More and more universities out there have begun offering continuing education (CE) courses and programs. These provide a great opportunity for adults to go back to school, whether they're looking to improve their resumes or earn a degree in a new field. California State University, Bakersfield's “Extended Education” program, for example, can help you meet annual licensing requirements, earn certification in a wide range of skills, or just prove to yourself that you still have what it takes to be a student.
The great thing about CE programs like this one is that they are tailored to adult learners. Many classes are held online, for instance, so you don't have to take time out of your schedule to drive to campus. You can earn certificates and degrees at your own pace without having to worry about taking a minimum number of hours each semester.
Of course, you shouldn't expect professors to take it easy on you. The curriculum at Cal State, Bakersfield, is rigorous, and you can expect instructors to hold you to high standards both academically and personally. You don't have to face this challenge alone, though. Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team know the Cal State, Bakersfield system, they know the law, and they're ready to help when you need them.
Maybe you're struggling to balance the demands of coursework with your job, your family, and your mortgage. Maybe you've run into a professor who just doesn't seem to want to treat you fairly. Maybe a classmate has accused you of sexual harassment. Whatever the situation, Joseph D. Lento and his team are here to make sure you're treated fairly and that you get every chance to reach your educational goals.
Academics
Problems in a CE program can come from two potential areas: academics and general conduct expectations. The whole point of going back to school is to get an education, so let's start with academics.
Educational Options
In general, what options are available to you at Cal State, Bakersfield?
- Open University: You don't need a long-term goal to go back to school. Open University allows anyone to take individual courses in subjects that interest them. OU offers courses in subjects ranging from math to geology to philosophy.
- Academic Certificates: Certification programs give you an opportunity to add a particular knowledge or skill to your resume with a specific endorsement that validates your abilities. For example, you can take courses toward a certificate in Human Resource Management, Drug and Alcohol Studies, or Project Management.
- Bachelor's Degrees: CSUB's Extended Education program offers two bachelor's degrees, one in Communications and one in Sociology.
- Master's Degrees: Finally, you can also work towards a master's degree in either Computer Science, Education Curriculum and Instruction, Kinesiology, or Social Work.
Educational Requirements
Of course, your specific educational requirements will differ depending on your academic goals. You can take one course, find out all you need to know about a subject and be done. Certification programs, on the other hand, can require anywhere from 4 to 42 credits and can take between one and two years to complete. Both bachelor's degrees require between 50 and 60-course hours.
Likewise, you may be held accountable in different ways depending on what you've chosen to study. Degree-seekers, for instance, are expected to perform to CSUB's academic standing standards. According to these standards, undergraduates can be put on Academic Notice if their GPA falls below 2.0.
Even if you're just taking one course, though, you'll be held accountable for attending classes, participating in discussions, completing assignments, and doing well on exams. You earn no credit for courses you fail or courses you drop.
It's not always easy to meet these expectations, especially when you're taking classes with students whose only worries are what the cafeteria is serving for lunch. Most CSUB faculty understand the unique circumstances CE students face, and they'll work with you to make sure you have every opportunity to succeed. You may occasionally encounter instructors and administrators, though, who refuse to let you make up an assignment just because your kids are sick, or who insist on lowering your grade when you miss a class, even if you had to be at work that day. What do you do when that happens? You contact Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team. They're dedicated to making sure you're treated fairly, whether that means helping you negotiate with a professor or working with you to draft a formal grade appeal.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
If you receive financial aid to help with your studies, you have an additional academic requirement to worry about. The federal government requires all colleges and universities to maintain what's known as a Satisfactory Academic Progress, or SAP, policy. The purpose of such policies is to ensure that no person can abuse the financial aid system and that all students who receive aid are completing their degrees in a timely fashion.
The Cal State, Bakersfield SAP policy involves three standards. If you're seeking an undergraduate degree, you must
- Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
- Complete at least two-thirds of all the courses you attempt.
- Complete your degree within 180 hours.
If you're a graduate student, you must
- Earn a minimum GPA of 3.0
- Complete at least two-thirds of all the courses you attempt
- Complete your degree within 150 percent of your program's required hours
CSUB does offer an appeals process for students whose deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances such as a family emergency or a long-term illness. That process can be complex, though, and there is never a guarantee that your appeal will be approved.
Of course, you don't have to keep your financial aid in order to continue your studies. However, many students find it difficult to continue once they've lost monetary support.
If you're worried your aid might be in jeopardy, it's important you contact the Lento Law Firm as soon as possible. Joseph D. Lento and his team are experienced at filing SAP appeals, but there are strict time limits on such appeals, and you want to get the process started quickly.
Academic Misconduct
Beyond any concerns about GPA, you must also make sure any coursework you complete abides by the CSUB Academic Integrity policy. That policy specifically references cheating and plagiarism, but any behavior that might give you an unfair advantage in completing your coursework can get you into trouble.
In fact, academic misconduct is on the rise across the country, and as a result, faculty have become quick to accuse students and particularly harsh when it comes to assigning penalties. Cal State, Bakersfield, gives instructors broad authority to decide if students have committed an infraction and to come up with course punishments. These can include
- A warning
- A makeup assignment
- An educational assignment on the nature of academic integrity
- A lower grade on the assignment up to a zero
- A lower grade in the course, up to an F
In addition, faculty are required to report all instances of misconduct to the Dean of Students. That official can apply additional disciplinary sanctions for second offenses, including:
- Probation
- Suspension
- Dismissal
Fortunately, you have the option to challenge your instructor's decisions to the Dean of Students and to defend yourself at a hearing. A university hearing can be a complicated affair, and your success may depend on factors such as knowing how to present evidence properly and knowing what questions to pose to witnesses. As a result, it's always best to have professional help in these cases. Joseph D. Lento and his Student Defense Team have represented hundreds of students. They know how the CSUB judicial system works and can help you use that system to your best advantage.
Academics: What Could Go Wrong?
Students are sometimes surprised by the notion that an attorney might be able to help them with academics. And, to be clear, no one from the Lento Law Firm can take your tests for you or write your papers.
College success can be as much about navigating bureaucracy effectively, though, as it is about showing up for office hours or learning to use the library's research materials. Who knows more about bureaucracy than lawyers? And, as it turns out, no one knows more about educational bureaucracy than the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm. They are dedicated to protecting your rights as a student and to solving any problem that may come up for you.
What Joseph D. Lento and his team can do for you. There's a lot at stake when you're a student, and when problems come up, it can be crucial to have the right representation. They can help you draft documents, work with you to develop your arguments and coach you in presentation methods. Most importantly, though, they offer the peace of mind of knowing that someone who knows the law is making sure your rights are protected.
Disciplinary Misconduct
Attending college is about more than just showing up for classes. As a university student, you're part of a community, and that community has to have rules and procedures in place to keep life from devolving into chaos. In addition to worrying about academics, then, you must also understand your school's disciplinary policy.
Just like any other students at CSUB, CE students are subject to the school's Student Conduct Code. That Code talks about things like drug possession, theft, misuse of computer resources, and disorderly conduct. Violation can result in stiff penalties, including probation, suspension, and dismissal.
You should note that under Grounds for Student Discipline, violations of local, state, and federal law are also violations of the Code. That means any conviction, even for something as relatively innocuous as a DUI, can result in university sanctions up to and including dismissal. Further, the incident doesn't have to occur on campus to constitute a violation. You could be in an entirely other state when you break the law, but if you're convicted, you're still accountable at CSUB.
Another important type of violation to worry about is sexual misconduct. Sexually-based offenses on college campuses are actually regulated under Title IX, a federal law. That law requires schools to investigate all credible accusations, and penalties can be severe. The minimum sanction you're likely to face if you're found Responsible for an offense is suspension. More likely, CSUB will dismiss you.
Finally, you should be aware that CSUB can charge you with an online offense just as easily as it can charge you with a real-world offense. If you sexually harass a classmate in an online forum, for instance, you're still subject to Title IX. Many CE courses are taught exclusively online, and in general, you want to
Behave professionally
- Treat others with respect
- Avoid profanity and socially-offensive language
- Dress appropriately when others can see you
- Avoid inappropriate surroundings
As with academic misconduct accusations, disciplinary misconduct accusations are subject to investigation and adjudication. You have the right to a formal hearing, to submit evidence, and to call witnesses. Perhaps your most important right, though, is the right to an advisor, someone, to help you prepare your case and to accompany you to meetings and proceedings. That advisor can be and should be, an attorney from the Lento Law Firm.
Joseph D. Lento: Continuing Education Student Attorney-Advisor
If you've been out of school for a few years, you need to know that things have changed in education.
- Cheating is on the rise, so professors are more hyper-vigilant.
- Academic expectations grow higher every year.
- In today's political climate, no school can afford to be seen as soft on discipline, and every school conducts rigorous investigations and doles out stiff penalties.
It's worth recognizing, though, that you've changed too. Sure, you care about passing your courses and getting your degree, but that's not the highest priority in your life anymore. You've got a partner, a mortgage, and kids to worry about. Satisfying your boss's demands is probably far more important to you than pleasing your professor.
Most continuing education faculty understand the particular kinds of stresses you're under, and most are willing to work with you to make your educational experience rewarding. If you should run into issues, though, it's important you know that there's help available.
Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team have helped hundreds of students just like you deal with school-based issues. They know the law as it applies to education, and they are practiced in dealing with faculty and administrators. Whatever problem you might be facing, from issues with technology to accusations of sexual misconduct, don't wait to see what will happen. If you're in trouble, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
