Academic Policies

Section I: General Academic Regulations

1. Undergraduate Degree Requirements and Residency 
2. Application of Academic Regulations 
3. Declaration of Major 
4. Divisional Distribution Regulations: B.A. Degree 
5. Miscellaneous Regulations: B.A. Degree 
6. Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degrees 
7. Simultaneous Undergraduate Multiple Degrees and Multiple Majors 
8. Second Baccalaureate Degrees and Majors - Graduates of other Schools and Alumni of Aurora University not Continuously Enrolled 

A. Undergraduate Degree Requirements and Residency

1. A minimum of 120 semester hours of successful college work (overall GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale) must be presented for the B.A., B.S., B.S.N., B.S.W., or B.S.P.S. degree. Completion of at least 120 semester hours of work with a GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, including at least 52 semester hours at a Senior College.
2. A minimum of 52 semester hours of work presented for the bachelor's degree must be earned at a senior college.
3. Every Aurora University baccalaureate degree requires the completion of a minimum of 30 semester hours numbered 300 or above. Of these 30 semester hours, 15 semester hours must lie within the major, and 15 semester hours must be completed at Aurora University.
4. A minimum of 30 semester hours, including the last 24 semester hours in the degree and at least 18 semester hours in the major, must be earned at Aurora University.
5. All students must complete the following general education requirements: (Note: No more than 6 semester hours may be from any one department when presented for completion of General Degree Requirements.)
   1. ENG101 Composition I: Introduction to Academic Writing and ENG102 Composition II: Introduction to Research Writing
   2. Three semester hours of approved coursework in communication-related skills or knowledge
   3. Twelve semester hours of approved coursework in Humanities
   4. Twelve semester hours of approved coursework in Social and Behavioral Sciences, representing three departments.
   5. Twelve semester hours of approved coursework in Natural Sciences and Mathematics, including mastery at the level of MTH110 Algebra or MTH111 Contemporary Mathematics.

NOTE: Approved coursework lists are maintained by the Academic Advisement Office and Registrar's Office, showing courses approved for each general education area by the University Curriculum and Academic Policies Board. The official term bulletins also indicate the courses that are approved for each general education area.

B. Application of Academic Regulations

1. Aurora University has traditionally allowed students to graduate under the degree requirements in effect when they entered the University if course offerings allow and if enrollment is continuous from point of entry to graduation. The University does retain the right, however, to modify the academic policies, procedures and regulations for all students. Modifications in policies, procedures and regulations normally become effective at the beginning of the term following their enactment or as specified in the approved form of the regulation. Academic policies, procedures and regulations encompass such things as grading systems, transfer of credit policies, academic fees and guidelines for applying courses toward the degree requirements.
2. Only those persons specified in an academic regulation may authorize exceptions or waivers pertaining to that policy.
   1. Academic advisors may not grant exceptions or waivers except in a capacity specified in (2).
   2. All exceptions and waivers must be made in writing, with copies provided to the student, and to all University offices and units having an interest or responsibility related to the regulation in question.
3. Leave of Absence Policy:
   POLICY: Matriculated students at Aurora University who interrupt their studies for more than one term, except summer, must apply for readmission to the University and to their major programs unless the absence has been arranged in advance and has received prior approval under the regulations and procedures for granting of leaves of absence.
   
   Regulations and Procedures:
   Matriculated students wishing to interrupt their studies at Aurora University for more than one academic term (excluding summer) must file an approved leave of absence form with the University Registrar.
   1. Leave of absence forms must include complete forwarding address, permanent address, billing address, and telephone information, the term and year when the student intends to return to the University, the student's major and academic advisor, and in the case of residential students, the signature of the Associate Dean of Student Life or designee. Students holding student loans under certain federal programs are required to complete an exit interview with the Financial Aid Office.
   2. The leave of absence form must be filed with the Office of the Registrar prior to the first day of the second term following the last term of the student's enrollment, excluding summer (e.g., a student who was registered in spring term, but did not return fall term, must file the form before the first day of winter term). In the case of mailed forms, the date of the postmark shall govern.
   3. The Registrar shall retain the original leave of absence forms and forward copies to the Director of Academic Advisement and the director of the student's major program.
   4. Leaves of absence may be granted for up to two academic years (six terms, excluding summer terms); leaves may not be granted for an indefinite time period.
   5. Students may return to the University earlier than the term stated in the leave of absence form upon notification of the Registrar's Office prior to the beginning of the term.
   6. Before the beginning of the advisement and registration period for the term in which a student on leave has indicated that he/she plans to return to the University, the Registrar's Office will send a reactivation request form to the student. Upon return of a completed reactivation form, the Registrar's Office will forward the form to the Student Accounts Office and the Financial Aid Office for clearance. Approved reactivations will then be processed, student files reactivated, and the student notified that he/she may arrange an advising appointment with the assigned advisor.
   7. Completed reactivation forms must be presented to the Registrar's Office, or postmarked, before the beginning of the term in which the student is scheduled to return. Leave of absence forms for which no reactivation or extension request has been received will be cancelled at that time and students will then be subject to the regulations and procedures governing application for readmission to the University.
   8. A student on leave may request an extension of a leave of absence by filing a written request with the Registrar before the beginning of the term in which the student was originally scheduled to return to the University. Consecutive terms and extensions of leave of absence may not total more than 6 terms, excluding summer.
   9. Students on leave for a total of no more than one academic year (3 consecutive terms, excluding summer) may return to the University under the general degree requirements originally applied to them and complete their studies in the program in which they were enrolled before leaving according to the catalog and regulations under which they originally entered. There is, however, no obligation on the part of the University to provide coursework or programs that have been altered or discontinued in the interim.
   10. Students returning from leave who wish to seek admission to a different program than the one in which they were enrolled before leaving may do so, subject to the catalog, regulations, and other requirements in effect at the time they return.
   11. In those cases where a student has a choice between being bound by an earlier or current catalog, the student must file a form with the Director of Academic Advisement stating the student's choice of catalog before the student will be allowed to re-enroll. The student must choose one catalog by which to be bound for both program and general degree requirements, where applicable.
   12. Enrollment, whether matriculated or not, at any other institution of post-secondary education during a leave of absence from Aurora University automatically cancels all provisions of the leave of absence unless a petition for prior approval of transfer coursework is approved by the Registrar.
   13. Specific deadlines for submission of materials under these regulations shall be established by the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs.

   Readmission: A student who fails to register for more than one term, excluding summer, and who has not filed an approved leave of absence form in accordance with applicable regulations and procedures must apply for readmission to the University.
   
   Readmission/Rematriculation:

   1. Students applying for readmission are subject to the general admission standards of the University, the admission and progress standards of the program they seek to enter, and the catalog and regulations prevailing at the time of readmission.
   2. Application for readmission is made through the Office of Admissions. Official academic and financial aid transcripts from all post-secondary institutions previously attended, including institutions attended prior to the student's first admission to Aurora University, may be required at the discretion of the Registrar. A new evaluation of transfer credit will be conducted in accordance with regulations in effect at the time of readmission.

C. Declaration of Major

POLICY: Students who have been accepted under the general admission standards of the University may apply for acceptance into a program of the University. Acceptance of any student into any program of the University is determined by the faculty of that program and is conditional upon the student's meeting any program requirements that have received the approval of the program faculty and the University.

Regulations and Procedures

1. Students applying for admission to the University, or who have been admitted and are attending as undeclared students, may state their intent to major in a program of the University. This statement of intent is used for purposes of evaluating transfer credit and providing appropriate advising services, but does not constitute admission to the program.
2. Students seeking to enter a program must file a Declaration of Major form with the Academic Advisement Office.
3. The Advisement Office will assemble any necessary records or documents required by the program faculty for review of the student's declaration.
4. The program faculty will review the declaration and approve or deny it. A personal interview or the submission of supporting documents may be required at the option of the program.
5. After review and action, program chairs will forward Declaration of Major forms to the Registrar and the student will be officially entered as a student of that program. The Registrar will then forward the form to the Academic Advisement Director for filing, assignment of an advisor and distribution of copies of the completed form to the student and the program chair.
6. Students currently entered as students in one program may seek to declare another major by filing a Declaration of Major form showing both the old and new program. In the case of changes of program, the Academic Advisement Director will send notification to the chair of the old program.
7. A student denied admission to a program may appeal the denial to the jurisdictional dean or, in the case of a program directly headed by the dean, to the Provost/Vice-President for Academic Affairs.
8. Requirements for admission to or retention in a program must be approved by the program faculty, the jurisdictional dean, and the Provost/Vice-President for Academic Affairs.
9. A student may be dismissed from a program in accordance with duly approved requirements for retention in the program by action of the program faculty. Students so dismissed may appeal to the jurisdictional dean or to the Provost/Vice-President for Academic Affairs, in the case of a program directly headed by the jurisdictional dean.
10. Copies of the action for dismissal from a program shall be forwarded to the Registrar and the Academic Advisement Director, and the student will then be removed from the program and entered as undeclared.

D. Divisional Distribution Regulations: B.A. Degree

1. General Regulations
   1. Courses credited to a student's primary major will not count toward divisional distribution requirements except as specifically provided in the regulations.
   2. Professional and technically oriented courses generally will not count toward divisional distribution requirements. Exceptions to this may be granted only by the Registrar in consultation with the jurisdictional dean.
   3. Honors research, honors reading, independent study, travel, field experience or internship, participation credit, portfolio assessment, life and vocational experience credit, and block credit will not count toward divisional distribution requirements, except as approved by the Curriculum and Academic Policies Board.
2. Humanities Distribution Requirement
   1. No more than six semester hours from any one department may be used to meet the Humanities distribution requirement (department codes include: ART, COM, ENG, HIS, HUM, MUS, PHL, REL, SPN, THE).
   2. No more than six semester hours of studio credit may be applied toward the distribution requirement; and no more than three semester hours of studio credit from any one department may be applied toward the distribution requirement. (For purposes of interpreting this regulation, Art, Music, and Theatre shall be considered three departments.)
   3. The following courses may not be applied toward the Humanities distribution requirement:
      • COM114/ENG114 Journalism
      • COM150 Public Speaking
      • COM204/ENG204 Technical and Professional Writing
      • COM214 Writing for Mass Media
      • COM351 Corporate and Professional Communication
      • COM499 Senior Seminar in Communication
      • ENG101 Composition I: Introduction to Academic Writing
      • ENG102 Composition II: Introduction to Research Writing
      • ENG206 Creative Writing
      • ENG210 Linguistics
      • ENG218 Childrens' Literature
      • ENG302 Advanced Academic Writing
      • ENG312 Semantics
      • ENG314 Theories of Grammar
      • ENG416 History of the English Language
      • HIS491 Historiography
      • REL245 Sociology of Religion
      • SPN110 Basic Conversational Spanish

      Note: There may be other courses not approved as meeting the Humanities Distribution requirement. Check with Academic Advisement or the Registrar's Office for verification.

   4. CLEP and APP English area examinations and introductory composition may not be applied toward the distribution requirement.
3. Social and Behavioral Sciences Distribution Requirement
   1. Choose 12 semester hours from at least three different departments from the following list of courses:

                Criminal Justice

      • CRJ101 The Criminal Justice System
      • CRJ230 Criminology
      • CRJ318 Constitutional Law and the Judicial System
        
        Economics
      • ECN202 Principles of Macroeconomics
      • ECN/SBS232 General Statistics
        
        Political Science
      • PSC110 Politics, Culture and Society
      • PSC211 United States Government
      • PSC318 Constitutional Law and the Judicial System
      • PSC331 International Organization and Politics
      • PSC355 Comparative Political Systems: Industrial Nations
      • PSC356 Comparative Political Systems: Developing Nations 
        
        Psychology
      • PSY110 General Psychology
      • PSY334 Personality
      • PSY335 Child and Adolescent Development
      • PSY336 Adult Development and Aging
      • PSY338 Physiological Psychology
      • PSY344 Human Sexuality
      • PSY345 Social Psychology
      • PSY346 Exceptional Individual
        
        Sociology
      • SOC110 Principles of Sociology
      • SOC215 Cultural Anthropology
      • SOC230 Criminology
      • SOC250 Marriage and Family
      • SOC325 Social Problems
      • SOC334 Culture and Personality
      • SOC335 Racial and Ethnic Relations
      • SOC344 Human Sexuality
      • SOC345 Social Psychology
   2. SBS courses and other courses offered in the Social and Behavioral Sciences areas cannot be used to fulfill the SBS distribution requirement.
4. Natural Science and Mathematics Distribution Requirements
   1. The division urges students to meet the distribution requirement by taking courses from at least three different departments (department codes: BIO, CHM, MTH, NSM, PHY) rather than the required minimum two departments.
   2. The course MTH110 Algebra (or MTH101 and MTH102) used to satisfy the University math requirement may also be applied toward meeting the general distribution requirements.
   3. The course CSC150 Computer Science I may be counted in the Natural Science and Mathematics distribution requirement.
5. General Communication Requirement
   1. The following courses are applicable toward the English Composition portion of the General Communication Requirement:
      ENG101 Composition I: Introduction to Academic Writing
      ENG102 Composition II: Introduction to Research Writing
      OR
      A complete Freshman English Composition sequence in transfer, if completed prior to admission to Aurora University.
      
      NOTE: A satisfactory score on the CLEP English Composition Examination or the APP English Language Composition will exempt the student from ENG101.
   2. One of the following courses must be used to complete the General Communication portion of the requirement:
      COM114/ENG114 Journalism
      COM150 Public Speaking
      COM204/ENG204 Technical and Professional Writing
      ENG210 Linguistics
      ENG302 Advanced Academic Writing
      ENG312 Semantics
      THE225 Oral Interpretation of Literature
6. No more than three semester hours of credit by examination may be applied toward the General Communication Requirement.
7. A new Freshman student is expected to begin the ENG101/ENG102 sequence (Composition I: Introduction to Academic Writing and Composition II: Introduction to Research Writing) during the first term he/she enters Aurora University and continue every term thereafter until such time as the requirement is met. Exceptions to this policy will require the approval of the Registrar and the granting of such an exception will be accompanied by an agreement to take the sequence at the earliest possible time. Freshmen wishing to meet the ENG101 Composition I: Introduction to Academic Writing requirement via CLEP must have official score results submitted to the Registrar's Office prior to the beginning of their first term of attendance or registration in ENG101 will be required. Transfer students entering without a completed sequence in Freshman English Composition must complete the requirement as early in their Aurora University career as possible. Under no circumstances should a student earn more than 9 semester hours at Aurora University or accumulate a total of 84 semester hours toward graduation without enrolling in the ENG101/ENG102 sequence. Transfer students wishing to meet the ENG101 requirement via CLEP are required to take the examination during their first term of attendance. Once a student has enrolled at Aurora University the English Composition portion of the General Communication Requirement must be met via CLEP and/or appropriate Aurora University coursework. Transfer of Freshman English courses taken after a student enrolls at Aurora University will not be authorized.
8. Transfer students who meet the following criteria will be exempted from ENG102 Composition II: Introduction to Research Writing:
   1. The student shall have transferred in a minimum of 60 semester hours.
   2. The student shall have successfully completed the equivalent of ENG101 Introduction to Academic Writing at one of the institutions he or she previously attended.
   3. The student shall present to the Liberal Studies Program Committee Coordinator by the end of the fifth week of his or her second term in residence, a portfolio of at least three papers submitted in completion of the requirements of courses taken at one of the institutions previously attended; all three papers should bear title pages identifying the courses for which they were submitted; all three papers should bear signs of having been evaluated by those courses' instructors; at least one of these papers should be a fully documented research paper of at least 10 pages.
   4. The student will also include in the portfolio a letter briefly explaining the choice of the papers being submitted as the basis for the exemption.
   5. At least two members of the Liberal Studies Program Committee shall concur in finding the work contained in the student's portfolio satisfactory evidence of the student's ability to write competent academic prose and to satisfactorily complete a research assignment.
   6. Upon receiving the student's portfolio, the Liberal Studies Program Committee Coordinator shall ask two members of the department (one of whom may be the coordinator) to read and independently evaluate the papers contained therein. Should the two readers not concur in their evaluations of the papers, a third member will be asked to read them and break the tie. This process should be completed within two weeks of the submission of the portfolio. A student whose work is judged not satisfactory shall be required to register for ENG102 Composition II: Introduction to Research Writing as soon as that course is offered; for students entering in the fall term, this would mean that ENG102 should be completed in the second term of residence. Others may have to wait until the following academic year.

E. Miscellaneous Regulations: B.A. Degree

1. Portfolio assessment credit, life and vocational experience credit, off-campus experience credit, examination credit, participation credit, and block credit, shall not count toward the residency requirement.
2. A course may be utilized only once in application toward a degree requirement; specific exemptions are noted in the academic regulations.
3. Regular class attendance is expected of all students. Aurora University has no permissible cut policy. Because of the wide diversity that exists among the various courses within the University and the manner in which they are conducted, it is the responsibility of each instructor to establish and maintain his/her own policy in each of his/her classes. Each instructor is required to maintain attendance records. Students must comply with attendance requirements established by financial aid sources such as the VA, regardless of the attendance policy established by the instructor.
4. Conditionally admitted students must complete the diagnostic testing program administered by The Learning Center at the beginning of their residency at the University. Successful completion of this program is a requirement for moving to full admission status.

F. Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degrees

1. All the degree requirements for the B.A. will also be requirements for the B.S. and B.S.N. degree. PSY335 Childhood and Adolescence, required in the B.S.N. Core, may also be applied toward meeting 3 semester hours of the 12 semester hour requirement in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Division. Because this course is in the Psychology Department, only one additional Psychology course may be applied toward completing the Social and Behavioral Sciences distribution requirement. Courses in the B.S. or B.S.N. science core can also be used toward meeting the 12 semester hour distribution requirement in Natural Science and Mathematics. Additional coursework may need to be taken in certain majors in order to satisfy the requirement that no more than 6 semester hours can be used from any one department.
2. A minimum of 12 semester hours in all B.S. Areas of Concentration (except the B.S.N.) must be chosen from a "selected" course list.

G. Simultaneous Undergraduate Multiple Degrees and Multiple Majors

1. "Multiple degrees" are defined as two or more degrees bearing different general titles as printed on the diploma. Five undergraduate degrees are currently offered by Aurora University: B.A., B.S., B.S.N., B.S.W., and B.S.P.S.
2. "Multiple majors" are defined as two or more major disciplinary areas within the same general degree title (e.g., B.A. in Literature vs. B.A. in History).
3. In the event that a B.A. is earned in conjunction with a B.S., B.S.N., B.S.W., B.S.P.S., any regulations pertaining to the application of major or required support courses to general education requirements are deemed to apply.
4. Multiple degrees may be awarded upon completion of all requirements relevant to both degrees provided that at least 24 semester hours in each degree are not present in the other. Separate diplomas are provided for each degree; the student chooses one point at which to be presented at graduation.
5. Multiple majors may be earned by completion of all requirements for both majors, provided that at least 18 semester hours included in each major are not present in the other. A single diploma is issued showing the general degree title. Multiple majors are shown on the transcript.
6. When seeking more than one major, students must declare a primary and secondary major. Courses in the secondary major but not in the primary major may be applied toward meeting general education requirements.
7. A B.A. and B.S. degree in the same major may not be awarded simultaneously. In those disciplines where both degrees are offered, a graduate holding one degree may earn the second degree for award at a later graduation date by completing all additional requirements for the second degree. The restrictions in I.G.4 and I.G.5 apply.

H. Second Baccalaureate Degrees and Majors - Graduates of other Schools and Alumni of Aurora University not Continuously Enrolled

1. Holders of an Aurora University baccalaureate degree may complete a second degree or major by completion of the balance of the coursework required for the second credential within the provisions of section I.G., above. All general education requirements are deemed to have been met by virtue of completion of the first degree.
2. Holders of baccalaureate degrees from other regionally-accredited schools may earn a second degree from Aurora University in a field considered by Aurora University to be distinct from that of the first degree by completing the major requirements for the new field and fulfilling the Aurora University residency requirement as specified in section I.A.
3. In all cases, coursework from the students' first degree or major may only be applied toward the new major or the major of the new degree upon approval of the major department or program faculty.

Posted: 11 March 2002