Academic Policies and Procedures

Academic Calendar

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s Academic Calendar is built on a semester framework.

An on-ground student attends courses for three (3) semesters per academic year: fall, spring, and summer. Courses in the fall and spring semesters are 15 weeks in duration. Courses in the summer semester may be 8 weeks or 12 weeks in duration as determined by the academic program. Details on the duration of the summer courses are available on the campus-specific Academic Calendar documents posted to the Office of the Registrar website at my.thechicagoschool.edu.

An online student attends courses for six (6) 8-week terms per academic year: Fall I, Fall II, Spring I, Spring II, Summer I, and Summer II. Details on term dates appear on the campus-specific Academic Calendar documents posted to the Office of the Registrar website.

A student is held to the administrative dates and deadlines for the enrolled program of study for all courses taken at TCSPP. An on-ground student who takes an online course is held to the administrative dates and deadlines of the on-ground campus per the Academic Calendar. An online student who takes an on-ground course is held to the administrative dates and deadlines of the online campus per the Academic Calendar.

Academic Honors

Undergraduate Programs

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology encourages students to challenge themselves intellectually, professionally, academically and personally. The academic honors program acknowledges outstanding bachelor-level students for academic excellence and scholastic achievement.

Term Honors

Dean’s Honor List

An undergraduate student will be named to the Dean’s Honor List if all of the following conditions are met:

• Enrolled at least half time
• Earns a term/semester grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 to 3.79
• Maintains Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
• Does not earn any of the following grades: W, IP, F, I, NC, NP
• Has all grades posted at the time term/semester evaluation is conducted

The Dean’s Honor List will be noted on the student’s transcript for the term/semester in which the honor is received. The Dean of Academic Affairs will notify the student of this award and will publish a Dean’s Honor List each term/semester.

President’s Honor List

An undergraduate student will be named to the President’s Honor List if all of the following conditions are met:

• Enrolled at least half time
• Earns a term/semester grade point average (GPA) of 3.80 to 4.00
• Maintains Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
• Does not earn any of the following grades: W, IP, F, I, NC, NP
• Has all grades posted at the time term/semester evaluation is conducted

The President’s Honor List will be noted to the student’s transcript for the term/semester in which the honor is received. The Dean of Academic Affairs will notify the student of this award, and a President’s Honor List will be published each term/semester.

Degree Honors

A student who earns a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher will be recognized with degree honors. The honors will be awarded upon degree conferral and will be noted on the transcript and the diploma.

• Cum Laude: Student must earn Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) between 3.50 and 3.69

• Magna Cum Laude: Student must earn Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) between 3.70 and 3.85

• Summa Cum Laude: Student must earn Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) between 3.86 and 4.00.

To be eligible for degree honors, a student must meet the ethical, legal, and professional standards defined in the TCSPP Academic Catalog and Student Handbook.

Graduate Programs

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology encourages students to challenge themselves intellectually, professionally, academically, and personally. The academic honors program acknowledges outstanding master and doctoral-level students for academic excellence and scholastic achievement.

Honors are awarded upon degree conferral only to a degree-seeking graduate student who:

• Earns a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.00.
• Meets the ethical, legal, and professional standards defined in the TCSPP Academic Catalog and Student Handbook.
• Has been in compliance with institutional policies and procedures.

Degree Honors will be noted on the student transcript.

Admission Contingencies

Graduate Students

A graduate student must submit documentation proving conferral of the qualifying degree from a recognized, regionally-accredited degree-granting institution for their academic program by a designated due date in the term/semester of entry. The qualifying degree must be conferred on a date prior to the term/semester of entry. Any individual who fails to meet this requirement by the designated due date will be removed from the institution.

Domestic Institution Conferral

A graduate student who earned the qualifying degree at a domestic institution must submit documentation proving conferral of said degree as described in this section. For the purposes of proving qualifying degree conferral by the designated due date, a student may submit an official transcript, an unofficial transcript, or an official letter on school letterhead. See below for definitions.

• Official transcript showing qualifying degree conferral. An official transcript is printed on official transcript paper and bears the embossed or raised college seal, date, and the registrar’s signature. An official transcript is delivered in a sealed envelope with the registrar’s signature stamped across the seal. An official transcript can also be sent electronically directly to TCSPP from a transcript vendor.

• Unofficial transcript showing qualifying degree conferral. An unofficial transcript is printed on plain paper and does not bear a college seal or registrar’s signature or is an opened transcript submitted by a student, marked as a student copy or stamped unofficial. An unofficial transcript must document the student name, institution name, courses completed with grades earned, specific degree conferred, and the conferral date.

• Official letter on school letterhead. An official letter on school letterhead from the qualifying degree granting institution’s Office of the Registrar that includes the conferral date, degree level, and name of degree conferred.

While a student may submit an unofficial transcript or official letter on school letterhead for the purposes of meeting the designated due date, submission of the official transcript showing qualifying degree conferral is required for all students by:

• For an on-ground student, the deadline is the start of the second semester of enrollment. Failure to submit the official transcript will result in withdrawal from the institution on the Add/Drop deadline of the second semester.

• For an online student, the deadline is the start of the third term of enrollment. Failure to submit the official transcript will result in withdrawal from the institution on the Add/Drop deadline of the third term.

International Institution Conferral

A graduate student who earned the qualifying degree at an international institution must submit documentation proving conferral of said degree as described in this section. For the purposes of proving qualifying degree conferral by the designated due date, a student may submit an official transcript, an unofficial transcript, an official letter on school letterhead, or a transcript evaluation. See below for definitions.

• Official transcript showing qualifying degree conferral. An official transcript is printed on official transcript paper and bears the embossed or raised college seal, date, and the registrar’s signature. An official transcript is delivered in a sealed envelope with the registrar’s signature stamped across the seal. An official transcript can also be sent electronically directly to TCSPP from a transcript vendor.

• Unofficial transcript showing qualifying degree conferral. An unofficial transcript is printed on plain paper and does not bear a college seal or registrar’s signature or is an opened transcript submitted by a student, marked as a student copy or stamped unofficial. An unofficial transcript must document the student name, institution name, courses completed with grades earned, specific degree conferred, and the conferral date.

• Official letter on school letterhead. An official letter on school letterhead from the qualifying degree granting institution’s Office of the Registrar that includes the conferral date, degree level, and name of degree conferred.

• Official or unofficial transcript evaluation. An official or unofficial transcript evaluation of an international transcript from a National Association of Credential Evaluations Services (NACES)-approved evaluation service that includes the specific conferral date, degree level, and name of degree conferred, along with United States equivalency. For detailed requirements regarding the transcript evaluation process, see the International Transcript Evaluation policy.

Where submission of an unofficial transcript (b), official letter on school letterhead (c), or an official or unofficial transcript evaluation (d) is sufficient to meet the designated due date, submission of the official transcript and the official transcript evaluation is required for all students. An on-ground student who does not submit an official transcript and an official transcript evaluation before the start of the second semester of enrollment will be withdrawn from the institution on the Add/Drop deadline of the second semester. An online student who fails to provide the official transcript and an official transcript evaluation before the start of the third term of enrollment will be withdrawn from the institution on the Add/Drop deadline of the third term. 

Admission Contingencies other than Degree Conferral

For admission contingencies other than proof of the qualifying degree, all documents must be submitted prior to the start of the course registration period for the following semester for an on-ground student and by the Add/Drop deadline of the third term for an online student. Such items may be but are not limited to letters of recommendation, proof of prerequisite course completion, or GRE scores.

If documents are missing after an on-ground student begins classes, the student record will be placed on hold, prohibiting future course registration. If unresolved, the on-ground student will be withdrawn on the Add/Drop deadline of the second semester of enrollment. If documents are missing after an online student begins classes, the student record will be placed on hold. If unresolved by the start of the third term, the online student will be withdrawn on the Add/Drop deadline of the third term of enrollment.

Undergraduate Students

An undergraduate student must submit all official transcripts by the designated due date in the term/semester of entry. Any student who fails to meet this requirement will be removed from the institution.

If prerequisite courses are missing after a student begins classes, the student record will be placed on hold. The hold will remain in effect until official transcripts showing the completed coursework are submitted and evaluated. An undergraduate student has one (1) academic year to fulfill any prerequisite course contingencies as determined at the time of admission. A student who fails to provide an official transcript showing completion of the required prerequisite course(s) within one (1) academic year will be withdrawn from the institution at the Add/Drop deadline of term seven for an online student or semester four for an on-ground student.

A student is expected to attend and participate in all courses. Attendance is defined as participating in an academic activity. An academic activity includes:

1. Attending a face-to-face course session on a campus or other class location;
2. Participating in the online classroom which may include posting an introduction, posting in a graded discussion forum, or submitting a written assignment or quiz;
3. Submitting a deliverable as defined in the course syllabus. 

Each instructional week begins on Monday. A student is recorded as either “present” or “absent” for each course during the first two weeks of the term/semester based on participation in an academic activity. A student may not substantiate attendance in any course prior to the start of a term/semester.  

An on-ground student who does not attend any course meetings in the first two weeks of a semester will be administratively withdrawn from the institution. An on-ground student who does not attend a course meeting at least once in the first two weeks of a semester will be administratively withdrawn from the course.

An online student who does not participate in an academic activity in any courses during the first seven days of a term will be administratively withdrawn from the institution. An online student who does not participate in an academic activity in a course at least once during the first week of a term will be administratively withdrawn from the course. 

Failure to stay enrolled in a course for at least 60% of the term/semester may result in a pro-rated refund of financial aid.  Any refund of tuition due to the student will be based on the applicable Refund Policy and Schedule . 

Should a student experience extenuating circumstances that necessitate absence from class, the student must notify the faculty member in advance. It is within the faculty member’s discretion to determine whether an absence is excused or unexcused. Reasons for granting an excused absence may include but are not limited to:

1. Student illness or injury;
2. Death, injury, or serious illness of an immediate family member;
3. Religious observance;
4. Jury duty or other government obligation.

The faculty member must notify the Office of the Registrar in writing when granting an excused absence. Attendance must be posted by the faculty member for the student upon return to the course.

A student is required to provide written documentation substantiating an excused absence if the absence occurs during the first two weeks of the term/semester. Acceptable forms of documentation include but are not limited to a physician’s note, copy of a jury summons, or a copy of a memorial service program. Documentation must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar. Also, a student must inform the faculty member in writing of the intent to stay enrolled in the course. The student is responsible for making arrangements to complete coursework missed due to an excused absence.

An excused absence does not meet attendance requirements for financial aid purposes. However, a student’s request for an excused absence indicates the intent to remain enrolled in the course and at the institution thereby substantiating financial aid funding. 

Auditing a Course

A student who wishes to audit a course must register for the course in the same manner as if taken for credit after all credit-seeking students are registered. After registering, the student must write to the Office of the Registrar identifying the course(s) to be taken as an auditor. The student’s request for auditing will be reviewed by the Department Chair or designee. Failure to follow these steps will result in earning a course grade.

The course instructor determines participation requirements for auditing students. Any course that a student has previously identified as an audit course may not be changed to a credit-bearing course after the Add/Drop deadline. Any course identified as a credit-bearing course may not be identified as an audit course after the Add/Drop deadline. Study abroad courses are not eligible for auditing. Information on audit fees is available here.

Commencement

Commencement is a ceremony. A student who will earn a bachelors, masters, education specialist, or doctoral degree in the academic year of the commencement ceremony (defined as fall through summer) may be eligible to participate in the ceremony. The student must submit the Intent to Participate in Commencement form by the published deadline, and the student’s request will be evaluated and, if merited, approved by the Department Chair.

Minimally, the student must meet one of the following criteria:

• The degree is conferred. Degree conferral must occur prior to or during the term/semester in which the commencement ceremony occurs (schedule below)

OR

• The degree is substantially completed. This means that the degree will be completed and conferred in the term/semester following the commencement ceremony. Additional eligibility requirements may apply.

Participation in the commencement ceremony neither confers a degree nor releases a student from the obligation to satisfactorily complete curricular or other academic program requirements. Degree conferral will occur upon completion of all  program requirements, and diploma issuance is contingent upon meeting all other obligations to the institution. See the Degree Completion policy for more information.

The timing of commencement ceremonies varies:

• Southern California - Fall
• Chicago and TCSPP @ XULA - Summer
• Washington, D.C. - Fall

An online student is invited to participate in any of the commencement ceremonies listed above as best meets the student’s needs. The online student must select a ceremony when completing the Intent to Participate in Commencement form. Once the online student has selected a ceremony, the student may not switch to another ceremony.

A student may participate in only one commencement ceremony per degree earned. A student completing a certificate program may not participate in commencement.

All courses offered at TCSPP, irrespective of varying credits, durations, and modalities, define one Credit Hour as:

• One hour of in-class instructional time and a minimum of out-of-class student preparation time for fifteen (15) weeks for one semester, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time.  Out-of-class student preparation time increases with each degree level: Two (2) hours for undergraduate level courses, three (3) hours for master level courses, and three (3) hours plus additional dissertation preparation time for doctoral level courses. 
• The amount of learning required to progress toward completion of learning outcomes as defined by the rigor, complexity, and content of the degree level and the expectations of the profession. Student learning is verified by evidence in student achievement.

A credit hour is a minimum of a 53-minute period.  For courses offered in alternative timeframes or modalities, credit hour assignment shall be the equivalent of the in-class instructional time per week combined with the appropriate out-of-class student preparation time.

Course Evaluations

The purpose of this guide is to provide a basic overview of the course evaluation process, the types of courses that are evaluated, and the policies adhered to by the Office of Institutional Research.

The Office of Institutional Research (OIR) offers TCSPP students the opportunity to participate in online course evaluations each term. These evaluations are intended to assist instructors in improving student learning on an ongoing basis. Evaluations are conducted online through an external vendor. All student responses are anonymous.

Course evaluations are the student’s primary means of anonymous feedback on the quality of courses at TCSPP. They are used by instructors to improve courses for future students, to make them more relevant, and to improve their effectiveness as teachers. In addition, the Faculty Development and Promotion committee and the department chairs use the course evaluation results as one of the many data points for consideration during annual reviews and promotion hearings. A department chair also reviews the results of their own department quite closely, looking for ways to improve not only individual courses but also the programs offered by their departments. Lastly, because the base evaluation questions are the same for all courses, course evaluations allow us to compare courses delivered within and even across departments (when the results are statistically significant).

All results appear in aggregate form based only on submitted course evaluations. Results do not take into consideration the number of incomplete course evaluations.

Course Evaluation Eligibility

The following types of courses qualify as atypical student experiences and are NOT administered evaluations:

• Courses enrolling 4 or fewer students (to maintain student anonymity)
• Dissertation Maintenance Courses
• Thesis Maintenance Courses
• Comprehensive Exam Courses

Basic Evaluation Information

Students are notified through the school’s email system at the beginning of each evaluation period. Each email includes instructions regarding how to complete the course evaluation process. Students use their assigned TCSPP email and Canvas password to login to the evaluation system. Any questions about login information should be directed to the IT Service Desk at 800.787.8367 or 312.467.8600.

Midterm Course Evaluations

Midterm course evaluations are administered to eligible classes (all 15 week courses that are not atypical) approximately the fifth week of the fall and spring terms (summer terms and online sessions are not provided with midterm evaluations due to their length). Once launched, midterm course evaluations remain open for two weeks.

Final Course Evaluations

Final course evaluations are administered during the final two weeks of each term for all eligible courses (all 7 week or 15 week courses that are not atypical) with the exception of study abroad and field experience classes.

Study Abroad and Field Experience Courses

Final course evaluations for all study abroad and field experience classes must be completed prior to the drop deadline of the semester following the course experience. Students will have two weeks to complete the course evaluations which will be distributed two weeks prior to the drop deadline. Students in study abroad and/or field experience classes that occur in the fall, for example, should receive their evaluation two weeks prior to the drop deadline of the following spring with evaluations due on the spring drop deadline.

Student Questions

If an evaluation form is filled out incorrectly, and the evaluation period is still open, a student may email OIR@thechicagoschool.edu to have the form reset. Course code, course number, and course section must be included in the email message when making a request to have a form reset.

Students should also contact OIR in the event of an incorrect course name or instructor listing so that appropriate changes can be made. Online course evaluations may not be completed once the evaluation period has ended and once closed online evaluations cannot be reopened.

Questions regarding the use of course evaluation results should be directed to program managers or Department Chairs.

Instructor Information

Instructors are notified through the school’s email system a week prior to each evaluation period. At that time, instructors should log in to evaluation system to check that all courses are represented accurately. Instructors may also add custom questions to his/her evaluations at this time. If an instructor believes that not all of his/her courses are in the system then they should contact OIR, OIR@thechicagoschool.edu with the course code, course number, and course section immediately.

Results

Evaluation results are released by OIR after grades are due. Results are available through the evaluation system.

Degree Completion

Credit Hours

Each academic program defines the number of semester credit hours required for degree completion. 

Residency

Residency is defined as the portion of an academic program that must be completed at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in order to earn a degree from the institution. It is required that a matriculated student will fulfill all degree requirements through courses offered at the institution. Academic programs with external approving or accrediting agencies must align residency requirements with the guidelines of those bodies. See the Program Guidebooks  for details.

A student who enters an academic program via an articulation agreement will be held to the requirements stated in the agreement.

• Undergraduate Programs

  A student entering an undergraduate degree program is permitted to transfer a maximum of 65% of the semester credit hours of transfer credit.  A student is required to complete a minimum of 35% of semester credit hours with the institution. Refer to the Undergraduate Transfer of Credit and Waiver of Courses Policy for details.

• Graduate Programs

  Requests for transfer of credit and waiver of courses must be submitted prior to the end of the first semester (second term) of enrollment. Refer to the Graduate Transfer of Credit and Waiver of Courses Policy for details

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology and Psy.D. in Clinical Forensic Psychology

A student enrolled in the Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology or the Psy.D. in Clinical Forensic Psychology program must meet the following requirements in pursuit of the doctoral degree:

• Successful completion of 3 fulltime academic years of graduate study, at least 2 of which must be at TCSPP and at least 1 of which must be in fulltime residency, and
• Completion of an internship.

Rigor

To qualify for degree conferral, a student must:

• Be in Academic and Financial Aid Good Standing
• Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher for undergraduate students or 3.0 or higher for graduate students
• Complete all training requirements as defined by the academic program
• Complete all competency exams required by the academic program, and
• Complete the capstone project, thesis, or dissertation required by the academic program

Additional Requirements

Once a degree is conferred, a student must meet the below requirements to be eligible to receive a diploma or official transcript:

• Resolve all financial debts to the institution
• Return all library books, test kits, or other school-owned materials, and
• Complete financial aid exit counseling

Degree Conferral

Upon successful completion of academic program requirements, a degree-seeking student declares the intent to graduate by submitting the online Petition for Degree Conferral within the deadlines published on the Office of the Registrar website.  A fee is assessed at the time of petition.

A degree is considered earned once the degree conferral date is posted on a student’s transcript. TCSPP confers degrees on the following days (see the Academic Calendar for specific dates):

• Official end of term/semester
• Last working day of the month, unless the month contains the end of the term/semester
• Grade due date of the 8-week and 12-week summer semesters (on-ground only)
• September 15

A student enrolled in any thesis or dissertation course who does not make timely progress as defined by the thesis or dissertation chair will be referred to the Student Affairs Committee for disciplinary action.

Information on accumulating postdoctoral hours is available from local, state, or regional licensing agencies.

Diplomas and Certificate Awards

Diplomas and certificates will be available eight (8) to twelve (12) weeks after all degree requirements have been verified as met by the Office of the Registrar. Expedited requests cannot be honored.

All diplomas and certificates are issued in the student’s name of record with TCSPP, and all diplomas and certificates are mailed to a student’s address of record with the institution. The student is responsible for the diploma or certificate replacement cost if it carries an incorrect name or if mailed to the incorrect address. To change the name of record with TCSPP, the student must submit a Student Personal Information Change Request form.

Diploma and Certificate Replacement

A lost or damaged diploma or certificate may be replaced for a fee. The replacement diploma or certificate will bear the signatures of current school officials but carry the original degree awarded date and degree title. The diploma or certificate will indicate that the document has been reissued. To order, a graduate must complete the Duplicate Diploma Request form. A fee is assessed at the time of order.

A current student who wishes to enroll in an academic program at a different degree level must complete the standard admission process as requirements may be different (i.e. Master to Doctoral, Certificate to Master, or Doctoral to Master). A student must be in academic and financial aid good standing, programmatic good standing, and must be meet all financial obligations to the institution at the time of application and at the time of enrollment, if accepted.

Transcripts from prior schools remain on file and need not be resubmitted, but the student must release a TCSPP transcript and submit other admission documents as required in the application process.  This policy does not apply to a student enrolled under an internal articulation agreement.

A current student must complete all degree requirements and have the degree conferred to be eligible to start a new academic program. Degree conferral must occur either on or prior to the Add/Drop deadline. Concurrent enrollment is not permitted.   

A student who wishes to transfer to a different academic program at the same degree level must contact the Office of the Registrar.  Refer to the Internal Transfer Between Programs and/or Campuses policy.

Once awarded, transfer credit and waived courses remain on a student’s permanent record and cannot be removed from the academic transcript.  Earned credit hours are applicable toward one degree only. Credit hours may not be duplicated or double-counted toward the residency requirement for more than one degree unless the program has an articulation agreement.

Enrollment Status

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology has established minimum credit hour thresholds for determining full-time and half-time enrollment status.  A graduate-level student enrolled in at least five (5) units per semester is classified as a full-time student, and a graduate-level student enrolled in a least three (3) units per semester is classified as a half-time student. An undergraduate student enrolled in at least twelve (12) units per semester is classified as a full-time student, and an undergraduate student enrolled in at least six (6) units per semester is classified as a half-time student.

These enrollment standards are used for the following purposes:

• To determine eligibility for financial aid,
• To provide enrollment verification,
• To qualify for student benefits such as transit discounts and health insurance

These enrollment standards do not supersede academic program requirements regarding the pace at which a student must move through a degree program. Academic programs may require the student to take more credit hours per term in order to maintain adequate progress toward degree completion.

Special Considerations

1. International students in F-1 or J-1 status must be enrolled fulltime each semester per immigration requirements, unless otherwise authorized.
2. The financial aid cost of attendance is determined based on actual enrolled credit hours.  For example, a one-credit hour course that is classified at auto fulltime qualifies a student for fulltime enrollment status.  In this example, the financial aid cost of attendance budget will include funding for one-credit hour plus living and personal expenses.
3. An online student must be enrolled for two (2) consecutive terms to be eligible for financial aid in the first of the two terms.
4. An online student must be enrolled for the specified credit hours listed in the table above between terms I and II.
5. The following courses qualify a student for immediate full-time status for the purpose of determining financial aid and loan deferment eligibility: Auto Full Time Course List     
6. The following courses qualify a student for immediate half-time status for the purpose of determining financial aid and loan deferment eligibility: Auto Half Time Course List  
7. The following courses qualify a student for immediate half-time status for the purpose of determining financial aid and loan deferment eligibility: EBC 540, EBC 541, EBC 542, EBC 543, EBC 544, EBC 545

Reporting Enrollment Status

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology has authorized the National Student Clearinghouse to provide enrollment and degree verification for students and alumni. Third parties may obtain instant verification at www.degreeverify.org or by writing:

National Student Clearinghouse
2300 Dulles Station Boulevard, Suite 300
Herndon, VA 20171

The services provided by the National Student Clearinghouse are in full compliance with all applicable privacy laws including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).

The Office of the Registrar does not provide degree or enrollment verifications by email, telephone, or fax.

Good Standing

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology defines Good Standing along two dimensions - ‘Academic and Financial Aid Good Standing’ and ‘Programmatic Good Standing.’

Academic and Financial Aid Good Standing

Academic and Financial Aid Good Standing is the minimum and necessary level of academic performance required of all students at TCSPP.

1. A graduate student is considered in good academic and financial aid standing if the student has earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.  An undergraduate student is considered in good academic and financial aid standing if the student has earned a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above.
   1. The student must maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average to remain in this status.
   2. The cumulative GPA is reviewed at the end of every term/semester.
2. Graduate and undergraduate students are meeting the pace requirement for their admitted program.
   1. Students must progress to ensure academic program completion within the maximum timeframe.
   2. Pace or, rate of progress, is measured at the end of every term/semester.
   3. Pace is calculated as a period of time during which a student attempts 1.5 times the number of credit hours required to complete the program.
   4. For instance, if the published length of a program is 60 units, then the student must complete his or her program by the time he or she reaches 90 attempted units (60 units X 150% = 90 units). Therefore, in order for students to complete their program within the maximum timeframe, students must complete a minimum of 66.67% of all units attempted (60 units ÷ 90 units = 66.67%).
   5. All units attempted or transferred in from another college are considered, even for periods in which the student did not receive financial aid.
3. Graduate and undergraduate students are not on Academic and Financial Aid Warning or Academic and Financial Aid Probation.

Programmatic Good Standing

Academic and Financial Aid Good Standing is recognized as the minimum requirement of all students at TCSPP. In addition, an academic program may have further academic, ethical, and performance requirements due to licensure and accreditation requirements and professional responsibility identified by individual disciplines. These programs may create a standard of performance which will be referred to as Programmatic Good Standing.

1. Programmatic Good Standing must include the above standard for Academic and Financial Aid Good Standing as the minimum for academic performance but may exceed this standard. Programmatic Good Standing may also include other metrics of performance.
2. Programmatic Good Standing must be published in the program guidebook and must be clearly explained to the students in a timely and appropriate manner. All standards must be fully accessible by students, faculty, and staff.
3. In the absence of a formal and published policy of Programmatic Good Standing, Academic and Financial Aid Good Standing shall serve as the default definition of standing for all TCSPP students.

Grade Change

A change to a posted grade assigned by a faculty member may be approved by an instructor, Department Chair, or faculty committee appointed by a Department Chair. Grade changes can have registration, satisfactory academic progress, and financial aid implications. For these reasons, it is important that grade changes are submitted to the Office of the Registrar in a timely fashion.

A grade change form may be submitted until the Add/Drop deadline one full semester or two (2) terms for online courses after the original grade was submitted. For example, if a grade is awarded at the end of the fall semester, a grade change form will be accepted until the Add/Drop deadline of the subsequent summer semester or summer I term for online programs.

A student may appeal a posted grade. Please see the Grade Appeal Process  for details.

Grade Point Classification

All academic work in courses, seminars, independent studies, and practicum/internship is evaluated by the instructor and noted on the student’s transcript. A faculty member awards one of the following grades, excluding administrative grades:

Grading Policies

Academic Grading Criteria

The design, goals, and expectations instructors set forth in the syllabus for individual courses will determine the criteria by which a student is evaluated. Generally, in awarding academic grades, instructors may assess any or all of the following aspects of a student’s performance.

• Understanding the course material at a competent level
• Assessing and synthesizing research findings
• Analyzing theoretical materials
• Applying conceptual models to problems in practice
• Engaging in discussion and debate, and presenting a clearly articulated and defensible position on the issues
• Displaying intellectual curiosity and a desire to learn
• Writing in a clear and direct manner
• Demonstrating critical thinking and scientific inquiry
• Performing at competent levels on professional tasks

Administrative Grades

The W grade is assigned by an Office of the Registrar staff member in accordance with the Drop/Withdrawal schedule outlined below. The W grade cannot be assigned by a faculty member.

15-week Courses

Drop/Withdrawal Schedule

12-week Courses

 Drop/Withdrawal Schedule

8-week Courses (On-Ground)

Drop/Withdrawal Schedule

8-week Courses (Online)

Drop/Withdrawal Schedule

 See the Academic Calendar for specific dates.

Applied Professional Practice

The student is required to complete the following steps in order to receive a grade for practicum/internship:

1. Turn in signed and completed Training Agreement on the Applied Professional Practice (APP) database by the second week of the semester.

2. Complete hour log by end of each semester.

3. Complete site evaluation by end of semester.

If any of the above steps are not met, the student’s registration will be placed on hold. The hold will be removed after the steps are completed. If a student does not submit required documentation including an hour log and training agreement by the end of the semester, then the hold will remain on the student’s record and the student will receive a grade of “In Progress” (IP). The IP grade will be changed to an “Incomplete” (I) after six (6) weeks of student noncompliance. Following the six (6) weeks of the “I”, the grade will revert to a “No Pass” (NP) grade and the student will be required to repeat the practicum placement and seminar class. Note that the IP grade may be used for an extended period of time at the discretion of APP.

In order to receive a passing grade for the seminar class, the student must have a passing site supervisor evaluation, passing seminar leader evaluation, completed hour log, and evaluation of site. If a student does not receive a passing evaluation from both the seminar and site, then the student may not pass the seminar course.

Incomplete

A student may request an Incomplete “I” grade from an instructor if:

1. Circumstances beyond the student’s control prevent the student from completing an element of the course required to determine a final grade (for example, take the final exam).
2. The student is passing the course at the time the incomplete “I” grade is requested.
3. The student can cite extraordinary circumstances and provide documentation of circumstances, if requested.
4. It is prior to the last day of course instruction.

A student that is called into active duty by the U.S. Military or National Guard or is experiencing economic hardship as a result of war, military operation, state or national emergency should consult the Military Leave of Absence Policy.

A student should be aware that:

• The instructor determines what work is required to remove the “I” grade. The student will receive the instructor’s directions for completion of the “I” grade in writing via an incomplete form. For on-ground programs, the date of required completion must fall at least seven (7) calendar days before the Add/Drop deadline of the subsequent semester. For online programs, the dates of required completion may not extend beyond the Add/Drop deadline of the subsequent term. It is recommended that the completion time be brief to allow the instructor time to grade the remaining material and forward a grade to the Office of the Registrar before the subsequent term Add/Drop deadline. 
• Incomplete grades are not granted as a means of extending the standard amount of time given to complete the course.
• Should the student experience extenuating circumstances that prevent completion of coursework within the prescribed time period, the student must petition the Department Chair to extend the deadline. Requests should be made in writing after obtaining approval of the advisor and should include a specific date for completion of coursework.
• A student receiving an “I” grade may proceed with the next level of courses for the following semester. However, if the course for which the “I” grade was received is a prerequisite for a course(s) the subsequent semester, the student will be removed from that course until the “I” grade is replaced.
• Any student taking a leave of absence (LOA) with an “I” grade on the transcript may not submit work to replace the “I” grade while on an LOA. Additionally, separate from the request for an LOA, the student must petition the Department Chair for permission to extend the completion of the “I” grade into the semester in which they return from leave.
• The incomplete course will count in the credits attempted for the purpose of determining financial aid eligibility.
• If the student is incapacitated, the student’s advisor or Department Chair may initiate the request for the incomplete.
• A grade of “I” will be automatically changed to a grade of “F/NC/NP” unless the requirements stated in the “Incomplete Grade Request form” are met. All grades of “I” must be resolved prior to the start of a training experience.

Incomplete grades are also issued in the event that an “In Progress” (IP) training grade that is not resolved by the IP grade deadline (see the Applied Professional Practice Grading Policy for more information). A student with a cumulative GPA of less than 3.0 may be restricted from applying to and/or attending practicum or internship training.

Online Courses

Some online courses (e.g. dissertation courses) may extend beyond the end of the term/semester. For this reason, students may be assigned an IP grade. The IP grade will automatically change to “F/NC/NP” after four (4) weeks if the student does not submit the required deliverables.

An Applied Behavior Analysis student taking practicum through TCSPP will be graded according to the Applied Professional Practice Grading Policy. The student will automatically earn an “In Progress” (IP) grade at the end of each 8-week term, as practicum lasts beyond the end of the term. The IP grades will be replaced once final grading of week 8 is complete and as long as the student has also fulfilled the APP Grading Policy requirements.

Repeating a Course

A student must make satisfactory academic progress towards a degree by maintaining a grade point average of 2.0 for undergraduate programs or 3.0 for graduate programs. A student who receives a course grade of “D” and below (undergraduate programs) or “C” and below (graduate programs) is required to repeat or replace the course as courses with such grades do not count toward graduation requirements. See the Academic Catalog for details.

A repeated course is financial aid eligible and will count toward full-time or part-time enrollment status only once. A course repeated more than once will neither qualify for financial aid nor be counted as part of a student’s enrollment status. Some courses can be taken multiple times and are not considered a “repeated course” for purposes of this policy. See the Repeated Courses Exemption  list for details. Questions regarding financial aid eligibility for a specific course should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid prior to registering for the course.

In addition:

1. The course must be successfully completed within one academic year in order for the student to receive course credit and to graduate.
2. When the course is successfully completed, the new grade will be computed in the cumulative grade point average; the quality points for the original grade (“F”, “D” or “C”) will no longer be computed in the student’s GPA but will count toward credits attempted thereby affecting the rate of progress and SAP.
3. The original grade (“F”, “D” or “C”) will remain on the student’s transcript.

Study Abroad and Field Experience

If the travel portion of a Study Abroad or Field Experience course concludes after the end of the term/semester, all students will receive a temporary grade of “In Progress” (IP). Once final course deliverables have been submitted and evaluated, the IP grade will be changed to a letter grade. If a student fails to submit final deliverables prior to the end date of the subsequent term/semester, the student will earn a grade of “F/NC/NP” in the course. A student wishing to appeal a grade in a study abroad or field experience course may do so for up to four (4) weeks from the end date of the subsequent term/semester.

Internal Transfer between Programs and/or Campuses

A student in good standing who desires to change programs or campuses may do so using the process outlined in this policy. When considering an internal transfer, a student must be in good standing at the time of request and upon enrollment in the new program and/or at the new campus. The student should contact the Office of Financial Aid prior to transferring programs and/or campuses as transferring to other programs and/or campuses does not guarantee financial aid eligibility. Agreements that facilitate credit articulation and provide a smooth transition between select degree programs may be available.

Campus/Program-to-Campus/Program Transfer

A student who wishes to transfer to a different program at the same degree level on a different campus must first discuss intent to transfer with the student’s current Department Chair. The student must also consult with and gain the agreement to transfer from the Department Chair of the new program at the new campus prior to registration. This process is facilitated by the Program/Campus Transfer Request form.

For programs that are meant to prepare students for a certain certification or licensure, a student may be required to take additional courses to satisfy the certification or licensure requirements of the jurisdiction where the campus the student is transferring to is located. Not all coursework from the original campus may transfer to the new program or the new campus. A student seeking entry into a program that has or is seeking programmatic accreditation (APA, NASP, etc.) must go through the formal application, admission, and transfer/waiver of credit process.

Once awarded, TCSPP does not remove transfer credit from an academic transcript. Should a student voluntarily transfer to another academic program at the same degree level on a different campus, all transfer credit applied for the original enrollment will remain on the transcript as a justification for allowing the student to enroll in subsequent courses and as a record of completed credits, even if the transfer credit does not meet course requirements in the new program.

Campus-to-Campus Transfer

A student who wishes to transfer to the same academic program at the same degree level on a different campus must first discuss intent to transfer with the student’s current Department Chair. The student must also consult with and gain the agreement to transfer from the Department Chair of the new campus prior to registration. This process is facilitated by the Program/Campus Transfer Request form.

Due to differences in local requirements, the degree completion requirements of the same academic program on a different campus may vary.  For programs that are meant to prepare students for a certain certification or licensure, a student may be required to take additional courses to satisfy the certification or licensure requirements of the jurisdiction where the campus the student is transferring to is located.  Not all coursework from the original campus may transfer to the new campus. A student seeking entry into a program that has or is seeking programmatic accreditation (APA, NASP, etc.) must go through the formal application, admission, and transfer/waiver of credit process.  

Once awarded, TCSPP does not remove transfer credit from an academic transcript. Should a student voluntarily transfer to the same program on a different campus, all transfer credit applied for the original program will remain on the transcript as a justification for allowing the student to enroll in subsequent courses and as a record of completed credits, even where the transfer credit may not meet course requirements.

Program-to-Program Transfer

A student who wishes to transfer to a different academic program at the same degree level on the same campus must first discuss intent to transfer with the student’s current Department Chair. The student must also consult with and gain the agreement to transfer from the Department Chair of the new program prior to registration. This process is facilitated by the Program/Campus Transfer Request form.

Note that the degree completion requirements of the new program may vary. Not all coursework from the original program may transfer into the new program. A student seeking entry into a program that has or is seeking programmatic accreditation (APA, NASP, etc.) must go through the formal application, admission, and transfer/waiver of credit process.  

Once awarded, The Chicago School does not remove transfer credit from an academic transcript. Should a student voluntarily transfer to another academic program or to an updated version of the same academic program, all transfer credit applied for a specific program will remain on the transcript as a justification for allowing the student to enroll in subsequent courses and as a record of completed credits, even where the transfer credit may not meet course requirements. 

International Transcript Evaluation

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology accepts academic credit earned at international institutions that are fully accredited by a country’s Ministry of Education or accredited by the United States Department of Education, but only if each course meets TCSPP’s transfer credit policies. International transcripts are subject to transfer credit policy as well as the following process:

• A prospective student with an international transcript must have the international transcript reviewed and evaluated by a service affiliated by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, or NACES.

• All services provide evaluation and/or translation of foreign documentation and require a fee. All fees associated with this process are the responsibility of the applicant. 

• An applicant with a college transcript in a language other than English must submit a certified translation of the transcript and must have the academic grades evaluated for grading equivalency by a certified service.

• A transcript evaluation from NACES is not required for American universities operating overseas, provided the institution is regionally accredited by a recognized U.S. regional accrediting body, with grades reported on a 4-point scale.

• The evaluation should include a course-by-course transcript evaluation from a NACES-approved transcript evaluation agency.It must include the course title, credit or semester hours completed, and the letter grade earned for each course.

• Transcripts submitted without translation or the detailed evaluation will not be reviewed by TCSPP.

Registration

An on-ground student must register for courses each semester via the student ePortal. An online student is registered by the institution.

It is the responsibility of an on-ground student to register each semester during the designated registration period to avoid a late registration fee or administrative withdrawal due to failure to register. Courses are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Waiting lists for closed courses are not available.

An on-ground student will be notified of the designated registration date(s) and times available through ePortal. The registration time is based on the total credit hours earned as of the prior semester. A student may register for courses during their Initial Registration Period and may modify the course schedule online through ePortal throughout the Open Schedule Modification Period at no additional charge. Once the Open Schedule Modification Period ends, the student may no longer register for courses or modify the schedule via ePortal for that semester.

The Add/Drop period begins following the close of the Open Schedule Modification Period. A student may add or drop courses from the schedule by obtaining approval from the academic department and submitting the signed Add/Drop form to the Office of the Registrar. An Add/Drop fee is charged per form submitted. Please refer to the Academic Calendar each semester for the dates of the Add/Drop period. The dates of registration for future semesters may be verified at any time using this resource.

An account hold(s) resulting from unpaid tuition or fees, overdue library materials, and so on must be cleared prior to course registration. A student with a hold is not exempt from adhering to the Required Continuous Registration policy.

Adding and Dropping Courses

The Add/Drop period is the time during which a student may register for additional courses or remove courses from a course schedule. The course schedule may be modified by submitting an Add/Drop form carrying the signature of the Department Chair to the Office of the Registrar. After the Add/Drop deadline, a student may not add any additional courses. An Add/Drop fee applies to all schedule changes made during the Add/Drop period and is charged per form submitted. See the Academic Calendar for term/semester dates and deadlines.

If a student receiving financial aid completely withdraws before the 60% of the term/semester has expired, a Return of Title IV Funds calculation will be performed to determine how much of the financial aid award has been earned. This calculation may result in the need to return funds to the lender and may cause the student to owe a balance to the institution. See Financial Aid and Student Account Policies  for additional information.

Required Continuous Registration

TCSPP requires students to remain continuously enrolled during the full academic year (fall, spring, and summer semesters/terms). In order to maintain good standing, a student must maintain registration throughout the academic year. A student must either be registered or take an approved Leave of Absence (LOA). A Leave of Absence Request form must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar in order for a leave to be enacted.

A student who fails to register by the Add/Drop deadline and who is not on an approved Leave of Absence will be administratively withdrawn from the institution. A student who has not registered due to a hold will be administratively withdrawn. A student must be registered to attend classes.

A student whose final academic program requirement is completion of a practicum and/or internship must be enrolled in a corresponding course unless the practicum or internship concludes prior to the end of the term/semester. A student whose final academic program requirement is copy editing of a thesis or dissertation must be enrolled in a corresponding course unless the copy editing will be completed prior to the end of the term/semester.

Completion of Registration

Registration is complete only when tuition and other charges for the term/semester are paid or satisfactory arrangements for payment are made with the Office of Student Accounts. Tuition is due in full by the end of the first week of the term/semester unless a student is on an approved payment plan or receiving financial aid. Registration for subsequent semesters/terms will be denied to a student who has an outstanding account balance.

Cross Campus Registration

A student may take a course on a different campus if the course meets a requirement in the enrolled degree program and on a space-available basis. The student must receive approvals in writing from the Department Chairs of both the home campuses enrolled degree program and the host campus degree program prior to registering for the course. A student must complete the Cross Campus/Program Registration Request form and submit it to the Office of the Registrar.

Cross Delivery Modality Course Registration

A student is subject to the academic calendar of the campus of primary enrollment, including course registration and Add/Drop dates. In instances where an on-ground campus program offers the opportunity to take an online course, the student will register through the on-ground campus. An on-ground student must register for any online course prior to the on-ground Add/Drop deadline, including courses occurring in the Online II term. An on-ground student who subsequently drops an Online II term course will be held to the on-ground semester grade assignment (W or F/NC/NP) and refund schedule.

Cross-Program Course Registration

A student may take a course in a different program of study if the course meets a requirement in the enrolled degree program and on a space-available basis. The student must receive approvals in writing from the Department Chairs of both the enrolled degree program and the host program prior to registering for the course. A student must complete the Cross Campus/Program Registration Request form and submit it to the Office of the Registrar.

A student who wishes to take a course outside of the enrolled degree program may do so after completing the enrolled degree program and as a Student-at-Large.

Late Registration Fee for Continuing Students

Following initial matriculation, a late registration fee is assessed for a student who fails to register during the Initial Registration Period or Open Schedule Modification Period.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

A student is required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward the completion of a degree, certificate, or credential program while attending TCSPP. SAP is measured to ensure that a student is making satisfactory academic progress toward degree completion.

This SAP policy meets federal and accrediting agency regulations governing student eligibility for financial aid. This requirement applies to all students regardless of method of payment or enrollment status. Failure to meet these standards may result in the loss of financial aid eligibility.

SAP is measured qualitatively (grade-based) and quantitatively (time-based). The qualitative measure is cumulative grade point average (CGPA).  The quantitative measure is the percentage of attempted units that are successfully completed which is referred to as pace, or rate of progress.  A student must complete the required units for the program of study within the maximum allowable units attempted (150% of the required units), referred to as the maximum time frame (MTF).

SAP Standards

Qualitative Standards

Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)

Qualitative standards include all undergraduate and graduate level coursework attempted at TCSPP, excluding grades of Transfer Credit (TR), Waiver of Course (WA), Credit (CR), No Credit (NC), In Progress (IP), Withdrawal (W), Incomplete (I), Audit (AU), Pass (P), and No Pass (NP). Only the latter grade is counted in the cumulative GPA for any repeated course. Credits accepted and applied in transfer are not included in the GPA requirement.

• A graduate student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above.
• An undergraduate student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or above.

Quantitative Standards

Pace (Rate of Progress)

Pace (Rate of Progress) is measured at the end of every term/semester. Pace refers to the minimum percentage of attempted units a student must successfully complete to remain in Academic & Financial Aid Good Standing. A student successfully completes a course and earns the units attempted when the student’s performance merits a passing grade. Pace is calculated by dividing the number of credit hours earned by the number of credit hours attempted.

• Pace =   Cumulative number of credit hours successfully completed / Cumulative number of credit hours attempted

Attempted credit hours is defined as all courses attempted at TCSPP and recorded on the academic record, including course repeats, withdrawals, and incompletes. Credits accepted and applied in transfer count as both credit hours attempted and credit hours completed in the SAP Pace calculation. Grades that negatively impact Pace are Incomplete (I), Withdrawal (W), No Credit (NC), No Pass (NP). Repeated courses negatively impact Pace since the original and repeated credits are counted as attempted units. Grades that apply to the pace calculation appear in the Letter Grade Standard Evaluation chart below.

• All graduate, certificate, and undergraduate students must maintain a minimum of 66.67% Pace for all attempted credits.

Maximum Timeframe (MTF)

Maximum Timeframe (MTF) requires the successful completion of all program requirements within 150% of the published program length as measured in credits attempted for the enrolled program. Credits accepted and applied in transfer toward a current enrollment are included as attempted and earned credits in determining the MTF. A student’s progress must ensure academic program completion within the MTF. The number of units required for graduation and the estimated time to degree completion for each academic program appear in the Program of Study descriptions available in the Academic Catalog.

• Program length is measured based on required credit hours; therefore, a student may not attempt more than 150% of the number of required credit hours in the degree program. 
  • For example, an academic program that requires 60 units for completion may not extend beyond 90 attempted units (60 units X 150% = 90 units). In order for the academic program to be completed within the MTF, the student must complete a minimum of 66.67% of all units attempted (60 units ÷ 90 units = 66.67%).

SAP Evaluation Period

SAP is evaluated at the end of each term/semester after all final grades are posted. After evaluation, a student who does not meet SAP standards will be notified in writing by the Office of the Registrar.  It is important for a student to check the school email frequently to respond to any communication regarding SAP status.

A student who wishes to transfer to a new campus or program must be in Academic Good Standing. An academic program change may impact the SAP evaluation period. The SAP review will include only TCSPP coursework that is applicable to the new program of study.

Veteran Affairs (VA) benefit recipients are responsible for complying with the SAP requirements established by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs for benefit eligibility. When a recipient is placed on Academic and Financial Aid Probation, TCSPP will report this status to the VA.

A student must meet SAP in order to be eligible to graduate.

Academic and Financial Aid Warning: SAP Not Met

A student in good standing who does not meet SAP standards will be placed on Academic and Financial Warning for the following term/semester. A student is given one term/semester to meet SAP standards, and is still eligible for federal financial aid during the Academic and Financial Aid Warning period.

A student on Academic and Financial Aid Warning must:

1. Meet with an academic advisor and/or the Department Chair to discuss academic implications.
2. Repeat any course in which “C” and below for graduate students or “D” and below for undergraduate students was earned as soon as the course is offered in a subsequent term/semester. This may occur in the term/semester that occurs immediately after the term/semester that resulted in the Academic and Financial Aid Warning status.

A student who does not meet SAP at the end of the Academic and Financial Aid Warning period will no longer be eligible to receive federal financial aid without a successful appeal. The student must successfully appeal in order to be placed in Academic and Financial Aid Probation status.  A student must submit the Reinstatement Petition including supporting documentation to the Office of the Registrar within 3 calendar days of notification. The Reinstatement Petition must be based on extenuating circumstances. 

The Reinstatement Petition will be reviewed by the academic department within 3 business days. The petition will either be approved or denied. The Office of the Registrar will notify the student of the academic department’s decision.

A student whose Reinstatement Petition is denied or who fails to petition for reinstatement will be dismissed from TCSPP.  If it is not mathematically possible for a student to meet SAP within four terms/two semesters, the student will be dismissed from the institution.

If the petition is approved, the student will:

1. Be placed on Academic and Financial Aid Probation and issued a SAP Development Plan. The academic department may also institute additional Academic Development Plan requirements that the student must meet.
2. Be required to meet with an advisor regarding SAP status.
3. Be required to repeat any course in which “C” and below for graduate students or “D” and below for undergraduate students was earned as soon as the course is offered in a subsequent term/semester. This may occur in the term/semester that occurs immediately after the term/semester that resulted in the Academic and Financial Aid Probation status.

Academic and Financial Aid Probation: SAP Not Met

A student who has been granted an appeal following a period of Academic and Financial Aid Warning is placed on Academic and Financial Aid Probation for the following term/semester.  A student who is placed on Academic and Financial Aid Probation will be issued a SAP Development Plan which will detail academic requirements to remain enrolled. A student who does not follow the SAP Development Plan and meet SAP at the end of the term/semester will be dismissed from the institution.

Should a student require more than two terms/one semester to meet SAP, this must be outlined in the SAP Development Plan. The student must follow the requirements of the SAP Development Plan in order to remain enrolled.  A student who does not follow the SAP Development Plan and meet SAP at the end of the term/semester will be dismissed from the institution.

At the conclusion of the term/semester of Academic and Financial Aid Probation, a student who does not meet the terms of their SAP Development Plan and/or does not meet SAP requirements will be dismissed from the institution. A dismissed student is not eligible to receive financial aid. Refer to the Re-Admission Policy.

Academic and Financial Aid Dismissal: Dismissal

A student is academically dismissed if the student fails to meet the conditions of the SAP Development Plan or SAP standards at the end of an Academic and Financial Aid Probation period. The dismissal will be noted permanently on the student’s official transcript.

A student who has been awarded financial aid or Veterans’ education benefits for the subsequent term/semester is advised that academic dismissal carries with it the cancellation of any financial aid or benefits. In-school loan deferment status ends as of the dismissal date. Financial aid previously received by a dismissed student may be returned to the lender by the institution depending on the date of dismissal. In such cases, the student may owe the institution for aid returned or outstanding charges.

A student who is re-admitted may be reconsidered for financial aid at that time. However, reinstatement does not necessarily mean that financial aid will be available for that term/semester or any future term/semester. A student who loses financial aid eligibility may be readmitted by improving their academic standing to meet the minimum standards of the SAP policy. Refer to the Re-Admission Policy and Financial Aid and Student Account Policies  for more information.

Maximum Timeframe Dismissal

A student who exceeds the 150% MTF for a program of study or who cannot mathematically complete the program of study within the MTF will be deemed ineligible for financial aid and dismissed from the institution.

Service Learning

Service learning is a teaching methodology which promotes learning outside of the classroom and in the community Local non-profit organizations and schools serve as co-educators and provide real world learning situations for students that, in turn, meet a community need. Service learning activities inform, clarify, illustrate, and stimulate additional thought about academic topics covered in the classroom, as well as encourage students to develop or strengthen a habit of service and social responsibility to the community. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology will code service learning courses with “-SL” applied to the section letter(s) to designate those courses with the service learning component.

Student-at-Large/Non-Degree Seeking Student Registration

Persons not admitted to a certificate or degree program who wish to enroll in a course on a space available basis may do so by contacting the Office of Admission at 1-800-721-8072.

A student-at-large must satisfy all prerequisites for the course(s) in which enrollment is desired. Typically, a student-at-large may complete a maximum of six (6) units of study with the school (no more than 3 units per term/6 units per semester). Credits earned as a student-at-large may not apply toward a degree if the student is subsequently admitted to a degree program.

A student-at-large is not eligible for financial aid and does not qualify for half-time or full-time enrollment status.

Student Advising

Advising Expectations

The school expects the following of the advising relationship between an on-ground student and the faculty advisor:

1. Consult with the advisor prior to registration with questions or concerns.
2. Meet with the advisor at least twice per year to review academic and professional performance.
3. Consult with the advisor before a problem or concern becomes serious.

Advisors are responsible for reviewing a student’s progress each academic year at the faculty-student review meetings.

Advising Relationship

The faculty advisor provides a proactive review of a student’s progress through the program and the development of an Academic Development Plan (ADP) to address any areas of deficiency or weakness.

The advisement relationship offered to on-ground students will include:

1. Review of past coursework and advice concerning course choices
2. Review and discussion of career planning in relation to past experiences, present needs, and future professional goals
3. Review of grades, evaluations, and additional narratives commenting on past performance
4. Participation in the development and oversight of ADPs as required by the Department Chair, Associate Department Chair, or the Student Affairs Committee.
5. Availability for discussion of personal concerns that affect academic and professional progress
6. Referral for additional help at the request of the student when necessary and appropriate

On-Ground Programs

Advising for on-ground programs is an integral part of the academic experience at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Program faculty members serve as advisors; each student is assigned an advisor at the time of first enrollment. A student may request a new advisor by completing a written request, obtaining approval signatures of the former and new advisors, and submitting the request to the Department Chair or designee for approval. If approved by the Department Chair or designee, the request will be subsequently submitted to the department manager or representative for the student’s academic department for entry into the student’s academic record.

The student is responsible for selecting a new advisor as circumstances may require. The Department Chair or designee is available to assist the student in the selection of an advisor. At no time is a student to be without an advisor.

Online Programs

An online student is assigned a Student Advisor, a support person who is available to assist as the student works to successfully complete the academic program. A student may call with general questions, course registration, student progress, course concerns and questions, graduation requirements, and more. A student is encouraged to reach out to the Student Advisor each term.

A student in an online program that requires the completion of an Applied Research Project (ARP) is assigned an Applied Research Project Instructor (ARPI) during the first ARP course. A student should plan to have the same ARPI throughout the program. ARPIs are not faculty members, but are professionals with expertise in writing, research, and specific content areas. ARPIs review deliverables throughout the Applied Research Project (ARP) curriculum and give approval for a student’s progression through the project. A student’s ARPI is the main source for guidance with all things regarding the ARP. Beyond the ARP process, ARPIs serve as a contact point for students, giving advice and guidance, providing information, and answering questions or addressing concerns.

Student Review Meetings

At Student Review meetings, advisors present their advisees and solicit feedback from the faculty regarding a student’s progress in the program. After reviewing a student’s academic and professional performance, work samples, practicum, thesis, or internship feedback and evaluations, faculty members forward written feedback to each student reviewed. First-year students are generally reviewed at the end of fall, spring, and summer semesters. More advanced students are reviewed at least once per year. Permission to apply to or participate in practicum and internship is normally granted during Student Review meetings.

The practice and frequency of Student Review meetings may vary across academic programs.

Student Status

Leave of Absence

A leave of absence (LOA) may be granted to a student who finds it necessary to interrupt progress toward a degree due to an extenuating circumstance. A LOA may be granted only at the end of the term/semester or before the Add/Drop deadline of the term/semester. The duration of a LOA may not exceed 180 days in any 12-month period. An on-ground student may take only one semester of LOA in any 12-month period.  An online student may take only two terms of LOA in any 12-month period.  

An on-ground student may be eligible for up to three semesters of LOA over the course of an academic program. An online student may be eligible for up to six terms of LOA over the course of an academic program.

A student considering a LOA should consult with the Financial Aid Office and the academic advisor prior to petitioning.  An international student in F1 or J1 status must consult with the Designated School Official (DSO) prior to taking a LOA as doing so may have an impact on the student’s immigration status. 

Minimum Requirements for Leave of Absence

To be considered for a LOA, a student:

• Must be in Academic and Financial Aid Good Standing per the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy.  A student who is not meeting SAP is not eligible for a LOA.

• Must be in Programmatic Good Standing, if applicable.

• May not have any disciplinary, financial, or academic inquiries pending. A student who has a financial account hold is not eligible for a LOA.

• Must have earned credit hours toward a degree requirement in at least two terms/one semester. Credit hours earned to meet an admission contingency requirement do not constitute progress toward degree, and

• Must confer with the practicum/internship coordinator prior to the submission of the LOA request form, if applicable.

Requesting a LOA

To request a LOA, a student:

• Must complete the Leave of Absence Request form in full, indicating the reason for the request.

• Must consult with their Department Chair or designee regarding the impact of leave on rate of progress and program completion. The student must obtain the Department Chair’s signature showing support for the request.

• Must consult with Financial Aid regarding financial implications, if applicable.

• Must submit the form and supporting documentation to the Office of the Registrar before the Add/Drop deadline.

A LOA allows a student to return to the same academic program under the requirements in effect when the LOA began. Failure to return to active status at the conclusion of a LOA will result in an administrative withdrawal from the school.  A student who is withdrawn must either re-enter or re-apply per the policies outlined in the Student Handbook. 

A LOA is notated on a student’s transcript for each approved term/semester until the student returns to school. Retroactive LOA is not permitted.

A student who faces extenuating circumstances that necessitate a LOA request after the Add/Drop deadline must consult with their Department Chair and Dean of Academic Affairs to obtain support prior to submitting the signed LOA form and supporting documentation to the Office of the Registrar. If the student meets the requirements of this policy, the request will be processed and all courses will be dropped.  

A student on a LOA is bound by TCSPP’s Code of Conduct and must adhere to the same professional standards as an active student. A LOA does not supersede the policy that all requirements for a degree must be completed within the maximum timeframe.

Note:  If a student does not return to active status from an approved LOA, the grace period for Federal loans will begin with the student’s last date of attendance.

The Military Leave of Absence (MLOA) provides a no-penalty, time-unrestricted leave of absence for affected individuals, their spouses and dependents. The MLOA provides relief of student charges based upon deployment notification and financial aid sources.

Affected individuals include the following, as well as their spouses and dependents:

• Active duty military personnel serving during a war, military operation, state or national emergency.
• Members of the National Guard performing a qualifying duty (e.g. called to active service by the Governor, President, Secretary of Defense for a period of more than 30 consecutive days) during a war, military operation, state or national emergency.
• Service Members who suffer economic hardship as a result of a war, military operation, state or national emergency.

A student who is called to active military duty should promptly notify the Office of the Registrar in writing via the Leave of Absence request form, including submitting the military orders with departure date. If military orders are classified and cannot be shared, a letter from the commanding officer regarding the date of deployment and confidentiality status will be accepted. MLOA does not count against program time to completion; however, repayment of Federal Financial Aid may be required after 180 days have expired. MLOA is available to a student who is deployed regardless of the student’s SAP status.

If the student withdraws from current courses on or before week 5 of an 8-week term or on or before week 10 for a 15-week semester, the student will receive a full refund of tuition and fees, and be removed from all courses in progress, thereby removing them from the student’s record. A grade of “W” will be recorded on the student’s transcript. If the student withdraws from current courses on or after week 6 of an 8-week term or on or after week 11 a 15-week semester, the student will receive full credit with grades earned at the time of MLOA. If a course relies on a final project and/or examination to determine satisfactory performance, no credit will be granted until all required work is completed. A student taking online courses may continue to be enrolled in those courses, if possible. A student wanting to complete their courses via independent study may do so with the consent of the faculty member(s).

Re-Admission

Dismissal or Probation Status

An applicant with a past academic history who is in dismissal status with TCSPP may apply for re-admission after a one-year waiting period from the term of dismissal (three (3) on-ground semesters, or six (6) online terms). This policy applies to individuals who wish to apply:

• To the same academic program as the previous enrollment OR an academic program different from the previous enrollment
• At the same location as the previous enrollment OR at a location different from the previous enrollment
• In the same delivery modality as the previous enrollment OR in a delivery modality different from the previous enrollment

As part of the formal application process through the Office of Admission, an applicant with past academic history must submit a written statement listing the compelling reasons for re-admission. This statement and the previous enrollment record will be reviewed as part of the consideration for re-admission. An applicant in dismissal status is not eligible for auto admission.

If the applicant is accepted by the admission committee of the desired department, the Department Chair will have the opportunity to review the admission file and render an independent decision. An offer of admission may be rescinded should the school discover that an applicant provided fraudulent information on the admissions application.

Service Members

In compliance with criteria established by the Higher Education Act, any student whose absence from TCSPP is necessitated by reason of service in the uniformed services shall be entitled to readmission at the same academic status attained prior to such service, provided the student (or an appropriate officer of the Armed Forces) gives advance notice of such service to the Office of the Registrar, and the cumulative length of the absence and of all previous absences by reason of service in the uniformed services does not exceed five (5) years.

Withdrawal Status

A former student who has been in withdrawal status for more than 365 days and who wishes to re-enter for the purposes of completing a degree must re-apply through the Office of Admission. If granted acceptance, the student will be subject to adopting new program requirements in effect at the time of re-entry. Prior to registration, the student must clear any account hold resulting from unpaid tuition or fees, overdue library materials, and so on as the hold will prohibit course registration.

Re-Application

A former student who has been in withdrawal status for more than 365 days and who wishes to re-enter for the purposes of completing a degree must re-apply through the Office of Admission. If granted acceptance, the student will be subject to adopting new program requirements in effect at the time of re-entry. Prior to registration, the student must clear any account hold resulting from unpaid tuition or fees, overdue library materials, and so on as the hold will prohibit course registration.

Re-Entry

A former student who has withdrawn and who wishes to petition for re-entry for the purposes of completing a degree may submit a Re-entry Request form to the Office of the Registrar or to Student Advisors (online programs). The request for re-entry must fall within 365 days of the date of withdrawal. Previous academic performance, student account status, and the student’s letter of intent will be reviewed by the department. Re-entry is not guaranteed.

California Graduate Institute of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology programs

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology acquired the assets of the California Graduate Institute (CGI) in 2008 and acts as the custodian of all CGI Westwood and CGI Irvine academic records for any student who received a degree or became inactive prior to October 7, 2008.

Effective June 1, 2011, former students of the California Graduate Institute who have not been actively enrolled at TCSPP are eligible to apply only to programs being offered to new students. Details on current program offerings are available through the Office of Admission.

Should a currently active CGI of TCS student be withdrawn from TCSPP for any reason, the student may apply to re-enter the program of enrollment at the time of withdrawal once following the policy outlined in the Student Handbook. If approved for re-entry, stipulations will be placed upon the resumed enrollment which may include but are not limited to assignment of an Academic Development Plan and a mandatory completion timeframe and the requirement of maintaining continuous enrollment through degree completion while remaining in academic and programmatic good standing.

Failure to meet any enrollment stipulation determined at the point of re-entry will result in dismissal from the institution. This policy may not be excepted.

Withdrawal

A student has the right to withdraw from enrollment at TCSPP at any time. The student is strongly advised to speak with the academic department, Student Accounts, and Financial Aid department prior to submitting a withdrawal request.

Transfer Credit and Course Waiver

Articulation Agreements         

An articulation agreement is an officially approved agreement used to assist students in transferring credit between two different academic programs or between different higher education institutions.

TCSPP has internal and external articulation agreements. Internal articulation agreements allow qualified students to begin their masters while completing their bachelors, for example. An external articulation agreement identifies specific coursework completed at a partner institution that may be recognized as equivalent to TCSPP coursework. 

All transfer of credit will be based on an individual evaluation of the student’s transcripts and syllabi. Courses may vary depending upon program of study and how credits are applied toward degree completion. A student who enters an academic program via an articulation agreement will be held to the requirements stated in the agreement.

Graduate Programs

Transfer Credit

It is expected that a matriculated student will fulfill all degree requirements through courses offered at TCSPP. The transfer of credit process provides an opportunity for a student to have credit hours earned at another institution or in another TCSPP program applied to the current program of study. In order to be eligible for transfer, credit hours must have been earned prior to matriculation into the current TCSPP program and from a recognized, regionally accredited degree-granting institution.

A Transfer Credit/Course Waiver Petition must be submitted for each course by the end of the first semester of enrollment (on-ground students) or second term of enrollment (online students). This petition must include the course details along with a course syllabus and official transcript documenting the grade earned in the course. The student is responsible for ensuring that all required documentation noted on the petition is submitted.  A student who is granted transfer credit after the Add/Drop deadline due to late submittal that results in a schedule modification will be held to TCSPP’s refund schedule.

Requests for transfer of credit are evaluated by the Department Chair or designee, and the decision to accept transfer credit rests solely with TCSPP. The institution reserves the right to require satisfactory performance on an examination before granting transfer credit. Approved transfer credit will be posted to the student’s transcript after the student remains enrolled past the Add/Drop deadline.

Approved transfer credit will not be factored into a new student’s registration time. All new students register during the same designated period regardless of transfer credit. Transfer credit may affect registration eligibility in subsequent terms.

Transfer of credit is subject to the following conditions:

1. Course is at or above the equivalent degree level.
2. Credit hours earned in the United States must be from a recognized, regionally accredited degree-granting institution. Credit hours earned at international institutions that are fully accredited by a country’s Ministry of Education or accredited by the United States Department of Education must be evaluated by a NACES-approved transcript evaluation agency. See the International Transcript Evaluation policy.
3. Course content is substantially equivalent to requested course. This is generally defined as greater than 80 percent equivalent.
4. Course grade is a “B” or higher. Courses which carry Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit grades are not eligible.
5. Credit not granted for practicum or internship.
6. Number of semester credit hours earned matches or exceeds the number of semester credit hours for the requested course.
7. No credit hours will be transferred for coursework that is more than 7 calendar years old.

The student will be charged a fee for each transfer credit hour awarded. Please refer to the schedule of tuition and fees for information. A student is not required to pay the transfer of credit fee for TCSPP credit that is applied to a new program of study.

A student may apply for transfer credit to meet an elective course requirement if the course supports the competencies and learning outcomes of the program and meets the following conditions:

1. The course must meet all other requirements for transfer credit.
2. The course must be at or above the equivalent degree level.
3. The course cannot duplicate other successfully completed requirements.

Certificate programs do not permit transfer of credit.

A TCSPP study abroad course may be used to satisfy a degree requirement if listed in the published program of study OR if approved for inclusion by the Department Chair. To ensure that a study abroad course will satisfy a degree requirement, a student must obtain written approval from the Department Chair prior to registration in the course. The student must submit the approved Study Abroad Transfer Credit Petition to the Office of the Registrar.

Course Waiver

It is expected that a matriculated student will fulfill all degree requirements through courses offered at TCSPP. The course waiver process provides an opportunity for a student to have course content completed at another institution or in another TCSPP program applied to the current program of study. A Transfer Credit/Course Waiver Petition must be submitted for each course. This petition must include the course details along with a course syllabus and official transcript documenting the grade earned in the course. The student is responsible for ensuring that all required documentation noted on the petition is submitted. Should an approved course waiver result in a schedule change after the Add/Drop deadline, the student will be held to the refund schedule.

Requests for course waiver are evaluated by the Department Chair or designee, and the decision to grant waiver rests solely with TCSPP. The institution reserves the right to require satisfactory performance on an examination before awarding a course waiver. A waived course will be posted to the student’s transcript after the student remains enrolled past the Add/Drop deadline.

An approved course waiver will not be factored into a new student’s registration time. All new students register during the same designated period regardless of course waiver.

Course waiver is subject to the following conditions:

1. Course is at or above the equivalent degree level.
2. Credit hours earned in the United States must be from a recognized, regionally accredited degree-granting institution. Credit hours earned at international institutions that are fully accredited by a country’s Ministry of Education or accredited by the United States Department of Education must be evaluated by a NACES-approved transcript evaluation agency. See the International Transcript Evaluation policy.
3. Waiver is not granted for practicum or internship courses.
4. Waiver is granted only for courses in which the grade earned was a “B” or higher. Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit courses are ineligible.
5. No course more than 7 calendar years old is eligible for waiver.

A student seeking both transfer of credit and course waiver may not exceed the total credit hours designated by the academic program. See the table below.

Course waiver does not reduce the overall number of credit hours required for degree completion. A student who waives a course must replace the credit hours with other TCSPP courses either within or outside of the enrolled program of study. A student may request to take courses in another TCSPP academic program by submitting the Cross Campus/Program Registration Request form. 

Certificate programs do not permit course waiver. The Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology programs at Chicago, Los Angeles, Xavier University of New Orleans, and Washington, D. C. do not permit course waiver.

Undergraduate Programs

A student entering an undergraduate degree program is permitted to transfer in credit hours equivalent to a maximum of 65% of the total number of credit hours required by the program.  A student is required to complete at TCSPP a minimum of 35% of the total number of credit hours required by the program.

Transfer Credit

The transfer of credit process provides the opportunity for a student to have credit hours earned at another institution or in another TCSPP program applied to the current program of study. In order to be eligible for transfer, credit hours must have been earned prior to matriculation into the current TCSPP program.

The student is responsible for ensuring that all required documentation is submitted for evaluation. A student who is granted transfer credit after the Add/Drop deadline due to late submittal that results in a schedule modification will be held to the school’s refund schedule.

Requests for transfers of credit are evaluated by the Department Chair or designee, and the decision to accept transfer credit rests solely with TCSPP. The institution reserves the right to require satisfactory performance on an examination before granting transfer of credit. Approved transfer credit will be posted to the student’s transcript after the student remains enrolled past the Add/Drop deadline.

Approved transfer credit will not be factored into a new student’s registration time. All new students register during the same designated period regardless of transfer credit. Transfer credit may affect registration eligibility in subsequent terms.

Transfer of credit is subject to the following conditions:

1. Course is at the undergraduate level, degree applicable, and not designated as developmental or remedial.
2. Credit hours earned in the United States must be from a recognized, regionally accredited degree-granting institution. Credit hours earned at international institutions that are fully accredited by a country’s Ministry of Education or accredited by the United States Department of Education must be evaluated by a NACES -approved transcript evaluation agency. See the International Transcript Evaluation policy.
3. Credit earned as described below must meet the stipulated conditions, where applicable:
   • Portfolio Based Assessment: A student may earn up to 12 semester hours per portfolio completed and submitted. The student will incur all fees associated with the course up to and including submission of the portfolio. Portfolio Based Assessment is completed in conjunction with the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) and LearningCounts.org. A student may work with Admissions and visit http://www.learningcounts.org/ for more information.
   • Prior Learning Assessment: A student with Prior Learning Assessment should contact Admissions for review and possible transfer credit.
   • Professional Training and Certification: Professional training and certifications recognized by the American Council on Education (ACE) may be submitted for review. A student who has completed training must submit an official transcript from ACE, at the student’s expense and prior to matriculation at TCSPP. Trainings and certifications not recognized by ACE will not be reviewed for transfer credit.
   • Propero, SOPHIA, or Straighterline Courses: For general education or lower division elective credit, a prospective student may complete an ACE-recommended course and then submit an official transcript to TCSPP. A student who wishes to pursue this option should contact Admissions.
4. TCSPP requires an official transcript from the institution where the credit hours were earned as the institution does not accept third party evaluations for these purposes.
5. Course content is substantially equivalent to requested course. This is generally defined as greater than 80 percent equivalent.
6. Course grade is “C” or higher. Pass/Fail courses are eligible only if the Pass grade is equivalent to a “C” or higher. Credit/No Credit grades are not eligible.
7. Number of semester credit hours earned matches or exceeds the number of semester credit hours for the requested course.
8. A maximum of 6 credit hours of transfer credit maybe granted toward either the health science or business minor in the BA Psychology program.
9. A student with previous military experience in any of the United States Military Branches may elect to have military credit reviewed for transfer at TCSPP. The student must submit an official transcript via the Joint Service Transcript (JST) website. Credit review will be based on the American Council on Education (ACE) credit recommendations.
10. A student’s score on any of the nationally-recognized exams listed below may be submitted for transfer of credit consideration if the official score meets the institutional requirement. An official score report must be submitted to TCSPP for evaluation. When credit through examination is awarded, it is not factored into the grade point average.

• AP Exams: A student who earned a score of 3 or higher on an Advanced Placement (AP) exam may have that score considered for college-level credit. A student who has previously completed an AP exam must submit an official score sheet to TCSPP.
• CLEP Exams: A student who successfully passed a College‐Level Examination Program (CLEP) Exam may have that score considered for college-level credit. Exams are required to be passed with the minimum American Council on Education (ACE) Credit Recommendation. Scores lower than the ACE Recommendation will not be considered for transfer credit. A student must submit an official score sheet to TCSPP.
• DSST/DANTES Credit: A student who has successfully passed the DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests) Exam may have that score considered for college-level credit. Exams must be passed with the minimum American Council on Education (ACE) Credit Recommendation. Scores lower than the ACE Recommendation will not be considered for transfer credit. A student must submit an official score sheet to TCSPP.
• IB Exams: The International Baccalaureate (IB) Exams are considered college-level learning at TCSPP. A student who completed testing from IB should contact the Office of the Registrar to apply for transfer of credit.

A student may apply for transfer credit to meet an elective course requirement if the course supports the competencies and learning outcomes of the program and meets the following conditions:

1. The course must meet all other requirements for transfer credit.
2. The course must be at or above the equivalent degree level.
3. The course cannot duplicate other successfully completed requirements.

An unofficial transcript may be used for review of transfer credit prior to matriculation at TCSPP. However, in order for transfer credit to be processed, an official transcript must be received. An official transcript is delivered in a sealed envelope with the Registrar’s signature stamped across the seal. An official transcript can also be sent electronically directly from a transcript vendor.

Course Waiver

The course waiver process provides an opportunity for a student to have course content completed at another institution or in another TCSPP program applied to the current program of study. A Transfer Credit/Course Waiver Petition must be submitted for each course. This petition must include the course details along with a course syllabus and official transcript documenting the grade earned in the course. The student is responsible for ensuring that all required documentation noted on the petition is submitted. Should an approved course waiver result in a schedule change after the Add/Drop deadline, the student will be held to the refund schedule.

Requests for course waiver are evaluated by the Department Chair or designee, and the decision to grant waiver rests solely with TCSPP. The institution reserves the right to require satisfactory performance on an examination before awarding a course waiver. A waived course will be posted to the student’s transcript after the student remains enrolled past the Add/Drop deadline.

An approved course waiver will not be factored into a new student’s registration time. All new students register during the same designated period regardless of course waiver.

Course waiver is subject to the following conditions:

1. Course is at the undergraduate level, degree applicable, and not designated as developmental or remedial.
2. Credit hours earned in the United States must be from a recognized, regionally accredited degree-granting institution. Credit hours earned at international institutions that are fully accredited by a country’s Ministry of Education or accredited by the United States Department of Education must be evaluated by a NACES-approved transcript evaluation agency. See the International Transcript Evaluation policy.
3. Course grade is “C” or higher. Pass/Fail courses are eligible only if the Pass grade is equivalent to a “C” or higher. Credit/No Credit grades are not eligible.

A student seeking both course waiver and transfer of credit may not exceed the total credit hours designated by the program. Course waiver does not reduce the overall number of credit hours required for degree completion.