All the students are responsible for knowing and observing the academic requirements and regulations of the University that are set forth in this section of the catalog. They are also advised to be familiar with related portions of the catalog, especially the Courses of Study section, and to know that academic policies in effect are always those stated in the current catalog.
Some academic procedures, as well as general regulations and information, appear in the Student Handbook that is published annually and issued each fall. The Registrar’s Office website also contains academic information:
https://www.lander.edu/academics/registrars-office/. Students are expected to be familiar with all of this information.
Through the offices of deans, department chairs, and the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and through the university’s Grade Appeal Process (as described in the Student Handbook), students are provided both formal and informal procedures for any student to report grievances related to an instructor’s ability to be understood in spoken or written English. Further, the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Vice President for Student Experience and Quality Assurance are required to monitor and report to the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education all grievances filed by students because of alleged instructor inadequacies in spoken or written English.
A copy of the Act is maintained in the Office of Academic Affairs and is available for review during regular office hours.
University Student Representatives (approved by the President) who must attend university-sponsored events will be given relief from an instructor's attendance requirements if they notify the instructor(s) at least one week prior to the event. University Student Representatives must meet the attendance requirements stated in the previous paragraph for all other absences.
Students may request attendance accommodations for documented disabilities by contacting the Office of Student Disability Services prior to the beginning of classes.
Students in laboratory sections offered by the College of Science and Mathematics or clinical sections offered by the School of Nursing must attend the first class meeting in order to remain on the roster.
Students who have never attended class during the first two weeks of the semester may be dropped from the course at the discretion of the instructor. The instructor will notify the Registrar and the student will be dropped from the course. However, students should not assume that they have been dropped from the course because they have not attended class. It is the responsibility of the student to drop a course that they are not planning to attend by the deadline published on the Academic Calendar. Failure to do so may result in a failing grade for the course.
No laboratory section offered by the College of Science and Mathematics, or clinical section offered by the School of Nursing may be added after that lab/clinical section has met for the first time.
From the University - Students who find it necessary to withdraw from all classes must process an Official Withdrawal and/or Temporary Leave form. Complete withdrawal after the drop deadline will result in grades of “W” for all registered coursework. Students may not completely withdraw following the last day of classes. MyLander will not allow students to withdraw themselves from all courses, instead, this process begins in the Student Success Center.
1. All previous hours carried, and ALL previous quality points are removed from GPA calculations (the effect is to provide the student with the benefit of resuming studies at Lander with a GPA of zero).
2. ALL previous hours earned with grades of “D” are removed (all hours earned for grades of “A”, “B”, “C” and “P” remain).
3. The student is placed on academic probation in the first semester of study following the absence of three or more years.
NOTE: Lander University coursework that has been applied toward a completed undergraduate degree at Lander University or at any other institution is not eligible for adjustment.
There is no loss of previous transfer credit. All grades remain on the student’s transcript; the transcript notes that academic renewal was applied and the date that it was applied. The cumulative GPA is calculated for courses taken during and following the semester academic renewal is approved. Academic renewal may be granted only once, is irreversible, and disqualifies the student for graduation with honors.
• Petitions that must go to the University Petitions Committee must be completed and submitted to the Office of the Registrar no later than the close of business on the workday prior to the committee-meeting day at which the student wants the request to be heard. Petitions and supporting documents submitted after this deadline will be considered at the next monthly meeting of the committee.
• Appeals for Readmission must be completed and submitted to the Office of Admissions (additional instructions are on the form) no later than the close of business on the workday prior to the Admissions Committee meeting day at which the student wants the request to be heard. Students can appeal for readmission only to a Fall or Spring semester. Appeals and supporting documents submitted after this deadline will be considered at the next monthly meeting of the committee.
The University Petitions Committee and the Admissions Committee meet at least once during each month of the year; contact the Office of the Registrar or the Office of Admissions for the specific dates and times of these meetings.
Placement Criteria
English
All students will be placed into English 101.
Exceptions:
• Students have at least 680 Verbal SAT or at least 30 ACT English. These students may take the validation essay to attempt to earn credit for ENGL 101 and placement into ENGL 102.
• Transfer students who have credit for ENGL 101 will be placed into the next required English course. Students must seek advice from their advisor.
Please note that students with less than 400 Verbal SAT or less than 15 ACT English should consider enrolling in a developmental English course at a local community or technical college prior to enrolling at Lander.
Foreign Language Placement Policy
Students interested in taking a foreign language may register for SPAN 101 or FREN 101 without taking the Foreign Language Assessment. If students with previous experience in a foreign language are interested in taking an upper-level foreign language course, the online assessment recommends the level of course that will match the student’s proficiency. https://www.lander.edu/academics/academic-success/student-success-center/testing.html
For more information, please see the link, or contact the Office of English and Foreign Languages.
Advanced Standing
Through the following advanced standing mechanisms, baccalaureate degree students may earn Lander University credit at a level appropriate to their experience. Students may not earn Lander credit for a similar course in which they are enrolled, or have audited, failed, or passed nor for sequential courses or two semester courses if they have already taken one of the courses. International students may not earn foreign language credit in their native tongue. Students who do not pass a particular test are not permitted to repeat that test.
When credit is awarded, the student’s record will reflect a grade of “P”.
No student will be permitted to acquire more than 30 credit hours through advanced standing mechanisms except as stipulated under “Transfer Credit for Registered Nurses.”
1. Advanced Placement
Applicants who have taken college-level courses in secondary schools and have scored three or better on Advanced Placement examinations may be granted advanced standing and college credit. Lander credits that may be earned are shown on this chart. Students must request that their official examination results be sent by the College Board to the Office of Admissions. If you have further questions, please contact Admissions at 888-4LANDER, or locally at 388-8307.
2. College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
Students earning passing scores may receive credit for certain courses upon the submission of an official score report to the Registrar’s Office. Lander students should consult with their academic advisor and submit a Coursework Approval Form prior to taking the examination. Lander credits that may be earned are shown on this chart.
3. International Baccalaureate Programme
Lander University recognizes the competitive nature of the International Baccalaureate Programme. Lander credits that may be earned are shown on this chart.
To receive credit, request IBO North America to send official examination results to the Office of Admissions, Lander University, 320 Stanley Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29649-2099. If you have further questions, please contact Admissions at 888-4LANDER, or locally at 388-8307.
4. Cambridge International
Applicants who have taken Cambridge International AS & A level courses and have scored E or higher may be granted college credits. Lander credits that may be earned are shown on this chart.
5. Transfer Credit for Registered Nurses
Upon the successful completion (with a grade of B or above) of the bridging course, NURS 307: (Professional Transition for Registered Nurses), RN students may earn advanced standing credit that will satisfy up to 39 credit hours of nursing courses that are included in the Basic Nursing Core. (Refer to BSN requirements).
For questions and/or advising, see the director of the RN-BSN on-line option or the chair of the William Preston Turner School of Nursing.
6. Disney College Program
Lander University may recognize students participating in internships and other professional development in the Disney College Program with appropriate academic credit that depends on the student’s major and the specific work placement at Disney. Interested students should discuss Disney internship plans with their academic advisor and the Director of the EYE Program to determine the amount and type of academic credit available.
7. South Carolina Seal of Biliteracy
The Seal of Biliteracy is a certificate awarded to high school graduates who have demonstrated a high level of proficiency in a second language on a standardized exam. Students must demonstrate skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Those who earn a rating of bronze, silver, or gold will receive academic course credit.
Please refer to the chart below for a detailed description of the credit awarded for each rating.
| Bronze |
3 credit hours - able to satisfy World Cultures requirement |
| Silver |
6 credit hours - able to satisfy World Cultures requirement |
| Gold |
9 credit hours - able to satisfy World Cultures requirement |
8. Other Advanced Standing Mechanisms
a) Through proficiency examinations administered by Lander University. The examinations are prepared and criteria for exemption established by the department or discipline concerned. In order to receive credit for the course a student wishes to exempt, the student must complete a Coursework Approval form prior to taking the proficiency examination. Should the score be sufficient, the student then enrolls in the course above the one exempted and must earn a grade of “B” or above. When credit is given, the student’s record will reflect a grade of “P.” If the student does not earn a grade of “A” or “B,” no credit shall be given for the exempted course. Instead, the student will be required to take another course in the same discipline.
b) Advanced placement in composition courses is determined based on a department administered and appraised writing sample which students produce during orientation.
Qualified students (see Placements Tests, English) may write this essay to validate exemption of ENGL 101. If they do so, they will receive three hours of credit with a grade of “P.”
c) Through a variety of standardized testing (including ACT, CLEP, SAT, GRE, PRAXIS, etc.). Students wanting to take such tests can obtain brochures, applications, practice tests, and coaching in test taking skills by contacting Student Success Center, Genesis Hall.
Credit for Prior Learning or Work Experience
Prior learning includes knowledge and skills acquired outside of formal academic settings that may be gained through continuing education, certifications, licensure, professional endeavors, and workplace training. Lander University offers a structured process for students to identify relevant prior learning, document it, and submit materials for assessment to request academic credit for specific courses that may be applied to their program of study. To earn credit for prior learning (CPL), students must do more than demonstrate that their life or work experience has exposed them to the skills and knowledge taught in a given course. Rather, students must demonstrate to faculty assessors with expertise in the relevant discipline that they have met or exceeded learning outcomes for the course(s) for which they are requesting credit. Credit awarded for prior learning must be equivalent in rigor, level, and learning outcomes to the corresponding instructional course.
Students may present evidence of prior learning in one of two ways:
(1) Students who have earned non-credit credentials, certificates, or licensures may submit evidence of these credentials to appropriate faculty for review. Examples of such credentials include transcripts for courses and training completed through relevant professional associations; government service (such as certificates or trainings with federal agencies and departments); military service, such as a Joint Service Transcript (JST), DD-214, or transcripts from the Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System (AARTS), Community College of the Air Force (CCAF), Coast Guard Institute (CGI), and other appropriate transcripts. Examples also include non-credit credentials from a regionally accredited college or university or other industry or nationally accepted certificates. The determination of credit will be based on recommendations by the American Council on Education (ACE) and course approvals by appropriate faculty and college deans of Lander University. Credit is awarded at the discretion of the academic unit and is not guaranteed.
(2) Students who have acquired work experience relevant to their plan of study may develop a portfolio to demonstrate that they have met or exceeded learning outcomes for one or more courses and submit their portfolio to appropriate faculty for review. The portfolio must establish and support the student’s claim that they have developed the specific relevant skills, knowledge, values, attitudes, understandings, achievements, experiences, competencies, training, and certifications aligned with specific course objectives. Credit for prior learning through work experience cannot be used to replace courses where artifacts are collected and used for national or state accreditation and certifications such as, but not limited to, field/clinical experiences.
To earn credit for prior learning, students must submit the “Credit for Prior Learning Request Form,” submit all necessary supporting documents, receive evaluation from qualified faculty assessors with experience in the relevant discipline(s), and receive approval from the dean of the college that houses the course for which credit is being requested.
Course credit earned via CPL may not replace existing, transcripted coursework. Students may not receive CPL by portfolio for any courses which they have previously attempted or completed at Lander University as a regular or audit student.
Course credit acquired through CPL cannot be used to satisfy the minimum number of credit hours that must be completed in residence at Lander University. The total number of CPL and other transfer credit-hours may not exceed 90 credit-hours for a given student.
Individual departments determine how many, if any, CPL credits may be awarded. Credit cannot equate more than the course being replaced (e.g., 3 hours to 3 hours).
Credit awarded for prior learning will be recorded as transfer credit. CPL credit is recorded on the student’s transcript as credit earned and does not carry grade points or affect the institutional GPA.
Credits Course Load and Classification
Lander University Definition of a Credit Hour
Lander University adheres to the Federal definition of a credit hour for cumulative contact time per semester:
• One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out of class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester or trimester hour of credit, or ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or
• At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.
Lander University ensures a minimum of 700 minutes of instruction per credit hour (2,100 minutes of instruction for a standard, three-hour course), regardless of mode of delivery. The fall and spring semester standard meeting times for three-hour courses are a 50-minute Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule and a 75-minute Tuesday, Thursday schedule.
Summer session classes follow the same standard of 700 minutes of instruction per credit hour but because the summer sessions are shorter than a fall or spring semester, the summer terms standard meeting times are longer and more frequent.
Zero Credit Hour Policy
A program’s formal degree requirements may include courses with zero (0) earned hours of academic credit. Zero credit hour courses are courses for which the learning experience is based primarily on participation and/or attendance, or on public performance of work that is assessed in a course that awards credit hours. An example of the latter type of course would be one in which a student delivers a public performance of work completed in applied lessons.
Course Level Policy
Lander University identifies courses with numbering that labels undergraduate courses as 100s, 200s, 300s, and 400s. Lower division or introductory 100/200-level courses are typically taken during the freshman and sophomore year. Upper division 300/400-level undergraduate courses are more advanced and are typically taken during the sophomore, junior, and senior years. Graduate courses are numbered 500s – 800s. The course level for undergraduate and graduate courses indicates the level of content knowledge or skills expected for students entering the course and the level of knowledge and skills the course and its student learning outcomes are designed to produce.
Credits, Course Load, and Classification
An undergraduate enrolled for 12 or more credit hours is classified as a full-time student (6 or more hours for a graduate student).
Overload - Students in good standing are limited to a maximum of 18.5 credit hours for a fall or spring semester and to a maximum of 18.5 credit hours in all of the summer sessions combined. Students on academic probation should be limited to a maximum of 15 credit hours for a fall or spring semester and to a maximum of 15 credit hours in all of the summer sessions combined.
Students requesting an overload of 19-20 hours must have a Lander cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (overall) and have earned a Lander grade point average of 3.0 for the most recent semester attended (based on a minimum of 15 credit hours).
Students requesting an overload of 21-22 hours must have a Lander cumulative grade point average of 3.25 (overall) and have earned a Lander grade point average of 3.25 for the most recent semester attended (based on a minimum of 15 credit hours).
All requests for overload hours must be approved by the students’ department chair and college dean. Exceptions to this policy may be granted and require approval by the students’ department chair and college dean.
Repetition of Coursework - A student is allowed to repeat any course, subject to the current prerequisites and the following stipulations:
1. A student can receive credit only one time for any course unless noted differently in the course description.
2. If a course is repeated once, the repeat grade will be recorded on the transcript and included in computing the cumulative grade point average. The first grade shall be recorded on the transcript but shall not be used in determining the cumulative grade point average. If a course is repeated more than once, all repeat grades will be recorded on the transcript and all repeat grades will be included in computing the cumulative grade point average.
3. Courses taken elsewhere to repeat Lander coursework may not be used to improve one’s grade point ratio average (GPA). A transfer course cannot be used to replace a Lander University course. If a student has earned a “D” or better for the same course at Lander, the transfer credit will be excluded from the student’s earned hours.
4. A student will not be allowed to repeat a course for a higher grade after a higher-level sequential course has been passed unless it is a specific graduation requirement.
The University is not obligated to continue to offer courses or programs in a prior year’s catalog that have been deleted officially from the curriculum.
Auditing - Auditing a course consists of attending classes and listening without the responsibility for any course assignments or examinations. No credit is earned by auditing a course and no credit may be earned in an audited course by examination or otherwise.
Requirements:
• All students who wish to audit must be admitted to the University in order to be eligible to audit a course.
• Students may only audit the same course once.
• No audited course may be repeated for credit at a later date.
After the application process is complete, students must contact the Office of the Registrar. The dean of the college offering the course will be notified of the audit request. Once approval is granted, the Office of the Registrar will complete the course registration if all requirements have been met.
A student who has registered for a course on an audit basis and who wishes to change the registration to take the course for credit or a student who has registered for a course on a credit basis and who wishes to change the registration to take the course by audit must do so no later than the last day to add or register for courses as published in the University’s academic calendar. Notification of the change must be made to the Office of the Registrar by the appropriate deadline.
Directed Independent Studies (DIS) - Courses may be offered by DIS during fall and spring semesters only under special circumstances. Faculty members are not obligated to teach a course by DIS. A student may take a course by Directed Independent Study during a semester, provided:
1. The student has junior or higher standing at the University;
2. The course is listed in the catalog, but is not scheduled for that semester;
3. The course is listed as 300-level or higher;
4. The student is not repeating the course; and
5. Students may take no more than two courses by Directed Independent Study for degree purposes.
A request to take a Directed Independent Study must be submitted on the Directed Independent Study Course Request Form and received in the Office of the Registrar no later than the last day to add or register for classes for the semester or term of the Directed Independent Study.
Internships - Students interested in registering for an internship should consult with the academic advisor and department chair of their major. The Internship Application and Registration Form must be completed and returned to the Office of the Registrar no later than the last day to add or register for classes for the semester of the internship.
Procedures regarding course substitutions, exceptions to requirements, and establishing transfer equivalencies
A course substitution means that a student may apply the credit earned in one course and substitute that credit in place of another course.
Exception to a requirement means that the student is given an exemption from completing the specific coursework necessary to satisfy a particular requirement. The student receives no credit for the exemption and must complete comparable elective hours. For example, a student granted an exemption to a specific requirement would have to complete another 3-hour course to make up the hours.
Transfer equivalency means a course taken at another institution covers the same set of topics and material as a course offered at Lander. If the transfer course has an accepted Lander equivalency, the student will receive credit for the corresponding Lander course. If the transfer course does not have a direct Lander equivalent, the student will receive elective credit for that transfer course. Transfer credit decisions are made by the relevant academic program coordinator and/or dean who communicates the decisions to the registrar’s office. The registrar’s office notifies the student.
Procedures for students seeking exemptions to requirements
A student seeking an exemption to a requirement established by a Major program, a Minor program, or the General Education program must consult his or her academic advisor and fill out the Course Substitution Appeal form. The advisor will then forward the form to the Department Chair/Assistant Dean for their review and they will then forward the form to the College/School Dean. When the review is completed and a decision is reached, the form will be forwarded to the Office of the Registrar, and the Registrar will notify the student of the decision. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
A student seeking relief from a general education requirement must work with their academic advisor to file a petition that will be forwarded to their college or school dean. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Procedures for students seeking course substitutions
Substitutions involving General Education Courses (non-transfer)
• Non-General Education to General Education:
o Lander University courses that are not specifically approved as General Education courses at Lander University cannot substitute for a General Education Curriculum course.
• Substitution within a competency:
o If the student’s Major program requires a specific General Education course to satisfy a General Education competency, the student may petition to substitute another approved General Education course that addresses the same competency.
Procedures involving courses transferring to Lander from another institution
In many cases, courses transferred from other institutions already have an accepted Lander course equivalency. If equivalency to an existing Lander course has not yet been established, the following procedure is followed. This procedure also applies when an established equivalency is no longer accurate (because of catalog changes at either institution) and the equivalency needs to be updated.
A student wanting to establish an equivalency (or update an existing one) between a transfer course and a requirement for a Major program, a Minor program, or the General Education program at Lander must consult his or her academic advisor, fill out a Course Substitution Appeal form, and supply a course description. The advisor will then forward the form to the Department Chair/Assistant Dean for their review and they will then forward the form to the College/School Dean. When the review is completed and a decision is reached, the form will be forwarded to the Office of the Registrar, and the Registrar will notify the student of the decision. If the equivalency is approved, the Registrar’s Office will add the course to the University’s approved transfer course list.
Study at Other Institutions Lander students who wishes to receive credit for courses taken at another institution during any academic term must secure prior permission from their academic advisor, their major Department Chair/Assistant Dean, and the Registrar. The request must be made on a Coursework Approval form available in the Office of the Registrar.
A current course description from the institution the student wishes to attend must accompany the form if an articulation is not listed within the University’s “Transfer Guides”. Upon completion of the course(s) at another institution, the student must request that an official transcript be sent to Lander University’s Office of the Registrar.
Approval granted on a Coursework Approval form does not waive any of Lander University’s academic policies governing transfer of coursework. The following stipulations apply to students who wish to study at other institutions:
• Courses taken at another institution cannot be used to improve the Lander grade point average. If a student has earned a “D” or better for the same course at Lander, the transfer credit will be excluded from the student’s earned hours.
• A grade of “C” or better is required in a course for the course to be considered for transfer to Lander.
• For degree completion, at least 25% of the total credit hours must be earned through instruction by Lander University. In addition, a minimum of 12 hours of 300- and 400-level credits in the major must be earned through instruction by Lander University.
Classification of Students
Undergraduate students are classified at the end of each semester after final grades have been recorded and end-of-term processes have been completed by the Office of the Registrar. Classification has no bearing on scholastic eligibility and serves as an indicator of normal progress toward a degree.
Undergraduates are classified as follows:
| Freshman |
0-29 overall earned hours |
| Sophomore |
30-59 overall earned hours |
| Junior |
60-89 overall earned hours |
| Senior |
90 overall earned hours |
Grading System
Credit will be granted only for courses in which a student earns a grade of A, B+, B, C+, C, D+, or D and for the grade of P, explained below. Symbols used in the grading system and their meanings are as follows:
A: Excellent - Indicates achievement of distinction. Four quality points are given per credit hour.
B+: Very Good - Indicates achievement well above what is required for graduation. Three and one-half (3.5) quality points are given per credit hour.
B: Good - Indicates achievement above what is required for graduation. Three quality points are given per credit hour.
C+: Above Average - Indicates slightly above average achievement. Two and one-half (2.5) quality points are given per credit hour.
C: Average - Indicates average achievement. Two quality points are given per credit hour.
D+: Below Average - Indicates achievement slightly below what is required for graduation. One and one-half (1.5) quality points are given per credit hour.
D: Poor - Indicates achievement at a level below what is required for graduation. One quality point is given per credit hour.
P: Passing - Indicates satisfactory achievement in no credit or no grade options. No quality points are given and grades are not considered when calculating grade point average.
F: Unsatisfactory achievement. No quality points are given in the calculation of the grade point average. This grade is assigned to a student who attended and/or academically participated in the course through the end of the term but failed to meet the minimum requirements for passing.
FA: Failure due to excessive absences. No quality points are given, and the grade is included in the calculation of the grade point average. This grade should be assigned to a student who attended the course at least once but ceased attending and academically participating in the course before the end of the term, and where the basis for the failing grade is attendance rather than academic performance. Students receiving this grade are considered to have stopped academically participating in the course and are therefore regarded as having unofficially withdrawn. Instructors assigning this grade must provide on the final grade roster the student’s last date of academically related activity, defined as the most recent date on which the student engaged in an academically related activity in the course.
AU: Audit - Indicates status as auditor. No credit is earned by auditing a course and no credit may be earned in an audited course by examination or otherwise.
W: Withdrew - Indicates withdrawal from the course.
I: Incomplete - A grade of Incomplete is assigned at the discretion of the instructor when, in the instructor’s judgment, a student, who has a passing grade in the course, or a reasonable prospect of earning a passing grade, is unable to complete some limited portion of the assigned work in a course (e.g., final project, final exam) because of extenuating circumstances (e.g., extended illness, accident, unavoidable work-related responsibility, or family hardship).
NOTE: An Incomplete is not intended to give students additional time to complete course assignments unless there is some indication that the specified condition or event prevented the student from completing course assignments on time.
By arrangements with the instructor, a student assigned a grade of Incomplete will have up to six months from the last day of examinations for the semester in which to complete the work before a permanent grade is recorded. Within two weeks of assigning a grade of Incomplete the instructor will prepare an “Incomplete Grade Form” that specifies the assignments that must be submitted and the deadline for each assignment. The student will sign the form indicating acknowledgement of the requirements and the instructor will place a copy on file with the Registrar’s Office. If the instructor does not complete a grade change request by the end of the six-month period, the grade of Incomplete will automatically be changed to a grade of “F”.
NOTE: Re-enrolling in the course will not make up an incomplete grade. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all arrangements for removal of the Incomplete have been made and that all work for completing course assignments has been accomplished by the deadline established by the instructor.
XR: A placeholder notation applied by the Registrar’s Office at the end of the term when a grade has not been submitted by the instructor.
XS: A placeholder notation applied as a final grade for Study Abroad courses upon receipt of official transcripts. No quality points.
Grade Point Average - Grade points in any course are computed by multiplying the number credit-hours assigned to the course by the number of quality points associated with the grade earned in the course, according to the following scale:
| Grade |
Description |
Quality Points |
| A |
Excellent |
4.0 |
| B+ |
Very Good |
3.5 |
| B |
Good |
3.0 |
| C+ |
Above Average |
2.5 |
| C |
Average |
2.0 |
| D+ |
Below Average |
1.5 |
| D |
Poor |
1.0 |
| F |
Failure |
0.0 |
| FA |
Failure due to excessive absences |
0.0 |
The grade point average is determined by dividing the total number of institutional quality points earned by the total number of institutional credit hours attempted for courses receiving any grade in the preceding list. The following grades do not affect the grade point average: AU, I, P, XR, XS, W.
Grade Reports - At the end of each Fall, Spring, and Summer terms, students will access their final grades online through MyLander.
Grade Appeals and Changes -The Student Handbook describes the grade appeals process. Neither grade changes nor appeals for grade changes can be made after one calendar year from the time the grade was given. After graduation, no grade can be changed or appealed.
Academic Honors
Standards regarding eligibility for academic honors are applicable to all undergraduate students. Administration of these regulations is the responsibility of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, who is not empowered to waive any of the provisions. Under extraordinary circumstances, a student may be granted relief from these regulations by the Faculty Senate through a petition to the Grade and Academic Appeals Committee. Petition to the Grade and Academic Appeals Committee must be made no later than November 1st for December graduates and no later than April 1st for May graduates. August graduates must also appeal by April 1st of the semester prior to the summer in which they expect to graduate.
Semester Honors - Three honor rolls recognizing academic achievements are published each fall and spring semester. Only students whose term GPA is based on a minimum of 12 credit hours (excluding developmental studies courses and other courses with grades of P) and who receive no grades of F, FA or I, are eligible for recognition. Freshmen with a GPA of 3.00 3.49 are listed on the Freshman Honor Roll; the names of undergraduates who have earned a GPA of 3.5 to 3.9 appear on the Dean’s List. Any student whose GPA is 4.0 is included on the President’s List.
Academic Standing
A student’s academic standing is an indication of that student’s eligibility to remain in school. Academic standing may also affect the student’s eligibility for scholarships, special insurance rates, loans, and work-study programs as well as eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletics and many other student activities.
Academic Probation
Lander University assigns academic probationary status to notify students that their academic performance is falling below the standard required to earn a degree. This designation serves as an early warning that the student is at risk of academic suspension in a future semester.
The university takes this step with the understanding that many students can improve their academic standing and successfully complete their degrees with the right support and planning.
Criteria for Academic Probation
Academic probationary status is assessed at the end of each fall, spring, and summer term based on the following criteria:
• A student is placed on academic probation if their cumulative Lander University GPA falls below 2.0.
• A student will remain on academic probation if their semester GPA is 2.0 or higher, but their cumulative GPA remains below 2.0.
• A student will be removed from academic probation once their cumulative Lander University GPA reaches 2.0 or higher.
While on Probation:
• These students are encouraged to meet regularly with their academic advisor to develop a plan for academic improvement, and
• They may not register for more than 15 credit hours per semester, and
• They should work closely with the Student Success and Retention Coordinator in the Student Success Center to create an Academic Recovery Plan tailored to their needs, and
• They are strongly encouraged to limit employment and extracurricular commitments during their probationary period to allow adequate time for academic success.
Academic Suspension
Criteria for Academic Suspension:
Students who are currently on academic probation, or have previously been on probation, will be placed on academic suspension if their cumulative GPA falls below the threshold outlined in the table below:
| Overall Cumulative Hours Earned |
Minimum Institutional GPA Required |
| 0-29 |
1.400 |
| 30-59 |
1.600 |
| 60-89 |
1.800 |
| 90 or more |
2.000 |
*Includes transfer credits, advanced standing, and similar credits.
Additionally, any student found guilty of violating the Academic Honor Code may also be placed on academic suspension.
Duration of Suspension:
• First suspension: Lasts for one fall or spring semester.
• Second suspension: Lasts for two fall or spring semesters.
• Summer sessions do not count toward the suspension period.
Registration and Refund Policy
If a student registers for courses before receiving official notification of suspension, the university reserves the right to cancel the student’s registration and provide a full refund.
Summer School Option
Students on suspension may attend summer school at Lander in an effort to improve their cumulative Institutional GPA. These students should consult with the Student Success and Retention Coordinator to develop an Academic Recovery Plan, which may include summer coursework.
Appeals Process
First Suspension
Students on their first academic suspension who wish to return immediately (without serving the required semester break) must complete the Appeal for Required Semester Break due to Academic Suspension form through the Registrar’s Office. This appeal must be approved by the Dean of the student’s academic college to re-enroll immediately. This request must be accompanied by a detailed account of the circumstances that justify reconsideration of the suspension.
Second Suspension
Students on a second or subsequent suspension who wish to appeal the suspension decision must complete the Appeal for Readmission form through the Admissions Office.
• The form is available on the Admissions webpage under “Returning Students.”
Appeals must be submitted by the deadline indicated on the form, include with it a detailed account of the circumstances that justify reconsideration of the suspension, and an Academic Progress Plan developed in consultation with and signed by a Student Academic Success Program (SASP) advisor.
If the appeal is approved and the student is permitted to return without serving the suspension, the suspension will still be recorded on the student's transcript.
Third Suspension
• A third academic suspension is final and not subject to appeal.
• The student must remain separated from Lander University for at least one full calendar year.
• Readmission following a third suspension is unlikely.
Expulsion
A student found guilty of an infraction of the Academic Honor Code may be expelled from the university and not be allowed to reapply for admission.
General Degree Requirements
The student is solely responsible for meeting all program requirements for graduation. The academic advisor will assist and advise students prior to the decision to enroll in courses but is not responsible for ensuring that students satisfy all the program requirements.
Degrees – Lander University confers the degrees of Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Education (MEd), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Master of Science (MS), Master of Science in Management (MSM), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS), Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Design (BDes), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), and Bachelor of Science (BS) on candidates who are recommended by the faculty.
A candidate for the first Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Art, Bachelor of Design, or Bachelor of Science degree must complete at least 120 credit hours, with an overall minimum grade point average of 2.00 on all work attempted through Lander University instruction. A candidate for any bachelor degree must earn at least 25% of the total credit hours required for the degree, including a minimum of 12 credit hours of 300/400 level credit in the major, through instruction by Lander University.
All bachelor’s degrees require a minimum of 30 hours numbered 300 and above. At least 12 of these upper-level hours must be in the student’s major.
Credit in a major - Credit in a major consists of at least 30 credit hours with a minimum grade point ratio of 2.00. The major includes major program core requirements, major program concentration requirements, major program additional requirements and teacher certification requirements.
Credit in a minor - Credit in a minor typically consists of 6-7 courses. See the department pages for specific requirements.
Correspondence and/or extension courses - A maximum of 15 hours of credit is allowed for work done through correspondence and/or extension (non-resident credit) courses.
Declaring or Changing Majors and Minors – A prospective student who has not yet attended classes and wants to change their major should contact the Office of Admissions. A current student who wants to change or declare a major should make the request through their intended major department. After the major change request has been submitted by the intended major department, an email notification will be sent to the current student’s Lander email address as verification.
Graduating Under a Catalog - The catalog in place at the time the major is declared becomes the one used to determine graduation requirements for the major and minor. A student may choose a subsequent catalog for purposes of meeting graduation requirements. Students in majors leading to teacher certification may be required to use the most current catalog to be eligible for certification by the South Carolina Department of Education.
“Graduating under a catalog” pertains to degree requirements only, including major and minor. Students must meet all University requirements regarding registration, payment of fees, residency, and personal conduct as stated in the most current catalog.
If a student enrolled at Lander leaves the university for less than two years, the student may remain under the catalog previously selected. If a student enrolled at Lander leaves the University for a period of two or more years, when he or she returns, the catalog in effect at the time of readmission is used to determine graduation requirements.
A student may not graduate under a catalog that is more than eight years old.
Students must provide notification of a change in catalog year to the Office of the Registrar one semester prior to graduation. Students must then submit the Request for Graduation Form and complete the online application in MyLander by the deadline set by the Registrar’s Office.
Second Undergraduate Degree
Requirements for a second undergraduate degree are as follows:
1. Completion and award of an undergraduate four-year degree program.
2. Completion of at least 25% of the total credit hours required for the degree must be taken at Lander University and must be in addition to the requirements for the first degree. These hours must include a minimum of 12 hours of 300- or 400-level credit in the major.
3. Completion of two semesters at Lander University after the first degree has been completed.
4. Students must earn an overall minimum grade point average of 2.00 on all work attempted through Lander University instruction.
5. Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution are not required to meet the General Education Requirements.
Certificates
Because state law specifies that four-year degree-granting institutions may not offer undergraduate degrees lower than a baccalaureate, Lander University offers certificate programs to students who are required to either 1) already have completed a baccalaureate degree, and/or 2) be concurrently enrolled in a baccalaureate program at Lander University. In the event that a student completes the coursework for the certificate and does not graduate from Lander with a baccalaureate degree, the courses for the certificate will appear on the student’s transcript, but the certificate will not be awarded.
Graduation
Application for Degree
Students are eligible to apply for a degree if all degree requirements are completed by the end of the semester in which they are applying to graduate. A candidate for a degree must file a Request for Graduation form with the Office of the Registrar and complete the online graduation application in MyLander by the date published in the current catalog. An application for a degree is not complete until the student has paid the graduation fee. Graduation fees cover a student’s cap, gown, and diploma. Graduating students with physical disabilities are expected to communicate with the Office of the Registrar regarding accommodations needed for their participation in the commencement ceremony upon submission of their application. If a student's graduation plans change, academically or personally, the student must reapply for graduation during the next anticipated term of graduation and pay the graduation fee. Students who apply to graduate in August and who complete all requirements receive their diploma in August and are automatically included in the following December ceremony.
Participation in Commencement Ceremony
Student participation in the commencement ceremony is allowed if
• the student has filed a Request for Graduation form with the Office of the Registrar and has completed the online graduation application in MyLander for the specific commencement ceremony, and
• the student has completed all degree requirements during the semester of graduation (August graduates may participate in the December commencement ceremony).
An official or unofficial withdrawal of all classes during the graduation semester will disqualify participation.
Any other conditions that disqualify a student from participation in the commencement ceremony may be appealed.
Transfer credits during the semester of graduation - Students may not take coursework at another institution during their term of graduation. All coursework from other institutions must be received and posted prior to the semester of their graduation from Lander University. Students bear the responsibility of requesting their transcripts to be sent to the Office of the Registrar.
Posthumous Degrees - Enrolled undergraduate and graduate students whose untimely death prevents degree completion may be awarded a posthumous degree. The award of a posthumous degree may be an appropriate recognition of a student’s academic achievement when that student’s progress would have likely fulfilled the requirements of a degree except for the occurrence of death. Posthumous degrees may be awarded to the deceased students at the discretion of the appropriate college dean and the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and with the consent of the deceased student’s family under the following conditions:
1. When a student death occurs after ALL requirements for the awarding of the degree have been completed; or
2. When a student death occurs at a time when the student is enrolled in courses that would complete the degree requirements and that student otherwise has met all university, college and department requirements and is in good financial standing with the university.
If the University approves awarding of the degree posthumously, the Office of the Registrar will place the student’s name on the appropriate degree list. The diploma and a copy of the commencement program will be released to the family. Upon posting the degree, the transcript will be annotated to indicate that the degree was awarded posthumously.
The family may wish to have someone attend the commencement ceremony and receive the student’s diploma. These arrangements should be made with the University through the Office of the Registrar prior to the commencement date. If the person representing the student wishes to participate in the commencement ceremony and receive the diploma, the reader for the ceremony will announce his/her name as follows: “Jane Doe on behalf of Robert Jones”.
Awarding Major Program Honors - Students can earn undergraduate Honors in any major as long as the following conditions are met:
• the student is pursuing an undergraduate degree;
• the student meets all of the major honors conditions set forth in the Catalog that is current at the time the student graduates;
• the dean of the college of the student’s major provides initial notification in writing to the Office of the Registrar that the student is eligible for major honors within the first month of the graduation semester;
• the dean of the college of the student’s major provides final notification in writing to the Office of the Registrar that the student has earned major honors no later than the semester day and time deadline for final grades for the anticipated term of graduation.
Given the above, the Honors student’s transcript will be notated as follows: “Graduated with Honors in “(student’s major)”.
Graduation Honors
Honors recognized at commencement are based on the cumulative Lander University GPA that the student has earned at the end of the graduation term. Students must have earned at least 60 credit hours at Lander University to be eligible for any academic honor. Graduation honors are not awarded to graduate-level students. Students who are granted academic renewal are disqualified for graduation with honors. Summer graduates will be recognized for honors in the December ceremony.
Golden L Award - Awarded to students who have earned a cumulative GPA of at least 3.500 in the last 60 hours of undergraduate work through Lander University. Coursework graded on a “Pass/Fail” scale may not be used to meet the required hours or to meet the GPA requirement. Should hours be drawn from part of a semester’s work, the GPA hours from the course(s) with the highest grades from that semester, regardless of the hours earned in the course(s), will be used for the calculation.
Latin Designations – All coursework taken at Lander University will be included in the calculation of the GPA for graduation with honors and students must have earned at least 60 credit hours at Lander University to be eligible for Latin Honors.
The required average for the respective honor is as follows:
Summa Cum Laude - A cumulative GPA of 3.90 4.00; will receive a silver and gold honor cord
Magna Cum Laude - A cumulative GPA of 3.75 3.89; will receive a gold honor cord
Cum Laude - A cumulative GPA of 3.50 3.74; will receive a silver honor cord
4.0 Medalists – Awarded to students who graduate with a 4.0 cumulative Lander University GPA given that the student has earned at least 60 credit hours at Lander University. Students will receive a gold medallion on a white ribbon to wear at the ceremony.
The Thayer Award – Given to the student graduating with the highest cumulative Lander University GPA, given that the GPA is at least 3.75 and that the student has earned at least 60 credit hours at Lander University. If more than one student is qualified, the student with the most earned hours of credit at Lander University will be the recipient.
The Office of the Registrar will have the above-mentioned cords and medallions available for graduates at the ceremony during line-up.