& Student Handbook - Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

20 Saint Maryʼs University of Minnesota
Blended Delivery and Independent Study Courses
Tuition refund for a blended or independent study course is calculated
based on the amount of elapsed course time as measured from the start
date of the course until the end date of the course.
• Up to 20% of the amount of elapsed course time: 100%
• 21-35% of the amount of elapsed course time: 75%
• 36-50% of the amount of elapsed course time: 50%
• After 51% of the amount of elapsed course time: None
Withdrawals requested during the first 50% of the course will result in the
grade of W on the student's transcript. Withdrawals requested after 50%
of the scheduled course has been completed will result in a grade of NC
(No Credit) on the student's transcript.
Two or Three Session Courses
A student who misses the first class of a two or three session course
must withdraw from the course. To obtain a full refund for a two or three
session course, students must drop the course prior to the beginning of
the course. Withdrawal after the first session and prior to the start of the
second session will result in a 50 % tuition refund and the grade of NC
(no credit) on the student’s official transcript.
Administrative Withdrawal from a Course
Failure to follow course withdrawal procedures will result in
administrative withdrawal. A student will be administratively withdrawn
after the third class for nonattendance, which will result in a 50% tuition
refund and the grade of X (unauthorized withdrawal), which negatively
impacts the GPA, on the student’s transcript.
Concurrent and
Continuous Enrollment
In some cases, students who are initially admitted to a Saint Mary’s
program or in the process of seeking their degree/award in a Saint
Mary’s program, have a semester or longer in which they are not
registered for any Saint Mary’s courses. Students who are not registered
for courses at Saint Mary’s, but who are enrolled at another institution
(i.e., to complete prerequisites or electives that will be transferred to
Saint Mary’s) or engaged in academic activities other than coursework
(i.e., independent learning review, final paper or exam preparation), must
enroll in a zero credit course, either BR100 or GR100, in order to
continue their active student status within their given program. Inactivity
for three consecutive semesters will result in administrative withdrawal
from the university.
Undergraduate students enroll in BR100 and graduate students enroll in
GR100; both courses are referred to as continuous registration courses.
There is no cost for registration in BR100 or GR100 for the majority of
programs, however, selected graduate programs require continuous
enrollment courses that do incur a charge. Please refer to program
specific policies.
Students may enroll in BR100 or GR100 for up to five semesters.
Registration for BR100 and GR100 must be made in writing to the
student’s respective program director and evidence of enrollment at
another institution or participation in academic activities other than
coursework must be presented.
Students who do not register for two or more consecutive semesters due
to reasons such as health issues or military service are not eligible for
BR100 or GR100, but may request a leave of absence from the
university. Please see Leave of Absence Policy.
Leave of Absence Policy
Students may request a leave of absence from the university if they do not
plan to enroll for courses for more than one semester. Examples of why a
student might request leave of absence may include the following: military
leave, medical emergency, family emergency or work related situation
such as a change in professional duties.
A request for a leave of absence must be made in writing to the student’s
respective program director prior to the planned leave. Students
requesting a leave of absence must be in good academic standing and
must be on track to complete their program within the program time limit.
Extensions to an already approved leave of absence may be requested
following the same process used for the original request. Students who
are not registered in three consecutive semesters and who are not on an
approved leave of absence will be administratively withdrawn from the
university.
Course Credit and
Scheduling Policies
Regular Course Time Standards:
• A class hour is a 50-minute period.
• One traditional graduate credit requires a minimum of 15 contact
hours. In addition, it is suggested that students invest a minimum of
two hours per contact hour in outside study.
• Courses in the bachelor of science degree completion program with
reduced class hours require a minimum of 11 contact hours. In
addition, it is suggested that students invest three hours per contact
hour in outside study.
• Courses for the Undergraduate Certificate in Surgical Technology
require a minimum of 15 contact hours per credit.
• Courses in the doctoral degree programs with reduced class hours
require a minimum of 13 contact hours. In addition, it is suggested
that students invest three hours per contact hour in outside study.
• Dissertation courses require a minimum of 120 hours per credit.
• Lab courses require a minimum of 30 contact hours per credit.
• Practicum/Field Experience requires a minimum of 60 hours per
credit.
• Class meeting dates are to be held as published unless a change is
authorized by the program director.
• Instructors determine an appropriate break schedule.
• Canceled classes will be rescheduled.