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Academics

ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND POLICIES 

To help maintain an atmosphere conducive to education, the student is expected to read this academic catalog to understand and comply with the academic procedures and regulations of the university. Finlandia University course offerings, degree requirements, and academic policies are under continual examination and revision.

This catalog is not a contract; its purpose is to present the university offerings, requirements, and policies in effect at the time of publication. In no way does this academic catalog guarantee that the offerings, requirements, and policies herein will not change. Questions about academic policies should be addressed to the Office of the University Registrar.

Completion and Graduation Rates

The retention rate for full-time, first-time freshmen students who began at Finlandia in fall 2013 and returned in fall 2014 was 60%. The graduation rate for full-time, first-time students who began their degree programs in 2008 was 36%.

Privacy and Access to Student Records

Finlandia University designates the following categories of student information as public or “directory information.” The institution may disclose such information for any university-related purpose, at its discretion.

Public Directory Information

CategoryType
I.Name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, dates of attendance, class status, part-time or full-time status, class schedule/roster, photos.
II.Previous institution(s) attended, degree(s) and major(s), awards, honors (includes dean’s and honors lists), degree(s) conferred (including date).
III.Past and present participation in officially-recognized sports and school activities, physical factors (height, weight) of athletes, date and place of birth.

Students have the right to inspect their personal records.

The University Registrar will respond within five working days to written requests to inspect personal records. Students also have the right to prevent release of information from personal files. Currently enrolled students may withhold disclosure of any of the above categories of information under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, as amended. To withhold disclosure, written permission (valid for one year only) must be submitted in person to the University Registrar prior to September 30 of the fall semester, January 30 of the spring semester, and May 30 of the summer semester. Forms to request the withholding of directory information are available from the University Registrar. Finlandia University assumes that the failure of any student to specifically request the withholding of any category of directory information indicates individual approval for disclosure. Students have the right to file a complaint with the Department of Education for alleged institutional failure to comply with FERPA requirements. If a student would like other information, such as transcripts or instructor evaluations, released to a third party from their personal file, the student must submit written permission to the University Registrar. Forms are available from the University Registrar.

Transferring Courses from Other Institutions

Finlandia University accepts academic credits from regionally accredited colleges and universities that fulfill the requirements of the student’s declared program at Finlandia (including any electives) that meet the following criteria:

  1. Courses designated as “college level” by the transferring institution.
  2. Courses in which the student earned a “C” or better (grades of “C-” and below will not transfer). Grades and GPA do not transfer.
  3. “P” (Pass) credits are transferable when the transferring institution indicates that “P” is comparable to “C” or better.
  4. Credits in courses comparable to those taught at Finlandia University are accepted. Credits for courses not taught at Finlandia University, but in subject areas in which the university offers instruction, are accepted and transfer as electives in those subject areas. Non-vocational, non-technical courses in subject areas in which the university does not offer instruction are accepted as UNS 000 (unassigned electives) and count as credit toward graduation in programs that allow electives.
  5. Credits transferred from institutions on the quarter system are valued at 2/3 of the semester hour value. Trimester and 4-1-4 system credits are also pro-rated.
  6. The University Registrar determines equivalency of transferred courses to Finlandia University.
  7. There is no limit on the number of transfer credits accepted by Finlandia; however, academic deans or department chairs may limit the number of transfer credits or courses applied to degree program requirements within their school or department.
  8. If a course that is required at Finlandia University transfers in with at least 2/3 of the Finlandia University credits required for that course, the course requirement has been met. If a course that is required at Finlandia University transfers in with fewer than 2/3 of the Finlandia University credits required for that course, the student must satisfy the remaining credit required for that course by taking the course at Finlandia University or securing approval for course substitution from the University Registrar and the academic dean of the area that offers the course.
  9. Students entering Finlandia with an earned bachelor’s degree are expected to meet Finlandia General Education and degree program requirements.
  10. Finlandia University course equivalencies for many Michigan colleges and universities can be found on the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (MACRAO) website, in the Michigan Transfer Network section, at www.macrao.org.

Finnish Exchange Program

Transfer credits for Finlandia University students participating in the university’s Finnish Exchange Program are calculated by the University Registrar’s office based on module descriptions furnished by the Finnish institution, and in consultation with the appropriate academic dean.

Transferring Credits from Other Sources

There is no charge to have AP, OAC, CLEP, IBO, ICE, or experiential learning credits applied to the university transcript. Credits are awarded only after the student is officially enrolled at the university. Credits earned from these sources are not counted toward residency requirements, and are awarded only in areas applicable to the Finlandia University curricula.

Advanced Placement

Academic credits toward degree requirements will be awarded to students who receive a grade of three (3) or higher on the following Advanced Placement Examinations of the College Board.

AP Title Finlandia Equivalency Credits
American HistoryHIS 2113
American GovernmentPLS 2213
Art HistoryHIS 2033
BiologyBIO 1114
Calculus ABMAT 1804
ChemistryCHM 1214
English Language with Comp.ENG 1033
English Literature with Comp.ENG 1043
European HistoryHIS 2053
French LanguageFRN 1994
MacroeconomicsECN 232 3
MicroeconomicsECN 2313
StatisticsMAT 2013
Studio (focus on Drawing)ARD 1013
Studio (focus on 2-D)ARD 1733
Studio (focus on 3-D)ARD 2763
PsychologyPSY 1013
Spanish LanguageSPN 1514

Ontario Academic Credits (OAC)

University credits may be earned through completion of Ontario Academic Credits with a grade of 60% or higher.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

University credits may be earned through the College Level Examination Program. Finlandia students can register at the Finlandia Testing Center or at another CLEP testing center. There are fees associated with the CLEP exam; please check with the Finlandia Testing Center for the current cost. CLEP policy requires a waiting period of six (6) months before a student may retake a CLEP test. The minimum CLEP scores accepted by Finlandia University follow.

CLEP ExamMinimum ScoreFinlandia EquivalencyCredits
American Government50PLS 2213
American Literature50ENG 2313
Biology50BIO 111, 1138
Business Law50BUS 3613
Calculus-Elem. Functions50MAT 1804
Chemistry50CHM 121/131/1453-4
Child Development50PSY 2603
College Algebra50MAT 145 4
College Composition50ENG 1033
College Comp. Modular50ENG 1033
English Literature50ENG 2413
Financial Accounting 50BUS 2013
French Level I/II50/62FRN 1994/8
German Level I/II 50/63GRM 1994/8
Humanities50HUM 0003
Macroeconomics50ECN 2323
Marketing50BUS 2453
Microeconomics50ECN 2313
Psychology50PSY 1013
Sociology50SOC 1013
Spanish I/II50/66SPN 151, 1524/8
US History I50HIS 2113
US History II50HIS 2123
Western Civilization I50HIS 2053
Western Civilization II50HIS 2063

International Baccalaureate Organization Program (IBO)

Academic credit toward Finlandia degree requirements will be awarded to students who receive a grade of five (5) or higher on the final subject examination for higher-level (HL) courses in the International Baccalaureate Organization Diploma program.

Institutional Challenge Exam (ICE)

To take an Institutional Challenge Exam, Finlandia University students must obtain a form from the Testing Center and submit the completed request (in writing) to the academic dean of the subject area in which the course is offered. Prior to the scheduled exam date, a fee for each exam must be paid in full at the Office of Student Accounts. Requests to complete an ICE exam are subject to the following guidelines:

  1. Each academic dean establishes the courses for which ICE credits will be accepted. (See ICE chart below.) The college, school, or department develops the test to be used.
  2. The minimum passing grade for all exams is a “C.”
  3. Students may not take an Institutional Challenge Exam if the course is currently being taken or has already been taken at Finlandia University.
  4. The credits earned do not count toward residency requirements.
  5. Students may not take an ICE exam for a course that is available through the CLEP program.
  6. Students may only attempt one ICE exam for each course.

Currently Offered Finlandia ICE Exams

Course CodeCourse Description
BUS 138Fundamentals of Business
BUS 141Business Communications
CIS 102Introductory Computer Applications
HSC 112Medical Terminology
MAT 101Elementary Algebra
MAT 140Intermediate Algebra
PSY 270Psych./Phys. Aspects of Substance Abuse

Experiential Learning

To apply for academic credit for life experience, such as on-the-job training, non-credit post-secondary programs, and other experiences that parallel academic study programs, students must prepare a portfolio according to the standards of the college or school that offers the course. After a portfolio is submitted to the appropriate academic dean, a committee from that college or school reviews the portfolio. If approval is granted, the credit(s) are added to the student’s university transcript. Students may earn up to 32 credits via experiential learning. Experiential learning credits do not count toward residency requirements.

Semester Course Load and Semester System

Finlandia University offers courses on the semester system. The normal full-time course load for the fall and spring semesters is 12 to 16 credits, with additional tuition for any credits over 18. The normal full-time course load for the summer semester is 12 credits, with additional tuition for any credits over 12. All credits are counted toward the additional tuition. Fewer than 12 credits attempted in any semester is considered a part-time course load. More than 18 credits attempted in the fall and spring semesters, and more than 12 credits in the summer semester, is considered a course overload. Only students with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or better may register for an overload, with a maximum of 21 credits in the fall and spring semesters, and a maximum of 15 credits in the summer semester. The University Registrar must approve all course overloads.

Definition of the Credit Hour

Finlandia University uses the Federal definition of a credit hour to determine its credit hour assignment.

A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than:

  1. One hour* of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of student work outside of the class weekly for approximately 15 weeks plus 2 hours during final exam week for one semester, or the equivalent amount of work over a specified amount of time; or
  2. 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, online or hybrid courses, internships, clinical practicals, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.

*A class hour at Finlandia University is typically 50 minutes to allow students and faculty time to transition between classes and buildings.

Advising and Selection of Courses

The initial semester schedule for incoming students is determined by academic placement, course selection, academic program progress sheets, and class availability. Before the end of the drop/add period, students must meet with their assigned academic advisor to review program requirements and career goals. The name of the student’s academic advisor appears in the upper right-hand corner of the semester schedule or is available online.

All students are assigned an academic advisor in the student’s selected program of study. Students who wish to change their degree, major, concentration, or advisor should obtain a “change of curriculum and advisor” form from the Registrar’s office. Since the academic advisor is an integral part of the student’s educational program, it is important for the student to establish an ongoing relationship with his or her advisor. The academic advisor provides the student with assistance in the following areas:

  1. Reviews general academic practices and policies of the university;
  2. Meets with each student individually to plan, review, and approve semester schedules;
  3. Helps the student draft a semester schedule and a tentative degree completion plan, using the master schedule and recommended course sequence as a guide;
  4. Distributes and reviews degree program requirements and recommended course sequence.
  5. Points out specific credit and course requirements;
  6. Discusses course substitution requests as needed;
  7. Explains the student assessment process;
  8. Discusses degree completion, career options, and transfer and advanced degree opportunities; and
  9. Answers questions and refers student for help as needed.
  10. The student should meet with his or her advisor on a regular basis. The advisor’s signature is required on all drop/add cards.

The Progress Sheet

The progress sheet is a valuable guide to chart the student’s progress toward a degree. Progress sheets for all academic programs are available in this publication and in the rack outside the University Registrar’s office. The sheets list course requirements on one side and the suggested course sequence on the reverse. They are updated yearly to reflect any program changes. Students follow the progress sheet for the academic year in which they entered Finlandia University.

Independent and Directed Studies

Two individualized study programs are available.

  1. Independent Study: If it is necessary for graduation or if a special need is demonstrated, students with a GPA of 2.0 or better may take a course listed in the catalog in a semester in which it is not scheduled. The independent study instructor prepares the course syllabus, offers assistance, reviews student progress weekly, and evaluates the student’s work at the end of the semester. Independent study requirements may include term papers, examinations, and critical journals. Regular credit is awarded for completed courses. For each independent study request, the student must submit to the University Registrar an independent study form and a letter explaining the need for special scheduling.
  1. Directed Study: Students with a GPA of 2.0 or better may request that a faculty member develop a directed study course to explore a special aspect of a particular area of study. Course credit is established by the faculty member and may range from one (1) to five (5) credits. For each directed study request, the student must submit to the University Registrar’s office a directed study form, a letter explaining the need for a specialized course of study, and an individualized syllabus, prepared by the faculty member, that includes course title, objectives, general description, methods, and evaluation method. Independent study and directed study permission forms are available from the University Registrar’s office. All requests require approval from the course instructor, the academic dean, and the university registrar. Completed, signed forms must be submitted to the University Registrar prior to registration.

Field Experiences, Practicums, and Internships

Field experiences, practicums, and internships are a required component of many Finlandia academic degree programs. They complement classroom study with planned, supervised off-campus learning experiences at community and government agencies, local schools, health care providers, and businesses of many kinds. Prerequisites include a 2.00 GPA or higher, faculty recommendation, and approval of the academic dean. Students must make arrangements through the appropriate academic dean or department chair and obtain the dean’s or chair’s signature prior to registration. A copy of the student internship contract is placed in the student’s permanent academic file.

Online Learning

Finlandia University offers three levels of online courses:

  1. eCourse (fully online);
  2. Hybrid (no more than 50% online); and
  3. eCompanion (regularly scheduled classes with an online component). Online courses are offered by Pearson eCollege via the Pearson LearningStudio platform.

Class Attendance

The university expects every student to attend all class sessions of scheduled courses and complete all assignments. The class attendance policies follow.

  1. Each student is expected to attend all class periods, but individual instructors decide whether an absence is excused or unexcused and how class absences affect the student’s grade.
  2. Students who anticipate missing a class session (whether excused or unexcused) must inform their instructor(s) prior to the absence. An excused absence may include: a university-approved event, bereavement, military obligation, jury duty, severe weather, or other urgent personal matters. Types of absences not listed above are considered unexcused.
  3. In the event that absences significantly affect a student’s grade, instructors should inform the student’s academic advisor and the Director of Academic Success and Student Life.
  4. In-class assignments, quizzes, and/or exams missed on the day of an unexcused absence cannot be made up.

Dropping and Adding Courses

The purpose of the drop/add period is to rearrange class schedules. The drop/add period for the fall 2016 semester ends at 4:30 pm on Friday, September 2; the drop/add period for the spring 2017 semester ends at 4:30 pm on Friday, January 13. Drop/add dates for half-semester classes are prorated. Please check with the University Registrar’s office for more information. The exact dates of the end of the full and short summer semester drop/add periods will be announced during the spring 2017 semester. Please check with the University Registrar’s office for more information. Courses may not be added after the end of the drop/add period.

Courses dropped during the drop/add period do not appear on the student’s transcript or grade report. All course schedule changes must be approved by the student’s academic advisor. To be accepted, approved fall and spring semester drop/add cards must be received in the University Registrar’s office by 4:30 p.m. on the final day of the drop/add period; approved summer semester drop/add forms are accepted until noon on the final day of the drop/add period. At the end of each semester’s drop/add period, student accounts will be charged in accordance with the final class schedule.

Withdrawing from Courses

Students may withdraw from a course(s) by submitting to the University Registrar’s office a drop/add/withdrawal card signed by the student and the student’s advisor Drop/add/withdrawal cards without the required signatures will not be processed. Course withdrawals submitted after the end of the drop/add period are not included when computing semester and overall GPA. Students may withdraw from fall and spring semester classes without a grade until 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 3, 2016, in the fall semester and Thursday, March 23, 2017, in the spring semester. Withdrawal dates for fall and spring half semester classes are prorated. Please check with the University Registrar’s office for more information. Withdrawal dates for the full summer semester and half-semester classes are prorated. Please check with the University Registrar’s office for more information.

Students withdrawing from classes following the drop/add dates but prior to the withdrawal deadline will receive the grade of “W” for the course(s). Withdrawals requested after the withdrawal deadline will receive the grade of “F” in the course(s).

Unofficial Withdrawals

Students who discontinue their enrollment at the university without following the complete withdrawal process will be considered to have unofficially withdrawn. The last date of attendance will serve as the student’s unofficial withdrawal date and will be determined by one or a combination of the following criteria:

  1. Lack of attendance in classes using the last date of recorded attendance by faculty
  2. Late notification of a school official by which the student notifies a university official that he or she is leaving past the deadline for a complete withdrawal
  3. Vacating residential housing, upon confirmation that the student is not attending classes

If the last date of attendance cannot be determined using the above criteria, the university will use the midpoint of the semester (50%) as the student’s official end-date.

Students who completely withdraw from the university without following the complete withdrawal process will be assigned a grade of “F” in each of their courses as per the Complete Withdrawal Policy.

Administrative Withdrawals

Administrative withdrawals are reserved for extreme situations in which a student must withdraw from a course or a semester past the official withdrawal date. Administrative withdrawals must be approved by the chief academic officer, registrar, and director of academic success and student life. Students approved for an administrative withdrawal will receive the grade of “W” for each course, congruent with the University’s standard withdrawal policy.

Cheating and Plagiarism

Cheating is committing fraud on a record, report, paper, computer assignment, examination, project, or other course requirement. Plagiarism is taking someone else’s ideas, words, statements, or other work as one’s own without proper acknowledgment. Any student found guilty of cheating or plagiarism may receive an “F” grade on the test, paper, report or other assignment and/or may be involuntarily dropped from the affected class. The instructor of the class has authority to determine the response to the violation. Student(s) involved in incidents of this kind may appeal to the academic dean.

Class Standing

Class standing is based on total credits earned as follows. Total credits include transfer, AP, CLEP, ICE, IBO, experiential learning, and credits earned at Finlandia University.

Credits EarnedClass Standing
0-29 Freshman
30-59Sophomore
60-89Junior
90+Senior

Complete Withdrawal from the University

Students who wish to completely withdraw from the university must obtain a withdrawal form from the Director of Academic Success and Student Life. Students must personally present the withdrawal form to, and obtain the signatures of, director of financial aid, director of student accounts, and the university registrar.

All withdrawals must be in writing. The effective date of withdrawal is the date the university registrar signs the form. When students completely withdraw from the university, tuition, fees, and room and board are charged in accordance with the refund policy outlined in the Student Accounts section of this publication.

Failure to attend classes does not constitute official withdrawal from the university. Students who intend to completely withdraw from the university, yet fail to complete the above withdrawal procedure, are financially responsible for all semester charges and will receive an “F” in each of their classes. The withdrawal period ends at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday of the tenth (10th) week of classes in the fall and spring semesters, and atthe to-be-published deadlines for the summer semester. These dates will be published during the spring 2017 semester. .

Student Leave of Absence Policy

The Student Leave of Absence (LOA) policy allows degree-seeking, undergraduate students to take an official leave from their studies at Finlandia for a period of up to one year. During this one-year period, undergraduate students may be readmitted to the University through the Admissions Office, without having to officially reapply. However, upon return from the LOA, students are required to reactivate their enrollment status through Admissions.

To take an official Leave of Absence, students must report to the Office of Academic Success and Student Life to complete the appropriate paperwork. Upon approval of the LOA, resident students are required to vacate student housing within 24 hours. Students officially taking a Leave of Absence are not eligible to participate in varsity or intramural athletics, student clubs or any University-sponsored activity or organization.

Students considering taking a Leave of Absence should immediately speak with their academic advisor or program director about their options, the process of taking a Leave of Absence, and the procedure and timeline of applying for readmission. Students receiving financial aid are required to meet with Financial Aid personnel prior to the approval of the LOA.

An official Leave of Absence will not be approved for students subject to dismissal due to academic deficiencies or disciplinary actions.

Students requesting to start a Leave of Absence during an academic semester may choose to officially withdraw from their courses thus receiving “W”s for their courses following the official withdrawal policy and procedure for the university; or receive incomplete grades (I or IP as determined by the student, advisor, and registrar) for their courses. Students opting to take incomplete grades must establish course completion strategies as part of the LOA request and are thereby expected to complete their work as outlined in the Leave of Absence agreement. Incomplete grades that are not successfully completed according to the agreement will automatically convert to an “F” as per the University’s Incomplete Grade Policy. Administrative withdrawals will be processed if the LOA request is granted past the official withdrawal date. Administrative withdrawals will appear as “W” grades on the student’s transcript.

Students receiving approval for an official Leave of Absence will be allowed to complete their degree following the prescribed progress sheet under the original catalog date. If any of the courses within their degree program have been changed or no longer offered, the university will work with the student to provide acceptable alternatives through the university’s course substitution process.

Process for Applying for an Official LOA

All requests for an official LOA are to be submitted in advance, in writing, and will include the reason for the request, signed by the student, and dated. Unforeseen circumstances, such as an accident, may impede this process. As such, an LOA may be granted on condition that the required paperwork will be submitted at a later, pre-determined date.

  1. Obtain LOA paperwork from the Office of Academic Success and Student Life
  2. Meet with academic advisor and/or program director to discuss options
  3. Meet with Financial Aid office to discuss impact of the LOA on financial aid and what impact not returning from the LOA will have on your repayment terms
  4. Submit completed paperwork to the Office of Academic Success and Student Life
  5. The application for the LOA will be reviewed by a team of university professionals to include the registrar, dean of the college in which the program is offered or program director, financial aid representative, director of student affairs, and chief academic officer
  6. The decision will be rendered within 7 business days – It is important to note that not all LOA requests are granted
  7. Students will be notified by phone and postal mail of the final decision
  8. Approved LOA requests will include the timeline for readmission
  9. Once approved, the LOA agreement will be managed in the Registrar’s Office

To be granted an LOA, there must be a reasonable expectation that the student will return to complete their degree. Students on a Leave of Absence may return to classes prior to the expiration date. During the LOA, the university will not impose additional charges and will not award additional financial aid for courses or classes the student needs to complete in order to catch up to where the Leave of Absence began. A Leave of Absence will not exceed a 12-month period.

Students who do not return from their Leave of Absence will be considered withdrawn from the university at the end of their last semester of regular enrollment and will be required to return federal financial aid funds as per policy. Students are thereby advised to discuss these consequences with the Financial Aid Office prior to applying for the official Leave of Absence.

College of Health Sciences Programs Withdrawal and Dismissal

Faculty members of the programs within the College of Health Sciences reserve the right to dismiss a student whose health, conduct, scholastic standing, and/or clinical or internship performance does not comply with the designated program expectations. Students enrolled in the Health Sciences programs are held to standards of conduct that differ from and may exceed those expected of other Finlandia University students. It is the responsibility of each Health Sciences student to read and understand the Finlandia University academic catalog and the student handbook for the program in which the student is enrolled. Students are expected to consult with departmental personnel if specific problems or questions arise.

Grading Procedures and Polices

Grading Scale

Student grades are reported to the University Registrar at mid-semester and at the end of each semester. Students may view grades online at finlandia.empower-xl.com. Grades are reported and recorded according to the following scale:

Letter GradeGrade Points
A4.00
A-3.70
B+3.30
B3.00
B-2.70
C+2.30
C2.00
C-1.70
D+1.30
D1.00
D-0.70
F0.00

Letter Grade Definition

I-Incomplete. An incomplete (I) grade is a temporary grade given only in the case of extreme circumstances beyond the student’s control that prevent the student from completing all required work. An incomplete grade may only be given if a student is passing the course. The instructor must submit an incomplete contract, signed by both the student and the instructor, on or before the date class grades are due. An incomplete grade is changed to a letter grade following the satisfactory completion of all unfinished work according to the conditions of the incomplete contract. An incomplete must be completed within the first four weeks of the semester following the one in which the incomplete was incurred. If the work is not completed by that time, the grade for the course becomes an F. Incomplete grades issued to prospective spring or summer graduates at the end of the fall semester must be completed and the grade submitted before April 1 if the student wishes to participate in the spring graduation ceremony.

IP-Incomplete in progress (IP). An IP grade may be given for theses, capstones, practicums, internships, and independent/directed studies in which the required coursework extends beyond the normal semester. The instructor must submit an incomplete in progress contract, signed by both the student and the instructor, on or before the date class grades are due. An incomplete in progress grade is changed to a letter grade following the satisfactory completion of all unfinished work according to the conditions of the incomplete contract. The IP grade must be completed within six calendar months from the end of the semester in which the IP was incurred. IP grades not resolved by that time will be changed to an F. IP grades issued to prospective spring or summer graduates at the end of the fall semester must be completed and the grade submitted before April 1 if the student wishes to participate in the spring graduation ceremony.

P-Passed. The student has successfully completed the course with the equivalent of a “C” or better.
R-Repeated. The previous completion of the same course does not affect semester or overall GPA and does not count as credits earned.
W-Withdrawal. A “W” indicates a class from which the student has successfully withdrawn according to the guidelines set forth in this publication. A “W” does not affect semester or overall GPA and does not count as credit(s) earned.
AU- Audit. No grade or credit is given for the course.
CR-Transfer credit. Please see explanation of transfer credit at the beginning of this section.

Grade Appeal Process

If a student feels that an incorrect grade has been assigned for a course, the student may seek resolution with the appropriate faculty member by January 30 for fall semester grades or September 30 for spring or summer grades. If the issue is not resolved with the faculty member, the student may appeal to the dean of the college or school in which the course is offered.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

To calculate the semester GPA, divide the total semester grade points earned by the total credits completed that semester. Only grades of “A” through “F” earned at Finlandia University are used in calculating the semester GPA. To calculate the cumulative college GPA, divide the total grade points completed in all semesters at Finlandia University by the total credits completed in all semesters at Finlandia University. Only grades of “A” through “F” are used in calculating the cumulative GPA. Grades in courses below the 100-level are not used in calculating the GPA and do not count toward degree completion requirements.

Semester Academic Honors

Students who complete 12 or more credits, and earn a semester GPA of 3.75 or above, with no grade below a “C,” are placed on the Dean’s List for that semester. Students who complete 12 or more credits and earn a semester GPA of 3.50 to 3.749, with no grade below a “C,” are placed on the Honors List for that semester.

Semester academic honors are not granted to students with an incomplete (“I”) or incomplete in progress (“IP”) grade on their transcript that semester. During each spring semester, Finlandia faculty members select students for the special honor of membership in the Sampo Society, which recognizes the value of lifetime learning, and for the Sisu Award, which recognizes achievement despite difficult circumstances. Both awards reflect Finlandia’s Finnish heritage: the Sampo is a tool from Finnish mythology, and sisu is Finnish for “persistent effort.”

Academic Standing

Academic standing is calculated at the end of each semester. Students must maintain satisfactory academic standing to remain enrolled at Finlandia University. For students enrolled in degree-granting programs, satisfactory (good) academic standing, all students must attain a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher.

All students must attain a cumulative GPA of 2.00 to graduate from a degree-granting program.

Academic Warning

Students who fail to maintain a 2.0 or above are placed on academic warning. In the following semester of attendance, students may register for no more than 14 credits and are required to meet the guidelines outlined in an Individual Plan of Academic Success set up with Academic Support Services.

Academic Probation

At the end of a semester on academic warning, students who fail to raise their cumulative GPA to a 2.0 or above are placed on academic probation. During the following semester of attendance, students may register for no more than 14 credits and are required to meet the guidelines outlined in an Individual Plan of Academic Success set up with Academic Support Services.

Academic Suspension

At the end of a semester on academic probation, students who fail to raise their cumulative GPA to a 2.0 or above are suspended from the university and are not eligible to take classes during the next fall/spring/summer semester. Students who fail all courses automatically receive academic suspension. Students who have been academically suspended and desire to return to Finlandia University after an absence of at least one semester must apply through the Office of Admissions and file a formal appeal form with the University Registrar. Students should not expect automatic readmission after serving a period of suspension. The University Registrar, in consultation with the Director of Academic Success and Student Life, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and the student’s academic advisor (if available) will review the academic appeals and accept or deny the requests. If an appeal is granted, during the semester of readmission, students may register for no more than 14 credits and are required to meet the guidelines outlined in an Individual Plan of Academic Success set up with Academic Support Services.

Academic Dismissal

Students who are readmitted to Finlandia University after serving a period of suspension and fail to raise their GPA to a 2.0 or above in the first semester following academic suspension will be academically dismissed and ineligible to return to Finlandia University until they earn a grade of “C” or better in at least 12 credits of college level courses at another college or university.

Athletics Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to participate in varsity athletics at Finlandia University, a student-athlete must meet eligibility requirements set forth by athletic conferences, national governing bodies, and Finlandia University. For further information, contact the Athletics Department. Students who participate in intercollegiate athletics must meet the following eligibility requirements.

  1. Student-athletes must be in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory academic progress toward a recognized degree. Students on academic warning or probation are ineligible to participate in the athletics program.
  2. Incoming freshmen must have achieved a minimum high school GPA of 2.0 to be immediately eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics at Finlandia.
  3. Student-athletes must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester at Finlandia. If the course load of a student-athlete drops below 12 credits at any time during a semester, they are immediately ineligible.
  4. Student-athletes are ineligible if they earn less than 12 credits in a semester. An incomplete (I) grade in a class does not count toward earned credits. The student-athlete remains ineligible until the incomplete grade is completed.
  5. Student-athletes may participate in intercollegiate athletics only in eight of the first ten (10) full-time semesters of enrollment at any college or university.
  6. Transfer student-athletes must be in academic good standing to be immediately eligible for athletic participation at Finlandia University. Further, students who have previously participated in intercollegiate athletics must have been academically and athletically eligible had they had remained at the previous institution.
  7. Credit Hour Requirements. To be eligible to compete in the second season and subsequent seasons in any sport, a student-athlete must earn the following credit hours:
    1. After the completion of the first season of participation: 24 credit hours
    2. After the completion of the second season of participation: 48 credit hours
    3. After completion of the third season of participation: 72 credit hours

Academic Amnesty

Former Finlandia University students who wish to return to the university after a five-year absence may request academic amnesty. If granted, the returning student’s cumulative GPA and credits earned will include only courses taken since returning to the university. Students wishing to return to Finlandia University under academic amnesty must present a written request to the University Registrar. The historical courses and grades remain on the transcript but are not counted toward graduation or calculated in the GPA.

Course Repeat Policy

Students wishing to repeat a Finlandia University course to replace a lower grade must satisfy each of the following guidelines:

  1. Courses taken at Finlandia University must be repeated at Finlandia University.
  2. The highest grade earned in the course will apply toward the cumulative GPA. The prior grade will be removed only if a subsequent grade of “A” through “F” is earned.
  3. A course may be repeated no more than twice under this policy.
  4. The course for which the grade has been removed from computation of the cumulative GPA does not count toward credits earned, but remains on the transcript as a course attempted.
  5. The course repeat policy includes any course taken at any time at Finlandia University. The policy applies only when the exact course is repeated.
  6. The activation of the repeat policy for a course taken in a prior semester does not affect the student’s academic standing for the previous semester. Academic standing in a prior semester can be changed only in the event of a grade-reporting error.

Course Substitution Policy

Students with a legitimate reason for a course substitution in the same discipline must submit a formal course substitution request to the appropriate academic dean for approval and signature. Course substitution forms are available from academic deans or the University Registrar’s office. Completed and approved substitution requests are to be filed with the University Registrar prior to applying for graduation.

Graduation  

Graduation Application Form

All students must apply for graduation to begin the degree audit procedure and appear on the official graduation candidate list. Graduation applications are available from the student’s academic advisor or the University Registrar. After the application is received, the University Registrar performs the graduation degree audit to confirm eligibility for graduation. Candidates for April/May or August graduation must apply by mid-November of the prior year; candidates for December graduation must apply by mid-March of the same year.

Commencement

Commencement is typically held on the last Sunday in April or the first Sunday in May. All students who will successfully complete their degree requirements by the end of the spring semester, and have applied for graduation, are generally eligible to participate in the spring commencement ceremony. However, students must demonstrate by mid-semester prior to spring commencement that their final cumulative GPA will be 2.00 or above, and they will successfully complete all degree requirements.

Associate degree students who have six (6) or less credits remaining to complete their degree, and are registered to take those credits in the summer session immediately following the ceremony, may participate in spring commencement. Students must show proof of summer registration and payment for the required courses. Bachelor degree students who have two remaining program requirements to complete their degree, and are registered to take those requirements in the summer session immediately following spring commencement, may participate in the spring commencement ceremony. Students must show proof of summer registration and payment for the required courses.

Graduation Academic Honors

Graduation honors are determined by a student’s cumulative GPA at Finlandia University. To achieve graduation honors at the associate degree level, students must have earned a minimum of 30 credits at Finlandia University. To achieve graduation honors at the baccalaureate degree level, students must have earned a minimum of 60 credits at Finlandia University. Students who have completed the requirements for their degree at Finlandia University must meet the following cumulative GPA standards to earn the corresponding academic distinction:

GPAAcademic Honor
3.50-3.69cum laude
3.70-3.89magna cum laude
3.90-4.00summa cum laude

The specific academic honor, calculated at the end of the fall semester of the student’s graduation year, is included in the commencement program, and the distinction is displayed on the student’s graduation gown or cap. However, the final cumulative GPA determined after all grades are recorded determines the academic honor posted on the student’s transcript.

Transcript Requests

Students who wish to have an official transcript of their Finlandia University academic record sent to a third party may do so by completing an official request. Beginning in August of 2016, students will be required to complete their transcript requests online through the Parchment website. This website can be accessed by going to www.finlandia.edu/transcripts

Finlandia University only issues unofficial transcripts to currently enrolled students and must be done in-person. All other transcript requests will only be issued in an official manner.

There is a charge for official transcripts, which the (former) student will pay online at the time of ordering. Current transcript fees are available online at www.finlandia.edu/transcripts. The charge will not be processed until the request has been approved for processing. Transcripts cannot be released if the student has an outstanding student account balance at Finlandia University or if the student is in default on a Perkins student loan from Finlandia University.

 

2016-17 Catalog

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