Academic Information - Alvernia University (2024)

The administration of the Alvernia University community is provided for by the policies stated in this catalog. Attendance at Alvernia is a privilege and not a right. By registering, the student concedes to the university the right to require his/her withdrawal. Request for withdrawal can be made at any time it is deemed necessary to safeguard the ideals of character and scholarship and to secure compliance with regulations.

The university reserves the right to change its admission, registration, graduation, or financial requirements as necessary. Every effort is made to provide advance information regarding such changes.

Student Academic Responsibility

Students are solely responsible for assuring that their academic program complies with the policies of the university. Advisors are provided to assist students in planning their academic program and they assist with course selection and registration. Advisors are not authorized to change the established policy of the university.

Bachelor’s Degree Requirements

To receive a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree at Alvernia, a student must successfully complete a minimum of 123 semester credits. The total may vary according to the major program. Students must achieve a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) in all completed courses. Please note that specific majors may carry higher GPA requirements. Further, all required courses must be passed. See program descriptions and courses of study in this catalog for any program-specific grade point requirements. Students must complete 45 of their last 60 credits at Alvernia University. Students must complete 12 credits in their major and 9 in the minor at Alvernia University.

Any students requesting a variance from degree requirements must petition the Academic Standards Committee in writing and should submit supporting documents from their academic advisors as well as from the relevant departments. Contact the Registrar’s Office for the Academic Standards Committee information. All students are encouraged to participate in Commencement, which is held in May. Seniors must submit the Graduation Application Form to the Registrar’s Office as follows: October 1 for May Graduation, December 1 for August graduation, March 1 for December graduation. The graduation application is available online in myAlvernia on the ‘Academics’ tab. A graduation fee will be charged when the application is processed.

Associate’s Degree Requirements

To receive an Associate of Science degree at Alvernia University, a student must complete a minimum of 65 semester credits. The total semester credits may vary according to major. Associate’s degree students interested in working toward a bachelor’s degree must complete the associate degree before accumulating credits toward the bachelor’s degree. Students must achieve a 2.0 GPA in their major field and a 2.0 cumulative GPA in all completed courses. Further, all required courses must be passed. See program descriptions and courses of study in this catalog for any program-specific grade point requirements. All associate degree candidates must complete 30 of their last 36 credits at Alvernia University. Students must complete a minimum of 9 credits in their major.

Any students requesting a variance from degree requirements must petition the Academic Standards Committee in writing and should submit supporting documents from their academic advisors as well as from the relevant departments.

All students are encouraged to participate in Commencement, which is held in May. Seniors must submit the Graduation Application Form to the Registrar’s Office as follows: October 1 for May Graduation, December 1 for August graduation, March 1 for December graduation. The graduation application is available online in myAlvernia on the ‘Academics’ tab. A graduation fee will be charged when the application is processed.

Mid-Degree Program

Prerequisites: Students must transfer at least 70 credits of college work or an associate’s degree from a regionally accredited college into a degree program. Former Alvernia University students who meet the criteria of the previous requirements (i.e., 70 earned credits or an associate degree) may exercise the mid-degree option after an academic absence of one year.

Students who meet the entry requirements for the School of Graduate and Adult Education or earned an Associate of Science degree through a partnership agreement, may request Mid-Degree status. Students who are in a dual enrollment program and transition within an academic year do not have to reapply through the Admissions Office for acceptance into an Adult Education bachelor’s degree program. The stipulation, that students must achieve a 2.0 GPA in their major field and 2.0 cumulative GPA in all completed courses, and all required courses must be passed, apply to dual enrolled students prior to advancing into a bachelor’s degree program.

Requirements:

• Satisfy the standards for a major degree program.
• At least 30 credits must be at the 300/400 level at Alvernia, which excludes experiential credit, e.g., life experience, challenge. Exception: RN to BSN must complete a minimum of 25 credithours at the 300/400 course level at Alvernia. Students must complete a minimum of 9 credits at the 300/400 level at Alvernia University in their major.
• Satisfy requirements for human diversity, and community service.
• Complete at least 12 credits in the major at Alvernia University.
• Complete a modified core curriculum at Alvernia to include the following (relevant transfer credits may be applied to the modified core)

Transfer Policy

Bachelor’s Degree Residency Requirements

• All students must take at least 45 of the last 60 credit hours at Alvernia University; 12 credits in the major and 9 credits in the minor must be completed at Alvernia University.
• All students must complete a minimum of 9 credits at the 300/400 level at Alvernia University in their major.
• Up to 75 credit hours may be accepted from regionally accredited community, junior or other two-year colleges.
• Within the guidelines established above, bachelor’s degree programs require at least 123 credits.

Second Baccalaureate Degree

When contemplating a second baccalaureate degree, alumni of Alvernia should consult the Registrar for applicable policies.

Second Major

When contemplating a second major, Alvernia students should consult the Registrar for applicable policies.

Progress Toward a Degree

A student may make progress toward a degree by:

1. Completing courses at Alvernia University.
2. Transferring approved course credits from other colleges and universities.
3. Successfully completing a departmentally administered challenge examination for a course in the current catalog.
4. Receiving credit for the following credentials in accordance with the policies and procedures currently in effect at Alvernia University:

• American College Testing/Proficiency Examination Program (ACT/PEP)
• College Level Equivalency Program (CLEP)
• College Board Advanced Placement Tests (AP)
• Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES)
• Life Experience Credits
• United States Armed Forces Institute (USAFI)
• American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)
• International Baccalaureate (IB)

Maximum Number of Credits/Charges

A maximum of 30 credits can be awarded through a combination of the options identified in sections C and D above. Processing and per-credit fees are charged for challenge examinations and life experience credits. Students planning to earn credits through challenge examinations, CLEP and life experience must complete those options prior to their last semester of coursework at Alvernia.

Transferring Credits from Other Colleges/Universities

A matriculated student who wishes to take a course at another college and transfer the credit to Alvernia must obtain and complete a transfer credit approval form from the Office of the Registrar prior to enrolling at the other institution. Transfer credits are not applicable for the repeat/delete option. No credits are transferred for courses in which grades below a “C”/2.0 (or equivalent at Alvernia) are earned. Credits that are transferred are entered on a student’s permanent record without reference to the grade earned. Grades are not transferred; only credits are recorded.
For information on consortium classes see the Academic Opportunities section of this catalog.

Challenge Examinations

An enrolled student may challenge certain courses by examination but cannot challenge courses that have been audited or for which the student received a grade of “F.” Students interested in this option should contact the departmental chairperson to determine the courses available for challenge and, if appropriate, to make arrangements for an examination at least two semesters prior to graduation. A grade of “C”/2.0 or better on the examination is required to obtain credit. A student’s cumulative GPA isnot changed by the examination because no grade is recorded for a course completed in this manner. A student pays a tuition charge for credits earned through a challenge examination.

Advanced Placement/College Level Equivalency Program (CLEP)

Information regarding CLEP examinations is available in the Registrar’s Office. As a participant in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board, Alvernia University awards college credit to high school students who do advanced work in high school and score well on Advanced Placement Examinations. In general, credit is given for APE recommended scores.

Testing for World Languages Credits

The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) offers testing in over 100 World Languages through Language Testing International, Inc. (LTI). The American Council on Education’s College Credit Recommendation Services (ACE CREDIT) has evaluated and recommended college credits for these ACTFL assessments.

Students may earn World Languages credits for languages not available through the CLEP exam. Any student who wishes to fulfill the World Languages requirement (based on prior knowledge of a language other than French, German, or Spanish) may take an ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI or OPIc) and Written Proficiency Test (WPT) through LTI. Students must earn a score that would be the equivalent of 3 college credits (as recommended by ACE) for each of these tests (6 credits total). As long as a student earns at least 3 credits for each exam (OPI and WPT), their World Languages requirement would be fulfilled.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Undergraduate students interested in receiving credit for IB Higher Level Exams should arrange to have their official grade reports sent to Admissions directly from the International Baccalaureate Program. If credit is awarded, a student’s University record will carry notation of credit, but no grade will be recorded. Credit awarded will not affect a student’s grade-point average at Alvernia.

Limitations on credit earned through the IB Examinations are as follows:

• The credit must be useful in a student’s program of study.
• Duplicate credit in the same subject is not awarded in any case.

Dual Credit

Students may have concurrently enrolled in a class that counts for both the high school requirements and college credits. To receive credits for these courses, students must submit an official transcript from the college offering credits. These transcripts should be sent to the Alvernia University Admissions Office during the application process.

Life Experience Credits

Request for credit for specific courses based on documented life experience is initiated with the chairperson of the department directly involved. A student pays a tuition charge for credits earnedthrough life experience. There are two ways by which students may earn life experience credits:

• Life experience credits may be granted for full course credit as identified in the current university catalog. A student must be in good academic standing. The request for Life Experience must be submitted in the second semester of enrollment or after 12 credits earned at Alvernia, but at least two semesters prior to graduation. Each department is responsible for determining which courses are appropriate for life experience credits.
• Life experience credits are also offered as General Electives upon entrance to Alvernia through portfolio review.

Registration

New Student Registration

New students entering Alvernia University in the fall semester complete their registration during the summer. New students entering Alvernia University in the spring semester register before classes begin in January.

Current Student Registration

Current students register online for upcoming semesters on Self-Service. Advance registration is held in the middle of the fall and spring semesters. If a student registers during advanced registration and then decides not to return to the university, it is the student’s responsibility to complete the withdrawal process prior to the beginning of classes.

Students are charged an additional fee for any credits over 18. Students may register for more than 18 credits with the approval of their advisor. Items considered for approval are the student’s academic progress, cumulative grade point average, and plan of study. Students are officially registered when tuition and charges for the semester have been paid or arrangements for payment have been made with the Student Accounts Office.

Courses are offered on a rotating schedule. The university reserves the right to revise course plans in response to changes in student interest, enrollment demand, and staff availability. The university also reserves the right to cancel any scheduled course for which there is insufficient enrollment.

Summer and Winter School Registration

Information regarding course offerings and tuition charges is available from the office of Graduate and Adult Education and on the Alvernia website.

Registration Changes

Each of the following constitutes a registration change:

• Adding or dropping a course or changing a course section
• Withdrawing after the add/drop period
• Auditing a course

Add/Drop Period

The deadline to add or drop courses or change a course section is at the end of the business day of the sixth day of classes, unless otherwise indicated by the Registrar’s Office.

Withdrawal After Add/Drop Period

No student is permitted to withdraw from a course after the last day for withdrawal, which is listed on the academic calendar. Discontinuing a course without a valid withdrawal will result in a grade of “F.” A student receiving financial aid must notify the Student Financial Services Office of his/her withdrawal from a course. Schedule Change forms can be found in the Registrar’s Office and returned there after all signatures have been obtained to complete the process. During this period, a “W” is placed on the student’s official record.

Auditing a Course

A student wishing to audit a course must submit a written request to the Registrar’s Office. This request must include the signatures of the instructor involved and the student’s academic advisor. After the first week of classes no reimbursem*nt is made when changing from credit to audit. The deadline for either request is the first week of instruction of the current semester. No credit or grade is earned for auditing a course.

Attendance Policy

Attendance and participation in class are integral parts of the educational process and are significant factors in academic achievement. Students are expected to attend all classes, take exams during scheduled times, and are responsible for all material covered in class. Instructors are expected to report students whose absences are excessive. At the discretion of the instructor, excessive absences or tardiness may result in a lowered grade or failure for the course. Individual instructors may identify more specific attendance requirements, which are clearly stated in the course syllabus. Other guidelines can be found in the Undergraduate Student Handbook.

Change of Major

A student may change his/her major by obtaining written approval of the department chairperson or program director of the new major. The Change of Major form, obtained from the Registrar’s Office, is completed, and returned to the Registrar’s Office. The department chairperson or program director assigns the student to an academic advisor.

Grade Report

Early Warning Notices

In mid-semester, faculty members submit early warning notices to the Academic Success Center. Students who are doing less than “C” work are identified and specific information regarding their lack of progress is noted. Students, their advisors, and the Registrar’s Office are notified.

Semester Grade Reports

At the end of each semester, grade reports may be viewed through the student’s Self Service account. It is the student’s responsibility to identify grading errors within 21 days of posting. Any correction must be made by the instructor and filed in the Registrar’s Office. Please refer to the Undergraduate Student Handbook for the grade appeal process.

Grading Policy and Grade Point Average (GPA)

The university provides the following guidelines for grade assignments. Final grade assignments are at the discretion of the faculty member.

Incomplete Grade

A student may request an incomplete grade for a course by completing a Request for Incomplete form available in the Registrar’s Office. An Incomplete will be assigned only if there are extenuating circ*mstances preventing the student from completing all course requirements and the instructor, Department Chair, and Dean approve and sign the form. The completed form must be returned to the Registrar’s Office by the end of the final exam period to have the incomplete posted.

The student must complete and submit the assignments listed on the form to the instructor within four weeks of the exam period. Incomplete grades that have not been changed by the instructor at the end of this four-week period will automatically be changed to an “F.” In extreme circ*mstances, the instructor may file a request for an extension with the Registrar.

Grade Point Average

Letter grades are converted into a point system for calculating grade point averages:

The grade point average is obtained by dividing the total number of quality points achieved by the total number of credit hours attempted.

Repeat/Delete Option

The repeat/delete option may be used when students have a grade of less than “C” or have failed to meet the minimum grade required by a specific program (for example, Nursing students need a “C+” or better in each nursing course). When a course is repeated for credit, the earlier grade remains on the student’s permanent record and will appear on all transcripts. The higher grade is used in computing the cumulative GPA. The repeat/delete option may only be used in cases where both the original and repeated courses were earned in class at Alvernia; neither may be by correspondence or by study at another institution. Students may be required to use the repeat/delete option to fulfill specific requirements.

Internal Transfer Option

A student transferring to a new major before earning 60 credits has the option of requesting that the Department Chair delete up to 15 credits from those earned in the old major. These credits may not include requirements from the general education core, the new major or graduation requirements. The Department Chair must submit his or her request for deletions to the Academic Standards Committee using the internal transfer form. The student must pick up the form from the Registrar’s Office to initiate the procedure. If the student returns to the previous major, the Registrar reinstates the deleted courses, and all grades are computed in the GPA. No grade of “C” (2.0) or higher may be deleted. The internal transfer option may be exercised only one time during the student’s enrollment at Alvernia. The student’s transcript reflects all courses taken, even if not computed in the GPA.

Plagiarism

Procedures for reporting alleged plagiarism will be closely adhered to, according to university policy and procedure. Plagiarism is the failure to cite a source, deliberately or accidentally presenting as your own work words or ideas of another (Harbrace Handbook). This includes but is not limited to:

1. Copying, paraphrasing, or summarizing from any published or unpublished source without citing.
2. Copying a paper, parts of a paper, or submitting any work that is not your own.
3. Submitting as one’s own, parts or a whole, another’s computer program, work of art, or musical composition.
4. Using words of others without quotation marks enclosing those words.

Academic Grievance Policy

The Student Grievance Committee attends to grievances of an academic nature. The committee is composed of faculty members and two students. Students are selected by the Student Government Association. The chair is elected by the committee members. The committee is involved in a student grievance only if the proper procedures have been followed by the student. Those procedures can be found in the Undergraduate Student Handbook. The student must discuss the situation/grade with the instructor within 20 calendar days of occurrence/disagreement.

Academic Standing

Class level is determined by the number of credits a student has earned in the following manner:

The Academic Standards Committee reviews the academic records of each student at the end of each semester. The credits used in the following scale are determined by the Alvernia GPA credits plus transferred credits plus experiential and pass/fail credits. For students with Incompletes, the Academic Standards Committee reaches a decision based on available evidence.

Note: Students enrolled in associate, master or doctoral degree programs should see the Dean of Graduate and Adult Education for information regarding their academic progress requirements.

Student-Athletes

Students-Athletes must attempt and maintain a minimum of 12 credits each academic semester. If at any time a student-athlete withdraws and/or drops below the minimum 12 credits during the academic semester, he/she will be deemed academically ineligible for the remainder of the season.

Academic Probation

It is recommended that students on probation meet with their advisor and use the repeat/delete or internal transfer options to raise their GPA. Students placed on probation at the end of the spring semester are encouraged to take courses at Alvernia during the summer sessions to improve their GPA.

Academic Dismissal

Students who are academically dismissed lose the right to complete their degree requirements under the catalog that was in effect when they first enrolled at Alvernia University; they lose their right to live in campus housing; and they also lose their eligibility for financial aid. Academically dismissed students may petition the Academic Standards Committee in writing for reinstatement to degree candidacy. After one academic year’s absence students must reapply to the university and may be reinstated by documenting their academic commitment.

Academically dismissed students may take coursework during the summer sessions at Alvernia University and petition the Academic Standards Committee for reinstatement prior to the beginning of the fall semester if they meet the criteria for good standing based on the scale above. Students who have been academically dismissed may also petition the Academic Standards Committee in writing for immediate reinstatement to degree candidacy. A written petition should be accompanied by a letter of support from either the student’s academic advisor or an Alvernia faculty member who has taught the student.

Dean’s List & Academic Honors

Dean’s List

Students who have a semester Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.50 or better (for a minimum of 12 credits taken for a letter grade) are placed on the Dean’s List. Courses receiving a grade of “Pass” are not included.

Academic Honors upon Graduation

Bachelor’s degree: Students may receive their bachelor’s degree with Honors. With Honors is defined as a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or above with a minimum of 40 Alvernia credits. As noted above, courses receiving a grade of “pass” are not included. The award of honors shall be as follows:

Associate degree: Students may receive their associate degree with Honors. With Honors is defined as a cumulative grade point average of or above with a minimum of 40 credits. As noted above, courses receiving a grade of “pass” are not included. The award of honors shall be as follows:

Note: For the Commencement Ceremony, the above GPAs will be calculated at the end of Mod 3 since Mod 4 and semester grades will not be available until after commencement. The final GPA will determine the Honors posted on the graduate’s diploma and transcript.

Honors Program

Students who have completed all the following requirements may graduate from the Alvernia University Honors Program and the distinction is noted on their transcript:

Twelve credits in coursework, including:

• First Year Honors Seminar (3 credits)
• Three courses (9 credits) of Honors Colloquia
• Six Credits in Honors Thesis. Identify a scholarly problem or develop a creative work under supervision of advisor.
• Reach a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 or higher

For full description of the Honors Program, see the Academic Opportunities section of this catalog.

Transcripts

Requests for transcripts are made through the National Student Clearinghouse: https://tsorder.studentclearinghouse.org/school/select

No transcript (official or unofficial) will be released until all financial obligations to the university have been met.

Current students, former students, and alumni who attended after 2003 and do not have a billing hold may view and print their unofficial transcripts from their Self-Service account by clicking “Unofficial Transcript” under the “Grades” tab.

Withdrawal from the University

A student who voluntarily withdraws from the university must notify the appropriate individual, as identified below, of his/her intent to withdraw. Communication may be written or oral. If the communication is oral, the person providing the information must be able to verify his/her identity as the student or approved representative of the student by providing requested identifying information such as, but not limited to student ID, social security number, date of birth, email and/or mailing address. The university reserves the right to refuse accepting oral information if it is incomplete or cannot be verified and may require the request to be provided in writing. Traditional undergraduate students should contact the Office of Student Financial Services; Adult undergraduate students should contact the School of Graduate and Adult Education. If a student notifies a faculty or staff member or department other than one of those listed above, the individual notified should make every effort to immediately notify the appropriate individual or department, as listed above, of the student’s notification and provide documentation if available and as appropriate.

The university reserves the right to require the withdrawal of any student whose scholarship is unsatisfactory or whose conduct renders him/her undesirable as a member of the university community.

Military Deployment

Alvernia University will make every effort to accommodate students who are in the armed forces. Students who are deployed to active duty while enrolled in classes should contact the VA Certifying Officials in the Student Financial Services Office to determine the best financial option. Their educational status will be held until their return to the university following deployment.

Students who are active in the military or are in the reserves will be allowed excused absences for mandatory military duties, including required trainings. However, students will still be held accountable for all course requirements as outlined in course syllabi. Such students should provide their professors with dates of expected absence as soon as possible so that they can arrange to make up any course readings and assignments missed.

Non-Academic Dismissal

Students may be dismissed from the university for non-academic reasons. Only the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Experience may dismiss a student from the university for non-academic reasons. See the Undergraduate Student Handbook for details on this policy.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The university follows the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). Under this act, education records of students are not released except by written consent and request of eligible students. Exceptions are made in accordance with the law to authorized persons within the university, to authorized agencies outside the university and local education agencies who have been determined to have legitimate educational interest and are specified in the updated January 3, 2012, Act. Eligible students may inspect their records by submitting a written request to the Registrar. For more information on the ability to waive FERPA rights, please contact the Registrar’s Office.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, is a federal law that states (a) that a written institutional policy must be established and (b) that a statement of adopted procedures covering the privacy rights of students must be made available. Alvernia University shall maintain the confidentiality of student education records in accordance with the provisions of the act and shall accord all the rights under the act to students who are or have been in attendance at Alvernia University.

The act provides students with the right to inspect and review information contained in their educational records, to challenge the contents of those records which students consider to be inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of their privacy or other rights, to have a hearing if the outcome of the challenge is unsatisfactory, and to submit explanatory statements for inclusion in their files if the decision of the hearing panel is unacceptable. The Registrar at Alvernia University has been assigned to coordinate the inspection and review procedures for student education records, which include admissions, personal, financial, academic, cooperative education, and placement records. A copy of the university’s complete FERPA policy may be obtained from the Registrar.

Student Right-to-Know & Campus Security Act

The university complies with the Student Right-to-Know, Campus Crime and Security, and Athletic Participation and Financial Support (EADA) reporting and disclosure regulations issued by the Department of Education effective as of November 1, 1999, in order to remain Title IV compliant (federal financial aid programs). These regulations permit the university to disclose completion/graduation and transfer-out rates of its students. Further information is available from the Registrar’s Office.

Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges

Alvernia University limits academic residency to no more than 25 percent of the degree requirements for all undergraduate degrees for active duty servicemembers. Academic residency can be completed at any time while active duty servicemembers are enrolled. Reservists and National Guardsmen on active duty are covered in the same manner. Programs that require clinical or field placement such as nursing, occupational therapy, education, etc., are subject to academic approval.

Academic Opportunities

Consortium Classes

Alvernia University is a member of the Higher Education Council of Berks County. The other members of this council are Albright College, Kutztown University, Penn State Berks, and Reading Area Community College. Full-time traditional day undergraduate students have the opportunity to cross-register for one course each regular semester at any one of the other consortium colleges and they are billed through Alvernia. Courses taken will be treated as transfer courses, and therefore the grade will not transfer, only the credit. The student must go to the Registrar’s Office at Alvernia University to start the process. Alvernia billing policies apply.

Graduate Opportunities at Alvernia University

Alvernia University offers eight master’s degrees: Master of Business Administration; Master of Education; Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling; Master of Arts in Leadership; Master of Science in Nursing; Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT); Master of Science in Occupational Therapy; and Master of Social Work. For the M.B.A., M.A., M.Ed., and M.S.N., students have the opportunity to take six graduate credits during their senior year if these graduate credits are beyond and in addition to all their undergraduate degree requirements. The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) offers a 3+3 year option allowing BIO, BIO/CHE, HCS and PSY students to begin the professional phase of the curriculum in their senior year. A Post-baccalaureate 4+3 year option is also available for the DPT program. Alvernia University also offers a Doctor of Philosophy program in Leadership (Ph.D.) and a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (Post-Professional).

Graduate Partnerships with Other Institutions

LECOM Partnership

Alvernia University in partnership with LECOM offers an opportunity for students to enter LECOM’s School of Dental Medicine, the Pharmacy School, and the Medical College after completion of their degree at Alvernia. Specific guidelines and requirements are available from the Academic Success Center.

Honors Program

The purpose of the Honors Program at Alvernia University is to assist students of outstanding intellectual promise and high motivation to seek increased challenges at the undergraduate level. The program is designed to recognize and encourage academic excellence, to stimulate students to work at their own pace, and to facilitate the exchange of ideas and information among students and faculty with varied interests in different disciplines.

The Honors Program offers students the opportunity to challenge themselves through innovative and imaginative curricula. Students are encouraged to excel academically, to prepare for graduate and professional school, and to participate in leadership and service opportunities. The program provides co-curricular activities, service opportunities, and intellectual and social support, adding significant dimension to the student’s academic program.

Honor Students are:

• Students with SAT scores of 1300 or higher, a high school grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or enter the program upon entrance to the university.
• Students who achieve a GPA of 3.3 or higher in their coursework at Alvernia, or who transfer in having attained a 3.3 GPA at another institution, may petition the Honors Director for entrance to the program or may be invited to join following a faculty recommendation to the Director. For entrance, the student is required to meet with the Director, submit proof of his or her current GPA, and submit a statement of interest. Additional materials, such as transcripts or letters of recommendation, may be required.

Honors students must complete several requirements in order to graduate from the Honors Program and receive the distinction on the student’s transcript. See Honors Distinction in the Academic Information section of this catalog.

Independent Study/Directed Study

Independent study is available for students above freshman standing (30+ credits) with the approval of the chairperson of the department and the academic Dean in which the course is offered. The material in independent study courses may not duplicate any course regularly offered in the curriculum of the university. Students work as independently as possible under the direction of a faculty member and usually present their work at a departmental seminar.

• 375 Independent Study: Prerequisite: at least sophom*ore standing (30+ credits)
• 475 Independent Study: Prerequisite: senior standing (90+ credits)

Directed Studies are courses that are offered in the University Catalog, but the student is completing the course partially independently. A directed study requires 14 hours contact with the instructor and 28 hours independently per credit.

Internships/Practic*ms/Cooperatives

Practicum field experience is available to students reaching sophom*ore standing (30+ credits). Forty-two (42) hours of internship is equal to one credit. Students who want to participate in additional practice beyond those pre-determined by a program must obtain permission from the appropriate chairperson. The program of activities in a practicum is controlled by the university in cooperation with the agency involved. The activities include hours of participation, supervision and required assignments. Grades, withdrawals, and incomplete work in practice are governed by the regulations in effect at Alvernia for regular classroom courses. Contact Career Development and the Academic Success Center for more details.

Instructional Delivery Methods & Definitions

Credit Hours: One hour of instructional contact whether or not the delivery format requires a minimum of two additional hours of work outside the classroom.

Traditional: A traditional course is essentially classroom-based, using face-to- face meetings. The content is delivered orally, using in-class audio-visual methods, or in writing. Online resources might be used to enhance the learning experience; however little or no learning takes place between the instructor and student over the Internet.

Web-Enhanced: The web-enhanced format is similar to the traditional format in that it is essentially classroom-based and is mostly using face-to-face meetings. However, some portions of the course are delivered over the Internet. Web-based technology (such as accessing syllabi online, posting to a “Learning Management System” (LMS) (i.e., Blackboard), bios, reading articles, etc.) could be used to facilitate and enhance classroom instruction. A web- conferencing application (e.g., ZOOM) might be used to conduct live (real-time) sessions online. Less than 30% of course content is delivered in an online format.

Blended: A blended course is a mix of traditional classroom-based methods combined with online technology for providing a rich learning experience. Content and classroom activities are partially provided using classroom-based, face-to-face meetings, and are partially provided through online material and activities. A blended course uses the institution’s online Learning Management System (LMS) (i.e., Blackboard) to access class sessions and material, and engage students in online activities between 30% and 75% of class instruction time.

Online: An online course is characterized by having most or all the content delivered online, and where learning takes place almost entirely online. The content is delivered using the institution’s Learning Management System (i.e., Blackboard), and students use this to access class sessions, material, discussions and other activities and assignments. Little or no classroom instruction takes place, with greater than 75% of the content delivery, and student interactions occurring over the Internet.

Web-enhanced, blended, and online deliveries are conducted through both synchronous and asynchronous tools. Synchronous classroom instruction and discussion are conducted live (real-time) through some type of audio and/ or, video conferencing system. This delivery takes place by broadcasting classroom instruction in real-time to a remote location. Students may be in class at one of Alvernia campus locations while the instructor is teaching, lecturing, etc., from another Alvernia campus location. Students participating from the remote sites are engaged in “real-time” interaction with the instructor and the other students attending the class. Students who are unable to attend or wish to review a recorded synchronous classroom session might later retrieve the session (i.e., asynchronously) if the audio and/or video sessions are archived.

Asynchronous instruction involves course material that is available for access according to some timeframe established for the course. Asynchronous instruction can be connected to a schedule or accessed on-demand in a student- determined, self-paced format.

Instruction is typically delivered through the institution’s Learning Management System (i.e., Blackboard). Additional online resources, tools and activities may also be integrated to either enhance a classroom-based course or provide additional options for online delivery.

Panopto - Audio/Video Storage and Streaming

Instructors may have created audios and videos to supplement instruction in and out of the classroom. These videos are hosted on Panopto and accessible through the course on Blackboard. Faculty may also request that assignments and projects are completed using Panopto. You will see Panopto in your Blackboard course as Media@Alvernia.

ZOOM - Web/video Conferencing - Synchronous Classroom

An instructor may set up a live web conferencing classroom that will be scheduled for a specific time & date. This type of synchronous/live activity may include audio, video, application sharing and content display. These activities may be accessed through a link provided on Blackboard or ZOOM. Students should check with their instructor to determine whether the course will use this feature.

Turnitin

Turnitin is an Internet-based plagiarism-detection service, which checks submitted assignments for originality and provides detailed reports back to instructors and students. It also allows instructors to grade paper assignments online without the need to download them onto a computer. Students should check with their instructor to determine whether the course will use this feature.

Respondus LockDown Browser

Respondus LockDown Browser locks a student’s computer down while taking an online quiz, test, or exam. The use of other applications, printing, copying, or browsing sessions are not permissible while taking online assessments. Respondus Monitor turns the students’ webcam and microphone on to monitor movements and sounds. The program provides reports to faculty to prevent cheating during online exams. This is only used for fully online courses.

Minimum Technology Requirements

For current technology requirements, visit:

Note: Chromebooks will not suffice if you are taking a web- enhanced, blended, or online course. Faculty accept Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Adobe PDF files for submissions to assignments, assessments, etc. If you do have a Chromebook, you must be able to use Google Docs and export the file as a Microsoft or Adobe file. We provide each student with 1TB of storage on OneDrive for you to store these documents.

Online Consortium Policy

Alvernia University is a charter member of the Online Consortium of Independent Colleges and Universities (OCICU), which offers a wide variety of online courses from accredited educational institutions. A limited amount of Alvernia coursework may be completed through the online consortium. OCICU courses are a helpful alternative when a particular course requirement can’t be met through the normal course scheduling sequence. Classes through the consortium must have approval of the department chair or program director of the content area most closely allied to the course. The OCICU course offerings are published in advance of each semester. Students interested in OCICU offerings must speak with an academic advisor for additional information and complete an OCICU Course Approval Form.

Special Topics Courses

In addition to the courses in this catalog, the class schedules may also include Special Topics courses. These special interest courses may be available in any discipline and at any level. Special topics courses are identified by the number “90,” such as BUS 390, COM 290or HIS 190. Number of credits may vary. Descriptions of Special Topic courses are available online in Self Service “Find Course Sections.”

Study Abroad 610-790-1925

Alvernia University encourages students to broaden their academic experience by participating in a study abroad program. Faculty-led short-term study-travel courses, summer internships, and traditional study abroad semesters around the world are available to students. Contact the Director of Global Learning for information. The Office of Global Engagement offers a variety of short-term faculty-led programs, as well as, semester and year-long programs Each of which presents students with the opportunity to engage in new culture while studying abroad, enroll in courses that provide a new understanding, and leave the world in which they are familiar.

The Washington Center 610-796-8225

Alvernia students have an opportunity to translate their college major into a career path, while spending a semester in Washington DC. through an immersive, residential experience. Students serve as interns in one of over 600 partner agencies in areas such as government, business, arts, education, and mass communications. In addition to their internship, students participate in an academic seminar and a variety of professional development experiences designed to foster personal and professional growth. Participants are customarily juniors or seniors who have achieved grade point averages of 2.5 or better and who have the endorsem*nt of the appropriate academic area. Interested students should see the Office of Career Development.

Academic Support Services

At Alvernia University, faculty members serve as student advisors. Support is also available for international students, students looking for a minor or considering a change of major, and Alvernia’s nontraditional/adult learners.

Academic Success Center (ASC)

The Academic Success Center provides student advising and support services. Located on the first floor of Bernardine Hall, its team includes professional, administrative and student staff with responsibilities for advising, academic support services, and disability services.

ASC hours are Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Weekend hours vary.

ASC Areas of Service

General Advising Support

Although every student is assigned a faculty advisor, additional advising support is available in the Academic Success Center (ASC). Students can meet with an advisor to get help with questions about advising and many university policies and procedures: course scheduling, adding or changing majors, preparing for advising appointments with academic advisors, and understanding how decisions about coursework impact the degree plan and financial aid.

First Year Student Advising

Each First Year Student is assigned to a SEARCH Seminar section, and the faculty/staff member who teaches that section serves as the student’s advisor for the first year. Their work is supported by the ASC who provide advising training and materials to First Year Advisors. Freshmen wishing to make changes to their first semester schedules must visit the ASC to do so, as they do not yet have access to the registration features of self-service.

Advising for Students with Undeclared Majors

After the first year, each student is assigned a faculty advisor in the department that houses the student’s major. However, not all students are ready to declare a major, and some students change their minds. Students who have not declared majors are offered additional support through the ASC to continue exploring their interests and developing their educational plan.

Academic Support Services

Academic support services listed below are offered in both face-to-face and online formats. Visitalvernia.mywconline.com to sign up for an appointment. Students can access a menu of academic support services, including but not limited to:

• Individual subject-specific
• Peer and professional writing support
• Professional tutoring for nursing students
• Group study sessions
• Supplemental Instruction for selected classes in Health Majors
• Academic Success Workshops
• Academic skills coaching in time management, note taking, test taking, academic anxiety, and more

Accessibility Services

The Accessibility Services Office coordinates the academic accommodations for students with disabilities, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Academic accommodations are decided on a case-by-case base in accordance with what is reasonable for the institution and the student.

ADA Accommodations

In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act and Amendments Act (ADAAA), the university offers accommodations to students with documented learning, physical and/or psychological disabilities. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the Accessibility Office, to initiate the accommodation process so accommodations can be determined early in the semester. Academic accommodations are not retroactive. It is the responsibility of the student to provide each of their professors with their letters of academic accommodations at the start of each semester/mod. Students needing assistance should visit the Academic Success Center (ASC) in BH 105c or call 610-568-1499.

Library

The Dr. Frank A. Franco Library Learning Center provides resources and services to support students both on and off campus. The Library space is available 24/7. It is accessible with your campus ID card outside of regular Library service hours. The Library’s virtual collection is also available 24/7 athttp://www.alvernia.edu/library. In addition to a large print collection, the library offers access to over 100,000 electronic academic journals and over 240,000 eBooks. Virtual access off campus is available to all enrolled students.

Students may check out books and AV materials with their university ID cards and will find class reserve material for reading or viewing at the Circulation Desk. Copy machines, printers, and a public FAX are also available in the building. For materials not available in print or electronically, students may request an Interlibrary Loan free of charge. Forms can be found on the website as well as in the Library.

In the stairway mini-café students can find comfortable seating for enjoying a hot drink, getting a snack from the vending machine, reading the newspaper or a magazine, or studying. The Wellness Zone with its collection of popular fiction and non-fiction books, popular DVDs, leisure reading magazines, games and activities to de-stress, comfortable furniture, and interesting displays is also a welcoming place.

Wireless throughout, the Franco Library Learning Center is a welcoming environment for quiet study or group collaboration. Laptops are available for checkout, and students may use them anywhere in the building. Group study rooms are also available and may be reserved for two-hour time periods. Rooms are equipped with a variety of technology.

The first floor of the building brings together students and librarians in a rich learning environment. This flexible study area offers café-style booths, comfortable seats on casters for mobility, mobile white boards, and a charging station for mobile devices. In the Bonaventure Reading Room, students will find a variety of resources, chairs, and tables for individual study or for group work. Also located in the library’s Bonaventure Reading Room is The Alvernia University Prayer and Reflection Room, a small, private, personal, reflective prayer space for meditation and contemplation, designed to meet the needs of persons from all faith traditions. The second floor of the building is dedicated to quiet study, and features a computer classroom, our Polish American collection room, and our Italian American collection room; the lab and rooms can be used when they are not booked for classes or meetings.

The Library staff includes professional librarians who are dedicated to encouraging learning and student success. Students may contact librarians in person, by phone, instant message, or by email. Students can also schedule virtual and in-person meetings with librarians. Finally, librarians teach information literacy classes and workshops and are available to students and faculty to assist with research, specific assignments, or major projects.

Library Building Hours:

The Library is accessible 24/7.

Library Service Hours:

Visit http://www.alvernia.edu/library for regular service hours and any changes to hours. Librarians are
also available outside of regular service hours upon request.

Registrar

The Registrar, located in Francis Hall, plans the master course schedule, handles course registration and scheduling of all day students, maintains academic records, issues transcripts, and confirms eligibility to receive degrees. The following services are available in the Registrar’s Office: questions regarding academic records, letters of enrollment verification, schedule changes (add/drop), permission forms for directed or independent study, and forms for Academic Overload, Change of Address, Change of Major, Graduation Application.

Information Technology

The Information Technology Department at Alvernia University manages and supports university systems including email and network accounts, the myAlvernia portal, multi-media and classroom technology, and other campus systems.

Support is available via the Alvernia University 24-hour Service Desk, reached at 610-230-5700 or ServiceDesk@alvernia.edu.

Information Technology consists of the following support areas:

(www.alvernia.edu/it/):

Application Management and Support

Application Management and Support is responsible for supporting myAlvernia, Self-Service, and campus administrative system.

Instructional Design and Learning Technologies

Educational Technology is located in Bernardine Hall Room 023 [Media Suite] and is responsible for the support and training for Blackboard, classroom applications, classroom technology, and distance learning course development and instruction. Media Suite services include video and audio production, editing resources and poster/presentation printing.

Infrastructure Management and Support

The Infrastructure Management and Support office is responsible for supporting wired/wireless connectivity, Office365 email, network logons, hardware support for university owned computers, and printing.

Note that computer labs for student use are available in Bernardine Hall, the Library, Veronica Hall, Campus Commons, and the Philadelphia and Pottsville Community Campuses. Wireless access is available in all University buildings on all campuses.

Applying for Graduation

Graduation Application is available online in myAlvernia on the ‘Academics’ tab. Seniors must submit theGraduation Application to the Registrar’s Office as follows: October 1 for May Graduation; December 1 for August graduation; and March 1 for December graduation. The advisor or department chair mustsign the form and attach a copy of the completed major sheet. A graduation fee will be charged whenthe application is processed. All students are encouraged to participate in Commencement, which isheld in May.

Community Service Requirement

Community Service Requirement (610-790-1925)

Community service has its roots deeply embedded in the foundation of Alvernia University and is centralto the mission of our Catholic, Franciscan institution. Service provides students the opportunity to usetheir gifts and talents to help those in need through supporting an organization’s mission. Additionally,we aspire to encourage community service as an integral part of a students’ learning experiences,contributing to their intellectual, social, and spiritual growth and development. Through intentionalservice while at Alvernia University the Holleran Center strives to provide a framework for students todevelop a commitment that supports causes locally, regionally, and even globally throughout their lives.

Alvernia students must complete community service hours as part of the General Education Program.Associate degree-seeking students must complete 20 hours and baccalaureate degree-seeking studentsmust complete 40 hours. Transfer students’ community service hours are based on the number ofcredits accepted upon matriculation. See the below chart. Community service hours must be fulfilledwhile a degree seeking student is enrolled at Alvernia University; they cannot be transferred in from aprevious institution. Transfer students should consult with the Registrar or their faculty advisor for aspecific number of hours to meet the requirement. Students are strongly encouraged to complete theirrequirements before the end of their sophom*ore year, and then to exceed them.

Community Service Requirements for Transfer Students

Service Opportunities

Students can select a combination of opportunities and activities to achieve the total number of hours
required from:

1. An approved list of community partners;
2. Pre-approved organizations in the local community or in a student’s home community;
3. Credit-bearing service-learning courses offered by Alvernia University (successful completion of each course and its service-learning component achieves 15 community service hours);
4. Service trips and service retreats sponsored by Alvernia University or pre-approved throughother institutions;
5. Alvernia University sponsored events that serve the greater Berks community (published by theHolleran Center);
6. Organizations/organized events not on the approved list but proposed by students, clubs,athletic groups, and/or faculty, and are pre-approved by the Holleran Center on an individualcase basis.

Performing direct service to people who are most vulnerable or in need is consistent with Alvernia’sFranciscan mission. Our commitment to service and providing valuable assistance to our local and globalcommunity is part of what makes Alvernia distinct among liberal arts colleges and universities. Ourmission of creating engaged moral citizens begins with who and where we serve as well as how wereflect on these experiences. We further uphold our dedication to the Franciscan mission and cultivationof servant-leaders by observing the following:

1. service hours are strongly encouraged to directly benefit an outside group of person(s) or amission-centered organization in accordance with our service roots as we actively serve ourcommunity, environment, and the mutual transformation of all involved;
2. Service hours performed with an on-campus entity (defined as a department, club, or athleticgroup) should follow the same service principles and have a significant contribution and impacton others. While service to Alvernia’s community is deeply appreciated, hours will be approvedon a case-to-case basis and no more than ½ of a student’s community service requirement maybe performed on-campus. Students must complete the Community Service Pre-Approval Formprior to serving with an on-campus entity;
3. Community service that is not performed with an approved Community Partner, is not on theWeekly Service Opportunities List, or is performed on-campus must be pre-approved by theHolleran Center for Community Engagement. The official list of Community Partners can befound on the Get Connected volunteer platform and is also available by request;
4. Service submissions are not valid unless they have the name and contact information of asupervisor. Students cannot list themselves as supervisors. Students may also not perform theircommunity service under direct supervision of a relative or close family friend unless approvedthrough the Holleran Center;
5. Pre-approval of community service and questions may be directed to the Holleran Center forCommunity Engagement at 610-790-1925 or holleran.center@alvernia.edu;
6. Students must submit digital community service forms and a critical reflection via the GetConnected volunteer platform prior to the end of the semester in which the hours werecompleted. Hours completed in the Fall Semester must be turned in by January 15th, Winterimhours by February 15th, hours for the Spring Semester by May 15th and hours for the Summerby September 15th. Forms from previous semesters will not be accepted. Students can alsorequest a physical community service form by emailing Holleran.center@alvernia.edu.

As with all curricular graduation requirements, the student may petition the Academic StandardsCommittee for a final determination in any dispute about service hours.

If you have any questions, please visit the Holleran Center for Community & Global Engagement locatedin Suite 102, Bernardine Hall.

Background Check Policy for Academic Programs and Service Learning

It is the policy of Alvernia University’s academic programs to fully comply with Pennsylvania Lawsrelated to criminal record and child abuse history clearances prior to entering any field/clinicaleducational setting that involves direct contact with children or older adults (defined as a person whois 60 years of age or older) and is associated with academic programs and/or service learning.

Depending on the academic program, a repeated background check may be required prior to enteringsenior-level coursework.

The student must understand and agree that Alvernia University may disclose the results of thebackground checks to the clinical/field facility where the student has sought to be placed. Certain typesof clinical/field facilities have the right and/or responsibility to preclude students from the facility who
have a history of criminal activity or child abuse.

Additionally, applicants to the education and pre-license health programs (nursing, occupationaltherapy, physical therapy, and social work) must understand that in order to meet program outcomes,they are obliged to directly work with children (education and nursing) and/or older adults (nursing,
occupational therapy, physical therapy and social work). There are no alternatives to meet programoutcomes. Such applicants/students with convictions/charges documented on the criminal or childabuse reports will be denied acceptance into courses with associated clinical/field practice and
therefore cannot complete the applicable program of study. Such applicants/students will be advised ofother academic study options at Alvernia University.

Many professions require further licensing or certification beyond a college degree and applicants maybe denied employment in certain occupations for misdemeanors and felony convictions, includingalcohol related offenses. Refer to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board for a complete listing of
criminal violations related to licensure www.lcb.state.pa.us/edu/.

Academic programs will include written statements regarding background checks in their marketing andcatalog documents. Students will be advised of the background check policy during the admissionprocess prior to service learning (if required by the facility).

Specific laws affecting background checks and checking mechanisms.