Graduate Programs Policies and Procedures

York College endeavors to admit students whose records indicate that they possess the qualities needed to achieve academic success in the program they intend to pursue. York seeks students who are strongly motivated to excel in a master's program and who are prepared to accept and fulfill such responsibilities. Applicants for admission must present academic records and standardized test scores(when required) which the College believes demonstrate achievement and ability commensurate withcurricular expectations.

Additional admission requirements specific to each graduate program area are outlined in this publication’s section for that program.

Applicants are notified as soon as all credentials have been received and evaluated. Applicants for both the fall and spring semesters are encouraged to pay the registration deposit as soon as possible.

The student is responsible for all work of the course unless specifically exempted by the instructor. It is recognized that some absences may be necessary or unavoidable. The student should inform the instructor of the reason for the absence and make up any work that is missed. The responsibility for initiating action to make up work missed in the classroom rests with the student.

Students who schedule classes after the first day of classes will be assessed a late registration fee.

Students who schedule classes and pay their tuition bills prior to the Business Office payment deadline will be officially registered for the semester and placed on the instructors’ class rosters.

A student may drop and/or add a course anytime during the first week of classes each semester.

Checking with the academic advisor about a course schedule change is advisable as is checking with the Registrar's Office about the course availability. Returning students may drop and add courses online using the York College website. The procedure for adding or dropping a course for first semester students is to obtain and complete a Change of Student Record form to officially drop and/or add the appropriate courses in the Registrar's Office or the Adult Learner Center.

Tuition and fees are payable prior to the beginning of each session according to the published due dates. No student may enter class until payment or arrangements for payment have been made. No reduction in tuition or fees is made for late registration.

If a student fails to meet financial obligations prior to the end of the academic session, neither class attendance nor completion of any courses will be permitted. Grades or transcripts will not be released until all financial obligations have been met.

Tuition deposits are nonrefundable as administrative fees. Withdrawals prior to the first day of the semester will receive a 100% refund of tuition and fees as charged. The deposit will be held. Refunds of tuition and fees will be prorated on a daily basis according to the number of days in the semester.

Refunds will not be processed past 60% completion of the semester. (Note: The calculation will be based on the total number of calendar days in the semester regardless of the actual class start date.)

Students have seven calendar years to complete the requirements for the master’s degree. For students enrolled in the MBA program, this seven-year period commences upon enrollment in the first 510-level or above course. In the Education and Nursing programs, this seven-year period commences upon enrollment in the first 500-level course. Students who do not complete program requirements within the established time limit must request an extension of time (up to one year) from the respective department.

Students desiring to pursue summer course work or additional work at another institution must secure written approval from their graduate program director prior to beginning the work in order for the credits to transfer into York College.

In order to receive transfer credit from courses at other institutions, a student must receive a grade of "B" or better. Credit hours for these courses may be transferred but grades and quality points will not transfer.

Credits earned by a degree candidate student at another accredited graduate institution may be accepted by transfer in partial fulfillment of the graduate degree requirements. The following conditions for the transfer of these credits apply:

1. Official graduate transcripts from another institution must be submitted at the time of application.

Transfer credits will be evaluated by the master’s program of which the student is admitted. Only courses where a grade of "B" or better is earned will be eligible for transfer.

2. Students may transfer no more than:

• 9 credits of the 510-level or above courses into the Master of Business Administration program;

• 9 credits of the 500-level or above courses into the Master of Education which have been taken

within the past ten (10) years

• 6 credits of the 500-level or above courses into Master of Science in Nursing program.

3. Transfer credits honored from other institutions will typically be only those courses which areconsidered comparable to the core courses contained in the York College of Pennsylvania master’s programs.

4. Current York College graduate students who desire to take courses at another institution must secure prior approval. Forms are available from the program office.

5. Transfer credits will be added to the York College transcript after a student has successfully completed 12, core-level credits in a master’s program at York College. The transfer credits will carry no grades or quality points; thus, these credits will not be used in calculating the student’s grade point average.

The last date to withdraw from a course is the ninth Friday of the fall or spring academic semester in order to avoid a grade penalty. To withdraw from a course, students must complete a Change of Student Record form in the Records Office. Failure to attend class, telephoning, or merely giving notice to the course instructor is not considered an official course withdrawal. No extensions are granted beyond the withdrawal deadline.

Students who do not officially withdraw are still responsible for payment of tuition and fees. A Change of Student Record Form must be obtained and returned to the Registrar’s Office or the Campbell Hall Adult Learner Center.

Academic Advising is an essential process in the college setting. Upon entering York College, every matriculated student is assigned a faculty academic advisor who, through experience, professional background, and example, is qualified to assist the student in planning the coursework for the program of study, in developing strategies for academic success, and in providing guidance and information in preparation for the student's career and life goals.

While academic advising assists students in their academic planning, it is ultimately the student's responsibility to meet the academic requirements for graduation. Each student is expected to meet regularly with his or her advisor to discuss the development and implementation of a plan of short and long-term academic goals. The final responsibility in meeting graduation requirements, however, rests with the student.

Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated at York College. Academic dishonesty refers to actions such as, but not limited to cheating, plagiarism, fabricating research, falsifying academic documents, etc. and includes all situations where students make use of the work of others and claims such work as their own.

When an instructor believes that a student has committed an act of academic dishonesty, the instructor must provide written notification to the student, the Department Chair, and the Dean of AcademicAffairs of the charge and the sanction. Documentation related to instances of academic dishonesty will be kept on file in the student's permanent record. If the academic dishonesty is the student's first offense, the instructor will have the discretion to decide on a suitable sanction up to a grade of 0 for the course.

Students are not permitted to withdraw from a course in which they have been accused of academic dishonesty. Students who believe they have been unjustly charged or sanctioned in cases involving a first offense must discuss the situation with the instructor immediately. Following this discussion, students may request through the Dean of Academic Affairs that the Student Welfare Committee conduct a hearing to review the charge and/or the sanction in the case. In cases of a first offense, the instructor may request that the Student Welfare Committee conduct a hearing and decide on the sanction, which can involve academic suspension or dismissal from the College, if the instructor believes the offense to be of an extremely egregious nature.

In cases where a student receives a second notice of academic dishonesty, the student will be suspended from the College. If the Dean of Academic Affairs determines that the academic dishonesty is the student's second offense, the Dean will provide written notification to the student, the instructor, and the Department Chair. The Student Welfare Committee will automatically conduct a hearing to review the charge and decide on an appropriate sanction, which will involve academic suspension or dismissal from the College. Students who believe the Student Welfare Committee has unjustly sanctioned them may submit a written request to the Dean of Academic Affairs for a review of their case by the Dean.

Grades are assigned at the end of each academic session. The grades, their descriptions are as follows:

All grades, except "AU," will be applicable to all Graduate students. The grade of "AU" is applicable only to a student who is pursuing courses on a nondegree, audit basis.

The cumulative grade point average will be calculated by multiplying the credits of each graduate course in which a grade, other than "AU" and "W," was given times the grade received in that course; this will result in the quality points for that graduate course. The total quality points of all graduate courses in which grades, other than "AU" or "W" were given will be divided by the total credits of those courses; this will yield the student’s cumulative graduate grade point average.

To apply for graduation, students MUST complete the formal application form available at the Records Office, lower level, Administration Building, at the Adult Learner Center in Campbell Hall, and in any of the Master's Degree Program offices. This application is required of ALL STUDENTS whether or not the student wishes to participate in commencement ceremonies.

Application deadlines are as follows:

February 5 for May graduation,

September 15 for December graduation, and

July 15 for August graduation.

After the deadline, a late charge will be assessed, and significant delays will occur in processing. The graduation fee must be paid to the Business Office prior to submitting the completed application to the Records Office. The form and fee may also be submitted to the Adult Learner Center or returned to the Records Office by mail. The graduation application must be returned to the Records Office in triplicate. Graduation regalia is handled through the College Bookstore.

To participate in May commencement, a student must complete the final degree requirements in the spring session. Students completing graduation requirements during summer sessions will be part of the August completion date and may participate in the December commencement ceremonies.

At the conclusion of each academic session in which the student was officially enrolled in one or more courses of the graduate program or had graduate credits transferred into the program, a grade report will be mailed to the student by the College’s Records Office. The grade report will list the student’s personal data, recently completed courses with grades and credits for these courses; and the student’s cumulative graduate grade point average.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their educational records. They are:

• The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the College receives a request for access. Students should submit to the Director of Records written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The Director of Records will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the College official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.

• The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the College in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including security personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the College has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

Parental rights of access to educational records depend on the student’s financial status, either dependent or independent. If the adult student is financially independent, parents have no right of access without the student’s consent. If, however, the student is a financial dependent, a parent/guardian’s request for educational records is honored by York College. It is the student’s responsibility to clarify and document his/her financial status and acknowledge acceptance of the College's disclosure policy upon admission and to update such information via the Records Office.

Parents or legal guardians of financially dependent students will be notified by the Academic Affairs office/college officials when their son or daughter has been issued two or more warning grades at midterm. Professors are not required to issue warning grades, and some do not. A copy of the final grades will be sent to the designated parent(s)/guardian(s) in addition to the report sent to the student.

Parents or legal guardians of financially dependent students will be notified by the Student Affairs Office/college officials when their son or daughter has been responsible for a violation of the college’s student code of conduct. Students and parents are encouraged to discuss these disciplinary matters to assist in the attainment of behavioral improvement. Directory information is distributed without prior consent of the student. Directory information is defined as a student’s name, address, telephone number, date of birth, major field of study, dates of attendance, class year, and degree and awards received.

However, students who do not wish such information to be released or made public may inform the Admissions Office, if a new student, or the Records Office, if a returning student, in writing by September 1 for the fall semester or January 15 for the spring semester. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by York College of Pennsylvania to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202-4605

Services rendered in the Health Center are without charge, however, students are responsible for prescriptions, x-rays, laboratory studies and consultations.

Health insurance: Students not covered by health and accident insurance are required to apply for coverage under a policy available to all York College students.

All students are encouraged to participate in College activities without regard to sex, race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, handicap, social affiliation, or age. York College does not tolerate and takes a firm position against all forms of discrimination as noted. Any student who feels he or she is a victim of discrimination or ethnic intimidation, or such harassment, may initiate a complaint through the student grievance procedure and legal channels. Contact: Student Affairs, Administration Building, (717) 815-1460.

York College is an equal opportunity employer and institution of higher education. We support legislation that protects College personnel against unlawful discrimination of any kind, including sexual harassment, and affirm the commitment of York College to ensure an environment for all employees and students which is fair, human, and respectful. Sexual harassment is a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and is illegal, sex-based discrimination under Title IX of the Education Amendments act of 1972. It is against the policies of York College of Pennsylvania for any person (faculty, administrator, staff member, or student), male or female, to engage in sexual harassment of another person (faculty, administrator, staff member, or student). Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

This conduct constitutes sexual harassment in the following circumstances:

1. When it is made either explicitly or implicitly a condition of an employee’s employment, or a student’s academic assessment, or progress or participation in college activities.

2. When submission to or a rejection of such conduct is made the basis for employment decisions or decisions affecting academic assessment, progress or status, or participation in other college activities.

3. When such conduct creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or learning environment.

• Verbal – Sexual innuendoes, suggestive comments, jokes of a sexual nature, sexual propositions, threats.

• Nonverbal – Sexually suggestive objects or pictures, graphic commentaries, suggestive or insulting sounds, leering, whistling, obscene gestures.

• Physical – Unwanted physical contact, including touching, pinching, brushing the body, coerced sexual intercourse, assault. The determination of whether conduct constitutes sexual harassment depends on the totality of the circumstances, the nature of the conduct or advances, and the context in which they occur. The policy of the College is not intended to regulate or interfere with normal personal relationships, but to remedy serious or persistent sexual conduct which is unwelcome.

Sexual harassment may be overt or subtle, but whatever form it takes, sexual harassment is insulting and demeaning and cannot be tolerated at York College. All personnel (faculty, administrators, staff members, or students) will be expected to comply with this policy and take appropriate measures to ensure that sexual harassment does not occur. Appropriate disciplinary action (up to and including termination or expulsion, as relevant) will be taken against anyone who violates this policy against sexual harassment, in accord with relevant York College disciplinary procedures for that person’s cohort group (faculty, administrators, staff members, or students).

Anyone subjected to acts of sexual harassment should immediately complain to his or her supervisor.

The Department of Public Safety at York College of Pennsylvania is responsible for enforcing parking and traffic regulations on all College property. These regulations were established to provide York College with a safe and organized community in which to live and learn and are in effect at all times throughout the year. In addition to College policies, all traffic and parking regulations regulated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania apply and are enforced on campus. The Department of Public Safety maintains office hours between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.