Credit System
A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for an approximately fifteen week semester. A class hour at Wisconsin Lutheran College is currently defined as 50 minutes per week based upon an approximate semester length of fifteen weeks or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time.
Credits in the graduate program are based upon principles of adult learning. The accelerated format of these courses requires students to complete learner outcomes that are verified through evidences of student achievement that are comparable to those required in traditional semester-length courses for the same content area, but in a much shorter time frame, one course at a time. The estimated time for out of class study, reading, project development, reflection, and other activities required for successful course completion is considered when determining the credit value of individual courses and is evaluated by using the Curriculum Audit Tool.
Credit Award System for Online Programs
Credits in the online graduate program are based upon principles of e-learning. The format of these courses requires students to complete learning outcomes that require a comparable amount of time to complete as when the same outcomes are delivered in an on-campus course. The estimated time for reading lesson content or listening to lecture podcasts or videos in the course outline, participating in surveys, quizzes, and exams contained in the course, posting to forums, participating in synchronous activities such as live classrooms or chats, completing group work, submitting questionnaires or other online text submissions to instructors, and responding to content from course video tutorials is considered when determining the credit value of individual courses. The Curriculum Audit Tool is used to determine approximate time expectations.
Credit Load and Overload Approval
A full course of graduate study consists of six (6) credits per full semester term, one three-credit course per eight (8) weeks. Students normally complete six (6) credits in each of three (3) terms including fall, spring, and summer for a full year of study. This constitutes a total of eighteen (18) credits per calendar year. Students must obtain approval from the Dean of Adult & Graduate Studies for additional credits taken concurrently with courses in the degree program.
Full-Time Status
Most courses, whether delivered online or face-to-face, carry three (3) semester hours of credit; therefore full-time graduate study in the WLC approved program requires two (2) courses per term. Students are limited to taking six (6) credits (2 classes) during the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms. Generally, one (1) graduate credit is awarded for each semester hour. A semester hour of graduate credit is based on 640 instructional minutes per eight (8) weeks or approximately eighty (80) minutes per week.
Enrollment, Leave of Absence, and Withdrawal
The graduate program provides for multiple enrollment or start dates throughout the calendar year. Applicants are kept informed of the status of upcoming potential start dates. The actual start date is confirmed with students and constitutes their official enrollment date in the program.
Students who are considering withdrawal from a course must contact their academic advisor to discuss the reasons for the withdrawal. Withdrawal from an individual course constitutes a leave of absence from the program. Students must complete a LOA form, which includes the planned date of return as well as an advisor-approved plan for making up the missed course(s). The LOA is official upon approval of the Dean of Professional Studies.
If the student finds that he or she is unable to return from the leave as planned, a one-time extension may be granted upon submission of a revised LOA form, which must be approved by the academic advisor and the Dean of Professional Studies. If the withdrawal occurs after a course has begun, the student is assigned a grade of W for the course.
Failure to return from a leave of absence on the approved return date constitutes withdrawal from the program. A student who wishes to continue after withdrawal from the program must reapply for admission.
Students who wish to withdraw from the program without first having gone on leave of absence must contact their academic advisor, complete a program withdrawal form, and satisfy all financial obligations. The withdrawal must be approved by the Dean of Professional Studies.
Course drop:
Student is unregistered from the course with no tuition charges; the course is not listed on the transcript.
MA: During week 1 of the course only.
Course Withdrawal:
Student receives a grade of “W” for the course with full course tuition charges applied. Course and grade are listed on the transcript.
MA: After week 1 until Monday of week 6; after week 1 until Wednesday of week 12 for cross module.
Administrative Drop or Withdrawal:
Students may be administratively dropped or withdrawn if the student has not attended or logged in during the first week of the course or failed to continue to attend/log in after the drop period. Intermittent “attendance” yields an earned “F.”
Grades and Grade Points
The following letter grades, their equivalents in achievement, and grade points per credit are used by instructors to evaluate a student’s performance in a course.
| Grade |
Achievement |
Grade Points |
|
| A |
Superior |
4.0 |
|
| AB |
|
3.5 |
|
| B |
Good |
3.0 |
|
| BC |
|
2.5 |
|
| F |
Failing |
0.0 |
|
| W |
Withdrawal |
|
|
| I |
Incomplete |
|
|
| AU |
Audit |
|
|
The grade points are used to compute the cumulative grade point average (GPA), a measure of the student’s overall performance. The GPA is computed by dividing the sum of all grade points by the total credits attempted. Thus, a grade point average of three (3.00) indicates the equivalent of an average of B in all courses. The grades W, I, and the grades for transfer credits are not used in computing the cumulative GPA, except in circumstances where certification and/or licensure requires it.
Procedure for Requesting Change in Final Course Grade
Any student may, at any time, consult the instructor about the grades he or she receives for the work he or she has done. However, when the FINAL grade assigned in a course is contested, and then the following course of action must be followed. This action is initiated no later than two-weeks after course grades have been posted.
- The student first consults with the instructor to determine the reasons for the grade. Within one week after that initial consultation, the student must prepare, in writing, substantiation to refute those reasons and present those to the instructor.
- The instructor has one week to respond in writing to the student’s statements of appeal. If there are circumstances that make this step impossible, the student then consults with the Dean of Professional Studies. If the instructor is the Dean, the student consults with the Provost.
- When a student is not satisfied with the reasons given by the instructor, the student presents his or her case, in writing, to the Dean of Professional Studies. Supporting documentation includes individual grades, course syllabus, grading policy, originals of any graded work and a copy of the student’s final exam or other culminating project. These are obtained from the faculty member by the Dean if not in the possession of the student.
- If after examining the student’s request and consulting with the instructor, the Dean finds no grounds for a change in grade, he or she, within 30 days, informs the student in writing that no further investigation or action is to be undertaken. At this point the student may appeal to the Provost, who decides if there is sufficient cause for an appeal. If the Dean determines that the request for changing the final course grade has sufficient justification, the Dean requests the instructor to change the grade. If the instructor refuses, the Dean refers the matter to the Provost.
- If the Provost determines that there is sufficient cause for an appeal, he convenes an Ad Hoc Academic Appeals Committee to review the case. Every effort is made to maintain strict confidentiality.
- The Ad Hoc Academic Appeals Committee proceeds from written evidence. It may also consult the instructor and/or student in its review. The Committee also has the right to request input from the instructor and/or the student. Both the instructor and the student have the right to provide input to the committee for review. The committee also has the right to seek to establish facts about grading practices from other students who took the course at the same time. The student and/or instructor may bring in witnesses in support of their case.
- After completing its review, the Ad Hoc Academic Appeals Committee decides either that the grade assigned stands, or the grade is changed to reflect what the committee has arrived at in its investigation.
- If the Ad Hoc Academic Appeals Committee recommends a change in the grade, the instructor is asked to make the change. If the instructor refuses, the Provost makes the change with the provision that the instructor can provide a dissenting opinion as part of the permanent record of the Ad Hoc Academic Appeals Committee. Decisions of the Ad Hoc Academic Appeals Committee are final.
Incompletes
A grade of I (incomplete) indicates that the student’s work in a course is incomplete and that the student has obtained the instructor’s permission to complete the course. The dean must approve all incomplete requests. An incomplete normally is assigned only when illness or other extenuating circumstances have prevented the student from fulfilling the requirements of the course.
In order to remove an I (incomplete), the student must make arrangements with the instructor for the satisfactory completion of the work remaining to be done in the course and documents the plan for remediation on an “Incomplete” Grade Notice Form. When the work is completed, the instructor reports the removal of the incomplete to the registrar. It is the responsibility of the student to make these arrangements.
A course marked incomplete must be completed by an instructor-student agreed upon set of deadlines leading up to the full completion of the course which must be within 30 days of the end of the course in which the incomplete was assigned. If the course is not completed as stipulated on the form, the grade automatically becomes an F.
Academic Expectations for Graduate Level Work
The focus of graduate education at WLC is to enable learners to develop deep understanding of critical pertinent knowledge bases as they refine research, analytical thinking and communicative skills through avenues of independent and collaborative study. Graduates should have the knowledge depth, scholarly competence, and intellectual inquisitiveness so that they contribute to their disciplines, continue scholarly activities, and embrace opportunities to apply their learning to serve God and others as difference makers and influencers.
Study on the graduate level at WLC emphasizes:
- Ability to structure one’s own learning;
- Thorough and vast knowledge in a discipline (the breadth and depth).
- Multi-faceted understanding of a discipline’s sphere (history, literature, theoretical underpinnings, research methodology, notable experts, etc.)
- Advanced thinking skills of analysis, synthesis, comparison, and evaluation.
- Critical evaluation of multiple perspectives, theories, and conclusions found in the literature.
- Research that uses primary and secondary information to substantiate a thesis or develop a project that makes a contribution to the discipline.
- Interaction and collaborative efforts that contribute to team results and professional problem solving through impactful leadership strategies.
- Communication skills in writing and speaking that are clearly appropriate for graduate level performance.
Academic Standards
To remain in good academic standing, students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average or better. Grades below a BC are not acceptable for degree credit and the student must retake the course to receive an adjusted final grade. In rare circumstances, a student may be eligible to develop a remediation plan for this course with the academic advisor and the instructor. This must be approved by the dean. Students not meeting the academic standards may be placed on probation or dismissed from the program. The appropriate academic probation or dismissal is recorded on the student’s academic transcript.
Academic Probation
Students are placed on academic probation when they do not meet the minimum grade for degree credit in any specific course or when their cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0.
Academic Suspension
Students are suspended for academic reasons if after being placed upon academic probation they fail to achieve the minimum grade for degree credit in the next course or if they fail to increase their CGPA to 3.0 at the conclusion of the next term.
Normally, students who are suspended for academic reasons may not apply for readmission until two terms have elapsed.
A student whose academic performance for the semester of probation is considerably above the minimum GPA requirements, but whose cumulative GPA remains below the minimum requirement may appeal to the Dean of Professional Studies to continue his or her studies. The Dean, in consultation with the Provost, determines if the student may return and the academic status under which such a return should be made.
Progress toward degree
Students are expected to make steady progress toward their degree. All requirements for the master’s degree must be completed within five consecutive academic years. Credits on a student’s record for more than five years will not be accepted toward the degree without persmission of the Graduate Standards Committee. Permission is granted only under extraordinary circumstances. Students who have not been enrolled at the College for two consecutive academic semesters (not including summer) must reapply to the College and to the program.
Repeating Courses
Students may repeat for credit any course in which a grade was received. If a final grade lower than a BC is received in a course needed to satisfy degree requirements, the course must be repeated.
In repeated courses only the highest grade is used in computing the grade point average. Students should be aware, however, that all grades are included on transcripts sent to other colleges, universities, and graduate schools, and these institutions may, according to their transfer and admission policies, compute grade point averages based on all grades.
Class Attendance
On-Campus Courses
The college expects students to attend all class sessions. Within the graduate program, if a student misses more than one class in any course, the student may be withdrawn from the course and may need to take that course again at a later date-at additional tuition cost.
Additionally since all graduate courses are housed in a course management system, attendance, engagement and participation may also entail some elements as described below for online courses.
Online Courses
E-Learning Attendance and Presence
Attendance and classroom presence are of a different form within the online classroom community. Online classes are designed around interaction, sharing, and overall positive communication; therefore, active and meaningful participation on a regular basis is crucial for true learning, growth, and development to take place in this class. While strict attendance may not be charted in the traditional sense, measures are taken to ensure participation. The following examples show how online presence may be watched and/or managed:
Authentication: is the protocol in which students are validated and verified as the appropriate individual inside of the course management system (CMS). This insures that the individual that signed up for the course is also the one participating in the environment. WLC takes three major steps in authenticating user activity within the CMS:
- Username and password
- Terms of Use Policy acceptance
- A third party add-in that monitors and tests for student authentication. The services utilized by WLC monitor students input to personal identification questions. When registering for a course (program), students are asked to fill out a series of personally identifiable questions. This information in conjunction with personally identifiable data generated by their name and address are used in a randomly cycled authentication log.
Online Activities and Expectations
More detailed instructions may be provided within the online classroom or within specific modules, but the guidelines below reflect a global representation of instructors’ expectations.
Overall Presence:
Students do not receive a dedicated grade according to presence in the course management system (the online class). It should be noted that course activity can and may be monitored at any time. Detailed logs of student access and participation are stored for the instructor’s viewing and can be retrieved at any time. If an issue arises concerning student presence, the instructor makes contact with the student concerning said issue and the impending consequences. As a matter of best practice, it is strongly encouraged that learners log in and contribute to class discussions and assignments at least five out of seven days per week.
Journaling:
Journaling asks the student to write reflective or responsive essays, thoughts or pieces dependent upon the topic at hand. These journal entries can be monitored for time of activity and/or alterations.
Discussion Board/Forums:
Students are expected to participate actively in all class activities and discussions. Relevant information is shared and questions for understanding and/or to provoke thought are asked. A rubric for grading of participation in course discussions is posted on the online class site. Instructors follow the meaningful response guide found in the class site to help insure the quality of all responses, discussions, and activities. Quality participation is vital for success.
Hours of Operation:
The online classroom and environment is available for access 24 hours a day with occasional maintenance hours.
Assessment of Academic Outcomes
Admission to Wisconsin Lutheran College implies each student’s willingness to participate in the various efforts of the college to assess the effectiveness of its academic programs. Formal and informal assessments are conducted within each program major. Conducting regular assessment of the academic outcomes of its students allows the college to continuously monitor its effectiveness and implement changes for improvement.
Professor’s Absence
On-Campus Courses
If a professor is unable to hold a scheduled on-campus class, an announcement is made prior to class. Absence due to illness or emergency is posted via email, myWLC, and on the classroom door. If a professor has not appeared in his/her classroom within thirty (30) minutes after the scheduled beginning of class, without notification to the students, students may assume that class period is canceled and notify the Dean of Professional Studies.
Online Courses
In the event that a professor/instructor is not able to properly communicate via the online class system (internet problems, login issues, etc…), the professor makes an attempt to inform and instruct the class via email (or other venue). It is the student’s responsibility to check email and phone messages in the case of an unresponsive instructor. If problems persist beyond 72 hours, the student should notify his or her academic advisor.
Academic Progress Reports
Official grade reports are available through myWLC at the end of each course and term.
Academic Advising
The college assists students in making informed curricular and career decisions. Students are assigned an academic advisor for their program major. This advisor works with the student to oversee and support the student’s progress toward degree completion.
Academic Grievance
In a caring Christian community, mutual respect between instructors and students dictates an orderly and Godpleasing approach to resolving any grievance. Grievances of an academic nature should, whenever possible, be handled between the principals involved. It is very important to remember to use positive conflict resolution practices - speak first to the person with whom there is a concern. It is excellent that we are all able to work together with the love of Christ at the center of all that we do. Grievances that cannot be settled at the first level may be appealed in writing to the Dean of Professional Studies. If this second step still does not resolve the grievance, the student may appeal in writing to the Graduate Standards Council. The Graduate Standards Council acts as the final authority. The above grievance procedure also applies in the case of a student’s concern with a faculty member’s alleged violation of professional ethics.
Academic Ethics
Faculty members notify their students of their individual standards and expectations regarding classroom conduct, attendance, testing, and grading. The guide of God’s law in maintaining ethical standards of honesty and integrity applies to students, faculty, and staff.
Violation of the Code of Ethics
The following are considered violations of the academic ethics code:
- Plagiarizing;
- Possessing, obtaining, or sharing unauthorized information prior to, or during, an examination;
- Resubmitting work for more than one course without the instructor’s approval;
- All deceitful or dishonest activity.
Penalties for violation of the ethics code include a minimum of failure on the academic project involved and a written reprimand. Copies of the reprimand are given to the Dean of Professional Studies. Extra course work, reduction of the course grade, failure of the course, and expulsion from the college are potential penalties for code violation.
Violation of Student Conduct Code
As a Christian college, WLC exists to help each student shape beliefs and values in harmony with God’s will. WLC students also represent Christ and the college, both on and off the campus. We ask students to consider this privilege in their choices and to show a regard for the needs and feelings of others. The focus of these standards of behavior is not to restrict a student’s freedom. The focus is to create a comfortable, quiet and safe learning environment that supports the pursuit of spiritual, academic, and personal goals. A secondary focus of regulating campus conduct is to educate students to be fully functioning and responsible members of a community.
Each student is expected to be familiar with the WLC rules and regulations as described in the student handbook. We believe that college students are adults and that with adulthood comes responsibility to behave in a manner consistent with the best interests of all of the students, faculty and staff at this college. Therefore, WLC reserves the right to suspend or dismiss any student at any time when such action is deemed by the administration to be in the best interests of the WLC body and the student herself/himself. Some of the reasons for dismissal may include, but are not limited to:
- Disrupting the learning environment for other students due to inappropriate behaviors directed at the instructor or other students in the course;
- Undermining the authority of the instructor in the course and/or administrator of the program;
- Improper dress;
- Intoxication;
- Violation of local, state, or federal law.
Withdrawal from the College
A student who voluntarily wishes to withdraw from the college must contact the Academic Advisor and/or the Dean of Professional Studies to discuss procedures.
Students are granted an honorable withdrawal from the college provided they have an academic status of good standing and have cleared all obligations (tuition and all other financial obligations) to the college according to the established procedures for withdrawal.
Students who honorably withdraw before the end of the course are assigned a grade of W for the course in which they are enrolled. Students who voluntarily leave the college before the end of the course without completing the prescribed withdrawal procedures are considered as still registered and receive a grade of F (failing) for the course in which they are enrolled.
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