Continuing Your Education at Baylor University

Often, professionals in many industries must go through continuing education or certificate courses to stay abreast of industry trends or training. To meet this need, many universities offer continuing education classes for professionals or community members who wish to take classes. Baylor University, one of the top private schools in Texas, has a robust continuing education program, offering classes and certificates in several areas of study for professionals.

Baylor also has high academic and professional standards, and students in continuing education classes must conform to the school's academic and conduct standards. If you are accused of academic or personal misconduct, it can affect your professional life and your reputation in the community. That's why you need the experienced Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm to protect your rights. They can help you nationwide. Call them at 888-535-3686 to schedule your consultation.

What is Continuing Education at Baylor?

All Baylor University continuing education classes are open to the public. Baylor began the program in 1974 to help professionals improve skills and bolster their resumes through noncredit classes, certificates, and online courses. “Baylor University is committed to providing transformational education through engaging, accessible and impactful online learning.”

The school offers development for business and caring professionals. Campus partners include the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, the Pastoral Studies Program, and Truett Seminary Continuing Education. Baylor also offers online courses and certificates in the following areas:

• Faith and sports certificate,
• Guardianship,
• Communication sciences and disorders,
• Legal,
• Service marriage counselor certificate, and
• Truett certificate program.

Academic Expectations at Baylor

Baylor Continuing Education courses are open to the public for anyone 18 or over, although minors are sometimes allowed to enroll if accompanied by a registered and enrolled adult. Continuing Education courses are not credit-bearing, and students cannot transfer them to other colleges or toward a degree at Baylor University. However, professionals can obtain Continuing Education Units for professional certifications or require training.

According to Baylor's FAQ, “one Continuing Education Unit (CEU) equals ten (10) contact hours of learner interaction with the content of the learning activity, which includes classroom, self-paced instruction, pre/post assignments, and/or homework in support of a learning outcome.” A “contact hour” is “one clock hour of interaction between a learner and instructor, or between a learner and materials, which have been prepared to cause learning.”

Tuition Policies at Baylor CE

Continuing Education courses at Baylor do require that you pay tuition. The cost of each course may vary by its length and complexity and whether it takes place online or in person. Discounts are sometimes available through community or campus partnerships, although group discounts can only apply to courses in the same semester. A Continuing Education membership “allows an individual to register for our Lifelong Learning Courses. These courses begin with LLLCRS and are listed in their own section under ‘Lifelong Learning' in the course catalog.”

Students can obtain full refunds for in-person continuing education courses until one business day before the class begins. A refund is available for programs involving meals and receptions until four days before the class begins. After the deadline, you can withdraw from a class and request a credit toward a future continuing education class.

Academic Misconduct at Baylor

Baylor holds all students to strict standards, expecting everyone to act with honor and integrity in their academic pursuits. The Honor Code states, “A Baylor University student violates the Honor Code if the student engages in dishonorable conduct in connection with an academic matter.” Dishonorable conduct that can result in academic integrity allegations at Baylor Continuing Education includes:

• Submitting someone else's work as your own, in whole or in part,
• Plagiarism: Incorporating someone else's words, or the substance of them, into your own without giving credit,
• Resubmitting work you did for another class,
• Collaborating with someone else without permission,
• Stealing or trying to steal exams,
• Using materials not authorized,
• Taking an exam for someone or allowing someone else to take one for you,
• Giving, receiving, or obtaining information from an exam in advance of the test,
• Tampering with, losing, moving, or damaging the property of Baylor, a professor, or. another student to obtain an advantage,
• Misrepresenting yourself to obtain an advantage or harm another student,
• Failing to follow the instructor's instructions to obtain an advantage,
• Witnessing honor code violations and failing to report them,
• Altering or falsifying documents like transcripts, schedule forms, doctor's excuses, and grade reports, and
• Using online sources derived from Baylor course content without the professor's permission.

When you're accused of an honor code violation, the professor will either handle the matter directly with you or refer it to the Honor Council.

1. Instructor Handled Honor Code Violation If addressing it directly with you, the instructor must do so within 21 calendar days. If the instructor finds you guilty of an honor code violation, they must file a report with the Office of Academic Integrity giving the details and the sanction. If you have another OAI report, the office may refer the matter to the Honor Council. You can also refer the matter to the Honor Council if you aren't satisfied with the resolution with your instructor.
2. Honor Council Hearings If an instructor or the OAI refers your alleged honor code violation to the Honor Council, a panel of at least three students and three faculty members will review your case. They'll notify you of the allegations and details, the type of evidence supporting the allegation, and the location and time of the hearing. This notice must be within ten days. You can examine the evidence before the hearing date if it includes written documentation. However, “such writings shall remain in the possession of the Office of Academic Integrity and subject to the control of the chair of the Honor Council, and the chair shall make necessary arrangements to afford the accused sufficient access to such writings to permit preparation of an appropriate response to charges based in whole or in part upon such writings.” The hearing will happen in two parts: the presentation of the evidence and the Honor Council's deliberations. Both you and your accuser can testify, presenting evidence and asking others to present evidence. The Honor Council may ask questions to resolve inconsistencies. You and your accuser can also ask questions of the presenters and each other.
3. Honor Council Decisions The majority of the Honor Council must vote that you violated the Honor Code based on the “preponderance of the evidence.” Under the Honor Code, “a preponderance of the evidence presented at a hearing means such evidence as, when considered and compared with that opposed to it, has more convincing force and produces in the minds of the members of the Honor Council belief that the alleged violation of the Honor Code more likely occurred than not.” If the Honor Council votes that you are responsible for violating the Honor Code, they'll next consider sanctions. The Honor Council must give great weight to the sanction(s) recommended by the faculty member, but it may also consider the materials and information presented at the hearing, and the student's academic and honor code records. The chair of the Honor Council will prepare a report of the hearing, including the decision. The record of the hearing will be an audio recording of the hearing and any tangible evidence the parties presented during the hearing. The University Provost will then consider the recommendations of the Honor Council before imposing Sanctions. However, the provost may also review the hearing record and your academic and disciplinary records.
4. Provost Appeals You can appeal the decision of the Honor Council in writing to the provost if you believe the decision was “arbitrary and capricious.” But you must appeal within five days of receiving notice of the decision. The provost will consult with the university's general counsel, the Division of Student Life, and other departments in deciding whether the Honor Council was “arbitrary and capricious.” If so, the provost will reverse the decision. If the provost declines to reverse the Honor Council's decision, you can appeal to the University President in writing within five days of the provost's decision. The president will review the decision, confer with the provost, and affirm or overturn the decision based on this. The president's decision on honor code violations and sanctions is final. However, if you've already reached this point, it's time to consult the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm.

Disciplinary Misconduct at Baylor

In addition to academic misconduct allegations, you can also face disciplinary action for violating the school's code of conduct. Baylor is a private Baptist university and expects all students to conduct themselves following Christian principles “as commonly perceived by Texas Baptists,” regardless of their beliefs. The Student Code of Conduct states, “Personal misconduct either on or off the campus by anyone connected with Baylor detracts from the Christian witness Baylor strives to present to the world and hinders full accomplishment of the mission of the University.”

Potential Misconduct Violations

The university may initiate disciplinary proceedings against you for:

• Inappropriate expression,
• Assault, abuse, harassment, or threatening behavior,
• Obstructing or disrupting class or university activities,
• Hazing,
• Use or possession of firearms or explosives on campus without permission,
• Violating the school's classroom conduct policy,
• Alcohol intoxication or impairment,
• Interfering with or failing to cooperate with a university employee,
• Disruptive or disorderly behavior,
• Lewd behavior,
• Possession or use of alcohol or drugs on campus,
• Theft,
• Unauthorized entry into university buildings,
• Betting,
• Destruction of property,
• Violating the school's civil rights policies and procedures or
• Sexual or interpersonal misconduct.

Sexual or interpersonal misconduct or violations of the school's civil rights policies are handled in proceedings outlined in separate school policies. Sexual or interpersonal misconduct includes violations of Title IX. Examples include:

• Sexual violence,
• Sexual assault,
• Sexual harassment, and
• Sexual coercion.

Violations of Baylor's civil rights policies include discrimination based on:

• Race,
• Sex,
• Color,
• National origin,
• Ethnicity,
• Immigration status,
• Disability,
• Age,
• Genetic information,
• Service in the military, and
• Any other characteristic protected by federal, Texas, or local law.

Student Conduct Board Hearings

The Student Conduct Board is responsible for hearing misconduct allegations at Baylor. The type of hearing, the number of people reviewing the decision, and the procedures vary depending on the type and severity of the alleged offense. Baylor's hearing procedures allow you some due process, including clear notification dates, a hearing with evidence, and the ability to cross-examine witnesses and examine evidence. However, Baylor also attempts to limit whether you can have legal representation in a hearing that can have dire consequences for your academic and professional reputation. That's why it's urgent that you seek advice from the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm. Don't let your rights get trampled.

Potential Sanctions at Baylor Continuing Education

The potential sanctions you can face may vary depending on whether you're found guilty of an honor code or misconduct violation and the severity of the violation.

Academic Violation Sanctions

Potential sanctions for honor code violations for Baylor Continuing Education students are the same as all students at the university. However, some may not apply to you. Potential sanctions from an instructor can include:

• Failing the class or assignment,
• A grade penalty on an assignment or test, or
• Redoing an assignment.

If your instructor believes an honor code violation warrants a more severe punishment, they'll refer the matter to the Honor Council. Potential sanctions from the Honor Council include:

• Probation,
• Suspension, or
• Expulsion.

Misconduct Violation Sanctions

Sanctions for violating the Baylor code of conduct can include:

• Warnings,
• Disciplinary probation,
• Restitution,
• Removal or restriction from residential areas,
• Withholding a degree or certificate,
• Suspension with conditions,
• Expulsion,
• Community service,
• Restriction on university activities,
• Education programs, and
• No contact directives.

You Need an Experienced Student Defense Team

If you're a continuing education student facing academic misconduct allegations or accusations of violating the Baylor code of conduct, the consequences can be serious to your personal and professional reputation. You can even face challenges if you try to return to school or need to fulfill continuing education credits for your career. Don't let your career get derailed. The skilled Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm can help nationwide. Call the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 today to discuss your case, or contact us online to schedule your consultation.