Online Program Policies

Institutional Policies

Drug Free Awareness

The Drug Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989 (Public Law 101-226) requires institutions receiving federal financial assistance to implement and enforce drug prevention programs and policies.

As a matter of policy, Waldorf College prohibits the manufacture and unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on its property and at any school activity. Any violation of this policy will result in appropriate disciplinary actions, up to and including expulsion (in the case of students) and termination (in the case of employees), even for a first offense. Where it is apparent that a violation of the law has occurred, the appropriate law enforcement authorities will be notified.

In certain cases, students or employees may be referred to counseling sources and/or substance abuse help centers. If such a referral is made, continued enrollment or employment will be subject to successful completion of any prescribed counseling or treatment program.

Campus Crime Policy

Waldorf College is committed to preventing workplace violence and to maintaining a safe working environment. All employees, including supervisors and temporary employees, should be treated with courtesy and respect at all times. Conduct that threatens, intimidates, or coerces another employee, a student, or a member of the public at any time, including off-duty periods, will not be tolerated. This prohibition includes all acts of harassment, including harassment that is based on an individual’s sex, race, age, or any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

All threats of (or actual) violence, both direct and indirect, should be reported as soon as possible to the employee’s immediate supervisor or any other member of management. This includes threats by employees, as well as threats by students, vendors, solicitors, or other members of the public. All suspicious individuals or activities should be reported as soon as possible to a supervisor. Waldorf College will promptly and thoroughly investigate all reports of threats of (or actual) violence and of suspicious individuals or activities. Anyone determined to be responsible for threats of (or actual) violence or other conduct that is in violation of these guidelines will be subject to prompt disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment/reporting to local law enforcement authorities.

The college must publish and distribute by October 1st of each year the annual campus security report. The report is distributed to students and staff and made available to prospective students and employees. The statistics contained in the report must include the following:

  • Criminal homicide, including murder and non-negligent manslaughter and negligent manslaughter
  • Sex offenses including forcible sex offenses and non-forcible sex offenses
  • Robbery
  • Aggravated assault
  • Burglary
  • Motor vehicle theft
  • Arson
  • By category of prejudice, crimes listed above and any other crime involving bodily injury reported to local law enforcement or to the campus that demonstrates evidence of prejudice based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or disability
  • Arrests for violations of liquor and drug law violations
  • Persons not arrested but referred for campus disciplinary action for liquor, drug, and weapons law violations.

Please contact the Office of Human Resources at hr@waldorf.edu for a copy of the full campus crime policy.

Student Records

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) affords a student certain rights with respect to their educational records. Waldorf College acknowledges this law as College policy.

Under the provisions of this law, students are entitled to the following privileges:

  • Inspection and review of the student’s educational records.
  • Request of amendments to the student’s records to ensure that they are not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy or other rights.
  • Consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s educational records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
  • File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Waldorf College to comply with FERPA requirements in the instance that a complaint cannot be resolved within the College.

Requests by students to inspect, review, or amend must be submitted in writing and identify the following:

  • Record the student wishes to inspect
  • Purpose of the disclosure
  • Records that may be disclosed
  • The party or class of parties to whom the disclosure may be made
  • Signature and date

Recently, the FERPA regulations have been amended to allow requests to be made electronically. In addition to the aforementioned information, the consent form must:

Identify and authenticate a particular person as the source of the electronic consent; and Indicate that person’s approval of the information contained in the electronic consent.

For requests to amend, students must clearly identify the portion of the educational record the student is requesting be changed, and specify why the record should be changed. If the requested change is not approved, the student will be notified of the College’s decision, and the student’s right to a hearing. Students are informed of those instances where FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent in the Catalog information (electronically and in print).

However, FERPA allows schools to disclose student records, without consent, to the following parties:

  • School officials with legitimate educational interest
  • Other schools to which a student is transferring
  • Specified officials for audit of evaluation purposes
  • Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student
  • Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school
  • Accrediting organizations
  • Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies
  • State and local authorities

Release of student “directory” information is also permitted by FERPA. Waldorf College identifies “directory” information as name, address, telephone number, email address, date and place of birth, honors and awards, dates of attendance, major field of study, enrollment status, previous institutions attended, photograph or other comparable information.

Personally identifiable information (or non releasable information) includes all information not defined as directory information and may not be released without expressed written consent of the student. Students may control the release of directory information by notifying the Registrar’s Office at Waldorf College in writing. Upon receipt of this request, a Privacy Hold will be placed on the student’s record.

To Whose Record Does the Act Apply?

FERPA applies to the education records of persons who are, or have been, in attendance at Waldorf College, including students in continuing education programs sponsored by the college. FERPA does not apply to records of applicants who are denied admittance or, if accepted, do not attend Waldorf College.

To What Records Does the Act Apply?

The act applies to all education records maintained by Waldorf College, and all parties acting for Waldorf College, which are directly related to a student. Records containing a student’s name, identification number, or other personally identifiable information, in whatever medium, are covered by FERPA unless identified in one of the act’s excluded categories.

Enforcement and Penalties

The Registrar is responsible for college compliance with this policy. Responsibility for administering the act by the federal government has been assigned to the Family Policy Compliance Office within the United States Department of Education. This office reviews and investigates complaints and attempts to bring compliance through voluntary means.

Contact Us

Please contact us if you have any additional questions or concerns about our privacy policy.

Waldorf College
106 S. 6th Street
Forest City, IA 50436
registrar@waldorf.edu

Policy Disclaimer

At Waldorf College, we are committed to ensuring that our students are kept informed of the latest principles, theories, and applications pertaining to their studies. However, Waldorf College reserves the right to make changes as deemed appropriate in our course offerings, curricula, academic policies, and other rules and regulations affecting students without prior notification.

Technical and Student Email Requirements

The hybrid online curriculum at Waldorf College is delivered mostly online allowing students access to their course material anytime from anywhere. As a result, it is required of all students to have computer and internet access, along with a valid email address. The course syllabus, study guide, and examinations are all provided within the online course.


Admissions Policies

At Waldorf, we have an open admissions policy. Applications and enrollment are accepted throughout the calendar year.

Nondiscrimination Policy

Waldorf provides equal educational opportunity and does not discriminate with respect to race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, physical handicap, age, marital status, sex or status such as a disabled veteran.

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Admission Requirements

Waldorf seeks students whose academic preparation, potential for successful collegiate study, and qualities of character will enable them to benefit from and contribute to the online learning community. Requirements for admission into Waldorf online degree programs include:

  • High school diploma or GED
  • All transcripts from any post-secondary institutions

The online admissions committee seeks to look at the whole person. An applicant is individually considered for admission based on academic records, work history, commitment to education, and potential for academic growth. Students may be denied acceptance based on any or all of these criteria:

  • Academic issues
  • Financial aid issues
  • Failure to send all transcripts

Upon completing the application, students are given a transfer credit evaluation. The evaluation for one degree program is free of charge. However, students wanting to be evaluated for multiple degrees will not be charged for the first evaluation, but charged $25 for each subsequent evaluation. Students will be notified by phone or e-mail of their acceptance status within 10 business days of receipt of all required admissions materials. Upon acceptance, students may register for classes. Registration ends two weeks prior to the beginning of a term.

Computer Access
Students must have access to the internet and an e-mail account in order to complete a program of study at Waldorf. If personal internet service is unavailable, students are encouraged to contact local libraries, schools, or a public business to locate access to the internet. Word processing programs that save in .doc format and Adobe Reader are also required. Other software programs or packages may be required for select courses or degree programs.

International Students
International Students who are citizens of a country where English is not the primary language are required to submit one of the following prior to admission:

  • Official Copy of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Requirements for admission into our degree programs include: A minimum of 500 in the paper-based version or 61 in the internet-based version.
  • International English Language Testing System Exam (IELTS): A minimum of a Band 5 or higher is required.

TOEFL and IELTS scores are not required from:

  • International students who have completed two years of study in which English was the language of instruction, or
  • International students whose English language transcripts have been accepted by institutions domiciled in the U.S. and Canada.
  • Written proof of successfully completing (2.0. GPA or higher) at least 30 academic semester hours of university/college level courses (excluding ESL) that are transferable and that were taught completely in English.
  • Written proof of attaining the C Level English certificate issued by the Government of Vietnam.

Transcripts not in U.S. equivalency must be translated through a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) approved translating service. Please visit www.naces.org for more information.

Students who cannot meet the above requirements because of exceptional circumstances may petition to be accepted on a conditional basis. If accepted, the student will be permitted to take a maximum of four courses on a non-degree seeking student basis. If a student has a 3.0 GPA or higher after taking four courses, the student may be accepted as a degree-seeking student. If the student’s GPA is lower than 3.0, the student’s enrollment at Waldorf will be terminated.

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Enrollment System

Credit Hours
Waldorf measures course credits for both online and residential courses on a semester hour basis. Course credit for online programs is measured according to semester hour equivalence for an 8-week term format. Therefore, a 3-credit online course is equivalent to 3 semester hours.

Term Enrollment (8 Week Courses)
Waldorf offers its online programs in an accelerated 8-week term format. The Term Enrollment System allows adult students the ability to fit their courses around their schedule. The Term Academic Calendar provides the term start dates, end dates, and registration periods.

Because the courses are asynchronous, there are no scheduled sessions in which students must be logged in at a certain time. Students log in during the week to review that week’s unit assignments and then may study offline. Students log in to participate in class discussions and submit assignments.

Each course must have a minimum number of student enrollments or the course is subject to cancellation for that term. Academic advisors are available to assist students in planning what courses they need to take each term.

Enrollment Status Classification
Please refer to the chart below for enrollment status classifications.

  • Full-Time - 6 Credits +
  • 3/4 Time - 5 Credits
  • Half-Time - 3-4 Credits
  • Less Than Half Time - 1-2 Credits

Note: Dropping or withdrawing from courses can affect a student’s enrollment status.

Course Enrollment
When students first enroll, the Admissions Department assists them with the process of enrolling in their first course.

All students will first complete the Introduction to Waldorf Online course (2 credits) and Wellness course (1 credit). This Introduction to Waldorf Online course is designed to offer valuable information concerning time management, reading skills, writing techniques, research skills, use of technology, and test-taking strategies. The history of Waldorf, information on the faculty and staff, and policies and procedures are also presented.

Each time students enroll in a course, they will be notified by email that the registration has been processed. The email contains online account information and instructions for accessing their online course. Within each online course, students will find the information necessary to begin their course work.

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Admissions Status Policy

Students may enroll at Waldorf College under one of the following:

  • Temporary—Application has been approved but not yet evaluated for transfer credit.
  • Conditional—Application approved and transfer credit evaluated based on copies of transcripts.
  • Accepted—Application approved, transfer credit evaluated, and all required official transcripts on file.

Students who wish to begin enrolling in courses immediately after their application has been accepted may do so under Temporary Admissions Status and, while Temporary, may complete up to 13 credit hours. Once all official transcripts are received and evaluated, an Application Evaluation Report will be issued and, pending a favorable review, the student’s status will be changed to Accepted. Conditional Status is not available to students under Temporary Status.

Temporary Admissions Status is not available to students using Federal Financial Aid.

When enrolling in courses while on Temporary status, the student is responsible to select courses that he/she will not transfer to Waldorf College and that will fulfill the requirements of his/her selected program of study. Information on Waldorf College program course requirements can be found on the Waldorf website. For assistance on course selection, students may contact the Assistant Registrar at assistant.registrar@waldorf.edu.

Before enrolling under Temporary status, the student should make certain he/she meets the Waldorf College admissions requirements of a high school diploma or GED. Waldorf College only accepts transfer academic credit from institutions accredited by agencies that are recognized by the United States Secretary of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or, for non-U.S. institutions, an accepted foreign equivalent that is listed in the International Handbook of Universities.

A Waldorf College transcript cannot be issued while a student is on Temporary status. A Waldorf College transcript may be issued for students on Conditional Status but will not list transfer credit. A Waldorf College transcript may be issued for students on Accepted Status listing all institutional credit.

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Transfer Credit

Waldorf allows transfer credit for prior academic credits, training, and relevant professional licenses and certifications. Up to 75 percent of undergraduate courses can be transferred into the degree program based upon the degree requirements.

Academic Credit
Grades earned must be a “C” or higher for prior undergraduate academic credit to be eligible for transfer.

Professional Licenses, Certificates, and Training Programs
Waldorf uses guidelines established by the American Council on Education (ACE) to determine if certain training programs, certificates, professional licenses, and/or military training warrant awarding academic credit.

Transfer Credit by Examination
Waldorf College accepts credit by examination from the following:

  • The College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
  • Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education (DANTES)

Transcript Request Service
Waldorf offers a transcript request service. For $10 per transcript request, we will contact the prior colleges and/or universities the applicant has attended to secure all the transcripts needed. Two forms must be completed and signed in order to process the request. The Request for Official Transcript form is sent to each individual college to process the transcript request; the payment form is kept at Waldorf for processing. We are unable to process the request without both signed forms being submitted. These forms can be accessed by visiting www.waldorf.edu. When completed, please fax to 251-224-0573.

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Accommodation for Disabilities

It is the policy of Waldorf College to provide reasonable accommodation for persons defined as disabled under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and all other local and state requirements dealing with students who have recognized disabilities.

A request for reasonable accommodation will be granted provided that the following criteria are met:

  • The request for reasonable accommodation is based on individual needs.
  • The request does not require a financial burden on Waldorf College that is beyond what is viewed as customary and reasonable.
  • The request does not compromise the basic requirements of the course.

Waldorf online students who would like to request academic accommodations for a disability will need to contact the learning disabilities specialist and provide appropriate documentation of their disability at least two weeks prior their first class meeting.

Kristin Wempen, Learning Disabilities Specialist
E-mail: kristin.wempen@waldorf.edu
Office Phone: 641-585-8211
Fax: 641-585-8194

Appropriate documentation will include the Initial Online Academic Accommodation Request (available in the myWaldorf Student Portal), a diagnosis of the disability, testing results and the impact of the disability on the student in the online learning environment. The college is required by law to have current documentation of the disability in order to provide accommodations. Typically academic testing results are required to be within the last three years. (The time frame of testing for certain disabilities can be more or less frequent based on the area of disability and the possibility of a change in the disability or condition pertaining to student need and the requirements of our office.)

Insufficient or incomplete documentation can result in a delay in the accommodations or the implementation of limited or temporary accommodations until appropriate and up-to-date documentation is received in our office.

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Academic Policies

Courses

Course Load Policy
The academic advisor must approve all course loads over seven credit hours. Students requesting course loads over seven hours must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. The maximum course load allowed is nine credit hours (3 courses) without prior approval of the Assistant Dean for Online Learning. A student may not take courses in overlapping terms, with the exception of the Residency courses.

Course Structure
Students access their course on the Waldorf learning platform, Blackboard, using their login and password, which are e-mailed to the student before the start of his/her first term. Once logged in, the student will be presented with a personalized welcome page and a list of enrolled courses.

After the student enters the online course, the first screen they see is the announcement section. The announcement section contains important information concerning the course. On the left of the screen the student will see a button for each section of the course.

The students should review the entire syllabus for each course so that they are aware of all course requirements. Waldorf courses are designed and developed to match the content and rigor of the residential courses. However, courses are laid out in a consistent manner so students are able to navigate the courses with ease.

Course Professors
Students may find information about their professor in the online course by clicking on the Professor link. Students should direct all course-related questions to the professor. The preferred contact method for all Waldorf online faculty is their Waldorf e-mail as this provides a written record of all communication. However, many faculty members will make phone appointments if e-mail correspondence will not suffice.

Student Course Evaluation
Students are asked to complete a Student Course Evaluation for each course. Students may remain anonymous if they desire. The Notification of the Student Course Evaluation is located in Week/Unit 7 of each course and at the end of the residency courses. Student Course Evaluations enable the college to measure the effectiveness of the course and to pinpoint problem areas. The evaluation rates the textbook, course content, assessments, assignments, and the course professor. If students wish to be contacted by the Dean of the College concerning their comments, they should provide a contact phone number on the survey.

Assessments and Assignments
Waldorf courses are divided into eight units, each normally containing objective and subjective assignments and one or more class discussion. Depending on the course, papers, projects, and/or a proctored final exam may be required. Students will receive feedback from their professor for each subjective assignment graded. An e-mail notification will also be provided for each assignment when it is graded. Students can access faculty feedback and comments through the My Grades section of the Blackboard course. After the conclusion of a term, final course grades are available in the myWaldorf Student Portal.

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Grading Procedures

Academic Integrity
Cheating and other forms of deception are causes for dismissal. Examples of cheating include the following:

  • Utilizing another student’s answers during an exam
  • Using unauthorized materials during an exam
  • Having someone take your exam for you
  • Using unauthorized test materials
  • Disseminating exams to others
  • Plagiarism
  • Falsifying information

Other causes for dismissal from Waldorf College include:

  • Failure to pay tuition or fees due
  • Failure to abide by college rules and regulations

Plagiarism Policy
Plagiarism is using someone else’s words or ideas and representing them as your own without giving due credit to your source of information. If the plagiarism policy is violated, the student may fail an assignment, course, or be dismissed. This includes copying from a book, magazine, newspaper, website, or any other sources without giving credit to that source. If students incorporate another author’s writings into their paper, they must include this text in quotation marks, if directly quoted, and cite their source(s).

Intentional plagiarism is deliberate cheating and includes, but is not limited to:

  • Downloading a free research paper or purchasing a paper online.
  • Buying a paper from a commercial paper mill.
  • Faking a citation.
  • Submitting a paper written by someone else.
  • Copying an entire article or a paper from any source.
  • Resubmitting a paper that you have submitted for another course.

Unintentional plagiarism can occur when a writer commits the following acts:

  • Copying and pasting to recreate a paper from several courses without citing them.
  • Copying or paraphrasing sentences or paragraphs from sources without using proper citations.

Plagiarism, whether intentional or unintentional, remains a very serious academic offense.

Plagiarism Detection
Waldorf uses SafeAssign as its plagiarism detection service. The service compares a student’s work to internet sites, internet and library databases, and its own database. The service provides a report to both the professor and student indicating the percentage of material that is found in other sources. If the professor finds that the report indicates plagiarism, he or she will work with the Dean of the College to determine the appropriate action.

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Final Exams

Many courses require a final exam. These comprehensive exams allow students, faculty, and Waldorf to know the student’s level of knowledge at the completion of the course. If the course has a final exam, it is a required exam and must be taken before the end of the term. If the student does not complete the final exam within the limits of the term or an approved extension, the grade for the entire course will be changed to an F.

Proctor Policy
Final exams are to be administered to students by an approved proctor on a date before the course end date that is mutually convenient. The student is responsible for selecting a qualified proctor who must be approved by the college. A list of acceptable proctor qualifications is provided in the Final Exam Proctor Policy. Proctors must submit a signed Proctor Agreement to Waldorf for approval before being allowed to proctor an exam. Proctors are to verify the student’s identity, remain in proximity while the student takes the exam, assure that the four hour exam time limit is strictly adhered to, and assure that no unauthorized materials are allowed during the exam. Proctor forms can be found in the myWaldorf Student Portal and in the course. Students should allow time for the proctor to return the agreement to Waldorf and for processing before submitting the Request to Take Proctored Final Exam.

Proctors
Waldorf reserves the right to verify proctor qualifications, require additional evidence of eligibility, or require a different proctor be selected.

The following may serve as Proctors:

  • Direct supervisor (must be of higher position or rank than student)
  • Personnel at a university/college testing center, private testing center, military base testing office
  • School principal or vice principal
  • Full-time librarian, teacher, or school counselor
  • College professor, dean, or director
  • Human resources manager, training director/officer
  • Minister, priest, or rabbi of a church, temple, mosque, or synagogue

Unacceptable Proctors include:

  • Assistant
  • Tutor
  • Neighbor
  • Relative
  • Friend
  • Waldorf student
  • Anyone with a conflict of interest

Individuals selected to serve as proctors must have no vested interest in the outcome of the exam. Falsifying proctor information or not following proctor testing procedures will result in failure of the examination and may be cause for termination from the college.

Proctor Approval
Students must provide the desired proctor with the Final Exam Proctor Policy and Waldorf Proctor Agreement. The proctor will complete and submit the agreement to Waldorf.

Once an approved proctor(s) is listed on the student’s record, the student only needs to submit the Request to take Final Exam Online (Online Exam) in which the pre-approved proctor is listed. Waldorf will process the request and send the final exam or online final exam instructions to the identified pre-approved proctor.

Students may have up to three approved proctors on file. Information on the approved proctor will remain on file for the student and the student may use the proctor until one of the following occurs:

  • The student or proctor cancels the proctor agreement.
  • Waldorf College disapproves or cancels the proctor agreement.

Proctor Responsibilities

  • Keep the exam secure and only allow the student to access the exam in the proctor’s presence. The password must be kept confidential and should never be shared with the student.
  • Provide the student with a private area conducive to testing. A computer with Internet access must be available.
  • Check student photo ID to ensure the examinee is actually the person scheduled to test.
  • Ensure no copies of the exam are made.
  • Ensure that the student does not access notes, articles, or other unauthorized materials. Unless otherwise specified, only the textbook is allowed.
  • Time the exam and stop the examinee when time has been expended. A maximum of four hours is allowed for the exam.
  • Keep the exam during any breaks. The student should never have access to the test without the proctor present and the test should never leave the testing room.
  • If a fee is charged for exam proctoring, request payment from the student at the time of testing. Students are responsible for any proctor fees.

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Grading Scale

The following scale is used to determine the final course grade:

A Excellent 90-100
4.00 Quality Points per semester hour

B Good 80-89
3.00 Quality Points per semester hour

C Average 70-79
2.00 Quality Points per semester hour

D Passing 60-69
1.00 Quality Points per semester hour

F Failing 59-0
0.00 Quality Points per semester hour

I Incomplete
0.00 Quality Points per semester hour

W Withdrawal
0.00 Quality Points per semester hour

WF Unofficial Withdrawal
0.00 Quality points per semester hour

R Course Retake
0.00 Quality Points per semester hour
 

The grade point average (GPA) is computed by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the total number of semester hours completed.

The grade I indicates that the student, for reasons satisfactory to the instructor, has been granted a course extension. This grade is given only when the work already finished has been of a quality acceptable for completion of the course. A student receiving an I must complete the work within the prescribed extension period and then will receive a grade representing the quality of all work in the course. If the student fails to complete the work before the end of the extension period, the grade will be calculated based on the work completed before the end of the extension. Although the I grade will be replaced with a letter grade when the course extension ends, as long as the I grade remains it is counted as a grade of F when calculating Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Therefore, the I grade may affect future registrations, GPAs, and/or FSA eligibility.

The grade W indicates that permission was granted after the drop date to withdraw from a course for which the student was registered. Note: Students are not permitted to withdraw from a course after the term end date.

The grade WF indicates that a student was institutionally withdrawn from a course. See the Unofficial Withdrawal Policy for more information.

An F can only be removed from the transcript if the student repeats the course at Waldorf and earns a higher grade.

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Dean’s List

Beginning July 1, full-time students who have attained a grade point average of 3.50 or better and have completed 12 credits will be included on the Dean’s Honor List for the semester. The semester designation for online is:

  • Semester 1: Terms 1 and 2
  • Semester 2: Terms 3, 4, and 5

Students who want their name and Dean’s Honor List designation posted on the website and/or sent to their hometown newspaper need to complete the Hometown News Release Authorization form, located at http://www.waldorf. edu/downloads/pdf/forms/hometowner_release.

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Course Retake

Students must earn a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Students earning a “D” or below in a course have the option of retaking the course. If a course is retaken, the highest grade is counted, and all lower grades appear as an “R.” (See also the Satisfactory Academic Progress section, regarding the calculation of hours attempted.)

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Grade Appeal Policy

Students who believe that a grading discrepancy has occurred should follow the procedures listed below.

  • Direct your grade challenge to your course professor via email.
  • Include in this written correspondence the course name and number, the exam (unit or final), and the full text of the question or questions at issue, the page number and text that you feel supports your answer.
  • Forward a copy of this email to the Student Services Department at students@waldorf.edu.
  • To allow the Waldorf College faculty to effectively process an exam challenge, Waldorf College requires that the exam challenge (grade challenge) be submitted within 14 days of the grade report date.
  • Allow five to seven business days for a reply.
  • Students unsatisfied with the faculty member response should direct their grade appeal request to the Assistant Dean for Online Learning.

Non-Academic Appeals and Grievances
In instances where a student raises a question about a policy or decision, the appropriate staff member will respond. If it is not possible to resolve a matter through discussion, a student may appeal in writing for further consideration to the Dean of the College, Waldorf College, 106 S. 6th St., Forest City, IA 50436, or by fax: 641-585-8194, ATTN: Dean of the College. The Dean may be reached by phone at 641-585-8134.

Should a student not be satisfied with the action taken by the Dean of the College, the student may appeal the decision to the Waldorf President. This policy is designed in accordance with the State Postsecondary Review Entry (SPRE) Guidelines and is intended to ensure that the student is given fair and equitable consideration in any matter that may arise.

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Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students in the online program must earn a 2.0 grade point average, achieve a passing rate of 67 percent of all hours attempted, and complete their degree program within 150 percent of the term hour requirements for the degree.

Hours attempted include completed courses, repeated courses, withdrawals, and incompletes. Transfer credit, if applicable, is calculated in the completion ratio and quantitative progress. Students are evaluated at the end of every term for SAP. Students who have not met the conditions for satisfactory progress will be place on warning for the following term.

If satisfactory academic progress is not met by the end of the warning term, the student will be dismissed from the college.

The student may appeal the dismissal to the Academic Progress Committee. Appeals may be filed by faxing the appeal to the attention of the Director of Online Learning at 641-585- 8194. The appeal must include the reason(s) why the student failed to meet satisfactory academic progress and what will change to allow the student to meet the standards at the next evaluation. The committee will make one of the following decisions regarding the student’s appeal:

  • The appeal will be denied; the student will be dismissed academically and no longer be eligible for financial aid.
  • The appeal will be granted and the student placed on Academic Probation for one term; the student should be able to meet satisfactory academic progress by the end of the probationary term. If the student does not meet satisfactory academic progress at the end of the probationary term, the student will be dismissed.
  • The appeal will be granted and the student will be placed on an Academic Plan because satisfactory academic progress can’t be met within one term. The Academic Plan, monitored on an individual basis, will ensure that the student will be able to meet satisfactory academic progress by a specific point in time, will have set conditions, and can be evaluated at whatever periods as determined by the plan or at a minimum at the end of every term. The student will be dismissed when he/she fails to meet the conditions of the Academic Plan.

Students on academic probation or academic plan may be required to retake courses in which “D” or “F” grades were received, take a reduced credit-load, and/or become involved in special programs. They are also required to submit periodic academic progress reports.

If it becomes apparent that a student is not profiting from the course, as evidenced by poor attendance or poor performance, the Vice President for Academic Affairs may dismiss a student without any warning period at any point during the term.

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Attendance Policy

Waldorf will verify each student’s attendance in each registered course at the end of the first week. The discussion board posting or Unit 1 Assessment or Assignment must be submitted to verify attendance. Students who choose not to attend the first week will be institutionally dropped from the course.

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Leave of Absence Policy

Federal regulations require Waldorf to establish a Leave of Absence (LOA) policy for financial aid recipients who find it necessary to not enroll in a term due to unforeseen circumstances. Students not using FSA need not request a LOA. This LOA policy is designed to allow the student flexibility to take temporary breaks by not enrolling in a term without being considered “withdrawn” for financial aid purposes. Therefore, students must complete the current term they are enrolled and apply for a LOA to start the day after the term ends. Students who are unable to complete their current course should consider a course extension, special needs extension, or course withdrawal.

The Waldorf College Office of Financial Aid is responsible for ensuring that all students who receive federal, state, and institutional financial aid are progressing in a timely manner towards completion of their program of study. The procedure for administering the LOA policy for each type of financial program is as follows.

  1. All federal financial assistance programs including Federal Pell Grant and Direct Loans (Stafford and Plus) are eligible for consideration.
     
  2. A LOA will be considered for approval if Waldorf College determines that there is an acceptable reason for the request. Some examples of acceptable reasons a student might request a LOA include:
    • Death in the family
    • Illness of a family member or self
    • Job relocation or travel related to job
    • Changes in work schedules
    • Military deployment, TDY/TAD, or PCS
    • Jury duty
  3. All LOA requests must be submitted in writing and include a date and a signature.
  4. Waldorf College will consider multiple LOA requests as long as the combination of absences does not exceed 180 days in any 12-month period.

Application Procedure

  1. All requests for LOA must be in writing. Acceptable formats include the Leave of Absence Request Form in the Waldorf College Student Center or personal letters (handwritten or typed). Please note that email requests are not acceptable.
  2. All requests must contain the following information to be considered complete.
    • Printed student name
    • Social Security Number or Waldorf College Student Identification Number
    • Term end date/last day of attendance
    • Start of leave date (Note: The LOA start date should be the very next day after the current term—in which the student is enrolled—ends, rather than the first day of the next term.)
    • First day/date of classes on anticipated return from leave (Must be a term start date)
    • Academic program
    • Detailed explanation as to the reason for the request and any appropriate documentation available to support the request
    • Date (month, day, year) the request was submitted
    • Original student signature
  3. All requests should be submitted during the last three weeks of a term or between terms. Late requests will only be considered in the case of unforeseen circumstances that prohibit the student from meeting the stated deadline. Additional documentation from a third party to attest to the unforeseen circumstance may be required.
  4. Students granted a LOA that are subsequently unable to return to classes on the anticipated return date, may request a second LOA if the total number of days approved have not exceeded 180 days in a 12-month period.
  5. Students may return early from an approved LOA upon request with no penalty.
  6. All requests for a LOA should be submitted to the Waldorf College Office of Financial Aid for processing. A written response to the request will be provided to the student within two weeks from the date the request is received.

Additional Information

  1. Students on an approved LOA will not receive any financial aid disbursements during the leave.
  2. Students on an approved LOA will not have to reapply for admission at Waldorf College if they resume taking classes at the end of their LOA. In addition, their academic program requirements will remain as specified in the Waldorf College catalog at the time the students were placed on a LOA.
  3. Students who do not submit a formal and written LOA request, students who take leaves of absences that exceed 180 days in a 12-month period, and students that fail to return from an approved LOA will be considered to have withdrawn from Waldorf. A federal refund calculation will be performed in these situations and financial aid awards may be reduced or cancelled.
  4. Students on an approved LOA at Waldorf College will be considered enrolled and eligible for in-school deferments on federal loans during the leave. However, students on leave are not deferred from making regularly scheduled payments to their Waldorf College financial account for normal costs not covered by financial aid. Students who have outstanding federal student loans may be required to repay the loans while on a LOA if they have previously used up their loan grace period and should contact the loan holder to determine if they can apply for a deferment or forbearance on the loans.

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Extension Policies

Unit Extension
There are circumstances when a student may not be able to complete a week’s worth of assignments by the due date. When this occurs, the student may contact the professor and request a unit extension.

If the situation is not an emergency circumstance, a student may qualify for a maximum of three additional days after the assignment and/or assessment due date to complete the unit work. However, discussion boards must be completed by the due date. The criteria to qualify for a unit extension are as follows:

  1. The student must contact the professor before the due date of the assignment. The student must provide documentation as to why he/she cannot complete the assignment on time.
  2. If the professor approves, the professor must e-mail in detail which assignments/assessments are extended, as well as the revised due date. This documentation must also be sent to students@waldorf.edu.
    If the professor does not approve, the professor must e-mail in detail the reasons for denying the extension. This document must be also sent to students@waldorf.edu.
  3. Only 1 unit extension allowed per term.

If the situation is an emergency circumstance, a student may qualify for three additional days after contacting the professor. The student’s circumstance must involve an unusual or critical circumstance such as military deployment, TDY/ TAD, PCS, major surgery, natural disaster, family emergency, death in the immediate family, or job relocation. The criteria to qualify for an emergency unit extension are as follows:

  1. The student must contact the professor within five days of the emergency event. The student must provide documentation on the specific emergency situation.
  2. If the professor approves, the professor must e-mail in detail which assignments/assessments, including Discussion Boards, are extended, as well as the revised due date. This documentation must also be sent to students@waldorf.edu.
    If the professor does not approve, the professor must e-mail in detail the reasons for denying the extension. This document must be also sent to students@waldorf.edu.
  3. Only two weeks’ worth of work can apply to this extension. Any student who misses over two weeks’ worth of coursework due to an emergency needs to apply for a Special Needs Extension.

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Course Extensions

If circumstances prevent a student from completing all required coursework before the end of the course, the student will have the option to request an extension. Extensions must be approved by the course professor and are not automatically granted. A paid extension can be for up to 45 days. Students needing more than 45 days may wish to view the Special Needs Extension Policy.

Extending a course is often preferable to withdrawing. The following are important facts concerning course extensions.

  • There is a time limit to complete course extensions.
  • A plan to complete the coursework during the extension period must be presented and adhered to. This plan must include a list of assignments and revised due dates.
  • The student must be successfully completing course requirements at the time of the request (earning a passing grade for assignments completed).
  • The student must submit valid justification as to why the course could not be completed on schedule due to reasons beyond normal circumstances. Supporting documentation may be requested by the College.
  • The student cannot have a course on extension from a previous term. The student will not be allowed to enroll in a new course until the extended courses have been completed or the special needs extension has ended.

The extension request is not automatic and must be approved. If the extension request is denied and the course end date has passed, the course grade based on the coursework completed by the student will be posted. A grade of 0 will be given for all assignments not completed. Any extensions denied can be appealed to the Dean of the College.

Paid Extensions
The following are required for paid extension approval.

  • A paid extension may only be requested during Week 6, 7 or 8 of the course, and the Course Extension Request Form must be submitted before the last day of the course.
  • The professor must approve the extension request with the revised assignment dates.
  • An Extension Fee of $50 will be charged if the extension is approved.

To request an extension, the student must complete and submit the Term Course Extension Request Form in the myWaldorf Student Portal. This form includes the reason for the extension, the student plan for completion, and the date of completion for each remaining assignment. Students will be held to the revised assignment due dates in the same manner as the original course weekly deadlines.

Special Needs Extension
A Special Needs Extension is available for those students who encounter unusual circumstances that prevent them from completing a course. A Special Needs Extension can be up to 60 days in length and has no fee requirements. The following are required for special needs extension approval:

  • The student’s circumstance must involve an unusualor critical circumstance such as military deployment, TDY/ TAD, PCS, major surgery, natural disaster, family emergency, death in the immediate family, or job relocation.
  • The student must submit official documentation that substantiates the circumstance and indicates the dates that the student will be affected. Requests that are received without support documentation will not be considered.
  • The Special Needs Extension Request, located in the myWaldorf Student Portal, should be completed and submitted to Waldorf College. It must be postmarked within five days of the event.
  • The student must be able to complete the course within a maximum of 60 days from the course end date. If the unusual circumstance does not allow the completion of the course within a 60-day extension period, the student should contact students@waldorf.edu and discuss withdrawing from the course. However, the request to withdraw must be submitted prior to the original end date of the course.

To request a Special Needs Extension, the student must complete and submit the Special Needs Extension Request. The reason for the extension, the student’s plan for completion, due dates for each assignment, and the anticipated date of completion of all course work are required on this form. Students will be held to the revised assignment due dates in the same manner as the original course weekly deadlines.

Please note that approval is not automatic. The Dean of the College must approve each request. The form and supporting documentation may be submitted to Student Services for processing by mail to, P.O. Box 3269, Orange Beach, AL 36561, by fax to 251-224-0573 or by email to students@waldorf.edu. Please remember, request forms that are received without supporting documentation will not be considered.

Extension Grading Policies
When a student is approved for an extension, an I grade will be posted for the course. Although, the I grade will be replaced with a letter grade when the extension ends, as long as the I grade remains, it is counted as a grade of F when calculating Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Therefore, the I grade may affect future registrations, GPAs, and/or FSA eligibility.

Students who do not complete the course within the extension period requested will receive a course grade calculated on the weighted scores of all completed course assignments. All assignments left undone will be assigned a grade of 0. If the calculated grade is an F the course must be taken over again in its entirety and the student will be required to pay the full tuition of the course.

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Unofficial Withdrawal Policy

If no assignments are submitted in the last 21 days of the term and the student receives a failing grade, the student will be withdrawn from the course and a grade of WF will be assigned. Grades of WF count in the calculation of the student’s GPA the same as a grade of F. WF also is counted in attempted hours. A charge will be posted to the student’s account if the text was supplied through the Waldorf Book Grant. An e-mail will be sent to the student providing a link to the Course Drop/ Textbook Return Form.

If an assignment has been submitted in the last 21 days of the term, the student will not be withdrawn and no action will be taken. The grade calculation will automatically occur as follows: Any non-submitted assignments will be given a grade of 0 and the final grade calculated.

When determining Last Day of Attendance for financial aid purposes, the course mid-point or last assignment date, whichever is later, will be used.

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Inactive Status

Students who do not submit any coursework within a twelve-month period will be considered inactive and any tuition being held by the college will be forfeited. Students desiring to return to their studies must be reevaluated and will be subject to any changed academic requirements, tuition increases, and policy changes in force at the time of reenrollment.

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Student Conduct and Due Process

Students will receive written notice in the event that the college determines that the student’s conduct warrants disciplinary action and/or expulsion. Students may contest the college’s findings and conclusions with a written challenge directed to the Assistant Dean for Online Learning. The Assistant Dean for Online Learning will review all written challenges within ten days of receipt.

Within 15 days after receiving the decision of the Dean of the College, the student has the right to appeal the decision to the President of Waldorf. Decisions rendered by the President are final.

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Graduation

Graduation Requirements
A 2.00 GPA is required for students to be eligible for graduation. A minimum of 30 credit hours must be completed with Waldorf to be eligible to graduate from a bachelor program. Students must receive a C or above in all courses in the major.

Graduation with Honors
In order for a student enrolled in a bachelor degree program to graduate with Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, or Cum Laude honors, they must earn the following grade point average.

Summa Cum Laude 3.9-4.00
Magna Cum Laude 3.7-3.89
Cum Laude 3.5-3.69

Honors are based upon coursework completed at Waldorf College. Honor graduates must have no grades lower than a “C”, and must not have repeated any course taken at Waldorf College.

Petition for Graduation
Within 2 terms of completing a degree program, the student must submit a Petition for Graduation to begin the Graduation Audit Process. This form can be completed online and can be accessed in the myWaldorf Student Portal. Any students wishing to attend the graduation ceremonies must have their Petition for Graduation submitted at the end of Term 3.

Once the graduation audit is complete, the student will be notified of the application status and any requirements that have not been satisfied. A $75 graduation fee is to be paid at the time the Petition for Graduation is submitted to Waldorf. This fee covers the audit of the student records and the processing of the diploma. The graduation fee also includes the regalia (cap, gown and tassel) rental if the student attends the graduation ceremonies.

Diploma
The diploma and an official transcript will be mailed directly to the address provided on the Petition for Graduation form.

Graduation Ceremony
Each year Waldorf hosts a commencement ceremony for those graduates who have completed their program or who will complete their program in the subsequent Term 5. The student must be within six credit hours of completing the degree. It is not required for the graduate to attend the ceremony. However, Waldorf encourages all graduates to attend the commencement exercise and accompanying activities. Travel arrangements and accommodations are the responsibility of the student.

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Transcripts

A transcript bearing the college seal and signature of the registrar is the official copy of the student’s permanent academic record. One official transcript will be provided at the time of graduation. Additional transcripts may be obtained by written request to the college registrar’s office.

Requesting a Waldorf College Transcript
Once a student has completed the first three credit hours and course tuition is paid, the student may request an official Waldorf transcript. A Waldorf transcript may be requested by using the Transcript Request Form. This form may be downloaded from the myWaldorf Student Portal. Please allow 7 to 10 business days for processing.

Transcript Fees
The first three transcripts are free. After three free copies, the fee is $5.00 for the transcript and $2.00 for each additional ordered at the same time. Delivery by FAX is also available at a cost of $2.00 each. However, it is important to note that a faxed document is NOT accepted as an official transcript. Therefore, faxed transcripts are usually followed up by an official mailed copy which carries normal charges. To ensure prompt handling, the requests should include maiden and all married names, Social Security number, year(s) of attendance or graduation, current home address and name and address to whom the transcript should be sent.

The signature of the student requesting the transcript is required. (No phone calls or e-mails asking for a transcript request will be accepted.)

Refund Policy for Online Programs

Tuition refunds for course withdrawals are based on the Refund Policy for Online Programs. All students who drop/withdraw from a course after the drop date will be charged a 20 percent registration fee, up to a maximum registration fee of $150 for the term. Tuition will be refunded based on the term start date and the tuition percentage amounts listed below, minus the registration fee.

  • Week 1 = 100 %
  • Week 2 = 80%
  • Week 3 = 60%
  • Week 4 = 40%
  • Week 5* = 20%
  • Week 6 = 0 %
  • Week 7 = 0%
  • Week 8 = 0%

*Refunds are issued from zero percent up to 60 percent completion of calendar days in the term, in compliance with regulatory requirements. Therefore, refund eligibility occurs up to the 60 percent threshold, prior to the conclusion of Week 5.

Students are not permitted to withdraw from a course after the term end date.

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