Many people have the choice to go to college right after graduating from high school, but others decide to take gap years before starting or are unable to afford tuition. Others simply do not want to go. As we age, getting an education becomes harder and harder, which is why many colleges and universities across the country have created continuing education programs. These programs allow adult students to increase their knowledge in their employment field, learn a new trade, or earn a degree.
No matter the reason you were led to continuing education, it won't be easy. Juggling responsibilities like families, jobs, and hobbies can be incredibly difficult. And sometimes, you just drop the balls altogether. When this happens, students might act in ways they normally would not, forcing them to attend disciplinary hearings, which can have long-term effects.
The LLF Law Firm Education Law Team understand how confusing these hearings can be. They will work tirelessly to ensure you receive the best possible outcome for your case. Call today.
Academics at Temple University
Temple University offers several programs for adult students who are hoping to fulfill continuing education credits, engage in personal enrichment courses, and participate in professional development and licensure programs. They also offer intensive English language classes, corporate training, and summer classes to help students graduate early.
The goal of their continuing education programs is to help students fulfill their thirst for knowledge or gain college admission. Some of the classes are in:
- Real Estate
- Medicine
- Dentistry
- Podiatry
- Law
- Physical Therapy
- Project Management
- Interior Design
- Business Writing
- Business Blueprinting
- Financial Planning
- Literature
- History
- Landscape and Gardening
- Digital Photography
- Ethics training for human service providers
- Ongoing training for civil investigations
- Tax planning
Degree and Certificate Programs
For classes with a certificate or degree opportunity, Temple University requires its students to achieve certain grades or complete specific classes before being allowed to move on to the next level of education.
For instance, Continuing Studies students who hope to apply to an undergraduate program must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and can only take a maximum of 30 credits through the Continuing Studies programs before applying. Graduate school hopefuls, though, must get written permission to participate as a Continuing Studies student and can only take a maximum of nine credits prior to applying. In addition, students in the certificate programs must also meet specific minimum credit hours and complete all the courses in their program before being given their certificate.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
Like traditional college programs, Continuing Studies students are expected to progress through their programs on a particular timeline. As such, Temple University has created specific parameters that each student must follow, depending on the program, before being able to graduate or receive credit in some other way.
While certificate programs at Temple University describe the minimum number of hours a student must achieve to receive their certification, the university has not specified how long it should take a student to finish these classes. But undergraduate programs require the students to have earned a total of 105 credits and maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Graduate students must achieve at least 12 credits and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
If Temple University notices a student's GPA has fallen below these minimums, they will issue an Academic Warning to the student. If the student's GPA continues to drop or remains the same after another semester, they will be placed on Academic Probation. When a student is unable to get out of Academic Probation by the next semester, they will be referred for dismissal.
Students on Academic Dismissal for the first time can apply for reinstatement or Academic Recovery. If given the chance to take classes under Academic Recovery status, they must return to Academic Good Standing by the end of the semester.
Many students find it easier to work with an academic attorney when first notified of their academic probation. The LLF Law Firm Education Law Team will be able to reach out to the university and negotiate on your behalf, easing much of the stress and overwhelm that can accompany such experiences.
Attendance Policies
Students at Temple University are expected to attend their classes regularly, though the exact specifications will be left up to the course instructor to explain. Excessive absences, though, could jeopardize their grades or ability to continue in the course. If students are consistently absent, the instructor may report the student to their advisor. Unfortunately, many students are placed on probation for such issues. Reaching out to the LLF Law Firm Education Law Team is the best way to ensure you are not punished unnecessarily.
Academic Dishonesty
Colleges and universities across the country prohibit academic dishonesty in any form. Temple University requires students to follow certain rules when engaging in their academic pursuits, which extends to Continuing Studies students. For example, they describe academic dishonesty as encompassing the following actions:
- Paraphrasing quotations of published works without properly citing the work.
- Using materials prepared by another person or agency without giving them credit.
- Buying essays written by another person and turning it in as your own.
- Using unauthorized assistance while taking exams, quizzes, or tests.
- Using materials outside of those authorized by the instructor when writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or completing other assignments.
- Acquiring tests or other materials that belong to university faculty without permission to do so.
- Behaving in a way that is prohibited by a faculty member on their syllabus or assignment instructions.
- Fabricating data or its sources.
- Submitting work for multiple classes without permission.
- Engaging in any other behavior that gives you an unfair advantage over other students.
If a student is accused of committing one of the above actions, they will be referred for a disciplinary proceeding.
Academics: What Could Go Wrong?
Being accused of academic dishonesty can have disastrous effects on your future. For instance, Continuing Studies students who are accused of academic dishonesty while taking classes to apply to an undergraduate program, will find it quite difficult to gain admission if they are found responsible. Additionally, if a student is suspended or dismissed from the school for academic dishonesty, their punishment will be noted on their transcript. Any time they apply for a program or course elsewhere, they will have to explain the punishment, which could also make gaining admission to a new school quite difficult.
When you are accused of academic dishonesty, it is important to reach out to an academic attorney the moment you are notified. The LLF Law Firm Education Law Team have years of experience helping students in similar situations. They understand how hard you have worked to get where you are, the sacrifices you've made, and how detrimental a false or overly harsh punishment can be to your future.
Disciplinary Misconduct
Colleges and universities believe in creating educational havens where students are allowed to grow both academically and personally without the judgment and misunderstandings of the outside world. To create such a safe space for students to thrive, safety and well-being are a top priority. When students feel unsafe, they are less likely to participate in academic life, which in turn can ruin the school's reputation, lowering applications for admission, and reducing tuition revenue.
At Temple University, the following behaviors are expressly prohibited as they threaten the safety and well-being of the entire university:
- Disruption of university activities, whether on or off campus.
- Intentionally or recklessly harming another person.
- Conduct that intentionally or recklessly puts another person in reasonable fear of harm to themselves, another person, property, or their service animal.
- Sexual misconduct and Title IX offenses, including dating violence, stalking, domestic violence, sexual assault, and sexual exploitation.
- Sexual harassment, such as retaliation or creating a hostile environment.
- Harassing conduct.
- Stealing private, governmental, or university property.
- Intentionally providing false or misleading information to the university or others.
- Misusing someone else's property.
- Hazing another student, faculty, or staff member.
- Possessing, duplicating, or using university keys or swipe cards without permission.
- Violating university policies, rules, or regulations.
- Violating federal, state, or local laws.
- Using, possessing, or distributing alcoholic beverages or substances like marijuana, prescribed medication, or other drugs.
- Intentionally giving someone else drugs without their knowledge or consent.
- Using, possessing, or storing firearms, fireworks, knives, weapons, ammunition, gunpowder, explosives, or other flammable materials and substances.
- Lewd or indecent acts.
- Fighting or threatening behavior.
- Convincing others to abuse a different student.
Student Conduct Procedures
Once a student is accused of violating the student code of conduct, either academically or behaviorally, the accusation will be forwarded to the Student Conduct Community Standards (SCCS) for review. The Student Conduct Administrator will organize a Process Review Meeting to give the accused student and the victim or complainant an opportunity to discuss the issue. The accused student and the complainant or victim have the option to come to a mutual agreement during this meeting, which would include both parties agreeing on a particular sanction for the accused student. If they are unable to agree, the matter will be moved to a Student Conduct Board Hearing.
During the Student Conduct Board Hearing, both sides will have an opportunity to present their argument, evidence, and witness testimony. Additionally, they will have the chance to cross-examine the other side's evidence and witness testimony to bolster their own argument or lessen the credence of the other side's argument. Once both sides have been given a chance to fully present their side, the Student Conduct Board will decide whether there is enough evidence to prove that it is more likely than not that the student is responsible for the accused behavior.
When the Board determines that the student is responsible for the accused behavior, they will then decide what type of sanction to impose on the student. Sanctions at Temple University include:
- Letter of reprimand
- Disciplinary probation
- Loss of privileges
- Restitution
- Work assignments
- Psycho-educational sessions
- Meetings with counselors
- Housing relocations
- Community service
- Suspension or expulsion from university housing
- Suspension
- Expulsion
- Failing grades
- Grade reduction
It is important to note that students at Temple University have the option to appeal the Student Conduct Board's decision. Directions for appeals are given to students at the same time they receive the decision of responsibility. The accused student will then have five days to return their appeal, which must include grounds for the appeal, like procedural errors or new evidence that did not exist prior to the original determination. The Appellate Board will then review the appeal and determine whether the Student Conduct Board should conduct a new hearing.
If the idea of pursuing an appeal sounds overwhelming, the LLF Law Firm's Educational Law Team can ease that burden, allowing you to focus on other things.
How an Academic Attorney Can Help
Disobeying Temple University's code of conduct as a Continuing Studies student could prevent you from pursuing the future you have been dreaming of. For instance, if you are enrolled in a professional development program or certification course, being dismissed from the program or having a disciplinary hearing on your record could greatly affect your ability to move up in your employment as employers usually pay for these programs. Moreover, failing, or being sanctioned in some other way, could prevent you from being reimbursed for the course cost.
The LLF Law Firm Education Law Team are extremely skilled and knowledgeable attorneys. They know how much time, effort, and willpower have gone into continuing your education – you deserve to continue where you left off without any serious repercussions. As such, they will gather relevant evidence and witness testimony to prove their argument, ensuring you are not subjected to unnecessary and harsh punishments. Call 888-535-3686 today or schedule a consultation online.
