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 Course CatalogAcademic Policies UndergraduateAcademic Class StandingClass standing is determined on the basis of total credits earned as follows: Classification Total Credits EarnedFirst Year 0-32 Academic Good StandingUndergraduate students are considered to be in academic good standing when their cumulative grade point average (GPA) is 2.00 or greater. Grade point averages are compiled at the end of the fall, spring and summer semesters. Academic WarningAny undergraduate student whose GPA for a given semester (fall, spring, summer) falls below 2.00, but whose cumulative GPA remains above a 2.00, will receive an "Academic Warning Notice". Upon receipt of this notice students are required to meet with their advisors and Dean of Students to make a plan to improve their GPA during the succeeding semester. The Academic Warning Notice alerts students that their "Academic Good Standing" may be in jeopardy and if their GPA falls below a 2.00 they will be placed on Academic Probation. Academic ProbationA student whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 will be placed on academic probation. A student on academic probation may not enroll for more than 14 semester credit hours in a regular semester and six hours in a summer session without prior approval from the academic dean. In addition, the student must continue to seek regularly scheduled advice and counsel from an academic advisor. Notification of probation will appear on a student's general academic information within Web Advisor. Regaining a 2.0 cumulative GPA on course work will remove the student from probation. Academic SuspensionA student on academic probation who fails to raise the cumulative GPA to 2.0 and who fails to earn a semester GPA of 2.0 will be placed on academic suspension. Notification of suspension will appear in general academic information within Web Advisor. Once suspended, a student may:
Academic RecognitionGraduation HonorsAlaska Pacific University grants the following graduation honors to baccalaureate degree candidates. These designations are included on transcripts and diplomas. Summa Cum Laude Cumulative GPA of 3.90 or higher These GPAs are based on all college work attempted at Alaska Pacific University. Semester HonorsEach semester, outstanding full-time undergraduate students with a 3.75 grade point average for the previous semester are recognized through inclusion on the Honors List. To be eligible, all course work must be completed by the end of the semester (students with an incomplete grade will not be considered). A minimum of nine semester hours must be completed with letter grades. Minimum Grades in Undergraduate Competency CoursesIn order to demonstrate competency in the General University Requirements (GUR's) of written communication, speech communication, and quantitative skills a minimum grade of "C" (includes C+, C, and C-) must be earned. Transfer CreditCourses completed at other accredited institutions, when courses are 100 level or above, may be transferred to Alaska Pacific University if the courses are applicable to the university undergraduate degree and if the courses are completed with a "C" grade or better. No more than 12 semester hours earned through correspondence programs may be transferred into Alaska Pacific University. Beginning fall 2006, coursework transferred into Alaska Pacific University will not be calculated into the cumulative GPA. Residency Requirements and Upper Division Credit Hour Requirements must be completed as outlined in the Degree Requirements Section of this Catalog. Second Baccalaureate DegreeStudents who have received a baccalaureate degree from Alaska Pacific University and who wish to obtain another baccalaureate degree must:
Transfer students who have received a baccalaureate degree from another regionally accredited college or university and who wish to obtain a second baccalaureate degree from Alaska Pacific must:
Double MajorsBaccalaureate degree-seeking students may apply to graduate (during the same semester) with two majors. For example, a student may select two areas from approved majors such as Psychology and Business Administration. Students must apply for and be accepted into each major. Students may request a double major at the time of initial admission into Alaska Pacific University, or add a major at a later date through the Registrar's Office. Forms are available in that office or online through the Moose page. Students must satisfy the General University Requirements and both sets of major program requirements. Students must also satisfy catalog requirements in effect at the time of acceptance into the major(s), or later catalog requirements in effect during the remaining periods of continuous enrollment. The transcript and diploma will reflect one degree and two majors. Grade Change PolicyOnce an instructor submits a final grade to the Registrar, it may not be changed except under the following circumstances:
Registration RequirementsStudents are officially registered if registering through Web Advisor or the Registrar's Office. Undergraduate students are considered fulltime if they are enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester (spring, summer, fall) Semester InformationFor specific dates, please see the academic calendar.
Maximum Credits Per Term
Off-Campus EnrollmentOnce enrolled at Alaska Pacific University, students may not take courses elsewhere and transfer them to Alaska Pacific University, unless the arrangement is approved in advance. The advisor's approval is sufficient except when such an arrangement is to take place during the final 16 or 32 semester hours prior to receiving an associate or bachelor degree. In the latter case, the student may request a "waiver of the University Residence Requirement" by submitting a request form to the Registrar's Advisory Committee. Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate CoursesStudents with senior standing may, during their senior year, enroll in a maximum of six credit hours of graduate level courses and hold these credits to apply later to an Alaska Pacific University graduate degree. These credits may not be applied toward their baccalaureate degree. Seniors wishing to take advantage of this opportunity must file a Request for Special Consideration with the Registrar that has been approved by the Program Directors of the graduate course(s) and the student's advisor. Tuition for graduate courses may not be included in the consolidated undergraduate tuition. Leave of AbsenceStudents with continuous enrollment may elect to meet the graduation requirements of any catalog in existence during the period of their enrollment. If enrollment is interrupted for a period of greater than twelve consecutive months (three consecutive semesters), the student must reapply for admission and meet admission and degree requirements in existence at the time of his or her readmission, unless a request for a Leave of Absence has been filed with, and approved by, the Registrar prior to departure. Requests for a Leave of Absence are made by completing a Request for Special Consideration form available from the Registrar’s Office or online through the Moose page. If, during the leave of absence, the student plans to take course work elsewhere and transfer the credits to Alaska Pacific University, the request for leave must include specific information regarding the planned program. To ensure that these credits are transferred to Alaska Pacific University, the program must be approved by the student's Alaska Pacific University advisor and the courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better for an undergraduate program and a "B" (3.00) or better for a graduate program. These courses cannot be taken during the final 32 hours for the a bachelor degree or 16 hours for the an associate degree unless the student requests a "waiver of the University Residence Requirement" by submitting a Request For Special Consideration form to the Registrar's Advisory Committee. Students whose absence from the university is less than 12 consecutive months are not required to reapply for admission; however, credits taken at any other institution during the absence from Alaska Pacific University will not be accepted for transfer unless permission to take such courses was granted in advance, and appropriate grades have been earned as described in the preceding paragraph. Requests for a Leave of Absence are made by completing a Request for Special Consideration form available from the Registrar's Office or on the APU Moose Page. Independent or Directed StudyIndependent and Directed Study are offered to accommodate special needs of students. An Independent Study course is one which is listed in the catalog but offered to an individual student who is unable to attend a regularly scheduled course. A Directed Study course is not listed in the catalog but deals with a special topic and is arranged on an individual basis by a student and a faculty member. Directed Study may take the form of an independent study, a collaborative project, a practicum experience, or a Senior Project. It is seen as an important attribute of the active learner, to be carefully developed under the supervision of the faculty. (Also see description of Sophomore Seminar on p15.) Directed Study makes education hands-on, experiential, and relevant to real world problem solving. Students learn how to conceptualize, plan, carry out, evaluate, and present their own work while learning about their own interests and special abilities. Through Directed Study students also learn how to work collaboratively. This is one of the most important skills to be learned in higher education, because much of a student's career after graduation is likely to be spent working in groups. Directed Study leads to improved retention of what students have studied. Through Directed Study and Practicum experiences, students will build a resume as well as a transcript. They will have accumulated the experience that is so crucial in starting their career. A maximum of 32 credit hours earned through Independent and/or Directed Study courses may be applied to the B.A. degree. Academic AdvisingEach student is assigned an academic advisor. This assignment is made according to a student's area of study, special needs, and interests. The academic advisor provides the student with the intellectual framework in which to make informed decisions regarding academic pursuits at Alaska Pacific University. During the first year and sophomore year, advising is designed not only to offer guidance on course selection, but also to explore the nature and importance of a university education. All students meet with their advisors during orientation to plan their schedule and regularly thereafter. Entering first year students meet with their advisors on a more frequent basis, particularly during the first semester. Students are encouraged to take advantage of early registration opportunities so that they may be assured of their first choice of classes. After attaining junior standing and declaring a major, upper division students are advised by a faculty member within their major department. Transfer students are assigned advisors according to each student's academic interests. Advisors help assess the student's standing toward the degree in the chosen discipline. Honor PolicyAlaska Pacific University is a community of learners and teachers in which all enjoy freedoms and privileges based upon mutual trust and respect as well as a clear sense of responsibility. This philosophy forms the foundation of the academic and social environment at this university. In the academic arena, students are responsible for their own learning while faculty members enhance these learning experiences. Students are expected to do all work assigned, to do it honestly and with integrity, and to ensure that the instructor has actually received the work. As noted in the Student Handbook, cheating on examinations, plagiarism, or submitting the work of others as one's own are specific examples of prohibited conduct. Students who engage in such activities will be subject to disciplinary measures, which may include failure in the course or expulsion from the university. (See Student Handbook for further information.) Special ConsiderationA student, whose circumstances may be exceptional, may file a request for Special Consideration form to seek a waiver of an academic policy. The form is available in the Registrar's Office or online through the Moose page. The specific request must be stated, along with supporting facts and circumstances. All requests involving waivers of graduation requirements are first considered by the Registrar, and then referred to the appropriate department if a departmental requirement is involved or to the Registrar's Advisory Committee if the request pertains to a university-wide requirement. The Registrar's Advisory Committee considers appeals to the Registrar's decision. Automatic approval of such requests should not be assumed. (See Appendix "C" for appeals process.) Application for GraduationStudents must apply for graduation as follows:
November 1 for May graduation This application is valid only for the graduation date specified. A new application and application fee must be filed if the student does not graduate as planned. All candidates for degrees must be approved first by the faculty of Alaska Pacific University and second by the Board of Trustees. Advanced PlacementIn recognition of the strength of many advanced programs in secondary schools, students who obtain scores of 5, 4, and 3 on the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) Advanced Placement Tests will be awarded degree credit in the number equivalent to an appropriate university course. Scores must be submitted to the Registrar's Office directly from the CEEB in order to receive credit. Transfer of CreditTransfer of credit from one institution to another is at the discretion of the receiving school and depends on the comparability of curricula and accreditation. For this reason, no school, nor specific program, can guarantee that credits are transferable to another institution. Course Numbering System001 - 099 Review Courses may NOT be used for the Associate and Bachelor degrees 100 - 199 First Year Level 200 - 299 Sophomore Level open to qualified first year students 300 - 399 Junior Level open to qualified sophomores unless otherwise indicated 400 - 499 Senior Level open to qualified juniors unless otherwise indicated PrerequisitesPrerequisites are listed with the course descriptions in this catalog and in class schedules. Prerequisites are designed to alert the student to the background expected for the course. This ensures that the student can more fully benefit from the course material. Instructor permission is required for any student not having the prerequisites to enroll in a course. (See individual departments for details.) Credit by ExaminationA maximum of 45 semester hours may be earned through institutional examination or the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and applied toward a Bachelor of Arts degree, 22 semester hours may be applied toward the Associate of Arts degree. Credits earned by examination are not counted as part of the Alaska Pacific University residency requirement. Students may petition to receive credit from CLEP examinations. A maximum of 30 semester hours will be allowed for the general examination and 15 semester hours for subject examinations. In order to qualify, the scores must be at the percentile determined by the appropriate academic department. Some Alaska Pacific University courses, as approved by departments, may be challenged through Alaska Pacific University credit by examination program (CEP). Appropriate forms are available from the Registrar's Office or online through the Moose page. Students pay a fee and are given a grade for the examination. Credit for Documented Experiential LearningStudents with prior learning experiences equivalent to those expected in specific college level courses may apply for assessment through the Documented Experiential Learning Program (DEL Folder). In Portfolio Development (GS 205, 206 and 207) offered each semester, students prepare for documentation of work experience, volunteer or military experience, and other experiential learning. Up to 32 credits applicable to the bachelor degree and up to 16 credits applicable to the associate degree can be gained through the DEL Folder process. (See Tuition and Fees section for costs involved.) Credit for Military Service/School ExperienceUndergraduate credit is allowed in accordance with the recommendations contained in the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services, published by the American Council on Education, when the credit is considered appropriate to an Alaska Pacific University degree. Class AttendanceThe presumption is made that there are no unimportant class periods. Therefore, students are expected to attend all classes. There are, of course, legitimate reasons for students to miss class, but absences totaling more than six hours of classes for a 15-week class or equivalent will need an explanation. The individual faculty member is to decide what action is to be taken in regard to academic progress, which may affect continued financial aid. Jury DutyStudents will be excused from class attendance for jury duty upon presenting evidence of their summons. Students are expected to make up missed class work expeditiously upon completion of their duty. Full-time Enrollment and Full-time EmploymentAlaska Pacific University encourages the academic success of its students. Because full-time academic study at Alaska Pacific University requires considerable diligence, a course load exceeding 12 credits is not recommended to students who are concurrently pursuing full-time employment. Students who work full-time who wish to carry more than the recommended credits are warned that, historically, such over commitment has resulted in a greater incidence of lower academic achievement than would be expected under normal circumstances. Student RecordsThe university maintains confidentiality of all student records. A student may, however, obtain specific information contained in these records as specified by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, Public Law 93-380. The annual notification of student rights under FERPA is provided at the time of fall registration. Copies are otherwise available from the Registrar's and Dean of Students' offices. Both official and unofficial transcripts are available from the Registrar's office. |
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