Courses, Credits, and Registration

Academic Renewal for Undergraduates

Students who have been away from the University for three or more years and who wish to begin with a new GPA may apply for Academic Renewal. Academic Renewal excludes from the GPA all grades from the first semester of enrollment to the final semester of enrollment prior to readmission. Generally, students cannot renew more than 72 credits.

To begin the process of renewal, students must first enroll in a minimum of six credits at the University and earn a minimum GPA of 2.0. Application for Renewal must be made by the third semester of enrollment.

If renewal is granted, all courses and grades will remain on the transcript with a statement granting Academic Renewal. The credits on the transcript will be counted toward the degree, but the grades will not be used in calculating the student's GPA. Academic Renewal can be granted only once and cannot be reversed

Add/Drop

Students may add/drop courses up until the last day of the add/drop period for any given session. Consult the academic calendar for specific dates.

Students should complete the add/drop form, have their Academic Advisor sign it, and submit it to the Registrar's Office for processing.

Courses dropped during the add/drop period will not appear on the student's transcript.

Approval for Study at another University/College

Once matriculated into a program, students are expected to complete all coursework at the University. If a course must be taken at another regionally accredited university or online through another institution, students must obtain the approval of their academic advisor(s) in advance.

Students must fill out and submit an Approval for Study at Another College/University form.

Students must provide their advisor(s) with a catalog description, course number, and number of credits for the course they intend to take. The advisor(s) will determine and record the equivalent SEU course and sign the form. Students then submit the completed form to the Registrar's Office. Submitting this form assures students that the course will be accepted at SEU when transcripts are presented showing a grade of C or better.

When the course is completed, students are responsible for having an official transcript sent to the Registrar's Office from the institution where the course was taken. If a transcript is not received, it will be assumed the course was not completed with a transferable grade. Courses in which the grade earned is below a "C" or a 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale) will not be accepted in transfer.

The name and credits for courses taken at other institutions either in person or online will be recorded on the student's transcript. The grade is not listed and will not be counted in the student's grade point average.

Articulation Agreements

Saint Elizabeth University has articulation agreements with many two and four-year institutions and with several graduate programs at other institutions. Saint Elizabeth University has worked with these institutions to provide the best possible interface of courses for students transferring. Certain courses taken at these institutions may be used in place of specific major requirements at the University.

The University also participates with N.J. Transfer to assist students in New Jersey community colleges to make decisions about transferring to other institutions.

Audit

Undergraduate:

Students may register to audit a course during the regular registration period on a space-available basis.
Changes in status from audit-to-credit or credit-to-audit must be made no later than the last day to add/drop.
Students who audit a class are not required to take tests or complete course assignments.
The extent to which an auditor may take part in a course's activities or receive extra help is determined by the instructor.
The charge to audit a course is one third of the regular tuition. All other fees are applicable.
The student's transcript will show a grade of "AU". The grade is not calculated in the grade point average nor is it counted towards degree requirements or progress.

Graduate:

Students who hold a bachelor's degree may register to audit a course during the regular registration period on a space available basis.
Changes in status from audit to credit or credit to audit must be made no later than the last day to add/drop.
Students who audit a class are not required to take tests or complete course assignments.
The extent to which an auditor may take part in a course's activities or receive extra help is determined by the instructor.
The fee for auditing courses is one third of the cost of tuition.
The student's transcript will show a grade of "AU". The grade is not calculated in the grade point average nor is it counted towards degree requirements or progress.

Cancellation of Courses

Saint Elizabeth University reserves the right to cancel, reschedule, or change the meeting times, faculty, or room assignments of any course.

Students must follow the usual add/drop procedure to add another course or section to replace a canceled course or section.

Course Levels and Numbering System

Courses numbered below 100 indicate pre-baccalaureate level courses (institutional credits). These do not count towards the degree.
Courses numbered 100 indicate introductory undergraduate level courses.
Courses numbered 200 indicate intermediate undergraduate level courses.
Courses numbered 300 and 400 indicate more advanced undergraduate level courses.
Courses numbered 500-700 are graduate level courses. Credits earned to fulfill the baccalaureate degree may not be applied toward the master's degree, except as part of an approved combined degree program at Saint Elizabeth University or as otherwise stipulated in the Academic Catalog.
Courses numbered 500 indicate graduate level courses that undergraduate students can take.
Courses numbered 600 and 700 indicate graduate level courses. Undergraduate students who have been accepted into an approved Combined Degree Program at SEU may take graduate classes in accordance with their program. Other undergraduate students may take graduate classes after obtaining approval from the Committee on Admissions and Student Academic Standing (CASAS)

Credit-by-Examination

Saint Elizabeth University recognizes four standardized testing programs:

Excelsior Examinations (Formerly Regents)
College Level Examination Program (CLEP – Subject Examinations)
Thomas Edison College Examination Program (TECEP)
Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Support (DANTES)

In most programs, a maximum of 30 credits will be accepted toward degree completion through the combined options of testing, that is, Excelsior Examinations (formerly Regents), CLEP, DANTES, and TECEP.

Students in Business Administration can apply a maximum of 15 credits by examination toward the major, including no more than one 300 or 400-level course. Generally, credits are awarded for courses completed prior to matriculation in the University.

Students interested in receiving transfer credit for successful participation in standardized testing programs should submit official, original credentials for evaluation to the Dean of the appropriate School.

Credit Hour Policy

Saint Elizabeth University follows the U.S. Department of Education definition of a credit hour as a measure of the amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than:

"50 minutes* of classroom or direct faculty instruction each week for 15 weeks in one semester (or the equivalent attained by scheduling more minutes of instruction per week for fewer weeks in the semester) complemented by at least 100 minutes each week of laboratory or outside assignments (or the equivalent thereof for semesters of different length) OR at least an equivalent amount of work for courses with alternative formats including online, hybrid, internships, laboratories, studios, short-term study abroad courses, practicums, clinicals and tutorials.

In summary, ONE credit hour is awarded on the basis of one of three sets of criteria.

For traditional in-class courses: The completion of one credit hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two credit hours of out-of-class student work each week for one semester (15 weeks); or
For online, hybrid, and accelerated courses: The completion of an equivalent amount of faculty instruction and student work, as stipulated above in criterion (1), that may occur over a different amount of time; or
For other academic activities: The completion of an institutionally sanctioned academic activity (e.g., tutorial, externship, practicum, internship, independent study, studio work, laboratory work, fieldwork, and pre-dissertation/thesis work) that is equivalent to the amount of work stipulated in criterion (1), that may occur over a different amount of time.

Proposals for new courses are prepared by faculty and presented to the Academic Life Committee for review. The Committee determines if the proposed credit hour allotment aligns with the University's definition and with commonly accepted standards of higher education.

The University course syllabus template, used for all courses that are offered, requires faculty to delineate how each course meets the credit hour standards.

*This rule refers to a 50-minute "Carnegie hour" so the requirement is for 12.5 clock hours (750 minutes) of direct instruction or a total of 37.5 clock hours (2,250 minutes) of total student work for one semester credit. This policy conforms to the NJ Commission on Higher Education, U.S. Department of Education and Middle States Commission on Higher Education credit hour policies.

Cross Registration with Drew and Fairleigh Dickinson University (Madison Campus)

This option is available to full-time matriculated students who are in good academic standing.
Cross registration is available only during the fall and spring semesters (not summers or intersessions).
Cross registration is for undergraduate courses only.
Information regarding course information can be found on the websites of both institutions (www.drew.edu or www.fdu.edu).
Students must complete a cross registration form (for Drew; for FDU), signed by their academic advisor, and then submit that form to Saint Elizabeth University Registrar's Office for processing.
Courses completed via cross registration at Drew or Fairleigh Dickinson will appear on the Saint Elizabeth University transcript and are not considered transfer courses.

Enrollment in Accelerated 7-Week Sessions (Session A and Session B)

Most courses in 7-week sessions meet once a week and/or online and are specifically designed for students in the Continuing Studies Program. Traditional undergraduate students who have 96+ credits and need a specific course to graduate may obtain permission to take a 7-week course and should discuss this option with their academic advisor
Traditional undergraduate students will generally only be permitted to take one accelerated courses each semester.
Traditional undergraduate students meeting the above criteria must have an override registration form signed by their academic advisor(s) and approved by the appropriate Dean.
Traditional undergraduate students do not need override permission to take one or two-credit courses offered in the 7-week format.

Full Faith and Credit Transfer Policy

Students who have earned an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science degree from approved transfer programs from county colleges in New Jersey or from Thomas A. Edison College can transfer all credits (including grades of "D") into Saint Elizabeth University. These students are granted junior class standing.
This policy also applies to nursing students who have earned an Associate in Applied Science degree from County College of Morris, Middlesex County College, and Raritan Valley Community College.

Medical Excuse Policy

Health Services does not provide verification of illness or written excuses for minor illnesses or injuries that result in absence from classes.

Students who will miss class because of routine illnesses should correspond directly with the faculty as soon as possible regarding their circumstances. (Ideally before they miss a class, exam, lab, assignment, etc.)

In the case of significant, prolonged illness lasting at least four or more days or hospitalization, Health Services will notify (with the student's written consent) the Retention Coordinator who in turn will notify student's professors.

This verification of significant illness will be provided only for serious illnesses for which the Health Services clinicians have provided services or for which the appropriate written medical documentation from outside clinicians is provided to Health Services.

Portfolio Experiential Learning Assessment (PELA)

PELA is an option for earning University credit that recognizes learning and growth that occur outside of the classroom. It allows students to identify and demonstrate previously acquired knowledge and skills.
Portfolios are compilations of data from the student's personal history (experiential learning, formal training and testing) with documentation that displays theoretical knowledge. Matriculated students in good academic standing may submit portfolios prior to reaching senior class standing.
One portfolio is submitted for each course. Appropriate faculty members at the University review the contents of the portfolio and decide to award credit or not. Students may be awarded up to 24 credits via portfolio assessment. These are counted as transfer credits without grades.
A fee is charged for a portfolio evaluation.

Readmission for Graduate Students

Former matriculated or certificate students who wish to return after having withdrawn from the University in good standing, must reapply to the their program of study. The catalog which is current at the time of readmission will be in effect, and the director of the student's graduate program will evaluate previously earned academic credits for their relevancy and applicability to the current curriculum.

Repeating a Course

Policy Statement

Under specific circumstances, undergraduate and graduate students may repeat a course that they have previously passed.

Purpose of Policy

This policy is designed to make students and advisors and other academic personnel aware of the circumstances in which students may repeat previously passed courses.

The Policy

Undergraduate and Graduate students may repeat courses under the following circumstances.

General Undergraduate Policy:

A grade of C- or lower in a required course (academic skills, major courses, and SEU110 and SEU 120) means the course must be repeated.
Other courses with a C- or lower may be repeated.
Repeating a course will result in the higher grade being calculated in the cumulative grade point average. Brackets [ ] on the academic transcript will signify that the course has been repeated.
The lower grade will remain on the academic transcript and be included in the cumulative attempted credit total, but will not be included in the cumulative grade point average or in the cumulative earned credit total.
Students are charged for repeated courses at the current tuition rate

Undergraduate Students (Courses in a Major):

Students may repeat a required course in their undergraduate majors if they have received grades of C-, D, F, or NC.
Students may not repeat a course for a second time at another institution unless written approval is given by the Department Chair and Dean.

Graduate Students:

A student cannot repeat courses with grades of C or better unless written approval is given by the Department Chair and Dean.
Students are charged for repeated courses at the current tuition rate.

Exception(s)

It is permissible to repeat such courses as Special Topics, Independent Study, and Internship more than once, when the course content changes, but the course numbering does not.

The academic policies of the MS Physician Assistant program may require a student to remediate or decelerate or repeat a course or clinical rotation. The policies governing these circumstances are documented here: https://www.steu.edu/academics/aas/physician-assistant/ms-in-physician-assistant/policies

The Pre-Licensure BSN program requires grades of C+ to pass a course: http://steu.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2022-2023/academic-catalog/academic-programs/nursing/bsn

Individual programs may adopt more stringent standards as long as they are communicated in writing to the Registrar and the Director of Financial Aid and posted in this document as well as documented on the program and Academic Affairs webpages.

Please note that federal financial aid cannot be applied to any previously passed course that has been repeated more than once.

Scheduling of Graduate Courses

Graduate classes are usually scheduled during the week in the late afternoons and in the evenings. Some Saturday courses may be scheduled. Graduate courses offered during the summer semesters may be scheduled during daytime or evening.

If a course reaches maximum enrollment, preference will be given to matriculated students, then to non-matriculated students, and finally to auditors.

Transferring Credits

Undergraduate:

Students requesting the award of transfer credits must submit an official transcript from the previous institution.
Acceptance of course credits earned elsewhere is at the sole discretion of Saint Elizabeth University.
Transfer courses need a minimum grade of "C" or a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale for acceptance by Saint Elizabeth University, unless the course falls under the "full faith and credit" policy.
A maximum of 90 credits will be accepted in transfer; however, the final 30 credits of the degree requirement must be completed at Saint Elizabeth University. In addition, at least half of the requirements for the major must be completed at Saint Elizabeth University.
Transfer credits will appear on Saint Elizabeth University transcript; however, transfer grades will not be reflected nor will they be used in the calculation of the student's Saint Elizabeth University grade point average.
Credits accepted in transfer become part of the student's permanent Saint Elizabeth University record; as such they cannot be replaced by new transfer courses.

Graduate:

Students requesting the award of transfer credits must submit an official transcript from the previous institution.
Acceptance of course credits earned elsewhere is at the sole discretion of Saint Elizabeth University.

Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses

Undergraduate students aside from those who are in an approved Combined Degree Program may petition CASAS (Committee on Admission and Student Academic Standing) to enroll in graduate level courses (600-level).
Students must have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
Students must have 72 or more earned credits.
Undergraduate students may take a maximum of 6 credits of graduate level work (600-level courses).
Undergraduate students are limited to 3 credits of graduate work per semester (600-level courses).
Courses should count as elective credit for the undergraduate degree.
Undergraduate students will be placed on a waiting list until graduate students register.
Upon graduating with a SEU Bachelor's degree, students who apply and are accepted into a SEU graduate program can transfer the previously earned graduate credits to a SEU graduate program with Graduate Program Director's approval.
Students must complete and submit a CASAS Approval Form.

Unofficial Withdrawal

Unofficial withdrawal from the University occurs when a matriculated student does not return or stops attending classes during the semester at some point before the last day to withdraw. The last date of class attendance will be determined by the faculty member's attendance records. If the student can be reached, she/he is advised to complete the appropriate paperwork.

Students who stop attending after the withdrawal date will remain registered in their classes and receive grades of F. After the semester ends, these students will be considered withdrawn by the University.

Withdrawal from the University does not guarantee approval for course withdrawal from the current semester. In the case of withdrawals, tuition refunds will be prorated according to the schedule printed in the refund policies sections of the catalog.

The University reserves the right to require withdrawal at any time of students whose conduct or influence is deemed undesirable by the University community.

Non-payment of tuition and/or non-attendance in a course do not constitute acceptable withdrawal from the University.

Withdrawal from the University

A matriculated or certificate student who wishes to withdraw from the University must notify the director of her/his graduate program in writing. If enrolled in classes, the student should follow the course withdrawal procedure, mindful of the published deadline for course withdrawal.

Absence from class, instructor notification, or non-payment of tuition and/or fees do not constitute appropriate notification of withdrawal from a course and/or the University.

A matriculated student who has not earned any credits toward the degree in a one-year period is, however, considered to have voluntarily withdrawn from the program.

Students who cannot continue their studies are advised to officially notify the University of their intent not to continue. However, should the student withdraw unofficially, academic penalties may be imposed.

In cases of unofficial withdrawal, the withdrawal date is the last recorded date of attendance as determined and documented by the University. That date must be determined no later than 30 days after either (a) the date of termination or (b) the end of the semester or summer term. Furthermore, that date will be finalized as the earlier date of these options.

Withdrawing from a Course

Undergraduate:

Students may withdraw from a course after the add/drop period is over. Please consult the academic calendar for specific dates.
Students should complete the withdrawal form, have their academic advisor(s) sign it, have the instructor of the course confirm their last date of attendance, and submit it to the Registrar's Office for processing. Please note that a withdrawal form will not be processed unless the last date of attendance has been confirmed.
Courses dropped during the withdrawal period will appear on the student's transcript with a grade of "W".
Withdrawing from classes may affect Financial Aid and/or Residence Life status.

Graduate:

Students may withdraw from a course after the add/drop period is over. Consult the academic calendar for specific dates.
Students should complete the withdrawal form, have their Academic Advisor sign it, and have the course instructor confirm their last date of attendance and sign the form. Students are responsible for submitting the completed form to the Registrar's Office for processing.

Please note that a withdrawal form will not be processed unless the last date of attendance has been confirmed.
Courses dropped during the withdrawal period will appear on the student's transcript with a grade of "W".