Academic Regulations

Academic Advising for Undergraduate Students

Goodwin University Academic Advising builds collaborative relationships between the student and University community to support our diverse students as they explore and pursue career and personal goals. It is our mission to foster student success and retention by providing comprehensive and individualized one-on-one advisement sessions. During advisement sessions, students will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to select their courses within their plan of study, as well as make decisions on choice of major and academic goals. Advisors challenge, support, and encourage students to be active participants in their learning, development, and academic success.

All students are assigned to an academic advisor upon their enrollment to Goodwin University. Assignments are made based upon a student’s academic program. If a student changes his or her academic program, the advisor will likely change. Academic Advising plays a critical role in fulfilling the mission of the University as it builds collaborative relationships that assist students in exploring professional options and developing educational plans consistent with their academic and lifelong learning goals. Advisors also connect students to appropriate campus services and opportunities. The advisement process fosters a continuous advisor/student relationship that begins in the first semester and continues throughout the time the student is enrolled at Goodwin University.

All students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor throughout their university career. Students planning to transfer credit from an accredited institution or who wish to be considered for an award of credit for experiential learning should also meet with an academic advisor before registration to discuss options. In addition, students planning to continue their education should meet with their academic advisor to discuss transfer requirements, admission requirements and course planning.

Advisors are available to:

• Advise students on course selection.
• Develop plans of study.
• Add, drop, and withdraw students from classes.
• Answer academic questions regarding courses and plans of study.
• Counsel students if they are having academic difficulties.
• Serve as a support system for enrolled students.
• Advise students on graduate school options.

Academic Integrity

At Goodwin University, we value integrity as an essential component in our interactions with each other. We believe the purpose of a college education is for students to learn how to think critically and express their own opinions using their own ideas. The concept of academic integrity in all intellectual pursuits is a value that is fundamental to academic life and scholarly practice. Students at Goodwin are obligated to uphold high standards of academic integrity in their scholarship and learning. It is expected that students take personal responsibility for their work and acknowledge the ideas of others. Academic integrity means doing one’s own work and giving proper credit to others whose ideas and work a student is utilizing. It is the responsibility of each student to become familiar with what constitutes academic dishonesty and plagiarism and to avoid all forms of cheating and plagiarism.

Goodwin University defines academic dishonesty as including, but not limited to, (a) plagiarism: presenting, as one’s own, the ideas or words of another person or persons for academic evaluation without proper acknowledgment and (b) cheating: providing or receiving assistance in a manner not authorized by the instructor in the creation of work to be submitted for academic evaluation including papers, projects, and examinations.

Academic Placement Evaluation

The purpose of placement evaluation is to ensure that the skills of incoming students are uniformly evaluated, that students are placed in courses appropriate to their academic preparation, and that courses and other academic and student support services which allow students to develop to their full potential are made available. Goodwin University uses a self-directed questionnaire for English and a Math placement test for placement evaluations. English questionnaire results and Math placement test scores are valid for one year from the date they were taken.

Challenge/Retakes - One Time Only

Students may challenge their English or Math scores only once for any reason. A student may challenge Math by retaking either the Math or Algebra portion of the test.

If a student retakes a test and scores lower, the highest score can be used in placement.

Test Waivers

Students do not have to complete the English questionnaire and Math placement test if they produce an official college transcript that indicates that they:

• Already completed a transferable English composition and a mathematics course higher than elementary Algebra (e.g., earned a C or better) OR

1. Passed a developmental English course (earned a C or better) in past three years will place into ENG 101  
2. Have overall GPA of 2.5 or better in most recent coursework (high school or college) will place into ENG 101  

• Have at least an associate’s degree from an accredited college

Or if they are a recent high school graduate and can produce:

• A recent, documented SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 480 or higher
• A recent, documented SAT Math score of 530 or higher
• A recent, documented PSAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing of 460 or higher
• A recent, documented PSAT Math score of 510 or higher
• A recent, documented ACT English score of 18 or higher
• A recent, documented ACT Math score of a 22 or higher

SAT and ACT scores can be used for 3-5 years; after five years, a potential student must take complete the English questionnaire and Math placement test. The English questionnaire and Math placement test are used to assess a student’s readiness for college-level work. Placements are made in collaboration with the student’s applicant advisor.

Re-Enrollment and English Questionnaire / Math Placement Test Expiration

Student English and Math questionnaire scores can be used for one year from the official withdrawal date. After one year, a student must retake the test and be placed according to the current University guidelines.

Adding a Course

Students who wish to add a 15-week or first module course must do so by the end of the first week of the semester. Students may add a 15-week course during the second week of the semester, however it’s for approved courses only. Registered students who want to add a second module course must do so by the end of the first week of that module. Prior to the beginning of the semester, students may add courses by accessing their Registration in Self-Service and registering for the course(s) that they wish to add. Once the semester begins, students must add courses by contacting their Academic Advisor to complete an “add” form, which must be signed by the student. Students are recommended to contact the Business and Financial Aid Offices for counseling. New schedules may be printed from Self-Service.

Advising for Graduate Students

Each graduate student is assigned a faculty adviser upon admission to a graduate program. Faculty advisers can provide students with assistance in developing a plan of study and selecting appropriate graduate courses that adhere to program curriculum, as well as discussing career options and alternatives after graduation. It is the responsibility of the graduate student to comply with the policies, procedures and degree requirements published in the Graduate Catalog. If a student has concerns with regard to working with their assigned advisor at the graduate level, they are to contact the Dean of the respective school for the program which they are enrolled in.

Appeal of Grades

Grades are part of the student’s permanent record. In rare instances, there can be situations in which course grades may need to be changed. These include computational errors, clerical errors, or the discovery of overlooked components in a student’s body of work. Students are able to view their final grades in Sonis and are responsible for checking their grades at the end of each semester. Students must appeal a final grade within one semester of the grade’s issue date.

A student who believes that an error in grading has occurred may request a review by the instructor of the record until the end of the semester following the one in which the grade in question was earned. Students may appeal a grade by submitting a completed Grade Review Request available in the Registrar’s Office. If the instructor believes the change is justified, the instructor will initiate the grade change, and the student will be notified. If the instructor does not agree with the grade change, the student may appeal the decision to the Dean within 15 days of the instructor’s decision. If this process results in agreement that the grade should be changed, the instructor will initiate the grade change and notify the student. If the agreement is that a grade change is not justified, the Dean or Registrar will notify the student in writing with a copy to the instructor. All grade changes must be reported to the Registrar’s Office.

Attendance and Tardiness

Goodwin University believes that regular attendance in, and prompt arrival to, all classes optimizes each student’s educational experience. Therefore, students are encouraged to attend every class, to arrive on time, and to stay for the entire class period.

Instructor set their own attendance and tardiness policies. These policies are given to the students on the first day of each class as part of the course syllabus. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with each of their instructor’s attendance policies.

Award of Experiential Credit

The Board of Trustees of Goodwin University believes that students acquire University-level learning in many settings. As part of the transfer evaluation process, a student’s University level learning acquired during military, work, volunteer, and other life experiences may be assessed for the possible award of University credit and then applied toward a student’s degree plan.

Any currently enrolled student may be awarded experiential credit; though no more than 50% of the credits required for a degree shall be awarded for prior experiential learning. No more than 25% of the credits required for a credential of 30 credits or fewer will be awarded. Credit awards are made based off of faculty review of credit recommendations from the American Council on Education (ACE) and Charter Oak State University Credit Assessment Program (COSC CCAP). Students may earn experiential credit through the following avenues:

• Military training/experience
• Credit by Exam
• Portfolio Review
• Licenses/Certifications
• Non-collegiate training

There may be instances where there is not an ACE or COSC CCAP credit recommendation and portfolio review is not the best option available to student. In these cases, Program Directors or Deans may determine credit awards based on the University’s evaluation and award of credit for non-collegiate learning procedures.

Credit awarded for experiential learning may not be transferable to other institutions of higher learning. Credits awarded are given the grade of EC and are not included in the calculation of the GPA. These credits count both as credits attempted and as credits earned in determining satisfactory academic progress.

The full version of this policy can be found on our website: https://www.goodwin.edu/files/pdfs/policies/award-experiential-credit-policy.pdf.

College Transfer Advising

Goodwin University has formal articulation agreements with select colleges and universities in Connecticut. Credits earned at Goodwin University may be eligible for transfer to another accredited college or university. However, each receiving institution has special degree program requirements that will determine the specific transfer credit it will grant. Goodwin University does not promise or guarantee the transferability of any course, credits or credentials earned at this institution to any other educational institution. Students who plan to transfer are advised to check with the intended transfer institution concerning the number of credits that the institution will accept from Goodwin University. It is the student’s responsibility to seek advice early in the process.

Course and Program Changes

Goodwin University reserves the right to change curricula, schedules, prerequisites and requirements for all courses and programs in order to enhance the employability of the student, provided this change does not affect the overall purpose of the program. Students will be subject to the requirements listed in the catalog in effect when they enrolled. Goodwin University reserves the right to add or cancel classes at any time due to an increase or decrease in enrollment.

Course Incompletes

An Incomplete (INC) is a temporary grade assigned by the faculty member. Course Incompletes are counted as credit hours attempted but not earned. The student has two (2) weeks from the end of the course to complete all course requirements in order to receive a grade for that course. If requirements are not met, the incomplete will be converted to an “F”. Academic standing will be recalculated after the “INC” is replaced with a grade. In both cases the final grade will then be included in calculating the student’s GPA and count as credits attempted. In cases where the Incomplete has been issued for a prerequisite course, the student may not be allowed to move on to the higher level course if the Incomplete has not been replaced with a satisfactory grade. Students may request for an incomplete extension by obtaining approval from the instructor or submitting valid medical documentation.

Course Prerequisite Requirements

Students must meet all course prerequisites, including minimum grade requirements, before beginning a course. Incompletes may not be used to satisfy course prerequisites. Students who register for a course that does not meet minimum requirements may be withdrawn from the registered course by the Registrar’s Office.

Course Repeats

Repeating courses can have an adverse impact on satisfactory academic progress (SAP). In addition to the standards set for minimum credits earned and grade point average in the evaluation of SAP, repeated courses will be counted as credit hours attempted when calculating the quantitative component.

Students are required to repeat any course in which they have received an “F”, a “UG”, or a “W” if that course is required in the student’s program, or if they have not earned a grade that meets program or major grade requirements. Students may also choose to repeat a course to qualify for graduation status (2.0) or generally to improve their CGPA.

Students may repeat a course only once without permission. A request to take a course for the third time requires students to formally request permission by completing a form available online. Permission to take a course for a third time is not guaranteed and may require a meeting with the Dean or Program Director. Students must also complete the Loan Guidance module for their third attempt request. Decisions made via the request form are final and may not be appealed.

Students receiving Financial Aid should check with that office regarding re-takes of courses in which they have already earned a satisfactory grade. A student is not eligible to receive financial aid for repeating a course for the third time in order to achieve a better grade. The credits associated with the third repeat are not used in determining the student’s enrollment status for purposes of financial aid. In all cases, a student can only receive Title IV funds for one repeat of a previously passed course.

In all cases, every course taken counts as credits attempted when calculating the quantitative component for program completion. When a course is repeated, the new grade will be used in place of the original grade for the purposes of calculating the CGPA. The old grade will remain on the transcript and will be followed by an “R” to indicate that the course was repeated. “R” grades do not affect the CGPA.

Credit by Exam Internal

The Board of Trustees of Goodwin University believes that students acquire university-level learning in many settings. To honor that learning the University provides several avenues for students to earn university level credit outside of the typical classroom experience. Only when the other experiential credit options are not suitable the University may create and offer an internal standardized credit by exam (CBE). All internally created CBE’s must be developed by faculty and be approved by the Tier I Academic Affairs Committee before being offered to students. The creation and offering of these exams must conform to professional standards and follow University-wide policy.

Students may earn collegiate credit for standardized exams created and administered by the University (CBE). Students must receive a minimum grade of 73% on the exam to be awarded university credit. Students may only attempt to earn credit for the CBE once. There is an assessment fee for the exam; however, no charge is assessed for the credits awarded. Awarded credits will appear on the student’s transcript as experiential credit EC and are subject to the limits applicable to all experiential learning credits.

For more information please visit https://www.goodwin.edu/credit-by-exam/cbe-information.

Credit for Lifelong Learning

The Board of Trustees believes that college-level learning occurs in many settings. Accordingly, the University adopted a policy for the assessment and awarding of credit for experiential learning. Collegiate credit may be awarded based on verification that the non-traditional learning is equivalent in level and nature to the learning acquired in approved college courses and programs.

There are several assessment methods available for students who want to earn collegiate credit for their college-level, non-traditional learning. Goodwin University accepts credit recommendations with departmental approval from the American Council on Education (ACE), Charter Oak State College Connecticut Credit Assessment Program (COSC CCAP) and the United States military in awarding college credit to adult learners for classroom-based training experiences.

In addition, the University evaluates student performance on select standardized tests such as the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Advanced Placement (AP) tests, Excelsior exams, and DANTES/DSST.

The Goodwin faculty may offer a Credit-by-Exam (CBE) test designed and administered by the University. Students must achieve a score of 73% on a CBE; however, programmatic requirements may require a higher passing score. For specific CBE requirements please contact the appropriate academic department. Students may only attempt each exam one time. There is an assessment fee charged by the University for CBEs; however, no charge is assessed for the credits awarded.

Portfolio review consists of the creation of a portfolio that documents student learning from work, volunteer, and other significant life experiences and relates the learning to student learning outcomes of specific college courses. For the initial portfolio, there is a mandatory Portfolio Review for Experiential Credit course and development and assessment fee associated with the portfolio review. For the development of additional portfolios, there is a development and assessment fee associated with each portfolio review.

Students may elect to have their experiential learning assessed by any of these methods, only if they are in student status during the semester the assessment is completed. No more than 50% of the credits required for an AS or BS degree shall be awarded for prior experiential learning. No more than 25% of the credits required for a credential of 30 credits or fewer will be awarded.

Credit awarded for experiential learning may not be transferable to other institutions of higher learning. Credits awarded are given the grade of EC and are not included in the calculation of the GPA. These credits count both as credits attempted and as credits earned in determining satisfactory academic progress.

Students should refer to the transfer pages on the Goodwin University website for more information.

Credit Hour System

Goodwin University complies with federal regulations defining the credit hour and describes all collegiate courses in semester credit hours. A credit is a unit of academic achievement that is awarded upon successful completion of a course and not necessarily an indicator of transferability of credit. For a 15-week course, a credit hour is defined as: (1) Didactic traditional Classroom - one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately 15 weeks for one semester, (2) Laboratory - one laboratory credit equals three hours per week of classroom laboratory instruction or two hours of classroom laboratory instruction combined with a minimum of one hour of out-of-class student work, (3) Internship/Externship/Clinical - one internship/externship/clinical credit equals three hours per week in assigned workplace-directed activities. If assigned workplace-directed activities equal less than three hours per week, then course syllabi must demonstrate that the work hours plus outside work equals three hours per week per credit. For a Distance Education course, one credit in an online classroom must equate to at least three hours per week of engagement in academic activities as documented in the course syllabi.

Goodwin University offers three semesters in a calendar year. An academic year consists of the three semesters beginning in September. Each semester is 15 weeks in length. Two semesters constitute an academic year for purposes of financial aid. Day and evening courses are usually either 7 or 15 weeks in length. For a complete description of the University’s credit hour policy and procedures, including equivalencies, refer to the University’s website.

Developmental Courses

Course numbers beginning with a “0” are considered developmental courses. Grades received for developmental courses are not included in the calculation of the student’s cumulative GPA. For purposes of Satisfactory Academic Progress, these courses do not count as credits attempted or as credits earned toward any degree or certificate.

Students who are required to take developmental courses should do so within their first 15 credits at the University.

Developmental courses may be repeated only once without requesting permission, and under no circumstance will a student be permitted to attempt a developmental course more than three times. 

Developmental courses may be eligible for financial aid; however, students are eligible for financial aid for a maximum of 30 credits (10 attempted courses) in developmental coursework.

Double Major and Dual Degree Enrollment

Many of the degree programs at Goodwin offer different options within the discipline that will accommodate the student with complex career objectives. There are instances, however, where a student will choose to matriculate in one major or degree program and also request courses in a second major or degree program.

Double Majors

To pursue a double major, students must complete a minimum of 15 credits in their original major with a grade-point-average of 2.3 or better before requesting admission into a second major. Enrollment into the second major requires the approval of the Dean of that program. The student must complete a “Request for Dual Major” form which is obtained online. If the student elects one concentration within their original program, and subsequently decides to take an additional concentration within that same program, the above criteria will apply.

In order to earn a double major, students must complete all requirements for both majors as outlined in this catalog. At least 25% of the core coursework in each program must be unique to each major. Selective admissions requirements must be satisfied before the student enrolls into a second major. Please use the link to complete the form.

Dual Degrees

Dual degrees may be pursued either concurrently or separately.

Enrollment into the second degree requires the approval of the Dean of that program. The student must complete a “Request for Dual Major” form which is obtained online.

In order to earn the credential they are striving for (the degrees and/or certificate), students must complete all requirements as outlined in this catalog. Selective admissions requirements must be satisfied before the student enrolls into a second degree.

The exception to this policy is that all students enrolled in the Associate in Science in Medical Assisting are dually enrolled into the Certificate in Medical Assisting.

Concurrent dual degree - matriculation into two degree programs at different academic levels (e.g. Bachelor and Associate). Students must complete a minimum of 15 credits in their original degree with a grade-point-average of 2.3 or better before requesting admission into a second degree program.

Separate dual degree - graduation from one degree program and then matriculation into a second degree program at the same level (Associate and Associate or Bachelor and Bachelor) or different academic levels where there is at least a full year of study beyond the first degree to earn the second (a minimum of 30 unique credits).

Please go to the following link to complete the form: https://www.goodwin.edu/pdfs/registrar/dual-major-request.pdf.

Establishing Course Attendance

Students must establish attendance in each course for which they are registered. Students have from the first day of their course through the fourteenth calendar day of a semester/module to establish attendance. Faculty report attendance on Census Day, which occurs on the fifteenth calendar day of each semester/module. Students who have not attended or participated in their course by the fourteenth day of the semester or module will be withdrawn from the course.

In order to establish attendance, students must do at least one of the following, prior to Census Day:

• Student attends an on-ground class; OR
• Student posts to online discussion about an academic matter; OR
• Student submits an academic assignment either on-ground or online; OR
• Student takes a quiz or test either on-ground or online.

Please note that posting to an introductory discussion board assignment does not constitute as establishing attendance.

Students who do not establish attendance will be administratively withdrawn from the course(s) and will be listed as a No Start (NS). These courses will not be listed on the transcripts or counted as credits attempted. 

For students who do not establish attendance for all/any course(s) by Census Day, a refund of 100% of applicable tuition charges less applicable fees and books, less $200 for course withdrawn will be granted.

Students receiving Title IV funds should reference the Undergraduate Financial Aid  and Refund Policy  in the catalog or on the Goodwin University website for any financial consequences related to non-attendance.

Grade Rounding

Grade rounding on individual course assignments, examinations and final course grades will be determined within the exclusive purview of content area members. In consultation with the respective dean and program director, faculty will clearly identify grade-rounding policies for each course on their course syllabi.

In most Goodwin courses, individual course assignments, examinations and final course grades (weighted total) are determined by the following method: when the decimal grade point is less than “0.5”, the grade is to be rounded down to the nearest whole number and when the decimal grade point is greater than or equal to “0.5”, the grade is to be rounded up to the nearest whole number. For example, an “82.3” would be rounded to an “82”, an “89.56” would be rounded to a “90” and a “69.44” would be rounded to a “69”.

Individual course assignments, examinations and final course grades (weighted total) in the core courses of selective admissions programs, as listed below, will be determined by using percentages with decimals where values are truncated to whole numbers and no rounding occurs. For example, an “82.3” would be an “82”, a “72.8” would be a “72” and an “89.56” would be an “89”.

Funeral Service (FNS)

Dental Hygiene (DH)

Occupational Therapy (OTA)

Medical Assisting (MED)

Respiratory Care (RSP)

Nursing (NUR)

Grading System

Grades are an indication of the standard of academic work performed. Throughout their program of study, students will be continually apprised of their academic progress. Students’ grades are provided at the end of each course. Students may view their unofficial transcript by logging into their Sonis account. Requests for official transcripts must be filled out online by using the following link. Students must pay a $10.00 administrative fee which can be paid with a debit or credit card. Official transcripts are released by the Registrar’s Office only after all other offices have issued clearances for the student.

Goodwin University uses the following academic grading system. The chart also describes the impact of each grade on a student’s academic progress.

Grades followed by an “R” on transcripts indicate that the course has been repeated.

Grades not used in the calculation of Grade Point Average:

Grade points are calculated by multiplying the number of quality points of each grade total by the total number of assigned credits for that course. The GPA is obtained by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of credits attempted.

A student’s transcript identifies two different Grade Point Averages (GPA). The first is the Semester GPA, which is based on the courses taken only for that semester. The second is a Cumulative GPA (CGPA) that consists of all the courses a student has taken at the University and the grades received for those courses unless grades fall under the Second Chance Policy. See Course Repeats for further information.

Graduate Comprehensive Assessment

Requirements for a master’s degree include a capstone course in which students complete at least one of the following: a comprehensive exam, a written thesis based on independent research, or an appropriate special project. Students must earn a grade of B- or higher in their capstone course. All prerequisites must be completed before students can register for theses or capstone projects. Consult the individual program pages in this catalog for more information about prerequisites and capstone information specific to the desired program.

Graduate Student Status

Matriculated Students

Individuals who have completed all of the requirements for admission and are accepted into a graduate program are considered to be matriculated. Graduate student status is determined on a semester basis by the number of credits that a student is registered to complete. To be considered a full-time graduate student at the University, candidates must be registered for a minimum of nine (9) credit hours per term. Graduate students who are enrolled for six (6) credits in a term are considered to be half-time.

Non-matriculated Students

Non-matriculated students with appropriate preparation may take three (3) to six (6) credits (one to two graduate courses) as a non-degree student with permission from the Registrar and the graduate program director. Students who want to take courses beyond these initial credits must be formally admitted into the graduate program, and no more than six (6) credits will be accepted toward the degree.

Graduate Students Readmission

Former Goodwin University graduate students who wish to re-enroll at the university must apply for readmission through the Admissions Office. Graduate students who were academically dismissed from their graduate program are not eligible for readmission to the University.

Graduation and Degree Conferral

The Board of Trustees of Goodwin University is authorized to confer Master of Science, Bachelor of Science, and Associate in Science degrees and award Collegiate Certificates to qualified candidates who have met all of the requirements. Students nearing the completion of their program must complete an Application for Award of Credential for each credential they believe they are qualified to receive prior to their last semester of study. The Application for Award of Credential is available on the University website only and must be electronically submitted to the student’s Dean or Program Director and to the Registrar for the purposes of a final degree audit. Candidates’ transcripts will be evaluated under the catalog in effect at the time of admission. If the candidate changed programs, the catalog used shall be the one in effect at the time of the program change. Candidates who have not met all of the requirements for graduation will be notified by the Registrar’s Office.

For purposes of clarity, the term “graduation” refers to program completion. The term “conferral” refers to the actual bestowal of the degree which happens twice a year, once on the date of our Commencement Ceremony and once at the end of the fall semester.

Goodwin University’s Milestone policy allows students to receive credentials and participate in commencement as those credentials are earned. Students who are enrolled in a Bachelor’s program who have met the requirements for a collegiate certificate or an Associate’s Degree will be awarded that credential. Students enrolled in Associate Degree programs who have met the requirements for a collegiate certificate will be awarded that credential.

Additionally, students may earn certificates that are embedded within their degree. Students are not allowed to enroll directly into these embedded programs. All courses in these programs also count towards graduation requirements for the related degree program.

Because the University holds Commencement once a year, in June, students who anticipate completing their program at the end of the summer semester following commencement are invited to participate in the ceremony. Participants will be acknowledged with honors at Commencement based on their GPA at the end of the spring 2023 semester. Final determination of honors will be decided upon the completion of their program. Degrees and academic honors are conferred to August graduates at the end of the fall semester.

General Graduation Requirements

1. Official enrollment in a certificate or degree program;
2. Completion of the minimum number of semester credit hours for the degree or certificate program with an academic average of at least 2.0 within the maximum time frame;
3. At least 25 percent of the graduation credit requirements must be granted by Goodwin University;
4. The last 12 credits posted to the transcript must have been granted by Goodwin University. This requirement is waived for any service members called to active duty while trying to complete their last twelve credits;
5. Satisfactory completion of all courses required in the student’s program;
6. Successful completion of the Financial Literacy course (FIL-101);
7. Fulfillment of all financial obligations to the University;
8. Electronic submission of an Application for Award of Credential to Program Director and Registrar; and
9. Completion of all specific program requirements for graduation. Additional requirements for Bachelor of Science degrees:

• A minimum of 15 credits in the major core must be completed at Goodwin University;
• Completion of a minimum of 45 credits at the 200-level or above; and
• Completion of a minimum of 30 credits at the 300-level or above.

Students with a CGPA less than 2.0 in required courses or in attendance for more than the maximum time frame will not be considered as graduates and will only receive a certificate of completion.

Immunization

Each student attending Goodwin University (the “University”) whether fully online, in a hybrid format or on-ground must have up-to-date and adequate immunizations as required by law. Exemptions from this policy are detailed in the Exemptions section of the immunization policy which is posted online under Goodwin’s policy section.

As required by Connecticut state law, the following immunizations are required:

For all students born after December 31, 1956:

• Measles, 2 doses
• Rubella, 2 doses
• Mumps, 2 doses

For all students born on or after January 1, 1980:

• Varicella, 2 doses

For all students that live on campus:

• Meningococcal, 1 dose within the past 5 years 

Each student must provide proof of immunization records to The Registrar’s Office as part of the application process. Proof of immunization must include documentation from a medical provider’s office showing the dates of immunization for each required immunization as stated above. Alternatively, you may use the immunization form in the appendix of this immunization policy, and have it signed by a medical physician or advanced practice registered nurse (“APRN”) verifying the information.

If you are requesting exemption from these requirements, per the Exemptions section of the immunization policy, you will need to fill out the Immunizations Exemption Form which is included in the appendix section of the policy.

For more information regarding Connecticut’s requirements and the laws on immunization (Connecticut General Statutes §§ 10a-155 and 10a-155(b)), please follow this link or call: (860) 509-7929.

Independent Study

Independent Study is an alternative instructional strategy. Students work independently, according to a written agreement, and under the supervision of a faculty mentor. An Independent Study course offers flexibility to meet individual student needs, interests, and styles of learning.

Students may request an independent study through their dean. Tuition for these courses is charged at the same rate as all other courses. In each independent study, a contract containing specific course objectives, activities and assignments will be agreed upon and signed by the instructor and student. Requirements may vary according to specific courses, but all must meet the following:

• Regularly scheduled meetings of the faculty mentor and student.
• Summary report of the assigned project.
• Final paper and/or examination.

To qualify, a student must be in good academic standing; students on probation are ineligible. Up to 12 collegiate credits may be earned through independent study.

The Independent Study Contract is available from the Registrar’s office. Students should complete the contract with their instructor and submit a signed copy to the Registrar’s office prior to registering for the course.

Internships for Graduate Students

All graduate students who participate in an internship or field work experience must abide by the school policies and procedures, as well as the policies and procedures of the institution or organization where the learning taking places.

Limit for Degree Completion in Graduate Programs

Graduate students are expected to complete their program within seven (7) years maximum.

Medical Withdrawal

Goodwin University, upon request and with appropriate documentation, may medically withdraw students from their courses due to serious medical conditions that prohibit the student from completing their courses. Students are required to complete a course withdrawal form to withdraw from their courses. They must also fill out and submit a petition form through the Goodwin University website. The request for withdrawal and relevant documentation must be received by the module or semester withdrawal date as indicated in the University catalog. In addition, Medical Withdrawals may affect a student’s academic progress. Please refer to the Satisfactory Academic Progress section in this catalog. Medical Withdrawals will be reviewed by the Record Review Committee (RRC) and students will be notified via their Goodwin University email. Students who do not agree with the decision of the RRC may appeal to the Goodwin Appeals and Grievances Board; please refer to the section on Appeals and Grievances.

Minors

Goodwin University offers students pursuing a bachelor’s degree an opportunity to choose a minor to serve as a secondary area of interest. Minors may extend a student’s scope of study in a related field or balance their major through study in a completely different field.

Minors are 15 credits. Completion of a minor requires that a student earn a “C” (2.0) grade or better in each of the required courses for that minor. No more than 9 credits may be used to meet both major/general education/concentration and minor course requirements. Students can substitute up to six credits with permission of the Dean and Program Director. A maximum of 6 transfer credits may be applied toward the minor. A student may earn more than one minor.

Refer to the appropriate Academic School’s page for specific minor curriculum requirements. 

To be considered for a minor, students entering their last semester must apply for a minor through the Registrar’s Office when submitting their application for award of credential. After completion of requirements, the minor will be recorded on the student’s final transcript.

Non-Native English Speakers and International Students in Graduate Programs

Graduate students from other countries are welcome and encouraged to apply to Goodwin University’s master’s programs. A student eligible for graduate study must have received the equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in their native country and must meet the further admission requirements of the graduate program of interest. The student’s background and preparation must be such in content and scope as to indicate the ability to successfully complete the curriculum requirements of the Goodwin University graduate program.

Applicants for admission whose native language is not English are required to prove their proficiency in the English Language. Proficiency can be proven by submitting the results of an English Proficiency examination, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The TOEFL scores must fall between 85 to 90 and the scores for the IETS must be at least a 6.5. Goodwin University will review each section independently to make sure that the writing and reading component is strong.

The University website provides prospective and enrolled international students with information on academic programs and student services available at the University and in the local community. Admission requirements for international students differ from domestic student requirements. For complete instructions and to access the online application, contact the International Admissions Team (860) 913-4111.

Among the admission requirements are proof of English proficiency, a Certificate of Finances, and translated and evaluated academic transcripts. International students may attend Goodwin University on an F-1 student visa and demonstrate satisfactory academic progress toward their degree. The University will issue the student an I-20 form once all the appropriate paperwork and fees are submitted. International graduate students must be enrolled full-time for 9-credit hours every semester.

A certified financial statement is required of international students, confirming that all university and personal expenses are covered for the initial year of proposed attendance at Goodwin University. Students can satisfy this requirement with a bank statement indicating the required amount of money for the academic year. International students are not eligible to receive any federal or state aid to offset their tuition and fees. Goodwin University’s International Admissions Team can answer questions about the financial process and options.

Furthermore, enrollment requirements include proof of immunization and mandatory enrollment in Goodwin University’s health insurance program. The course registration process begins once payment is processed and students have completed their mandatory orientation. Additional placement testing may occur at this time. The International Program staff will answer your questions and provide ongoing support services.

For additional information (e.g. arrival guide, visa information, ect.) refer to the International Programs Office website.

Notification of Rights Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

FERPA provides these rights:

1. Students have the right to inspect and review their education records within 45 days of the day Goodwin University receives a request for access.
2. Students have the right to request that a school correct records which they believe to be inaccurate. They should write to the Provost and Dean of Faculty, identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is misleading.

If Goodwin University decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the University will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his/her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment.

Generally, universities must have written permission from the student in order to release any information from a student’s education record. However, FERPA allows universities to disclose records, without consent, to universities officials who have legitimate educational interest.

In addition, universities may disclose without consent, “directory” information such as a student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, major field of study, degrees earned, honors and awards, and dates of attendance. Students may request to restrict the release of directory information by filing a “Request to Restrict” form in the Registrar’s Office. Students who wish to have information shared with parents, legal guardians, and/or significant others must file a “Permission to Release” form in the Registrar’s Office. Goodwin University annually notifies students of their rights under FERPA.

Students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Goodwin University to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-8520
1-800-872-5327

Prerequisite Course Waiver and Course Substitution

Under special circumstances, with permission from the appropriate Dean or Program Director, students may receive a waiver for a prerequisite of a specific course. Students who wish to pursue a prerequisite waiver should contact their Dean or Program Director.

Course substitutions also require permission of the Dean or Program Director and the Registrar.

Program Transfers or Program Option Transfers

Students wishing to change programs or concentrations within a degree program must file a written request which is available online. Please use the following link for the form: https://www.goodwin.edu/files/docs/registrar/program-interest-change-form.pdf.

Students wishing to transfer to selective admission programs should meet with the appropriate Dean or Program Director and complete the application process. Please refer to Selective Admission requirements.

Students who change programs are advised that their courses and semester credit hours will be reviewed for applicability to the new program. Only courses applicable to the new program and completed with a grade of D- or better will be eligible for transfer into the new program.

Registration

Incoming students register for classes by visiting with an applicant advisor as part of the Admission process.

Returning students officially register for the upcoming semester in week 7 of their current semester. Specific information about each registration period is available on the university website beginning week 4 of each semester and course offerings are available in the Course Catalog via Self Service. Students are encouraged to access the Goodwin University Registrar’s Office website page. Students should also check their Goodwin e-mail for registration reminders.

Before official registration begins, students should:

1. Meet with their program director or Academic advisor to choose courses.
2. Check that their FAFSA is current.
3. Check for registration holds in Self-Service.
4. Clear up holds.

Students who do not register during the official registration period will be charged a $100 late registration fee to register during the late registration period. Students may revise their registration during late registration and throughout the add/drop period. After the add/drop period, students wishing to add a second module course may do so before the seventh day of the second module. Changes made during the add/drop period may result in changes in tuition and/or fees. Students should reference the institutional refund policy  for any financial penalties that may occur because of a change in registration during the add/drop period. All changes made to registration are subject to review by the Financial Aid Office, Business Office, and the Registrar before they are considered final.

Second Chance Program

Current and returning undergraduate students choosing to transfer to a different program may be eligible for the Second Chance Program. This program is not considered academic amnesty rather a way for students to transfer to a new program that is a better fit for their skills and interests. Not all program transfers are approved under the Second Chance Program. The student must apply for and be approved for this program.

Under this program, only courses applicable to the new program, and all attempts, will be used to calculate the cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and rate of completion for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). All courses and grades not applicable to the new program will remain on the transcript, but will not be used to calculate SAP for the new program.

Depending on the student’s performance in the transfer courses, SAP may still impact the student’s ability to receive federal financial aid even after being accepted into the Second Chance Program. If this is the case, the student will receive the same sanctions and be required to go through the same SAP processes as all other students.

A student may only be approved to participate in the Second Chance Program once. The program is not applicable to any prior completed degree or certificate program the student completed at the University. For more information on the Second Chance Program, please contact the Registrar’s office at (860) 727-6708.

Student Classification

A full-time student is one who registers for 12 or more credits per semester. A three-quarter-time student is one who registers for 9 to 11 credits per semester. A half-time student is one who registers for 6-8 credits per semester. Students taking less than 6 credits per semester are considered less than half time and may not be eligible for financial aid. For purposes of designating bachelor degree students by class, Goodwin University uses the following standards:

• <30 collegiate credits earned=Freshman
• 30-59 collegiate credits earned=Sophomore
• 60-89 collegiate credits earned=Junior
• 90+ collegiate credits earned=Senior

Students are classified by their degree. Students who are enrolled in at the Associate in Science level can achieve the highest classification of Sophomore; while students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science degree can achieve the highest level of Senior.

Student Teaching/Internship/Externship Requirement

Undergraduate students enrolled in programs requiring student teaching or an internship/externship must have a 2.0 cumulative grade point average before attempting to fulfill this requirement. Registration into these courses is not considered final until the roster has been reviewed and approved by the Dean and the Program Director.

Student’s Right to Know

Section 485 (a) of the Higher Education Act requires universities that participate in any of the Title IV financial assistance programs to disclose information about completion rates to current and prospective students. Goodwin University’s four-year average Student-Right-To-Know Graduation Rate is 39%. The four-year average represents the 2012-2015 cohorts.

Transcripts of Graduate Programs

Graduate students may view their unofficial transcript by logging into their Self-Service account. Requests for official transcripts must be made online accompanied by a $10.00 administrative fee. Official transcripts are released by the Registrar’s Office only after all financial obligations are met.

Transfer of Collegiate Credit for Graduate Students

Graduate coursework may be transferred to the university graduate program under certain conditions. First, the credits must have been earned within the past ten years from a college or university accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or U.S. Department of Education (USDE). Second, a minimum grade of B- is required for the courses to be transferred. For more information, see individual program degree requirements for acceptable transfer credits. Finally, transfer courses must be approved by the Program Director and the Transfer Coordinator, under the direction of the Registrar. A maximum of six (6) graduate credits may be permitted to transfer into Goodwin University.

Officially transferred credit will be posted to the student’s transcript upon the receipt of official transcript(s). Credits awarded are given the grade of TR and are not included in the calculation of the GPA. These credits will count both as credits attempted and as credits earned in determining Satisfactory Academic Progress. Once a student is matriculated into a Goodwin University graduate program, no additional credits earned at other institutions will be transferred.

Transfer of Collegiate Credit for Undergraduate Students

Collegiate credit may be granted for credit courses successfully completed at other degree-granting institutions in accordance with the following policies:

1. Credit must have been awarded at a degree granting institution that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or the U.S. Department of Education (USDE).
2. The Registrar’s Office in consultation with faculty determines whether transferred courses satisfy Goodwin University degree requirements.
3. Only courses completed with grades of “C” or higher may be eligible for transfer.
4. Some degree programs require a higher passing grade than “C” to satisfy specific course requirements. Some degree programs have expiration dates for selected courses. Students should reference program requirements and consult with their Academic Advisor to ensure that transferable courses satisfy degree requirements.
5. Officially transferred credit will be posted to the student’s transcript upon receipt of official transcripts.
6. Once a student is matriculated at Goodwin University, no additional credits earned at other institutions will be transferred with the exception of military students. An approved Parent School letter must be on file before the student starts the class at the host school.
7. Credits earned at international institutions may be considered for transfer. The Registrar’s Office will assess official transcripts for equivalency; however, if an equivalency can not be determined it is the student’s responsibility to have the international transcript evaluated. The transcript must be assessed by an evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) and an official copy of the results must be sent to Goodwin University for evaluation and assessment of credit.
8. Students may be required to provide additional information during the transfer evaluation process, such as course descriptions and/or syllabi for potential transfer credit.
9. Credits awarded are given the grade of TR and are not included in the calculation of the Grade Point Average. These credits will count both as credits attempted and as credits earned in determining satisfactory academic progress.
10. Residency requirement: All students are required to take a minimum of 25% of all coursework toward a credential at Goodwin University. Students should consult the catalog pages that pertain to their major for any additional degree requirements. The last 12 credits posted to a student’s transcript must be taken at Goodwin University with the exception of active military students.

Wait List Management Policy

When a student wishes to register in a course that is full, the student may be added to the wait list for that course.

A student may be added to no more than three wait lists and must understand that the wait list is a good faith offer to seat students in a fair and equitable manner should a seat open up. Students are offered seats in sequential order only. The wait list does not guarantee a seat; so students should register for another section or course in order to ensure that they will qualify for financial aid.

If a seat becomes available, students will be contacted by the Registrar’s office through their Goodwin University e-mail. Students should notify the Registrar’s Office of their intentions as soon as possible. If a student does not respond to the Registrar’s office email within 24 hours, the student will be automatically removed from the wait list.

Withdrawing from a Course

Withdrawing before semester begins

Prior to the beginning of the semester, students may remove courses from their registration by accessing their registration page on Sonis and deleting the course(s) they are no longer interested in taking. If a student officially withdraws from a course(s) prior to the first day of the semester or module, 100% of applicable tuition and fees for the course(s) withdrawn (less books purchased) will be refunded. These courses will not appear on the transcript nor will they count as credits attempted.

Withdrawing from the first day of the semester through the fourteenth calendar day

Students who have established attendance can withdraw from a course from day one of the semester through the fourteenth calendar day of the semester by completing a withdrawal form. If the fourteenth calendar day of the semester falls on a Sunday the deadline to withdraw will be that following Monday. These withdrawn courses will not appear on the student’s transcript nor will they count as credit hours attempted.

For financial consequences of withdrawing from a course from day one through day fourteen of a semester refer to the institutional refund policy . Students should check with the Financial Aid Office to determine what financial penalty may be assessed as a result.

All deadlines are published in the Goodwin University catalog and are also available on the “Current Students” page of the University website. Deadlines will be strictly enforced. A student’s enrollment status for the semester will be determined on the first day of the third week of the semester and shall be considered final for that semester unless the student withdraws from Goodwin or the student is granted a medical withdrawal.

Withdrawing from a course after the fourteenth calendar day of a semester

Students who have established attendance may withdraw from a course after the fourteenth day of the semester through the end of week 13 of a 15-week course and through the end of 5 weeks of a 7 week course. If the fourteenth calendar day of the semester falls on a Sunday the deadline to withdraw will start after day 15.

To withdraw from a course, students must complete a Course Withdrawal Form with their Academic Advisor. A “W” will be assigned to the course and it will appear on the transcript. The “W” will not be used in the calculation of the GPA, but it will count as credits attempted. Students who have established attendance and withdraw from a 15-week or 1st module course after the fourteenth calendar day of a semester will be charged 100% tuition. Students who establish attendance in a second module course and withdraw from the course will be charged 100% tuition. Excessive withdrawals can impact satisfactory academic progress and jeopardize financial aid eligibility, so students are strongly encouraged to get both academic and financial aid advice before withdrawing from courses.

Course withdrawal deadlines are published in the Goodwin University catalog and are available on the website on the “Current Students” page. Deadlines will be strictly enforced. Withdrawals are not permitted beyond the deadline. If the end of week 13 or the end of 5 ½ weeks falls on a Sunday the deadline to withdraw will be that following Monday. After the deadline, students will receive an earned grade as determined by the instructor. If a student submits a withdrawal after the withdrawal deadline but prior the the semester ending, the student will have an automatic grade of “F” entered for their grade.

Failure to attend class is not an appropriate method of withdrawing from a course. Non-attendance does not cancel the financial obligation to pay fees and tuition incurred at the time of registration for classes. Students will remain liable for any outstanding payments of tuition and fees due to the University.

For financial consequences of withdrawing from a course after the start of a semester, refer to the institutional refund policy . Students should check with the Financial Aid Office to determine what financial penalty will be assessed as a result of withdrawing from a course.

Withdrawing from the University

Conditions may arise requiring the student to withdraw from Goodwin. A student who wishes to withdraw from the University should:

1. Complete and submit all necessary forms with their advisor;
2. Meet with a Financial Aid Officer to determine all financial obligations; and
3. Meet with a Student Account Specialist in the Business Office.

The official withdrawal date is the date the student officially initiates the withdrawal process.

If applicable, a revised tuition charge or refund will be calculated by the Business Office. If a student who withdraws has received financial aid, he/she may be subject to the loss of some, or all, of the financial aid award. This may also result in the student having personal responsibility for repayment of financial assistance. Please refer to the University’s Refund Policy .

Withdrawn students must reapply to the University. Re-admitted students must complete the academic requirements in effect in the catalog under which they are returning.