CATALOG

The Academic Policies section of this catalog applies to both undergraduate and graduate students. The following additional policies apply to M.Ed. and M.I.T. students:

• Up to six semester credit hours of equivalent graduate-level course work may be transferred from another regionally accredited college/university. Transfer credits must be:
• Approved for graduate credit at the institution from which the credit transfer is requested;
• Taken within the last eight years, based on the student’s admission date to the Heritage University Graduate Program and based on approval by each respective department chair;
• Awarded a letter grade of B (3.0) or better; and
• Verified by an official transcript in a sealed envelope from the institution where credit was granted.

When requesting graduate-level transfer credit, students are reminded that:

• Heritage University operates on a semester system, and quarter credit hours transferred from other institutions are NOT equal to semester credit hours (i.e., 5 quarter credits equal only 3.33 semester credits)
• Some 500- and 600-level courses offered at other institutions do not carry graduate credit at that college/university and will not be accepted by Heritage University
• Continuing education, professional development, personal enrichment, in-services, clock hours, and correspondence courses are NOT acceptable for graduate transfer credit
• Non-graded courses are generally unacceptable for graduate transfer credit
• Approval of non-graded transfer credit will be assessed on an individual basis by the department chair
• One-quarter credit graduate-level courses will NOT be accepted

Candidates for the master’s degree shall take responsibility for the following:

• Initiating the transfer of credit process upon receiving an official transcript from another institution confirming satisfactory completion of course work
• Completing the request for approval of graduate transfer or substitution credit to Heritage University form required for initiating the transfer process no later than one semester prior to graduating from Heritage University

• The minimum full-time semester credit load for graduate students is six semester credits in fall, spring, and summer terms.

Candidates for a master’s degree must comply with the course load policy:
6-8 semester credits (normal graduate load)
10 semester credits (no permission required)
Over 10 semester credits (dean’s approval required)

• A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (B) must be maintained in graduate work. Note: Educational Administration students can earn no lower than a B (3.0) in each course. Counseling, M.Ed./PSTL, M.A. in Multicultural English Literature, and M.A. in Program Management students can earn no lower than a B- (2.7) in each course. Master in Teaching students can earn no lower than a C in each course.

• If the term grade point average is below 3.0 (B), the student is placed on program academic probation. Once on probation, the student must attain a grade point average of 3.0 (B) for the next six semester credits in order to continue in the program.

• Maintaining academic honesty is the responsibility of both students and faculty. The determination of ethical misconduct, including, but not limited to, cheating, invention of false data, or plagiarism, may result in probation, suspension, or dismissal from the university.

• Some specializations offer options for completion of the required comprehensive examination. The portfolio assessment, comprehensive review/exam, special project, and thesis options are available in some degree specialties. Students need to consult their advisor for more information.

If the thesis option is taken, the following steps are required: 1) permission from an advisor, 2) thesis topic approved, 3) supervisory committee selected, 4) proposal approved by supervisory committee, 5) thesis completed under advisor’s supervision, 6) thesis reviewed by committee and revisions made, and 7) successful completion of thesis defense. Two approved and bound copies must be submitted to the program chair four weeks before the end of the semester in which the awarded degree is anticipated. One copy is maintained by the university library and one copy is returned to the student. Two electronic copies must also be submitted to the university library.

• Academic requirements, including course work and a comprehensive examination, where required, must be completed within eight years after the first applicable course is taken.

To ensure relevancy, all courses and transfer credit applicable for the master’s degree and/or certifications will be valid for a period of eight calendar years from the actual date taken for each course. On recommendation of the department chair, the associate dean or dean can modify or waive this requirement.

• Professionalism expectations: All candidates for Master of Education (M.Ed.) and Master in Teaching (M.I.T.) degrees in the areas of specialization under the jurisdiction of the Graduate and Psychology Program are required to demonstrate research and writing competency at the mastery level (see Heritage University Graduate Handbook). Work should be well-organized and written with a clear focus and sufficient detail. Papers should be well-written, using correct spelling and grammar. Grades reflect academic performance as related to the stated outcomes, as well as a student’s professionalism and program and class participation.

• Candidates should be aware that they must meet all current State of Washington certification requirements which are in place at the time of final application for certification. (These requirements may change from the time a candidate starts the program to the time of application for certification).

Students are reminded that they are responsible for understanding and complying with the requirements for the academic degrees and certification programs described in this section and elsewhere in this catalog.