Academic Policies

Academic Policies

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Associate Degree

An associate’s degree program consists of a minimum of 60 credits, ordinarily 20 three-credit courses, distributed along the General Education (core) Program requirements; the requirements for a major; and electives.

Bachelor Degree

A bachelor’s degree program consists of a minimum of 120 credits, ordinarily 40 three-credit courses, distributed among the General Education (core) Program requirements; the requirements for a major; exploration area electives; general electives; and requirements for a minor, if applicable. Students majoring in certain programs may have additional requirements that decrease the number of electives in their program and/or increase their credit requirements for graduation. For more information on requirements, please refer to the section entitled “The Curriculum.”

Specific Degree Requirements

1. A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.000 for all undergraduate course work taken at Rivier University;
2. A minimum average of C (2.000) in the major field, or the more rigorous requirement of a specific department.

Undergraduate Residency Requirement

To earn a degree from Rivier University a student must meet the following residency requirements.

1. A minimum of 30 semester credit hours must be taken at Rivier University for a Bachelor degree. A minimum of 15 semester hours for an associate degree;
2. At least half of the major (and/or minor) course requirements must be taken at Rivier University;
3. The last 30 credits must be taken at Rivier University for a Bachelor degree; or the last 15 credits from an Associate degree.
4. All courses in the final semester must be taken at Rivier University.

Graduate Degrees

For specific degree requirements of each program, consult the appropriate section of this catalog. To earn a Rivier University graduate degree, students must achieve the following:

• Earn a cumulative average of 3.000 (B) in all graduate level courses taken at Rivier University.
• Complete all departmental requirements for the degree program, which may include the following:

Comprehensive Exams
Comprehensive examinations for some Master’s degree programs are administered on a scheduled basis by the program director or divisional dean. The student is allowed to take the comprehensive written examination (and oral comprehensive examination in select programs) upon completion of the total number of courses for the degree, or during the semester in which course work is completed. The student must notify the program director or the divisional dean of an intention to take the comprehensive examination. Any student who fails the examination is allowed to retake it once. Students should check with the department program director for alternatives to the comprehensive examination.

Examinations for Education Programs
Students enrolled in education programs leading to licensure are required to successfully complete all elements of the Praxis Test of Core Academic Skills Assessments and Praxis II Subject Assessments outlined in their program of study. The Foundations of Reading Exam is also required for Early Childhood and Elementary education licensure programs. Contact the Education Program Director for the Division of Education and Counseling for details.

Portfolios
Portfolios are required in some degree programs and are submitted at the end of a student’s program of study and represent a profile of their work completed at Rivier University.

Thesis
A master’s thesis is applicable in some programs. The thesis topic, together with a tentative outline and bibliography, must be presented for approval to the thesis advisor of the major department.

Degree Program Completion Requirements
All work for a master’s degree and for the Ed.S. must be completed within six years of matriculation. All work for the doctoral degree must be completed within seven years of matriculation. Any extension time or time limitation must be reported in writing. Approval is given by the dean of the division. 

Matriculating students have been accepted into an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree program.

Enrollment Status

Undergraduate Course Overload Policy

A normal full-time class load is five courses/15 credit hours. Undergraduate students wishing to register for 18 credits or more during a given semester must have a B (3.000) average and must obtain the approval from their Academic & Career Advisor or their Success Coach. Any Day student would be subject to additional per-credit charges, above and beyond the full-time load.

Please note that course overload requests of 19 hours or more are only approved for students in academic good standing, regardless of a student’s anticipated graduation date.

If you are on academic probation and wish to take more than 16 hours per semester, you will need get approval from your Academic & Career Advisor.

Full- and part-time enrollment status for each fall and spring semester is determined according to the following tables.

Undergraduate Class Status for undergraduate students is determined according to total credits earned and recorded on the student’s permanent academic record at Rivier University.

Statement on Attendance

The classroom, whether face-to-face online, is the heart of the educational experience at Rivier University because it provides a formal setting for the important exchanges among faculty and students. Regular and punctual attendance at all classes, essential for maximum academic achievement, is a major responsibility of Rivier University students. Failure to attend and contribute to the classroom environment significantly and demonstrably reduces the quality of the educational experience for everyone in the classroom. As a result, absences almost always impact the quality of performance.

As part of its commitment to a quality educational experience for all members of the Rivier community, the University formally requires specific attendance policies to be developed by its professors and reviewed by the dean of the division. Any attendance policy used by an individual professor as a criterion for evaluation must be specified in the course syllabus and presented to students during the first week of classes. These policies can be found in respective course syllabi, and may include reasonable penalties and sanctions for excessive absences.

Students are expected to attend all class sessions. In the event of prolonged illness, accident, or similar emergency, it is the responsibility of the student to notify, in writing, both the professor and, for undergraduates, their academic and career advisor or success coach. For graduate students, include the program director/coordinator(s) or dean(s) of the division. Students must remember that it is always their responsibility to make up the work they may have missed during an absence from class. Students are directed to confer with their professors when their absences jeopardize satisfactory progress.

Faculty are expected to attend all class sessions. When faculty will be absent from class, the faculty will notify the students via email and contact the Dean, Program Director and/or Administrative Assistant. In the event it is not possible for the instructor to give advanced notice because of an emergency that prevents them from providing instruction for a scheduled class, the students are expected to wait fifteen minutes before leaving and will send an email to the instructor and the dean to indicate their attendance for that scheduled class. 

Professors are strongly encouraged to record attendance and alert the Academic & Career Advising Center and the Office of the Registrar when a student fails to attend the equivalent of two weeks of courses (two absences for a course meeting once a week, four absences for a course meeting twice a week, six absences for a course meeting three times a week). The student will then be alerted that he/she is in danger of falling under the ‘habitual nonattendance policy” (see below).

For graduate students taking online or seven-week courses, absence from three or more classes may jeopardize their ability to succeed; therefore, the student’s continuation in the course will be determined by the instructor and the dean of the division. If a student is absent from the first two classes of the course, the student cannot continue in the course without approval of the program director and/or dean.

Habitual Nonattendance Policy

Habitual nonattendance is defined as an absence in any course for any reason equal to three full weeks of missed class sessions. This translates to:

and for online courses, two or more absences within a 14-day period

For undergraduate students, faculty members will notify the Office of Academic & Career Advising or success coach when a student has reached the habitual nonattendance criteria for their course(s). The academic and career advisor or success coach will then attempt to resolve the issue of habitual nonattendance with the student. It is the responsibility of the student to notify their Academic & Career Advisor, success coach, or program director of any intention to withdraw from a course or to withdraw from the University. If the student has not officially withdrawn from the course(s) by the University’s last date to withdraw from a course, the faculty member will assign a grade of F. If the student stops participating, please contact the Office of the Registrar.

Undergraduate day students who have documented habitual nonattendance in one or more classes may also be in jeopardy of violating the Resident Attendance Policy (see Student Handbook).

Students who have registered and not attended or participated in any class sessions of a course(s) by the end of the drop/add period may be dropped from the course, regardless of modality.

Attendance Policy for F-1 Students

The F-1 immigration regulations require international students to register for full time classes and attend on campus. Complying with this policy is critical to maintain F-1 visa status. Not participating in classes will not only cause issues with your F-1 status but can also lead to academic probation/dismissal.

What is Rivier University’s  Attendance Policy?

There are three categories of attendance: Present, Participating Present, and Absent.

Present

• Students are required to be physically present for all classes unless otherwise informed by their instructor.

Absent

• A student who is not present for a scheduled class period will be recorded as absent by the instructor regardless of the reason. Contacting your professor ahead of time that you are going to be absent is your responsibility and may lead to the opportunity to make up work, but the absence will still be recorded.

• Being late for class is also considered an absence.  If you arrive after the professor starts class, you will be marked as absent. This is considered an “unapproved” absence. You should notify your instructor immediately by email, voice mail or message on canvas if you think you will arrive late due to an emergency.

• The Office of Global Engagement will be notified by the professors of the habitual absences of F-1 students.

• Only the Office of Global Engagement (OGE) may excuse absence for reasons of documented emergencies. OGE will inform instructors of excused absences. Students may be allowed to make up work at the instructor’s discretion, but any students who missed any part of class must be marked absent for that session.

Example of excused absences:

• Personal emergencies, including but not limited to illness or medical reasons with a U.S. doctor’s note.

• Death in the family with a copy of funeral program. 

In the event of a medical emergency and/or a medical reason for your absence, the note from a U.S. doctor should explain that you have an acceptable medical reason for being absent, and it should say approximately when you will be able to return. This note should be presented to your instructor and copied to the Office of Global Engagement. Rivier University recognizes the value of religious observances. It is recommended that students observe religious practices before or after any scheduled class.

Examples of unapproved absences:

• Religious observance
• Government appointments (i.e. drivers license appointments, etc.)
• Oversleeping
• Transportation issues
• Phone or internet service issues
• Other personal or family issues

These unapproved reasons will not result in an excused absence, and your instructor might not allow you to make up missing work, resulting in a grade penalty. This is not negotiable and cannot be appealed.  The overall grade might be affected and could lead to academic probation and/or dismissal which will be subject for SEVIS record termination

A student who accumulates absences of more than one (1) class over a period of a seven (7) week class or three (3) missed meeting for a 14 week class may also be recommended for academic probation, dismissal or SEVIS termination for reasons of habitual absence. 

Participating Present

At the instructor’s discretion, a student may be marked Participating Present.

Examples of participating Present:

• A student has completed all course requirements prior to the end of the semester or term. 
• An instructor may require students to perform work outside of the classroom during the normal class meeting time. For example, performing research in the Library.
• An instructor may conclude that a student is sufficiently ahead of the syllabus and that their best use of time is outside of the classroom.

Not Participating

A student is considered to be not participating if on the last day of drop/add they have not attended class, not informed the instructor, and have no activity in Canvas. Any instructor considering reporting an F-1 visa holder as not participating should inform OGE and the department Chair before entering ad determination. OGE will contact the student and provide feedback to the instructor. Students marked as non-participating are likely to be in violation of their visa requirements and immediately deported. It is critical to involve OGE in any determination of non-participation.

What is the Student’s Responsibility?

• You are an international student who holds an F-1 visa. This visa requires you to comply with the immigration regulations for the duration of your status.  Class attendance and participation are important components of maintaining your legal status. You must attend classes regularly.  Remember the definition of the “habitual absences” (missed over one class for 7 week and missed 3 classes for a 14 week) can result in academic probation which leads to dismissal and SEVIS termination.  (NOTE: Once your record is terminated, you will be required to leave the United States of America within a restricted timeline or transfer to another SEVP approved school immediately upon notification of your dismissal).

• It is your responsibility to arrive at Rivier campus before the semester begins. If you are not able to attend on time, notify the Office of Global Engagement and defer attendance to the next academic session to ensure preparedness. If you fail to do this and miss classes, your absences will be marked accordingly.

• Even if your absence is not excused, you may still be able to make up work.  It is your responsibility to ask your instructor questions, especially about the missed class policies. Communication with your instructor is important. If you think you will be absent from class, communicate as soon as possible.  Inform your instructor of why you will need to be absent and when you will return.

What are the Consequences of Missing Class?

• Non-attendance and non-compliance of the university’s policy may lead to academic probation and/or dismissal which could lead to losing your F1 status due to SEVIS termination. 

SEVIS termination means you will be subject to immediate deportation from the country and/or to transfer to another SEVP approved university. This policy is important to follow diligently to avoid being in this situation. 

Statement on Classroom Behavior

Please refer to the Student Handbook for information on this policy.

Statement on Student Use of Electronic Devices in the Classroom

Regarding the use of electronic devices (such as cell phones, tablets, iPads, laptops, etc.), students may not use these or other electronic devices during class unless permitted by the course instructor. If use of these devices is permitted by the instructor, they are to be used for appropriate class activities only. If a learning disability is substantiated to require the use of one or more of these items, the student must contact the Office of Disability Services (603) 897-8497, which will then work with the student and the course instructor as appropriate to facilitate whatever determination is reached regarding reasonable accommodations.

Augmentative communication devices are excluded from this policy (please refer to the Student Handbook policy on disability regarding these). If an emergency situation requires students to leave a cell phone on, they should inform the course instructor at the beginning of the class and leave the phone in a non-intrusive mode so as not to disrupt the class.

Graduate Code of Professional Conduct

All students who enter graduate programs at Rivier University are bound by a Code of Professional Conduct. The Code contemplates that professional, ethical and mature behavior is expected of each student at all times. Every student must conduct themselves from the moment of matriculation with maturity and professionalism. Every graduate student is expected to read the code and be responsible for its contents.

Purpose
Rivier University recognizes the need for a Code of Professional Conduct (CPC) to govern the behavior of graduate students in all fields of academic endeavors. The components of this code are designed to prevent occurrences that would discredit the university or individual graduate students.

Scope
The scope of the CPC is limited to actions by students which occur as a result of their association with the university in either on or off campus settings. This code governs activity in the classroom and in any professional setting where the student is identified with Rivier University.

Violations
It shall be a violation of the Code of Professional Conduct:

• To plagiarize. Plagiarism is defined as the presentation of someone else’s work in whatever form: copyrighted material, notes, film, artwork, reports, statistics, bibliographies, and the like, as one’s own, and failing to acknowledge the true source. Quoting word-for-word, or almost so, or using the argumentation of another source without acknowledging this dependence also constitutes plagiarism. It shall be a violation of the CPC to cheat during the conducting of an examination. Cheating is defined as giving, receiving, or using unauthorized materials during the conducting of an examination. Disclosing examination questions by a student who has taken an examination or receiving examination questions by a student who has not taken an examination, is cheating under the CPC.
• To misrepresent yourself by having someone attend class posing as you in your absence or to falsely report your attendance while you are absent.
• To hand in the work of another student as your own work.
• To participate in any unauthorized cooperation between two or more students in the preparation of material to be turned in for a grade when collaborative work is expressly prohibited by the instructor.
• To intentionally keep a copy of examination questions after the testing period has elapsed if the instructor expressly specifies that the examination questions are to be returned.
• To take another student’s book or personal property from Rivier University premises without authorization. Students’ papers (including examinations) are the property of the individual student. Reading such material without the consent of a student to whom the material belongs is a violation of the CPC.
• To fail to check out or return library materials to their proper location within the appointed time or to deface any library materials.
• To alter or deface any official documents or records of Rivier University.
• To intentionally make false or misleading statements either to the administration, the faculty or other persons associated with the University.
• To present a resume containing false or misleading information to prospective employers or to other individuals associated with Rivier University.
• To conduct oneself in a nonprofessional manner during an internship, practicum, clinical or any other professional activity while representing Rivier University.
• To conduct oneself in a manner inconsistent with the mission of Rivier University or with expected professional and ethical behavior.

Infraction of the Code of Professional Conduct

Penalties for plagiarism and cheating vary with the degree of the offense and may take the form of the following academic sanctions:

• The grade of “F” for the work in question;
• The grade of “F” for the course;
• Notification of the divisional dean of the misconduct of the student.
• Recommendations that the student be suspended or dismissed from the University.

All efforts should be made to observe the Code of Professional Conduct. Grievances may nonetheless occur. In all cases where a violation of the Code of Professional Conduct has been alleged, informal redress by the persons involved is the first step. If informal resolution cannot occur, formal procedures may be followed.

Appeals

If the student remains unsatisfied, they may file a formal grievance within ten days of this communication. This grievance, with all relevant data attached and a proposed resolution requested, is submitted in writing to the dean of the division of the university. The dean will appoint and chair a review committee, consisting of two faculty or staff from outside the department involved. A meeting will be scheduled as soon as possible. Formal representation by legal counsel is not permitted; the meeting is academic in nature, and the student represents themselves at this meeting.  After the meeting, the committee will reach a decision, which will be communicated in writing to the parties involved within three days of the meeting. Within ten days of this communication, a final appeal in writing may be made to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, who will review all the pertinent data and make the final decision on the matter.

Online Courses

An undergraduate student who is enrolled as a full-time day student is expected to fulfill program and degree requirements through day course offerings. Any full-time day student desiring to enroll in an online course must first consult seek approval with the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Requests will be approved on a case-by-case basis, for upper-level day students who are in academic good standing. Day students enrolling in online courses understand they will pay the full-time day tuition rate regardless of the mix of on-ground and online courses, and any supplemental charges and fees, if applicable.

Day students who wish to enroll in online classes will pay a $125 “Online Course Fee”. If the course in which they wish to enroll is a requirement of their major and it is not offered at all on-ground, this fee will be waived. If the student can take the required course on-ground in another semester, then the fee will not be waived. 

Add/Drop Period

At the beginning of each semester, students can make changes in their courses selected during the add/drop period, the first five business days of the semester/term. Add/Drop for students can be made online through Colleague Self-Service. The University’s withdrawal and refund policies can be viewed at https://www.rivier.edu/financial-aid/student-resources/withdrawal-refund-policy/.

Requests for course changes after the published Add/Drop deadline in the Academic Calendar will be honored only for sufficient cause and after due consideration.

Directed Study

The purpose of a Directed Study is for juniors and/or seniors to complete their degree, offering classes that might not otherwise be available. In most cases, a Directed Study is offered because a course has low enrollment or a degree program is being phased out. A Directed Study may involve more than one student (same course); however, this will be considered as one Directed Study, providing the faculty member meets all students together. A student must give evidence of capability for independent work and must be approved by the faculty member and/or Program Director and finalized by the Dean.

Credits and Contact Hours

The number of course credits is predetermined by the faculty member/Program Director and/or Dean, and should normally align with an existing course. The number of contact hours shall be four contact hours per credit during the semester/term which the Directed Study takes place. Under ordinary circumstances the student should complete the Directed Study within the semester/term during which the student(s) is registered. If for some legitimate reason the student is unable to complete the work within the semester/term, the student becomes subject to the general regulation concerning an incomplete grade.

Compassionate Leave of Absence/Withdrawal

A medical leave or withdrawal request may be granted when verifiable medical situations prevent a student from continuing in their classes, finalizing Incompletes, or completing course requirements if it is beyond the regular course withdrawal period. (Please refer to the academic calendar for dates.)

All applications for a medical leave/withdrawal require documentation. Appropriate documentation for a medical leave/withdrawal consists of a letter from the attending healthcare provider that specifies the following:

• The date of onset of illness
• The last date of class attendance
• The dates under professional care
• The general nature of their medical condition, and
• The anticipated date of return to school (if appropriate)

Students will need to complete and submit a Medical Leave/Withdrawal Form and provide appropriate medical documentation to the Office of the Registrar for consideration.

If approved, students requesting a medical leave/withdrawal for the semester/term will need to be withdrawn from all courses for that semester/term that have not yet been concluded. 

Withdrawal from the semester/term may have financial implications or obligations that result in the student having to return a portion of any federal financial aid received. Financial implications should be discussed with the Director of Student Accounts and, if applicable, the Veterans Coordinator.

Final decisions regarding medical leave/withdrawals reside with the Registrar and are not subject to appeal.

Requests for medical leave/withdrawal must be submitted no later than the final day of instruction for the semester/term in question.

Readiness to Return

While a student is on a medical leave/withdrawal, they no longer have the status of an enrolled student at Rivier University. In order to return and re-enroll as a student at the University, the student must provide required documentation (Return from Medical Leave/Withdrawal Form) from their healthcare provider.

If a student has been absent from the University for three years or longer, the student will need to contact the Office of Admissions to submit an application for readmission. All students should check their program handbook or with their program director for program requirements.

Withdrawal from a Course

After the add/drop period is over, but before the posted final day to withdraw, students may withdraw from a course in Colleague with a “W”, with the exception of those students who may have received a grade of “VF” for an academic integrity grade violation and therefore cannot be dropped. In Colleague Self-Service, students can withdraw from the course by clicking “Drop”. If they are withdrawing from all courses, with the intent to withdraw from the University or take a hiatus/Leave of Absence, they will need to contact the Office of the Registrar by sending an email from the student’s Rivier email address. Undergraduate day students should reach out to their Academic Advisor prior to withdrawing. The deadline to withdraw from a course is published in the University’s Academic Calendar. If a student stops attending a course at any time before the posted last day to withdraw without officially withdrawing, the final grade will be an “NF” for the course (last date of attendance needs to be submitted with “NF” grades). The Office of the Registrar must receive all withdrawal requests by the final day and time to withdraw from a course. Students withdrawing from their registered courses are financially responsible for their courses unless the course(s) is dropped prior to the course start date. Please refer to the financial information section of the catalog for details on tuition refunds or refer to the Withdrawal and Refund Policy online. Refunds apply to tuition only; fees are non-refundable.

A student may not withdraw from a course during the last three weeks of the semester/term, i.e., the last three weeks of classes.

Consult the Division of Nursing and Health Professions for nursing program requirements.

Leave of Absence

A leave of absence is a period during which students defer their studies but maintain their matriculated status and may be granted to any student in good academic standing. During this time, they are not entitled to any of the services of the university provided by the payment of tuition or fees. An application for a leave of absence may be filed an any time during the academic year for the following semester(s). The total leave allowed a student is one calendar year. A student who desires to take a leave of absence must complete a Leave of Absence form and submit it to his/her advisor or success coach in order to officially arrange for a leave. A date of return will be agreed upon, in advance, between the student and the advisor or success coach, and stated on the Leave of Absence form. A copy of this form will be forwarded to the Office of the Registrar. Students enrolled in Rivier Online programs who are not taking classes for two consecutive terms, including the summer semester/terms, must discuss this with their Success Coach. There may be a form required to stay in Good Standing with the University. Failure to complete the Withdrawal/Leave of Absence Form may result in an Administrative Withdrawal as outlined in the withdrawal policy.

Students who return to the University immediately after the approved period for a leave of absence will not be required to submit an application for readmission. A student who does not return on the agreed date will be considered to have withdrawn from the university. If, at a later date, the student considers returning to the university, the student will have to reapply to the university. A student who does not officially apply for a leave of absence, but just stops attending classes, must reapply to the University to finish his/her degree (See the Admissions section of the catalog for details).

Students are advised that lending agencies do not consider a leave of absence a substitute for registered status. Students should contact Financial Aid regarding their loan repayment and financial aid status while on a leave of absence. A leave of absence in excess of 180 days will activate loan repayment.

Nursing students on leave must notify the program director/department coordinator in writing at least three weeks prior to the semester they wish to re-enter. Students returning from a leave will be admitted to the Nursing courses on a space-available basis.

a. Access to campus services

Access to services such as Regina Library, Muldoon Health and Fitness Center, etc., is canceled when a student goes on leave or withdraws. Students should return all library books and other equipment to avoid fees. Students on leave may not participate in university clubs, sports, etc.

b. International students

Leaves of absence or University withdrawals can have significant visa-related implications for International Students. It is important that international students contact the Office of Global Engagement (OGE) to speak with an advisor before submitting a leave of absence or withdrawal request.

Withdrawal from the University

Students may discontinue their education by notifying the Office of the Registrar in writing of their intent to withdraw. Oral notice is not sufficient. Students must also complete and submit the Withdrawal/Leave of Absence Form. Undergraduate students can submit the form to their Academic Advisor or Success Coach. Graduate and Doctoral students can submit the form to the Office of the Registrar.

Federal financial aid recipients who withdraw from the University once a semester has started for any reason (personal, academic, medical, etc.) must contact a Financial Aid representative to determine the impact the withdrawal date may have on eligibility for federal funds that have either disbursed, or could have disbursed, to their student account.  

Depending upon the date of the withdrawal or leave of absence, students may be subject to a return of Title IV funds. This is a federal calculation the Financial Aid Office must make for any federal aid recipient withdrawing during a period of enrollment. Refund of fees or charges will be based on the date that the student last attended a class.

Return of Title IV Funds

If a withdrawal takes place prior to completing 60 percent of any period of enrollment, the Financial Aid Office must recalculate the amount of federal aid the student has “earned” or “could have earned” based upon the date of withdrawal and number of days attended. If the calculation determines that the student has earned fewer federal dollars than were disbursed to the student account, the University is required by federal law to return a portion of funding to the federal government. 

If, however, the student has earned more than has been disbursed to their account, the University will process a post-withdrawal disbursement to the student account. For all post-withdrawal disbursements, the University will notify the student by letter and ask the student to confirm if they would like to receive these funds. 

Students should review the Financial Aid Office policy on withdrawals and refunds in the online Rivier University Catalog to determine if they are eligible for a tuition refund based upon their date of withdrawal. Federal funds may not cover unpaid institutional charges upon withdrawal.

In addition, federal loan recipients who withdraw from the University entirely are required to complete an exit interview. The Financial Aid Office will notify students by email as to the exit interview responsibilities, along with the steps that must be taken.

Majors

Definition: A program of study comprised of a coherent set of courses within a discipline, related disciplines, or a professional area, which represents the curricular content of a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree major typically consists of at least 30 credit hours.

Students who wish to declare or change their major should contact their Academic & Career Advisor, Student Success Coach or appropriate Program Director. Certain majors have specific grade-point average (G.P.A.) requirements that need to be met prior to acceptance into the major. Please refer to the department section for details.

Double Major (Undergraduate Students Only)

A double major is defined as an academic program that consists of one degree and a minimum of two majors (i.e., B.S. Business/Criminal Justice). 

• A student earning a double major must complete the General Education (core) requirements specified by the degree (e.g., Bachelor of Science), earn a GPA of at least 2.00 in both majors, and satisfy all other University graduation requirements.
• Students must indicate one of the majors as a primary major.
• The student must complete all courses required by each major.
• No more than four courses used to satisfy the requirements of one major may be counted toward the requirements of the other major. 
• Students who intend to pursue two majors must work out a plan with their academic and career advisor or success coach and have the plan approved by the coordinator from each major’s department.
• Students will receive a single diploma designating the degree associated with the primary major; however, both majors will be listed on the transcript.

The student must complete a Declaration of Major/Minor Form.

Concentrations

Definition: A coherent subset of courses that constitutes a prescribed track within a major. Typically a concentration consists of three to six courses (9-18 credits hours).

Minors

Definition: A minor is a coherent set of five to seven three or four credit courses (typically 18-24 credit hours) in a discipline or related disciplines other than the major. Although minors are not required, a student may earn a minor in an undergraduate day discipline designated by the University. Students should discuss their intent to earn a minor with their Academic & Career Advisor as early as possible, and no later than the end of the junior year.

• A total of nine credits used to complete major requirements may also be used to complete requirements for the minor.
• Courses used to satisfy requirements for the minor may also be used to satisfy core and exploration area course requirements.
• Credits earned in courses used to satisfy multiple requirements will count once toward the total number of credits required for graduation.
• A Declaration of Major/Minor Form must be completed and submitted to the Office of the Registrar.

Upon completion of the degree, the minor will be posted on the official transcript.

Each candidate must submit a formal notification of intent to graduate to the Office of the Registrar for a degree to be awarded. Forms for this purpose are available online through Colleague Self-Service, or via the university website at www.rivier.edu/academics/support-resources/registrar/commencement/. There are three graduation dates per year September 2, January 2 and the date of the Commencement ceremony in May. The deadlines for filing for graduation are August 1 for September; December 1 for January; and February 1 for the May commencement.

Students who complete degree requirements before the May graduation are eligible to participate in the Commencement ceremony. All official transcripts, CLEP scores and Challenge Exam scores must be received by the University before the final semester of attendance, otherwise the application will be deferred to the following semester. Students should not assume that filing the Application to Graduate assures that the degree will be received that year. Students are advised to check with their program director/faculty advisor in their department to be certain that all requirements for graduation have been met. Students are responsible to make sure that all financial accounts are settled in full before diplomas can be issued.

To graduate by the end of their final semester, a student must have attained a cumulative grade-point average of 2.000 or higher, graduate students must attain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.000 or higher.

Conferring of Degrees

Degrees are conferred by the University in September 2nd, January 2nd, and in May. However, the University holds only one Commencement exercise each year in May.

When the student completes all degree requirements, the Office of the Registrar will, upon request, provide a letter attesting to this fact prior to receiving the diploma. An Application for Graduation must be received in the Office of the Registrar in order for a diploma to be ordered. (See Application for Graduation.)

Challenge Examination

The Challenge Exam is a one-time examination in a specific area created by Rivier University as the equivalent to a course. Courses which have been audited cannot be challenged. The method of assessment may vary with the subject matter, but in all cases should enable a comprehensive appraisal of the student’s knowledge. A student who earns a grade of C or better on the Challenge Exam is exempted from and given credit for the course counterpart of the examination. Since the challenge is on the student’s part, it is her/his responsibility alone to prepare for it; no retake is allowed. Courses that may be challenged are at the discretion of the department chairperson. Likewise, only students matriculating at Rivier may request a Challenge Exam. Ordinarily, Challenge Exams are given on the first Friday of December and the first Friday of April. Procedures, guidelines, and fee schedules are available from academic advisors. At least one month prior to the exam date, the student obtains a challenge form from the advisor and then contacts the department chair for approval. LPN’s wishing to challenge courses for advanced placement standing, see Admissions section.

Final Examinations

A final exam period is provided during the final week of the semester. The schedule is published by the Office of the Registrar. If a student is unable to take the final exam as scheduled, they must notify the instructor. Exams other than finals may be retaken at the discretion of the instructor.

Undergraduate Grading System

Grades are based on definite published criteria available in the Office of the Registrar. Letters are used to indicate grades; each is assigned a given value in grade points per semester hour.

To determine a student’s academic status, the University uses a grade point system. Each qualitative grade has the numerical values listed, e.g., a grade of A has a value of 4.000; a grade of B has a value of 3.000. Grade points are computed by multiplying the course credit by the numerical value of the grade earned. For example, a three-credit course completed with a grade of C carries 6.00 points (3 ×2.00). The grade-point average (GPA) is obtained by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of credit hours attempted.

Graduate Grading System

A student’s rating in each course is determined by the combined results of tests, examinations, class and laboratory work, written and oral presentations, projects, and other requirements made by the instructor of the course. This rating is reported by the instructor in accordance with the grading system shown below. Grade reports are issued by the Office of the Registrar.

Course grades represent the instructor’s assessment that a student has demonstrated the following skills at an appropriate level of achievement for that course:

• an understanding of course material and discipline-specific concepts;
• the ability to apply one’s understanding and knowledge;
• the ability to communicate in writing, orally, visually, and/or quantitatively;
• the ability to think critically about course concepts;
• the ability to make and support value judgments about course material;
• the ability to amalgamate concepts and ideas and shape observations, broadening the scope the course.

A (4.000)
Indicates a level of excellence in completing the goals of the course, understanding the concepts of the discipline, and in demonstrating skills of applying, valuing, judging, synthesizing, and communicating. (Numerical equivalent: 94-100)

AB (3.500)
Indicates a high level of achievement in completing the goals of the course, understanding the concepts of the discipline, and in demonstrating skills of applying, valuing, judging, synthesizing, and communicating. (Numerical equivalent: 90-93)

B (3.000)
Indicates a satisfactory level of achievement in completing the goals of the course, understanding the concepts of the discipline, and in demonstrating skills of applying, valuing, judging, synthesizing, and communicating. (Numerical equivalent: 84-89)

BC (2.500)
Indicates a low level of achievement in completing the goals of the course, understanding the concepts of the discipline, and in demonstrating skills of applying, valuing, judging, synthesizing, and communicating. (Numerical equivalent: 80-83)

C (2.000)
Indicates that a student has taken the course but that the student’s knowledge of the subject matter reflects an unsatisfactory level of achievement. (Numerical equivalent: 74-79)

F (0.000)
Indicates that the student has insufficient understanding of the course material and insufficient achievement in applying, communicating, or evaluating and synthesizing course material. No credit is given. (Numerical equivalent: 0-73)

NF (0.000)
Indicates that the student has stopped attending/participating in a course and has not given official notification of withdrawal from a course in writing. An NF (administrative failure) is counted as credits attempted, equal to an F on the student’s record.

VF (0.000)
Indicates that the student had an academic integrity violation grade penalty. A VF (violation failure) is counted as credits attempted, equal to an “F” on the student’s record.

P (0.000)
Indicates that the student has passed a course or sufficiently completed a non-graded course that has been designated by the program faculty and has been approved by the Academic Council for P/F grading. The accumulation of grades of pass (P) in proposal and dissertation research does not imply completion of the research; such grades indicate satisfactory progress. (Numerical Equivalent: 84-89)

W
Indicates withdrawal from a course, which can be done no later than the tenth week of a regular semester or by the end of the fourth week of a summer session.

I (Incomplete)

A student is expected to complete the requirements of each course by the end of the semester or term in which the course is offered. If for some major reason beyond their control the student is prevented from taking the final as scheduled or does not complete some part of the course requirements, the student may ask the instructor to assign the temporary grade of Incomplete “I”. This request must be made before the scheduled final examination. It is the student’s responsibility to remove this temporary grade before the end of the fourth week of the following semester or term. (See the Academic Calendar). Otherwise, the student automatically incurs an “F” for the course. In unusual cases, the student may request in writing an extension of this period. The extension may not exceed a three-month period and must have the approval of the dean of the division.

AU (0.000)
Indicates that the student has merely audited the course without credit.

Audit Policy

The auditing of certain courses is permitted only with an online registration form one week prior to the start of the term/semester. Audit status is authorized on a space-available basis. A student who audits courses receives no credit and is exempt from all assignments and examinations. The student should communicate with the instructor on expectations for class participation and assignments.

The nature of some laboratory courses and other skills courses does not allow these to be taken on an audit basis. Lecture courses may be audited. Except for Rivier University alumni and senior citizens, students will be charged full tuition and applicable fees for an audited course.

A change of status from Credit to Audit or vice versa can only be made within the Add/Drop period. A record of attendance is kept as with any other student. When a student attends at least 80 percent of class meetings, audit status is recorded on the academic record; otherwise, the student receives a “W”.

Incomplete Grades

A student is expected to complete the requirements of each course by the end of the semester or term in which the course is offered. If for some major reason beyond their control the student is prevented from taking the final as scheduled or does not complete some part of the course requirements, the student may ask the instructor to assign the temporary grade of Incomplete “I.” This request must be made before the scheduled final examination. It is the student’s responsibility to remove this temporary grade. (See the Academic Calendar). Otherwise, the student automatically incurs an “F” for the course. In unusual cases, the student may request in writing an extension of this period. The extension may not exceed a three-month period and must have the approval of the divisional dean where the course is being taught.

Repeated Courses

Undergraduate students are encouraged to speak with their Academic Advisor or Student Success Coach before registering to repeat a course taken at Rivier University. Students who wish to repeat any course must take the same course. While only the last grade is used in calculating the cumulative grade point average, the original grade remains on the transcript. Each repeated course is counted only once in fulfilling degree requirements.

Graduate students who receive a grade of “F” (0.000) in a course may repeat it once for credit. All grades, including “F” grades, remain on a student’s transcript, but only the last grade earned for a repeated course is used in computing the cumulative grade-point average. A repeated course is counted only once in fulfilling degree requirements. (See Nursing Department section for information pertinent to Nursing students.)

Grade Report

At the end of the term the Office of the Registrar authorizes the posting of grades to the student portal for each student. To protect confidentiality of student records, grades or GPA are never reported by telephone or faxed. Presentation of a valid Rivier University ID or other form of identification must be made to receive a copy of transcripts or grades, if the student comes in person. “Unofficial copies” of the grade report can be obtained from the student portal.

Grade Review

Students have the right to request a review of a final grade. All such requests must address the process followed in arriving at the final grade and not the professor’s evaluation of the student’s work.

A request for a review of a final grade must be made in writing by the student to the instructor of the course no later than 15 calendar days from the posting of the official grade report by the Office of the Registrar. The student sends a copy of this request to the divisional dean.

If there is no resolution between the student and the instructor, and the student continues to believe the grade to be in error, the student may appeal in writing to the department coordinator/program director in which the course was offered, or to the divisional dean if the grade review is between the student and the department coordinator/program director.

If no satisfactory resolution is reached after contacting the department coordinator/program director, the student may appeal to the divisional dean. The dean will make the final decision, which is binding, and send notification of the decision to the Office of the Registrar for processing.

Honors

The Dean’s List (Undergraduate Students Only)

The University honors its students for high academic achievement and significant contributions to the University community through the Dean’s list. The Dean’s list is compiled at the end of each semester. The criteria are:

• The student must be matriculated at Rivier;
• The student must achieve a semester grade point average of 3.500;
• The student must be a full-time student, carrying a minimum of twelve graded credit hours. (Excluding Pass/Fail courses)
• The student cannot have any grade of “I” (Incomplete) or “PR” (In Progress)

Undergraduate Latin honors

Honors for baccalaureate degree students are awarded on the following basis:

• a minimum of 30 graded credits earned at Rivier: (no grades of “P”-passing)
• grade-point average as follows:

cum laude 3.500

magna cum laude 3.700

summa cum laude 3.900

​Internship Policy

Internships integrate knowledge and learning that has been achieved in the classroom with practical skill development in a real-world setting. They are primarily educational in nature and relate to the student’s major and accommodate academic commitments. Additionally, internships must provide significant, defined and measurable educational benefits. Progress toward these learning outcomes should be evaluated in a summative assessment at the end of the internship.

Internships can be a combination of paid, unpaid, credit-bearing, and non-credit-bearing engagement in a practical setting. Unpaid internships should complement, rather than displace, paid employees. Some related experiences, such as student teaching, practicum, and some clinical experiences have requirements set by the academic divisions and professional accrediting organizations.

Undergraduate students should meet with their Academic & Career Advisor prior to registering for an internship. Faculty advisors can provide insight about the types of opportunities that exist in your area of interest. Advisors can help determine which students are eligible for internship credits.

Internship requirements:

• Internship request form must be completed and approved by the host site, the supervising faculty member and the student.
• There must clearly defined set of learning outcomes related to the student’s professional goals and academic coursework. The learning outcomes should be developed by the faculty and student.
• Minimum of 40 hours of work completed per semester per academic credit hour. (This minimum may be higher depending on department requirements). Students must work at least 120 hours during a regular semester to satisfy a three-credit internship.
• Retroactive credit is not permitted.
• Minimum duration of seven weeks for fall and spring semesters and six weeks for summer.
• Undergraduate students must have a minimum 2.000 overall GPA and completed all pre-requisites. (This minimum GPA may be higher depending on department requirements).
• At the end of the internship, a summative assessment of progress toward the intended learning outcomes should be completed by the student and the internship site supervisor. This is primarily a reflective paper or presentation. Assessments must be approved by the faculty member before credit is awarded.   

If adding an internship will place an undergraduate student over 18 credits, the student will need to 1) remove a course from their current schedule by either dropping the course before the end of the drop/add period or 2) petition Academic & Career Advising for a credit overload. (Please note that students will be charged tuition for any classes dropped after the end of the drop/add period and will be responsible for any charges over 18 credits). Students must be enrolled in the internship course during the semester in which the internship is being completed.

Academic Standing

To remain in good standing an undergraduate student must maintain an average of “C” (2.000) each semester. A cumulative average of “C” is the minimum requirement for graduation. Further, a “C” (2.000) average in one’s major field is mandatory in all departments; in some, the required average is higher. Nursing majors should refer to “Progression/Retention” in the department section. Students who fail a required course must repeat the course successfully. Authorization from the program director/coordinator or dean of the division of the University is required to make up a course at another college. Approval should be made prior to taking courses elsewhere. Courses taken outside Rivier University will not increase GPA. This permission is seldom given for courses in the student’s field of concentration. Only a grade of “C” (2.000) or better will be accepted in transfer from another college. A failed course repeated at another institution will not affect the GPA.

A graduate student whose cumulative grade average falls below “B” (3.000) is grade deficient and is placed on academic probation. The student has one additional semester to regain satisfactory standing. A student demonstrating an inability to perform at the graduate level will be subject to dismissal. Any extension of this time will be subject to the recommendation of the dean of the division.

If a graduate student earns two failing grades, the student may be dismissed from graduate study. A failed course may be repeated once. Only the second grade earned affects the grade point average, but the failure remains on the transcript. Courses in which a student receives a grade of “C” or better cannot be repeated for credit.

Internships and practicums are not regarded as regular courses and normally cannot be repeated when a failing grade is incurred. Individual programs may have additional requirements.

Academic Probation

To remain in good academic standing an undergraduate student must maintain an overall grade point average of 2.000 and graduate students must maintain an overall grade point average of 3.000, in each semester at Rivier University. A cumulative average of “C” (2.000) is the minimum University requirement for undergraduate student graduation; specific programs may have more demanding requirements. Graduate students must have a cumulative average of “B” (3.000) minimum University requirement for graduate student graduation.

Full-time Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students who fail to maintain a 2.000 average will either be dismissed or placed on probation for their next semester of attendance. At the end of the probation semester, their academic progress will be reviewed by the their academic and career advisor or success coach. At this time, a student may be removed from probation, or dismissed from the University. Nursing majors should refer to “Progression/Retention” in the department section.

Part-time Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students who fail to maintain a 2.000 average for two consecutive sessions of part-time study will be placed on probation for their next semester of attendance. At the end of that semester, their academic progress will be reviewed by their academic and career advisor or success coach. After taking the new grades into consideration, the student may be removed from probation, continued on probation, or, after a minimum of two semesters on probation, dismissed from the University. Nursing majors should refer to “Progression/Retention” in the department section.

Academic Suspension or Dismissal

Rivier University reserves the right to suspend or dismiss any student for failure to maintain a satisfactory academic record or demonstrate acceptable behavior in keeping with the University mission, Academic Integrity Policy, and/or the Code of Professional Conduct.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity involves the thorough, accurate, and systematic discussion, presentation, reporting and publication of information.  Academic integrity is a cornerstone of the teaching and learning in which all members of our community are engaged. 

When considering student work, academic integrity assumes and expects that academic work is solely the product of the student.  Plagiarism and cheating are breaches of academic integrity. In general, plagiarism is defined as the presentation of someone else’s work as the student’s own without complete acknowledgement of the source of the material. Quoting or using another person’s argument from another source without acknowledgement of the source or its relationship to other sources constitutes plagiarism. Cheating is defined as the giving or receiving or attempting to give or receive unauthorized information or assistance during an examination, study, or project. Submission of a single work for two separate courses without the permission of both instructors prior to submission is also a form of cheating.

When students generate text using artificial intelligence (AI) services, including chatbots and other natural-language generators, this can also be a breach of academic integrity if the work is represented as that of the student.  All text generated by AI must be identified and cited by the student even if the student edits the text. This applies to papers, discussion group posts, computer code and all other academic work.

Instructors will communicate clear expectations regarding assignments, including group work and group projects. If students are unsure whether a specific course of action would constitute academic dishonesty, they should consult with the relevant instructor before proceeding.

When academic integrity is violated, by plagiarism, cheating or other unethical conduct, sanctions may be applied. The nature of the sanctions varies with the type, degree or repetition of an act of academic dishonesty in the judgement of the instructor and the institution.  Depending on the nature of academic dishonesty sanctions may take the form of one or more of the following:

• student discussion with the instructor about the nature of the offense that results in reassurance and commitment to improvement;
• individualized action plan with identified steps and timeline to achieve the appropriate outcomes;
• rewriting and submission of the academic work in question with or without grade penalty;
• a grade penalty up to and including a grade of “F” or zero for the work in question;
• notification of the divisional dean of the infraction and reason for recommending a formal review;
• review by the dean and meeting with student and instructor to determine facts related to allegations and to impose other sanctions as appropriate;
• other academic sanctions up to and including dismissal from the university.

In some cases, grade penalty sanctions may forbid the student from changing the grade to “W” by withdrawing from the course.

Procedure

All efforts should be made to conduct ourselves with dignity, integrity and a just consideration for those with whom we interact. Often, disagreement can best be resolved by the individuals directly involved. However, there may be instances when this does not occur.

Informal Process

When academic integrity is violated, the instructor will notify student(s) promptly and should then check with the VPAA office to determine if the student has documented prior offenses. In situations without prior offenses, instructors should seek to resolve the matter informally with the student(s), with the understanding that resolutions may involve sanctions. As noted below, informal resolutions that involve grade penalties should be reported by the instructor to the office of the VPAA for the purpose of limiting the number of times students have access to informal resolution processes.

If this informal attempt between the student and the instructor does not resolve the matter, or if the student has sufficient reason to believe that they will not be fairly heard by the faculty member, the student or the instructor may contact the divisional dean. For the purposes of academic integrity matters, the relevant dean is the dean of the division where the instructor and class are located. This contact must occur within ten working days following the time when the student was notified of the academic integrity violation. The dean will attempt to resolve the matter in a timely manner and to the satisfaction of both student and instructor. Written statements may be requested of both parties by the dean. The decision of the dean will be forwarded in writing to all individuals involved.

Formal Process

If the matter is not resolved by the informal process described above, the student or the instructor may file a formal grievance within five working days of the informal decision of the divisional dean. This grievance, with all relevant evidence attached, is submitted in the form of a written letter addressed to the dean, who will appoint and chair a review committee, consisting of the dean and two faculty or staff from outside the programs and divisions of both student(s) and instructor(s). The formation of a review committee is also the entry point to the formal process in cases where previous offenses are on record. The review committee will consult with students and instructors as needed.  A meeting of the formal review committee will be scheduled within ten working days of the date of the grievance or of its formation by the dean, and the committee will promptly arrive at a decision. In cases where multiple offenses are on record, the review committee may consider sanctions up to and including dismissal from the university. The decision, including any associated sanctions, will be communicated in writing to the parties involved and to the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) within three working days of the formal meeting. The meeting is academic in nature, so the student represents themselves at this meeting. Formal representation by legal counsel is not permitted.

Within ten days of receiving the results of the formal review, the student or the instructor has the right to a one-time final appeal in writing to the VPAA. The VPAA will review all the pertinent information and may choose to meet with the student(s) instructor(s), program director(s) or dean(s) to ascertain the facts. The VPAA will make the final decision on the matter. Records related to review committee work and any related appeals will be kept in the office of the VPAA.

Limits to Informal Processes

Students may use the informal resolution process one time. Subsequent violations of academic integrity must be formally reported by the instructor to the divisional dean who will bring the matter to a review committee. In order to enforce the one-time limit on informal resolution, instructors should contact the office of the VPAA before moving forward with informal resolution of serious violations of academic integrity. In cases where informal resolutions are undertaken and a grade penalty is imposed, instructors should notify the office of the VPAA that an informal resolution has occurred, identifying the student involved as well as the course, the date, the nature of the violation and the sanction imposed. 

Academic Grievance Process

All efforts should be made to conduct ourselves with justice, integrity, and consideration for those with whom we interact. Grievances may, nonetheless, arise. In such cases, they are often best resolved by the individuals directly involved. However, there could be instances when this does not occur.

Procedure

The aggrieved student should approach and attempt to resolve the matter informally with the faculty member involved. If this attempt does not resolve the matter, or if the student has sufficient reason to believe that they will not be heard by the faculty member, they should contact the division dean. This must be done within ten calendar days following the time at which no resolution could be reached with the faculty member. The division dean will attempt to resolve the matter to the satisfaction of both student and instructor. Written statements may be requested of both parties by the division dean, who will attempt to resolve the issue as soon as is reasonably feasible. The decision of the dean shall be forwarded in writing to all parties.

If the student remains unsatisfied, they may file a formal grievance within ten days of this communication. This grievance, with all relevant data attached, is submitted in writing to the dean of the division of the University, who will appoint and chair a review committee, consisting of two faculty or staff from outside the department involved. A meeting will be scheduled as soon as possible and the decision communicated in writing to the parties involved within three days of the meeting. Formal representation by legal counsel is not permitted. The meeting is academic in nature, and the student represents their self at this meeting. Within ten days of this communication, a final appeal in writing may be made to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, who will review all the pertinent data and make the final decision on the matter.

Non-Academic Grievance Process

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide equitable and orderly processes to resolve non-academic grievances by students.

Definitions

Non-Academic Grievance – formal difference or dispute between a student and a University employee about the interpretation and/or application of the University’s non-academic policies and procedures, or provision of services, by members of the University’s faculty or staff, that negatively affects the student. A grievance may be based on one of the following claims: failure to provide services, arbitrary and/or capricious actions by a University employee or administrative office; policy or procedure applied unfairly and/or in a different manner than it was applied to others; administrative error in the application of the policy or procedure.

Relevant Administrator- Appropriate Office Director or Academic Division Dean. The grievance is with the office/department/division where the service is delivered. Questions about the appropriate location are resolved by the appropriate division vice president or designee.

Policy Statement

A non-academic grievance differs from an appeal of an academic decision, as it deals with service issues and not the actual outcomes of course work. A student may file a non-academic grievance in the cases of an unresolved difference or dispute between themselves and the University (office or individual) related to services rendered or non-academic decisions. The policy covers matters outside the scope of other policies of the University.

Complaints about sexual harassment and discrimination based upon protected class are addressed via the University’s A Culture of Respect: Sexual Misconduct, Harassment, and Gender-Based Violence policies (Student Handbook); and complaints about student behavior are addressed through the Community Standards, Student Rights, and Responsibilities policies (Student Handbook). Specific divisional, departmental, or program handbooks and guidance may be used based on the presenting situation.

Informal Resolution

The student is strongly encouraged to seek informal resolution of a grievance by bringing it to the attention of the relevant individual, administrator, or office. An attempt at informal resolution should begin no more than 10 business days after the service or decision is rendered.

Formal Grievance

If the student is unsatisfied with the informal resolution response, the student may make a formal, written grievance to the relevant administrator.

Any formal grievance must be submitted by the student within 20 business days after the service or decision is rendered. The student must state the nature of the grievance and the remedy being sought and describe any previous attempts to resolve the grievance.

The administrator reviews the situation and should provide a written response, including appeal information within 15 days of receiving the complaint, copying the primary mentor/academic advisor. Students will be informed if extenuating circumstances require additional time.

Appeal of Formal Grievance Decision

If the student is unsatisfied with the formal grievance decision, the student may appeal in writing to the appropriate vice president or designee.

Any appeal must be submitted within 20 business days of the transmission of the formal grievance decision. The student must state the nature of the justification for the appeal.

The vice president or designee reviews the grievance and should provide a written response within 15 days of receiving the appeal. This decision is final.

Questions regarding the non-academic grievance procedure should be directed to the Office of Student Affairs, 209 Dion Center, 603-897-8249.

Dismissal Policies

For information about the Student Code of Conduct, including community standards, dismissals and appeals, please refer to the Student Handbook which can be found on our website at: https://www.rivier.edu/student-life/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/08/Student-Handbook-2023-2024-0923.pdf. These policies start on page 39 of the document.

Repeat Policy

All grades, including “F” grades, remain on a student’s transcript, but only the last grade earned for a repeated course is used in computing the cumulative grade-point average. A repeated course is counted only once in fulfilling degree requirements. Graduate students who receive a grade of “F” (0.0) in a course may repeat it once for credit. (See Nursing Department section for information pertinent to Nursing students.)

Change of Name or Address

Changes in a student’s home address or phone number can be updated through Colleague Self-Service Student portal. Name changes are made by the Office of the Registrar when accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation.

Confidentiality of Student Records

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights are:

• The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access. 
  Students should submit to the Office of the Registrar written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The Registrar will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the University official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.

• The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate or misleading. 
  Students may ask the University to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the University official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. 
  
  If the University decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the University will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.

• The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorized disclosure without consent. One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is defined as a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit and health staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or assisting another school official in performing their tasks.
  
  A school Official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill their professional responsibility.
  
  Upon request, the University discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.

The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202-4605.

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605

Directory Information

Rivier University, in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), may release without the student’s consent the following directory information: student’s name, address, telephone number, major field of study, class year, dates of attendance, enrollment status, degrees and awards received, if any, place of employment, most recent previous educational agency or institution attended, and e-mail address. Students are given the opportunity to restrict the release of any or all directory information.

Award of Academic Credit Policy

Academic credit is awarded to a student upon the successful completion of an approved instructional course. Rivier University awards academic credit requires:

1. For in-person undergraduate courses, 50 minutes of direct classroom instruction and a minimum of two hours of outside of class work per week per credit over the course of a 14-week semester, or a total of 700 minutes of instruction and 28 hours of outside work per credit for courses that meet on schedules other than the 14-week semester.
2. For in-person graduate courses, 50 minutes of direct classroom instruction and a minimum of three hours of outside of class work per week per credit over the course of a 14-week semester, or a total of 700 minutes of instruction and 42 hours of outside work per credit for courses that meet on schedules other than the 14-week semester. 

-or- 

3. For in-person laboratory courses, a minimum of 110 minutes of laboratory instruction and laboratory work and a minimum of two hours of outside of class work per credit per week over the course of a 14-week semester. 

-or- 

4. For distance and online courses, including directed studies, an amount of engaged learning is equivalent to 700 minutes of direct instruction and 28 hours of additional work per credit for undergraduate courses and 700 minutes of direct instruction and 42 hours of additional work per credit for graduate courses. 

-or-

5. For academic activities including internships, practica, and other non-classroom credit-bearing activities, an amount of work at least equivalent to that described in (A.) above or a minimum of 40 hours of engaged learning per credit. 

-or- 

6. Demonstrated evidence that learning outcomes are met at a level equivalent to those met in the case of the (A.) above.

-or- 

7. For courses that combine instructional approaches like classroom instruction and internship, an appropriate combination of the above.

Transfer Credits

For information on the Rivier University Transfer Credit Policy, please click the Admissions page of this catalog.  

Transcripts/Academic Record

Official transcripts may be ordered for current students through their portal, through the Rivier University website, or in person for a fee. Alumni and previous students may utilize the Rivier University website, or other avenues listed above to request transcripts. Requests for official transcripts must include the student’s name, approximate dates of attendance, the address where the transcript is to be sent, and the student’s signature (orders through our online provider, Parchment, allow for an electronic signature). No transcript will be released until all financial obligations to the University are met. Official transcripts carry the University Seal along with the registrar’s signature. The envelopes will be sealed with the registrar’s stamp, and the official transcript enclosed stamp.

Electronic transcript delivery via secure e-mail is the preferred delivery method for Rivier University. Transcripts to institutions that utilize Parchment will be sent directly to the contact listed by the receiving institution, unless otherwise specified.

Unofficial transcripts may be accessed via the student portal, The unofficial transcript may be printed out and is unable to be sent electronically.

Transcript request forms are available online from the Office of the Registrar at www.rivier.edu/academics/registrar. Payment can be made online via credit or debit card.

Rivier University determines that the use of facsimile equipment is not a secure means of transmitting educational records. Because the University cannot safeguard the privacy of the student’s records, the University will not fax transcripts, grade reports, or other academic information.

Registration Procedures

An officially registered student is one who has submitted course selections with the necessary approvals, and has made the necessary financial arrangements with the Student Accounts Office. Officially registered students may confirm their registration via the student portal. Students receive notification of the registration process from their Academic Advisor, Success Coach, Program Director, or the Office of the Registrar. Continuing students select courses in October and March for the spring and fall semesters, respectively. Under this procedure, continuing undergraduate day students should schedule appointments with their Academic Advisors. Undergraduate professional studies evening students should schedule appointments with their Academic Advisor or contact their Success Coach. Graduate students are encouraged to contact their Program Director.

Full payment of fees must be made on or before August 15 for the fall semester, on or before January 5 for the spring semester, and on or before May 5 for the summer semester in order for the student to be officially registered. Students are not admitted to class nor do they receive credit unless they have officially registered. Students may not be enrolled in a class after the designated add/drop period. Exceptions to this policy are rare and can be made only by the Registrar.

The student must have financial clearance from the Student Accounts and Financial Aid offices at the time of registration for each term.

A student may not attend class until they have obtained financial clearance and are officially registered. 

Students who have earned twelve credits at Rivier University and have not officially applied for admission into a graduate degree program are not allowed to register for courses until they complete the admissions application process or file their non-degree status with the Office of the Registrar.

Summer Registration

Registration for summer sessions begins in March and continues through the start of the summer session. Financial clearance must be obtained from the Student Accounts and Financial Aid offices at the time of registration for this session. Students should contact their advisor for specific registration requirements.

General Policies

For the policy on cross-registration refer to the section on Course Load. The University reserves the right to withdraw, postpone, or combine classes, limit registration, or change instructors. Part-time students are charged the tuition rate of the division (day or evening) in which the class is offered.

Veterans’ Benefits

In cooperation with the Veterans’ Administration, Rivier University participates in numerous veterans’ benefits programs. Students who are eligible (covered) for veterans’ benefits as determined by the Veterans’ Administration should contact the Veterans’ Coordinator at the time of application or the start of the semester. The Veterans’ Coordinator is located in the Office of the Registrar, Adrienne Hall. To obtain benefits, the student must be enrolled in a degree program. Applications for Veterans’ benefits may be obtained directly from the Veterans’ Administration by visiting https://www.va.gov/. For additional information, please visit https://www.rivier.edu/admissions/veteran-services/.

Note: Covered individuals are any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, or chapter 33, Post 9/11 GI Bill® Benefits.

Covered individuals must provide a “Certificate of Eligibility” or a “Statement of Benefits” obtained by the Department of Veterans Affairs to the Rivier University Veterans’ Coordinator. Upon receipt of this document, and registration of courses, the covered student will be allowed to participate in classes with the full rights of any other student. Should the VA have a delay in payment, the covered student will not need to seek additional funding as a result of delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapters 31 or 33.

”GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.”

Emergency/Inclement Weather Closing Policy

Rivier University communicates weather-related closure/delay information on local radio, TV, the Rivier University homepage, the University phone system, and the Rave emergency notification system. Students currently taking classes have a Rave account. To update emergency contacts and notification preferences, go to: https://www.getrave.com/login/rivier. You will be prompted to provide your email address. Enter your Rivier University email address (it is already pre-loaded into Rave and the system will recognize you). Enter the password you use for your normal Rivier email/system login. If this is your first time logging in to Rave Guardian, the system will ask you to supply contact methods (e.g., mobile phone). Have your phone nearby to receive verification codes.

The University cannot make a decision that takes into account everyone’s commuter location and travel direction. As always, we ask each person to be safe. If conditions in a student’s area are not safe, we ask that the student not put themselves in danger. Communicate with faculty, supervisors, or advisors if weather prohibits or delays travel.

Per policy/protocol, the University makes every attempt to announce a closure or morning delay no later than 6 am on the day of the closure. If the University closes campus in the afternoon, an attempt is made to announce an early closure by 2 pm on the day of the closure.

In the event of campus closure, faculty will work to maintain the engaged academic time required to meet the learning outcomes for every course. Canvas tools for this purpose include Discussions, Assignments, Quizzes, VoiceThread, or other uploaded consumable content (files, videos, hyperlinks). Real-time activities in Canvas (Conferences, Collaboration) are also an option. Through these and other means, faculty continue to engage students with course content and evaluate student learning during and after unanticipated closures.

If Rivier is closed for unforeseen reasons (e.g., weather), scheduled events, functions, and programs will be canceled or rescheduled, unless the University determines that campus conditions are safe enough to hold the event. Any time that weather presents a concern for a campus event being held, it is expected that event sponsors and contacts will confer with the University’s Public Safety Office (to determine campus conditions and safety of travel) and Sodexo (external sponsor event management).

Internships

Several departments of the University offer traditional practica or internships, such as student observation and teaching for education majors, clinical experiences for nursing students, and field work opportunities for majors in the behavioral sciences, business, and communications fields. Many departments recommend internship experiences for qualified students. Not only are such involvements valid learning experiences which earn academic credit, but they also provide opportunities for a more meaningful total education. Students are confronted with problems of the work world, and their values are tested in real life situations.

Qualified students are also encouraged to study abroad or to participate in exchange programs which will enhance the total learning experience.

NHCUC Student Exchange Courses

Rivier University belongs to a consortium of New Hampshire colleges, the New Hampshire College and University Council (NHCUC). Under the Student Exchange Program of the NHCUC, full-time degree seeking students may enroll for one or more courses a semester, or for one or two semesters as full-time students, on a space-available basis during the regular academic year. Courses must be approved by the academic advisor. Study at an NHCUC institution is regarded as transfer credit. A grade of C must be earned as a minimum, and grade points are not figured into the student’s average at Rivier.

Students remain as degree candidates and continue to pay Rivier University tuition, but they make their own room and board arrangements when they plan to spend a full semester at an NHCUC college.

Off-Campus Study

Students who have been accepted into degree programs at Rivier University are expected to complete their degree requirements on campus. Only under extenuating circumstances, with prior approval from the Registrar and the VPAA, will students be granted permission to take courses off-campus. Students must complete their last semester at Rivier University and must adhere to the Residency Requirements.

Prior to registering for any off-campus course including the New Hampshire college consortium, the student submits the course number, title, and description to his/her academic advisor. The Academic Advisor will share the request with the Office of the Registrar and the VPAA for approval. The University is under no obligation to accept credits for unauthorized courses. A course for which a student has received at least a 2.000 (“C”) is eligible for transfer. Students transferring a nursing-related science course into the nursing program must have earned a minimum of a “B” (3.000) in the course to receive credit. An official transcript from the institution must be forwarded to the Office of Academic & Career Advising upon completion of study, prior to the students last semester of study a Rivier.

Refer also to NHCUC Student Exchange Courses.

Study Abroad and Teaching Trips (Day Students)

Rivier University offers a comprehensive study abroad program to students of all majors. Details about the program can be found on the Rivier University website under “Global Engagement,” or by stopping by the Office of Global Engagement in Memorial Hall. Students who wish to enrich and expand their educational experience through study abroad for a summer, a semester, or a year should discuss their plans well in advance with the Office of Global Engagement, their faculty advisor and with their academic advisor in the Academic & Career Advising Office. Students planning to spend their junior year abroad are encouraged to initiate the process for study abroad early in their sophomore year in order to be assured of a place in the foreign study program of their choice. Approval by the student’s academic advisor for study abroad plans is necessary to ensure that courses taken fulfill the Rivier University requirements.

In addition, Rivier University offers “Faculty led” trips. Courses are intensive in nature, led  by Rivier faculty, and are held during semester breaks and the summer. Faculty led courses change each year, in response to demand from students and willingness of faculty. The Office of Global Engagement website and office can provide detailed information on Faculty led trips planned for the academic year.