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Academic Policies

Orientation

Traditional

An orientation program for new students is held at the beginning of each semester. During the orientation process, the student is introduced to its code of honor, customs, traditions, ideals, academic code of conduct, and regulations. Attendance at an appropriate orientation program is required of all new students.

Online

Upon acceptance into one of our online programs the student is automatically registered in a manditory and free orientation course.  This course is accessed through our digital community Blackboard and remains open for the duration of the students education at Centenary College.  This is an excellent resource for students to learn what common practices are used during their courses and to assist the student in becoming proficient in navigating the online institution. Students may also use this course to ask any questions they may have throughout their program.  Each orientation is closely monitored by a Program Advisor assigned to the student's cohort.

Registration

Traditional

Registration for new students and returning students takes place at the beginning of each semester on the dates to be set forth in the Academic Calendar.

Online Cohorts & Accelerated Programs

Upon acceptance into a program the student is automatically registered in the courses required to complete that program.  Payment information and procedures for these programs can be found here.

Withdrawals

Traditional

Traditional students who withdraw from a course(s) after the first two days during the first week of the semester will have a grade of "W" (withdrew) posted on their transcripts. 

Online

Online students who withdraw within the first two weeks of a class will have a grade of "W" (withdrew) posted on their transcript.  If a student withdraws from a class after the date posted on the Academic or Cohort Calendar allowing for withdrawals, an automatic grade of "F" will be recorded.

1. Online students will email the form to the Student Advisor for processing. Also, please include a brief statement indicating when he/she last attended class and which class or cohort he/she will be returning to.
2. Traditional students will obtain the add/drop form from the Registrar's Office and have the form completed and returned to the office. The student will also be responsible for informing the Registrar's Office as to which class or cohort they will be returning to.

Grading Systems

The value of grades may generally be described as follows:

A	Excellent
B	Good
C	Average
D	Below Average
F	Failure
AU	Audit (no credit)
I	Incomplete
MD	Medical Excuse
W	Withdrawal

Pluses and minuses may be used in reporting grades and they are computed in the grade average. Their use is optional with the instructor.

Determination of Grades

Each instructor is responsible for determining the grading and examination policy for his/her class. This policy includes how the instructor arrives at the semester grade for each student, the proportion of the grade given for papers, test, hourly exams, semester examinations, or other requirements of his/her course.

Once grades are posted in the Registrar’s Office, they are considered final and cannot be changed by the instructor unless there was an error in the posting or calculation of a specific grade.

Calculation of Grade Point Average

Averages for all students are determined by the point scale as follows:

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

The average is computed by dividing the total number of credit hours attempted into the total number of quality points earned.

Incompletes

An incomplete is not computed in the grade point average. When the course is completed, the cumulative average will be recalculated, replacing the "I" with the value for the grade received. A grade of "I" must be completed within two weeks of the start of the next semester; otherwise a permanent grade of "F" will be recorded for the course(s).

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes. It is especially important for students to attend classes during the first week of each semester.

An instructor may lower a student’s grade due to excess absences, because the student’s presence and participation are important in completing the work of the class and achieving success in the course.

Grievance of a Grade

1. A student must first make an appointment with the instructor in question to discuss the matter in which the grading policy was administered;

2. If still dissatisfied, the student must then make an appointment with Director of Certificate Program to discuss the issue in an attempt to resolve the conflict;

3. If still dissatisfied, the student then must file an appeal in writing with the Director of Certificate Program. The written appeal must clearly state the reason for the request and provide, when appropriate, supporting documentation. Grade appeals will not be heard by the Director of Certificate Program unless they are based on misapplication or arbitrary application of an instructor’s grading policy. All appeals must be filed no later than six (6) weeks after final grades have been sent to the students.

The grievance application form may be picked up in the Director’s office.

Dismissal from the College

Any student who displays a systematic pattern of failure to maintain proper academic progress in one or more semesters, who is on probation for two consecutive academic semesters, or who violates the College’s "Academic Code of Conduct" may be academically dismissed from the College by the Director of the program.

Dismissals from the College for academic reasons are noted on a student’s transcript: "Academic Dismissed."

A student who has been dismissed by the Director may appeal in writing. Letters requesting an appeal must be postmarked or received by the College on or before but no later than fifteen (15) calendar days of the date on the letter of dismissal. Letters of appeal must state the reason for the appeal and, where possible, should be accompanied by appropriate documentation. The decision of the President is final. A second dismissal is final.

Academic Code of Conduct

As an academic community, Centenary College endorses the pursuit of knowledge through open and honest discourse. Therefore, the College expects students to conduct themselves honestly in all academic activities. Any action which comprises this integrity or otherwise attempts to discredit the knowledge a student has acquired is inappropriate and unacceptable.

Through continued participation in the academic code of conduct, students demonstrate respect for Centenary’s commitment to academic excellence. It is the intent of the College faculty and trustee that each student acknowledges and adheres to the code.

1. Plagiarism is knowingly copying published or unpublished without acknowledging the source.
2. Duplicate course assignment is submitting the same assignment without the instructor’s approval for more than one course, or submitting an assignment based on another student’s work.
3. Collusion is working with one or more students without the approval of the instructor to complete a project that is expected to be the result of individual effort.
4. Unacceptable classroom conduct includes:
   1. disruptive and disrespectful behavior;
   2. cheating during examinations and laboratory projects by sharing material, looking at another’s work, use of unauthorized books, sources, or memory aids, and/or communicating verbally or nonverbally in order to attain assistance;
   3. other types of inappropriate actions that impede the learning process.
5. Falsifying information is intentionally giving fraudulent information for the purpose of (a) avoiding negative sanctions; (b) seeking special privileges; (c) assisting another in these purposes.
6. Computer interference is causing damage to or disruption of on-line databases housed on campus, including piracy of copyright material and inappropriate duplication of computer disk information.

Sanctions for the violation of the “Academic Code of Conduct” are determined by the instructor, but they are limited to academic sanctions pertaining to the course in question as stated in the syllabus.

Transcripts

The College issues two types of transcripts - unofficial (given to the student) an official (issued directly to a college or an employer) upon written request of the student or alumni. The official transcript bears the College Seal. Request for transcripts should be directed to the Registrar’s Office. No transcript will be issued unless a student’s final account has been paid in full.

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