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.

VA Educational Benefits

Title 38 United States Code Section 3679(e) School Compliance

NOTE: A Covered Individual is any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, or chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits*. 

• Life University permits any covered individual to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 (a “certificate of eligibility” can also include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website – eBenefits, or a VAF 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates:

1. The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution.
2. 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.

• Life University will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.

In addition, Life University requires the covered individual to submit a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to the Center for Veteran Services and Engagement no later than the first day of the quarter in which you will attend

Please note, Life University may also require additional payment for the amount that is the difference between the amount of the student’s financial obligation and the amount of the VA education benefit disbursement.

Failure to comply will lead to disapproval of VA Educational Benefits.

*GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Academic Advising AS.077

Registration

Registration is divided into three categories:

1. Pre-registration- Starts Monday of eighth week of the previous quarter for College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies. College of Chiropractic pre-registration begins Monday of week nine.
2. Registration- Begins Monday week 10 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.
3. Drop: Dropping courses is defined as removing one or more, but not all, courses currently scheduled. Students can drop courses through EagleNet. There is a $25.00 fee associated with each course dropped, and there is a forfeit of tuition for dropped classes.
   • 11-week courses: Friday of Week 6, with a grade of W/WP
   • 1^st 5-week courses: Sunday of Week 3 with a grade of W/WP
   • 2^nd 5-week courses: Tuesday of Week 9 with a grade of W/WP

Beginning Week 7, students will need to meet with their advisor for advisement and schedule adjustment form processing. If a student does not drop the course in EagleNet and/or formally complete a schedule adjustment form after Week 6, the student may receive an “I” incomplete, “F” fail or “NP” no pass grade(s).

Exceptions:

• Athletes will need to meet with the Athletic Academic Coordinator before dropping a course after registration.
• Dual enrolled students will need to see their academic advisor to drop a course.

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

Last day to withdraw from the University: Monday of week 10.

Registration Policies for Students in Good Academic Standing

Registration for each quarter is available via EagleNet.

Registration Policies for Students on Academic Probation

All students on Academic Probation will be advised before the pre-registration period.  Their registration will be reviewed by their advisors after the current quarter’s grades are posted. 

• Students who enter Academic Probation status will be on an Academic Performance Contract for three quarters.
• If a student meets the requirements of their contract within the window of their three-term contract, they will be removed from the performance contract.
• At the beginning of a student’s third contract term, if they are not on track to meet the requirements of their contract within the window of their three-terms, they will be referred for dismissal with the option to appeal.

Students can register for courses during preregistration. After grades are posted, an academic probation hold will be placed on the student’s account requiring them to meet with an advisor to modify their schedule.

Audit Courses

Students wishing to audit courses at Life University must submit a schedule adjustment form to the Registrar’s Office. Auditing placement is based upon seating availability.

No credit is given for auditing a course. Audited courses will not receive an academic grade and cannot be converted for credit. The grade of “AU” will have no effect on the student’s grade point average.

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 public (some course restrictions may apply).

Changing of Courses

Once registration has closed, students may not make changes in their courses. If there is an extenuating circumstance students must seek approval from the appropriate Dean or Associate/Assistant Dean. 

Withdrawal from the University SS.014

Add/Drop/Withdrawl Policy AS.076

Student Records & Privacy

Student Records Policy SS.020

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) SS.009

Life University Academic Policies

Accreditation Substantive Change Policy AS.048

Conditionally Admitted Students Policy AS.018

Transfer Credit Policy AS.070

CGUS Evaluation of Undergraduate Transfer Credit Policy AS.035 

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) AS.024

Dual Enrolled Students Degree Completion Progress AS.004

Dress Code Policy AS.003

Multiple Majors Policy AS.071

Directed Study Policy AS. 072

Nondiscrimination Policy UL.004

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 EagleNet. 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 EagleNet. 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 the College of Online Education; and October 1 through September 30 for the College of Chiropractic. 

Attendance Policy AS.001

Grading Policies AS.053

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 all the required assignments of the course(s). Grade will automatically be changed to either an “F” or “NP” at the end of the second week of the next quarter.
• F - Failed; the student did not earn a minimum of 70% on the lecture or lab portion of the course(s).
• NP - No Pass; Designated for Clinic Practicum, some CHPM courses, and 0 credit graduation requirement courses.

*As of Fall 2022 Withdrawn Failure has been removed from the grading scheme and will no longer be used.*

In Progress (IP grades) AS.068

Repeating Courses

Students who receive an “F,” “W,” 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 degree programs who must retake a course have a maximum of three (3) attempts at any one course, where a course with a letter grade of a “W” notation counts as an attempt. 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.

Specifically, a grade of “F,” “W,” or “NP” is not removed from the permanent record when the course is retaken and does count in the cumulative GPA unless a student appeals to the Dean for grade forgiveness and the appeal is granted (This only applies to undergraduate students). When students receive a grade of “Incomplete,” they should consult with the instructor.  An unresolved “I” will convert to an “F” or “NP.”

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

Grade Appeal Policy AS.022

Credit Hour Policy AS.002

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. Students who receive an “F” or “NP” in any required 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 to 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 start 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

Schedules for final exams and their locations are listed in the Academic Quarterly Announcements.

Academic Progress

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 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale and completing 70% or more of their attempted classes.

*Academic eligibility is separate and distinct from Federal Financial Aid Eligibility. Please refer to the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (AS.024) or see your Advisor/Financial Aid Counselor for details and/or questions.

DCP Admissions Policy  AS. 073

College of Chiropractic Academic Standing Policy AS.039

Doctor of Chiropractic 1st Term GPA Requirement AS.051

Appeal of Academic Dismissal

Any student dismissed from the Doctor of Chiropractic Program has the right to appeal his/her academic dismissal to the Dismissal/Appeals committee within the College of Chiropractic. 

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 may be considered a violation of the terms of the academic performance contract. This violation may result in dismissal from the program.
2. Students who wish to drop a course(s) and/or withdraw 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 contract status.
3. F-1 visa international students cannot drop a course below the required minimum without the preliminary approval of the Director of International Programs, PDSO, and is considered a status violation. The Certificate of Eligibility Form I-20 will be terminated unless a student can prove full-time enrollment for the quarter.

Program Course Failure Policies

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.

COC Final Dismissal Policy AS.041

DCP Progression Policy AS.040

COC National Board (NBCE) Graduation Policy AS.067

DC Reinstatement Policy AS.007

Doctor of Chiropractic Program (DCP) Dual Degree Course Restriction Policy AS.045

Doctor of Chiropractic Program (DCP) Maximum Credit Hours per Quarter Policy AS.047

Five (5) Year Hiatus Rule AS.005

Doctor of Chiropractic 1st Term GPA Requirement Policy  AS.051 

College of Graduate & Undergraduate Studies- Undergraduate 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.

Undergraduate Provisionally Admitted Students Policy AS.042

CGUS Policy on Selection of Concentration within a Major or Degree AS.032

CGUS Academic Advising Policy AS.031

Academic Advising for Provisional Undergraduate Students Policy AS.029

Transitional Course for Main Campus Provisional Students Policy AS. 046

Academic Progress

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 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale and completing 70% or more of their attempted classes.

*Academic eligibility is separate and distinct from Federal Financial Aid Eligibility. Please refer to the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (AS.024) or see your Advisor/Financial Aid Counselor for details and/or questions.

Undergraduate Academic Standing Policy AS.038

Appeal of Academic Dismissal

Any student dismissed from an Undergraduate program has the right to appeal his/her academic dismissal to the Dismissal/Appeals committee within the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies.

Academically dismissed F-1 visa international students will be allowed to appeal the dismissal. Such a student will remain in the active F-1 visa status if the appeal is successful. Such a student’s F-1 status will be terminated as soon as the final negative appeal decision is received, and the student will be obliged to leave the US immediately. 

SEVIS records of academically dismissed F-1 visa students and his/her F-2 dependents can be transferred to another SEVP accredited college only in the “terminated” status.

Undergraduate Students Placed on Probation Policy AS.030

Undergraduate Studies Reinstatement Policy AS.008

Undergraduate Grade Scheme

Grade Scheme includes the use of “W”. These grades will be enforced for all undergraduate courses (including accelerated), and “W” grades will affect cumulative GPA the same as a grade “F.” 

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 “F” 
• Beginning Week 7, all 11-week classes be graded “F”
• Beginning Week 9, all 2nd 5-week classes will be graded “F” 

Specific Dates can be found in the Academic Quarterly Announcements.

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

Undergraduate Academic Forgiveness Policy AS.034

Undergraduate Maximum Credit Hours per Quarter Policy AS. 044

CGUS Returning (Hiatus) Policy AS. 049

College of Graduate & Undergraduate Studies- Graduate Academic Policies

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. 

Provisional: Students that do not meet the minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or do not meet the minimum GRE/MAT requirements, may be admitted on a provisional status. A student admitted provisionally must achieve a minimum 3.0 GPA during their first 12 credit hours of coursework. Failure to do so will result in removal from the program.

Conditional: Students who are lacking documents required for admission to a graduate program may be admitted with a conditional status. Students admitted on conditional status must submit all necessary admission documentation during their first quarter of enrollment. Failure to do so may result in removal from the program.

CGUS Policy on Selection of Concentration within a Major or Degree AS.032

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 designee.

Participation in Graduate Programs AS.057

Graduate Academic Standing Policy AS.037

Appeal of Academic Dismissal

Any student dismissed from a Graduate program has the right to appeal his/her academic dismissal to the Dismissal/Appeals committee within the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies.

Graduate Studies Reinstatement Policy AS.050

Undergraduate Reinstatement Policy AS.008

Graduation and Scholastic Honors

CGUS Academic Honors Requirement Policy AS.021

Candle-Lighters

Life University’s deans and faculty select three graduating students who best represent each of Life University’s three core values to light one candle during the ceremony.

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.

Chiropractic Distinctions

Clinic Excellence Award

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 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

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

College of Graduate & Undergraduate Studies

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

• Achieved a term GPA of 3.50-3.99 for a given quarter during the academic year.
• Registered for a minimum of 12 credits for the given quarter.
• Completed all attempted credits for all registered courses during the given quarter (no “I” or “IP” grades).
• A student who is found by the Office of Student Conduct to have violated the Honor Code of Life University in the previous four (4) quarters is not eligible for the Dean’s List.

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

• Achieved a term GPA of 4.00 for a given quarter during the academic year.
• Registered for a minimum of 12 credits for the given quarter.
• Completed all attempted credits for all registered courses during the given quarter (no “I” or “IP” grades).
• A student who is found by the Office of Student Conduct to have violated the Honor Code of Life University in the previous four (4) quarters is not eligible for the President’s List.

College of Chiropractic

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

• Achieved a term GPA of 3.50-3.99 for a given quarter during the academic year.
• Registered for a minimum of 18 credits for the given quarter.
• Completed all attempted credits for all registered courses during the given quarter (no “I” or “IP” grades).
• A student who is found by the Office of Student Conduct to have violated the Honor Code of Life University in the previous four (4) quarters is not eligible for the Dean’s List.

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

• Achieved a term GPA of 4.00 for a given quarter during the academic year.
• Registered for a minimum of 18 credits for the given quarter.
• Completed all attempted credits for all registered courses during the given quarter (no “I” or “IP” grades).
• A student who is found by the Office of Student Conduct to have violated the Honor Code of Life University in the previous four (4) quarters is not eligible for the President’s List.

Life University Student Intellectual Property Policy AS.027