Deciding to go back to school is a big decision that is not made lightly. Continuing education programs require dedication and time, things that many students do not have enough of because of other responsibilities on their plate. But, despite that, continuing education is extremely rewarding and can help you build your resume, fulfill employment requirements, and learn new skills.
Rutgers University Continuing Education offers several different types of programs for students, including programs for active-duty military and veterans, courses for learners over 50, and training programs for the unemployed. As one of the leading research universities in the country, Rutgers prides itself on providing more than 5,000 programs a year to help individuals develop, both personally and professionally.
Of course, with university pride comes high expectations for continuing education students. You are expected to progress through your classes appropriately and uphold all aspects of academic integrity. Additionally, you are expected to maintain the same level of honesty and conduct as students in other departments at Rutgers. Students who violate any of the rules will be subject to disciplinary proceedings and could face dismissal from their program without the ability to reapply.
Academics
Rutgers University Continuing Education offers 5,000 courses each year for personal enrichment, degree completion, and professional development. This includes training programs for air and noise pollution, continuing dental education courses, a Master of Business and Science degree, and professional development students for managers, among others.
It is important to remember that no matter whether you are studying dental health or learning Chinese, Rutgers University has set high standards that all students must follow.
Degree and Certificate Programs
Rutgers University Continuing Education offers programs in professional development, undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, and individual courses, all with their own requirements for admission.
- Professional Development: These certificates focus on various subjects, including business, public administration, and healthcare. The hope is that by completing the certificate it will open more doors professionally. Generally, acceptance into a professional development certificate program is made on a rolling basis. Receipt of the certificate is based on completing the required credit units – which change depending on the program. For instance, the Information Technology Management Professional Certificate requires 100 credit hours split between 11 different classes. Still, the Non-Degree Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Training requires just 12 credit hours, split between four classes.
- Undergraduate Degrees: Rutgers University Continuing Education offers fifteen undergraduate degrees in several different areas of study. Their Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Labor and Employment Relations, and RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees are all offered 100% online. Applicants should have at least some credits from another regionally accredited college or university to be able to join these programs.
- Graduate Degrees: Graduate degrees at Rutgers University Continuing Education require more time and effort than undergraduate degrees might. To enroll in a graduate program, you have to have already received an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university.
Typically, for a student to successfully be admitted to one of the continuing education undergraduate or graduate degrees, the student must have a high school diploma or GED, but no minimum GPA is required. While there is no required GPA for admittance, you will be expected to maintain a minimum of 2.50. If a student falls below that, it could affect their ability to progress in their program satisfactorily.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
Most colleges require that students receiving financial aid abide by a particular set of progression standards, and Rutgers University Continuing Education is no different. At the end of each semester, the Office of Student Services reviews the student's GPA to determine how difficult the courses are for them.
Students are placed on academic probation if:
- The student has a GPA of less than 3.0 that semester, and their cumulative GPA is 3.0 or better;
- The student got an F in an elective class;
- They received an incomplete; or
- They didn't perform in some other way.
The Dean will notify the student of their academic progress and put them on academic probation. The student is required to immediately meet with their academic advisor, which must be initiated by the student. Together, they will figure out a way to bring up the student's GPA by the end of the semester. This plan is then given to the associate dean for student services two weeks before the semester starts. If you do not set up this meeting or forward the plan to the dean, you won't be able to register for classes.
Additionally, if your GPA drops below 2.50 in any semester or your cumulative GPA is below 3.0, you can be placed in academic jeopardy. You must reach out to the associate dean for academic affairs within two weeks of being notified of the new status and develop a plan with your advisor to overcome the issue.
Any student violating these rules could lose their financial aid and face dismissal from the program altogether. Both of which can be disastrous for your future career. Attorney Lento will be able to help you gather evidence to defend yourself and ensure you do not lose your financial support or spot in the program unnecessarily.
Attendance Policies
Rutgers University Continuing Education has a firm attendance policy. Students are expected to attend every scheduled meeting of their course but will be given the option to make up the required coursework and examinations under certain circumstances.
Academic Misconduct
Like all schools, certain behaviors violate the integrity of the academic environment on campus. While every school defines academic misconduct differently, it essentially refers to any action that gives a student an unfair, and illicit, advantage over another student. At Rutgers University Continuing Education, academic misconduct is defined as failing to do the following:
- Submit work in a course, academic research, or other activity that is their own and created without using impermissible materials or collaborations.
- Cite other people's ideas, results, or words on an exam, paper, or other academic activity.
- Acknowledge those who contributed to their work.
- Ethically obtain data or results and report them accurately.
- Treat other students ethically and respect their integrity.
- Uphold the professional code of conduct in the field the student is preparing to enter.
Academic integrity violations will be investigated and adjudicated by the Academic Integrity Facilitator at Rutgers University. They will determine whether there is any merit to the accusations and then decide what sanction is appropriate. Sanctions might include anything from:
- Resubmitting the assignment or having to complete a different assignment.
- Failing the assignment.
- Receiving an F in the course.
- Being placed on disciplinary probation.
- Suspension for one or more semesters.
- Expulsion from the University.
- Degree or certificate revocation.
If you or someone you love is accused of academic misconduct, an attorney-advisor will be able to help prepare you to defend yourself, guaranteeing you the best possible outcome for your case.
Academics: What Could Go Wrong?
Numerous scenarios might require the help of an attorney-while you are pursuing your continuing education. For instance, if you are an online student but live in Florida, your online professor may not accept your attendance absence excuse even if there was a hurricane. Additionally, if you collaborate with another student on an assignment because the directions were unclear, your professor may not agree with you that it was a misunderstanding and instead accuse you of cheating.
Attorney Lento will work tirelessly on your behalf to defend you. They will help you negotiate with the administration and draft appeals for decisions you disagree with. In some cases, attorney advisors can even represent you during more formal investigations and hearings.
Disciplinary Misconduct
Universities and colleges act as communities – they are your home away from home. As such, they put a lot of energy into creating safe and comfortable spaces for their students. If Rutgers University Continuing Education believes a student is turning those safe and comfortable spaces into unsafe or dangerous situations, they will address it.
All students at Rutgers are expected to abide by a specific code of conduct that tells them how to behave. This code requires that students avoid any of the following or face disciplinary charges:
- Aiding or assisting someone else's efforts to violate the code of conduct.
- Forging University documents or records.
- Violating the Title IX policy on sexual misconduct and gender-based discrimination.
- Violating academic integrity.
- Intentionally giving the University false information.
- Entering areas of the University without permission.
- Intentionally or recklessly starting a fire.
- Using or possessing dangerous chemicals or explosives on University property.
- Using any type of instrument in a way that endangers others.
It is important to remember that the code of conduct extends to online students. Web conferences and online class meetings are supposed to be treated in the same way you would treat an in-person classroom experience. Online students are expected to refrain from disrupting class and must behave professionally, treating their classmates and professor respectfully.
Title IX Misconduct
Title IX is a federal regulation that requires federally funded colleges and universities investigate accusations of gender-based discrimination and sexual misconduct. If the school fails to investigate and adjudicate the accusations per the Title IX regulation's stipulations, it risks losing its federal funding. Title IX extends not just from on-campus students to online students; it also extends from undergraduate and graduate courses to professional development certificate courses.
Once a complaint has been made, an investigator is appointed to review the complaint and meet with the accused student and victim. Both parties will be interviewed, as will any relevant witnesses. The investigator will then turn their findings over to the disciplinary committee. The accused student is asked to present their defense to the disciplinary committee who will then decide whether the student is responsible for violating Title IX. This decision will be mailed to you, and you will have the opportunity to appeal it.
The instructions for the appeal will be included in the decision letter, but usually, it must be submitted within ten business days of receiving the letter. Appeals are important because they are your last chance to defend yourself from any excessive punishments and unnecessary consequences. If either the initial hearing or the appeal feels overwhelming, Attorney Lento can help ease that burden by gathering evidence and witnesses to testify on your behalf.
How an Attorney-Advisor Can Help
It does not matter if you just graduated from your bachelors and are pursuing a professional development certificate or if you have been out of school for a decade and are just going back, you must follow the code of conduct to the letter or risk being sanctioned. Your education is important and Rutgers University Continuing Education knows it. If you are accused of academic misconduct or disciplinary issues, you need to be prepared to defend yourself and your spot in the program.
Attorney Joseph D. Lento and Lento Law Firm have spent years helping students across the country navigate accusations of misconduct. They know how to fight on your behalf, ensuring you are not unnecessarily punished. Unfortunately, many students decide to pursue their defense themselves and find out it's a bit more complicated than they first thought. If you find yourself in a similar situation, don't worry, Attorney Lento can still help you file an appeal and potentially negotiate with the administration on your behalf.
When you are accused of violating Rutgers University Continuing Education's code of conduct, you will want an experienced attorney by your side. Call 888-535-3686 today or schedule a consultation online. You do not have to go through this alone; the Lento Law Firm can help.
