Mar 29, 2024  
2008-2010 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2008-2010 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Academic Policies


 

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Undergraduate Degree Requirements

The undergraduate degree requirements for all students include a Core Curriculum and the opportunity to concentrate in one or more major fields of study, as well as one or more minor or certificate programs. The core requirements are designed to help prepare students to be as well-rounded and broadly educated citizens of the 21st century.

Major and minor programs afford students the opportunity to pursue areas of particular interest in greater depth. Normally, for a major, a student must pursue a structured sequence of 10 or more courses within a particular discipline or group of disciplines. For a minor, a student normally completes a sequence of six or seven courses within a single department or program. Requirements for each of the College’s major, minor, and certificate programs are detailed in this catalog.

Core Curriculum Requirements

   

a. Development of Western Civilization (DWC)

20 credits

b. Social Science

6 credits

c. Natural Science

6 credits

d. Philosophy (3 credits must be in ethics) 

6 credits

e. Theology

6 credits

(one course from THL Group I and one course from THL Group II)

f. Mathematics

3 credits

g. Fine Arts

3 credits

h. English Proficiency

(see below)

i. Non-Departmental Electives:

9 credits

Courses approved for fulfillment of specific Core Curriculum requirements are noted as part of their respective course descriptions in this catalog. For a complete list of courses that may fulfill the College’s Core Curriculum requirements, please refer to each semester’s Course Registration Booklet.

Natural Science Core Requirement:

Please note that students may fulfill the natural science requirement in one of two ways:

  1. by completing a two-semester sequence (as approved), or
     
  2. by completing two individual courses, one course from Group I and one from Group II (as approved).

Exception:

Elementary education majors are NOT allowed to take a two-semester sequence. They MUST complete two individual courses. Prior to registration, students should consult with their education advisor to make certain they have selected two courses that fulfill the certification requirements.

English Proficiency:

All undergraduates must demonstrate proficiency in writing by the end of the sophomore year, as part of the College’s Core Curriculum requirements.

Proficiency can be demonstrated in the following ways:

  1. Advanced Placement Exam in English: Students who enter Providence College with an AP English score of four (4) or better are granted proficiency.
     
  2. Transfer students who have successfully completed a college-level expository writing course* will be granted proficiency when the course credits are accepted by Providence College.

    *Articulated as the equivalent of ENG 101, 175, 201, or 207.
     
  3. All students who score 540 or below on their verbal SAT scores are designated to take ENG 101 Freshman Writing Seminar by the end of the sophomore year. Successful completion of this course will demonstrate proficiency.
     
  4. Students who have scored above 540 on the verbal SAT and who wish to take an English course during their first semester may earn proficiency by taking one of these three courses:

ENG 175 Introduction to Literature
ENG 201 Readings in Literature
ENG 207 Readings in Dramatic Literature
(generally reserved for students interested in exploring English as a major)

The course instructor makes final determination of English Proficiency in ENG 175, ENG 201, and ENG 207.

  1. Students who have scored above 540 on the verbal SAT and who do NOT register for one of these courses during their first semester must take the EPE (English Proficiency Exam). Students may attempt the exam twice during the semester. Students whose EPE essays are successful will be granted proficiency. Those who are not successful after two attempts will be required to take ENG 101 in a subsequent semester. Those students who do not take the EPE are expected to take ENG 101 by the end of the sophomore year.

Selection or Change of Major/Minor

  1. Exploration of Majors
    Providence College encourages students to explore various majors before making a commitment to a particular major. Trained advisors are assigned to such undeclared students to help them in selecting an appropriate major. Freshmen may enter Providence College as undeclared, and any freshmen or sophomores may become undeclared if they have doubts about the major that they have selected. Students are not permitted to remain undeclared beyond the sophomore year. It is recommended that students declare their majors by early March of the sophomore year in order to facilitate academic advisement and course registration procedures for the following fall semester.
     
  2. Selection of Major
    Students are responsible for the preparation of a satisfactory program of study developed in conformity with the requirements contained in this catalog. The program should be planned in consultation with the department concerned. Faculty advisors act only in an advisory capacity, helping students to conform to the academic requirements set forth in the official catalog. Moreover, students are responsible for understanding and meeting the graduation requirements of their academic programs. Any modification of the application of any major department or program rule or regulation can be made only by securing written approval of the academic department chairperson or program director, along with final authorization from the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies. All students must officially declare a major prior to the beginning of the junior year.
     
  3. Selection of Minor/Certificate Program
    Students whose academic interests extend beyond their major discipline may enroll in an approved minor or certificate program. Such a program, which normally consists of six (6) or seven (7) courses of at least three (3) credits per course outside of a student’s major, includes specific requirements as determined by individual academic departments or programs. Students desiring to explore minor or certificate program options should confer with the appropriate department offering the specific minor program. Students must obtain the “Academic Program Adjustment Form” from the Office of Enrollment Services/Academic Records. This form must be completed and returned to the Office of Enrollment Services/Academic Records for processing. Formal declaration of the minor or certificate program should be in place no later than the end of the fall semester of the senior year, unless otherwise stipulated.
     
  4. Change of Major
    Students desiring to change from one major to another must obtain an “Academic Program Adjustment Form” from the Office of Enrollment Services/Academic Records. Students are expected to consult with their new academic department chairperson or program director to review all previously completed course work and to determine their plan for completing all remaining degree requirements. The “Academic Program Adjustment Form” must be completed and returned by the student to the Office of Enrollment Services/Academic Records.

Special Curricular Programs

Students whose academic, intellectual, or vocational needs cannot be met within the normal departmental structure are encouraged to formulate curricular programs that meet their unique needs. Possible options available are:

  1. The Double Major
    This program requires students to complete all the requirements of two academic departments. The “Academic Program Adjustment Form” may be obtained at the Office of Enrollment Services/Academic Records and, when completed and signed by the appropriate department chairpersons, returned to the Office of Enrollment Services/Academic Records. In cases in which one major would confer the bachelor of science degree and the other would confer the bachelor of arts degree, the student will earn one diploma noting both degrees. The student’s transcript will be annotated to show that the student completed a double major, e.g., physics/philosophy.
     
  2. Individualized Studies Major
    Students in good academic standing who wish to pursue a course of study not defined in any of the established majors in the College have the option to develop an individualized studies major which is usually interdisciplinary in nature. In order to develop an individualized studies major to be considered for approval by the College faculty, students must proceed as follows:

    1. Student will meet with the dean of his/her class year to discuss the proposed individualized studies major and review the required forms to be submitted for the review of the proposal for the major.
       
    2. Student will identify at least two full-time members of the Ordinary Faculty who will constitute a committee to sponsor the proposed course of study, approve the selection of courses that meet the breadth and depth expectations of all individualized studies majors, and monitor the completion of the course of study.
       
    3. Student and faculty members will meet together as a committee to complete the proposal. Supporting documentation must include the student’s typed proposal outlining overview and rationale for the program, proposed course of study, fulfillment of College requirements, and estimated completion calendar. In addition, recommendations by all faculty sponsors involved in the program must be submitted, along with forms acknowledging the proposal’s review by appropriate academic department chairs.
       
    4. Student will meet with the academic department chairs of those departments in which the program’s faculty sponsors hold appointment. Department chairs will have the opportunity to review and comment on the proposed program and will be asked to identify any issues (e.g., course availability) that may prevent the student from completing the program in a timely manner.
       
    5. Student will arrange an appointment to meet again with the dean of his/her class year. Student will submit his/her completed individualized studies major proposal to the dean for review.
       
    6. If the dean agrees that the proposal satisfies the minimum requirements for all individualized studies majors (e.g., fulfillment of all Core Curriculum and general education requirements, minimum of 10 courses from two or more disciplines, identification of courses to be used in determining major GPA, at least two-thirds upper-division courses for major, a course of study not possible within existent programs, faculty sponsorship), s/he will forward the proposal to the Committee on Studies for review.

Normally, the student will submit a proposal for an individualized studies major no later than the beginning of the spring semester of the sophomore year. For more information, please consult with the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.

Specialized Assistance

Students who declare double majors or individualized programs should seek advice from all involved departments or programs.

General Degree Requirements

All students must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the bachelor’s degree:

  1. A minimum of 116 earned credit hours.* At least 36 courses with a minimum value of three credits each must be completed.
     
  2. A minimum 2.00 (4.0 scale) cumulative quality point average (i.e., overall grade point average, “GPA”) in the major or minor if applicable.*

*Some majors/programs may have higher credit-hour and/or GPA requirements.

  1. A minimum of 24 upper-division credits in the major, with a minimum 2.00 GPA in all required courses within the major.
     
  2. Normally, unless otherwise stipulated, or with permission of the department chair or program director, students may not begin their senior year in any major in which they have not achieved a 2.0 cumulative average in their major subject(s).
     
  3. Students are responsible for meeting the graduation requirements of their major curriculum. Modification of any departmental rule can be made only with written approval of the chair of the department or program director in consultation with the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.
     
  4. At least half of the courses/credits required for the major, minor, or certificate program must be successfully completed at Providence College or through an officially affiliated program. Some academic programs may require more than half of their requirements to be completed at Providence College.
     
  5. Undergraduate students must spend at least eight semesters in full-time attendance, unless the period is reduced by advanced standing credit from another institution as reviewed and approved by the dean of undergraduate studies. The College reserves the right to allow graduation at the completion of seven semesters following the successful petition by students to the Committee on Academic Status with the subsequent approval of the vice president for academic administration.

In order to be considered students in full-time attendance, students must attempt a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester. All students must spend their junior and senior years in full-time attendance at the College in order to graduate. Under the title of “Special Student,” individuals are permitted to register in a non-matriculated status.

Credit-Hour Requirements

All students are normally required to enroll in four courses that are three credits or more per semester in their freshman and sophomore years and five courses that are three credits or more per semester in their junior and senior years.

The value of each course is stated in terms of credit hours. A credit hour requires the equivalent of one classroom period of 50 minutes or a laboratory period of from one to four hours per week throughout the term.

Each curriculum at Providence College requires that students earn a specific number of credit hours. Students seeking to undertake course credit in excess of the normal number must have the approval of the dean of undergraduate studies. Approval is normally granted only for the purpose of academic enrichment or to rectify deficiencies in credit hours earned, not for the purpose of accelerated advancement of graduation class year status.

Credit-Hour Deficiencies

Enrolling in one or more of the following may make up a deficiency in credit hours that the student has incurred:

  1. An extra course in the undergraduate day school.
     
  2. An approved extra course in the Providence College School of Continuing Education (SCE) or in an approved program.
     
  3. An approved course in a summer school program.
     
  4. An approved course in a winter intersession program.

Authorization for Requirements Substitutions

Courses taken outside of Providence College may only be used to satisfy major or minor program requirements with written permission of the appropriate department chairperson or program director. Similarly, only courses within Providence College may be used to satisfy Core Curriculum or other general degree requirements, including the normal requirement of eight semesters of full-time attendance. Any exceptions to this policy require the permission of the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.

It should be further noted that only grades of “C” or better are acceptable from summer school or intersession programs not taught at Providence College. Grades from these approved courses will be entered onto the Providence College transcript with a “T” and will not affect the Providence College GPA. Students are financially responsible for all charges incurred through enrollment in summer school or intersession courses.

Changes in Curricular Requirements

The College reserves the right to change the course and credit-hour requirements of any or all academic programs, when such modifications are deemed necessary. All students must comply with the new requirements insofar as such modifications pertain to courses and/or credit hours yet to be completed. Such changes, however, will be made only for the purpose of more fully achieving the objectives of the curriculum.

Course Attendance/Rosters

The Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies asks all instructors to verify the accuracy of their course rosters after the first week of classes. Students reported by instructors as “never attended” will be dropped from such courses. Each student’s schedule is accessible through CyberFriar; students are responsible for making all schedule changes through appropriate and official procedures.

Class Attendance Regulations

Since the College recognizes the importance of class attendance, it reserves to the instructor the right to refer to the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies for appropriate action any student who, because of excessive absence, causes his or her own or the work of the class to suffer. Class attendance is normally mandatory for all students. At the beginning of classes each semester, each instructor will normally announce his/her parameters for excused absences. Individual class attendance policies are often included on the instructor’s class syllabus.

Class Absence Notification Policy

The Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies will provide instructors with notification of anticipated class absences upon student request if one of the following conditions exists:

  1. Documented medical condition or illness where an extended absence is anticipated.
     
  2. Illness or death of immediate family member (parent, grandparent, sibling, child).
     
  3. Student representing Providence College in an official capacity as recognized by the dean of undergraduate studies. Documentation from the appropriate department (athletics, academic department, etc.) may be requested.

If an instructor’s stated attendance policy requires confirmation of a medical excuse for an absence, the instructor will ask the student to obtain such confirmation from the attending health provider (the Student Health Center or other). Privacy regulations require that such confirmation be requested by the student him or herself.

Please note: Instructors and students should be aware that class absence notifications are strictly informational and advisory. Students should plan to meet with their individual instructors to discuss the effect of their class absences on their academic course responsibilities.

Grading

The combined results of examinations, assignments, classroom participation, and general evidence of regular and consistent application determine a student’s standing in each subject. In grading, it is the responsibility of each member of the teaching faculty to give due weight not only to the degree of mastery of the subject matter manifested by the student in examination, but likewise to the degree of originality, correctness in expression, and conformity with approved forms for written assignments. The quality of work is indicated by the grading system.

Quality Grade Points

Quality grade points determine the student’s grade point average (GPA). They are a measure of the quality of course work completed, while credit hours are a measure of each course’s weighted value. For example, a student earns the following grades: 3-credit “A”, 3-credit “B”, 3-credit “C”, and 5-credit “B”. The quality points are computed as 3-credit “A” (12 quality points), 3-credit “B” (9), 3-credit “C” (6), and 5-credit “B” (15). The quality point average is 42 (total quality points) divided by 14 (total averaged credit hours), which equals 3.00. (Note: the “cumulative” quality point average or “cumulative” grade point average includes all courses in the student’s academic record.) See Grade/Quality Points Chart for specific details regarding the number of quality points assigned for specific grades.

Grade/Quality Points Chart

Click here to view  chart

Dean’s List

Full-time students (12 credits minimum) who at the end of the semester have attained an average of 3.55 or better and no grade lower than “C,” and with no incomplete grades (“I” or “NM”), are placed on the Dean’s List for that semester.

Major GPA

All students are expected to earn a minimum 2.00 GPA in their major. Major program GPAs are calculated in the following manner:

  1. includes all courses required specifically for the major, including those offered outside the “home” department or program;
     
  2. includes all courses attempted for the major regardless of grade earned (excluding those subject to course “repeat” policies); and
     
  3. includes only those courses used/attempted in fulfillment of major requirements as specified in the College catalog; in the case of major electives, includes courses used based on chronological order of semester/term taken, but allows individual departments/programs to substitute courses completed later for major elective requirements.

Policy on Incomplete Grades

Students will have until the mid-semester date of the following semester* to complete requirements for any course in which a grade of “I” is given, unless a written agreement, an Incomplete Grade Contract, signed by the student, the faculty member, and the dean of undergraduate studies and filed in the dean’s office by the end of the current exam period stipulates a different timeframe. Until that time, the GPA will be calculated on the basis of the completed courses (although Dean’s List placement and scholarship considerations may depend upon completion of all courses before that date). After the deadline, any remaining “I” grade will be recorded as an “NF,” which will earn 0.00 quality points per credit hour in the GPA (the same as an “F”). After this time, an “NF” can be changed to another (standard) grade only at the request of the faculty member and with the approval of the Committee on Academic Status.

*The deadline for summer school incompletes will be mid-semester of the following fall semester.

Transfer Credit

Please refer to the Admission section for specific information and policies related to transfer credits.

Examinations

Students have a right and an obligation to make up a missed examination if the examination was announced at least one week before its administration. (The term “examination” here means an examination scheduled for the full class period.) For students to avail themselves of the right indicated above, they must present, prior to the examination or within three days after its administration, a serious and verifiable reason why the examination was not taken at the scheduled time.

In the case of announced quizzes of less than a full-class period, students have a right and an obligation to consult with the instructor concerning a possible make-up quiz either prior to the quiz or within three days after its administration. Whether or not a make-up quiz is to be given will be determined by the instructor, with students retaining the right to appeal the instructor’s decision to the departmental chairperson of the particular discipline involved.

Scheduled final examinations in all subjects are held at the close of each semester. Make-ups of missed final examinations must be completed by the mid-semester date of the following semester, unless this deadline is sooner in accordance with an “Incomplete Grade Contract” filed in the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.

The College’s policy on the scheduling of final examinations is highlighted in the Faculty Handbook: “It is understood that all faculty members have certain standard and continuing obligations: … to conduct semester examinations at the time and in the place designated. No change may be made with respect to the hour or locations of these examinations without clearance from the associate dean of enrollment services and the permission of the dean of undergraduate studies, except in the case of individual students who may be given permission by the course instructor to take the semester examination at another time because of illness or other sufficiently serious reason.”

Instructors may not request, and the dean of undergraduate studies will not allow, examinations or classes to be rescheduled during the semester’s designated reading period.

Final Exam Conflict Policy

Students who have three or more final examinations scheduled on the same day are considered to have an exam schedule conflict and may opt to have one of the exams rescheduled to another day during the exam period. Changes should be considered in the following order of priority:

  • courses fulfilling free electives;
  • courses fulfilling core/minor requirements; and
  • courses fulfilling major requirements.

After discussion with their professors, students must submit a written request to the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies no later than two weeks before the last day of classes for the semester. A make-up of a final exam must be taken during the “Conflict Exam Period” on the last day of the semester unless both student and instructor agree on an alternate date and time.

Academic Grievances

The following is the procedure that students must follow if they wish to appeal final course grades or have an academic grievance.

Student Rights

The right to learn, which includes the right of access to ideas, facts, and opinions, the right to express and discuss those and other ideas, facts, and opinions with others in a forum and manner appropriate for a Catholic institution.

Student Process

When a student believes he/she has received an improper academic evaluation, he/she may appeal the grade in the following manner:

  1. The student shall discuss the evaluation with the faculty member.
     
  2. If the student remains dissatisfied, he/she may continue his/her appeal to the department chairperson.
     
  3. If the student feels that his/her problem has not been resolved, he/she may continue his/her appeal to the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.
     
  4. If the student, after completing the above steps, remains dissatisfied, he/she may have recourse to the Academic Appeals Committee. This committee shall be a standing committee of the College consisting of two faculty members selected by the president of the Faculty Senate, two student members appointed by the Student Congress, and two members appointed by the president of the College. The chairperson will be elected by the committee.

Academic Appeals Committee Review

The Academic Appeals Committee’s purpose shall be to hear all appeals concerning academic evaluations and other academic grievances. Appeal to this committee shall be made in the following manner:

  1. A formal written appeal, together with all correspondence and other related material, shall be filed within 60 days after the close of the semester with the chairperson of the Academic Appeals Committee. Any appeal filed later than the 60-day period may be dismissed.
     
  2. The committee shall hear testimony and render a decision in writing no later than 30 days after the hearing.
     
  3. The committee, at its discretion, may seek the aid of qualified personnel, either from within or outside the Providence College academic community.
     
  4. The decision to change a grade remains the prerogative of the faculty member.

Should the recommendation of the committee, however, be favorable to the student and the faculty member refuses to make the change, a notation shall be put on the student’s transcript indicating the committee’s action.

On academic matters other than evaluation, any student or group of students has the right to contact the committee directly and to present his/her/their grievances before it. The instructor or instructors in question will be invited to respond to such grievances as are placed before the committee. The committee’s recommendation will be forwarded with appropriate information to the president of the College for action. Final adjudication, in each case, will be submitted to the dean of undergraduate studies.

Academic Standards

Academic standards are determined at the end of each semester within the academic year. All enrolled students are subject to the following regulations:

  1. Minimum Earned Credits for Normal Progress Toward Degree Completion;
  2. Minimum GPA for Good Standing;
  3. Probation; and
  4. Dismissal.

Good Standing

Students in good academic standing have achieved the minimum cumulative grade point average required for class standing. Students who fall below the minimum earned hours for normal progress toward degree completion are notified of credit deficiencies by the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.

Academic Probation

Academic probation is a warning of severe academic danger. Students placed on probation are prohibited from enrolling in extra courses and from participating in extracurricular activities without the explicit permission of the dean of undergraduate studies. Probation remains in effect until the appropriate cumulative grade point average has been attained by successful completion of courses taken through Providence College (either in day, evening, summer, or winter-session courses). Placement on academic probation becomes part of the student’s official record and is reflected on the student’s official transcript.

Academic Dismissal

Students are dismissed from the College for academic deficiency under one or more of the following circumstances:

  1. The student’s cumulative grade point average is below the relevant standard on the Academic Standards Chart.
     
  2. The student has been placed on academic probation for two successive semesters.

* Minimum Completed Courses 36 total courses with a minimum value of three credits

Semester

 Minimum Earned Hours for Good Standing Minimum Completed Courses* Minimum CGPA For Good Standing Probation (CGPA)

Dismissal

  CGPA Semesters On Probation
End of 1st 14 4 1.60 below 1.60 no dismissal no dismissal
End of 2nd 28 8 1.80 1.580 - 1.799 less than 1.58 two consecutive semester on academic probation
 
End of 3rd 42 12 1.90 1.700 - 1.899 less than 1.70
End of 4th 56 16 1.99 1.800 - 1.989 less than 1.80
End of 5th 71 21 2.00 1.900 - 1.999 less than 1.90
End of 6th 86 26 2.00 1.900 - 1.999 less than 1.90
End of 7th 101 31 2.00 1.900 - 1.999 less than 1.90
End of 8th 116 36 2.00 1.900 - 1.999 less than 1.90

*required to graduate

Student who receive financial aid must comply with federal standards. The above may not reflect those standards.

Procedures Following Academic Dismissal

Appeals of Dismissals

A student dismissed from the College by reason of academic deficiency has the right to a hearing before the Committee on Academic Status to appeal his or her dismissal if the student believes the dismissal is improper. A request for an appeal, which should include the specific reasons why the dismissal is unwarranted, must be made in writing to the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies within the timeframe noted in the letter of dismissal. Failure to appeal within the timeframe stated will, under all but the most extraordinary circumstances, disallow such appeal. If a student appeals the dismissal decision, and the committee grants the appeal, the student will be permitted to return immediately to the College as a full-time, enrolled student; however, certain conditions may be imposed. If a student appeals the dismissal decision and the committee does not grant the appeal, the dismissal decision is final. In this case, the committee will consider the student’s petition for reinstatement.

Petition for Reinstatement

A student dismissed from the College by reason of academic deficiency has the right to file a petition for reinstatement. A petition for reinstatement, which should include the specific reasons why the petition has merit, must be filed in writing to the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies within the time-frame noted in the letter of dismissal; otherwise, the petition will not be heard absent extraordinary circumstances. On a petition for reinstatement, the Committee on Academic Status may, at its discretion, allow a student who has been dismissed to be reinstated in the day school immediately, either in good standing or on probation, as appropriate. Alternatively, the committee may choose to reconsider the petition for reinstatement if and when the student provides evidence of specified academic achievement through course work either in the School of Continuing Education (“SCE”) or at another institution. It may allow a student to be reinstated on academic probation as long as the student is making reasonable progress toward his/her degree. “Reasonable progress” is defined as maintaining a 2.25 GPA/12 credits each semester as monitored by the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies until the student has achieved good academic standing.

If the Committee on Academic Status requires course work at another institution, or at Providence College’s SCE, these courses may be considered for replacement of failed or withdrawn courses, but they may not count toward one of the semesters required for graduation.

The right to petition for reinstatement is limited to two academic dismissals. Students incurring a second dismissal must attend another institution, or Providence College’s SCE, for at least one semester before petitioning for reinstatement. A petition for reinstatement may not follow a third dismissal.

Academic Honesty

Students are expected to abide by the principles of academic integrity and to take full advantage of the College’s academic programs and activities in an honest manner. Specifically, students may not plagiarize, cheat, or collude. Plagiarism is defined as the act of taking the words, ideas, data, illustrative material, or statements of someone else, without full and proper acknowledgment, and presenting them as one’s own. Cheating is the use of improper means or subterfuge to gain credit or advantage. Forms of cheating include the use, attempted use, or improper possession of unauthorized aids in any examination or other academic exercise submitted for evaluation; the fabrication or falsification of data; and misrepresentation of academic or extracurricular credentials. It is also cheating to submit the same work for credit in more than one course, except as authorized in advance by the course instructor. Collusion is assisting or attempting to assist another student in an act of academic dishonesty.

Acts of academic dishonesty are subject to an appropriate penalty. The grade of “F” may be assigned to students found guilty of such acts. The professor of the course in which the infraction occurred will inform the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies of the offense and the action taken. Serious cases or second offenses will be referred to the dean of judicial affairs for adjudication.

Students who earn a failing grade as a result of academic dishonesty may file an appeal with the Academic Appeals Committee (which is charged with the review of any petitions of final grades). Egregious offenses or second offenses against academic honesty renders students liable to dismissal from the College.

Please refer to the Student Handbook and/or contact the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies for more information.

Leave of Absence

In clearly established cases of health, finance, or other good cause necessitating a postponement of the normal academic program, a leave of absence may be granted or required through the dean of undergraduate studies for a period of from one to a maximum of four semesters.

All students returning from a leave of absence must contact the dean of undergraduate studies by December 1 for reactivation for the spring semester and August 1 for reactivation for the fall semester.

All students returning from a medical leave of absence must submit a signed statement from a health care official certifying that the student is able to resume full-time attendance. This statement will be reviewed by the appropriate College official before readmission is granted.

Normally, students on a leave of absence are not expected to be involved in course work that advances their academic status when they return to Providence College. Permission may be granted in individual cases by the dean of undergraduate studies for enrollment in specific courses.

Voluntary Withdrawal from College

Students who wish to voluntarily withdraw from the College are required to make proper notification in person or in writing to the dean of undergraduate studies. Students who voluntarily withdraw can do so only under the following conditions:

  1. A previous discussion of withdrawal must occur with the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies, normally with the dean of undergraduate studies; and
     
  2. The academic record must indicate the student is not eligible for academic, disciplinary, or financial dismissal.

Procedures for readmission may be obtained from the Office of Admission.

Interrupted Program of Study

If a student engaged in undergraduate study leaves the College for a significant period before completing the degree, courses will be counted toward the program of study only if the time period of interrupted study is less than 10 years. That is, the period between the last and present (or new) enrollment does not exceed 10 years.

In special circumstances, courses completed more than 10 years previously may, at the discretion of the appropriate dean, be counted toward a degree, if, in the judgment of the dean, the College’s curricular requirements and the content of those courses have not undergone significant change during the period of interrupted study.

Courses completed 10 or more years previous to any current enrollment will not be counted in the student’s grade point average, unless the appropriate dean has made specific course exemptions from this policy. The transcript will indicate separate sets of courses, those completed 10 or more years previous to a new or continued enrollment and those rostered after the student’s return to the College.

Academic Amnesty

A student applying for readmission to Providence College after a leave of five or more years may present to the dean of undergraduate studies a petition for academic amnesty for academic work completed five or more years previous to the term of readmission.

Academic amnesty, if allowed, will remove from any calculation of the student’s grade point average and from any calculation of courses or credits needed all work that was completed during the period for which academic amnesty has been granted. At the time of the application for readmission, the student must file an application for academic amnesty and must acknowledge in writing that, once academic amnesty has been granted, it will not be rescinded.

Academic amnesty will not be on a course-by-course basis and will apply to all terms and therefore all courses and credits completed at Providence College during the period for which amnesty is granted. Amnesty may not be granted on a selective term-by-term basis. The student must identify the term at which academic amnesty begins; the award of academic amnesty will then cover all course work undertaken from the beginning of the amnesty period to the time of application for readmission.

Academic Internships

Academic-Year Internships

Juniors and seniors in good academic standing are eligible to participate in academic internships, which typically take place over the course of one semester and offer three credit hours. Students may earn no more than six internship credits toward their degrees. An internship is a structured, supervised work situation that enables a student to gain practical experience and exposure to a particular career/professional field. Internships take place in a variety of business, government, and non-profit settings.

Interested students are encouraged to consult with the academic department related to their internship interest and the College internship coordinator in the Office of Career Services.

All students participating in academic internships have both a faculty supervisor and a site supervisor. The academic department/program will assign or assist students in the selection of a faculty supervisor. The faculty supervisor oversees the academic components of the internship while the site supervisor oversees student performance at the internship site.

The specific guidelines for academic internships vary by academic department/program. These guidelines offer details about course registration, prerequisites, faculty supervision, grading, time commitment, requirements, and deadlines. Academic internships typically require a time commitment of 8-12 hours per week at the internship site and may or may not include a weekly seminar. Academic requirements are at the discretion of the academic department/program and/or faculty supervisor.

All students participating in academic internships are required to complete and submit the Learning Agreement for Internships and Field Experiences. The completed form specifies the internship description and learning objectives, and also outlines the responsibilities and requirements of all participating parties.

The Learning Agreement is to be completed by the student in direct consultation with the faculty and site supervisors and submitted to the College internship coordinator in the Office of Career Services no later than the third Friday of the semester of enrollment.

Non-credit internship opportunities are also available and students should consult the College internship coordinator in the Office of Career Services.

Summer Internships

Providence College full-time day students may enroll in a summer internship for academic credit. Rising juniors or seniors are typically eligible and should note the following when considering a summer academic internship:

  1. Students must initiate the process for summer academic internships by meeting with the College internship coordinator in the Office of Career Services to review procedures for course approval and course enrollment, and to obtain the College Learning Agreement for Summer Internships and Field Experiences.
     
  2. Students must also obtain summer course approval from the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.
     
  3. Students are responsible for securing a College faculty member from a department related to the internship to serve as their internship faculty supervisor throughout the term of the internship. Students who are having difficulty securing an internship faculty supervisor should consult with the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.
     
  4. Registration and payment for summer academic internships is processed via the School of Continuing Education (SCE) in Harkins 102.
     
  5. Students are required to complete and submit the Summer Learning Agreement for Internships and Field Experiences form (available from the College internship coordinator). The Learning Agreement should be completed with the assistance of the internship faculty supervisor and the internship site supervisor.
     
  6. All summer internships are three-credit courses. Students will be charged the SCE rate for a three-credit course.
     
  7. Deadlines: The Learning Agreement for Internships and Field Experiences form MUST be completed and submitted to the College internship coordinator within two weeks of the start of the summer internship. All arrangements, including registration for summer academic internship credit, must be made no later than the start of the second SCE Summer Session (third week of June).

NOTE: Certain academic departments/programs may approve fall semester registration for internships that occur in the summer months. The majority of the academic requirements for the internship must occur during the term of registration, (i.e., fall), and not in advance. Faculty supervision in such circumstances begins with the start of the internship in the summer and continues through the following fall semester.

All such arrangements must be made in advance of the start of the summer internship, and the Academic Year Learning Agreement for Internships and Field Experiences form MUST be completed and submitted to the College’s internship coordinator within two weeks of the start of the summer internship. In such cases, the student does not register through SCE.

Graduation Honors

According to the level of excellence of one’s work, a student may graduate with the distinction of cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude as indicated below:

Honors Designation Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
   
cum laude 3.550 - 3.699
magna cum laude 3.700 - 3.849
summa cum laude
3.850 - 4.000

The cumulative grade point average is arrived at by dividing the total number of quality grade points earned by the total number of credit hours attempted. Graduation honors are computed on the student’s eight (8) semesters. However, all honors read at the Academic Awards Ceremony and published in the graduation programs will be based solely on computations through the fall semester prior to the ceremony. All additions to or deletions from the Graduation Honors List will be made following submission of eighth-semester grades.

Transfer students will constitute a special category with regard to honors at graduation. Their designation for honors will be based upon work completed at Providence College.

Graduation honors for students in 3-2 programs and others will be based on the six (6) semesters of work completed at Providence College.

Honor Societies

Providence College has established a local chapter of the following national honor societies. Students accepted into national honor societies will have their membership noted on an official transcript.

Alpha Epsilon Delta

National Honor Society Premedical Students

 

Omicron Delta Epsilon

Economics Honor Society

 

Pi Mu Epsilon

National Mathematics Honor Fraternity

 

Pi Sigma Alpha

National Political Science Honor Society

 
Phi Sigma Tau

Philosophy Honor Society

 
Phi Lambda Upsilon

National Honorary Chemical Society

 
Phi Sigma Iota

International Foreign Languages Honor Society

 
Tau Pi Phi

National Business Administration Honor Society

 
Sigma Delta Pi

National Spanish Honor Society

 
Theta Alpha Phi

National Theatre Arts Honor Society

 
Phi Alpha Theta

International Honor Society in History

 
Psi Chi

National Psychology Honor Society

 
Gamma Kappa Alpha

National Italian Honor Society

 
Kappa Delta Pi

International Honor Society in Education

 
Alpha Delta Mu

Social Work Honor Society

 
Alpha Upsilon Alpha

International Reading Association

 
National Society of Collegiate Scholars Phi Alpha Delta

Law Fraternity, International

 
Chi Alpha Sigma

National College Athlete Honor Society

 
Alpha Sigma Lambda

National Honor Society for Adults in Continuing Education

 
Dirigo

Providence College Student Leadership Honor Society

 
Sigma Pi Sigma

National Physics Honor Society

 
Pi Delta Phi

National French Honor Society

 
Sigma Xi

Scientific Research Honor Society

Course Archive/Reactivation Policy

The College maintains an archive of courses that have not been offered in recent years and are not expected to be offered in the near future. Academic departments/programs may choose to reactivate courses from the archive within 10 years from when last offered upon review by the Executive Subcommittee of the Committee on Studies. See http://www.providence.ed/Academics/Enrollment+Services/Registration+Scheduling/Archived+Courses.htm for the current list of archived courses.

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