student progress is reflected in the number of
semester hours completed. A freshman has completed up to 29 hours; a sophomore,
30-59 hours; a junior, 60-89 hours; and a senior, 90 or more hours. All CCU
students, in an effort to more efficiently track progress toward their degree,
will be required to complete the Graduation Application process by the end of
the semester in which they complete 90 semester hours (end of the Jr. year).
Students not completing this process will not be allowed to register for the
next semester until this process is completed.
Course Load
The course load for students in the College of Adult and Graduate Studies
varies depending on program of study and personal choice. Undergraduate
students taking 12 or more hours are classified as full-time students; those
taking 6-11 hours are classified as part-time students; and those taking 0-5
hours are classified as less than part-time students. Graduate students taking
6 hours per semester are classified as full time and those taking 3 hours per
semester are classified as part time. Adult students may not be registered for
more than 3 courses concurrently. It is recommended that students with a
cumulative GPA between 2.0 and 3.0 limit their course load to 2 courses taken
concurrently. See Academic Standing policy for course load restrictions for
students on probation.
Adding and Dropping Courses
Students may add or drop courses during add/drop periods using the online
registration system (WebAdvisor). The
system is real time and students are responsible for confirming their changes
at the time of submission. It will be the sole responsibility of the student to
complete the add/drop action prior to the deadline. Deadlines for adding and
dropping courses are listed below. Unless a course is officially dropped,
charges will continue to accrue because the student remains enrolled, and a
grade of F will be assigned. All courses must be dropped by the 2nd session or
by the end of the 7th day from start of the course, whichever comes first.
Students who drop a course after the posted drop date will be withdrawn from
their course, will still be responsible for tuition for that class, and will
receive a "W" on their transcript.
Physical Education Credit
A student may transfer in a maximum of seven hours of elective credit in
physical-education activity courses toward a bachelor's degree. Activity
courses include varsity sports, fitness for life, and sports courses, e.g.,
skiing.
Residency Requirement
To earn a Colorado Christian University undergraduate degree, the following
semester hours must be earned through CCU:
- A minimum of 32 semester credits.
-
Within a major
-At least 50% of the course requirements in the major field.
-At least 12 upper division (300 or 400 level) semester hours. -
Within a minor
-At least 80% of the course requirements in the minor field.
Students are not required to be enrolled in order to graduate, but must submit final transfer credit to fulfill degree requirements within one (1) year of their enrollment at CCU (see Readmission Policies for additional information regarding students returning to complete a degree). A Graduation Application must be submitted upon completion of 92 credit hours or by the end of the second week of class during the semester in which the student plans to graduate.
Disciplinary Sanctions and Academic Ramifications
Disciplinary sanctions include suspension (academic work missed as a result of suspension may not be completed prior to, during, or after the stated period of suspension), dismissal (ineligibility to continue at the University with no refund of financial obligations and grades of F are issued), and expulsion (permanent dismissal with no refund of financial charges and grades of F are issued to the student). The College of Adult and Graduate Studies Student Handbook further describes these processes.
6-3-7: Graduation
Students are expected to file a Graduation Application prior to the end of the semester in which they will complete 90 credits. Graduation applications are active for six months. If the student does not graduate as expected and the graduation application expires, it is the student's responsibility to submit a new graduation application.
Commencement Participation
Students are normally expected to complete all requirements toward fulfillment
of their degree prior to participating in commencement. Because there is only
one commencement ceremony per year, CCU will make an exception to this policy
under the following conditions:
- An undergraduate student who has no more than 6 credits of work outstanding or no more than student teaching remaining and is registered to complete those credits in the upcoming summer or fall semester.
-
A Graduate student who has no more than 6 credits of work outstanding
Scholastic Honors
Latin Laude Honors
Because spring semester grades are due after the commencement ceremony, for the purposes of the May commencement ceremony all honors and awards will be based on the calculations of the previous fall term records. Final honors and awards will be posted on the student's transcript at the time that they complete their degree requirements and will be based on the final cumulative grade point average.
Undergraduate students, seeking a bachelor's degree, who have completed at
least 60 semester hours of credit at Colorado Christian University, may be
eligible for Laude Honors. To graduate with Laude Honors, students must achieve
the following cumulative GPAs by the beginning of their final semester of
study:
Cum Laude (with honor), 3.5 - 3.69;
Magna Cum Laude (with high honor), 3.7 - 3.89;
Summa Cum Laude (with highest honor), 3.9 - 4.0.
University Honors
Undergraduate students, seeking a bachelor's degree, who have completed less
than 60 semester hours of credit at Colorado Christian University, may be
eligible for University Honors. To achieve University Honors at graduation,
students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better while attending CCU.
Alpha Sigma Lambda
In an effort to recognize those nontraditional students who have demonstrated a
commitment to academic excellence, servant leadership, and a promise for future
community leadership, Colorado Christian University supports the Sigma Nu
chapter of the Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society. To qualify for
consideration into ASL, the student must be matriculated in a degree-seeking
Bachelor program and have completed 24 credit hours at CCU with a minimum
grade-point average of 3.75 in all major field courses. Students meeting these
criteria will be notified and required to submit two professor evaluations
before final consideration into ASL. No more than ten percent of the students
in the nontraditional program may receive this award. The ASL is granted based
on meeting all the criteria and not any one element alone.
6-3-8: Academic Policies-Graduate Studies
Graduate credit is available only to students who are qualified for admission to graduate studies. Graduate-level courses are numbered 500 and 600. In some programs, up to 12 hours of courses at the 500-level are open to senior undergraduates of CCU who have a 2.5 or better cumulative undergraduate grade-point average. If space in such a course is limited, preference will be given to students who are admitted to Graduate Regular Standing. The 600-level courses are normally open only to students who have been admitted to a graduate program with Graduate Regular Standing and to students who have met the prerequisites, if any, which are stated for each particular course. No more than 16 hours of course work may be taken without being admitted to a program. Permission to enroll in graduate courses for credit implies neither admission to a graduate program nor admission to the degree programs. A minimum of six credits per term is required in the degree programs to maintain full-time status.
Transfer of Credit
Any credit available for transfer toward a graduate degree (1) must be credit
available toward a graduate degree at an accredited institution where it was
earned; (2) must have been earned with a grade of A or B; and (3) must meet
program requirements at CCU. A student may apply for a limited amount of
transfer credit through the director of the respective graduate program. The
student must submit a syllabus or other information regarding the course so
that a determination can be made regarding its applicability toward the
program. Because of the purpose, length, and intensity of the master's
programs, credits from other institutions are rarely transferred in fulfillment
of program requirements.
Academic Standing
Students enrolled in a graduate program must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative
grade point average in the program. Students are advised to check with the
Program Director or Assistant Dean for further specifics related to
satisfactory progress in the program. Some programs may have more stringent
grade point average requirements.
Prior Learning Credit
No credit earned by prior learning assessment may be used toward a graduate
degree at Colorado Christian University.
Residency Requirements
For any master's degree, a minimum of 30 hours of course work must be earned in
residence at Colorado Christian University.
