Academic Policies

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Undergraduate Degree Requirements Specialized Assistance Grading Academic Grievance Policy Academic Standards Procedures Following Academic Dismissal Academic Integrity Leave of Absence	Voluntary Withdrawal from College Interrupted Program of Study Academic Amnesty Academic Internships Graduation Honors Honor Societies Course Archive/Reactivation Policy

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 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

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 satisfy the Natural Science core requirement with 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, ENG 207, and in HON 101/102.

5. Students enrolled in HON 101 may fulfill English Proficiency at the judgment of their instructor.
    
6. Students who have scored above 540 on the verbal SAT and who do NOT plan to register for one of these designated courses must take the English Proficiency Exam (EPE).  Students may attempt the exam once during their first semester.  Students whose EPE essays are successful will be granted proficiency.  Those who are not successful will be required to take English 101 in a subsequent semester.

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 and Graduate 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. This form must be completed and returned to the Office of Enrollment Services 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. 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.

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. Double Major
   This program requires students to complete all the requirements of two academic programs. The “Academic Program Adjustment Form” may be obtained at the Office of Enrollment Services and, when completed and signed by the appropriate department chairpersons, returned to the Office of Enrollment Services. 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. 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. 
       
   4. Student will meet with the academic department chairs of those departments in which the program’s faculty sponsors hold appointment. 
       
   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 and Graduate 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.

3. A minimum of 24 upper-division credits in the major, with a minimum 2.00 GPA in all required courses within the major.
    
4. 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).
    
5. 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 and Graduate Studies.
    
6. 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.
    
7. 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 and graduate 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 provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.

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 may be 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 and 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 and Graduate 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 and Graduate 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 and Graduate Studies for appropriate action any student who, because of excessive absence or other classroom issues, 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 course syllabus.

Class Absence Notification Policy

The Office of the Dean of Undergraduate and Graduate 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 and graduate 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 and graduate 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. The deadline for the winter intersession will be mid-semester of the following spring 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 earlier in accordance with an “Incomplete Grade Contract” filed in the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate and Graduate 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 and graduate 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.”

No official College events involving students should be scheduled during the official Reading or Final Exam periods, including regular-season athletic contests, without the explicit permission from the dean of undergraduate and graduate studies. Intercollegiate athletics conference tournament competitions are excluded from this policy, as the College does not have direct control over the scheduling of such tournaments. The dean of undergraduate and graduate studies may consider other legitimate exceptions to this policy. Instructors should not request, and the dean of undergraduate and graduate 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 increasing 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 and Graduate 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 Grievance Policy

The purpose of this policy is to provide students with a fair and timely resolution process at the most proximate level-as close to the source of concern-as possible. The following procedures should be used by a student who wishes to appeal a final course grade or to file an academic grievance. In some cases, a student’s grievance may be more appropriately addressed by another College grievance procedure; for example, a student who believes that he or she has experienced discriminatory harassment may be advised to follow the grievance procedures provided in the College’s anti-harassment policy.  

Other than the appeal of a final course grade, circumstances in which a student may have cause to file an academic grievance include the following: the student claims that an instructor has failed to follow applicable College policies to the detriment of the student; or, the student claims that an instructor has habitually treated the student in an arbitrary or capricious manner to the student’s detriment. These procedural steps do not preclude the student and instructor from attempting to resolve the matter at any time during the grievance process. The time frames provided for resolving the grievance may be adjusted for compelling reasons with an explanation and notice to the student and instructor. Once a student contacts an instructor, all academic records that may be relevant to the grievance should be retained until the matter is resolved.  

Clarification Regarding Academic Grievances

A student bears the responsibility for proving that a final course grade is incorrect. Instructors exercise professional judgment regarding academic matters, consistent with applicable College policies, and the College will not normally intervene or overrule the instructor at the request of a student who, for example, claims that an instructor’s standards are too high, that assignments are unreasonable, or that other course-related practices or expectations applied to the class as a whole (e.g., an instructor’s policy regarding attendance or missed deadlines) are unfair.    

Informal Attempts to Resolve the Grievance

1. The College encourages reciprocal and respectful dialogue between the student and an instructor when there is a disagreement about a final grade or other academic decision. Accordingly, prior to filing a formal grievance and as soon as possible after the final grade is posted or the decision is made, a student must make a reasonable attempt to resolve the issue by communicating his/her concerns directly to the instructor (preferably in a meeting) and seeking clarification for the final grade or decision. Whenever possible, the instructor should respond to the student within ten (10) business days of receipt of the student’s inquiry. 

2. If the student is not satisfied with the instructor’s response, if the student does not receive a timely response, or if the student is unable to contact the instructor owing to retirement, sabbatical, or other compelling reason, the student may attempt to resolve the grievance by discussing it (preferably in a meeting) with the chairperson of the department in which the course was taught in a timely manner, normally within the first two weeks of the semester subsequent to the semester in which the aggrieved decision occurred. The chairperson should respond to the student within ten (10) business days of receipt of the student’s inquiry. 

3. If the student is not satisfied with the chairperson’s response, or if the student does not receive a timely response, the student may attempt to resolve the grievance by discussing it with the dean (or dean’s designee) of the school administering the course within the next ten (10) business days. Whenever possible, the dean (or dean’s designee) should respond to the student within ten (10) business days of receipt of the student’s inquiry.

Formal Attempt to Resolve the Grievance: Academic Appeals Committee

The College has established an Academic Appeals Committee to resolve formal academic grievances.  The Committee consists of two faculty members, plus an alternate, selected by the president of the Faculty Senate; two student members, plus an alternate, appointed by the Student Congress; and two faculty members, plus an alternate, appointed by the president of the College. The chairperson is elected by the committee from among its appointed faculty members. A faculty or student member of the Committee shall recuse him or herself from service in situations where there is a conflict of interest in fact or the appearance of a conflict of interest; this member will be replaced by the Committee’s alternate faculty or student alternates, respectively.  The committee, when appropriate, shall seek the aid of qualified personnel, either from within/or outside the Providence College academic community.

1. If a satisfactory resolution is not reached after the informal attempts are made, the student may file a formal, written complaint with the chairperson of the College’s Academic Appeals Committee prior to the mid-semester date of the semester subsequent to the semester in which the aggrieved decision occurred. The written complaint should be as complete and factual as possible, with details regarding the specific nature of the grievance and the specific steps taken by the student to attempt resolution; a copy of all correspondence and other related material should be submitted with the complaint. Every reasonable effort will be made to preserve confidentiality.

2. Immediately upon receipt of the formal complaint, the chairperson of the Academic Appeals Committee will notify the instructor and provide him/her with an opportunity to submit a written account of the disputed matter.  

3. Whenever possible, the Committee will convene, investigate and deliberate within fifteen (15) business days of receipt of the formal complaint. After it reviews written submissions, the Committee will provide the student with an opportunity to present his/her complaint. The Committee will also interview the instructor against whom the complaint is made, and other members of the College community as deemed necessary. Members of the College community asked to provide information are mandated to cooperate with the Committee. The Committee’s deliberations and the hearing will be closed to persons other than those who are directly involved. 

4. Within five (5) business days of the final hearing, the Committee will communicate in writing its findings and recommendation(s) to the student and the instructor, with a copy to the school dean (or dean’s designee). If the Committee determines that the student’s grievance should be denied, the decision is final and the matter will be considered closed. If the Committee determines that the student’s grievance has merit and the instructor adopts and implements the Committee’s findings and recommendation(s), the matter will be considered closed. 

5. If the Committee determines that the student’s grievance has merit and the instructor declines to adopt and implement the Committee’s findings and recommendation(s), the Committee will submit the grievance file, with its findings and recommendation(s), to the provost and senior vice president for academic affairs for consideration. The provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, who may consider the matter on written submission alone, will communicate his/her decision in writing to the student and the instructor, with a copy to the school dean (or dean’s designee) within ten (10) business days of receipt of the grievance file. The decision of the provost and senior vice president for academic affairs will either uphold the recommendation(s) of the Committee in total or in part, or reverse the recommendation of the Committee, or return the case to the Committee for reconsideration.  The decision of the provost and senior vice president for academic affairs shall be final.

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 and Graduate 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 and graduate 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 is required to graduate.

Students 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 and Graduate Studies within the time frame 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 and Graduate 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 and Graduate 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 Integrity

Our Judaeo-Christian heritage and our commitment to the intellectual and moral growth of our students are central to the Mission of Providence College. We are committed to developing the habits of living a productive life that includes the conscious and public practice of integrity. Our Mission inspires us to pursue Truth, and to identify God as Truth, and thus we are committed to cultivating the virtue of honesty in all aspects of campus life, especially in our pursuit of Truth in the classroom. We recognize that violations of integrity are harmful not only to our own pursuit of Truth, but are detrimental to the entire learning community of our College in that they dishonor our efforts and compromise our dedication to a spirited pursuit of learning. To such an end, we expect our faculty, students, and administrators to support this culture of honesty, integrity, and respect for the Truth. We believe that the best way to assure that our community embraces a life-long commitment to integrity is through the full participation of students in the process of development and implementation of a policy that allows for practice of integrity among our entire College community.

Definitions and Responsibilities

A. Definitions

The principal violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, forgery, lying, and collusion. Types of academic activities governed by this policy include but are not limited to exams, quizzes, papers, graded homework, group assignments, online assignments, lab projects, lab reports, or any other assignments given by an instructor.

1. Plagiarism: copying or stealing the thoughts, ideas, descriptions, or arguments of another person and presenting them as one’s own or attributing them to oneself.
2. Cheating: practicing deception or fraud by obtaining information in ways contrary to rules or instructions.
3. Forgery: creating a false document or altering a real one to be used as if genuine. This practice includes signing another’s name without permission.
4. Lying: knowingly telling an untruth verbally or in writing, including knowingly telling instructors, deans, or other officials untruths.
5. Collusion: assisting or attempting to assist another student in an act of academic misconduct; working together on an assignment meant to be completed independently.

B. Responsibilities

1. Students: Students are expected to understand this policy and to exercise diligence in following it. They are to take credit only for work that they have completed through their own efforts within the guidelines established by the instructor. When aware of an instance of academic misconduct, students are expected to notify the instructor, department chair, or dean of undergraduate and graduate studies, with or without revealing the name of the person committing the violation.

2. Faculty: In each course, the instructor should address students on academic integrity and how it applies to the assignments for that course; the academic integrity policy should be included among the other policies of the course that are articulated in the syllabus. Faculty members are expected to take appropriate measures to prevent the occasion for collusion, such as using different exams for separate testing periods. Instructors are expected to treat students in a fair and uniform fashion and to report each act of academic misconduct in accord with this policy.

Adjudication of Acts of Academic Misconduct

A. Initial Determination of Infraction

The instructor who observes or suspects an act of academic misconduct must first discuss the incident with the student(s). The instructor may request that his or her department chair be present at that discussion. The instructor is expected to treat the student(s) respectfully and fairly, and the student(s) are expected to respond honestly to the questions posed. If the instructor is convinced that an act of academic misconduct has occurred, he or she shall impose an appropriate sanction in the form of compensatory course work, a grade reduction, or a failing grade, consistent with the academic integrity policy of the course. The sanction should reflect the gravity of the infraction and the instructor’s assessment of the student’s intent.

In all cases where the instructor has determined that there has been a violation of academic integrity, he or she is required to report, in writing, the infraction to the student(s), the chair or program director(s) related to that course, and to the dean of undergraduate and graduate studies within 7 days of the determination that an act of academic misconduct has occurred. A form will be provided for this purpose. The dean of undergraduate and graduate studies shall then verify to the student(s) in writing that such a charge has been made.

B. Review Process

1. Determination of Review

If the dean of undergraduate and graduate studies, in consultation with the involved parties, determines that the infraction is very grave, or if the student already has a case of academic misconduct reported in his or her file, then he shall require that the case be reviewed by the Academic Integrity Board. In all other cases the student is not obligated to undergo a review if he or she accepts the sanctions imposed by the instructor.

If a student feels that he or she has been wrongly accused of an infraction of academic misconduct or honesty, or believes that he or she has been unjustly penalized for the same, he or she has the right to appeal to the Academic Integrity Board. If two or more students are jointly accused of the same infraction, their cases will normally be considered individually, except in extraordinary cases as determined by the dean of undergraduate and graduate studies.

A student who wishes to appeal a sanction imposed by an instructor must do so in writing to the dean of undergraduate and graduate studies. Except in extraordinary circumstances as determined by the dean, students should submit their appeal within one month of receiving the instructor’s sanction. An appeal can only be initiated by the accused student.

2. Academic Integrity Board

The Academic Integrity Board shall consist of 7 regular members:

1.   Two faculty members appointed by the president of the College, (one of whom will be designated by the president as the chair of the Board), and one faculty member appointed by the Faculty Senate;

2.   Three students selected by the dean of undergraduate and graduate studies, from a list of five nominees chosen by Student Congress. To be eligible for nomination by Student Congress, a student must not have been previously cited for an infraction of this Code and must not be currently under any individual disciplinary sanction from Student Affairs Administration; and

3.   The dean of undergraduate and graduate studies, ex officio.

The president of the College will also appoint two faculty members as alternates, the Faculty Senate will appoint one faculty member as an alternate, and the Student Congress will nominate three student alternates.

The dean shall exercise the right to vote only in the case of a tie.

The term of each (non-ex officio) member shall be two years, commencing July 1 and ending June 30. The terms of office shall be staggered to allow for continuity on the Board. The members of the Board shall be appointed or elected in the spring semester for the following academic year.

If a student member of the Board is accused of a violation of academic honesty, he or she shall not participate in the adjudication of the case. If the Academic Integrity Board issues sanctions against a student member, then that student member shall be removed from the Board. Student members of the board have the responsibility to excuse themselves from deliberations if they have a familiarity with the accused student that creates a conflict of interest in fact or appearance. Faculty members of the Board have the responsibility to excuse themselves if they have been involved with the case prior to its coming to the Board. In such cases, the dean of undergraduate and graduate studies shall select replacements on a case-by-case basis from the designated lists alternate members.

The Board shall conduct its business following Robert’s Rules of Order. A quorum that includes both faculty and student representation is necessary for the Board to conduct business.

3. Processing of Cases by Review Board

Within 10 business days of a written appeal by a student or a referral by the dean of undergraduate and graduate studies (whichever date is the sooner of the two), the chair of the Academic Integrity Board must convene a Review Board. Time frames may be adjusted for compelling reasons, with notification and an explanation provided to the student and the instructor. The Review Board shall consist of the members of the Academic Integrity Board plus one additional faculty member from the department or program of the instructor who reported the incident. That faculty member will be appointed by the chair of the Academic Integrity Board.

The chair of the Academic Integrity Board shall chair the Review Board. During the review, 1) the instructor will have the opportunity to explain why he or she has judged that there has been an infraction of the academic integrity policy and, where the student has appealed the sanction, to explain the rationale, and 2) the student will have the opportunity to defend himself or herself against the charge of academic misconduct and/or to explain why he or she believes the instructor’s sanction is not appropriate.

Both the instructor and the student have the right to have advisors who are members of the College community. The advisor’s role is limited to providing support and consultation; the advisor may not actively participate in the hearing. Instructors and students may call witnesses or submit evidence, and each must submit his or her evidence of written documentation in writing and may appear before the Review Board. The Review Board may, at its discretion, meet separately with the instructor and the student involved. Accused students have the right to review all evidence. The Review will be closed to persons other than those who are directly involved.

When the Review Board is satisfied that all relevant information has been presented, the chair will excuse the involved persons if they are in attendance. The Review Board will then deliberate on the evidence and make a decision on the case. A simple majority vote is required in all decisions. Within forty-eight hours, the chair will notify, in writing, both the student and the instructor of the outcome of the review. A copy of all rulings will be filed with the dean of undergraduate and graduate studies. The dean will implement all decisions.

4. Sanctions Assigned by the Review Board

If a student is found, by simple majority vote of the Review Board, in violation of the College’s policy on academic integrity, then sanctions previously assigned by the instructor will be upheld and the instructor’s initial report will be placed in the student’s file until three years after the conferral of the degree for graduation, at which point it shall be destroyed, unless a subsequent finding of guilt for academic misconduct occurs. The Review Board, after consultation with the instructor, may impose additional sanctions which may include, but are not limited to, suspension and expulsion. The final adjudication will be publicly posted within the College community, with names and specific identifiers excluded from the posting.

If by majority vote the Review Board determines that the charge of academic misconduct is not supported, then the instructor’s initial report will be destroyed, and it will be recommended to the instructor that the assignment(s) in question shall be graded on their merits. If a student wishes to appeal a final course grade, he or she should follow the College’s policy on academic grievances.

C. Subsequent offenses

If a report of academic misconduct submitted to the dean of undergraduate and graduate studies turns out to be a second offense for that student, and it is upheld by a Review Board of the Academic Integrity Board (or not challenged by an appeal to the Academic Integrity Board), then a sanction not limited to, but no less than, a one-semester suspension shall be imposed. Seniors in their final semester will not be allowed to participate in graduation celebrations sponsored by the Division of Academic Affairs, and the Vice President for Student Affairs Administration shall be notified of this sanction.

The penalty for a third offense shall be dismissal from Providence College.

According to the determination of the dean of undergraduate and graduate studies, suspension and dismissal shall be effective either immediately or at the conclusion of the semester in which the determination of the violation of policy occurred.

D. Final Appeals

A student may appeal a suspension or dismissal from the college for reasons of academic misconduct to the provost and senior vice president for academic affairs of Providence College. Such an appeal must be submitted in writing within 5 business days of the chair of the Review Board’s notification to the student. Possible appellate grounds are: i) alleged procedural errors that could have affected the determination of the Review Board; ii) newly discovered facts not previously available or known that could have had a significant impact on the determination of the Review Board; and/or iii) a request for review of the sanction and the rationale for such a review, including any mitigating circumstances. The Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs will consider the appeal and may, at his or her discretion, meet with the student. The provost and senior vice president for academic affairs will issue an appellate decision to the student within 10 business days of the appeal. The provost and senior vice president for academic affairs may affirm the decision, remand the matter to the Review Board for further review, or dismiss the charges.

A sanction of suspension or dismissal for academic misconduct that is affirmed by the provost and senior vice president for academic affairs may be appealed by the student to the executive vice President of Providence College. The appeal must be filed in writing by the student within 5 business days of the chair of the Review Board’s notification to the student. The executive vice president may decide the appeal based on written submissions and/or meeting with any interested party or parties. The executive vice president will issue an appellate decision within ten business days of the appeal. Decisions made by the executive vice president are final.

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 and graduate 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 and graduate 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 provider 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 and graduate 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 and graduate 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 and Graduate 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 the Dean of Undergraduate and Graduate Studies.

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 and graduate 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 and Graduate 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 and Graduate Studies.
    
4. Registration and payment for summer academic internships is processed via the School of Continuing Education (SCE).
    
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:

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.

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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