Attending college immediately after high school is considered the natural progression for some individuals, while others face financial obstacles or feel unprepared to pursue higher education and opt out of college. However, as we age, pursuing higher education can become more challenging, prompting colleges and universities to establish continuing education programs that cater to adult learners looking to enhance their knowledge or earn a degree.
Nonetheless, enrolling in continuing education as an adult can be demanding, as it involves juggling work, family, personal obligations, and coursework. Failing to keep up with these responsibilities can be overwhelming and result in mistakes that may lead to disciplinary hearings with long-lasting consequences.
Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team understand the efforts involved in returning to school. If you or someone you love has been accused of misconduct, contact the Lento Law Firm today.
Academics at Washington University at St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis offers a range of continuing education programs for individuals seeking to develop their knowledge and skills or obtain a degree in a specific field. These programs cater to a diverse audience, including working professionals, international students, and individuals looking to re-enter the workforce or change careers.
The university's course schedules, online learning options, and personalized training opportunities are flexible, allowing students to balance all their responsibilities outside of school. Some of these programs include:
- Accelerated Track Program
- Accelerated Master's Degree Program
- Advanced Certificate in Human Resources Management
- Advanced Certificate in International Affairs
- Advanced Certificate in Nonprofit Management
- Associate in Arts Degree
- Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies
- Bachelor of Science in Anthropology
- Bachelor of Science in Economics
- Bachelor of Science in Communications
- Certificate of Business
- Certificate of Forensic Psychology
- Certificate in Marketing
- Certificate in Creative Writing
- English as a Second Language
- Concentration in Public Policy
- Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
- Master of Liberal Arts
- Special Audit & Day Audit Programs
- Pre-Nursing Program
Washington University's University College for Professional and Continuing Education (UCPCE0 is committed to offering the highest quality programs to adult learners so that they have an opportunity to experience an exciting academic environment.
Degree and Certificate Programs
While some continuing education programs around the country do not have requirements to attend, graduate from, or complete a certificate in, the University College for Professional and Continuing Education does. At UCPCE, students must have a minimum 2.5 GPA to be considered for admission into one of the undergraduate programs.
For instance, the Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies requires applicants to have a minimum 2.7 GPA, a high school diploma, GED, or High School Equivalency (HSE), or at least six units of transferable college-level coursework. Then to graduate with this degree, the student must have completed 120 credit hours from the University College and maintained a 2.0 GPA or higher. Further, students must complete their degree requirements within six years.
Alternatively, in the Certificate of Geographic Information Systems programs, there are no formal requirements for admission. To receive their Certificate, students must complete four required courses, take two electives from an approved list, and maintain a GPA of 2.7 in each class. Additionally, the certificate must be completed within five years.
If a student is unable to maintain the required grade point average, complete the required courses, or do either within the stated timeframe, they will not receive their degree or certificate and could be dismissed from the program.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
To remain in good standing at UCPCE, in any program, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 and complete at least 67% of the credits they attempt. Students who fail to meet these requirements may be placed on academic probation or suspension, which can affect their ability to continue their studies at the university.
In addition, students must also complete their degree requirements within the timeframe allowed, which is typically 150% of the published length of the program. So, if a student is enrolled in a four-year program, they would have up to six years to complete it. Students who fail to meet the university's Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy requirements will be notified by the university. An academic advisor would be informed of the issue as well and help the student create a plan to improve their academic performance and progress toward their degree.
If a student is unable to progress or meet the minimum requirements, they would be dismissed from the program. Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team have unparalleled experience negotiating with universities and colleges to advocate on behalf of their student advisee. They know how difficult these situations can be to navigate and how much is on the line. Call today for help.
Attendance Policies
UCPCE does not have an institute-wide attendance policy, but many of the individual programs do. Generally, though, students are expected to attend every class possible and converse with the professor when attendance is impossible. The specific attendance policy for your program will be listed in the course syllabus. Failure to participate in course activities, including attending class, or completing assignments can impact your overall grade and academic performance.
Academic Dishonesty
All UCPCE students are expected to abide by the academic integrity policy to maintain a productive academic environment. The academic integrity policy states that academic dishonesty includes:
- Cheating: using or attempting to use materials on an exam, assignment, or quiz without the instructor's permission.
- Plagiarism: presenting words or ideas as their own without giving credit to the original author on an exam, assignment, or quiz.
- Fabrication: making up or falsifying data and presenting it as true data or information.
- Collaboration: working with other students to complete an exam, assignment, or quiz without the instructor's permission.
- Misrepresentation of student status.
- Resume falsification.
If a student violates this policy, they will be referred to the Academic Integrity Officer (AIO). The AIO will then review the information and determine whether the case is governed by the University College or another unit.
Cases governed by the University College will be reviewed by the AIO. The AIO will reach out to the instructor and do a preliminary investigation. If they determine there is enough evidence to suspect the student of academic dishonesty, they will inform the student and describe the next steps, which include a hearing.
If the idea of defending yourself at an academic dishonesty hearing is overwhelming, Attorney Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Team can help.
Academics: What Could Go Wrong?
Accusations of academic dishonesty can have severe consequences for students, especially if they are facing disciplinary actions like suspension or expulsion. Such sanctions can negatively impact their academic records, making it difficult for them to apply to other schools or programs. To navigate these challenges, students must seek assistance from an academic attorney-advisor.
Attorney Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Team have helped hundreds of students around the country mitigate the potential repercussions unjust sanctions might pose. For instance, if a student is expelled from the university, they will still be required to pay their student loans back, and without the assistance of a college degree, that act could take years to complete.
Disciplinary Misconduct
One of the most important goals that colleges and universities have is to establish a secure and supportive environment that fosters their students' academic and personal growth without fear of judgment or misunderstandings. As such, they are committed to creating a safe environment that protects their student, faculty, and staff's mental and physical well-being. If a student feels unsafe, they may lose their drive for their academic pursuits, which will in turn harm the college's reputation, and reduce the number of applicants in the future – effectively lowering the institution's overall revenue.
Student Conduct Procedures
At the beginning of their program, students are given a copy of the student conduct code, which outlines what behaviors are strictly prohibited and the consequences for violating the code. For instance, students may not:
- Use prescription medication to enhance academic performance without permission.
- Interfere with the rights of university community members or visitors.
- Physically abuse or threaten to physically abuse any member of the university community or visitors.
- Stalk, haze, or engage in domestic, dating, or interpersonal violence with any member of the university community or visitors.
- Harass, threaten, or endanger the safety or health of any member of the university community or visitors.
- Violate Title IX.
- Engage in sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, or rape.
- Participate in disorderly, lewd, or indecent conduct.
- Disturb the peace on the university-owned or affiliated property or at university functions.
- Possess, store, or use firearms, explosives, explosive fuels, fireworks, dangerous chemicals, or other dangerous weapons on campus.
- Possess, manufacture, use, distribute, or facilitate the distribution of narcotics or other controlled substances.
- Use, possess, manufacture, or distribute alcoholic beverages except when given express permission by law or university policy.
- Fraudulently use university resources, including facilities, telephone systems, mail systems, electronic communication devices, course management programs, electronic databases, or computer systems.
- Knowingly provide false information to a university official, or anyone acting on the university's behalf.
- Be intentionally dishonest before a decision-making individual or body of the university.
- Knowingly make false claims to represent the university or a student group of the university.
- Refuse to identify oneself when university officials request it.
- Steal, or attempt to, steal university, public, or private property.
- Enter buildings or parts of campus without permission.
- Intentionally or recklessly disable university safety equipment.
- Knowingly or recklessly violate a published university policy, rule, or regulation.
If a student is accused of violating one of these rules, they will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSCCS), or the Title IX Compliance Officer, if applicable. The OSCCS will investigate the complaint and notify the accused student, allowing them to be heard informally. During this initial investigation, the OSCCS will decide whether there is enough evidence to substantiate the complaint and if there is, they will initiate a more formal hearing process with the Student Conduct Board (SCB) or the University Sexual Harassment Investigation Board (USHIB).
The SCB or USCHIB will notify the student of the time and place of the hearing. At the hearing, both the student and the complainant will be allowed to present evidence and witnesses to bolster their arguments. Once either side has finished presenting, they will be allowed to cross-examine the other party's evidence and witnesses.
The SCB or the USHIB, whoever oversees the hearing, will meet separately, once both sides have concluded their arguments, to determine if the evidence presented proves the student is responsible, or not responsible, for the accused conduct. If they determine that the student is responsible, they will also decide on an appropriate sanction, which could include one or more of the following:
- Warning letter
- Deferred penalty and probation
- Restitution
- Fine
- Educational remedies
- Disciplinary activity limitation
- Denial of access to certain university facilities
- Suspension
- Expulsion
No matter what this initial decision is, the student can always appeal it. The specific instructions for the appeal will be offered in the notification of the SCB or UHSIB decision letter. Generally, though, appeals must be made within 14 calendar days of the date on the written decision. The appeals committee or designee will review the appeal and determine whether the decision should be modified, overturned, or referred for further investigation. Whatever the decision, it is usually final and cannot be appealed again.
How an Academic Attorney-Advisor Can Help
Academic attorney-advisor Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team understand how hard it can be to juggle the responsibilities of life and education as an adult learner. They appreciate how much you have put on the line to pursue your education and will work tirelessly to ensure you receive the best possible outcome for your case. Call 888-535-3686 today or schedule a consultation online.
