Gwynedd Mercy University 2025-2026 University Catalog 154
Professional Disposition and Conduct: For all students in a certification program, a professional disposition assessment is required to be submitted twice during the program: prior to and during student teaching.
Attendance Policies: The pace of an accelerated degree program requires students to maximize opportunities to learn. The classes and out-of-class learning activities provide the primary context for instruction as well as learning. The College of Arts, Sciences, and Professional Studies believes that in order to learn from faculty instruction and from one another, students must participate in all learning opportunities and be present at all classes and submit all out-of-class weekly assessable learning activities. Missing a class or failure to submit a weekly assessable learning activity cannot be“ made up.” The policy is intended to encourage students to make choices that support their educational goals.
Online students are considered present for the week if they post to a discussion forum or submit any assignment or other deliverable during the instructional week( Monday – Sunday). Failure to actively engage in the course by posting to discussion forums or submitting assignments will result in an official absence.
Academic Progress, Probation and Program Dismissals: Academic Probation A student whose GPA falls below a 3.0 will be placed on academic probation and must improve their GPA to a 3.0 or higher within the next six credits attempted.
If a student earns below a grade of B in any of the core pedagogy courses listed above, they must repeat the course at Gwynedd Mercy University and earn a grade of B or better. A student who earns a grade of C or C + will receive a notice of academic warning from the Dean.
Academic Dismissal A student who is placed on academic probation and fails to resolve the issue as outlined above will be dismissed from the program. A student who earns a C or C + in more than two courses or who earns below a C in any course will be dismissed from the program.
Students who are dismissed may apply for readmission one year after the date of dismissal. Acceptance for readmission is not guaranteed.
Student Teaching Students who do not successfully complete student teaching or who are removed from their student teaching placement will not be recommended for Instructional I Certification to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Removal from student teaching placement may occur for various reasons, including but not limited to unsatisfactory performance based on supervision reports; disposition concerns from Gwynedd Mercy faculty and staff and / or the faculty and staff of the student teaching placement; and an arrest or conviction of any reportable offense, according to Section 111( e) of the PA School Code.
Student teaching performance is a critical component of the certification program, and students are encouraged to discuss concerns with their Program Director and Certification Specialist. Additional information can be found in the Student Teaching Handbook.
Course Withdrawal Policy: