Academic Policies & Procedures

Crete Campus Academic Policy

Lincoln, Omaha, and Online Academic Policy

University Academic Policy

Classification of Students

Students are classified according to the number of credits they have earned. Student must successfully complete the minimum credits detailed below:

Sophomore - 30 credits
Junior - 60 credits
Senior - 90 credits

Credit Hours

Doane University follows the federal guideline defining a credit hour as one hour (50 minutes) of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks (one semester), or the equivalent amount of work over a different time period (e.g., an 8-week term). This definition applies to courses regardless of delivery format, and thus includes in-person, online, and hybrid courses (combination of in-person and online). It also applies to internship, laboratory, performance, practicum, research, student teaching, and studio courses, among other contexts.

In music, students who are taking applied music lessons will receive 1 credit for a half-hour of one-to-one instruction per week, with a minimum of three hours of outside practice time per week. One credit in ensemble will be defined as a minimum of 2 hours (100 minutes) of rehearsal per week plus 1 hour of outside practice time per week.

To ensure that courses and activities satisfy the time commitment (or equivalent) defined above, and pursue the learning outcomes described for each course/activity, proposed curriculum changes are reviewed by the Academic Affairs Committee (which is comprised of appropriate representatives from across the university). If approved by the committee, the changes are then forwarded to the full faculty for its approval or disapproval. Approved changes are then included in the university course catalog the following academic year.

Instructional Methods

Doane University offers courses in several different instructional methods to serve the non-traditional learner. Online courses are defined as a course where 75% or more of the instruction is done using technology–in an eight-week term, six or more weeks are outside of a classroom; in a sixteen-week semester, twelve or more weeks are outside the classroom. Hybrid or blended courses are courses where 50-74% of the course is instructed using technology–in an eight-week term, the course meets 3 to 4 times in a classroom; in a sixteen-week semester, the course meets 8-12 times in a classroom. Ground courses are in a classroom for all eight weeks of a term and sixteen weeks of a semester.

Definition of Academic Offerings

Major:

A major at Doane requires 30 or more credits. Courses can be from multiple prefixes and includes cognates. 

Cognates:

A group of courses within the major that don’t have the primary prefix of the major.

Emphasis:

An emphasis is a sub-component of a major, that can not stand alone. Student can not declare or be awarded an emphasis without the corresponding major. The number of credit hours is not defined.

Minor:

A minor at Doane is a smaller version of a major that is general in nature and ranges from 18-24 credits.

Endorsement: 

An endorsement is similar to a minor, but only for Education students. An endorsement represents a certification the state of Nebraska offers to teachers.

Certificate:

A certificate is a group of courses in a narrow topic of interest. Certificates range from 10-24 credits. Courses within a certificate should not have any prerequisites that would require the students to take more courses. Financial aid is not available for students pursuing a certificate unless it’s deemed eligible under Gainful Employment. At the completion of a certificate program, a student will have a notation added to their transcript, a certificate of completion will be provided. Students are not eligible to participate in graduation ceremonies. 

Enrollment Policy

Cross Enrollment

In rare instances, a student is permitted to cross-enroll between the Crete campus and the Lincoln and Online programs. Permission to do so is required from the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs. A cross-enrolled student must pay all costs, including tuition, associated with enrollment at a campus different from his/her main campus. Students may cross-enroll during the summer without special permission. Directed Study and Internship courses can be offered only from a student’s home campus.

Transfer Policy between Campuses

A student who attends either the Crete campus or the Lincoln or Online campuses may request a transfer to another campus. Students must contact the Registrar’s Office to initiate the transfer as a different location code, major, and academic advisor may need to be assigned. Other campus specific offerings such as scholarships, athletic participation, housing requirements, or Greek life should be considered when deciding to transfer. Students using Financial Aid should inquire about the financial impact of a campus change and timing in the academic year. Students must be in good standing with the Business Office.

Veteran Enrollment

Doane adhere’s to the Veteran Affairs (VA) Principles of Excellence Program guidelines.  Doane’s regional accrediting body, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) reviews and approves all new degrees and majors, as well as changes that modify at least 25% of the degree. Doane submits a course schedule to the Nebraska Department of Education every term for approval. Details for programs/majors with specialized accreditation can be found on the Doane web page under Disclosures.

Students enroll themselves in courses each term through WebAdvisor.  Students are not automatically registered in courses and/or programs.  Upon the students registration, Doane submits enrollment verification twice each term, once before and once after census day, to the Veterans’ administration. After this submission, benefits can be received. Any change in enrollment (dropping or adding hours) must be reported to the VA. It is the student’s responsibility to notify Doane’s School Certifying Official of any change in enrollment.

Doane’s Director of Veteran/Military Student Services, Sarah McNeel, is the veteran/military student point of contact for student who need additional assistance.  Doane offers all students, including veteran/military students, assistance with Academic Counseling, Financial Counseling, and Disability Counseling upon request.

Attendance and Participation Policy

Students are expected to regularly attend and participate in their classes. Instructor expectations for attendance and participation will be made available to the students in writing via the course syllabus. Extenuating circumstances will be dealt with on an individual basis. Lack of attendance and/or participation in a class jeopardizes a student’s understanding of the course and may result in a reduction of grade as stated in the course syllabus. Each student is responsible for all work missed, regardless of the reason for the absence. There are no automatic excuses for missed participation, nor is there an automatic extension of due date for assigned work. If possible, a student is expected to contact instructors before a planned absence and promptly after an unplanned absence.

Participation may be defined as any of the following activities: 

• Physically attending a class (for an onground course)
• Submitting an academic assignment or taking an exam or quiz
• Completing an interactive tutorial or computer-assisted instruction
• Attending a study group or academic support session that is required by the instructor
• Participating in an online discussion about academic matters
• Initiating contact with a faculty member to ask a question about the academic subject studied in the course

NOTE:  Official attendance/participation does not include simply logging into a course on the learning management system.

It is university policy that valid absences are only those due to illness or for university-sponsored trips or activities. However, absences from class due to extraordinary circumstances affecting students, either directly or indirectly, such as a death in the family, business travel, or a health emergency, may also be considered. Absence due to university-sponsored trips or activities should be reported by the student to each individual instructor prior to the absence in order to make arrangements for making up work and assignments missed. A list of students participating in all Crete-campus university-sponsored trips or activities is filed in the Office of Academic Affairs. Absences due to valid extraordinary circumstances require a student to communicate with their instructor as soon as possible for making up work and assignments missed.

At the discretion of the instructor, all synchronous classes should begin and end on time. However, if the instructor is detained, students should wait at least 10 minutes before disbanding. Each instructor determines his or her own treatment of any student tardiness to class.

Individuals not properly registered for a course should not be permitted to attend the course and their name should be reported immediately to the Office of the Registrar. Exceptions to the attendance policy include college-approved guests, such as prospective students who are officially scheduled through the admissions/enrollment offices, college employees approved in advance by the instructor, department chair or dean, and campus safety. These guests should be limited to attending at most one or two class meetings. Visits exceeding this amount require registration and tuition payment.

Grades

Evaluation of Academic Work

Letter grades are used to evaluate a student’s performance in class work. These letter grades become part of the student’s permanent record. The grade of “A” is reserved for superior performance in all course requirements. The grade of “B” is awarded for work of high quality. The grade of “C” recognizes satisfactory achievement in meeting course expectations. The grade of “D” designates unsatisfactory performance in meeting course requirements. The grade of “F” represents failure to meet course requirements. Other grades include I - Incomplete; P - Passed; AU - Audit; IP - In Progress (Passing); and W - Withdraw.

Calculating the Grade Point Average

Grade point averages are computed by dividing the total grade points earned by the total number of GPA credits. AU, I, W, and P grades are not included in the calculation. Doane’s GPA is rounded up to the second decimal point.

Grade Point System

Grade points are assigned to the respective grades as follows:

Grade / Grade Points per Credit

Audit

A student wishing to attend classes regularly without the responsibility of completing assignments and without receiving credit towards graduation may do so with the approval of the Registrar and the instructor. One-half the regular tuition rate is charged for an audited course. For Crete campus students, if the course the student wishes to audit puts the student into a credit overload, students will pay one-half the overload tuition rate. Auditing needs to be indicated at registration. A grade of AU will appear on the transcript.

Grade Changes

After final grade reports are released at the end of a term, the student has up to 10 days to report a computational error to the faculty member. After 10 days have elapsed, the grade report will be considered correct and complete. An instructor is not permitted to reconsider the matter, or to re-examine the student, or to accept additional work from the student after the grades are submitted.

Grade Reports

Reports are not mailed. Grades are issued to students over the web via WebAdvisor.

Incomplete Grades

An Incomplete (I) may be given if a student is not able to complete the work required for a course by the last day of the course due to sickness or other extenuating circumstance that the student has discussed with the instructor. When awarding an incomplete, the instructor will assign an expiration date NO LATER THAN the last day of the next term. If the expiration date passes without a grade change from the instructor, the incomplete grade will automatically convert to an “F”. This is a final grade and will not be changed per the grade change policy.

In order to receive an incomplete (I), a student must have completed at least 75% of the coursework required for the course. If a student wishes to receive an incomplete for a course, the student will obtain a form from the registrar that will allow the instructor and the student to detail the coursework required to remove the incomplete. The student must complete the form, obtain the signature of the instructor on the form, and return it to the Registrar’s office.

For courses such as practicums, senior seminars, or internships intended to last longer than a single term, instructors will submit a grade of “In Progress” (IP) at the end of the first term.  The “In Progress” (IP) grade is used only in courses that extend beyond the normal ending date of a term and indicates that the student is currently passing the course. This grade must be replaced with an appropriate letter grade assigned by the instructor.

Pass/Fail Grading Options

A number of courses at Doane are offered only on a Pass/Fail basis. Such courses include internships, activities, and media practica. Instructors report only “P” (Pass) or “F” (Fail) grades for these particular courses. The grade of “P” earns credit, but this credit is not computed in the grade point average. A grade of “F” is figured into the grade point average.

A student who is a junior or senior may enroll in one course per term using the Pass/Fail option. This option allows an instructor to assign either a “P” or “F” grade in the course, instead of a letter grade. The following stipulations apply

1. Only one course per term may be taken on a pass/fail basis. (This does not include courses normally graded on a pass/fail basis.)
2. A student must not enroll in an internship of four credits or more in the same term he/she has declared a Pass/Fail option course.
3. A maximum of two Doane Core courses may be taken using the Pass/Fail option. A student who transfers in two or more courses for the Doane Core is not eligible to use the Pass/Fail option for any additional Doane Core courses.
4. A Pass/Fail option course may be taken in, but not counted toward, the student’s major, minor, or endorsement. Exception: A Doane Core course which is taken using the Pass/Fail option may count toward the major or minor if the course was taken before the major or minor was declared.
5. A student must sign up for the Pass/Fail option in the Registrar’s Office by the end of the fourth full week of the semester or second week of an eight week term. Once a course is designated as Pass/Fail, it cannot be changed back to a letter grade.
6. A grade of “P” will have no effect on the student’s cumulative grade point average. A grade of “F” will be figured into the student’s cumulative grade point average. (In order to receive a grade of “P”, a student must earn a grade of “C-” or above in the course.)
7. Credits taken using the Pass/Fail option do not count toward GPA credits required for academic honors.
8. Credits taken using the Pass/Fail option may not be accepted by graduate or professional schools.

Repeating a Course

Courses in which a grade of F, D-, D or D+ has been received may be repeated, and generally such courses may be repeated only once.

The cumulative grade point average and the grade point average in the major are computed using only the credits and grade earned in the most recently completed course. Course credits can be counted only once toward the required hours for graduation.

A student may enroll at another college in a course that is a repeat of a course taken at Doane in which the grade earned was below a C-. The course must be taken for a grade and the grade earned must be at least a C-. The cumulative grade point average is then computed without the original grade in the calculation.

Senior Grades

Final grades for seniors who are completing graduation requirements in December or May are processed before Commencement. Once processed, these grades are considered correct and complete.

Withdrawal Policy

If a student drops a course prior to census day, the course will not appear on the student’s transcript. If the student withdraws after census day the transcript will indicate “W” (withdrawal) for that course. Student in semester courses can withdrawal through week 10.  Students in eight week term courses can withdrawal through meeting/week 4.  After the withdrawal deadline has passed and students can no longer withdrawal, the transcript will indicate “F” (failed) for that course. A “W” is not computed in the grade point average. The drop dates and withdrawal dates are on the University calendar.

A Crete campus student who discontinues his or her enrollment at Doane University before the close of a semester must contact the Student Leadership Office. A student who withdraws from Doane University by the specified last day on the university calendar (around November and April 15th) receives grades of “W” in the subjects for which he/she is registered at the time of withdrawal.  The Registrar keeps records of the dates of withdrawal, and along with the Student Leadership Office, notifies all offices and agencies concerned.

Administrative Withdrawal

Crete campus students are subject to administrative withdrawal from the university if they miss all courses for two consecutive academic weeks without an officially valid excuse.

Open Learning Academy (OLA) students are required to complete 75% of the course material in order to receive credit for the course. If a student falls more than two weeks behind, they cannot meet this requirement and will be administratively withdrawn (W) from the course. Withdrawing from a course occurs with the first four weeks. After the fourth week, students will receive an F grade.

Medical/Compassionate Withdrawal from Doane

A medical withdrawal is granted in rare instances where a student is faced with a serious and unexpected condition that completely precludes him/her from being able to function as a student and in which the regular university withdrawal process is not appropriate. A compassionate withdrawal may be granted when a student is faced with extenuating personal circumstances.

Extenuating circumstances include an accident, illness, injury, or incident that could not have been influenced, predicted, planned for, or prevented by the student or the institution and death or serious illness of an immediate family member.

The following are not considered extenuating circumstances:

• Medical condition or chronic illness known to the student at the time of enrollment (unless unforeseen symptoms or relapse occurs; this will be determined on a case-by-case basis).
• Initially enrolling in a course while knowingly employed full-time, or attempting to work one or more part-time jobs. This includes changes in work schedules that conflict with class schedules.
• Changing of major or transferring to another institution.
• Inability (for any reason) to pay your tuition bill or delays in financial aid notification.  

To request a medical/compassionate withdrawal:

• Crete campus students - contact the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs
• Lincoln and Online students - contact your academic advisor and complete the Late Drop/Withdraw Request Form. The form must be completed in full and must be accompanied by both a personal written statement and the supporting documentation. 

Crisis Withdrawal from Doane

A crisis withdrawal is granted in rare instances where a student or immediate family member is faced with a serious and unexpected condition precludes him/her from being able to function as a student and in which the regular university withdrawal process is not appropriate.  A crisis withdrawal may be granted because of force majeure causes beyond Doane’s reasonable control and occurring without its fault or negligence including, but not limited to, acts of god, fire, war, governmental action, terrorism, epidemic, pandemic, weather, national emergencies, or other threats to the safety of students or staff.  A crisis withdrawal applies to all courses taken during a term unless specific explanation is provided that describes how the crisis reason for the withdrawal affected only specific course(s).

The following are not considered crisis circumstances:

• Crisis condition known to the student at the time of enrollment (unless unforeseen symptoms or relapse occurs; this will be determined on a case-by-case basis).
• Work schedules that conflict with class schedules (not including loss of employment).
• Changing of major or transferring to another institution.
• Change to alternate means of instruction, including, but not limited to, distance or remote learning.
• Inability (for any reason) to pay your tuition bill or delays in financial aid notification.  

To request a crisis withdrawal:

• Crete campus students - contact the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs
• Lincoln and Online students - contact your academic advisor and complete the Late Drop/Withdraw Request (LDWR) Form.  The form must be completed in full and must be accompanied by both a personal written statement and the supporting documentation. 

After a review of all of the documentation, the LDWR committee will make a decision on the withdrawal in the current semester. Crisis withdrawals will only be granted in a current semester and will not be approved retroactively. The committee will notify the student via email. Courses that are withdrawn will be noted as W on the student’s transcript; courses that are dropped will not appear on the transcript.

NOTE: There may be financial implications in getting a crisis withdrawal.  Please contact Student Accounts, and/or Financial Aid Office before initiating your withdrawal paperwork.

Military Transfer/Activation Policy

In the event a student is called to active state or federal military duty during the term in which the student is currently enrolled at Doane, the following options are available to the student:

• Request complete withdrawal from courses in which enrolled. A full refund of tuition and fees will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
  • The student should be advised on the impact a complete withdrawal from all courses could have if they are using Educational benefits*.
• Remain enrolled in courses in order to complete coursework online of independent study by the end of the term. Students must discuss with and receive approval from all instructors to ensure this is possible.
• Remain enrolled in courses and work with faculty to be assigned Incomplete grades that will be completed within one year from the end of the term. At least 75% of coursework must be completed in order to be eligible for an Incomplete grade. Students must discuss with and receive approval from all instructors for this option.

Students are advised to provide a copy of their activation orders or letter from the commander outlining the required military duty to the Registrar’s Office or Veteran/Military Student Services.

Students who withdraw from Doane University to serve in any branch of the United States Armed Forces will be readmitted under the same standing as when they withdrew from Doane.

Department of Veterans Affairs Education Benefits:

If you are a student who uses Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits and you drop or withdraw from any or all classes, you may potentially incur a debt. 

Department of Defense Active Duty Military Tuition Assistance:

If you are a student who uses Department of Defense Active Duty Military Tuition Assistance and you drop or withdraw from any or all classes, you may potentially incur a debt. Please consult with your Educational Office.

Academic Probation and Suspension

A student not maintaining the minimum required cumulative grade point average based on credits attempted is subject to academic probation or suspension at the end of any semester/term, according to the following chart (Transfer credits are included in the number of credits attempted):

Credits Attempted / Academic Average

  6-35 / Below 1.70

  36-59 / Below 1.85

  60 or over / Below 2.00

The Academic Standing Committee may place a student on academic probation or suspend a student who is not making satisfactory academic progress and is in danger of failing to meet any all-university requirement, including the grade point average in the major. Specific conditions of probation or suspension are communicated in writing.

A student placed on academic probation has twelve credits to improve their GPA and return to good standing.  After the 12 credits, if the student’s GPA is still below the required minimum academic average for the credits they have attempted, they will be reviewed for suspension.  Any students who is suspended will not be readmitted to Doane University for at least one regular semester or two regular terms and must undertake an activity that illustrates a renewed commitment to learning before applying for readmission.  A student who is suspended may request a review of the facts of his/her case by the Dean, by the appeal deadline stated in the suspension letter. Crete campus students who wish to return after one semester, must apply for readmission through Academic Standing Committee. Crete Campus students who remain out of the university for an academic year or more must request readmission through the Admission Office.

Students may also be suspended or expelled based on the policies outlined in the student handbook which includes the Student Conduct Code.

Academic Forgiveness

The Academic Forgiveness Policy is designed for the student who experienced poor, often disastrous, academic results while previously attending Doane University and who can now demonstrate they are prepared to be academically successful in their college experience. A person is eligible to apply for academic forgiveness when at least five (5) years have elapsed since the concluding date of the candidate’s last term of enrollment at Doane University and the start date of their return. The candidate must

1. re-enter Doane University and successfully complete 12 credits with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5,
2. have an academic major declared, and
3. work in conjunction with your Academic Advisor to notify the Registrar’s Office in writing of the desire to pursue Academic Forgiveness.

Academic Forgiveness is applied to one semester (Crete campus) or two terms (Lincoln and Online) of Doane courses. No letter grades will be removed from the academic record. The period accepted for academic forgiveness will bear the notation “Academic Forgiveness Granted.” These courses will then no longer be considered in the grade point average computation. Any academic probation, suspension, or dismissals from forgiven term will not be forgiven. Any course for which academic forgiveness is given cannot be used to fulfill graduation requirements. A student who has been granted academic forgiveness must earn a minimum of 30 credit hours from the point of readmission to be eligible to graduate. Academic forgiveness may be granted only one time and is not revocable. Academic forgiveness only pertains to the student’s academic record and does not apply to other areas such as financial aid.

Grade Appeal Policy

A common academic issue sought by a student is the appeal of a course grade. A faculty member determines the character of a course which includes content, instructional practices, and assessment procedures. Instructors have the right to assign a course grade based on any method that is professionally acceptable, shared with all students, and applied equally. Each student has the right to a course grade based upon an unbiased evaluation of his/her performance and the specified grading procedure. A student has the right to ask for clarification of the basis for his/her grade. 

Valid reasons for initiating the grade appeal process include, but are not limited to

• a failure to follow published course, program, or University policies;
• a lack of consistency within the student’s course section; or
• a grade awarded that was motivated by ill will.

Students who believe that their grade was miscalculated due to a mathematical error should contact the instructor within ten (10) days of the grade posting.  

The following are NOT valid reasons for initiating the grade appeal process: (i) a disagreement with the application of course policies and/or grading standards, (ii) the requirements or examination standards of an academic program, (iii) concerns over professionally acceptable teaching approaches, (iv) differing personalities, and (v) differences in classroom policies or grading schemes in different courses or between different sections of the same course. 

The grade appeal process must be initiated no later than ten (10) days from the posting of the final course grade. A student is encouraged to talk with their advisor to offer an assessment of the concern and to clarify the steps of the appeal process.

Appeal Steps

STEP 1: A student is encouraged to pursue a good-faith attempt at informally resolving his or her concern about the course grade. The student will communicate with the involved faculty member to seek a resolution. If needed, the student can contact the Office of Academic Affairs (Crete campus) or the Campus director (Lincoln campus) for assistance in contacting a faculty member. A student may be requested to put their appeal in writing.  Within five (5) working days from the time the student raises the concern, the involved faculty member will evaluate the concern, render a decision, and notify the student.  As part of his/her evaluation, the faculty member may schedule a follow-up conversation with the student and may consult University faculty, staff, or administrators for clarification and/or guidance.  If the involved faculty member does not act on or resolve the concern to the reasonable satisfaction of the student, the student can initiate STEP 2 of the appeal process. 

STEP 2:  Within five (5) working days of the student being notified by the involved faculty member of his/her decision, the student writes an appeal letter specifying the following:

• course number and section,
• term/year in which the course was taught,
• name of the instructor for the course,
• a statement of facts as the student perceives them, citing specific instances where, in the student’s opinion, policies and procedures were violated or were unfairly applied,
• a summary of the outcome from STEP 1,
• the remedy sought by the student,
• a copy of the course syllabus, and
• the best method to communicate with the student (phone, e-mail, etc.).

The student submits their appeal letter to the Registrar’s Office.  The Registrar will provide the appeal to the relevant administrator (e.g., division chair, program director, Dean) for the course.  Within ten (10) working days from receipt of the letter, the relevant administrator will evaluate the concern, render a decision, and notify the student. As part of his/her evaluation, the relevant administrator may schedule a conversation with the student and may consult University faculty, staff, or administrators for clarification and/or guidance. If the relevant administrator does not act on or resolve the concern to the reasonable satisfaction of the student, within ten (10) days of being notified of the decision, the student can initiate STEP 3 of the appeal process. 

STEP 3: The student can appeal to the appropriate Dean. The Registrar’s Office can offer clarification on the appropriate Dean for the course. If the Dean was the relevant administrator in STEP 2, the student can initiate STEP 4. Within ten (10) working days of receipt of the letter, the Dean will evaluate the concern, render a decision, and notify the student. As part of his/her evaluation, the Dean may schedule a conversation with the student and may consult University faculty, staff, or administrators for clarification and/or guidance. If the Academic Dean does not act on or resolve the concern to the reasonable satisfaction of the student, within ten (10) days of being notified of the decision, the student can initiate STEP 4 of the appeal process. 

STEP 4:   The student can submit a written appeal to the Office of Academic Affairs. In an appeal, the student provides their prior appeal letter and addresses one or both of the following issues for appeal:

• new evidence that was not reviewed in prior steps and/or
• any evidence that the review process was improper or unfair.

An appeal letter that does not clearly identify one or both of the issues listed above shall be dismissed without further consideration. The Chief Academic Officer (CAO) will make an initial assessment of a valid appeal after reviewing the incident file provided by the Registrar’s Office and, if necessary, by communicating with relevant parties such as staff or administrators. For a valid appeal request, the Office of Academic Affairs will convene an Appeal Committee consisting of

• Chief Academic Officer (or designee), will serve as Chair,
• Dean (or administrative designee) for each of the colleges,
• Registrar, and
• Two full-time faculty members appointed by the Faculty Council who teach outside of the department of the student, have had minimal academic interaction with the student, and who have been at the Doane University at least one year.

The Registrar and the Dean from STEP 3 can participate in the discussions but will be non-voting members in determining a course of action. As part of the evaluation, the committee may schedule a conversation with the student and may consult other University faculty, staff, or administrators for guidance and/or clarification. A majority decision by the Appeal Committee is final and ends the appeal process for a grade appeal. The majority decision of the Appeal Committee will be shared with the Registrar’s Office, who will communicate it to the student.

Academic Dishonesty

Link to Academic Integrity video

SECTION I:  Expectations of the University

Fundamental to our mission, our core values, and our reputation, Doane University adheres to high academic standards. Students of Doane University are expected to conduct themselves in a manner reflecting personal and professional integrity. Disciplinary actions may be taken against students whose academic behavior is not congruent with the expectations of the University. Students are responsible for adhering to the standards detailed in this policy. Not being familiar with these standards does not mean that the students will not be accountable for adherence to them.

SECTION II:  Scope, Limitations, and Applicability

This policy is for academic integrity violations occurring in or because of academic coursework and activities associated with taking and completing courses at Doane University. The Doane University Student Handbook discusses policies and processes for non-academic offenses.

SECTION III:  Violations of Academic Integrity

In general, Doane University expects that a student will

• pursue their academic endeavors with honesty,
• acknowledge and adhere to the expectations and guidelines in the syllabus,
• follow instructions for assessments as specified by the faculty member, and
• ask faculty for clarification if there are any questions.

An academic integrity violation includes, but is not limited to

1. Falsification or Fabrication: Making any oral or written statement, which the individual knows, or should have known, to be untrue. Falsification is the alteration of information, while fabrication is the invention or counterfeiting of information. Examples include, but are not limited to

• making a false statement to faculty, University employees, or fellow students;
• submitting contrived or altered information in any academic exercise. Examples: making up data for an experiment, citing nonexistent articles, contriving reference sources;
• giving a false excuse for missing an examination, quiz, or assignment deadline; and
• falsely claiming to have submitted a paper or assignment.

2. Cheating: Using or attempting to use unauthorized assistance, material, device, or a study aid in an examination or other academic work, or preventing, or attempting to prevent, another from using authorized assistance, material, or study aids. Examples include, but are not limited to

• using an unauthorized aid, material, electronic resource (e.g., website), or electronic device (e.g., cell phone or tablet) for an examination, quiz, or assignment;
• copying from another student’s work;
• copying another student’s answers during individual quizzes or examinations;
• altering a graded exam and resubmitting it for a better grade without instructor authorization;
• buying, selling, possessing, soliciting, transmitting, or using material purported to be the unreleased content of any assignment, including examinations and quizzes;
• bribing or soliciting any person to obtain or to provide any information relating to examinations, quizzes, or other assignments outside of the bounds of the instructions for the assessment; and
• acting as a substitute for another person during an examination or other assessment.

3. Collusion and/or Complicity: Collaborating with one or more individuals without instructor approval, on any examination, quiz, computer or laboratory work, or any other assignment or assessment. Collusion includes exchanging or facilitating the exchange of materials or ideas verbally or non-verbally. Complicity includes helping or attempting to help another student to commit an act of academic dishonesty.

4. Plagiarism: Using the ideas, data, presentation, or language of another without specific or proper acknowledgment in academic work. Examples include, but are not limited to

• quoting word-for-word from a source without using quotation marks and appropriate citation;
• summarizing and paraphrasing ideas without acknowledging the source;
• submitting a paper that was not authored by the student taking the course (e.g., written by another person, paper obtained from a commercial source); and
• failing to verbally acknowledge one or more sources during an oral presentation.

5. Multiple Submissions:  Submitting, without prior permission, academic work that has been previously submitted in identical or similar form to fulfill another academic requirement without instructor authorization. Examples include, but are not limited to, submitting the same paper for credit in two different courses.

SECTION IV:  Reporting of Violations

Faculty are expected to follow the process for reporting academic integrity violations in order to maintain the expectations of the University. The philosophy for faculty to report all violations allows the University to maintain a record and documentation of all incidents in a student’s file. A faculty member may be unaware that a student has had a prior violation and that a new violation would require additional reviews and/or consequences. Students and faculty are prohibited from proposing and/or entering into an arrangement with an instructor to receive a grade of “F” or any other reduction in grade in a course or on an academic exercise in lieu of being charged with a violation of the academic integrity policy. Additionally, a student is not permitted to drop the course as a means to avoid being charged with a violation. Students are encouraged to report suspected or known violations of academic integrity to appropriate faculty, staff, or administrators.

SECTION V:  Consequences for an Academic Integrity Violation

Possible consequences for an academic integrity violation include, but are not limited to

Course-Level Consequences (one or more to be specified by the faculty member of the course):

• warning on academic integrity and what constitutes a violation
• requiring the student to redo the assignment or examination
• lowering the student’s grade for the assignment or examination
• assigning a zero or failing grade for the assignment or examination
• lowering the student’s grade for the course
• assigning the student a failing grade for the course
• referral to academic support office for assistance with academic needs
• referral to Academic Integrity Subcommittee for additional review

University-Level Consequences (to be specified by the Academic Integrity Committee or the Appeal Committee):

• suspension from a program or the University
• dismissal from a program or the University

SECTION VI:  Academic Integrity Process

NOTE: The specified timeline for actions and decisions can potentially be lengthened due to circumstances (e.g. school breaks, unavailability of individuals), though those involved should seek to resolve the issue in a timely manner, and communicate and agree upon any changes to the timeline as soon as possible.

STEP 1: Identification of Violation.

The faculty member identifies an alleged academic integrity violation.

STEP 2:  Reporting a Violation.

1. The faculty member contacts the student in a timely manner regarding the alleged violation to request a discussion with the student (in person or via technology). For purposes of this process, the day when the faculty member contacts the student is considered Day One. The discussion between the student and faculty should take place within five (5) business days of the faculty member identifying an alleged violation.
2. The student has two (2) business days to provide the faculty member with his or her own written summary detailing the incident, to provide any relevant documentation or evidence, and to describe any related circumstances. The student can submit this material using the following online form: http://bit.ly/DU-integrity-student. If the student chooses to not have a discussion with the faculty member and/or does not provide a written explanation, the faculty member should move forward with the process and note that the student did not participate.
3. The faculty member has up to three (3) business days to render a decision:

• A violation did not occur.  The process ends and no details are recorded or submitted.
• A violation did occur.  The faculty member is encouraged to consult with his or her relevant administrator for the course (e.g., Department Chair, Division Chair, Program Director, or Dean) to discuss the violation and proposed Course Level consequence(s). The faculty member must specify a consequence(s) and submit all relevant documentation and actions to the Registrar’s Office using an online form: http://bit.ly/DU-integrity.  As part of the submission form, a faculty member can indicate if the issue is egregious and should be forwarded to the Academic Integrity Subcommittee for additional review. The Registrar’s office will forward a copy of the completed Academic Integrity submission to the respective Dean of the course. 

4. The faculty member has one (1) business day to notify the student of his or her decision and the Course Level consequence(s), if applicable.

STEP 3: Documentation

1. If the student disagrees with the faculty member’s decision, within two (2) business days of being notified by the faculty member, the student must submit a disagreement letter to the Academic Integrity Subcommittee outlining his or her disagreement with the alleged violation and/or disagreement with the consequence(s). The student must provide the letter to the Registrar’s office (registraroffice@doane.edu) and address it to the Academic Integrity Subcommittee. The disagreement letter must include discussion of any evidence or additional circumstances.
2. The Registrar’s Office will review the Academic Integrity Violation submission. If it is the first violation for a student and the faculty member did not recommend that it be forwarded to the Academic Integrity Subcommittee, the Registrar’s Office will record the incident in the student’s file.
3. The Registrar will forward the incident to the faculty Academic Integrity Subcommittee if any of the following exists:

• The student has a prior academic integrity violation.
• The student submits a disagreement letter as to whether a violation occurred and/or disagrees with the consequence(s).
• The faculty member recommends that the violation be forwarded to the Academic Integrity subcommittee.

4. The Registrar’s Office will notify the student either that the violation has been recorded in his or her academic file or that it will be reviewed by the Academic Integrity Subcommittee.

STEP 4: Academic Integrity Subcommittee Deliberation

1. The Academic Integrity Subcommittee will deliberate regarding academic integrity violation cases that have been submitted to the committee for a decision. The subcommittee should contain at least one faculty member from the College in which the course was taught. The Academic Integrity Subcommittee will perform due diligence in reviewing a violation. As part of the review, the committee will review all relevant documentation and may consult with relevant involved parties such as students, faculty, staff, or administrators for information, guidance, and/or clarification. The committee will determine

• whether an academic integrity violation occurred and/or
• what type of academic integrity violation occurred.

2. After determination of a violation, the Academic Integrity Subcommittee will make a determination to support the proposed Course Level consequence(s) or determine different Course Level consequence(s) to ensure consistency across the University and/or impose a University Level consequence(s) for the violation, taking into consideration the decision of the faculty member and the prior history of the student.
3. The majority decision of the Academic Integrity Subcommittee will be shared with the Registrar’s Office. Within two (2) business days, the Registrar’s Office will communicate the decision to the student, the faculty member, and the respective Dean of the course.

STEP 5: Appeal Process

1. A student has the right to appeal the Academic Integrity Subcommittee decision. Within five (5) business days of being notified by the Registrar’s Office of the Academic Integrity Subcommittee decision, a student can submit a written appeal to the respective Dean of the course that must address one or both of the following issues for appeal:

• new evidence that was not reviewed by the Academic Integrity Subcommittee and/or
• any evidence that the review process was improper or unfair.

2. An appeal letter that does not clearly identify one or both of the issues listed above shall be dismissed without further consideration. The respective Dean of the course will make an initial assessment of a valid appeal after reviewing the incident file provided by the Registrar’s Office and, if necessary, by communicating with relevant parties such as staff or administrators.

• For a valid appeal request, within ten (10) days the respective Dean of the course will schedule a meeting of an Appeal Committee consisting of
  • Chief Academic Officer (or designee), who will serve as chair;
  • Dean (or administrative designee) of each of the colleges;
  • Two full-time faculty members appointed by the Faculty Council who teach outside of the department of the student, have had minimal academic interaction with the student, and who have been at the Doane University at least one year; and
  • Registrar (or designee).

The Registrar and respective Dean of the course can be participants in the discussions but will be non-voting members in determining a course of action. All members or their designees must participate for deliberation and decision.

3. The Appeal Committee will perform due diligence in reviewing an incident. As part of the due diligence, the Committee will review all relevant documentation and may consult with relevant involved parties such as students, faculty, Academic Integrity Subcommittee, staff, or administrators for information, guidance, and/or clarification. The Committee will review the prior decisions for consequence(s) by the faculty member and by the Academic Integrity Subcommittee, as well as review the history in the student’s file.
4. The Appeal Committee will make a determination to support the consequence(s) or determine different Course Level consequence(s) to ensure consistency across the University or impose a University Level consequence(s) for the violation.
5. A majority decision by the Appeal Committee is final and ends the appeal process for an academic integrity violation.
6. Within two (2) business days, the Registrar’s office will communicate the majority decision of the Appeal Committee to the student, the faculty member, and the Academic Integrity Subcommittee.

The policy is based off of similar academic integrity policies developed by Nebraska Methodist College and University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Academic Grievance

The grievance process for an academic concern provides an impartial review of an academic conflict or issue to ensure that the rights of a student are properly recognized and protected. No adverse action will be taken against a student who chooses to utilize this process.

This process is to be used for instances in which a student has an academic concern regarding a decision perceived to be arbitrary, capricious, or applied unequally and impacts the student’s academic progression.

Separate policies and processes are in place for the following: Grade Appeal Process, Violence & Unacceptable Behavior Policy, Sexual Assault and Rape Policy, Bias/Hate Incident Policy, Anti-Harassment Policy, and ADA Grievance Procedure.

Valid reasons for initiating the grievance process include, but are not limited to

• a failure to follow published course, program, or University policies;
• a lack of consistency within the student’s course section; or
• a decision that was motivated by ill will.

The following are NOT valid reasons for initiating the grievance process: (i) a disagreement with the application of course policies and/or grading standards, (ii) the requirements or examination standards of an academic program, (iii) issues regarding program accreditation requirements, (iv) concerns over professionally acceptable teaching approaches, (v) differing personalities, and (vi) differences in classroom policies or grading schemes in different courses or between different sections of the same course. The grievance process should not be initiated simply due to its impact on a student’s academic progress and standing, ability to receive or maintain a scholarship or monetary award, ability to maintain recognition of distinction, or eligibility for a club or organization.

The academic grievance process for an academic concern must be initiated no later than one (1) month from the occurrence of the concern. A student is encouraged to talk with their advisor or the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs to offer an assessment of the concern and to clarify the steps of the grievance process.

Grievance Steps

STEP 1: A student is encouraged to pursue a good-faith attempt at informally resolving the academic concern. The student will communicate the concern with the involved individual (e.g., faculty member, program director, or Dean) to find a solution. If needed, the student can contact the Office of Academic Affairs for assistance in contacting the involved individual.  A student may be requested to put their concern and request in writing. Within five (5) working days from the time the student raises the concern, the involved individual will evaluate the concern, render a decision or response, and notify the student. As part of his/her evaluation, the involved individual may schedule a follow-up conversation with the student and may consult University faculty, staff, or administrators for clarification and/or guidance. If the involved individual does not act on or resolve the concern to the reasonable satisfaction of the student, the student can initiate STEP 2 of the grievance process. 

STEP 2:  Within five (5) working days of the student being notified by the involved individual of his/her decision or response, the student writes a notification letter specifying the following:

• a statement of facts as the student perceives them, citing specific instances where, in the student opinion, policies and procedures were violated or were unfairly applied;
• a summary of the outcome from STEP 1;
• the remedy sought by the student; and
• the best method to communicate with the student (phone, e-mail, etc.).

The student is encouraged to seek guidance from an Appeal Advisor in regards to their concern and development of this letter. The Office of Academic Affairs can provide the name of an Appeal Advisor.

The student provides their notification letter to the relevant administrator of the involved individual (e.g., an issue regarding a faculty member would go to the respective department chair, program director, or dean). The Appeal Advisor or the Office of Academic Affairs can offer clarification on the appropriate administrator. Within ten (10) working days from receipt of the letter, the administrator will evaluate the concern, render a decision or response, and notify the student. As part of his/her evaluation, the administrator may schedule a conversation with the student and may consult University faculty, staff, or administrators for clarification and/or guidance. If the administrator does not act on or resolve the concern to the reasonable satisfaction of the student, within ten (10) days of being notified of the decision, the student can initiate STEP 3 of the grievance process. 

STEP 3: The student provides their notification letter to the appropriate Dean. A student can contact an Appeal Advisor or the Office of Academic Affairs for clarification on the appropriate Dean for the issue. If the Dean was the administrator in STEP 2, the student can initiate STEP 4. Within ten (10) working days of receipt of the letter, the Dean will evaluate the concern, render a decision or response, and notify the student. As part of his/her evaluation, the Dean may schedule a conversation with the student and may consult University faculty, staff, or administrators for clarification and/or guidance. If the Academic Dean does not act on or resolve the concern to the reasonable satisfaction of the student, within ten (10) days of being notified of the decision, the student can initiate STEP 4 of the grievance process. 

STEP 4: The student can submit a written appeal to the Office of Academic Affairs. In the appeal, the student provides their prior notification letter and also addresses one or both of the following issues for appeal:

• new evidence that was not reviewed in prior steps and/or
• any evidence that the review process was improper or unfair.

An appeal that does not clearly identify one or both of the issues listed above shall be dismissed without further consideration. The Chief Academic Officer will make an initial assessment of an appeal after reviewing the incident file and, if necessary, by communicating with relevant parties such as staff or administrators. For a valid appeal request, the Office of Academic Affairs will convene an Appeal Committee consisting of

• Chief Academic Officer (or designee), will serve as Chair,
• Dean (or administrative designee) of each of the colleges, and
• Two full-time faculty members appointed by the Faculty Council who teach outside of the department of the student, have had minimal academic interaction with the student, and who have been at Doane University at least one year.

The Dean from STEP 3 can participate in the discussions but will be a non-voting member in determining a course of action. As part of the evaluation, the committee may schedule a conversation with the student and may consult other University faculty, staff, or administrators for guidance and/or clarification. A majority decision by the ad-hoc committee is final and ends the appeal process for an academic grievance. Once a decision is rendered, the student will be notified.

Graduation

Graduation Honors

  Cum Laude  3.8 - 3.91

  Magna Cum Laude  3.92 - 3.97

  Summa Cum Laude 3.98 - 4.0

Degrees with honors are conferred upon those students who graduate with a 3.8 GPA or higher and have completed at least 70 graded credits. 

Award of Degree/Issuance of Diplomas

Degrees at Doane University are awarded and diplomas are issued three times a year-in May, August, and December. Graduation ceremonies take place in May and December.

Students who complete graduation requirements at the completion of the Autumn (October) or Winter II (March) term will have a comment stating that requirements for the degree have been met and that the degree will be awarded at the next ceremony. 

Diplomas only list the degree awarded (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science), not the majors earned. Students who double major do not receive two diplomas. Students who return to Doane to complete an additional major do not receive a second diploma.

Participation in Commencement

Commencement is held twice a year in May and December. A student who has not completed degree requirements by the end of the term may participate in the ceremony if he/she is lacking one 3-4 credit requirement (competency or course). Students who are short more than one requirement are not eligible to walk.

NOTE: Any anticipated graduate who takes a trip following Commencement may participate in the ceremony. However, all course work must be completed and the grade processed by the Registrar’s Office before the diploma and any graduation honor can be awarded.

Application for Graduation

Students need to apply for graduation through WebAdvisor. Potential graduates are emailed information approximately three months prior to their anticipated completion date.

Second Degree Policy

It is possible for a student to satisfy the requirements for more than one major program; however, the University will not grant two degrees for programs taken concurrently. The student must declare which degree will be posted on the transcript and diploma. A graduate who returns and completes a minimum of 30 credits beyond whatever number was accumulated for the first baccalaureate may qualify for a different Doane degree. (One can earn two majors that will be posted on the transcript, but cannot earn two B.A. degrees, for example.)

Transfer of Credit

A student who has been admitted to Doane University as a degree-seeking candidate may transfer credits to Doane for inclusion on the Doane transcript. Official transcripts must be sent directly to Doane from all universities/colleges attended. Hand-carried transcripts are not acceptable. Final determination of all transfer credit is made by the Registrar with the advice and consent of the instructors in the appropriate academic disciplines.

The following guidelines are used in the evaluation process:

1. Doane requires that the previous institution(s) be accredited by one of the regional accrediting associations: The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), New England, Middle States, Northwest, Southern, or Western. Credit from unaccredited institutions is not accepted. However, in some instances, credit from special purpose institutions (e.g., Bible Colleges accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education) is accepted.
2. Transfer credits are accepted for courses in which a student received a C- or above. These credits are not included in the Doane University grade point average calculations, but do count toward the total credits required for graduation. Courses taken pass/fail do not transfer.
3. A maximum of 90 semester credits completed at a four-year college or university can be accepted.
4. If a student has completed an Associate Degree, Diploma, or Professional Certificate at a two-year college, a maximum of 60 semester credits are accepted in transfer.
5. If a student did not complete a professional competency, (i.e., Associate Degree, Diploma, or Certificate), courses are evaluated individually. In this evaluation, a maximum of six semester credits are accepted in transfer for courses not normally offered at a four-year accredited college or university.
6. Doane awards credits in semester hours. Credit from institutions on the quarter system are accepted at the rate of two-thirds of a semester hour per quarter hour.

Students who transfer to Doane may use courses from a previously attended institution to meet requirements for a major or minor at Doane University. If all requirements for the major or minor are met using previous course work, the transfer student must enroll in a three- or four-credit senior-level course in that major or minor which is not a repeat of any previous course work and must earn at least a grade of “C.”

Courses taken at a previously attended institution may also be used to meet requirements for the Doane Core Connections. Courses which fit Doane Core Connections criteria, but are not offered at Doane, may be substituted in the appropriate area.

Military Training and Educational Programs

These programs have been reviewed and evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE) for the award of credit. Upon documentation of training, credit is awarded according to the recommendations of ACE. Doane accepts the ACE recommendations listed under the following headings: 1) lower-division baccalaureate/associate degree, 2) upper-division baccalaureate, and 3) graduate degree. Six semester credits are the maximum awarded for any credit recommendations listed under the heading “Vocational.” The credit is entered on the Doane University transcript at no additional charge. This grade does not figure into the grade point average and is considered ungraded credit.

Credit by Examination

A student may qualify to receive up to 30 semester credits through one or more of the following options: Advanced Placement Program, Doane Tests, DANTES, and International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. Credits count toward the total required for graduation. Credits earned through the credit-by-examination options may not be accepted by graduate or professional schools.

Doane will not award test credit if the course has been failed in the past at Doane. A student who receives credit for a course by examination and repeats that course at Doane will have the examination credit removed. Also, students are not eligible to receive credit by examination for a lower-level course after they have completed or begun a course for which the other is a prerequisite.

Advanced Placement (AP)

The College Entrance Examination Board’s Advanced Placement Examinations are used by Doane University in awarding advanced academic credit to an incoming student. A student must request that the College Board send results directly to the Registrar at Doane. There is no additional tuition charge for AP credit which is accepted by Doane University.

Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education (DANTES)

Doane University grants credit based upon successful completion of DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSSTs) and College Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations.  This credit is awarded according to the recommendations of the American Council on Education (ACE). There is no additional tuition charge for DANTES credit which is accepted by Doane University.

DSST tests need to be designated as Baccalaureate/Associate Level (B) or Baccalaureate Upper Division (BU) to be considered for awarding of credit.

Doane University grants credit based upon successful completion of subject CLEP examinations and supplementary essays. Credit is not awarded for the CLEP General Examinations. A student must request that the College Board send results directly to the Registrar at Doane.

Doane University Test

A student has the opportunity to earn credits by successfully completing a test administered by Doane faculty. If credits are earned, a tuition charge of $75.00 per credit is assessed and must be paid prior to the student’s final term of attendance. Tests are available in Spanish. The credit is not added to the Doane transcript until the tuition is paid in full.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Students who have earned the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma through their high school are eligible to receive college credit. Visit www.doane.edu/international-baccalaureate-credit for score requirements and credit amounts awarded. There is no additional tuition charge for IB credit which is accepted by Doane University.

Transcripts and National Student Clearinghouse

The Registrar’s Office releases official Doane transcripts of a student’s academic record only after the student has granted permission in writing. Transcripts are not issued to students who have financial obligations to the university. Students who request transcripts should allow three days for them to be prepared and issued. Transcript fee’s range from $5.25 to $7 depending on the request and delivery method.

During periods at the beginning or following the end of a semester, at least one week should be allowed for issuance. Official transcripts from other institutions which may be a part of a Doane student’s file cannot be copied and issued to the student. To obtain copies, the student must contact the original issuing institution directly.

Once a student graduates or discontinues attendance at Doane University, subsequent college credits from other schools do not become a part of the student’s Doane University transcript.

Doane University partners with National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) for degree verification, enrollment verification, and electronic transcripts.  Doane University submits enrollment information to NSC three times a term.  In turn, NSC reports secure electronic data with participating guaranty agencies, lenders, and servicers for loan deferment.  NSC also submits enrollment information to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), the national database of information about loans and grants awarded to students under Title IV. 

Address and Name changes

Each Doane student is responsible for notifying the University of any address or name change. Address changes are to be made promptly to keep University records current and to insure that University mailings reach their intended recipient. Students who have been enrolled within the last year need to submit a copy of their Social Security Card as documentation for a name change. A student may request a change to their name or address on the Doane website. 

Colleges and Divisions

College of Arts and Sciences

Fine Arts and Humanities Division - ART-Art, ENG-English, CMM-Media Communication, CMS-Communication Studies/Speech Communication, FAR-Fine Arts, GDC-Graphic Design, HUM-Humanities, MUS-Music, PHI-Philosophy, PRE-Philosophy/Religion, SPA-Spanish, THE-Theatre

Science, Mathematics, and Information Science and Technology Division - AST-Astronomy, Biochemistry*, BIO-Biology, CHM-Chemistry, EGR-Engineering, EVS-Environmental Science, GEG-Geography, GEO-Geology, IST-Information Science & Technology/Computer Science or Information Systems, MTH-Mathematics, PHS-Physical Science, PHY-Physics, RES-Research, SCI-Science

Social Science Division - ANT-Anthropology, HIS-History, HRE-Human Relations, INT-International Studies, PSI-Political Science, PSY-Psychology, SOC-Sociology, SSI-Social Science

College of Business - ACC-Accounting, AGR-Agribusiness, BUS-Business, ECO-Economics, LDR-Leadership

College of Education - EDC-Early Childhood, EDU-Education, EDS-Special Education, PED- Physical Education

School of Innovative Learning - CAN-Cannabis, HHP-Exercise Science, HSC-Health and Society, HSI-Health Science

Open Learning Academy - ASTR, BIOL, BUSN, CANN, CHEM, COMS, ECON, ENGL, GEOL, HLHP, IDST, MATH, PHRE, PHYS, PSCI, PSYC, SOCI, SPAN

Italics indicate areas where courses are offered, but not a major or minor.
*Indicates an interdisciplinary major without a course prefix

Additional interdepartmental course areas include ATV-Activities, CED-Cooperative Education, DLC-Doane Learning Center, DSS-Doane Student Support Services, HNR-Honors Program, IDS-Interdisciplinary Studies, LCM-Learning Communities, LAR-Liberal Arts Studies, and MSI-Military Science.

Crete Campus Academic Policy

Enrollment Procedures

Registration

All students are expected to register prior to the beginning of each semester. Registration for the fall semester takes place in March/April and spring semester registration takes place in October/November, as specified in the university calendar.

New students, including transfer students, entering Doane for the fall semester are encouraged to register during the summer months at one of the enrollment days. This is done after payment of the required deposit following admission to Doane ($200 total: $100 each for housing and tuition).

Full-Time Student

The normal credit load for full-time students is 12-18 credits per semester. A flat tuition rate is charged for these credits.

Part-Time Student Enrollment

Part-time students may register for fewer than 12 credits at the scheduled rate of tuition for such students.

Excess Registration

Students may wish to register for more than 18 credits in a semester.

• Any credits above 18 are half the current tuition rate.
• Any credits above 20 must be approved by the Assistant Dean.

Half Semester/Eight-Week Courses

The Crete campus offers some online and on-campus courses in modules which are half semester/eight-week long. Students using financial aid need to be enrolled by census day of the semester regardless if the course starts the 2nd half of the semester. Students are encouraged to enroll in 12 credits (full-time) of full-semester long (16 week) courses to reduce the possibility of financial aid having to be adjusted.

Changes in Registration

Changes in registration (adding and/or dropping courses) may be made until census day. After that time, no course may be added (with the exception of a mini-course) unless the add is approved by the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs. Students may continue to drop courses, which results in a “W” (withdrawal) on their transcript for that course, until the deadline specified in the university calendar. After the withdrawal date, no courses may be removed except as approved by the Assistant Dean.

Declaration of Major and Minor

By the fall semester of the sophomore year, students are asked to officially declare their major by filing the Declaration of Major form with the Registrar’s Office. (Students who sign the Four-year Guarantee may be required to declare their major earlier than the sophomore year.) Although not required for graduation, students may also declare a secondary major, minor(s), emphasis or endorsement. Students are encouraged to select an adviser in their area of study by obtaining permission of the new adviser and completing a change of adviser form. Transfer students entering at the junior or senior level declare their major during their first semester at Doane. Once a student officially declares a major, minor, or emphasis, he/she must report any additions, deletions, or changes to the Registrar’s Office and fill out a Change of Major form.

Senior Citizen Enrollment

Tuition-free courses are open to senior citizens age 65 or over and residents living in the Doane Village, as class space permits. However, fees must still be paid.

Senior citizens interested in enrolling at Doane as part-time students taking non-degree course work may contact the Registrar’s Office. Information on full-time, degree-oriented programs is available from the Admission Office. Tuition-free classes are not available on the Lincoln or Online programs.

Leave of Absence

A student who finds it necessary to leave Doane for a semester because of extraordinary reasons may take a leave of absence with the intention of returning to Doane after one semester. Readmission requirements for such students are waived. While on a leave of absence, a student may choose to enroll at another college, but the course(s) must be approved in advance by the Doane Registrar. If a student decides to extend the leave of absence to more than one semester, completion of the readmission process is required in order to return to Doane.

For purposes of financial aid, students will be treated as though they have withdrawn from the university. Return to Title IV calculations will be conducted if applicable and lenders will be notified of the student’s last day of class attendance at Doane University.

New Coursework at Other Institutions

A student who is full-time on the Crete campus during a regular semester must have permission from the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs to take a course from another institution during that semester.

A Doane student may enroll in summer courses at other institutions with the intention of transferring those credits to Doane, but that student must receive prior approval from the Registrar, adhere to the final 30 credits in residency rule, and complete the appropriate forms. A student who plans to enroll in courses in his/her major or minor field of study must also receive prior approval from faculty in the department. Courses are to be taken for a letter grade, but they are entered on the Doane transcript as “P” (Pass), provided the grades earned are C- or above.

Approval of the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs is needed before a student may enroll on the Lincoln or Online campus in any semester other than summer. The Registrar must also be consulted before enrolling in order to verify that the course meets a particular requirement. Courses taken on a different campus are considered Doane credits and therefore show on the transcript as graded. All costs associated with enrollment at a different campus, including tuition, must be paid.

A student who studies abroad for a summer, semester, or year must have his/her program approved in advance by the appropriate study-abroad program director, the Registrar, and the Director of Financial Aid. For additional information on study abroad, refer to the Off-Campus and Study Abroad section.

Advising

First-year students will be advised by a professional first year advisor. At the end of the first year, students will work with a faculty advisor for the duration of their enrollment at the University. When the student officially declares a major, they are encouraged to request an advisor in the discipline of the major. A student may change advisors by filing a request with the Registrar after obtaining permission of the new advisor.

Both student and advisor have responsibilities during the advising process.*

The student is responsible for the following:

1. Seeking out the help available in determining the major.
2. Preparing for the advising meeting, including preparing a draft schedule.
3. Following through on tasks (officially declaring a major, naming the catalog of record, changing advisors, etc.).
4. Keeping accurate records. Making certain all degree requirements are met. Faculty advisors, student advising guides, and the degree audits generated by the Registrar’s Office help students monitor their progress toward graduation.
5. Making decisions.

The advisor is responsible for the following:

1. Providing answers to questions on procedure, policy, etc. (or help find the answers).
2. Helping the student problem solve.
3. Providing academic advice.
4. Helping the student in deciding/selecting a major.
5. Providing information on careers and opportunities in the advisor’s discipline.
6. Helping facilitate the student’s interaction with the administration.

*These responsibilities are based on the National Academic Advising Association guidelines.

A wide range of resources is available to students and their advisors. Among these resources are the Registrar’s Office, Career Development Center, and Academic Support Center. Students are encouraged to contact the Academic Affairs Office with questions and concerns about advising and other issues related to their success at Doane.

Final Examinations

The dates for final examinations are printed in the academic calendar for the year. The final examination schedule is available at the beginning of each semester. All students are expected to take final examinations in each course for which they are registered unless otherwise specified. The time allotted for each exam is three hours.

Mid-term Grades

New students and students on academic probation receive mid-term grades as do continuing students who are failing or doing unsatisfactory work.  Continuing students who are doing satisfactory work (C- or above) do not receive mid-term grades. Mid-term grades are not considered permanent grades and do not appear on the transcript.

Student-Generated Major

The student-generated major enables a Doane student to design an interdisciplinary alternative to established majors. A petition co-signed by the student’s faculty advisor stating the objectives and listing specific courses to be included in the proposed major must be submitted to the chair of the Academic Affairs Committee. The petition is then reviewed by this committee and, if approved, constitutes the approved course of study to be followed by the student.

Student-generated majors are governed by the following stipulations:

1. A proposal for a student-generated major must be presented to the Academic Affairs Committee chairperson no later than the third day after classes begin in the fall of the student’s junior year. This deadline must be met except in unusual extenuating circumstances.
2. Students are required to include the following in their proposal:
   1. A statement of rationale for the student-generated major showing why this major is necessary rather than, or in addition to, a traditional major, and how the student-generated major will be useful in career planning.
   2. An assessment plan which includes at least two sources of data (e.g., portfolio, evidence from internships, etc.) to demonstrate how the student will meet the objectives.
   3. A list of courses completed to date, and those yet to be completed, for the student-generated major.
   4. A plan showing how the student-generated major can be completed in four years and, if it cannot be completed in that time, an expected completion date.
3. After approval of the student-generated major by the Academic Affairs Committee, the student submits a copy of the major to the Assessment Committee.
4. The student submits a final report to the Assessment Committee prior to the last month of the student’s final semester. The report must include a summary of the data gathered to measure the objectives.
5. Requests for changes in a student-generated major at any point after its initial acceptance by the Academic Affairs Committee must be submitted to that committee for approval.
6. The Registrar can approve changes to the Doane Core courses listed in the proposal.

Academic Honors

A student award ceremony is held in the spring to recognize individual students and groups who have excelled academically during the previous year. Academic honors are based upon GPA credits earned at Doane University.

Alpha Lambda Delta

The purpose of Alpha Lambda Delta is to recognize men and women who achieve high scholarship in their first year at Doane University. Eligibility is based on a grade point average of 3.50 or above in at least 14 GPA credits during the first semester at Doane University, Crete campus, or by earning a 3.50 or above in at least 28 GPA credits in two consecutive semesters of the first year. Credits earned in the summer terms are not included. A transfer student can meet requirements for membership in his/her first semester at Doane, provided no more than 20 credits have been transferred from previous schools.

Dean’s List

A Crete campus student who earns a grade point average of 3.70 or higher in at least 12 graded credits for the semester is placed on the Dean’s List for that semester and receives a letter of congratulations from the Dean. Students who have received an “I” incomplete grade are not reviewed for the Dean’s List until a grade is submitted.

Doane Scholar

A Crete campus student graduating in May and ranking in the top eight percent of his or her graduating class and completing at least 105 GPA credits at Doane University receives the honor of Doane Scholar at the Student Award ceremony in the spring in the year the student intends to graduate from Doane. A student who participates in an approved one-semester off-campus or study abroad program in which credit is transferred with “P” (passed) grades rather than letter grades must have completed 85 graded credits at Doane in order to qualify for this award. A student who participates for two semesters must have completed 70 GPA credits at Doane.

Honor Societies

Doane has chapters of several national honor societies including:

• Alpha Kappa Delta, sociology honorary
• Alpha Lambda Delta, freshman honorary
• Alpha Psi Omega, theatre honorary
• Beta Beta Beta, biology honorary
• Cardinal Key, honorary society recognizing outstanding scholarship, leadership, and character
• Delta Mu Delta, accounting/business honorary
• Kappa Alpha Omicron, environmental science and studies honorary
• Omicron Delta Kappa, leadership honorary
• Phi Alpha Theta, history honorary
• Phi Sigma Iota, languages honorary
• Pi Lambda Theta, education honorary.
• Pi Kappa Delta, forensic honorary
• Pi Sigma Alpha, political science honorary
• Psi Chi, psychology honorary
• Sigma Delta Pi, Spanish honorary
• Sigma Tau Delta, English honorary

Office of International Programs

The Office of International Programs is charged with administering and promoting programs and activities that provide international educational opportunities.

The Office on International Programs provides the following services:

• International Student Advising
  The International Student Advising Center provides assistance for students with issues relating to immigration and the SEVIS system.
• Study Abroad Advising
  The Study Abroad Advising Center provides assistance for students who wish to integrate study abroad into their academic program.

International Student Services

The Office of International Programs supports international students in a variety of academic and student life areas including

• SEVIS advising for F-1 visa holders,
• airport arrival and departure transportation,
• host family placement,
• American International Mentor program matching international students with American mentors, and
• activities for students to integrate into the Doane community.

Additionally, the Office of International Programs coordinates social and cultural planning with academic and student life offices.

Off-Campus and Study Abroad Options

Doane recognizes the importance of international education to a liberal arts education. The purpose of Doane University is to educate students to serve and lead in the state, nation, and the world. Doane students are encouraged to develop a global perspective by engaging in cross-cultural learning through study abroad. Doane is committed to educating students for global citizenship and providing first-hand opportunities for our students to develop a global perspective by

• stimulating the quest for knowledge of global issues by integrating international perspectives into the curriculum,
• providing greater exposure to different belief systems by connecting components of the learning experience beyond the classroom,
• creating a campus environment which embraces local, national, and global diversity,
• providing opportunities for our students to hone their leadership skills through meaningful cross-cultural programs, and
• compelling students to challenge themselves through study abroad.

Objectives for Study Abroad

Doane students generally apply to one semester or year-long program in order to enhance their liberal arts academic program. Students meet with their academic adviser and the study abroad adviser to determine which programs are most closely related to their educational and personal goals. Study abroad is a life-changing experience, and determining the appropriate program helps maximize the benefit of the study abroad experience. Students may choose a program to enhance their major, to improve their ability in a foreign language, to gain a greater understanding of other academic subjects, or to experience life in another culture.

International programs are available in over 40 countries. Fluency in a foreign language is not required. Many programs provide instruction in English, while other programs provide instruction in a foreign language.

Types of Programs

Study abroad programs provide the opportunity to deepen a liberal arts education and to expand skills related to a major, emphasis, or area of interest. Programs may organize coursework around a specific major such as chemistry, biology, or business, or around a common theme such as gender development, the complexities of globalization, and development or environmental issues. Instruction relating to the host country is generally included upon arrival.

Programs may be operated by Doane faculty, U.S.-based organizations, institutions abroad, or a consortium of cooperating institutions. Programs vary widely and may offer traditional classroom instruction, experiential learning, community service, independent study, and internships.

Faculty Led Programs

Special short-term international study/travel courses are offered each year. Courses may take place in January or in May following graduation. Faculty lead international travel courses, and students earn academic credit. In recent years, international travel courses have included trips to Africa, Australia, Belize, Brazil, the Caribbean, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Scotland, Thailand, and the United Kingdom. All participants are expected to enroll in TVL-300 the semester before traveling abroad.

Consortium Agreements and Exchanges

Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE)

Through this program, students may study in a variety of programs worldwide including Australia, Belgium, China, France, and Spain.

International Studies Abroad (ISA)

Doane’s affiliation with International Studies Abroad provides options to study in Europe, Latin America, and Asia.

International Student Exchange Program (ISEP): ISEP-Direct

Through the ISEP-Direct network, Doane students may enroll in university coursework in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Australia.

Center for International Studies (CIS)         

CIS offers Doane students program opportunities in Europe, Latin and North America, Asia, Pacific, and Africa.

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN)

Doane’s affiliation with TEAN, part of WorldStrides, offers programs in the Asia Pacific region with options to study in China, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and India.

Mid-America Universities International (MAUI)

MAUI is an exchange program in which Doane is a member. Programs of study are located exclusively in European countries, including Spain, Greece, and Italy, to name a few.

Transfer Policy for Study Abroad Programs

Generally, courses taken abroad which earn a C- or better are recorded on the student’s transcript as “Pass” credit. (Grades below C- are not accepted.) If, however, the course is taken through an approved study abroad program in order to fulfill specific requirements of the French, German, or Spanish major, a letter grade is earned and is recorded on the transcript as such.

Summers Abroad

Students who study abroad during the summer can use the travel scholarship as financial aid. Freshman and sophomore students may choose to participate in short-term summer study abroad in preparation for semester or year-long study abroad during their junior or senior years. Study abroad is an essential element of a well-rounded liberal arts education. Although summer study abroad is very different than a semester abroad experience, it can be an excellent alternative for students who cannot spend a semester off campus for academic, financial, or extra-curricular reasons. Summer study abroad programs are available in a wide variety of academic subjects in over 30 countries.

Lincoln, Omaha, and Online Academic Policy

Enrollment Procedures

Schedule of Terms

Terms vary slightly each year. Most courses are offered in an eight-week intensive format. During the eight-week term, students attend one class session per week for each course in which they are enrolled.

Registration

The schedule of classes is released at least five weeks prior to the beginning of the next term. Registration will begin at least two weeks before the term starts. Census day is the last day to drop a course each term without financial or grade implications and is noted on the academic calendar. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic adviser once the schedule is released in order to know what classes they need before registration begins.

Registration is done by the student online. Once a student has their courses planned and approved by their advisor, they can register for classes, view their course schedule, and agree to pay their tuition and fees.

Full, Quarter, and Half-time Status

A full-time student at these campuses is a student in six credits or more per term. A quarter-time student is a student enrolled in 5 credits. A half-time student is enrolled in 3-4 credits. A student enrolled in less than three credits per term is less than half time.

New Coursework at Other Institutions

A student may take courses at other institutions while enrolled at Doane University. However, if the student wishes to transfer the courses to Doane, the courses must be approved in advance by the Registrar’s Office. The courses are to be taken for a grade (not pass/fail), and a grade of “C-” or better has to be earned to be considered for transfer.

Prior Learning Assessment

A student may earn a total of 30 credits through prior learning. Prior learning assessment cannot be applied toward seminar, capstone, and/or independent study.

Testing Option

A nonresidential undergraduate student can demonstrate they possess the necessary competence to be awarded credit for a particular course by successfully completing a comprehensive examination for a challenged course. The course challenge must be completed prior to the start of the term. In the event that the challenge is not successful, the student will then have the opportunity to enroll in the course. The student is required to present to the appropriate Program Representative a rationale (e.g., related on-the-job learning, certification training) for why a course challenge is plausible.  Areas in which as student can complete a testing option are

• Foreign language assessment - Fee is $75 per credit hour
• Computer competency - Fee is 50% of the current tuition rate

Professional Portfolio

A nonresidential undergraduate student may earn up to 30 credits through portfolio credit. In this process, the student demonstrates mastery of a topic or subject to validate that knowledge and experiences meets the course outcomes. 

1. The student must have successfully completed at least one term at Doane University before permission to write for portfolio credit. 
2. DLC 220: Professional Experience Portfolio course needs to be taken to complete a portfolio.  The course is 0 credit; pass or fail grade.  
3. If 3 to 6 credit hours of portfolio credit will be earned, the portfolio will be completed in one term. If more than 6 credit hours will be earned, the portfolio must be completed in two terms. The due date for grade submission will determine the completion date, including the time needed for the subject matter reviewers. 
4. Portfolio credit is charged at 50% of the regular undergraduate tuition rate. Pell grants and federal student loan money designated for tuition may not be used to pay for portfolio credit. If appropriate, the student should check with the current employer to determine if portfolio charges will be covered by the tuition reimbursement program. If the student receives military education benefits, the student should check with Doane University’s Director of Military/Veteran Student Services.

• Payment for portfolio credit is due at the end of the term(s) in which the student is enrolled. Portfolio credit must be completed in the term prior to the student’s last term of enrollment. 

   5. Credit is awarded for the demonstration of learning, rather than identification of learning experiences. 

• The student must be able to demonstrate competency of at least 2/3 of the stated learning outcomes for each course where earning portfolio credit is desired. 
• To assist in the decision to earn portfolio credit or not, the student must review the course description, course learning outcomes, and syllabus for each course where credit is desired.
• Additional documentation will be required to verify competence of the learning outcomes. This documentation helps substantiate the knowledge and experience described in the narrative. Examples of documentation may include the following:
  • previous academic and professional development coursework;
  • published articles, research, evidence-based practice;
  • special accomplishments (musical, artistic, audio-visual);
  • membership and leadership roles in professional organizations;
  • professional conferences, seminars, or awards;
  • certifications;
  • community service with a letter of support;
  • letters of verification that speak to the mastery of outcomes (not a letter of reference);
  • thesis, dissertation; continuing education; and
  • other scholarly/academic evidence.

   6. A committee of two faculty members with expertise in the course topic will review the portfolio within one calendar week of receipt and make a recommendation for either approval or disapproval. 

Professional Certification

A student may hold certifications from a professional organization that reflects a level of competence and cognitive ability.  Professional certifications currently approved as valid for credit in specific program (provided all other requirements are met) are listed below.

• Nebraska Department of Correctional Services training certificate
• Emerging Leaders certificate through Nelnet
• Steps to Supervisory Success certificate through Nelnet