Academic Policies
The following policies govern academic activities of the Adult Degree Completion program at MacMurray. Policies for MacMurray’s other degree programs are in the Academic Policies and Regulations section of the catalog. In addition, policies applying to all programs at MacMurray, including Adult Degree Completion, are published in The Maggie 
, the student handbook. Students are expected to be aware of and follow these policies and regulations. Exceptions to any of the scholastic regulations of the College require the approval of the Academic Standards Committee. Petitions for exceptions are filed with the Registrar.
Classification of Students
Adult Degree Completion students are classified according to the number of career semester hours earned, including transfer, Advanced Placement, and CLEP credits that are accepted by MacMurray College and noted on the student’s transfer assessment as well as credits earned at MacMurray.
- Juniors: 60 hours to 89 hours.
- Seniors: 90 hours or more.
Transfer Hours
Transfer hours are used to meet the 60 credit minimum for acceptance into the Adult Degree Completion program. No transfer hours will be able to substitute for the course requirements of the degree program. All 60 hours of the program must be completed at MacMurray College.
The Adult Degree Completion Program is distinct from other undergraduate programs at MacMurray. The credit hours of other MacMurray undergraduate programs and the Adult Degree Completion Program are not interchangeable. They are distinct and fulfill separate degree requirements.
Full-Time and Part-Time Students
Full-time students take two courses (6 credits) in an 8-week term. Part-time students take one course (3 credits) a term.
Students should consult the Office of Financial Aid for information concerning financial aid.
Registration
Registration is defined as the acceptance of the completed official registration by the Registrar.
Late registration requires the permission of the Registrar or the Dean of the College. A late registration fee is charged after the first week if the student has not completed the registration procedure.
Changes in schedule following registration day should be initiated in the Office of Records and Registration and require approval of the student’s advisor. Students continue in each course for which they are registered until formal approval for a change is granted.
Adding Courses
Courses may be added to students’ programs during the first four days of the term. Students need the approval of the ADC advisor to make such a change. After the first four days, courses may be added only with the special approval of the Academic Standards Committee.
Dropping Courses
Courses may be dropped from student’s schedules without leaving a record on the official transcript until the 7th day of the term. Students must obtain the approval of the ADC advisor for this.
Dropping a course after the first four days of a term do not change the student’s financial obligation. Students should contact the Business Office for verification of financial effects.
Withdrawing from Courses
After the 7th day of the term, students have until the posted date on the ADC academic calendar, using a form available in the Office of Records and Registration. The student must obtain the signature of the course instructor and the ADC advisor on the form.
The instructor will indicate one of three grades on the form: W for withdrawal, WP for withdrawal while passing, or WF for withdrawal while failing. The grade and the course will be listed on the student’s permanent transcript. The grade will have no effect on the student’s grade point average, but it may affect a student’s future financial aid.
Withdrawing from the College
A student wishing to withdraw from the College must initiate the withdrawal procedure in the Office of Student Life. The student must file official withdrawal forms in order that college records, particularly financial aid records, may be brought up to date and the academic record cleared. A student withdrawing without notification is not in good standing.
The College also reserves the right to enforce the withdrawal of any student if, in the judgment of the appropriate administrator or disciplinary body or the Academic Standards Committee, it is in the best interest of the College. The College may take such action without making any charges of misconduct. A student may be dismissed for poor academic work or for conduct that is contrary to College standards. The judgment of the officers of the College is final in such cases.
Class Attendance/Absence Policy
The faculty of MacMurray College requires the student to be responsible for understanding and learning the material in a course. Students are required to attend all classes.
Grade Reports
All students are sent reports of final grades.
Grading System
Scholastic standing is indicated by the following system of grades and quality points:
- A – excellent work; four quality points for each semester hour.
- B – good work; three quality points for each semester hour.
- C – average work; two quality points for each semester hour.
- D – poor work, but passing; one quality point for each semester hour.
- F – failure in the course; no quality points earned.
- P – pass; no quality points earned. Used for Pass/Fail courses.
- AC – audit completed; no quality points earned.
- I – incomplete; represents work that, through no fault of the student, is not completed by the close of the term. This grade is assigned in case of illness and emergencies of similar urgency beyond the control of the student. The instructor in the course must obtain permission of the Registrar in order to award an Incomplete. The Incomplete may become any grade upon satisfactory completion of the work within the time allowed. Work not completed within the stipulated time will be assigned a grade of F.
- W – official withdrawal from the College or from a course without grade assessed; no quality points earned. The drop date for formal withdrawal from a course is the second Friday after midterm.
- WP – withdrawal from a course while passing the course; no quality points earned.
- WF – withdrawal from a course while failing the course; no quality points earned.
Repeat courses – Both the original and the repeat course with their grades remain on the permanent record. Whichever grade is highest is used in computing the cumulative grade point average; the other grade is disregarded.
Academic Probation
The Academic Standards Committee, which determines the academic standing of students, has the right to treat each student’s case on its merits. The primary consideration is the probability that the student can meet the academic standards of the College and achieve graduation in not more than 15 full-time terms or their equivalent. The committee may consider courses attempted, credits and grades earned, and the trend of performance. Students will be placed on academic probation if they have a cumulative grade point average below:
- 1.50 at the end of the first term of junior year.
- 1.75 at the end of the third term of junior year.
- 2.00 at the end of any later term.
Any student who is on academic probation, and any student who has a grade point average of 1.0 or less for the preceding term, is ineligible to represent the College in any campus musical organization, intercollegiate athletics, and other programs where the student is representing the College to the public.
Only grades earned at MacMurray are included in calculating the grade point average for probation or dismissal.
Academic Dismissal
Any student whose cumulative grade point average is less than 1.00 after the third or subsequent term at MacMurray will be dismissed. Any student who has been on academic probation for the first two terms at MacMurray, or for any three terms at MacMurray, and who remains on probation after the next term will be dismissed. A student who has been dismissed twice for unsatisfactory scholarship will not be readmitted.
Within 15 days from the date of the dismissal notice, a student who has been dismissed for academic reasons may appeal the dismissal to the Academic Standards Committee, citing extenuating circumstances. Appeals of that committee’s decisions may be made to the Dean of the College. (If the committee is not able to meet, the appeal may be made directly to the Dean of the College.)
Graduation
Students are responsible for observing the requirements for the chosen degree and major and the proper sequence of courses and other requirements.
Students whose enrollments are interrupted for at least four consecutive terms will forfeit the automatic right to use the requirements in effect at the time of original matriculation. The Registrar, in consultation with faculty in the student’s major, will review these cases on an individual basis.
Application for Graduation: In addition to fulfilling all requirements for a degree, a student must file with the Registrar’s office an Application for Graduation, specifying when the student plans to graduate. The degree will be awarded at the end of any term after the student has completed all requirements. Ordinarily this will be as soon as the student is eligible, but the date of graduation may be postponed if the student wishes.
Incomplete Grades: Completing Requirements Between Terms: If a student finishes all requirements for graduation after the end of one term but before the end of the next (for example, completing an Incomplete grade), the student’s degree may be dated at the end of the earlier term, if the student so specifies on the Application for Graduation. But no matter how long an Incomplete grade has been pending, the date of the degree cannot be earlier than the term in which all degree and graduation requirements were met.
Participating in Commencement: Commencement exercises are held once a year, after the end of the Spring Term and before the May Term. All students who have completed graduation requirements during the preceding academic year and filed an Application for Graduation may participate and receive their diplomas. Students who have not completed all requirements for graduation but anticipate doing so by the end of the MacMurray summer session may also participate in Commencement. They will be in a separate group at the end of the student procession and will receive their diplomas when they fulfill all requirements.
Transcripts
An official transcript of credits is issued by the Registrar’s office upon receipt of a written request, including the student’s signature, and payment of $10. Transcripts may be ordered over the Internet via the National Student Clearinghouse at http://www.studentclearinghouse.org or directly from the Records and Registration office at MacMurray. In accordance with the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, telephone requests cannot be accepted.
A statement concerning the status of the student is part of the transcript. Any student not in good standing academically is so reported. Official transcripts will not be issued for students whose bills are unpaid or whose student loans are in default.
