General studies in the undergraduate curriculum at Concordia University Chicago are designed to develop the skills, knowledge and qualities of character that all students should possess as human beings and as responsible members of society. By stimulating intellectual curiosity and inquiry, the general studies curricula and requirements are intended to help students:
• Increase their skills of critical thinking for a lifetime of learning by providing the opportunities to develop the abilities: to reason; to listen, observe, and read; to apply basic mathematical principles; to use appropriate technology; to communicate ideas clearly and effectively.
• Gain organized and integrated knowledge of God, of the University, of society, and of self by providing the opportunities: to understand how one knows what one knows by demonstrating the ways of conceptualizing, explaining and verifying knowledge; to comprehend present experience through an ordered inquiry into past events and circumstances; to understand one’s involvement in the processes and consequences of social, political, economic and technological change; to appreciate one’s own culture within the wider framework of cultures of other places and times; to function effectively in a multicultural society; to understand the complexity of the natural world and of the interdependent of nature and society; to understand God’s gracious concern for humanity and the universe.
• Further comprehend the meaning of human life by providing the opportunities: to expand intellectual and aesthetic understanding of the expression of ideas in the creative arts; to recognize the potential and the limitations of mind and body; to value the maintenance of mental, physical, and spiritual health; to understand moral and ethical issues, and to define personal values; to know the nature of religious experience, and to nourish religious insights and convictions as expressed in the Christian tradition; to develop a sense of vocation for service within Church and community.
Concordia University Chicago operates on the semester system. The months of August through May are divided into two semesters of approximately 16 weeks each. A two-week January term and the 10-week summer term make it possible for a student to earn additional semester hours of credit. The unit of credit is the semester hour. Normally, one equivalent semester hour of credit is awarded on the basis of one 50-minute class session per week. The outside preparation required is approximately twice the time spent in class. Double/triple laboratory periods requiring less preparation are equivalent to a single lecture period.
The normal undergraduate student course load is 15-18 hours per semester. A student who drops below 12 hours in a 16-week semester is considered a part-time student. A student must be enrolled in at least 12 semester hours in a 16-week semester to be eligible to live in a residence hall.
Sophomores, juniors or seniors with a high academic average (normally a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or better) may secure permission from the Registrar to carry more than 18 hours.
Freshman— 0 to 29 earned semester hours
Sophomore— 30 to 59 earned semester hours
Junior— 60 to 86 earned semester hours
Senior—90 or more earned semester hours
The credits used to determine academic level include those earned at the University and any transfer credits. Second-degree seeking students will be classified on the basis of transfer credit and/or previous Concordia credit.
Courses carry the abbreviations of the academic discipline. The number of the course indicates the level of the course.
As a University student, each individual must develop a sense of personal responsibility. Part of this responsibility is demonstrated through attendance in class. The dynamics of a classroom are enhanced by regular class attendance, and a student may be deprived of an integral portion of the course by missing class. Instructors may specify such attendance policies as they deem appropriate to support the objectives of a course, and assist the student in developing this self-discipline. Attendance policies will be written in the course syllabus provided to the student at the beginning of a course.
Concordia University Chicago does not have a university-wide grading scale or policy. Grading scales can be and are set internally by a college, a department or a professor. Grade reports are not issued by the Registrar’s Office. Final grades are available to all students via CUConnect, Concordia’s online student portal. Any problems accessing this information should be referred to CougarNet for assistance.
The work of students engaged in early childhood, elementary, secondary or K-12 student teaching is evaluated as Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. Unsatisfactory allows the completion of additional student teaching experiences or additional coursework when necessary. No quality points are equated with student teaching evaluation. Comprehensive forms, accompanied by the evaluation, become part of the student’s credential file.
A grade of “C-” or better shall be equated with Pass for students graded on the Pass/DF option. A grade of Pass will not be included in the student’s grade point average. Grades of “D+,” “D,” and “D-” will be computed as the grade given in the cumulative GPA; a grade of “F” will be computed as an “F” in the cumulative GPA. Limitations on the Pass/DF option may be established by individual colleges or programs.
If the Pass/DF option is student initiated, a student:
• May choose to be graded on a Pass/DF basis in a maximum of 3 hours in any one semester with a maximum of 18 hours in the total program.
• Must be carrying an academic load of at least 12 hours of CUC credit (excluding registration of correspondence work) during any semester in which a Pass/DF course is elected.
• Must file the intention to be graded on a Pass/DF basis with the Academic Advising office on or before the twentieth day of the term. This choice may not be altered after that time. These time limits are reduced proportionately in any term where the structure is changed, such as January or summer terms.
The instructor will not be informed of the student’s choice to be graded on a Pass/DF basis. Applications for Pass/DF option may be picked up in the Registrar or Academic Advising offices. This option is not open to those
receiving Veteran’s benefits.
Institutional Pass/Fail courses will be identified in the course description of the course. In such courses, every student will be graded either Pass or Fail. An institutional Pass/Fail course does count toward the 18 hours allowed in the total program.
A grade of incomplete is awarded by an instructor when, because of circumstances beyond the student’s control (e.g. illness, death in the family), the student needs more time to complete the course with the greatest possible achievement. The request for a grade of incomplete must be student-initiated. The instructor determines approval of the incomplete. Incomplete grades range from IA to IF. The “I” indicates an incomplete grade; the second letter (A-F) indicates the default grade if one is not submitted at the end of the six-week period. An incomplete grade must be resolved within six (6) weeks of the end of the term (fall, spring, summer) in which the grade was received; at that time, the instructor will assign a grade. Permission for additional time beyond the
six-week deadline may be granted only with the approval of the instructor and the Registrar. Whether or not the student is enrolled during the following term has no effect upon this completion date.
Quality points are a set number of points issued for each credit hour granted at a specific grade level. The student’s work is evaluated according to the following scale:
| A |
Excellent |
4.00 pts. |
| A- |
|
3.67 pts. |
| B+ |
|
3.33.pts |
| B |
Good |
3.00 pts |
| B- |
|
2.67 pts. |
| C+ |
|
2.33 pts. |
| C |
Fair |
2.00 pts. |
| C- |
|
1.67 pts. |
| D+ |
|
1.33 pts. |
| D |
Poor, but passing |
1.00 pts |
| D- |
|
0.67 pts |
| F |
Not Passing |
0 pts. |
| IA-IF |
Incomplete, with a default grade |
|
| S |
Satisfactory* |
|
| U |
Unsatisfactory* |
|
| P |
Pass |
|
| AU |
Audit |
|
| |
|
|
*Satisfactory and Unsatisfactory are used only in undergraduate student teaching.
A student may repeat any course. When a Concordia course is repeated at Concordia-Chicago, only the grade and credit hours for the last attempt will be used in computing the grade point average, quality points and credit.
Both attempts and grades will be recorded on the transcript. A repeat of a non-Concordia course or repeating a Concordia course at another college will not be included in the GPA calculation.
Students are cautioned that a course being repeated may not be eligible for financial aid and might affect enrollment status. Any questions regarding this procedure should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid.
Registration for the following academic year is held online in March for all undergraduate students currently in attendance. After March, all registrations are processed through the Academic Advising Office. New freshmen students register through Jump Start; new transfer students register online with assistance from the Academic Advising office.
Undergraduate students choosing not to register for subsequent semesters must adjust their status accordingly. They may either withdraw from the University altogether or move to “Stop-Out” status. Please consult the Academic Status section of this catalog for more details.
By registering, the student accepts the responsibility to subscribe to all University policies, financial and otherwise. Fulfillment of registration requirements is the individual student’s responsibility and must be completed in accordance with procedures established by the Registrar’s Office.
Payment or arrangement for payment must be made with the University’s Business Services Office by the published deadlines for payment. Failure to meet published payment deadlines will result in the cancellation of the student’s course registration for that term.
A student may register for a new course through the fifth day of the semester (the end of the first week of classes). The Add/Drop form must be submitted to the Academic Advising Office. After the fifth day of the semester students may not register for new courses. Time constraints for adding courses are reduced proportionately in any semester where the structure of the class day is changed, such as the summer sessions and January term.
The following procedures will be used in the event of the dropping of or withdrawal from a class:
For degree-seeking students:
Withdrawal during the first week: A student may withdraw from a course by submitting an Add/Drop form to the Academic Advising Office. Such courses will not be recorded on a student’s transcript.
Withdrawal from second week to census date (fourth Friday of the semester): A student may withdraw from a course during this time with the approval of the instructor. Students must submit an Add/Drop form to the Academic Advising Office with the instructor’s signature. Such courses will not be recorded on a student’s transcript.
Withdrawal from census date through the tenth week: A student may withdraw from a course during this time with the approval of the instructor. Students must submit an Add/Drop form to the Academic Advising Office with the instructor’s signature. A grade “W” will be recorded on the student’s transcript.
Withdrawal after the tenth week: Students will not be allowed to drop courses after this point. After the tenth week, the instructor will issue all registered students a grade. A grade of “W” will be granted only for extraordinary circumstances approved by the Dean of Students.
Unauthorized withdrawals: Failure to attend class does not constitute withdrawal. In such cases, the instructor will assign a grade.
For refund information, see the Student Fees section of this catalog or look for exact dates to be posted on CUC’s website: www.CUChicago.edu/paymentplan or posted in the Student Business Services Office.
All regulations on a grade of “W” will be the same as stated above for degree-seeking students with one exception: Non-degree seeking students are to report directly to the Registrar’s Office, not to Academic Advising. Time restrictions are reduced proportionately for summer sessions and for January term.
Registration for course audits should occur at or before final registration. Students may change from credit to audit or audit to credit up to and including the twentieth day of the term by contacting the Academic Advising office. Exams and papers assigned to students taking the course for credit do not apply to audit students; all other expectations are the same. A grade of audit (AU) will be assigned at the completion of the course. For fee information in regard to audits see the Undergraduate Fees section of this catalog. Students should be aware that audited courses are not eligible for financial aid.
Independent study is designed to provide students with an opportunity to pursue a specific academic interest that is related to, but not included in, a department’s curriculum.
Independent study is offered in all of the departments to full-time degree-seeking students only. The application form is available in the Office of the Registrar and is to be presented to the department chair, with the proposal, in the semester prior to the beginning of the semester of enrollment. The proposal should include:
-
Title
-
Objectives
-
Rationale
-
Outline
-
Basic resources
-
Time schedule
A course in the curriculum may not be taken as independent study, nor can an independent study duplicate the content of an established course. Grading procedures and policies concerning incomplete grades also applies to independent study courses. A student should enroll in the INS-4950 course for the credit hours desired for the term in which the independent study is created.
Undergraduates also are subject to the following limitations:
-
Junior or senior class standing
-
One independent study per semester
-
Cumulative GPA of at least 2.00
-
A 2.75 GPA in the pursued discipline
-
Completion of all general education requirements in the pursued discipline
Students who have reached senior status (90 earned semester hours) are eligible to take a 6000-level course and apply it to their undergraduate program requirements provided they:
• Have a major or minor in the discipline or substantive area of the course being requested
• Have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average
• Obtain permission of the course instructor and the Registrar after other requirements have been met.
• A limit of 25 percent of undergraduates has been established for any 6000-level graduate course. If a student’s registration would exceed this limit, the registration will be denied. Students will be granted no more than two such course registrations to be included in their undergraduate program. The above may not be applied to a graduate program. A 6000-level course may not be taken on the Pass/DF grade option.
In the last semester before graduation, a senior student with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0, and a 3.0 average in the department in which the graduate course is to be taken, is eligible to register for a 6000-level course. The course may be applied to the completion of an undergraduate degree or toward a graduate degree, but not both. Permission of the Registrar and the respective instructor is required to register for the course.
Students wishing to apply the graduate level course to a graduate degree at Concordia-Chicago simultaneously must apply for graduate admission and receive confirmation that the course will fulfill graduate degree requirements.
Any currently enrolled student wishing to earn transfer credit must first consult with the Academic Advising office regarding the transferability of courses and the receive approval from the Registrar. The Transfer Credit Approval form is available from your Academic Advisor.
The University reserves the right to determine the number and type of transfer credits accepted toward a student’s degree. The last two years of college work should be at the senior college level. No more than 67 semester hours of lower-level transfer credit from a regionally accredited institution will be counted toward graduation, unless extra hours are used to fulfill general education requirements for students in the Accelerated Degree Program for Adults. One-half of all credits toward a major must be completed at CUC. Courses with a grade of “F” are not transferable. All courses completed at a college or university in the Concordia University System will be included in the calculation of final grade point average used for graduation honors for undergraduate students.
The University normally will grant credit for above-average scores on the Advanced Placement Examination of The College Board. Test scores of 3 or better in any of several subject areas will receive college credit. Arrangements for taking the Advanced Placement test should be made during the senior high school year through the high school counselor. Concordia’s code number for this test is 1140.
The University grants credit for the General Examination of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Students may receive 3 to 15 semester hours of credit based on the score achieved on the exam. In general, a minimum score of 50 is required to receive 3 semester hours of credit. In all cases Concordia will follow the ACE recommendation. This credit equivalency is granted only after the student has successfully completed at least 12 semester hours in residence. In addition Concordia grants credit for the College Level Examination Subject Examinations. Students wishing to substitute CLEP credit for a Concordia course must consult with their Academic Advisor for CLEP/Concordia course equivalencies.
Since AP and CLEP credit are considered transfer credit, the University reserves the right to determine the number and type of AP and/or CLEP credits that can be accepted toward a student’s degree.
Concordia University Chicago accepts individual course credit for Higher Level International Baccalaureate courses for test scores of five (5) or above. No credit will be considered for Standard Courses on an individual basis. For each course presented and accepted, three semester hours of credit will be awarded and applied to the student’s degree program where appropriate.
For students presenting the International Baccalaureate Diploma, a total of 16 semester hours will be granted and applied to the student’s degree program where appropriate.
The total number of International Baccalaureate Credits accepted by individual courses and diploma may not exceed a total of 16 semester hours of credit.
Degree-seeking students may accelerate or enrich their programs by earning course credit by examination and expanding their electives. A maximum of 12 semester hours of credit may be earned by examination. Departments will designate courses for which credit may be earned by examination. After successful completion of an examination (a grade of “C” or better), the student may choose to receive credit (P) or credit with a grade (A, B, or C). A credit of P will count toward the 18-hour maximum Pass/DF credit allowed in a student’s program.
Students should consult the individual departments for the most recent list of courses for which credit by examination is offered. Examinations will be arranged and administered through the department chairperson. Courses and contact persons are listed for each option. Consult department chairs for
additional courses available for credit by examination.
Intermediate Spanish I or II Dr. Gary Bertels
Fundamentals of General Chemistry Dr. Kathy Craft
General Chemistry I or II Dr. Kathy Craft
Human Biology Dr. Kathy Craft
General Physics I Dr. Kathy Craft
Math Concepts II Dr. Mary Goetting
Calculus I Dr. Mary Goetting
Application forms for course credit by examinations are available in the Registrar’s Office. Fee: $100 to take; $100 to post on transcript.
Prior-level learning and subsequent credit can be acquired in both the traditional classroom as well as non-traditional settings. Credit for prior learning may be presented in the form of ACE (American Council on
Education) evaluated training/certifications, military training and/or Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) essays.
Each College within the University has a policy addressing the procedures and credit awards which may be granted for prior learning. Students wishing to pursue credit for prior learning are required to contact the CPL
coordinator. Students with educational experiences form service in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines are encouraged to submit an AARTS or SMART transcript. Fee: $235/topic.
The Honors Program offers academically successful students the opportunity to broaden and enrich their undergraduate education at Concordia. Students with superior high school achievements are invited to apply to the Program, as are students whose success at Concordia identifies them as candidates for enhanced educational experiences. For specific information on the application process, contact:Director of the Honors Program, Dr. Marilyn Moehlenkamp at Marilyn.Moehlenkamp@CUChicago.edu
This 12-hour program includes an initial honors experience, CHP-2960 Introduction to Honors: Critical Thinking (3 hours). Subsequent hours are chosen from several options: seminars in the disciplines (CHP-3960), courses taken in study abroad programs and independent senior honors projects (CHP-4960). Additionally, honors students contribute 30 service hours to the Church, the community or the University. The Honors Program is designed
to enhance a student’s overall Concordia career.
Students successfully completing the above requirements and attaining a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better (measured one semester before graduation) are recognized at commencement as Concordia Scholars. For more information on program specifics, see the Honors Program listing included in the discipline areas.
Placement Examinations
Placement examinations are normally scheduled during Weeks of Welcome for all new students. Placement tests in music theory and instrumental proficiency can be taken by contacting the appropriate department. All entering students who need to take a mathematics course to graduate are required to take the Mathematics and Computer Science Department’s placement exam before they will be permitted to enroll in a mathematics or physics course.
This typically will be incoming freshmen without AP credit and transfer students who have not yet completed the mathematics requirements for their program. The exam is offered during Jumpstart and Orientation Week.
A student with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better at Concordia University Chicago may take courses simultaneously at other colleges and universities in the Chicago area as part of an academic load by permission of the Registrar. Two consortium arrangements exist: one with Dominican University (7900 Division, River Forest), another with the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area (see course descriptions for biology and chemistry). Permission for academic overloads off-campus will be granted on the same basis as
on-campus overloads.
Concordia University Chicago is a member of the Lutheran College Washington Consortium, sponsored by a group of 13 Lutheran colleges and universities. The consortium offers a full semester of combined coursework and internship experiences designed to introduce students to the range of governmental activities in Washington, with an emphasis on ethical dimensions of public service. The core course is titled “Ethical Issues in Public Affairs.” The director of the program also places students in internships ranging from executive and congressional offices to various public and private agencies.
While there is no prerequisite coursework for participation in this program, students are encouraged to take POS-1100, American Government and Politics, prior to enrollment in the Washington Semester. An important aspect of the program is its relevance for students with many different career goals. As the Consortium’s literature announces, “It’s not just about politics.”
Students register at Concordia University Chicago for the Washington Consortium Semester and pay the tuition and general fees to the University. Expenses for travel, meals, and lodging are paid directly by the students. Total cost is comparable to a full-time semester as a resident student on the main campus. Financial aid applies as if the student were in residence and the Washington Consortium Semester courses and internships are accepted for full credit toward graduation from Concordia University Chicago. For information on the Washington Consortium Semester see Dr. H. Robert Hayes in the Political Science Department at robert.hayes@CUChicago.edu.
As a member of the Concordia University System, Concordia University Chicago has the opportunity to offer its students the chance to study at one of its sister Concordia institutions around the United States. Locations include
Ann Arbor, Mich.; Austin, Texas; Bronxville, N.Y.; Irvine, Calif.; Mequon, Wis.; Portland, Ore.; Selma, Ala.; Seward, Neb., and St. Paul, Minn.
Concordia University Chicago has a number of partnerships with area institutions to assist students in reaching their academic and career goals. Currently, agreements exist with Resurrection University for programs in nursing, Rush hospital for programs in occupational therapy and with Hooke College of Applied Sciences for a program in microscopy.
Concordia University Chicago students may elect to study abroad for a semester, year or summer. The Coordinator of International Study provides information on programs at universities all over the world. Students should consult with Academic Advising in order to set up their academic programs and with the Office of Financial Aid to determine whether financial aid packages apply for international study. Students wishing to study abroad should complete their Concordia University registration no later than November 15 for spring, April 15 for summer and May 1 for fall. Check with specific programs for exact deadlines, which may be earlier.
Programs in Austria, England, France, Italy, Mexico and Spain are administered within the CUS system or through Dominican University, and are available to Concordia University Chicago students as guests.
Additionally, Concordia University Chicago has direct cooperative agreements with programs in England, Australia, New Zealand and much of Europe. Students who study on these programs may transfer course credits with a grade and generally apply some portions of their financial aid towards tuition, room or board.
Students who choose to enroll in courses at any institutions other than those with which Concordia University Chicago has agreements will be required to “stop-out,” suspend their University registration for the period abroad, and transfer credits back to Concordia University Chicago without a grade in accordance with the policy for transfer credits. For more information, contact the Coordinator for International Study.
SAP 0001: Study Abroad: Oak Hill
SAP 0002: Study Abroad: Dominican
SAP 0003: Study Abroad: Heidelberg
SAP 0004: Study Abroad: Valparaiso
SAP 0005: Study Abroad: Ann Arbor
SAP 0006: Study Abroad: Australearn
SAP 0007: Study Abroad: AIFS
SAP 0008: Study Abroad: SUNY-Brockport
SAP 0009: Study Abroad: Westfield House
SAP 0010: Study Abroad: University of Monterey
Academic Status and Academic Probation
A student in academic good standing has a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. Successful progress means that a student has completed a minimum of 67 percent [credits successfully earned/term cumulative credits attempted] of all coursework attempted in a given academic term. This formula for successful progress is the same as federal financial aid eligibility requirements.
An academic warning is issued to a student whose GPA for any term is below 2.0, but whose cumulative GPA is at least 2.0.
Probation is a set of academic conditions governing coursework, not-for-credit, University-sponsored activities, and/or campus employment placed on a student in the semester after his or her cumulative GPA falls below 2.0.
Continued probation is a similar set of academic conditions placed on a student, who while on probation has failed to raise his or her minimum GPA to at least 2.0, but has a GPA of at least 2.0 in the next term. Successful progress requirements apply in this case as well.
Academic Suspension is a sanction. Any student on probation failing to raise his or her cumulative GPA to at least 2.0, and unable to earn a GPA of at least a 2.0 in his or her next term, is placed on academic suspension for a term of one calendar year.
All students are required to maintain academic good standing. Those failing to maintain that status are subject to the following actions:
-
Any student earning a term GPA of less than 2.0, but having a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 shall be subject to an academic warning. He or she will receive a letter from the Vice President for Student Life informing them of their status, and the requirements of this condition. Warned students are required to meet with an academic advisor no later than the first week of the following semester to discuss their course scheduling, and to develop a plan for academic success.
-
Any student earning a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0 shall be subject to probation. He or she will receive a letter from the Vice President for Student Life informing them of their status, and the requirements of this condition. Students on probation will be required to meet with the Director of the Learning Assistance Center to develop an academic success contract. Students then will have one semester to regain academic good standing.
In a case where a student on probation has failed to regain academic good standing by the end of the first semester of probation, but has earned a semester GPA of at least 2.0 in the immediately succeeding semester, the student will be allowed to continue his or her academic pursuits on continued probation, and will remain on continued probation as long as his or her term GPA is at least 2.0, and successful progress requirements are met. For example:
Semester 1: cumulative GPA 1.50
Semester 2 (probation) term GPA 2.25; cumulative GPA 1.875
Semester 3 (continued probation) term GPA 2.5; cumulative GPA 2.08 (good standing restored)
If the student is unable to earn a term GPA of at least a 2.0 by the end of the semester of continued probation, the student shall be placed on academic suspension.
Any student who has a cumulative GPA of less than a 2.0, fails to earn good standing, and fails to obtain a term GPA of at least 2.0 during the first term of probation shall be placed on academic suspension.
Any student who fails all courses in any term shall be placed on academic suspension.
Any student who is on continued probation may enroll in courses up to, but no more than 15 credit hours in the next semester, and will be required to retake those courses that he or she has previously earned an “F” and/or “D” in as soon as possible. Students on probation or continued probation shall not be enrolled for independent or directed study, web, and/or correspondence courses.
The Vice President for Student Life shall have the discretion to limit and/or modify terms of the participation in the not-for-credit, University-sponsored activities, and/or the on-campus employment of students who are not in academic good standing.
A student may appeal his or her academic suspension in the following manner:
A. A student on academic suspension may appeal for reinstatement to an appeals board composed of the following members: Vice President for Student Life, Director of Academic Advising, Director of the Learning Assistance Center, and a faculty member appointed by the Vice President for Academics.
B. The decision of the appeals board is final.
C. A student is allowed only one such appeal during his or her academic residency at Concordia University Chicago.
A student may apply for readmission to Concordia University Chicago after academic suspension only after one calendar year from the date of suspension, and only if they have successfully completed courses from an accredited college or university totaling 12 credit hours, and having a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.
Dean’s List
The Dean’s List is composed of degree-seeking students (i.e. baccalaureate degree) who have met the following standards: An grade point average of 3.62 or better in a given semester at Concordia, good disciplinary standing and an academic work load of not less than 12 GPA semester hours (i.e., 12 hours beyond those taken on the Pass/DF Grade Option).
Stop-Out students are students who currently are enrolled at Concordia University Chicago who wish to halt their academic progress for one or more semesters before resuming their program. To be considered for Stop-Out Status the student must submit the Stop-Out Status Form to the Student Services office. Students wishing to be placed on Stop-Out Status within a currently enrolled semester may only do so through the tenth week of the semester. After the tenth week, a student must apply for withdrawal from the University.
The “stop-out” period may not exceed one academic year. Only under extraordinary circumstances, as approved by the Registrar, may the “stop-out” status be renewed beyond the one-year limit.
Such students’ records will be maintained in the current student files. Students on Stop-Out status need not apply for readmission, but must contact the Academic Advising office Registrar’s Office to resume their studies. Students in this category are only eligible for financial aid during their actual semesters of attendance; likewise, verification of enrollment only can be done for actual semesters in attendance.
Degree-seeking students who desire to withdraw from the University are to consult with the Student Services office and fill out the University Withdrawal Form. Withdrawal is not official until specific responsibilities have been met. Failure to follow this procedure will result in a grade of “F” rather than a grade of “W.” After the tenth week of the semester, grades of “W” will be granted only for extraordinary circumstances as approved by the Dean of Students.
Students who do not maintain continuous enrollment at Concordia University Chicago from semester to semester (excluding the summer term) will be withdrawn automatically from the University as of their last semester of attendance, unless the student is eligible and files for “Stop-Out” status.
Undergraduate students who interrupt their degree programs for more than three years (36 months) must comply with the degree requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to Concordia. Students who change their degree program must comply with degree requirements in effect at the time of the change; program changes become official at the Census Date following the petition to change their degree program.
Students returning within the three-year period and staying in the same degree program as when they left may complete either the degree requirements from the catalog of the year they began at Concordia, or those in effect when they re-enter. Students cannot combine or mix requirements from the two different catalogs. Students electing to remain with the program requirements from the original date of entry are subject to any changes, however, in state or professional certification requirements during the interim.
The ultimate responsibility for compliance with academic requirements for graduation, selection of courses and prerequisites and class schedules rests with the student.
A student who has officially withdrawn (not stopped-out) and plans to return to Concordia should request a “Readmission Application.” This form is to be completed and addressed to the Dean of Students at least seven days prior to the beginning of the semester. The Readmission Committee will take no action if satisfactory arrangements have not been made for the payment of any outstanding financial obligations. Students being readmitted will return under the same academic status they had at their last date of attendance.
Conferring Degrees and Awarding Diplomas
Degrees are conferred and diplomas are awarded at the end of each semester and summer term. Formal commencement exercises take place at the end of each Fall and Spring term. Diplomas normally are mailed to the student four to six weeks after the official graduation date barring any outstanding obligations to Concordia. Students graduating in the summer term may participate in the commencement ceremony for the following fall term.
Application for Graduation
Students planning to graduate must complete an “Intent to Graduate Form” by the appropriate deadline as listed on the “Intent to Graduate Form.” This form is available in the Office of the Registrar. Failure to submit the form by this deadline will prevent consideration for graduation. A graduation fee will be assessed for each Intent to Graduate Form submitted. The submission of the Intent to Graduate Form initiates the final degree audit, mailings for
graduation, the diploma order and the graduation fee. It also establishes the candidate list for faculty approval.
Graduation Requirements
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File an “Intent to Graduate Form” before the designated deadline.
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Complete the designated credit hours as detailed in the curriculum, relevant to the individual’s degree program.
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Attain the required cumulative GPA designated by the College in which the student is enrolled.
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Complete residency requirements.
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If entry was that of a freshman with less than 30 semester hours of credit, an official high school transcript indicating date of graduation must be on file in the Registrar’s Office. Transfer students or students with transfer credit also must have on file official transcripts from all colleges attended.
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Complete payment of all fees and tuition due Concordia University Chicago.
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Attain approval of the faculty.
At least one academic year (32 hours) of study in residence on campus will be required for graduation, preferably the last year before graduation. At least 16 of the last 32 hours in the student’s program must be taken in residence; at least six of the last 32 hours must be taken in residence within five years prior to graduation. Half of the hours in each major must be done in residence. These residency requirements may be waived in whole or in part when a student is enrolled in a collaborative program that Concordia has officially approved through a consortium or contractual agreement with a partnering institution.
For graduation with honors a student must have earned at least 64 hours in residency at Concordia, including the final semester before graduation. At least 46 of the 64 hours must be GPA hours. The cumulative grade point average will include only work completed at Concordia, excluding the last semester prior to graduation.
A transcript order is defined as a request for a transcript to each destination/address; each separate destination/address constitutes a separate order. Up to two copies will be sent per order. All students graduating or completing certificate programs will receive a free copy of their transcripts with their diploma or certificate. Please note the following:
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All financial obligations to the University must be fulfilled before any transcripts of certification will be issued. (This includes outstanding tuition, library fines, etc.)
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Over-the-counter requests are not available.
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Telephone requests cannot be accommodated, but faxed requests are acceptable.
In order to process your requests, the Registrar’s office must have the following information:
Student’s complete name (both the student’s current name and the name under which the student was registered if different)
Social security number
Dates attended
Number of transcripts needed
Where transcripts are to be sent
Valid signature
Payment
Transcripts only are released to individuals who earned the transcripted credits.