Student Classifications (Undergraduate)

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

Class Year Classification

All students 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 achieve full-time status if they enroll for at least twelve (12) undergraduate semester hours of coursework in a term. All students enrolled in fewer than twelve (12) undergraduate semester hours of coursework are part-time students.

International students must enroll in a minimum of twelve (12) semester hours of credit during the spring and fall terms.

Overload Policy

A full-time undergraduate is any student who enrolls in twelve or more (12+) semester hours. A student may enroll up to eighteen (18) semester hours during any one academic term. Any student who intends to enroll in more than eighteen (18) semester hours must receive special permission to do so from the Vice President for Academic Affairs or designee.

A student should consider their work schedule if enrolling in more than twelve (12) semester hours (full-time status). The academic record is also considered in these requests.

The following conditions apply to gain approval for an academic overload:

1. The student must have completed at least one prior semester at Lakeland University.
2. The student’s cumulative GPA must be above 3.0.

Consider the following recommendations regarding academic load:

1. Students employed full-time should consider a part-time academic load.
2. Students working part-time may navigate a full-time credit load (12-15 semester hours) but should consider the workload associated with this amount of semester hours.
3. Students should consider no employment if enrolling in 16-18 semester hours or more (if approved for an overload).
4. Tuition rates for Kellett School students are calculated on a course-by-course credit basis.

Special Kellett School Registration Classifications

There are four other categories of enrolling students at Lakeland guided by unique registration policies and different tuition costs. For specific details regarding tuition costs, contact a Kellett School advisor.

Early College Credit Program (ECCL):

• High school students may attend courses at Lakeland University with written recommendation of a high school principal, guidance counselor, or teacher.
• Staff from Lakeland’s registrar’s office seek approval to enroll the student from the Lakeland instructor presenting the course.
• All early college courses are eligible for the semester hours published for the course and apply toward a Lakeland degree.
• Interested students may contact the Office of the Registrar for details and deadlines.

Program for Alumni Career Enhancement (PACE):

• The Program for Alumni Career Enhancement (PACE) offers Lakeland University bachelor’s degree graduates the opportunity to return to the undergraduate classroom to meet their evolving career goals.
• A Lakeland graduate can enroll in additional undergraduate courses to:
  • Complete additional courses related to a previously earned major or minor
  • Complete a new major or minor
  • Complete courses in a new area of interest
  • Complete professional certification requirements
• This program offers traditional undergraduate program courses to alumni at a reduced cost. There are no discounts for undergraduate courses taken through the Kellett School.
• A student seeking to add a major or minor through the PACE opportunity must complete an application for admission and the additional coursework at Lakeland.
• If required coursework is no longer offered, the university may consider granting enrollment in two (2) new transfer courses to the major or minor requirements applicable within the university’s standard transfer policy.
• A PACE program student does not receive a second degree and will not receive another diploma if the degree designation of the majors is the same.
  • A new major and/or minor will appear on the student’s transcript on the date the additional credential is complete. 

Life and Career Studies (LCS):

• Life and Career Studies is a full-time residential program for students with intellectual disabilities. Students must meet the program’s admission requirements and be accepted into the program to enroll.
• Students accepted into the Life and Career Studies program elect university coursework on an audit basis in consultation with the program director, who serves as the student’s advisor. They have the same access to coursework including class selections and enrollment priority as degree-seeking students and are subject to the same coursework pre-requisites. LCS students may elect a course for credit based on policies established for other non-degree students.
• Students in the Life and Career Studies program are required to maintain full-time enrollment status as defined by the program’s policy. As full-time residential students, they pay the LCS program fee for instruction. Additionally, they pay for housing and meal fees, course fees, and other standard university fees.
• Life and Career Studies students earn a diploma certificate by completing the defined 96 credit-equivalent program as well as institutionally endorsed certificates in a subject area and cooperative education, but not an academic degree.
• Students are subject to the Life and Career studies Satisfactory Academic Progress policy, which governs continued enrollment as well as eligibility for financial aid, if applicable. Once the program’s 96 semester hour curriculum has been completed, students must reapply to the university for admission if they wish to continue coursework.

Special Student Registration:

• A special student applicant who enrolls in courses or special programs offered by Lakeland University is a non-degree-seeking student who is not pursuing completion of a degree, major or minor.
• Students in this category may enroll under one of the plans identified above.
• For more information about these special enrollment programs, please contact the Office of the Registrar.

Students in CAPP, ECCP, PACE, and senior citizen special student registration categories are subject to the following unique policies. (These policies do not apply to LCS students):

• Enrollment in courses is on a space available or standby basis.
  • Degree-seeking students paying full tuition and fees receive priority enrollment in all courses.
• Cooperative education experiences, CPA/CMA, field experiences, independent study, internships, and practicum courses are not available in these registration categories.

Changing My Major (Traditional On-Campus/Kellett School) Location

• Students who have not reached senior standing may change their major program location using the Change of Program Request Form, available in the Office of the Registrar.
  • Students at senior standing (90+ semester hours) must complete the requirements of their current program location.
• Graduation requirements may be adjusted in accord with the student’s new program.
• Students may enroll in courses offered at any Lakeland University location, if able to participate in course modality and/or meeting type.
  • 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, must apply for readmission to the Main campus or Kellett School.
  • Such students will be subject to the requirements of the academic catalog (Traditional or Kellett) under which they are readmitted to the University.
• Tuition charges are assessed according to student status, 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 (M.A.) 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 (M.B.A.) degree, the semester hours required for a Master of Science (M.S.) in Leadership and Organizational Development degree, or the semester hours required for a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Counseling degree. Students must complete an undergraduate degree prior to enrolling in coursework in the Master of Education (M.Ed.) program.

Kellett School Undergraduate Students Enrolling in Traditional Courses

Kellett School students are eligible to enroll in traditional undergraduate courses. Students must participate in a course in the format in which it is offered and follow all course policies. In some cases, students may need to travel to the Main campus to attend a course.