2012–2013 Graduate Catalog

Academic Regulations and Policies 

Academic Calendar 

Regardless of delivery methods, the academic year is divided into two semesters, each 15 weeks in length plus a final exam week. The summer session typically runs 14 weeks.

Academic Integrity 

As members of the Viterbo University community, students are expected to conduct themselves in an ethical manner and adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity. Furthermore, Viterbo University students are expected to adhere to a standard of academic honesty befitting their enrollment in this ecumenical Catholic university. They will not engage in plagiarism, cheating, lying, or stealing, nor will they tolerate those who do so. Fundamental to the principle of independent learning and professional growth is the requirement of honesty and integrity in the conduct of one’s academic life. Academic dishonesty in any form is a serious offense against the academic community. Each graduate program will review the standards of academic integrity and have students acknowledge their acceptance of the standards.
 

Academic Integrity Policy 

Viterbo University students, faculty, and administration share the responsibility of maintaining a standard of academic honesty. The faculty must create an atmos­phere in which students may display their knowledge. This atmosphere includes sufficient safeguards to control dishonesty including an orderly testing room, restrictions on text messages, etc. Students are responsible for understanding and refraining from academic misconduct. 
 

1. Academic misconduct is any activity that may compromise the academic integrity of the university, or subvert the educational process. Examples of academic misconduct include, but are not limited to,

• Violating course rules as contained in the course syllabus or other information provided to the student; violating program regulations as established by departmental committees and made available to students;
• Knowingly providing or receiving information from others during examinations; or possessing or using unauthorized materials during examinations;
• Knowingly providing or using assistance in the laboratory, on field work, in scholarship, or on a course assignment when said work was to be completed individually;
• Submitting plagiarized work for an academic requirement.
  Plagiarism is the representation of another’s work or ideas as one’s own whether intentional or unintentional; it includes the unacknowledged paraphrasing or word-for-word use of another person’s work, and/or the inappropriate unacknowledged use of another person’s ideas. Each student is responsible for understanding plagiarism and the consequences of committing plagiarism. The Viterbo University Library offers information about plagiarism and how it can be avoided. Viterbo graduate students are strongly encouraged to complete an online tutorial on avoiding plagiarism, which is available at www.indiana.edu/~istd.
• Submitting substantially the same work to satisfy requirements for one course or academic requirement that has been submitted to satisfy requirements for another course or academic requirement, without permission of either the instructor of the course for which the work is being submitted or the supervising authority for the academic requirement;
• Falsifying or fabricating laboratory results, research results, or any other assignments;
• Serving as, or enlisting the assistance of a substitute for a student in the taking of examinations;
• Altering grades or marks in an effort to change the earned grade or credit;
• Altering university forms or records, or using such forms or records with authorization; or
• Engaging in activities that unfairly place other students at a disadvantage, such as taking, hiding, or altering resource material, or manipulating a grading system.

2. The faculty member who suspects a student of academic misconduct shall follow these steps. The faculty member shall notify the student in writing of the allegation. The faculty member shall also contact the program director and the vice president for academic affairs office to notify that office that the student is involved in an allegation of academic misconduct and to discover if the student has previously violated the academic integrity policy. 

If the student has committed other academic misconduct, the matter shall be handled by the vice president for academic affairs as described below. If the student has not previously committed academic misconduct, the faculty member shall determine whether this academic misconduct is intentional or unintentional. Unintentional academic misconduct occurs when a student attempts to acknowledge, quote, and/or cite sources but does so inadequately or incorrectly. In determining if the misconduct is intentional or unintentional, the faculty member may consult with the student and/or program director. Students may have only one finding of unintentional academic misconduct; more than one unintentional offense shall be treated as intentional academic misconduct.

•  If the faculty member determines that the misconduct is unintentional, the faculty member may impose one of the sanctions below.
  • Provide a written warning that the continuation or repetition of academic misconduct will be cause for additional disciplinary action; and
  • Award a failing grade on the assignment; or
  • Require the student to resubmit the corrected assignment or complete an alternative assignment. The faculty member shall determine the grade for the resubmitted or alternate assignment.
     
   

In determining the appropriate sanction, the faculty member shall consider all pertinent facts, including the nature of the offense, mitigating and aggravating circumstances, and the student’s response to the event. The faculty member shall notify the vice president for academic affairs that the misconduct was determined to be unintentional so that the vice president for academic affairs’ office may properly monitor all faculty notifications for patterns of academic misconduct. 
 

• If the faculty member determines that the misconduct was intentional, he or she shall refer the incident to the director of the relevant graduate program. The director of the program shall collect all pertinent facts, including the nature of the offense, mitigating circumstances, the student’s response to the event, and the failure of the individual to comply with past sanctions. The program director shall make the final determination of whether or not academic misconduct occurred and, if so, whether said misconduct was intentional or unintentional.
   

If the program director finds that the student has intentionally violated the academic integrity policy, the program director will notify the student in writing and make a recommendation to the vice president for academic affairs who shall impose sanction(s). At a minimum, the student shall receive a failing grade in the course. Most cases of intentional academic misconduct at the graduate level will result in either suspension or expulsion from Viterbo University.
 

3. The vice president of academic affairs may impose one or more of the following sanctions for a violation of this academic integrity policy.

• Interim Suspension – Suspension from classes, campus facilities, university premises and/or university-sponsored functions, for an interim period pending disciplinary proceedings. A student suspended on an interim basis may discuss with the vice president for academic affairs or designee the reliability of the information related to the student’s academic misconduct.
• University Suspension – Separation from the University for a specified period of time. The vice president for academic affairs may specify conditions for readmission
• University Expulsion – Permanent separation of the student from the University.

4. The vice president for academic affairs will communicate the decision in writing to the student. The vice president for academic affairs will also send a copy of the letter to the vice president for student development, or designee.

5. In accordance with procedures set forth in the Viterbo University Student Handbook, students may appeal any decision for breach of academic honesty to the University Board of Review.

6. All records and correspondence in such cases will be kept in the office files of the vice president for academic affairs until graduation. Students’ academic transcripts shall exclude academic misconduct except for cases of expulsion. 
 

Academic Policy Exception 

Students seeking an exception to any university academic policy listed in this academic policy section may petition the vice president for academic affairs for an exception. The Academic Policy Exception form is found on the registrar’s office web page. You must have the approval of your advisor, program director, and school dean prior to the submission of the form to the vice president for academic affairs.
 

Academic Standing 

Graduate students must earn a C or better in all courses and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better. A student who earns less than a grade of C or NC (no credit) in any course must retake the course. Any student who falls below a semester or cumulative grade point average of 3.0 will be placed on academic probation and must achieve a grade of B or better in all subsequent courses to remain in the program and must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better to earn a graduate degree. A student on academic probation who receives a grade below a B in any course may be dismissed from the program.  See program sections of this catalog for specific requirements of each graduate program. 
 

Dismissal for academic reasons (e.g., grades, academic dishonesty, professional integrity issues) precludes readmission.
 

Adding/dropping Courses 

See Registration section.
 

Alternative Credit 

Credit by Examination
For students in graduate programs requiring prerequisite coursework, Viterbo University participates in the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). CLEP is a national program administered through the College Board. Viterbo follows The American Council on Education (ACE) guidelines and recommendations for minimum scores for awarding undergraduate credit in subject examinations. There is a fee for each examination. Currently enrolled students or incoming students who enroll the subsequent semester may register for exams. Students should visit the Academic Resource Center web site for information about CLEP test dates.  
 

Credit for Prior Learning
Each graduate program has its own policy on credits for prior learning. See program sections for further policy and information. 

Attendance Policy 

Viterbo University challenges students to be learners who assume responsibility for being part of a community of scholars. Student presence and participation in the classroom is an important component of this challenge. Each student is encouraged to develop a professional work ethic that reflects responsibility, initiative, and teamwork. In light of the above, students are expected to attend all classes. Students who are absent from class miss opportunities to contribute to the learning environment of the classroom and to learn from their colleagues. Each program has specific attendance policies. Absences from class may result in a loss of college financial aid. Federal regulation requires that students make satisfactory progress toward a degree in order to retain federal financial aid.  
 

Students not able to attend classes due to military obligations should refer to the military deployment policy. 
 

Audit 

Students pursuing a degree at Viterbo University may wish to audit a course for personal or professional knowledge. Students who are auditing are not required to complete assignments or take examinations, but auditors are expected to attend classes. If their attendance is unsatisfactory, auditing students will be administratively withdrawn from the course. Students receive no credit for courses that they audit; a grade of AU is entered on their records. Audited courses do not count toward students’ degree requirements. To audit a course, students must complete an audit form obtained on the registrar’s office Web page. The completed form includes the instructor’s signature, which signifies consent for the student to audit the course. Students must return the completed form to the registrar’s office no later than Friday of the first week of class. After the first week of classes, students may not change their course status from audit to credit. In exceptional circumstances a student may change the status of the course from credit to audit. In that case, students must file the paperwork no later than the midpoint of the class. Students may also repeat audited courses for credit in subsequent semesters. The tuition and fees for audit courses are the same as for credit courses.  
 

Community members (non-degree/non-licensure/non-endorsement seeking students) may also audit certain courses. The same policies and deadlines apply to non-degree auditors. Interested students should submit an online non-degree student application, for initial entrance to Viterbo University. Non-degree students should check the current fee schedule, published in the class schedule, for rates.  

Contact Hours

Viterbo defines one credit hour as 750 minutes over 15 weeks. In addition, each credit of a course requires that students spend two hours of work outside of class per week.
 

Regardless of format, all sections are required to meet the required credit hour standards by any combination of seat time and outside work. Outside work could include additional outside reading, group work, service projects, field work, clinical rotations, among other learning activities.
 

Laboratory periods, clinical, internships, and practicums vary in length depending upon the requirements of the course. Normally one credit hour equals no less than 30 actual clock hours.
 

Minimum class and outside work time are calculated according to the formula below.
 

[750 + 1800]  X  the number of credits of a course = 

the minimum number of minutes of seat time and outside work required
 

For example: a three credit course requires a minimum of 7,650 total minutes. 
 

Grades 

A student’s grade in each class is determined by the instructor according to evaluation methods provided by the instructor. Methods of evaluation are published in each course syllabus. It is the responsibility of the instructor to inform students of the methods of evaluation to be used. At the conclusion of each course final grades are submitted to the registrar via VitNet.

The grading system is as follows:
 

*For each credit 

Other Grades 

An appeal of a final grade must be made to the instructor no later than the fourth week of the subsequent semester. Any grade change requires the signature of the instructor, the director of the program, and the vice president for academic affairs. Any other discrepancies in a student’s term record must be reported to the Office of the Registrar no later than the fourth week of the subsequent semester. 
 

Incompletes 

A grade of incomplete is given infrequently and only under unusual circumstances that are beyond the student’s control such as a serious illness or death in the family or unanticipated complications in an original research project. To be considered for an incomplete, the student must have at least 50% of the course work complete and have a passing grade in the course. Students will find the form to request a grade of incomplete on the registrar’s office Web page. The student must seek the approval of the instructor, department chair, and dean or vice president for academic affairs. The completed form with approving signatures needs to be submitted to the registrar’s office by the last class. 
 

The student is responsible for completing the required course work by the agreed upon deadline. The instructor is responsible for submitting a replacement grade to the registrar’s office. If the incomplete grade is not removed and the replacement grade from the instructor is not on file in the registrar’s office by mid-semester of the subsequent semester or summer session, the incomplete grade converts to an F.
 

Grade Appeal (Academic Review Process) 

When grievances arise in regard to a course grade, the student should first discuss the matter with the individual faculty member. If a satisfactory conclusion is not achieved, the matter may be brought, in turn, to the respective department chairperson, school dean, and then to the vice president for academic affairs. Matters still in dispute may finally be taken to the Board of Review. Formal, written grade appeals must be filed within the fourth week of the subsequent semester (fall, spring, and summer) following the finalization of grades in the registrar’s office and in accordance with procedures available in the student handbook.
 

Grade Point Average 

The grade point average of a student’s work is the ratio of the grade points to the number of credits attempted. Courses taken under the credit/no credit option as well as courses completed at another institution are not included in the grade point average.
 

Independent Study 

Independent study is one way Viterbo students can enjoy individualized learning. Independent study allows students to proceed at their own pace and take more responsibility for their own learning. Since independent study requires initiative and allows for considerable freedom, students should plan the proposed study carefully with help from the directing faculty. Students should outline the proposed plan of study on the contract and registration form. The same number of student/faculty contact hours as a regular course must be maintained. The plan must be approved by the instructor, academic advisor, department chair/program director, and dean of the discipline of the independent study. Students must complete the form found on the registrar’s office Web page and file it with the registrar’s office upon registration, but no later than the end of the first week of classes for the term of the independent study. Students must complete the work of the independent study within the semester they register for the course. Over the course of their Viterbo University career, students may take a maximum of three credits of independent study. 
 

Independent study courses may be of three types:

• Directed study, research, and/or readings in an area that is not included in the regular course offerings. (The course appears on a student’s transcript with the title Independent Study.)
• Departure from the regular credit value of a course, such as independent work on one portion of an existing course. (The course appears on a student’s transcript with the title Independent Study.)
• The independent study of a course listed in the current university catalog. 
   

Subsequent independent study courses may be repeated for credit.
 

Leave of Absence 

Graduate students may need to stop continuous enrollment for various reasons and should speak with their advisor about their decision. Semester-based program students who will not be taking a course the subsequent semester, but intend to return to Viterbo to complete a program should register for NENR-000 the subsequent semester/summer session(s). This will allow for the students’ technology accounts and student records to remain active. Students will not be billed tuition for this course, nor will they receive financial aid or attendance verification. 
 

The student may register for NENR-000 for a maximum of three continuous semesters/terms (fall, spring, summer). The student is responsible for registering for the NENR-000 via VitNet for each subsequent term, prior to the end of the first week of the subsequent term. After the third semester of NENR-000, the students’ record and technology accounts will be deactivated. Students wishing to return to complete a program/degree, and are eligible to do so, will need to complete the reentry process and will be subject to the catalog and requirements at the time of reentry.
 

Military Deployment 

Viterbo University has set forth the following policy for students serving in a branch of the armed forces and called to active duty, including state activation of a member of the National Guard. This policy also applies to a student who is a spouse of an activated service member (who has a dependent child). 
 

The graduate program director will serve as the main contact for the student. In all cases (deployment during the term and between terms), graduate program director will work with the student to determine if any online or other course enrollment for subsequent terms is possible while being deployed. 
 

• The student must provide a copy of his/her orders.
• If the deployment occurs after a term begins and will be for the duration of the term or longer:
  • If a student decides he/she cannot continue his/her studies, a student may request a full refund of tuition charges and mandatory fees for courses that cannot be completed. All or a portion of tuition charges and mandatory fees may be waived by the business office. No refund of non-mandatory fees will occur. Any room and board charges will be prorated based on the dates of attendance. Financial aid adjustments will be made in accordance with federal and state financial aid regulations. If a balance remains on a student’s account after all adjustments have been made, the account will be flagged as “no interest” until the student returns or it is determined the student is not continuing studies at Viterbo University.
  • At the discretion of the faculty member, a student may continue a course using communication means available (Blackboard/Moodle, email, etc.). All charges and financial aid pertaining to the courses in which the student continues enrollment will remain.
  • If a student has completed a short term course but is enrolled in other courses that have not been completed, the charges and financial aid related to the completed course will remain and the rest of the charges and financial aid will be adjusted appropriately.
   
• If the deployment is short term or mandatory training (begins and ends during the term):
  • In consultation with the faculty members and dean or department chair, every effort will be made to accommodate the short term absence.
   
• If the deployment occurs between terms, it is recommended that the student contact the graduate program director and register for a leave of absence (NENR-000).
   

Program Evaluation 

Students will be asked to provide input and evaluation at various intervals during their program of studies and after graduation. Course evaluations will be done at the end of each course. Instructor evaluations will be completed at scheduled intervals. Interim/midpoint assessments may be conducted to allow students to reflect on their progress toward meeting the graduate outcomes and indicate their satisfaction with the program. Student input for quality improvement is always welcome by instructors, advisors, directors, and deans.
 

Registration 

Students in semester-based programs register using VitNet, the online student information system. Registration for spring typically occurs in early November, summer registration in late February, and fall registration in early April. All coursework must be registered for the term in which the work is done. Students must confirm their enrollment in the business office prior to the beginning of classes or according to schedule during the first three days of classes. 
 

Full-time graduate student status is six credits per semester. 
 

Students who have pre-registered for classes but decide not to attend Viterbo University must inform the program director of the change in plans prior to the beginning of the semester. Students are liable for all charges until this official notification is made. 
 

Add/Drop
For students in campus-based programs, schedule changes may be made via the VitNet online system anytime after a student’s initial registration time through the first week of the semester. After the first week of the semester, courses may no longer be added, and any drops must be made via the drop form in the Office of the Registrar. When students wish to change a section or credit value for a class, they must drop and then add the class. These changes must also be completed by the end of the first week of the semester. Compressed courses may not be added after the first class meeting. 
 

The drop dates for Viterbo courses are based on the 16-week term. Courses other than 16 weeks in length, which includes most graduate level courses, have prorated drop dates. Contact your program director or the registrar’s office for specific drop dates. Depending on the time of the drop, a course may be removed from the permanent record or be recorded with a grade of W (non-penalty). No drops are allowed after the deadline to drop with a grade of W. The official drop date is considered to be the date the form is submitted to the Office of the Registrar. 
 

Repeating Courses 

Except where program requirements prevent it, students may repeat a course. Each grade is listed on the permanent record; only the last grade is used in computing the grade point average. Repeating courses may affect financial aid and academic progress.
 

Grades from courses repeated at other institutions to replace grades earned at Viterbo University will not be used in computing the grade point average. Students must seek prior approval before taking a course at another institution.
 

Sexual Harassment Policy 

Viterbo University is committed to maintaining a learning and working environment which respects the dignity of all individuals, and is free from sexual harassment. Accordingly, Viterbo University will not tolerate the sexual harassment of one member of the university community by another, or by external parties/individuals providing services to Viterbo University. The university community subject to this prohibition includes faculty, administrators, staff, and students. 
 

Definition 
Sexual harassment takes two forms under the law: (1) Quid pro quo or (2) hostile atmosphere. 
 

Quid pro quo harassment occurs where an individual retaliates against another for submitting to, or refusing to submit to, sexual harassment. This refusal may include refusing sexual advances, rejecting physical contact, or denying requests for sexual favors. The retaliatory action may include the denial of a promotion, the levying of discipline, lowering of a student grade, or termination of employment.
 

Quid pro quo harassment also occurs where submission to sexual harassment is proffered as a condition for favorable treatment. This favorable treatment may include promotion, wage advance, or academic advancement.
 

Hostile atmosphere is the other form of sexual harassment. An individual‘s conduct, whether intentional or unintentional, may create a hostile, intimidating, or offensive learning and working environment for others. This hostile environment may be created by repeated and unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors. Also, unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature may create a hostile atmosphere. Such conduct includes, for example, unsolicited gestures or comments of a sexual nature, display of offensive, sexually graphic materials, or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
 

Sexual harassment may originate from faculty, administrators, staff or students. Also, sexual harassment may originate from external parties/individuals providing services to Viterbo University. Harassment can occur if the offending individual is the same gender as the individual being harassed. If an individual is offended by witnessing the harassment of another individual, a harassment complaint may still be filed even though the harassment is not directly aimed at the individual witnessing the harassment.
 

As defined above, sexual harassment is a specific form of discrimination in which the power differential inherent in the relationship between a student and teacher or supervisor and subordinate is exploited. However, this policy also recognizes that sexual harassment may occur between individuals who have similar status at Viterbo University, such as student-student or faculty-faculty.
 

Consenting sexual relationships between faculty and student or supervisor and subordinate often present the most difficult cases of sexual harassment. The power differential between these two groups can cast serious doubt on whether the relationship is consensual. Also, the relationship can easily turn the learning or working environment into a hostile one for the complainant. Since the purpose behind this policy is to free the working and learning environment from such damaging interference, Viterbo University strongly discourages such relationships. If the University learns of such a relationship between a supervisor and subordinate, steps will be taken to alter the reporting structure. If the relationship occurs between a faculty member and student, the matter will be discussed with the faculty member and student and steps taken to avoid harm. 
 

Complaint Resolution 
The primary goal of the sexual harassment policy is to prevent objectionable behavior or stop it whenever it occurs. No member of the community will be retaliated against for making a sexual harassment complaint.
 

Any member of the community who believes he or she has been sexually harassed by another should, if possible, tell the individual harassing him/her that the behavior is offensive and must stop, and should also report the harassment to the vice president for academic affairs, human resource director, or the vice president of finance and administration as soon as possible. Any member of the community who becomes aware of a sexual harassment incident should report the incident to the vice president for academic affairs, human resource director, or the vice president of finance and administration as soon as possible. Timely reporting of incidents will ensure efficient resolution.
 

The vice president for academic affairs, human resource director, or the vice president of finance and administration will conduct an investigation of the harassment complaint. The complainant will prepare a written complaint describing the incident as completely as possible, and provide the written complaint to the vice president for academic affairs, human resource director, or the vice president of finance and administration. To the extent possible, the investigation will remain confidential, considering the complainant‘s right of privacy, the need to be fair to the respondent by notifying the respondent of the complaint, and the need to gather information regarding the incident. Investigation of the complaint may require the interviewing of members of the university community who may have witnessed the incident, or who may have information regarding the incident, as well as review of relevant data or documents. The investigation will be conducted expeditiously, but in a manner consistent with the complexity and severity of the matter. The vice president for academic affairs, human resource director, or the vice president of finance and administration will maintain a written record of the complaint and resolution process.
 

If there is a finding that sexual harassment has occurred, the offending individual will be subject to an appropriate penalty. The penalty will depend on the severity, frequency, or repetition of the harassment. If the matter involves an employee, discipline, ranging from reprimand to discharge, may be given. If the matter involves a student, discipline, ranging from reprimand to administrative withdrawal, may be given. The complainant will be notified of the results of the investigation and the resolution of the complaint.
 

If the investigation of the complaint shows that the complainant made a false complaint, Viterbo University may discipline the complainant for making such a false complaint. If the matter involves an employee, discipline, ranging from reprimand to discharge, may be given. If the matter involves a student, discipline, ranging from reprimand to administrative withdrawal, may be given. A false complaint is one where there is absolutely no basis for the complaint or the complaint was motivated by malice toward the respondent.
 

In addition to the complaint resolution procedures described above, the complainant may also file a charge with an appropriate external agency (e.g. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Wisconsin Equal Rights Division).
 

Student Records 

Right to Privacy
Viterbo University annually informs students of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, as amended. This act, with which the institution intends to comply fully, was designated to protect the privacy of education records, to establish the right of students to inspect and review their education records, and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal and formal hearings. Students also have the right to file complaints with The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act office concerning alleged failures by the institution to comply with the act.
 

Local policy explains in detail the procedures to be used by the institution for compliance with the provisions of the act. A copy of the policy may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar or the office’s website. This office also maintains a directory of records which lists all education records maintained on students by this institution. 

Viterbo University hereby designates the following student information as public or “directory information.” Such information may be disclosed by the institution for any purpose, at its discretion—name; address (home, local/campus, and email); telephone listings; date of birth/age; major/minor field of study; participation in officially recognized activities and sports; weight and height of athletic team members; dates of attendance; full-time/part-time status; photograph; registration course schedule; class level; academic level; degrees/academic recognitions/awards received; name/address/occupation of parent/guardian/spouse; and educational institutions or agencies attended. Currently enrolled students may withhold disclosure of directory information under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. To withhold disclosure, written notification must be received in the Office of the Registrar by the end of the second week of each semester and the first week of summer school. Forms requesting the withholding of “directory information” are available through the Office of the Registrar.
 

Viterbo University assumes that failure on the part of any student to request specifically the withholding of “directory information” indicates individual approval for disclosure.
 

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.
 

Transcripts 

A transcript is a complete and unabridged copy of all academic work attempted at Viterbo University and work accepted in transfer to Viterbo. Course and grade information contained on the transcript are released only upon written consent from the student as required by the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. A transcript will not be mailed as a result of a telephone call, email, or Fax request. Records from other schools will not be photocopied or sent elsewhere. No transcript will be issued until all financial accounts have been cleared with the university. The fee for a transcript is $5.00 per copy.
 

The Viterbo University transcript does not include any academic standing notations. The transcript will, however, include a notation if the student has been expelled from the institution.
 

Undergraduate Student Enrollment in Graduate Courses 

Undergraduate students, in bachelor degree seeking programs, may enroll in a maximum of nine graduate credits. Students must be approved by the graduate program to enroll in the graduate course(s). The credit is designated as graduate credit on a graduate transcript.  The credits will not appear on an undergraduate transcript and will not be included in the undergraduate credit totals.
 

Maximum student credit load for dual enrollment (graduate/undergraduate) is 16 credit hours for a semester or summer term. Students can enroll in no more than six graduate credits in the semester and no more than a total of 10 credits in an accelerated format (not full semester courses). 

To be registered for the graduate course(s), undergraduate students must submit a Change of Schedule form with the graduate program director’s approval to the registrar’s office, by published registration deadlines for the semester. The student’s undergraduate tuition and fees are charged.
 

Withdrawal from Viterbo University 

A student who wishes to withdraw completely from the university during a semester must complete an official withdrawal form obtained from the graduate program director or on the registrar’s office Web page. The official date of withdrawal is the day the form is received in the Office of the Registrar. This process must be completed prior to the last week of the course. Any applicable refunds for courses less than 16 weeks in length are prorated according to the deadline dates printed in the class schedules for the fall, spring, and summer terms. A student who wishes to reenter for any subsequent term must complete a reentry application form for re-acceptance.
 

Failing grades are recorded for students who do not officially withdraw from the university.