The College of Community and Public Affairs and its departments generally follow the academic policies announced in the Binghamton University Bulletin; however, students should be aware of the following policies pertinent to CCPA undergraduates only. Students are expected to be familiar with and to observe these regulations.
All matriculated students follow the requirements for graduation listed in the Bulletin current at the time they are admitted to their degree program. However, students who interrupt enrollment for more than two consecutive semesters are governed by the Bulletin in effect when they are readmitted.
Upon an adviser's recommendation and an approved petition through the Academic Standards Committee, students may elect a later Bulletin no older than ten years old under which they fulfill these degree requirements; however, they may not use a combination of requirements from different Bulletins. When courses required in older Bulletins are no longer offered, or in other special cases, course substitution may be made with the approval of the Academic Standards Committee.
The term "full-time student" is applied to a person carrying 12 credits or more. The maximum number of credits a student may take without special approval of the adviser and department chair is 18.
A student may drop below 12 credits without permission and be classified as a part-time student. A student receiving financial aid should consult with his or her financial aid counselor prior to dropping below full-time status.
Students are enrolled in a major when accepted into the college. In addition to their assigned faculty adviser, the CCPA academic adviser, peer advisers and the Human Development department chair provide students assistance in program planning.
A maximum of 30 credits may be granted for credit by examination and for other educational experiences through military, industrial or professional programs that have been assessed by appropriate organizations such as those contained in A Guide to Educational Programs in Non-Collegiate Organizations and similar publications.
Students taking CCPA undergraduate courses are graded in one of two ways:
Under the normal grading system, students choose the first option. However, undergraduates in CCPA may elect the Pass/Fail option for a total of four courses while a student at Binghamton University and receive a P (pass) or F (fail) rather than a traditional grade. Courses taken with the P/F option may not be used to complete major requirements or general education requirements. Mandatory P/F courses do not count as part of the four total courses. A course taken on the P/F option is calculated into the student's grade-point average only if the student receives an F.
The grading option for a course may be changed (either from normal to P/F or vice versa) at any time up to the last day for dropping courses, usually midnight on the Friday of the second week of classes.
Students may retake courses in which they have received a passing grade by submitting a special petition to the faculty member teaching the course and the CCPA general academic adviser. This allows a student to demonstrate mastery of a given subject -- most notably, but not exclusively -- in foundation courses, on which successful performance in later courses may depend.
If approved, the repeated course does not count toward rate of progress. That is, when a student repeats a course previously passed, both grades appear on the transcript, but only the first grade is counted in the GPA calculations for rate-of-progress purposes.
Students may retake courses in which they have received a failing grade; they are not required to do so by CCPA, although major requirements may dictate otherwise. When a student repeats a course previously failed, both grades appear on the transcript and both are counted in the GPA. Students are encouraged to speak with the CCPA general academic adviser as they make their decision about repeating any failed course.
A notation of Incomplete, rather than a grade, may be reported by the instructor when a student has made substantial progress, but has not been able to complete a course. In addition, the student must have a valid reason (i.e. illness or other justifiable circumstance) for requesting an Incomplete. The determination of substantial progress, potential to pass the course and a valid reason for the request is made by the instructor.
When requesting an Incomplete, the student must:
An Incomplete becomes an F at the end of the semester following that in which the Incomplete was granted, unless a "Change of Grade" form is submitted by the instructor. It is the student's responsibility to ascertain that the coursework has been completed according to the contract and the new grade is submitted by the instructor. An extension of the deadline must be approved by the department chair on a "Request for Extension of Incomplete Grade in an Undergraduate Course" form, and is approved only in highly unusual circumstances. See: Incomplete Extension Form
If a student withdraws from a course after the official deadline to drop a course, the instructor may assign a grade of WP (Withdrawn Passing) or WF (Withdrawn Failing). The grade of WP does not count as a course taken. A WF is equivalent to an F.
No changes from one letter grade to another and no extensions of an Incomplete are permitted after 12 months from the date of the last day of class in the semester in which a course was offered. However, faculty are required to keep graded work not returned to students for only one semester following the end of the course.
Academic Standing
To remain in good academic standing, students enrolled in degree programs are expected to make satisfactory progress toward the degree. In CCPA, satisfactory progress is defined as maintaining a grade-point average (GPA) of 2.0 in all courses taken (both within and outside of CCPA). Failure to maintain the minimum grade-point average results in academic probation. Academic probation does not imply either suspension or dismissal and does not preclude students from registering or receiving financial aid. Standards for financial aid eligibility are described in the Financial Information section of the Bulletin.
The grade-point average is calculated on a 4.0 system using the following grade-point equivalents.
| A | = | 4.0 | C+ | = | 2.3 | ||
| A- | = | 3.7 | C | = | 2.0 | ||
| B+ | = | 3.3 | C- | = | 1.7 | ||
| B | = | 3.0 | D | = | 1.0 | ||
| B- | = | 2.7 | F | = | 0.0 |
Full-time students normally complete a degree program in CCPA in approximately eight semesters. Review of students' academic progress is made at the end of each semester excluding summer session. Students must have a 2.0 cumulative grade-point average (GPA) to graduate; those falling below a 2.0 are placed on probation.
Students are considered to be making satisfactory progress if their cumulative GPA meets the criteria listed below. Those not meeting the criteria are subject to suspension. Upon expiration of the suspension period, suspended students are automatically granted readmission upon application to the Undergraduate Admissions Office and are placed under an academic contract for that semester. Students who are readmitted after suspension and again fall below the stated criteria are subject to permanent dismissal from the school.
First-semester transfer students who have a cumulative GPA of 1.5 or more, but are under the minimum GPA listed below, are placed on probation and deemed to be making satisfactory progress. Students transferring in more than 34 credits and attaining a Binghamton University GPA of less than 1.5 will be subject to suspension.
| Require Hours Passed | Cumulative and Advanced Standing GPA |
| 1-34 | 1.440 |
| 35-51 | 1.625 |
| 52-68 | 1.715 |
| 69-85 | 1.800 |
| 86-102 | 1.875 |
| 103-119 | 1.950 |
| 120+ | 2.000 |
*Exclusive of first-term freshmen with fewer than 18 hours passed including advanced standing, and part-time students with fewer than 12 hours attempted at Binghamton University.
To qualify for the CCPA dean's list at the end of the fall or spring semesters, students must have a 3.5 or better semester grade-point average and have no missing or incomplete grades. Recognition is given for each semester in which students meet these criteria. The award is noted on the transcript.
Students with outstanding academic records receive honors upon graduation. To qualify, students must meet the cumulative grade-point averages specified below, have earned at least 32 CCPA credit-hours with a normal grading option and have no missing grades or incompletes. Honors are awarded as follows:
The appropriate graduation honors are indicated on the diploma and on the final transcript.
If students who withdraw from the College of Community and Public Affairs wish to remain in good standing, they must follow a formal withdrawal procedure. Mere absence from class does not constitute withdrawal. Withdrawal applications may be obtained from the Registrar's Office or CCPA Academic Advising Office, either in person or through the mail. A grade of W is assigned when the student has withdrawn from all courses and thus from the University. Grades of W do not count as courses taken.
CCPA applies the same withdrawal and readmission policies as established for the University, except that CCPA students may drop below a three-course program without permission.
Undergraduate students must apply for readmission through the Undergraduate Admissions Office.
See your faculty adviser, the CCPA academic adviser or your department chair if you have a concern you have not been able to resolve regarding your academic program or particular courses/professors. For more information, see Grievance Procedures (CCPA By-Laws, Page 12).
http://bingfa.binghamton.edu/
College of Community and Public Affairs students are eligible to participate in the University's financial aid program. Aid is available to full-time and selected part-time matriculated students. Students interested in obtaining financial aid should contact the Student Financial Aid and Employment Office as soon as possible to determine their eligibility.
All CCPA students, matriculated or non-matriculated, are eligible to receive the services provided for all students at Binghamton and to participate in the various student activities available. Students should be familiar with the Bulletin sections that deal with services for students and student activities.
