All SNL undergraduate students assume responsibility to know and meet both the general and particular regulations, procedures, policies and deadlines set forth in these materials. In addition, all SNL undergraduate students are expected to adhere to the Student Code of Responsibility (available in the DePaul University Undergraduate Student Handbook) and the Code of SNL Student Rights and Responsibilities, to follow the policies, procedures and regulations of the University. Failure to do so may be grounds for dismissal from the applicable degree program.
Additional program information and regulations applicable to specific programs can be found on the SNL website.
Competence Limits
Students may register for one or two competences per course in the SW, AI, and HC categories, but only one FX competence per course. Students may register for up to three competences for SNL Bridge and certain travel courses. Students may not pursue more than two competences through Guided Independent Studies directed by the same faculty person. Other exceptions are noted in course descriptions.
Continuing Activity Status
Students who need to interrupt their programs of study for any reason should register for “continuing activity status” (CAS) during the quarter(s) of interruption. This is a minimal registration (nominal fee) which enables the student to maintain his/her Active status during the interruption, and thereby maintain access to his/her Faculty Mentor, the DePaul libraries and computer labs.
Grades
Grades below C- in SNL and transfer courses do not satisfy competence and are not counted toward graduation. R grades can be submitted only for LL 250, LL 300, LL 390, FA 303, Guided Independent Studies, and SNL Study Abroad courses.
Grades are not changed because of a reassessment of course work, the submission of extra work or by the retaking of an examination. In very rare cases, an instructor may request to make a change of grade but it requires approval by the SNL Exceptions Committee.
The SNL Exceptions Committee will entertain grade change requests from instructors but only where either the student or the instructor has made a compelling case with adequate written supporting documentation that a grade change is warranted for equitable considerations. The mere fact that a student's IN or R grade has reverted to an F is not, in and of itself, sufficient grounds to warrant such an exception. If a grade change is deemed appropriate by the Exceptions Committee or through an Incomplete Contract, faculty enter the grade change directly in Campus Connect.
Four SNL courses are always assessed Pass/Fail and may not be taken for a letter grade: LL 102 Learning Assessment Seminar, LL 250 Foundations of Adult Learning, FA 303 Advanced Project, and LL 390 Summit Seminar. Download a letter explaining Pass / Fail grades. Five other courses are assessed Pass/Fail but may be taken for a letter grade: LL 140 Writing Workshop, LL 150 Academic Writing for Adults, LL 155 Critical Thinking, LL 300 Research Seminar, and LL 302 Externship.
Students have the option of taking all SNL undergraduate courses, up to a total of 20 credit hours, as Pass/Fail even if a class is initially structured for a letter grade assessment. In these cases a Pass is awarded when competence is demonstrated at a level that would otherwise earn a grade of C- or higher. Competencies awarded for Independent Learning Pursuits and in the LifeLong Learning (LL) subject area do not count toward the limit of 20 hours. In deciding to select Pass/Fail grading students should be aware that competences assessed in a course as Pass will earn credit hours toward degree completion but will not be included in computing grade point averages. Attempted competence demonstration assessed within a class as Fail will not only be recorded as credit hours attempted but will also be included in computing a student’s grade point average. If a student wishes to switch to or from Pass/Fail, this must be requested from the instructor in writing during the first two weeks of the quarter. The assessment style may not be changed after this period, with no exceptions.
Independent Learning Pursuits
An Independent Learning Pursuit or ILP is a submission of proof that the student has earned competence from college-level life experience. Students who have activated their Academic Committee can submit an ILP assessment form, along with appropriate evidence of competence, to their Faculty Mentor. ILPs in the Focus Area are assessed by the Professional Advisor. An ILP is not a course and does not carry credit hours nor apply to financial aid. Students pay a non-refundable assessment fee ($150) for each ILP.