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-time course of graduate study consists of at least six credits per semester. Students must obtain approval from the Program Director for additional credits taken beyond the scheduled degree course sequence.
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 Program Director.
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 Program Director. 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 Program Director and College Dean.
Course drop:
Student is unregistered from the course with no tuition charges; the course is not listed on the transcript.
MAED/MS: 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.
MAED/MS: After week 1 until Monday of week 6 for 8 week module course
MAED/MS: After week 1 until Friday of week 10 for full term course
Administrative Drop or Withdrawal:
Students may be administratively withdrawn from a course (on site, blended, or online) at the request of a faculty member for failure to adhere to the course attendance policy as described in the syllabus or for disruptive classroom behavior. The faculty member makes the request in writing to the Dean. If, upon reviewing the case, the Dean decides that an administrative withdrawal is the appropriate course of action, s/he informs the student, faculty member, and the registrar of that decision.
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 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 of the work he or she has done. However, when the FINAL grade assigned in a course is contested, then the following course of action must be followed. This action is initiated no later than two-weeks after the end of the semester.
Any student may, at any time, consult the instructor about the grades he or she receives of the work he or she has done. However, when the FINAL grade assigned in a course is contested, then the following course of action must be followed. This action is initiated no later than two-weeks after the end of the semester.
1. The student first consults with the instructor to determine the reasons for the grade, providing written evidence of the arguments put forth. If there are circumstances that make this step impossible, then the student should consult with the Dean. (If the instructor is the Dean, the student should consult with the Provost.)
2. When a student is not satisfied with the reasons given by the instructor, then the student must present his or her case, in writing to the Dean. Supporting documentation should include individual grades, course syllabus, grading policy, originals of any graded work, a copy of the student’s final exam or project and the written discussion points from the meeting with the instructor. (These could be obtained from the faculty member or instructor by the Dean if not in the possession of the student or present in the learning management system course page.)
3. If after examining the student(s) request and consulting with the instructor, the Dean finds no grounds for a change in grade, he/she will, within 30 days, inform the student in writing that no further investigation or action will be undertaken. At this point the student may appeal to the Provost who will decide if there is sufficient cause for an appeal. Note: The Dean may decide to take the appeal directly to Graduate Standards Council for their response. If the Dean determines that the request for changing the final course grade has sufficient justification, the Dean shall request that the instructor change the grade. If the instructor refuses, the Dean shall refer the matter to the Provost.
4. If the Provost determines that there is sufficient cause for an appeal he/she will instruct the Graduate Standards Council to review the case. Students have the right to appeal decision to the Graduate Standards Council. Every effort is made to maintain strict confidentiality.
5. The Graduate Standards Council may proceed from written evidence. It may also consult the instructor and/or student in its review. The Council 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 Council for review. The Council 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 his or her own witnesses in support of their case.
6. After completing its review, the Council decides either that the grade assigned will stand or the grade will be changed to reflect what the Council has arrived at in its investigation.
7. If the Graduate Standards Council recommends a change in the grade, the instructor is asked to make the change. If the instructor refuses, the Dean makes the change with the provision that the instructor can provide a dissenting opinion as part of the permanent record of the Graduate Standards Council. Decisions of the Council 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 college 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. The instructor must complete an Official Incomplete Grade Notice Form and submit that to the college dean and registrar.
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. A student does not remove an incomplete by registering for the same course in a subsequent semester. If a student receives an incomplete in a course that is a prerequisite for another course, approval to register for the course must be obtained from the instructor and program director.
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, respect for timelines while submitting quality work, 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.
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 college dean 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 permission of the Graduate Standards Council. 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
The college and graduate programs expect students to attend all class sessions. Extenuating circumstance may result in an absence from class; however, due to the accelerated nature of the curriculum, such absences should be avoided.
NOTE: Students who must miss the FIRST class of any WLC course (major, graduate, general education or elective), must excuse to the Dean and Instructor PRIOR to that class. Failure to do so could result in administrative withdrawal from the course.
Similarly, students in online courses must access and actively engage or participate in the course during that FIRST week or they are considered absent and subject to administrative withdrawal. The student must also communicate with the instructor and the dean concerning this absence in that first week.
Unless otherwise indicated in individual course syllabi or a program-specific handbook, a maximum of one absence (on site courses) may be excused for extreme circumstances or work related obligations as long as assignments are met prior to the class meeting or immediately after. More than one absence within a specific course results in a failing course grade and the need to repeat the course at a later date. Specific cases involving medical circumstances are handled on an individual basis as evidenced through documentation.
The college expects students to attend all class sessions. Punctual arrival and presence for the entire duration of on-campus classes is also expected. 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.
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. More detailed instructions may be provided within the online classroom or within specific modules, based on individual instructors’ expectations.
Authentication: is the protocol in which students are validated and verified as the appropriate individual inside of the course management system (CMS). This ensures 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:
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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.
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.
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 Program Director.
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 Program Director.
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 God pleasing 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 Program Director. 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:
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Plagiarizing (Using another person or source for information, direct or indirectly quoted, requires citation of that source in APA format-even if found in website or general browser sources. An excuse of “lack of understanding” does not exempt students from experiencing consequences of plagiarism.)
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Possessing, obtaining, or sharing unauthorized information prior to, or during, an examination
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Resubmitting work for more than one course without the instructor’s approval
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All deceitful or dishonest activity
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Disrupting the learning environment for other students due to inappropriate behaviors directed at the instructor or other students in the course.
In the absence of specific guidance from faculty, any student work completed using the assistance of generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology must clearly document the type and version of AI that was used (e.g. ChatGPT v3.5, Grammarly, Google Gemini v1.5). Failure to properly attribute the contribution of AI tools is a form of plagiarism and constitutes an academic integrity violation. Students are responsible for the use of any AI-generated content that is inaccurate, biased, or unethical.
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. 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 Program Director 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.
Commencement Participation
Commencement exercises are held at the end of the fall and spring terms. A student is eligible to participate in commencement only once. In order to be eligible to participate in a commencement exercise, students must be registered to complete by the end of the same semester all the necessary remaining degree requirements and must have presented their Capstone project successfully.
Graduation
A one-time graduation fee of $150 is charged on all accounts of ALL students scheduled to graduate, regardless of whether or not they plan to participate in the commencement ceremony. This charge appears on their student tuition account upon submission of an application for degree. This fee covers the cost of the cap and gown (announcements sold separately), diploma cover and printing expenses, a transcript, ceremony expenses, etc.
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