Gwynedd Mercy University
AY2023-2024 Undergraduate Academic Catalog
Attendance Policies for Accelerated Non-Term Programs of Study 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 University 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 .
Definition of attendance for Courses in an Online Non-Term Program Students are considered present for the week if they post to a discussion forum or submit any assignment or other deliverable via Canvas 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 .
If a student is absent and has not submitted coursework for any 2 consecutive class sessions ( putting student out of program attendance for 14 days ), then the student will be administratively withdrawn from the student ’ s current course and earn the grade of “ WA ”. Additionally , the student will be dropped from all future courses and administratively withdrawn from the program unless attending a concurrent course .
If a student communicates in writing from their Gwynedd Mercy e-mail to their Advisor , prior to the second week absence posting , that they intend to be absent for two weeks but wish to continue with the next course , the student will not be withdrawn from the program , just from the course in which the student has been marked absent and will receive a grade of WA . The student will remain enrolled in future courses . The e-mail communication will be attached to the administrative course withdrawal form .
If a new student is absent and not submitted for the first 2 class sessions of their very first program course , then the student will be dropped from the course and all future courses . Since this student does not have a University transcript , they are considered “ never enrolled ”. If a student is taking more than one course at a time and he / she is not out of overall program attendance , then only an administrative course withdrawal may be necessary .
If a student is absent for non-consecutive class sessions , then the student will earn a final grade from instructor based on the course policy .
Choice of Major
Incoming students may request a major or choose University Studies . Retention in a program is contingent upon satisfactory progress . Refer to Program policy within each School . The University strongly suggests that University Studies students declare a major no later than the completion of 60 earned credits . Students who have more than 60 credits may be enrolled in the University Studies program for no more than two consecutive semesters before declaring a major . If , after two semesters
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