Undergraduate Academic Policies and Procedures

Academic Degrees and Programs

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree programs prepare students for fields of endeavor related to the chosen areas of study and for graduate school. Some of the degree programs prepare students for secondary, middle school or PreK-12 specialist teaching.

The decision as to whether to award the degree of Bachelor of Arts or the degree of Bachelor of Science shall be consistent with the standards in the student’s major field as determined by the major department.

In cases where students with double or dual majors are eligible for a BA, BS and/or BSE degree, the student will select a primary major which will determine the degree to be awarded.

Students are advised to consult with their department chairperson or major advisor early in their academic career, but no later than the end of the sophomore year, in order to be certain that course selection will allow graduation with the desired degree.

Bachelor of Science in Education

All candidates for Massachusetts Educator Licensure are advised to check with their individual education departments or the College of Education and Health Sciences regarding proposed regulations changes that may have an impact on their licensure program.

All undergraduate and graduate students seeking licensure must consult the Educator Preparation and Licensure Policies and Procedures  section of this catalog for important licensure information including institutional deadlines.

The Bachelor of Science in Education is offered in the following areas:

Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
Special Education

In cases where students with double or dual majors are eligible for a BA, BS and/or BSE degree, the student will select which major department will make the decision regarding the degree to be awarded.

Major

Students must meet all requirements of the major as specified under the departmental listings. A minimum of 30 credits and a maximum of 36 credits within the major may be required by a department. The 30 to 36 credits reflect all courses taken in the major department, including those that are listed under the distribution of Core Curriculum Requirements. At least one-half of the required courses in the major field (excluding cognate requirements) must be successfully completed at this university. A minimum 2.0 GPA in the major is required for graduation. The major GPA includes all courses completed in the major field (excluding cognate requirements, unless otherwise specified). Students should select a major by the end of the sophomore year.

Double Major

In order to graduate with a double major, students must meet all requirements of both majors. Completion of the double major will be reflected on the finalized transcript. The student’s primary major will determine the degree to be awarded, and the diploma that will be issued.

Students who wish to be elementary, early childhood, secondary or special education teachers are required to select a major in elementary, early childhood, secondary or special education and a major in the liberal arts or sciences. Consult the Educator Preparation and Licensure Policies and Procedures  section of this catalog for further information.

Concentration

A concentration is a unified set of courses usually composed of core requirements and of those additional course requirements particular to the chosen area of concentration. The total number of core and particular requirements must be at least 24 but not more than 36 credit hours. Cognate courses (required courses outside the major department) are not counted as part of the 36 hours. Only students selecting the major field of study may complete a concentration within that major. The concentration is noted on the transcript.

Minor

A minor is a unified set of courses chosen outside of the major field of study requiring not less than 18 nor more than 21 hours. The minor is recorded on the student’s transcript. Minors may include courses from only one department or may be interdisciplinary. Students may use courses that satisfy Core Curriculum Requirements or departmental requirements to fulfill interdisciplinary minor requirements unless otherwise prohibited. At least one half of the courses required for the minor must be successfully completed through Bridgewater State University. Students must achieve a minimum 2.0 cumulative average in declared minors. The minor GPA includes all courses required for completion of the minor regardless of the department in which the courses are offered. Specific requirements for a minor are found under the departmental descriptions.

Educator Licensure

All candidates for Massachusetts Educator Licensure are advised to check with their individual education departments or the College of Education and Health Sciences regarding proposed regulations changes which may have an impact on their licensure program.

All students seeking licensure must consult the Educator Preparation and Licensure Policies and Procedures  section of this catalog for important information including institutional deadlines.

Undergraduate Certificate

An undergraduate certificate is a unified set of courses requiring between 6-21 credits that can be completed independently or while pursuing a Bachelor’s degree. At least 50% of the credits required for the certificate must be completed at Bridgewater State University. Students must achieve a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA (or higher if required by the undergraduate certificate at Bridgewater State University

Undergraduate Certificates are offered through the College of Continuing Studies.

Academic Integrity

Institutions of higher education are dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and truth. In this pursuit, academic honesty is of fundamental importance. Bridgewater State University faculty, students, administrators and staff all have a responsibility to demonstrate and safeguard academic integrity as one of the university’s most essential institutional values.

When students, faculty, administrators and staff follow and support academic integrity values, teaching and learning can proceed in an environment of trust and respect. When such standards are violated, teaching and learning are impaired. Therefore, the best interests of the university community require that cases of alleged violations of academic integrity be addressed seriously and equitably.

Students are admitted to Bridgewater State University with the expectation that they will accept and abide by the standards of conduct and scholarship established by the faculty, administration and student governing boards. The university reserves the right to require students to withdraw who do not maintain acceptable academic standing. The university also reserves the right to dismiss, with due process, students who do not meet the requirements of conduct and order or whose behavior is inconsistent with the standards of the university.

The full policy and process may be found at Academic Integrity Policy .

Classroom Conduct Policy

Because all students and faculty at Bridgewater State University are entitled to a positive and constructive teaching and learning environment, Bridgewater State University students are prohibited from engaging in behavior or activity that causes the disruption of teaching, learning, research or other academic activities necessary for the fulfillment of the university mission.

If disruptive behavior occurs, whether in the classroom or another academic environment, a faculty member has the right to remove the student from the classroom setting. Examples of potentially disruptive behavior may include, but are not limited to, using derogatory, vulgar and insulting language directed at an individual or group, unsolicited talking in class, sleeping in class, using or activating mobile technology, arriving at or leaving the classroom while class is in session, and/or failing to comply with the legitimate request of a university faculty member.

If a student exhibits disruptive behavior, the faculty member may ask the student to stop the behavior. If the student does not comply with the professor’s request, they will be asked to leave and the professor will indicate the expected appropriate conduct to be able to return to class. If the student agrees to the faculty member’s instructions and returns to class but subsequently continues to engage in disruptive behavior during future class sessions, the faculty member will forward written documentation of the student’s behavior to the respective department chairperson, who will meet with the student to review the matter and determine an appropriate course of action. While the courses of action will vary, they may include referral to advising or counseling, reduction in grade, or withdrawal from the course.

If the student does not comply with the course of action and continues to engage in disruptive behavior, the student may be withdrawn from the course after a review conducted by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies. This action may have implications for the student’s full-time status, financial aid, health insurance and resident status.

Students who exhibit behavior that immediately endangers or seriously disrupts the establishment or maintenance of an appropriate learning environment in the classroom are subject to an immediate review by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies. If, at any time, faculty or students feel threatened, they should call Campus Police from a classroom phone at extension 1212 or from their cell phone at 508.531.1212.

In all cases involving an individual with a disability, including mental disabilities, this policy will operate to make determinations based upon an individual’s behavior rather than upon the individual’s status of having a disability. Students have a personal obligation to obtain medical care for conditions that may affect their conduct, and to take any related medications as prescribed by their physicians. Under applicable disability laws, students with disabilities are responsible for their disruptive conduct.

The Vice President for Academic Affairs will act as the sole and final appeal for any decisions made by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.

The Classroom Conduct Report form is available here.

The student may also be subject to disciplinary action under the Student Code of Conduct.

Make-up Tests and Examinations

The procedure for making up an examination held during the semester is determined by the individual instructor or the department. If a student misses an examination, it is the student’s responsibility to notify the instructor immediately so that alternative arrangements may be made.

The privilege of making up a final examination will be granted only when the cause has been the serious illness of the student or a member of their immediate family. All such excuses must be documented by a medical doctor and submitted to the instructor of the course.

Academic Standards

Policy

At the end of every semester (Fall, Spring, Summer) academic standing will be assessed by the Registrar’s Office and students’ cumulative GPAs will determine their academic standing. Academic standing will be assessed for degree-seeking students only.

In order to earn a degree at BSU, students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) at 2.0 although some majors require higher GPAs. However, in order to continue at BSU, students must earn a certain GPA based on the total number of earned credits as indicated on the chart below:

NOTE: The total number of earned credits is listed on each student’s unofficial transcript.

Transfer students must meet the required minimum GPA in the chart above based on total earned credits, including transfer credits.

Academic Standing categories are outlined below and include Standing Not Assessed, Good Standing, Academic Concern, Academic Intervention and Academic Separation.

Academic Standing Categories

Notification

Students will be formally notified of their Academic Concern, Academic Intervention or Academic Separation status via BSU email. Students are responsible for continuing to check BSU email between semesters. Academic Standing is also displayed on the Student Profile in Infobear.

Appeals

Academic Separation can be appealed by submitting an appeal to the Academic Standards Committee. The appeals process will be outlined in an email to the student’s BSU email. Students must submit their appeal within one week of receiving the email.

Students will be asked to explain the issues that led to their poor academic performance and provide a detailed plan that will help them achieve future academic success.

Appeals will be reviewed by the Academic Standards Committee utilizing the Academic Standards rubric. Students will be formally notified of the appeal decision by BSU email. The decision of the Academic Standards Committee is final.

The deadline for responding to an Academic Separation notification is not flexible. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Academic Standards Committee

The Academic Standards Committee is composed of the following or their designee:

• Dean of Undergraduate Studies, co-chair
• Executive Director of the Academic Achievement Center, co-chair
• AAC Advisor responsible for Emerging Scholars programs
• Associate Dean of the Bartlett College of Science and Mathematics
• Associate Dean of the College of Education and Allied Studies
• Associate Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Associate Dean of the Ricciardi College of Business
• Dean of the College of Continuing Studies
• Registrar

Readmission after Academic Separation

Students who have been academically separated from the university may not take courses at the university for at least one academic semester. Students may apply for readmission to the Office of Undergraduate Admission for day programs or to the College of Continuing Studies for night or online programs.

It is recommended that readmission applicants give evidence of at least one semester of academic work with a minimum 2.5 GPA at another college or university. However, students should keep in mind these BSU policies:

• The Repeat Courses Policy only applies to courses originally taken at and repeated at BSU.
• Of the 90 total credits that may be accepted in transfer by Bridgewater State University and applied to the baccalaureate degree, only 69 credits can be from two-year institutions.

If readmitted, the student is placed on Academic Intervention and must participate in either the Summit program offered by the Academic Achievement Center or the support program offered by the College of Continuing Studies.

Readmission does not change a student’s cumulative GPA. Students who have left the university for a minimum of three years may apply for GPA Restart by contacting the Office of Undergraduate Studies.

Academic readmission does not guarantee renewed financial aid eligibility. The student should contact the Financial Aid Office for additional information.

Please send questions about the Academic Standards Policy to academicstandards@bridgew.edu.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students should note that many financial assistance programs require participants to make satisfactory academic progress in order to remain eligible. See the Financial Aid  section of this catalog for further information concerning satisfactory academic progress for financial aid purposes.

Attendance Policy

One of the cornerstones of BSU’s educational mission is the promotion of student engagement with faculty to improve the quality, depth and breadth of learning. Regular communication between students and faculty is crucial to achieving that goal.

Students are responsible for satisfactory attendance in each course for which they are registered. Satisfactory attendance shall be determined by the instructor within the context of this policy statement. The approval of excused absences and the assignment of make-up work are the prerogative of the course instructor. The university’s health service does not make judgments about whether a student can attend class except in rare cases when attendance would be harmful to the student’s health or the health of others. In general, students will be excused without penalty for reasons such as illness, participation in official university events, personal emergencies and religious holidays. Students should consult with faculty members in advance of any absence whenever feasible.

NOTE: If a student fails to attend the first three class hours of a course, the instructor has the option of dropping the student from the course. 

Class or Work Absence for Religious Observances

Bridgewater State University requires that faculty and staff excuse any student who is unable to attend classes or participate in any examination, study, or work requirement because of religious observance. This requirement comes from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 151C, Section 2B which states:

“Any student in an educational or vocational training institution, other than a religious or denominational educational or vocational training institution, who is unable, because of his religious beliefs, to attend classes or to participate in any examination, study or work requirement on a particular day shall be excused from any such examination or study or work requirement, and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up such examination, study, or work requirement which they may have missed because of such absence on any particular day; provided, however, that such makeup examination or work shall not create an unreasonable burden upon such school. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to the said student such opportunity. No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to any student because of his availing himself of the provisions of this section.”

Faculty can ascertain the dates of many religious holidays by consulting an interfaith calendar when planning their course syllabi. Such information is available to students as well and may be found at www.interfaith-calendar.org or at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Office of Religious and Spiritual Life Interfaith Calendar website.

It should be noted that these calendars are not exhaustive. 

Students are required to notify instructors in advance that they will miss class in order to observe a religious holiday. They must do so in writing as early in the semester as possible, but no later than one week in advance of the absence, with the exception of holidays falling during the first week of the academic year. Students must also coordinate with their faculty on how to receive the critical information that is shared in the missed class (e.g., go to the faculty’s next office hours to discuss what happened, arranging to get notes from a classmate).

Faculty must accept a student’s assertion of the need to be absent from class for religious reasons. Massachusetts state law requires faculty to offer make-up assignments or exams that are held on religious holidays to any student who is absent for religious observance. 

In the event of a dispute between an undergraduate student and a faculty member about the attendance policy, either party should contact the appropriate department chairperson. If the issue cannot be resolved by the department chairperson, either party should consult with the appropriate dean.

In the event of a dispute between a graduate student and a faculty member about the attendance policy, either party should follow the established Graduate Appeals process. 

Attendance and Census Process

Additionally, per federal government guidelines (34 CFR 668.22), the University tracks and reports students who have stopped attending class and who have not officially withdrawn. In doing so, the last date of attendance or participation, as reported by the instructor, will be used as the course withdrawal date, and a registration status of “WA” (withdrawn due to lack of attendance) will be applied to a student’s record. Students are notified in writing of this change in their registration status and have an opportunity to correct it, if it is an error, or to officially withdraw from the class. It is important to note that the “WA” status can be changed to a letter grade, including “F”, by the instructor. To ensure an official withdrawal (“W”) status, students must formally withdraw from courses or the University in accordance with university policy.

Students are expected to take responsibility and officially withdraw from any course which they do not plan to complete. Refunds are determined by the length of the course and the date of withdrawal; please visit the Student Accounts website for the refund schedule. Students should meet with a representative from the Students Accounts office to determine if any refund is available.

Military Leave Policy

I. Purpose

This policy outlines procedures and guidelines for students serving in the United States Armed Forces, including those students who serve part-time in the National Guard and Reserves, who may be subject to unforeseen activation or mobilization for reasons including:

• temporary local or regional support due to natural disaster;
• national security;
• international emergency or peace-keeping missions; and
• military schooling, including professional development, and/or for purposes of military MOS reclassification.

As individuals are legally obligated to report to duty when so ordered, the purpose of this policy is to minimize the effects of these disruptions to students’ educational pursuits.

II. Academic Protections for Military Assignments

Students ordered to active service during the semester or to attend Reserve or National Guard trainings that conflict with a scheduled course meeting must contact Military and Veteran Services with a copy of their orders and for assistance with developing a plan. With the agreement of their faculty, and depending on their courses and circumstances of their deployment, students may pursue the following options:

• Course Withdrawals: Students may use the military drop option for some or all of their courses for the semester without penalty or a punitive grade. Changes in enrollment may impact VA Educational Benefits. Students should consult with the University School Certifying Official (SCO) and the Director of Military and Veteran Student Services prior to making any changes to enrollment status. 
• Final Grade Assignment: Students may request to receive a final grade in some or all courses based upon completed work in the course(s) up to the date of mobilization/activation.
• Final Exam: Students may request to take an early final examination in some courses for an instructor to determine a final grade in the course.
• Completion of the course remotely: If the military placement and the course content will allow students to continue their course work while on active duty, students may continue in the course.
• Incomplete: An Incomplete for the course.
• Combination: A combination of several options that best serves the students’ needs so that they may fulfill the obligations of military orders.

With verification from the Director of Military and Veteran Student Services, students ordered to participate in required, temporary military duties to be excused from class for the purpose of fulfilling training commitments, including: Unit Training Assemblies (UTA) or Multiple Unit Training Assemblies (MUTA) — colloquially known as “drill” weekends — Annual Training (AT), Temporary Duty (TDY), and/or R.O.T.C. activities.

The Office of Military and Veteran Student Services is responsible for verification of military service. Students may request that their faculty be contacted on their behalf.
 

III. Restrictions to Absences Related to Temporary Military Service

Students not under federal activation orders are encouraged to discuss anticipated absences for the purpose of fulfilling monthly service obligations directly with faculty members. Students should notify instructors at the start of each semester of all expected absences for military duty (such as by providing a yearly drill schedule or a letter from the Commander) or as soon as the student receives notification of the expected absence.

Additionally, this policy excludes provisions for Initial Entry Training (IET) across all service branches. Given the extreme time commitment of IET, students should expect to be unable to complete course work during IET and will be required to complete the Military Withdrawal process for all registered courses upon receipt of IET orders.

IV. Reinstatement to the University Following Active-Duty Service

Students wishing to re-enroll following an extended period of military service and who have not been enrolled at the university for one full academic year or more must apply for reinstatement by filing a Reinstatement Application through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions or the College of Continuing Studies and, if applicable, submit any transcripts form all institutions—including military Joint Service Transcripts (JSTs) for any military credits earned—since the last date of attendance at BSU. Students must meet with an academic advisor to discuss degree completion and available course options.

Students who are issued new and/or additional activation orders, or have their activation extended, may request to retain their academic standing at the university for five years from the original date of mobilization on file.

Upon reinstatement, transfer credit, if applicable, will be awarded according to the university’s established Transfer Credit Policy.

For additional support and resources, please contact the Office of Military & Veteran Student Services.

Awarding of Undergraduate Degrees

Degree Application

Students who believe they are ready to receive their degree from Bridgewater State University are required to complete a formal degree application, available on their Student Profile in Infobear. Each student is responsible for meeting all degree requirements and for ensuring that the Registrar’s Office has received all credentials.

Bridgewater State University holds an annual commencement ceremony in May. However, BSU confers degrees three times during the year, in August, December and May. Students who complete their degree in August and December are invited to attend the following May commencement ceremony.

Recommended degree application deadlines are listed below:

April 15               for summer/August degree completion
August 1             for fall/December degree completion
December 20     for spring/May degree completion

Graduation Requirements

Baccalaureate Degree

Curricula leading to baccalaureate degrees are so planned that a student carrying 15 credit hours each semester will ordinarily be able to complete the requirements for graduation in four years or eight semesters.

Degrees will be awarded to candidates who have fulfilled the following:

• Submission of a degree application by the student to the Registrar’s Office prior to the end of the graduation review for that semester/term (see recommended deadlines listed above).
• A minimum of 120 earned degree credits, completion of all degree requirements, and resolution of any incomplete grade(s).
• Satisfactory completion of all requirements for a bachelor’s degree must be under a catalog in effect within eight years of the date of graduation. The catalog used, however, may be no earlier than the catalog in effect at the time of matriculation or, in the case of a change of major, concentration or minor, no earlier than the catalog in effect when the major, concentration or minor was formally declared. (Note: This policy does not apply to students enrolled in programs governed by state and/or federal regulations where current academic requirements may need to be met. Students should check with their departments where applicable.)
• Completion of the residency requirements which mandate that the following must be completed at Bridgewater State University:
  • minimum of 30 credit hours as a degree-seeking student;
  • minimum of one half of the courses in the major department (excluding cognates);
  • minimum of one half of all courses required in the minor; and
  • minimum of 15 credit hours of the final 30 credit hours of a student’s degree program.
• Grade Point Average (GPA) requirements:
  • minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (or higher if required by the major at Bridgewater State University);
  • minimum major GPA of 2.0 (or higher, if required in the student’s major(s) requirements taken through Bridgewater State University). Major GPA includes all courses completed in the major field (excluding cognate requirements), unless otherwise specified by the individual department.
  • minimum minor GPA (if enrolled in a minor) of 2.0 (or higher, if required in the student’s minor requirements taken through Bridgewater State University). Minor GPA includes all courses required for completion of the minor, regardless of the department in which the courses are offered.

PLEASE NOTE:

a. The credit earned in an introductory college skills course may not be used to satisfy the Core Curriculum Requirements nor may it be applied toward the minimum number of credits required for graduation in any major.

b. 90 credits may be accepted in transfer by Bridgewater State University and applied to the baccalaureate degree; however, only 69 credits will be accepted from two-year institutions. Any course taken at another accredited institution after admission to Bridgewater State University must have departmental preapproval. A student must complete a Request for the Transfer of Undergraduate Credit Taken After Admission form for each course in advance of enrollment in the course.

c. One diploma will be issued to students, and one degree earned, regardless of the number of major programs completed. Students with double majors will be awarded the degree (BA, BS or BSE) based on their primary major. The diploma will indicate the degree earned, and honors awarded based on the students’ final grade point average. The degree earned, honors awarded and all majors and minors completed will be listed on the student’s academic transcript. Please note: students will not receive their diplomas or transcripts until all financial debts to the university have been paid. 

Conferral of a degree or certificate occurs when the Registrar’s Office finalizes the student’s academic record and confirms that all requirements have been satisfied, including all financial obligations. Participation in the commencement ceremony does not constitute conferral of the degree. Similarly, inclusion of a student’s name in such publications as the commencement program does not confirm eligibility for the degree.

Undergraduate Certificate

Curricula leading to an undergraduate certificate can range from 6-21 credits and can be completed while pursuing a Bachelor’s degree or independently.

Certificates will be awarded to those who have completed the following:

• Been officially admitted to the certificate program or approved to add the certificate as an additional program by the College of Continuing Studies
• Submission of a certificate application on Infobear by the student to the Registrar’s Office prior to the end of the graduation review for that semester/term (see recommended deadlines listed above)
• Completion of all undergraduate certificate course requirements
• Satisfactory completion of all requirements for an undergraduate certificate must be under a catalog in effect within eight years of the date of graduation. The catalog used, however, may be no earlier than the catalog in effect at the time of matriculation into the certificate program (Note: This policy does not apply to students enrolled in programs governed by state and/or federal regulations where current academic requirements may need to be met. Students should check with their departments where applicable.)
• Completion of the undergraduate certificate residency requirements which mandate that the following must be completed at Bridgewater State University
  • At least 50 percent of courses required for an undergraduate certificate
• Grade Point Average (GPA) requirements:
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (or higher if required by the undergraduate certificate at Bridgewater State University);

Graduation Requirements – Second Degree Program

Upon admission to a second undergraduate degree program (see the Admission – Undergraduate  section of this catalog), students will meet with an advisor from the major department to plan a course of study based on the current requirements of that major. That course of study must be approved by the chairperson of the department and forwarded to the Registrar’s Office. Any changes in that course of study must also have the approval of the advisor and the chairperson and be forwarded to the Registrar’s Office. If a student does not complete the course of study within four years of admission, the department may require the student to change their catalog year to reflect changes in major requirements. (Note: This time period does not apply to students enrolled in programs governed by state and/or federal regulations where current academic requirements may need to be met. Students should check with their departments where applicable.)

The graduation requirements for a second degree are as follows:

• The completion of a minimum of 30 credits through Bridgewater State University, as a degree-seeking student, beyond the first degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (or higher if required by the major department).

• The completion of at least one half of the required courses in the second degree major (excluding cognate requirements) through Bridgewater State University. The remainder of the major requirements may be satisfied by transfer credits from another accredited institution.

• A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (or higher if required by the major department) in the student’s major requirements taken through Bridgewater State University. Major GPA includes all courses completed in the major field (excluding cognate requirements), unless otherwise specified by the individual department. Minor GPA includes all courses required for completion of the minor, regardless of the department in which the courses are offered.

• The completion of all requirements for the major.

The Bridgewater State University Core Curriculum Requirements are satisfied by the student’s first bachelor’s degree, whether that degree was earned through Bridgewater State University or another accredited institution. Each student, however, must fulfill the state-mandated requirement in United States and Massachusetts Constitutions.

Both cumulative GPA and major GPA for the second degree will be based on all grades received through Bridgewater State University, and all undergraduate courses will appear on one continuous academic record. A student must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in order to remain in good academic standing at the university and continue in the program. Upon completion of the second degree, students will be eligible to attend commencement and graduate with honors based on the cumulative GPA for all undergraduate-level work attempted through Bridgewater State University.

Graduation With Honors

Academic excellence for the baccalaureate program is recognized by awarding degrees summa cum laude (cumulative GPA of 3.8 or higher), magna cum laude (cumulative GPA of 3.6 to 3.79), and cum laude (cumulative GPA of 3.3 to 3.59). The cumulative GPA determined for honors is based on all university-level work attempted through Bridgewater State University.

The Commencement Program is printed prior to grades being submitted for the student’s final semester; therefore, the Registrar’s Office must print the honors designation that a student has earned up to the time of publication. The student’s diploma and finalized transcript, however, will reflect the official honors designation based upon the student’s final grade point average.

For additional information concerning graduation visit www.bridgew.edu/graduation. 

Commonwealth Honors Program

BSU’s Commonwealth Honors Program is part of a statewide distinction for students in any field of study. A student who meets the following requirements can graduate as a Commonwealth Honors Scholar in Massachusetts:

• At least 18 honors credits, including nine or more at the 300-400 level
• Honors Capstone or Honors Thesis (3-6 credits—part of the 9+ upper-division honors credits)
• Grades of “B” or higher in all honors courses (all 18 credits)
• Overall GPA of 3.2 or higher at graduation

Commonwealth Honors students at BSU complete 18 honors credits as follows:

1. Nine or more honors credits at the 100-200-level, through Honors in the Core: any combination of 100- or 200-level honors core curriculum courses (3- or 4-credit honors courses), honors intro courses in the major (3- or 4-credit honors courses) and/or honors colloquia (1-credit honors courses)
   and
2. Nine or more honors credits at the 300-400-level, through one of the following options:   

a. Departmental Honors in the major (9 credits); see the department’s Departmental Honors requirements. The academic transcript will report that the student is graduating with “Commonwealth Honors and Departmental Honors in [Department].”

b. Interdisciplinary Departmental Honors in two majors or a major and a minor (9 credits), which includes a 6-credit (2-semester) honors thesis or honors capstone, plus a 3-credit honors contract in one of the departments. Policies of both departments’ Departmental Honors programs (e.g., minimum GPA, prerequisite courses) apply. The academic transcript will report that the student is graduating with “Commonwealth Honors and Interdisciplinary Departmental Honors in [Department] and [Department].”

c. Upper-Division Commonwealth Honors in a major and/or a minor (9 credits), which requires a 3-6-credit (1-2-semester) honors thesis or honors capstone, and the remaining credits through honors contracts (additional work that turns a non-honors 300-400-level course into an honors course). The academic transcript will report that the student is graduating with “Commonwealth Honors.”

Credit Hour and Grading System

An undergraduate academic credit hour is equivalent to one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately 15 weeks of each semester. Therefore, a three-credit class has an expectation of approximately three hours of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of six hours of out-of-class student work over that same time period. An equivalent amount of engagement is required for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, web-based courses and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours. For purposes of this definition, “one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction” traditionally equals 50 minutes.

The university uses the letter-grade system to indicate the student’s relative performance: A (Superior); B (Good); C (Satisfactory); D (Poor); F (Failure). Grades in the A, B, C and D ranges may include a designation of plus or minus. In computing averages, grades are assigned the numerical values in the chart below. Grades for all courses (day and evening) at Bridgewater State University become a part of the student’s record and are used in computing the GPA.

Audit (AU) – AU indicates a student completed a course on an audit basis. The grade will appear on the transcript with no credit value, but the course will not be applied to degree or graduation requirements.

Pass/No Pass (P/N) – Certain courses such as internships and practica may be offered on a Pass/No Pass basis. The grade and the associated credit will appear on the transcript, but the grade will not factor into the GPA.

Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) – Courses whose credits cannot be used toward degree credits earned are assigned grades of “S” or “U”.

Withdrawn (W) – Students who officially withdraw from a course are assigned a grade of “W”. A symbol of “WA” may be given to any student who ceases attending a course without withdrawing between the end of the drop/add period and the end of the withdrawal period.

Transfer Symbols

Each course accepted in transfer by Bridgewater State University will show one of the following transfer symbols on all academic documents. No numeric value will be assigned, and the student’s BSU GPA will not be affected.

TA, TA-, TB+, TB, TB-, TC+, TC, TC-, TD+, TD, TD-, TR

Change of Grade

If a student believes that a mistake was made in the original grade recorded for a course, the student may petition the instructor for a change of grade no later than the last day of final exams in the academic semester following that in which the grade was recorded. A change of grade will not be considered after this time.

Dean’s List

Full-time Students: The dean’s list is published at the end of each semester to honor the academic achievement of full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students. A 3.3 GPA for the semester is required with a minimum of 12 credits earned and no grades of “incomplete” (IN/INC/IN.). Undergraduate students are not eligible for Dean’s List in a semester they use the Optional High Pass, Mid Pass, Low Pass, No Pass.

Part-time Students: The dean’s list is published at the end of each semester to honor the academic achievement of part-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students. A 3.3 GPA for the semester is required with a minimum of 6 credits earned and no grades of “incomplete” (IN/INC/IN.). Undergraduate students are not eligible for Dean’s List in a semester they use the Optional High Pass, Mid Pass, Low Pass, No Pass.

Grade Appeal

Rights and Responsibilities

At Bridgewater State University (“BSU”), the faculty member has both the right and professional expertise to determine grading criteria and to assign grades for courses. The faculty member also has the responsibility to communicate the grading criteria to students through the course syllabus, and to individual students upon request. Any grading policy modifications will be communicated clearly and in a timely manner. Students have the right to seek information about grades and the grading process, discuss and review their academic performance with the faculty member, and to appeal a grade without repercussions. Students also have the responsibility to read the course syllabus and related grading materials and accept the faculty member’s professional judgment and expertise. The student has the responsibility of substantiating with evidence any grade appeal.

Basis for Appeal

Appeals must be based on evidence of an objective basis related to process and the grading criteria. Appeals based on subjective differences in judgment or opinion related to academic performance will be considered to have no merit.

Students may appeal grades following the process but only under the following circumstances:

1. The student has evidence that the course grade resulted from an incorrect application of the Course Policy as demonstrated by the course syllabus.
    
2. The student has evidence that their resulting score on a graded, objective exercise contributing toward the calculation of the final grade (as outlined in the course syllabus) was incorrectly calculated or that the calculation of the final grade (as outlined in the course syllabus) was incorrectly done.

If a student believes that a grade has been assigned due to discrimination or harassment on the basis of sex, gender, disability, ethnicity, veteran status or another protected characteristics, the student should contact the Office of Equal Opportunity/Title IX.

The Appeal Process

In all cases, the parties involved should make every effort to resolve the dispute quickly and professionally.

If a student is filing a grade appeal based on discrimination or harassment the objection may be filed directly with the Office of Equal Opportunity/Title IX. A student is never required to file a complaint with the Office of Equal Opportunity/Title IX to initiate the Appeal Process.

Step One. Student and Faculty Member

If a student believes that they received a grade that is eligible for appeal, they must contact the faculty member within fourteen (14) calendar days of the following semester and request a meeting to discuss the grade earned during the previous semester. The request should be made through the student’s BSU email address to the faculty member’s BSU email address and must contain the rationale for questioning the grade. At the meeting, the student should present their case and provide supporting evidence to the faculty member. Although a face-to-face meeting is preferred, the meeting may take the form of a telephone call or a virtual meeting. After the meeting, the faculty member has fourteen (14) calendar days to determine whether the initial grade will remain or if the grade will be changed and to notify the student, via BSU email, of the decision.

If the student is satisfied with the outcome, the student should respond via email to the faculty member indicating such.

If the student is not satisfied with the outcome, then the student can proceed to Step Two and initiate the Formal Appeal Process.

Step Two. Student and Department Chair

The student contacts the department chair within fourteen (14) calendar days of learning of the faculty member’s decision via BSU email with a request for a meeting. The student must submit a formal appeal along with a written rationale for a grade change and any supporting documentation prior to the meeting. Again, a face-to-face meeting is preferred but the meeting may take place virtually or over the telephone. After the meeting, the department chair will contact the faculty member within seven (7) calendar days and discuss the issue.

The chair will determine if the appeal has merit. If the chair does determine that the appeal has merit, the department chair may not change the grade but will encourage the faculty member to choose to do so. If the department chair recommends that the grade be changed, the faculty member has seven (7) calendar days to decide to change the grade or not. If the faculty member decides to change the grade, the faculty member notifies the student and the Registrar’s Office. If the faculty member decides not to change the grade, they will notify the student and the department chair through email.

If the chair determines that the grade is appropriate and the appeal has no merit, they will notify the student and faculty member within fourteen (14) calendar days of receiving the student’s appeal. In this instance, there is no appeal after this step.

If the student is satisfied with the outcome of Step Two, the student will send an email to the faculty member and department chair indicating such.

If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of Step Two and the chair determined the appeal has merit, the student may move to Step Three.

Step Three. Student and Dean

The student contacts the dean of the college that offers the course, or the dean’s designee, within fourteen (14) calendar days of the outcome of Step Two. The student should provide a written justification for the appeal and supporting documentation. After reviewing the student’s appeal and the faculty member’s response(s), the dean, or designee, will discuss the matter with the student, the faculty member and/or the department chair. The discussion may take place in person, virtually or over the phone. The dean, or designee, will determine if the appeal has merit and if the process has been followed appropriately.

If the dean, or designee, determines that the grade is appropriate and the appeal has no merit, they will notify the student, faculty member and department chair within fourteen (14) calendar days of receiving the student’s appeal. In this instance, there is no appeal after this step.

If the dean, or designee, decides that the appeal may have merit, they will contact the Dean of Undergraduate Studies within fourteen (14) calendar days of finding that the appeal has merit.

Step Four. Academic Review Panel

The Dean of Undergraduate Studies will work with the Chair of the Academic Policies Committee (APC), who sets up an Academic Review Panel (ARP). The Dean of Undergraduate Studies will contact the student and the faculty member and inform them that an ARP will review the disputed grade within thirty (30) calendar days.

A grade appeal ARP is composed of three (3) to five (5) faculty/librarian members of the Academic Policies Committee as determined by the Chair of the Academic Policies Committee. The Chair of the APC will also Chair the ARP as a nonvoting member. No more than one (1) member of the ARP shall be from the same department as the faculty member of the course in question.

The ARP hearing process is as follows:

a. The ARP will convene a hearing within thirty (30) calendar days following notification from the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.

b. The ARP Chair will invite the student and the faculty member to present additional information in the scheduled panel hearing.

c. The faculty member and the student may each request that another party from BSU, who is not a relative or legal counsel, be present at this panel hearing to serve in an advisory role. This person may not participate in the panel hearing discussion.

d. The Dean of Undergraduate Studies will compile and distribute a packet of all significant documents to be given to the ARP, the student and the faculty member seven (7) calendar days prior to the ARP hearing. The faculty member, student and college dean may all contribute documents to this packet.

e. The ARP hearing will be scheduled based on the student’s and faculty member’s schedules; however, the hearing will be held even if the faculty member or student cannot or will not attend.

f. The ARP will review all documentation related to the grade appeal and discuss it in a closed session.

g. Based upon the evidence received and reviewed, the ARP may decide in favor of the grade assigned by the faculty member or assign an appropriate grade.

h. The ARP’s decision will be forwarded in email to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies within seven (7) calendar days of the hearing.

i. The Dean of Undergraduate Studies will inform the student and the faculty member of the ARP’s decision by email within seven (7) calendar days. The notification will also include a copy of the ARP’s written decision and any other documents that the ARP may produce that are addressed to either the student or the faculty member.

j. If the ARP determines that the grade should be changed, the Dean of Undergraduate Studies will notify the Registrar’s Office of the change.

k. The Dean of Undergraduate Studies will maintain a record of the ARP’s decision and the related documents in Maxient, the official BSU database used for this purpose. All materials will be kept strictly confidential for five (5) years after graduation or last enrollment before destruction in accordance with the Commonwealth record retention policy.

In this instance, the ARP’s decision is final. There is no appeal after this step.

Issues that May Arise

• If the faculty member is no longer employed by BSU, the student should contact the department chair and the process begins at Step Two.
• If the student elects to use the processes provided by the Office of Equal Opportunity/Title IX, then the Appeal Process will be suspended pending review and determination by the Office of Equal Opportunity/Title IX. If the Office of Equal Opportunity/Title IX does not find discrimination or harassment, then the Office of Equal Opportunity/Title IX may refer the matter back to the Appeal Process. In the event of a finding of discrimination or harassment, the Office of Equal Opportunity/Title IX will remand the matter to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies who will designate an appropriate person to decide the outcome of the Appeal Process.
• Every effort should be made to follow the timelines outlined in this policy. However, timelines may be extended due to illness, semester breaks, personal emergencies, new information, etc. The Dean of Undergraduate Studies should be notified if one of the parties is unable to meet the deadline and the Dean of Undergraduate Studies will notify all parties involved.
• For the purposes of this policy, “days” refers to calendar days, unless otherwise specified.
• Any grade change must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office within seven (7) calendar days of a final decision.
• If the department chair is the instructor/faculty member whose grade is contested, the student has a conversation with the department chair and then proceeds to the dean’s review of the appeal.
• The Dean of Undergraduate Studies is responsible for this policy and is available to consult with all parties – the student, the faculty member, the department chair or the college dean – should the need arise. 

Grade Point Average (GPA)

The GPA indicates the student’s overall academic average. It is calculated on both a semester and a cumulative basis. The GPA is calculated by multiplying the grade numerical value received in each course by the number of credit hours per course. These totals are combined, and the result is divided by the total number of credit hours carried. At Bridgewater State University, the GPA is rounded to the third decimal.

The grade point average of the student will be resumed after readmission unless the student applies for and is approved for a GPA Restart.

GPA Restart Policy

The GPA Restart Policy has been developed for students who have been academically separated from Bridgewater State University or who have left the University with an overall Grade Point Average (GPA) below 2.0. Those who return to BSU after three or more years and demonstrate a higher level of academic performance may apply to have their GPA restarted. Students must earn a minimum of 12 credits with an earned minimum GPA of 2.25 in order to be considered. All grades will remain on a student’s transcript; however, a notation will appear on the transcript that some grades are not included in the GPA calculation. The past GPA is noted as well.

In order to be eligible for a GPA Restart, readmitted students must participate in the Summit Program offered by the Academic Achievement Center during their first semester back at BSU. During this semester, they will consider their options and determine if the Restart policy is their best option or if their GPA can be repaired through use of the Repeat Courses Policy. Students who wish to apply for a GPA Restart should consult the Office of Undergraduate Studies for the application. Each application for a GPA Restart will be reviewed by the Assistant Administrative Dean, the Associate Dean or Dean from the College of the student’s major, and the department chair of the student’s major. The decision of this committee is final. 

Incomplete

An incomplete (IN/INC/IN.) may be given at the discretion of the instructor. The time by which missing work must be completed, both in graduate and undergraduate courses, is also at the discretion of the instructor; however, this time period may not extend beyond the last day of classes of the academic semester following that in which the incomplete was earned. If a course is not successfully completed by this deadline, the incomplete will automatically be changed to a grade of “F” (Failure), “N” (No Pass), or “U” (Unsatisfactory).

Any course with an incomplete (IN/INC/IN.) grade must be resolved prior to graduation and degree conferral.

Mid-Semester Warning Notices

Faculty may elect to send mid-semester warning notices to undergraduate students who are receiving less than a “C-” (1.7) average in any course at that time. It is the student’s responsibility to meet with their advisor and the instructor of any course in which a warning is received. Since mid-semester warning notices are not issued by all instructors, students who do not receive notification are cautioned not to presume that they are maintaining a grade of “C-” or better.

Repeat Courses

Credit cannot be awarded more than once for the same course, whether earned through BSU or in transfer. Credit also may not be awarded more than once for courses which are seen as equivalents to each other, in content or in outcomes. For example, credit may not be awarded for more than one first year seminar (_ _ _ _199) or more than one second year seminar ( _ _ _ _298 or _ _ _ _299) regardless of topic. All exceptions (e.g., Internships) are marked in the catalog as “repeatable for credit.”

An undergraduate student may choose to repeat a course through BSU. The repeated grade will replace the prior grade in the student’s GPA regardless of which grade is higher. Although both courses and grades will appear on the student’s transcript, credit for the course will be awarded only once as outlined above. Only courses taken through Bridgewater State University and repeated through Bridgewater State University will be eligible for use under this policy.

Please note that a student’s Honors designation is finalized at the time of degree completion. If a student repeats a course after having graduated, the GPA may change, but the Honors designation is not adjusted.

NOTE:  Repeating courses taken in a previous semester may affect certain federal and state benefits, various financial aid programs, loans, scholarships and social security benefits, in addition to athletic eligibility and veteran’s benefits. Students should meet with a representative from the appropriate office for additional information.

Optional High Pass, Mid Pass, Low Pass, No Pass Policy

The primary purpose of the Optional High Pass, Mid Pass, Low Pass, No Pass policy is to afford undergraduate students an opportunity to explore course work in areas outside of their major/minor degree requirements without concern of the potential impact of a traditional letter grade on their GPA. The parameters of the Optional High Pass, Mid Pass, Low Pass, No Pass policy are outlined below:

General Guidelines:

• Undergraduate students may select Optional High Pass, Mid Pass, Low Pass, No Pass (HP/MP/LP/NP) grades rather than traditional letter grades in up to 12 credits of free elective course work during their undergraduate degree.
  • Any courses a student opted-in for Pass/No Pass during Spring 2020 and Fall 2020 will not be counted towards the 12 credit limit
• Undergraduate students may opt-in for a maximum of eight credits per semester which are free elective credits
• Prerequisites will be enforced based on the original letter grade earned
  • A student who did not earn a high enough grade to meet prerequisite requirements will need to repeat the course
  • If a student earned a letter grade high enough to meet prerequisite requirements before selecting the Optional High Pass, Mid Pass, Low Pass, No Pass, they may contact registration@bridgew.edu to have their original grade reviewed for prerequisite purposes
• Courses traditionally graded as Pass/No Pass (such as Internships or Practica) are not impacted by this policy in any way

Excluded from the Optional High Pass, Mid Pass, Low Pass, No Pass are those in the following categories:

• Any course(s) in a student’s major/minor are of study, including cognates
• First Year Seminar (199), Second Year Seminar (299), ENGL-101 and ENGL-102
• Core curriculum courses 
• Any course(s) which are being repeated

Time frame for requesting High Pass, Mid Pass, Low Pass, No Pass grading 

• Undergraduate students will have until the full semester withdrawal deadline each semester to request High Pass, Mid Pass, Low Pass, No Pass in no more than eight credits which are free elective credits.
• A High Pass, Mid Pass, Low Pass, No Pass form will be made available to students each semester by the Registrar’s Office
  • Once a student has opted-in to High Pass, Mid Pass, Low Pass, No Pass grading for a course, they may not change back to a letter grade
• Once final grades have been submitted by faculty, the Registrar’s Office will process any High Pass, Mid Pass, Low Pass, No Pass requests received.

Processing/Conversion of letter grades

The Registrar’s Office will convert letter grades for students who have requested High Pass, Mid Pass, Low Pass, No Pass in the following way:

• High Pass (HP) – Any letter grade “A” through “B-“
• Mid Pass (MP) – Any letter grade “C+” through “C-“
• Low Pass (LP) – Any letter grade “D+” through “D-“
• No Pass (NP) – Any “F” grade

A High Pass, Mid Pass and Low Pass grade will earn credit but will not be used to calculate the GPA. A No Pass (NP) grade will not earn credit and will not be used in calculating the GPA.

Undergraduate students are not eligible for Deans list in the semester they use the Optional High Pass, Mid Pass, Low Pass, No Pass.

Undergraduate students who receive an Incomplete may not use the Optional High Pass, Mid Pass, Low Pass, No Pass for that course.

Students are strongly encouraged to consult their academic advisor prior to making a decision to ensure they understand the full impact of requesting High Pass, Mid Pass, Low Pass, No Pass grades in place of earned letter grades.

First Name in Use, Gender Identity and Pronouns in Use Policy

I. Purpose

Informed by the overarching priority of student success for all students, BSU is committed to promoting a safe, welcoming, and diverse campus climate in which to learn and work. As part of the University’s values of equity and inclusion, BSU is proud to offer students, faculty/librarians, administrators, staff and alumnx the option to indicate their First Name in Use, Gender Identity and Pronouns in Use.

The University’s policy for First Name in Use, Gender Identity and Pronouns in Use options are consistent with BSU’s Equal Opportunity, Diversity and Affirmative Action Plan and the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, protecting transgender individuals against discrimination based on gender identity and expression.

Although the policy reflects best practice for supporting transgender and gender non-conforming members of college communities, the options to indicate First Name in Use, Gender Identity and Pronouns in Use are not limited to transgender members of the community. Anyone who has a First Name in Use other than their legal first name, and/or who seeks to state their Gender Identity and Pronouns in Use are encouraged to opt in.

II. Usage

Any BSU student, faculty/librarian, staff, administrator, or alumnx may indicate their First Name in Use, Gender Identity and/or Pronouns in Use so long as the purposes are not due to fraud or misrepresentation. Non-university students who leverage BSU services may also opt-in. Participation is voluntary.

III. Privacy

Appropriate access to and use of First Name in Use, Gender Identity and Pronouns in Use is of the utmost importance and ensures respectful dialogue amongst university community members. It is important to note that when a record shows a legal name that is differently gendered from the Name in Use, then transgender identity is functionally revealed (e.g., the Name in Use is Jessica, typically used for females, but the legal name is Jason, typically male). Similarly, when legal sex is different from Gender Identity on an individual’s BSU record, then their transgender identity is revealed. In order to prevent inadvertently revealing transgender identities to personnel who do not need to know this information, access to legal name and legal sex will be limited to those who have a legitimate University operational need to know. As a way to demonstrate BSU’s respect for privacy and personal agency, as well as its prioritization of safety, only campus departments with a legitimate operational need will have access to view legal name and legal sex.

It is the position of BSU that legal name and legal sex are considered sensitive information. Therefore, University personnel will be able to view or have access to First Name in Use and Gender Identity data only, unless otherwise specified in this policy. Further, all internal and external University reports, publications, letters, and communications will reference First Name in Use and Gender Identity (when provided) instead of legal first name or legal sex data unless required by law or regulation.

IV. Access to Legal First Name and Legal Sex Information

• University officials who have a legitimate operational need to utilize legal first name and legal sex information in order to fulfill their professional responsibilities are authorized to access it.
• “Legitimate operational need” is defined as those instances in which access to First Name in Use or Gender Identity is required for a university official to carry out their professional responsibilities for BSU.
• A university official is defined as a person employed by the University in an administrative, academic, research or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted as its agent to provide a service (such as an attorney, auditor or collection agent); a member of the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee or assisting another school official in performing their essential duties.
• The University may release legal first name and legal sex information in compliance with a judicial order or pursuant to any lawfully issued subpoena. As a general policy, before any information is so released, the University will first attempt to notify the student, employee or alumnx at the person’s most recent address as shown in the records maintained by the University.
• In connection with an emergency, the University may release legal first name and legal sex information from University records to appropriate persons if the knowledge of such information is necessary to protect the health or safety of a student, employee, alumnx or other persons.
• University officials may release legal name and legal sex information to appropriate organizations in adherence with mandated federal and state reporting or in conjunction with a bona fide law enforcement investigation or inquiry.
• Data permissions will be reviewed at least once per year and may be increased to once per semester if recommended by the Banner Technical Committee (BTC). For data access needs that change outside the scheduled review period, areas may utilize the process, stated below, to update their access permissions.

The process by which areas can request an update to their data access is to first contact the Director of the Pride Center. The Director of the Pride Center serves as the Data Steward for access permissions and will discuss the needs and possible solutions with the requestor. If the changes requested require a change to Banner codes, then the Data Steward will contact the chairperson of the BTC for subsequent review by the committee. In the event that the Data Steward cannot serve for an extended period of time, then the Vice President of the division of Student Success and Diversity will appoint an interim data steward.

Holds on Student Records

A hold may be placed on a student record for a variety of reasons: incomplete submission of required documents, outstanding balance, etc. The hold may prohibit registration, viewing grades, obtaining transcripts or receiving a diploma, depending on the type of hold. Students may view the type of hold on their account by logging into InfoBear, clicking on the Student Records link under the Student tab, and then then clicking on View Holds.

Institutional Learning Outcomes Assessment Statement

Bridgewater State University places a high value on documenting the progression of students’ learning through institutional assessment activities. After approval from the Institutional Review Board for individual assessment projects, student work may be randomly selected for program assessment purposes. The identity of individual students and faculty will be removed from all materials. Inclusion of student work for institutional assessment will have no impact on a student’s class standing or academic progress. Both student and faculty privacy will be protected to the extent required by law. For more information about assessment at Bridgewater State University, please visit the Office of Assessment’s intranet site.

Undergraduate Reinstatement and Readmission 

Reinstatement: Required of all previously enrolled undergraduate students seeking to re-enroll at Bridgewater State University who have not been enrolled at the university for one full academic year (three consecutive terms, including the summer session) or more. Apply for reinstatement through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions or the College of Continuing Studies.

Readmission: Undergraduate students who have been separated because of academic or disciplinary reasons from the institution must apply for readmission through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions or the College of Continuing Studies.

Reinstatement or readmission to Bridgewater State University is subject to the following criteria:

1. Reinstated or readmitted students will be assigned to the current catalog at the time of readmission/ reinstatement. However, students may elect to resume the program requirements outlined in the catalog that was in place during their enrollment, provided that the catalog is no more than eight years old at the time of graduation.
2. Readmission or reinstatement may be subject to space availability.
3. Readmission or reinstatement may be subject to current admission requirements.
4. On-campus housing is not guaranteed for reinstated or readmitted students. Students seeking on-campus housing are encouraged to contact Residence Life and Housing to discuss the availability of on-campus housing.
5. Readmission or reinstatement to the university does not guarantee renewed financial aid eligibility. Please contact the Financial Aid Office to be considered for financial aid.
6. Prior to reinstatement or readmission, the student must resolve any/all outstanding holds on their student account. Students with outstanding disciplinary concerns must contact the appropriate office/s to satisfy any/all requirements as a part of the reapplication process.
7. Reinstatement or readmission to the university is not guaranteed.
8. Students who have been expelled from the university are not eligible for reinstatement or readmission.

Reinstatement Process: Students who are seeking to enroll at the university following a semester withdrawal under the Undergraduate Withdrawal Policy and who have not been enrolled at the university for one full academic year (three consecutive terms, including the summer session) or more must apply for reinstatement by filing a Reinstatement Application through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions or the College of Continuing Studies and, if applicable, submit official transcripts from all institutions attended since the last date of attendance at BSU. Additionally, students must meet with an academic advisor to discuss degree completion and available course options. For additional support and resources, please contact the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.

Readmission Process: Students who have been separated because of academic or disciplinary reasons from the institution must apply for readmission by filing a Readmission Application through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions or the College of Continuing Studies and, if applicable, submit official transcripts from all institutions attended since the last date of attendance at BSU. Additionally, students must meet with an academic advisor and will be required to participate in an orientation program to discuss degree completion and available course options. For additional support and resources, please contact the Academic Achievement Center.

Upon readmission or reinstatement, transfer credit, if applicable, will be awarded according to the university’s established Transfer Credit Policy. The grade point average achieved at BSU upon separation will be resumed as grades achieved at other institutions are not included when calculating a student’s BSU grade point average.

Registration and Enrollment Policies

Auditing a Course

A student may audit a course to gain knowledge in a particular subject area without earning credit or a grade. Students auditing a course attend and participate in classes; however, they are exempt from examinations. A student may audit a course with the approval of their advisor or department chairperson and consent of the instructor. Additionally, the following guidelines apply:

• A student is subject to conditions established by the department and/or instructor for the audited course.

• A student registering for credit has course enrollment preference over an auditing student. Therefore, a student must register for audit only during the drop/add period by submitting forms provided by the Registrar’s Office. A student’s status as an auditor in a course cannot be changed.

• A student may register for one audit course per semester. Exception may be granted by petition to the appropriate college dean.

• A student receives no credit for an audited course. The student’s academic record will reflect the course enrollment with the notation “AU”.

• A student will be charged the same tuition and fees for an audited course as for a course taken for credit.

BSU and UMass Law 3+3 Program

The BSU and UMass Law 3+3 Program is open to academically qualified undergraduate students who are committed to pursuing a law degree at UMass Law. Participants complete the first three years of their undergraduate studies and meet the requirements specified below. In their fourth year, participants matriculate at UMass Law as full-time first-year law students, and they earn credit toward completion of the undergraduate degree by completing their first-year law courses. Students save one year of college tuition by substituting their first year of law school for their final year of undergraduate study. To be eligible for admission to UMass Law under the 3+3 program, BSU students must meet the following requirements:

• earn at least 90 credits
• complete all requirements in a participating major and the Core Curriculum
• maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3
• successfully pass the LSAT or GRE
• receive a written recommendation from a BSU Pre-Law Advisor
• meet all other UMass Law admission requirements

The majors participating in the 3+3 program are Criminal Justice, English, History, Philosophy and Political Science.

Change/Declaration of Concentration

To declare a concentration, students must complete a Program of Study Declaration form which is available on the Registrar’s Office forms page. Students may change their concentration at any time.

Change/Declaration of Major for First-Semester Freshman

All first-year students must formally declare a major or choose the status of an undeclared major. The undeclared student should select a major by the end of the sophomore year. First-Semester Freshman students may change their area of interest by by completing the First-Semester Freshman Program of Study Declaration form located on the Registrar’s Office forms page. First-Semester Freshman students are advised to meet with their assigned advisor to discuss their interest in changing their major prior to submitting a new Program of Study Declaration form. Although early childhood, elementary education, secondary education and special education majors may not be formally admitted into the teacher education program until the second semester of the sophomore year, they must confirm their continued interest in these majors by the same process used by the other first-year students for declaration of majors. In addition to their education program, students must also elect a major in the liberal arts.

Change of Major for Upperclassmen

Students may change majors at any time by obtaining the Program of Study Declaration form, which is available on the Registrar’s Office forms page. Students must secure the electronic signature of the department chairperson involved to declare a major.

Change/Declaration of Minor

In order to be enrolled in any minor offered by the university, a student must declare the intended minor on the Minor Add/Drop form available on the Registrar’s Office forms page. Students may change their minor at any time.

Class Year Designation

Degree-seeking students are designated as being in a given class year based on the number of credits they have earned for courses successfully completed. The list below shows the number of credits that must be earned in order for a student to be designated as a member of a particular class year.

For registration purposes, degree-seeking students will be classified based upon the total number of credit hours earned prior to the semester in which the registration is held. 

Course Drops and Adds

The Drop/Add Schedule is as follows:

• The Drop/Add period for 15-week semester courses ends after the 6^th weekday of the semester.

• The Drop/Add period for seven-week quarter courses ends after the 3^rd weekday of the quarter.

• The Drop/Add period for five-week summer courses ends after the 3^rd weekday of the session.

• The Drop/Add period for 10-week summer courses ends after the 5^th weekday of the session.

• The Drop/Add period for non-regular courses ends one weekday after the first class meeting. However, students cannot add intensive (e.g., weekend or one-week) courses after the first class meeting.

No adds or drops will be permitted after these deadlines. Students are able to drop and add classes online through InfoBear. Alternatively, drop/add forms are available at the Registrar’s Office during the drop/add period. It is recommended that students discuss changes in their schedule with their advisor.

If students fail to drop courses appropriately, a grade of “F” may be entered on their academic record. This grade will be used in the GPA calculation.

Course Load

Full-time undergraduate students must carry a course load of 12 to 18 credit hours or the equivalent each semester. The typical course load is 15 credit hours. Students wishing to carry more than 18 credit hours must receive permission from the appropriate college dean prior to registration. Failure to carry at least 12 credit hours may jeopardize housing, financial aid status, athletic eligibility and health insurance.

Undergraduate students wishing to carry a course load of more than 15 credit hours during the summer must obtain permission from the Dean of Continuing Studies.

It is recommended that students not enroll in additional courses during the semester in which they are student teaching.

Note: Intersession credits are included in students’ spring semester course load.

Course Schedule Information

Students in all courses may be required to utilize the learning management program (currently BlackBoard) or other online resources to view course information or complete course requirements.

Courses are scheduled to meet the needs of as many students as possible, and space is limited in each course. Therefore, timely completion of a program of study may require a student to complete courses in multiple formats (i.e., face-to-face, hybrid, online).

Full-time students enrolled in 18 or more credit hours will be charged a per-credit rate for credits 18 and over.

Students enrolled in evening or weekend undergraduate courses (those beginning a 4:00 pm or later) will be charged all tuition and fees associated with the cost to provide the evening program. As a result, full-time, undergraduate day students who enroll in an evening or weekend course may incur additional charges. Please see the Tuition and Fees  section of this catalog and the Tuition and Fees chart on the Students Accounts website for more information.

Course descriptions may designate when the course is typically offered (fall, spring, summer) to assist students and advisors in planning course schedules. Please note, however, that these offerings are subject to change, and the university reserves the right to cancel courses or sections.

Helpful registration “how-to” videos can be found on the Registration Tools website.

Cross-Registration Programs

CAPS – College Academic Program Sharing (CAPS) is designed to provide full-time students attending a Massachusetts state college or university the opportunity to study at another state college or university for the purpose of adding a different or specialized dimension to their undergraduate studies. Colleges and universities participating in this program include Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, Massachusetts College of Art, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Salem State University, Westfield State University and Worcester State University. BSU students may participate for one or two semesters and complete up to 30 semester hours of credit without going through formal admission or registration procedures. Tuition is covered within the student’s full-time tuition charge at Bridgewater State University. Courses taken under the CAPS program are not included in the student’s GPA. All BSU students who wish to cross-register as part of the CAPS program must apply through the Registrar’s Office, Boyden Hall. Students from another college or university who wish to take courses at BSU through CAPS must work with the Registrar’s Office at their home institution.

SACHEM – Through the Southeastern Association for Cooperation of Higher Education (SACHEM) program, qualified full-time BSU students may cross-register for up to two courses each semester without going through formal registration procedures. Tuition is covered within the student’s full-time tuition charge at Bridgewater State University. Courses taken under the SACHEM program are not included in the student’s GPA. Colleges and universities participating in this program include Bristol Community College, Cape Cod Community College, Dean College, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Massasoit Community College, Stonehill College, University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth and Wheaton College. All BSU students who wish to cross-register as part of the SACHEM program must apply through the Registrar’s Office, Boyden Hall. Students from another college or university who wish to take courses at BSU through SACHEM must work with the Registrar’s Office at their home institution.

Directed Study

The university permits students to pursue their interests through directed study. Such an undertaking involves independent thinking, hard work and creativity along with the guidance and help of a faculty member. The end result should be a paper or project accepted by the faculty member working with the student. Directed Study, which is limited to three credits with a maximum of six credits for graduation purposes and is primarily for upperclassmen, is available for the pursuit of independent work. Application forms for directed study are available from the student’s major department and should be submitted to the department chairperson for their recommendation and then forwarded to the appropriate college dean for approval.

Independent Study

An independent is designed for students who must complete a specific BSU course as part of their program requirements. Students will work independently to fulfill all course requirements as outlined in the BSU catalog and as specified by the faculty supervisor. Application forms for an independent study are available on the Registrar’s Office intranet site or in the Registrar’s Office.

Intercollegiate Athletics Eligibility

The following rules govern intercollegiate athletics eligibility for most students attending Bridgewater:

• A student-athlete must be a full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate student.

• A student-athlete must maintain a minimum of 12 credit hours or the equivalent each semester.

• A student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.

• A student-athlete must pass 24 credit hours (satisfactory progress) or the equivalent in an academic year as a full-time student.

• A student-athlete must complete appropriate NCAA compliance affirmations, including the student-athlete statement concerning eligibility, a Buckley Amendment consent and a drug testing consent.

On a case-by-case basis, a student enrolled in a part-time academic course load as part of an accommodation to a documented learning disability, can petition the NCAA to participate in intercollegiate athletics through the Athletics Department. Student-athletes considering this accommodation must follow the normal petition and appeal processes through the associate director of athletics and recreation.

Student-athletes are required to undergo both physical and orthopedic examinations prior to competing on intercollegiate teams. Specific information on these exams can be obtained either from the director of athletics or from the assistant director of athletics for sports medicine.

In addition, all transfer students must complete specific NCAA and MASCAC requirements and certifications prior to participation in intercollegiate athletics. This includes transfer students from other four-year institutions, transfer students from two-year or junior colleges, and students who have been involved in multiple transfers. For information, please confer with the associate director of athletics.

Internship, Practicum and Field Experience

A number of departments within the university offer students the opportunity to enroll in an internship, practicum or field experience for academic credit. Such experiences provide students, usually in their third or fourth year, the chance to undertake a supervised practical experience in their field of study. Normally, field experience opportunities are available only during the fall and spring semesters.

Students interested in such a field experience have the option of consulting with their faculty advisor for details on programs available through the department or developing their own program proposals, subject to the approval of the department. If the field experience desired is proposed by the student, it is the student’s responsibility to locate a faculty member who will provide the necessary supervision.

Application forms for a field experience are available in the student’s major department. The completed form must be filed with the chairperson of the department in which the field experience is to be undertaken no later than the end of the first quarter of the semester prior to the semester in which the field experience is to be undertaken. The department will screen all applications in order to select students best suited for the positions available. The chairperson will forward the application forms to the dean of the appropriate college for approval. The completed form must be received by the Registrar’s Office prior to the end of the drop/add period to enroll the student.

Applicants to internships must have completed at least 54 credits with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA. Departments may set higher standards.

Supervision, evaluation and grading of a field experience are the responsibilities of faculty members in the department offering the program. A student may be removed from the program if, in the judgment of the faculty supervisor, it is in the best interests of the student, agency and/or university. Grades are based on written evaluations from both the faculty supervisor and the agency supervisor.

From 3-15 credits in field experience may be earned and applied toward graduation requirements. The number of credits that may apply toward the major will be determined by each department. A minimum of 45 clock hours in the field is required for each credit hour granted.

Typically, students may not be compensated except for minimal amounts to cover such expenses as travel.

Placement

First-Year Writing – If a student does not have credit for first-year writing at the time of admission to the university, they will be placed in one of the three first-year writing courses (ENGL 101, ENGL 101E or ENGL 102) that fulfill the Core Writing Requirement based on their SAT Verbal score (if a score is submitted) and in-house placement essay.

Note: A student’s highest score earned in either SAT or placement essay determines placement.

Placement into ENGL 101: Students with a SAT Verbal score between 550-639 and/or a placement essay score of 3 will be placed into ENGL 101.

Placement into ENGL 101E/ENGL 144: Students with a SAT Verbal score below 550 and a placement essay score of 2 will be placed into ENGL 101E and the corequisite course ENGL 144 Academic Strategies.

Placement into ENGL 102: ENGL 101 or transfer equivalent; or First-Year Writing Placement essay score of 4 or SAT Verbal score of 640 or higher

• Students with a SAT Verbal score of 640 or above will be automatically placed in ENGL 102 and are not required to write a placement essay.
• Students, regardless of SAT Verbal score, with a placement essay score of 4 will be advised to enroll in ENGL 102.
• Students with an ENGL 102 placement can elect to take ENGL 101 first.

First Year Mathematics – At the time of admission to the university, if a student does not yet have credit for a college-level mathematics course(s) meeting the Core Foundations of Mathematical Reasoning requirement as well as any math course(s) that may be required by their chosen program of study, they will be placed into an appropriate course based on their scores on SAT Mathematics (if a score is submitted), math placement exams, and where appropriate, their high school transcripts. All incoming first-year students are expected to complete math placement testing at BSU.

A student’s highest score earned in either SAT or math placement exams is used to inform placement. Recognized placement exams include College Board’s Accuplacer, and the Bridgewater Essential Algebra Readiness (BEAR) exam. Students may attempt placement exams up to three times in separate testing sessions. Review materials are available via Testing Services.

Students who graduated high school within the previous three (3) years may be placed into selected college-level math courses listed below via their overall high-school grade point average, as recalculated by the office of Admission.

Several pathways of mathematics courses are offered to suit the needs of various programs of study, with various criteria for placement. Consult the catalog to determine which pathway is appropriate for each program; students with multiple programs may be required to complete courses from multiple pathways.

• Calculus pathways, including courses required by programs in the Ricciardi College of Business and Bartlett College of Science and Mathematics:
  • Placement into MATH 161/161E: BEAR score of 300 or higher; or SAT Mathematics score of 670 or higher; or Accuplacer QAS score of 268 or higher and Accuplacer AAF score of 263 or higher.
  • Placement into other courses with calculus content (MATH 132 or MATH 141): BEAR score of 240 or higher; or SAT Mathematics score of 650 or higher; or Accuplacer QAS score of 268 or higher and Accuplacer AAF score of 263 or higher.
  • Placement into precalculus (MATH 140 or MATH 150): BEAR score of 180 or higher; or SAT Mathematics score of 590 or higher; or Accuplacer QAS score of 268 or higher and Accuplacer AAF score of 243 or higher.
  • Placement into college algebra (MATH 122): BEAR score of 8 or higher; or SAT Mathematics score of 570 or higher; or Accuplacer QAS score of 268 or higher.  Placement into college algebra with corequisite tutorial support (MATH 122E/122T): BEAR score of 6 or higher; or SAT mathematics score of 500-560; or Accuplacer QAS score of 252 or higher.
  • Placement into non-credit precalculus readiness (MATH 095): If none of the above criteria are met
• Education pathway, including courses required by many licensure programs in the College of Education and Health Sciences:
  • Placement into MATH 112: BEAR score of 7 or higher; or SAT Mathematics score of 530 or higher; or Accuplacer QAS score of 262 or higher.
  • Placement into non-credit math readiness (MATH 090): If the above criteria are not met.
• Statistics and liberal arts pathways, including courses required by selected programs in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences:
  • Placement into statistics (MATH 110): BEAR score of 8 or higher; or SAT Mathematics score of 570 or higher; or Accuplacer QAS score of 268 or higher.
  • Placement into statistics with corequisite tutorial support (MATH 110E/110T): High-school GPA of 3.0 or higher; or BEAR score of 7 or higher; or SAT Mathematics score 530 or higher; or Accuplacer QAS score 262 or higher.
  • Placement into non-credit math readiness (MATH 090): If the above criteria are not met.
• General mathematics pathway, including all programs not listed above:
  • Placement into MATH 105: BEAR score of 8 or higher; or SAT Mathematics score of 570 or higher; or Accuplacer QAS score of 268 or higher.
  • Placement into MATH 105 with corequisite tutorial support (MATH 105E/105T): High-school GPA of 3.0 or higher; or BEAR score of 7 or higher; or SAT Mathematics score 530 or higher; or Accuplacer QAS score 262 or higher.
  • Placement into non-credit math readiness (MATH 090): If the above criteria are not met.

Prerequisites

Students must have the necessary prerequisite for each course. Prerequisites, if any, are indicated with the individual course listing and are enforced at the time of registration. Prerequisite courses taken at institutions other than Bridgewater State University must be documented (transcript or grade report, and in some cases, course description) prior to registration.

Students who wish to enroll in a course without the prerequisite(s) must obtain a Prerequisite Override form prior to registering for the course. The form must be signed by the chairperson of the department through which the course is offered and, in some cases, the instructor of the course. Students seeking an override of professional education prerequisites for courses taught through the College of Education and Health Sciences must complete a Request for a Student to Take an Upper Level Professional Education Course Without Formal Program Admission form and obtain all required signatures.

Registration

Preregistration is held for returning, degree-seeking undergraduate, graduate and joint admission students in November for the spring semester and in April for the fall semester. During the advising period held two weeks prior to registration, undergraduate students are required to meet with their advisor(s) to review their progress toward degree completion, as well as to review course selections for the coming semester. The advisor then electronically approves the student for registration.

Preregistration is available online and in person. Students’ preregistration date is determined by their classification (senior, junior, sophomore, etc.) which is based on the total credits earned. An undergraduate non-degree student may register for courses the Friday prior to the start of the term. For more information about non-degree status, see the Admission – Undergraduate  section of this catalog. Students will not be allowed to register for courses until all financial debts to the university are paid and health records are up to date.

Prior to each registration period, course listings, specific registration dates and registration instructions as well as up-to-date information concerning course openings and prerequisites are available online through InfoBear under QuickLinks at the Bridgewater State University website.

Withdrawal From Courses Following the Drop/Add Period

Withdrawal from individual courses by the published deadline

Students may withdraw from courses following the drop/add period if they submit a Course Withdrawal form to the Registrar’s Office by the appropriate semester deadline date, which is posted on the Registrar’s Office website.

The Course Withdrawal Schedule is as follows:

• The withdrawal period for 15-week semester courses ends the last day of the thirteenth week of the semester.

• The withdrawal period for seven-week quarter courses ends the last day of the the sixth week of the quarter.

• The withdrawal period for five-week summer courses ends the last day of the fourth week of the session.

• The withdrawal period for 10-week summer courses ends the last day of the ninth week of the session.

• The withdrawal period for non-regular courses typically ends one weekday following the point when approximately 70 percent of the course has been completed. Students should consult the Registrar’s Office for exact deadlines for withdrawal from these courses.

Students who are taking a course online or off-campus or who are non-degree seeking must meet established deadlines and procedures.

Withdrawal from individual courses after the published deadline

When extraordinary circumstances arise after the published withdrawal date that prevent a student from continuing enrollment, a student may request a late withdrawal from a course. Such examples might include, but are not limited to, death of an immediate family member, extreme personal financial hardship, military deployment or training, or new information about the student’s academic progress.

In order to request a late withdrawal from a course, the student must contact the Academic Achievement Center and meet with an advisor who will conduct a short interview and will assist the student in completing the required late withdrawal forms. (A face to face meeting is not required.) Supporting documentation, including a detailed letter outlining the reasons for the request, should be attached. The student must present a compelling reason for this exception in the letter. The student will then present the forms to the office of the dean of the college that offers the course.

Late course withdrawals are not automatically approved. Any decision(s) reached by the dean(s) or associate dean(s) are considered final.

Late course withdrawal requests must be made within one academic year after the term of the student’s enrollment in the course.

Consequences of withdrawing from individual courses

• Course withdrawals will be indicated on the student’s transcript with a “W” and will not affect the calculation of the student’s grade point average.
• Course withdrawals are likely to extend a student’s time for degree completion.
• Course withdrawals are subject to the university’s refund schedule.
• Course withdrawals may affect eligibility for financial aid, health insurance, participation in extracurricular activities and on-campus housing.
• Approved withdrawals requested by a student are considered final and students will not be re-enrolled.

Transcripts

A transcript is a cumulative, permanent record of a student’s grades and degrees earned at Bridgewater State University. Students may request a copy of an official transcript online or from the Registrar’s Office. Current students can access their unofficial transcripts through InfoBear. See the Registrar’s Office website for details. 

Transfer of Credit After Admission

In order to receive credit for courses taken at other accredited institutions, degree-seeking undergraduate students must obtain approval in advance. Failure to obtain this approval could result in denial of the course credit.

Request forms are available on the Registrar’s Office website and in the Registrar’s Office. Requests for approval of a course from another institution should be accompanied by the course description from that institution’s catalog. Approval must be obtained prior to registering for the course at the other institution. It is the student’s responsibility to have official transcripts sent directly by the institution to the Registrar’s Office upon completion of the course.

NOTE: A minimum grade of “C-” is required to receive transfer credit. Students may transfer up to 90 credits to Bridgewater State University toward a baccalaureate degree; however, only 69 credits will be accepted from two-year institutions. Transfer courses do not factor into a student’s GPA.

Credit by Examination

The university encourages qualified students to meet certain graduation requirements through “Credit by Examination.” Currently, the university will award credit for successful completion of the College Level Examination Program’s (CLEP) general or subject area examinations. In addition, certain departments offer their own examinations for which credit can be awarded. Additional information can be obtained from the Office of Testing Services in the Academic Achievement Center, 508.531.1780.

See the Admission – Undergraduate  section of this catalog for further information concerning credit by examination. 

VALOR Act Academic Credit Evaluation Policy

Consistent with the Massachusetts VALOR Act, the university accepts military course work credit listed on the Joint Services transcript as recommended by the ACE Guide to the Evaluation of Education Experiences in the Armed Services. For more information, see the Admission – Undergraduate  section of this catalog.

Full Semester Withdrawals, Undergraduate

If a student decides after the drop period has ended that they are unable to finish all of their courses, they have the option of withdrawing from all courses. This is defined as a “full semester withdrawal” regardless of whether the student plans to return to BSU in the semester immediately following or not at all.

There are two ways in which a student may initiate a withdrawal from the semester: voluntary withdrawal and medical withdrawal. In addition, the university may withdraw students through an involuntary withdrawal process. Depending on the manner in which a student is withdrawn, the student will be required to follow certain steps to return to the university.

Voluntary Full Semester Withdrawal, Before or After the Deadline

Any undergraduate student considering a full semester withdrawal before or after the published deadline must meet with an advisor in the Academic Achievement Center to identify any alternatives to withdrawal, discuss the possible implications of withdrawing, review the process for returning and prepare the necessary withdrawal paperwork. (A face to face meeting is not required.) This important consultation will include careful consideration of the many possible implications of withdrawing, including but not limited to, the completion of current course work, graduation requirements, financial aid, account balances, student employment, on-campus housing, health insurance, pending disciplinary matters, immigration status and/or participation in extracurricular activities. Following this discussion, the student may be directed to follow-up with other offices to discuss the potential impact of their withdrawal.

If a student leaves the university without processing an official withdrawal, failing grades may be recorded in all courses.

Full semester withdrawals requested before the published deadline are reviewed and approved by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies. Once completed, paperwork regarding the withdrawal will be submitted to the Registrar’s Office for processing.

Late full semester withdrawal requests are reviewed by the Assistant Administrative Dean of Undergraduate Studies.

Since the request may result in a change to a student’s transcript, late semester withdrawal requests are held to a higher level of scrutiny than withdrawal requests submitted by the deadline. Students must demonstrate that they: a) attempted to withdraw by the deadline and were not able to be successful in that attempt; or b) that circumstances arose after the withdrawal deadline that support their need for a late withdrawal from the semester.

Appeals for late semester withdrawals must be submitted within one academic year from the term of enrollment. Requests submitted after the one academic year deadline will not be considered.

Once a decision about a semester withdrawal, whether on time or late, has been made, the student will be notified in writing about the decision and any conditions placed on their return. If the request is denied, the student may appeal that decision in writing to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies who will review the request for appeal. Once a decision has been reached, the outcome will be communicated in writing to the student. All decisions reached by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies are considered final.

Full semester withdrawals, whether on time or late, adhere to the University Refund Policy.

Voluntary Medical Withdrawal

The university understands that students may experience physical or psychological situations that may significantly impair their ability to function successfully or safely in their role as students. In those situations, students may request a medical withdrawal. The goal of a medical withdrawal is to ensure that students return to the university with an increased opportunity for success.

Unless the student can demonstrate that the ability to complete selected courses was not affected by the medical condition, medical withdrawals apply to all courses taken in the given semester.

The university uses an individualized process that allows students to request a medical withdrawal so that they can receive treatment, return to the university and successfully achieve their academic goals. Any conditions placed upon the student at the time of the medical withdrawal may be incorporated into a written agreement with the student and may result in a hold being placed on the student’s account.

It is important to note that a medical withdrawal does not exempt the student from their financial obligation to the university and does not guarantee a refund or partial refund. The student may still be responsible for any outstanding fees, fines or costs. In extraordinary circumstances, the university may, in its sole discretion, provide a refund.

Additionally, the student may be responsible for repayment of financial aid if mandated by the federal government. If a student has received financial aid and withdraws before completing 60% of the semester (for extraordinary reasons or not), the U.S. Department of Education requires the university to perform a Return of Title IV calculation to determine what financial aid must be returned to the federal government.

Medical withdrawals may have the following benefits:

• For students who are currently enrolled in the BSU Health Insurance Plan, it is possible to seek permission to stay on that plan until the end of that premium period.
• For students who have purchased tuition reimbursement insurance, a medical withdrawal generally qualifies a student for benefits under tuition insurance plans they may carry. However, please refer to your policy for clarification.
• For international students, a medical withdrawal may provide a way to remain in the United States in compliance with applicable immigration regulations. Additionally, international students who are currently enrolled in the BSU Health Insurance Plan may request that the university allow them to stay on the plan until the end of the premium period. For further information, please consult with International Student and Scholar Services, (508) 531-6195, isss@bridgew.edu.
• Students may receive prioritized consideration for on campus housing upon reinstatement.

To request a medical withdrawal before or after the published withdrawal deadline, the student should contact the Academic Achievement Center and follow the process for a semester withdrawal as outlined above. Medical documentation to support the request is required. An Academic Affairs designee will maintain all medical documentation related to withdrawal determinations but may share such documentation with others within the university with whom the office consults, on a need-to-know basis and consistent with applicable privacy laws.

Once the request is complete, the Academic Affairs designee will evaluate the request and any re-enrollment plans in consultation with other appropriate university personnel. Depending on the circumstances, an individualized risk assessment may be conducted as part of the consultative process. Generally, the Dean of Undergraduate Studies will review requests for medical withdrawals before the withdrawal deadline and the Assistant Administrative Dean of Undergraduate Studies will review requests after the deadline.

After a determination has been made regarding whether or not the request qualifies for a medical withdrawal, and if applicable, for subsequent reinstatement subject to certain conditions, the student will be notified in writing of the decision. 

If the request for a late medical withdrawal is denied, the student may appeal that decision in writing to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies who will review the request for appeal. Once a decision has been reached, the outcome will be communicated in writing to the student. All decisions reached by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies are considered final.

Interim Involuntary Withdrawal and Involuntary Withdrawal

In situations in which a student presents a significant risk of harm to the safety, health or well-being of any person or the campus community or where the ability of the university to carry out its essential operations is seriously threatened or impaired (collectively referred to as a “serious risk of harm”), the university may require the student to withdraw in accordance with the following procedures.

This policy does not take the place of disciplinary action and sanctions associated with a student’s behavior that is in violation of any law or university rule, code or policy, including, but not limited to, the Student Code of Conduct or the policies set forth in the Equal Opportunity, Diversity and Affirmative Action Plan, or the Academic Integrity Policy. Such processes may run concurrently.

An Involuntary Withdrawal is meant to be used in cases where students experience needs that exceed the university’s services or resources. In such circumstances, the student will be advised to consider a voluntary withdrawal. If the student declines to voluntarily withdraw from the university, the university may involuntarily withdraw the student in situations where: (1) the student is unable or unwilling to carry out substantial self-care obligations; (2) the student has health needs requiring a level of care that exceeds what the university can appropriately provide; (3) the student presents a substantial risk of seriously affecting the health or well-being of any student or other member of the university community; (4) the student causes a substantial disruption to the university community.

Upon learning of credible evidence, including observed or recorded behavior, that a student may pose a serious risk of harm, the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students or designee may initiate the following procedures:

Interim Involuntary Withdrawal

In circumstances where a student’s behavior may pose an imminent serious risk of harm, the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students or designee may immediately implement an interim involuntary withdrawal or other measures. Under such circumstances, the student will receive notice of the interim involuntary withdrawal and will have an initial opportunity to respond to the evidence; however, the student’s right to more fully respond to the evidence and provide additional information will be delayed until it has been determined that there is no imminent serious risk of harm, in accordance with the process outlined below.

Involuntary Withdrawal Process

In instances where an Interim Involuntary Withdrawal was not initiated, the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students or designee will notify the student that an involuntary withdrawal is under consideration and provide the student with a copy of this policy and a description of the reasons involuntary withdrawal is under consideration and the implications of an involuntary withdrawal. Whenever appropriate, the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students or designee will discuss with the student the opportunity to take a voluntary withdrawal from the university or agree to other measures that could mitigate the serious risk of harm. 

The Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students or designee will consult as appropriate and feasible in the circumstances with appropriate university personnel and others regarding whether the student poses a serious risk of harm.

The Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students or designee may require an evaluation of the student’s behavior and any relevant physical/mental conditions by an appropriate provider designated by the university if the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students or designee believes that an evaluation will facilitate an informed decision. A student who fails or refuses to undertake a requested evaluation may not be permitted to return to the university as determined at the discretion of the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students or designee. 

The student will be offered a reasonable opportunity to address the evidence and to provide additional information relevant to the university’s evaluation, including information from student’s treatment provider(s).

Following a review of the best available relevant information, including available current medical information, and these consultations, the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students or designee will determine whether to impose an involuntary withdrawal.

1. If an involuntary withdrawal is imposed, the university will give the student written notice of the decision, including the beginning date and notification of any conditions that must be satisfied in order to return to the university. The student must leave campus (or the applicable university program or activity) within the time frame established in the written notice. In accordance with applicable law, the university may notify a parent, guardian or other person, if notification is deemed appropriate. During the duration of the involuntary withdrawal, the student may visit the university’s owned or leased property only with the prior written authorization from the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students or designee. Conditions for return following an involuntary withdrawal will be determined by the university on an individualized basis and will be documented in the involuntary withdrawal notification. For examples of the types of conditions that may be imposed, please refer to the section on Reinstatement and Readmission.
2. If an Involuntary Withdrawal is not imposed, the university will provide written notice of that decision.

Interim Involuntary Withdrawals and Involuntary Withdrawals will adhere to the University Refund Policy.

Governing Principles for an Involuntary Withdrawal 

• Any withdrawal determinations should be based on an assessment of current, available medical documentation or advice about the student, and/or observable conduct that affects the health, safety or welfare of the campus community.
• Any assessments of risks should be individualized and conducted in a team environment.
• In the absence of an emergency or direct threat, voluntary withdrawal or restrictions shall be encouraged prior to any determination of involuntary withdrawal.
• Any imposed conditions, including re-enrollment conditions (if any), will be reasonable and individualized for a particular student’s situation.
• Any conduct code or other policies relevant to a withdrawal shall be applied equally to all similarly-situated students, i.e., without regard to known or perceived medical or mental health conditions.
• Students shall be provided notice of any withdrawal determinations and shall be afforded the opportunity to appeal such determinations.

Reinstatement and Readmission following a Medical, Late and/or Involuntary Withdrawal

Students wishing to be reinstated or readmitted following a medical, late or an involuntary withdrawal must satisfy all of the re-enrollment conditions established at the time of the withdrawal. If medical documentation was established as a condition for re-enrollment, the university will give significant weight to the opinion of the student’s treatment providers regarding the student’s readiness to return to the academic environment at the university, with or without accommodations. In extraordinary circumstances, the university may require the student to undergo an additional individualized assessment to make a determination regarding the student’s readiness for return. The university may also impose conditions on the student as part of their return, based on the particular student’s situation.

Additionally, in reviewing requests for return from a medical, late or involuntary withdrawal, the university looks for evidence that the issues that led to the request to withdraw have been addressed. Specifically, that the student has maintained stability and demonstrated follow through with treatment for a sufficient period of time to enable the student to be successful. Additionally, evidence of productive functioning (i.e. employment, volunteerism, etc.) is looked upon favorably.

A student may appeal any decision concerning reinstatement to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies or designee and the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students.

If a student is permitted to re-enroll following a withdrawal, the student is responsible for coordinating the return to the university community with the appropriate university offices. A student must also resolve any outstanding Code of Conduct issues with the Office of Community Standards and/or the Equal Opportunity Office prior to their return.

Consequences of semester withdrawals, whether voluntary or involuntary

• A “W” for withdrawal or “ME” for medical withdrawal will be placed on the student’s transcript for each course.
• Withdrawals will not affect the calculation of the student’s grade point average.
• Withdrawal determinations should proceed as quickly as possible to allow a student experiencing difficulties to receive the support they need. However, decisions about withdrawals will not be made unless the Academic Affairs designee has all of the required and requested information. 
• The date of withdrawal for tuition refund purposes is the last date of class attendance. Charges for other services provided by the university are incurred as they are used or as otherwise required by contract or policy. 
• Withdrawals may extend a student’s time for degree completion. 
• University withdrawals may affect eligibility for some sources of financial aid, health insurance, participation in extracurricular activities and on-campus housing. 
• A withdrawal is final. Once a mark of “W” or “ME” is entered on a student’s transcript, it will not be changed.

Requests for Withdrawals from Others

Due to the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), students must make requests to alter their registration. In extreme circumstances, a FERPA release form may be signed and someone other than the student may request a course or semester withdrawal. All withdrawals may be completed after the published deadline (as long as they are completed within an academic year) however, it is recommended that students delay future registration decisions until they are able to complete the requests themselves.

Withdrawals when Academic Integrity or Disciplinary Matters are Pending

Please note that if a student withdraws with pending academic integrity or disciplinary charges of any kind, the student will be subject to the provisions of the applicable university policy or procedure. The university reserves the right to initiate these procedures at any time, including after the student has chosen to withdraw and/or before the student is allowed to return to the university. Additionally, if a student is subsequently separated or expelled from the university, or a grade change is warranted, the student’s academic record will be updated to reflect that suspension, expulsion or any grade that might be assigned.

Accommodations for Students with Documented Disabilities in the Withdrawal Process

At any point in the withdrawal process, a student may seek input or discuss with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) the availability of a reasonable accommodation. A student with a disability who desires an accommodation must request an accommodation by following the procedure for requesting an accommodation through SAS. SAS will make a determination regarding the request and notify the appropriate parties. A student will not be considered to have a disability unless and until the student registers with SAS. Student Accessibility Services can be contacted via phone at (508.531.2194) or by email at SAS@bridgew.edu for further information. 

Reasonable accommodations will be provided as required by law. Reasonable accommodations depend upon the nature and degree of severity of the individual’s documented disability and the setting for which the accommodations are requested. The university is not required to grant a requested accommodation that is unreasonable, ineffective, an undue burden or substantially alters a university program, service or practice.

Designee

While this Policy identifies certain university officers, employees and others who have particular roles and duties, each such party and/or the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management or the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, may designate other officers or employees to perform such roles or duties set forth herein.