Academic Policies & Information

Student Handbooks

Rules and regulations governing student decorum and disciplinary action, as well as academic and clinic conduct, are provided in the Student Handbook and the Intern’s Handbook. These handbooks are subject to revision at the discretion of the University’s administration. Quarterly updates to rules and regulations may also be found in the current Academic Quarterly.

International Students

Life University offers the following services to international students through a partnership with International Programs and Student Services.

International Programs/Enrollment Services:

• Advises students on current F1, USCIS, and CBP policies and guidelines related to international students.
• Completes SEVIS registration and provides initial Form I-20 for newly admitted international students seeking F1 visa status.
• Updates SEVIS registration and Form I-20 to reflect changes in personal information (address, telephone number, etc.), program of study, registration (program extensions, reduced course load requests, transfers, graduation, withdrawal etc.) and/or enrollment status.
• Assists and advises students throughout the Optional Practical Training application process.
• Verifies eligibility of international students for on-campus employment and reports student employment within SEVIS.
• Provide travel endorsement (annually) for those F1 students intending to travel outside of the United States.

Student Services:

• Acculturation
• Assistance connecting to other resources on campus
• Academic Advising

International Student Rules, Regulations & Procedures

It is the responsibility of the international student to maintain lawful immigration status. The student is responsible for fully and properly complying with all U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, and Student Exchange and Visitor Program rules and regulations, as well as those of the federal, state and local government.

Immigration Documentation

It is the international student’s responsibility to ensure that all visa and immigration documentation is valid, accurate and up to date. This includes, but is not limited to, student’s Form I-20s, passports, and visas. Passports should remain valid at all times. Students should contact their local embassy for renewal instructions if their passport will expire within the next six months. In order to enter and reenter the United States, students must possess a valid, unexpired visa. If a student’s visa has expired or will expire while traveling outside of the United States, they must apply for a new visa before entering the United States (certain exceptions may apply). Students are strongly encouraged to contact their DSO, USCIS, and/or the United States Customs and Border Protection agency for guidance.

Designated School Official (DSO) Reporting

F-1 Students must contact their DSO immediately if:

• Moving to a new address
• Requesting a program extension
• Changing programs, majors or degree levels
• Traveling outside of the United States
• Taking a leave of absence or transferring to a new school

Failure to notify DSO may result in student being out of status and termination of student form I-20.

Employment

F-1 students may receive work authorization through their DSO in certain cases such as:

• On-campus, part-time employment
• OPT (Optional Practical Training)
• CPT (Curricular Practical Training)

Working without prior DSO authorization and approval will result in termination of student’s I-20. The student must then leave the United States immediately, and future entrance may be inhibited or barred.

Academic Guidelines

International students must maintain both a full course load and minimum GPA requirements in a degree-seeking program. A full course load for international students and minimum GPA requirements are defined as follows:

Doctor of Chiropractic Program: International students enrolled in the Doctor of Chiropractic program must enroll in a minimum of 12 quarter hours per academic term and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA.

Undergraduate Studies: International students enrolled in an undergraduate program as their primary program of study must enroll in a minimum of 12 quarter hours per academic term and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA.

Graduate Studies: International students enrolled in a graduate program as their primary program of study must enroll in a minimum 9 quarter hours per academic term and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Exceptions to Full Course of Study

In certain instances, international students may be approved to enroll in a reduced course load. In most cases, students may be enrolled in a reduced course load for a maximum of one academic term. Requests for reduced course load approval must be resubmitted on a quarterly basis.  A reduced course load is defined as follows:

Doctor of Chiropractic Program: Minimum 6 quarter hours

Undergraduate Studies: Minimum 6 quarter hours

Graduate Studies: Minimum 6 quarter hours

​The following are eligible reasons for a reduced course load request and approval:

• Withdrawal due to improper course level placement
• Initial difficulty with the English language and/or with reading requirements
• Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods or reading requirements
• Medical Conditions 

• Student is in final term of study

International students are responsible for arranging reduced course load approval with their DSO and providing all requested documentation prior to enrollment.

Annual Vacation

Eligible students may take one annual vacation break per year for a duration of one quarter. Students are eligible for annual vacation only after completing three consecutive quarters of study, maintaining a full course load, and meeting minimum GPA requirements. Upon returning from annual vacation, students must enroll in a full course load for three consecutive quarters in order to be eligible for an additional annual break.

Online learning and Transient Studies:

F-1 students possessing a Life University issued I20 and studying a program or pathway at the Marietta campus may only count a maximum of one (1) online course per quarter toward their full-time course load requirements. Audited courses do not count toward a full course load requirement. International students who would like to engage in transient studies (meaning interested in taking courses at another Student or Exchange Visitor Program, SEVP, approved institution) must receive prior approval by their DSO.

Academic Advising and Registration Policies

Academic Advising

Academic advising at Life University is a highly individualized, student-centered approach with a priority in providing personalized attention to each student. Students are assigned an advisor based on criteria such as program of study, transfer credits (if applicable), admission status, academic standing, and special populations such as international students and student athletes.

Students and advisors work collaboratively in planning coursework towards completing a degree, registering for classes, and making decisions regarding academic progression. Advisors also help students understand how academic programs can meet their career/academic goals, and how course scheduling and other academic decisions can impact those goals.

Since the process is a collaborative one, students are responsible for the following:

• Making regular contact with advisor(s) each quarter;
• Preparing for each appointment with an academic plan and/or questions for discussions;
• Being a proactive learner by participating fulling in the advising experience;
• Becoming knowledgeable about college programs, policies and procedures.

Life University Advisement consists of several types of advisors which include Progressive Advisors for Student Success (PASS), Specialized Professional Advisors (SPA), Alternative Admissions Track (AAT) Coordinators, and Faculty Advisors.

Undergraduate Advisors

Undergraduate Progressive Advisors for Student Success (PASS) advise students for three quarters to provide support in creating an academic plan on EagleNet.

After students have completed three quarters with PASS, they are assigned an Undergraduate Faculty Advisor. Students will continue to see a faculty advisor for the duration of their program so long as they stay in academic good standing.

Undergraduate Specialized Professional Advisors (SPA) advise provisional students, international students, and student athletes for three quarters to provide support in creating an Academic Plan. Additionally, if any undergraduate student is placed on Academic Warning or Academic Probation he or she will be assigned to a SPA for specialized guidance in getting back to good standing. Once students are in good standing they are transitioned to a faculty advisor within their program of study.

Graduate Advisors

Graduate students are assigned a Graduate Faculty Advisor within their program of study for the duration of their program.

College of Chiropractic

Progressive Advisors for Student Success (PASS) advise students for five quarters to provide support in creating an academic plan on Eagle Net.

Students are assigned to a College of Chiropractic Faculty Advisor after the completion of five quarters of PASS advisement. Students will continue to see a faculty advisor for the duration of their program so long as they stay in good standing. Once students enter the clinical phase of the chiropractic program, they will also be assigned a clinic mentor.

Specialized Professional Advisors (SPA) advise transfer students. The SPA also advises students that are on Academic Warning or Academic Probation, providing individualized guidance with the goal of helping students get back to good standing. Students are transitioned to a faculty advisor after successfully completing the requirements of an academic performance contract, and once they are in good standing.

Alternative Admissions Track (AAT) Coordinators advise College of Chiropractic students that enter Life University under the Alternative Admissions Track. These students remain with the AAT coordinator throughout the entire program.

Registration is divided into three categories:

Pre-registration- Starts Monday of the eighth week of the previous quarter for DC and GR and Monday of the ninth week for UG;

Registration- Begins the twelfth (12th) week of the previous quarter. Registration for 11 week and first 5 week classes ends on Friday of week 1 of the current quarter and Tuesday of the seventh (7th) week for second 5 week classes.

Drop: The last day to drop class(es) with a grade of “W” is the following:

• 1st 5 week quarter classes: Friday of the third (3rd) week 
• Full, 11 week quarter classes: Friday of the sixth (6th) week
• 2nd 5 week quarter classes: Tuesday of the ninth (9th) week

Withdrawal/Last day to withdraw from all classes: Monday of the tenth (10th) week with a grade of WNP or WF.

Drop Fee

There is a $25.00 fee associated with each course dropped, and there is a forfeit of tuition for dropped classes.

Registration Policies for Students in Good Academic Standing

Registration for each quarter is available, for students in good academic standing, via “EagleNet,” which is located at LIFE.edu for the returning College of Chiropractic and College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies students.

Students needing to repeat previously single failed classes can be accommodated at the Student Advocacy Center. Students who do not comply with the single “Failure of Class(es)/Clinic” policy will also lose their web registration privileges (via Failure of Classes, or “FC”, hold).

New undergraduates and Graduate students must receive their PASS or Faculty Advisor’s written approval before registering for classes. Registration is then completed by a faculty advisor for Graduate level students or by a PASS advisor for undergraduate level students.

Registration Policies for Students on Academic Restriction

1. Web (pre)registration/add/drop is not permitted for students on Academic Performance Contracts
2. All students on academic restriction will be advised after the current quarter’s final grades are available 

• The academic performance contract will be evaluated after final grades are posted to determine academic standing:
  • Student’s academic standing raised to “Good Standing”
  • Student’s academic standing remains the same, given another “performance contract,” and registered for classes accordingly
  • Student’s academic standing lowered to “Academic Dismissal” and is dismissed from their Program

Registration for students on academic restriction will be done after signed permission is obtained. Obtaining signed permission must wait until your current course grades and restriction statuses are determined and finalized at the end of the quarter. Registration requests are then processed by the Advisor.

EagleNet cannot process (pre)registration and/or add/drop for students on any category of “low cumulative GPA” or “multifailed courses” probation.

Audit Courses

Students-at-Large (non-matriculated) or matriculated individuals wishing to audit classes at Life University may register at the Student Advocacy Center. Paperwork is held and processed the second Tuesday of each quarter. Auditing placement is based upon seating availability. Proper paperwork obtained from the Student Advocacy Center must be filed before the quarter begins. Students’ names should appear on the class roster of the courses audited. The courses being audited should also appear on the student’s approved schedule of courses.

No credit is granted for courses scheduled on an auditing basis, and students are not permitted to change to or from an auditing status except through the regular procedures for schedule change. The grade for auditing is “AU” for Audit. The grade of “AU” will have no effect upon the student’s grade point average, and the student will not be permitted to have the audit grade changed at any future date.

Students may audit a course in addition to their course load limit. Auditing is available to students, staff and faculty, as well as interested persons from the general public (some course restrictions may apply). Students who audit a course will be charged $100 per course and a $350 quarterly fee.

Students on probation are encouraged to make use of course audits where appropriate and approved by their academic advisor. Priority will be given to regular students over an auditor for a filled class. Students who are auditing are not allowed to take tests, but may, at the instructor’s discretion, observe practical/lab examinations.

Changing of Courses

Once registration has been completed, students may not make changes in their courses without completing a schedule adjustment form signed by the appropriate Dean or Associate/Assistant Dean or their designee. 

Dropping Courses

Dropping courses is defined as removing one or more, but not all, classes currently scheduled. Students who wish to drop a course after the registration period must complete a Schedule Adjustment form and submit it to the Student Advocacy Center by Monday (Week 8) of the current quarter. If a student does not complete a Schedule Adjustment form to formally drop a course, the student may receive an “I” incomplete, “F” fail or “NP” no pass grade(s).

See the Academic Quarterly Announcements for dropped course(s) listed refund schedules and dates.

Withdrawal from the University

*This information has been revised since the publication of this Catalog. Please see Catalog Addenda   for additional details and changes*

To withdraw from the University, you must initiate the action sequentially as follows:

1. Obtain “Withdrawal / Hiatus Form” from the Advocacy Center. A PASS Advisor will assist with obtaining the necessary signatures and facilitating meeting with the appropriate departments to complete the form.
2. Be aware that all loan agencies, veterans’ or other appropriate agencies will be notified of your change of status.
3. The Student Accounts Office will be notified of your withdrawal and a credit to your account will be made on a pro-rated basis. If you have made full or partial payment on your tuition/fees by check, cash, or credit card and you desire a refund, you must notify the Student Accounts Office and furnish a mailing address, if necessary
4. If you have not attended class and withdraw from school, some financial aid received for that quarter may be an overaward. Life University will take steps to collect the overaward from you in the case of campus-based aid. For other educational loans, the lender will be promptly notified. The procedure to appeal for a higher percentage of credit when a student withdraws from school is to act promptly in writing, by submitting an appeal to the academic dean of the appropriate school. Reasons for submitting request are undue hardship resulting from death of an immediate relative of the student, injury or illness of the student, or other special circumstances.

Withdrawal from all Classes: Refunds and Return of Financial Aid

For students who have followed the withdrawal procedures outlined in the preceding section, the date the student notified the University of their “intent to withdraw” will be the official date of withdrawal. If a student fails to notify Life University, that they have stopped attending classes, then Life University will determine the student’s withdrawal date by checking available attendance records. In the event that the last day of attendance cannot be determined, the mid-point of the quarter will be used. In accordance with the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, Life University will provide a refund that matches the federal return of Title IV funds, if the student has withdrawn on or before the 60% point of the quarter.

Students receiving federal Title IV financial assistance will be subject to a “Return of Title IV Funds” calculation. This calculation determines the percentage of the quarter completed, the percentage of federal financial aid earned, and the amount of federal financial aid that must be returned by the University and by the student. Depending upon the types and amounts of financial aid received and the date of withdrawal, the student may be required to repay some of the financial aid previously received. If the official withdrawal date is after the “60%” point of the quarter, no return of Title IV funds will be required. Samples of “Return of Title IV Funds” calculations are available upon request from either the offices of Financial Aid or Student Accounting. “Delete sentence” For students enrolled in the full quarter - 11-week classes the after 60% point of quarter is the 46th day (Thursday of the 7th week); For students enrolled in the 5 week accelerated classes the after 60% point of quarter is the 23rd day (Tuesday of the 4th week - 1st 5 weeks & Thursday of the 9th week- 2nd 5 weeks); For any GR students enrolled in the summer quarter - 5 week classes the after 60% point of quarter is the 23rd day (Thursday of the 4th week). Students who earn a grade (other than “W, WF, or WNP”) in at least one course in a quarter will not be considered withdrawn but remaining courses will be dropped. Life University will refund the appropriate amounts according to the specific order of priority as prescribed in the law and regulation.

Refund Withdrawal Priority Refunds will be made to the source for any student who receives any form of financial aid and totally withdraws, in descending order, and in proportion to the amount paid toward tuition as described below:

1. DIRECT UNSUB
2. DIRECT/SUB
3. PERKINS LOANS
4. PLUS (Graduate Student)
5. PLUS (Parent)
6. PELL
7. SEOG
8. OTHER FEDERAL AID
9. HOPE SCHOLARSHIP
10. GA TUITION EQUALIZATION GRANT
11. OTHER FINANCIAL AID
12. STUDENT

Tuition Refund Schedule- For Dropped Classes Refunds will be granted to students who follow the required procedures for dropping from courses according to the following schedule; minus the associated drop fees (*).

Involuntary Psychiatric Withdrawal Policy

A student’s continued enrollment at Life University is based on satisfactory scholastic status and behavior which comports with the law and with rules of conduct set forth in Life University’s Student Handbook. Violations of those rules of conduct will be addressed as disciplinary matters through the Office of Student Services and the Conduct Review Board. This Involuntary Psychiatric Withdrawal Policy is intended to apply when a student’s conduct, actions and/or statements indicate a direct threat to the health and/or safety of the student or others.

A student may be withdrawn involuntarily if the University determines that a student is engaged or threatens to engage in behavior which: (a) poses a high probability of substantial harm to the student or others, (b) would cause significant property damage or directly and substantially impede the lawful activities of others, or (c) would interfere with the educational process and orderly operation of the University. When the Director of the Student Success Center or a professional counselor has cause to believe that a student meets one or more of these criteria for involuntary withdrawal, the student may be referred to a consulting psychiatrist and/or the police for evaluation.

If the consulting psychiatrist determines that the continued attendance of the student presents a significant risk to the health or safety of the student or others, such that there is a high probability of substantial harm or a significant threat to property, to the lawful activities of others or to the educational processes and orderly operations of the University, the student may be subject to involuntary psychiatric withdrawal.

The consulting psychiatrist will make a recommendation to the Academic Dean, based on the results of the psychiatric evaluation of the student, who shall determine whether or not the student should be involuntarily withdrawn. The student shall be informed of the decision of the Academic Dean. If the student disagrees with this decision, the student may appeal to the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA), who shall review all information presented and make a final decision as to whether or not to uphold the involuntary withdrawal. The decision of the VPAA is final.

A student who does not complete the evaluation with or cooperate with the consulting psychiatrist may be withdrawn from school involuntarily in accordance with the psychiatric withdrawal policy, or be subjected to procedures for interim disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion from Life University.

An interim psychiatric withdrawal may be implemented immediately if the Director of the Student Success Center determines that the student’s behavior poses a significant danger of causing imminent physical harm to the student or to others, causing imminent significant property damage, or directly and substantially impeding the activities of the members of the Life University campus community.

A student withdrawn on an interim basis shall be given an opportunity to appear personally before the VPAA or a designee within 36 hours of the effective date of the interim withdrawal, in order to discuss the following issues only: (a) the reliability of the information concerning the student’s behavior and (b) whether the student’s behavior poses a significant danger of causing imminent physical harm to the student or others, or significant property damage, or of directly or substantially impeding the lawful activities of other members of the Life University campus community.

A student’s withdrawal pursuant to this policy shall not result in an academic penalty for the term in which the student is enrolled, and a tuition refund, if any, shall be based upon the schedule established for voluntary withdrawal. The VPAA shall inform the student in writing of the effective date of the involuntary withdrawal and shall explain in writing the procedure for application for readmission to Life University.

Application for readmission after withdrawal for psychiatric reasons will require an additional evaluation by Life University’s consulting psychiatrist to assure that the student presents no danger to himself/herself or others. Life University’s consulting psychiatrist will make a recommendation regarding readmission to the Academic Dean. A student seeking readmission may choose to submit a written report from a psychiatrist of his/her choosing at his/her own expense, which the VPAA may also consider in determining whether a student should be readmitted.

Unofficial Withdrawal Policy

AS.014

Students who receive a grade of “F” in all courses for which they are enrolled during a given quarter will be withdrawn from the institution retroactively effective Wednesday of Week 5 and notified.

Student Records Policy

SS.020

Students shall have the right to have academic and disciplinary records kept confidential subject to existing state and federal law. No official records shall be kept which reflect any alleged political activity or belief of students.

No official records of the student shall be available to unauthorized persons within the institution or to any person outside the institution without the express consent of the student involved, except in cases where disclosure of records or their contents is required or allowed by law.

Privacy Policy

Life University (“us”, “we” or “our”) operates the http://LIFE.edu website (the “Service”). This page informs you of our policies regarding the collection, use and disclosure of Personal Information when you use our Service. We will not use or share your information with anyone except as described in this Privacy Policy. This policy pertains to students attending Life University on campus, online or as a hybrid student. We use your Personal Information for providing and improving the Service. By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. Unless otherwise defined in this Privacy Policy, terms used in this Privacy Policy have the same meanings as in our Terms and Conditions, accessible at http://LIFE.edu.

https://www.life.edu/privacy-policy/

Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their dependent children’s education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are “eligible students.” Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), parents and eligible students have the following rights:

Right to Inspect and Review Education Record

Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review their or their dependent children’s education records maintained by the school. Schools are not required to provide copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for parents or eligible students to review the records. Schools may charge a fee for copies.

Right to Amend Education Record

Parents or eligible students have the right to request that a school amend records which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student then has the right to a formal hearing. After the hearing, if the school still decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student has the right to place a statement with the record setting forth his or her view about the contested information.

Right to Consent to Disclosure

Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student’s education record.

Right to File a Complaint

Parents or eligible students have a right to file a complaint if the parent or eligible student feels the institution failed to comply with FERPA. To file a complaint contact:

However, FERPA allows schools to disclose education records without consent to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR § 99.31):

• School officials with legitimate educational interest
• Specified officials for audit or 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
• To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena
• Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies and state and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific state law. Schools may disclose, without consent, “directory” information such as a student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance. However, schools must tell parents and eligible students about directory information and allow parents and eligible students a reasonable amount of time to request that the school not disclose directory information about them. Schools must notify parents and eligible students annually of their rights under FERPA. The actual means of notification (special letter, inclusion in a school bulletin, student handbook, or newspaper article) is left to the discretion of each school.
• In a health or safety emergency
• To schools in which a student seeks or intends to enroll
• Results of a disciplinary hearing to an alleged victim of a crime of violence
• Final results of a disciplinary hearing concerning a student who is an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence and who is found to have committed a violation of the institution’s rules or policies
• Disclosure to a parent of a student under 21 if the institution determines that the student has committed a violation of its drug or alcohol rules or policies
• Disclosure of information received under a community notification program concerning a student who is required to register as a sex offender in the state

Life University’s policy (under FERPA) gives the student the right:

SS.009

1. To inspect his/her records. All requests for inspection must be submitted in writing. The University has up to 45 days to respond. (Every effort will be made to fill the request in a timely manner.)
   1. All students must give written permission for a third party to obtain any information from their files. The person(s) and/or organization’s name, date and purpose of the file review will remain logged in the student’s file. Also, the person and department who authorized the review will be noted.
   2. If a student is dependent, the parent may review the student’s file without written permission. Check with the specific department for age requirements determining dependent status. Neither parents nor spouses of our students can obtain grade or registration information without the written consent of the student, on file in the Registrar’s Office.
2. To amend a record he/she believes is inaccurate. The student must write the University official responsible for the record, identify that part of the record he/she wants changed, and specify why it is inaccurate. The University will notify the student of the decision within 45 days and advise the student of the right to a hearing if the record was not amended to the student’s request.
3. To request a hearing. The student will be notified within 45 days of the request with the time, place and procedure of the hearing. The department which has authority for the change request will provide the committee and the procedures for the hearing.
4. To file a complaint if he/she feels the institution failed to comply with FERPA regulations. To file a complaint contact:

“Directory information” is information not generally considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. Includes, but is not limited to:

• name, address, telephone number
• date and place of birth
• weight and height of athletes
• dates of attendance
• field of study
• degrees and awards
• most recent/previous school attended
• participation in officially recognized activities and sports

Students who wish to be omitted from the directory or any other student publication must inform the Registrar’s Office in writing. The option may be changed once a year only.

Life University publishes an email directory on its website.

Possible Federal and State Data Collection and Use

As of January 3, 2012, the U.S. Department of Education’s FERPA regulations expand the circumstances under which your education records and personally identifiable information (PII) contained in such records—including your Social Security Number, grades or other private information—may be accessed without your consent. First, the U.S. Comptroller General, the U.S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or state and local education authorities (“Federal and State Authorities”) may allow access to your records and PII without your consent to any third party designated by a Federal or State Authority to evaluate a federal- or state-supported education program. The evaluation may relate to any program that is “principally engaged in the provision of education,” such as early childhood education and job training, as well as any program that is administered by an education agency or institution. Second, Federal and State Authorities may allow access to your education records and PII without your consent to researchers performing certain types of studies, in certain cases even when we object to or do not request such research. Federal and State Authorities must obtain certain use-restriction and data security promises from the entities that they authorize to receive your PII, but the Authorities need not maintain direct control over such entities. In addition, in connection with Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems, State Authorities may collect, compile, permanently retain and share without your consent PII from your education records, and they may track your participation in education and other programs by linking such PII to other personal information about you that they obtain from other Federal or State data sources, including workforce development, unemployment insurance, child welfare, juvenile justice, military service and migrant student records systems.

Life University Academic Policies

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is determined by each degree-seeking student’s Life University Cumulative GPA and satisfactory completion of academic coursework. Degree-seeking students must meet minimum GPA requirements and complete each degree-required course with a limit of repeats. Degree-seeking students should be on track to complete their degree program within 150% of normal program length (measured in academic years) or less to maintain their “Good Standing” status or be subject to programmatic academic restriction designations ranging from Academic Warning to Academic Dismissal. Academic Restrictions for registration may also be included. Programmatic registration restrictions can include mandatory preregistration advisement and/or quarterly performance contracts.

Completion Rate

Students in all programs should have a completion rate of coursework no less than 67% of attempted credit hours (Credits completed divided by credits attempted).

Dual Enrolled Students Degree Completion Progress

Students who choose to enroll in more than one academic program at a time (Dual Enrolled) are required to actively make progress toward degree completion in each program. Any student who has not registered for courses within a program for three consecutive quarters will be deactivated from that program. 

Students who wish to continue in the program after being deactivated may re-enroll in the program, if a student has not exceeded individual programs’ prescribed maximum completion time (UG = 6 Years, Graduate = 5 Years, and Professional = 8 Years) and be under the academic calendar in which they originally matriculated. If the student is re-enrolling within the designated time, the re-enrollment fee will be waived. Students re-enrolling in the program will be required to adhere to the current program catalog, if the designated time frame has expired.

If the student chooses to re-enroll after the designated timeframe, then the student will be required to reapply for admissions (new application and application fee required), and their application will be reviewed for readmission.   

Dress Code Policy

AS.003

Students at Life University should remember that they are in the process of becoming professional individuals in their respective fields. As students progress, they are encouraged to develop a professional demeanor, which encompasses their individuality. Since an important aspect of a professional image is dress, a dress code has been drawn up to provide parameters within which each student is free to express individual tastes. The restrictions are few: shoes and shirts must be worn at all times, students should be modest in their attire, hair should be well kept, and personal hygiene must be kept up at all times. The Director of Student Conduct will deal with infractions of this code. Remember that this code is for the entire University. However, there is a separate code for clinic attire and laboratory settings. Clinic attire requirements may be found in the clinic section of Blackboard, and laboratory setting requirements may be found in the respective course syllabi.

Nondiscrimination Policy

UL.004

Life University complies with federal and state law, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, citizenship or veteran status. The University also prohibits sexual harassment, as well as harassment based on any of these characteristics. This nondiscrimination policy applies to all employment practices at Life University, and to the admission, access to treatment in and employment in LIFE’s education programs and activities. Inquiries regarding LIFE’s nondiscrimination policy may be directed to the Director of Student Conduct at (770) 426-2700.

The Director of the Student Success Center is the person responsible for LIFE’s efforts to comply with Section 504 of the Rehab Act and the ADA for students, and (s)he may be contacted at the Student Success Center at (770) 426-2725.

Reports of Academic Progress

Grades are assigned and recorded for each course at the end of each academic quarter. Reports of grades are available through Life University’s website, LIFE.edu, via “Quick Links” and then selecting WebAdvisor. Students can access their grades with appropriate login information. Grade changes subsequent to the issuance of final grade reports are reflected in the student’s transcript and also accessible via WebAdvisor. No formal grade reports are issued.

An Academic Year

Life University defines its “academic year” as October 1 through June 30 for the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies; and October 1 through September 30 for the College of Chiropractic. 

Attendance Policies

Class Attendance

AS.001

Attendance policies are listed in each course syllabus. Attendance at all class sessions is a requirement of this institution; however, certain bona fide emergencies may preclude attendance at some class sessions. Class absences are treated as follows:

The general attendance policy states that a student may not miss more class hours than the equivalent number of weekly contact hours for a course, without presenting an acceptable excuse, or the student will have his or her grade for the course reduced by one letter grade. A student who misses a number of class hours equivalent to one and one-half times the number of weekly contact hours for the course (e.g., 7.5 hours for a course scheduled for five-weekly contact hours) will receive a grade of “F” in the course, regardless of excuse.

Students who are absent from class must make up the missed material prior to the next regular class. No absences may be made up. This includes labs.

Online De-Registration Policy

AS.026 *This policy has been revised since the publication of this catalog. Please see Catalog Addenda  for further information and details*

Students will be notified of de-registration on Wednesday of week two with the actual de- registration notification sent to Registrar and Financial Aid at the end of the day on Monday of week three. (Actual de-registration will then occur on Tuesday of week three due to system batching.)

Students may register for an online offering through Friday of week one; Blackboard batch for enrollment takes 24-hours. Students in this situation will need to be advised to participate academically by Monday of week three.

Faculty will receive notification of pending re-registration by student/course on Wednesday of week two. A final notification will be sent to faculty by student/course at the end of the day on Monday of week three.

Acceptable Excuses

Acceptable excuses include death of family member, personal sickness, and imminent death of family member.

Excuses for class absences due to health must be signed and documented with letterhead, address and phone number of the licensed healthcare provider, and must contain the following statement: “The patient was confined to his/her house or admitted to the hospital from (time) on (date) through (time) on (date) for sickness or injury.” Confinement is defined as the inability to leave the house except to obtain health care or engage in prescribed activities which are primarily therapeutic and not social, recreational, business or educational in nature.

Excuses for class absences due to death of an immediate family member must be signed and documented with letterhead, address and telephone number of the clergyman or with an obituary.

Such documentation MUST be presented to the instructor(s) within the first week upon return to class(es), with an information copy furnished to the Dean of the respective college. Failure to do this within the specified time will result in the student’s absence being charged as an unexcused absence and may result in the assignment of a failing grade for excessive absences.

See the College of Chiropractic and the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies sections below for attendance policies that are specific to the college. 

Examination Attendance

All exams must be taken as scheduled unless PRIOR approval is granted or unless certain bona fide emergencies arise. (See acceptable excuses above.)

The acceptable excuses listed above for class absences are the only acceptable excuses for make-up exams. All exams, coursework, papers, etc. must be completed prior to taking the final exam. It is the responsibility of the student requesting a bona fide make-up exam to contact the instructor within one week of their return to campus to request arrangements for make-up testing.

Calculation of grades missing the final exam may result in a student receiving a grade “I.” Calculation of grades with the final exam and missing other required coursework made-up and/or submitted may result in a student receiving a grade “F.”

Upon a student’s return, arrangements for missed final exams must be made within one week of the next quarter in attendance. Failure to make-up missed exams will result in a zero for that exam.

Grades for tests given prior to the final exam must be posted within one week of the test date. Grades for final exams must be posted within two working days of the exam date. If the final exam is on Friday or Saturday, the exam results must be posted no later than Monday of the following week.

Policy for Student Absences for Sanctioned Events

This policy does not replace the established, standard University absenteeism policy. It is an addition to the established policy.

1. Any student enrolled in any program of study at Life University may be officially excused from class(es) to represent the University at University-sanctioned events as identified by the President.
2. Excuses for absenteeism for these University-sanctioned events may be granted by the deans.
3. Students excused for University-sanctioned events must make arrangements with members of the faculty to make up lecture and lab hours missed. This is to be documented by the faculty and submitted to the appropriate dean.
4. Implementation of this policy places certain responsibilities upon all persons involved as follows:
   • The supervisor/advisor of the student or group participating in the extracurricular activity shall send written request to the appropriate dean at least two weeks (if possible) in advance of the absence.
   • This request should include the name of the event, the date of the event, all travel schedules and names of all students involved.
   • Each student’s supervisor must notify the appropriate persons of any changes in the schedules as soon as changes are known.
   • Faculty members shall allow students to take tests and exams during the five class days prior to the absence or within the five class days following the absence (The granting official may dictate when a final exam is to be taken).
   • Also, instructors shall prepare similar tests and exams of the same format as those administered to the other students in the class.
   • Students shall notify each instructor that he or she is participating in a program that may create excused absences throughout the quarter.
   • Students must provide a schedule of these events at the beginning of the quarter to each instructor.
   • Students shall make up tests, exams, labs and any other work five school days before or within five school days following the absence.

Grading Policies

Grading Standards

The grading system used at Life University is the standard four-point system. The following is a comparison of a percentage system, letter system and four-point system.

• 90-100 percent is equivalent to an “A” and is worth 4 quality points.
• 80-89 percent is equivalent to a “B” and is worth 3 quality points.
• 70-79 percent is equivalent to a “C” and is worth 2 quality points.
• 60-69 percent is equivalent to a “D” and is worth 1 quality point. (See note below.)
• Below 60 percent is an “F” and is worth 0 quality points.
• P/NP-Pass/No Pass - used primarily for Clinic Practicum and Assemblies. Pass/No Pass does not count in the Grade Point Average (GPA).
• I-Incomplete (Converts to “F” or “NP” at the end of the second week of next qtr.)
• IP-In Progress
• W-Withdrawn
• WF/WNP-Withdrawn Failure/Withdraw No pass
• AU-Audit

Note: A grade “D” is no longer issued in the College of Chiropractic or any Graduate program.

Incompletes, Failures, Withdrawn Failures, No Passes

When a student fails a course or is unable to complete a course, either of the following grades may be received:

• I-Incomplete; the student has failed to complete the final exam or final paper, with bona fide excuse, to receive a grade in the course (0 quality points). Grade will automatically be changed to either an “F” or “NP” at the end of the second week of the next quarter.
• F/WF-Failed; the student must repeat the course if it is required toward their degree.
• NP/WNP-No Pass; Used primarily for Clinic Practicum and assemblies the student must repeat the course.

All exams and coursework must be completed as scheduled unless PRIOR approval is granted or unless certain bona fide emergencies arise (See acceptable excuses).

The College of Chiropractic requires that a passing grade is achieved and calculated for both lecture and lab in all classes that contain both lecture and lab. Otherwise, the class is failed, and the entire course must be repeated (See “Repeating Courses” below).

Deficient grades (incompletes) that are not resolved within the first two weeks of the next quarter will automatically be converted to an appropriate “F” or an “NP.”

Repeating Courses

Students who receive an “F,” “W,” “WF,” “WNP” or an “NP” for any given course(s) that is required toward graduation must repeat this/these course(s).

The College of Chiropractic requires that this/these course(s) be repeated the student’s next quarter of attendance in which it is offered. The College of Chiropractic Dean’s Office must approve any requests for exceptions.

Students in Undergraduate Studies degree programs (and College of Chiropractic prior Winter 2006) who repeat courses will have their grade from their ‘last attempt’ calculated toward their cumulative GPA. A prior grade is not removed from the permanent record when the course is repeated, but the prior grade is removed from the calculated cumulative average.

Specifically, a grade of “F,” “W,” “WF,” “WNP” or “NP” is not removed from the permanent record when the course is repeated, but the previous “F” and “WF” will be removed from the cumulative average calculation. (This only applies to those students as described above but not to any new College of Chiropractic nor to any Master’s Program students). When students receive a grade of “Incomplete,” they should consult with the instructor since an unresolved “I” will convert to an “F” or “NP.”

All College of Chiropractic and Master’s Program students who repeat courses will have their all grades attempted calculated toward their cumulative GPA.

Grade Appeal Policy

AS.022

The purpose of the Grade Appeal Policy is to establish a clear, fair process by which students can dispute a course grade. Grade appeals must be based on problems of process and not on differences in judgment or opinion concerning academic performance. The burden of proof rests on the student to demonstrate that one or more of the following criteria exist: 

• Administrative error in the calculation and/or assignment of the grade
• The grading decision was determined on basis other than academic performance and other than as a penalty for academic misconduct
• The grading decision was based on standards different from those established in written department/division, college or university policies (if specific policies exist)
• The instructor of record departed substantially from his/her previously articulated, written standards, without notifying students, in determining the grade
• The grade assignment was due to the student being held to more demanding standards than other students in the same course

Only the final course grade may be appealed. The student will be required to discuss their grade concern with the instructor of record. If the instructor of record is not available within a reasonable time frame (e.g. posting of grades to permit student’s registration in subsequent courses), the department/division chair or their designee may act on behalf of the instructor on record. If the instructor of record and student cannot resolve the grade concern, the student may initiate the grade appeal process.   

Exceptions: 

The Grade Appeal Policy shall constitute the sole internal administrative remedy for a change in grade, except when the grade being disputed resulted from an alleged academic integrity violation. If a grade dispute arises from an issue that is covered under the University’s Academic Integrity Policy, the process for resolution that has been established for appealing academic integrity violations must be followed. The process for resolution that the Office of Student Conduct has established must be completed prior to the use of the University’s grade appeal process.

Grade Appeal Process: 

The student will be required to present to the department/division chair or designee in which the course is offered, a written appeal that includes the following:

• A statement addressing how the appeal meets one or more of the grade appeal policy criteria necessary for a formal appeal
• A description of the outcome of the informal discussion process
• Any relevant documents the student would like to be reviewed as part of the grade appeal process
• A copy of the course syllabus and assignment descriptions

The department/division chair or designee may request additional materials from the student. After receiving a copy of the grade appeal materials, the department/division chair will review the grade appeal and discuss the appeal with both the instructor of record and the student and render a resolution. If the resolution rendered is not mutually agreeable between the student and the instructor of record, and the student wishes to pursue the matter further, then the student can file a formal grade appeal for the final course grade no later than 10 calendar days from the date that the final grades are posted by the Registrar, to the college dean. Once the student provides the formal grade appeal to the college dean, then a Grade Appeal Review Committee shall be formed by the College Associate Dean within 5 calendar days.  

The function of the Grade Appeal Review Committee shall be to evaluate the appeal in terms of the stated grounds for appeal and make a recommendation to the college dean. 

The Grade Appeal Review Committee shall include five members (*4 faculty members and one student):  

• One selected by the college associate dean to serve as the chair
• One selected by the student (if the student forfeits their selection ability, then a faculty member will be appointed for them by the College Dean)
• One selected by the instructor of record
• One selected by the department/division chair
• President of Student Council or his/her designee

* Of the 4 faculty members, one must be outside of the college

A majority vote shall prevail in the committee. The Committee’s recommendation may be to keep the assigned grade or to change the assigned grade. The committee shall provide their recommendation and a written justification to the college dean no later than 10 calendar days after the Committee’s formation. 

The college dean shall render a decision within 5 calendar days and inform the student, the instructor of record and the Registrar of the decision.  

If the results of the case warrant a grade change and the instructor of record does not implement the required change of grade within 5 calendar days after learning of the college dean’s decision, the college dean shall implement the change of grade on the students’ official transcript through the grade change process. This will be the last step of the formal grade appeal. 

The college dean shall forward a written record of the results of all grade appeals to the VPAA within 30 days of the student’s formal grade appeal.

Credit Hour Policy

AS.002

Life University’s Definition of a Credit Hour

A credit hour is a standard measure of the amount of instructional time required to successfully complete a course and is formally defined to conform to accepted practices in higher education and keeping with federal guidelines. The office of the Provost is responsible for the establishment and approval of program credit hour assignments and equivalencies.

Life University’s credit hour definition is consistent with the Carnegie unit and The Council for Higher Education Accreditation and is defined as follows:

A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates:

1. For a traditionally delivered course, a Credit Hour is based on the amount of time spent per week in scheduled activities. Each contact hour of classroom work per week for eleven (11) weeks, or its equivalent, is equal to one-quarter credit hour. Two contact hours of laboratory work per week for eleven (11) weeks, or its equivalent, is equal to one-quarter credit hour. A minimum of two contact hours of clinical work per week for eleven (11) weeks, or its equivalent, is equal to one-quarter credit hour. Additional clinical work is expected in professional programs to meet either patient or clinic needs and as directed by clinician of record. Online courses, hybrid, accelerated and other non-traditional modes of delivery will demonstrate equivalent time and effort.

• Minimum Requirements:

  • One lecture quarter credit hour is equal to 11 contact hours in the course. 

  • One laboratory quarter credit hour is equal to 22 contact hours in the course. 

  • One clinical quarter credit hour in professional programs is equal to 22 contact hours in the course. 

2. In determining the amount of coursework to achieve learning competencies and outcomes, the University may take into account and consideration alternative delivery methods, measurements of student work, academic calendars, disciplines and degree levels. 

3. Courses that have less structured classroom schedules, such as theme courses, Learning Activities, research, seminars, independent studies, internships, practicums or any other academic work leading to the award of credit hours, at a minimum, should state clearly learning objectives and expected outcomes and workload expectations that meet the standards set forth above.

If a class has to be cancelled due to inclement weather, or illness or other appropriate unavailability of the faculty member, an additional structured instructional activity(s) would be required to meet the equivalency standard.

College of Chiropractic (COC) Academic Policies

Mastery in Learning Program

The Mastery in Learning program mandates that all students, regardless of quarter or matriculation date, who are taking any courses in the College of Chiropractic Program are required to demonstrate mastery of subject matter and must attain a course grade of “C” or higher (or “P” for pass if a course is graded pass (P)/no pass (NP)), as applicable, in both the lecture and lab portions of a given course.

For all completed courses, only grades of “A, B, C, P, F or NP” will be awarded in these subjects. Students who receive an “F” or “NP” in any core course will repeat the course the next quarter of attendance and before taking any course for which this course is a prerequisite. All grades earned in every course will be calculated* in the student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA).

*Note: Those courses that are graded Pass (P)/No Pass (NP) are not calculated toward GPA.

The academic standards of Life University are designed to ensure that students graduate only after all requirements are satisfied. Each student advances when he or she has satisfactorily mastered the subject matter. Otherwise, a student is held back to repeat coursework in which deficient skills have been exhibited.

Examinations

Students must take all the examinations required in each class. All examinations must be taken at the scheduled times unless prior authorization is received from the instructor.

Students who miss examinations due to absence are required contact the instructor to discuss and arrange make-up times. All missed exams must be taken within one week of returning to campus. Students who miss final exams must make arrangements with the instructor to make-up the final exam within one week of the next quarter of attendance. Failure to make-up missed exams will result in a zero for that exam.

Grades for tests given prior to the final exam must be posted within one week of the test date. Grades for final exams must be posted within two working days of the exam date. If the final exam is on Friday or Saturday, the exam results must be posted no later than Monday of the following week.

Students must pass both the lecture and laboratory portions of a course before they can pass the entire course.

If at any time students violate honesty and integrity or test-taking behavior expectations during an examination, they will be subject to the disciplinary action described in detail within the Life University Honor Code and Student Handbook.

Final Exam Schedules

Written final exams for courses are given the last week of the quarter in the Final Exam Center. The schedules for each exam each quarter are listed in the next quarter’s “Academic Quarterly Announcements.”

Academic Standing

Good Standing Requirements

1. Each student must maintain satisfactory academic progress and be in “Good Standing” academically.
2. A student must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 with no outstanding or unresolved failed classes.
3. Students should be on track to complete their degree program within 150% of normal program length (21 quarters) or less.
4. Each student should complete the Doctor of Chiropractic Program (DCP) and graduate within eight (8) calendar years from their Life University DCP matriculation date.

Mandatory Academic Advisement Policies

Students must meet with their academic advisor prior to registration if:

1. The student’s completion rate of coursework is less than 67% of attempted credit hours.
2. The student enrolls for a required course more than two times without completing it.
3. The student has exceeded the eight year rule (DCP)

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)- All students will remain in “Good Standing” by achieving Satisfactory Academic Progress, which is defined as maintaining a cumulative GPA at or above 2.0 on a 4.0 scale and completing 67% or more of their attempted classes. **

SAP Policy- All students with less than 2.0 cumulative GPA and/or less than 67% course completion rate will be evaluated quarterly to determine eligibility for continued registration and placed on Academic Probation.

Students will be evaluated on their academic performance for their last quarter of attendance. Students who did not achieve a 2.0 cumulative GPA and/or at least a 67% course completion rate will be placed on an academic performance contract. This academic performance contract will be evaluated at the end of each quarter and will include an academic plan to achieve a 2.0 cumulative GPA and at least 67% course completion rate within four quarters of the initiation of this academic plan. Students are expected to achieve the calculated quarterly GPA and complete all courses in which they are registered in order to continue working toward SAP. Students may remain on academic contract as long as it is possible to achieve SAP within four quarters of the initiation of the academic plan.

Students who did not fulfill the terms of an academic performance contract may be dismissed from the College of Chiropractic (COC) with an opportunity to appeal the outcome. Students who can demonstrate an extenuating circumstance with appropriate documentation may be granted additional term(s) on an academic performance contract if it is mathematically possible for them to achieve a cumulative 2.0 GPA and/or 67% course completion rate within the additional term(s) at the discretion of the Dean or their designee. Extenuating circumstances with supporting documentation include:

1. Severe illness, medical condition or injury
2. Death/Illness of immediate family member
3. Military Deployment/Call to active duty
4. Traumatic, life-altering event
5. Divorce

Required Documents - must include dates:

1. Statement from Doctor on letterhead and signed by physician
2. Hospitalization records including time frame of illness or dates of doctor’s visits
3. Death Certificate or obituary
4. Deployment Records
5. Evidence of Event

In addition to providing the above required documentation, please submit a letter outlining the following items:

Describe in detail the circumstance of your illness, injury, death of a family member, military deployment or other life-altering event and how your performance was affected. Describe how the documentation you are attaching supports your appeal. Describe in detail what steps you have taken to resolve the circumstances.

If the appeal is granted, or an additional quarter of contract is granted, the student will return to the COC under the same conditions as they left. In the event the student does not successfully complete the contract after the appeal or additional quarter’s contract, no further opportunities for appeal will be granted.

Students who were placed on contract due to low GPA or course completion rate who have passed all classes, have no unresolved failed classes and have achieved cumulative 2.0 GPA and 67% course completion rate will return to “Good Academic Standing.” If their academic progress returns to unsatisfactory levels once again, further enrollment in the COC will be at the discretion of the Dean or their designee.

*Academic eligibility is separate and distinct from Federal Financial Aid Eligibility. Please refer to the Financial Aid website or see your Advisor/Financial Aid Counselor for details and/or questions.

Course Grade Scheme

Life University’s DCP has implemented an averaging all grade scheme involving repeated coursework. All grades received in the curriculum are used toward calculation of credits attempted. The only exceptions are courses that utilize grades of “P,” “NP” or “WNP.”

Dropping Courses and/or Programmatic Withdrawal while on an Academic Performance Contract

1. Dropping courses and/or withdrawing from the Doctor of Chiropractic Program without permission from the Dean’s Office would be considered a violation of the terms of the academic performance contract. This violation could result in dismissal from the program.

2. Students who wish to drop a course(s) and/or withdrawal from the Doctor of Chiropractic Program while on academic probation or on an academic performance contract must obtain permission from the Dean or their designee to alter their registration and/or their academic performance contract. If the withdrawal is granted, the student may return to the program the next quarter with the same probation/contract status.

Program Course Failure Policies

1. All students will be required to repeat any courses attempted in the curriculum the next quarter in attendance with an unresolved failing grade of “F,” “NP,” “WF, “WNP.

Multiple Failure Policy 

All students with two failures (or more) of a required course will be evaluated by an academic advisor, placed on an academic performance contract, and their credit hours will be limited. The contract may require the student to audit courses prior to retaking a failed course, if deemed necessary.

1. If the student fails to complete the terms of an academic performance contract, the student will be dismissed from the COC with an opportunity to appeal the dismissal to the COC Dismissal Appeals Committee. If the appeal is granted, the student will return to the COC under the same conditions as they left. If the student does not successfully complete the contract after the appeal, no further opportunities for appeal will be granted.

2. If the student passes all courses and has no other academic issues, the student returns to good academic standing. If their academic progress returns to unsatisfactory levels once again, further registration into the COC will be at the discretion of the Dean and/or the COC Appeals Committee.

Academic Restriction Policies

Any student who originally matriculated into the College of Chiropractic prior to Winter 2006 and has not been in attendance for more than two quarters will be subject to the following academic restriction policies. Any student who has been reinstated to restart the COC after dismissal will also be subject to these policies.

Academic Probation and Performance Contracts

1. Failure to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 will cause a student to be placed on academic probation and a performance contract, and/or
2. Any student who has previously failed a course two or more times will be placed on academic probation and placed on an academic performance contract.

GPA Policy

All students with less than 2.0 GPA will be evaluated. They will be evaluated on their academic performance and/or academic performance contract the previous quarter.

1. Those who have passed all courses but did not achieve a 2.0 GPA will be placed on an academic performance contract with provisions for a quarterly GPA in order to achieve 2.0.
2. Those students who did not fulfill terms of a previous academic performance contract will be dismissed from the COC with an opportunity to appeal the dismissal. If the appeal is granted, the student will return to the COC under the same conditions as they left. If the student does not successfully complete the contract after the appeal, no further opportunities for appeal will be granted.
3. Those students who are placed on an academic performance contract due to low GPA, who pass all courses attempted, have no unresolved failed classes and have achieved above 2.0 GPA will return to good academic standing. If their academic progress returns to unsatisfactory levels once again, further registration into the COC will be at the discretion of the Dean and/or the COC Appeals Committee.

Academic Dismissal (AD)

A students who fails to complete the requirements of their current academic performance contract will be academically dismissed from the Doctor of Chiropractic Program.

Appeal of Academic Dismissal

A student in the Doctor of Chiropractic Program has the right to appeal discrepancies in their Satisfactory Academic Progress to the Dean of the College of Chiropractic or their designee.

Reinstatement Policy

AS.007

Students who have been academically dismissed from the College of Chiropractic (COC) as a result of the Satisfactory Academic Progress criteria (Winter 2006) and Dismissal Appeal Process may apply for reentry into the DCP after one academic year and pending satisfactory completion of a minimum of 20 semester credits / 30 quarter credits of upper level (and/or graduate – level) biological or natural sciences with/without lab from an accredited University or an equivalent to be determined by the COC Admissions Committee and or Dean. 

Procedure: Upon exhausting the Dismissal Appeal process students may: 

1. Apply to and complete required credits from an accredited university.
2. If credits are obtained in either the undergraduate or graduate program at Life University, the student must meet and fulfill all existing academic policies of the respective program.
3. While engaged in non DCP studies at Life University, the student may participate in all activities of the University and chiropractic program, except those activities/seminars etc., that involve the instruction of chiropractic technique or application of practice.
4. Upon successful completion of the required credits, the student may reapply for the DCP. If all current prerequisite criteria for the DCP has been met, including maintaining a “B” average throughout the 20/30 credits hours of study, the student’s reapplication will be forwarded to the COC Admissions Committee.
5. The reapplication will be reviewed by the COC Admissions Committee. Their charge will be to determine if the required coursework has been successfully completed.
6. Academic amnesty will begin upon reacceptance into the program. This will entail the student beginning studies at first credit/first quarter, and no credit or consideration will be provided for courses previously completed within the Life University DCP. In addition, no credit will be provided or consideration given for DCP courses previously completed from any other CCE accredited institution.
7. Condition of reacceptance will be under terms of academic performance contract. Failure to meet terms of contract will result in immediate dismissal.
8. Reentry into the DCP will be according to the SAP that is in effect at the time of reentry.

All policy and regulations that relate to financial aid eligibility are separate and distinct from the DCP. Reentry does not entail, or entitle, the student to additional considerations regarding financial aid. Students who are reaccepted with academic amnesty should be aware that while previous grades are not used to calculate the new grade point average, they will be used to evaluate SAP for financial aid purposes in accordance with Federal Financial Aid Regulations. 

All questions and concerns related to financial aid should be discussed with a financial aid advisor. 

Eight (8) Year Completion Rule

A maximum time limit of eight (8) calendar years is placed on the completion of all requirements for a degree. Each student is therefore expected to complete the Doctor of Chiropractic Program (DCP) and graduate within eight (8) calendar years from their Life University DCP matriculation date. Appeals to this rule may be made to the Dean of the College of Chiropractic.

Five (5) Year Hiatus Rule

AS.005

When a student has remained out of the program for more than five consecutive years, no credit will be awarded for courses taken during their previous enrollment. The student will be required to start their chiropractic education from the beginning.

College of Chiropractic Attendance Policy

In the College of Chiropractic, each course will have an attendance policy. The policy must be clearly articulated in the course syllabus. In those courses for which attendance is mandatory, attendance credit may be considered part of the grade. If portions of the course are mandatory [e.g. lecture (optional), lab (required)], it must be clearly delineated in the syllabus and announced in both lecture and lab during the first week. The policy for mandatory attendance will be consistent with the current policy, (i.e. missing over 10% of applicable hours produces a one letter grade reduction, and greater than 15% produces a failure in the course).

College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies Academic Policies

Undergraduate Programs Academic Standing

Student-at-Large:

Student-at-large status is designed for students who wish to take a limited number of undergraduate courses and are not seeking a degree.

CGUS Policy on Selection of Concentration within a Major or Degree

AS.032

Undergraduate students applying for admission to Life University will indicate their desired degree program at the time of application. Choice of concentration or track within a specific degree program will be chosen after the student schedules an advising session with faculty designated in that specific concentration. A Concentration/Track Specification Form will be completed, signed by the faculty advisor and Assistant Dean of the area and submitted to the Registrar’s office no later than week 9 of the first quarter of enrollment at the University. 

Provisionally Admitted Students Policy

Provisionally admitted students have no requirement for “Academic Standing” or SAP until they have been accepted fully by the Undergraduate Program. Provisionally admitted students are under performance contracts from their entry quarter that may extend two or three quarters before the student is held to Academic Standing or SAP policies and rules. If the provisions of their admission are satisfactorily completed, the student is then given an admission status of “fully accepted,” and the student would then be governed by the same polices and procedures as follows. If the provisions of their admission are not satisfactorily completed, the student would be academically dismissed and terminated from the Undergraduate Program.

Good Standing Requirements:

1. Each “fully accepted” student must maintain satisfactory academic progress and be in “Good Standing” academically.
2. To be in “Good Standing” academically, a student must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 with no outstanding or unresolved current failed required-for-graduation classes.
3. Students should be on track to complete their degree program within 150% of normal program length (6 years) or less.

CGUS Academic Advising Policy

AS.031

Advisement for registration for all returning students, for all courses, will begin on Monday of Week 7 and run through close of business on Friday of Week 10. Advising is required for all students prior to registration. Advising holds are specific to the advisor and will be lifted once an advising session has occurred. It is essential that students make appointments to see their advisors before registration in order to remove the advising hold. For classes that have restrictions or require special permission, students must contact the department and/or faculty to obtain permission to register. Permission must be updated in Colleague to allow a student to register for the course. 

Continuing undergraduate and graduate students who are not registered for courses by close of business on Friday of Week 10 are considered late registrants and will be charged a $50 late fee.

Academic Advising for Provisional Undergraduate Students Policy

AS.029

Provisionally admitted undergraduate students are those who have been accepted into the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies and whose academic record does not meet the general admissions requirements for Life University’s undergraduate programs. Students admitted provisionally to undergraduate programs must earn a quarter GPA of 2.0 or above in their first quarter to avoid Probation. Provisional undergraduate students must do the following in order to attend class: 

• Students new to the University must meet with their provisional academic advisor during student orientation prior to the beginning of the quarter in which they are to enter the University. Returning students must make an appointment with their academic advisor during week 6 of the quarter to determine their schedule for the following quarter.

• Complete all required placement testing as outlined in the student’s provisional acceptance contract.

• Register for no more than 15 credit hours in the first quarter at Life University, three of which must be LFS 105 Academic Strategies. The student’s provisional academic advisor must approve all other course selections. 

If a provisional student does not do all of the above prior to the start of the quarter, he/she will be administratively dropped from all classes. 

During the quarter, provisional undergraduate students will be required to do the following in order to ensure academic progress is being maintained in each of their courses: 

• Meet with their provisional academic advisor during weeks 1, 3, 7, and 9 of the quarter.
• Must enroll in LFS 105 during the first quarter of their contract and successfully complete the course.
• Earn a quarter GPA of 2.0 or better to avoid being placed on Probation.

To successfully exit the Provisional student requirements outlined above the student must:

• Complete any and all required developmental courses and FYE 101 and LFS 105 with a grade of “C” or higher.
• Successfully complete three quarters with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• Successfully complete 40 quarter credit hours, 20 of which must be general education core courses unless the student is a transfer student and has met all general education core requirements.
• Attend a minimum of five (5) hours of documented study sessions per week at an approved tutoring location, such as Smart Thinking or the Student Success Center.

Academic Advising for Undergraduate Students Placed on Probation Policy

AS.030

Students who fall below a 2.0 cumulative GPA will be placed on academic probation and an academic performance contract will be developed. Undergraduate students will be placed on academic probation for the following reasons: 

• Cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 and/or
• Student fails to complete 70% of attempted classes
• Student fails the same course twice

Students will remain on academic probation until either successfully returning to “Good Standing” status or failing to satisfactorily complete the provisions of their current academic performance contract in which case the student may be subject to dismissal. 

The following restrictions will be placed on undergraduate students on probation: 

• Student may not take any accelerated (5-week) courses.
• Student will be limited to twelve (12) credit hours for the quarter(s) of academic probation.
• Previously failed classes must be repeated before any others.
• If the student meets the quarter’s academic performance contract but their cumulative GPA does not rise to a 2.0 or higher and/or there are still unresolved failed classes, a second or subsequent academic performance contract will be drawn.
• A student who wishes to drop a course(s) and/or withdraw from the academic program while on academic probation must provide justifiable cause to the Dean’s Office and receive permission from the Dean to alter their registration and/or their academic performance contract. If the withdrawal is deemed justifiable the student can return to the program in the next quarter with the same probation/contract status.
  • If a student does not receive permission from the Dean to drop a course(s) and/or withdraw from the academic program, he/she will be in violation of his/her academic performance contract and will be dismissed from the program.

Undergraduate students who are on probation must do the following in order to ensure academic progress is being maintained in each of their courses: 

• Meet with the CGUS Academic Success Coordinator during weeks 1, 3, 7, and 9 of the quarter.
• Enroll in LFS 105 and successfully complete the course during the first quarter of their contract.
• Meet all requirements of their individual academic performance contract.

To successfully exit academic probation the student must:

• Achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and
• Complete any and all required elements of their academic performance contract.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)- All students will remain in “Good Standing” by achieving Satisfactory Academic Progress, which is defined as maintaining a cumulative GPA at or above 2.0 on a 4.0 scale and completing 67% or more of their attempted classes.

SAP Policy- All students with less than 2.0 cumulative GPA and/or less than 67% course completion rate will be evaluated quarterly to determine eligibility for continued registration and placed on Academic Probation.

Students will be evaluated on their academic performance for their last quarter of attendance. Students who did not achieve a 2.0 cumulative GPA and/or at least a 67% course completion rate will be placed on an academic performance contract. This academic performance contract will be evaluated at the end of each quarter and will include an academic plan to achieve a 2.0 cumulative GPA and at least 67% course completion rate within four quarters of the initiation of this academic plan. Students are expected to achieve the calculated quarterly GPA and complete all courses in which they are registered in order to continue working toward SAP. Students may remain on an academic performance contract as long as it is possible to achieve SAP within four quarters of the initiation of the academic plan.

Students who did not fulfill the terms of an academic performance contract may be dismissed from the College with an opportunity to appeal the outcome. Students who can demonstrate an extenuating circumstance with appropriate documentation may be granted additional term(s) on an academic performance contract if it is mathematically possible for them to achieve cumulative 2.0 GPA and/or 67% course completion rate within the additional term(s) at the discretion of the Dean of the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies, or their designee. Extenuating circumstances with supporting documentation include:

1. Severe illness, medical condition or injury
2. Death/Illness of immediate family member
3. Military Deployment/Call to active duty
4. Traumatic, life-altering event
5. Divorce

Required Documents - must include dates:

1. Statement from Doctor on letterhead and signed by physician
2. Hospitalization records including time frame of illness or dates of doctors visits
3. Death Certificate or obituary
4. Deployment Records
5. Evidence of Event

In addition to provide the above required documentation, please submit a letter outlining the following items:

1. Describe in detail the circumstance of your illness, injury, death of a family member, military deployment or other life-altering event and how your performance was affected.
2. Describe how the documentation you are attaching supports your appeal.
3. Describe in detail what steps you have taken to resolve the circumstances.

If the appeal is granted or an additional quarter of contract is granted, the student will return to the College under the same conditions as they left. In the event the student does not successfully complete the contract after the appeal, or additional quarter’s contract, no further opportunities for appeal will be granted.

Students who were placed on contract due to low GPA or course completion rate who have passed all classes, have no unresolved failed classes and have achieved cumulative 2.0 GPA and 67% course completion rate will return to “Good Academic Standing.” If their academic progress returns to unsatisfactory levels once again, further enrollment in the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies will be at the discretion of the Dean of the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies, or his or her designee.

Undergraduate Grade Scheme

Grade Scheme includes the use of “WF” and “WNP.” These grades will be enforced for all undergraduate courses (including accelerated), and “WF” grades will affect cumulative GPA the same as a grade “F.” Grades of “WNP” do not affect GPA.

If an undergraduate student drops or withdraws from courses, the following grades and schedule will apply:

• Beginning Week 2, all classes will be graded “W.”
• Beginning Week 4, all 1st 5-week classes will be graded “WF” (or “WNP” if it applies).
• Beginning Week 7, all 11-week classes be graded “WF” (or “WNP” if it applies).
• Beginning Week 9, all 2nd 5-week classes will be graded “WF” (or “WNP” if it applies).

Specific Dates can be found in the Academic Quarterly Announcements.

UG Course Grade Scheme

The Undergraduate Program continues to use “Last Attempt” as its course grade scheme. This policy will also include students who reapply and/or readmit. A last attempted course grade is calculated toward their cumulative GPA. A prior grade is not removed from the permanent record when the course is repeated, but the prior grade is removed from the calculated cumulative average (See “Repeat Grades” listed previously).

Dropping Courses and/or Programmatic Withdrawal while on an Academic Performance Contract

Dropping courses and/or withdrawing from the Undergraduate Program without permission from the Dean of the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies, or their designee, is a violation of the terms of an academic performance contract and will result in dismissal from the program.

The student who wishes to drop a course(s) and/or withdraw from the undergraduate program while on academic probation/academic performance contract must provide documentation of an extenuating circumstance to the Dean of the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies, or his or her designee and obtain permission to alter their registration and/or their academic performance contract. If the withdrawal is deemed acceptable, the student may return to the program the next quarter with the same probation/contract status.

Undergraduate Course Repeat/Retake Policy

AS.028

Repeatable Courses: 

• Certain courses note in their descriptions that they “may be repeated”. Students may repeat such courses within the course restrictions and receive credit each time.
• Each grade for such repeated courses is computed in the student’s grade point average; a repeat grade does not replace the original grade.
• Only courses stating in the description that they may be repeated may be taken more than once for credit.

Retaking Courses:

• A student may retake a course for which his or her highest earned grade is a “D” or below.
• A student may also retake a course, when approved by the appropriate academic dean, for which he or she needs to earn a higher grade in order to fulfill a prerequisite or a course requirement for a degree, major or minor, as well as admission requirements for graduate programs.
• A student will have a maximum of three (3) attempts at any one course, where a course with a letter grade of a “W/WF” notation counts as an attempt.
• A student will be allowed no more than a total of three (3) different repeated courses in their undergraduate career.
• All grades earned at Life University will be calculated in the term and cumulative grade point averages. The letter grade earned in the most recent attempt will be included in cumulative credit totals and grade point average even if that grade is lower than the previous grade.
• Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an advisor to determine whether re­-enrollment is advisable.
• Further, students should be aware that repeating a course may have an impact on financial aid, insurance, entrance to professional schools, participation in athletics, immigration status and other non-academic matters.
• Academic advisors may deny or deregister a student’s second or more attempt of a class under certain circumstances, including:
  • Not making sufficient major progress
  • Earning below a cumulative 2.0
  • Retaking two or more courses in the same quarter
  • Retaking a course after earning a “C” or better on the first attempt

Undergraduate Academic Forgiveness Policy 

AS.034 [Updated 2/1/18; Effective 1/1/18] See Catalog Addenda   

A student may request to have the first grade earned (not a “W” notation) from a retake course excluded from the calculation of the grade point average for a maximum of three (3) courses during one’s undergraduate career, where the original grade earned was a “D” or below.  If a student attempts a course a third time and Academic Forgiveness is applied, then all grades except the first will be used to calculate the GPA.  Once applied to a particular course, Academic Forgiveness cannot be cancelled or removed and the rule may not be appealed.  The Assistant Dean of the area must approve the request for academic forgiveness.

Undergraduate Internship for Academic Credit Policy

AS.036 [Updated 2/5/18; Effective 1/2/18] See Catalog Addenda   

An Academic Internship – An academic internship is an approved and monitored co-curricular experience of a pre-professional nature that meets specific learning goals and is related to an academic field of study.  The activities at the internship site under the direction of a site supervisor is only part of the experience.  The student is to have a faculty advisor for the internship who will make the academic assignment for the student to complete.

Requirements for Academic Internship – To participate in an academic internship, a student must meet the following requirements:

• Be a full-time undergraduate student
• Having rising junior standing (minimum of 100 quarter credit hours) and
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.0
• Approval of the Community Outreach and Internship Coordinator and faculty advisor prior to acceptance of internship

Learning Agreement – Students must complete an internship application and provide a proposal that describes the learning goals of the internship and the intern’s responsibilities to achieve these goals.  All applications must be signed by 2 faculty members within the discipline and one must be designated as the faculty advisor for the internship.  The application should also indicate the name and contact information for the internship site supervisor.

Faculty Advisor – The student is responsible for locating a full-time faculty member to be his/her faculty advisor for the internship.  The academic component of the internship will be defined by the faculty advisor and will include analytical activities such as reflective journaling, compiling a portfolio, and writing integrative papers.  The student and faculty advisor should meet periodically to discuss the progress of the internship and the academic assignments.  The grade for the internship will be determined by the faculty advisor and will be based on the academic assignments completed by the student and the evaluation provided by the internship site supervisor.

Earning Credit for Academic Internship – The credits earned for an academic internship are not tied  solely to hours “at the internship site” but to the amount and type of academic related activities the student completes during the internship.  The academic assignments are due at the end of the quarter in which the internship is undertaken and will be evaluated by the faculty advisor.

In these assignments, the student is to reflect on his or her learning at the internship site and integrate this learning with topics or issues from an academic subject area.  The academic assignments should also indicate the student’s accomplishments while working in the internship as well as areas for his or her future inquiry and study that lead from the experience.

As its name implies, experiential learning is based on activity that is then to be reflect upon.  An internship assumes a certain amount of work and time spent at the internship site.  The academic assignment must also be commensurate with the number of credits to be earned.

The following examples indicate the relationship between the number of hours at an internship site, the academic assignments and credits to be earned:

Registration for Internship – Students must meet with their faculty advisor to determine the parameters of the internship.  Students must also identify an appropriate internship site and receive the approval of both the faculty internship advisor and the Community Outreach and Internship Coordinator prior to registration for the internship.  All internships must be approved by week 9 of the quarter prior to the start of the internship and students must schedule an appointment with the Community Outreach and Internship Coordinator prior to receiving final approval.  The Community Outreach and Internship Coordinator will register the student for their selected internship.  The Internship Application needs to be completed in its entirety and submitted to the Internship Coordinator prior to the internship commencing.

Integrating Learning from an Internship Experience with Academic Subjects –

Topical Paper:  A paper to be written at the conclusion of the internship demonstrating  integration of the internship experience with one or more topics related to specific courses or other academic interests.  Researched references should be cited to support conclusions drawn.  The paper is to indicate how the student has integrated the experience with his or her academic knowledge base as well as to identify areas or questions for further exploration.  The topics should be selected by the student and faculty internship advisor as part of the academic component and listed on the Learning Agreement.

Portfolio:  Students create a portfolio to keep samples of written work, photographs, videos, reports, interview transcripts, summaries, certificates of training, reference letters and other documentation of the internship experience and their contribution to the work of the organization in which they were interns.  The portfolio is to illustrate what the student has learned and how his/her skills or knowledge base has expanded through the internship.

Grading – Internships are graded on a pass/no pass basis.  Internship credits count toward graduation, but are not included in the calculation of a student’s overall GPA. 

Academic Restriction Policies

Undergraduate Program Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average Policy

1. Failure to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 will cause a student to be placed on academic restriction (See Academic Probation).

Undergraduate Program Course Failure Policies*

1. Any student who has previously failed (F, NP, WF and WNP) the same course two or more times will be on Academic Restriction (See Academic Probation).

Academic Restriction Designations and Rules

1. Academic Warning (AW) -
   1. Completion rate is less than 70% (Credits completed divided Credits attempted).
   2. The student will be restricted to a maximum of fifteen (15) credit hours during the next quarter.
2. Academic Probation (AP) - The student will remain on Academic Probation with academic restrictions of academic performance contract until either successfully returning to “Good Standing” status or failing to complete satisfactorily the provisions of their current academic performance contract:
   1. Cumulative GPA below 2.0 and/or
   2. Failed the same course at least twice.
      1. The student will be placed on an individual academic performance contract in order to raise cumulative GPA to 2.0 or above and/or to resolve multiple outstanding failed classes.
         1. Students may not take any accelerated (5-week) classes
            1. If previously failed an accelerated course
            2. An exception may be made for a 2 or 3 credit course
      2. The student will be limited to twelve (12) credit hours for the quarter(s) of academic probation. Previously failed classes must be repeated before any others
         1. If the cumulative GPA rises to 2.0 or better and all previously failed classes have been resolved, the student will be returned to “Good Standing” status without further restrictions
         2. If the student meets the quarter’s academic performance contract, but their cumulative GPA does not rise to 2.0 or better, and/or there is still unresolved failed classes, a second or subsequent “performance contract” may be drawn
   3. Dropping Courses and/or Programmatic Withdrawal while on an academic performance contract
      1. Dropping Courses and/or withdrawing from the Undergraduate Program without permission from the Dean’s Office could be a violation of the terms of an academic performance contract with the result that the student will be terminated from the Program. The student who wishes to drop a course(s) and/or withdraw from Undergraduate Program while on academic probation or during an academic performance contract quarter must provide “justifiable cause” to the Dean’s Office and get permission to alter their registration and/or their academic performance contract. If the withdrawal is deemed “justifiable,” the student can return to the program in the next quarter with the same probation/contract status.
3. Academic Dismissal (AD)
   1. A student who fails to complete satisfactorily the provisions of their current academic performance contract.
   2. A “Dismissed” student will be academically terminated from the Undergraduate Program.

Academic Dismissal (AD)

Students who fail to complete the provisions of their current academic performance contract will be dismissed from the undergraduate program.

Appeal of Academic Dismissal

Any student who has been dismissed from an undergraduate program may appeal their dismissal to the CGUS Dismissal Appeals Committee. The appeal must be based upon one or both of the following requirements:

Dismissal

In order to consider a student for dismissal, the following factors are reviewed:

• Has the student repeatedly failed transitional or college-level courses?
• Has the student academically progressed during the three quarters while on contract?
• Can any of the University’s support programs accommodate the student?
• Is it mathematically possible for the student to achieve the provisional contract within a one-quarter extension?
• Was there an Honor Code violation? Note: Any Honor Code violation will void any contract agreement.

Reinstatement Policy

AS.008

In order to be readmitted, students who have been academically dismissed from the College of Undergraduate Studies must: 

• Complete a minimum of 24 semester credits/36 quarter credits with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher from an accredited institution of higher education. 
• Reapply for admission (through the Office of Enrollment Management).

Readmission is subject to review and approval by the Undergraduate Admissions Committee and the Dean.  

Appeal Process:

An undergraduate student has the right to appeal discrepancies in their Satisfactory Academic Progress to the Dean of the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies, or designate.

College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies Attendance Policy

In the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies, attendance policies are listed in each course syllabus. Attendance at all class sessions is a requirement of this institution; however, certain bona fide emergencies may preclude attendance at some class sessions.

Class absences are treated as follows:

The general attendance policy states that a student may not miss more class hours than the equivalent number of weekly contact hours for a course without representing an acceptable excuse or the student will have his or her grade for the course reduced by one letter grade. A student who misses a number of class hours equivalent to one and one-half times the number of weekly contact hours for the course (e.g., 7.5 hours for a course scheduled for five-weekly contact hours) will receive a grade of “F” in the course, regardless of excuse.

Fully online students who do not meet the weekly participation requirement may be dropped from the course.  It is the students’ responsibility to reach out to their instructor and make them aware of the extenuating circumstances resulting in the lack of participation (See De-Registration Policy).

Students who are absent from class must make up the missed material prior to the next class. No absences may be made up. This includes all labs.

For safety of the individual student and others, students will not be permitted into laboratories after the instructor begins his briefing of that day’s laboratory methodologies.

Academic Policies - Graduate/Master’s Program Academic Standing

Student-at-Large:

Student-at-large status is designed for students who wish to take a limited number of graduate courses and are not seeking a degree.

CGUS Policy on Selection of Concentration within a Major or Degree

AS.032

Graduate students applying for admission to Life University will indicate their desired degree program at the time of application. Choice of concentration or track within a specific degree program will be chosen after the student schedules an advising session with faculty designated in that specific concentration. A Concentration/Track Specification Form will be completed, signed by the faculty advisor and Assistant Dean of the area and submitted to the Registrar’s office no later than week 9 of the first quarter of enrollment at the University. 

Good Standing Requirements:

1. Each student must maintain satisfactory academic progress and be in “Good Standing” academically.
2. To be in “Good Standing” academically, a student must, after completing 12 credits hours, maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 with no outstanding or unresolved current failed classes.
3. Students should be on track to complete their degree program within 150% of normal program length (9 quarters) or less.
4. Each student should complete the Master’s Program and graduate within five (5) calendar years from their program matriculation date.

Conditional:

Students who are lacking any of the requirements for “Fully Admitted Standing” may be admitted with a conditional status. Students admitted on conditional status must complete all of the requirements for “Fully Admitted Status,” including a minimum 3.0 GPA during their first quarter of enrollment. Failure to do so may result in removal from the program.

CGUS Academic Advising Policy

AS.031

Advisement for registration for all returning students, for all courses, will begin on Monday of Week 7 and run through close of business on Friday of Week 10. Advising is required for all students prior to registration. Advising holds are specific to the advisor and will be lifted once an advising session has occurred. It is essential that students make appointments to see their advisors before registration in order to remove the advising hold. For classes that have restrictions or require special permission, students must contact the department and/or faculty to obtain permission to register. Permission must be updated in Colleague to allow a student to register for the course. 

Continuing undergraduate and graduate students who are not registered for courses by close of business on Friday of Week 10 are considered late registrants and will be charged a $50 late fee.

Five (5) Year Completion Rule:

A maximum time limit of five (5) calendar years is placed on the completion of all requirements for a degree. Each student is expected to complete the Master’s Program and graduate within five (5) calendar years from their program matriculation date.

Appeals to this rule may be made to the Dean of the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies, or designate.

Academic Restriction Policies

Graduate Program Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average Policy

1. After completing 12 credits hours, failure to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 will cause a student to be placed on academic restriction (See Academic Probation).

Graduate Program Course Failure Policies

1. Any student who fails (F, NP, WF, WNP) two or more courses (See Academic Dismissal).

Academic Restriction Designations and Rules

1. Academic Warning (AW) -
   1. Any student with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above and has failed (F, NP, WF, WNP) one class
   2. Any student with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above and has obtained a waiver to the “five year completion rule” from the Dean of College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies
2. Academic Probation (AP) -
   1. Any student with a cumulative GPA below 3.0
3. Academic Dismissal (AD)
   1. Any student with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 three consecutive quarters
   2. Any student who has failed (F, NP, WF, WNP) two or more classes, regardless of cumulative GPA
      1. A “Dismissed” student will be academically terminated from the Graduate Program.

Appeal Process:

Students have the right to appeal discrepancies of their Satisfactory Academic Progress to the Dean of the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies, or designate. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that their course load is in compliance with their Academic Standing.

Graduation and Scholastic Honors

CGUS Academic Honors Requirement Policy

AS.021

The following outlines specific requirements for honors recognition at the time of graduation from an undergraduate program:

Valedictorian: The graduate from the collective Bachelor’s programs holding the highest academic GPA of the graduating class at the time of commencement exercises, will be honored as the class valedictorian. To be eligible, 75% of the student’s degree must have been taken from Life University.

Salutatorian: The graduate from the collective Bachelor’s programs holding the second-highest GPA of the graduating class at the time of commencement exercises, will be honored as the class salutatorian. To be eligible, 75% of the student’s degree must have been taken from Life University.

The Valedictorian and Salutatorian of each class, and students graduating with honors, are identified as such in the graduate listing.

Academic Honors

Undergraduate students, who graduate with a cumulative GPA equal to or above 3.25 are given Scholastic honors status as follows:

• 3.25-3.49 = Cum Laude
• 3.50-3.74 = Magna Cum Laude
• 3.75 and above = Summa Cum Laude

To be eligible for scholastic honors, 50% of the student’s credit hours toward degree must have been taken from Life University.

Participants wear gold cords at the graduation ceremony signifying the achievement of academic honors.

Candle-Lighters

Four of the participating graduating students are selected to light one candle during the ceremony. The candle they will light represents one of Life University’s four foundational values.

Flag Bearers

International students participating in graduation ceremonies are selected to carry their country’s flag during the opening of the ceremony. In the instance that there is more than one graduate from a given country, selection is based on highest GPA.

Academic Honors

There are three designations of Academic Honors in the Life University College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies and the College of Chiropractic: summa cum laude (with highest praise), requiring an overall grade-point average of 3.75 to 4.00; magna cum laude (with the great praise), requiring an overall grade-point average of 3.50 to 3.74; and cum laude, (with praise) requiring an overall grade point average of 3.25 to 3.49. A student may attain academic honors at Life University by the virtue of maintaining high grades while in pursuit of the normal curriculum of a subject area.

Participants wear gold cords at the graduation ceremony signifying the achievement of academic honors.

Valedictorian: The Life University graduate, from the Bachelor’s and the Doctor of Chiropractic programs, currently ranking the highest academically in their respective program’s graduating class at the time of commencement exercises, will be honored as the class valedictorian. To be eligible, 75% of the student’s degree must have been taken from Life University.

Salutatorian: The Life University graduate, from the Bachelor’s and the Doctor of Chiropractic Programs, currently ranking the second-highest highest academically in their respective program’s graduating class at the time of commencement exercises, will be honored as the class salutatorian. To be eligible, 75% of the student’s degree must have been taken from Life University.

The Valedictorian and Salutatorian of each class, and students graduating with honors, are identified as such in the graduation program.

Clinic Honors

The Clinic Excellence Award may be presented to a deserving student, or students, at their recognized and official (according to the University registrar and the graduation program) Life University graduation event who has repeatedly demonstrated, throughout their clinic career, the power of the chiropractic adjustment. The recipients have achieved the worthy goal of touching and changing many lives by allowing the innate intelligence inside each of them to be expressed more freely through chiropractic care, and have done this with great enthusiasm and persistence.

Chiropractic Distinctions

Chiropractic Philosophy Distinction

 The Life University Chiropractic Philosophy Distinction is given to that student who best exemplifies the deep understanding of Chiropractic’s fundamental vitalistic perspective; the critical examination and integration of Chiropractic’s metaphysical and clinical principles of life, health and healing into his/her own life; and the will to profess that perspective and those principles in the marketplace of ideas, which are necessary to transform a chiropractic student into a chiropractic philosopher.

Research Track

Students graduating from the Research Track have followed an alternative curriculum that includes conducting a self-directed research project while completing their DC degree. Research Track positions are limited and highly competitive. These graduates have shown a high degree of integrity, leadership, ability to think critically, and have actively contributed to the evolution of the paradigms of the profession.

Honor Societies

Pi Tau Delta Honor Society

PiTau Delta is an international honor society founded to encourage and recognize good scholarship by students in Chiropractic Colleges. The society, which has no horary members, is open only to senior students who have demonstrated the highest level of academic achievement throughout their five academic year college courses.

Iota Tau Alpha Honor Society

Iota Tau Alpha is an honor society that was created in 2005 to recognize high academic achievers in athletic training education.

Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society

Nu Omega, the Life University charter of Kappa Omicron national honor society, recognizes outstanding scholars in the Health Sciences who not only have a distinguished academic record, but have shown evidence of leadership and service in their chosen field. The mission of Kappa Omicron Nu is to develop empowered leaders through scholarship, research and leadership development. Student members will begin the journey of preparation as scholars, researchers and leaders for the 21st century.

Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society

The Sigma Beta Honor Society encourages and recognizes scholarship and achievement among students of business, management and administration, as well as encouraging and promoting personal and professional improvement to living a life distinguished by honorable service to humankind. Membership in Sigma Beta Delta is the highest national recognition a business student can receive. To be eligible for membership, a business student must rank in the upper 20 percent of the junior, senior or master’s class and be invited to membership by the faculty officers.

Psi Chi Honor Society

Psi chi is the International Honor Society in Psychology, founded in 1929 for the purposes of encouraging, stimulating and maintaining excellence in scholarship, and advancing the science of psychology. Membership is open to graduate and undergraduate students who are making the study of psychology on of their major interests and who meet the minimum qualifications. Psi Chi is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) and is an affiliate of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Association for Psychological Science (APS). Psi Chi’s sister honor society is Psi Beta, the National Honor Society in Psychology for Community and Junior Colleges. 

Recognition of Dean’s and President’s List:

The names of full-time students achieving a grade point average of at least 3.5 in a quarter are included in the Dean’s List in the respective quarter.

The Dean’s List Citation is awarded to any student who has:

• Maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.50-3.74 for each quarter during the academic year
• Registered for a minimum of 12 credits for each quarter
• Completed all attempted credits for all registered courses during each quarter (no “I,” “IP” or “WF” grades)
• A student who is found by the Office of Student Conduct to have violated the Honor Code of Life University is not eligible for the Dean’s List.

The President’s List Citation is awarded to any student who has:

• Maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.75-4.00 for each quarter during the academic year
• Registered for a minimum of 12 credits for each quarter
• Completed all attempted credits for all registered courses during each quarter (no “I,” “IP” or “WF” grades)
• A student who is found by the Office of Student Conduct to have violated the Honor Code of Life University is not eligible for the President’s List.

Life University Student Intellectual Property Policy

AS.027

Section 1. Introduction

The mission of Life University is to empower each student with the education, skills and values needed for career success and life fulfillment based on a vitalistic philosophy. The University’s undergraduate, graduate and professional programs - each one committed to excellence in teaching, learning, research and the overall student experience - offer a vision and the promise for a meaningful life, the proficiencies necessary to achieve optimum personal performance and the wisdom to become transformational leaders in an increasingly diverse, global and dynamic world. Inherent in these objectives is the need to encourage the development of new and useful devices and processes, the publication of scholarly works and the development of computer software. Such activities (1) contribute to the professional development of the faculty, staff or students involved; (2) enhance the reputation of Life University; (3) provide additional educational opportunities for participating students; and (4) promote the general welfare of the public at large.

Patentable inventions and materials may come about because of activities of Life University students who have been aided wholly or in part through the use of resources of Life University. It becomes significant, therefore, to insure the utilization of such inventions for the public good and to expedite their development and marketing. The rights and privileges of the inventor, as well as the incentive, must be preserved so that his or her abilities and those of other faculty, staff or students of Life University may be further encouraged and stimulated.

Life University recognizes and encourages the publication of scholarly works by its students. Life University acknowledges that faculty, staff or students regularly prepare for publication, usually through individual effort and initiative, articles, pamphlets, books and other scholarly works which may be subject to copyright and which may generate royalty income for the author. Publication may also result from work supported either partially or completely by Life University. With the advent of innovative techniques and procedures, the variety and number of materials which might be created in a university community have increased significantly, causing the ownership of such copyrightable materials to become increasingly complex.

Life University recognizes the need for enhanced development and dissemination of software technology as a means of expressing both old and new knowledge. Inasmuch as Life University is aware of the dynamic nature of software and that the value of intellectual property comes from the ability of its owner to control its use and that such value is directly related to the degree of protection it enjoys under the law, Life University seeks to protect such expressions of knowledge by the utilization of appropriate intellectual property laws and the creation of comprehensive software technology transfer policies and procedures.

Accordingly, Life University does hereby establish the following policy with respect to the development, protection and transfer of rights to Intellectual Property resulting from the work of its students.

Section 2. Definitions

“Intellectual Property” shall be deemed to refer to patentable materials, copyrighted materials, trademarks, software and trade secrets, whether or not formal protection is sought.

“Patentable Materials” shall be deemed to refer to (1) a novel plant variety of a sexually reproduced plant, as described in 7 U.S.C. 2321 et seq.; (2) a patentable plant, as described in 35 U.S.C. 161; and (3) items other than software which reasonably appear to qualify for protection under the patent laws of the United States or other protective statutes, whether or not patentable thereunder.

“Copyrighted Materials” shall include the following: (1) books, journal articles, texts, glossaries, bibliographies, study guides, laboratory manuals, syllabi, tests and proposals; (2) lectures, musical or dramatic compositions, unpublished scripts; (3) films, filmstrips, charts, transparencies and other visual aids; (4) video and audio tapes or cassettes; (5) live video and audio broadcasts; (6) programmed instructional materials; (7) mask works; and (8) other materials or works other than software which qualify for protection under the copyright laws of the United States (see 17 U.S.C. 102 et seq.) or other protective statutes whether or not registered thereunder.

“Software” shall include one or more computer programs existing in any form, or any associated operational procedures, manuals or other documentation, whether or not protectable or protected by patent or copyright. The term “computer program” shall mean a set of instructions, statements or related data that in actual or modified form is capable of causing a computer or computer system to perform specified functions.

“Trademarks” shall include all trademarks, service marks, trade names, seals, symbols, designs, slogans or logotypes developed by or associated with the University System or any of its institutions (See 15 U.S.C. 1127).

“Trade Secrets” means information including, but not limited to, technical or nontechnical data, a formula, a pattern, a compilation, a program, a device, a method, a technique, a drawing, a process, financial data, financial plans, product plans, or a list of actual or potential customers or suppliers which: (i) derives economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and (ii) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy (See O.C.G.A. 10-1-761).

Section 3. Determination of Rights and Equities in Intellectual Property

Rights and equities in intellectual property created by Life University students shall be determined by Life University based upon the property’s inclusion in one of the following categories:

A. Sponsor-Supported Efforts

A grant or contract between the sponsor and Life University, under which Intellectual Property is produced, may contain specific provisions with respect to disposition of rights to these materials. The sponsor (1) may specify that the materials be placed in the public domain; (2) may claim reproduction, license-free use or other rights; or (3) may assign all rights to the institution. In those cases where royalty income is realized by Life University, the inventor or creator may appropriately share in the royalty income. The nature and extent of inventor or creator participation in royalty income, however, shall be subject to sponsor and negotiation between student and Life University through Life University’s Executive Vice President of Finance.

B. Life University-Assigned Efforts

Ownership of Intellectual Property developed as a result of assigned institutional effort shall reside with Life University; however, sharing of royalty income with the inventor or creator is authorized as an incentive to encourage further development of Intellectual Property. The nature and extent of inventor or creator participation in royalty income, however, shall be subject to negotiation between student and Life University through Life University’s Executive Vice President of Finance.

C. Life University-Assisted Individual Effort

Ownership of Intellectual Property developed by students of Life University where Life University provides support of their efforts or use of Life University resources in more than a purely incidental way (unless such resources are available without charge to the public) shall be shared by the student inventor or creator and Life University. The nature and extent of inventor or creator participation in royalty income, however, shall be subject to negotiation between the student creator or inventor and Life University through Life University’s Executive Vice President of Finance.

D. Individual Effort

Ownership rights to Intellectual Property developed by students of Life University shall reside with the inventor or creator of such Intellectual Property provided that: (1) there is no use, except in a purely incidental way, of Life University resources in the creation of such Intellectual Property (unless such resources are available without charge to the public); (2) the Intellectual Property is not prepared in accordance with the terms of a Life University contract or grant; (3) the Intellectual Property is not developed by students as a specific Life University assignment. The nature and extent of the use of institution resources shall be subject to Life University regulations and shall be determined by the Life University Executive Vice President of Finance.

E. Other Efforts

Ownership rights to Intellectual Property developed under any circumstances other than those listed in Section 3. A.-D. of this policy shall be determined on an individual basis and approved by the Executive Vice President of Finance of Life University or his or her designated representative. The nature and extent of inventor or creator participation in royalty income, however, shall be subject to negotiation between the student creator or inventor and Life University through Life University’s Executive Vice President of Finance.

Section 4. Intellectual Property Committee

Intellectual Property activities shall be under the general cognizance of the Life University Intellectual Property Committee. This committee shall consist of the current Research Advisory Council and two guest representatives from the Conduct Review Board. In the event that a meeting is necessary, recommendations from the Intellectual Property Committee will be forwarded to the Executive Vice President of Finance who will review and make final decision.

The Committee shall have the responsibility of (1) recommending to the Executive Vice President of Finance the rights and equities in Intellectual Property, (2) recommending changes in policy and procedure pertaining to Intellectual Property, (3) providing communication with Life University personnel as to the proper procedures for identifying and protecting Intellectual Property, and (4) recommending the disposition of all Intellectual Property. The disposition of Intellectual Property shall fall into one of three categories of recommendations to the Executive Vice President of Finance: (1) approval of the appropriate Intellectual Property protection by Life University, (2) recommendation of rejection and releasing of rights in the Intellectual Property to the inventor/author or (3) recommendation that Life University has no rights in the Intellectual Property.

Section 5. Intellectual Property Policy Applicability to Students

The Intellectual Property policy of Life University shall apply to all Life University part-time, full-time or auditing students. For the purpose of application of this policy, the term “Life University student” is defined to include all part-time, full-time or auditing students.

Life University students shall promptly report to the Intellectual Property Committee in writing, through the Office of Sponsored Research and Scholarly Activity, all Intellectual Property invented or created by them which is reasonably likely to have commercial value. They shall provide such information upon such forms as the Office may request.

The Office of Sponsored Research and Scholarly Activity will forward this information to the Intellectual Property Committee along with a request that the Committee recommend to the Executive Vice President of Finance the rights and equities in the Intellectual Property.

Life University students may request the use of administrative structure associated with the Intellectual Property policy of Life University to pursue intellectual property in which they would normally have full rights, as described herein at Section 3.D., “Individual Effort.” In exchange and consideration for this service, the individual will be required to assign to Life University or its designee his or her rights in the Intellectual Property. The inventor/author shall share in royalties as agreed upon by the inventor/author and Life University or its designee.

Section 6. Administration of the Consideration of Rights in Intellectual Policy

1. The Director of Office of Sponsored Research and Scholarly Activity shall administer the principles and policies set forth herein.
2. If the administration of Life University decides not to pursue development of the Intellectual Property, or takes no specific action which indicates an intent to do so, within one hundred twenty (120) days after the receipt of the Intellectual Property report by the Office of Sponsored Research and Scholarly Activity, all rights may revert to the inventor/author upon written request.
3. If Life University pursues development of the Intellectual Property, it shall take action within two hundred seventy (270) days after the issuance of the final, written recommendation of the Intellectual Property Committee. If Life University fails to act within this period, all rights may revert to the inventor/author upon written request.
4. If Life University pursues development of the Intellectual Property but subsequently abandons such pursuit, all rights revert to the inventor/author upon written request.
5. The division of any net revenues generated as a result of the licensure, sale or other development of any Intellectual Property developed in this Policy shall be in accordance with Section F. For purposes of this policy, “net revenues” is defined as gross revenues less any expenditures borne by Life University, the Board of Trustees of Life University, Life University Office of Sponsored Research and Scholarly Activity, or their designees in obtaining protection for the development of Intellectual Property, and any and all expenditures incurred by Life University, the Board of Trustees of Life University, Life University Office of Sponsored Research and Scholarly Activity, or their designees, in contemplation of, or the maintenance of, any litigation or controversy between any parties involving rights under such Intellectual Property.
6. Where royalty or other revenue is received by the University as a result of successful commercialization of an invention by a license or the like, the University will share such revenue with the inventor(s). The inventor(s) will normally receive forty percent of the first twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) revenue, thirty-five percent of the second twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) revenue, and thirty percent of any additional revenue from his/her or their invention which is received by the University, after the University has been reimbursed for developmental, marketing, patent protection and related expenses incurred in connection with a particular invention. In those cases where the invention is made under a grant sponsored by a governmental or private agency, the inventor’s share will vary in accordance with the terms of the grant. Where coinventors are involved, they shall share the inventor’s portion of the revenue equally, unless there is an agreement between the inventors that establishes a different distribution.

When an inventor actively cooperates and contributes to the development and marketing of an invention, the deduction made from revenue for developmental expenses is reduced, and the inventor’s royalty is accordingly increased as to total amount.

Any net revenue accruing to the University from commercial use of University-owned intellectual property shall be used first to defray research and product development expenses, to pay application royalties, and thereafter, for technological and scientific research.

The University, at its sole discretion, may release to an inventor, by written instrument only, those inventions owned by but not of interest to the University. Requests for such releases should be made to the Executive Vice President of Finance.

If Life University assigns the Intellectual Property to an outside party or affiliated nonprofit corporation for development, and if that party abandons pursuit of the Intellectual Property or takes no specific action which indicates an intent to pursue development of the Intellectual Property within the scope of its agreement with Life University within ninety (90) days or within the time specified by the contract of assignment, all rights to the Intellectual Property shall revert to Life University for a period of ninety (90) days. If Life University fails to take action to exploit the Intellectual Property within said ninety (90) days, all rights in the Intellectual Property shall revert to the inventor/author upon written request.

Section 7. Appeals

Life University students shall have the right to appeal the decision of the Intellectual Property Committee. Appeals shall be made in writing to the Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs of Life University within thirty (30) days of the final decision of the Executive Vice President of Finance. The student shall state the decision complained of and the redress desired.

In the event that the outcome of the appeals process to the Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs does not meet the student’s expectations, the student may request that a review of the decision be conducted by the Office of the President with final option of review presented to the Board of Trustees through the Executive Office.

Section 8. Conflicts with Trustees’ Policies

In the event of a conflict between this policy and the official Patent Policy of the Board of Trustees, the latter shall prevail.