The University of Chicago, more than most schools, prides itself on a “culture of innovation.” The school has historically lived up to this credo. UChicago reimagined the template for higher education when, upon its founding in 1890, it offered a new collegiate model incorporating both English-inspired Liberal Arts and German-inspired intensive research.
UChicago is similarly innovative when it comes to continuing education, becoming one of the first schools to offer opportunities explicitly for adult learners. Today, UChicago offers several options for non-traditional students to continue their learning, including:
- Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies
- University of Chicago Professional Education
- Chicago Booth Executive Education
- Harris Executive Education
- Continuing Medical Education
Regardless of which program you enroll in (or have already enrolled in), you are expected to live up to the high expectations that all UChicago students face. If you encounter any academic, behavioral, or other types of problem during your continuing education period, consider hiring attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento to resolve the issue for you.
Academic Expectations at UChicago Continuing Education Programs
Within each continuing education program at UChicago lies several specific courses and areas of study. For example, those enrolled in the Professional Education program can study Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Big Data in Marketing, Corporate Financial Strategy, Sustainability in Business, and a variety of other courses.
Each program and course will come with minimum academic expectations. All students are generally required to maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or greater. Expectations may vary between non-degree and degree courses, but you will face standards nonetheless.
If you fall short of minimum academic standards, you could face probation, suspension, dismissal, or other adverse consequences. You will also be expected to earn your grades on your own merit without unauthorized assistance.
If you have any academic issues while continuing your education at the University of Chicago, retain our team as soon as possible.
Types of Degrees and Certificates You Can Obtain Through UChicago's Continuing Education Programs
Several of the continuing education programs at UChicago are not degree programs but instead award certificates of completion to students. The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is the metric that UChicago uses to signal the successful completion of these courses.
A CEU is accompanied by a number, such as 5.2. This number indicates how much time the student has invested in successfully passing a continuing education course, with one CEU equaling roughly ten hours of “instructional time.” Every student who completes a given course receives the same amount of CEUs, even if a student spends more time or effort completing the course than another student.
In order to earn the CEUs allotted for a UChicago continuing education course, you will need to:
- Complete all assigned coursework in a satisfactory manner
- Engage in activities required for course completion
- Complete all required examinations
- Complete all other milestones set out by the course professor
Put simply; you'll need to pass the course in order to receive the accompanying CEUs. These CEUs indicate to prospective employers and certification boards that you have invested a certain amount of time in a specific course and that you are proficient in that area of study.
The Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies does offer some degree programs, including a Master of Liberal Arts tract. Continuing education programs for medicine and education also include degree programs. These programs have their own grading metrics and requirements for obtaining the degree you seek.
Degree requirements vary from one continuing education field to another. To earn a Master of Liberal Arts, you will need to complete four core courses in humanities, social sciences, biological sciences, and physical sciences, four electives, and a thesis course.
Whether you are pursuing a degree or compiling non-degree certificates during your continuing education at UChicago, you can run into progression issues.
Academic Progression Policies
Each continuing education course at UChicago may have unique progression standards. A Masters student at UChicago may be undertaking a multi-year endeavor, and the university may expect them to hit certain milestones within certain timeframes. On the other hand, a continuing education student taking courses for a certificate may simply need to pass the course successfully.
UChicago's 2022-23 Catalog provides a general set of expectations for all students. Students' performance is assessed each academic quarter, and they are considered in good standing if:
- They have completed the minimum amount of required course credits with passing grades (which is 300 units per quarter for undergrads)
- They have maintained a grade point average of 2.0 or higher
Students who fail to meet these or other academic benchmarks set by the university will typically enter academic probation. Though UChicago does not indicate a period of probation on your transcript, it serves as notice that continued academic struggles could trigger suspension or dismissal. If a student fails to meet both the GPA and course credit benchmarks, they may face immediate suspension.
University of Chicago has a gracious leave of absence policy that may extend to continuing education students. If you fail to sufficiently elevate your academic performance while on probation, the school may ask you to take a leave of absence for up to a year. The university may review your re-entry after the leave has ended.
There are ways to avoid probation, suspension, dismissal, or a mandated leave of absence. Our team can utilize all academic appeal and grievance policies, consult UChicago's Office of General Counsel (lawyers), or alert the school to any medical or psychological condition that explains poor academic performance.
Attendance Policies
Like most universities, UChicago's continuing education professors may have individualized attendance policies. However, as a top-tier academic institution, it is safe to assume that all continuing education students will need to attend classes and course-related activities regularly.
The University of Chicago Law School attendance policy may be reminiscent of most continuing education attendance policies at the university. If a law school student exceeds their allotted absences, they may:
- Not receive credit in the course
- Receive a demerit in their student file indicating that they violated the attendance policy
- Lose their membership in the UChicago Law School
- Face other “appropriate action” as determined by school administrators
Law school may have stricter standards than certain continuing education courses. However, UChicago has notoriously rigorous standards for its students, and you should expect to attend your classes regularly or face the consequences.
There are acceptable reasons for spotty attendance. Mental health struggles, deaths in the family, abnormal demands in your personal life, and medical events should all entitle you to leeway for absences. Our team will work to ensure that your continuing education program hears your side of the story before taking any punitive measures against you.
Academic Challenges Continuing Education Students Often Face
The typical undergraduate student today has a sole responsibility: Do well in school. As a general rule, continuing education students may have responsibilities and pressures that traditional students do not, including:
- Children
- Spouses
- Jobs
- Financial obligations
The stereotypical image of a continuing education student working a job during the day and attending class at night is, for many, a reality. Responsibilities outside of your obligations at University of Chicago can make it harder to succeed. You may be tempted to take shortcuts or may fall behind academically because of your full slate of obligations.
While you may be hesitant to use your non-educational responsibilities as a crutch or excuse, these challenges are often relevant when you face academic progression issues or allegations of misconduct.
As your attorney-advisor, Joseph D. Lento will make sure that UChicago administrators understand the unique challenges you face. The revelation of these challenges may affect the outcome of the disciplinary process and may allow you to continue the educational opportunities that you have worked hard to earn.
Policies Regarding Academic Misconduct
The University of Chicago does not have to create a separate academic integrity policy for continuing education students. University Policies & Regulations apply to “every member of the University,” and that includes those engaged in continuing education.
When continuing education student faces an allegation of academic misconduct, they will enter the university disciplinary process. This process generally entails:
- Notification: The Dean of Students will notify you that you stand accused of misconduct. When possible, the email notification will explain that you are accused of academic wrongdoing.
- A meeting with the Dean of Students: Upon receiving an email notification, you will have five business days to arrange a meeting with the Dean of Students.
- The Dean's investigation: Before your meeting, the Dean will conduct their own investigation of the facts.
- The Dean's proposal: Upon gathering facts, the Dean can dismiss the complaint against you, resolve the complaint without a hearing, or recommend that an Area Disciplinary Committee convene to review the complaint.
- Administrative or informal resolution by the Dean: The Dean may resolve the complaint with an informal resolution, such as a warning or disciplinary probation. The Dean may issue similar sanctions if they believe that, were a Disciplinary Committee to convene, the Committee would reach the same conclusion.
- Convening of a Disciplinary Committee: This step triggers a process by which the complainant and the subject of the complaint submit written materials. You will include your response to the allegation, as well as any materials that could exonerate you.
Your attorney-advisor will quickly determine your options for appealing any adverse disciplinary ruling. We may contact UChicago's Office of General Counsel (OGC), which may resolve the issue in the most direct manner possible.
If you have yet to endure the UChicago disciplinary process, our team can prepare you. When permitted, we will accompany you to interviews, hearings, and meetings related to the disciplinary process.
Policies Regarding Behavioral Misconduct
Behaviors that may lead to discipline against a continuing education student at UChicago include:
- Violence against another student, faculty member, staff member, or another member of the UChicago community
- Intoxication or possession of illicit drugs on university grounds
- Verbal disrespect, threats, or vulgarity towards members of the UChicago community
- Any other behavior that endangers UChicago community members or otherwise violates the university's rules
When you face allegations of these or other prohibited behaviors, you may face UChicago's University-wide Disciplinary System. The process for adjudicating alleged behavioral misconduct will generally follow the same framework as academic misconduct complaints.
Why Hire an Experienced Attorney for a Continuing Education Issue at the University of Chicago?
Whether you are facing unwanted consequences for academic underperformance, alleged academic misconduct, or alleged behavioral misconduct, you may have much at stake. The university may be considering action that compromises your degree, costs you money, damages your reputation, or has another harmful outcome.
It is in your interests to defend yourself. However, you may have limited time, energy, or resources to put forth your own defense. The team at the Lento Law Firm can assist you by:
- Gathering any evidence and witness accounts that supports your defense
- Developing a comprehensive defense strategy
- Negotiating directly with UChicago's legal team to resolve your continuing education student issue
- Accompanying you to all meetings and hearings
- Advising you throughout the adjudication process
- Handling any necessary appeals
Student defense is a primary practice area for the Lento Law Firm. We help students facing academic probation, dismissal for allegations of misconduct, and all other kinds of problems. Our goal is to help you overcome this bump in the road and move forward toward your goals.
We'll handle your defense so that you can continue to focus on your education.
Call the Lento Law Firm Today for Help with Your Continuing Education Issue
There is no time to wait if a continuing education issue threatens your success at the University of Chicago. No issue is too minor for us, as seemingly insignificant problems can have long-term consequences.
Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online. We are always available, so call as soon as you can.
