Academic Policies and Procedures

To learn more about the Honors Program visit their section on the post website at post.edu/honors.

Graduating with Honors Program Distinction
In order to graduate with Honors Program Distinction, students must:

Earn at least 24 Honors-level course credits.

1. Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25.
2. Participate in specialized Honors Program professional development and enrichment activities.
3. Complete community engagement requirements.

Alpha Chi National College Honor Society 
Post University sponsors the Connecticut Gamma Chapter of Alpha Chi, a national college honor society. Students from all disciplines may qualify for admission. Membership is limited to the top ten percent of an institution’s juniors, seniors, and graduate students. In addition, juniors and seniors must have earned a minimum of 24 credits at Post University. Graduate students must have completed at least 15 semester hours of graduate credit at Post University. Eligibility is determined twice per year.

Phi Theta Kappa
Post University sponsors the Omega Rho Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the national honor society for associate degree seeking students. Membership is offered when a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.50 on a 4.00 scale is achieved after 24 credits has been earned at Post University. Eligibility is determined twice per year.

Tau Upsilon Alpha
The National Organization of Human Services honor society (Tau Upsilon Alpha) was created with the purpose of honoring academic excellence and fostering lifelong learning. Tau Upsilon Alpha promotes excellence in service to humanity as well as learning, leadership, and development in the field of human services. Membership is offered to undergraduate and graduate students who have shown a commitment to working in and advancing the field of human services. Students must have completed at least 12 credits in their program of study and demonstrated academic excellence. Potential inductees are selected based on academic and professional eligibility once they have met the criteria outlined above.

Alpha Phi Sigma–Iota Psi Chapter (National Criminal Justice Honor Society)
In 2008, Post University established the Iota Psi chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma, the nationally recognized honor society for students majoring in Criminal Justice. The honor society recognizes academic excellence in undergraduate in criminal justice. To become a member, students must declare a major or minor in Criminal Justice or a related field, have completed three full-time semesters or equivalent at Post University, and have achieved a minimum grade point average of 3.20 on a 4.00 scale and rank in the top 35% of their class.  A minimum of four courses of the above course work shall be in the criminal justice field.   Eligibility is determined in the spring semester and/or Term 4.  Inductees will be selected and contacted based on the criteria outlined above.

National Society of Leadership and Success
In 2018, Post University established a chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success. The Society is the nation’s largest leadership honor society. Students are selected by their college membership based on either academic standing or leadership potential. Candidacy is a nationally recognized achievement of honorable distinction. The Society provides a step-by-step program for members to build their leadership skills through participation at their campus or online. Upon completion of the program, members receive their leadership certificate and take their place among the top student leaders at their campus and across the country.

President’s List: Full-time Students

Matriculated undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional academic excellence by earning a grade point average of at least 3.75, while carrying a minimum of 12 credits in one semester or two terms, will be named to the President’s List for that period. Students earning a grade less than C, IN or W during this period are not eligible.

Dean’s List: Full-Time Students
Matriculated students who demonstrate excellence by earning a grade point average of at least 3.50 – 3.74, while carrying a minimum of 12 credits in one semester or two terms, will be named to the Dean’s List for that period. Students earning a grade less than C, IN or W during this period are not eligible.

Post Scholars: Full-Time Students
Matriculated undergraduate students who demonstrate outstanding academic excellence by earning a grade point average of at least 3.90 upon graduation are named Post University Scholars, and are eligible to receive an additional 10% tuition reduction beyond the 10 percent Alumni grant within a master’s degree program at Post University. The Post University Scholars tuition grant is contingent on the student maintaining a GPA of 3.50 or better as a graduate student. Post University Scholars who drop below a 3.50 GPA in any given term will forfeit the additional 10% tuition grant.

Baccalaureate Degree Honors 
To qualify for honors, baccalaureate candidates must have earned a minimum of 60 credit hours in residence at Post University and achieved a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.50.

Summa Cum Laude – 3.90 to 4.00
Magna Cum Laude – 3.75 to 3.89
Cum Laude – 3.50 to 3.74

Associate Degree Honors
To qualify for honors, Associate candidates must have earned a minimum of 30 credit hours in residence at Post University and achieved a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.50.

Highest Honors – 3.90 to 4.00
High Honors – 3.75 to 3.89
Honors – 3.50 to 3.74

Master’s Degree Honors
To qualify for honors, master’s candidates must have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 4.00, with a maximum of nine (9) transfer credits. Masters candidates earning a 4.00 will earn their degree with a with distinction designation.

This policy defines a credit hour in accordance with applicable federal and state regulations. This policy describes the relationship
between instructional contact hours and credit awards, as well as defines engaged academic time.

Post University offers a variety of learning modalities including Main Campus based courses and accelerated courses, accelerated online courses, hybrid site courses, blended courses, Independent Study, Internship, or Prior Learning Assessment. Regardless of modality or type of course, students are responsible for engaging in 45 contact hours of academic learning time for each credit of a course during a term.

16-week Term
In a 16-week term, a credit hour is an academic unit earned for 55 minutes per week of classroom instruction coupled with two hours per week of outside study. Typically, for a three-credit-hour 16-week term course, there is an expectation of three hours of in class learning and six hours of outside study for a total of nine hours of academic work per week. For a blended 16-week course, there is an expectation for in class and outside s study to total nine hours per week. Over the course of 45 sessions, there are 136 hours of engaged academic time per three-credit-hour term course.

8-Week Term
In an eight-week, 3 credit-hour course, there is an expectation of 17 hours of engaged academic work per week. In an eight-week 3 credit-hour site course, there is an expectation of three hours of in class learning and 14 hours of outside study for a total of 17 hours of academic work per week. For a blended 8-week course, there is an expectation for in class and outside study to total 17 hours per week. Over the course of 8 weeks, regardless of modality, there are 136 hours of engaged academic time per three-credit hour accelerated course.

Independent Study, Internship, or Prior Learning Assessment
In either an independent study or internship, there is an expectation that students will engage in academic work totaling 136 hours per 3-credit course, regardless of modality. At its discretion, Post University may award credit hours for learning acquired outside the institution, such as Prior Learning Assessment. When such credit is allowed, it may be used to satisfy degree requirements or to reduce the total number of remaining hours required for a degree.

A student’s term grade point average is calculated by dividing the total quality points by the total number of credit hours hours attempted with an earned grade of A-F. The cumulative grade point average is based on all course work completed to date.

The following policy addresses final course grade appeals only. This grade appeal policy does not address complaints about specific class assignment grades. There is no separate process to address questions or complaints about individual grades. All emails must be sent from/to Post University email addresses, with a copy to the Office of the Assistant Provost for tracking purposes.

Informal Grade Appeal
If a student has a question or complaint about a final course grade, then the student should first attempt to resolve the issue with the instructor on an informal basis. This informal process should be pursued immediately following the posting of final course grades (the dates are identified in the Academic Calendar). Communication used should include only Post University email addresses and should be retained by both parties.

Formal Grade Appeal
Claims made at each step of the following process and the response to those claims must address the previous claims/response directly with documented evidence to support it as indicated and appropriate. All communications and documentation will be copied to the Office of the Assistant Provost for tracking purposes.

• Step 1 of Appeal: If the issue is not resolved via the Informal Grade Appeal, then the student can formally appeal the final course grade by notifying the instructor of the question/grievance IN WRITING using the “Student Grade Appeal” form via the student’s Post University email address within seven (7) business days from the date the semester and/or term final grades are due, as indicated on the Academic Calendar. Supporting documentation must be included at this time. A copy must be forwarded to the Office of the Assistant Provost by the student for tracking purposes. The Assistant Provost may forward a notification of the appeal to the appropriate Program Chair or Dean for their information; unless the instructor is not available for the review, this is for information purposes only.
• Step 2 of Appeal: The Instructor must respond to the student in writing, via Post University email address, within seven (7) business days of receipt of the appeal with a grade change or an appropriate explanation of the original grade given. The instructor’s response must directly address all claims made by the student. A copy should be sent to the Office of the Assistant Provost, for tracking purposes, who will forward a copy of the documents to the appropriate Dean or Chair for their information. If the appeal results in a change of grade, the instructor will complete the Change of Grade form, and forward it to the Registrar.
• Step 3 of Appeal: If the matter is still not resolved, then the student should appeal in writing, via Post University email address, to the Office of the Assistant Provost, within seven (7) business days of receiving the results of the Step 2 appeal. The Assistant Provost will forward the appeal to the appropriate Program Chair or Dean. All supporting documentation, including any forms, etc., should be included. The Program Chair’s response must directly address all claims made by the student. The Program Chair may also refer any medical issues to the Disability and Title IX Coordinator if absolutely required.
• Step 4 of Appeal: Having reviewed all supporting material, including the justification by the instructor, the Program Chair will respond to the student’s concerns within seven (7) business days via Post University email, with a copy to the Office of the Assistant Provost for tracking purposes. If the appeal results in a change of grade, the Program Chair will complete the Change of Grade form and forward it to the Registrar and the Office of the Assistant Provost (for tracking).
• Step 5 of Appeal: If the student is still not satisfied, he/she should appeal in writing within seven (7) business days via Post University email of receiving the result of the Appeal in Steps 3 and 4 to the Office of the Assistant Provost, who will forward all materials accumulated during the appeal process to the appropriate Dean. The Dean should respond in writing, via Post University email address, to the student with his/her final decision within seven (7) business days of being notified by the Associate Provost. If the appeal results in a change of grade, the Dean will complete the Change of Grade form, and forward it to the Registrar and the Office of the Assistant Provost (for tracking). THE DECISION OF THE DEAN IS FINAL.

Post University is committed to the development and delivery of the highest quality academic and instructional experiences. To achieve this and other qualityelated educational objectives, Post University applies a variety of tools and studies to monitor and continuously assess the performance of its academic programs, faculty teaching, and student outcomes. The tools include an outcome-based assessment process to test the effectiveness of our program curriculum, and a variety of student surveys and performance indicator tools to evaluate our course performance and teaching practices.

As part of the assessment process, a random sample of student work may be anonymously collected and assessed by assigned faculty and outside professionals. The consolidated score of that assessment is reviewed by the Assessment Committee and other stakeholders and acted on by the School Deans and Program Chairs as necessary for program improvement. The consolidated assessment data will also be used as part of informing the public about Post University and will not affect student grading.

Students are expected to complete the course evaluation for every class in which they are enrolled.

Course Loads for Undergraduate Students

Main Campus students enrolled for 12 or more credits each semester are considered full-time students. Main Campus students registered for 11 or fewer credits are considered part-time students. The maximum course load is 18 credits per semester. Main Campus students wishing to register for more than 18 credits per semester must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 and permission from the Provost. In no instance will a student be permitted to carry more than 21 credits.

Accelerated Degree Program students enrolled for 12 or more credits during two consecutive 8-week terms are considered full-time students. Accelerated Degree Program students enrolled in 11 or fewer credits during two consecutive 8-week terms are considered part-time students. Accelerated Degree Program students who want to register for nine credits in an 8-week term must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 and permission from their Academic Success Counselor. A request to register for twelve credits or more in an 8-week term must receive the Assistant Provost’s approval. Students should contact their Financial Aid Advisor about any additional costs associated with taking more than six credits per term.

Course Loads for International Students

Undergraduate Students
An international student attending in F-1 status is required by immigration regulations to be “pursuing a full course of study” in order to maintain his/her immigration status. For undergraduate students, “a full course of study” is full time, or 12 credit hours. If a student wishes to reduce his or her course load to fewer than 12 credits, the student must first consult with the International Student Advisor and then his or her Academic Advisor. The student must obtain the Academic Advisor’s signature on the “Add/Drop” form and submit a copy of the form to the International Student Advisor before the Add/Drop date.

There are limited, but important, exceptions to the “full course of study” requirement.

1. Annual Vacation
2. Illness or Medical Condition. This is a medical, emotional or physical problem documented by a doctor or counselor.
3. Academic Reasons. Initial difficulties with the English language, initial difficulties with reading requirements, unfamiliarity with American teaching methods, or improper course level placement must be documented by the student’s instructor or Academic Advisor.
4. International students in their final semester of study may take a reduced course load if fewer credits than the full time status equivalent allows them to complete their degree. Any drop below a full course load will be reported to the Department of Homeland Security.

Graduate Students
International students pursuing a graduate degree with an F-1 Visa are required to maintain full time status. Full time status is defined as 6 credits in a period of enrollment (2 terms) in on-campus or hybrid classes. If a student is taking one on-campus course during a term, the student may take an additional course either on-campus or online, after consulting with their Academic Advisor. The student must maintain on-campus or hybrid courses equaling 6 credits in a period of enrollment, and cannot substitute an online course to meet their full-time status. A student can only drop below full-time status temporarily, by filing a request with the assistance of the International Student Advisor, and receiving approval from their Academic Advisor. There are limited exceptions to the “full course of study” requirement, as noted above.

Course loads for Graduate Students
For graduate students taking courses in 8-week term, 6 or more credits during two consecutive terms is considered full time. Students attempting three credits during two consecutive terms is considered part time. Permission to take more than two courses per term may be granted, providing the student has maintained a minimum 3.00 GPA and receives approval from the Provost. Approval to exceed two courses per mod will require the student to demonstrate that he or she is not currently employed (i.e., retired, leave of absence, summer break, on medical leave, unemployed, etc.). Students who are seeking financial aid are advised to contact the Financial Aid Office, as there may be a minimum number of courses/credits required to receive such aid.

The Post University community is committed to practicing civility among the students, faculty, staff, and administration. Civility is defined as conducting oneself with respect for others and behaving in a manner that promotes and encourages a positive social and academic environment. Post University embraces the following convictions:

1. Showing respect for faculty, staff, students, guests, and school property, policies, rules, and regulations.

2. Promoting the exchange of ideas and diverse opinions through tolerance, integrity, dignity, and respect while upholding academic integrity to the highest standard.

3. Taking personal responsibility for individual choices and actions and accepting the consequences thereof.

4. Communicating in a professional and courteous manner across all platforms (verbal, non-verbal, written, or electronic).

5. Abstaining from actions that are intimidating, bullying, demeaning, or hostile to another person.

Post University’s goal is to achieve and maintain a high standard of civility to increase students’ capacities to achieve success at while in attendance and in their future careers.

A schedule change consists of adding or unscheduling a course or changing from one course section to another during the Add/Drop period, or withdrawing from a course during the withdrawal period.

The Add/Drop period is the time period from the start of the term through the Add/Drop deadline, as defined by the academic calendar. The Add/Drop deadline is typically 5pm on the first Friday of the term. Beginning in the spring of 2018, Main Campus undergraduate courses have an atypical Add/Drop deadline so students are advised to review the academic calendar for details.

The withdrawal period is the period between the Add/Drop deadline and the last day to withdraw, as defined by the Academic Calendar. The last day to withdraw represents the 60% mark in the term as follows:

• Main Campus Undergraduate: 5 pm on the 10th Friday of the Semester
• Main Campus Graduate: 5 pm on the 5th Friday of the Term
• Accelerated Degree Program: 5 pm on the 5th Friday of the Term

Students will only be permitted to add courses during the Add/Drop period if prerequisites have been met and there are openings in the course(s) they wish to add. Any change to the student’s schedule should be discussed with the Academic Advisor or Academic Success Counselor, to ensure students have met prerequisites for the course and that the schedule change will keep the student on track to graduate.

Students receiving financial aid should consult with the Office of Student Finance to determine how their award package may be affected by adding, dropping or withdrawing from courses. The Office of Student Finance makes disbursements after the end of the Add/Drop period in order to determine a student’s enrollment status and eligibility. Official notification occurs when the student informs the Office of the Registrar of his/her withdrawal.

Schedule Changes: Main Campus Courses
Students taking Main Campus courses may make schedule changes through the Add/Drop deadline. Students may no longer add courses after the Add/Drop deadline. Students who wish to withdraw from a course after the Add/Drop deadline may do so during the withdrawal period. Students withdrawing from a course during the withdrawal period will have a “W” recorded for the course on their transcript. Students may not withdraw from a course after the last day to withdraw. Students wishing to withdraw from a course must submit a withdrawal form to the Office of the Registrar.

Schedule Changes: Accelerated Degree Program Courses
Students taking Accelerated Degree Program courses may make schedule changes through the Add/Drop deadline. Students who change their schedule prior to 5 p.m. EST on the Friday before a Term starts will incur no additional fees and receive a full refund for tuition and fees charged. Students are responsible for confirming course drops with the Office of the Registrar prior to end of the Add/Drop period.

Students who wish to withdraw from an Accelerated Degree Program course after the Add/Drop deadline may do so during the withdrawal period. Students withdrawing from an online Accelerated Degree Program course during the withdrawal period will have a “W” recorded for the course on their transcript. Students may not withdraw from a course after the last day to withdraw. Students wishing to withdraw from an Accelerated Degree Program course must submit a withdrawal form to the Office of the Registrar.

Military students taking courses have an extended Add/Drop deadline (as defined above) and incur no drop fees if courses are dropped prior to the Add/Drop deadline. Military students who withdraw from a course in the first 7-13 days of the course are refunded 50% of tuition.

Undergraduate students who wish to enroll in a course, without receiving academic credit, may audit the course. Audit status must be declared at the time of registration and requires the permission of the instructor. Audit status, once declared, may not be changed. The cost to audit a course is half the current rate of tuition.

Main Campus Course Participation
Regular class participation is essential to the educational process. Failure to participate in class or complete assignments may result in a failing grade. Even students who have an excused absence (either due to athletic games or absences approved via prior communication with the instructor) are responsible for all course materials missed or due on the date(s) class was missed. For additional details on the Main Campus Attendance Policy please see Section 10.22 Main Campus Attendance Policy.

Online Academic Course Participation
Post University considers a student to have participated in a course if the student engages in an academic activity. Academic activity is defined as posting to a discussion board, submitting an assignment, taking a quiz or a test, or other measurable academic activity. Students that have not engaged in an academic activity by 11:59 PM on the 2nd Monday following the beginning of a term will be dropped from the course and will be charged a drop fee. The student’s financial aid may also be impacted by not engaging in each enrolled course. If the student is enrolled in more than one course in the term, Post University will evaluate whether the student began each course and the student will be dropped only from those courses in which the student has not begun.

Unearned F
Faculty members will assign an unearned F grade to a student that does not complete any graded academic activity after the midpoint of a course. When a student receives an unearned F grade, the faculty member will determine the date the student submitted his or her last graded academic activity and this will be considered the student’s withdrawal date from the course.

As a result of receiving an unearned F, a student’s enrollment status may be modified to withdrawn and a calculation may be required to be performed to determine how much financial aid the student has earned for the term. This calculation may result in the return of unearned financial aid to the U.S. Department of Education or other third parties. The student may be obligated to pay for charges originally paid by the unearned financial aid and/or return any excess funds paid to the student. Receiving an unearned F may also impair future course registrations and financial aid availability. Unearned F grades also count as failing grades in the student’s cumulative grade point average and pace of completion and may impact satisfactory academic progress.

Degree Audit and Application for Graduation
Post University awards degrees at the end of every term/semester. Commencement exercises are held once a year in May. Undergraduate students may participate in the graduation ceremony provided they are within 6 credits of their degree into which they are enrolled and have a minimum 2.00 grade point average. Students anticipating a December graduation must complete their degree requirements by the end of the fall term or second term.

Potential graduates must meet with their advisors prior to their last 15 credits to make sure they have completed all required courses. While advisors may assist each student in the selection of courses, the responsibility for fulfilling the requirements of the program and all Post University academic requirements rests with the individual student.

Students are able download the graduation application from their student portal once they are in a pending graduation status. An email is sent to the student’s Post email address notifying them that the application is now available.

Graduation Fees
Graduation fees are non-refundable.
Undergraduate $90.00
Graduate $90.00

Commencement Fees
Students who wish to participate in the commencement ceremony are responsible for purchasing their caps and gowns. Caps and gowns will be made available on the vendor website in early spring. The fees include shipping and are as follows:
Undergraduate $35.50
Graduate $59.00

Graduation Requirements
In order to receive a degree from Post University, students must:

1. Be matriculated in a program
2. Satisfactorily complete all degree program requirements: at least 60 credit hours for an Associate of Science degree; at least 120 credit hours for a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree; or the required number of credits for a Master’s degree
3. Achieve a cumulative GPA of not less than 2.00 for undergraduate students and a 3.00 for graduate students
4. Fulfill the residency requirement for the degree program they are pursuing
5. Complete an Application for Graduation and pay a non-refundable graduation fee

Please note: Diplomas and official academic transcripts cannot be issued if the student has an outstanding account balance with Post University.

For graduate students the Connecticut Office of Higher Education requires students to complete a culminating experience to exhibit adequate comprehension and acquisition of knowledge from pursuit of their master’s education. We have developed a series of capstone courses which meet this requirement. Students who fail their capstone courses cannot graduate. Students have a total of two attempts to pass the capstone course with a grade of C- or better. If the course is not passed on the second attempt, a petition to the Dean or Program Director is necessary to take the class a third time.

Requirements to Walk in the Graduation Ceremony

Undergraduate Walking Candidates
In order to walk (participate) in the graduation ceremony a student must meet all of the following requirements:

• Have six credits or less to complete at the end of the spring semester and/or term 5.
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.
• Indicate an intent to participate in the ceremony on the graduation application.
• Be registered for their final courses.

Graduate Walking Candidates
In order to walk (participate) in the graduation ceremony a student must meet all of the following requirements:

• Have three credits to complete at the end of term 5.
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.
• Indicate an intent to participate in the ceremony on the graduation application submitted by the deadline.
• Be registered for their final course.

A diploma will not be awarded to undergraduate or graduate students until all credits are completed. Students with credits remaining who are allowed to walk in the May ceremony are not officially graduated until all credit requirements are met. Diplomas will not be granted until all graduation requirements have been met.

Undergraduate students do not have a set program time limit. After two (2) years of non-attendance, students are readmitted under the new curriculum in the catalog at the time of readmission. If the original program of study is no longer offered, readmitted students are required to choose a new major. Coursework completed under the previous major may be transferred into the new major, based on course equivalencies and substitution policies.

Graduate students must complete a program of study within a five (5) year time limit from the date of admission to degree status. Should extenuating circumstances arise, students may petition for a one-time, one-year extension for completion of their programs of study. Such petitions must include the signed endorsement of the Program Chair and Dean. The Provost will rule on the petition and make the final decision.

Active/Inactive Students
An active student is a student who is enrolled in a course in the current semester or term. An inactive student is a student who is not enrolled in the current semester or term. Upon enrolling in a course, an Inactive student will be considered active.

Official Withdrawal (Withdrawal from University Initiated by Student)
A student requesting to officially withdraw from Post University must inform the Office of the Registrar. In turn, the Office of the Registrar will notify the student’s Academic Advisor or Academic Success Counselor and Financial Aid Advisor. The official date of withdrawal is the date the Registrar’s Office was informed.

Should a main campus student withdraw after the add/drop period and prior to the end of a semester, the student’s official transcript will reflect a “W” (withdrawal) for courses attempted in that semester. A grade of “F” will be assigned for any courses where the student has not participated for 14 consecutive days (per the Main Campus Attendance Policy). Should an online student withdraw after the add/drop period and prior to the end of the term, the student’s official transcript will reflect a “W” (withdrawal) for courses attempted in that term. A grade of “UF” will be assigned for any courses where the student has not participated since the fourth week of the term (per the ADP UF Policy).

A student who has officially withdrawn and would like to be readmitted within one year should contact his/her Academic Advisor or Academic Success Counselor. After a period of one year from the official withdrawal date, the student will need to go through the admissions process to be officially readmitted to Post University.

Administrative Withdrawal (Inactive Student Status)
Inactive students, those not currently enrolled in a course, will be administratively withdrawn. Administratively withdrawn students in satisfactory academic and civic standing are welcome to enroll in courses for a one-year period without going through the admissions process. Post University’s Student Account’s Department reports inactive students as administratively withdrawn, for purposes of Title IV financial aid.

Withdrawal for Military Leave
Military students who can no longer begin or continue their education due to a Military service obligation must do the following:

Academic Dismissal
Post University maintains the right to dismiss students from an undergraduate or graduate program under the following circumstances:

1. Failing to meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements.

2. Behaving in a manner prejudicial to the interests of Post University or hostile to the welfare of students or faculty in breach of the Civility Code.

3. Violating of the Academic Integrity Policy.