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University of Pittsburgh Titusville    
2017-2018 Titusville Campus Catalog 
    
 
  Mar 28, 2024
 
2017-2018 Titusville Campus Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Academic Procedures and Policies



Academic Policies and Procedures

Course Load

To be considered full time a student must carry a minimum of 12 credits per term. In addition, a student will not be allowed to take more than 18 credits per term without special permission from the Campus Dean. A student will never be allowed to carry more than 21 credits per term. A course load above 18 credits carries an additional tuition charge. Background Checks and Clearance for Certain Academic

Background Checks and Clearance for Certain Academic Programs

Please be advised that some programs or courses of study require that students complete rotations, fieldwork, internships/externships and/or teaching assignments at facilities external to the university, while other programs or courses of study may offer voluntary internships or externships at facilities external to the university. Depending on the program or course, such facilities will or may require a criminal background check, an act 33/34 clearance (if applicable), and perhaps a drug screen to determine participant qualification or eligibility. Additionally, in order to become licensed, many states will inquire as to whether the applicant has been convicted of a misdemeanor, a felony, or a felonious or illegal act associated with alcohol and/or substance abuse.

Course Changes and Resignation

Students may change their course schedule by adding and dropping courses according to the deadlines printed in that term’s class schedule booklet (also see Dropping a Course[s] below). Before making such changes, the student should carefully check compliance with the course load requirements listed above. Dropping below full-time status may adversely affect a student’s financial aid and housing. Students may also resign from the University following the deadlines listed in that term’s class schedule booklet. A student will receive a W grade if dropping a course after a certain point in the term, and an R grade if resigning after a certain point. Neither grade, however, will affect a student’s grade point average.

Dropping a Course(s)

Students who need to drop courses should log on to my.pitt.edu where they can change their schedule via adding or dropping a class through the end of the add/drop period. After the add/drop deadline established for the term or session, students cannot drop a course(s) but may withdraw through the Office of the Campus Dean.

Specific dates for every add/drop period are published in the Schedule of Classes. Students who decide not to attend the University may drop all of the courses they are registered for during the add/drop period with no financial liability. Students who make this decision after the add/drop period must process a resignation form through the Office of Student Accounts.

Extended Drop Period

Under special circumstances, undergraduate students may be eligible to drop a course in the third week of the fall or spring semester, effective with the Spring 2018 semester. Students must meet all of the following criteria to drop a course during the extended drop period:

  • Undergraduate students at all campuses
  • Undergraduate courses
  • Fall and spring semesters
  • Students must remain in full-time status after dropping the course(s).
  • The student’s advisor must provide permission to drop.

Students must review the proposed drop with their academic advisor. If the student’s advisor finds that the student is eligible, the advisor will process the drop(s). If the student’s advisor cannot process the drop for any reason, then the advisor will request that the Registrar’s Office at the student’s campus process it.

Academic Standing, Probation, and Suspension

These guidelines are solely for the purpose of determining academic probation, suspension, and dismissal. While these are minimal standards, any degree, program, or major may set its own higher standards. Those standards take precedence over these.

In determining the academic standing of students, The University of Pittsburgh at Titusville has the right to treat each student’s case on its merits. The primary consideration is the probability that the student can meet academic standards and achieve graduation in not more than five full time semesters or their equivalent. The committee may consider courses attempted, credits and grades earned, and the trend of performance.

These guidelines are solely for the purpose of determining academic probation, suspension, and dismissal.  While these are minimal standards, any degree, program, or major may set its own higher standards.  Those standards take precedence over these.

Probation

  1. Students who have attempted 19 hours or less (including transfer credit) and whose cumulative grade point average is below 1.50 will be placed on probation.
  2. Students who have attempted 20 to 35 hours (including transfer credit) and whose cumulative grade point average is below 1.75 will be placed on probation.
  3. Students who have attempted 36 hours or more (including transfer credit) and whose cumulative grade point average is below 2.00 will be placed on probation.

Suspension

  1. Students who are placed on probation for a second consecutive term will be suspended for the following term.
  2. Students whose term grade point average is below a 1.00 will be suspended for the following term.

Dismissal

  1. Students who are placed on probation for a third term will be dismissed.
  2. Students who do not successfully complete any course after three attempts will be dismissed.

Re-admittance for Summer Course Work after Suspension

Students who have been suspended in the spring term may be allowed, with the permission of the Campus Dean, to enroll in course work at Pitt-Titusville during the summer sessions following that particular spring term. A student who moves back to good academic standing through summer course work may request reinstatement to resume studies on continued probation in the following fall term.

Honors

The University is pleased to award honors to students whose academic performance exceeds expectations. At the end of a term students may be recognized as a University Scholar or be placed on the President’s or Dean’s Lists. To earn academic honors for a term, students must have earned at least 12 credits and have a specific term grade point average. If a course has a mandatory grading system of S/N, grades of N will not be acceptable for University Scholar honors.

Honor Term GPA
University Scholar 4.00
President’s List 3.50 to 3.99
Dean’s List 3.20 to 3.49

Preparatory Courses

The University offers courses for students who are not well prepared for college level mathematics and writing. To promote the academic progress of students in preparatory courses, students who test or place into MATH 0029 , MATH 0030 , and/or ENG 0100 :

  1. Must take those preparatory classes during their first term at the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville and every subsequent term until they are passed.
  2. Will not be permitted to withdraw from those classes.
  3. Are strongly encouraged to take IL 0210 College Reading and Study Skills.
  4. Are strongly encouraged to use the resources of the Learning Center and other academic support services to their full benefit.

Reinstatement

A student with prior UPT credits who left in good academic standing and wants to return within one academic year must complete and submit a routine Reinstatement Form to the Registrar’s Office.

If a student was on suspension from the university, the student must submit a Reinstatement Following Suspension Form and include a statement explaining the circumstances that led to suspension and why they feel they will be successful if given the opportunity to return.  Decisions regarding reinstatement are made by the Campus Dean and may include consultation with other campus administrators.   Any non-Pitt credits obtained during the time they were on suspension will not be accepted. 

Readmittance

A student who has left the University for any reason and remained unregistered for at least one year must apply and be readmitted before resuming his or her program. Students who attend another university during their absence from Pitt-Titusville must be readmitted and submit a transcript for evaluation. Reinstatement and readmission decisions are made through the Office of the Campus Dean. It should be noted that the University of Pittsburgh will not accept credits earned at another institution while the student is on academic suspension or probation at a Pitt campus.

Admittance of Students with Prior Pitt Degrees

Students who have received a prior degree from another University of Pittsburgh campus must reapply through the Admissions Office if pursuing an additional degree.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a moral obligation of both students and faculty; it is expected that both students and faculty behave in a professional manner in the University setting. The following guidelines follow those established by the University of Pittsburgh for each group:

Student Responsibilities

The student must conduct himself or herself in an appropriate manner in and out of the classroom. Principally, this involves doing one’s own work at all times and complying with each instructor’s class guidelines and requirements, including class attendance. A student violates academic integrity when he or she is involved in any of the following:

  1. Cheating (such as unauthorized use of a text or notes during an exam, copying the work of another student, or obtaining and using a copy of an exam in advance of its administration)
  2. Plagiarism (presenting as one’s own the work of another without proper acknowledgment)
  3. Deceitful practice (such as knowingly allowing one’s work to be submitted by another student)
  4. Class conduct that is so disruptive as to infringe upon the rights of the instructor or fellow students

If a student is involved in any of the preceding, there is a specific set of guidelines explained in the Student Handbook for actions that may be taken by the University and for sanctions imposed. This may involve a hearing before the Academic Integrity Board and sanctions ranging from dismissal from the University to failing the course involved.

Faculty Responsibilities

Faculty members also have obligations under the academic integrity guidelines. These include the following:

  1. Meeting classes as scheduled
  2. Being available for, and keeping, established office hours and appointments
  3. Making appropriate preparations for all classes
  4. Grading and returning all tests and assignments promptly
  5. Describing course goals, prerequisites, and grading procedures before the end of the add/drop period
  6. Using good-faith professional judgment as the basis for all academic evaluations
  7. Not considering, in academic evaluation, such factors as race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital, veteran, or disability status
  8. Respecting the confidentiality of information regarding a student as stated in University guidelines
  9. Not exploiting their professional relationship with a student for private or personal advantage
  10. Respecting the dignity of students, individually and collectively, in the classroom and other academic settings

If a student feels that any of these have been violated by a professor, he or she should seek appropriate judgment of the grievance by the Campus Dean.

Grades

The following is a list of grades used by the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville and their numerical value, which is used to calculate a student’s grade point average:

A+ = 4.00  
A = 4.00 Superior attainment
A- = 3.75  
       
B+ = 3.25  
B = 3.00 Meritorious attainment
B- = 2.75  
       
C+ = 2.25  
C = 2.00 Adequate attainment
C- = 1.75  
       
D+ = 1.25  
D = 1.00 Minimal attainment
D- = 0.75  
       
F = 0 Failure

A final grade in a course represents the cumulative evaluation and judgment of the faculty member placed in charge of that course. If a student feels the final grade or an academic decision in a course was not determined in accordance with university policies or was determined arbitrarily, the student may appeal by adhering to the procedure described in the Student Handbook.

It is the responsibility of the student, before seeking to have a grievance adjudicated, to attempt to resolve the matter by personal conference with the faculty member concerned, and, if such attempts are unsuccessful, to call the matter to the attention of the Campus Dean for consideration and adjustment by informal means. If a matter remains unresolved after such efforts have been made, the grievance procedures shall be employed.

This grievance procedure must be initiated by the student and the written statement of charges must be received by the Campus Dean within the first ten (10) regularly scheduled class meeting days of the term immediately following the term in which the appealed grade was received. The written statement must be an accurate and complete statement of all facts pertaining to the matter.

Complete details pertaining to this policy can be found in the Policy Manual of the University of Pittsburgh, Academic Affairs, Academic Integrity, Guidelines on Academic Integrity-Student and Faculty Obligations and Hearing Procedures, Document Number 02-03-01.

Other Grades

The following entries may also be made on a student’s transcript:

G Work incomplete for reasons beyond the control of the student. Proper forms must be filed in the Office of the Dean explaining why a G grade should be given and what work must be made up to complete the course. The student must make up the course work during his or her next fall or spring term. Failure to complete the course work will result in loss of the credits earned in the course.
N Noncredit audit. If a student wishes to audit a course, then he or she must file the appropriate grade option form with the Office of the Registrar no later than one week after the end of the add/drop period.
W Withdrawal from a course with no penalty and no credit
R Resignation from all courses and the University
S Satisfactory completion of course requirements
U Unsatisfactory completion of course requirements
LG Letter Grade option
S/NC Satisfactory/Audit option
LG/NC Letter Grade and Satisfactory/Audit option

Transfer Credits

A student who has earned credits at another college, university, or post secondary educational institution may have the credits evaluated for transfer into the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville. Official transcripts are evaluated and are subject to the individual requirements of the program to which a student is applying. Credit cannot be given for courses taken at another university while the student is on probation or suspension from any University of Pittsburgh campus. The following general rules will apply in most cases:  

  1. Credits will be considered for transfer based on course equivalencies.  The University will not refuse to consider transfer credit based on accreditation of the sending institution.
  2. Course work must have been completed in the last 12 years prior to matriculation (courses in some programs require a shorter time frame)
  3. Course work must have been completed with a grade of C or better (C- is not acceptable)
  4. Transfer courses that are part of a sequence may or may not be transferrable depending on requirements of the specific program for which the student is enrolling
  5. The maximum number of credits that the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville will transfer toward an associate degree is 30.
  6. The number of credits granted for a course cannot exceed those on the transcript from the school where they were earned; nor can they exceed the number of credits for the corresponding course at UPT.
  7. Quarter credit hours are considered as follows:  5 quarter credit hours = 3 semester credit hours; 3 quarter credit hours = 1 UPT semester credit hour

Cross Registration

Only students who are on unrestricted academic standing at Pitt-Titusville will be allowed to cross register during the fall and spring terms. Cross registration is limited to two courses or eight credits per term or session.  Students enrolled at Pitt-Titusville wishing to take courses at another University or at another University of Pittsburgh campus must receive written permission of the Campus Dean.

Course Repetitions

In general, students are allowed to repeat courses at the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville. The last grade earned is the one used in calculating credits to be awarded and in computing the GPA. In other words, grades are not averaged when a course is repeated. Course repetitions are limited in the PTA and Nursing programs. Contact these program offices for more specific information about the course progression requirements. Students are encouraged, and sometimes required, to repeat courses in which they have earned less than a C- grade. This policy is limited, however, by the following exceptions:

  1. No sequence course may be repeated for credit after a higher-numbered course in the same area has been passed.
  2. No course may be repeated more than twice except by special permission of the instructor and the Campus Dean. In no case will a student be allowed to repeat a course more than three times. NOTE: If the student has received a W or an R in a course, this rule does not apply.
  3. No course may be repeated for credit at another institution outside of the University of Pittsburgh system. Nursing students enrolled in the Associate of Science in Nursing degree program are subject to additional curriculum policy requirements including the policy that no course may be repeated more than once. See the Nursing Program Curriculum Policy  for more details.

Second Associate Degree

A student wishing to earn two or more associate degrees may do so by completing the following:

  1. The associate degree general and core requirements and
  2. The concentration requirements for each degree sought

Courses used to fulfill concentration requirements for one associate degree may not be used to fulfill concentration requirements for another. Thus, a student would need a minimum of 15 additional credits to earn a second associate degree.

Academic Internship(s)

An academic internship is a method of receiving academic credit for work experience gained in a “real world” environment related to a specific field of study.

UPT offers the Opportunity for Internships in the following areas:

     ACCT 1399 - ACCOUNTING INTERNSHIP  
     BIS 1399 - INFORMATION SYSTEMS INTERNSHIP  
     BUS 1399 - BUSINESS MANAGEMENT INTERNSHIP  
     CS 1399 - COMPUTER SCIENCE INTERNSHIP  
     HRP 0080 - HEALTH SCIENCES INTERNSHIP  
     HUSERV 0399 - HUMAN SERVICES INTERNSHIP  

Certain regulations and requirements must be observed which are as follows:

1. The Student:

  1. Students must have completed a minimum of 30‐45 credits, depending on the program requirements in the course syllabus, with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 in their associate degree program.
  2. Students must have grades no lower than “C” in their major courses (ACCT, BIS, BUS, HRP, HUSERV) to be eligible for an internship.
  3. The student is required to attend an Internship Preparedness Session with the Internship Coordinator/Supervisor at UPT before the internship can begin and at which time they will be given a copy of the course syllabus. Internships can be completed in the fall, spring or summer semesters but must be arranged before the semester begins.
  4. The student may begin the internship before registering for the class; however, registration must take place during a regular registration period.
  5. No more than three credits can be earned through the same position.
  6. The internship may be in a paid or unpaid position.
  7. The student cannot do an internship in an organization where he/she is currently employed. Exceptions may be granted by the Internship Coordinator if 1) the student will be assigned new tasks related to the internship and 2) adequate supervision is maintained.

2. The Internship Coordinator:

The Internship Coordinator/Supervisor at UPT and the student are jointly responsible for finding the internship location. The student’s Academic Advisor is a key figure and should be included in all transactions. No internship site will be approved until a visit to the site has been completed by the Internship Coordinator/Supervisor. The position must be one that allows the student to use the skills acquired in the pursuit of the degree.

3. Required Internship Documents:

The student will complete and provide to their Faculty Advisor the following documents (may be obtained from the Academic Affairs Office) before the internship begins:

  1. The official Undergraduate Internship Contract with a description of the project/objectives or job duties on the internship site signed by the student, the Internship Site Supervisor, UPT’s Internship Supervisor/ Coordinator and Academic Dean.
  2. A current resume
  3. A letter from the work site offering the student an internship.
  4. Class registration form signed by the Faculty Advisor, Internship Coordinator/Supervisor and Academic Dean.
  5. Depending on the job requirements, some internships may require the students to obtain additional documents such as a criminal background check, an act 33/34 clearance, an act 151 child abuse background clearance, drug‐testing, Hepatitis B vaccination, HIPPA training, bloodborne pathogen training, etc. These would be the responsibility of the student to obtain before beginning the internship. Additionally, in order to obtain licensing if required in certain areas, many states will inquire as to whether the applicant has been convicted of a misdemeanor, a felony, or a felonious or illegal act associated with alcohol and/or substance abuse. Also, some internship sites require liability insurance, which would be included as part of the course fee and arranged through UPT.

4. Evaluation and Grading Procedure:

  1. Individual meetings with the student and their Faculty Advisor during the internship period may be required. These meetings may take place at the internship site.
  2. A “Student Midpoint Performance Appraisal” form and “Student Intern Final Performance Appraisal” form must be completed by the Internship Employer and submitted to the Faculty Advisor before the final grade can be awarded. Standard forms are available; however, the program area may use forms specific to their needs.
  3. The grade will be awarded by the Faculty Advisor after meeting with the student at the internship site, reviewing the midterm and final evaluations, and after the student has completed all internship requirements outlined on the course syllabus.

5. Table of Credits Earned/Academic Assignments Required*

*per A&S faculty teaching guidelines

No. of credits to be earned No. of hours at the internship site Academic Assignment Required
1 credit 40 hours Topical paper (5 pages in length) that integrates the intern’s experience with topics within the academic discipline approved by the UPT internship supervisor
2 credits 80 hours Topical paper (10 pages in length) that integrates the intern’s experience with topics within the academic discipline approved by the UPT internship supervisor.
AND
Portfolio containing samples of student’s work at the internship site
OR
Reflective Journal
3 credits 120 hours Topical paper (15‐20 pages) that integrates the intern’s experience with topics within the academic discipline approved by the UPT internship supervisor.
AND
Portfolio containing samples of student’s work at the internship site
OR
Reflective Journal

Academic Honors

Term Honors

The University of Pittsburgh at Titusville has the following policy:

University Scholar = GPA of 4.00
President’s List = GPA of 3.50-3.99
Dean’s List = GPA of 3.20-3.49

To receive honors recognition for the term, a student must have earned at least 12 credits. If a course has a mandatory grading system of S/NC, NC grades will not be acceptable for University Scholar honors.

Graduation Honors

Students completing an associate degree who have attained an outstanding scholastic record are graduated with honors. To qualify for university honors, a student must have attained a cumulative GPA of 3.25 for cum laude, 3.50 for magna cum laude, and 3.75 for summa cum laude, and this recognition is noted on the student’s diploma and transcript. To qualify for program honors, a student must have attained a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or above, and this recognition is noted on the student’s transcript. Honors are calculated only after a student has completed a minimum of 60 credits at the University of Pittsburgh.

Phi Theta Kappa

This International Honor Society of the Two-Year College recognizes the promotion of scholarship, the development of leadership and service, and the cultivation of fellowship among qualified students. The Alpha Pi Zeta Chapter on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville invites students for membership who have completed a minimum of 15 credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or above and who have demonstrated good moral character with recognized qualities of citizenship.



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