University Policy Handbook - Grand Canyon University

1 Effective 1/4/2016 Grand Canyon University University Policy Handbook Spring 2016 Spring 2016 University Policy Handbook 2 2016 Grand Canyon University . All Rights Reserved. University Policy Handbook Version Record Version Updated Changes Made 1 1/4/16 Initial Update to Spring 2016 2 1/15/16 Updated Programmatic Technology Requirements Updated Academic Calendar Updated About Grand Canyon University Updated Degrees Offered 3 1/25/16 Updated Programmatic Admission Requirements Updated University Appeals Procedure 4 2/16/16 Updated Degrees Offered Updated Accreditation Updated Grading System 5 2/22/16 Updated Accepted with Specifications Updated Master Admission Requirements 6 3/1/16

2 Added Doctoral Graduation Requirements Right to Ch ange Requirements The University reserves the right to make changes of any nature to the calendar, admission requirements, degree requirements, fees, regulations, course offerings, programs, or academic schedules whenever they are deemed necessary or desirable, including changes or modification of course content, class scheduling, offering patterns, canceling of scheduled classes, or other academic activities. The Grand Canyon University Policy Handbook does not establish a contractual relationship ; rather, it sets forth academic and other requirements that students must meet to be granted a degree and, in some circumstances, to continue to be enrolled at the institution.

3 While advisors and other Grand Canyon University personnel are available to guide students with respect to the requirements, students ultimately bear the responsibility of following the requirements. Students should view the Academic Catalog for college and program specific information. Notice of Non-Discrimin ation Grand Canyon University prohibits discrimination, including any form of harassment, by employees, faculty, students, contractors, or agents of the University and by anyone participating in a University sponsored activity against an individual based on race, color, national origin, gender, disability, or any other classification protected by applicable law in its programs or activities.

4 Title IX regulations require non-discrimination on the basis of sex or gender. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX discrimination or the application of Title IX harassment policies may be submitted to the Title IX coordinator and/or to the Office of Civil Rights for the United States Department of Education: Title IX Coordinator Dr. Jennifer Lech Senior Vice President and University Registrar 3300 W. Camelback Road Phoenix, AZ 85017 602-639-6389 Department of Education Office for Civil Rights Lyndon Baines Johnson, Department of Education building 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202-1100 Telephone: 800-421-3481 FAX: 202-453-6012; TDD: 800-877-8339 Spring 2016 University Policy Handbook 3 2016 Grand Canyon University .

5 All Rights Reserved. Table of Contents University Policy Handbook Version Record .. 2 Right to Change Requirements .. 2 Notice of Non-Discrimination .. 2 Table of Contents .. 3 Contact Information .. 6 General Contact Information .. 6 Student Contacts .. 6 Accreditation and Authorizations .. 8 Accreditation .. 8 State Authorizations .. 9 About Grand Canyon University .. 13 13 Mission Statement .. 13 Mission Based Student Learning Competencies .. 13 Historical Sketch .. 16 Board of Trustees .. 16 Corporate Board of Directors .. 17 Contributors.

6 17 University Seal .. 17 University Mascot and Colors .. 17 Statement of Principle .. 17 Academic Calendar .. 19 Traditional Campus Students .. 19 Nontraditional Campus Students (Online, Evening-Satellite, and Evening-Campus) .. 19 Holiday Schedule .. 19 Degrees Offered .. 20 Doctoral Programs .. 20 Professional Programs .. 20 Master Programs .. 20 Graduate Certificates of 21 Baccalaureate Programs .. 21 Admission Policies and Application Procedures .. 24 Overview .. 24 Baccalaureate Admission Requirements .. 24 Baccalaureate Programmatic Admission 25 Master Degree and Graduate Certificate Admission Requirements.

7 27 Master Degree and Graduate Certificate Programmatic Admission 27 Doctoral Admission Requirements .. 29 Doctoral Programmatic Admission Requirements .. 29 Non-Degree Program Admission Requirements .. 29 General Application Procedures .. 30 Admission Statuses .. 30 International Student Admission .. 31 General Academic Regulations .. 34 Official Student Communication .. 34 Official Name Change .. 34 Preferred First Name .. 34 Academic Calendar .. 34 Classification of Students and Courses .. 34 Program of Study, Course Availability, and Cancellation.

8 35 Registration Policy .. 36 Class Presence .. 36 Class Participation .. 37 Grade Point Average (GPA) Progression .. 38 Baccalaureate Programmatic Progression Requirements .. 39 Master Programmatic Progression Requirements .. 53 Doctoral Programmatic Progression Requirements .. 63 Spring 2016 University Policy Handbook 4 2016 Grand Canyon University . All Rights Reserved. Non-Degree Programmatic Progression Requirements .. 64 Code of Conduct and Academic Standards .. 64 Gender-Based and Sexual Misconduct Policy and Grievance Procedures.

9 67 University Appeal Procedures .. 73 Textbooks .. 75 Grading 75 Academic Honors .. 77 Special Study 77 Official Enrollment Status Change and Withdrawal .. 78 University Official 79 Student Records .. 80 Student Access .. 80 Student Driver Waiver .. 83 University Technology Requirements .. 83 Programmatic Technology Requirements .. 84 Intellectual Property Rights .. 89 Financial Services .. 92 Payment Policy .. 92 Course Tuition Refund .. 93 Institutional Aid (GCU Scholarships and GCU Grants) .. 96 Tuition and 98 Federal Financial Aid.

10 105 Federal Funding Sources .. 108 Federal Loan Programs .. 108 Annual and Aggregate Loan Limits .. 109 State Grants for Arizona Residents .. 109 Student Employment .. 110 Evaluation of Transfer Credit .. 112 General Policies .. 112 Baccalaureate Transfer Policies .. 112 Master Degree Transfer Policies .. 112 Doctoral Degree Transfer Policies .. 112 Foreign Evaluation of Transfer Credits .. 113 Transferring from GCU to another Institution .. 113 Transfer Credit Application .. 113 Alternative Transfer Credit Options .. 113 Graduation Requirements.