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Graduate Catalog 2002-2004

Academic Regulations and Procedures:

Graduation Requirements
Graduate Degrees and Post-Baccalaureate Certificates

  1. Completion of all coursework specified by the graduate program.
  2. Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or higher if specified by the graduate program.
  3. Submission of all pre-graduation materials required by the graduate program.
  4. Acceptance of thesis or other required final project by the graduate program.
  5. Submission of two copies of approved thesis or project in a specified form together with payment of binding fee where applicable.
  6. Submission of Application for Graduation and payment of any graduation fees assessed by the University.
  7. In the case of certification programs, submission of all governmental forms and payment of any certification fees.
  8. Residency Requirement — A minimum of fifty (50%) percent of the total credits required for the completion of the graduate degree or post-baccalaureate certificate or credential must be earned at Aurora University. Individual program may establish more extensive residency requirements, including requirements that specific coursework be completed at Aurora University, by action of the program faculty with approval of the graduate program director and dean.

Graduation Policies and Procedures

  1. Application for Graduation Status
    1. Each candidate must file an Application for Graduation Status with the Registrar’s Office. This application is sent to students who have a total of 12 semester hours at the graduate level toward a degree at the end of the Fall Term. Receipt of this application does not in any way mean that we expect or guarantee your graduation that year. We are simply trying to notify “possible” graduates in the broadest sense of that word.
    2. Applications are issued on or about December 1 and must be returned by the deadline indicated on the application together with the filing fee attached. Applications not received or postmarked on or before the established deadline must be accompanied by a late filing fee. Filing fees and late fees are specified on the application.
    3. No applications will be accepted after March 16 for Spring and Summer graduation.
  2. Summer Graduates
    1. Those students who return the Application for Graduation Status indicating that they will complete all degree requirements by August 31 will be mailed the Supplemental Summer Graduation Petition by April 30. This petition must be completed and returned to the Registrar’s Office no later than May 30.
    2. No summer program encompassing more than 9 semester hours of credit will be approved. No summer registration at Aurora University, elsewhere or in concurrent registration, that totals more than 6 semester hours will be approved without overload clearance from the Registrar.
  3. Fall and Winter Candidates for Graduation
    1. Those students who return the Application for Graduation Status indicting that they will complete all degree requirements on or before the last day of the Fall or Winter Term may elect to participate in the Commencement ceremony at the end of the Spring Term or elect to have their diploma mailed to them approximately six weeks following the end of the term.
  4. Transcripts, Incompletes, Deferred Grades
    All candidates for graduation must have all transcripts from other institutions; Life and Vocational Experience credit; removal of temporary grades (incompletes or deferred grades) submitted to the Registrar by the fifth week of the term prior to the end of the term in which you plan to graduate. The exception will be for Summer candidates for graduation. Official transcripts must be received by Aurora University on or before the last day of the term in which you plan to graduate. Failure to receive these transcripts by that date will mean that your graduation status will be cancelled, even though you may have already participated in the ceremony.
  5. Completion of Degree Requirements
    As is always the case throughout the year, whenever degree requirements are completed, the student’s official transcript (which is the official document; the printed diploma is unofficial) will indicate the term (month/year) that requirements were met, and the degree to be awarded. Not having the printed diploma does not prevent the student from entering graduate school, seeking certification or applying for a job.
  6. Participation in Commencement Ceremonies
    Students must comply with all of the above regulations in order to receive a printed diploma approximately six weeks following the last day of the term in which degree requirements are completed and to participate in the Spring Commencement ceremonies. Students planning to graduate in Spring should give special attention to their progress in Spring Term courses. About two to three weeks before the end of the Spring Term, instructors will be asked to turn in to the Registrar’s Office a graduating student grades. While this may not be the final grade received in the course, it is the grade which will determine participation in the Commencement ceremony. It is the student’s responsibility to have demonstrated to the instructor (by work completed and turned in and not simply by promises of good faith) by this date in the ninth week of the term that he/she can earn a “C” or above in the course. If this is not the case, the Registrar will be notified that the student is in danger of not completing degree requirements and could be removed from the graduation list. Students will be contacted at the address and telephone number listed in Section A of the Application for Graduation Status. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Registrar’s Office if the information changes. Candidates for Spring graduation who face academic difficulty will be asked to file a contingency plan for making up the work during the Summer and if approved they will be moved to the Summer graduation list.

    Summer graduates in academic difficulty may be removed from the Summer graduation list. It is important to note that the University reserves the right to remove Spring and Summer graduates from participation in the ceremony even if a “C” or above was submitted as a graduating student grade, if academic performance in the last two weeks of the term so dictates.

    It should further be noted that it is the responsibility of the student to make satisfactory arrangements with the Student Accounts Office for all outstanding debts prior to the Commencement ceremony. Those students who have not completed such arrangements to the satisfaction of the Student Accounts Office will be allowed to participate in the ceremony, but they will not be mailed a printed diploma. Official transcripts will also be held.
  7. Graduating in Absentia
    Participation in the Commencement Ceremony is voluntary (although we do need to know your decision beforehand for planning purposes). Those who choose not to participate in person will graduate in absentia.
  8. Receiving Diplomas
    Diplomas are mailed approximately six weeks following the last day of the term in which degree requirements are completed. Students must, in order to receive a diploma: (1) apply for graduation as noted above; (2) complete all degree requirements satisfactorily; and (3) be current in all financial obligations to the University.

Transcript Regulations

  1. Official transcripts bearing the signature of the Registrar and seal of the university for purposes of transfer of credit, certification or employment reference are issued only by direct mail to educational institutions, certification agents and employers. Students may supply application forms or other supportive documents to be enclosed with official transcripts.
  2. All official transcripts which are placed into a student’s hands, are stamped “Issued to Student.”
  3. A student’s academic record is considered confidential. Therefore, transcripts will be issued only at the written and signed request of an individual student, or appropriate institutions or officials.
  4. Each transcript is issued as a complete and accurate copy of the student’s academic record as of the date of issue. It contains a record of all work attempted at Aurora University, together with a notation as to final grades earned, or drop status achieved, in each course. It shows total number of credits accepted in transfer from other colleges or universities. High school credits and test scores are not transmitted. Grade point averages are computed and reported with appropriate explanation as to the means of calculation.
  5. Aurora University has no authority to copy or release transcripts furnished to it from other institutions for admission or evaluation of credit. Transcripts from other institutions or testing agencies must always be obtained from the issuing institution or agency.
  6. Transcripts will be withheld until the student’s financial record with the University is clear. Until such time as this occurs, transcripts will only be issued to potential employers.
  7. Academic dismissal is reported on all transcripts.
  8. Disciplinary dismissal is documented in the Registrar’s Office for five years, but is NOT reported on transcripts.

Course Code System

  1. Department/program is to be represented by three letters (e.g, EDU = Education, SWK = Social Work). Letter codes are assigned by the Registrar in consultation with the appropriate jurisdictional dean.
  2. Course number is to be composed of three digits, with course number ranges to indicate level:

    Numerical suffixes are used for section numbers.

    EXAMPLES:

Student Classification and Definition
Each student who registers for a course at Aurora University will be classified. Classification will be made at the time of entry to the university and reclassification will be made each successive fall term only, or if a student shifts from a non-degree classification to a degree or certificate classification.

Cross Listed Undergraduate/Graduate Courses
Courses with numbers in the 500 series are offered both as advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate courses. Graduate or undergraduate credit is awarded based on whether the student is admitted to the University as a graduate or undergraduate student. Any exceptions require the written approval of the appropriate graduate program director or dean; this approval must be presented by the student at the time of registration in order for the student to be registered for credit differing from admission status. Courses with numbers in the 600 series or above are open to graduate students only.

Special Educational Experiences and Credit

  1. Independent Study, Honors Reading and Honors Research
    1. The purpose of an Independent Study, Honors Reading or Honors Research is to allow the competent and prepared student to pursue study of a topic of special interest or need in depth and to develop the student’s ability to work on his/her own by pursuing a reading/research project to successful completion.
    2. Prior to registration, students must file the Independent Study/ Honors Reading/Honors Research Petition. This petition requires the signature/approval of the instructor, graduate program chair and jurisdictional dean. Regular tuition is charged.
    3. In most cases Independent Study, Honors Reading or Honors Research should be within the field of the student’s graduate program and should be something which cannot be pursued through established courses. These are pursued on-campus under the direct supervision of an Aurora University faculty member.
    4. While most Independent Studies last one full term, occasionally they will run over several terms or less than one term. Independent Studies should be registered for along with other classes. After the first week of classes, the Registrar must approve registration for Independent Studies on a case by case basis in consultation with the instructor and the jurisdictional dean.
  2. Course by Special Arrangement
    This is a course that is part of the approved curriculum program but is being offered to a student during a term when it is not scheduled. It should be employed only in cases of extreme scheduling conflict when no substitution is appropriate. Prior to registration, students must file the Course By Special Arrangement Petition. This petition requires the signature/approval of the instructor, graduate program chair and jurisdictional dean. An additional $100 per semester hour fee is assessed in addition to regular tuition.
  3. Directed Study
    This is a course in which a student or students is/are studying on campus under the close supervision of an Aurora University faculty member. This is not “field experience,” does not cover material in the regular curriculum, and is not as research- and/or independently-oriented in its instructional methodology as an independent study. Students should file the Directed Study Petition prior to registration. This petition must be signed/approved by the instructor, graduate program chair, and jurisdictional dean. Regular tuition is charged.
  4. Internships and Practica
    Aurora University recognizes the validity of field experiences and experiential learning conducted under the control of the faculty and encourages the integration of such learning into the University’s academic programs where appropriate. Refer to specific graduate programs regarding internships and practica. Graduate programs are responsible for the oversight and supervision of their respective internships and practica.
    1. Grading systems for practica are determined by the program faculty. Completion requirements and evaluation methods must support the grading system chosen for a practicum.
    2. Site requirements are the responsibility of the graduate program. Students must meet all eligibility requirements imposed by the site at which the student seeks placement, including but not limited to prior completion of specific coursework, background/security checks, citizenship/residency requirements, health and fitness, insurance coverage, prior work experience, and demonstrated competence in specific skills.
    3. Registration: Students register for practica as part of the normal registration process for other coursework. Controlling programs are responsible for handling pre-practicum application procedures, if any. The signature of a program advisor or designee on the student’s registration form or change of course petition is required for registration.
    4. Monitoring and reporting requirements: Programs incorporating practica in their offerings are responsible for establishing faculty committees or other mechanisms that may be required to meet internal or external monitoring, screening, certification, or reporting requirements.
    5. Students pay normal tuition for internship and practicum placements. Students are responsible for other expenses associated with placements (travel, texts or reference materials, special clothing, insurance required by the site, etc.).

Course Descriptions
Catalog course descriptions are included in published catalogs. Descriptions of Independent Studies, Directed Studies, Honors Research, and Internships are contained in the petition by which the learning experience was approved. Descriptions and outlines of Selected Topics courses are provided by the sponsoring department at the time the course is submitted to the Registrar; copies are permanently filed by the Registrar and copies of those selected topics offered in a given term are on file for reference in the Advisement Office. Descriptions of Courses by Special Arrangement do not differ from published catalog descriptions.

Full-Time and Part-Time Enrollment
Students may enroll either full or part-time at Aurora University; in some graduate programs, a student must declare their intention in order to be placed in the correct sequence of courses to complete the program on a full or part-time basis. Full-time graduate enrollment is defined as a minimum of six semester hours per term (18 semester hours per academic year). Half-time enrollment is defined as a minimum of three semester hours per term (nine semester hours per academic year).