Graduate Academic Policies

Academic Honor Code

Refer to the Student Handbook for this policy. 

Academic Year Definition

The College has three standard academic terms within an academic year.  The three academic terms are Fall Semester, Spring Semester, and Summer Session. 

Students Receiving Title IV Aid

The Fall and Spring semesters are required periods of enrollment for graduate students receiving Title IV aid (federal financial aid). Summer is an optional semester of enrollment which does not impact a student’s ability to receive federal aid or maintain deferment of federal student loans.

Students on an F-1 Student VISA

Enrollment in the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters is required for students on an F-1 Student VISA to maintain status as a full-time student. (See additional requirements here).

Auditing a Course (Listener Status)

Students must declare listener status before the course start date by contacting the Advising or Registrar’s Offices. Once a course begins, students may not change from degree-seeking to listener status and vice-versa.

Students must be enrolled in the course they wish to audit and pay normal associated tuition charges. Courses under audit (listener) status are transcribed on a student’s academic record as non-degree and an L grade is posted signifying audit/listener status. Credits are not awarded upon completion.

Title IV aid and Veteran’s benefits cannot be used if the student audits or enrolls in a course as a “Listener” since the course’s status is listed as non-degree.

Change of Address

Students who wish to update their current address(es) while enrolled at the College can submit the information to the Registrar’s Office in two ways:

1) Using Campus Web (log in, click on the Personal Information link in the upper right corner of the window, then click the Biographical Info tab) or;

2) Via email to the Registrar’s Office (registrar@gbc.edu)

Change of Curriculum/Major

The process of students selecting a major begins in the Admission process on the student’s application to the College. When the student begins enrollment at the College, the major that the student selected becomes their official major. Students can change their major within the same division at any time during their enrollment by contacting their Advisor. (Note: Understand that by a student changing their major, but their anticipated graduation date may be delayed).

Students are assigned a catalog year that aligns with their first semester of enrollment and carries through to degree completion. If a student takes a leave of absence or temporarily withdraws and re-enters the College, the latest and current catalog year will supersede their original catalog year.

Class Attendance and Tardiness

All students are expected to attend punctually, and for the full class time, every scheduled meeting of each course in which they are registered. Students who do not attend the first class meeting may jeopardize their federal financial aid funding or, in the case of F-1 visa students, be reported out of status to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Absences are recorded beginning with the first scheduled class meeting.

Poor attendance and/or habitual tardiness to class may not only negatively impact a student’s academic success, but may also jeopardize the student’s continued enrollment at the College. Exceptions may be made in cases of serious illness or other documented emergency.

Students are held responsible for all work missed as a result of absences. Each faculty member shall assess each course they teach to determine what class attendance requirements are necessary to complete a course successfully. Students will be informed in writing of these requirements for each course at the beginning of the semester by the professor. Students can contact their Advisors for information about their class absence records for any given course or semester.

Students who do not attend the first week of class and have not secured their schedules may be dropped from their class(es) if they do not provide notice to the faculty or Advisor.

Class Scheduling, Format, and Registration

Format

Classes may be held in any of the following formats:

• Face-to-Face (F2F) - Completely face-to-face. Every class meeting is held in-person, and in-person attendance is required.
• Hybrid (HYB) - Alternating weeks in-person and online. Attendance during in-person weeks is expected to be in-person, and attendance during online weeks is expected through Zoom.
• Online Synchronous (ONLS) - Courses taught virtually through Zoom with a scheduled time/day, and attendance through Zoom is expected.
• Online Asynchronous (ONLA) - Courses taught containing a mixture of prerecorded lectures, required coursework, and faculty office hours.
• Live-Online (LVO) - Blended courses. Students have the option of attending in-person or via Zoom from class meeting to class meeting. These courses are held entirely synchronously.

The codes associated with the formats are indicated throughout course schedule information to provide format information easily to the College community. 

Course Schedule

Graduate classes are held in 5- and 8-week sessions on week nights generally from 5:30 - 10:30 PM or on Saturdays from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM. At the end of the Fall semester and the beginning of the Spring semester, one-week seminars are scheduled from Monday through Friday from 4:30 PM - 10:30 PM, and on Saturday from 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM. 

Final examination timing is determined by each individual faculty member for each of their classes. Information will be contained in the course’s syllabus.

Registration

Students can register for classes in two different ways:

1) Using the Course Registration Feature located on Campus Web under the Registration tab;

2) Contacting the Advising Office

To drop or withdraw from a course, students must contact the Advising Office.

Special Requests

Requests that are unusual in nature (such as the request for an Independent Study, course substitution, or credit-hour overload) require approval from the Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs or designee. Students can begin the process of such a request by submitting an explanation to their Advisor either verbally or via email. Each request is reviewed on an individual basis, and approval is not automatically guaranteed. 

Prerequisites

Prerequisites are designed to ensure students are academically prepared for course work in a subsequent class, based on knowledge gained from a previous course. To request a prerequisite waiver, follow the process found above in “Special Requests”.

Consortium Agreement Policy

The College is currently a participating home-institution in three main consortium agreements:

1) Council of Independent Colleges (CIC via Acadeum)

2) Delaware College of Art & Design (DCAD)

3) Low-Cost Model Consoritum (LCMC)

Definitions

• Home Institution (HI) - The College or University where the student is enrolled as either a non-degree or degree-seeking student. For purposes of this policy, the Home Institution is always Goldey-Beacom College.
• Teaching Institution (TI) - The College or University where the consortium course is delivered. 

Council of Independent College Consortium (CIC)

The Council of Independent Colleges offers online course sharing agreements that are managed through Acadeum, Inc. Through these agreements, students at Goldey-Beacom can enroll in courses at partnering institutions that have similar profiles and receive Goldey-Beacom credit after successfully completing the course(s).

Course Mapping Process

• One-for-One Mapping - Courses whose content is above a 70% threshold in learning outcomes and content are mapped to an active Goldey-Beacom College course.
• Elective Mapping - Courses that are not offered at Goldey-Beacom College or do not meet the 70% outcome and content threshold are mapped as elective courses.

Approval Process

• One-for-One Courses - Faculty course leaders are consulted in the course review and approval process to ensure that the course’s content is above a 70% threshold in learning outcomes and content. 
• Elective Courses - Courses that are not offered at Goldey-Beacom College are approved by the Provost/VP for Academic Affairs or the Director of Institutional Effectiveness/Registrar.

Transcription of Credits and Grades

• Grades - Letter grades are transcribed to the student’s academic record by the Registrar’s Office at Goldey-Beacom College as the letter grade earned at the Teaching Institution. If the letter grade used by the teaching institution is not included in the grading scale at Goldey-Beacom College, the Director of Institutional Effectiveness/Registrar will compare the Teaching Institution’s posted grade with the Goldey-Beacom College’s grading scale and assign the appropriate equivalent grade.
• Credit - Courses are transcribed to the student’s academic record by the Registrar’s Office at Goldey-Beacom College as the corresponding number of credits for the active or elective course at Goldey-Beacom College.

Appeal of Transcription

• Students wishing to appeal the grade earned at the teaching institution should contact the Teaching Institution and follow their institutional policy.
• Students wishing to appeal a grade that is transcribed when the grade is not included in the grading scale at Goldey-Beacom College and is assigned by the Director of Institutional Effectiveness/Registrar should follow Goldey-Beacom College’s Grade Appeal Policy. 

Course Assessment and Accreditation Considerations

All institutions Goldey-Beacom College is in a consortial agreement with are accredited by accrediting agencies that have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This means Goldey-Beacom College ensures that the teaching institution is abiding by standards of accreditation not limited to, but including faculty credentials, course assessment and outcomes, and ethical standards.

Cost and Billing

Students are charged for CIC course enrollments based on Goldey-Beacom College’s tuition rate and for the corresponding number of credits.

Financial Aid

All financial aid for courses in the Council of Independent College’s Consortium is processed at Goldey-Beacom College. 

Credit Hour Definition

One credit hour is awarded for fourteen hours of structured instruction over a fourteen week period, or a designated college session, utilizing the standard academic 50-minute hour. This is exclusive of registration or outside study time. Structured instruction time includes lecture, testing, regularly scheduled face-to-face consultation, supervised group work, class presentation time, electronic media assignment modules, required laboratory time, or regularly scheduled tutorial sessions. Each credit hour should be complemented by at least 120 minutes of outside assignments or study time per week.

Credit-Hour-in-Residency Requirements Policy

In some instances, matriculated students are permitted to enroll in another regionally accredited college or university to satisfy course requirements towards successful completion of their degree program. Some examples include the College’s Consortium Agreements, as well as partnerships with Delaware Law School for a 3+3 BS/BA to JD program. The following limitations are applicable when a matriculated student engages in coursework at another institution.

• At least 75% of a student’s credit hours must be completed at Goldey-Beacom College
• For the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology degree program, a minimum of 51 credits must be completed at Goldey-Beacom College.

Preferred Means of Degree Completion:

Goldey-Beacom College has established the following guideline for students, balancing the requirement set forth in this policy along with a path for students to complete their degree. Courses should be registered for and completed as follows:

1. Courses taught at Goldey-Beacom College
2. Consortial courses approved as a one-to-one match
3. Independent Study directed by a faculty member with approval
4. Substitution/Exemption with approval of the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Exceptions to Requirements: 

• Exceptions to the Credit-Hour-in-Residency Policy - Students may request an exception by contacting the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, or designee. 
• Substitution/Exemption of Course Requirements - Students wishing to request permission to substitute one course for another may do so by contacting the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, or designee. Note: If approved, there will be no reduction in the total number of credits required for the degree. 
• Waiver - Students may not request to be excused from a degree requirement which would reduce the total number of credits required for the degree. 

Cumulative Index (Cumulative Grade Point Average)

For graduate students, the cumulative grade point average is computed after the first final grade for a course is received by the Registrar’s Office and is updated with every subsequent final grade received thereafter. This includes every course a student has completed at Goldey-Beacom College. Courses which no longer apply to a new degree due to a change of major, and courses no longer offered at the College all count in the cumulative grade point average.

Repeated Coursework

A student may repeat a course to improve skills, enhance knowledge and/or affect their cumulative index. All grades will appear on the official transcript but only the higher grade will be included in the cumulative index. 

If a student is receiving veterans tuition benefits, funding will only be paid for a repeated course if a passing grade is required to continue to make progress in their degree program. If the failed course is an elective, the student’s veterans benefits cannot be used to repeat the course. 

Curricular Updates

The College reserves the right to change curricula and course requirements. Such changes must go through the appropriate academic channels of the College before being implemented. The Registrar’s Office is apprised of changes in a timely fashion so that students are properly advised and directed.

Drop/Add

Once a student has secured their course schedule for a specified academic term with the Business Office, it is the student’s responsibility to make changes to their course schedule within the drop/add timeframe for that academic term. The student must contact the Advising Office via GBC Email to drop a course. By attending a course, the student accepts financial responsibility for the full cost of the tuition and fees for that course. A student or parent cannot request a course schedule drop/add after the academic drop period has ended for a particular academic term. By securing their course schedule, the student has acknowledged receipt of the course schedule and is responsible for all tuition charges for the academic term.

Students dropping or adding eight-week courses, or one-week seminars must do so during the College’s official Drop/Add periods.

Those Drop/Add periods are:

• Eight-week Session I or Session II courses: first week of each session
• One-week seminars: before the second scheduled day/night of class (The adding of seminars after the first class meeting has begun is not permitted.)
• Saturday classes: before the second scheduled day of class (The adding of Saturday classes after the first class meeting has begun is not permitted.)
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT): within 30 days of the start date listed on the Form I-20, a student may request a non-refundable tuition credit on account for the amount of the tuition charges less any applied scholarships.  Student must submit to the Advisor (1) a written request for the non-refundable credit, and (2) a letter of separation from the employer.

Students who drop a course during the Drop/Add periods are charged 20% of the tuition charges, except for CPT courses. For details on tuition charge or refund information, please contact the College’s Business Office at (302) 225-6268. The College reserves the right to drop a student’s course(s) if the student has not attended the course(s) and the schedule has not been secured their schedule for the semester/session in which the course(s) is (are) scheduled.

Academic Drop Period

Students may drop courses without academic penalty during the Session I, Session II or fifteen-week semester Academic Drop periods. Students will receive a grade of “W” instead of a final grade. The “W” does not affect the student’s cumulative grade point average; the student will not earn credits for the course. In addition, students who drop courses during the following Academic Drop periods will be charged 100% of the total tuition charges. Students must contact their Advisor to drop a course.

• Eight-week Session I or II courses: second week to the end of the fourth week of the session
• One-week seminars: prior to the fourth class meeting
• Saturday classes: prior to the third class meeting
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT): after first 30 days of the CPT start date.

After the Academic Drop Period

A student or parent may not request a course schedule drop/add after the academic drop period has ended for a particular academic term. Once the schedule is secured, it is the student’s responsibility to make changes to the course schedule within the drop/add timeframe for that academic term. A student who contacts an Advisor after the academic drop period has ended will not be considered for a semester charge reduction regardless of class attendance, how payment was made, or if an outstanding balance is presently owed. The student will be charged 100% of the total tuition charges.

Drops for Medical/Work-Related Reasons

For a student who finds it necessary to drop courses due to documented medical or work-related reasons, the student should review the following tuition credit descriptions to see if the student is eligible for a tuition credit.

Description of Tuition Credit

Medical Tuition Credit - A medical tuition credit will be considered if the student’s medical condition has caused the student to miss two consecutive weeks of classes.

Work-Related Tuition Credit - A work-related tuition credit will be considered for any student whose supervisor has required/requested them to change work hours and the new hours are during the class hours.  Medical and work-related tuition credits are non-refundable.

Prior to consideration being granted for a possible tuition credit, the student must:

• Speak to the professor to see if it is possible to make up the work missed, even if it means taking an incomplete for the course and completing the work beyond the semester/session.
• Contact the student’s advisor if he or she is unable to complete the required course work to officially drop the course(s) at the current refund percentage. The charge will be corrected if necessary when the tuition credit is approved.

Complete the Goldey-Beacom College Medical and Work-Related Tuition Credit Request form and submit it with the required documentation to the Director of Business Affairs. See part three for the required documentation.

All medical and work-related tuition credit documentation must be submitted within 30 days of the incident, in order for the tuition credit to be considered. Listed below is the medical and work-related documentation that would need to be provided to the Director of Business Affairs.

Documentation Required

Medical Tuition Credit - supporting documentation from the doctor and/or hospital that includes the dates for which the student was being treated and a brief explanation for why the student was not able to attend and/or complete the class.

Work-Related Tuition Credit - supporting documentation from the student’s supervisor explaining that the student requested/required the student to change their work hours and list the hours that the student is now required to work.

The documentation may be mailed to the Director of Business Affairs, Goldey-Beacom College, 4701 Limestone Road, Wilmington, DE  19808, or sent by email to krauss@gbc.edu.

Listener Status

Students can change to Listener Status during the College’s official Drop/Add periods by notifying their Advisor. Students will be charged full tuition; a grade of “L” will be assigned. Title IV aid and Veterans tuition benefits cannot be used for Listener Status.

Appeal Process

If the student would like to appeal the decision regarding the tuition charge, the student should submit a written appeal request to the Vice President for Finance/CFO within 30 days of receiving the decision. At this time, the student should present any and all documentation that fully describes the circumstances that would warrant a change in decision. The Vice President for Finance/CFO will respond within ten working days. The decision of the Vice President for Finance/CFO will be final.

Exceptions

Requests for exceptions to any academic policies must be submitted in writing to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs for review.

Grade Appeal Process

Students who wish to appeal a final grade received in a course completed at Goldey-Beacom College that is not the result of an Academic Honor Code violation* must follow the grade appeal procedures. (The grade a student earns is solely at the discretion of the instructor, and the Academic Integrity Committee cannot override the grading judgments of the instructor. This process addresses cases in which the student believes a grade deviates from the given grading policy of either the instructor or the College. The student must submit documentation that indicates how the grade deviates from either policy. The Committee will then discuss the submitted documentation with the instructor.)

1. The student must discuss their concern with the individual faculty member who assigned the grade as the first step in this process. There is no “grade appeal” without this initial step.
2. If the student feels that there is a discrepancy between the faculty member’s written grading policy and the way the grade was assigned, the student should complete this Grade Appeal form, including documentation, within 30 days of the official end of the semester in which the grade was assigned.
3. The Academic Integrity Committee will render a decision within ten (10) business days and communicate the decision to the student via the GBC Email account with return receipt requested.
4. If the student wishes to appeal the decision of the Academic Integrity Committee, the student must submit the appeal in writing, within ten (10) business days of receiving the decision, to the Vice Provost/President for Academic Affairs with supporting documentation attached.
5. The Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs will review the case and make a final determination within ten (10) business days from receipt of the appeal. The student will receive written notice via the GBC Email account with return receipt requested within ten (10) business days. The decision of the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs is final.

*Any grade that is the result of an Academic Honor Code violation must be dealt with through the Academic Honor Code appeal process.

Students: After discussing the grade concern with the instructor, if the student would like to appeal the final grade in a GBC course (per the policies stated above), the student should complete the GBC Grade Appeal Form available by visiting Grade Appeal Form.

Grading System

In each course a student will receive one of the following grades at the end of the semester: A+, A, B+, B, C+, C, F, W/X, or I. The grade of C is the lowest passing grade which is considered minimally acceptable at the graduate level. A failing grade of F is given for work which is unsatisfactory. The grade of W/X indicates an official withdraw from a course and is not computed into the grade point average.

The following scale will be utilized to assign grades in the graduate courses at Goldey-Beacom College:

The “I” grade is assigned because of incomplete work when circumstances were beyond the control of the student. The student must make arrangements with the instructor of the course to complete the missed work/examination within three weeks after the next regular academic term begins (fall, spring, summer). Otherwise, the “I” will be replaced by the Director of Institutional Effectiveness/Registrar in accordance with the previous directions of the instructor, and the student will be notified of the change of grade via the GBC Email.

Academic credit is given for the grades A+ through C. A student may repeat a course to improve skills, enhance knowledge, and/or affect their cumulative index. All grades will appear on the official transcript but only the higher grade will be included in the cumulative index.

NOTE: A student who officially/unofficially drops a course(s) or withdraws from the College after the Academic Drop Period may receive a final grade(s). A grade of W/X will be considered in consultation with the faculty member and Director of Institutional Effectiveness/Registrar.

Graduation & Commencement

Conferral Requirements

At the graduate level, there are two academic requirements established by the College to receive degree conferral:

1) A cumulative grade point average of a 3.00 or higher;

2) All of the credit hours and required courses in the student’s program have been satisfied.

Graduation Procedures

All students completing their degree requirements must complete the following steps, regardless of whether or not they plan to participate in the Commencement Ceremony:

1) Ensure that all degree requirements have or will be met. Students can review their degree audit via Campus Web on the Registration tab or contact the Advising or Registrar’s Office to verify that all academic requirements are expected to be met by the end of a given semester.

2) Complete an Application to Graduate through the Registrar’s Office. Information is disseminated each semester by the Registrar’s Office about the Application to Graduate process. The purpose of this application is to communicate important information to the College, such as how students want their name to appear on their diploma, whether or not they will attend the Commencement Ceremony and regalia information.

3) Satisfy all financial obligations with the College, including a $95 Graduation Application Fee. This may include working with the College’s Business Office to agree to a payment plan or special payment arrangement. The $95 Graduation Application fee is applied towards the cost of the student’s diploma, regalia (cap and gown), and other expenses related to Commencement. The graduation fee is refundable if the student delays completion of their program requirements to a future academic year.

NOTE: While all care is taken by the Advising and Registrar’s Offices to assist students in staying on-track for degree completion, it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to ensure their degree requirements will be satisfied in the timeframe they wish. This is especially important when a student fails, withdrawals, or drops a course and needs to register for the same course in a subsequent semester.

Commencement Ceremony

There is one Commencement Ceremony each academic year at the conclusion of the Spring semester, which is published in the College’s Academic Calendar. Students who complete their degree in summer are permitted to participate at the Commencement ceremony, though they will not receive degree conferral until all academic requirements are met. Only students who have completed degree requirements within the academic year are permitted to attend.

Issuance of Diplomas

Once the Registrar’s Office has completed the process of conferring degrees for the most recent semester, two types of diplomas are issued to students:

1) Paper diploma, which is ordered through a 3rd-party printing company. Once ordered paper diplomas will be mailed and will arrive no later than four (4) weeks. 

2) CeDiploma, which stands for a Certified Electronic Diploma. This diploma is a mirror of the paper diploma and comes in the form of a blockchain-encrypted PDF, which has life-time accessibility. CeDiplomas are sent to students’ GBC emails shortly after degree conferral and can be verified by the student and/or third-parties by using the instructions included with the CeDiploma. 

Neither paper diplomas, or CeDiplomas, are released to students with outstanding financial obligations or to students who are federal loan recipients that have not completed required Exit Counseling. 

Conferral of Degree Posthumously or Upon Terminal Illness

On rare occasions, a currently enrolled student may become terminally ill or experience death while they are attending Goldey-Beacom College. In an effort to honor the student and to express compassion to the student’s friends and family, the College may recognize the student for their work by means of conferring their degree without having met the full requirements for conferral established by the College.

Posthumous Degree Conferral

A student in good standing who experiences death while attending Goldey-Beacom College may be awarded a posthumous degree without fulfilling all degree requirements. The criteria for awarding a posthumous degree are:

1. At least 75% of the total credit hours have been completed;
2. The student’s cumulative GPA must exceed the required GPA for normal degree conferral

In exceptional cases, the President and/or Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs may decide to modify completion or academic standing criteria.

When a degree is conferred posthumously, the student’s transcript and diploma will be annotated that the degree was awarded posthumously. Posthumous degree recipients are reported as official graduates of Goldey-Beacom College.

Degree Conferral to a Student Experiencing Terminal Illness

A student in good standing who becomes terminally ill with documentation while they are attending Goldey-Beacom College may be awarded a degree without fulfilling all degree requirements. The criteria for awarding a degree under these circumstances are:

1. At least 75% of the total credit hours have been completed;
2. The student’s cumulative GPA must exceed the required GPA for normal degree conferral

In exceptional cases, the President and/or Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs may decide to modify completion or academic standing criteria.

When a degree is conferred posthumously, the student’s transcript and diploma will be annotated that the degree was awarded posthumously. Posthumous degree recipients are reported as official graduates of Goldey-Beacom College.

Certificate Conferral to a Student Posthumously or Experiencing Terminal Illness

A student in good standing who becomes terminally ill with documentation while they are attending Goldey-Beacom College or experience death while attending Goldey-Beacom College that does not meet the above criteria for degree conferral may be awarded a certificate acknowledging their valued membership and achievements as part of the Goldey-Beacom College community. 

The criteria for the award of a certificate under these circumstances are:

1. The student must have completed at least one full-time term;
2. The student’s cumulative GPA must exceed the required GPA for normal degree conferral

These certificate recipients will not be reported as official graduates of Goldey-Beacom College.

Honors and Awards

Graduates at the Master’s level who have attained superior academic achievement are recognized. Those recognitions are:

• Highest Honors - Final Cumulative GPA of 4.000
• High Honors - Final Cumulative GPA between 3.900 - 3.999
• Honors - Final Cumulative GPA between 3.750 - 3.899

Candidates for graduation who are participating in the annual Commencement Ceremony are also recognized, however the GPA used to calculate anticipated honors is based on the GPA at the end of Spring session I for students whose degree has not yet been conferred (for example Fall semester graduates), due to the close proximity of Commencement with the end of the spring semester and that the summer session has not yet begun.

International Students on F-1 Visas

Refer to the Student Handbook for this policy. 

Multiple Degrees

Graduate students who wish to earn another graduate degree must fulfill additional credit and course requirements. Some additional degree requirements have reciprocity with other majors at the Graduate level, meaning that students need not complete all of the degree requirements of the second degree since they have already completed some requirements for their first degree. However, to earn an additional degree, students must complete all degree requirements through reciprocity or enrolling in additional courses. In the chart below, the minimum course and credit requirements are listed. Additional degree requests can be made to the Advising or Registrar’s Offices where an individual review of completed courses will take place, and specific course requirements will be outlined for the additional degree(s).

Progress Toward Degree/Maximum Timeframe for Completion

All Graduate-level degree requirements must be completed within seven (7) years after the first graduate level course is taken.

Re-Entry to the College

Refer to the Student Handbook for this policy. 

Release of Academic Information for Deceased Students

The following requirements protect the confidentiality of academic information upon the death of a former student of Goldey-Beacom College, Beacom College or Goldey College.

The Director of Institutional Effectiveness/Registrar will evaluate each written request for the release of a transcript or other academic information of a deceased student. Goldey-Beacom College reserves the right to deny any verbal or written request in whole or to release only part of the requested student’s academic information. The College does not release academic information of deceased students to the news media or for research purposes.

The closest living next-of-kin may submit the completed Request for Deceased Student’s Academic Information form along with the following notarized documents in English:

1. Death certificate of former student
2. Birth certificate of requestor to prove next-of-kin relationship

The Executor of the deceased student’s estate can request academic information if there is no living next-of-kin.  The Executor of the estate completes and submits the Request for Deceased Student’s Academic Information form along with a notarized copy of the Letter of Appointment of Executor for the student.  Both documents must be in English and submitted to the Goldey-Beacom College Registrar’s Office.  The Request of Deceased Student’s Academic Information form can be obtained from the Registrar’s Office at registrar@gbc.edu.   

If the student has an outstanding obligation to Goldey-Beacom College, the requestor will be notified via email.

Release of Grades Policy

Students can access grading information in a few different ways:

1) The student’s Official Transcript, which may be requested from the Registrar’s Office. 

2) The student’s Unofficial Transcript, which may be accessed through Campus Web under the Advising & Registrar tab.

3) The student can view Gradebook information on Campus Web. This grade may differ as faculty may use one method of grading in Campus Web and submit a different grade to the Registrar’s Office; in this case refer to the faculty member’s syllabus which will detail grading methodology.

Official and Unofficial Transcripts are not released to students who have an outstanding financial obligation to the College, however under limited circumstances transcripts may be released to certain entities that provide employer/tuition reimbursement. 

Release of Student Information (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) provides eligible students certain rights with respect to their educational records. Those rights are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s educational records within 45 days after the day the College receives a request for access. A student should submit a written request to the Registrar’s Office that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. The Director of Institutional Effectiveness/Registrar will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. A Goldey-Beacom College official will be present during the inspection.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s educational records that the student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA. A student who wishes to ask the College to amend a record should communicate in writing to the Registrar’s Office, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed, and specify why it should be changed. If the College decides not to amend as requested, the Director of Institutional Effectiveness/Registrar will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student’s right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to provide written consent before the College discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student’s educational records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. FERPA permits the College to disclose educational records without a student’s prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the College in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including security personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the College has contracted as its agent to provide a service instead of using College employees or officials (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or any person (including another student) engaged by the College to provide clerical or other support services to another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for the College. Upon request, the College also discloses educational records without the student’s written consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll. FERPA also permits the College to disclose without a student’s prior written consent appropriately designated “directory information”, which includes the Goldey-Beacom College’s student’s: name; local college, home, and cell phone numbers; local college and home address; e-mail or other electronic messaging address; age; major and/or minor fields of study; full-time or part-time status; participation in officially recognized activities and sports; class standing; weight and height of members of athletic teams; honors, awards, and scholarships earned; photographs; dates of attendance; degrees(s) received; post-graduate plans; and most recent previous educational agency or institution attended. A request that directory information not be released without prior written consent may be filed in writing to the Director of Institutional Effectiveness/Registrar two weeks prior to enrollment. In addition, the Soloman Amendment requires the College to grant military recruiters access to campus and to provide them with student recruitment information, which includes student name, address, telephone listing, age or year of birth, place of birth, level of education or degrees received, most recent educational institution attended, and current major(s).
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the College to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office

U.S. Department of Education

400 Maryland Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20202-5920

List of illustrative examples of disclosures that Goldey-Beacom College may make without consent:

• To other school officials, including faculty, staff, administration and trustees within Goldey-Beacom College whom the school has determined to have legitimate educational interests. This includes contractors, consultants, volunteers, or other parties to whom the school has outsourced institutional services or functions.
• To officials of another school where the student seeks or intends to enroll or is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer.
• To authorized representatives of the United States or state/local educational governmental entities.
• In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the student has received, if the information is necessary to determine eligibility for the aid, the amount of aid, the conditions of the aid, or enforce terms and conditions of the aid.
• To organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, the College, in order to (a) develop, validate, or administer predictive tests; (b) administer student aid programs; or (c) improve instruction.
• To accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions.
• To parents of an eligible student if the student is a dependent for IRS tax purposes.
• To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena.
• To appropriate officials in connection with a health or safety emergency.
• Information the school has designated as “directory information”.
• To a victim of an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or a non-forcible sex offense, subject to the requirements of § 99.39. The disclosure may only include the final results of the disciplinary proceeding with respect to that alleged crime or offense, regardless of the finding.
• To parents of a student regarding the student’s violation of any Federal, State, or local law, or of any rule or policy of the school, governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance if the school determines the student committed a disciplinary violation and the student is under the age of 21.

Repeating Courses

A student may repeat a course to improve skills, enhance knowledge and/or affect their cumulative index. All grades will appear on the official transcript but only the higher grade will be included in the cumulative index. A student who is receiving federal financial aid assistance should speak to an Advisor about the impact repeating a course has on financial aid eligibility as well as Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.

If a student is receiving veterans benefits, funding will only be paid for a repeated course if a passing grade is required to continue to make progress in their degree program. If the failed course is an elective, veterans benefits cannot be used to repeat the course. 

Return to School After Medical Leave

Refer to the Student Handbook for this policy. 

Standards of Academic Progress (SAP)

Annual Review and Definition of Good Standing

Goldey-Beacom College is required by the Department of Education (DOE) under CFR 34 § 668.34 to establish a Standards of Academic Progress Policy (SAP). An annual review of each student’s academic progress will occur at the conclusion of every Spring semester. In order to be considered in good standing, Graduate students must:

1. Achieve at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA). 
2. Earn at least 75% of the student’s cumulative attempted credits.

Impact of Grading Scale on Academic Progress

In accordance with the College’s Graduate grading scale, the following grades are considered passing and add to the student’s earned credits and factor into the student’s cumulative GPA: A+, A, B+, B, C+, C, P

In accordance with the College’s Graduate grading scale, the following grades are considered not passed and impact the student’s academic record adversely as follows:

• F - Failing grade which results in a negative impact to the student’s cumulative GPA and is considered unearned in the student’s cumulative credit count.
• W/X - Withdrawn grade which results in no impact to the student’s cumulative GPA and is considered unearned in the student’s cumulative credit count.
• I - Incomplete grade which results in no impact to the student’s cumulative GPA and is considered unearned in the student’s cumulative credit count. This grade is subject to change based on reporting by the faculty member to the Registrar’s Office, at which time it impacts the student’s cumulative GPA and credit hour count according to the new grade.

In accordance with the College’s Graduate grading scale, courses that are repeated and subsequently passed with a higher final grade remove the original course’s assigned grade from the cumulative GPA and attempted credits.

Outcomes of SAP Review

The following outcomes are possible after the annual review of the student’s academic performance:

1. Good Standing - The student has met both the cumulative GPA and cumulative earned credit requirements and is considered in good standing.
2. Financial Aid Warning - The student has not met the cumulative GPA and/or earned credit requirements and is placed on Academic Warning. The student is placed on an academic plan that defines the academic expectations of the student in the subsequent semester. Students on Financial Aid Warning are able to receive forms of financial aid assistance, both federally and institutionally. 
3. Financial Aid Probation - A student on Financial Aid Warning who did not meet the terms of their academic plan and are still not meeting the cumulative GPA and/or earned credit requirements. The student is no longer eligible for any form of financial aid assistance.

Depending on the outcome of each academic year and/or semester, students may shift from one status to another. An example is provided below to demonstrate the fluidity of the standards of academic progress review and outcomes.

Regaining Financial Aid Eligibility

Students who were placed on Financial Aid Probation are able to regain eligibility for financial aid assistance by petitioning for reinstatement of financial aid through the Financial Aid Office. Once a petition of reinstatement is received by the Financial Aid Office, a review of the student’s academic transcript occurs. If the student is meeting the minimum cumulative GPA and earned credit requirements, the student may regain eligibility under Financial Aid Warning statuses.

Student Responsibility

It is each student’s responsibility to understand the academic standards of Goldey-Beacom College and the degree requirements of the program in which the student is enrolled. For assistance in interpretation of the requirements, the student may see an Advisor. All students who are accepted into a graduate degree program and begin enrollment at Goldey-Beacom College are to complete their required courses at the College.

Transcripts of Academic Records

Transcript requests are processed by the Registrar’s Office and include the following:

• Final grades
• Courses in progress
• Cumulative GPA and term GPA
• Most recent degree pursued
• Degree conferrals/honors

Please note that transcripts will not be released to students who have outstanding debts to the College and to Federal Loan recipients who have not completed Exit Counseling. 

Unofficial transcripts may be accessed by students through Campus Web under the Advising & Registrar tab.

Transfer of Credits

A maximum of nine (9) graduate credits can be evaluated, approved, and accepted as credit towards a degree program in the Graduate division.

Generally, transfer credit can be awarded for coursework completed within ten (10) years of the date of transfer credit evaluation. 

Once enrolled at Goldey-Beacom College, students may not continue to accumulate transfer credits from other institutions unless prior approval is granted by the Registrar’s Office.

Students who wish to attend Goldey-Beacom College must provide the College with the information listed under Admissions Requirements as well as official transcripts from each graduate program previously attended. Students who defer enrollment or declare a different major than their initial selection may be subject to a re-evaluation of their transfer credits for the new year and term in which they enroll. This re-evaluation may require a student to submit updated official college academic transcripts.

Accredited College Coursework

Students may submit official transcripts from other institutionally accredited colleges or universities in all modes of delivery to be evaluated for transfer credit. A grade of a B or above is required to accept any Graduate-level credits. Such credits generally transfer as applicable curriculum substitutes.

Non-Accredited Institution Coursework

Students may submit official documentation of credits earned at non-accredited institutions and/or through non-traditional programs for review; however, there is no guarantee that the credits may be accepted. Documentation needs to include an in-depth description of material covered, number of contact (classroom) hours, mode of delivery, amount of time required outside of class, and a grade equivalent to a B or better. Such credits will be reviewed on an individual basis.

Institutions outside the US

Transfer credits may be awarded for college-level course work completed at institutions outside the United States. Overseas institutions must be accredited. Students may submit transcripts translated into English, along with documentation demonstrating the institution’s accreditation, for evaluation. The College may require the student to submit the documents for formal evaluation by a third-party translation and evaluation service if there is any doubt regarding accreditation or credit hour equivalency.

Withdrawal

A graduate student is considered withdrawn from the College if the student does not complete scheduled enrollment or the student withdraws and fails to return after providing written withdrawal confirmation by notifying their Advisor in writing via GBC Email. If a student withdraws without providing written notification, the withdrawal date will be determined by the student’s date of last attendance.

Scheduled enrollment is defined as enrollment in the next regular semester. The next regular semester for graduate student is fall, spring or summer. The timeframe a student has to satisfy degree requirements is not suspended using the period when the student has not registered for course work.

Student withdraws due to substantiated medical reasons require the submission of medical documentation within thirty (30) days from the date of withdrawal. 

A student who withdraws owing an outstanding debt to the College is expected to contact the College’s Business Office to immediately clear the debt. Student referral to collection agencies and credit bureaus is at the discretion of the College. Collection costs and/or legal fees, up to and including 50% of the delinquent balance, may be charged to the student’s account by Goldey-Beacom College in the collection of a delinquent balance.

Federal Financial Aid Recipients

In the event of a withdrawal from the College, a student who has received federal student loan funds at any time during their studies at the College must complete Federal Student Loan Exit Counseling through https://studentaid.gov/. The purpose of this important counseling is to select a repayment option and review the total amount of federal student loans borrowed to date.

The College is required to report to the National Student Loan Database System (NSLDS) the actual date of withdrawal of a federal grant and/or student loan recipient.  A student who has withdrawn from the College is recommended to research grant or student loan data on https://studentaid.gov/.

Return of Title IV Funds

In accordance with federal regulations, the College is required to perform a Return of Title IV Funds calculation if a student receiving federal aid does not complete all of the scheduled days in a period of enrollment. The College’s policy regarding this process is located in the Financial Aid Polices and Scholarship section of this catalog.

Leave of Absence

A student who requires a leave of absence from their studies at the College should contact the Registrar’s Office to complete a Leave of Absence form. A leave of absence may be requested for academic, financial, medical, work-related, military, or other personal reasons.

Return to School after Medical Leave

Refer to the Student Handbook for this policy.