| Academic Policies
Academic Credit
JP Catholic University operates on the quarter system. All courses at JP Catholic carry 3-units of credit. 3-units of credit requires at least 30 contact hours of lecture, discussion, recitation, seminar, or colloquium, as well as a minimum of 60 hours of student homework. One contact hour is the equivalent of 50 minutes of class time or 60 minutes of independent study work.
Bachelor’s Degree Requirements
To earn a Bachelor of Science degree at JP Catholic University, a student must complete 180 units of credit. This can be achieved in 3 years taking fifteen units per quarter for four successive quarters per year.
Attendance policies
All course work required for a Bachelor’s degree must be completed by the end of the Spring quarter of the year of filing for graduation. Every candidate for a bachelor’s degree must have completed a major – the requirements for each major are laid out in its course matrix. A student must have declared a major upon completion of their second year of study at JP Catholic. A change of major after that will require individual petition to the Provost.
JP Catholic’s policy relating to student attendance, academic progress and performance is derived from its fundamental belief that the student’s success is core to its mission. It recognizes that students in general will not all share the same levels of commitment and motivation. The Dean of Students tracks the progress of all students in real-time, and notifying both students and parents in real-time of that progress, mirroring the financial tracking of Return on Investment (ROI) used in major companies. Particular attention will be paid to raising an alert when a student’s performance has started to spiral downwards.
Residency Requirements
Each candidate for the bachelor’s degree must complete at minimum 90 units in residence at JP Catholic. Under rare circumstances, the Provost may grant exceptions. All six Senior Business Plan courses must be taken at JP Catholic.
Progress toward Degrees
In order to apply the units of a course toward unit requirements for a degree, a student must receive an A, B, C, D, or P grade in the course. (Plus or minus suffixes (+/–) may be affixed to A, B, and C.) Further, a student must have a 2.0 or higher grade point average (GPA) to receive a bachelor’s degree.
Probation
A student is subject to academic probation if at the end of any term his or her GPA for that term or his or her cumulative GPA is less than 2.0.
Subject to Disqualification
A student is subject to academic disqualification from further registration if at the end of any quarter his or her GPA for that quarter is less than 1.5 or if he or she has completed two successive quarters on academic probation without achieving a cumulative GPA of 2.0. Continued registration of the student who is subject to disqualification will be at the discretion of the Office of the Provost. If a student is not currently in scholastic good standing or has been denied registration for the next ensuing quarter on the date on which he or she left the university, a statement of his or her status shall accompany his or her transcript. Students receiving financial assistance should refer to information in the Financial Aid section of this catalog. Unique scholarship eligibility requirements must be met.
Minimum Progress
A full-time student is subject to disqualification from further registration if he or she does not complete thirty-six units in any three consecutive quarters of enrollment. Continued registration of a student who is subject to disqualification due to lack of minimum progress will be at the discretion of the Office of the Provost. Eligible transfer students may file for an exemption from the minimum progress requirement by completing the Part-time Study application and receiving approval prior to the end of the second week of the quarter.
Repetition of Courses Repetition for credit of courses has the following limitations:
- A student may not repeat a course for which a grade of A, B, C, I, or P is recorded on his or her transcript. (Plus or minus suffixes (+/–) may be affixed to A, B, and C.)
- Repetition of a course for which a student’s transcript bears two or more entries with grades among D, F, or NP will require approval of the provost or appropriate dean.
- All grades received by a student shall be recorded on the student’s transcript.
- The first sixteen units of courses that have been repeated, and for which the student received a grade of D, F, or NP shall not be used in grade-point calculations on a student’s transcript.
Note: Although GPA will not include these repeated courses, other institutions/graduate programs, and agencies may recalculate the GPA to reflect all assigned grades.
Final Examinations
Final examinations are obligatory in all courses except the Senior Business Plan courses. Each such examination shall be conducted in writing whenever practical and must be completed by all participants within the allotted time.
Retention of Examination Papers
Faculty are required to retain examination papers for at least one full quarter following the final examination period, unless the papers have been returned to the students.
Credit by Examination
With the faculty’s approval and concurrence by the Provost, a currently enrolled and registered student in good standing may petition to obtain credit for some courses by examination. Credit by examination is intended for students who study the course material on their own and then petition for credit by examination when they feel they are prepared. The examination will cover work for the entire course. Except as authorized by the instructor and appropriate provost, credit by examination may not be used to repeat a grade of D, F, or W. A part-time student who, by registering to take a course credit by examination, surpasses the number of units allowed for part-time status must pay fees as a full-time student. There is a $50 fee for each Credit by Examination petition.
Use of Student Petition
For exceptional circumstances, students may request approval for variances to regulations and policies. This should be done by filling out a Student Petition (available in the Provosts’ office), securing the necessary approvals, and filing the petition with the appropriate department or the academic advising office.
Dean’s List
Students who have a grade point average of 3.5 or above in a minimum of 12 graded units of credit in any quarter will be recognized and celebrated by joining the Dean’s List.
Transcripts
All official transcripts of a student’s record bears the seal of the University. Transcript requests should be directed to the Registrar’s Office. Transcripts are not issued until the student has made a written request and has made satisfactory arrangements with the Student Accounts Office in regard to payment of all University bills and fines. The charge for a transcript is $5.
Record Retention Policy
Student Academic Records : Time Retained
Transcripts : 50 Years
Grades : 3 years
Financial : 5 years
Discipline : 3 years
Dropout and leave-of-absence policies
Students, in good academic standing, who are absent between one and three quarters are considered to be continuing students and should contact the Admissions Office for readmission no later than four weeks prior to the beginning of the next quarter they wish to re-enroll. A nonrefundable fee of $40 is charged.
• Students in good academic standing, who were absent for more than three quarters and who have been readmitted, must consult with an academic adviser before enrollment. Students must adhere to the graduation requirements in effect at the time of readmission or those subsequently established.
• Students who were on probation or subject to dismissal the last quarter of attendance at JP Catholic, but were not dismissed, must consult with an academic adviser and establish a contract before enrollment.
• Students who were dismissed from JP Catholic, but have subsequently met the conditions stipulated in their original dismissal letter, must consult with an academic adviser and establish a quarterly contract before readmission and enrollment.
• Students who attended another institution since leaving JP Catholic must submit official transcripts for all academic work completed. This work must be of passing or higher quality.
Withdrawal from the University
JP Catholic recognizes that there are various reasons for students withdrawing from the university. Enrolled or registered (paid fees) students who wish to withdraw either prior to or during the quarter will be required to complete the Application for Withdrawal. The form should be filed with the Admissions Office. These forms will serve two purposes: 1) a means to provide a refund of fees, if appropriate; 2) automatic withdrawal from classes (see also the section on “The W Grade”). Students considering withdrawing will be urged to consult with their academic advisor.
Grading Policy, Rules of Operation and Conduct
Grades are defined as follows:
• A, excellent;
• B, good;
• C, fair;
• D, poor;
• F, fail;
• I, incomplete (work of passing quality but incomplete for good cause);
• IP (In Progress courses approved for more than a one-quarter sequence).
The designations P (Pass) and NP (Not Pass) are used for the six Senior Business Plan courses. P denotes a letter grade of C– or better. A blank grade indicates no record or no report of grade was received from the instructor. W is recorded on the transcript indicating the student withdrew or dropped the course sometime after the beginning of the fifth week of a quarter. Instructors have the option of assigning plus (+) and minus (–) suffixes to the grades A, B, and C.
Grade Points
For each student, the Registrar will calculate a grade-point average (GPA) over courses taken. Grade points per unit will be assigned as follows: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0. When attached to the grades of B and C, plus (+) grades carry three-tenths of a grade point more per unit. The grade of A+, when awarded, represents extraordinary achievement but does not receive grade-point credit beyond that received for the grade of A. When attached to the grades of A, B and C, minus (–) grades carry three-tenths of a grade point less per unit than the un-suffixed grades. Courses in which an I, IP, P, NP, or W grade has been awarded will be disregarded in grade-point calculations.
Grade : Grade Points
A+ : 4.0
A : 4.0
A- : 3.7
B+ : 3.3
B : 3.0
B- : 2.7
C+ : 2.3
C : 2.0
C– : 1.7
D+ : 1.3
D : 1.0
F : 0
The grade-point average is computed by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total unit value of letter-graded courses completed. At the end of each quarter, the instructor of each course will assign a letter grade to each student who was enrolled in that course at the end of the ninth week of instruction on the basis of the work required for the entire course. An “I grade” may be assigned if appropriate.
Changes in Grades
All grades except IP and I are final when filed by instructors on end-of-term grade reports. However, a final grade may be corrected when a clerical or procedural error is discovered. No change of a final grade may be made on the basis of revision or augmentation of a student’s work in the course. No term grade except Incomplete may be revised by further examination. No grade may be changed after one calendar year from the time it was recorded. Petitions for exceptions are referred to the Provost’s Office.
No Report/No Record
A blank entry appearing on student transcripts in lieu of a grade indicates that the instructor assigned no grade. A blank entry will lapse automatically into an F or NP if not replaced by a final grade by the last day of instruction of the subsequent quarter, and will be computed in the student’s GPA.
Pass/Not Pass
The Pass/Not Pass option is designed to encourage undergraduate students to venture and risk in the Senior Business Plan courses, which they might otherwise hesitate to take because they are uncertain about their ability or preparation.
The W Grade
When a student withdraws from JP Catholic or drops a course between the beginning of the fifth week of instruction and the end of the ninth week of instruction of a quarter, the Registrar will assign a W to the student for each course affected. Only the Registrar may assign a W.
Courses in which a W has been entered on the student’s transcript will be disregarded in determining a student’s grade-point average.
Dropping Courses and the W Grade
A student may drop a course before the end of the ninth week of instruction by filing the appropriate form with the Registrar, after first notifying the instructor and/or department. A student who wishes to drop all courses will be required to file a Request for Withdrawal form with the Academic Advising or Dean’s Office.
1. A course dropped before the end of the fourth week of instruction will not appear on the student’s transcript. If a student drops a course after the end of the fourth week of instruction and before the end of the ninth week of instruction, the registrar will assign a final grade of W to the student for that course.
2. A student may not drop a course after the end of the ninth week of instruction.
When an instructor has assigned a grade in a course prior to the end of the ninth week of instruction, dropping the course or withdrawing from the university may not subsequently change that grade.
Withdrawing From the University and the W Grade
A student may withdraw from the university before the end of the ninth week of instruction of a quarter.
1. If a student withdraws before the end of the fourth week of instruction, no course entries will appear on the student’s transcript for that quarter.
2. If a student withdraws after the end of the fourth week of instruction and before the end of the ninth week of instruction, the registrar will assign a final grade of W to the student for each course in which the student was enrolled at the beginning of the fifth week of instruction.
3. Each student will receive a final grade for each course in which the student was enrolled at the end of the ninth week of instruction of the quarter.
When an instructor has assigned a grade in a course prior to the end of the ninth week of instruction, dropping the course or withdrawing from the university may not subsequently change that grade.
The In Progress (IP) Grade
For exceptional and compelling reasons, a course extending over more than one quarter may be authorized. In such courses an evaluation of a student’s performance may not be possible until the end of the final term. In such cases the instructor may assign the provisional grade IP (in progress).
IP grades shall be replaced by final grades if the student completes the full sequence. The instructor may assign final grades, grade points, and unit credit for completed terms when the student has not completed the entire sequence provided that the instructor has a basis for assigning the grades and certifies that the course was not completed for good cause. An IP not replaced by a final grade will remain on the student’s record.
In calculating a student’s grade point average, grade points and units for courses graded IP shall not be counted. However, at graduation, courses still on the record as graded IP must be treated as courses attempted in computation of the student’s grade-point average.
The Incomplete (I) Grade
An Incomplete grade I shall be disregarded in determining a student’s grade-point average, except at point of graduation, when students must have an overall 2.0 (C) on all work attempted at JP Catholic. All work required for a degree must be completed by the end of the quarter the student filed for graduation. Students requesting an “I grade” the last quarter before graduation may have their graduation date delayed.
Students whose work is of non-failing quality but incomplete for good cause, such as illness, must file a Request to Receive/ Remove Grade Incomplete form. If the required work is not submitted by the end of the quarter following so that the instructor can report the grade, the grade will automatically be changed to one of “Failure” by the Registrar.
1. Students should complete their portion of the request form, including the reason they are requesting the Incomplete. The deadline for filing an Incomplete shall be no later than the first working day after final examination week.
2. The instructor has the option to approve or disapprove the request and should state on the form how and when the “I grade” is to be completed. If approved, the instructor submits the form with term grade reports.
3. Students must complete the work to remove the Incomplete on or before the date agreed upon with the instructor and in time for the instructor to assign a grade before the end of finals week the following quarter.
4. Failure to complete this work within the regulation time limit will result in the incomplete lapsing to a permanent F or NP grade.
A student who has received an “I grade” should not re-enroll in the course to make up the missing work. If the student were to re-enroll, the course would be considered a repeat and would not remove the prior quarter’s Incomplete, which would lapse to a permanent F or NP grade.
Intended Use of the Incomplete
The Incomplete is intended for use when circumstances beyond a student’s control prohibit taking the final exam or completing course work.
The Incomplete is not intended as a mechanism for allowing a student to retake a course. A student who has fallen substantially behind and needs to repeat a course can drop the course prior to the end of the ninth week of classes. Otherwise, the instructor should assign the appropriate final grade (D, F, or NP for example).
An Incomplete may not be used simply to allow a bit more time for a student who has fallen behind for no good reason. An “I grade” may be granted only to students who have a legitimate excuse. Examples of unacceptable reasons for approving an Incomplete include the need to rewrite a paper; the demands of a time-consuming job; the desire to leave town for a vacation, family gathering, or athletic contest; the desire to do well on Business Plan work; and the like.
Extension of Incomplete
For justifiable reasons, such as illness, students can petition their provost or graduate office to extend the Incomplete past one quarter. These petitions must have the prior approval of the instructor and the department chair. The petition must include the reasons for requesting the extension and how and when the I is to be completed. These petitions must be filed before the Incomplete grade lapses to an F or NP grade. The extension cannot be made retroactively.
An I grade may be replaced upon completion of the work required by a date agreed upon with the instructor, but no later than the last day of finals week in the following quarter. If not replaced by this date, the “I grade” will lapse into an F or NP grade, depending upon the student’s initial grading option.
Student Copy of Final Grades
At the end of each quarter students should check online for grade information. Grades will usually be available ten working days after the end of final examinations. Students should examine their record for accuracy and report any omissions or errors to the Registrar’s Office immediately.
Grade Appeals
If a student believes that nonacademic criteria have been used in determining his or her grade in a course, he or she may appeal to the Committee of Grade Appeal (CGA) Nonacademic criteria mean criteria not directly reflective of academic performance in this course. It includes discrimination on political grounds or for reasons of race, religion, sex, or ethnic origin. Appeals to the CGA are confidential unless both the complainant and the instructor agree otherwise. They may agree to allow the student representatives to the committee to participate in the deliberations of the committee, or they may agree to open the deliberations to members of the university community.
The student may attempt to resolve the grievance with the instructor. If the grievance is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, he or she may then attempt to resolve the grievance through written appeal to the department chair or equivalent, who shall attempt to adjudicate the case with the instructor and the student within two weeks. If the grievance still is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, he or she may then attempt to resolve the grievance through written appeal to the provost, who shall attempt to adjudicate the case with the instructor, the chair, and the student within two weeks. If the grievance is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction by the provost or dean, the student may request consideration of the appeal by the CGA. This request must be submitted before the last day of instruction of the quarter following the quarter in which the course was taken.
Policy on Integrity of Scholarship
The principle of honesty must be upheld if the integrity of scholarship is to be maintained by an academic community. JP Catholic expects both faculty and students to honor this principle and in so doing protect the validity of university grading. This means that all academic work will be done by the student to whom it is assigned and without unauthorized aid of any kind. Faculty, for their part, will exercise care in planning and supervising academic work, so that honest effort will be encouraged.
Faculty Responsibility
The instructor should state the objectives and requirements of each course at the beginning of the term and clearly inform students in writing what kinds of aid and collaboration, if any, are permitted on graded assignments.
Students’ Responsibility
Students are expected to complete the course in compliance with the instructor’s standards. No student shall engage in any activity that involves attempting to receive a grade by means other than honest effort, for example:
• No student shall knowingly procure, provide, or accept any unauthorized material that contains questions or answers to any examination or assignment to be given at a subsequent time.
• No student shall complete, in part or in total, any examination or assignment for another person.
• No student shall knowingly allow any examination or assignment to be completed, in part or in total, for himself or herself by another person.
• No student shall plagiarize or copy the work of another person and submit it as his or her own work.
• No student shall employ aids excluded by the instructor in undertaking course work.
• No student shall alter graded class assignments or examinations and then resubmit them for re-grading.
• No student shall submit substantially the same material in more than one course without prior authorization.
A student acting in the capacity of an instructional assistant (IA), including but not limited to teaching assistants, readers, and tutors, has a special responsibility to safeguard the integrity of scholarship. In these roles the student functions as an apprentice instructor, under the tutelage of the responsible instructor. An IA shall equitably grade student work in the manner agreed upon with the course instructor. An IA shall not make any unauthorized material related to tests, exams, home-works, etc. available to any student.
A committee, appointed by the Provost, shall be responsible for handling cases of academic dishonesty. It will include faculty, administration and student representatives.
|
