Academics

Matriculated Students: A matriculated student is one who is enrolled full or part time in a degree or certificate program.

Nonmatriculated Students: A nonmatriculated student is one who does not intend to seek a degree from Maria College but wishes to take less than 12 credits of course work at Maria for the purpose of personal fulfillment. An individual who wishes to become a nonmatriculated student at Maria should review course offerings (available on the website), complete the registration form, and submit the form to the Registrar prior to the close of the add/drop period to be registered for classes. The nonmatriculated student is restricted from taking any courses in a major field of study, such as in Nursing or Occupational Therapy. The nonmatriculated student will be assigned a user name and password for Web Services and Blackboard and is expected to become familiar with student orientation materials available on Web Services. The same policies and procedures apply regardless of student status. The nonmatriculated student benefits from all institutional supports related to the learning experience but is not eligible for financial aid.

Full-time Students: A full-time student must carry a minimum of 12 credit hours a semester.* Unless required, credit load over 18 credit hours for those enrolled in a lower division (certificate or associate degree) program or over 15 credit hours for those enrolled in an upper division (bachelor’s degree) program must be approved by the academic dean and are subject to a fee.

*A credit hour is earned for the successful completion of 15 academic hours of class or 30 hours of laboratory experience or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time. While hybrid and online courses at Maria College meet for fewer hours or with no direct faculty instruction, the learning outcomes are identical to face-to-face courses and require the equivalent amount of work.

Part-time Students: A part-time student carries fewer than 12 credit hours a semester. Part-time students may change their status to full-time by applying for full-time admission. Provided a student is eventually accepted into a degree program, credits earned before formal matriculation may be used toward a degree.

Transfer of Credit Policy: Maria College will accept transfer credit for courses taken at other accredited institutions of higher education provided:

– The course is required for the student’s enrolled degree or certificate program at Maria College.

– The content of the course to be transferred is equivalent to the content of the course required at Maria College.

– The level of the course to be transferred must be equivalent to the level of the course required at Maria College.

– The length, credit hours, and contact hours of the course to be transferred is equivalent to the length, credit hours, and contact hours of the course required at Maria College.

– Transfer credit may only be granted once for any given course.

– A grade of “C” or better has been earned (at least 2.0 on a 4.0 grading scale).

Transfer Students Lower Division: Transfer students may be granted a maximum of one year of credit toward a degree for courses completed at another accredited institution; quality points are not transferable. However, transfer students must complete 36 credit hours of work at Maria College to be eligible for graduation, regardless of the number of transfer credits presented at entrance; for those entering any allied health program, there is a seven-year limit on transfer credit for Anatomy/Physiology and Microbiology. Students wishing to be considered for the Practical or Associate Nursing Programs may repeat science courses only once.

Science Two-Time Policy: To be admitted to or continue in nursing, a student may repeat any science course (chemistry, biology, and anatomy and physiology) only once. For example, if a student must repeat both AnP 105 and AnP 106, the student will not qualify for admission into the nursing program as this will be viewed as repeating AnP twice. Unsuccessful attempts at another college and withdrawal from a science course count toward one time.

Upper Division: Students enrolled in the bachelor’s degree program in nursing will be granted 60 credit hours from their associate degree programs in nursing. An additional 16 credit hours may be transferred in at the upper level if the course meets the requirements of the transfer policy.

Foreign School Transfer Credit Evaluation: Students who have attended a postsecondary institution outside the United States and desire transfer credit must submit a Comprehensive Course-by-Course Evaluation Report of their foreign school academic record from the World Education Service (WES). Once Maria College has received the course-by-course evaluation report from WES, the College will review the report and grant appropriate transfer credit.

World Education Services, Inc. (WES)
Bowling Green Station
P.O. Box 5087
New York, N.Y. 10274-5087
http://www.wes.org/students/index.asp
Phone: (212) 966-6311
Fax: (212) 739-6100

Auditors: Students desiring to audit classes may obtain a registration form from the registrar’s office. If a student is currently enrolled at the College, permission must be obtained from both the student’s advisor and course instructor. A nonmatriculated student may audit courses.

Courses audited are subject to tuition and additional fees.

The audit option is not allowed in online courses, independent study or skills-based courses. Auditing students are expected to attend class regularly and should consult with the instructor to determine what else is expected in the course. Instructors are not obligated to correct tests or provide feedback for course requirements.

Credit is not awarded for auditing a class. Audited classes are excluded when determining enrollment status (full-time, half-time) and eligibility for the semester Dean’s List. Audited classes are included when determining need for overload permission.

The designation of “AU” is noted on the transcript. An “AU” is not used in determining class standing, eligibility or GPA.

Students may not change to credit status after the drop/add period.

Registration is subject to course availability within established enrollment limits.

Senior Citizens Auditing: Those who are 62 years of age or older may audit one course per semester, tuition free, and may enroll only during the late registration period, on a space-available basis and with the consent of the instructor.

Class Attendance: Students are expected to attend all assigned classes.  If illness or other extenuating circumstances prevent attendance, it is the student’s responsibility to make up the work.  To expedite this, the student should contact the instructor involved and/or the Academic Dean.  If the absence, for whatever reason, makes it impossible for the student to complete the work, withdrawal from the course may be necessary.

Administrative Withdrawal: A student who has stopped attending all classes at the 10th week of the semester will be academically withdrawn from the College.

Grades and Quality Points: Grades are issued at the end of each semester using a letter system and a quality point value:

The grade “P” is used for passing work when a course is graded on a pass-fail basis; there are no quality points assigned this grade.

The grade “I” is assigned to a student who, for good reason, is unable to complete the work for the course. The student must be passing the course and receive permission from the instructor and program chair. Normally, all work must be completed within one month after the end of the semester; however, with the concurrence of the Academic Dean, this deadline may be extended by the instructor. Work not completed by the established deadline will warrant the assignment of an “F” for the course.

A grade of “S” or “U” is given for satisfactory or unsatisfactory work in developmental courses where no academic credit is assigned. in these courses, “S” indicates a grade of “C” or better.

“W” is given when a student withdraws from a course and completes the withdrawal form. This may be done up to the 10th week of the semester. Withdrawal after the 10th week results in an “F”. Students who discontinue attending classes and do not officially withdraw may be assigned “Fs” in all courses and will not be allowed to continue at Maria College.

To determine a student’s academic standing, a quality point system is used. This is computed by dividing the total number of quality points by the total number of credit hours taken. A quality point average of 2.0 is required for graduation.

Change of Grade: The instructor of a course has the sole and final responsibility for any grade reported for that course.  Any change of grade (except removal of an Incomplete), after the grade is on record in the Office of Student Records, must be requested within three months after the end of the semester in which the original grade was issued.

President’s List: Any student who earns 12 or more degree credits during a semester is eligible if a 4.0 average is attained and no grade other than an “A” is received. The grades of “W” or “S” will not remove a student from the President’s List if the student has met all other requirements.

Dean’s List: Any student who earns 12 or more degree credits during a semester is eligible if a 3.2 average is attained with no grade less than “C” The grades of “W” or “S” will not remove a student from the Dean’s List if the student has met all other requirements.

Graduation Honors: Honors are awarded to degree recipients on the basis of attainment in scholarship during the entire college program as reflected in the cumulative quality point average:

Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society: The Phi Theta Kappa recognizes and encourages scholarship among part-time and full-time two-year college students who possess a 3.67 GPA and have completed at least 12 credits. The Society provides opportunities “for the development of leadership and service, for an intellectual climate for exchange of ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship for scholars, and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence.” Annual dues are required.

Course Changes: Students may add courses during the first five days of a semester with the prior permission of their academic advisors.

Students may repeat a course to raise a grade. All grades are recorded but only the higher grade carries credit and quality points.

Students may withdraw from courses upon academic advisement and the filing of proper request forms up to the end of the 10th week of classes. After the 10th week, or if the required procedures have not been followed, a grade of “F” will be assigned to each dropped course.

Course changes after classes begin must be done in writing at the office of student records.

Change of Program: Students who intend to pursue a different program as freshmen are required to submit a Letter of Intent to the Admissions Office. Students who want to change programs, and who already have completed course work requirements of the new program, must obtain the approval of the program chairperson and Academic Dean for permission to change programs. Please refer to the student handbook for deadlines and prerequisites.

Leave of Absence: A student who wishes to take a leave of absence must request this in writing from the Academic Dean. In any 12-month period, a student may be granted no more than one leave, and ordinarily it may not extend beyond six months.

A student who does not return at the end of a Leave of Absence will be considered withdrawn from the College, and this withdrawal will be effective as of the beginning date of the Leave of Absence. It is the responsibility of the student on leave to be aware of registration dates and to make arrangements with an advisor to enroll for the semester after the leave period.

Withdrawal from College: Should a student find it necessary to withdraw from the College, he or she should arrange conferences with the chairperson and the Academic Dean. Withdrawal becomes official only after the appropriate forms have been completed by the Director of Financial Aid, Director of Library and the Business Manager.

Probation and Dismissal: Students who have a cumulative average less than 2.0 at the end of a semester are placed on academic probation for the following semester. During the probationary period, students are expected to use the services of the College Learning Resource Center.

Students who fail to raise their cumulative average by the end of the probationary period, may be subject to academic dismissal.

Unless the Program student handbook specifies otherwise, students who do not maintain a grade of “C” in core subjects will be placed on program probation. Students who are on probation for two consecutive semesters will be dismissed from the program. Program dismissal does not necessarily imply dismissal from the College.

Students who are dismissed from any program and who wish readmission must submit this request in writing to the program chairperson. Final approval will be based on program recommendations and available openings.

Student Conduct Code: Maria College expects that its students, as members of an intellectual community, will maintain standards of personal and academic honesty in all course work and examinations. By enrolling in the College, students agree that possession of alcohol or illegal substances on campus is not allowed.

Further, the College expects that its students will act as responsible, courteous and law-abiding citizens, and to refrain from any activity that infringes on the safety and welfare of fellow students, faculty, and staff and members of the broader community.

Violators of the Student Conduct Code will be afforded a fair hearing, with penalties imposed from letters of warning to dishonorable dismissal from the College.

Associate Degree Requirements: No degree shall be conferred unless the candidate has:

• Completed at least 36 credit hours at Maria College and earned a cumulative quality point average of at least 2.0.
• Completed the college requirements, including three credit hours of Religious Studies, three credit hours of Philosophy (or an additional three credit hours of Religious Studies), and six credit hours of English, including English 111.
• Completed the required Liberal Arts core:
  - For an Associate in Arts Degree (AA) 48 credit hours
  - For an Associate in Science Degree (AS) 32 credit hours
  - For an Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS) 22 credit hours
• Completed all course requirements for the program in which he or she is matriculated with at least an overall 2.0 quality point average.
• Completed at least 64 college credits through courses at Maria, transfer credit, or credit through approved proficiency examinations. Program requirement: To be admitted or continue in any allied health program, Anatomy/Physiology and labs can be repeated only once. This includes transfer credit.

Advanced Placement: Maria College recognizes college-level courses taken by students while they are still attending high school. Advanced Placement scores of 5, 4 and 3 normally earn college credit.  Courses given such credit may not then be taken at the College. Application for credit must be made with the Director of Admissions at the time of application.

Challenge Examinations: Students may waive a course requirement and receive credit based on a proficiency examination. There is a fee charged for testing and a prorated fee for credit earned. Permission for this is given by the program chair.

Credit for Life Experience: Maria College recognizes that certain adult students may have gained valuable knowledge in their life from diverse experiences. Some of this learning experience may qualify as college-level course work. The guidelines for obtaining life experience credits are available from the office of the Academic Dean. A fee is required.

Cross Registration: Area colleges and universities sponsor a cross registration program that allows full-time students the opportunity to enroll in courses at other institutions. enrollment is on a space available basis and is not permitted if the course is offered on the home campus. The majority of credits must be taken at Maria College each semester. There is no extra fee for this opportunity. Permission of the advisor and registrar is required prior to registration at another campus. Visiting students from other colleges may register for classes during the add/drop period provided there is available space. Cross registration is not permitted at the bachelor level and cross registration in online and/or science lab courses may be limited or prohibited.

Directed Study: Authorization for directed study must be obtained from the office of the Academic Dean, the student’s program chairperson, his or her academic advisor, and the supervising faculty member.

Independent Study: each academic area offers an opportunity for seniors with an overall average of “B” or better to undertake an independent project under the supervision of a faculty member.

Students must submit a detailed written proposal and approval must be obtained from the office of the Academic Dean, the student’s program chairperson, his or her academic advisor, and the supervising faculty member. The credit hour designation for each independent study project can vary from one to six hours, and students are limited to a maximum of nine credit hours of independent study in their total college program. The grading of independent study projects is either pass-fail or “A-F,” as agreed upon prior to registration for the course.

Forms for independent study proposals may be obtained from the Office of the Academic Dean.

Outside Study: If a matriculated student wishes to take courses at another college and apply them to Maria’s degree requirements, permission must be obtained from both the student’s advisor and the Academic Dean. This policy applies only to courses not offered at Maria College, the home campus.

Proficiency Examinations: Maria College grants credit for the excelsior College Proficiency examinations and the College Level Examination Programs (CLEP), when these examinations cover material comparable to that given in courses at the College in areas that can be applied toward the associate degree. Proficiency credits are treated as transfer credits and must be completed the semester prior to when a course is required. if credit has been granted through examination prior to application to Maria, an official transcript must be sent to the registrar.

Variable Credits: Occasionally, there are students who need one or two credits to round out a program for a semester or to fulfill requirements for graduation. The College divisions have established a list of courses for which variable credit is permitted.