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.

Enrollment in other Course Modalities

• All students are eligible to enroll in any Lakeland University course offerings formats of face-to-face, online, hybrid or BlendEd®.
• Students should note they must participate in the course in the format in which it is offered, at the location offered (if in person) and follow all course policies.

Class Year Definition

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

Other categories:

Full-Time and Part-Time Definition:

• Undergraduate Students: are full-time at twelve (12+) undergraduate semester hours of enrollment. Part-time status if enrollment is eleven (11) semester hours or less.  
• Graduate Students: are full-time at nine (9+) graduate semester hours of enrollment. Part-time status if enrollment is eight (8) semester hours or less. 
  • Students participating in intercollegiate athletics must achieve full-time status at the appropriate degree level in the university and be classified as traditional on-campus or commuter undergraduate program student to maintain their eligibility to participate.
  • See the Athletic Eligibility section of this catalog for more details regarding undergraduate and graduate requirements and students within their last semester prior to graduation information.
• International students must enroll at a full-time status at either level (graduate or undergraduate) to remain eligible for F-1 Visa eligibility.

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.
• 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.

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.