Graduate Academic Community
ADMISSIONS CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES
Admission Criteria for a Master’s Degree Program
Admission to the Graduate and Continuing Studies program is open to qualified
graduates of universities and colleges of recognized standing without regard to
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, Vietnam-era veteran’s
status, sexual orientation, or status with regard to marriage or public assistance.
Admission criteria include:
1. Applicants must possess an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited
institution with a GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Exceptions to this rule
may be granted by the Graduate Studies Committee, in consultation with the Admissions Committee of individual programs.
2. Applicants shall demonstrate that they possess sufficient academic and/or professional background and experience.
3. Applicants shall present evidence that they possess the potential for success in a master’s level academic program.
4. Applicants shall demonstrate their proficiency in written and oral
communication in English necessary for success in graduate study.
5. Each program may have additional admissions requirements or may set higher
qualifications. Refer to specific program requirements for details.
Admission Deadlines
Applications for admission to a graduate program are available online, or by writing or calling the Office of Graduate
and Continuing Studies or the program office. A complete list of the required
application materials for a program is included with the program description
that follows in this catalog. Completed applications should be submitted to the
address on the application. Students should consult the Office of Graduate and
Continuing Studies or the graduate program’s Web site or application materials
for deadlines
Admission Procedures for a Master’s Degree Program
Admission to a graduate program requires submission of the following materials.
Additional admission requirements will be addressed in individual program areas.
1. A letter of application indicating intent and required materials submitted for application
2. A completed Application for Admission to Graduate and Continuing Studies form
3. An essay of at least 500 words, typed and double-spaced, that represents your
highest level of academic writing. Provide a description of your professional
experiences and background that have contributed to your readiness for
graduate education. Specify those experiences that prepared you for your
desired master’s degree. State your professional goals and indicate your
potential to achieve this degree.
4. Sealed or certified copies of official transcripts for all postsecondary academic
work should be sent directly to Academic Affairs, Attn: Office of Graduate and
Continuing Studies.
5. Three letters of recommendation from different individuals. Each program may
identify specific requirements for these references.
6. Test scores, if required by the specific program (e.g. GRE, GMAT). The test
requirements and acceptable scores vary by program. Please see individual
program for minimum requirements.
7. A nonrefundable $35 application fee payable to Concordia College. All
application materials should be sent to Concordia College, Academic Affairs,
Attn: Office of Graduate and Continuing Studies, 901 8th St. S., Moorhead,
MN 56562.
All admissions materials must be received and processed by the Office of
Graduate and Continuing Studies before files are forwarded for review to the
individual master’s program and provost. Incomplete files will not be reviewed. It
is the applicant’s responsibility to follow up on the status of materials submitted
to the college.
Additional Admissions Procedures for Transfer Students
While a program may elect to set additional requirements for evaluating the
credentials of applicants who propose to obtain credit for graduate work
completed at other institutions or in other programs, the following standards
shall apply for transfer of credits into a graduate program at Concordia College.
1. Comparability of academic credit. In order to be acceptable for transfer
credit, the academic credit earned at other institutions or programs shall be
from programs that are at least equivalent to that into which the applicant
proposes to transfer. For example if the Concordia program carries specialized
accreditation or meets specific professional standards in order to facilitate
licensure or similar recognition, transfer credits need to have been earned in
programs with equivalent standards.
2. Recency. In order to be eligible for transfer credit, the courses for which
the academic credit was earned must have been taken within seven years of
application and carry a grade of B or better.
3. Level. In order to be eligible for transfer credit, the academic credit must have
been earned at a minimum of the master’s level.
4. Content. In order to be eligible for transfer credit, the academic credit must be
consistent with the curriculum established for the Concordia graduate program
into which the transfer is proposed.
5. Limitations and residency. Transfer of credit is limited to no more than
one-third of the total number of graduate hours required in the program for
graduation purposes. Individual programs may limit the number of transfer
credits allowed. Students should refer to their individual program handbook
for information on the transfer of credits.
Additional Admission Procedures for International Students
In addition to meeting the previously stated admission requirements, to qualify
for admission in an advanced degree program, all international students must
demonstrate proficiency in English and must provide evidence of adequate
financial support for themselves and any dependents for the duration of their
graduate program.
Language Proficiency – English proficiency shall be demonstrated prior to
admission by achieving a score on the IELTS or TOEFL that meets the specific
graduate program requirements. The test date must be within five years of the
date of application. Information on these tests can be obtained at www.ielts.org
and www.toefl.org. Students’ official results must be received directly from the
testing service before they may enroll. Concordia’s TOEFL code is 6113; no code
is required for IELTS.
Financial Requirements – The international student financial aid and
certification form is required from all international applicants other than
permanent residents of the United States, parolees, refugees and United States
trust territory applicants, or immigrants. International students must demonstrate
and certify adequate financial support before Concordia can issue an I-20 form.
Medical Insurance – International students are required to carry and show
evidence of health insurance valid in the United States while they are enrolled.
Health insurance coverage is offered and available for those who do not already
have coverage.
Action on Applications
All applicants who have provided the required application materials, including
completed application forms, letter of application, essay, official transcripts,
letters of recommendation, test scores and application fee will be notified of
action taken on their request for admittance to the Graduate and Continuing
Studies program. Admission of all graduate students requires approval by the
program director or department chair and the provost.
Admission Status
The following definitions will be applied in making admission decisions for a
graduate program at Concordia College:
1. Accepted. The applicant has satisfied all the criteria for full acceptance into
the graduate program and is expected to begin active graduate study with
the beginning of the next available port of entry. Students should consult
their individual program guidelines, as some programs may accept students
to a program on a deferred status basis. An applicant who is accepted has
completed the application process in full, including payment of any application
processing fees.
2. Provisional acceptance. The applicant has satisfied most but not all the
criteria for admission into the graduate program. The status of the applicant
must be converted to full acceptance no later than the completion of three
graduate courses. When the conditions are fulfilled, the student initiates the
process for Change of Status. Forms are available online at the Graduate and
Continuing Studies Web site: www.cord.edu/Academics/graduate1.php. If an
applicant fails to satisfy the conditions set at the time of provisional acceptance
within the first three graduate courses, the provisional acceptance reverts to
denial of admission and the applicant will not be allowed to proceed with
further graduate study, subject to the graduate program appeal procedures.
3. Admission denied. Indicates that the applicant did not meet one or more of
the criteria for admission to the program and that it is unlikely that provisional
acceptance would remedy the situation. Applicants may also be denied
admission because a program’s maximum enrollment has been reached. The
applicant shall be advised of whether they may re-apply at a later time.
4. Applicants not seeking degrees. It is anticipated that certain programs
will attract individuals who are pursuing post-baccalaureate level education
for purposes other than earning a master’s degree. These individuals may be
admitted at the discretion of the program provided that such admission does
not displace qualified applicants who desire to pursue degrees. Such nondegree-
seeking graduate students are expected to satisfy minimum admission
standards including possession of a baccalaureate degree. This may vary
in programs that offer a certificate track as an alternative to the complete
master’s program. Non-degree-seeking graduate students are subject to the
same retention standards as degree-seeking graduate students, except for
the aforementioned course limitation. Financial aid is not available for nondegree-
seeking students.
Change in Classification
Students enrolled with non-degree status may subsequently desire to be
considered for admission to pursue an advanced degree. Such a change in status
may be accomplished for a subsequent term by submitting a complete application
to the Office of Graduate and Continuing Studies as a degree-seeking student and
must be acceptable to a specific program. Appropriate course credits earned in the
non-degree-seeking status may be used to fulfill graduate degree requirements if
approved by the student’s program director or department chair and the provost.
No course taken in the non-degree status for which the grade is less than B will
be permitted on a plan of study for a graduate degree.
Retention
While each program may elect to set additional retention requirements for
continuation of study in their graduate programs, the following minimum
standards evidencing acceptable progress shall apply to all graduate programs at
Concordia College.
1. GPA. To continue as a student in a graduate program, the cumulative GPA
must be at least 3.0 for all graduate courses taken in the program. If the
student transfers graduate course credit from another institution or program,
the GPA for purposes of this guideline will be calculated for courses taken at
Concordia only. Further, no courses in which a grade lower than a C (2.0),
including C-, was awarded may be counted for graduate credit at Concordia.
Students receiving two grades of C (2.0) or lower in their graduate program
(including prerequisites carrying undergraduate course designations) earned
after they have been admitted or admitted conditionally will have their progress
in the program reviewed by the program director. The program director has
the authority to remove the student from the program. See specific program
guidelines for additional GPA requirements.
2. Work evaluations. In programs requiring clinical, studio or experience-based
components, the attendant evaluations must be favorable and recommend
continuation of the student in the program.
3. Final evaluation. At the conclusion of the capstone course or culminating
experience, the program faculty shall prepare a final evaluation of each
candidate for graduation. That evaluation shall be performed in accordance
with the standards set by each program. Each candidate for graduation shall
receive written notice of this formal evaluation, which shall clearly indicate
whether or not the candidate may advance to graduation.
4. Graduate program grades. Grades given in graduate courses are listed on
Page 162. Only those credits that were completed with a grade of A, A-, B+, B,
B-, C+, C, or S may be applied toward a master’s degree.
5. Appeals. The college maintains procedures available for applicants and
students who disagree with decisions concerning admission to and/or retention
in graduate programs of the college. These procedures are specified in the
section below.
Appeal Procedures Related to Admission
and Retention in a Graduate Program
Students have a right to appeal decisions that negatively affect their progress in
their graduate program. Graduate students may appeal decisions pertaining to
transferability of courses from other institutions or programs, grades awarded,
and recommendations against continuation of study in the program.
A. Admission Decisions: In cases in which applicants disagree with admission
decisions or believe that their applications warrant special consideration in
light of program and/or college admission guidelines, the following appeal
procedures shall apply.
1. Written appeal. The applicant shall file a written appeal with the
Graduate Program Committee within 30 calendar days of the date of the
letter notifying the applicant of the admission decision.
2. Content of the appeal. The appeal letter shall include a complete
explanation of the basis of the appeal.
3. Investigation. The Graduate Program Committee shall conduct an
investigation it determines is needed in order to resolve the appeal within 30
calendar days of receipt of the written appeal. The committee shall consider
the record of the decision and appeal in its entirety, applying college and
program graduate admission standards as its criteria. The decision of the
committee may be appealed to the provost as a final step in the appeals
process if desired by the applicant. The decision of the provost is final and
not subject to further appeal.
B. Retention: In the event that graduate students disagree with a decision made
concerning their progress in the program once they have been admitted to the
program, these appeal procedures shall apply.
1. First level of appeal. In order to be considered a valid appeal, the
graduate student shall address the appeal first to the faculty member in
case of a course grade or to the program director or department chair for
other issues. In order to be considered, the appeal shall be made within 30
calendar days of notification and in a form acceptable to the sponsoring
department. In the event that the graduate program director or department
chair is the faculty person responsible for the decision to which the student
objects, the program will arrange for an appropriate person to hear the
appeal at the first level. The program must advise the student in writing of
the decision within seven calendar days of receiving the appeal.
2. Second level of appeal. If the student does not agree with the decision
made at the first level of appeal, the matter may be submitted to the
provost or designee for consideration. In order to be considered a valid
appeal at the second level, the appeal must be in writing, filed with the
provost or designee within seven calendar days of the first level appeal
decision, and include a complete description on which the appeal is based.
The graduate student filing the appeal must notify the sponsoring program
that the appeal is being pursued to the second level by providing a copy
of the written appeal at the same time as it is filed with the provost. The
sponsoring program may file a response to the appeal at this time.
3. Investigation. The provost or designee shall examine the entire record of
the appeal including the response by the sponsoring program and conduct
such investigation as it determines is warranted. The provost or designee
shall apply the college and program performance and retention standards in
reaching its decision concerning the appeal. The provost or designee shall
notify the student and the program in writing of its decision within seven
calendar days of receipt of the appeal. The decision of the provost is final
and not subject to further appeal.
Background Checks
State laws require that any person who provides services that involve direct
contact with patients and residents at a health care facility have a background
study conducted by the state. Any individual who is disqualified from having
contact with individuals in these groups as a result of the background study will
not be permitted to participate in a clinical placement. Failure to participate in
clinical placement required by the academic program could result in ineligibility to
qualify for a degree in this program.
Records Information
The official student file will be maintained in the Office of Graduate and
Continuing Studies in Academic Affairs.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The cost of tuition and fees vary per program. Please contact the individual
program for more information. Housing is considered primarily for undergraduate
students; however, arrangements can be made on a case-by-case basis by
contacting the director of Residence Life.
Tuition, room, board and fees are listed for the entire year but are due at the
beginning of each semester. Price increases during the academic year are
not anticipated; however, the college reserves the right to make them should
unforeseen circumstances make it necessary.
Besides covering tuition, room, board and student activity events, the
comprehensive fee entitles you to free admission to most campus concerts,
athletic contests, plays, lectures, and other campus events. The student activity
fee pays for a year’s subscription to The Concordian newspaper and student
activities programming.
Financial Arrangements
Advance payments: A nonrefundable $35 application fee must accompany
the application for admission by new students, excluding students who are
readmitted.
Prepayment: Tuition and fees are due the beginning of each semester. When
financial aid or other adjustments are expected, those adjustments may be
deducted from the balance. Please do not delay payments while waiting for
adjustments. Interest will be charged on unpaid balances that are outstanding 30
days or more. Students should not expect to be registered for the next semester
if fees are not paid in full.
Insurance: A group health insurance plan is available for both married students
and for single students who are not covered by some other policy. Students as
well as staff members may wish to provide their own insurance coverage on all
personal property, because the college cannot be responsible for any losses.
Student bank: The Business Office provides a free student bank service to
students in which funds may be deposited for safekeeping and withdrawal simply
by presenting an ID card and signing a receipt. This is a non-interest bearing
account.
Withdrawals and Refunds
Refunds upon withdrawal: Should students, for whatever reason, withdraw
from Concordia during a semester or summer term, a refund of tuition and room
and board, if applicable, is calculated. The amount of refund is determined
by how much of the term has elapsed. If the student is a recipient of student
financial assistance, that assistance will be reduced as a result of withdrawal.
Federal legislation determines the amount of refund for recipients of federal Title
IV student assistance. It is the purpose of this section to inform students of the
financial implications of withdrawal.
If a student is the recipient of federal Title IV student assistance, if a student
withdraws from school on or before the 60-percent point in the term, then a
percentage of Title IV federal financial aid shall be returned by the school and
possibly by the student. The amount of Title IV aid to be returned is equal to the
total Title IV aid disbursed for the term multiplied by the percentage of the term
not attended. Any refund amount must then be applied first to the federal aid
programs in the following prescribed order:
1. Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
2. Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan
3. Graduate PLUS loans
4. Private loans
Any remaining refund will then be returned to other institutional, state or private
student assistance that has been received. Any refund in excess of student aid
will be returned to the student only after account balances in the Business Office
have been paid.
Specific examples of refund calculations are available upon request from the
Financial Aid Office.
In the event the financial aid exceeds the direct costs in the Business Office and
the student receives a cash credit balance, withdrawal will result in repayment
of a portion of that credit balance. The portion to be repaid is determined by
multiplying the cash payment by remaining weeks in the semester divided by total
weeks in the semester.
Refunds for Reduced Load: If a student finds it necessary to drop a course
during the semester, obtain a drop-add form from the Office of the Registrar. The
completed form must be submitted by the deadlines on the academic calendar.
If the student status changes, tuition refunds through the seventh week of the
semester will be granted effective on the date the drop-add form is returned to
the Office of the Registrar. Dropping below full-time status may have an impact
on the financial aid received.
Appeals on Refunds: Any questions or problems related to refunds should be
directed to the controller, whose office is located in the Business Office.
Terms of Statement: In order to receive any credit balance, complete settlement
of your bill must be made.
Financial Aid
Loans are the primary source of financial aid to graduate students.
How to Apply for Financial Aid
To apply for all forms of need-based financial aid you complete two forms – the
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Concordia College
Supplemental Financial Aid Applications.
The FAFSA can be completed any time after Jan. 1 for the following academic
year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete your federal tax returns
before completing the FAFSA. Returning students are encouraged to complete it
prior to April 15. The FAFSA can be completed online at the following site: www.fafsa.ed.gov.
The Concordia College Supplemental Financial Aid Application is available from
the Financial Aid Office or on the Financial Aid Office Web site.
Financial aid is awarded on a rolling basis as soon as the tuition is set for the
following year. An Award Letter is sent to students once financial aid has been
awarded. It is necessary to complete the FAFSA every year.
The financial aid package is awarded on the basis of financial information
contained in the FAFSA. Aid received from any source that was not originally
considered in the aid package may affect the amount received. Students are
required to notify the Financial Aid Office of all such aid received from any source.
Because the financial aid package is based on information from the previous
tax year, changes in the financial status of the student’s family may also affect
financial aid.
Loans
Four types of loans for graduate college costs at Concordia are available:
1. Federal Stafford Loan program: This program provides loans at a fixed
interest rate of 6.8 percent. Students demonstrating need, according to federal
guidelines, may borrow through any lending institution that is willing to extend
the loan. Under this program, the federal government will pay the interest
until you begin repayment, which starts six months after enrollment ceases.
Students who do not demonstrate financial need may obtain an unsubsidized
Federal Stafford Loan and will be required to make interest payments while
enrolled in college. The maximum amount for this loan is $8,500 for subsidized
and $10,000 for unsubsidized Stafford Loans with a maximum total debt of
$138,500.
2. Student Educational Loan Fund: SELF is a state program controlled by
the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. All students attending a Minnesota
school are potentially eligible provided they have a credit-worthy cosigner who
is a U.S. citizen. Graduate students can borrow up to $9,000 per year with a
maximum total debt of $40,000. The interest charged is normally at a rate
lower than most commercial loans. The interest is payable on a quarterly basis
while in school. Principal and interest payments begin after leaving school.
3. PLUS loan (Graduate Student)
4. Private loans: Many commercial lenders offer private loan programs.
Generally, these loans require a co-signer and have higher interest rates.
Return of Title IV (Federal) Aid Policy
If you withdraw from Concordia College during a semester or summer term,
you must complete the proper withdrawal form in the Office of Graduate and
Continuing Studies. The Financial Aid Office will then calculate how much
federal aid you have “earned” based on your withdrawal date. As a result, your
earned Federal Student Aid may not cover all unpaid institutional charges due to
Concordia College.
In order to comply with the federal policy, Concordia must complete the following
steps:
1. Determine the withdrawal date.
2. Determine the amount of earned federal aid.
3. Return unearned federal funds to the appropriate program(s).
However, in order to ensure that you are eligible to receive financial aid, Concordia
must first verify with your instructor(s) that you are attending or participating in
academic activities related to your classes for the term.
The withdrawal date is the date you begin the withdrawal process. If you fail to
withdraw officially, the withdrawal date will become the midpoint of the term,
unless the college can document a later date. In certain circumstances if an
earlier date of last academic activity is determined, this date may be used in the
calculation of “earned” federal aid.
If you withdraw before completing 60 percent of the term, you “earn” federal
funds in direct proportion to the length of time you were enrolled. The percentage
of earned aid is determined by dividing the total number of calendar days enrolled
by the total number of calendar days in the term. If you complete 60 percent of
the term, you earn all federal financial aid for the term.
The responsibility to repay unearned aid is shared by Concordia College and
the student. The college’s share is the lesser of the unearned aid or unearned
institutional charges. The college’s share must be repaid to the federal aid
programs in the following order, before the student’s share is considered:
1. Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
2. Subsidized Stafford Loan
4. PLUS loan (Graduate Student)
5. Private loans
If you are required to repay a portion of your loan through the student’s share
calculation, you will not be expected to return those funds immediately, but rather
when repayment begins according to the terms and conditions of the promissory
note. If your share includes grant funds, federal rules allow the grant to be reduced
by 50 percent, and Concordia College will repay these grant programs on your
behalf. You will then be responsible for repaying the money back to Concordia
College. If this causes undue hardship, a satisfactory payment arrangement can
be made with Concordia’s Business Office.
Institutional and State Refund Policy: The Return of Title IV policy, cited
above, only considers federal aid. Concordia is also required to determine if any
institutional or state financial aid must be returned if you completely withdraw.
If you withdraw during a period of time that allows for a refund of tuition and/or
room and board, a portion or all of your institutional, state and/or outside funding
may be reduced or canceled, assuming the institutional refund was not used to
fully repay the Return of Title IV Aid. If you receive a 100 percent tuition refund on
all courses for a particular term, all institutional, state and outside funding must
be returned to the appropriate aid program(s).
Refunds for Reduced Load: If you find it necessary to drop a course during the
semester, process must be complete by the deadlines on the academic calendar.
If your student status changes from full time to part time, tuition refunds through
the eighth week of the semester will be granted effective on the date the dropadd
form is returned to the Office of the Registrar. If you have a refund of tuition
as a result of reducing your course load and you are receiving gift assistance from
federal or state sources, this assistance will be reduced up to the amount of the
refund.
Appeals on Refunds: Any questions or problems related to refunds should be
directed to the controller, whose office is located in the Business Office.
Cautionary Note
Because the status of federal and state student assistance programs is ever
changing, we run the risk that published information may become outdated.
Should this occur, we will publish all applicable changes using the numerous
media available on this campus.
Glossary of Terms
Concordia College Supplemental Financial Aid Application: a
supplemental application required by the college and is available in the Financial
Aid Office or on the Financial Aid Web site at www.cord.edu/Admissions/costs1.
php
FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid – financial statement that is
used in applying for need-based financial aid
Lender: your local bank, savings and loan, credit union, or other financial
institution participating in the Federal Stafford Loan and Graduate PLUS loan
programs
Need: the difference between the cost of education and the family’s calculated
ability to meet that cost
Package: the financial aid, determined by the Financial Aid Office, that you
receive
Rolling Basis: an arrangement in which once you are accepted and apply for
financial aid, you are notified immediately of the financial aid decision
SAR: Student Aid Report – the report the student receives from the need-analysis
processor indicating financial information on file regarding the student; to be
used for the corrections process
Verification: a requirement of the federal government to verify accuracy of the
financial data in the aid application
OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR
Registration Information
After students have been accepted to a graduate program at Concordia College,
they will receive registration instructions from the Office of Graduate and
Continuing Studies. Graduate students will register for classes during the spring
semester for summer and fall courses and register in the fall semester for the
following spring’s courses. Students will be contacted by their academic adviser,
who will assist them in completing the registration process.
Drop-Add Policies: Graduate students must follow college-designated policies for
dropping and adding courses. Individual programs may allow students to register
for some designated courses on a pass-fail basis. Students should consult the
handbook for their particular program to determine if this option is available to
them.
Students may add a class with the professor’s permission and may drop a
class with the professor’s permission. Tuition will generally be charged to the
students for courses that are dropped. Students with prolonged illness or other
emergencies may appeal in writing to the graduate committee for consideration.
A student who drops a course without documented permission receives a failing
grade in that course.
Retaking Courses: Students enrolled in graduate programs at Concordia
College are allowed to retake one graduate course. This one retake is granted
if they have earned a grade of C or below. However, in the case of extenuating
circumstances, a student may file an appeal to retake one additional course. The
Graduate Studies Committee will receive the appeal and rule on it.
Withdrawal From College: The final date for withdrawal from college is the
last day of classes during the 12th week of the semester. If it is necessary to
withdraw from college during the semester, the student must file an application
for withdrawal for consideration by the Office of Graduate and Continuing Studies.
If endorsed, the withdrawal becomes effective on the date it is approved and is
reflected on the academic record. Failure to file an application for withdrawal
or filing an application late will result in additional charges being assessed as
indicated elsewhere in the catalog. Students who stop attending classes and who
do not withdraw in the prescribed manner cannot be granted honorable dismissal
and will be charged as if they had been attending class.
The college reserves the right to withdraw students who discontinue class
attendance.
The college also reserves the right to withdraw students on academic probation
who are not attending classes and who obviously are not going to meet their
probation status requirements. See program information for specific academic
conduct policies.
If students engage in behavior that suggests a danger to self or others, or if
students’ behavior demonstrates they are emotionally or psychologically incapable
of functioning properly in the college setting, the college reserves the right to
withdraw students involuntarily from school after consulting an appropriate
family member or guardian and psychiatrist or psychologist.
Military Withdrawal: The college will make every effort to accommodate the
needs of students called to active military duty during an academic term. Students
who receive orders to report for active U.S. military duty are instructed to contact
the Office of Graduate and Continuing Studies. Students in this situation must
present their Military Orders to initiate accommodations regarding coursework
in progress. An approved plan regarding coursework must be established prior
to students’ departure. Generally, there are three approaches that may be taken:
1. If orders are received late in the term, students may be able to complete
coursework prior to leaving.
2. In some situations, it will be feasible for students to receive an Incomplete in
a course or courses. If it is not feasible to receive an Incomplete, the students
will be allowed to drop a course or courses with a full refund of tuition and
fees associated with the dropped course(s). If students receive an Incomplete
but are unable to complete the work due to a change in circumstances, the
students may appeal to the Graduate Program Committee for a retroactive
course drop under the same terms outlined above.
3. In many situations, it will be necessary for students to withdraw from the
college to fulfill military obligations. In this circumstance, students will be
withdrawn from all courses with a 100-percent refund of tuitions and fees and
unused portion of room and board.
Concordia College is approved by the Minnesota State Approving Agency for
Veteran’s Educational Benefits. To obtain benefits, the veteran must apply for
a Certificate of Eligibility. Application forms may be obtained from the Veteran’s
Administration Regional Office. This should be done as soon as possible after
acceptance so that the Certificate of Eligibility may be obtained before veterans
come to campus.
In granting credit to veterans who have pursued specialized training programs in
the armed forces, the college follows the Guide to the Evaluation of Education
Experiences in the Armed Services, prepared by the American Council of
Education.
Leave of Absence: Students in good standing may apply for an academic leave
of absence, allowing them to take leave from college without having to apply
for readmission. Applications will be reviewed by the directors of the master’s
program and the dean of Graduate Studies, or his or her designee. Leaves may be
granted for a period of up to one year. Leaves can be granted for reasons of work,
health problems or other study.
Readmission: If you stop attending Concordia for one or more academic terms
and want to return, you must contact the Office of Graduate and Continuing
Studies. Before your application for readmission will be considered, you will be
asked to address any pending issues related to your academic, disciplinary or
financial status with the college at the time you stopped attending. In some
instances, a “clearance meeting” with a college office may be required to resolve
a pending issue. Once these issues are resolved, the Office of Graduate and
Continuing Studies will process your application for readmission and inform you
of the resulting decision.
Further information and assistance is available from the Office of the Registrar.
Glossary of Terms
The following definitions will help you interpret college regulations and
understand academic requirements:
Course Credit: One full course at Concordia is equated as 4 semester credits, or
6 quarter credits. A half course at Concordia is equated as 2 semester credits, or
3 quarter credits. A full course is designed to occupy about one-half of a student’s
schedule per semester. A half course fills correspondingly less time.
Block: A block is equal to half a semester. Some departments divide their semester
into two blocks and offer courses over eight weeks rather than 16 weeks.
Grades: Grades are indicated by letters; they are the traditional method of
describing the quality of work in a course. See the chart below for how letter
grades are interpreted in terms of quality and grade points.
Grade Points: Grade points are the numerical measure of the quality of work.
Each grade received is assigned the value indicated on the chart below.
GRADES AND GRADE POINTS
Grades Interpretation Grade Points
A excellent 4.0
A- 3.7
B+ 3.3
B good 3.0
B- 2.7
C+ 2.3
C satisfactory 2.0
C- 1.7
D+ 1.3
D 1.0
D- minimum passing 0.7
AU audit 0
IP in progress 0
NG no grade 0
F failure 0
S passing grade (S-U course) 0
U failing grade (S-U course) 0
I incomplete 0
W withdrawn 0
DR dropped course 0
Grade Point Average (GPA) is determined by dividing total number of grade points
by the number of course credits attempted. A GPA of 2.0 is the same as a C
average, 3.0 as a B average, etc.
Incomplete Credits (I) are granted when students are unable to complete course
requirements for reasons beyond their control and when arrangements have been
made with the instructor before the end of the semester. It is the responsibility of
students to develop a contract to meet the instructor’s requirements for making
up an Incomplete. If an Incomplete has been given, and if the Incomplete has not
been made up by the published date, the “I” grade will be changed to an “F.”
Course Registration for Final Thesis or Project
Graduate students completing the thesis/project will register for 699 (up to
4 semester credits) the first semester that they begin working on their thesis/
project. If the thesis/project is not completed in that semester, however, students
must register for 698 (1 semester credit) in subsequent semesters. Students
should consult their individual program guidelines, as requirements for continuing
registration may vary from program to program. Students will receive a grade of IP
in 699 until the thesis/project is completed. No more than 4 semester credits will
be granted for work on the thesis/project in the Plan of Study.
POLICIES AND REGULATIONS
Academic Advisers
The chair of the department, or a member of the faculty designated by the chair,
will advise students to develop and complete their Plan of Study. Only those
courses approved by the student’s adviser may be used toward the graduate
degree. The academic adviser may or may not serve on the student’s examining
committee.
Course Registration
Current graduate students may register the first day of pre-registration for any
term. Telephone registration is available.
Class schedules and descriptions of the registration procedures for any semester
may be secured from the Office of the Registrar one week prior to pre-registration
for that semester.
Registration must be completed and all tuition and fees must be paid to the
Business Office before published deadlines.
Course Load
Two courses (8 semester credits) are required for full-time status for students
receiving financial aid. Part-time study is defined as 6 semester credits; less than
half time is fewer than 4 semester credits.
Graduate Courses
Courses at the 600 and 700 levels are offered for graduate credit only. Courses
offered at the 600 level are open to graduate students or to undergraduate seniors
who meet specific requirements. Courses at the 500 level may be counted toward
a graduate degree; these courses are also offered as upper-division courses for
undergraduates. Graduate students are expected to perform on a qualitatively
higher level than the undergraduates in 500-level courses; normally, additional
requirements are made in these courses for graduate students.
Time Limitation
All requirements for the degree must be completed within seven years after taking
the first graduate course included in the Plan of Study. In exceptional cases when
students need to petition for an extension in order to complete the degree, they
should contact the provost to initiate an appeal process.
Degree and Graduation Requirements
Students graduate according to requirements published in the catalog at the time
of their matriculation at Concordia, or any one subsequent catalog published
during their enrollment. Students who are readmitted two years or more after
their last enrollment must satisfy requirements published in the catalog in effect
at the time of readmission, or any one subsequent catalog published during their
enrollment. Completion or graduation rates for the general student body are
available from the Office of the Registrar.
Graduate students are expected to read and adhere to the values and
responsibilities of the academic integrity code as identified on Page 21.
Graduate students are expected to comply with the general academic policies of
Concordia as stated on Pages 39-41.
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