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 with

curricular 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.

stated under Admissions Procedures, international students must submit satisfactory scores from the

Test of English as a Foreign Language (applicants whose native language is English are exempt). A

statement must be submitted which is certified by a U.S. Embassy or bank that sufficient funds exist

and will be released from the country to cover all educational and living expenses while attending York

College. This information is required prior to issuance of an I-20 AB Form by the designated school

official. International students must apply for admission and have all credentials forwarded by April 1

for the fall semester and by October 1 for the spring semester. All international students must submit

certified documentation as to the U.S. equivalent of their foreign academic credentials for both the

individual courses as well as the equivalent U.S. undergraduate degree.

attendance policy at York College of Pennsylvania is at the discretion of the instructor. The

class will be informed in writing within the syllabus whether attendance is used as a criterion in

evaluating student performance.

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.

www.ycp.edu along with a timetable for scheduling. New students must register for their initial

semester in person at the Registrar’s Office or at the Adult Learner Center in Campbell Hall or by

Deposit to the Business Office. All graduate students will also receive materials for mail-in registration

from the Registrars Office.

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 are

considered 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.

Academic advisors are available during their regularly scheduled office hours when the College is in

session in the fall and spring semesters or by appointment at other times. In addition, other

academic support services are offered through the individual Graduate Program Offices, Registrar,

Records Office, Adult Learner Center, and Career Services Center.

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 Academic

Affairs 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:

represents a high degree of attainment and is a grade that demands evidence

of originality, independent work, an open and discriminating mind, and completeness and accuracy of

knowledge, as well as an effective use of the knowledge.

achievement in many aspects of the work, such as initiative, serious and determined industry, the ability

to organize work, and the ability to comprehend and retain subject matter and to apply it to new

problems.

grasp and clear understanding of the subject matter and the ability to comprehend and retain course

content.

represents a good grasp of the subject matter and the ability to comprehend and retain course content.

that may be expected of a student of normal ability who gives the work a reasonable amount of time

and effort.

of meaningful engagement with the subject matter and that the student is not capable of doing or

understanding the work or has made little of no effort to do so.

prior to the final examination and must present extraordinary reasons for the petition. The instructor

should indicate on the Attendance/Final Grade Record the required work the student must do to

complete the course. Any grades of “I” not removed within two calendar months after the end of of the

semester will automatically be changed to “0” in the Records Office. Grades of incomplete should only

be provided to students who have completed a substantial portion of all course requirements.

Friday of the fall or spring semester. Corresponding deadlines are set for all other semesters (e.g.,

summer sessions). Withdrawal after that time shall result in a grade of “0.”

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.

A student’s cumulative grade point average is reviewed by the graduate coordinator at the completion

of twelve (12) credits of 510-level and above graduate courses and at the completion of each spring

semester thereafter. If a student’s cumulative grade point average is less than 3.0 at any of these annual

reviews, the student may be required to limit his or her course enrollment. (Such students will be

notified in writing as to the restrictions.) Courses in which the student received less than a grade of "3"

need to be repeated in the earliest semester that the course is scheduled. Full-time students students

(those enrolled in 9 or more credits), must show improvement in their GPA within one semester. Part-

time students must show improvement within their completion of their next nine (9) credits (three

courses). Failure to bring the GPA up to the 3.0 level within these parameters will cause the student to

be suspended from the program. Suspended students have the right to appeal through the graduate

program committee.

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 request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are

inaccurate or misleading. Students may ask the College to amend a record that they believe is

inaccurate or misleading. They should write the College official responsible for the record, clearly

identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If

the College decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the College will notify the

student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for

amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student

when notified of the right to a hearing.

• 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

You must have a completed health history, immunization record and a physical examination by a

medical provider to complete your admission to York College of Pennsylvania. This form can be

MUST BE RETURNED TO THE HEALTH CENTER IN ORDER TO ATTEND CLASSES. Any

questions regarding this form should be directed to the York College of Pennsylvania Health Center by

calling 717-849-1615. The information contained in this record is considered confidential. It is kept on

file for use by health care providers only.

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.

All institutions of postsecondary education, both public and private, that participate in federal student

aid programs must publish and disseminate an annual campus security report as well as make timely

warnings. In compliance federal law, York College of Pennsylvania makes this information available

Security Office.

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.

Sexual harassment does not refer to behavior of a socially acceptable nature. It refers to behavior

that is not welcome, that is personally offensive, that fails to respect the rights of others, that lowers

morale and, therefore, interferes with our institutional effectiveness. Sexual harassment may take

different forms. One specific form is the demand for sexual favors. Other forms of harassment

include the following:

• 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

or at the individual’s option to the following officers:

Faculty Dean of Academic Affairs President

Administrators President Director of Personnel

Staff Director of Personnel President

Students Dean of Student Affairs Coordinator of Counseling Services

Complaints will be fairly and promptly investigated and discipline, if appropriate, will be pursued

through normal channels that apply to each cohort group.

The College reserves the right to impose sanctions, up to and including expulsion from the College, if

the student has engaged in activity in violation of the institutional regulations and objectives of the

College. York College of Pennsylvania stands against the violation of the law and is responsible to

cooperate and communicate as appropriate with law enforcement agencies in their duties. Students are

expected to be aware of local, state, and federal laws, and understand their responsibilities as members

of this educational community. Student victims will be assisted through proper advising on legal

rights/options, counseling, and access/referral to existing victim support services. For assistance and

consultation, students can contact the appropriate office, Safety and Security Department, Counseling

Services, Housing Services, or Student Affairs.

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.

Bar-coded ID photo cards are required of all full-time and part-time students. Each student receives their first ID card for free during their first semester at the College. It is a four-year card and is

necessary for use of the library, computer center, admission to student activities, athletic events, dining

hall, identification purposes, etc. Carry it with you when on campus. Student ID cards are to be

presented or given to any College faculty, staff, or administrator upon request. In order to receive your

ID card, or a replacement card, a student must present another form of picture ID and a printed College

document with their College ID number on it. To replace a lost, stolen, or laundered card, students must

pay a $30 replacement fee in the Business Office. A receipt will be provided which should be taken to

Public Safety for a new ID. Photo IDs are taken weekly during the academic year. Please see the