Student Classifications

The following sections state some of the specific criteria used for identifying Lakeland students in class level categories or tuition cost groups. In several cases, the sections include policies that apply only to the students classified in a specific category.

Class Year Classification

All students who have been officially accepted by the university as candidates for the bachelor’s degree will be classified as freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors according to the following criteria:

Full-Time and Part-Time Classification

Students must be enrolled for at least 12 undergraduate semester hours of coursework in a term to be considered full-time students. Students must be enrolled in at least 6 undergraduate semester hours to be considered half-time students. All students who are enrolled in fewer than 12 undergraduate semester hours of coursework will be classified as part-time students. Students participating in intercollegiate athletics must be enrolled full-time in the university and be classified as traditional undergraduate program students to maintain their eligibility to participate. See the Athletic Eligibility  section of this catalog for more details regarding Graduate students and students within their last semester prior to graduation.

Special Registration Classifications

In addition to the normal full-time and part-time classifications for enrolled students, there are five other categories at Lakeland in which enrolling students are guided by unique registration policies. Those five categories are high school advanced placement, Kellett School, PACE, senior citizen, and special student registrations. In several cases, different classifications imply differences in tuition costs. For specific details regarding tuition costs, refer to the Schedule of Tuition and Fees available in the Admissions Office.

1. High school advanced-level students who wish to take courses at Lakeland University may do so with written recommendation from a high school principal, guidance counselor, or teacher and with approval of the Lakeland instructor presenting the course. In some cases, this arrangement is made through the Early College Credit Program (ECCP).
   
   Where approved by appropriate high school administrators and Lakeland’s academic deans, Lakeland University will award college credit for courses taught by high school instructors who have been granted Lakeland Adjunct Faculty status. The details for such offerings will normally be available to the public at least four months before the beginning of the high school term in which the course is to be offered. This program is referred to as the Concurrent Academic Progress Program (CAPP).
   
   All high school advanced-level coursework carries full college credit and may be applied toward a Lakeland degree. Interested students may contact the Office of the Registrar for details and deadlines.
    
2. Traditional undergraduate program students enrolling in Kellett School classes (evening, weekend, and online) retain their traditional student program classification.
    
3. The PACE classification includes students who have previously graduated from Lakeland University and are currently enrolled in traditional undergraduate program classes in order to strengthen an existing major or minor or to add a new major or minor, develop a new area of interest, or complete requirements for a new profession.
   
   The PACE tuition plan features a special cost reduction by offering traditional undergraduate program classroom seats that would otherwise be unfilled to students on the PACE plan. Consequently, the PACE plan may not be applied to out-of-classroom courses (i.e., aviation courses, applied music courses, CPA/CMA courses, independent studies, field experiences, and/or internships) or courses for which there is an enrollment waiting list.
    
4. Senior citizens, age 60 or older, are accorded the same preferential treatment as Lakeland University alumni and may enroll in courses for academic credit under the PACE tuition plan (described above).
   
   If interested in auditing a course, rather than taking it for academic credit, a senior citizen may do so under the following conditions:
   • up to two courses, excluding applied music and aviation courses, may be audited per semester at a $310.00 tuition charge per course,
   • the cost of books and/or supplies is borne by the auditor,
   • the audited course(s) must be taken at the main campus pending space availability and instructor approval.
      
5. Special student registrations are those students not covered by the above classifications who have registered in a Lakeland course. Students in this category may be enrolled under a reduced tuition plan.
   
   Special registration will be granted only to those students who are not pursuing completion of a major or minor at Lakeland University.

Students in the PACE, senior citizen, and special student categories are subject to the following unique policies:

1. Enrollment in courses is on a space-available or standby basis. Full-tuition students will be given priority in all courses.
2. With the exception of guaranteed student loans and the application of Veterans Benefits, no financial aid is available.
3. Application for special registration enrollment must be made, in writing, to the Office of the Registrar.
4. Internships, independent study, aviation, CPA/CMA and applied music courses are not available for those students classified as PACE, senior citizens or special students.

For more information about these special enrollment programs, please contact the Office of the Registrar.

Changing from One Lakeland University Program (Traditional/Kellett School) to Another

Students who have not reached senior standing may change from one program to another by filling out a Change of Program Request Form, available in the Office of the Registrar. Graduation requirements will be adjusted in accord with the student’s new program. A student at senior standing must complete the requirements of his/her current program. Students may, at any time, enroll in courses through any undergraduate program. The student’s advisor must approve all registrations for any Lakeland University program.

Students at senior standing, who have been away from Lakeland University for one semester or more and wish to return, but in a different program, must apply for readmission. Such students will be subject to the requirements of the new program.

Tuition charges are based upon program enrollment and term of enrollment.

Undergraduate Students Enrolling in Graduate Courses

Undergraduate students with senior standing, a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and the appropriate foundation coursework may enroll in nine (9) semester hours of approved Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) or Master of Science (M.S.) in Leadership and Organizational Development coursework as part of their undergraduate degree. Students with senior standing, a GPA of 3.0, whose undergraduate work meets prerequisite requirements or who have the consent of the Master of Arts in Counseling director may enroll in nine (9) semester hours of approved Master of Arts (M.A.) in Counseling coursework as part of their undergraduate degree. All nine (9) semester hours may be applied later to the semester hours required for a Master of Business Administration degree, the semester hours required for a Master of Science in Leadership and Organizational Development degree, or the semester hours required for a Master of Arts in Counseling degree. Students must complete an undergraduate degree prior to enrolling in coursework in the Master of Education program.