Academics

 
 

Registrar - Academic Terms

NCU has experienced a broad and varied interpretation over time of certain key words that are central to our daily operations. The purpose of this notification is to promote a more standardized approach to the usage of these terms within our Institution by publishing the meanings that the Registrar's Office is currently associating with this terminology. Hopefully, this clarification will serve to enhance student advising at all levels and facilitate the graduation certification process. The terms under consideration are: "Exempt", "Variance", "Transfer", and "Advanced Standing". The distinguishing features of each term include…

"Exempt"

  1. Since "Exempt" or "Exemption" are not viable academic options, they should NOT be used in reference to our academic context;
  2. "Exempt" implies that one is "excused from the requirements of a given program" when, in fact, none of the credits of any prescribed program are considered optional;
  3. "Exempt" is often confused with "Variance", which is more accurately called a "substitution";
  4. All general education credits for all disciplinary components of a liberal arts degree must be accounted for in some way: by "Course Grade", "Variance", "Transfer Credit", or "Advanced Standing". To be considered "Exempt" from a course or program requirement is a misnomer;
  5. "Exempt" is not an accurate reference for anything that happens with Credits, Grades, Financial Aid, the Student software (QX), or the Degree Analysis sheet.

"Variance"

  1. "Variance" implies "a substitution of coursework taken at North Central University" whereby permission is granted for one course to equivocally take the place of another in one's prescribed program;
  2. "Variance Petitions" are available in the Registrar's Office. "Verbal Agreements" or "Promises" to individuals are NOT sufficient to constitute a "Variance". An approved "Variance Petition" must be on file in the student's record in order for it to be considered valid. When approved, this "Variance" will also be denoted as such on the student's Degree Analysis sheet;
  3. The Registrar and the Department Chair jointly grant approval of the "Variance Petition";
  4. Approval of a "Variance Petition" does not affect a student's overall program credits, grades, or financial status. It does, however, impact the student's Degree Analysis sheet. Any approved Variances are indicated as such on the student's Degree Analysis sheet by the Registrar's Office.

"Transfer"

  1. To "transfer" credits means … "to accept the qualified academic semester credits (Carnegie units) from another educational entity";
  2. To "transfer" credits implies academic compatibility and equivalency of academic quality standards and competencies that are synonymous with at least "C" (74%) at NCU;
  3. Transfer credits come from external academic sources such as…
    1. Qualified Colleges or Universities (most often, accredited);
    2. CLEP (College Level Examination Proficiency) test;
    3. AP (Advanced Placement) exam;
    4. IBE (International Baccalaureate Exams);
  4. On the transcript, transfer credits appear as "TR" and do not affect GPA.

"Advanced Standing"

  1. "Advanced Standing" implies that one is eligible to receive college credit for life experiences and competencies that "translate" into similar competencies gained through specific coursework at NCU;
  2. "Advanced Standing" eligibility allows for full academic credit at 1/3 of the course cost through…
    1. A pre-determined academic threshold (e.g., A.C.T. math test score of 27 +);
    2. Demonstrated competency on an assessment by a Department Chair; (e.g., "in-house" competency exam or personal portfolio assessment through Carlson Institute); or
    3. Through an institutionally-approved program arrangement . . . (e.g., Master's Commission);
  3. "Advanced Standing" means that the student does not have to take the class;
  4. "Advanced Standing" credits - along with transfer credits - together, may not exceed 6 such credits of the last 33 in one's program. Therefore, students interested in this sort of credit on their transcript are strongly advised to complete the petition process before their senior year, that is, prior to accumulating 90 credit hours towards graduation (HG);
  5. On the transcript, "Advanced Standing" shows as an Institutional Grouping with "AS" for the grade. In essence, Advanced Standing recognizes life experience or competency that is being assessed and transliterated into academic credit;
  6. Credits earned under Advanced Standing do not impact GPA;
  7. "Advanced Standing" credits - whenever awarded - do not qualify for Financial Aid;
  8. Degree Analysis sheets, like transcripts, show "Advanced Standing" coursework as "AS" only after the course has been paid in full at the current pro-rated tuition rate, determined at the time of payment. "Advanced Standing" is awarded whenever the Advanced Standing Petition is approved and upon receipt of that completed (fully paid) Petition in the Registrar's Office;
  9. If the student is currently enrolled in the same course for which he/she is seeking Advanced Standing, the student must submit a "Schedule Change Form" to drop the enrolled class. When dropping a course in conjunction with applying for "Advanced Standing", any tuition refund for the enrolled course is subject to the normal timing of the pro-rated refund policy.