The catalog assigned to newly admitted students is determined by the date of formal admission. Admission status is valid for one year from date of admission. Students must meet the degree requirements of the catalog under which they are admitted or may select a later catalog for a year in which they are enrolled. However, for all other policies (except degree requirements and limitations of credit), students must adhere to the current catalog for each year they are enrolled. Statements in the catalog are for informational purposes and should not be considered as the basis of a contract between students and the University. Information regarding any changes in degree programs, graduation requirements, or academic policies will be made available by the Office of the Registrar and the appropriate academic departments.
Completion of the full CSU or UC IGETC certification (CA), Washington and Oregon state-approved Direct Transfer degrees or other state's equivalent transfer certification prior to the student being admitted, enrolled and attending his/her first session in a bachelor degree program at Chapman satisfies all Chapman University College GE requirements except LBSU 300 and the JWP.
Chapman University College awards a minimum of 60 semester credits for successful completion of an Associate degree from regionally accredited colleges and universities. Associate degrees must be completed prior to the student being admitted, enrolled and attending his/her first session in a bachelor degree program. The coursework toward completion of the Associate degree will be evaluated for general education and major requirements. The remaining credit needed to reach 60 credits will be added to the record as general elective credit. Additional coursework from regionally accredited colleges and universities beyond the Associate degree will be individually evaluated for credit. If a student is admitted during a semester/session and is currenlty enrolled and attending in that semester, then the AA Block Transfer option would be allowed if completed prior to the next session start date.
Chapman University College recognizes that adult learners are diverse and that they bring a wealth of life experiences to the classroom. These reservoirs of personal experiences are often coupled with many hours of formal training and education outside the walls of academic institutions. In acknowledgement of such non-classroom acquired learning, Chapman promotes educational flexibility for the adult learner through a variety of earned credit opportunities. Granting of credit is contingent on student's submission of official documentation to the Registrar's Office.
These opportunities include:
Credit is awarded for scores of 3, 4, or 5 on the Advanced Placement Examination. For a current list of approved exams, minimum scores, and credits granted, please refer to the Chapman website.
Chapman accepts ACE minimum requirements on selected CLEP and DSST General Examinations and Subject Examinations. A current listing of acceptable exams and the credit awarded may be found on the Chapman website under Registrar/University College Services/Transfer. Any exam submitted for credit must meet the minimum score requirements regardless of student's catalog year and when the exam was taken.
Chapman evaluates credit for both military service and military coursework for academic credit using ACE guidelines. No more than 46 credits may be accepted for U.S. military coursework. The 46 credits include 6 credits for U.S. military service. No more than 6 of the 46 credits may be accepted at the upper-division level. All military credit accepted normally applies as general elective credit unless reviewed and approved by the Dean for credit within the major. Credit will be determined by the registrar's office upon admission and receipt of appropriate official documentation. Documentation varies by branch of the U.S. military but is generally satisfied by one of the following: DD-214 and DD-295, or official transcripts from AA-Arts, SMART or Community College of the Air Force. Policy regarding military credit is subject to periodic review by Chapman University College. See your advisor regarding general program information.
Chapman University will award credit upon receipt of appropriate official documentation for successful completion of education and training received from the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training for a Basic POST Certificate:
* Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) – 15 semester hours of lower division block credit will be awarded and applied to general elective credits for the successful completion of the California POST Basic Certificate. All credit will be considered lower division general elective credit. No partial credit for individual courses will be awarded.
Note that if the academy/training credits earned at the community college are part of a student's AA program, then the awarding of that credit will be included in the 60 credit block AA/AS limit, and not considered outside of that limit.
Evaluation of prior learning assessment by portfolio is a process based on the learning students have gained through life and/or work experiences. Successful portfolio development is predicated on rigorous self assessment of prior learning using David Kolb's Model of Experiential Learning, and a demonstration of strong narrative and expository writing skills. To be eligible to submit a portfolio for evaluation, the student must have successfully completed ENGU 103, or its equivalent, and LBSU 305. The learning documented in the portfolio must match an appropriate CUC course, and a separate portfolio is required for each 3 credit hours attempted. Each portfolio is evaluated by a subject matter specialist who determines whether the learning demonstrated with the documented training and experience meets the learning objectives of the identified course. If the portfolio meets the standards established for the course, credit is awarded. These credit hours are acceptable for completion of a baccalaureate degree at CUC. Acceptance of such units for transfer to other institutions is solely at the discretion of that institution. Students interested in portfolio assessment should meet with a PLA advisor to see if they are a good candidate for the program. Separate fees apply for each portfolio submitted.
Students enrolled in 12 or more credits in a semester are considered "full-time". Students enrolled in 6-11.5 credits in a semester are considered "half-time". Chapman University College strongly advises that students taking more than 6 credits in any one session consult with their academic advisor/faculty.
Chapman students are classified according to the number of academic semester credits they have completed. Students who have completed 29.9 credits or fewer are considered freshmen; 30 to 59.9 credits, sophomores; 60 to 89.9 credits, juniors; and 90 credits and above, seniors.
Until the fall semester, 1971, lower-division courses were numbered 1 through 99; upper-division courses, 100 through 199; and graduate courses, 200 and above. Unless otherwise indicated on the transcript, courses numbered 100-199 gave graduate credits to students who were admitted to graduate standing.
Beginning in the fall semester, 1971, courses are numbered as follows:
001-099 Non-credit courses, e.g. certain remedial courses or continuing education courses not carrying credit;
100-299 Lower-division courses of freshman and sophomore level; freshman level 100-199 and sophomore level 200-299;
300-399 Upper-division courses of junior and senior level which do not give graduate credit;
400-499 Upper-division courses of junior and senior level which may give graduate credit for graduate students, depending on program;
500-599 Graduate courses for graduate students and seniors by consent of department chair;
600-699 Graduate courses for graduate students only;
700-799 Post-master's/doctoral courses;
800-999 Professional coursework;
0001-0999 Professional coursework;
8000-8999 Professional coursework;
9000-9999 Professional coursework.
Students must notify the University of any change of address. This can be done via WebAdvisor or through the local campus.
Students wishing to transfer from one University College campus to another must submit a Campus Transfer Request form to the new campus. The new campus will request a copy of the student file.
Class attendance policies are determined by each instructor and shall be included on the course outline distributed during the first week of each class. The University recommends as a minimal policy that students who are absent 20% of the course should be failed.
Students register for each session via WebAdvisor or at their campus location. Registration is not complete until all charges are paid or arrangements for payment have been made with the Student Business Services staff by the add/drop deadline. Students who wish to register after the add deadline, must petition and pay a late registration fee if approved. See academic calendar for registration deadlines.
To add a class, a student must do so through WebAdvisor or submit an Add/Drop form to the campus by the end of the first week of the session.
To drop a class a student must do so through WebAdvisor or submit an Add/Drop form to the campus by the end of the second week of the session. Drops that are officially processed prior to or by the end of the second week will not appear on the student's transcripts. After the second week of the session, student that wish to withdraw from a course must do so by the end of the seventh week, either via WebAdvisor or by submission of an add/drop form. A grade of "W" will appear on the student's transcripts indicating the withdrawal. Students cannot drop a course beyond the seventh week of the session. It is the student's responsibility to officially withdraw from a course. Failure to attend a course does not constitute a withdrawal from a course. Students who stop attending courses without officially withdrawing will receive an "FW" (failure to withdraw). A grade of "FW" is calculated as 0.0 in student's grade point average.
Students who do not attend a class during the first two weeks of classes will be administratively dropped, unless they make arrangements with the instructor prior to the first day of class. Students should not assume that nonattendance will automatically result in an administrative drop. To avoid financial obligation to the University it is the responsibility of the student to verify that he/she has been dropped from the course by completing an Add/Drop form, or by dropping courses via WebAdvisor.
Students who do not attend a class during the first two weeks of classes will be administratively dropped, unless they make arrangements with the instructor prior to the first day of class. Contact may be made in-person, by mail, email, fax, telephone or WebAdvisor. A student who stops attending classes without notifying the University will receive a grade of FW" (failure to withdraw). A grade of "FW" is equivalent to a failing ("F") grade and is calculated as such when determining grade point averages.
Students must officially withdraw before the end of the seventh week of classes in order to avoid being responsible for a grade in their classes. Although a student will be unable to receive a "W" grade, financial aid recipients who wish to withdraw after the seventh week should contact the Office of the Registrar in order to retain their financial aid for the session in which they are withdrawing.
Students may find it necessary to interrupt progress during their course of study, leave Chapman and decide to return at a later date. Students who leave the University in good standing and return within ten consecutive sessions, do not need to reapply, and will retain the program requirements of their designated catalog year.
The University may require students to adopt the catalog year program requirements at the time of their return if a program has become impacted or changed by external regulatory agencies.
If students take coursework during their absence from the University, they must provide transcripts of that coursework to the Registrar's Office prior to their return. Non-satisfactory performance or issues of academic integrity may nullify the student's eligibility to return.
Students returning after a ten consecutive session absence from the University are required to submit a full application for re-admission and must meet all current admission entrance requirements.
All grades are on a 4.0 scale
A = 4.0 |
C = 2.0 |
A- = 3.7 |
C- = 1.7 |
B+ = 3.3 |
D+ = 1.3 |
B = 3.0 |
D = 1.0 |
B- = 2.7 |
D- = 0.7 |
C+ = 2.3 |
F = 0.0 |
I (plus a grade) is given when the student has been unable to complete the requirements of the course owing to illness or other extenuating circumstances. When entered it is calculated as the grade the student will earn if the incomplete is not removed within the time prescribed by the instructor. (IA, IA-,IB+,IB,IB-,IC+,IC,IC-,ID+,ID,ID-, INP)
W signifies that a student has withdrawn from a course in the prescribed manner.
FW is assigned at the instructor's discretion to students who cease attending part way through the session without submitting a Change of Program form to withdraw. It is computed in the grade point average as an "F".
P is for Pass, a grade given for satisfactory completion of a course. Grade points are not assigned and it is not computed in the grade average.
NP is for No Pass, a grade given when the requirements for credit in the course have not been satisfied. Courses taken with this grade are not calculated in the student's grade point average but are considered by the Academic Standards Subcommittee regarding student continuance.
SP is for Satisfactory Progress. This grading symbol is used to indicate a student is progressing toward the completion of a course which does not end by the normal session ending date or of a thesis or project. It is never a final grade. Upon completion of the course or thesis project, the SP grade is replaced with a letter grade, HP, P, or NP grading symbol. No grade points are assigned for HP, P, or NP grades.
AU is for audited coursework. No grade or credit is awarded to students for auditing, and courses are not used in computing the grade point average.
NR is for Not Reported, indicating that the instructor has not submitted the final grade, therefore no credits or grade points can be calculated for this course.
R on the transcript indicates a repeated course (highest grade calculated in GPA).
Students may select Pass/No Pass as a grading option at the time they initially register for courses via WebAdvisor. Certain courses require letter grades only, while certain courses allow only Pass/No Pass as the grading option. Such restrictions are noted in the course description.
Undergraduates may take up to 6 semester credits of coursework per year on a Pass/No Pass basis, excluding courses offered only on a pass/no pass basis. Students should consult with their advisor regarding the choice of P/NP for courses in the major.
After initial registration in a course, in order to change the grading to P/NP, students must submit a change of grading request via Chapman email to the Registrar's Office at registrars@chapman.edu by the end of the seventh week of the session. Once a course is graded students cannot request a change in grading option.
P grades are granted if the student earned an equivalent to "C" or above in the course. NP grades are given if the student earned an equivalent to "C-" or below. In either case, grade points are not assigned and the grade is not computed in the student's grade point average.
Students who take a course Pass/No Pass, cease attending part way through the semester and fail to withdraw will receive an "FW" grade.
Students may audit a class if they choose to do so. No credit is earned from audited classes. A grade of "AU" is assigned to audited classes, which is not used in computing the grade point average. Course requisites are enforced in determination of registration eligibility for the course. Audit fees may be assessed. It is strongly recommended that students confer with their advisor prior to officially auditing a course.
Students may select Audit as an option at the time they initially register for courses via WebAdvisor. After initial registration in a course, in order to change the grading basis to an Audit students must submit a change of grading system form to the Registrar's Office by the end of the seventh week. Changes in grading basis cannot be done via WebAdvisor. Students may not change a grading system from an Audit to a letter grade. Course requirements such as homework, exams and papers are not graded by the instructor for students who are auditing a class.
Any undergraduate-level course numbered 100 - 499 at Chapman may be repeated to improve the grade. The lower grade remains on the record with a notation that the course has been repeated. Only the higher grade and credit are computed in the cumulative grade point average. Credit is given only once for a repeated course, except as noted in the course description. It is recommended that a course be repeated as soon as practical if it is to be taken for a higher grade. In exercising this option, an undergraduate student must repeat the course at Chapman University College. If the content of a course accepted in transfer is duplicated by coursework taken at Chapman, credit for the transferred course will be removed from the student record. Both the Chapman grade and the transfer grade will be calculated within the cumulative grade point average.
Instructors may issue a grade of Incomplete only when the major portion of a course has been completed satisfactorily, but health or other emergency reasons prevent the student from finishing all requirements in the course. The Incomplete process may not be used for a student to improve a grade or receive extra time to complete requirements. During careful consultation with the student, the instructor will determine the deadline for all work to be completed and submitted, which shall be no longer than one year from the date the Incomplete was issued. The approved Incomplete and deadline will be recorded in the course grading system. The student is responsible for knowing the deadline and the requirements for course completion.
When issuing an incomplete grade, instructors will issue the grade the student would have earned by assessing scores on all graded requirements, preceded by an "I" (e.g. IC-, ID+). This grade is determined by including zero points for the missing assignment(s) in the calculation of the final grade. If the agreed upon course work is not completed in the period allotted and an extension has not been granted, the initial grade issued, without the "I", will become the grade of record. If the instructor determines that the student would receive an "F" grade based upon the zero point calculation, then an "I" is entered as the final grade, with zero credit given and no grade points calculated. "I" grades will become "F" or "NP" if the agreed upon coursework is not completed in the period allotted. For final grades other than "I" (e.g. IC-, ID+), students will receive credit for the course at the time the initial grade is entered. The initial grade is calculated in both the term and cumulative GPA, to be updated if and when the subsequent grade is submitted.
Reading and conference courses are offered only when absolutely necessary to senior or graduate students with a Chapman University grade point average of at least 2.75. The courses may be taken only for the purpose of meeting graduation or credential requirements by students who could not meet the requirements because of circumstances beyond their control. They are not offered to resolve scheduling conflicts with other classes, or work, or to complete a schedule. To enroll in reading and conference courses, students must obtain a Request for Course by Reading and Conference form from their campus. A minimum of 5 hours of instruction for each credit is required for reading and conference courses.
Independent study and research is offered to upper-division and graduate students with overall grade point averages of at least 3.0 "B", to research particular topics that are not provided by regular curriculum offerings. To enroll in independent study and research, a student must obtain an Independent Study and Research form from their campus. A minimum of 5 hours of instructor-student contact for each hour of credit is required. Students should spend 40 to 50 hours in instruction and research for each credit of independent study.
As a community of scholars, Chapman University College emphasizes the mutual responsibility of all members to seek knowledge honestly and in good faith. Students are responsible for doing their own work, and academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated anywhere in the University. In order to safeguard the conditions under which scholarship is performed, measured, and evaluated, the following will serve to define academic dishonesty, to identify procedures for hearing cases involving academic integrity violations, and to give suggested guidelines for sanctions according to the offense.
Academic dishonesty can take a number of forms. It includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test or examination; claiming the work of another as your own; plagiarizing any paper, research project, or assignment; or falsely submitting material to fulfill course requirements.
Cheating includes unauthorized copying from the work of another student, with or without that student's consent, using notes or other unauthorized material during a test period, and giving or receiving assistance from another when it is expected the student will perform his or her own work.
Falsifying data to show either the process or the product of scholarly examination to be different from what actually occurred is also considered dishonest. This includes falsely reporting attendance or participation in any field-work experience.
Students may not submit work done in one course to satisfy the requirements of another course, unless both instructors agree beforehand to accept such work. Forged or altered documents may not be presented. This includes transcripts, add/drop forms, or any academic form which has been falsified or on which a professor's signature, or anyone else's signature, has been forged or altered.
Failure to report any previous academic work at another college or University is considered a violation of academic integrity.
In cases involving academic integrity violations, the appropriate action is initiated by the course instructor. If the instructor believes a student has violated the University standards, the following action should be taken:
In all cases of alleged violations of academic integrity it is vital to maintain confidentiality. None of the parties involved should discuss the issue outside the above procedures.
Dismissal for a violation of academic integrity will be noted on the transcript.
Faculty members are responsible for ensuring an effective learning environment for all students in their classes, which encourages active student participation, including the right to raise questions and challenge information. Hence, faculty members also have the responsibility and authority to maintain appropriate student behavior. Classes are defined as including laboratories, internships, field placements, or any settings that can be designated as a learning environment, such as travel studies and field trips.
Consequently, if a student is considered to be threatening or disruptive in the classroom, behaves in a way that interferes with the learning of other students, or refuses to fulfill the academic requirements of the course, the faculty member has the right to have the student who demonstrates such behavior removed from the class, either by administrative withdrawal or by making arrangements for the student to complete the requirements in absentia.
The faculty member should immediately report the matter to the Dean and Campus Director. Refer to student conduct code for hearing procedure.
Faculty/Instructors have the final authority in assigning student grades except for cases involving clear evidence of capricious grading or failure to follow the professional standards of a discipline or field. All requests for review of grade must be filed within 30 days from the date that the grade was posted in WebAdvisor.
Faculty/Instructors may change final grades after submission to the Registrar's Office only for clerical error. Once a grade is submitted, additional work may not be assigned to enable the student to receive a higher grade.
However, a student who believes he or she has received a grade that is capricious or based on standards that are not in line with the professional standards of a discipline or field must contact the faculty/instructor for an explanation of the grade and for possible reconsideration.
If, after meeting with the faculty/instructor, the grade dispute is not resolved, the student may submit a written request for review by the Dean. If the Dean finds merit in the student's request, the Dean will review the grade assignment with both the student and faculty/instructor and determine the final grade. If necessary, the Dean will notify the Office of the Registrar of a change in grade.
At the end of Grade Review Process, each student has the right of an academic appeal. Appeal of the Dean's decision regarding grade review are made to the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs. Students must file their appeal with the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs within 30 days after receipt of notification of the decision rendered by the Dean.
The appeal must state the reasons for the request and provide evidence that the student has attempted to find remedy by discussing the matter with the faculty/instructor and the Dean. Specific and credible evidence that a grade in the course may have been assigned capriciously or outside the professional standards of a field or discipline must be provided.
The decision of the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs is final and binding.
A degree seeking undergraduate student whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 after two enrolled sessions at Chapman University College will be placed on probation. Students on academic probation will be expected to consult with their advisor for guidance and assistance regarding improving their academic status. When placed on probation, a student must obtain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher at the end of the third enrolled session of probation status. Failure to do so may result in dismissal.
(Veterans: see Veteran's section of the catalog regarding academic probation and dismissal)
Any student on probation whose cumulative GPA has not reached at least a 2.0 at the end of the third enrolled session of probation status is subject to academic dismissal from the university. The CUC Academic Standards Committee will review such cases and will make a recommendation to the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs. The decision of the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs will be final and binding.
The action of dismissal will be placed on the official transcript. A student who has been dismissed will be administratively withdrawn from the university and may not continue coursework.
Academic Probation and Dismissal policies are separate from and in addition to policies governing dismissal for violating academic integrity or dismissal for inappropriate student behavior.
Students seeking to be readmitted may do so after one year by petitioning the CUC Academic Standards Committee. The CUC Academic Standards Committee will review such cases and will make a recommendation to the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs. All students who return after academic dismissal will be placed in a probation status.
A petition is a request to waive an academic policy, procedure, or ruling.
Students may file a petition to request an exception to a Chapman University College policy, procedure, or ruling. Students must explain fully why the University should act favorably on the petition, citing any exceptional conditions, mitigating circumstances, and/or conditions beyond the student's control. Copies of documentation to support the student's claim must be provided.
Petitions to exception to CUC Policy will be reviewed by the Academic Standards Subcommittee. Requests regarding curricular issues within a student's major (i.e. course transfer, course articulations, course substitutions, etc.) will be reviewed and decisions rendered by the Dean. Petitions regarding general education curricular issues outside of students' major will be reviewed by the Academic Standards Subcommittee.
Appeals to the decisions of the Academic Standards subcommittee and the Dean are made to the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs. See Academic Appeals and Deadline section.
An appeal is a review of a petition decision based on unfair process, discrimination, or bias. It is not a reconsideration of the merits of the decision.
Each student has the right of academic appeal. Appeals of the Academic Standards Subcommittee and the Dean decisions are made to the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs.
Students who are dissatisfied with the action taken on by the Academic Standards Subcommittee or the Dean have a maximum of 30 days after receipt of notification to appeal to the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs.
Requests from the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affair's Office for additional information must be provided by the student to the University within 30 days of receipt of request; failure to provide documentation will result in a denial of the appeal.
The Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs will review the case for appropriate procedure and fairness. The Vice Chancellor of Academic Affair's decision is final and binding.
A student with high academic achievement throughout his or her University career may be awarded Latin honors. To be eligible to graduate with Latin honors, the student must have a Chapman grade point average and cumulative grade point average, including all transfer work, at or above the specific honors category. In addition, a minimum of 54 credits must be Chapman coursework, taken for a letter grade.
Categories of honors are cum laude (3.5 GPA); magna cum laude (3.7 GPA); and summa cum laude (3.9 GPA).
Although a student may have completed all requirements, graduation is not automatic. Every degree candidate is required to file an Application for Degree Conferral with the Office of the Registrar and pay the appropriate fee. If the student should fail to complete requirements by the intended graduation date, the student must immediately request a future graduation date or the application will automatically be rolled forward to the next degree conferral date, but no more than four times. If a student should fail to complete requirements by the fourth roll forward date and has not requested the application be forwarded to a future date, then a new Application for Degree Conferral must be filed along with the appropriate fee. Submission of the Application is done via WebAdvisor. For information and application deadlines go to www.chapman.edu/RegOffice/default.asp Chapman confers degrees for University College students 5 times during the academic year. See the academic calendar for dates. All degree requirements, including but not limited to incompletes, internships, JWP, missing grades, etc. must be completed by the last day of the month in which the degree is to be conferred. Work completed at external institutions must be received on or before the conferral date in order to be considered in meeting degree requirements.
Formal university commencement ceremonies are held in the Spring. To participate in ceremonies students must file a "Commencement Attendance Reply." To be eligible for participation, at the time of the application deadline students must have filed an Application for Degree Conferral, and the student's official program evaluation must indicate that the student is on course to satisfactorily complete all degree requirements (including comprehensive examination, thesis/project, internships, and practicums) by the end of the summer session of that year. Students' receiving degrees subsequent sessions are entitled to participate in the following Spring commencement ceremonies.
Diplomas are mailed out approximately two to four weeks after the date of conferral of the degree. This allows time for confirmation from the Registrar's Office that all degree requirements have been met. Under no circumstances will a diploma be released prior to the conferral date.
Transcripts from other institutions which have been presented for admission or evaluation become part of the student's academic file and are not returned or copied for distribution.
Diplomas or copies of transcripts will not be released to any student with an unpaid balance to Chapman or a Chapman-sponsored agency. Presently enrolled students may print unofficial copies of transcripts at any time via WebAdvisor. Official transcripts are issued only through WebAdvisor or Student National Clearinghouse. Contact the Registrar homepage: www.chapman.edu/RegOffice/default.asp or office for further processing and fee information.