ACADEMIC POLICIES

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

To earn the Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership, each candidate must achieve the following:

 

1. Complete the coursework, including core or general education requirements, in the Organizational Leadership program.
2. Pay all fees and tuition charges.
3. Accumulate 120 semester credits that are officially accepted by St. Thomas University.
4. Have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 (4.0 scale) in the 120 credits comprising the degree program, and at least a 2.25 grade point average in major requirements.
5. Meet all general education requirements, which consist of the following courses, or equivalent, approved by the Registrar:

 

Course ATTENDANCE

In-Class Instruction
Due to the concentrated scheduling and the emphasis upon participatory learning, students need to be in attendance every week for in-class attendance. Absence due to illness or other emergency situations must be made up through activities required by the instructor in that course or the Director of Organizational Leadership Program. If more than one class session is missed in a module, the student must repeat the course unless special arrangements are made with the teacher and the Director of Organizational Leadership Program.

Web-based Instruction
Instruction for some courses may also be delivered via the extensive web-based computer tutorials, assigned text readings and enrichment projects. Quizzes, exams, and projects may also be administered via an internet web page. The syllabus will list assignment by units or weeks. The course will have weekly deadlines. Missing weekly deadlines may require personal visits for make-up exams during daytime office hours on the Main Campus in Miami Lakes . To participate in on-line courses, students must have daily access to a computer with web access, active email addresses and some demonstrated proficiency in basic computer and telecommunication skills, including file management, email messaging, uploading and downloading files and attaching files to messages.

General Guidelines for Make-up Work are:

 

1. In general, the facilitator determines make-up assignments for absences.
2. For make-up work in any module, students will discuss the missed class with the facilitator. It is expected that make-up arrangements will be equivalent to four hours of class time.
3. An “I” (Incomplete) will be given until make-up work is complete. If an “I” grade is not cleared in 90 days, an “F” grade will be given for that module.

 

The Director of Organizational Leadership Program will monitor attendance records, in-class and on-line. Attendance records are essential to comply with regulations established by the Veterans’ Administration and Health and Human Relations for recipients of VA ben efits or federally insured student loans.

If long term medical, family or employment concerns develop, the student needs to contact the Director of Organizational Leadership Program immediately. The Director will assist the student in addressing both academic and financial matters related to the program.

LIBRARY

The Library Reference Staff, in cooperation with the instructors in the Organizational Leadership program will provide instruction in basic information gathering, including learning the basics of database searching and critical thinking skills. These life-long learning skills are essential preparation to effectively function in this "information society." The Organizational Leadership program students are encouraged to use the services and resources of the Library. The University Library also provides access to over 10,000 journal, magazine and newspaper titles in digital format, and over 28,000 electronic books.

Student academic load

The Organizational Leadership program operates on a four-term system with all learners enrolled for at least twelve semester hours of instructional modules each term. The first term will start at various times of the year. The second and other terms will follow immediately—there is no break for the summer and very short breaks between terms and for other major holidays.

A student course load of 12 semester hours or more per term qualifies the individual for full-time status.

Candidates considering enrolling in the Organizational Leadership program needs to openly discuss the nature of that program and its demands both with their family and their employer. This is an eighteen-month program with many demands and requirements. Students will need the support and encouragement of family and employer.

REGISTRATION NIGHT

Registration is normally held one week before the first class when students in the group become acquainted with each other. Curriculum materials for the first term and assignments for the first week are provided. The books and materials’ fee, as well as the first term’s tuition, must be paid on registration night.

GRADES

Letter grades are given for all coursework in the Organizational Leadership program, except for POR 300. The POR 300 course will be given a “pass” or “fail’ grade.

INCOMPLETE GRADES

Incomplete work must be completed prior to the midpoint of the following term. If work is not satisfactorily completed by that time, the student will automatically be assigned an “F” (Failure) grade. Students with incompletes will jeopardize their participation in graduation. Also, students will not qualify for the Dean’s List if they have an “I” in the term being considered.

GRADE REPORTS

Once adult learners have received a grade report, an official transcript (including those grades and all previous courses and grades) will be available and sent upon request. Transcript requests must be made in writing. The fee is $5.00 per transcript.

Official transcripts can be sent directly from the University to schools, employers, agencies, etc. Students may also request official transcripts to be mailed to them.

Transcript requests should contain: student’s name (including maiden name), social security number, specific dates of attendance, and names and addresses where the transcripts are to be sent. If specific terms or specific course grades are to be included, that information should be noted, so that the transcript is not sent before the data is posted to the record.

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Prior to or during the first module, a class representative is selected from each cohort. This person carries out liaison responsibilities between the class and the Organizational Leadership program office, which may include taking attendance, supervising the facilitator evaluation at the end of the module, and representing the class in policy reviews conducted by the Organizational Leadership program office.

Withdrawal from the University

To withdraw from the program, the student must notify the Director of Organizational Leadership Program and complete the Change of Status and Change of Schedule (Add/Drop) forms. Students will only receive credit for modules completed. Furthermore, withdrawal from the program will jeopardize any financial aid for the rest of that academic year (These regulations have been set by the federal and state governments).

When the Registrar’s Office is asked to verify full-time enrollment for a student, that office is required to use the last date in class as the last day of attendance. That student also has a grace period of six months after the last day of classes before repayment of loans must begin. Therefore, a student receiving Financial Aid who anticipates dropping out should contact the Office of Financial Aid regarding the implications of such action.

When a student drops out of a cohort the charge must be prorated and refunds given either to the student, employer (if employer assisted) or the government (as determined by government regulations).

Withdrawing from or “DROPPING OUT” of the program is not official until the completed Change of Schedule form has been officially and successfully submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the student. A student will be held financially responsible for all fees associated with the program and courses for which he or she is registered until that Change of Schedule form is officially submitted.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS AND PARTICIPATION IN COMMENCEMENT

To be considered for participation in commencement exercises, with cap, gown and tassel, student must be enrolled in the final courses that would complete the requirements for the degree.

Graduating students will be expected to participate in the commencement ceremony on campus in May. If unable to attend the commencement ceremonies, students must petition the Vice President, Academic, for permission to graduate in absentia. Diplomas will be mailed to the student upon completion of work. Students must apply for graduation by October, February or June 1, of the year they plan to participate in commencement.

GRADUATING WITH ACADEMIC HONORS

Students may graduate with honors if they meet the University’s academic requirements including the necessary GPA and have taken at least 60 institutional credits that must not include alternative credits.

TIME-FRAME FOR SUCCESS

After completing the program, the student has 90 days to complete all requirements for the degree while maintaining an active status. Extensions will be granted in unusual circumstances. With the expiration of 90 days, the student will be classified as inactive. To be reinstated to active adult learner status, one must petition and pay a $100 fee. Active student status will last for three months. To graduate, a student must be classified as active.