Course Policies - General

Class Size

Classes at NDMU may be as small as seven and seldom larger than 30 students. Small class size is a great advantage for both students and faculty. Each student is heard, and ideas and opinions are explored. Professors get to know students as individuals and the learning environment is enriched.

Class Attendance

Consistent class attendance and participation are essential to academic success. Students are expected both to attend class and to contribute to discussions and group activities. A student who is absent misses an important educational experience and detracts from the experience of others. In the College of Adult Undergraduate Studies, attendance is expected at all class meetings. Specific policies about the relationship between class attendance and course grades are established by departments and faculty and are explained in departmental handbooks and course syllabi.  Students enrolling in online courses are required to initiate activity in the course within the first 24 hours of the first day of class to verify their participation. If students do not engage in the course, they risk being withdrawn. Courses taught online may require some time on campus.  Students should familiarize themselves with university, departmental, or course (traditional vs. online) policies before the beginning of the semester and plan accordingly.

Students are advised children are prohibited from attending classes with them. Though the University is sensitive to the needs of parents and the potential for difficulties in providing child care, the campus is not to be used as a playground for children while the parent is attending class. The University denies any liability for injuries sustained by children playing on campus while the parent or supervising adult is in class.

Final Examinations

Examinations are scheduled at the end of each term. Exam dates are listed on the Registrar's Office page. Students are expected to take exams at the scheduled times. A student who is absent from an examination without instructor approval may receive a grade of zero for the final examination which could result in a grade of “F” for the course. In case of illness or other unforeseen circumstances that could prevent a student from taking final examinations at the posted time, the student must contact the instructor and make individual arrangements to reschedule in advance of the exam.

Grading

Grades represent the instructor's evaluation of a student's achievement in the course. Each letter grade is ascribed a meaning and a numerical value (grade points) as follows:

* An Incomplete becomes an F if not resolved within the designated time frame; see Incomplete Grades below for more information. 
** See Pass/Fail for more information.

The Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated by dividing the total grade points earned by the number of credits attempted (exclusive of any Pass grades). Transfer or withdrawal credit is not calculated in the Grade Point Average.

Grade Reports

Students can access their grades through Self-Service as soon as they are posted by faculty and officially verified by the Registrar's Office. Students may request a hard copy grade report by emailing registrar@ndm.edu.

Incomplete Grades

A semester officially ends at the close of the examination period. An Incomplete grade (I) can be granted only for reasons beyond the student's control and under the following circumstances:

• The request must be made by the student to the instructor. It is the instructor's decision to accept or deny the request; 
• The student request must be based on a serious illness, emergency, or military service preventing the student from completing the work for the course; and
• The student must have satisfactorily completed at least half the coursework at the time the Incomplete is requested.

Incomplete grades at the end of the term in which they are accrued are calculated as if the grade earned is "F."  It is imperative students move prudently to clear any incomplete grades as they will negatively impact the student's Grade Point Average, and may impact a student's financial aid.

The final determination of the Incomplete grade is the responsibility of the instructor. It is the student's responsibility to submit all the required work to the instructor so that a grade may be provided by the due date, which is typically mid-term in the following Fall or Spring. Work not submitted to the instructor on time will result in the grade being converted to an “F.” Instructors will submit the final grade to the Registrar.

Students are advised not to carry an Incomplete grade from one semester to the next semester. If personal circumstances/emergencies necessitate a student carry more than one course with an Incomplete grade, the University reserves the right to limit the number of credits the student may take in the succeeding term. In such reviews, a student may be precluded from registering or be limited to part-time status until the Incomplete grade(s) is resolved. An Incomplete grade cannot be removed through re-registration for the course or through “credit-by-examination.”

Pass/Fail Grade

A student may choose to take one graded elective course in any semester for a Pass/Fail grade with a maximum of four Pass (P) grades which can be used for graduation. A Pass grade for the course is not computed in the student's grade point average, but the credits earned are counted as credits toward graduation; however, a Fail (F) grade for the course will be included in the student's grade point average. In order to graduate with Honors, a student may not carry more than four courses with Pass grades (petitioning for credit, standardized testing and transfer credit are not counted toward this limit). Notification of the choice to take a course for a Pass/Fail grade must be filed with the Registrar before the end of the Drop/Add period. The Pass/Fail option is irrevocable.

Audit

Students may choose to audit a lecture course if they wish to broaden their academic exposure but do not need to take the course for credit. Students must register for audited courses, which appear on the student's official transcript but carry no academic credit. Notification of the choice to audit a course must be filed within the Registrar's Office before the end of the Drop/Add period. Courses taken as audit carry the same credit cost as a course taken for a grade. The decision to audit a course is irrevocable. Students cannot receive financial aid for audited courses and audited courses do not count toward the credits required for a full-time load for financial aid purposes.

Once a student has audited a course they are not eligable to receive academic credit by advanced standing examination or advanced placement. Student are allowed to enroll and receive academic credit for previously audited work by enrolling in the course for academic credit. Students are not allowed to audit courses in which they previously earned academic credit.