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Undergraduate Academic Policies
  

  • Academic Honor Code
  • Advanced Placement
    • Advanced placement is granted to eligible students in some subject areas. For more information students should contact an advisor.
  • Auditing a Course
    • Permission to audit a class (listener status) may be obtained from an advisor in writing no later than the official drop/add period. Any student who wishes to audit a class must enroll in that class and pay the prescribed tuition and fees in order to attend.
  • Change of Address
    • Any student who changes his/her mailing address while enrolled at the College must complete a Change of Address form located on this website or by using the Campus Web (log in, click on the Student Tab then select the Personal Information link).  Forms are also available in the Financial Aid/Advisement Office.
  • Change of Curriculum/Major/Program
    • The student’s choice of major, once made and recorded, can be changed only by following the formal procedures for change. Changes in curriculum should be made well before the beginning of a semester. After conferring with an advisor, the student must complete a form in the Financial Aid/Advisement Office to change his/her major. Students must realize that changing their major may delay graduation.
  • Class Attendance and Tardiness
    • All students are expected to attend punctually, and for the full time, every scheduled meeting of each class in which they are registered. 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. Absences are recorded beginning with the first class meeting and students are held responsible for all work missed as a result of absences. Each faculty member shall assess each course he/she teaches 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.
  • Class Scheduling
    • All students who are accepted into an undergraduate degree program and begin enrollment at Goldey-Beacom College are to complete their required courses at the College. Students may be expected to schedule classes between the hours of 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Classes as well as final examinations may also be held on Saturday. Day and evening students are encouraged to consult with an advisor for course selection. The College catalog provides students with a semester-by-semester course planning guide for each major program of study. Courses are offered every semester according to the suggested sequence of courses outlined in the catalog; therefore, students are strongly urged to follow the suggested outline when registering for courses.

      Courses will be appropriately offered every semester for each student enrolled in a major program of study provided that the student has scheduled and completed courses according to the suggested sequence of courses outlined in the catalog. Course offerings are not guaranteed for any student who deviates from the suggested sequence of courses for reasons such as having to repeat one or more courses, failing to carry the prescribed five courses each semester, changing the major field of study, transferring from another college, entering the college in a semester other than fall, etc.

      If a student fails a class, it is the student's responsibility to contact his/her advisor to adjust future class schedules accordingly.

      The normal credit hour load per semester for full-time students is 16 to 18 credit hours. The minimum full-time student load is 12 credit hours per semester. Special permission of the advisor is needed for a student wishing to carry a greater than normal load. In special situations, after counseling the student, it may be recommended or required that the student carry less than a full schedule of classes.

      It is anticipated, however, that there may be circumstances beyond the control of a student that will necessitate restrictions on time. Physical handicaps and certain types of employment are among those conditions that will receive consideration upon sufficient advance notice in writing to the advisor. Students who require special scheduling of classes are urged to register for classes as early as possible to ensure their time preferences. Every effort will be made to schedule such students within the special limitations requested. Students, however, should know that by imposing time restrictions on scheduling, they are liable to delay their graduation.

  • Classification of Students
    • All degree students will be classified according to the following criteria:
       

      Freshman 1 to 30 semester credits earned
      Sophomore 31 to 60 semester credits earned
      Junior 61 to 90 semester credits earned
      Senior 91 or more semester credits earned
  • Cumulative Index (Cumulative Grade Point Average)
    • All grades earned at Goldey-Beacom College count in a student’s cumulative index regardless of whether a course counts toward the degree which the student is pursuing. Grades earned for review (0-level) courses, preparatory courses, 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 index. The only exception to this policy is a course which is repeated in order to raise the grade earned (see repeating courses for details.)

      A student must earn a minimum 2.0 cumulative index in order to meet the minimum academic requirement for graduation.

  • 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 Financial Aid/Advisement Office is apprised of changes in a timely fashion so that students are properly advised and directed.
  • Developmental (Nondegree Credit) Courses
    • After evaluating a student’s record, it may be necessary to recommend that the student complete nondegree, developmental courses in order to remove recognized weaknesses. Grades of “C” or better must be earned for successful completion of developmental courses. The student will receive a grade for a developmental course. The grade will be counted in the cumulative index but the credits earned will not be applicable to any degree program.
  • Drop/Add
    • Once a student is financially registered for classes in a specified semester/session with the Business Office, it is the student's responsibility to make changes to the course schedule within the drop/add timeframe for that semester/session. The student must contact an Advisor in the Financial Aid/Advisement Office to make the official course schedule changes.  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 academic drop period has ended for a particular semester/session. By financially registering, the student has acknowledged receipt of the course schedule and is responsible for all tuition charges for the semester/session.
  • Exceptions
    • Requests for exceptions to any academic policies must be submitted in writing to the Dean of Enrollment Management for review.
  • Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
    • Annually, Goldey-Beacom College informs students of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. This Act grants certain rights, privileges, and protection to students concerning educational records maintained by Goldey-Beacom College. These rights transfer from the parents to the student who has reached the age of 18 or is attending any school beyond the high school level. The law requires that the institution shall protect the confidentiality of student educational records. The law also provides students with the right to inspect and review information contained in their educational records, to challenge the contents of their educational records, to have a hearing if the outcome of the challenge is unsatisfactory, and to submit explanatory statements for inclusion in their files if the decisions of the hearing panels are unsatisfactory. A copy of the policy statement describing the College’s regulations for this act may be obtained from the Registrar’s Office.
  • Grade Appeal Process
    • Students, who wish to appeal  a grade received on an assignment or a final grade received in a course completed at Goldey-Beacom College, must follow the grade appeal procedures.
      1. The student must discuss his/her 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 the grade has been assigned unfairly, e.g. there is a discrepancy between the faculty member's written grading policy and the way the grade was assigned, the student should document that discrepancy and submit the appeal in writing to the appropriate Cluster Coordinator within 60 days of the official end of the semester in which the grade was assigned.
      3. The Cluster Coordinator will render his/her decision within ten (10) business days and communicate the decision to the student via the GBC e-mail account with “return receipt requested” and letter either hand delivered or mailed certified.
      4. If the student wishes to appeal the decision of the Cluster Coordinator, he/she must submit the appeal in writing, within ten (10) business days of receiving the decision, to the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) with supporting documentation attached.
      5. The CAO 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 e-mail account with “return receipt requested” and letter either hand delivered or mailed certified within ten (10) business days. The decision of the CAO is final.
  • Grading System
    • The final grades in use are:
      Grade Range Quality Points Per Credit
      A+ 97-100 4.0
      A 94-96 4.0
      A- 90-93 3.66
      B+ 87-89 3.33
      B 84-86 3.0
      B- 80-83 2.66
      C+ 77-79 2.33
      C 74-76 2.0
      C- 70-73 1.66
      D 65-69 1.0
      F 64 or below 0
      P Pass Successful completion of a specified course; not figured in cumulative index, but figured in credit hours earned.
      F Fail Failing a specified course. Zero (0) quality points per credit; figured in cumulative index, but not figured in credit hours earned.
      W/X Course drop or withdrawal without course evaluation. Official/unofficial drop from a course or a withdrawal from the College without evaluation between the fourth and the end of the tenth week of the regular semester; not figured in cumulative index. (Dates adjusted for shorter sessions.)
      I Incomplete Incomplete, withheld grade; not figured in cumulative index.
      L Listener Officially enrolled auditor (listener).
      * Repeat Grade Repeated course; lower grade removed from cumulative index and higher grade counted in cumulative index.

      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 semester begins. Otherwise, the "I" will be replaced by the Registrar in accordance with the previous directions of the instructor, and the student will be notified of the change of grade via email.

      NOTE: A student who officially/unofficially drops a course(s) or withdraws from the College after the tenth week of the semester will receive a final grade(s). A grade of W/X will be considered only for the substantiated reasons satisfactory to the faculty/Academic Honor Code Committee.

      President's List - At the end of each semester of study, the name of each student who has achieved the following is placed on the President's List:

      1. 3.850 or above semester grade point average
      2. 12 earned credits during the semester

      Dean’s List - At the end of each semester of study, the name of each student who has achieved the following is placed on the Dean's List:

      1. 3.600 or above semester grade point average
      2. 12 earned credits during the semester
  • Graduation
    • Any student expecting to complete the requirements of his/her program of study (degree/certificate) from summer session through spring semester must file a Petition for Graduation from with the Financial Aid/Advisement Office and pay the graduation fee by December 15 preceding the annual graduation ceremony at the end of spring semester.

      Degrees/certificates are awarded to students who have satisfied all academic requirements of their program and have a final cumulative index of 2.0.

      A degree/certificate will not be conferred upon any student who has an outstanding debt to the College.

      Click here for Honors and Awards information.

      For more information please see Petitioning for Graduation.

  • Honors and Awards
    • Graduates who have attained superior academic achievement are recognized. Degree curricula graduates who have earned a final cumulative index of 4.000 are cited by being graduated “Summa Cum Laude”; those with a final cumulative index of 3.800 and above, “Magna Cum Laude”; students with a final cumulative index of 3.600 and above, “Cum Laude.”

      Candidates for graduation who have attained superior academic achievement are recognized according to their cumulative index at the end of the last semester/session completed prior to the ceremony (spring semester is not included due to the close proximity of commencement with the end of spring semester). Any student who feels that grades earned in spring semester may entitle him/her to academic recognition at commencement for which he/she is not eligible at the end of the previous semester/session may request the Financial Aid/Advisement Office to monitor their grades in the spring semester to determine potential entitlement.

      Superior academic achievement described above is indicated on the student’s permanent record/transcript and on their diploma according to the actual final cumulative index.

      For a complete list of Honors and Awards offered by Goldey-Beacom College every year, click here.

  • Internship
    • Cooperative education and internship, which facilitate the transition from academic course work to the world of work, are available to all interested and eligible students in most of the academic programs offered at the College. For more information, students should contact the Career Services Office.
  • Privilege of Attendance
    • Goldey-Beacom College extends to students the privilege of attendance. The expectation is that they will put forth a genuine effort. 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.

      Upon enrolling, every student automatically accepts the obligation to comply with the College rules and regulations. A student may be dismissed from the College for poor academic performance or be suspended or expelled for disciplinary reasons. Students are expected to comply and be familiar with the College's Academic Honor Code and Student Handbook and Code of Conduct.

      International students attending the College on an F1 visa must comply with the College's academic, financial, and disciplinary policies.  Students not meeting their obligations to the College may have their I20s canceled.

  • Progress Toward Degree/Certificate
    • A capable and motivated student, by taking additional courses during the regular semester, winter session, or summer session, may complete the requirement of his/her degree/certificate in less than the normal time.

      It is expected that full-time undergraduate students will register for and complete a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester. Full-time students who fail to maintain an acceptable academic index according to the Standards of Academic Progress in any semester may be dismissed from their program or from the College for failure to make satisfactory progress.

      Students must complete all bachelor degree requirements within ten years and associate degree requirements within six years of their date of entry/re-entry. Students should be aware that financial aid eligibility for baccalaureate degree programs extends not more than six years for full-time enrollment.

  • Re-Entry
    • Students who miss more than two consecutive regular semesters must apply for re-admission to the College. Consideration for re-admission will include a review of prior academic record, previous financial record at the College, and compliance with the Student Code of Conduct. Previous course work completed at Goldey-Beacom College will be evaluated according to current programs; therefore, the longer a student has been out, the more courses he/she may need to complete in order to earn a degree. Depending on its content, course work which is more than 10 years old may no longer apply to a current program.

      Credits earned for previous course work at Goldey-Beacom College which are not required in the current program chosen are still included in the total number of credits the student has earned but do not apply directly to the new program.
  • Release of Grades Policy
    • Grade reports can be accessed by students using the College’s Campus Web Module within 10 days after the close of the semester/session. Grades are posted at the instructor’s discretion using Blackboard. Grades will not be released to students who have outstanding debts to the College. Students should speak with their advisor if official documentation is needed for employer tuition reimbursement.
  • Release of Student Information
    • In conformity with the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (The Buckley Amendment), Goldey-Beacom College will disclose directory information upon written request unless the student specifically files a written notification with the Registrar’s Office of his/her desire not to have such information released. Directory information includes name, address, telephone number, date of birth, dates of attendance, field of study, credit hours, degree earned, honors received, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, and weight and height of members of athletic teams. No other information about a student will be released to any source unless the College receives written consent from the student. No information about a student, directory or otherwise, will be released over the telephone except in cases of extreme emergency.
  • Repeating Courses
    • The Repeat Policy is as follows: 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.
  • Second Degree
    • Students who have received one degree and who wish to earn another degree in a different curriculum must complete additional course requirements and fulfill a minimum of 5 courses for an Associate degree and 10 courses for a Bachelor’s degree beyond the first degree. Students interested in obtaining a second degree should consult with their advisor.
  • Standards of Academic Progress and Academic Probation
    • The "satisfactory progress" standard is twofold.  Students must make satisfactory progress according to both criteria.
       
      1.  Grade Point Average Progress
      Students must maintain a satisfactory grade point average (GPA) as outlined below according to the appropriate program of study.
       
      Cumulative Credits Attempted Minimum GPA Required
      3 - 15 1.25
      16 – 30 1.50
      31 – 45 1.75
      46 or more 2.00
       
         
      2.  Earned Credit Progress
      Students must progress toward their education goal by earning credits at the College at the minimum rate outlined above. The student's cumulative credits earned at the College must total at least the number listed in the column which describes prior full- or part-time enrollment status.

       

      Associate in Science Degree Programs      
      Minimum Cumulative Earned Credits Required**
        Prior to Enrollment in Semester* Full-Time 3/4-Time 1/2-Time 1/4-Time  
        2 9 6 3 3  
        3 24 18 12 6  
        4 36 27 18 9  
        5 48 36 24 12  
        6 60 45 30 15  
        7 n/a 54 36 18  
        8 n/a 63 42 21  
        9+ n/a n/a Increments of 6 or 3 credits will be required for 1/2 and 1/4 time students before each additional semester.  

       

      Bachelor in Science Degree Programs      

      Minimum Cumulative Earned Credits Required**

        Prior to Enrollment in Semester* Full-Time 3/4-Time 1/2-Time 1/4-Time  
        2 9 6 3 3  
        3 24 18 12 6  
        4 36 27 18 9  
        5 48 36 24 12  
        6 60 45 30 15  
        7 72 54 36 18  
        8 84 63 42 21  
        9 96 72 48 24  
        10 108 81 54 27  
        11 120 90 60 30  
        12 132 99 66 33  
        13+ n/a Increments of 9, 6 or 3 credits will be required for 3/4, 1/2, and 1/4 time students before each additional semester.  
             
        *The semesters numbered are only the regular fall and spring semesters in which enrollment for 12 credit hours or more classifies a student as full time.  
                   
        **A student's enrollment status (full-time, 3/4-time, 1/2-time, 1/4-time) is determined by the number of credits for which the student registers until the end of the drop/add period. Twelve or more credits if full time; 9-11 credits is 3/4 time; 6-8 credits is 1/2 time; and 3-5 credits is 1/4 time. Any class taken as "Listener Status" will not be counted in determining the student's enrollment status.  
                   
      See Progress Toward Degree/Certificate for time frame.

      Students who do not meet these academic progress standards will be placed on Academic Probation.

      Students on Academic Probation:

      1. will have their records reviewed by their Advisor and the Dean of Enrollment Management to determine if they should be dismissed or allowed to continue in their Program of Study. If students are allowed to continue, they will be required to meet specific conditions established by the Dean of Enrollment Management.
      2. will be required to reduce their course load until they achieve a satisfactory CGPA.
      3. will be advised to change from a B. S. Program of Study to an A. S. Program of Study, if appropriate.

      Students who remain on Academic Probation for two consecutive semesters will be required to meet with their Advisor and/or the Dean of Enrollment Management to discuss the next step in their academic careers at the College. These steps will include reduced course load and/or suspension of institutional aid and/or change in Program of Study and/or suspension from their Program of Study and/or suspension from the College, or dismissal from the College.

      Grounds for dismissal from the College due to academic failure or lack of academic progress include:

      1. Failing to complete credits as detailed in the grade point average and earned credit progress charts above
      2. Failing to meet academic progress standards for 3 or more consecutive semesters
      3. Committing three documented violations of the College’s Academic Honor Code
      4. Failing 9 or more credits in one semester.

      Failure to make significant academic progress will result in an academic review, with possible dismissal from the College, as determined by the Dean of Enrollment Management.

      Any student who is dismissed from the College may petition the Academic Dean for possible reinstatement to the College, but may not do so until taking a full semester break from the College (fall or spring) after the dismissal. Petitioning is defined as submitting an appeal in writing for consideration to be reinstated. Reinstatement grants permission to register and enroll in classes. The written request should state why the student failed to make progress academically and what has changed that will now enable the student to succeed. The petition will be reviewed by the Academic Dean and a decision will be rendered within ten (10) business days. The Academic Dean may request an interview with the student. All decisions by the Academic Dean are final.

  • 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 he/she is enrolled. For assistance in interpretation of the requirements, the student may see an advisor.
  • Transcripts of Permanent Records
    • As a service to students, the College provides transcripts to students free of charge. Students should not, however, misuse this service. Transcript requests will be processed within seven (7) to fourteen (14) business days from the day on which the request was received. Transcripts will not be released to students who have outstanding debts to the College.
  • Transfer of Credits
    • Goldey-Beacom College welcomes students who transfer from other regionally accredited colleges or universities. Transfer credits are granted for courses taken which apply to the student’s program at Goldey-Beacom College and meet the following criteria: the appropriate courses have been taken within a reasonable time frame (in most cases within the past ten years), a grade of “C” or better was earned, and they are not developmental courses. An official transcript is required before credit transfer can be finalized. The maximum number of transfer credits accepted at GBC shall not exceed 50 percent of the total credits required in The Program of Study in which the student enrolls, with the exception of the degree completion program.

      Upon approval, credits earned for courses taken at another regionally accredited institutions of higher education will be transferred to the student’s permanent record at Goldey-Beacom College. Grades earned at another college are not figured in the student’s cumulative index, which reflects only course work completed at Goldey-Beacom College.

      Goldey-Beacom College has established a transfer agreement with the Delaware Center for Financial Training to transfer FEA credits as deemed appropriate.

      Advanced Placement and CLEP credits (College Level Examination Program) may also be accepted in transfer provided that above-average grades have been earned, and the subject matter is appropriate for the program of study being pursued.

      Students matriculating at Goldey-Beacom College are expected to complete their remaining credits at Goldey-Beacom College.

  • Withdrawal
    • For a student to be considered officially withdrawn from the College, a student must complete a Withdrawal Form in the Financial Aid/Advisement Office. Student withdrawals due to substantiated medical reasons require the submission of medical documentation within thirty (30) days from the date of withdraw. The official withdrawal date will be determined as the date on which the official Withdrawal Form was received by the Financial Aid/Advisement Office.

      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. Students will be charged all collection and legal fees that the College incurs in attempting to clear the debt.


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