There's much to be said for going back to school. A continuing education (CE) certificate or degree can help you prepare for a new job; it can give you important new skills to use at your current job; if nothing else, it can be a fantastic personal challenge and a way of proving that you're still as sharp as you ever were.
You don't want to go into a CE program blind, though. College courses are never easy, and the University of Texas at San Antonio prides itself on its rigor and discipline. Just as important, this time around studying won't be your only focus. You've got a job, a mortgage, kids: your most valuable asset isn't going to be your intellectual prowess, but your ability to balance all the many demands on your time and energy. You don't have the luxury of learning how to cope with school as you go along. You need to know now, before you start, what challenges you'll be facing, and you need to begin putting strategies in place to deal with those challenges.
If problems should arise, you can expect them in one of two categories. First, you have to worry about academics, anything connected to coursework—from making sure you get your assignments done before they're due, to avoiding plagiarism. Second, you need to be aware of UTSA's non-academic disciplinary policies. These have to do with all the many activities that, strictly speaking, don't relate to taking classes—from how you behave during day-long seminars, to how you treat your classmates in online forums.
You'll find important information below on both categories, as well as detailed descriptions of just what can go wrong as a CE student. You should know now, though, that the very best strategy for handling problems is to get help from a professional. So, as a bonus, we'll also explain how to go about doing that.
Academics
Of course, as a student, your first concern will be academics. You can't hope to complete a degree or even gain certification if you can't successfully complete your coursework. So, let's start there.
UTSA's PaCE (Professional and Continuing Education) program offers a wide range of educational opportunities, including traditional degrees, certifications, and boot camps in
- Business Communication
- Healthcare
- IT Security
- Legal Studies
- Teacher Development
- Test Preparation
- Web Design and Coding
Of course, requirements vary among these several categories, but all instructors maintain course policies designed to ensure that once you've obtained your qualifications you've actually demonstrated you're an expert in the subject. In short, gaining CE credentials won't be a walk in the park.
Degree and Certification Requirements
As you might expect, the most rigorous programs of study at PaCE are those leading to an actual degree. This is true both in terms of how many course hours are required and in terms of performance expectations.
For example, you can earn a Bachelor's Degree in Communication at PaCE, but it requires 120 hours of coursework. That includes 42 hours of core courses, 42 hours in the major, 6 language hours, and 30 hours of elective credit.
Likewise, the Business Degree in Cyber Security requires 120 hours. 42 of those hours must be in core course; 45-51 must be in what the school refers to as business-common body of knowledge courses; 33 must be in a specific business major.
As UTSA degrees, both are subject to the same academic standards as any other degree at the university. The most important of these is the grade point average requirement. In order to remain in “good academic standing” and graduate, you must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Failure to meet this mark can result in probation or even dismissal.
While certification programs at PaCE are somewhat less rigorous than degree programs, they still require persistence and dedication to complete. After all, it's UTSA's job to guarantee to employers that those who complete these programs are fully qualified. The Certified Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Training program, for example, requires six months of coursework. You meet twice a week for sessions that last three hours each.
PaCE doesn't publish a set of GPA requirements for its certification programs. However, you can expect that every instructor will hold you to the highest standards and that you won't receive credit for any course unless you're able to meet those standards.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
If you receive financial aid to pursue your continuing education degree or certificate, there's an additional set of academic standards you need to worry about. Like all colleges and universities, the federal government requires UTSA have an SAP, or Satisfactory Academic Progress policy. Such policies ensure that no student is able to take undue advantage of government funds. Failing to meet SAP standards means risking grant and loan money, even if you are otherwise meeting the expectations of your academic program.
Each university develops its own particular SAP criteria. At UTSA, the One Stop enrollment program reviews student progress at the end of each semester, including the summer term. You are evaluated on three criteria.
- First, you must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Of course, this matches the degree requirements for good academic standing at UTSA. In some cases, though, it may be a higher standard than those required to complete a PaCE certification program.
- You must complete 67 percent of all the courses you attempt. Failed classes count against this percentage. Withdrawals count against it as well.
- Finally, you must complete your degree or certificate within 150 percent of the published credit hours for your particular program. For a 120-hour degree, for instance, you must finish within 180 hours.
Should you fail to meet any of these standards, UTSA immediately terminates your financial aid. You may appeal this termination on the basis of extenuating circumstances. If your appeal is successful, UTSA grants you an additional “probationary” semester of aid. However, success is by no means guaranteed.
While technically you can continue at UTSA once you've lost your financial aid, most students find it hard to finish without funding. Of course, as a CE student, it can be particularly hard to meet SAP requirements, since you're juggling so many aspects of your life at once. The right attorney-advisor, though, can help you protect your aid and may even be able to help you get it back if you've lost it.
Attendance Policies
Attendance policies are often up to individual instructors, but you can expect that most course syllabuses will include some statement about how often you're allowed to miss class. In addition, some PaCE programs do have attendance requirements that supersede those of the faculty. For example, the Coding Boot camp limits absences to eight over the course of the program. The program itself lasts for 24 weeks, with three classes per week for a total of 72 classes. 8 would be just over 10 percent.
If you miss those classes early in the semester, you might be able to withdraw from the course rather than receive an F. Keep in mind, though, that when it comes to SAP, a WD can count against your completion percentage the same as an F.
As with so many other CE issues, if you find yourself in trouble over absences, an experienced attorney-advisor may be able to help. An attorney who's worked with continuing education students and who understands the UTSA system may be able to negotiate with your instructor to make sure you aren't unfairly penalized.
Issues of Academic Honesty
If you follow educational news at all, you know that cheating is on the rise at every education level, including CE programs. Many faculty have responded to this rise by instituting increasingly restrictive course policies. At the same time, schools have begun raising the penalties for those caught violating integrity policies. The bottom line is, instructors are far more likely to accuse you of dishonesty, you're far more likely to found “responsible for” (guilty of) violating policy, and you're far more likely to be given a harsh penalty.
Multiple violations are almost always punished with suspension or expulsion, but even far less extreme sanctions can put your CE credentials in jeopardy. You'll have a hard time getting your employer to honor your coding certificate if it includes a notation about cheating. In fact, cheating might even be a fire-able offense.
The process for objecting to a cheating or plagiarism allegation at USTA begins with your instructor. Faculty are supposed to meet with accused students and offer them a chance to explain their side of the situation. In addition, though, you may appeal your instructor's finding, the sanction, or both through a hearing before the school's Student Conduct and Community Standards (SCCS) Office. A qualified attorney-advisor can help you prepare and may even be able to represent you during proceedings.
Disciplinary Misconduct
A university experience isn't just about taking classes. It's about being part of a community. Like any community, then, UTSA must maintain a set of guidelines for how community members should behave. These guidelines apply to CE students just as much as to traditional students, and they are in force even if you never actually set foot on the physical campus.
UTSA's Student Code of Conduct lists over 30 separate rules and regulations, including strictures concerning
- Gambling
- Hazing
- Drug possession
- Unauthorized or illegal alcohol consumption
- Firearms possession
- Theft
- Physical assault
There's even a rule against playing in university fountains. In addition, you should know that breaking the law, even if it's done off-campus, is a violation of school policy. Many of these rules come attached to stiff penalties, including probation, suspension, and expulsion.
Most courses at PaCE are available online, and it's possible to earn a degree or certificate even if you live in another state. It's important to keep in mind, though, that the school's expectations with regard to conduct apply just as much as they do in so-called “real life.” You should treat web conferences and class meetings as if attending class on campus and refrain from any behaviors that could disrupt class. That means
- Behaving professionally
- Treating others with respect
- Avoiding profanity and socially-offensive language
- Dressing appropriately
- Avoiding inappropriate surroundings
Finally, there's yet one more type of misconduct you should be aware of: sexual misconduct. No campus charge is more serious. In fact, sexual misconduct isn't just governed by school policy but by Title IX, a federal law. Title IX requires schools to take virtually every allegation seriously. That means schools are especially vigilant when it comes to conducting investigations and can be downright draconian in punishing offenders.
Title IX mandates how schools handle investigations and hearings, and procedures can be extremely complicated. The official rules and regulations regarding Title IX run to some 550 pages, and govern everything from how long an investigation can last to how to go about asking questions of witnesses.
Luckily, Joseph D. Lento isn't just a student conduct attorney. He's also a Title IX attorney. He's studied the law, and he knows exactly how to handle the procedures. If you're facing a charge of sexual misconduct, you can't afford to try and handle it yourself. You need help from a professional. You need Joseph D. Lento.
Conclusion
If you're a CE student, it has probably been a minute or two since you were in school. You need to know that things have changed. Schools today are a lot different than they were twenty, ten, even five years ago. Cheating is on the rise; the value of an education has risen which means academic expectations are higher than ever before; and no school wants to wind up on CNN, so every school makes sure it's tough on disciplinary infractions.
Of course, it's not just schools that have changed. You've changed too. The last time you were a student, your main concerns were passing your courses and maybe getting into a good party or two. Your life is considerably more complicated now. How well you do on your math homework just isn't as important to you any more.
Most continuing education faculty understand the particular kinds of stresses their students are under, and most are willing to work with you to make your educational experience rewarding. If you should find, though, that a professor won't let you make up an exam you missed because one of your kids was down with the flu, or an administrator wants to dismiss you from your program because you didn't put a quotation mark in the right spot, know that you have options.
Joseph D. Lento specializes in helping students deal with school-based issues. He's represented hundreds of clients over the years. He knows the law as it applies to education, and he's 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.
