Academic Policies

Registrar’s Office
Email: registration@urbancollege.edu
Phone: 617-449-7070

Definitions:

Academic Year: The academic year is defined as two semesters (fall and spring) and one summer session.

Term: A term refers to the fall, spring, or summer terms with one or more sessions.

Session: A session is defined by start and end dates in a term and could be 8, 10, or 15/16-weeks long.

Full-time course load: When a student is enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester, they are carrying a full-time course load.

Part-time course load: When a student is enrolled in less than 12-credits credits per semester, they are carrying a part-time course load.

Academic Honesty

At our college, we expect students to submit work that is entirely their own. You must not copy or use the words, ideas, or thoughts of others, including from Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, and present them as your own.

Plagiarism is unacceptable. Plagiarism means using someone else’s language, ideas, or work without properly giving them credit. This includes content from human sources, AI, and online resources.

If you intentionally plagiarize or do not clearly differentiate your own work from the work of others, you may face disciplinary action. This could include failing the course or being dropped from your program.

You are responsible for correctly citing and attributing any information, ideas, or content that is not originally yours. Failing to do so is considered plagiarism.

Each of us is responsible for maintaining academic integrity as a community - students, faculty, staff, and administration. As a community, we cannot, and will not, tolerate any instances of plagiarism or misuse of others’ work, whether it was done on purpose or not.

If you have any questions about properly acknowledging your sources, please ask your instructors or visit the Learning Resource Center.

Attendance Policy

Urban College of Boston is a federal attendance reporting institution. This means that faculty are required to report attendance for all courses each week. “Official Attendance” reporting may differ from an instructor’s grading for attendance or participation in a course.

Most Urban College courses are structured for group participatory learning; therefore, class attendance is critical. In addition to “Official Attendance,” individual instructors may determine and announce attendance and participation policies specific to their course section. If illness or other emergency prevents attendance, the student must notify the instructor as soon as possible.

Attendance and engagement are expected in all classes. Failure to attend or participate in classes regularly may result in a lowered grade or result in unsatisfactory academic progress.

Student success research shows a strong correlation between student engagement and student retention and achievement. Any class session or activity missed, regardless of cause, reduces the opportunity for learning and may adversely affect a student’s achievement.

Procedures

“Official Attendance” is documented in the student information system, SONIS, and is a record of whether or not a student can be designated as “present” or “not present” for the purposes of federal reporting.

“Official Attendance” in an online or hybrid course includes items such as:

• Submitting an academic assignment;
• Taking or submitting an exam or quiz;
• A posting by a student showing the student’s participation in a course-related activity;
• Participating in or posting by a student in a discussion forum showing the student’s participation in an online discussion and
• Initiating contact (email, in-person, text, phone, or other documented contact) with the instructor to ask a substantive question related to the course or course activities.

“Official Attendance” in an on-campus course (or course at an on-ground, partner location) is completed by the student’s physical presence at the scheduled course session.

Unless otherwise noted in the “Course Lesson Weeks” calendar at the start of a semester, “Official Attendance” is recorded on Tuesdays for the preceding lesson week. Students can view their official attendance records in the student portal (https://portal.urbancollege.edu) and are responsible for assuring accuracy.

It is the student’s responsibility to contact their instructor should they find any discrepancy.

Students with three consecutive official absences are administratively withdrawn from their course and are responsible for 100% of their tuition (see “Administrative Withdrawal”).

Outreach/Attendance Monitoring

Students with inconsistent attendance are contacted by the Director of Student Services and Support and members of the Learning Resource Center to discuss appropriate support, personal outreach, and information on academic policies and options. Advising is provided as well as referrals to tutoring services and other resources offered by the LRC.

Class Cancellations

In case of emergency and storm-related college closure or class cancellations, Urban College shares closure information with NECN, NBC (WBTS, NBC10), WHDH (Channel 7), WCVB (ABC, Channel 5), Fox 25, and WBZ (CBS Channel 4). The information will be broadcast on those TV stations and posted on those stations’ websites. In addition, the College will provide updates via email and its website.

Students should follow the instructions provided by their faculty and the College regarding any makeup classes.

In case of individual class cancellations, the College will provide updates via email to students in the specific class(es) and students should follow the instructions provided by their faculty and the College regarding any makeup classes.

Course Substitutions

For some programs such as the Clinical Research Coordination Certificate Program , course substitutions may not be available. For other programs, such as the Early Childhood Education program, all course substitutions must be approved by the department chair, director, or the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Directed Study

Directed Learning is an opportunity for students to complete coursework under the individual supervision of a faculty member in the following circumstances:

• In the professional opinion of the Vice President of Academic Affairs, the student needs a contract to complete their degree in the present semester through no fault of their own and there is no other way to meet the requirement.
• A required advanced-level course in the student’s program of study is needed, and the College does not intend to offer a section of the course in the next two semesters.
• Course substitutions and other alternatives are not available.
• Information regarding the transferability of the learning contract course is provided when relevant.

Directed study requires the development of a learning contract, which is arranged with a faculty member and approved by the Vice President of Academic Affairs. All Directed Learning requests should be submitted as early as possible, but not later than the last day to add a class for the current semester. Requests submitted after this date will not be approved.

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), Also Known as Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) or Life Experience Credit - Policy

Phone: 617-960-0257
Email: academicaffairs@urbancollege.edu

Many people have developed skills and knowledge that may make them eligible for college credit. Individuals seeking college credits may apply to earn Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) based on job, training, military service, or other relevant life experiences. Since each person’s situation is unique, students are advised to contact an academic advisor at the college to begin the process for CPL.

Types of Evaluation and Assessment for CPL

Credit for Prior Learning is determined on a case-by-case basis by program, department, and course. Listed below are some examples of how a student may earn CPL at the College:

• Advanced Placement (AP) Exams National Standardized Exams (CLEP, DSST, Excelsior)
• Online Course Services (ACE credited for transfer to the College) like StraighterLine.com
• ACE National Guide to College Credit for Workforce Training
• ACE Military Guide to Evaluation of Education in the Armed Services and Military Joint Services Transcript (JST)
• National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS)
• License or Credential Review
• Challenge Exam or Exercise
• Portfolio Development and Review
• National Portfolio Evaluation Service (LearningCounts.org)
• International Degrees and Credits: Center for Educational Documentation (CED), World Education Services (WES)

Limitations of CPL

• Students seeking an associate degree can apply a maximum of 18 CPL credits to their degree. The maximum amount of credits that can be given for CPL is 25% of the total number of credits for the Certificate (rounded down, if needed).
• These credit limits count toward the total allowed transfer credits (The total transfer credits allowed is 39 for AA students and 9 credits for Certificate students; see the section on “Transfer Credit Evaluation ” in this catalog for details).
• A nominal and nonrefundable fee of $50/student is charged for CPL evaluation and credit.
• CPL may not be transferable to another college so please check with the transfer institution to learn more.
• General Education courses in areas such as science, math, humanities, and social sciences are generally not eligible for credit for prior learning assessment except through national exams such as CLEP.
• The College is not able to evaluate subject areas where the college has no matching courses or subject areas offered.

Grading Policies and Requirements

Credit Hour Policy

The College follows the Carnegie Unit for credit. Students are expected to spend a minimum of 45 hours of work for each credit. The most common breakdown for one credit is one hour of class instruction and two hours of homework for 15 weeks each semester. A three-credit course demands nine hours each week.

Grading

Course evaluation and grading procedures are established by each instructor. It is a student’s responsibility to become familiar with the course syllabus requirements in each course. Grades are normally issued within one week after they are due from faculty via the student portal.

Midterm grade

Approximately around the mid-point of a given academic session, instructors submit midterm grades that indicate the student’s academic performance. If a student earns C- or lower, they are advised to meet with their academic advisor to discuss options for improvement.

Final grade

Final grades are awarded based on the instructor’s assessment of a student’s performance at the end of the semester and following the grading procedures established by the instructor. Grades reported by the instructor are considered permanent and final. However, a student may appeal their grade under certain circumstances, such as when they believe the grade was issued in error or because of injustice, invoking the procedures outlined in the section on “Grade Appeals”.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Every student’s Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated as the sum of the numerical values of the final grades divided by the total number of course credits earned. (see below Course Grading System). Courses graded pass/fail are not included in the GPA.

Grade Calculation

Pass/Fail Option

In rare circumstances, students may request approval to enroll in a class and earn a Pass/Fail grade. All requests to elect a pass/fail grading option must be made to the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

The following policies govern this option:

• Courses in College Writing and Speech Communication taken at the College may not be taken pass/fail.
• Pass/Fail grades will not be a factor in determining eligibility for the Dean’s List or graduation honors.
• For courses taken as Pass/Fail, letter grades “A through C” are converted to P; letter grades of D and F are converted to F. A pass “P” grade is not counted in the student’s grade point average. A failing “F” grade is counted in the student’s grade point average.
• Pass/Fail grades will not be a factor in determining eligibility for the Dean’s List or graduation honors.

Incomplete Grade

An incomplete (I) grade must be requested by the student from the instructor and approved by the instructor before the scheduled deadline for submission of final grades. To be considered eligible to receive an Incomplete, the student must be passing the course at the time the request is made. An incomplete grade may be granted for medical reasons or other personal emergency situations. An incomplete grade may only be requested in the last two weeks of a course.

Procedures

• Request the Incomplete Grade Contract available from the Office of Registration Services.
• Complete, sign, and submit your request to the instructor for approval.
• Once the contract is signed by both the instructor and student, all remaining assignments and examinations are normally completed no later than the end of the third week of the following semester, regardless of student enrollment in that semester.
  • If a student needs a further extension, the extension must be approved by the course instructor and approved by the Vice President of Academic Affairs.
• If course requirements are not completed by the date published in the Academic Calendar in the subsequent semester, the incomplete grade will change to “F.”
  • It is recommended that all work completed away from the College, outside of the college Learning Management System, be either hand-delivered or sent by registered mail to the instructor, with a copy of the work retained by the student.

Release of Grades and Accessing Grades

Students are expected to access grades through the student portal at https://portal.urbancollege.edu. Access to final grades and official transcripts for both students and third parties may be limited until all financial accounts are settled with the College. Students who have completed the requirements for a credential will not receive their official document (certificate or diploma) until all financial accounts are settled and/or payment arrangements with the College have been made.

Grade Changes

All requests for changes of grade must originate with the instructor, who must complete a Change of Grade Form, which is available from the Office of Registration Services. The instructor should complete the Change of Grade Form and duly submit it to: registration@urbancollege.edu.

Course Registration (Add/Drop/Administrative Drop):

Students are advised to meet with their academic advisor before registering for courses.

• All matriculated students registered for courses at Urban College of Boston are considered enrolled for that semester on the first day of classes. Enrolled students may add, drop, and withdraw from courses until the deadlines published on the Academic Calendar.
• Students may drop courses from the start of the registration period through the second week of the semester without penalty. Dropped course(s) do not incur any tuition charges and do not appear on the student’s transcript.
• Students who are enrolled in a course but are reported as not attending (see “Attendance”) by the course drop deadline, as listed in the Academic Calendar, will be administratively dropped from the course. Students are eligible for a 100% tuition refund for administrative course drops.
• Students who are administratively dropped from all their courses will be placed on an administrative leave of absence for the semester.

Course Withdrawal and Administrative Course Withdrawal:

After the drop deadline, any course(s) that remain on a student’s schedule is considered their final selection for that semester and will appear on their transcript as credits attempted and/or completed. Students who wish to drop their classes after the drop deadline may do so by withdrawing from a course and receiving a grade of “W” on the transcript. Withdrawn courses will appear as credits attempted but no credits earned on a student’s transcript. Students continue to be financially responsible for withdrawn courses and are not eligible for a tuition refund.

Course withdrawals could have adverse implications for a student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (see “Satisfactory Academic Progress”). Students who do not maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress will experience an impact on financial aid eligibility.

If a student fails to post attendance for one class lesson week, they are at risk of an administrative course withdrawal. Immediately following the second consecutive missed attendance reporting deadline, the student will be administratively withdrawn from that course. Students who are administratively withdrawn receive a grade of “W” for the course on their transcript and are responsible for all tuition charges for that course.

Leave of Absence and Administrative Leave of Absence:

All enrolled students must maintain continuous enrollment during the fall and spring semesters or arrange for a leave of absence to remain active. A leave of absence is an approved temporary break from study with an intent to return for a future semester. Students on a leave of absence do not register for courses, are not considered enrolled, but remain matriculated in their program. Matriculated students in good academic standing may arrange a leave of absence for up to two consecutive semesters (not including the summer semester).

Students who do not register for courses in a particular semester or arrange a leave of absence are placed on an administrative leave of absence. The administrative leave of absence will remain in place for up to two consecutive semesters (not including the summer semester). Students do not incur any tuition charges or fees for semesters they are on a leave of absence. Students may arrange a leave of absence by submitting the Request a Leave of Absence or Withdrawal form.

Withdrawal from the Semester and Administrative Withdrawal from the Semester

If a leave of absence is scheduled to begin in a semester in which the student is currently enrolled, they will be withdrawn from that semester. After the start of the semester, students may only drop or withdraw from individual courses but not all registered courses. If a registered student no longer wishes to continue in classes after the start of the semester, they must withdraw from the semester. Students who cease to attend all their registered courses will be administratively withdrawn from the semester.

Students who withdraw from the semester will receive grades of “W” in all registered courses. A semester withdrawal may impact the student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress and/or financial aid eligibility (see “Satisfactory Academic Progress”).

Students who wish to withdraw from a semester in the first week of classes and have not posted attendance (see “Attendance”) in any registered courses may be eligible for a leave of absence beginning at the start of that semester. A final determination of this will be made by the Registrar, based on the student’s attendance record.

The deadline to withdraw from the semester is published in the Academic Calendar.

Students may withdraw from the semester by submitting the Request a Leave of Absence or Withdrawal form.

Withdrawal from the College and Administrative Withdrawal from the College

Students who no longer wish to remain enrolled at Urban College of Boston may withdraw from the college. Students who do not return from a leave of absence or an administrative leave of absence will be administratively withdrawn from the college. Students may withdraw from the college by submitting the Request a Leave of Absence or Withdrawal form.

Returning to the College

Students on a leave of absence are considered active students and will be included in all communications regarding registration for the semester they intend to return to. These communications will be directed to their urbancollege.edu email address. They may return to the college by following the registration process outlined in those communications.

Students withdrawn from the College need to re-apply to the college through the Office of Admissions to return (see “Readmission to Urban College”).

All returning students must be registered for the semester they intend to return for on the first day of classes.

Registration and Tuition Refund Appeal and Process

We understand that sometimes situations arise that are beyond the control of a student and that may warrant exceptions from certain rules, procedures, or deadlines. When such situations happen, students may appeal to the College for relief from a process, a deadline, a payment, or a ruling.

Appeals are meant to address unusual circumstances and exceptions, such as:

• Death of a student or an immediate family member
• Serious injury/accident to the student or an immediate family member
• Student hospitalization
• Unexpected job loss
• Homelessness

If a student believes they have one of the unusual and/or extenuating circumstances listed above which justifies, with evidence, an exception to the standard registration policies, the student may appeal to the Academic Policy Appeal Committee.

All appeals should begin with a conversation between the student and the Director of Student Services and Support, who will assist the student in preparing and submitting their appeal.

• The appeal process is limited to enrolled courses 15 days from the posting of the drop or withdrawal from the course. (Appeals for time periods beyond this limit will not be reviewed.) Appeals are limited to one per student per semester or term.

Students must complete their own appeal; appeals made on behalf of a student will not be reviewed. Students may write their appeal in English, Spanish, or Mandarin. Add/drop and withdrawal deadlines are widely publicized. Therefore, appeals based on a lack of awareness of these issues will not be reviewed. The Committee’s decisions are final.

Standards for Satisfactory Progress

Full-time students are expected to complete all requirements for the associate degree within three academic years. Part-time students will normally complete all degree requirements within six academic years.

The academic year is defined as two semesters and one summer session. Academic semesters or years do not need not be taken consecutively. Satisfactory progress is defined in terms of cumulative grade point average. To remain in good academic standing, the student must earn the minimum cumulative grade point averages outlined in this catalog. Refer to SAP Policy for details.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) indicates the successful completion of coursework towards a degree or certificate. (HEA Sec. 484(c), 34 CFR 668.16(e), 34 CFR 668.32(f), 34 CFR 668.34 Q&A)

• Federal regulations require schools to monitor student progression within a degree or certificate. Students who fail to make satisfactory academic progress towards their degree or certificate will lose their eligibility to receive Federal Student Aid.
• Evaluations are performed based on the grades posted at the end of each payment period (Fall, Spring, Summer) prior to the next term begin date.
• Students who progress to “suspension” will lose their aid eligibility but may appeal the loss provided there are extenuating circumstances that inhibited their academic progress.
• Students who wish to submit an appeal must follow the SAP Appeal Process.
• If an appeal is approved, the student will regain their eligibility under a “probationary” status for one semester.
• If an appeal is denied, the student can remain in their courses but will be required to apply for another payment method to cover the cost of tuition.
• Students who change certificates or degrees, only credits that apply to the new certificate will be counted toward qualitative and quantitative calculations.

SAP Measurements

• Cumulative grade point average (qualitative)
• Credit hour completion/Program Pace (quantitative)
• The requirements of each criterion must be met and are described in detail below.

Qualitative Standard

• Cumulative GPA is the qualitative measure of SAP, meaning that it looks at the quality of the grades that each student earns in their courses.
• Students enrolled in an undergraduate or certificate program must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA based on the number of credit hours attempted.

• Cumulative GPA is calculated after 3 undergraduate credits are completed at
• Courses that receive a “W” do not calculate into CGPA.
• If a failed course is retaken, the later grade will replace the failed grade and factor into the CGPA.
• Students who fail to meet CGPA requirements also fail to meet SAP requirements and will be denied Federal Student Aid but will have an opportunity to appeal, in most cases.
• Students registered in remedial/developmental courses are graded on an A,B,C,D,F scale, these grades are not calculated into the student’s CGPA.

Quantitative Standards

Credit hour completion is the quantitative measure of SAP, meaning that students must complete 67% (standard rounding rules apply) of courses to maintain eligibility for Federal Student Aid. Each undergraduate degree or certificate has a defined number of credits to complete. To maintain SAP, students must achieve a minimum percentage of credits earned versus credits attempted and cannot exceed the number of credits needed by more than 150%.

The pace of completion is required to ensure that the student will complete their educational program within the allowed maximum time frame for the student’s program of study.

Maximum Time Frame/Pace

Urban College of Boston is a credit hour school, meaning that each academic program is defined by a set number of credits required for completion. In order to complete the program within the maximum time frame, the student must complete the program within 150% of the published credits. Students become ineligible to receive federal financial aid once they meet the 150% time frame.

• With the exception of remedial/developmental courses, all grades earned at the College will count toward cumulative GPA.
• The number of credit hours a student may attempt cannot exceed the maximum number of credit hours allowed in the student’s program of study, less the number of applicable transfer credits accepted from other institutions.
• All credits attempted will count toward the maximum qualitative time frame except for remedial/development or nondegree courses.
• The College performs semester reviews of student’s progress toward successful program completion. For example, once a student reaches 110% of their program published credits and will not be able to complete their program within the number of maximum credits as indicated in the chart below, all federal financial aid will stop.
• Maximum time frame is not an appealable status.

Coursework Included in the SAP Calculation

• Undergraduate degrees & Certificate courses with a final grade of A through F will be counted towards credits attempted and completed.
• Final grades of “W” are counted as attempted credits towards the completion rate.
  • Courses dropped during add/drop will not be counted towards credits attempted.
• Grade changes will be monitored, and SAP will be rechecked using any new information to comply with the SAP new/conflicting information requirement.
• Incomplete grades (“I”) will be counted as attempted credits but not earned.
  • Incomplete grades that are later updated with an actual grade are not considered grade changes, so SAP will not be re-run.
    • The Incomplete grade was the valid grade at the time of the SAP run and the changed grade was earned at a later point. The updated grade will be picked up with the student’s next SAP evaluation.
  • If the student would like to request a re-evaluation, the student can send in a written request to the Office of the Registrar asking for a new SAP evaluation.
• Repeat Coursework:
  • All repeats count in the calculation as credits attempted for failures and grade improvement.
  • Previously passed courses can be repeated once and be eligible for federal financial aid.
  • The first course grade will not be computed into the total grade-point average; instead, the most recent grade will be used.
• Transfer Courses
  • For the purposes of SAP calculation, program-applicable transfer credits are considered to be credits attempted and completed toward the completion of the student’s program (pace or maximum time frame) but are not counted toward the student’s GPA.

SAP Results

Satisfactory Academic Progress results are reviewed for Federal Financial Aid eligibility. One of the following results will occur upon an academic review of SAP:

• Satisfactory (SAP Met): Students are placed on this status upon review that determines the student is achieving the qualitative and quantitative standards required for SAP and may continue to receive federal financial aid.
• Financial Aid Warning (SAP Warning): Students are placed on this status if after the most recently completed semester, they are not meeting either qualitative or quantitative standards from a SAP Met status. Students will remain eligible for federal financial aid until the next evaluation period.
• Financial Aid Suspension (SAP Suspension): Failure to meet either the qualitative or quantitative standards for satisfactory academic progress will result in the student being placed on unsatisfactory status that suspends financial aid eligibility until the next evaluation period.
  • Notification is provided when placed on this status and the student is not eligible to receive financial aid. Students may continue to take coursework without the use of financial aid assistance until eligibility is reinstated by achieving the required SAP standards. The status may be appealed under extenuating circumstances.
• Financial Aid Probation (SAP Probation)- Students who have been placed on Financial Aid Suspension, and who have an approved appeal, are placed on SAP probation. The student’s eligibility for aid is considered to be reinstated.

Student Action & Appeal Process

Students who are notified that they are on financial aid suspension can submit a financial aid satisfactory academic progress (SAP) appeal. A student may appeal SAP if they believe that extenuating circumstances prevented normal academic success for successful completion of the term. Federal regulations describe the basis upon which a student may file an appeal as extenuating circumstances.

Extenuating Circumstances beyond a student’s control include,

• Death of an immediate family member (spouse, significant other, parent, guardian, siblings, or child)
• Major medical issues experienced by the student, including a need for long-term care due to injury to the student or immediate family member of the student (as listed above),
• Domestic Violence
• Involuntary call to active duty
• National Disaster/Emergency Relief
• Involuntary loss of Job
• Homelessness
• Other extraordinary circumstances (on a case-by-case basis)

SAP Appeals

SAP Appeal Form
To appeal, the student must complete the Urban College of Boston Suspension Appeal Form to provide their explanation of how the extenuating circumstance prevented them from meeting academic requirements, how their situation has changed, and their strategy on how they plan to get back on track.

Academic Plan
As part of the student’s SAP appeal, they must also agree to an Academic Plan. The Academic plan is created and provided to the student upon completion of the committee review. The plan becomes part of the student’s SAP appeal file and must be followed.

Appeal Committee Review
Appeals are reviewed on an ongoing basis by the Urban College of Boston Review Committee, which is composed of members of different department staff. The committee reserves the right to request additional documentation when applicable.

The appeal will be rendered within ten (10) business days upon receipt of all documentation submitted for review. Appeal decisions are final and will be delivered to the students via their Urban College email address.

Appeal Decisions
Once the student receives their SAP appeal decisions, it will be the responsibility of the student to reach out to their Student Services Advisor for further discussion on the result of their appeal. All committee appeal decisions are final.

Approved Appeals
Approved appeals are for one term only (unless special approval is granted by the committee to allow a 2-semester appeal).

• Students will retain their Financial Aid eligibility
• Students will be placed on an SAP Monitoring (SAP Probation) for each subsequent term until they meet academic good standing
• They must follow the conditions of their academic plan

Denied Appeals
Denied appeals are for one term only unless the student is not able to meet the conditions of their academic plan within their subsequent term. Students who are denied their appeal are no longer eligible for Federal Financial Aid.

Students who wish to remain in courses must do one of the following or they will be administratively withdrawn from the College by add/drop per the academic calendar associated with the start of the semester.

• Contact the Financial Services Department to secure other payment methods by emailing financialservices@urbancollege.edu

Graduation and Degree Conferral

Students must apply by the date published in the Academic Calendar each semester to graduate from Urban College and to receive a degree or certificate. Students can only apply to graduate from the program they are enrolled in.

“Students must be in good standing with the Business Office in order to participate in the College graduation ceremony. All outstanding debts must be paid and/or arrangements for payments must be made in order to receive approval to participate in any graduation events.

Graduation Requirements for Associate Degree and Certificate Programs

Candidates must fulfill all course requirements of their chosen program of study, attain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00, and be in good standing at the time of graduation. The Urban College of Boston catalog that is in effect at the date of the student’s matriculation will determine all requirements for the degree.

Candidates for the associate degree must successfully complete a minimum of 60 academic credits. No more than 39 of these credits will be accepted as transfer credits toward the degree). Candidates for the Certificate Program must successfully complete a minimum of 21 academic credits. No more than 9 of these credits will be accepted as transfer credits towards a certificate. Certificate courses and their corresponding credits are generally applicable to associate degree requirements.

Second Degree Status and Pursuing a Certificate After Degree Conferral

To receive a second associate degree from Urban College, after completion of the initial degree, students must complete a minimum of 15 additional credits at the college beyond the credits used to satisfy the requirements of the first associate degree. The General Studies program may NOT be the second degree under this option.

In addition to the minimum 15 additional credit requirement, students must meet all specific degree requirements of their new program of study for which the second degree is sought. Therefore, in some cases, the requirements for the second associate degree will exceed 15 additional semester hours of study.

Students who complete an associate degree and return to the college to complete a certificate must complete a minimum of 9 additional credits beyond the credits used to satisfy the requirements of the associate degree. Students must also meet all specific certificate requirements in their new program of study. In some cases, the requirements for the certificate will exceed 9 additional semester hours of study. The student may not pursue a certificate in the same discipline as their associate degree that was already conferred.

Grade Appeal

Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs
Email: Academicaffairs@urbancollege.edu

A final grade earned in a course may be appealed if a student believes that the grading procedure outlined in a course syllabus was followed improperly by a faculty member, or if the student believes that unfair or prejudicial grading has occurred. A student must begin the grade appeal process within 30 days of the posting of the grade in question.

The grade appeal process is a series of steps with specific deadlines that must be honored:

Step 1: Before filing a formal appeal, the student must discuss the matter with the faculty member in a sincere effort to resolve the issue. This must occur within 30 days of the posting of the grade in question. If, after the discussion, the student continues to believe that an appeal is justified, the student has 10 business days to request that the appeal move to Step 2.
Step 2: The student must contact the Director of Student Services and Support by emailing studentservices@urbancollege.edu to discuss their concerns and prepare a letter of appeal. This must be done within 10 business days of the completion of Step 1.
Step 3: The student must submit a letter that outlines the circumstances and explains the reason(s) for the appeal. Letters should be emailed to: academicaffairs@urbancollege.edu within 15 business days of the completion of Step 1.

A Grade Appeals Committee, comprised of faculty and staff at the college will review the letter and documentation from the student and request relevant information from the faculty member. The Grade Appeals Committee will then consider all evidence and will forward a written decision to the student with a copy to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The student may appeal the decision of the committee by writing to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Decisions made by the Vice President of Academic Affairs will be final.

Academic Honors and Awards

Dean’s List

To be included on the Dean’s List a student must be matriculated in a program and have: achieved a term GPA of at least 3.30 at the term’s end; earned at least 6 college-level graded credits in the semester or during summer terms I and II combined; no incomplete grades; no grade less than a “C” in the term; be in good standing; and achieved a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 at the end of the term.

President’s List

To be included on the President’s List student must be matriculated in a program and have: achieved a term GPA of 4.0 at the term’s end; earned at least 6 college-level graded credits in the semester or during summer terms I and II combined; no incomplete grades; no grade less than a “C” in the term; and achieved a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 at the end of the term.

Commencement Honors

Upon graduation, the faculty recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of students who complete their associate degree program with distinction. To qualify for commencement honors, a student must have earned at least 32 credits at Urban College of Boston. Transfer credits will not be considered when determining eligibility for commencement honors. Certificate programs are not awarded Commencement Honors.

Grade Point Averages Needed for Graduating with Honors

Graduation Awards

Urban College of Boston recognizes outstanding students for their accomplishments through three scholarships and awards, awarded at graduation. Any questions about these awards should be directed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

These awards currently include:
Coard Family Scholar Award
An award presented by the family of Robert Coard to recognize a graduating student with the highest GPA in the Fall prior to graduation.

Roberta L. Nourse Memorial Award
Named for a longtime faculty and staff member at Urban College, this award is given to a graduating student who is an English Language Learner and has demonstrated outstanding achievement while progressing from developmental through higher level English courses and who exemplifies qualities Ms. Nourse valued - perseverance, effort, and tenacity.

John and Mary Walsh Scholarship
Established in 2014 and named in honor of the former Mayor of Boston Martin Walsh’s parents, this scholarship is presented to a graduating student from Boston who selflessly serves their community.

Academic Standing, Performance Indicators, and Progress

Mid-Semester Progress Evaluation

On a designated date at mid-session, faculty will issue progress reports for all students using the student information system SONIS. Students whose work has fallen below a “C” average must consult with their instructor(s) and/or academic advisor to discuss their academic progress and make appropriate decisions.

Unsatisfactory Progress Reports

In addition to mid-semester reports, faculty may, at any time during the semester, notify students of unsatisfactory progress or excessive absences.  It is recommended that students who receive unsatisfactory progress reports make an appointment with the Learning Resource Center for assistance.

Repeating Courses

If a course is repeated, the highest grade earned in the course will become the official grade for the course, and the grade included in the cumulative grade point average.

When a course is repeated, credit is granted only once. The highest grade for a repeated course is used in computing a student’s grade point average. All other attempts to take a course will also be recorded on a student’s transcript,

Withdrawing from or repeating a course may affect a student’s academic programs and/or financial aid eligibility. Students who withdraw from a course or repeat a course are strongly encouraged to discuss the possible effects with their academic advisor, the Director of Student Services and Support, and/or a financial aid officer.

Academic Standing: Probation, Suspension, and Dismissal

Students must meet the following standards to remain in good academic standing at Urban College, maintaining at least a minimum of the following cumulative grade point average by the end of each semester:

Students who fail to meet the standard above have earned a probationary record and earned an academic status of “Probation”. Students on probation may not withdraw from classes and must meet with their academic advisor to devise an academic plan to help them return to good standing.

Students on probation who earn a second consecutive probationary record are suspended from the college for a minimum of one semester, after which they may return to their original program. During the first semester after returning from suspension, the student is on probation. If they earn a third consecutive probationary record then, they are subject to dismissal from the college.

Students in their first semester of study are not subject to probation.