Course Work
Assignment Completion
Within each course, students are expected to complete a series of online activities designed by the instructor. A course calendar is provided in the learning management system that sets the expectation for assignment completion by specific dates. The expectation is that all assignments, including a Term Project worth 25% of the grade, may be completed within a 4-week timeframe.
Extension
All course assignments must be submitted no later than the published due date unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor and a new due date has been established. Students with documented evidence of an emergency which prevented prior communication with the instructor may present documentation to the instructor for consideration. Based on the student request, emergency conditions, and type of assignments involved, the instructor may or may not agree to extend the assignment deadline. If a student submits an assignment after the due date without having made arrangements with the instructor, points will be deducted as determined by the instructor.
Resubmission
At the discretion of the instructor, a student may be allowed to resubmit assignments for improvement.
Course Delivery
Washington Technology University provides two modalities of instruction:
Hybrid Mode (sometimes called mixed mode): is a combination of In-Class and distance learning.
100% Online Mode: is 100% distance learning
WTU's distance learning is delivered via the internet (online). Interaction between instructor and student takes place via lecture video conferences and through engagement in activities usually delivered by the Learning Management System (e.g., forum posts). Distance learning is the term used by the Washington Student Achievement Council.
Students are encouraged to select the mode of instruction that best meets their learning needs, style, and preferences. Once the student has selected a modality, courses enrolled are expected to be delivered in that mode. Depending on course availability, and with the registrar’s approval, the student may be permitted to change from one mode to another. Once a course has started, the modality for that course may not change.
Note:- Hybrid mode – that includes online work coupled with in-class (on-campus) experiences – will not be offered as an option in Winter 2022 due to increased risk from COVID variants.
Grades
Grading Policy
During the first week of class, instructors are expected to make the requirements for each course clear to the students.
Grading Scale
WTU grade points are on a 4.0 scale.
A = 4.0: Superior work
B = 3.0: Good work
C = 2.0: Satisfactory work
D = 1.0: Passing but less than satisfactory
F = 0.0: Unsatisfactory, no credit given - retake required
Incomplete and Grade Changes
A grade of Incomplete ('I') may be assigned by the instructor in situations where the student has satisfactorily completed major components of the course and has the ability to finish the remaining work without re-enrolling. The instructor determines the appropriateness of a grade of I, establishes the remaining requirements, and determines a deadline for course completion that is no later than 6 months beyond the end of the term in which the course was originally taken. The requirements for resolution of the I grade are documented with an Incomplete Grade form. All non-I grades are final and may not be changed.
Students may not audit or informally attend future sections of a course in order to resolve the incomplete grade.
Students are responsible for ensuring that all grades of ‘I’ have been resolved prior to the date set by the instructor as the deadline for course completion. If no change of grade is submitted within the prescribed period, the I will be removed, and the grade will be returned to the original grade earned by the student (i.e., with a score of 0 for the incomplete work).
Repeating Courses
A course in which a grade of “D,” “F,” or “W” has been received may be repeated. Only the higher grade is included in the cumulative grade point average. A course in which a grade of “F” or “W” has been received must be repeated if it is in the student’s planned program of study and is a core program course as printed in the Catalog.
Failed Courses
Students must repeat a core course in which an F or W was earned.
Both the original grade and the replacing grade will appear on the transcript but the failing grade is replaced by the subsequent grade in the reckoning of the CGPA.
Grade Appeals
Grade disputes should be resolved between the student and the instructor.
A student who believes he/she has received a grade of C or below that is arbitrary, or assigned for non-academic reasons, may discuss the grade with the appropriate academic dean.
If the grade dispute is not resolved within one month, the student may appeal the grade to the chief academic officer to review the procedures the instructor used in determining the grade. Grade appeals should be addressed in a timely manner, and are not considered after one academic year.
Honors
Honors are accorded at the time of graduation for recipients of baccalaureate degrees.
University-wide academic honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, cum laude) are awarded to students who have achieved a high grade point average across the curriculum.
All students whose transcripts include the following will be awarded honors:
(Note: Cumulative grade point average includes all Washington Technology University courses)
- A minimum of 75 graded credit hours at Washington Technology University
- A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.50
The type of honor awarded will be determined on the basis of the following GPAs:
- Those with a CGPA between 3.50-3.69 will be awarded their bachelor's degrees with the distinction of cum laude.
- Those with a CGPA between 3.70-3.89 will be awarded their bachelor's degrees with the distinction of magna cum laude.
- Those with a CGPA between 3.90 and higher will be awarded their bachelor's degrees with the distinction of summa cum laude.
Academic Standards
Good Academic Standing
Washington Technology University students are expected to make satisfactory academic progress (SAP) toward their degree. A student is considered to be in good academic standing when their WTU cumulative grade point average (CGPA) is at or above a 2.0.
Academic Probation
Degree-seeking students whose Washington Technology University cumulative grade point average (GPA) falls below a 2.0 will be placed on academic probation. Students will be notified of their probationary status in writing. Students will remain on probation when their term grade point average (TGPA) is above a 2.0, but cumulative GPA is below a 2.0. Students are removed from probationary status when their cumulative GPA is at or above a 2.0.
Academic Dismissal
Students will be dismissed from Washington Technology University if they are:
- Degree seeking students on probation whose term GPA falls below a 2.0 for two consecutive quarters
Students will be notified in writing of their academic dismissal.
Academic Integrity Policy
Washington Technology University demands honesty of all students in their academic work. Honesty is integral to the atmosphere of genuine inquiry and intellectual curiosity that the University seeks to foster.
Academic dishonesty not only contradicts the expectations of the faculty and student body, but also undermines students’ pursuit of knowledge and violates the University’s rule and regulations.
Several forms of academic dishonesty carry severe penalties:
- Cheating — Using or attempting to use crib sheets, electronic sources, stolen exams, unauthorized study aids in an academic assignment, or copying or colluding with a fellow student in an effort to improve one's grade.
- Fabrication — Falsifying, inventing, or misstating any data, information, or citation in an academic assignment, field experience, academic credentials, job application, or placement file.
- Plagiarism — Using the works (i.e. words, images, other materials) of another person as one's own words without proper citation in any academic assignment. This includes submission (in whole or in part) of any work purchased or downloaded from a website or an Internet paper clearinghouse.
- Facilitating Academic Dishonesty — Assisting or attempting to assist any person to commit any act of academic misconduct, such as allowing someone to copy a paper or test answers.
Violations of the policy of academic honesty may result in a student being assigned a zero grade on an examination, assignment, research paper or other exercise, a failing grade for the course, suspension, or dismissal from the program. In the case of fraudulent actions and/or misusing computer information resources, the offender may be dismissed from the University. A committee of three faculty members will hear cases involving academic honesty depending on the circumstances.
Academic Grievance and Appeal Process
Dismissal Appeal Process and Reinstatement
Dismissed degree-seeking students are notified in writing and may appeal their dismissal and request reinstatement.
Students should send their appeal to the Academic Progress Committee care of the Office of the Registrar.
Appeals should be in writing, should address the specific circumstances that led to the poor grades, and should provide a clear plan of actions to resolve the issues to return to good academic standing.
The Academic Progress Committee is made up of representatives of offices that can assess students' appeals in a holistic way, taking into account academic, personal. and financial considerations.
Reinstated students are expected to maintain a quarter GPA of 2.0 until their Washington Technology University cumulative GPA is at or above a 2.0, or they will face a subsequent dismissal.
Readmission
Dismissed degree-seeking students who either were denied reinstatement or who did not appeal for reinstatement are eligible to apply for readmission to Washington Technology University after one quarter if they can demonstrate readiness to do college-level work. Demonstration of college-level work involves transferring in 10 quarter credit hours or equivalent of coursework successfully completed at another post-secondary institution.
Students should present copies of a transcript, showing passing grades or better for courses undertaken at another post-secondary institution recognized by WTU.
If readmitted, students returning to Washington Technology University will be placed on probation.
Minimum and Maximum Time Frame
Students are expected to complete the requirements for a degree program within a reasonable time-frame. For this standard, the allowable time is based upon the number of hours each student attempts. The maximum number of hours a student is allowed to attempt for a bachelors degree program is 150% of the minimum number of hours required to graduate.
Independent Learning Study
In cases of extenuating circumstances - for example if a student needs an unscheduled course to satisfy a prerequisite, or to progress towards program completion - a student may request an Independent Learning Study. This allows a student to enroll in an established course, but to study independently without attending class. The instructor assigned to the ILC would connect regularly with the student to answer questions and to set expectations.
The following procedure is to be completed for an independent learning study:
- A student submits a request for an Independent Learning Study to the dean along with supporting documentation regarding the reason for the request.
- If the dean agrees to the request, the instructor assigned to the Independent Study specifies for the student, how the work will be completed, and the outcomes addressed.
Independent Learning Studies are identified on transcripts by the notation ILC in addition to the course prefix number.