Undergraduate Policies, Procedures, and Requirements for Degrees
Basic Structure of the Undergraduate Degree
At Western New England College, students typically enroll in programs designed to be completed in four academic years. Bachelor’s degrees are earned by completing at least 122 credit hours in a structured program, though undergraduate degrees in engineering can require up to 132 credit hours.
Course Loads
The College considers 12-17 credit hours to constitute a normal course load for full-time students. Students who have earned Dean’s List standing in the previous semester may enroll for 18 credit hours without special permission. In other cases, each request for enrollment for 18 or more credit hours requires the recommendation of the student’s advisor and approval by the dean of the academic school in which the student is enrolled.
Online Course Load
Full-time undergraduate students at Western New England College, in order to experience a wide range of pedagogy, are allowed to register for no more than one online course per semester of the regular academic year. Online courses can only be taken after the freshman year. There is no restriction to the number of online courses/credits a full-time student can apply toward a degree provided the courses are equivalent to Western New England College courses.
Credit Hours System
Credit in all programs is awarded in accordance with regional accreditation standards based upon the Carnegie classification system. In that system one credit hour is earned for attending one 50-minute lecture each week for the typical 15-week semester. Thus, a three-credit-hour course meets, typically, for 50 minutes three times per week for 15 weeks or for 75 minutes twice a week for 15 weeks. Some evening courses meet only once a week for 160 minutes. In the usual 122 credit hour degree program students complete ten three-credit-hour courses per year and the two-credit-hour requirement in physical education, health, and recreation (PEHR).
Class Standing Designations
Students are designated as either freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior in accordance with the number of credit hours they have completed at the College in a structured degree program.
Freshman: 26 credit hours or fewer (27 credit hours in the School of Engineering).
Sophomore: 27-56 credit hours completed (28-61 credit hours in the School of Engineering).
Junior: 57-86 credit hours completed (62-94 credit hours in the School of Engineering).
Senior: 87 credit hours or more completed (95 or more credit hours in the School of Engineering).
Relationship of Course Designation Numbers to Stages in Curricula
All courses in the catalogue have course designation numbers. In general, the numbers designate the level of the course offering within a four-year curriculum and within a major program of study.
Freshman courses are numbered:
100 to 199 Lower Division
Sophomore courses are numbered:
200 to 299 Lower Division
Junior and Senior courses are numbered:
300 to 499 Upper Division
Major programs of study typically consist of one or two 100 level courses and two or three 200 level courses taken as prerequisites in the freshman and sophomore years, and the remaining 300 and 400 level courses taken in the junior and senior years.
Components of a Typical Undergraduate Degree
A student continually enrolled, with no interruption of academic program longer than one semester’s absence, is expected to fulfill the requirements of the catalogue current at the time of admission to the College. A student not continually enrolled may be expected to meet the requirements current at the time of reactivation.
The courses required for a degree differ with the choice of major program and the school within which that program is offered. All students are subject to three classifications of course requirements:
1. General College requirements, see p. 36.
2. School requirements designed to broaden and deepen students’ knowledge of disciplines outside of their majors.
3. The requirements of a major, see p. 52.
Qualifications for a Baccalaureate Degree
In order to qualify for a baccalaureate degree a student must:
1. Comply with the entrance requirements for normal matriculation.
2. Meet the attendance requirement.
3. Receive passing grades in all courses required for the degree.
4. Attain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 for the entire curriculum. (Transfer students must maintain a 2.0 average in courses taken at the College. Transfer hours are not included in determining the Western New England College grade point average.)
5. Attain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in the major.
6. Complete at least 30 credit hours at Western New England College.
7. Complete at least 24 of the last 30 credit hours used in satisfaction of the degree requirements with courses offered by programs of Western New England College.
8. Complete an Application for Degree form, which will place the student’s name on the list for October, February, or May degree conferral, as appropriate.
Award of Degrees Policy
The College does not guarantee the award of a degree or a certificate of satisfactory completion of any course of study or training program to students enrolled in any instructional or training program. The award of degrees and certificates of satisfactory completion is conditioned upon satisfaction of all current degree and instructional requirements at the time of such award, compliance with all College policies and regulations, as well as meeting bona fide expectations of the faculty.
Student Responsibilities and Academic Advising
Academic advising at Western New England College is framed against the College Mission Statement and is guided by a commitment to student academic progress and personal growth. Specifically, advising is intended to enhance and support student learning in an atmosphere of personal concern. Advising seeks to engage intellectual growth and self-discovery, and is carried out through a consistent exchange between student and advisor. That shared relationship thereby attempts to prompt students to develop decision making skills, set realistic expectations, and practice the necessary coping strategies to attain their educational, life, and career goals.
Each full-time student is assigned a faculty advisor. In the freshman year of full-time study, the academic advisor is assigned on the basis of enrollment in First Year Seminar. After the sophomore year and beyond, students are normally assigned or may choose an advisor according to the academic department in which the student’s major is contained. Students who are undecided remain with their current advisor until a major is declared. Academic advising is provided for part-time students through the appropriate school. Although the advisor should be consulted on matters of curriculum, the ultimate responsibility for decision on the student’s program of study remains with the student. Furthermore, each student holds the ultimate responsibility to understand degree requirements and to plan for orderly fulfillment.
It is important that students work with their academic advisors to develop an academic plan enabling them to complete many of the fundamental General College Requirements by the end of the sophomore, or second, full year of study. While this may not always be possible due to schedule limitations of certain programs or other schedule anomalies, students should strive to acquire the prerequisite skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in their major programs. For example, students will need to have skills in research and writing in order to understand and complete assignments in upper division courses in and outside of their major fields of study. Students should also consult their advisor to choose elective courses that both broaden and deepen their knowledge of disciplines that are important for success and well being beyond the college experience.
Degree Audit
An automated degree requirement system, known as a Degree Audit, assists students and advisors in assessing the progress of a student’s program of study. It enables students and advisors to project the orderly fulfillment of their curriculum plan. It includes a record of all the student’s courses completed to date and their courses in progress, and serves as an unofficial projection of courses remaining in a degree program.
A Degree Audit can also be used to determine the progress status of degree programs other than the currently declared major. In other words, if a marketing major wants to determine the viability of becoming a management major, a trial Degree Audit can be retrieved and populated with all courses taken to date by a student, along with the remaining degree requirements.
While a Degree Audit is a useful tool for planning the orderly fulfillment of degree requirements, students and advisors must realize it is not a replacement for the official academic transcript, nor should it be used as a substitute for verifying official degree requirements. The College catalogue the student has matriculated under is the primary source.
Policies and Procedures
Student Contact Data
Students are obliged to provide and maintain basic contact data such as permanent and local address, local telephone or cell phone, and an active email account if the account is other than the email provided by the College. This information shall be updated as necessary but must be provided prior to course registration each semester.
Student Schedules, Registration, and Adding or Dropping Courses
In order to register for classes, the student typically meets with a faculty advisor to discuss the student’s selection of courses. Consultation with a faculty advisor is required to initiate the course registration process. If the advisor is not available, students may seek consultation with the corresponding assistant dean. First year students may also consult with the Office of Freshman & Transfer Students.
Once registration has been completed, students are expected to consult with the advisor (or Dean’s Office if advisor is not available) before any additions, deletions, or changes can be made in the student’s schedule. All changes must be reviewed by the advisor or dean. Changes also need to comply with established deadlines to add and/or drop a course. Instructor approval must also be obtained to add a class after it has met for the equivalent of one week.
For any change of schedule to be valid (after the first week of classes), including course withdrawals, the student must submit a schedule change form to Student Administrative Services (SAS). Absence from class or notifying the instructor without completing the drop form does not constitute withdrawal from a course.
English and Mathematics Assessment
In an effort to encourage student success, assessment in both English and Mathematics is required for all first year and transfer students prior to completion of course registration. Appropriate recommendations are then provided for course selection and registration, awarding of transfer credit and/or additional support services.
Course Offerings
Western New England College attempts to offer the widest possible selection of courses each year, but the College reserves the right to withdraw, modify, or add to the courses offered, or to change the order of courses in curricula as circumstances warrant.
The College further reserves the right to cancel under-enrolled courses. Students affected by such cancellations will be permitted to choose another course. In cases where other courses cannot be substituted, students may be permitted to waive requirements or receive full or partial refunds of tuition and other fees. The College also reserves the right to change the requirements for graduation, the tuition, and the fees charged as circumstances dictate and needs arise.
Change in Student’s Major Degree Program
Any change or modification of the student’s major degree program requires the written permission of the student’s academic dean. Concurrent registration in more than one academic program leading to separate degrees is not allowed without the written permission of the appropriate academic dean. Forms for these permissions may be obtained in the student’s academic dean’s office.
Coursework for a student’s degree program may be pursued elsewhere only with the prior written permission of the student’s academic dean. Change of degree program may result in assignment to the catalogue requirements in effect at the time of the change.
Undergraduate students are not permitted to pursue courses for credit on a nondegree status after having completed 36 credit hours of work at Western New England College.
Integrity of Scholarship
Honesty in all academic work is expected of every student. This means giving one’s own answers in all class work, quizzes, and examinations without help from any source not approved by the instructor. Written material is to be the student’s original composition. Appropriate credit must be given for outside sources from which ideas, language, or quotations are derived. Additional information on academic dishonesty may be found in the Student Handbook and the Academic Integrity Booklet.
Attendance
Students are expected to attend all class sessions for courses in which they are enrolled. However, it is the responsibility of the individual instructor to evaluate the importance of attendance in determination of course grades.
Accordingly, at the beginning of each semester each instructor prepares a written statement setting forth the policy for consideration of absences, makeup examinations, and related matters, which will be in effect for that entire semester. The statement of policy on attendance, appropriate to each class, is made available at the first class meeting.
It is especially important for freshman students to establish the discipline of attending all classes and laboratories and to be properly prepared by having done all assigned reading and homework. It can be easily demonstrated that students who fail to attend class do not succeed in college.
Midyear and Final Examinations
Midyear examinations are given at the discretion of the faculty member teaching the course. The normal pattern is that final examinations are given in all courses in accordance with a schedule published by the Academic Schedule Office. In case an instructor decides not to give a final examination, the instructor must inform the school’s Dean.
Final examinations must be given on the date and at the time scheduled by the Academic Schedule Office unless other arrangements have been approved by the school’s Dean and forwarded to the Academic Schedule Office. Under no circumstances are final examinations to be administered during the final week of classes. Further, during the last week of classes hour examinations are permitted only in those courses where there is a final examination, semester paper, or semester project requirement due the week of final examinations. The chair of each department is responsible for the adherence of the latter policy by all members of the department. In addition, no examinations or quizzes shall be administered the last day of classes (if it falls on Monday) or on the last two scheduled days of classes (if the last day of classes falls on Tuesday or thereafter). This policy does not in any way relieve the student of responsibility for material covered in the last days of classes.
The faculty member in each course in which students are enrolled determines the value and weight of a final examination. All final examinations are given at the end of the semester according to a predetermined schedule. The anticipated schedule is normally published at the beginning of each semester. Students should note the exam schedule when arranging travel plans for departure at the end of the semester.
When preparing the exam schedule, every attempt is made to avoid scheduling more than two exams for each student in any given day. Should this situation occur, however, the Faculty Senate has adopted a policy to assist students in managing the conflict. In the case of a student who is scheduled for three final examinations on one day, the examination in the middle time is expected to be rescheduled at the convenience of both the student and the faculty member. The student must give notice to the faculty member of the middle exam no later than 10 days prior to the start of the examination period for that semester.
There are two exceptions, however, to the middle exam solution. The first is that if the student can move any of the three examinations to the examination for another section of the same course taught by the same instructor, he or she must make that request of the faculty member if the move does not cause another conflict. The second exception is that if the middle examination is a common examination (multiple sections of the course all taking the same exam), one of the other two remaining exams will be rescheduled by joint agreement between the two faculty members. The student should make the conflict known to both faculty involved. If an agreement cannot be reached, a decision will be jointly made by the Deans of the Schools in which these two courses are housed.
The final exam schedule is posted on the Academic Schedule Office’s website, www1.wnec.edu/academicschedule and ASAP.
Interpretation of the Grading System
The work of each student is graded according to the following scale. Figures indicate grade point equivalents:
|
Superior |
A (4.0) |
A- (3.7) |
|
|
Above Average |
B+ (3.3) |
B (3.0) |
B- (2.7) |
|
Average |
C+ (2.3) |
C (2.0) |
C- (1.7) |
|
Passing |
D+ (1.3) |
D (1.0) |
|
|
Failure |
F (0) |
|
|
In certain courses (ED 380, MATH 130, SW 314, SW 409, SW 410, SW 411, and SW 412) a grade of “P” (Pass) is assigned if the course is satisfactorily completed. “P” has no grade point equivalent.
Repeating a Course
Any course in which a grade of less than “C” was received may be repeated at any time during the student’s enrollment at Western New England College. The official transcript shows the complete record, but the grade point average is computed on the basis of the most recent earned grade in each course. Credit for the course is awarded only once. This policy is noted when a transcript is sent out. In cases where a course grade of “F” has been assigned as a penalty for gross academic dishonesty, a student may not replace that grade in the cumulative GPA. The student may retake the course, but the resulting grade is counted as a separate course.
Incomplete Work
I (Incomplete) — This grade is awarded only when work is not completed due to circumstances beyond the student’s control (such as severe illness). The student has six weeks from the last day of final examinations to satisfy course requirements. Extension may be granted only for continued circumstances beyond the student’s control and must be approved by the instructor and the dean of the school. The “I,” which can be resolved only by the instructor, carries a grade point equivalent of 0.0. The “I” becomes an “F” for work not completed after six weeks or by the conclusion of an approved extension period.
Withdrawal from a Course
To withdraw from a course, the student must obtain the advisor’s or dean’s signature on the course withdrawal form available from the Student Administrative Services (SAS) office. Absence from class without completing the form does not constitute withdrawal and may result in a failing grade. (See section on Withdrawals and Refunds regarding payments, p. 359.)
W (Withdraw) – If the student withdraws from a course within the first two weeks, no grade is assigned. If a student withdraws after the second week of classes, but prior to the last withdrawal date published in the final schedule for that semester, a “W” is assigned. However, a student may not receive a grade of “W” to avoid the consequences of a breach of academic integrity. A grade of “W” carries no academic penalty or prejudice.
Withdrawal from the College
If it becomes necessary for full time degree students to withdraw or request a leave of absence from the College, an official form must be completed and filed with the Academic Support Center. This form will be made part of the permanent record maintained in Student Administrative Services (SAS). Prior to completing the withdrawal form, students are expected to consult with the Dean of Freshman & Transfer Students in order to complete a formal exit interview. When such conditions as severe illness or absence from the area prevent a student from filing the withdrawal form in person, an application for withdrawal by mail is acceptable. A letter should state the reasons necessitating the withdrawal and should be mailed to the Dean of Freshman and Transfer Students. In the case of part time or graduate students, withdrawal forms are filed with the Academic Dean’s Office of the School in which the student’s major is administered. The date recorded by the reviewing administrator is considered to be the date of withdrawal. (See the section on Procedure for Withdrawing, p. 360)
President’s List and Dean’s List
To be placed on the President’s List, a full-time student must be enrolled in courses carrying a minimum of 12 credit hours and achieve a semester grade point average of 3.80 or above.
A part-time student may qualify for the President’s List by carrying a minimum of 12 credit hours cumulatively for the academic year and achieving a grade point average of 3.80 or above.
To be placed on the Dean’s List, a full-time student must be enrolled in courses carrying a minimum of 12 credit hours and achieve a semester grade point average of 3.30 or above.
A part-time student may qualify for the Dean’s List by carrying a minimum of 12 credit hours cumulatively for the academic year and achieving a grade point average of 3.30 or above.
Honors
Honors are awarded at graduation for superior scholastic attainment. Students are recommended for honors if, in addition to satisfying all other requirements for the degree, they have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours at the College and have earned the required grade point average:
Cum Laude requires a grade point average of at least 3.30.
Magna Cum Laude requires a grade point average of at least 3.60.
Summa Cum Laude requires a grade point average of at least 3.80.
Students who graduate with between 45 and 59 credit hours completed at the College and who have a grade point average in those courses of 3.50 or higher graduate With Honors.
Academic Progress: Probation, Suspension, and Dismissal
Student academic progress is reviewed each semester to assure consistency with defined standards. For the purpose of review, the number of credit hours specified in the standards is normally based on credits completed at Western New England College.
Full-time degree students with fewer than 24 credit hours attempted (excluding AP or high school to college credits) will be automatically placed on academic probation if they attain less than a 1.9 semester grade point average at the end of their first term of enrollment. Part-time students must sustain a 2.00 cumulative GPA after the first 24 credit hours. Nondegree students must sustain at least a 2.00 cumulative average in order to continue registration beyond the first semester of enrollment.
Full-time degree students with fewer than 24 credit hours who attain less than a 1.00 or successfully complete less than 9 credits at the end of the first term of enrollment shall be automatically suspended for a period of one semester except as may be otherwise approved by the Dean of Freshman & Transfer Students. Following any period of suspension, students may petition for reinstatement by submitting that request to the Dean of Freshman & Transfer Students who will forward a recommendation to the appropriate Assistant Dean of Arts and Science, Business or Engineering for approval.
Any full-time degree student whose first semester GPA results in being placed on probation must contact the Dean of Freshman & Transfer Students prior to the date set forth in the notice of probation for the purpose of initiating an academic improvement plan. The academic improvement plan is meant to establish the conditions that the student must meet to continue at the College. After the first 24 semester hours attempted, part-time, non-traditional and off-campus students must initiate contact for the same purpose with appropriate academic administrative staff within one week of the release of grades from the previous semester or term. If after establishing an academic improvement plan, the student does not comply with the prescribed conditions of continuance, the student may be subject to immediate suspension or dismissal from the College with the right of appeal to the Academic Standards Committee. Any student who does not confer within the prescribed time listed in the original notification of academic standing shall be immediately suspended from the College for a period of one semester.
After the completion of the second semester of full time enrollment or after the first 24 credit hours of work attempted as a part-time student, students shall be automatically placed on academic probation if a semester GPA of less that 2.00 is earned. Unless otherwise approved, full-time students must also successfully complete 10 or more credits during each semester of full-time enrollment. Otherwise probation shall be automatically imposed. Once placed on probation, a student must confer with the Assistant Dean of the appropriate School or Dean of Freshman & Transfer Students or other named staff prior to the end of the first week of classes of the next semester for the purpose of defining an academic improvement plan. The academic improvement plan shall be filed in the same manner and under the same conditions as would occur after the first semester of enrollment. If conditions stipulated in an academic improvement plan are not met, the student shall be suspended for a period of one semester with the right of appeal to the Academic Standards Committee.
A student on probation must achieve a minimum of a 2.00 semester grade point average during the next semester of enrollment and adhere to the completion of the specified number of credits determined at the time of review. If a 2.00 is not achieved or the minimum number of credits is not earned, the student shall be suspended for a period of not less than one semester with the right of appeal to the Academic Standards Committee. If the student chooses to appeal, the Academic Standards Committee shall consider the appeal and either impose suspension for a period of time or reinstate the student. In either case, the Academic Standards Committee may elect to specify conditions for future or continued enrollment. If, upon reinstatement, conditions are not fulfilled, permanent dismissal may be imposed immediately and enrollment for the semester voided with no expectation of recourse, financial or otherwise.
Following the completion of 87 credit hours (Arts and Science or Business) or 95 credit hours (Engineering), any student with a cumulative grade point average of less than a 2.00 overall or a 2.00 in the major shall be automatically placed on probation. The student placed on probation shall be referred for academic progress monitoring administered through the Office of Freshman & Transfer Students prior to the beginning of the probation semester or not later than the end of the first week of classes and enter into a written agreement regarding the conditions upon which the student may continue at the College. If the stipulated conditions are not met, the student shall be suspended from the College with the right of appeal to the Academic Standards Committee.
The Academic Standards Committee shall meet at the end of both the fall and spring semesters to consider academic progress records. Students who have been previously suspended or whose suspension has been lifted through consideration of appeal are subject to dismissal with the right of appeal to the Academic Standards Committee.
When the opportunity to appeal suspension or dismissal for academic reasons is given, students must exercise that option by the date indicated in the written notice. If the option to appeal is not exercised, the intended action specified in the notion (dismissal or suspension) shall be automatically imposed. All matters relating to academic status are made part of the permanent record.
All notices of suspension and dismissal are mailed to the home address of the student by first class mail. A copy of the notice is also sent to the student’s faculty advisor and the appropriate assistant dean.
Appeals of Academic Standards Committee decisions are allowed only if new information not previously disclosed is submitted in writing prior to the start of classes for the semester intended. This appeal will be reviewed by the Vice President for Academic Affairs with the resulting decision final and binding and without right of further review.