Academic Regulations and Policies

Academic Records and Registration

The Registrar’s Office maintains for each enrolled student an academic record and a degree audit. All official academic transactions are recorded. Any student may obtain copies of a transcript by filing an official transcript request along with the per copy fee. No transcripts will be issued unless at least one graded Park University course appears on the transcript. No outstanding balance may show on the student’s account. Students may obtain an unofficial copy of their transcript through the MyPark portal.

 Degree Audit

Following admission, official transcripts from other institutions are evaluated and a degree audit prepared that itemizes degree requirements and indicates progress to degree. The initial audit serves as a record for purposes of financial aid and Veterans Administration eligibility. Students may access their degree audit at any time via the student tab in MyPark. Most degree programs require some “electives” to complete the degree. The actual number of credits required to graduate may differ depending on the number of electives or transfer credit. The degree audit is an advising tool and does not constitute an agreement or a contract but will be corrected if an error is discovered. A final review is made prior to graduation to ensure completion of all degree requirements.

 Records Retention

Park University’s Records Retention Policies are designed to protect and maintain necessary records. The University permanently maintains grade, degree, and transcript records for all students. Additionally, the University permanently maintains records of legal name changes. Other demographic information, including address records, are maintained for a minimum of ten years after last term of attendance/graduation. Other academic records, such as degree program offerings and degree requirements, are maintained in accordance with the University’s Document Retention policy.

FERPA Notification

Park University informs students of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). This act, with which the institution intends to fully comply, was designed to protect the privacy of educational records, to establish the rights of students to inspect and review their educational records, and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal and formal hearings. 
Students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Park University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. Students may contact:

      Student Privacy Policy Office
      U.S. Department of Education
      400 Maryland Avenue, SW
      Washington, DC 20202

1. Policy Intent
   • The Park University student record policy is intended to conform with all state and federal statutes dealing with access to information held by an educational institution on present and former students.
   • The Park University student record policy is formulated to protect the privacy of the student information that is maintained and yet provide access to student records for those having a legitimate purpose to view such records. Regulations and procedures to ensure adequate protection of the student are provided in this policy.
   • “Records” refers to those files and their contents that are maintained by official units of the University. Generally, students have the right to review any official record that the University maintains on them. Access to records by others, without student permission, is limited to purposes of an educational nature. When access is permitted, documents will be examined only under conditions that will prevent unauthorized removal, alteration, or mutilation. Information to which the student does not have access is limited to the following:
     • Confidential letters of recommendation placed in the student’s files before January 1, 1975, and those letters for which students have signed a waiver of his/her right of access. Unless authorized by a University Administrator, access to student records, including access to all course materials, by faculty members is limited only to the faculty member actually teaching that course. Faculty members may not access course materials or other student records for courses they are not currently teaching without express authorization from a University administrator. Any unauthorized access to student records, including course materials, is a violation of this policy.
     • Parent’s confidential financial statements.
     • Personal files and records of members of faculty or administrative personnel, “which are in sole possession of the maker thereof and which are not accessible or revealed to any person except a substitute”.
     • Records of the Office of Admissions concerning students admitted but not yet enrolled at the University. Medical/psychological records used in connection with treatment of the student. Such records are, however, reviewable by a physician or psychologist of the student’s choice.
   • Only the following offices are authorized to release non-directory information: Registrar, Career Services, Counseling Services, Financial Aid, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of Students, Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services, Provost, and President.
2. Access to Student Records by the Student
   • Students have the right to inspect their records and are entitled to an explanation of any information therein.
   • Documents submitted to the University by or for the student will not be returned to the student. Academic records received from other institutions will not be sent to third parties external to the University. Records should be requested by the student from the originating institution.
   • Official records and transcripts of the University (signature and/or seal affixed) are mailed directly to other institutions or agencies the student requests. When circumstances warrant, official records may be given directly to the student at the discretion of the proper University official. In such cases, the record will be clearly marked to indicate issuance to the student.
   • Should a student believe his/her record is incorrect, a written request should be submitted to the appropriate University official indicating the correct information that should be entered. The official will respond within a reasonable period concerning his/her action. Should the student not be satisfied, a hearing may be requested by the Registrar.
3. Access to Student Records by Others
   • Disclosure of general directory information: Certain information may be released by the University without prior consent of the student if considered appropriate by designated officials. Such information is limited to the following:
     • Student’s name, address, email address, telephone number (permanent and local)
     • Date and place of birth
     • Dates of attendance at the University, major fields of study, current classification, degrees, honors, and awards
     • Heights and weights of members of athletic teams
     • Participation in officially recognized activities
     • Full or part-time status
     • Photograph
   • Directory information will not be released for commercial purposes by administrative offices of the University under any circumstances. Students may request that directory information not be released by written request to the Office of the Registrar. All other student information will be released only upon written request of the student, excepting those instances cited below.
   • Disclosure to members of the University community:
     • Access to student records for administrative reasons for faculty, administrative staff, and other pertinent employees is permissible provided that such persons are properly identified and can demonstrate a legitimate interest in the materials.
     • Access for the purpose of research by faculty and administrative staff is permissible when authorized by the department chair, Associate Dean, Associate Vice President Student Affairs, Provost, or President.
     • Information requested by student organizations of any kind will be provided only when authorized by the Dean of Students, Provost, or President.
   • Disclosure to organizations providing financial support to a student: it is the University’s policy to release the academic transcript to such organizations only upon the student’s written request or authorization. Otherwise, the academic transcript will be sent only to the student, a policy consistent with the University’s interpretation of FERPA, popularly known as the “Buckley Amendment.”
   • Disclosure to other educational agencies and organizations: information may be released to another institution of learning, research organization, or accrediting body for legitimate educational reasons provided that any data shall be protected in a manner that will not permit the personal identification of the student by a third party.
   • Local, state, and federal government agencies: government agencies are permitted access to student records only when auditing, enforcing, and/or evaluating sponsored programs. In such instances, such data may not be given to a third party and will be destroyed when no longer needed for audit, enforcement, and/or evaluative purposes.

Questions concerning the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act may be referred to the Office of the Registrar at registrar@park.edu.

Attendance/Participation

Students are expected to attend and participate in all classes, laboratories, and field work for which they are enrolled, and complete all work assigned by the instructor. Refer to the Tuition and Fees  section of the catalog for the Student Attendance/Participation Policy for Financial Aid.

 Athletic Participation Policy

Athletic participation is an important component of student life. Athletes are required to abide by all NAIA and Park University rules and regulations in order to participate in athletics. Athletes are expected to attend class sessions and are only permitted to miss class for athletic purposes when University-sanctioned competitions (including travel to or from the destination) conflict with classes. (It is not permissible for student-athletes to miss class for on campus practices, weight training, or related activities.)

The student-athlete is responsible to notify his/her instructor at least one week prior to the missed class period(s) (excluding clinical and fieldwork experiences that have different requirements) and to make arrangements for missed coursework. Providing the faculty member has been notified by the student-athlete, the faculty member will make arrangements for class assignments, quizzes, exams, or other assignments that conflict with contest or related travel dates. Faculty are encouraged to allow the student to make up missed exams and/or assignments upon the student’s return or, in some cases, may require that the work be submitted by the established deadline. All make up work and exams must be submitted by the last day of the session.

Students in accredited programs with required clinical or fieldwork experience must abide by the policies contained within the student handbooks of their programs. Program handbooks define the maximum number of clinical and or fieldwork experiences that can be missed. Because the University cannot always guarantee the availability of a make-up hours with its clinical and fieldwork partners and some clinical learning outcomes cannot be met effectively through alternative means, students are not guaranteed excused absences for missing these experiences for travel and games.

Students are responsible for submitting a Request for Alternative Clinical or Fieldwork Assignment form to the Chair of the program at least three weeks in advance of scheduled travel/games*. The Chair will communicate with the student and Athletic Director no later than one week in advance whether the clinical or fieldwork can be made up without penalty to the student.

If student-athletes have difficulty making arrangements to complete course requirements resulting from University-sanctioned competitions, students should contact the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students, Dr. Jayme Uden (jayme.uden@park.edu).

Continuous Enrollment

Students must complete the degree requirements in effect at the time of admission. These requirements remain in effect even if the University updates degree requirements in subsequent years, as long as the student maintains continuous enrollment in the program. Under the following conditions, students will be updated to the current catalog and degree requirements:

• The student defers entry for one year or longer after being admitted
• The student discontinues classes for a period of two or more years (at least one course must be completed within two years, excluding withdrawn courses)
• The student changes majors
• Master’s degrees must be completed within seven years of admissions
• The program is eliminated and the teach out period has expired*

*Teach Out: When programs are suspended or eliminated by the University (and thus new student admissions are closed), the programs are phased out over a period of time to allow current students an opportunity to complete the program. Once the teach out period has expired, any student remaining in that program is expected to select a new major. The teach out length is determined by degree type:

In most Park University graduate programs, continuous enrollment is expected. Continuous enrollment requires enrollment in at least one course. If the student discontinues enrollment for two calendar years or more, readmission is required. Should readmission be granted, it will be based upon the requirements and regulations effective at the time of the readmission. All requirements for a master’s degree must be completed within seven years.

International nonimmigrant students on F-1 visas must enroll full-time in each fall and spring semester. Readmission for international students is required after one year.

Academic Advising

Academic advising is an integral part of the academic program of Park University. Advisors are full-time faculty or staff. The advisors serve as a central academic resource and mentor of Park University students. Each student has an advisor who provides guidance in academic planning and who is available for counseling on academic and related issues and concerns. Each student is expected to work closely with his/her advisor in the design and pursuit of a coherent course of study shaped by his/her goals and interests and by University and departmental requirements.

Academic advising at Park University is viewed as a cooperative educational partnership between advisor and advisee, grounded in mutual respect and a common commitment to student growth and success. The advisor/advisee relationship respects the autonomy and intellect of each student and acknowledges the broader developmental and educational contexts within which academic advising occur.

Although advisors and advisees work together in all areas related to academic planning, academic decision-making responsibilities, including the responsibility for meeting each of the graduation requirements of the University, rest ultimately with the student. Primary responsibility for timely, effective use of the academic advising system also remains with the student.

Academic advisors are responsible for providing their advisees with appropriate, accurate information concerning the academic policies, programs, procedures, and resources of the University. Advisors also assist advisees in defining, developing, and pursuing an educational plan consistent with their academic, career, and life goals, including the selection of an academic major consistent with their interests and abilities within the broader liberal educational curriculum. Advisees are encouraged to meet regularly with their advisors in order to realize the full educational potential of the advising program. More specifically, each student shall work carefully with his/her advisor to structure an appropriate course schedule, based on the student’s short and long-term academic objectives as well as his/her career interests and goals. (Advisees will receive a response from their Advisors in a reasonable time.*)

In addition to ongoing general discussions concerning academic planning and scheduling, career goals, and academic progress, students and advisors will want to discuss at least the following:

• Taking less or more than a standard load
  • International nonimmigrant students should be aware that they are required by federal law to enroll in and complete a full course load each semester; failure to do so may result in the loss of their lawful non-immigrant status. The International Student Services should always be consulted prior to any schedule adjustments that would result in registration in less than a full course load.
• Dropping a course in progress
• Changing the schedule in any way
• Selecting and declaring a major or minor
• Changing a major or minor
• Study abroad opportunities
• Internship possibilities
• Going on leave or withdrawing from the University

Priority Enrollment

Student enrollments in Air Force on-base education services sponsored programs will be given the following priority: (1) active duty military personnel, (2) civilian employees of Department of Defense agencies, and (3) family members of active duty military, military reserve and guard members, retired military personnel. Community civilians may be admitted on a space available basis and to the extent of compatibility with local base security and essential mission commitments.

Student enrollments in Army on-post education services sponsored programs will be given the following priority: (1) active duty military, (2) family members of active duty military personnel, (3) Department of Defense civilians employed on post, (4) retired military personnel, (5) family members of retired military personnel, and (6) civilians.

Student enrollment in Marine Corps on-base education services sponsored programs will be given priority as follows: (1) active duty Marines, (2) reserve components, (3) family members of active duty personnel, (4) DOD employees and their family members, and (5) civilians on a space available basis when programs are not otherwise conveniently available.

Student enrollment in Navy on-base education services sponsored programs will be given priority as follows: (1) active duty military personnel, (2) family members of active duty military personnel, (3) Department of Defense civilians employed on post, (4) military reserve and guard members, (5) retired military personnel, (6) family members of retired military personnel, and (7) civilians.

Park University awards four semester hours of lower level electives for completion of Basic Military Science and six semester hours of upper level electives for completion of Advanced Military Science. Textbooks and uniforms are furnished by the government.

Academic Grievances and Grade Appeals

A student who believes that he/she has an academic grievance must first discuss the concern with the faculty member in charge of the course in which the concern has arisen. If a mutually satisfactory resolution is not reached, the student must then submit a Concern Report to the appropriate Department Chair or Campus Center Academic Director. If no resolution is reached at that level, or if the Department Chair or Campus Center Academic Director is the faculty member named in the first instance, the concern should be taken to the appropriate academic Associate Dean/Dean. The decision of the Associate Dean/Dean will be considered final. Students may petition the Vice President for Academic Affairs only in instances where he/she feels due process or University policy was not followed.

Park University has developed the following procedures for assuring students have the opportunity to have academic issues reviewed.

To best serve our students, we have contacts that may be able to facilitate resolutions to issues:

• For Online Student issues, please email onlinestudents@park.edu
• For Canvas issues, please contact the Canvas 24/7 help number (844) 470-5727
• See Student Success Center for details on procedures for many topics (e.g., traffic appeal, financial aid appeal)

 Academic Complaint

An academic complaint is an informal, unofficial claim regarding how an Instructor has issued a grade. No written report(s) on the incident or the outcome of the investigation is required.

These are typically represented by informal verbal communications or emails to the Instructor or their academic supervisor. If a mutually satisfactory resolution is not reached, the student may file an Academic Grievance. This is typically done with the appropriate Department Chair or Campus Center Academic Director.

 Academic Grievance

An academic grievance is a formal, written allegation of any form of discrimination that impacts:

• Any graded assignment(s) and/or a course grade.
• Academic grievance procedures apply only in cases involving a perceived academic impropriety arising from a decision taken by:
  • an individual instructor or researcher;
  • a college, school, department, or program;
  • a unit charged to administer academic policies (e.g., Registrar)
• They do not pertain to expressing dissatisfaction with a University policy on the basis that a policy is unfair. They do not pertain to individual college, school, department, or program academic policies, as long as those policies are consistent with general University policy.

An academic grievance is typically submitted to the immediate academic supervisor of the individual(s) named in the grievance (e.g., Department Chair or Campus Center Director). If no resolution is reached at that level, the concern should be taken to the appropriate Dean’s Office. The decision of the Dean’s Office will be considered final.

*Students may petition the Vice President for Academic Affairs only in instances where he/she feels due process or University policy was not followed.

 Undergraduate Academic Grade Appeal Procedures

• The grade appeal form process must be initiated with the Instructor within 30 calendar days of the date the final grade to be challenged was recorded by the University. The grade appeal form cannot be filed until the following has occurred:
  • The course grade has been officially posted to your degree audit, this includes an “I” (Incomplete) being finalized into a letter grade.
  • You have contacted the Instructor regarding the posted grade to confirm there is NOT a mutually, satisfactory resolution.
  • After communications with the Instructor, you have contacted the Department Chair or Campus Center Academic Director and attempted to resolve the dispute over the grade.
• If, after discussions with the faculty member and the Department Chair or Campus Center Academic Director, a resolution has not been reached, the student may file a grade appeal (see form and electronic submission; it will state at the URL when you are in MyPark: https://my.park.edu/ICS/Student/Grades/Grade_Appeal.jnz) with all documentation to support your case. The form and documentation will be forwarded to the appropriate Dean’s Office.
• All students intending to file a formal grade appeal must:
  • Do so within 60 calendar days of the end of the term in which the grade to be challenged was recorded.
  • Use the grade appeal form with electronic submission in MyPark under Student Tab, MyPark: https://my.park.edu/ICS/Student/Grades/Grade_Appeal.jnz.
• Once the Grade Appeal is received by the Dean’s Office, the student will be notified that the grade appeal has officially started.
• Once submitted all communications regarding grade appeal should be done electronically with the Dean’s Office in an effort to further document the case. Someone from the Dean’s Office may request additional information from the student, instructor or any people or units that could aid in ascertaining specific details in the investigation.
• Within 7 calendar days of the receipt of the completed grade appeal, the faculty member named in the appeal will be informed via email by the Dean’s Office that the student has formally advanced the complaint/grievance to a formal grade appeal and all the documents the student has submitted.
• The Instructor has 14 calendar days to submit a response via email and their own documentation to the Dean’s Office. It is not required for the Instructor to respond but the Dean’s Office cannot advance the investigation until the 14 calendar days has passed. The deadline can be extended in rare instances due to Instructors having extenuating circumstances, such as Instructors being ill or on vacation. In the event of an extension, the Dean’s Office will notify the student of the new time line and the reasons for the change.
• The grade appeal form, the documentation provided by the student, the rebuttal/documentation provided by the Instructor will together form the Grade Appeal Dossier.
• The Dean’s Office will review the case and render a decision. In rare instances, the Dean’s Office may also convene the assistance of an Appeals Board, typically 3 full-time faculty members. In cases where such an Appeals Board is assembled to hear a case involving a student from a Campus Center, the Dean’s Office will ensure that the appropriate Campus Center Academic Director is formally involved in the process. The decision of the Dean’s Office will be rendered within 14 calendar days of the completion of the Grade Appeal Dossier. However, this date may be pushed back if an Appeals Board is convened or the investigation produces issues that can take time to retrieve, such as assistance from Information Technology Services or the Learning Management System Company. In the event of an extension, the Dean’s Office will notify the student of the new time line and the reasons for the change.
• The Dean’s Office will notify the student of the decision via email. The decision and a summary of the findings will be provided to the student. The documents detailing the entire investigation will be housed with the Dean’s Office.
• If a change of grade is required the Change of Grade Form will be filed by the Dean’s Office and submitted to the Registrar on behalf of the Instructor that issued the original grade.
• The decision of the Dean’s Office will be considered final. Appeals to the Provost or designee can be made only on the basis that the established policy outlined here was not followed. Simply disagreeing with the decision is not grounds for further appeal.

Students may contact the Student Success Center for assistance with these guidelines and procedures.

 Graduate Academic Grade Appeal Procedures

It is the responsibility of the student to work to resolve the matter with their instructor informally within 30 calendar days subsequent to posting of grades. The instructor should correct the grade if an error was made or communicate with the student and explain the rationale for the grade. If the problem is not resolved informally in discussion with the instructor, the student may file an appeal by submitting, in writing and using the Grade Appeal Form, to the appropriate graduate program director, within 45 calendar days subsequent to the posting of the grade. Except in extraordinary circumstances that include medical emergency and military service, failure to appeal the grade within the time limit constitutes waiver of the right to appeal.

Exception: If the instructor is unavailable because of death, prolonged illness or absence, or is no longer employed with the University, the program director or designee shall handle the situation in place of the faculty. In such a situation, the program director or designee may correct an obvious error, or in consultation with a colleague who is knowledgeable in the discipline, make a grade adjustment if it is warranted.

Formal Grade Appeal

• Step 1: If the problem is not resolved informally with the instructor, the student may appeal the grade formally to the appropriate graduate program director. The formal grade appeal request must be made in writing, using the Grade Appeal Form and submitted within 45 calendar days subsequent to the posting of grades in an attempt to resolve the matter. Except in extraordinary circumstances that include medical emergency and military service, failure to appeal the grade within the deadline constitutes waiver of the right to appeal. The appeal should clearly state and document the informal effort made to resolve the problem, reasons for the appeal and relevant documents such as a copy of the course syllabus, copies of exams, quizzes, assignments, etc., which the student believes are necessary to support the appeal. The appeal may also include a statement as to what the student feels should be the appropriate grade. The appropriate program director will promptly notify, in writing, the faculty member of the appeal, requesting a written response, with all supporting documentation. The response and documentation should be received from the faculty member by the program director within five business days of receiving the notice. If the program director was the instructor of the course, the student files the appeal with the dean of the College in which the graduate program resides.
• Step 2: Within 10 business days of receipt of the appeal, the program director or designee shall make a recommendation for or against the grade change, with justification in writing, and send the recommendation to the dean of the College in which the student is enrolled.
• Step 3: Within 10 business days of receiving the recommendation, the dean of the College shall inform the student of the final decision. The dean reserves the right to appoint a grade appeal committee to assist in the decision-making process. If such a committee is appointed, a recommendation must be forwarded in writing to the dean of the College within five business days of completing the review. The dean resolves the case either by affirming the committee’s recommendation or by modifying it if necessary. The dean will inform the student in writing of the final decision within five business days of receiving the committee’s recommendation or after the dean has determined the outcome. The dean’s decision on the appeal is final with no other appeal process available for either the student or faculty member.

Academic Honesty

Academic integrity is the foundation of the academic community. Because each student has the primary responsibility for being academically honest, students are advised to read and understand all sections of this policy relating to standards of conduct and academic life. Park University students and faculty members are encouraged to take advantage of the University resources available for learning about academic honesty at www.park.edu/current-students.

 Definitions

Academic dishonesty includes committing or attempting to commit cheating, plagiarism, falsifying academic records, unauthorized possession or distribution of academic materials, and other acts intentionally designed to provide unfair advantage to the student.

• Cheating includes, but is not limited to, intentionally giving or receiving unauthorized aid or notes on examinations, papers, laboratory reports, exercises, projects, or class assignments which are intended to be individually completed. Cheating also includes the unauthorized copying of tests or any other deceit or fraud related to the student’s academic conduct.
• Plagiarism involves the use of quotations without quotation marks, the use of quotations without indication of the source, the use of another’s idea without acknowledging the source, the submission of a paper, laboratory report, project, or class assignment (any portion of such) prepared by another person, or paraphrasing another’s work without acknowledging and documenting the source.
• Falsifying academic records includes, but is not limited to, altering grades or other academic records. Unauthorized possession or distribution of academic materials may include the unauthorized selling or purchasing of examinations, term papers, or other academic work; stealing another student’s work; using information from or possessing exams that a faculty member did not authorize for release to students.
• Unauthorized distribution of academic materials also includes preparing, offering to prepare, selling, or distributing material with the knowledge, or under circumstances in which s/he should reasonably have known, that such material is to be submitted by another person for academic credit at any college, university, or education institution.
• Other academically dishonest acts include, but are not limited to: stealing, manipulating, or interfering with an academic work of another student or faculty member; receiving or giving assistance on a task that was expected to be performed individually; lying to or deceiving faculty.

 Procedures

The primary responsibility for the initial handling of Academic Dishonesty rests with the instructor. As a first step, the instructor will notify the student in writing that evidence of academic dishonesty has been detected. The instructor will make an effort to schedule a personal meeting or telephone conference with the student to discuss the allegation. Whether or not the student admits to academic dishonesty, if the instructor remains convinced that the alleged violation occurred, either based on evidence or personal observations, the instructor may assign a penalty, such as a verbal reprimand or lowered grade. Possible sanctions are listed in a following section titled Penalties in the Event of Academic Dishonesty. The instructor bringing the charge will document the observation of academic dishonesty and report any penalty imposed on an Academic Dishonesty Incident Report. The report form will be sent to the appropriate Department Chair.

A student who wishes to report an alleged incident of academic dishonesty may do so by reporting the incident on the Academic Dishonesty Incident Report. The report form will be sent to the appropriate instructor. Upon receiving the report, the instructor will make an effort to schedule a personal meeting or telephone conference with the student to discuss the allegation. Whether or not the student admits to academic dishonesty, if the instructor remains convinced that the alleged violation occurred, either based on evidence, the instructor may assign a penalty, such as a verbal reprimand or lowered grade. Possible sanctions are listed in a following section titled Penalties in the Event of Academic Dishonesty. The instructor bringing the charge will report any penalty imposed to the Department Chair on the Academic Dishonesty Incident Report.

If the student does not dispute the charge, the faculty member may then assign a penalty, such as a verbal reprimand or lowered grade. Possible sanctions are listed in a following section titled Penalties in the Event of Academic Dishonesty. Any penalty imposed will be recorded by the faculty member on the incident form and filed (with any supporting documentation) with the appropriate Department Chair, Campus Center Academic Director, or academic Dean.

If the student disputes the allegation of academic dishonesty, he/she may request a review of the issue by the appropriate Department Chair within 10 business days following the initial meeting with the faculty member. The Department Chair may informally resolve the matter in discussion with the student and the instructor.

If the student is unsatisfied with the resolution offered by the Department Chair, the student may request a formal hearing from the appropriate Academic Dean within 15 business days of the Department Chair’s response. The Dean, or the Dean’s designee, will review the case and render a decision. That individual may also employ the assistance of a college/school appeal board.

The decision of the Dean will be considered final. Appeals to the Provost or designee can be made only on the basis that the established policy outlined here was not followed. Simply disagreeing with the decision is not grounds for further appeal. Grades and/ or degree(s) may be withheld pending the outcome of the appeal process.

 Penalties in the Event of Academic Dishonesty

In the event of academic dishonesty, the following courses of action are available to Park University, based upon the severity of the violation:

The Course Instructor may:

• Issue a verbal and/or written reprimand.
• Assign a lower grade on the test/paper/project in question, with an explanation from the faculty member.
• Assign a grade of “F” in the course.
• Refer to the Student Code of Conduct Administrator for possible University-wide sanctions when there is a repeat offense or the single violation is especially egregious.

The Office of Academic Affairs may:

• Issue a written reprimand.
• Refer to the Student Code of Conduct Administrator for possible University-wide sanctions when there is a repeat offense or the single violation is especially egregious. The full Student Conduct Code and associated sanctions are available on the Park website at: www.park.edu/student-life.

Undergraduate Placement Policy 

Some entering, degree-seeking students will be required to take placement tests in English and math, so that they can be placed in the appropriate level of coursework to support their success.  Students may be exempted from taking the assessments in English, math, or both, if they provide one of the following:

For English

• Official transcript(s) from an acceptable accredited  post-secondary institution(s) from which the student has earned credit for an articulated English course that satisfies the Park University general education requirement
• College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exam score which qualifies as review for credit
• DANTES or DSST exam on which the score qualifies as review for credit
• Advanced Placement (AP) coursework and exam score which qualifies as review for credit
• GED certificate with an English score report of 165 or higher
• HiSET certificate report with a English subtest score of 15 or higher and minimum essay score of 4
• ACT English sub score of 21 or higher
• SAT Evidence-based and Writing score of 310 or higher

Students who do not provide one of the alternatives listed above will be provided with a log-in that enables them to take the placement test(s) online. The results of the test will indicate if students should enroll in a companion developmental English course with EN105 . Entering students should monitor their Park University email for information about the placement test, or they can contact their admissions advisor or success coach about the process.

For Math

• Official transcript(s) from an acceptable accredited  post-secondary institution(s) from which the student has earned credit for an articulated math course that satisfies the Park University general education requirement
• ACT or SAT Math sub scores meeting the minimum pre-requisite requirements to enroll in Park’s required math courses

Students who do not provide one of the alternatives listed above will be provided with a log-in that enables them to take the placement test(s) online. The results of the test will determine the highest-level math class they are qualified to enroll in and if a developmental course is indicated. Entering students should monitor their Park University email for information about the placement test, or contact their admissions advisor or success coach about the process.

Students who seek additional preparation for the math placement test may enroll in a non-credit bearing, tuition-free, self-paced online preparatory course. Access to the course can be granted by a student’s Success Coach. Successful completion of the self-paced online course prepares students to complete the placement test. The results of the test will indicate if students should enroll in MA102 , MA125 , MA135 , MA120 , or MA171 .

For Modern Language

The modern language requirement pertains to BA degrees only. However, students seeking BS degrees can take modern language courses for elective credit. Students who are interested in taking a modern language course must contact the Academic Success Center or the Department of English and Modern Languages for instructions on how to take the Modern Languages Assessment at no cost to the student. The assessment will then be used to determine the student’s first Park University modern language course.

Basic Skills

These courses are designed for those students who need to review the fundamentals of reading, writing and mathematics and are considered developmental courses. In addition, courses to develop skills for college success and career development are offered. Credit for those courses do not count toward the total semester hours needed to graduate, nor does it count towards the Dean’s List. The grade, however, does count in the cumulative grade point average. These courses are not intended for transfer but are available to enhance the student’s success in his/her pursuit of a university degree.

Dean’s List and Presidential Scholar’s List

 Dean’s List

A student’s name is placed on the Dean’s List when the following conditions are met:

• Twelve or more graded undergraduate hours at Park University are completed in any combination of fall terms for the fall Dean’s List and any combination of spring terms for the spring Dean’s List. (Basic Skills courses are excluded from the calculation.)
• Must be a certificate or degree seeking student at Park University.
• Must have earned a grade point average of 3.600 or better in any combination of fall terms for the fall Dean’s List and any combination of spring terms for the spring Dean’s List.
• Must have received no Incomplete grades in any combination of all terms for the fall Dean’s List and any combination of spring terms for the spring Dean’s List.

A student’s name may be removed from the Dean’s List for violations of the Student Conduct Code. Dean’s List is not retroactive for those students receiving changes of grades or changes of Incompletes.

 Presidential Scholars

A student’s name is placed on the Presidential Scholar’s List when the following conditions are met:

• Student is enrolled at the Parkville Daytime Campus Center.
• Student has earned 30 or more graded hours at Park University.
• Student was enrolled for 12 or more hours for the semester.
• Student must be degree seeking at Park University.
• Student has a cumulative grade point average of 3.9 or better.
• Student has received no Incomplete grades for the semester.

 Academic Standing

 Undergraduate Procedures

A student is considered in good standing as long as the student’s cumulative GPA stands at 2.00 or better, and the student continues to achieve a Park University GPA of 2.00 or better at end of Fall and Spring semesters. No fixed incremental rate of progress toward a degree is required. Park University assesses students’ academic standing at the end of each semester. Individual programs may set program-specific requirements for staying in good standing.

1. Academic Warning
   If a student’s GPA falls below a 2.0 during any academic semester/term, the student will receive a warning letter from the Office of Academic Affairs after the fall/spring semester. A copy of the letter will be placed in the student’s academic file.
2. Academic Probation
   A student who fails to achieve a 2.00 cumulative Park University GPA will be placed on academic probation until his/her cumulative Park University GPA increases to 2.00 or greater and until he/she meets any specific conditions stated in the probation letter. A letter will be sent to the student by the Office of Academic Affairs after the fall/spring semester. A copy of the letter will be retained in the student’s academic file. Failing to make academic progress may affect a student’s ability to obtain and remain eligible for veteran benefits. The length of the probationary period is dependent on the student’s academic performance and is lifted once students (a) meet the GPA requirement and (b) fulfill any other conditions as set forth by the program/university to maintain good academic standing. 
   Recipients of VA educational benefits who are placed on academic probation are reported to the VA. VA beneficiaries who fail to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements by the end of the evaluation period are suspended from the program and will be reported to the VA. Benefit certifications for the program may be terminated and the VA beneficiary may be in debt to the VA. The VA has final and sole determination on how beneficiaries are affected by students’ academic performance.
3. Academic Suspension
   In cases where a first-time Park University undergraduate student (in his/her first term or semester at Park University) meets the criteria for academic suspension, he/she will be placed on academic probation rather than on academic suspension. This provision applies to all first-time Park University undergraduate students, including students who enter Park University with transfer credits.
   VA beneficiaries who fail to meet Park University’s requirements of making meaningful progress toward a degree by the end of the evaluation period described above are suspended from the program and will be reported to the VA.
   
   A student seeking a bachelor’s degree will be placed on suspension according to the following:
   0 - 27 Total Earned Hours*
   Below a 1.00 Cum Park University GPA
   28 - 57 Total Earned Hours*
   Below a 1.50 Cum Park University GPA
   58 or more Total Earned Hours*
   Below a 1.75 Cum Park University GPA
   *includes transfer hours
   
   A student seeking an associate’s degree will be placed on suspension according to the following:
   0 - 15 Total Earned Hours
   Below a 1.00 Cum Park University GPA
   16 - 30 Total Earned Hours
   Below a 1.50 Cum Park University GPA
   31 or more Earned Hours
   Below a 1.75 Cum Park University GPA
   
   A student seeking a certificate will be placed on suspension if they receive below a 1.00 cumulative Park University GPA.

   When a student’s GPA falls below the thresholds identified above, a letter will be sent to the student by the Office of Academic Affairs after the fall/spring semester. Any student who has been suspended may appeal in writing to the appropriate academic Dean or designee; information regarding the process and timeline for sending an appeal will appear in the suspension letter. After being academically suspended from Park University, a student may not enroll in the subsequent term. A student who wishes to return/re-enroll after one or more terms of suspension is required to apply for readmission; information regarding the process for applying for readmission will appear in the suspension letter.

   International nonimmigrant students who have been academically suspended and are unable to gain readmission may lose their lawful visa status.

4. Readmission Following Academic Suspension
   A suspended student must submit a written request for Readmission to the appropriate academic Dean or designee if s/he wishes to reenroll at the University. A decision is rendered following consultation with the appropriate parties. If the student is readmitted, s/he will be placed on probationary status, and s/he may take no more than six (6) credit hours in the first term of readmission, and no more than twelve (12) credit hours in the first semester of readmission. Students who have been readmitted to the University following a term of suspension will not be suspended again if they maintain a 2.0 GPA throughout each subsequently enrolled Fall and Spring semester.

 Graduate Procedures

Graduate students are expected to make satisfactory progress toward a degree. Determination of satisfactory progress is based on the following criteria.

• Continuous enrollment in most Park University graduate programs is expected.
  • Continuous enrollment requires enrollment in at least one course. If the student discontinues enrollment for two calendar years or more, readmission is required. Should readmission be granted, it will be based upon the requirements and regulations effective at the time of the readmission. All requirements for a master’s degree must be completed within seven years.
  • International nonimmigrant students on F-1 visas must enroll full-time each fall and spring semester. Readmission for international students is required after one year.
• Successful completion of all required program coursework and electives with a minimum 3.0 grade point average (GPA). (Programs may have a higher grade point average or grade requirements than the minimum University requirements for graduation. Refer to the Academic Degree Programs section of the catalog for program-specific requirements.)
• Students may have no grade lower than a “C” and no more than six (6) credit hours graded “C” in their declared graduate degree program coursework at the time of graduation.
• Students are not permitted to repeat any course in which the student earns a grade “B” or better.  A course in which a student earns a grade “C” or lower may be repeated one time.  No more than six (6) credit hours may be repeated in a declared program.
• Fulfillment of all program requirements (as outlined in the catalog), including but not limited to the successful completion of comprehensive examinations, thesis, portfolio, Major Field Test, final assessment or a final project.

In order to ensure that students are making satisfactory progress, academic status is assessed twice annually, at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters. These are referred to as review periods. The Fall review period includes coursework taken in summer and fall sessions, while the Spring review period includes spring sessions.

1. Academic Probation
   To remain in good academic standing, graduate students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA. If the cumulative GPA for Park graduate courses falls below 3.0, the student will be placed on Academic Probation. Academic status is assessed only for review periods in which the student is enrolled in and attended courses.
   Students have two review periods in which to return to good academic standing by achieving a 3.0 cumulative GPA. To remain on Academic Probation and continue enrollment, students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher in their coursework during each review period(s). Students whose academic program cumulative GPA at the end of any review period is above 3.0 are removed from Academic Probation and return to good academic standing.

2. Academic Suspension
   A student will be suspended from the program for any of the following reasons:
   Failure to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher, for courses that the student enrolled in and attended, taken during each review period after being placed on Academic Probation.
   Failure to raise their cumulative GPA to a 3.0 or higher within two review periods that the student enrolled in and attended. 

3. Academic Suspension Appeal
   A student who has been suspended from a graduate program at Park University may petition for an exception from Academic Suspension policy.
   Domestic students who have been academically suspended from a graduate program at Park University may petition for reinstatement, but will not be allowed to enroll in the following semester until their appeal is adjudicated. 
   International students placed on academic suspension will be permitted to enroll in the following semester upon submitting a formal petition to appeal the suspension.  International nonimmigrant students on F-1 visas who are suspended are in violation of the lawful visa status, which may result in the termination of the SEVIS record.
   All appeals must be at least one-page in length, typed, double spaced, with standard margins.  It must be submitted within one week following formal notice of being placed on academic suspension to the Director of their program.  The appeal should include explanation of those circumstances that contributed to the academic suspension, explaining the reasons why the student was not successful academically. Supporting documents should be presented as evidence in support of the appeal if available and appropriate.  The student should provide a clear and achievable plan for their regaining academic good standing.
   A committee chaired by the student’s graduate Program Director and of two other graduate program directors will adjudicate the appeal and notify the student of their decision prior to the beginning of the following semester.

Withdrawal Policy

 Academic Withdrawals

Academic withdrawals are student-initiated requests to discontinue enrollment in classes. There are two types of academic withdrawals: 1) Course Withdrawals and 2) Session/University Withdrawals. Both types of withdrawals may have implications for financial aid. Students with financial aid should refer to the financial aid policies in the Tuition and Fees  section of the catalog. Park University follows the VA’s policy on how withdrawals will affect beneficiaries. The VA’s policy generally requires that withdrawals, adjustments, and/or terminations are VA-certified within 30 days of the last date of attendance. The VA has sole determination with regard VA debt-related issues, but Park University may explain the circumstances that resulted in the VA debt. Additionally, international nonimmigrant students who are withdrawn from a course(s) may lose their lawful nonimmigrant status. Student-athletes who are withdrawn from a course(s) may jeopardize their eligibility.

1. Course Withdrawal
   A course withdrawal is an official, student-initiated request to discontinue enrollment in one or more, but not all, courses in a session (Fall 1, Fall 2, Spring, Maymester, etc.).The notification to discontinue enrollment in a course(s) occurs after the enrollment adjustment period and, therefore, results in a grade of “W” (withdrawn) or “WF” (withdraw failure). Students who withdraw within the first two-thirds of the session receive a “W”. Students who withdraw during the last third of the session receive a “WF”. Home campus and distance students must request a course withdrawal through the Student Success Center or by e-mailing advising@park.edu. Students at campus centers must notify their campus center or student success coach. Students may not initiate an academic withdrawal from a class if the course instructor has submitted an academic dishonesty form implicating the student in a violation of the Academic Honesty policy. In the event that an academic dishonesty allegation results in a finding of no-fault, the effective date for withdrawal will be adjusted as needed.

2. Session/University Withdrawal
   A session/university withdrawal is a student-initiated request to discontinue all courses within a session (Fall 1, Fall 2, Spring, Maymester, etc.). To request a session/university withdrawal, students must complete the Request for Session/University Withdrawal form in the MyPark portal under My Student Academic Tools>Academic Information>Request for Session/University Withdrawal Form or contact the Registrar’s Office (3rd floor Mackay; academiccompliance@park.edu; 816-584-6270). Students are able to initiate a session/university withdrawal until the last day of the session. When requesting a session/university withdrawal, refunds (if applicable, see refund policy) and grades (see grading policy) for all withdrawn courses are based on the date the withdrawal request form is submitted or the date the student provides official notification to the Registrar’s Office of intent to withdraw from a session. Students who are unable to officially withdraw due to military deployments, hospitalization, or other extenuating circumstances must submit supporting documentation to academiccompliance@park.edu, preferably at the time of the withdrawal request but no later than five business days following submission of the request. Exceptions to the grading and/or refund policies are granted at the sole discretion of the University.

*For information and resources about student loan repayment, or to submit a complaint relating to your student loans or student loan servicer, please visit www.wsac.wa.gov/loan-advocacy or contact the Student Loan Advocate at loanadvocate@wsac.wa.gov.

 Administrative Withdrawals

Administrative withdrawals are initiated by Park University for reasons such as non-attendance, non-payment, academic suspension, or misconduct. Park University reserves the right to administratively withdraw a student from class(es) for failure to meet financial obligations or failure to participate in an academically related activity in a class during the first two weeks of the session. If a student does not initiate the academic withdrawal process and has not participated in an academically-related activity in the class during the first two weeks, the University will initiate an administrative withdrawal from the respective course(s) with no record on the transcript.

 Unofficial Withdrawals

An unofficial withdrawal occurs when a student begins participating in class but ceases participation prior to the end of term without ever officially withdrawing from the course. Refer to the Unofficial Withdrawal  section for information about how unofficial withdrawals affect financial aid.

Enrollment Adjustment Period

It is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete the necessary procedures for making course schedule changes such as adding, dropping, exchanging, or withdrawing from courses. Adding, dropping, exchanging or withdrawing from courses may affect financial aid previously awarded. Online (i.e. self ) registration for the semester/term will close one (1) week before classes begin, on the Monday before the beginning of the semester/term. This helps prevent situations where students must be dropped from classes for non-payment. In the event that University holidays/closings impact this deadline, online registration will close the next business day.

The first eight calendar days of a session constitutes the Enrollment Adjustment Period. Students are entitled to 100% refund of tuition and fees during the enrollment adjustment period. Within this time, the student will be permitted to evenly exchange class(es) during the first four calendar days. The final day to add or exchange a course (face-to-face or online) will be the fourth (4) day of a session. The last day to drop a course will be the eighth (8) day of a session, except for two week classes. If a student drops a course within the 8 day enrollment adjustment period, the course will not appear on their transcript. The drop date for non-payment of late registrants will be the eighth (8) day of the session. Night classes or other single day classes may be added up to 1 day prior to the first class. For any adjustment other than even exchange, the student will be responsible for charges associated with the Enrollment Adjustment as detailed in the Refund Policy section. Adding or dropping class(es) must be arranged by the student with their success coach, faculty advisor, or by sending an email to advising@park.edu via their Park email account.

*For information and resources about student loan repayment, or to submit a complaint relating to your student loans or student loan servicer, please visit www.wsac.wa.gov/loan-advocacy or contact the Student Loan Advocate at loanadvocate@wsac.wa.gov.

Leave of Absence/Emergency Leave Procedures

A student may request a Leave of Absence from all courses if s/he needs to be absent for more than two consecutive weeks of class(es). The formal institutional guidelines for this procedure are:

1. Students must request the leave of absence in writing, signed and dated, prior to the leave of absence unless unforeseen circumstances prevent the student from doing so. If that is the case, the circumstances must be documented.
2. Documentation supporting the request should be submitted concurrently with the request.
3. The written request and documentation should be sent to the Registrar’s Office and to the appropriate Campus Center Director or Department Chair.
4. All faculty members concerned will be provided the requested materials for review. This is necessary so that potential problems associated with grading or required assignments can be handled. The faculty member may make arrangements to allow the student to complete the coursework that s/he began prior to the leave of absence. The student cannot begin a new semester/term without having completed all conditions of the previously approved leave of absence.
5. Faculty members will respond, in writing, to the Registrar’s Office and Campus Center Director or Department Chair, concerning their agreement or disagreement to the terms of the leave of absence.
6. The student and faculty must agree, in writing, on the nature of the coursework that must be completed in order to successfully receive credit for the class.
7. The appropriate Associate Dean or Regional Director will be provided all materials pertaining to the leave of absence in order to provide the final approval.
8. If all parties agree to the terms of the leave, the leave may be granted. There must be a reasonable expectation that the student will return to school. If there is not a reasonable expectation, the Dean of Students Office can provide assistance.
9. The approved leave request and all supporting documentation will be forwarded to the following individuals as appropriate for the students:
   • Provost or designee
   • Controller
   • Faculty
   • Dean of Students
   • Campus Center Director
   • Student Financial Services
   • Associate Dean
   • Registrar
   • Regional Director
   • College Dean
10. If the student wants to appeal the final decision or has concerns regarding the final decision, the student should contact the Dean of Students.
11. A student may be granted no more than one leave of absence in any 12-month period and it may not exceed 180 days. The institution will not place additional charges on the student’s account for completion of the course work upon return from the leave of absence. An approved leave of absence will not affect a student’s in-school status for the purposes of deferring Federal loans.
12. A student may be granted no more than one leave of absence in any 12-month period and it may not exceed 180 days. The institution will not place additional charges on the student’s account for completion of the course work upon return from the leave of absence. An approved leave of absence will not affect a student’s in-school status for the purposes of deferring Federal loans. An enrolled student may elect to take a leave of absence for up to one academic year because of pregnancy and/or disability; the birth, adoption, or placement of a child; and/or to care for an immediate family member (spouse, child, or parent) with a serious health condition. Park may extend the leave term in the case of extenuating circumstances or if medically necessary due to the health of the student.
13. If a student does not return from an approved leave of absence, the student’s withdrawal date and the beginning of the student’s grace period for federal loans will be the date the student began the leave of absence. This may exhaust some or all of the student’s grace period for federal loans, putting the student into repayment status.

In order to totally withdraw: Students must complete the Request for Session/University Withdrawal form in the MyPark portal under My Student Academic Tools>Academic Information>Request for Session/University Withdrawal Form or contact the Registrar’s Office (3rd floor Mackay; academiccompliance@park.edu; 816-584-6270). Please see the Session/University Withdrawal section for more information. 

Graduation and Commencement

An Application for Graduation is required of all students who expect to complete a certificate or degree. Additionally, students who wish to participate in commencement and/or receive a diploma are required to pay the graduation/diploma fee. The Application for Graduation is accessible in MyPark. Students must submit an application for each credential they expect to earn. Students may contact their advisors for assistance.

Students who plan to participate in a commencement ceremony must adhere to the following deadlines:

• For Kansas City Area students and those participating in the commencement ceremony for the main campus, the graduation application is due March 15th for the Spring commencement ceremony. If this date falls on a weekend, the deadline is extended to the next business day.
• Graduation applications for Campus Center commencement ceremonies are due 60 days prior to the ceremony the student plans to attend.
• Students who apply by the deadline will have their names published in commencement booklet. Those who apply after the deadline may not appear in the commencement publication.
• Students not participating in a commencement ceremony must apply no later than the final day of the session in which the student plans to graduate. Applications received after the session ends will be conferred at the end of the following session.

Students who need to change data from their graduation application (such as diploma name or address, commencement location, or expected graduation session) must contact the Office of the Registrar (registrar@park.edu) to have their record updated.

 Degree Check and Graduation

Once the student submits a graduation application, the Office of the Registrar will review the student’s audit and coursework. All enrolled classes and any remaining requirements will be annotated on that application; an email containing those annotations will be sent to the student, the Student Success Coach, faculty advisor and/or campus center for group awareness and review.

The Office of the Registrar confers degrees at the end of each primary session (Fall 1, Fall 2/Fall semester, Spring 1, Spring 2/Spring semester, and Summer). For a student to receive a graduation date at the end of the session, all graduation requirements must be met by the last day of the term. Any requirements not met by the last day of the term will defer the student’s graduation eligibility to the next session.

Students who enter into a Contract for Incomplete cannot graduate until the end of the session in which the Contract for Incomplete is cleared. Additionally, any outstanding transcripts, test scores, portfolios, capstone assessments, comprehensive exams, or other graduation-relevant materials must be received by the Office of the Registrar no later than three weeks (21 days) of the end of the session in order for the student to graduate that session. Any transcripts or test scores are received after the three-week deadline will defer the student’s graduation to the following session.

All correspondence concerning graduation and commencement will be sent to the student’s Park University email address. Students are responsible for checking their Park email.

 Graduation Honors

Eligibility for graduation honors is eligible for bachelor degree level and shall be based upon the following criteria:

1. 30 or more earned hours from Park University
   The cumulative Park University grade point earned as follows:
    

   Cum Laude	3.500 to 3.699
   Magna Cum Laude	3.700 to 3.899
   Summa Cum Laude	3.900 to 4.000

2. Graduation Honors are not retroactive for those students receiving changes of grades or Incompletes. 

Undergraduate Classification

Class division is determined by the number of accumulated hours as follows:

Copyright Policy — Classroom

It is the intention of Park University to comply with the provisions of the Copyright Act of 1976 and all related legislative acts (the TEACH Act). The material(s) in any Park University classroom is/are only for the use of students enrolled in that course for purpose(s) associated with the course and may not be retained and/or further disseminated.

The use of material(s) is limited to personal study and research related to the completion of the course. Material(s) found in the classroom may not be reproduced in multiple copies and/or for further distribution without the permission of the course instructor unless otherwise noted. Enrolled students in the course may display the material(s) on their computer screen and/or equivalent device(s) or make a single printed copy for the sole purpose of personal reference.

Students may not make multiple copies of any material for redistribution, redistribute the material(s) by electronic means to any other person(s) or machine(s); modify or create derivatives of the material(s); reproduce, display, distribute, or modify the material(s) for commercial purpose(s) or for financial gain. The list of prohibited use(s) is not meant to be exhaustive.

For permission to copy, distribute, and/or reproduce material(s) in excess of the above guidelines and/or to publicly display and/or modify material(s), please contact the course instructor.

Course Repeats

When a Park University course is repeated, both the granting of credit and computation of the cumulative GPA will be based upon the second attempt. Title IV aid availability is dictated by the federal repeated coursework policy. The policy may be found on the Student Financial Services page at www.park.edu/apply-financial-aid.

Full-time Status, Overload Approvals 

 Definition of Credit Hours

Active student engagement with other students, the instructor, and the course content is required to throughout the entire semester/term in all modalities, face-to-face, online, and blended, as indicated on the academic calendar.

16-week:  All courses are valued in semester hours. Fifty minutes of classroom or direct faculty instruction and two hours out-of-class student work each week for 15 weeks, plus 50 minutes reserved for a final exam, for one semester hour of credit.

8-week:  All courses are valued in semester hours. One hundred minutes per week of classroom or direct faculty instruction and 240 minutes out-of- class student work each week for 8 weeks for one hour of credit. In eight-week courses, students and instructors are required to interact and complete educational objectives through the final day of the eighth week of the term as indicated on the academic calendar.

These semester/term interaction requirements are equally applied to face-to-face, online, and blended courses. In blended courses, this means that in addition to the final face-to-face meeting, students and instructors are required to continue instructional activities via virtual seat time through the final day of the calendar term (i.e., Sunday of the eighth week).

For online and blended courses, active student engagement with other students, the instructor, and the course content combine to form the equivalent amount of time (100 minutes per week required for each of all eight weeks throughout the calendar term).  For blended courses, this means that in addition to the final face-to-face class meeting, students are required to complete virtual seat time requirements up through the final day (i.e., Sunday) of the eighth week of the calendar term.  Finally, in keeping with the requirements for face-to-face courses, in online and blended courses, students complete other out-of-class requirements designed to achieve course learning outcomes for the approximately 240 minutes of such work for each one hour of credit, throughout the entire eight weeks of the calendar term.

Courses scheduled for a different number of weeks and other academic activities such as laboratory work, internships, practica, and studio work, have an equivalent number of hours as reflected in the combination of direct faculty instruction and out of class student work for the same amount of credit as listed above.

 Full-time Status and Overload

Students can take a combination of both sixteen and eight week courses to establish their enrollment status. [NOTE: At times, specialized term configurations are put into place to accommodate a course. These terms take place within the semester framework.]

Undergraduate full-time course load is twelve (12) credit hours per 16 week semester. A student may enroll in no more than nine (9) hours per 8-week term without written prior approval from his/her Associate Dean or Dean/ (18) credit hours per 16 week semester without prior written approval from his/her Associate Dean or Dean.* The student shall have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher for consideration of an overload.
A full-time load for summer is 12 hours.

Graduate full-time course load is six or more credit hours during a 16-week semester. [NOTE: This definition of full-time status governs graduate assistantship awards.] Enrollment in three to five hours in a 16-week term will constitute half-time graduate student status. Two credit hours of enrollment during the semester will constitute part-time status.A minimum of six credit hours in any combination during a 16-week semester is considered full-time graduate enrollment by Park University. These standards apply to all graduate programs at Park University.

• This definition of full-time graduate student status does not meet the federally mandated full-time enrollment requirements for students receiving federal financial aid and/or student loans, or for international nonimmigrant students on F-visas.
• The definition of full-time graduate student status mandated by the federal government for students receiving financial aid and/or student loans and for international nonimmigrant (F-1) students supersedes the definition of the University’s full-time graduate student status.
• The minimum 6 credit hours of enrollment each 16-week semester for international nonimmigrant students must be in face-to-face courses (online courses do not fulfill federal full-time enrollment requirements); online courses may only be taken in addition to the minimum 6 face-to-face credit hours.
• International nonimmigrant students who wish to enroll in credits for the second 8-week term of any semester must be enrolled in those credits at the beginning of the 16-week semester; failure to meet the full-time enrollment requirement at the beginning of each 16-week semester will result in the Termination of the student’s SEVIS Record and loss of their lawful visa status.

Blended, Online and Summer Courses

 Blended Courses

Some blended courses may be offered as “Pirate Patch” courses in which the face-to-face portion of the blended course is facilitated by an instructor who engages face-to-face with students at a host site, and via synchronous web conference with students at a remote site. For students participating at the remote site, the class is considered distance learning. Students at remote sites should contact their Campus Center Director to determine if the “Pirate Patch” course will meet the in-residence requirements for VA benefits.

These courses will be identified as blended courses and Pirate Patch courses in the class schedule so that students will be aware of the delivery format; student participation in both components of the course is required. All courses offered are defined in the Park University Undergraduate catalog, and there is no indicator on the transcript as to the  delivery method or location of the course delivered.  All Park University courses count toward residency and contain the same content rigor no matter the instructional format.

All Park University blended classes require weekly contact with the instructor.

 Online Courses

Courses offered online are from the current Park University catalog and are taught in an eight-week format, five (5) terms per year. Students may register for online courses any term during their Park University career. The courses offered will supplement the traditional classroom or complete a degree online. International nonimmigrant students should contact the International Student Services prior to enrolling. All Park University online courses will count toward residency. Park University prides itself on the quality of its courses in all modes of instruction.

During the term, online classroom contact with the instructor must be made on a weekly basis for assignments and online interaction within the Learning Management System (LMS). Syllabi for online courses are available online according to University-wide assessment procedures. Online courses contain the same core assessment and learning outcomes as Parkville campus courses. Students will find instructor contact information in the course syllabus.

The student must have his/her own access to the Internet. Additional information about online courses may be obtained on the Park Distance Learning website.

 Summer Courses

The Parkville Daytime Campus Center offers a variety of on-campus programs during the summer semester/terms. The Parkville Daytime Campus Center program, offers two, four and eight week sessions. These programs provide an opportunity for students to accumulate a maximum of fifteen credit hours over the entire summer program, provided a student meets the course overload requirements. Additionally, these summer programs are available to those students from other colleges or universities who are home on vacation and wish to accumulate additional credits during vacation time. For additional information concerning summer programs, please visit www.park.edu/enroll.

 Remote Proctoring

Park University utilizes remote virtual proctoring for some of the exams for students in certain classes (not all Park courses require proctoring – check the course’s syllabus for requirements).  

 Audit Course 

The designation of “Audit” is a registration status used when students officially register for a class without earning a grade or credit. Online courses are not eligible for audit. Students must request course audits in writing prior to end of the course add period for the session. Audits are permitted only if space is available within the course. Students are charged one-half of the regular tuition rate and full fees for audited courses. Audited courses do not apply to degree requirements and are not eligible for federal financial aid. Students may not receive credit by exam or VLE (Validated Learning Experience) credit for audited courses.

Cancellation of Classes

Any course may be canceled at the discretion of the Provost or Campus Center Director. When a class is can celled, students are notified so they may make necessary adjustments.

Grading Policy

*A grade of “Cr,” “Au,” or “P” will not affect a student’s grade point average; however, it may impact financial aid eligibility.

Grade Change Policy

No grade changes shall be granted more than one calendar year from the original grade submission deadline. Any change of grade, prior to the deadline, will be initiated by the  faculty member only who assigned the grade. All requests must be adequately documented.

A grade may be changed, prior to the deadline, for the purpose of correcting clerical or administrative error, or to correct an error in the calculation or recording of a grade. A change of grade will not occur as a result of additional work performed or re-examination beyond the established course requirements.

Incompletes

An Incomplete grade (“I”) is issued at the discretion of the instructor and may not be issued to a student who has unexcused/excessive absences or limited participation in the course. A grade of Incomplete indicates that the coursework was not completed in the time allotted in the semester/term through no fault of the student as determined by the instructor. If a student cites a medical or disability reason for being unable to complete the coursework, the instructor will contact Disability Services for confirmation. An Incomplete cannot be granted as a disability accommodation unless approved by Disability Services. An Incomplete grade may be issued only upon submission of a “Contract for Incomplete” by the instructor. The Contract for Incomplete is due by midnight of the last day of the term/semester. Under the Contract for Incomplete, the instructor works independently with the student to determine new deadlines for the material, as well as any additional assignments that the student needs to complete. Final assessment of the grade is postponed to no later than the last day of the semester/term immediately following the semester/term in which the Incomplete was granted, unless an earlier deadline was established by the instructor. Failure on the part of the student to complete the work will result in a grade of “F”. Students who are granted an Incomplete may opt out of the Incomplete within one week of notification.

NOTE: A grade of Incomplete may suspend the student from financial aid or graduate assistantships.

Independent Study

Independent Study is a means by which a degree-seeking student may complete a course. The requested courses must be out-of-class academic work which cannot be met through the existing curriculum, for which a course number and supervision are available, or a catalog course not scheduled for an academic year.

• Undergraduate Requirements
  The application must have attached a detailed proposal to include title, resources to be used, course objectives, content and evaluation aspects of the study. Applications must be signed by the student, the instructor, Department Chair, and Associate Dean or Dean. The application must be filed in the Registrar’s Office prior to the last day of the enrollment adjustment period.
• Graduate Requirements
  The student must be in good academic standing with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. A minimum of 25 percent of the degree requirements must be completed, unless an exception is granted by the program director or dean. If qualified, the student must request an Independent Study Agreement from the program director. A student is allowed a maximum of six (6) credit hours through independent study to complete the requirements. The program director must approve all independent study courses. All charges, regardless of funding, must be paid in full when the independent study is approved. A syllabus with proposed topic, readings, assignments and scheduled meetings are to be submitted to the program director.

The student and the faculty member may interact face-to-face, in an online classroom, via email or through a combination of these methods to complete academic activity.

Acadeum Course Sharing Consortium

Park University is a member of Acadeum, a consortium of independent institutions that allows students to seamlessly enroll in online courses at other colleges and universities. The purpose of the Consortium is to enhance student success and degree completion by providing access to a broad range of online courses. Students may enroll in Acadeum courses to increase their course load for the semester, make up credit hours, or fulfill other degree requirements.

Courses completed through the consortial arrangement are considered Park residential courses. Residential courses apply to the student’s cumulative Park grade point average (GPA), residency requirements, and academic progress standards (for both academic standing and satisfactory academic progress for financial aid). The grade replacement policy applies to equivalent courses repeated at a partner institution. 

 Course Approval and Enrollment

Students interested in taking a course through Acadeum must request and receive approval from both the partner institution and Park University. Only courses that fulfill a remaining degree requirement (major, minor, concentration, LE, or required elective hours) will be approved. Certain courses have been preapproved by the University; other courses are reviewed upon request. Students may request courses through Acadeum’s student portal (https://acadeum.com) or by contacting the student’s Success Coach or the Office of the Registrar (registrar@park.edu), particularly if the course has not been preapproved. Park will collaborate with the partner institution to complete the enrollment process, once the course is approved.

Students are billed by Park University and pay the hourly tuition rate per Park University’s established tuition and fees . Students are responsible for the cost of all learning materials, including textbooks, as determined by the partner institution. Textbooks and supplemental materials are not included in tuition and fees. Students who wish to be considered for federal financial aid must complete a Park University Consortium Agreement (available in MyPark). Park University will disburse any eligible federal funds, once it is determined that the student has met all eligibility requirements. Students must adhere to the participation policy of the partner institution (which may be stricter than Park University’s participation policy). At a minimum, students must adhere to Park University’s participation policy. Park University will verify with the partner institution that Acadeum students have met participation requirements.

Students who are approved to take courses through this arrangement will be registered in a section of the equivalent course through Park University in the term that best aligns with the term in which it is being taken at the partner institution. The student’s Park University transcript and degree audit will reflect the enrollment in consortial courses. Park University will report the student’s enrollment status to the National Student Clearinghouse and student loan lenders. Once final grades are reported by the partner institution, the grades will be posted to the student’s Park University transcript and the student’s term and cumulative credits and GPA will be updated.

 Academic Policies

Students are expected to submit assignments, secure textbooks and learning materials, and follow through on all required actions as required by the partner institution and/or stated on the syllabus. Course drop dates are determined by the partner institution, and students must adhere to those dates. Students must handle any disputes directly with the partner institution. Park University will not intervene in disputes regarding grades, course drops or withdrawals, refunds, etc. Students who wish to appeal a grade should follow the procedures for grade disputes/appeals as outlined by the partner institution. Park University will not change a final grade without consent of the partner institution.

Students must pay attention to the Welcome letter from the partner institution to know the last date to drop, as drop dates and academic policies and procedures differ from those at Park University. Students are required to follow Park University’s withdrawal policy, in addition to notifying the partner institution. Effective dates for drops/withdrawals are handled in the same manner as for Park University courses. The student may submit a drop/withdrawal request to the Registrar’s Office at academiccompliance@park.edu.

• Students who withdraw will be assigned a W grade by the partner institution.
• Students who are not in compliance with the teaching institution’s participation policy may be dropped by the partner institution.
• Park University may drop students from consortial courses for nonparticipation.

Students who take courses through Acadeum during their last term prior to graduation may experience a delay in degree conferral. All grades must be finalized and all requirements satisfied within three weeks of the end of the Park University term in order for students to graduate that term. If grades and/or requirements are not finalized within that timeframe, degrees will be conferred at the end of the subsequent Park term. 

 Important Considerations

Students taking courses through Acadeum should be aware of the following:

The partner institution may use a different Learning Management System (LMS) or online course platform.

• Students should regularly check their Park University email address for communication from the partner institution (textbooks, access to courses, etc.) and/or Park University for important information.
• Deadlines and policies at the partner institution differ from those at Park University. The student is responsible for knowing the drop date, participation requirements, and other policies and procedures of the partner institution. Generally, this information is communicated to the student via the Park University email account and/or through the online course platform or course syllabus.
• Students are encouraged to drop courses prior to the drop date associated with the course, if at all possible, by notifying both the partner institution and Park University (academiccompliance@park.edu).
• Students should contact their Student Success Coach and/or the Office of the Registrar to determine eligibility to enroll in courses through the Acadeum consortium. Park University reserves the right to deny enrollment through Acadeum for various reasons, including but not limited to, availability of courses at Park University, degree applicability of courses, course load, academic performance, satisfactory academic progress for financial aid, or funding source. Students using Veterans Benefits are not eligible to participate in Acadeum.
• Acadeum courses will appear on Park University transcripts as residential courses. Students in need of transcripts should order them from Park University. (Students do not need to request transcripts from the partner institution.)  

 FERPA

Students who request a course through Acadeum agree to receive communication from the partner institution and consent to allow the partner institution and Park University to share academic and financial records associated with the course(s) that the student enrolls in through Acadeum. This includes but is not limited to course status, drop/withdrawal status and dates, participation, academic progress and performance, grades and grade-related information, term/academic calendar dates, and tuition and refunds. Certain demographic information may also be shared including name, phone, email address, address, state of residence, citizenship, major, level, gender, date of birth, start date, ethnicity, race, and advisor name and email address.

Major/Degree Declaration

 Major Declaration

A major must be declared prior to accumulating 60 hours of work. For transfer students with more than 60 hours, majors must be declared at the time of admission or during the first enrolled semester/term thereafter.

 Dual Degrees

A student is considered a dual degree when the student is concurrently enrolled in two separate degree programs (ex. Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts). A student may pursue a dual degree if the chosen degrees are approved and readily available at the student’s Campus and/or online. A student must complete all graduation requirements for both degrees before the student is eligible to graduate. When the student graduates from a dual degree pursuit, a diploma for each degree program will be issues (ex. one Bachelor of Science and one Bachelor of Arts). Students pursuing dual degrees who wish to graduate with one degree must submit a Declaration of Major to drop the second degree. (Those who elect to complete one degree may return for a subsequent/second degree provided they meet the criteria for earning a second degree.)

 Double Majors

A student is considered a double major when the student is concurrently enrolled in two separate majors in the same degree program (ex. Bachelor of Science with a major in Criminal Justice Administration and a major in Social Psychology). A student may declare a double major by submitting a Declaration of Major form or an Application for Admission. Declaring a double major will update the student’s entire degree audit to the current catalog in effect. A student must complete all graduation requirements for both majors before the student is eligible to graduate from the degree program. When the student graduates from a double major pursuit, a single diploma listing both majors will be issued. Double majors who wish to graduate with one of the majors must complete a Declaration of Major to drop the second major. (Students who elect to complete one major may return for a subsequent degree provided they meet the criteria for earning a second degree.)

Note for veteran benefits recipients: Dual Objective programs, requiring more hours than a standard degree, which are reasonably related to a single career field, may be pursued by veterans. The student shall file a statement pertaining to his/her ‘career field of pursuit’ showing the relatedness of the objectives that is approved by school officials. The programs of pursuit must be approved by the State Approving Agency of jurisdiction in which the campus presides. Contact your Veterans Affairs representative on campus for more information.

Requirements for Double Major:

Associate’s

1. Minimum of 15 residency hours - Associate of Arts/Sciences. At least nine of these credits must be in the major.
2. Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
3. Core requirements fulfilled for each major.
4. Requirements outside major division fulfilled.
5. A minimum of 60 semester hours accumulated.

Bachelor’s

1. Minimum of 30 residency hours. At least 15 of these credits must be in the major.
2. Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
3. Core requirements fulfilled for each major.
4. Complete Liberal Education course distribution.
5. A minimum of 120 semester hours (B.S., B.S.E., B.M., B.P.A.), 122 (B.A., B.F.A., B.S.W.), or 126 (B.S.N.) semester hours accumulated.

When all core courses for both majors and the liberal education requirements are completed, one diploma listing both majors will be issued.

When adding a major after the initial evaluation, the student’s entire degree program will move to the new catalog, including the previously declared major, any minors, and the liberal education requirements. The previously accepted transfer credit will remain transcribed; however, the application of credit may change.

 Second Degree

When adding or changing a major, minor, or certificate through the Declaration of Major Form, the student’s entire degree audit, including the original major, will update to the current Catalog in effect. A student who has completed a bachelor’s degree at Park University must submit a new admissions application.

1. The accepted credit listed on the student’s transcript remains the same, but the accepted credit will be applied toward the second degree according to the catalog at the time the student re-enrolls.
2. A second degree audit is generated. Students who have previously earned a Park University degree must complete an additional 30 hours of residency hours.
3. Students entering Park University with a bachelor’s degree from an acceptable accredited  college or university are required to meet the residency, major and/or certification requirements.

Graduate Comprehensive Exam

When applicable, a student who fails the final comprehensive exam, except in the cases of plagiarism, may repeat the exam one time, with the permission of the program director. Any further attempts would only be permitted upon the recommendation of the program director and the approval of the College dean. If a student fails a comprehensive exam due to plagiarism the policies for comprehensive exams, stated under Sanctions against Academic Dishonesty apply.

Interdisciplinary Graduate Work

Students must take the core courses of the program in which they wish to receive their degree; however, they may take electives in other Park University graduate programs, with the approval of their adviser and program director. The electives should be a reasonable part of their academic and professional plans. The number of hours chosen, as electives, will vary with the program and may not exceed nine (9) credit hours. (See appropriate sections of the Catalog). Students wishing to receive an interdisciplinary graduate degree must contact graduate student success services.

Master’s Thesis Procedure

The writing of a thesis is a highly valued academic exercise especially suitable for students who wish to continue their graduate education in pursuit of a doctorate degree after completing the master’s degree. The thesis is traditionally regarded as the culminating activity in a master’s degree program. Students may earn up to six hours of graduate credit for writing a thesis, earned through fixed or variable credit courses, depending on the graduate program offered. Continuous enrollment for an additional one hour is possible, with the approval of the thesis committee chair.

Students should carefully plan their activities, in order to ensure that they develop a workable proposal, conduct the research, write the thesis and get it approved by the thesis committee, in a timely manner. A copy of the completed thesis should be submitted to the major adviser no later than six weeks prior to the date of Commencement. College dean should receive a copy for final approval no later than three weeks prior to the day on which the degree is to be conferred.

 Responsible Conduct of Research and Scholarship

The conduct of research and scholarship must conform to the highest standards of ethical and professional integrity. Every aspect of research, including data collection, research design, research procedures, conclusions drawn and the dissemination of results must adhere to superior ethical standards, transcending personal gain, financial consideration or other individual or institutional advantage. Research involving human and animal subjects must meet the requirements of all applicable laws and regulations, as well as University procedures, to ensure the well-being of the human and animal subjects. See Institutional Review Board information at www.park.edu/academics/institutional-review-board.

 Thesis Committee

Candidates should consult their major adviser in forming a thesis committee and clarifying the role of the committee members in the research and writing process. The primary responsibility for directing the thesis resides with the adviser. The committee should consist of a minimum of three approved graduate faculty, including the major adviser in the discipline area. It is advisable to include additional faculty member(s) from outside the discipline, as faculty external to the discipline can bring fresh perspectives or provide valuable assistance in the conduct of research.

 Thesis Procedures

The candidate must register for the appropriate thesis course to begin the process of developing a thesis proposal. Registration allows the student to receive advice from a faculty member and to utilize University facilities to prepare for the thesis. While enrolled in this course, the student is expected to actively work on developing a formal proposal related to an area of research interest, under the direction of a faculty member who will be the major adviser or the Committee chair.

At minimum, the research proposal should identify the problem, clarify the thesis statement, select an appropriate research methodology (including the data gathering instruments and data analysis techniques) and provide an effective overview of the scholarly literature. The following general outline may be helpful in developing a proposal.

• Key concepts and definition of the project. Concisely and clearly state what the project intends to accomplish. What are the basic questions to be explored?
• Significance of the study. Why should the scientific community be interested in this study? What contribution will it make to the discipline, the profession and society?
• Review of relevant literature. How does your research relate to the work of others? Where are the gaps in literature? What do you hope to add to the literature?
• Methodology. How do you plan to approach the subject? What is your methodology and what instruments or procedures will you use to gather the data/information that you would need to address the questions? What is the justification for the use of this methodology? Do you have the resources to conduct the study, such as access to people, data, archives, collections, time, etc.?
• Plan of work and timetable. Present a realistic timetable including specific dates by which you plan to complete specific facets of the research. It will help you and the Committee to decide if you can realistically complete the project.
• Bibliography. Present a working bibliography that includes scholarly books and articles. You will revise and expand this bibliography as you continue with your project.

 Proposal Defense and Submission

When the proposal is ready for defense, the student must work with the Committee chair in setting a date for the proposal defense. The defense must be conducted at least one semester prior to graduation and the proposal must be submitted to the dean of the College once it is approved by the chair and all members of the Committee. The student must work with the Committee chair in submitting the proposal to the Committee members for their approval. Once approved by the Committee, the chair will forward the proposal to the dean of the College at least one semester prior to the semester in which the student is expected to graduate.

 Human Subjects Protection and IRB Review

In preparing the thesis proposal, students must be aware that any research which involves human subjects must be approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University in order to ensure compliance with applicable federal regulations and University policies. The proposal must be reviewed and approved by the IRB according to the University procedure. Failure to gain the IRB approval will result in denial of the proposal. It is a violation of the procedures to contact human subjects prior to the IRB approval of the proposal. It is highly recommended that the IRB approval be received prior to the submission of the proposal. Additional information related to the IRB may be found at www.park.edu/academics/institutional-reveiw-board/irb/.

 Data Collection

Following the approval of the thesis proposal, students may begin data gathering. Data may be collected using qualitative, quantitative, participatory, documentary or action research methodologies, as may be appropriate. The writing of the thesis may then begin, with the guidance of the Committee chair. Students are encouraged to consult the chair regularly, to ensure that they receive timely and useful feedback throughout the research and writing process.

 Thesis Defense

An oral defense of the thesis must be satisfactorily completed and approved by the Committee, and the result of the defense must be submitted to the dean of the College three weeks prior to graduation. Thesis defense is open to the University community.

 Enrollment in XX 799 (1 cr.)

When additional time is needed to complete the thesis work, enrollment in XX 799 is permitted, in consultation with the chair. For additional information on the thesis procedure, please consult the director of your graduate program.