Course Guidelines/Policies (Undergraduate)

Course Numbering

Lower-Level Courses-100’s

These are courses with no prerequisites which are taken during the first 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 taken during the freshman or sophomore years and have no pre-requisites 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 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

An important aspect of academic life at Lakeland is the relationship between its students and their advisors.

While students are expected to be responsible for their own academic decisions and curricular requirements, they should know that, throughout their years at Lakeland, one sure source of friendly concern, supportive encouragement, and accurate academic advice is their advisor. The advising relationship can help students with the following:

• Mapping out the path to degree completion
• Selecting courses each semester
• Communicating with offices on the main campus

Class Attendance and Participating Online

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. As part of these policies, course instructors may request verification from students for a stated medical absence. A healthcare professional should provide a return-to-class document that excludes diagnostic details and health-related information. Course instructors typically will ask a student to verify medical absence when the student has missed multiple consecutive class sessions or a major exam or assignment. While absences for required short-term military service are excused, course instructors may request verification of these absences as well. For any approved absences, students should collaborate with their instructors to review options for submitting missed assignments and coursework. 

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. 

Student Religious Observances Policy

Lakeland University is committed to nondiscrimination, diversity, inclusiveness and support for its students, faculty, employees, and staff, regardless of religious affiliation or non-affiliation, in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations. Because of its connection to the United Church of Christ and its values and welcoming spirit, Lakeland University seeks to be a hospitable and supportive community for students from all spiritual and religious traditions. For this reason, the university has established a Religious Observance Policy to support students seeking accommodations for religious observances.

If a student requires an accommodation for a religious observance, the student must complete the following required steps:

• At least five business days prior to the requested accommodation, the student presents a written request (via email or hard copy) for an exemption due to Religious Observances. Requests submitted within less than five business days will be considered, but approval cannot be guaranteed due to the potential short notice given by the student. Retroactive accommodation will not be approved. Students are encouraged to communicate with their advisor about their needs and to get support through the process.
• The program director or instructor will evaluate the request to determine if it presents an undue hardship. If the program director or instructor has questions about the appropriateness of a request, they are encouraged to contact the University Chaplain. It is expected that the program director or instructor will respond to the request in a timely manner, normally within three (3) business days.
• If accommodation is granted for missed class time, makeup work should be commensurate with the class time the student has missed. If the instructor denies the request, a rationale must be provided in writing as to why the request presents an undue hardship.
• Absences due to an approved religious observance will not be considered an absence and will not result in a penalty.

In the case that a request for an accommodation is denied, the student may appeal the decision through the following process:

• Within three (3) business days of the notice of denied accommodations, the student should make an appointment with the instructor to discuss the grievance and to seek resolution. If the student does not make an appointment at this time, the appeals procedure ends.
• If still dissatisfied after the conversation with the instructor, the student may schedule an appointment with the dean of the instructor’s school to appeal the instructor’s decision and seek a resolution. If the appeal is denied, the dean’s decision is final. If the appeal is granted, the dean will work with the faculty members to determine a reasonable accommodation(s).

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.
  • Added courses are then approved by the advisor.
• 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 (12-week sessions in fall/spring/summer) or short-term courses (7-week sessions in fall/spring/summer) 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. 
  • Posting an introduction of yourself to the class does not qualify as commencing enrollment.
  • Student submits a first assignment or participates in a discussion board topic thread or completes the commence enrollment activity by the end of the add/drop period of the course 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, and Financial Aid.
  • 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. Students remain 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 students from the course who then no longer have 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 OR the University

• A student who wishes to withdraw from one, a few, but not all courses must do so in accordance with the withdrawal dates published for each term.
  • Withdrawal dates may differ depending on the length of course.
• Official withdrawal from course(s) requires the student secure approval by telephone or email from their Kellett School advisor and completion of the add/drop/withdrawal form.
• Add/drop/withdrawal form is available to download from my.lakeland.edu.
• International students or students receiving military benefits should check with these institution representatives to ensure they understand the impacts to their enrollment status if withdrawal is completed.
• A student receives a W grade for a withdrawn course. 

A student who withdraws from one or a few, but not all courses and adds an upcoming course to their schedule should note:

• Twelve (12-18) semester hours is a full-time load for undergraduate level students.
  • Withdrawn courses count toward this load.
• If a student wishes to add a new course after withdrawal and that total is above 18 semester hours, they need approval of the advisor/Registrar’s Office.
  • Additional tuition and fees apply to any added courses.
• Example: 15 semester hours still enrolled, 3 semester hours withdrawn, addition of a 7W2 course (3 semester hours), student petitions for an overload for the 7W2 additional semester hours.
  • Students are considered enrolled in a total of 21 semester hours (3 of which are withdrawn).

Definition of Falling out of Enrollment

Continuous enrollment is completion of a minimum of one three-semester-hour course each two-semester period. Students will be required to apply for readmission before registering for courses after a period of non-enrollment exceeding one semester. If degree requirements have changed since the time of one’s last admission to Lakeland, the reapplication process will revise one’s degree plan in accord with the new requirements.

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 OR 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 apply to the Vice President for Academic Affairs 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 the student’s 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 required 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 require 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 the 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 their 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-Kellett Undergraduate Program

Lakeland recognizes two types of circumstances in which a student may complete degree requirements outside of a typical course offering. 

1. Courses with low enrollment: On rare occasions, academic leadership adds a course for one to four (1-4) students in order to ensure they maintain appropriate degree progress. If an advisor identifies a course need the advisor should communicate course needs as part of the scheduling process. Kellett staff works with the dean of the school to make the course available for enrollment. Together, they review options and alternative course selections for the student. If the team determines a special offering of a course is necessary, the team will work to offer the course, making it available during the normal registration processes.
2. Courses designed for independent learning: Many of Lakeland’s academic 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:

• Cooperative Design
• Directed readings and research 
• Independent study courses
• Senior thesis 

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 center/program director, and Vice President for Academic Affairs), and
• Submit approved form to Registrar’s Office for enrollment processing.

If the course is an elective option for completion of a major, minor, certificate, or emphasis, students should consult with their academic advisor and the dean of the school before applying for enrollment in the course. If enrollment is a viable option for the student, the student completes 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. No credit is earned toward an academic degree for an audited course.
  • Note:  Life and Career Studies (LCS) students may apply approved audited courses to their program requirements.
• The instructor will identify the expectations and course requirements of an audited course by completing the Course Audit Agreement form with the student submitting it to the registrar and the program director.
  • The minimal requirement for an audit is regular class attendance.
• Grades assigned:
  • AU/SA = Successful completion of the work assigned by the instructor
  • UAU/UAL = Failure to complete work assigned by instructor
  • WAU/WAL = Withdrawal from the course
• A student may convert a course to audit status at any time on or before withdrawal deadline date on the academic calendar.
• A reduced tuition rate may be available to a student who completes an audited course.
  • Students should refer to the tuition and fee schedule or their individual bills for specific rate information.
  • There is no audit tuition or program fee reduction for a student who has enrolled in special registration programs, such as ECCP, PACE, LCS, internships, independent studies, or applied music lessons.