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Policies & Procedures

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Attendance
Students are expected to fulfill all course requirements, and although attendance is not always mandatory, it is desirable. Absence from laboratory or studio sessions shall be by agreement with the instructor. Instructors should notify the students, in writing, of what the course requirements will be. Professors may penalize the students for failure to meet specific attendance requirements.

Students who register are considered enrolled in their courses regardless of attendance. Refunds will only be processed for registered students who have formally withdrawn from their courses. Students not following this procedure will be charged for all courses in which they are registered. Lack of attendance does not constitute a basis for a refund.
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Auditing Courses
To audit a course is to attend class regularly, without the obligation of participating in class discussions, laboratory work, examinations, performances, or any class activity other than listening. Students that audit a class will be billed the required tuition and fees.

Any student electing the audit option must complete the Audit Application form (also available through the Office of the Registrar), have it approved by the Department Chairperson and return it to the Office of the Registrar-College Hall, Room 204 by the appropriate deadline.

  • Deadlines for filing an Audit Application for a Summer Session course is prior to the third scheduled class meeting.
  • Deadlines for filing an Audit Application for a Winter Session course is December 22.

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Blackboard

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Cancellation of Courses and Staffing
The University reserves the right to cancel any course for which the enrollment is insufficient. Students may then register without penalty for another course of equal credit or receive a full refund of tuition and fees. The University also reserves the right to change faculty assignments and, therefore, cannot guarantee students faculty of their choice.
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Code of Conduct

Course Overlap
Course registration overlaps may be permitted with written approval of the instructors of both courses as well as the approval of the Dean(s) and Chairperson(s) responsible for the instructional areas. Students must submit written approval to the Office of the Registrar in order to register for overlapping courses; the student or his/her representative must do this in person. Forms are available in the Office of the Registrar, College Hall Room 204 or online at www.montclair.edu/registrar.
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Credit Load
Summer: All summer credit courses meet the same academic and hours requirements as those offered during the fall and spring semesters. Although they may meet over a few weeks, Summer Sessions class meeting times are adjusted to meet the same number of hours comparable to a 15-week semester. Outside class assignments also are comparable to a regular semester. Students are responsible for taking a reasonable course load throughout Summer Sessions and should consider the potential negative academic and financial consequences of overloading on coursework. University policy on maximum course load is approximately one credit per week (e.g., 3 semester hours over a three-week period, 6 semester hours over a six-week period, etc.). A maximum of 15 semester hours of coursework may be taken over the entire summer as long as they are spread over 15 weeks.

Winter: All winter online and hybrid credit courses meet the same academic requirements as those offered during the fall and spring semesters. Outside class assignments also are comparable to a regular semester. A maximum of 4 semester credit hours of coursework may be taken during winter session.
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Elluminate
Elluminate is a virtual classroom tool that allows instructors to conduct classes fully online in real-time, in combination with a face-to-face class in a hybrid moe, or as a powerful supplement to a face-to-face class.
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Email Accounts
All Montclair State University students are provided with, and are expected to utilize, a MSU email account. The MSU email system is an official communications channel to the university community. Students may visit any public computing lab, or visit http://webmail.montclair.edu, for further information on using a MSU email account.  
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Enrollment Verification
The Office of the Registrar, upon receipt of the completed Certification of Enrollment Request form from the student, will provide enrollment verification for social security, jury duty, financial aid, health insurance, scholarships, educational loans, etc.

The Certification of Enrollment will reflect either enrollment history or an individual semester.   It will also indicate any MSU degrees earned, full- or part-time status, academic program and anticipated date of graduation. There is no charge for a Certification of Enrollment.   
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Grades and Standards
There are eighteen grades used at Montclair State University.

A 4.0 Excellent C 2.0 Fair P Pass
A- 3.7 C- 1.7 IN Incomplete
B+ 3.3 D+ 1.3 IP In Progress
B 3.0 Good D 1.0 Poor WD Withdrew
B- 2.7 D- 0.7 AU Audit
C+ 2.3 F 0.0 Failure NC No Credit

Faculty post student grades on the MSU web upon completion of courses.   To view your grades using WESS, log on to wfs.montclair.edu.   From Quick Links, select WESS, and then click Enter Student Services. After Student Login, select Student Records, and then click Grades.

Note that no changes will be made to the academic record beyond 30 days of the student's conferment/graduation date.

Grades of "D+", "D", "D-" are not an option for any courses (graduate or undergraduate) taken by a graduate student. This policy also applies to an undergraduate student who takes a graduate course for graduate credit. However, "D+", "D", "D-" may be awarded to an undergraduate student enrolled in a graduate level course for undergraduate credit.
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Graduate Academic Procedures and Policies
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Identification Cards
Students registered at Montclair State University are required to carry a valid Montclair State University ID Card while on campus. The MSU ID Card is necessary for such things as borrowing library materials, admittance into residence halls, dining facilities, computer labs, pool, gym, participating in student activities, and residence meal plans. Telephone: 973-655-4147
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Identification - Net ID
All students enrolled in Winter or Summer Sessions courses should establish an MSU NetID (electronic identity that provides access to a number of online service at the University). This provides the primary means for you to receive important University communications during your enrollment here. You need to establish an MSU NetID to purchase a parking permit for use of appropriate surface parking lots and it is required for use of the Blackboard online learning system and to access online library databases and periodicals from campus or home.
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Important Information for All Students
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Independent Study
The University offers opportunities for students to undertake study for academic credit on an independent study basis. However, independent study may NOT be taken for any courses that are scheduled during Winter Session or Summer Sessions. Independent study is expected to be completed by the end date of the respective period for which it is scheduled in the winter or summer.

In order to register for independent study, a student must complete an Independent Study Application form and receive approval by the instructor and chairperson of the department in which the study is undertaken. The form must be completed in full and approved by the instructor and department chairperson prior to registering. The full course title, subject code and course number are required on the form. The student or representative of the student must process the registration for independent study in person in the Office of the Registrar.
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Pass-Fail Grading
Pass/Fail grading is only available to Montclair State University undergraduate students. Only courses that are FREE ELECTIVES in the student's program are eligible for Pass/Fail credit. Courses that meet the major, minor, collateral, teacher certification, communications, or general education requirement are INELIGIBLE.

Only ONE course may be taken for Pass/Fail credit over Winter Session or all sessions combined during the summer. (Exception: courses offered ONLY on a Pass/Fail basis will not prevent the student from taking an additional course on a Pass/Fail option during the summer.) Pass/Fail credit is not to exceed 24 semester hours in the degree program

Any student electing the Pass/Fail option must complete the Pass/Fail Application form and return it to the Office of the Registrar according to the following deadlines.

Deadlines for filing a Pass-Fail Application for Summer Sessions are prior to the third class session regardless of delivery mode.

Deadline for filing a Pass-Fail Application for a Winter Session course is December 22.

A student may elect to rescind the Pass/Fail option by submitting his/her copy of the Pass/Fail Application form to the Office of the Registrar according to the following deadlines. Upon submission and verification, the Pass/Fail request will be voided and a letter of grade condition will be in effect.

Deadlines for rescinding a Pass-Fail Application for a Summer Sessions course are prior to the midpoint of the session.

Deadline for rescinding a Pass-Fail Application for a Winter Session course is January 4.
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Prerequisite Courses
It is the student's responsibility to satisfactorily complete a prerequisite course before scheduling a dependent course. Questions concerning prerequisites should be directed to the respective academic departments.
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Repeated Courses
The policy of Montclair State University does not allow undergraduate students to repeat, more than twice, a course in which a grade of "F" was earned. The Dean of each College and School will have the discretion to make exceptions to this policy in special cases and extenuating circumstances. Graduate students who receive a grade of "F" are not permitted to repeat the course. The Dean of the Graduate School will have the discretion to make exceptions to this policy in special cases and extenuating circumstances. This policy is effective on September 1, 1997 and applies to all students regardless of their date of entry to MSU.

Courses in which the student received grades of "C-" or higher cannot be repeated. If a course in which the student previously earned a grade of C- or higher at MSU is repeated at MSU (other than on an official Audit basis--see section on Auditing Courses) the second grade will be posted as "NC" (No Credit). It is the student's responsibility to ensure that his/her registration does not include ineligible courses.

To repeat a course, a student must register and make payment for that course. Courses must be repeated prior to graduation. There is no special approval required to repeat a course in which a grade of "D-", "D", or "D+" was received. Where a course is no longer being offered, the Dean of the College or School, in consultation with the Department Chairperson, shall designate an appropriate replacement course. A COURSE REPEATED AT ANOTHER INSTITUTION DOES NOT REMOVE AN "F", "D-", "D" OR "D+" AT MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY.

When a course has been repeated, both the original and subsequent courses are included on the permanent record, but the credit is counted only once. The grade received in the repeated course becomes the official final grade.
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Services for Students

Student Records and Policy Procedure

Student Right and Responsibilities

Transcript Requests

Withdrawal Dates and Percent Refund

Winter 2013

  1. Drop on or prior to December 23 - 100% refund
  2. Withdrawal on January 2 - 50% refund/adjustment and a grade of WD
  3. Withdrawal on January 3 - 0% refund/adjustment and a grade of WD

Summer 2013

  1. Drop prior to the third class meeting - 100% refund/adjustment

  2. Withdrawal during the first third of the course - 50% refund/adjustment and a grade of WD

    • May 24 for 1st three-week courses beginning on May 20, ending June 6
    • May 28 for 1st four-week courses beginning May 20, ending June 13
    • June 13 for twelve-week courses beginning May 20, ending August 8
    • June 6 for six-week courses beginning May 28, ending July 3
    • June 24 for 2nd four-week courses beginning June 17, ending July 11
    • July 3 for eight-week courses beginning June 17, ending August 8
    • July 17 for five-week courses beginning July 8, ending August 8
    • July 23 for 3rd four-week courses beginning July 15, ending August 8
    • August 15 for August three-week courses beginning August 12, ending August 29

  3. Withdrawal after the first third of the course and up to the midpoint of the course - no refund and a grade of WD

    • May 29 for 1st three-week courses beginning May 20, ending June 6
    • May 31 for 1st four-week courses beginning May 20, ending June 13
    • June 27 for twelve-week courses beginning May 20, ending August 8
    • June 18 for six-week courses beginning May 28, ending July 3
    • June 27 for 2nd four-week courses beginning June 17, ending July 11
    • July 11 for eight-week courses beginning June 17, ending August 8
    • July 23 for five-week courses beginning July 8, ending August 8
    • July 25 for 3rd four-week courses beginning July 15, ending August 8
    • August 21 for August three-week courses beginning August 12, ending August 29

  4. NO WITHDRAWALS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE MIDPOINT OF ANY SUMMER SESSIONS COURSE. Students who do not withdraw from their courses according to the “Withdrawal from Course(s) Procedures” listed below will receive the grade of "F" in those courses they ceased to attend and will be responsible for all tuition and fees associated with those courses.

  5. Withdrawal deadlines and refund dates will be prorated for all other Summer Sessions courses. Please contact the Office of the Registrar to determine specific dates and percentage of refund.

Withdrawal from Course(s) Procedures
Students may use WESS (Web Enrollment Services for Students) to drop a course(s) online through the first day of class. After the first day of class, all requests to withdraw must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar in writing. Students may fax a request to withdraw 973-655-7371, they may mail a written request to withdraw, or they may complete a Withdrawal form. Please note that withdrawal forms and notices may be deposited in the Office of the Registrar mail slot, College Hall-204, during hours the office is closed. (NOTIFICATION TO THE INSTRUCTOR OR A "STOP PAYMENT" OF A CHECK DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFICIAL WITHDRAWAL FROM THE UNIVERSITY OR FROM INDIVIDUAL COURSES.) Courses dropped at 100 percent will be removed from the student's record. Courses dropped during the 50 percent refund period or the no refund period result in a grade of "WD". Students who drop a course through WESS are responsible for reviewing their schedule to make certain that they have indeed dropped the course. Upon receipt of a written withdrawal notice, students will be given or sent acknowledgment. Any student who fails to receive such acknowledgment within one week should immediately notify the Office of the Registrar. Refunds are computed from the date of receipt of the written notice of withdrawal, or from the date of the US postmark for those received through the US mail, and are not based on the circumstances that necessitate the withdrawal. Students who do not drop their course(s) through WESS or do not submit a written notice to the Registrar will receive the grade of "F" in those courses they cease to attend. Please refer to Withdrawal Dates/Deadlines/Percent Refund, for final deadlines for withdrawal from courses and amount of refund.
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Tuition Adjustment for Withdrawals
Students who are admitted and register for courses at Montclair State University are financially responsible for all charges and fees associated with those courses. Therefore, students are encouraged to complete all courses for which they register. If it becomes necessary for a student to withdraw from one or more of those courses, students may be eligible for an adjustment of tuition and fees. Please refer to Withdrawal Dates/Deadlines/Percent Refund, for final deadlines for withdrawal from courses and amount of refund.

Tuition Adjustment for Withdrawals for Medical or Emergency Situations. Students who are experiencing medical or emergency situations must petition the Bursar's Office in order to appeal for an adjustment after the expired deadline dates for withdrawal from a course(s). Proper documentation must also be included with the student's signed appeal letter. Documentation and appeal letter can be dropped off/mailed to Montclair State University, Office of the Bursar, College Hall, Room 214, Montclair, NJ 07043, or it can be faxed to 973-655-4421. Documentation and appeal letter can also be dropped off after business hours in the overnight drop-box, College Hall, Room 218.)
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Undergraduate Student Procedures and Policies

Withholding of Student Records
The release of diplomas and transcripts will be withheld for students who have a financial obligation (e.g., library, parking, loans, etc.) to the University.
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