Policies and Regulations

Academic Policies

Academic Forgiveness

Northwest Missouri State University recognizes that students may have challenging terms in which they find themselves in a situation that is not optimal for their best academic performance. This academic forgiveness policy seeks to provide students with the means to recover from a less than ideal academic situation by offering them the opportunity to ask for academic forgiveness for all or part of a single term (terms are in fall, spring and summer, and parts of term include blocks and sessions). There are a number of reasons why a student may need to utilize this option. For example, a student may have chosen a major that is not well-suited to them, and finds that they are not able to successfully move through critical coursework. The student may find a major that is suited to their ability, but continues to be weighed down by courses they no longer need to take.

Criteria:

1. Students will have the opportunity to retroactively remove all or part of their credit hours from their grade calculation for one term.
2. Only a grade of C, D, or F may be forgiven.
3. Academic Forgiveness can only be awarded once.
4. Forgiven courses will show on the transcript and include a new grade designation, but not be included in the grade calculation.
5. Eligible students would be in the process of earning their first undergraduate degree. Post-Baccalaureate and Graduate students are not eligible.
6. The student must have completed at least one term and at least 12 hours at a 2.0 or higher after the term to be forgiven to be eligible to make the request.
7. Students who leave the university and return are eligible for Academic Forgiveness, but must have completed one term of college-level work (at Northwest or another institution) and 12 hours at a 2.0 since the term to be forgiven.
8. Students do not have to be currently enrolled to make the request.
9. The student must make the request prior to graduation.
10. If the term to be forgiven is the penultimate (next-to-last) term completed for the degree, the student must make the request prior to finals week of the final term, and degree conferral may be delayed.
11. Only Northwest credit can be forgiven.
12. If a student chooses to retake a course that has been forgiven, the forgiven course would count as a previous attempt.
13. Students may not drop a course that is required for a degree.
14. Students still need to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress for financial aid purposes.
15. Courses in which the student has violated Academic Dishonesty policies will not be forgiven.

Procedure:

• It is recommended that students first discuss the Academic Forgiveness Policy with their academic advisor.
• If a student chooses to request academic forgiveness, the process is initiated in the Student Success Center with the appropriate form. This ensures the student is making an appropriate decision, as it may be in their best interest to simply supersede a course or petition due to extenuating circumstances, as this can only be employed one time.
• The Registrar’s Office will verify eligible classes and process the request.

The most up-to-date Academic Forgiveness policy can be found in the University Policy Library located at https://www.nwmissouri.edu/policies/academics/index.htm.

Academic Integrity Code

Code of Academic Integrity: Undergraduate and Graduate

The students, faculty, and staff at Northwest endeavor to sustain an environment that values honesty in academic work, that acknowledges the authorized aid and intellectual contributions of others, and that enables equitable evaluation of student work. Sustaining academic integrity at Northwest is the responsibility of the entire university community.

Students are responsible for performing with integrity in all academic situations. Students must be especially attentive to academic integrity whenever submitting work for evaluation, honors, or publication.

Students are responsible for understanding the eight areas of academic behavior which violate the Code of Academic Integrity:

1. knowingly giving or receiving unauthorized aid or information;
2. committing plagiarism
3. misrepresenting facts or data;
4. offering bribes;
5. using library, computer, or other university resources unethically;
6. knowingly engaging in acts of deception, falsification, or misrepresentation that interfere with equitable academic assessment and evaluation;
7. publishing or transmitting academic materials authored by an instructor, including study guides, exams, and assignments, without the author’s permission;
8. knowingly assisting in any of the above practices.

Faculty and staff will bring charges of violation when a preponderance of the evidence indicates that one or more of the prohibited eight academic behaviors has been committed.

Students who have witnessed, or who have evidence of, a violation of the Code of Academic Integrity are encouraged to speak with a faculty or staff member. Faculty and staff are obligated to treat seriously allegations of violations brought to their attention by Northwest students. When faculty or staff believe a preponderance of the evidence indicates a violation has occurred, the evidence provided by a student may be used by the faculty or staff filing an official charge of violation.

If a student feels he/she/they has been erroneously charged with a violation of the Code of Academic Integrity, the student has a right to appeal. Appeals committees, which determine whether there is a preponderance of the evidence to sustain the charge, will offer charged students an opportunity to review all evidence and to provide oral testimony. Appeals must be made in writing within 10 academic days of receipt of the official letter of violation.

If the violation is related to a course that the student is currently enrolled in, the instructor may impose a course-level sanction up to and including failure of the course. Course-level sanctions for violations are at the discretion of the individual faculty member.

Any violation of the Code of Academic Integrity will initiate a review by the Academic Integrity Panel, whose membership includes university students, faculty, and staff. After reviewing a student’s academic record and all violations, the Academic Integrity Panel may recommend to the Provost an administrative sanction up to and including dismissal from the university.

Any changes to the Code of Academic Integrity must be implemented following the close of the academic year in which the changes are approved.

The full Code of Academic Integrity can be found in the University Policy Library at the following link: https://www.nwmissouri.edu/policies/academics/Academic-Integrity.pdf.

Academic Load

The normal load for an undergraduate student is 14-18 academic hours per semester.

• Courses taken for audit are included in the academic load.
• There is a limit of 6 activity hours per semester.
• Combined academic and activity hours cannot exceed 24 hours in a semester.
• For honors and certificates of attendance, an undergraduate student is considered to be full-time with 12 academic hours in any semester.

Before a student can petition for excess credit, he or she must have completed one semester of full-time academic work at Northwest.

• A student who has a Northwest and overall GPA of 3.00 or above may take no more than 21 academic hours during any semester.
• A student who has a Northwest and overall GPA of 2.00-2.99 may take no more than 18 academic hours in any semester.
• A student who has a Northwest and/or overall GPA below 2.00 may take no more than 16 academic hours in any semester. Petitions forms are available in the Office of the Registrar, and online at www.nwmissouri.edu/registrar.

Students must petition for exceptions to the above policies. Petition forms are available in the Office of the Registrar and online at www.nwmissouri.edu/registrar.

Academic Probation, Academic Suspension, and Dismissal

A student who has both a Northwest and cumulative (Northwest and transfer) GPA of at least 2.00 is considered to be in good standing. Students not in good standing will be placed on academic probation, suspension, or dismissal.

Probation

The purpose of academic probation is to alert students that the quality of cumulative academic work is unsatisfactory. The following terms and conditions apply:

• Any student classified as a freshman whose Northwest or cumulative grade point average falls below a 1.75 on a 4.00 scale is automatically placed on academic probation.
• Any student classified as a sophomore, junior, or senior whose Northwest or cumulative grade point average falls below 2.00 is automatically placed on academic probation.
• A student on academic probation is limited to 16 academic hours per semester. This enrollment restriction will apply as long as the student is on academic probation.
• Any student once placed on probation remains on probation until his or her Northwest and cumulative grade point average is at least a 2.00.

Suspension

A student who enters a term on academic probation and fails to earn a semester GPA of 2.00 or higher will be suspended unless the student has both a Northwest and cumulative (Northwest and transfer) GPA of 2.00 or higher at the end of the term. The following terms and conditions apply:

• A student on probation who falls further behind (i.e., who does not make at least a 2.00 grade point average for any term) shall be automatically suspended for two consecutive terms.
• A second suspension will be for three consecutive terms.
• If a student is academically suspended from Northwest or from any other university or college for a total of three times, the student will be dismissed from Northwest.
• A suspended student may apply to the Office of Admissions for readmission following his or her suspension period. Any student who has returned on probation following a period of academic suspension or who has been reinstated by the Committee on Academic Petitions shall earn at least a 2.00 grade point average each probationary semester in order to continue as a student.
• Students allowed to return on probation will remain on probation until his or her Northwest and cumulative grade point average reaches at least a 2.00.

Students must petition the Student Persistence Committee for exceptions to the above policies. Petition forms are available in the Office of the Registrar and online at www.nwmissouri.edu/registrar. The decision of the Student Persistence Committee may be appealed to the Assistant Vice President Admissions and Student Success. Appeal Petition forms are available in the Office of the Registrar and online at www.nwmissouri.edu/registrar.

Academic Success courses are offered to support students on their academic journey at Northwest Missouri State University. Academic Success courses are required for specific student segments but are also available for optional enrollment as capacity permits.

The following populations are required to take the 1-hour courses listed below where an (X) is designated:

*Students required to enroll in the Academic Success Coaching program or the Academic Recovery program may be administratively withdrawn for failure to meet program standards or failure to meet program requirements. This is outlined in the administrative withdrawal policy.

Students that meet the following criteria may petition the requirement to enroll in 77-150/151:

• Returning students that left Northwest on probation/suspension but have since completed at least 15 transferable credit hours with at least a 3.0
• Returning students who have been on extended leave from the institution and have gained significant professional experience.

Students that earned an academic credential such as an associate’s degree and finished their last two terms in good standing are exempt from required enrollment in 77-150/151.

The Director of Academic Success and Retention will consider and make a determination on all petitions to waive Academic Success requirements. For petition consideration, please email studentsuccess@nwmissouri.edu or call 660-562-1726.

INCO 77150 Academic Success Coaching and INCO 77151 Strategies for Academic Success may be repeated, as needed, but only apply once toward the 120-hour graduation minimum.

Adding, Dropping, and Withdrawals

Adding Courses

• Courses may be added during the first day of any short course, two-week course, or four-week course;
• during the first two days of a six-week or eight-week course, and
• during the first five days of any course longer than eight weeks of instruction.
• This includes adding a course, exchanging courses, dropping courses, and transferring from one section of a course to another section.

Dropping Courses

Student Initiated Course Drop

• The student elects to unenroll from an individual course within the established academic calendar period.
• Students may drop a course during the first 80% of any length course. (See “Fees and Costs ” section.)
• Students who follow the prescribed procedure for dropping a course will have no grade entered on the permanent record (transcript).
• Students who do not follow the prescribed procedure for dropping a course will have a grade of “F” recorded on the permanent record.
• If due to extraordinary reasons-beyond the control of the student-a student desires to drop a course after the deadline (late drop), the student must petition the Student Persistence Committee. Extraordinary reasons which may be considered include advisor error, administrative error, or documented medical reasons. Students who are granted a late drop by the Committee will have a “DR” entered on the permanent record.
• Students cannot drop all of the courses in which they are enrolled as that is defined as a “Withdrawal from the University”.

Administrative Course Drop

• During the defined add/drop period, an instructor may request the Office of the Registrar to delete a student from the class roster due to nonattendance. The conditions listed below must be met to initiate the drop.
• The course syllabus clearly states the conditions under which an administrative drop would be initiated.
• The student is warned of a pending administrative drop and provided the opportunity, when possible, to remedy the situation.
• Courses may not be dropped during the final exam period.

Withdrawal from the University

Student Initiated Withdrawal

• Students who wish to terminate enrollment at the University (unenroll from all courses) during a term should initially consult with their advisor. If, after meeting with the advisor, a student decides to withdraw from the University, the student must complete an Exit Report through the Student Success Center in Owens Library.
• It is extremely important that a withdrawal be completed to ensure that proper entries are made on the academic transcript, that fee refunds are processed (See “Fees and Costs ” section.), and that all University records reflect the withdrawal.
• If a student cannot initiate the withdrawal process in person, he or she should write or email the Student Success Center, so that office can process the withdrawal.
• Students who wish to withdraw from the University must do so before 80% of any semester or shorter-length term has expired.

A “W” will be recorded on the academic transcript for each class.

• Students who do not follow the prescribed procedure to withdraw from the University will have a grade of “F” recorded on the permanent record for all courses.
• Students on academic probation who withdraw from all classes will be readmitted on the same status they held at the time of withdrawal from school.
• If due to extraordinary reasons-beyond the control of the student-a student desires to withdraw from the University after the deadline, the student must petition the Student Persistence Committee. Petition forms are available in the Office of the Registrar or online at www.nwmissouri.edu/registrar.

Academic Administrative Withdrawal

When it is in the best interest of Northwest Missouri State University for a student to withdraw, a student will be given a W, put on administrative hold, and given notice that they are about to be withdrawn. This action will result in removal of all credits associated with courses that have yet to be completed in the semester in question, and the student will be administratively withdrawn from the University. An administrative withdrawal does not affect the student’s grade point average.

• Consistent with the University definition of Administrative Withdrawal stated above, an Academic Administrative Withdrawal can be implemented should the following conditions arise:
  • A student is administratively dropped from all enrolled courses during a semester. The Registrar will initiate the process for administrative withdrawal.
  • An admitted student with a requirement to participate in the Academic Success Coaching program does not meet program standards or fulfill program requirements. The Director of Academic Success and Retention will initiate the process for administrative withdrawal that may include suspension from the University for a specified period.
  • A student participating in the Academic Recovery program does not meet program standards or fulfill program requirements. The Director of Academic Success and Retention will initiate the process for administrative withdrawal that may include suspension from the University for a specified period.
  • Non-payment of fees. The Student Account Services Office will initiate the process for administrative withdrawal.
    • Students who are administratively withdrawn for non-payment of fees are prohibited from attending classes.

Academic Administrative Withdrawal Appeal: All students who are withdrawn under this policy have the right to appeal the decision to the appropriate Associate Provost. The appeal must be made in writing within ten business days of the withdrawal decision, and address reasons the student feels they should be reinstated. The appeal can include information not previously available, including extenuating circumstances that may not have known. The Associate Provost has the ability to call together an ad hoc committee as needed and appropriate for the given situation. Suggested membership includes an appropriate appointee from the VP of Student Affairs, DEI, UPD, Registrar’s office, the student’s advisor/success coach, and if the student is an on campus resident, a member of Residential Life. The decision of the Associate Provost is final.

Academic Administrative Withdrawal Notice: The office initiating the administrative withdrawal must work with the appropriate Associate Provost and Registrar to activate the withdrawal. The Registrar’s office will place a hold on the student’s account. Upon the student being administratively withdrawn, the appropriate Associate Provost, or a designee, will inform the student. Additionally, the student will also receive written notice of the administrative withdrawal.

Readmission of Academically Administratively Withdrawn Students: Should the Administratively Withdrawn student choose to return to the university, the student must file a written request for readmission to the Provost at least 30 business days prior to the beginning of the term in which the student wishes to enroll. In order to be considered for readmission, the student must be able to demonstrate that they are prepared to return to classes and be successful in the University environment. Whether to grant readmission remains solely in the University’s discretion.

Appeals Process for Academic Policies

All students will have the right to appeal in person regarding decisions rendered by either the Committee on Academic Petitions, Curriculum and Degree Requirements Committee, or the Student Persistence Committee.

• The student must initiate the appeals process by preparing a petition in consultation with his or her academic advisor, or in the absence of the academic advisor, another faculty member, or the Student Success Center.
• Petition forms are available in the Office of the Registrar or online at www.nwmissouri.edu/registrar.
• The student must submit the petition to the Registrar, who will then direct the petition to the appropriate committee.

Assessment Program Participation

Northwest must report the results of surveys and national tests to accrediting agencies (NCATE, North Central Association Team, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) and to the Coordinating Board for Higher Education. In addition, the faculty must continue to evaluate the quality of its programs. Therefore, students may be required to take tests designed to measure general education achievement in selected areas, for purposes of evaluation and for the improvement of the academic programs at Northwest. No minimum score or level of achievement is required for graduation, unless a degree or certificate program so requires. Participation in testing may also be required of students in certain programs and of students selected on a sample basis.

Students who do not participate in scheduled and approved assessment projects may not be able to preregister or register for classes or receive a final transcript until the obligation is completed.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend all classes as specified in the course syllabi for each course. However, specific attendance policies may vary from instructor to instructor. Each instructor will clarify the attendance policy at the beginning of each course. It is the responsibility of the student to promptly notify his or her instructor when unable to attend class. Students receiving veterans’ benefits should consult with the coordinator of Veterans’ Affairs for the additional attendance requirements.

A student may make up class work without penalty if engaged in University activities endorsed by the Provost or prevented from attending by circumstances considered adequately extenuating by the course instructor.

After the add period until the end of the drop period, an instructor may request the Office of the Registrar to delete a student from the class roster due to non-attendance. The Administrative Drop form can be found on the Registrar’s website at www.nwmissouri.edu/registrar/forms.htm under the Faculty Forms tab.

Audit

The University will admit a limited number of auditors to classes; the following policies apply:

• Students who initially enroll in a course for credit may be permitted to change their enrollment–to audit or remove from audit–any time within the first three weeks of a semester, eight days of a six- or eight-week course, five days of a four-week course and two days of any shorter length course.
  • Auditors will enroll for the course, pay the same fees as other students and enjoy all the privileges of the University.
• The instructor will decide the number permitted to audit.
  • The auditing student is expected to attend regularly and is to determine from the instructor the amount of work expected.
  • If an auditing student does not meet the criteria for the course, the instructor may drop the student from the class roll during the semester and the audit will not appear on the student’s record.
• A course may be audited before it is taken for academic credit or before a student attempts a departmental test-out. A course may also be audited after it is taken for credit.

Audit forms are available in the Office of the Registrar and on the Northwest website: https://www.nwmissouri.edu/registrar/PDF/Course-Audit-Request.pdf.

Students must petition the Committee on Academic Petitions for exceptions to the above policies. Petition forms are available in the Office of the Registrar and on the Northwest website: https://www.nwmissouri.edu/registrar/petitions.htm.

Calculator Use

Calculators may be permitted in some courses. If a calculator or programmable calculator is not to be used in a course, the faculty member is to include a clear statement on the course syllabus such as, “Calculators are not to be used during tests for this class” or “All memories in programmable calculators must be empty during tests for this class.” It will be considered cheating in all classes when students violate the above statements.

Change in Program Delivery Method

Students requesting a change in program delivery method must initiate such a change request with an academic advisor in conjunction with the Registrar’s Office. All change in delivery method requests will go into effect on the first day of the next semester. Changing delivery methods during the semester is not allowed. The change form can be found online at www.nwmissouri.edu/registrar/forms.htm.

Correspondence and Extension Courses

Northwest does not offer courses by correspondence or extension; however, it does maintain the following policies in regard to credit earned in this manner.

No student will be permitted to be enrolled in correspondence or extension courses while being regularly enrolled at Northwest without prior approval of the major department. A course completed or attempted in residence may not be repeated by correspondence or extension for the purpose of raising a grade or removing a failure.

No student will be permitted to apply coursework in correspondence or extension toward their degree after a total of 30 hours has been completed in correspondence or extension courses.

Classification of Students

Students are classified at the opening of the regular school year in the fall and thereafter at the opening of the spring and summer semesters as follows:

Freshman: less than 30 semester hours of academic credit.

Sophomore: less than 60 semester hours but more than 29 hours of academic credit.

Junior: less than 90 semester hours but more than 59 hours of academic credit

Senior: 90 or more semester hours of academic credit but has not earned a bachelor’s degree.

Postbaccalaureate: a student who holds a bachelor’s degree and is enrolled for undergraduate courses; a student pursuing another bachelor’s degree.

Graduate Student: a student who holds a bachelor’s degree and has been accepted for a course of study leading to a master’s degree or graduate-level study.

Concurrent Enrollment

An undergraduate student enrolled at Northwest shall not receive credit toward graduation from Northwest for courses taken concurrently at another institution without permission of his or her major department.

Course Numbering

Courses are numbered according to the following plan:

Credit Unit & Program Length

Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest) follows all guidelines and policies concerning credits, program length and tuition as established by the Higher Learning Commission and the Missouri Coordinating Board of Higher Education.

Credits and Course Length Course credit is awarded in semester hours as recorded on the academic transcript.

The fall and spring semesters shall consist of no fewer than 15 calendar weeks and no more than 17 calendar weeks of instructional time. The summer session consists of three blocks of four-week sessions (some combined to make 8 or 12 week sessions). Course delivery consists of traditional on-ground, online, as well as the blended format which allows for reduced in-class instructional contact plus an online component. In addition, programs may be offered in a competency-based format with a credit-based delivery mode within traditional terms.

Northwest calculates credit hours by semester based on the standard Carnegie unit. The semester credit hour is the unit of measure used to determine college-credit coursework. A credit hour will be awarded for a minimum of 750 minutes of formalized instruction that typically requires students to work on out-of-class assignments at an average of twice the amount of time as the amount of formalized instruction (1,500 minutes). It is acknowledged that formalized instruction may take place in a variety of modes. Thus, a unit of credit equates to three hours of student work per week (1-hour lecture plus 2-hours of out of class work OR 2/3 hours of lab/activity) for 15-17 weeks. Lecture courses are considered to be 50-60 minutes of lecture class time and two hours per week of out-of-class work. For the typical three-unit class, a student spends approximately three hours per week in class and should be prepared to complete six hours of work per week of outside of class work. A unit of a laboratory/activity course is equal to two/three hours per week. In order to earn credit time, students must also meet institutional and state learning outcomes at a satisfactory level.

Northwest meets and/or exceeds the minimum course length requirement set by the Federal Student Aid Program (FSA) regulations. At Northwest, one credit hour is granted for 750 minutes of contact lecture time. Credits at Northwest are awarded based on the number of minutes a lecture class meets per week as well as the student successfully meeting the stated learning outcomes. One credit is awarded for each 50-minute session for a 15-17- week semester or 750 minutes per credit. Labs must meet additional instructional time, as required by state regulations. Northwest three-credit-hour courses exceed the minimum class time required and meet 50-minutes for three day courses, 75 minutes for two day courses and 150 minutes for one day courses for a minimum of 2250 minutes per semester. These standards are adhered to when developing class schedules each semester.

The foundation for online/blended courses is to ensure that students are meeting the same learning outcomes as those delivered in traditional on-ground coursework. This includes competency-based programs that are all established on the credit-based premise. For an online, blended, or competency-based program course, the credit hour standard is met where the course meets one of the following criteria:

• The course covers the same material in the same depth as the on-campus version of the course and students spend comparable amounts of time in achieving the course objectives.
• The course has been evaluated by the university for content and rigor, and the university has approved and documented the credit to be awarded. The process for doing so is as follows:
  • Faculty follow the process for curriculum proposals and complete the Teaching Online course.
  • The course proposal must include information about the estimated work time needed for students to satisfactorily complete assignments, incorporate a measured student outcome within the first week of the course offering to help verify all students are enrolled and engaged in the learning process, and propose an instructional platform that significantly engages the student weekly in some manner that is instructor-initiated.
  • The Faculty Curriculum Committee will consider each course proposal to determine whether the material, depth, and learning outcome reasonably approximate those required to satisfy requirements for credit hours.
  • Northwest utilizes the following sessions to provide students with a variety of program lengths - all program lengths are aligned with Title IV requirements.
• Fall and Spring semesters: variation of 16, 10, eight and four -week sessions (depending on subject matter and program)
• Summer: typically, three four-week sessions or a combination of eight and twelve week sessions

The following link contains a list of degree programs and certificates offered by Northwest: https://www.nwmissouri.edu/academics/majors.htm

The Missouri Department of Higher Education has established a statewide articulation agreement and a common course library that guarantees 42 general education hours to transfer to any Missouri public or private institution in the state which has signed on to the agreement, including Northwest. The 42-Hour General Education Core also fulfills all lower-division requirements for transfer.

Degree Audit

The Office of the Registrar provides a degree audit to help students track their academic progress toward completing a degree program. Degree audits show students and advisors in a report format what requirements have been completed and those which still need to be fulfilled for graduation.

Degree Audits should be reviewed at a minimum the following 5 times during the semester:

• prior to meeting with an academic advisor,
• after registration,
• after grades are posted,
• anytime a schedule change is made.
• prior to application for graduation

The student is responsible for knowing and meeting the requirements for a degree. Efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of the degree audit; however, final certification that an undergraduate student has completed all graduation requirements is the responsibility of the Registrar. Questions regarding how coursework is applying to requirements should be addressed to the Registrar (registrar@nwmissouri.edu).

Degree audits for all currently-enrolled and transfer students accepted to the University are available online.

External Examinations

Students may establish advanced standing credit by examination through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), the Advanced Placement program (AP), and the International Baccalaureate (IB). See “Admissions ” section.

Final Examinations

The University publishes an official final examination schedule for fall and spring terms. Summer examinations are scheduled by each instructor on the last day of the course. All examinations must be given on the day and time for which they are scheduled.

Students who wish to change their final examination schedule must obtain the approval of the instructor and file the change with the department chair/school director. Students may petition for a change in their final examination schedule only in cases of major medical situations, personal or family crisis, or University-prescribed activities. Students faced with an emergency and unable to contact the instructor should contact an appropriate University office or person as soon as possible.

A student who has three examinations scheduled on the same day may petition for a schedule change by initiating a petition with any one of the instructors giving an examination on the day three are scheduled. The petition must be signed by the instructor granting the change. The student will file the change with the department chair/school director. Petitions may be obtained at the academic department.

Grade Appeal Procedure

Faculty members have a professional obligation to evaluate the progress and/or performance in each course. Student progress and/or performance should be evaluated solely on the academic objectives of the course.
Students are responsible for maintaining standards of academic performance established for each course in which they are enrolled. Lack of success in meeting the academic grading standards established by the instructor shall not constitute a case for appeal.

• A student who feels that the instructor has graded on the basis of personal opinions or other matters unrelated to the established academic standards is encouraged to consult with the instructor in the hope that a satisfactory solution can be achieved.
• If the student still feels the instructor is biased or capricious in his/her academic evaluation, the student shall have the right to make written appeal of the grade within one calendar year from the last day of finals in the semester during which the grade in question was assigned.
• The written appeal shall be submitted to the departmental/school-level Student Relations Committee through the department chairperson, school director, or coordinator. Such a committee shall consist of at least one faculty member and one student who are not directly involved in the case. Northwest Missouri State University faculty maintain records of students’ academic performance until such time as the aforementioned window for submitting an appeal has expired.
• A departmental/school-level Student Relations Committee shall convene within a reasonable time following the student’s request for a formal hearing.
• If the committee feels there is reasonable justification for the student’s appeal, then it shall schedule a formal hearing in which testimony from both the student making the appeal and from the instructor concerned will be considered, along with any supporting evidence.
• At the conclusion of the hearing, the committee will make its recommendation for the resolution of the difference, and shall notify in writing the student, the instructor, and the department chair, school director, or coordinator. The written decision and the signatures of the committee members shall be filed in the department/school.
• If the departmental/school-level Student Relations Committee supports the student but the instructor refuses to accept the decision of the committee, the student may notify the department chairperson, school director, or coordinator of the instructor’s refusal. Should the allegation concern the department chairperson, school director, or coordinator the notification shall be made to the Associate Provost or as otherwise designated by the chief academic officer.
• If the appeal fails, or is not supported by the department chair or school director, the student may then petition the Academic Appeals Committee. The student must make the appeal in writing to the Academic Appeals Committee, through the Office of the University Registrar, within 10 academic days of receiving formal notification from the departmental/school committee.

Grade Changes

Once a grade is posted, the grade cannot be reduced to a lesser grade.

Grade Point Average Requirements

Students with transfer credit will have three grade point averages:

• Northwest GPA: computed on work at Northwest only;
• Transfer GPA: computed on work transferred in from other institutions;
• Cumulative GPA: computed on both Northwest work and that transferred in from other institutions.

The following are based on both the Northwest GPA and the cumulative GPA:

1. Academic status (good standing, probation, suspension or dismissal),
2. Financial assistance, except internal scholarships,
3. Graduation honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, or cum laude).

The Northwest GPA alone is used as the grade point average in determining eligibility for internal scholarships.

The cumulative GPA alone is used for the teacher certification grade point average, class rank and GPA at graduation.

Grade Point Calculation

Grade points are calculated on the following basis:

• One hour of “A” = four points;
• One hour of “B” = three points;
• One hour of “C” = two points;
• One hour of “D” = one point;
• One hour of “F” = zero points.

A grade point average is computed by dividing the grade points by the number of semester hours of academic work attempted. Grades assigned as NR, NC, W, I, IP, or P are not computed in the grade point average.

Grades: Five and Eleven Week Advisory

In order to inform students of their academic progress at five and eleven weeks, instructors are asked to report grades.

• Students notified of unsatisfactory coursework at five weeks are expected to follow up with the instructor in a conference, to address the areas of concern personally and systematically, and/or to seek academic support through available campus resources.
• Students notified of unsatisfactory coursework at eleven weeks are encouraged to consult the instructor and/or academic advisor to discuss options prior to the last date to drop a course.
• These advisory grades are not permanently recorded.

Grades: Midterm Advisory

In order to inform students of their academic progress at midterm, instructors are asked to report grades. Students notified of unsatisfactory coursework at midterm are expected to follow up with the instructor in a conference, to address the areas of concern personally and systematically and/or to seek academic support from campus resources. These advisory grades are not permanently recorded.

Grading System

The following marks are used in evaluating the work of students:

Holds: Diploma/Enrollment/Transcript

Failure to meet obligations to Northwest, financial (i.e.: tuition, room, board, telephone, parking, library fines, class materials) or otherwise (i.e.: incomplete admissions file), will be cause for refusal to allow an individual to enroll, receive a diploma, or receive an academic transcript.

Guidelines

• Financial situations: transcripts may be released with a financial hold, but a reasonable attempt should be made to clear the hold with Student Account Services.
• Enrollment may be allowed at the discretion of the Bursar when there is reasonable assurance that funding will be forthcoming.
• No exceptions are made to a hold on a diploma.
• Admissions: an exception may be made under the following condition:
  • If an individual has not submitted all the required transcripts and/or ACT results, the associate director of admissions may release a hold when there is reasonable assurance that the required materials are forthcoming.
    • A hold may be placed on preregistration as well as general registration and verification of preregistration.
• Other situations (i.e., disciplinary, etc.): the “holding” department will consider exceptional circumstances.

Appeals rest with the appropriate Associate Provost or the Provost.

Honor Roll and Graduation Honors

The honor roll is compiled at each official grading period and includes all full-time undergraduate students earning a grade point average of 3.50 or above in academic courses.

• Students who take an incomplete grade will not be considered for the honor roll for that term.
• Students who earn a 3.50-3.99 GPA will be named to the Academic Honor Roll.
• Students who earn a 4.00 GPA will be named to the President’s Honor Roll.

Graduation honors are determined by a student’s Northwest GPA, and if there are transfer credits, the cumulative GPA (all college work attempted) must also meet the GPA requirements. Only first degrees are eligible for honors and class rank.

• Graduating seniors who have grade point averages (Northwest and cumulative) between 3.50 and 3.74 inclusive for their work in their first academic degree will be graduated “Cum Laude.”
• Graduating seniors who have grade point averages (Northwest and cumulative) between 3.75 and 3.94 inclusive will be graduated “Magna Cum Laude.”
• Graduating seniors who have grade point averages (Northwest and cumulative) between 3.95 and 4.00 inclusive will be graduated “Summa Cum Laude.”

Honors designation for the commencement program will be determined on the grade point averages based on grades recorded on the academic transcript by the Registrar four weeks prior to the spring and fall commencement exercises.

Honorary Degree

The Northwest Missouri State University honorary degree may be conferred to individuals who have:

• achieved distinction in academic endeavors; and/or
• achieved distinction in his/her profession; and/or
• rendered outstanding contributions or service to humanity; and/or
• made a recognized scholarly or service contribution as a regional, national, or international figure.

Institutional mission and complement of programs determine the types of honorary degrees that may be conferred. Honorary degrees may be selected from the following:

• Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) - Awarded to someone who is distinguished in areas regarding humanities or welfare
• Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) - Awarded for contributions to government or public service
• Doctor of Letters (Litt.D.) - Awarded in recognition of contributions to literature or creative/performing arts
• Doctor of Pedagogy (Ped.D.) - Awarded to distinguished educators
• Doctor of Science (Sc.D.) - Awarded to recognize contributions to fields of science, social science, engineering, or technology

In general, the Northwest Missouri State University honorary degree may not be conferred:

• to faculty and staff members until at least five years after they have been separated from the university;
• to elected or appointed public officials of Missouri until at least on year after they have vacated office;
• in consideration of money or other gifts of value to the University; or
• to individuals posthumously or in absentia.

Any member of the Northwest Missouri State University faculty, staff, the Northwest Foundation, or the Northwest Leadership Team is eligible to submit nominations for an honorary degree. Candidates may not nominate themselves to receive an honorary degree. Final authority for awarding honorary degrees is vested in the Board of Regents.

Incomplete Grade

• An incomplete grade is initiated with the course instructor.
• The incomplete grade indicates that due to unusual circumstances a small portion of a course has not been completed.
• In each instance when an incomplete grade is assigned, the instructor of the course is required to provide a statement as to the work remaining to complete the course.
  • The incomplete grade and statement of the work left to complete the course are submitted by the instructor electronically through CatPAWS at the final grading period for the course.
• The student must then complete the requirements for the course by the end of his or her next fall or spring term of enrollment, or the grade becomes an “F” on the student’s permanent grade record.
• A student wishing to submit makeup work to remove an incomplete grade must make arrangements with the instructor two weeks prior to the final grade due date.
• Faculty members are not obligated to accept and evaluate make-up work in order to submit a grade after the above time periods.
• A baccalaureate degree will not be awarded with an incomplete grade remaining on the student record by the end of the term of graduation. Upon removal of the incomplete grade, the student will then be eligible to apply for graduation at the next graduation period.

Requests for extension of time must be petitioned to the Committee on Academic Petitions. Petition forms are available in the Office of the Registrar and on the Northwest website at www.nwmissouri.edu/studentsuccess/petitions/index.htm.

In-Progress Grade

The in-progress (IP) grade is used only for high school dual, outreach, collaborative, and study abroad courses which span more than one semester. The IP designation is determined by the course, not the individual student. The IP grade is assigned at the end of the first semester of the course and is replaced by the earned grade at the end of the course. If the student does not complete the course by the end of the established grading period, the appropriate grade will be assigned by the instructor. If the grade is incomplete, the existing incomplete grade policies would then apply.

A baccalaureate degree will not be awarded with an in-progress grade remaining on the student record at the end of the term of graduation. The IP grades become failing grades on the permanent record.

Academic Military

Students who have completed a minimum of one year of active military service may be granted credit as determined by the Northwest Office of Admissions. Credit may also be granted for specific military training and MOS designations as recommended by the American Council on Education.

No Credit

The University makes available a procedure whereby persons may enroll in undergraduate courses for no credit on a space-available basis. Individuals admitted under this procedure must declare, at the time of enrollment, that they do not wish credit for the course. A course taken for no credit cannot be converted to credit except by repeating the course for credit. Students may not change status from credit to no credit.

Individuals enrolling for no credit are not required to go through the formal admissions process and are not required to submit transcripts of past academic work. Students presently under suspension from Northwest or any other institution of higher education are not eligible for enrollment for no credit. Fees for no credit courses are at the same rate as credit or audit courses. 600-level courses and above are not available on a no-credit basis.

Pass/Fail Option

The primary purpose of the pass/fail option is to encourage students to attempt courses in areas outside their major or minor area which would not ordinarily be attempted because of lack of background. This option is made available so that students will feel free to broaden their educational experience somewhat without fear of a poor grade affecting their grade point averages.

Eligibility:

To be eligible to use the pass/fail privilege the student must:

1. Complete one term as a full-time student at Northwest.
2. Have a Northwest cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 at the time of registration.

Procedure for Enrollment, Recording and Evaluation:

1. Courses to be taken on pass/fail must be so designated within the first 30 days of instruction of a semester, the first eight days of a six-week or eight-week course, five days of any four-week course and two days of any two-week course. The student is to file a request for pass/fail grading in the Office of the Registrar.
2. Lecture/lab courses are considered as one unit.
3. Grades of “F” shall receive the same negative honor points as a regular “F.”
4. Grades of “P” are not computed in the grade point average.

Limitations of Use of Pass/Fail:

1. Pass/fail may be used for a maximum of nine hours. Students transferring pass/fail hours to Northwest shall have those pass/fail hours counted toward their total pass/fail hours.
2. Pass/fail may not be used for any course:
   1. In the student’s major or minor requirements.
   2. To meet a Northwest Core or Institutional requirement.
   3. Required for language requirement on a B.A. degree.
   4. Required for teacher certification or any pre-professional requirement.
3. Pass/fail cannot be used for graduate-level courses.
4. Pass/fail cannot be used to supersede.
5. The University, its faculty and administrators, will be under no obligation other than those regulated by law to release information regarding the grade originally earned by the student.
6. All courses that are used to meet a free elective, or any hours taken above the minimum required for graduation and not prohibited by No. 2 above, can be placed on pass/fail.

Students must petition the Committee on Academic Petitions for exceptions to the above policies. Petition forms are available in the Office of the Registrar and on the Northwest website at www.nwmissouri.edu/registrar/petitions.htm.

Preferred Name

Northwest Missouri State University recognizes the need of campus community members to identify themselves by a name different than their legal name. Therefore, it is the policy of Northwest Missouri State University that any student, staff or faculty member may choose to identify, within the university community, with a preferred first name that differs from their legal name.

As long as the use of the preferred first name is for an appropriate purpose and aligned with the intended use of preferred name, the University will acknowledge the use of the preferred name in university-related systems and documents except where the use of the legal name is required. The University will change an individual’s preferred first name one time at no charge. However, the University will charge a name change fee for each subsequent request for a preferred first name change.

An individual student’s preferred first name will be used in lieu of that individual’s legal name in all instances where use of a legal name is not required and will be used across University systems where available and technically feasible. Students, faculty, and staff are expected to facilitate the use of preferred name by using CatPAWS to add or update the student information system.

An individual should only have to make a single request to update their preferred name across all University systems. However, all campus community members should be aware that some systems do not receive regular updating from the main information system and therefore may not be updated. Individuals who encounter such systems should bring this to the attention of the University Registrar or Human Resources who will work with the appropriate entities to bring the system into compliance with the policy.

Northwest Missouri State University reserves the right to deny or remove any preferred name, with or without notice for misuse, including but not limited to misrepresentation, attempting to avoid legal obligation, use of derogatory names, and violation of the University’s policy as it relates to the appropriate purpose and intended use. Instances in which preferred name will be used include, but are not limited to:

Students:

• Class rosters
• Residence hall rosters
• University identification cards
• Degree Audit
• Grade Sheets
• University systems (Canvas, Northwest Success 360, myNorthwest, Student Directory and email)
• Wherever it is not necessary for the legal name to be used

Legal Name:

A change in legal name requires an official document or court order verifying the correct information at the time the requests is made. Information about changing a legal name in Missouri may be found at http://mmls.org/forms-info/172-2/. Other states may have different legal name change procedures.

Students are required to verify their legal names prior to the point of admissions. After enrollment, students may process official legal name changes or corrections.

Instances in which legal name must be used include, but are not limited to:

• Reporting to state or federal agencies
• Transcripts
• Diplomas
• Payroll documents
• Financial aid documents and processes
• Billing and processes
• Enrollment and degree verification processes
• Official lists of students made available to the public
• Communication with the “Family of ____”
• Other records where the student’s legal name is required by law or University policy

FERPA:

Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a student’s name, including preferred name, may be disclosed to the public as “directory information” unless the students opts not to permit such disclosure. To revoke the disclosure of directory information, a student has the option of requesting privacy through the student information system CatPAWS. To view the full FERPA policy, go to: https://www.nwmissouri.edu/policies/academics/index.htm. The full preferred name policy can be found in the University Policy Library located at https://www.nwmissouri.edu/policies/academics/index.htm.

Superseding Grades/ Repeating Courses

A student who has received a grade of “C”, “D” or “F” in a course may repeat a course in an effort to raise the grade. A student may supersede a given class at most two times, providing up to three opportunities to complete the given class. When a course is repeated, all of the grades will appear on the student’s record, but only the highest grade earned will be used in determining the cumulative grade point average. A petition for superseding, available online through CatPAWS, must be completed online prior to registration for the course. Students will register for superseding courses during the normal registration period.

A five-hour course may be superseded by a four-hour course if the five-hour course is no longer taught and the four-hour course is essentially the same in content as defined by the department which originated the five-hour course. Similar procedures apply to a four-hour course which has been changed to three hours.

A student will not be allowed to supersede a grade earned at Northwest by completing an equivalent course at another institution.

Students must petition the Committee on Academic Petitions for exceptions to the above policies. Petition forms are available in the Office of the Registrar, and online at www.nwmissouri.edu/registrar.

A student with veterans’ benefits must advise the coordinator of Veterans’ Affairs when he or she plans to supersede a grade.

Test-Out: Departmental/School

Departmental/School test-out differs from advanced placement in that the examinations are administered and credit awarded solely by the department/school, and not through national institutions such as CLEP, ACT, etc. Therefore, the student should contact the department/school for information on which courses are available for test-out and examination dates.

Policies:

Students expecting to test out of a course should not enroll in the course. The student must be enrolled at Northwest, however, for the period during which the test-out is administered and credit is awarded.

The student must apply for test-out with the appropriate department chairperson/school director. The chairperson or director determines what courses are available for test-out and will arrange for the test-out process in accordance with department/school policy. Where a test-out will result in schedule changes, the entire test-out process should be completed before the end of the 100% refund period.

Test-out may not be taken to supersede a “C,” “D” or “F” grade. Test-out may be repeated twice in eligible classes, subject to department/school approval, but a period of six months must elapse between testings. A letter grade of “A,” “B,” “C,” or “D” will be assigned.

Procedure:

Each time a test is taken, the student must purchase a test-out through the Marketplace Mall on the Student Account Services website. (See “Fees and Costs ” section.) A separate form must be purchased for each course, except for unit courses with labs. The form will be routed to the appropriate Department. The department chairperson, director, or coordinator will assign a grade to the Registrar’s Office by completing a Credit by Examination form available on the Registrar’s website at www.nwmissouri.edu/registrar/forms.htm on the Faculty Forms tab.

Transcript of Grades

Student requests for copies of their permanent grade record may be made in writing, through CatPAWS, or through Parchment. Normally, a transcript can be issued upon 24 hours’ notice; however, at the end of a term, at least two weeks’ notice should be allowed for grade recording and processing.

The student must send the transcript fee along with the written request or provide payment information with the online request. Forms may be found at www.nwmissouri.edu/registrar/transcript.htm.

University Seminar

University Seminar is an academic course designed to introduce students to the Northwest community and collegiate environment. Each student develops a personal plan to understand and assume responsibility for their own university experience. Course content includes adjustment to University life, skills necessary to make the most of the university experience, Northwest Core Requirements, academic programs and advisement, career exploration, campus and community resources, and taking advantage of cultural and extracurricular events.

Requirements:

1. University Seminar is an entry-level course requirement, as well as a Northwest Core Requirement for all two- and four-year programs.
2. All first-time, full-time (12 semester hours) freshmen entering the University are required to enroll in University Seminar in their first semester of enrollment. If the student does not pass the course, it must be retaken in successive terms until passed.
3. Students transferring or returning to Northwest with less than 15 semester hours are required to take University Seminar.
4. Non-traditional (those out of high school more than five years) degree-seeking students are not exempted from University Seminar. These students may attend special sections designed for non-traditional students or they may discuss alternatives with their University Seminar instructor regarding the parts of the course which are deemed inappropriate because of their personal status.
5. A student who is dually-enrolled in high school prior to entering Northwest is not exempt. The student is still required to take University Seminar.

Petitions for exceptions to the above requirements are considered by the Curriculum and Degree Requirements Committee of the Faculty Senate. Petition forms are available in the Office of the Registrar and on the Northwest website at www.nwmissouri.edu/studentsuccess/petitions/index.htm.

Graduation Policies and Requirements

Academic Residence

1. At least 30 credit hours of academic work must be done in residence.
2. The last 10 credit hours of academic work must be done in residence.
3. Not more than one-fourth of the work on any curriculum may be taken by correspondence and/or extension.
4. Credit by examination is not considered to be residence credit.

Students must petition the Committee on Academic Petitions for exceptions to the above policies. Petition forms are available in the Office of the Registrar or on the Northwest web page, www.nwmissouri.edu/registrar/.

Advanced Standing Requirement

Each department, college, or school may have an advanced standing requirement. Under this policy a department, college, or school may require a student wishing to pursue a major in that department, college, or school to complete certain courses, pass interviews, achieve grade point averages, or succeed in examinations prior to being formally admitted to a major. However, any student under this process and majoring in one discipline or department will be considered eligible to take courses in another department, college, or school without further requirement. Refer to appropriate departmental/college/school advanced standing statements.

Negative decisions regarding a student’s advanced standing may be appealed to the Associate Provost of the department or school.

Advisor Graduation Check

• Students are required to have an Advisor Graduation Check on file at least two semesters prior to graduation in order to plan final enrollments.
• Primary, secondary, and minor advisors are notified through NW 360 to complete the check when a student reaches 90 earned hours, and add a note in NW 360 when it has been completed.
  • Any deviation from the approved degree audit must have approval from the department/school where the major or minor is located, or from the Curriculum and Degree Requirements Committee when Northwest Core or Institutional Requirements are affected.

Application for Degree

Every student is required to submit an application for graduation at least one semester preceding the semester in which graduation is planned. Applications are submitted online via CatPAWS. Students completing degree requirements in a summer semester should apply for summer graduation. As there is no summer commencement ceremony, summer degree completers have the option to participate in either a spring or fall commencement ceremony, and will indicate a preference as part of the cap and gown order process.

Catalog Requirement

Students are permitted to be graduated by completing the curricular requirements in effect in the catalog in force at the time of their initial enrollment. Students may elect to follow new curricular requirements of subsequent catalogs but must follow one catalog or the other in its entirety. After 18 months of nonattendance, however, all current catalog requirements will be imposed.

The effective date of non-curricular policy and regulation changes is established by the president of the University who will disseminate this information to the students and faculty before implementation.

Commencement

Degrees are conferred at the end of each term, and commencement exercises are held at the end of spring and fall terms. A Degree Completion processing fee is assessed whether or not the student plans to participate in commencement exercises.

• Students completing degree requirements in summer have the option to participate in the preceding spring or following fall commencement ceremony.
• Those who wish to walk early in the preceding spring must apply by March 1.
• Those who wish to walk in the following fall must apply by October 15.
• Participation in the commencement ceremony does not constitute conferral of degree.

Graduation honors for the commencement program will be determined prior to final term grades. (See “Honor Roll and Graduation Honors” section.)

Courses Counting Toward Multiple Requirements

• Students may use Northwest or transferred coursework to fulfill requirements for two (or more) comprehensive majors, regular majors, and minors, unless specifically prohibited in this catalog.
• Each comprehensive major, regular major, and minor shall consist of at least 12 hours of unique coursework not applied to any other comprehensive majors, regular majors, or minors.
• Any application of courses counting toward multiple requirements shall not affect the total hours needed for graduation and/or the programs to which the course is applied. See requirements for Undergraduate Degrees .

Grade Point Requirement

1. Each applicant for a certificate, diploma, or degree must achieve a grade point average of not less than 2.00 in all academic subjects at Northwest.
2. A grade point average of 2.00 must be maintained in the coursework applied to completion of both the major and minor requirements in the degree program. Courses in the major and minor fields of study not applied to completion of the program may, subject to degree verification by the Registrar, be utilized to meet the 2.0 minimum in the major or minor field.
3. A cumulative grade point average minimum is required for all certificates, diplomas, or degree programs for the Bachelor of Science in Education degree. All other degrees, certificates, or diplomas require a minimum cumulative grade point average. Please refer to the Professional Education Handbook.

Majors and Minors

For the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music Education, and Bachelor of Science in Education degrees, the student must choose a major and minor, or a comprehensive major, selected from the departments/schools. The following factors should be considered:

1. That all minors can be joined with all majors in all degree programs.
2. Majors may not take a minor in the subject of the major unless the minor is an interdisciplinary minor.
3. Students in professional education programs with majors which require a minor must select minors with the assistance of their academic advisor. The department chairpersons, school directors, program coordinators, advisors, Student Success Center, and the Office of Career Services are available to counsel students on this matter.
4. No change in program should be made without prior approval of the student’s advisor.

Physical Activity/Varsity Athletics Limitations

1. Only four physical activity credits may be counted toward the minimum number of hours required for graduation. Varsity athletics are not included in the physical activity credits.
2. Enrollment in varsity athletics is limited to four credits per sport.

State Law Requirements for Degrees or Certificates

Candidates for degrees or teaching certificates must meet state law requirements, Section 170.011 (Rev 2014), of a completed course of instruction in and satisfactory passing of “an examination on the provisions and principles of the constitution of the United States and of the State of Missouri, and in American history and American institutions.” To comply with the law, students may: (1) complete POLS 34102, or (2) complete the requirement at another collegiate institution with substitution determined by the Office of Admissions - Operations.

Pursuant to state law section 170.013 (2018), students must also complete the Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement Exam with a score of seventy percent or better to earn a degree. To comply with the law, students may complete the Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement Exam module as a part of POLS 34102. Transfer students who (1) do not have an Associate of Arts degree from a Missouri institution or (2) have not taken and passed the Exam must complete the module online through the Office of Assessment. This requirement applies to any student entering a Missouri public institution of higher education for the first time after July 2019.

Second Degree

For each baccalaureate degree beyond the first awarded to a student there is a requirement of 15 semester hours of work in courses numbered above 300. All specific and general requirements for the additional degree must be met but may be included within these 15 hours.

Teacher Certification

The School of Education and the Professional Education Unit are accredited by the Missouri State Board of Education and the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), for the preparation of elementary and secondary teachers.

Information in regard to obtaining teaching certificates in other states is available in the School of Education.

Upper Division College Credit

1. Candidates for the Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Education, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music Education, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees must earn at least 40 semester hours of credit in courses numbered 300 or above.
2. Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree must earn at least 32 semester hours of credit in courses numbered 300 or above.
3. 12 hours of the major and at least five of the minor must be in courses numbered 300 or above.

Writing Competency

All students will demonstrate writing competence by successful performance on a writing assessment. Those who take the core writing courses at Northwest (ENGL 10111 and ENGL 10112, or ENGL 10115) will take the assessment near the end of the sequence. Transfer students who have not completed the core writing courses at Northwest and have not passed an approved assessment at another school will complete the writing assessment at the same time as students taking core courses ENGL 10112 or ENGL 10115. Information about assessment procedures and retake options may be obtained from the Department of Language, Literature, and Writing office.

Student Life Policies and Regulations

Campus Conduct Program

Coordinated by the Student Conduct and Development Coordinator, the Campus Conduct Program is a multi-leveled system of discipline committees designed to hear student grievances and violations of the Student Code of Conduct. For more information, refer to the online Student Handbook or contact the Student Conduct and Development Coordinator, (660) 562-1554.

Motor Vehicle Registration

Students are responsible for knowing and observing the parking and traffic policies. All vehicles must be registered with the University Police Department in order to use University parking facilities. Parking areas are designated for use by permit type.

Maps of the campus and copies of the Parking and Traffic Policy are available at the University Police Department, and are also available online at www.nwmissouri.edu/police/index.htm. Appeals of parking and traffic fines are heard by the Student-Faculty Traffic Committee and may be filed at the University Police Department.

Student Records: FERPA

Please visit the following link for more information regarding Student Records:

www.nwmissouri.edu/policies/academics/Family-Educational-Rights-and-Privacy-Act.pdf

Student Records: General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Northwest Missouri State University complies with the guidelines and laws of GDPR in how personal information is collected and used. This applies to each unit at all levels and includes databases, websites, and any other logged information of EU citizens.

The full GDPR policy can be found in the University Policy Library at the following link: www.nwmissouri.edu/policies/academics/General-Data-Protection-Regulation.pdf.

Student Identification Card (Bearcat Card)

Every student enrolled at Northwest is required to have an identification card (Bearcat Card), to carry it at all times, and to present it when requested by University personnel. The Bearcat Card serves as a meal card for students. In addition the card is used in the library, at sporting events, and in the copy machines and vending machines. The card can also be used as an ATM and debit card worldwide if the user has a US Bank account. All graduate and undergraduate students should report to the ID Office, in the J.W. Jones Union, as soon as they enroll, present their enrollment forms, and receive an ID card. The card is valid as long as the student is enrolled at Northwest. There is a replacement fee if the card is lost or stolen.

University Housing Policy

Research has proven that freshmen experience an advantage, both in grades and in adjustment to college life, by living on campus within the University environment. To capitalize on this advantage, the University requires all first-time freshmen to live in the residence halls, unless they commute from their parents’ or legal guardians’ home, are married, or are 21 years of age or older. Students may petition the requirement to live on campus by completing the Commuting Form in the acceptance packet. Students whose form is approved will be exempted from this policy.

University Policy Library

Please visit https://www.nwmissouri.edu/policies for more information regarding University Policies.