Policies and Procedures

General Policy

Our Lady of the Lake University of San Antonio believes that the collective quest of the University community for self-realization can take place most effectively when there are some common understandings about how this joint endeavor of faculty and students is to be achieved. The University’s academic regulations, therefore, codify some of these understandings so that the collective educational enterprise will be one of order and harmony.

The University also believes, however, that the best educational program is person-centered, one which can help students develop as individual persons along all the dimensions where growth appears necessary or desirable, without separating the intellectual from other aspects of individual development. Further, it holds that self-liberalization and self-realization take place best in an atmosphere of personal freedom, intellectual self-determination, and open communication.

Because a university is an ongoing enterprise that can carry out its mission only through constant adaptation to new needs and changing circumstances, Our Lady of the Lake University reserves the right to change any of its educational policies or procedures (including admissions and graduation requirements, curricular scope and content, schedule of offerings, fees and refunds, and regulations affecting students) at any time with notice to students.

The University also reserves the right to refuse to admit or readmit, or to dismiss any student at any time within policy, rules and regulations.

Class Attendance

In general, students are expected to be prompt and regular in attending classes. Attendance policies for individual classes are set by the instructor and written into the course outline.

Student attendance in online courses is defined as active participation in the course as described in the individual course syllabus. Online courses will, at a minimum, have weekly mechanisms for sudent participation which can be documented by any or all of the following methods:

• Completion of tests or quizzes
• Discussion forums
• Submission/completion of assignments
• Communication with the instructor
• Or other course participation

Although absence from class because of illness or emergencies is unavoidable, excessive absences normally affect quality of achievement and, therefore, the grade. The responsibility for attendance is placed primarily on the students. Students who are unable to attend scheduled classes should contact their adviser and faculty member. In case of an anticipated absence, such as religious observances or military deployment, the student should contact the instructor for approval in advance. If approved, a written plan to complete course requirements should be developed. It will be at the discretion of the instructors to determine whether the course objective can be met to allow the student an extended absence. 

In case of an emergency (illness/accident, flooding or death in family), a student should contact the instructor as soon as possible providing documentation supporting the need for any late submission of a graded event. Such notice, however, does not excuse the absence, and the student must arrange with the faculty member to make up work missed. 

At times, a student who is participating in an activity approved by the University is required to miss a class. Some examples of such activities are 1) those that a student participates in as a condition of his or her University-sponsored scholarship, 2) an event approved by a department or school, 3) participation in a University sponsored athletic competition, or 4) those that are a condition of satisfactorily completing the requirements of the major.

No student participating in any such event shall be charged with a specific penalty for missing the class, and the student will be given the opportunity to make up any work missed in that class within a reasonable period of time. Faculty members may wish to indicate more specifically how they will deal with these circumstances in their syllabi.

If a student fails to meet the attendance requirements, the faculty member may submit a Withdrawl by Faculty (WI) form requesting that the student be withdrawn from class. Class withdrawls may affect financial aid. 

Nonattendance does not automatically result in course withdrawl. Students must contact the Registrar’s Office to officially withdraw from a course. 

Repeating Courses

1. An undergraduate student who has enrolled in a course and received a grade lower than a C (fewer than 2.00 grade points) may repeat the same course only one time, unless the course is described in the catalog as repeatable for credit.
   1. The most recent grade awarded will be used in the computation of the grade point averages and credit earned. Grades of Q, W, WI, or AU are not considered as repeat grades.
   2. If a student repeats a course and earns a lower grade, the lower grade will be used in the computation of grade point averages.
   3. Once a degree has been conferred, repeating courses for any reason will not affect the GPA or content of the degree already granted.
   4. As with all University policies, students have the right to petition exceptions when extenuating circumstances outside of their control prevented adherence to the spirit of the policy.
2. Students who wish to replace a course grade may do so at Our Lady of the Lake University or at a regional accredited institution following the current transfer policy.  CLEP or departmental examination cannot be used to repeat a course recorded at OLLU. 
3. No more than eight courses can be repeated while an undergraduate student at Our Lady of the Lake University

Assessments and Examinations

To receive course credit, students must be able to demonstrate attainment of the course’s specified academic outcomes. Faculty members may use various kinds of evaluative tasks for this purpose, including quizzes, examinations, papers, reports, laboratory work, special projects and external assessments. Students are expected to meet faculty specifications and deadlines for these assessment activities.

A final examination period is scheduled in every semester to permit faculty to give two-hour final examinations. In the week prior to final examinations, no new long assignments may be given, although regular class assignments may be dispersed, and long-range assignments, such as term themes, which have been assigned several weeks in advance, may be due.

Grading System

Faculty may, at their discretion, waive any part of a course assessment, including a final examination, provided that the remaining elements of the course assessment ensure an adequate evaluation of all essential student academic outcomes or course objectives. If an adequate assessment is not otherwise available; a faculty member is never obligated to waive a final examination or any other assessment element, even for a graduation candidate or a student with a disability. Grades are posted on Student Self-Service at the end of each term.

In the explanation below, “I” followed by a grade indicates student received an “Incomplete” grade which has been completed and changed to the specified grade e.g., “IA” means a student received an “I” but later completed the work and earned an “A.”

A+, A, A- (IA+, IA, IA-)

Indicates excellent achievement demonstrated by:

1. Competency and accuracy of knowledge
2. Sustained and effective use of knowledge
3. Independence of work
4. Originality (Grade points: 4.0)

B+, B, B- (IB+, IB, IB-)

Indicates high achievement in the same factors listed under the A grade
(Grade points: 3.0)

C+, C, C- (IC+, IC, IC-)

Indicates acceptable performance as demonstrated by:

1. Familiarity with the content of the course
2. Evidence of growth in actual use of content
3. Full participation in the work of the class
   (Grade points: 2.0)

D+, D, D- (ID+, ID, ID-)

Indicates the lowest passing grade; does not satisfy the standards for degree unless balanced by superior work (A or B level) in other courses; not acceptable in the major, minor or core.

(Grade points: 1.0)

P

Indicates “pass” on the pass/fail system; awarded for the achievement of at least the of minimal objectives of the course; acceptable as transferable college credit but not directly comparable to grades on the regular letter-grade system.

(Grade points: grade of “P” not counted in grade point average; for grade of “F” see that definition).

Note: Students may take as many as 24 semester hours under the pass/fail system (but not more than six hours in the major); courses that are graded only on the pass/fail system are not included in the 24-hour limit. Freshmen may elect only one course per term on the pass/fail system. Certain majors do not allow students to take courses in the major on the pass/fail system.

I

Indicates incomplete work; used at the discretion of the faculty when a student has legitimate reasons for being unable to complete requirements by the end of the term. Incomplete grades should only be used in situations where the student has consistently attended class and completed the majority (75 percent) of the course assignments. (Grade points: not counted in grade point average).

At the time the grade is submitted, the faculty member selects a date by which the work must be completed. The date may be earlier than the standard date but may not be later than the end of term in which the standard date is included. If a specific date is not assigned by the faculty member, the standard date (six weeks into the next long term) will apply.

Note: Deadline for changing incomplete grades:

1. In the fall term, “I” grades must be removed by the date listed in the spring term.
2. In the spring term, “I” grades must be removed by the date listed in the fall term; however, in the case of those students who may be liable for academic discipline, the incomplete grade must be removed within the first six weeks of the summer term.
3. In the summer sessions “I” grades must be removed by the date listed in the fall term.

A faculty member may request from the Registrar an extension of time for the removal of incomplete grades. Exceptions may not extend beyond the end of the term in which the incomplete is due to be completed.

An incomplete grade that has not been removed within the allotted time automatically becomes an F. An “I” grade cannot be changed to AU, Q, W, WI or X.

CR 

       Credit earned through external means - SAT, ACT, DANTES, IB, life work experience, etc.
       (Grade points: not counted in grade point average)

NG 

      (No grade) grading option for courses that are offered for zero credits

W

Indicates official withdrawal, after specified period for Q grade.
(Grade points: not counted in grade point average)

Note: Students may not withdraw from courses during the last four weeks prior to final examinations during the fall or spring regular term; or one week prior to final examinations during a summer session; or after the fourth weekend of classes in a Weekend Degree Program term.

AU

Indicates the course was audited and not taken for credit
(Grade points: not counted in grade point average).

F

Indicates failure; removed from grade point average when course is successfully repeated
(Grade points: 0.0)

X

Indicates that the work of the course extends over more than one term. Given in approved practicum, internship, field experience, thesis or dissertation courses and replaced by the appropriate letter grade when the course is completed. The student will register for a minimum of one credit of courses that include selected issues, thesis or dissertation, or directed study each semester continuously until the coursework is completed. The grade for all semesters of the course will be the same. (Grade points: not counted in grade point average) This may also be used for mid-term grades for practica, internships or field experience.

WI

Indicates the student was withdrawn from the class by action of the faculty member or administration WI form must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office for processing.
(Grade points: not counted in grade point average).

The WI is issued by the instructor when a student has ceased attending or has never attended a class. Faculty should not issue a WI grade until after consultation with the Office of Financial Aid and, when appropriate, the Athletic Department. Faculty will seek approval from their respective Dean for all WI grades.

Financial aid programs require that the University (Financial Aid Office) must report if a student has withdrawn from the University (no longer attending any of the classes for which registered). Faculty can assist in accomplishing this financial aid reporting as well as removing students from class rosters who are no longer or have never attended. The WI form (available thru the Registrar’s Office) has two options:

1. STUDENT CAN BE REINSTATED TO CLASS. May be used up to two weeks prior to the last day to withdraw from the session. If this option is chosen by instructor, an email or letter will be sent to the student with copies to the instructor or adviser indicating that the instructor has submitted a WI form.

The student will be given a time frame in which they may:

1. withdraw him/herself from the class
2. contact the instructor and make arrangements to continue in the class. If the instructor allows the student to continue, the instructor must notify the Registrar’s Office by the last day of the time frame stated in the letter sent to the student to have the WI request cancelled. If this notification is not received, the student will be dropped from the class.

2. STUDENT CANNOT BE REINSTATED TO CLASS. If this option is chosen by instructor, the student is dropped immediately and student, instructor and adviser are notified of the withdrawal from class by the course instructor.

Date of withdrawal will be the date the WI is processed.

This grade may be used for any student enrolled, at any location and does not affect GPA. It will not count in the grade point average but the hours will count as attempted for academic and satisfactory academic progress, which may affect the financial aid eligibility. Once assigned, it cannot be reversed. It cannot be assigned once the term has been graded.

Grade Basis for Courses

The basis for grading an individual course may be: 1) regular grade, 2) pass/fail or 3) audit. For most courses, the student may choose the grade basis, but for some courses the grade basis options are prescribed by the discipline. The grade basis under which the course is to be taken must be indicated when the student registrers for the course. A regular grade is the default status unless the course is identified as pass/fail by the discipline. A student must inform the registrar’s office in writing of an intent to change the grade basis and must be prior to the published deadline in official calendar for the term.

Grade Point Average

The grade point average is obtained by dividing the grade points earned by the grade point divisor. For more information on calculating a grade point average, visit My OLLU Portal. The cumulative grade point average used for most records is based on the total grade points earned from courses taken at OLLU and credit accepted in transfer. Although faculty may at their discretion add pluses or minuses to letter grades, these distinctions are not calculated in the grade point average.

Student Grievance Procedure

The University provides a uniform method by which students can pursue grievance issues. An academic grievance is an allegation that something has occurred that violates existing University policy or established practices, or is intrinsically wrong. Grievance issues include complaints about violations of the institution’s academic policies (e.g., application of grading policies), about unfairness in the application of policies (e.g. accusation of plagiarism or cheating), or other academic matters. For other potential violations of student rights, students should consult with their adviser or Student Life. Evaluation of a student’s academic performance in a course or program of the University, when conducted by a faculty member, is presumed to be valid unless there is proof that the evaluation was significantly and adversely affected by prejudice (bias against the student as an individual or as a member of a group or class) and/or capriciousness (unjustifiable deviation from generally acceptable academic standards or procedures, or from explicit understandings established for the course or through the course syllabus, which is the de facto contract for course objectives, requirements, and expectations).

If a student has good reason to suspect that prejudice or capriciousness significantly and adversely affected an official final evaluation of performance in a course or program or the student is being treated in an arbitrary or capricious manner by a faculty member, the student should present this concern to the faculty member and request a reconsideration of the academic matter within 30 working days of the event upon which the complaint is based.

Procedures:

STEP ONE - Informal Resolution

1. The student must talk with the faculty member about the complaint. A faculty member must be willing to meet with a student for discussion. The faculty member is required by University policy to confer with a student who requests redress.
2. If the student and the faculty member are unable to resolve the matter through good faith, reexamination of the issues and negotiation, the student must then talk with the faculty member’s department head, who will attempt to collaboratively resolve the complaint between the parties. Prior to this meeting, the student must submit the grievance in writing; doing the following: state how the decision or action is unfair and harmful to the grievant; list the University policies or state or federal laws that have been violated, if known; name the respondent parties (the person(s) against whom the grievance was filed); state how the respondents are responsible for the action or decision; and state the requested remedy.
3. If the complaint is not satisfactorily resolved through A and B, a student may proceed to Step 2, Mediation, or if necessary Step 3, Formal Resolution

STEP TWO - Mediation

Assuming that the grievance is not resolved at the level of the department chair, the issue goes to the dean of the school or college to mediate. The dean is empowered to hear both sides of the matter, to examine all relevant documents and evidence held by either the students or the faculty member, to bring the student and the faculty member together for further clarification, discussion and negotiation, and to suggest possible compromise or other remediation of the issue. The dean, the faculty member, and the student will collaborate to try to resolve the matter within five working days of the dean’s receiving the mediation request.

STEP THREE - Formal Resolution

If these mediating efforts do not satisfactorily resolve the matter at the level of the dean, the student may petition the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA), in writing, to establish a hearing committee, provided that this request is made no later than 10 working days after the previous attempts to resolve the issue is completed. The student may request the VPAA to appoint a faculty adviser to assist in the preparation and presentation of the student’s case. Before establishing a hearing committee, the VPAA shall verify that good faith efforts were made to resolve the matter through discussion and mediation, and shall explain the due process guidelines to all parties. If, in the judgment of the VPAA, the student’s complaint is clearly without substance for allegations of prejudice or capriciousness, the grievance process may be terminated at this point.

In situations where the VPAA believes that a review is warranted she/he shall name a committee consisting to the following: two tenured faculty members and one staff member (selected in consultation with the President of the Faculty Assembly) and two students who are elected officers of the Student Government Association. If a member of the hearing committee disqualifies himself or herself for possible bias or conflict of interest prior to the date of the hearing, the VPAA shall appoint a replacement. If the member disqualifies him/herself only immediately before the hearing, the hearing shall be conducted with remaining members, except that in no case shall the hearing be conducted with fewer than three members, at least one of whom must be a student and one a faculty member.

For each hearing the committee will elect a chairperson from among its members. The chairperson is responsible for keeping committee records, for preserving documents that relate to the hearing, and for seeing that an adequate record is made regarding the hearing, its proceedings, findings, and recommendations.

The hearing must be held within 10 working days after the formal written request for the review of the grievance is received by the VPAA. At the hearing the burden of proof shall be on the student to demonstrate that the application of policies has been improper because it has been significantly and adversely affected by prejudice and/or capriciousness. The grievance hearing is an internal review and, as such, shall be private. The grievant may be assisted by a faculty representative. However, persons external to the University (including outside counsel) shall be excluded.

The hearing shall consist of the following:

1. Presentation of charges and evidence by both grievant and respondent;
2. Informal questioning of either or both parties by committee members for the purpose of clarification;
3. Final statements by each party, if desired or requested; and,
4. A closed session in which the hearing committee assesses the evidence to decide whether the application of policies was, according to the evidence, affected significantly and adversely by prejudice and/or capriciousness.

The recommendation of the hearing committee including a course of action must be reported in writing by the chairperson to the VPAA within four working days after the hearing. In the event that the decision rendered by the VPAA is in opposition to the committee’s recommendation, the VPAA will communicate the decision and the rationale for it to the committee. The VPAA will communicate the decision, in writing, to the involved parties. The VPAA’s decision is final. Communication of the decision ends institutional due process on the matter, and no further appeal is possible.

The petition requesting the hearing, the report of the hearing committee, and any resultant action shall be the only official records kept of the hearing. Copies of these records shall be maintained by the VPPA’s Office for seven years or as otherwise mandated by applicable law.

*A working day is defined as a day when the University offices are open for business excluding Saturday and Sunday.

For cases believed to constitute harassment, students should follow the procedure specified in the Student Handbook.

Student Disciplinary Problems

The “Statement of Rights and Freedoms of Students,” published in the OLLU Student Handbook, lists various kinds of conduct, which may result in disciplinary action (up to and including expulsion and suspension) by the University. The OLLU Academic Dishonesty Policy is located in the Student Handbook.

Intentional disruption of, obstruction of, or interference with teaching, research, or other University academic activities are prohibited by University policy and dealt with the by the Chief Academic Officer and the Vice President for Student Life. Faculty may eject a seriously disruptive student from a given class period, but must reinstate the student if the disciplinary process does not sanction a protracted suspension or expulsion.

The University does reserve the right to refuse to admit or readmit or to dismiss any student at any time should it be deemed in the interest of the student or the University to do so. Because the University is committed to equity, nondiscrimination, and respect for the rights of individuals in all its policies, the University will not exercise this right unless (a) there is careful documentation of the compelling need for such action or (b) University officials believe that the student’s behavior represents a serious threat to others. For marginal cases, the University must rely on prudent advising and counseling to persuade students to act in the best interests of themselves and the University.

Details on policies and procedures related to student disciplinary issues are in the University’s Student Handbook.

Classification of Students

Credit Hour

One credit hour shall be defined as an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement equivalent to not less than:

• One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out of class student work each week for approximately 15 weeks, or
• An amount of work equivalent to a minimum of 45 hours of instruction and/or student work for other academic activities including laboratory work, music ensembles, studio work, and other academic work leading to course credit.
• The number of clock hours required for professional practice courses (practicum, internship, field experience, clinical teaching/student teaching) is based on the number of hours needed to gain the experiences to fulfill the learning objectives for the class. Professional practices courses are designed to comply with requirements of accreditation and certification bodies and professional licensure. The amount of clock hours required per credit hour will vary by discipline based on the best practices of each discipline.

Academic Load

For Undergraduate Students

Fall, Spring or Summer:

An international student in an undergraduate degree program must carry a full-time load to maintain status for a student visa.

An undergraduate student may not register for more than 19 semester hours in any one semester unless the student’s adviser receives approval of the school director or department chair. 

General Undergraduate Degree Requirements 

Return to: Majors, Minors and Certificates by Department  

The following are requirements for all bachelor’s degrees at Our Lady of the Lake University:

1. A minimum of 120 to 128 semester hours, depending on the degree, 36 of which must be on the advanced level.
2. A minimum of 45 semester hours must be taken in residence, 24 of which must be on the advanced level, with at least 12 of the advanced hours taken in the major field or in the interdisciplinary major.
   Note: Students who earned advanced hours in their area of concentration at a member institution of United Colleges of San Antonio (UCSA) are required to take 12 semester hours in their concentration at Our Lady of the Lake University, but these hours need not be advanced.
3. The cumulative grade point average must be 2.0, including a 2.0 average on all work taken at Our Lady of the Lake University.
4. Basic requirements, including general education requirements and specialization area requirements, for a particular degree must be fulfilled.
5. No “D” grades in major, minor, core, concentrations or teaching fields.
6. Satisfactory performance must be demonstrated on any comprehensive examination, professional test, or other special assessment required in the major or area of concentration.
7. Computer literacy requirements specified by the major or area of concentration must be fulfilled.
8. INDS 1311 required for First time traditional Freshmen.

Time Limitation

Students have 10 years to complete a bachelor’s degree program under the catalog in effect at the time they originally enroll. A student may choose a subsequent catalog under which to complete graduation requirements, provided the student completed at least one course with a letter grade other than “W”, “X”, “I” or “WI” during the time the catalog was in effect. The student must complete ALL degree requirements under the subsequent catalog. Choosing a new catalog begins a new 10-year time limit. Students who graduate under one catalog and begin a second degree must begin the new degree under the catalog in effect at the time the second degree is started.

General Education Goals

Learning is a lifetime endeavor, not just an occupation of one’s school days. At Our Lady of the Lake University, therefore, the educational program is designed to help students learn how to learn – not just for the present, but for the future as well. Students cannot hope to master all the world’s ever-expanding resources of knowledge, but they can hope to experience the basic patterns by which humanity obtains and organizes knowledge so that throughout their lives they can discover or recover knowledge as they need it for specific purposes.

General Education Program

The General Education Curriculum at Our Lady of the Lake is designed to foster the intellectual, spiritual, and professional growth of students in the tradition of Catholic higher education and the mission and values of the University and of its sponsor, the Congregation of Divine Providence.

The General Education Curriculum, grounded in the Liberal Arts and Sciences, provides a foundation for the exploration of the purpose and meaning of the human experience in a changing world and for integration of knowledge for higher learning. The General Education Curriculum emphasizes development of Information Comprehension and Articulation, Applied Quantitative Thought, Written Communication, Social Intelligence and Cross-Cultural Competency, Novel and Adaptative Thinking, core values and personal growth as seen through the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, Social Justice/Civic Responsibility and Information, technological and New Media Literacy in ten curricular areas: Composition, Oral Communication, Foreign Language/Multi-Cultural Understanding, Mathematics, Natural Science, Social Science, Theology, Philosophy, History, Literature and Fine Arts.

General Education Student Learning Outcomes

Eight skills competencies were identified by faculty as important outcomes for an undergraduate education at Our Lady of the Lake University, regardless of the student’s major.

The General Education Curriculum requirements provide students with a breadth of knowledge and learning in the liberal arts and sciences. As such they form the scaffolding on which to build further study in any major. Each baccalaureate degree program at Our Lady of the Lake University requires successful completion of 37-38 semester hours (about 12 courses) of the General Education Curriculum. The required courses are distributed among the following categories:

Academic Standing

Academic Standing Process

Academic standing for undergraduates is based on the cumulative institutional grade point average of all college-level courses taken at Our Lady of the Lake University.

In order to be in good standing, an undergraduate student must maintain a minimum institutional grade point average of 2.00.  Graduate courses taken by undergraduate students in the Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Program (ABM) will be considered in the total hours.

First Semester Students

Students who have an institutional grade point average of 1.00 or less in their first term will be placed on Enforced Scholastic Withdrawal. 

Second and Subsequent Semesters

After the first semester, if the minimum institutional grade point average of 2.0 is not maintained, the student is placed on Probation for the next 12 semester hours.

Probation

 At the end of the probationary period,

1. if the student has raised their grade point average to the required level, the Probation status is changed to the status of Returned to Good Standing.
2. if the student has not raised their grade point average to the required level, the Probation status is changed to the status of Enforced Scholastic Withdrawal (ESW).

Enforced Scholastic Withdrawal (ESW)

Students may appeal their ESW status, by referring to the ESW Appeal Process/Readmission, which is stated below. Pre-registered courses for students who are placed on ESW will be dropped the week before classes begin; students must successfully appeal in order to be reinstated. 

Enforced Scholastic Withdrawal Appeal Process/Readmission 

Students who want to appeal their Enforced Scholastic Withdrawal (ESW) may do so immediately following the term in which it was placed on their record.

To complete this process: The student is notified by the Registrar’s Office when they have been placed on Enforced Scholastic Withdrawal. The ESW Appeal form is embedded in this letter.  The deadline to submit an ESW Appeal is the Monday prior to the start of the next term. If student’s appeal is approved, the ESW is changed to Probation and the next 12 semester hours will determine if the student is Returned to Good Standing (student must bring the institutional GPA to 2.00 or better) or is placed back on Enforced Scholastic Withdrawal.

If deadline is not adhered to, student will need to refer to the Readmission requirements as stated under Readmission section of the catalog or contact the Admissions Office.

Students who have been placed and have appealed their Enforced Scholastic Withdrawal (ESW) two times are not eligible for readmission to the University after being placed on ESW the third time.

Support for Students on Probation

Students who are placed on Scholastic Probation should work closely with their academic advisers to develop a plan of action to assist in raising their grade point average to the acceptable level. Advisers can help or make referrals to services available on campus. If emotional, psychological, career, health, financial, family or social problems are involved, skilled professionals are available for assistance. In the academic area, the Student Success Center can assist with problems in reading, communication skills and/or study habits.

Dean’s List

The Dean’s List is an honor listing of the highest-ranking undergraduate students in a given semester. To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must:

1. Be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate (12 semester hours or more of college-level work)
2. Have no (WI) withdrawal by faculty, (I) incomplete grades
3. Have at least nine semester hours on the traditional grade basis rather than pass/fail
4. Have a minimum semester grade point average of 3.75

Graduate Courses for Undergraduates

Graduate Courses Used Toward Bachelor’s Degree

Students enrolled in Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s (ABM) programs may take up to 12 credit hours of designated graduate courses that will count towards their undergraduate degree. Students may take no more than 6 credits of graduate per semester. Graduate courses taken in ABM program may be counted towards a master’s degree at OLLU. Undergraduate students who are not enrolled in an ABM program may enroll for a maximum of six semester hours of graduate credit and have the credit applied toward the undergraduate degree only under the following conditions:

1. All the prerequisites for the course have been met
2. Courses must be taken during the semester in which the undergraduate degree is conferred
3. The undergraduate grade point average is 3.50 or better
4. The course load must not exceed 15 semester hours
5. The registration is approved by the dean of the school or college in which the course is to be taken
6. Courses may not be counted toward a master’s degree at OLLU

Graduate Courses Reserved for Master’s Degree

During the last semester toward completion of a baccalaureate degree, a graduating senior may reserve for a master’s degree a maximum of three semester hours of graduate credit; provided

• The student receives conditional admission (full admission pending completion of baccalaureate degree) to the graduate program
• The student’s cumulative and major point averages are at least 3.0

Graduate Courses Reserved for Master’s Degree

During the last semester toward completion of a baccalaureate degree, a graduating senior may reserve for a master’s degree a maximum of three semester hours of graduate credit, provided:

1. The student receives conditional admission (full admission pending completion of baccalaureate degree) to the graduate program
2. The student’s cumulative and major grade point averages are at least 3.0

Double Majors and Minors and Dual Degrees 

Students may pursue two majors and/or minors (example: BS Chemistry and BS Biology) concurrently, provided that all requirements are met for both majors/minors. Courses may fulfill the requirements of more than one academic program unless otherwise specified by an academic program. The first major may count as the minor on the second and the second major as the minor on the first. Double majors are available in the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degress; they are not available Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Social Work or Bachelor of Applied Studies degrees.

Students may pursue two different degrees (i.e. BBA in Accounting and BS in Biology) concurrently so long as the major requirements of both degress are met, and the majors are in different disciplines. The same minor may be used for both degrees. The major for the first degree may count as the minor on the second and the major in the second degree may count as the minor on the first. A dual degree is a combination of a two of the following degrees: BA, BS, BM, BSW.

Second Baccalaureate Degree

A student who has received a baccalaureate degree from OLLU or who is currently completing a baccalaureate degree at OLLU and who wishes to attain a second baccalaureate degree may do so provided the second degree is taken in an area different from either the major or minor of the first degree. For the second degree the student must satisfactorily complete at least 24 semester hours in residence beyond the first degree and fulfill major-minor requirements and the general degree requirements.

A student may pursue two different degrees concurrently so long as the major requirements of both degrees are met and the majors are in different disciplines. Courses may fulfill the requirements of more than one academic program unless otherwise specified by an academic program. The same minor may be used for the two degrees. The major for the first degree may count as the minor on the second and the major in the second degree may count as the minor on the first.

A student who has received a baccalaureate degree from another regionally accredited institution must fulfill the requirements stated above except that 32 semester hours must be earned in residence at OLLU.

Undergraduate Catalog Change

Candidates for the bachelor’s degree may obtain the degree according to the requirements of the catalog in effect when they enroll at the University or from the catalog of any subsequent year thereafter. Students must submit a completed “Undergraduate Catalog Change” form to the Registrar’s Office. Candidates must complete the degree within 10 years of the date of the chosen catalog. After the expiration of that time period, degree candidates will be held to the requirements of the current catalog. Whenever required courses are discontinued, the college/school dean may authorize substitutions.

In instances where students are readmitted into programs that have substantially changed requirements for the degree or major, the catalog selection is at the discretion of the program chair with approval of the dean.

Academic regulations and institutional policies apply to all students, regardless of the degree programs, and provide direction for consistent application of institutional policies. The provisions of this catalog, thus academic regulations and institutional policies are subject to change without notice. Changes in Undergraduate Catalog academic and/or institutional policies, other than course requirements and GPA policies for a degree, become effective immediately upon approval by the proper University authorities.