The Academic Advising Handbook 2015-2016 Sierra Vista Hall 109, Riverside, CA 92515 951.785.2452 [email protected] www.lasierra.edu/csas REVISED September 13, 2015 Table of Contents Center for Student Academic Success (C-SAS) 1 Important Contacts 2 Academic Calendar 3 General Information Academic Advising Overview Academic Variance Petitions 5 Application for Graduation 7 Academic Progress and Disqualification 8 Athletics Eligibility (NAIA) 9 Advising Tips 10 Coursework Basic Skills Courses 11 Pre and Foundational English 12 Pre and Foundational Math 13 ESL Placement 14 Transfer and Examination Credits Articulation Agreements 15 Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) 15 University Studies Requirements for Transfer Students 16 Advanced Placement (AP) Examination Credit 18 College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) Credit 19 International Baccalaureate (IB) Examination Credit 20 Language Proficiency Examination Credit (FLATS) 21 Testing Center 22 Programs Majors 23 Minors & Pre-Professional Programs 24 Pre-Health Professions 25 University Studies University Studies Check Sheet 26 Foundational & General Studies Overview 27 University Studies Upper Division Rhetoric Courses 31 Service-Learning 32 University Honors University Honors Check Sheet 33 Transferring to University Honors for Sophomores 34 Transferring to University Honors for Juniors and Seniors 35 Transferring from University Honors 36 University Honors FAQs 37 Teaching Credential Information Elementary Teaching Credential 38 Secondary Teaching Credential 39 Off-Campus Programs Criminal Justice 40 Division of Continuing Studies: ACCESS and ELAC 41 Adventist Colleges Abroad (ACA) 42 Online Services Online Resources for Advisors 43 Degree Works - Curriculum, Advising, and Program Planning 44 Degree Works FAQ’s 45 Student Online Registration Instructions 46 Campus Resources Library 48 Office of Disability Services 49 Counseling Center 50 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) General Advising 51 Registration 52 Freshman - First Time at College Students 54 Junior Students 54 Senior Students 54 Transfer Students 54 Pre-Health Professional Students 56 Pre-Professional Students 56 Post-Baccalaureate Students 56 Supplemental Student Resources 56 Online Advising Resources 57 Index 60 CENTER FOR STUDENT ACADEMIC SUCCESS 2015-2016 The Center for Student Academic Success (C-SAS) • Facilitates academic advising for First-Year, Returning, Transfer, and Pre-Health students. • Facilitates early intervention for students experiencing academic difficulty. • Facilitates supplemental learning through the Collaborative Learning Center, and 4U Workshops • Provides ongoing training to faculty on academic advising. For First-Year Students: First Time at College and Transfers with 23 units or less • Coordinates the first-year experience (including summer orientation, courses designed for first-year students, and partnering with parents). • Delivers weekly academic coaching for each first-year student. • Provides academic advising for first-year students. • Coordinates the spring-quarter transfer of advising to faculty advisors. For Returning Students: Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors • Facilitates academic advising with faculty in each department. • Coordinates academic advising when students change academic programs. , F or Transfer Students: 24 units or more • Provides academic advising until departmental faculty are assigned. • Plans and implements orientations, workshops, and networking events for transfer students For Pre-Health Students • Provides academic advising for students seeking an undergraduate or graduate health professional degree not offered at LSU. • Offers workshops and seminars for students in preparation for health professional schools. • Serves as the liasion between La Sierra University and health professional schools. To ensure better service, students should call to schedule an appointment. Sierra Vista Hall Room 109 Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. (951) 785-2452 or 2490 www.lasierra.edu/csas www.lasierra.edu/prehealth [email protected], [email protected] Melanie Jobe, Director Dahlie Conferido, Associate Director for First-Year Experience Cynthia Douglas, Assisant Director for Pre-Health Professions Ronald Venegas, Assistant Director for Advising 1 IMPORTANT CONTACTS 2015-2016 Encourage students to take advantage of available resources BEFORE a crisis occurs. Records Office Center for Student Academic Success (951) 785-2006 (951) 785-2452 [email protected] [email protected] For Transfer Student transcript evaluation: Advising/Early Alerts: Coaching/Workshops: Natalie Lavygina Ronald Venegas Dahlie Conferido (951) 785-2930 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Writing Center Located in Humanities Hall 101 University Studies Deborah Higgens Carlyn Bennett (951) 785-2491 (951) 785-2499 [email protected] [email protected] Counseling Center Student Financial Services Deborah Wright Administration Bldg., Rm 101 (951) 785-2011 (951) 785-2175 [email protected] [email protected] Convenience Center (next to Health Services) 11498 Pierce Street, Suite #B John Hadley Jackie Isenmann Riverside, CA 92505 Student Last Name A-E Student Last Name F-L (951) 785-2175 (951) 785-2175 International Student Services [email protected] [email protected] Heidi Weiss-Krumm (951) 785-2237 [email protected] Letty Fonesca Julain Gunn-Clarke Students Last Name M-R Students Last Name S-Z Administration Bldg., Rm 206 (951) 785-2175 (951) 785-2175 Health Services [email protected] [email protected] Hurda Duran (951) 785-2200 La Sierra Testing Center Location: 11498 Pierce Street, Suite A Erin Lowry (951) 785-2896 World Languages Resource Lab [email protected] World Language Department La Sierra Hall, Suite 100 (lower level) Gladwyn Hall, Rm 101 Alberdi De La Fuente Office of Disability Services (951) 785-2120 Michelle Kamau [email protected] (951) 785-2412 Esther Saguar [email protected] (951) 785-2053 La Sierra Hall, Suite 100B (lower level) [email protected] La Sierra Hall, Rm 222 Security Department, x2222 Location:11498 Pierce Street, Suite FF 2 ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2015-2016 FALL QUARTER: SEPTEMBER 21 to DECEMBER 10, 2015 September 10 Financial Clearance Deadline for Fall; late financial clearance fee applied September 15-17 IGNITE (required for first-year students) September 21 Instruction begins; late registration fee is applied September 25 Last day to enter a course, to change from audit to credit or from credit to audit October 2 Last day to withdraw with no record of course registration on transcript October 12 Priority Registration begins for Winter Quarter October 19 Registration begins for all other students November 13 Last day to withdraw with a “W” grade or submit an S/U petition November 21-29 Thanksgiving Recess December 7-10 Final Examinations December 10 Fall Quarter Ends WINTER QUARTER: JANUARY 4 to MARCH 17, 2016 January 4 Instruction begins; late registration fee is applied January 8 Last day to enter a course, to change from audit to credit or from credit to audit January 15 Last day to withdraw with no record of course registration on transcript January 18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (Classes after 4:00 p.m. may meet) January 25 Priority Registration Begins for Winter Quarter February 1 Registration begins for all other students February 15 President's Day Holiday (Classes after 4:00 p.m. may meet) February 26 Last day to withdraw with a "W" grade or submit an S/U petition March 14-17 Final Examinations March 17 Winter Quarter Ends SPRING QUARTER: MARCH 28 TO JUNE 9, 2016 March 28 Instruction begins; late registration fee is applied April 1 Last day to enter a course, to change from audit to credit or from credit to audit April 8 Last day to withdraw with no record on transcript April 11 Registration begins for summer sessions and continues up to 1st day of class April 18 Priority Registration begins for Fall quarter April 25 Registration begins for all other students May 20 Last day to withdraw with a "W" grade or submit an S/U petition May 30 Memorial Day Holiday June 6-9 Final Examinations June 10-12 Events of Commencement 2016 SUMMER SESSIONS 2016 Beginning and ending dates vary; registration up to the first day of class June 13 Beginning of first session July 4 Independence Day Holiday September 5 Labor Day Holiday 3 ACADEMIC ADVISING OVERVIEW 2015-2016 The La Sierra University baccalaureate degree requires a minimum of 190 quarter units (60 upper division). THREE TYPES OF COURSES FOR A COLLEGE DEGREE 1.UNIVERSITY STUDIES* • Required courses designed to assist students in acquiring a broad understanding of human affairs which is the hallmark of an educated person. University Studies consists of three categories: Foundational Studies General Studies Service-Learning 2.MAJOR • Required courses in the student's chosen area of academic specialty. Cognates • Required courses required by the student's major, but taught by different department. 3.ELECTIVES • Courses through which students can earn a minor or explore various interests. COURSE NUMBERING SYSTEM 000-099 Basic Skilss Courses • For students needing to strengthen basic skills. They do not count toward graduation in any major or program at the University. 100-299 Lower-Division Courses • Designed primarily for Freshmen and Sophomores. 300-499 Upper-Division Courses • A Sophomore, Junior, or Senior may take an upper division course for which prerequisite qualifications have been met. Freshmen should not enroll in these courses. 500-799 Graduate Courses: • A very limited number of these courses may be taken by Seniors only. Special permission must be obtained. 800-999 Special Certificate & CE (all noncredit) Courses CLASS STANDING FRESHMAN 43 units or less SOPHOMORE 44-87 units JUNIOR 88-135 units SENIOR 136 units or more UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT TYPES FRESHMAN • If first time at college, must enroll in 2-quarter sequence of UNST 100/101 and be advised by a C-SAS Academic Coach. TRANSFER (23 units or less) • If transferring less than 24 units, must enroll in 2-quarter sequence of UNST 100/101 and be advised by a C-SAS Academic Coach. TRANSFER (24 units or more) • If transferring 24 units or more, may initially be advised by C-SAS then transferred to an academic advisor within the student's major or pre-professional program. RETURNING STUDENT • If returning after 1 year or more, bulletin of graduation is changed to the year of re-entry. ESL • Enrolled at a different tuition rate. Depending on test scores, may be full-time ESL or half- time ESL/half-time regular (taking no more than 10 units of regular classes). Full-time ESL students are advised by ELAC, and half-time ESL are advised jointly by ELAC and advisor. ACADEMIC COURSE LOAD FULL-TIME STATUS 12-18 UNITS • A standard course load is 4 main courses per quarter (usually 16 units). NOTE: 12 units is the minimum course load for grants and loans. OVERLOAD 19 + UNITS • Approval must be granted by the Dean of the School. HALF-TIME STATUS 11 UNITS OR LESS • Student is enrolled under a different tuition rate and may not be eligible for full financial aid and/or university health insurance. *NOTE: Qualified students may apply for University Honors, La Sierra Univeristy's general education honors track (see University Honors section of Handbook). 4 ACADEMIC VARIANCE PETITIONS 2015-2016 If a student would like to request an exception to an academic program's curricular requirement or course policy, an Academic Variance Petition may be filed. Petitions should be addresed to one of the following departments: UNIVERSITY STUDIES Petitions involving University Studies requirements and general academic policy issues must be submitted to the University Studies office (La Sierra Hall 220) for review by the Academic Variance Committee (AVC). UNIVERSITY HONORS Petitions involving the University Honors program are submitted to the University Honors office (South Hall Room 100) for review by the University Honors Council and/or the Director of University Honors. OFFICE OF THE DEAN Petitions involving requirements in a student's degree program are submitted to the Dean of the School or College in which the student's discipline resides. GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION • Forms are available online on the Records office webpage at lasierra.edu/records-office/ . • The student should clearly explain the variance request. Courses and/or policies involved should be identified; rationale for the request and desired outcome should be stated. • The petition form must have both the advisor’s signature and Statement of Support. The advisor's statement should provide reasons for support, not merely a recommendation of support. • Supporting documentation should be attached to the form. If the variance involves a course transferred from another university, the course syllabus (preferred by the AVC) or course description from the Bulletin of the former school should accompany the petition. ADDITIONAL SUBMISSION INFORMATION • A signature on the form by the student’s Department Chair will not guarantee the AVC will approve the academic variance petition. • A signature on the form by a sympathetic faculty member is not helpful. • Student statements such as "I didn't know"; "I had conflicts with my major classes"; "I did not have time"; "I had to work"; "I need this to graduate" should be avoided. • The AVC seldom approves academic variance petitions involving requirements for RLGN, NSCI, UNST 404, Service-Learning credits, or Scripture classes (99% of such petition requests are denied). • Evaluators from the Records office are present at each AVC meeting with the student's complete academic record. The AVC is aware of inconsistencies between academic variance petition statements and academic records. • The AVC generally meets every other week during the traditional academic year. The committee endeavors to meet the first week of fall, winter, and spring quarters. The AVC does not meet during the summer. 5 PETITION FOR ACADEMIC PROGRAM VARIANCE 1. State your request completely and clearly, specifically identifying policies and/or courses involved. Academic Level: 2. Provide adequate rationale and information to support your request and allow a decision. Fr. So. Jr. Sr. Grad. 3. Secure supporting comments and advisor signature. General Education: 4. Leave petition at the appropriate office (Associate Provost, Dean of General Education, Dean’s Office of your college/school) UNST UHNR DCS 5. A copy of this petition will be sent to you when the petition has been acted upon. NOTE: Variances involving general education MUST be approved by the Dean of General Education (###) ###-##### ###### Last Name First Name Middle Name Local Phone Number Student ID# Campus Address or Local Mailing Address City State Zip Code 20## Email Major/Minor/Program Expected Graduation Date: Bulletin of Graduation: I hereby request the following variance from enrollment policy (attach additional pages if more space is needed): Student’s Signature Date OFFICE USE ONLY I recommend and support this request for the following reasons: Decision: (If additional space is needed, please attach additional pages.) Printed Name Signature (Advisor, Dept. Chair, etc.) Date Signature of Associate Provost, Dean, or Dean of General Education Date 6 APPLICATION FOR GRADUATION 2015-2016 I. ACADEMIC CREDIT EVALUATION should be requested by the student from the Records office early in the Junior year. The Academic Credit Evaluation request form can be found online under "Admissions and Records," then under "Important Documents and Forms." On the form, students must specify for which bulletin of graduation (year) they are requesting the evaluation. The year may be either the academic year they first matriculated at LSU or any subsequent year. However, all graduation requirements will be from the year of choice. II. APPLICATION FOR GRADUATION must be filed and approved by the Records office at least three (3) quarters preceding the expected date of graduation. Any changes to an approved graduation contract must be reapproved by the evaluator in the Records office. III. ACADEMIC VARIANCE PETITION must be submitted to the appropriate office at least 45 days prior to the time of expected completion of degree. IV. TRANSCRIPTS OF TRANSFER CREDIT FOR CORRESPONDENCE STUDY, CLEP, DANTES, BYU-FLATS, ACTFL, AND OTHER TEST SCORES must be received by the Records office no later than the end of the quarter preceding the date of expected completion of degree. V. WAIVER AND EQUIVALENCY EXAMINATIONS must be taken by the end of the term immediately preceding the term of expected completion of degree. VI. PROPOSED OFF-CAMPUS COURSEWORK must be approved by the Records office. An “Off-Campus Registration Request” form listing the off-campus coursework must be received by the student’s evaluator in the Records office at least two (2) weeks prior to registering at the other institution. Proof of registration must also be received if the proposed course work is for the student's final quarter. At least three (3) weeks before the first day of Commencement Weekend, the Records office must receive a “Minimum Grade Report” form signed by the instructor of the off-campus course stating that the student has earned a passing grade. VII. LSU FINAL QUARTER work must be completed by the published final examination date of each course. VIII. SATISFACTORY/UNSATISFACTORY GRADES can be elected in physical education courses (except for courses requiring letter grades) and in electives. No University Studies, major, minor, or cognate courses may have "S" grades. IX. COMMENCEMENT ATTENDANCE is expected of all students completing degree requirements at the end of the Spring term. Students completing graduation requirements at the end of the Summer, Fall, or Winter terms should indicate whether or not they will be attending the commencement ceremonies at the end of the Spring term by checking "yes" or "no" under "Commencement Attendance" on the Application for Graduation. STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING AND SATISFACTORILY COMPLETING ALL REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION FROM LA SIERRA UNIVERSITY. For more information, consult the Academic Bulletin or www.lasierra.edu/records. 7