Mar 29, 2024  
Mansfield University 2008-2009 Graduate Catalog 
    
Mansfield University 2008-2009 Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Policies and Information


Academic Dismissal Policy

A student who receives an F in a course is automatically dismissed from the University. A student whose cumulative QPA (quality point average) is below 3.0 at the end of any semester is placed on academic probation until the QPA rises to a minimum of 3.0. Failure to achieve the minimum QPA within one academic year will result in dismissal from the University. If there is an extraordinary reason for which the student believes he/she should be reinstated, the student may appeal to the Associate Provost.

Probationary status does not mean that a student is dismissed from the University. It means that the student is not currently meeting the standard required for graduation and that corrective action is required. A student on probation will receive a letter from the University about the probationary status.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to do their own academic work. Dishonesty in academic work, including cheating, academic misconduct, fabrication, or plagiarism is unacceptable. Faculty are expected to instruct students in ways of avoiding these forms of academic dishonesty. Faculty are also responsible for assessing and reporting all charges of academic dishonesty to the Office of the Provost. The student handbook, The Mountie Manual, outlines the procedures faculty will use to initiate disciplinary action in cases of academic dishonesty.

Faculty are responsible for informing students of course evaluation criteria, for adherence to the stated criteria, and for determining grades in a fair and equitable manner. If a student charges that a faculty member has discharged professional duties in an improper, arbitrary, discriminatory, or otherwise unjustified manner, complaints are considered by the procedures outlined in The Mountie Manual.

Academic Standards: Review Board Procedures

  1. Once the student has received the first dismissal letter and decided to make an appeal before the Academic Standards Review Board, an appointment can be made for the hearing by contacting the associate provost.
  2. Students who have been dismissed a second time do not have the right to appeal to the A.S.R.B.
  3. After a time is scheduled for the hearing, the student is expected to address to the chairperson of the board in a written appeal, stating his/her case. The written appeal may be mailed to the chairperson or brought in by the student to the hearing.
  4. The student will request the department chairperson of his/her major, or a faculty person, to serve as advocate and voting member of A.S.R.B. during the hearing.
  5. Before the student presents his/her case to the board, the student’s letter will be read by the A.S.R.B. The voting members of A.S.R.B. will consider all necessary records of the student. The student will then be given the opportunity to address the board.
  6. Following the presentation of the appeal, the board members will vote to determine reinstatement or denial. Students will then receive immediate notification of the decision as well as stipulations imposed by the board to assist the student in achieving academic success. Should the student’s chairperson or the faculty member of his/her choice fail to appear, the remaining voting members will determine the decision on any specific case.

Failure to appear in person before the board will finalize the dismissal.

Accreditation

The principal accrediting agencies for Mansfield University are: Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, the National Association of Schools of Music, National Council of Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), Pennsylvania Department of Education, and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. As a part of the NCATE accreditation process dispositions of teacher candidates will be assessed. Please see the Teacher Education Handbooks for more details.

ACT 48

Beginning July 1, 2000, ACT 48 of 1999 requires persons holding Pennsylvania professional educator certification to complete continuing education requirements every five years in order to maintain active certificates. Teachers wishing to use credit course work taken at Mansfield University to help meet this requirement should visit our website at http://admissions.mansfield.edu/non-degree.htm. Teachers are responsible for selecting courses pertaining to their areas of certification or teaching assignments. Contact the Registrar’s Office, (570) 662-4202. Pennsylvania Chapter 49.2 mandates new teacher education requirements effective January 1, 2013. Please note that you will have to complete the new teacher education requirements to attain PA certification if you do not graduate by December 31st, 2012.

Add or Drop a Course

You may ADD a course during the first seven working days of a semester and DROP a course during the first six working days of a semester.

Audit

If you are interested in auditing a course (attending class, but receiving no grade or credit for it) you must complete a registration form and audit card for the course work requested. These forms are available at the Registrar’s Office (matriculating students). Cost of auditing is $50 per course. You must have permission from the instructor to audit the course. Please note that studio courses in Art, applied music courses in Music and Nursing courses may not be audited. Audited courses do not count toward graduate requirements.

Bookstore

The Campus Bookstore is operated by College Community Services, Inc. The store is open from 8 AM to 4 PM Monday - Friday and 10 AM to 1 PM on Saturdays during the fall and spring semesters. During the summer sessions, the store is open 8 AM to 4 PM Monday through Friday. Also, during the first week of classes, the store is open extended hours, as posted, to aid students in purchasing textbooks, dorm supplies, health and beauty aids, class supplies, clothing, etc. The bookstore is located on the main floor of the Alumni Hall Student Center. Textbooks are located on the upper level of the store while supplies, clothing, MU logo items, stationary, health and beauty aids, etc., are all found on the lower level. Reserve your books online at mansfieldbookstore.com and have the first chance at used textbooks.

Career Center

Career Development provides an opportunity for student self-evaluation, occupational skills, interests evaluation and career preparation support. A career library is also available. The Career Center helps students prepare to find employment upon graduation. Job vacancies, civil service opportunities, and teacher vacancies are publicized to students and alumni. On-campus interviews are scheduled and conducted by representatives of business, industry, public schools and civil service agencies. Various career-related events such as job fairs and employer information sessions are sponsored by the Career Center. Job search readiness services, including resume critique, mock interviews and planning a job search strategy are also available by appointment.

This office also provides testing for CLEP and Miller Analogies Tests (MAT). Information on other testing programs is also available. For additional information, please call (570) 662-4133, Ground Floor Alumni Hall.

Center for Lifelong Learning

The Center for Lifelong Learning provides educational opportunities at the graduate level both on-campus, online and at a variety of locations off-campus including graduate credit workshops for teachers and other graduate courses for adults and professionals. The Center for Lifelong Learning is responsible for all distance education course offerings including online courses. Visit our website at cll.mansfield.edu, or call CLL directly at 800-661-3640.

Teacher Certification Programs

The State Board of Education has recently adopted changes to the regulations governing teacher certification in Pennsylvania. These changes will affect every teacher education program in the state. Although teachers will no longer be certified under the existing regulations as of January 1, 2013, the new regulations had not been published in final form as of the date that this catalog became final. The university will revise its teacher education curriculum to comply with these new regulations once they are published, and the revised program will be required for all students who enter effective in the Fall of 2009. Students who enter existing teacher education programs may complete their degrees and obtain certification under the current rules only if they complete the degree program and apply for certification prior to December 31, 2012. Students who plan to complete their degree and apply for certification after that date may wish to change to the new curriculum once it is approved.

The Teacher Education Unit is responsible for all teacher certification programs at Mansfield University regardless of the department that houses the program. The Unit is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Teacher Education Unit’s guiding principle is that of “Teacher as a Reflective Decision Maker” at the Initial teacher preparation level and “Teacher as Reflective Educational Leader” at the Advanced preparation level. The Unit has adopted Charlotte Danielson’s Framework for Teaching as the conceptual framework for guiding students in their development as reflective decision makers. This framework centers on four domains or areas of teacher responsibility: Planning and Preparation; Classroom Environment; Instruction; and Professional Responsibility.

The Teacher Education Unit Mission
It is the primary mission of the teacher education unit at Mansfield University to prepare educators to serve the region, the Commonwealth, and the nation. Our graduates will be able to make reflective decisions that are grounded in accepted theory, research, and practice. These decisions will enable the teacher to adapt instruction to individual student differences and to changing conditions within schools and society. The teacher education unit prepares caring, knowledgeable, and effective elementary, secondary, and special education teachers and school librarians. The unit adheres to Pennsylvania’s code of professional practice and Chapter 354-General Standards, as well as the standards of multiple other professional organizations (e.g., CEC, INTASC, NSSTA, etc.).

Continuing Enrollment Course Procedure

A graduate student not registering for credit bearing course(s), who wishes to remain active in the program, may schedule at no cost for ED-5600 Continuous Enrollment for a maximum of two consecutive semesters.

Graduate students will be eligible to enroll in the continuous enrollment course during the registration and add/drop periods. Graduate students who fail to enroll will be classified as No Shows or Abandons and will become inactive in the student system. Students in an inactive program status must reapply for admission utilizing either the on-line or paper application.

Cost

Tuition and fees are set after the catalog is printed. Most current information can be found on the website at www.mansfield.edu/~accounts/. Online tuition rates are based on part time or full time student status.

Counseling Center

The University Counseling Center provides free counseling services to all university students and staff. Our primary purpose is to help people grow in a positive and productive direction. We will assist you in understanding yourself, your feelings and emotions, your personal problem areas, and your educational concerns. We will develop a strategy with you to assist in reaching your goals and in helping you to live more effectively. For additional information, please contact (570) 662-4695, Hemlock Hall.

Course Load/Time Limit

A normal academic course load (full-time student) is defined as nine (9) to fifteen (15) credit hours a semester. A maximum of twelve (12) credits may be taken during the summer. Students who wish to schedule more than the maximum must submit a petition to the Associate Provost. The following degree programs, Art, Education, Elementary Education, Music, and Special Education, are to be completed within a maximum of seven years. The School Library and Information Technology program and the Master of Science in Nursing have a five-year time limitation. Students who have completed courses outside of the corresponding program time frame may petition in writing to the Graduate Council for an extension of the time limitation.

Culminating Requirements

Each degree requires some culminating activity at the end of the master’s degree process. (For example: Recital, Exhibition, Departmental Paper, Thesis, and Orals). The nature of the final requirement should be discussed with your advisor early in your graduate program.

Degree Requirements

To graduate from Mansfield University with a master’s degree, you should meet the following requirements:

  1. Earn the total number of credits determined by your department (30-36) credits.
  2. Earn a minimum 3.0 cumulative quality point average (QPA).
  3. Complete ALL course work with a C - grade or better.
  4. Satisfactory completion of any creative project, research or thesis, comprehensive exam, graduate music recital or art exhibition required by your department as a culminating project.
  5. Notify Registrar’s Office of your Intent to Graduate prior to your last term in graduate school. The form can be obtained online at http://records.mansfield.edu/.
  6. Complete any additional requirements necessary because of deficiencies identified in audition or entry, or because you have chosen to add one or more teaching certifications with your master’s degree.

Due Process

Academic Standards: Due Process/Complaints: Complaints, which may be properly considered by means of the following procedures, include, but are not limited to, complaints about grades or changes in requirements for a course during the semester. Complaints about grades may, among other things, be based upon racial, sexual or religious discrimination or other forms of favoritism; arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable methods of evaluation; lack of precautions taken by the instructor against cheating or plagiarism; or unfair penalties for legally recognized absences from class or examination.

  1. The student should first present the complaint, orally and informally, to the faculty member involved.
  2. If no agreement is reached at Step A, the student may prepare a written complaint, which contains supporting evidence and indicates the desired solution. This complaint must be submitted to the departmental chairperson and the faculty member within 20 regular semester class days of the date on which the student became aware, or should have become aware, of the occurrence leading to the complaint. The faculty member, the student and the chairperson shall meet to discuss the complaint. The chairperson may conduct whatever informal investigation seems necessary and should attempt to achieve a negotiated settlement. If the complaint is directed against the departmental chairperson, the written complaint must be submitted to the provost/vice president for academic affairs who shall select a senior member of the department to fill the chairperson’s role in this procedure.
  3. If the student is still unsatisfied, he/she may have a hearing before a committee specially formed for the purpose. The request for such a hearing must be presented to the provost/vice president for Academic Affairs within five regular semester class days of the meeting required in Step B. A copy of a written complaint, which may be redrafted before it is submitted, must accompany this request.
  4. The committee to hear the complaint shall be composed of three faculty members, two students, and the designee of the director of Residence Life who shall be a non-voting member and shall serve as chairperson. The chairperson shall be responsible for scheduling and conducting committee meetings and for insuring that the procedures described herein are carried out. The three faculty members of the committee shall be chosen by the chairperson from a list of faculty who have agreed to serve on hearings. The executive committee of the Student Government Association and the vice president for student affairs shall select the two student members. The committee shall adopt its’ own rules of procedure, consistent with these guidelines.
  5. The student and the faculty member shall each appear before the committee at the same time. A member of the academic community to act as an advocate may accompany each.
  6. The student and the faculty member may each present to the committee such witnesses as they feel are desirable.
  7. The committee may conduct an investigation and collect evidence. The student and the faculty member must be given this evidence and each afforded an opportunity to rebut it.
  8. The faculty member shall make all pertinent materials and grading records available to the committee. The committee may, at its discretion, make available to the student those records, or portions thereof, which it judges to be relevant in light of the student’s allegations.
  9. The committee shall consider the evidence and make a recommendation to the faculty member as to how the complaint shall be settled. The faculty member should be guided by, but is not bound by, this recommendation.
  10. If either party is still dissatisfied, he/she may appeal to the provost/vice president for Academic Affairs.
  11. The provost/vice president for Academic Affairs shall hear the evidence by each side and may collect further evidence as desirable. Both sides must be given access to such evidence and given the opportunity to rebut it.
  12. The Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs shall take whatever action is felt necessary to restore equity in the situation, with the provision that a course grade may not be altered to A, B, C, or D, nor may a grade of F be altered to P, without the consent of the faculty member who assigned the grade. Any grade may be altered to W and any passing grade may be altered to P without such consent.

Email Accounts

All registered students will receive a Mansfield University email account.

Graduate Academic Year Definition

Mansfield University’s academic year is a period that contains 30 weeks of instructional time during which a full-time student is expected to complete at least 18 semester hours. The academic year is further described as a Scheduled Academic Year (SAY) that starts at the beginning of fall semester and ends on the last day of the spring semester. The summer sessions are designated as “trailer” terms which follow the SAY. On an individual basis, a student’s academic year can be changed to a Borrower-Based Academic Year (BBAY) when determining financial aid eligibility. A BBAY is not fixed period of calendar time; instead the beginning and ending dates depend on the student’s enrollment and progress. The BBAY does not end until the student has completed the number of weeks and the number of hours in the academic year.

Grading System

A written syllabus, which includes the criteria for academic evaluation, is provided by instructors prior to the end of the first week of class. Mansfield University uses a 4-point grading scale, as shown below, to evaluate academic performance.

  Grades   Interpretation   Quality Points
 

A
A-
B+

 
4.0
3.7
3.3
  Excellent
  B
B-
C+
C
 
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.0
  Above Average
  C-  
1.7
  Acceptably Passing
  D+
D
D-
 
1.3
1.0
.07
  Does not count toward graduation
  F  
0.0
  Failure
The following designations may be used in addition to the grades shown above:
  AU
I
S
U
W
  Audit
Incomplete
Satisfactory (C- grade or better)
Unsatisfactory
Withdrawal from a course after the drop period

The cumulative quality point average (QPA) is determined by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the total number of credit hours of work attempted. The cumulative QPA is the index by which a student’s academic standing is judged.

Graduate Courses - What is a Graduate Course?

Mansfield University graduate courses represent either specialized or advanced study within a broad-based discipline offering or supporting graduate studies at Mansfield University. The following criteria describe distinctive features of Mansfield University’s graduate courses. Tangible evidence of the criteria should be included in course syllabi and student requirements.

  1. Course content is at more advanced levels of depth and understanding than that offered in the undergraduate curriculum.
  2. Course topics are supported by a significant body of professional literature and, except in emerging areas of inquiry, there are significant theoretical and research bases for course content.
  3. Reading and reflection support graduate learning. Therefore, graduate courses include adequate time for you to read course-related materials and to reflect on what you are learning.
  4. Graduate students should be developing professional beliefs and opinions that they can articulate and substantiate with support from professional and scientific literature.
  5. Courses will provide significant opportunities for students to interact with the course instructor and with other graduate students enrolled in the course. In distance education situations, face-to-face interactions between instructor and students are encouraged to the degree they are possible.
  6. Graduate courses at Mansfield University attempt to reflect diversity as related to culture, ethnic groups, gender, age and value systems.
  7. When graduate courses are offered in cross-listed arrangements with undergraduate courses, the syllabus and course proposal forms must be clearly differentiated: a) assignments, b) evaluation methods, and c) experiences

Graduate Degree plus Pennsylvania Teacher Certification

Many graduate students choose to pursue an initial or added area of certification in conjunction with their graduate studies. In many cases, some of the courses required for the degree program also apply to the certification program. If you wish to pursue certification, contact the Field Experience Office, 207 Retan Center, (570) 662-4024 to initiate a certification program. Teacher Education Students must possess a current Pennsylvania Criminal Record check (Act 34), Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151), a valid TB tine test and a current PA-FBI check before entering a K-12 school for field experiences or student teaching. Forms for clearances can be found online at www.mansfield.edu/~teacher.

Human Subject Research Policy

Research projects undertaken by Mansfield University students, staff, or faculty members must be approved prior to involvement of human subjects and the initiation of the research project. The review process is intended for the protection of the human subjects and shall be the sole object of the review.

The Mansfield University Institutional Review Board (IRB) is the final authority in determining approvals of human subjects research. To apply for a request for review of research, contact your department chairperson who will give you a copy of the guidelines, application form, and a sample informed consent form. You must submit two copies of the Request for Review of Research form and one copy of the Informed Consent form to your department chair. Depending on the nature of the research, and the potential risks to subjects, the department will undertake a departmental review of the application, or they will forward it to the IRB Chairperson for board review.

Copies of the IRB guidelines and forms are also available at the university web site: http://www.mansfield.edu/~grantsde or by contacting Dr. Francis Craig, Chairperson of the IRB, Hemlock Hall. Persons undertaking human subjects research should plan to submit their applications at least 3-4 weeks prior to the proposed research project start.

Identification Cards

Student ID cards are available at the CCSI office (College Community Services, Inc.), at 327 Alumni Student Center (floor 3M). All students, off-campus included, must have an MU ID card. The card enables the student to check out library materials and receive discounts on many cultural and entertainment productions. In addition, ID cards are used to access the Library website from off-campus and may be used for the printers and copy machines in North Hall Library and various locations on campus. Student ID cards must be carried at all times and shown upon request to authorized personnel. ID’s are examined at the library, at athletic events, and at various campus activities. The cost of the ID card is $5 for new students. (Replacement cards are $10). Regular office hours are Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Extended hours are available during the first two weeks of classes but vary each semester, therefore please contact the CCSI office at (570) 662-4929.

Incomplete (I)

An incomplete grade (I) is used to denote unfinished work because of serious mitigating circumstances beyond the student’s control. It is a privilege granted because of circumstances, not a right to be expected by the student. The “I” grade is submitted by professors at their discretion on the grade scan form at the end of the semester. The professor and the student will identify the specific requirements to be satisfied in order to convert the “I” to a letter grade. The student is responsible for the removal of an “I” grade prior to the end of the following academic semester or it will become an “F” grade.

Independent Study and Individualized Instruction

Guidelines for Independent Study and Individualized Instruction

Independent Study and Individualized Instruction provide academic opportunities that can enhance a student’s education. They also are offered at considerable financial cost if one considers the number that may be supported across the university in a particular semester. Approval of these activities requires a careful consideration of academic, individual, and financial considerations. These guidelines are based primarily on the current Mansfield University Catalog. Phrases are underlined for emphasis. Bullets are added to note administrative expectations designed to promote fair and consistent decisions about these activities.

Independent Study (IS) is available in each curricular field. The appropriate curricular prefix precedes the course number 5597, and the credit hours vary from one to three.

Independent Study may be repeated for more than three credit hours total, but each Independent Study project may be for no more than three credit hours.

Independent Study is an activity initiated by you to increase your already advanced knowledge in a particular academic discipline. The subject is examined in an intensive manner with guidance by a faculty member who has special expertise in that field.

To request approval for an Independent Study, prepare a contract (available at the Registrar’s Office) which then must be completed and approved by the faculty director, department chairperson and Office of the Provost. A request for Independent Study must be completed prior to the start of the semester or summer session for which the Independent Study is sought.

Independent studies will be approved only where there is sufficient evidence of the potential of the study to advance the student’s scholarly development.

All requests for Independent Study should be accompanied by an appropriate and scholarly proposal that has been carefully reviewed by the student and the faculty director who will supervise the independent study.

The proposal should include a plan of activities to be undertaken, the “products” to be expected from the study (for example, a paper, a performance, a research report, or presentation to a departmental symposium), a timetable for the study and an estimate of he amount of effort that will be applied to the study so that the appropriate amount of credit can be assessed.

Only in rare instances would more than two independent study proposals be approved as part of a student’s curriculum.

Individualized Instruction (II) is available on a restricted basis. Ordinarily permission to take a course by Individualized Instruction is Individualized Instruction (II) is available reserved for students who are close to graduation and who have not been able to meet a degree requirement either because the course has not been available or because of some other mitigating circumstance.

A student’s decision to move from the Mansfield area or a conflict with another obligation, such as a job, would not normally be sufficient to justify an Individualized Instruction. A call to military service or a serious extended illness, on the other hand, may be viewed as sufficient mitigating circumstances.

An Individualized Instruction would not normally be approved if there is evidence that a student delayed taking a course or dropped a course earlier in their academic career and did not make a clear attempt to complete it as part of a regular schedule.

In instances where there are repeated requests from a department to offer a course via Individualized Instruction, it would be advisable for the department to reassess their ability to support the curriculum.

A request for a course by Individualized Instruction (available at the Registrar’s Office), must be completed and approved by the faculty director, department chairperson, and the Office of the Provost. A request for Individualized Instruction must be completed prior to the start of the semester or summer session for which the Individualized Instruction is sought.

Requests for Individualized Instruction should be accompanied by a detailed justification and explanation of the mitigating circumstances that require the course to be taken in this manner, a current course syllabus that outlines the material to be covered, a timetable for the instruction, and the means of assessment that will be applied to determine the grade assigned.

Intent to Graduate

One year prior to your intended date of graduation, you should complete the “Intent to Graduate” (diploma) form and submit it to Registrar’s Office, 224 South Hall. This form can be obtained online at http://records.mansfield.edu/.

Library

Mansfield University has one of the most electronically advanced libraries in the United States. The six-story North Hall provides an elegant 19th century setting where you can access information from around the world through our computers and links to the Internet.

1) The library is located on the first four floors of North Hall and has several special features to promote the efficient use of information in both printed and electronic forms. The library has been designed to highlight traditional subject strengths such as those for music and education and also to provide immediate access to electronic information via extensive computer networking.

2) If you need help using the resources housed in the library, there are several service points with the most comprehensive one being the Information Desk on the second floor, north wing. The personnel who staff this area will be able to help you with traditional reference questions on how to use printed and electronic resources and will also provide advice on equipment problems. Other more specialized service points are: 1) the Circulation Desk in the entrance lobby which includes the printed reserve collection, laptops and other multimedia materials and reserves are located here as well, and 2) the Microfilms/Periodicals Desk in the atrium on the third floor. Printed brochures available throughout the library provide answers to commonly asked questions about library resources and services.

Library Policies

1) A Mansfield University ID card is necessary each time any materials are checked out including library use only reserve items. ID cards and circulation privileges are not transferable and are intended for use only by the person in whose name they were issued. A lost or stolen ID card should be immediately reported at the Circulation Desk.

2) General circulating materials such as books, curriculum guides, government documents, pictures, and textbooks circulate for a four-week period for students (2-week grace period). Other item loan types include:

  1. Bestsellers - two weeks (1-week grace period)
  2. Laptop computers - library use only
  3. Media Materials - audio and videocassettes, phono discs, compact discs, and audio and video cassette players - one week (no grace period)
  4. Reserve Materials - loan periods are assigned by the professor and are as follows: library use only, one day, three days, or one week. The Library is now offering electronic reserves so you may access the materials from outside the library and from off campus. Please check with your instructor or the Circulation Desk personnel to determine if the materials you need are available electronically if you cannot verify it yourself.

3) Most items may be renewed in person (please no telephone calls) unless reserved for another patron. Renewals may be made without having the materials present if the patron has a Mansfield University ID card. Online renewal - Patrons can now renew their library material online. See the library home page for information on how to do this.

4) A patron may place a hold on any item that is in circulation except for course reserves. When the item is available, the requestor will be notified and the item will be held at the Circulation Desk for one week.

5) After an item has been in circulation for two weeks, it may be recalled at the request of another patron. The recall notice will allow one week for the return of an item to the library. Items needed for course reserve will be recalled by the library immediately.

6) All materials should be returned to the Circulation Desk. When the library is closed, books may be deposited in the book return located on the east wall, left of the front entrance. Please do not place media materials in the book return as they are easily damaged.

7) A reminder listing overdue items may be sent to the patron when items are not returned by the due date. Library patrons who return all the listed items within the grace period will not be subject to overdue fines.

8) General circulating items not returned by the end of the grace period are assessed a fine of $0.25 per day from the due date. Overdue reserve materials will incur an immediate fine of $2 per day. Certain types of materials will have higher fines. All media materials except reserves and laptops circulate for one week with no grace period. Fines: cassettes, compact data discs, compact discs, diskettes, kits, overlays, phono disks, models, slides, tests, videocassettes - $0.25 per day; video players - $10 per day.

9) All patrons are responsible for replacement fees for lost or non-returned items. Charges will be based on an average price for the item plus a $10 processing fee. Refunds for materials returned to the library after replacement charges have been paid are given only if the item has not been replaced or withdrawn from the collection.

10) Unpaid fines or an excessive number of overdues will result in a loss of borrowing privileges. Unresolved charges will be turned over to the Revenue Office for collection resulting in a block on future class registrations and transcript requests.

11) The library uses an electronic security system, which detects any materials that are not checked out. Individuals who attempt to leave the library with materials that have not been checked out from the library are automatically referred to the University Police.

Food, beverage, and tobacco products may not be used in the library.

Online Programs and Courses

Mansfield University online programs were designed specifically for working professionals to address their educational needs. Mansfield University offers two graduate programs online - the Masters of Education in School Library & Information Technology and the Masters of Nursing. The Masters of Education in Art Education has been developed as a hybrid program offering students the opportunity to take the majority of coursework online. Mansfield online will help you to attain your degree while learning from the convenience of your home, office regardless of your travel or work schedule.

Mansfield University uses Blackboard Learning System as the platform for delivery of the online programs and courses. Students can access all essential resources online including advising, library services, and online bookstore, and more. Online delivery allows students and faculty to engage in ongoing discussions, interaction, and learning across time zones. The convenience and flexibility of online learning is well established. For more information contact the Center for Lifelong Learning, 205 Memorial Hall, or call 800-661- 3640, or visit the website at: online.mansfield.edu.

People with Disabilities Policy

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 provides that “no otherwise qualified individual with a disability shall, solely by reason of her/his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal assistance.” Section 504 prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in recruitment, testing, admissions, or after being admitted to a college/university. Mansfield University is committed to making the necessary adjustments so hat students with disabilities are able to fulfill academic requirements and to ensure that they are not excluded from programs because of their disability. Inquiries should be directed to the Affirmative Action Office, 118 Alumni Hall, or call (570) 662-4892.

Petition

Program Variance: under special circumstances, curriculum requirements may be modified. A department chairperson may substitute or waive major course requirements by informing the Registrar’s Office in writing of such requested program change. Graduate students may petition the Associate Provost for other program variances.

Waiver of University Policies or Regulations: when any rule or regulation of the university causes an unfair hardship, you may petition the Associate Provost for an exception. You should contact your advisor for assistance in preparation of a petition. Petitions are available online at http://records.mansfield.edu/

Repeating a Course Policy

When a student repeats a course, the last grade received shall be used in computing the cumulative quality point average (QPA). Previous grades for repeated courses will still appear on the transcript. Students must notify the Registrar’s Office if they intend to repeat a course. Registrar’s Office, 224 South Hall, (570) 662-4202.

Residency

As a student, you are classified as a Pennsylvania resident for tuition purposes if you have a Pennsylvania domicile. Domicile is the place where you intend to and do permanently reside. Because the determination of whether you intend to reside indefinitely in Pennsylvania is subjective, documentary evidence, statements from disinterested persons, and the presumptions set forth below are considered:

a) Continuous residence in Pennsylvania for a period of 12 months prior to registration as a student at an institution of higher education in Pennsylvania creates a presumption of domicile. A student is presumed not to be a domiciliary if she/ he has resided for a shorter period before attending an institution of higher education, but the student may rebut this presumption by clear and convincing evidence.

b) Students who are not United States citizens and have nonimmigrant visas or lack a visa are presumed not to be domiciled in Pennsylvania, but they may rebut this presumption by clear and convincing evidence.

c) A minor is presumed to have the domicile of her or his parents or guardian. The age of majority for establishing a domicile for tuition purposes is 22. However, a minor may prove financial emancipation and thereby prove Pennsylvania domicile through clear and convincing evidence.

d) A United States government employee or a member of the armed forces who was domiciled in Pennsylvania immediately preceding entry into government service and who has continuously maintained Pennsylvania as his or her declared legal residence shall be presumed to have a Pennsylvania domicile. Nonresidents stationed in Pennsylvania for military service shall be deemed Pennsylvania residents.

e) A student receiving a scholarship, loan or grant, dependent upon maintaining domicile in a state other than Pennsylvania, is presumed to be domiciled in the state from which she/he is receiving financial aid.

A student may challenge her/his residence classification by submitting a written appeal to the controller. If the student is not satisfied, the decision may be appealed in writing to the Office of the Chancellor, State System of Higher Education, within 30 days. The decision of the Chancellor is considered final. The effective date of any reclassification, resulting from the student’s challenge, is determined by the controller based on when the petition was filed. A student who changes domicile from Pennsylvania to another state must promptly give written notice to the university.

Sexual Harassment Policy

Harassment on the basis of sex is a violation of Title VII of the U.S. Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act. Because the university is committed to providing an environment where each person can learn and work to her or his fullest capacity, the university does not tolerate sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment occurs when:

  1. submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment, or a student’s academic status or treatment.
  2. submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for academic or employment decisions affecting such individual
  3. such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or academic environment.

If you believe you have been a victim of sexual harassment, or if you have any questions about The University’s policy, contact the Affirmative Action Office, 118 Alumni Hall, or call (570) 662-4892. Existing affirmative action guidelines are used in processing complaints.

Summer School

The Summer School program is designed to meet the needs of a variety of students. A wide range of educational opportunities include credit courses for graduate students as well as workshops, Act 48, travel abroad credit courses, teacher education, and other fields of study. Summer courses include traditional in-classroom experiences as well as online courses.

Teachers and graduate students will find courses in the summer program to serve a variety of needs. They may enroll to complete requirements for permanent certification, take refresher courses in their field of specialization, earn certification in a new field, or take academic coursework to meet ACT 48 requirements.

The Summer Session is available online. You can visit our website (summer.mansfield.edu) to view the Summer Session course offerings including both on & off campus courses and online offerings.

Time Limitations

The following degree programs, Art, Education, Elementary Education, Music, and Special Education, are to be completed within a maximum of seven years. The School Library and Information Technology and Nursing programs have a five-year time limitation. Students who have completed courses outside of the corresponding program time frame, may petition in writing to the Associate Provost for an extension of the time limitation. Graduate students who are not enrolled for more than three consecutive semesters, must re-apply for admission. There will be no new admission fee assessed for this process.

Transferring Credits

Mansfield University may accept a maximum of six (6) semester hours in transfer from an accredited college/university and if the courses:

  1. Would have been counted toward a graduate degree from the sponsoring institution.
  2. Are appropriate for your program at Mansfield University as determined by the department offering the degree program and the grades are B or better (if the previous school awarded a “P” grade, and this is verified as equal to a B or better, then it will be accepted).
  3. Were taken within a 7 year (5 year for The School Library and Information Technologies and Nursing programs) time period prior to admission. Any courses beyond the qualified time periods become a departmental decision.
  4. Are included on an official graduate transcript received by Mansfield University

A “Request to Transfer Graduate Credit(s)” form can be obtained online at http://admissions.mansfield.edu/forms.cfm.

Undergraduate Taking Graduate Courses

An undergraduate student at Mansfield University may enroll in a graduate course (5500 level) if the student is within 18 semester hours of having satisfied the requirements for the bachelor’s degree (as certified by the Registrar’s Office) for graduate credit upon conferral of the bachelor’s degree. This does not imply automatic admission into a Graduate Program.

Graduate courses may be applied toward an undergraduate degree upon approval of the “Request for Permission to Enroll in Graduate Courses for Undergraduate Credit” form, which is available online at http://records.mansfield.edu/ and satisfactory completion of such courses.

The University Calendar

Our regular academic calendar consists of a fall semester that ends before Christmas and a spring semester that ends in early May. We also offer three summer sessions from May to August with a larger percentage of graduate courses being offered during the final five-week session (July and August).

Withdrawal from a Course

After the drop period, you may withdraw from a course until 4 p.m. the Friday of the ninth week of classes. You need to complete a course withdrawal form and have it signed by the course instructor. (A withdrawal form can be obtained from the Registrar’s Office). Once you have the required signatures, submit the form to the Registrar’s office in 224 South Hall. A “W” will be recorded in the permanent record and will not be calculated in the quality point average (QPA). A student who withdraws from all courses is automatically withdrawn from the University.