ACADEMIC INFORMATION
GENERAL UNDERGRADUATE POLICIES
Degrees Offered
Southern Wesleyan University offers undergraduate courses of study leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.).
A candidate for the B.A. degree must complete 128 semester hours, including required general education courses, and 24-35 hours of courses specified as giving major credit. The B.A. degree is available with majors in biology, business administration, chemistry, English, English education, history, mathematics, mathematics education, music, religion, and social science.
A candidate for the B.S. degree must complete 128 semester hours, including required general education credits, at least 36 hours of specified, non-general education courses, and at least nine hours of electives. The B.S. degree is available with majors in accounting, applied computer science, biology, business administration, chemistry, communication, elementary education, forensic computer science, forensic science, human services, management, management of information technology, mathematics, medical technology, music, physical education, pre-dentistry, pre-medicine, psychology, recreation, special education, sports management and tourism.
A second baccalaureate degree may be earned by completing an additional 30 hours in residence and by fulfilling all requirements for the second degree.
Specialized Major
The specialized major is intended to encourage studies with flexible and unique academic interests, not met by existing majors, to develop an individualized or multidisciplinary course of study. This option is only available through the residential campus program.
Guidelines for students who wish to pursue a degree with a specialized major:
· By the end of the sophomore year, identify a faculty advisor who has expertise in the student’s area(s) of interest and is willing to work with the student.
· In consultation with the faculty advisor and appropriate division chair(s), design a plan of study no later than the end of the sophomore year and obtain approval of the Academic Council at least three semesters before the anticipated date of graduation. (The design plan should include a suggested title for the major.)
· Assure that the program of study includes the following:
o A minimum of 128 semester credit hours leading to a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree
o All general education requirements
o A statement of goals and expected outcomes for the course of study
o At least 30 hours of coursework at the 300-400 level in the areas of concentration
· Meet the following academic criteria in the program of study:
o A grade of 1.6 or higher in all courses taken in designated areas of concentration
o A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher
Minors
In addition to completing the requirements necessary to constitute a major, a student at Southern Wesleyan University may complete one or more minors in certain disciplines.
A minor consists of 18 to 24 semester hours of specified courses in the discipline. At least six hours of courses to be included in the minor must be taken under Southern Wesleyan University faculty.
Minors are available in accounting, Bible, biology, business administration, chemistry, criminal justice, e-commerce, English, finance and economics, history, human services, Internet computing, management, mathematics, missions, music, psychology, social science, and youth ministry.
Concentration
The term concentration designates an area of emphasis within a major. In some majors (religion, for example), a student must choose at least one area of concentration. In other majors (for example, English), a student may choose either to remain a generalist or to select courses that concentrate on an area of special interest.
Cognate
A cognate is a set of courses that provide a particular focus when added to an existing academic major. Unlike a minor, these courses supplement a major and do not provide the “stand-alone” emphasis that characterize a minor. Therefore, the cognate will not appear on a student’s transcript unless the related major is completed.
Classification of Students
Regular students are academically classified according to the number of semester hours successfully completed:
Freshmen 0-29 hours Juniors 60-89 hours
Sophomores 30-59 hours Seniors 90 and above
Competency Requirements
Satisfactory demonstration of competency in the following areas is required for graduation from all undergraduate programs.
COMPETENCY IN COMPUTING: Competency in computing may be established by earning a minimum of 1.6 on the lab exam in CPSC 1103 and a minimum of 1.6 in the course. Students in the traditional program may also establish competency by scoring 70% on the final written exam of CPSC 1103 and a 1.6 on the lab exam. A fee will be charged for such special examinations. Students in the Adult and Graduate program may establish competency by passing MGMT 2164 Introduction to Management for Information Systems. Competency may also be established through transfer of a course equivalent to CPSC 1103 from another accredited institution, or through a CLEP test. Students transferring credit to Southern Wesleyan University or reentering Southern Wesleyan University after not being a student here for five or more years cannot establish competency by a course, portfolio experience, or test taken five or more years previously.
COMPETENCY IN ORAL COMMUNICATION: Students are certified as having established competency in oral communication when they have successfully completed ENGL 2053, ENGL 2093, or ENGL 2103. Students transferring credit for all twelve hours of required general education English courses and having a course of study that allows no room for electives may satisfy the competency requirement through an oral presentation evaluated as satisfactory by a member of the English faculty or a designated trained alternate.
COMPETENCY IN WRITTEN COMMUNICATION: Students establish competency in written communication by successfully completing ENGL 1003, ENGL 1054, ENGL 2093 or transferable equivalent.
MATHEMATICS COMPETENCY: The math competency requirement may be satisfied by either a score of 50 or higher on the math competency test, a grade of 1.6 in MATH 1003, 1023, 1024, 1033, 2504 or transferable equivalent. SAT/ACT scores will be used for math placement for incoming freshmen.
The Meaning of Grades
Southern Wesleyan University uses a four point scale as an indicator of the level to which a student has mastered the objectives of a given course. While efforts are made to eliminate subjectivity and bias, grades should be looked on as approximations. They are not an end in themselves but merely provide some evidence of how well the institutionally set goals have been met by a given individual. Students are encouraged to set their own learning goals and to use grades as only one measurement among many.
Grades serve the school in many ways, including
- Giving feedback to students
- Determining whether credit is given for a course
- Determining how well material has been mastered overall
- Helping to improve instruction
- Sharing with stakeholders such as advisors, parents, employers, funding agencies, accreditors and graduate schools.
Primarily, grades are directly related to the achievement of specified learning outcomes stipulated in a course syllabus or other official course materials. In some cases a portion of the grade may involve other learning related to the broader topic of the course or the overall Southern Wesleyan University learning outcomes. Grades may also indicate the level of student engagement with the learning experience measured through such things as class participation, attendance, timeliness, and optional activity or research.
The following meanings are represented by the four point scale:
4.0 Advanced: The student has gone beyond the simple mastery of the course objectives. He or she can integrate the concepts presented with previously learned material as appropriate to the course. In addition, key ideas can be applied in new and complex settings bringing fresh insights and creativity. Work is of consistently high quality.
3.0 Proficient: The student has gained competence with respect to the course objectives and is able to satisfactorily apply concepts most of the time. Work is of moderate to high quality.
2.0 Basic: The student performs adequately in relation to most of the course objectives. There may be some areas of weakness and he or she sometimes applies ideas incorrectly or incompletely. Work is of moderate quality with some inconsistency.
1.0 Below Basic: The student has minimal grasp of the course objectives. Many important concepts are only partially mastered and he or she struggles to make adequate application. The quality of work is inconsistent and/or marginal.
0.0 Failure: The student has not demonstrated mastery of many or most of the course objectives. The quality of work is not sufficient to warrant gaining credit for the course.
Faculty members at Southern Wesleyan University are hired both to teach and to make expert judgments of how well students master course objectives. The judgments are arrived at in a wide variety of ways depending on the course content and the skill and preference of the instructor. SWU does not endorse one particular methodology, but it does require that faculty adhere to the above grade definitions. Faculty are also asked not to include items in the final grade that have no relation to the course outcomes, program outcomes or student engagement with the topic.
GradesAll grades are reported in increments of 0.1 and range from 4.0 to NC, according to following scale:
3.9-4.0 A
3.6-3.8 A- Superior
3.3-3.5 B+
3.0-3.2 B Excellent
2.7-2.9 B-
2.3-2.6 C+
1.9-2.2 C Average
1.6-1.8 C-
1.3-1.5 D+
1.0-1.2 D Passing
0.0 No Credit
NC No Credit (does not affect GPA)
P Pass
S Satisfactory completion but no
credit toward graduation
I Incomplete
W Withdrew
WG Withdrew from a graduate course
Grade Point Average
A student's Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated by dividing the number of grade points earned by the number of credits attempted (excluding P and S grades).
In calculating undergraduate cumulative GPA, up to twelve credits with a grade of 0.0 earned before July 1, 1998 will not be included in the calculation. If a course is repeated, only the highest grade will be used to calculate the cumulative GPA.
For certain purposes specifically indicated in this catalog, the GPA is calculated on all work attempted. A GPA calculated on all work attempted includes all work earning an NC or 0.0 in the calculation, and the "NC" is given a value of 0.0 grade point.
Courses receiving grades of less than 1.6 (C) will not be applied toward major, minor, or concentration requirements, or toward other specified requirements within a major, without permission from the major advisor and the academic dean.
The graduate cumulative GPA is calculated on all work attempted.
No grade below 2.0 may be applied toward a graduate degree. Grades for traditional students are mailed by the Office of Academic Records after the end of the semester.
Pass-No Credit Courses
Courses that are graded with a high degree of subjectivity, or where evaluation is based on the simple completion of a specific list of requirements, will be graded on a P/NC basis. Credit earned on this basis will count towards graduation but will not affect the student's GPA.
Seniors may register for one elective course per semester for which they will receive the grade of Pass/No Credit. This option is reserved to students with a GPA of 2.5 or higher and cannot apply toward a major, departmental requirements, courses required for teacher certification, or ordination. Also, instructors may remove any of their courses from this option. Arrangements for this option are to be completed at the time of registration.
Incompletes
Under extenuating circumstances a student, with permission of the appropriate academic dean and the faculty member involved, may be allowed to carry an incomplete grade until all required course work is completed.
The faculty member and the student will mutually determine the amount of time needed to complete the work, within a maximum of five (5) calendar weeks from the last day of classes.
The faculty member will recommend an incomplete only after ascertaining that all daily work is passed and that the student lacks completing only a relatively small amount of the semester's work.
Veterans' Benefits and Grades
Grade point averages for those receiving veterans' benefits will be calculated on all work attempted. For certification of enrollment, those eligible should contact the Office of Academic Records.
Federal and State Financial Aid and Grades
In determining eligibility for state and federal financial aid, the cumulative grade point average will be calculated on all work attempted.
Academic Honesty
Honesty in all matters—including honesty in academic endeavors—is a valued principle at Southern Wesleyan University. Members of this community of learners (students, faculty, facilitators, staff, and administrators) are expected to treat each other as honorable unless this trust is betrayed.
Any form of academic dishonesty (including cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of documents) constitutes a serious breach of trust. No form of academic dishonesty will be tolerated. Students are encouraged to confront offenders when academic dishonesty is observed. If the offender does not confess to the faculty member involved, students are expected to report the dishonesty to the faculty member directly.
Faculty members are in charge of their classrooms and are encouraged to be present during exams. All community members are encouraged to avoid increasing temptations for dishonesty. At the beginning of the semester, faculty members are encouraged to convey and to interpret their policy on plagiarism (academic dishonesty involving the use of another's material, methods, or ideas without properly acknowledging the originator).
Students are required to sign the following pledge on work turned in for credit. "I have neither been dishonest nor do I know of any dishonesty by others on this work." Any violation in fact or spirit is considered academic dishonesty.
If a student cheats and confesses, the penalty is no credit (NC) or zero (0) on the work involved. This confession may result from the student's own conscience or as a result of confrontation by a fellow student.
If a student admits cheating after confrontation by a faculty member, the penalty is no credit (NC) or zero (0) on the work involved and a 10% grade reduction in the course.
If there is evidence of academic dishonesty either by voluntary confession, report of another student, or on the basis of work submitted, the faculty member should follow this procedure:
1. Notify the provost.
2. Be advised by the provost of any previous academic dishonesty by that student.
3. Confront the student in the presence of another faculty member 24 hours or more after the work is submitted. (If there is danger the evidence may be lost, such evidence may be seized at once.)
4. Implement the appropriate discipline for the student's response, inform the student of the right to appeal, and report the discipline implemented to the provost.
A. student's confession - NC or 0 for work involved
B. admission after confrontation by faculty member - NC or 0 on work and 10% course grade reduction
C. denial of guilt and faculty member believes innocence - no penalty
D. denial of guilt but faculty member believes guilt - 0 for the course
Academic Appeals
Grade-Appeal Procedures
The university has approved a formal procedure for resolving those occasions when a student actively disagrees with the grade received in a course:
1. No later than four weeks after the grade is posted, the student will confer with the instructor. If a grade inaccuracy is determined, the instructor will process a grade-change request.
2. If agreement cannot be reached, the student may appeal to the instructor's division chair, in writing, within ten working days after the meeting with the instructor. If the division chair can mediate an agreement between the student and instructor, a grade-change request may be processed. If no agreement can be reached, or if the instructor is also the division chair, or if there is not division chair as in the case of Business & Education, the next step is applicable.
3. The student may appeal the decision to the academic dean of the appropriate college or school, in writing, again within ten working days. The academic dean shall investigate and render a decision. A decision by the academic dean that the grade is not appeal able is final.
If the decision is to reconsider the grade, the academic dean shall within ten working days in consultation with the provost, assign the appeal to the Academic Council or its designated appeals committee to review all appropriate material, consult the parties involved, and determine the final grade. The Council may retain the original grade or assign a new grade (which may be the same as, higher than, or lower than the grade in question), and it will so inform the registrar. The decision of the Academic Council is final.
Appeals (Cases of Alleged Academic Dishonesty)
If a student is charged with academic dishonesty and the matter is not resolved with the faculty member, the student may appeal to the instructor's division chair, in writing, within ten working days after being informed that the grade for the course will be 0. If the division chair can mediate an agreement between the student and instructor, a grade-change request may be processed, if necessary.
If no agreement can be reached or if the instructor is also the division chair, or if there is not division chair as in the case of Business & Education, the student may appeal the decision to the appropriate academic dean, in writing, again within ten working days. The academic dean shall investigate and render a decision.
Within ten working days after being informed of the decision, either the instructor or the student may appeal the dean's decision to the Academic Council. The Academic Council or its designated appeals committee will review all appropriate material, consult the parties involved, and determine the final penalty. The decision of the Academic Council is final. Academic dishonesty discovered outside the context of a course or after a course is complete will be dealt with in a manner appropriate to the situation. The penalty may include such sanctions as rescinding of credit previously awarded, expulsion from the university, revocation of certificates, honors or diplomas, and, in case of fraud, appropriate legal action. Appeals in these cases will be heard by the provost, with final appeal to the Academic Council.
Other Academic Appeals
Students seeking an exception to the application of a stated policy of the university may appeal in writing to the Vice President for Academic Services who will refer the appeal to the administrator responsible for the application of the particular policy. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the matter may be referred to the provost within 10 days of the decision. The provost will investigate and render a decision. A decision by the provost that the matter is not appeal able is final.
If the decision is to consider an exception to the policy, the provost will either make the appropriate change or, within ten working days, assign the appeal to the Academic Council or its designated appeals committee to review all appropriate material, consult the parties involved, and make a determination. The decision of the Academic Council is final.
Honors
Alpha Chi
Southern Wesleyan University sponsors a chapter of the national honorary society Alpha Chi. To be eligible for selection, a student must have completed at least 60 hours of course work at Southern Wesleyan University. Membership is limited to the top ten percent (all college work included) of the senior class and top five percent of the junior class. Eligibility for membership is determined by the provost and election is by the Academic Council during the spring semester of each year.
Dean's List
At the close of each semester, the provost & vice president for academic affairs will publish a list of those undergraduate students who have carried at least 12 hours of college credit within the preceding semester (or the previous 6 months in the case of continuous enrollment students), have no grade for any single course below 3.0, and have earned a GPA of at least 3.5.
Graduation Honors
Graduating seniors with outstanding scholarship will qualify for the following honors, to be recognized at commencement:
Cum Laude: A cumulative GPA of at least 3.4 on all college work attempted (NC and 0.0 count as 0.0).
Magna Cum Laude: A cumulative GPA of at least 3.6 on all college work attempted.
Summa Cum Laude: A cumulative GPA of at least 3.8 on all college work attempted.
To be eligible for graduation honors, a student transferring from another college must complete at least 60 hours under Southern Wesleyan faculty.
All grades earned at any institution are used in determining GPA, but no honors will be awarded that require a GPA higher than that earned at Southern Wesleyan.
Sigma Tau Delta
Under the sponsorship of the Modern Languages Division, Southern Wesleyan University initiated the Alpha Xi Lambda Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the international honorary English society during the Spring semester of 2007... Founded in 1924 by Professor Judson Q. Owen at Dakota Wesleyan College, Sigma Tau Delta is now one of the largest members of the Association of College Honor Societies. Sigma Tau Delta’s purpose is to confer distinction upon students of English language and literature in undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies. Sigma Tau Delta also recognizes the accomplishments of professional writers who have contributed to the fields of language and literature. The Alpha Xi Lambda Chapter began with 12 charter members. New members will be added each year as qualifying criteria are met.
Class Attendance
To receive credit for a course, a student must be present for at least 75% of the class meetings in the course. No credit will be given in any course in which the total number of absences exceeds 25% of the class meetings. This number includes any authorized travel that causes a student to miss classes (for example, field trips, athletic competition, musical performances).
Once students have missed 25% of the class meetings in a course, they are no longer allowed to participate in activities that would take them away from the classroom.
Students registered for classes in the traditional program are required to attend the first scheduled day of classes and labs. Students who cannot attend the first class are responsible for contacting the instructor prior to the first class meeting to indicate their intent to remain in the class. If a student does not attend the first class meeting or make contact with the instructor, the instructor will notify Academic Records and the student will be dropped from the roll.
Disciplinary Dismissal
A student dismissed or expelled from the university for disciplinary reasons will receive academic credit only for courses already completed at the time of dismissal.
Examinations
Examinations and announced tests missed because of an unexcused absence cannot be made up. Make-up of work missed because of excused absences should be arranged with the teacher before the absences, if possible.
Re-examinations are given only under exceptional circumstances and then only with the permission of the academic dean.
Privacy of Student Educational Records
Southern Wesleyan University intends to comply fully with the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act of 1974 (see http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/reg/ferpa/index.html). The policy statement available from the Registrar or on the SWU web site explains the procedures for compliance. Copies are available on request.
The following categories of personally identifiable information have been designated as public or "directory" information that may be disclosed for any purpose without student consent: name, local and permanent address, telephone number, date and place of birth, major field of study, dates of attendance, degrees and awards (including scholarships) received, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, and weight and height of members of an athletic team.
Currently enrolled students may withhold disclosure of information in any category by completing the appropriate form available in the Registrar’s Office. Written requests for non-disclosure will be honored for a maximum of one year. Southern Wesleyan University assumes that failure to complete the request indicates approval of disclosure.
The law also provides the following rights for students with respect to their education records:
1. To inspect and review information contained in records.
2. To challenge the content of records.
3. To be granted a hearing if the outcome of the challenge is unsatisfactory to the student.
4. To submit an explanatory statement for inclusion in the record if the outcome of the hearing is unsatisfactory.
5. To prevent disclosure, with certain exceptions, of personally identifiable information.
6. To secure a copy of the Southern Wesleyan University policy of education records.
Special Instruction Arrangements
Tutorial Instruction
On occasion it may be necessary for a student to receive instruction on an individual basis from a member of the university faculty. When this is necessary, the instructor will spend the full amount of class time with the student, and the tutorial fee will be one and one-half times the regular tuition fee.
Directed Study
Directed Study is a form of instruction that allows a student to take a regular catalog course in an independent context. The course work will be done essentially independently, but under the supervision of the regular instructor; regular credit is given.
Directed Study courses are designed as an exception and are not open to all students. Directed study courses are for the benefit of the student who needs a currently unavailable course; for example, one not scheduled for the semester when it is essential for graduation.
To enroll in a directed study course students must have earned at least 60 credit hours (junior status) and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Students may take no more than three credit hours per semester or summer term as directed study. In addition, a student’s academic program may contain no more than 12 hours of directed study and no more than 25% of the course work in the student’s major or minor. Course approval and registration for directed study courses must be made prior to the professor assigning any work for credit.
Signatures of the division chair and the dean of the course requested are required. Permission forms are available at the academic records office. In addition to regular tuition, a directed study fee will be charged.
The directed study fee may be waived if the student provides evidence that the directed study was made necessary by university policies, decisions, or actions.
Independent Study
A course in independent study is available in each major offered by the university, to enable stronger students to enrich their program by studies or research opportunities not generally available in formal courses.
To be eligible for independent study, a student must have a cumulative GPA of no less than 3.0 on all work attempted. Up to eight hours of credit may be earned, but no more than three hours in any one semester.
To register for independent study, the student must obtain the signatures of the division chair and the dean of the course requested.
Senior Practicum
Students who have demonstrated the potential for profiting from an extended field experience may be placed in a senior practicum. Prerequisite for senior practicum is competency in computer, math, oral communication, reading, and writing.
Eligibility for the practicum will be determined by the academic advisor and coordinator of studies for the major. The coordinator of studies is responsible for approving arrangements for the practicum.
Students on social probation are not allowed to register for a senior practicum, including directed teaching. Students who are placed on probation during a semester or session will not be allowed to complete a senior practicum course.
Travel Courses
Faculty in charge of courses involving extensive travel should consult the vice-president for student life to determine whether or not a student wishing to take such a course is on social probation. If so, the instructor may prohibit such a person from registering for the course or from completing it.