Nov 21, 2024  
2018-2019 Traditional Undergraduate Academic Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Traditional Undergraduate Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Guidelines/Policies


Course Numbering

Lower-Level Courses-100’s

These are courses with no prerequisites which are generally taken during the freshman year. These courses introduce students to the field at large, including common terms and specialized languages in the field, central strategies and methods of investigation in the field, and/or basic facts and concepts within the field.

Lower-Level Courses-200’s

These courses are generally taken during the freshman or sophomore years and have no prerequisites, but expect that the student has some college experience. These courses introduce students to content within the field or sub-fields, including post-introductory-level language, methods, and concepts (building on 100-level); the application of concepts and methods within a major area of the field (surveys); beginning research skills; and/or critical thinking about the field and how it works.

Intermediate-Level Courses-300’s

These courses are generally taken during the sophomore or junior years and are usually the first within a professional/pre-professional sequence. These courses explore particular problems, topics, or techniques within the field and emphasize the application of basic skills to explore these topics and problems. “Student-as-Practitioner” strategies are used within the classroom, including research and the exploration of research methods. Also included are the following: an examination of problems and debates within the professional field; engagement in those debates and in that study; initial participation within the field of scholars/professionals; and/or instruction based on modeling, case studies, and mentoring.

Upper-Level Courses-400’s

These courses are normally expected to be taken during the junior and senior years, providing the undergraduate “capstone” experience within the major. These courses intensely explore specialized content (e.g., reading-intensive courses) and require students to create or synthesize knowledge using previously learned skills. These courses also provide authentic “Student-as-Practitioner” experiences; specialized, independent thinking within the field; vocational training (internships); and/or independent research.

Academic Advising

The core of academic life at Lakeland is the relationship between its faculty and its students. While rules and policies are necessary, they are never an effective substitute for the personal interaction between an inquisitive learner and a willing teacher. Lakeland University strongly encourages positive and productive relationships between students and faculty, both in and out of the classroom.

For their first year at Lakeland, freshmen are advised by their Core I instructors. These faculty members help first-year students adjust to college life and master basic rules and procedures. As students gain confidence and a sense of direction, they will be advised by a faculty advisor who teaches courses in their academic major. Such matching makes it easier for students to get to know their classroom instructors and encourages an educational relationship that continues beyond the walls of the classroom.

While students are expected to be responsible for their own academic decisions and curricular requirements, they will find that the one sure source throughout their Lakeland academic careers of friendly concern, supportive encouragement, and accurate academic advice is their faculty advisor.

The college experience presents many opportunities for personal and academic growth. While students’ academic advisors help with their academic paths, students will also have a team dedicated to helping them to navigate the overall college experience. This team will help students with the multiple issues they face as they transition to Lakeland University, as they develop their collegiate path and focus, and as they transition out of college to start a career or to obtain further education.

To keep students on track to graduation and to assist students to lead a life of personal, professional success and fulfillment, Lakeland University has developed the Student Success and Engagement Team. Every student studying in Lakeland’s traditional undergraduate program is assigned a Success and Engagement Coach. Success Coaches help students connect to existing university resources (academic, health, financial aid, student organizations, etc.), reinforce habits and aptitudes that lead to successful collegiate level academic performance, identify internships and other appropriate pre-professional experiences, and encourage students to become actively engaged in all facets of the college experience.

Students are encouraged to contact their Success and Engagement Coach when they are seeking advice, assistance, or have any issue of concern. 

Class Attendance

Students are expected to be present and actively engaged in all class sessions. For classroom-based instruction, this means students are present and punctual in all class sessions. For online instruction, this means students should log in a minimum of three days each week and participate in the discussion forum. For BlendEd® courses, students must follow the attendance requirements whichever way they choose to attend. Individual course instructors are responsible for clearly notifying students of their unique and specific class attendance policies.

Final Exam Policy

All courses must meet during final exam week at their scheduled periods. Instructors may use the final exam period for giving final exams, discussing final papers, or conducting other instructional activities. Students are required to attend during final exam week and participate in their instructors’ scheduled activities.

Adding or Dropping Courses

  • Students may add and drop courses in accordance with the published add/drop deadline schedule each term.
    • Students can complete this transaction online via my.lakeland.edu OR
    • Downloading the form on my.lakeland.edu OR
    • Obtaining the form in the Registrar’s Office.
    • Advisor signature is required if the paper form is used, any added course via the online process is approved by the advisor in this process.
  • Students are responsible for adding and/or dropping courses within the stated deadlines.
  • A student receives no grade for a dropped course.

Administrative Drops for Non-Attendance

  • Lakeland University reserves the right to administratively drop a student from any class during the semester regular term (fall/spring) or short term courses (7 or 10-week sessions) for failure to attend classes or commence enrollment during the first part of the term/session without an approved excuse.
    • An instructor may excuse a student at their discretion.
    • The instructor and student make agreed upon arrangements to submit assignments. 
  • Commencing enrollment requires participation in the class meeting in person on campus or via Lakeland’s courseware system, Blackboard. 
    • Simply logging into a class via Blackboard does not qualify as commencing enrollment. 
    • Student submits assignments or the student must participate in a discussion board activity in order to “commence enrollment.”
  • If the student fails to commence enrollment the following process is followed:
    • Instructor raises a flag in Starfish called Student has not Commenced Enrollment.
    • The Starfish process sends a notice to Student, Academic Leadership, Academic Advisor, Financial Aid, Athletic Coach.
    • Academic Leadership verifies by reviewing any subsequent course participation in Blackboard or by contacting the instructor directly. 
    • If enrollment activity has since taken place, the instructor or staff clears the flag after verifying the activity. Student remains in the course.
    • If the student fails to initiate the drop process or participate by the end of the add/drop deadline for the term or session, an administrative drop is completed.
      • Administration drops student from the course who no longer has access to the Blackboard platform.
      • The student’s enrollment status may change based on the number of courses dropped.
      • Tuition and financial aid refund calculations will commence following the policies in place on the day prior to the start of the term/semester.

Withdrawing from a Course

  • A student who wishes to withdraw from one, some or all courses must do so in accordance with the withdrawal dates published for each term. Official withdrawal from course(s) requires the student secure approval from their academic advisor and completion of the add/drop/withdrawal form.
  • Additional signatures/approvals is needed for athletes, international students, or those individuals receiving military benefits as withdrawn course may affect a student’s monetary benefits or enrollment eligibility status.
  • Add/drop/withdrawal form is available to download from my.lakeland.edu
    • Students bring the approved form to the Registrar’s Office for processing.
  • Students are responsible for withdrawing from courses within the stated deadlines.
  • A student receives a W grade for a withdrawn course.

Withdrawal from the University

  • A student who wishes to withdraw all courses must during the the middle of the term or after completing their current coursework need to complete the withdrawal from institution process by:
  • Contacting the Associate Provost for Student Development or their appropriate Success Coach at least 24 hours before leaving the campus.
  • Using the withdrawal from institution form consult with and collect the additional signatures/approvals needed from:
    • Athletics - regarding athletic eligibility
    • Academic Advisor - academic impact
    • Business Office - in order to clear student account
    • Financial Aid or Veteran’s Coordinator - regarding impact on eligibility and current term benefits
    • International-SEVIS Official - regarding F1/J1 visa status issues
    • Library Services - to return materials
    • Residence Hall - turn in keys and remove belongings
    • Success Coach - completing the process
  • Starfish is used to send notices of intent to withdrawal for other transactions to take place.
  • A student receives a W grade for a withdrawn course if completed prior to the deadline.

Medical Withdrawal and Family Leave

Students may withdraw from one or more courses up to the published withdrawal deadline date. (See Withdrawing from a Course and Withdrawal from the University) If an extraordinary situation related to the physical or mental health of the student or an immediate family member emerges after the withdrawal deadline expires, a student may submit a request for medical withdrawal or family leave. 

Students seeking medical withdrawal or family leave must submit an application to the Provost within six (6) months of the last day of the term for which the leave is requested.  Applications must include two things:

  • A letter from the student outlining his/her situation and 
  • credible documentation from supervising physician, caregiver, or authorized professional that includes
    • dates and duration of student or family member’s condition and accompanying treatment;
    • assessment of whether the condition or treatment of it reasonably interfered with the student’s ability to attend classes or complete coursework.

Notes:

  • Successful applications for medical withdrawal or family leave require withdrawal from all courses within the term. Students may not seek medical withdrawal or family for a single course when enrolled in multiple courses. 
  • Incomplete applications will require additional time to process, which can delay applications for readmission or resolution of academic standing issues.
  • Requests for refunds related to withdrawal for medical situations requires a separate request to the Bursar’s office.

Repeating a Course

Students may repeat a course up to two times, but will receive credit for the course only once. Lakeland uses the highest grade received to compute cumulative grade-point-average (GPA). All attempts of repeated courses, including the grades received, will remain on the transcript even though only the highest grade is included in the cumulative GPA.

A student who fails a Core II course or a Core III course may take a different Core II course or Core III course to fulfill his/her graduation requirements. A passing grade in the subsequent course will replace the failing grade of the previous Core II or Core III attempt.

Independent Learning Experiences

  1. Courses with low enrollment: On rare occasions, a course may need to be offered to 1-4 students in order to ensure they maintain appropriate degree progress. If such a need is identified, the student’s advisor should contact the dean of the school to which the course is assigned. Together, they will review options and alternatives for the student. If the dean determines a special offering of a course is necessary, s/he will work with the Provost to create the course through normal registration processes.
  2. Courses designed for independent learning: Many of Lakeland’s programs provide opportunities for students to complete their degree requirements through independent learning. Examples of these courses include (but are not limited to) the following:

When the course is required for completion of a major, minor, certificate, or emphasis, students should

  • complete the Application for Independent Learning (available on my.lakeland.edu), 
  • secure approvals from required university personnel (including supervising faculty member, dean or Honors Program director, and Provost), and
  • submit approved form to Registrar’s Office for enrollment processing.

When the course is designated as an elective option for completion of a major, minor, certificate, or emphasis, students should consult with his/her advisor and the dean of the school before applying for enrollment in the course. If enrollment is deemed a viable option for the student, the student will then be directed to complete the Application for Independent Learning. Students are limited to completion of two elective courses in any course subject area on an independent learning basis.

Auditing a Course

A student may audit any Lakeland course. Requirements for auditing a course are determined by the instructor. The minimum requirement for an audit is regular class attendance. Upon completion of the work assigned by the instructor, an audit student will receive a letter grade of AU on his or her permanent academic record. No credit is earned for an audited course. Failure to meet the instructor’s conditions will be recorded as UAU; withdrawal from the course as WAU. Course enrollment may be converted to audit status at any time on or before the date announced as the last day to withdraw as indicated on the academic calendar for the relevant term.

Additional tuition will be charged if the audited course is taken on a part-time basis (part of a course load of fewer than 12 semester hours) or as an overload (part of a course load of more than 18 semester hours). Audit tuition is approximately 2/3 of the regular per-course tuition charge. There is no audit tuition reduction for a student who has enrolled under the PACE tuition plan, in a graduate program course, or under other special tuition rates. Internships, independent study, flight lessons, applied music lessons, and CPA/CMA courses are ineligible for an audit tuition reduction.