MBA for Professionals Student Handbook 2010-11

REGISTRATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES


Registration
Registration for courses occurs prior to each semester. MBA for Professionals students are automatically registered with their cohort. Registration for courses that does not match the registration of the cohort must be approved by the Dean. MBA for Professionals students are registered by the Atkinson School Recorder.

A student is considered officially registered only after fees have been paid or arrangements for payment have been made with the Student Accounts Office.

Full-Time and Half-Time Course Loads
MBA for Professionals Students who are enrolled for at least eight (8) MBA for Professionals credits (2 courses) per semester are classified as full-time MBA for Professionals students.

MBA for Professionals students who complete at least four (4) MBA for Professionals credits (1 course) per semester are classified as part-time students and meet the half-time enrollment requirement for federal loans.


Discontinuing a Course
The University reserves the right to discontinue any course for which the enrollment is insufficient.

Course Prerequisites
Students are required to meet the stated prerequisite for an Atkinson course prior to enrollment in the course. Students who have successfully completed or waived the course(s) listed as a prerequisite are considered to have met the prerequisite. Students who have not completed the stated prerequisite may request permission to enroll by submitting the "Request to Enroll in an Atkinson School Course without the Required Prerequisite" form. The form is available from the Atkinson School Recorder.

Students submitting a "Request to Enroll in an Atkinson School Course without the Required Prerequisite" must describe how they have met the prerequisite in an alternate way (previous course work, professional certifications, work experience, etc.). A request based on previous course work must include a copy of the syllabus and catalog course description of each previous course related to the request, and a photocopy of a transcript showing completion of the course and the grade received. A request based on professional certification must include a photocopy of the certificate. The completed form and all attachments should be submitted to the Atkinson School Recorder, who will process the request and forward it to the instructor of the course.

Approval of a "Request to Enroll in an Atkinson School Course without the Required Prerequisite" does not constitute the waiver of any course or curricular requirement of the Atkinson School.

Class Attendance
Active class participation and in class discussions enhance the learning environment for all students. As such, students are expected to attend all classes and participate in all learning activities.

The professor of the course sets the attendance policy for the course and students are expected to adhere to the attendance policy. Attendance, preparation and participation in classroom discussions may be used by faculty in determining course grades.

Students who are aware of the need to miss an upcoming class should discuss their upcoming absence with the professor in advance of the absence and make alternative arrangements for completing any related class requirements.

When a student is unable to attend class due to an unpredictable illness or an immediate personal/professional commitment, they should email or telephone the professor in advance.

Whenever a student misses a class, the student is responsible for all material covered in the missed class and may be asked by the professor to complete additional work to make up for the missed class session. It is the students responsibility to initiate, follow through, and complete all material and assignments related to a missed class.

Students who must miss more classes then the professor has outlined as acceptable to meet the requirements of the course, should withdraw from the course for the given semester and re-enroll in the course at a later date.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities should be familiar with the Willamette University Policies and Procedures Specific to Individuals with Disabilities as stated on the Willamette University Disabilities Services web page at www.willamette.edu/dept/disability/policies.htm.

Atkinson students who have been certified to receive accommodations through the Willamette University Disabilities Services Office will receive an Eligibility Verification form from the Disabilities Services Office verifying their eligibility for accommodations. Students eligible for accommodations will also receive several copies of a Letter of Accommodation which outlines accommodations for which the student is eligible. It is the student’s responsibility to provide a copy of the Letter of Accommodation to the Atkinson School Recorder so it may be provided to each professor.

It is also the responsibility of the student to coordinate their accommodations with the Administrative Assistant of the faculty member teaching the course in which the accommodation is needed or the Atkinson School Recorder. Students must notify the appropriate Administrative Assistant or the Atkinson School Recorder two weeks prior to the exam or as soon as the exam date is announced to secure accommodations.

Questions regarding the provision of accommodations for Atkinson School courses should be directed to the Atkinson School Recorder who serves as the Atkinson liaison to the Disabilities Office.

Students who believe they have a grievance about a disability issue should follow the Disabilities Services Grievance Procedure as described at the following page on the Willamette University website: www.willamette.edu/dept/disability/policies.htm.

Immunizations Required to Attend Class
Willamette University Immunization Policy requires every entering student enrolled at least half time (4 credits) who was born on or after January 1, 1957, must provide the university with evidence of having received two doses of measles vaccine on or after the first birthday with a minimum of 30 days between doses. Graduate students must be in compliance prior to the first day of classes, and will not be able to attend classes until the requirement is met. For more information call the Bishop Health Center at 503-370-6062 or visit http://www.willamette.edu/dept/health/


Adding a Course
MBA for Professionals courses may not be added after the first course session of the semester, unless approved by instructor of the course. To add a course after the end of the first week of instruction, contact the Program Director at pmba-admission@willamette.edu
Students are responsible for initiating and completing the add process in a timely manner.

Dropping a Course
Deadlines for dropping an MBA course are listed in the academic calendar. Students considering dropping a course are encouraged to talk to the professor, the Program Director or the Associate Dean/Director of Admission prior to the decision.

To drop a course for the MBA for Professionals program email the Program Director at pmba-admission@willamette.edu and request to drop the course. The email must be received by the Program Director before the deadline for dropping a course (deadlines are listed below).

The last day to drop an MBA for Professionals course without a "W" grade (withdrawal) showing on the transcript for fall semester 2010 is Friday, October 29, 2010.

The last day to drop an MBA course without a "W" grade (withdrawal) showing on the transcript for spring semester 2011 is Friday, February 25, 2011.

The last day to drop an MBA course without a "W" grade (withdrawal) showing on the transcript for summer semester 2011 will be announced when the schedule is posted. is Friday, June 25, 2010.

Students are responsible for initiating and completing the drop process in a timely manner.

Withdrawing from a Course
The deadline to withdraw from a course is prior to the last scheduled class session of the MBA for Professionals course. Withdrawal from a course is shown on the permanent transcript as a "W." A "W" grade does not affect the grade point average, and no credit is granted.

Students considering withdrawing from a course are encouraged to talk to the professor, Program Director or Associate Dean/Director of Admission prior to the decision.

To withdraw from a MBA for Professionals course, email the Program Director at pmba-admission@willamette.edu and request to withdraw from the course. The email must be received by the Program Director before the deadline for withdrawing from the course which is the last scheduled class session.

Students are responsible for initiating and completing the drop process in a timely manner.


Complete Withdrawal from All Courses During a Semester
MBA for Professionals students who are considering withdrawing from all courses during a semester are encouraged to talk to their program director, professors, faculty advisor or Associate Dean/Director of Admission prior to the decision.

MBA for Professionals students choosing to withdraw from all courses during a semester must complete and submit the Willamette University "Complete Withdrawal Form" online at http://agsm.willamette.edu/withdraw/

Students are responsible for initiating and completing the withdrawal process in a timely manner. Submission of the online form will automatically email Univeristy administrative who need to know the information.

The student's official withdrawal date is the date the online form is submitted, the date the student began the institution's withdrawal process and officially notified the institution of intent to withdraw, or the midpoint of the period for a student who leaves without notifying the institution. The official date of withdrawal is the date used for any tuition adjustments. Information about university tuition refund policies is available at http://www.willamette.edu/mba/handbook/mba_professionals/Financial_Policies_Procedures_2010.htm

Medical Withdrawal or Medical Incomplete
A medical withdrawal may be requested when a student has a documented medical or psychological condition preventing completion of the semester, or requiring a reduced course load. If approved, the student's transcript will reflect grades of "W" in all courses, and a comment of "Medical Withdrawal."

Normally, a student withdrawing from all courses under this situation will receive a tuition refund according to the University's published refund schedule, or a student may request a tuition credit in lieu of a refund by contacting the Controller in the University Business Office. Contact the Business Office for a copy "Policy and Procedure for Requesting a Tuition Credit Following Approval of a Medical Withdrawal."

If a student wants to complete his/her courses, but for documented medical or psychological reasons will need more time to complete one or more courses, a temporary grade of "Medical Incomplete" may be requested.

Students requesting a medical withdrawal or medical incomplete must submit the "Willamette University Atkinson School Request for Medical Withdrawal/Medical Incomplete" form available from the Atkinson School Admission/Recorder Office

Leave of Absence
Officially admitted students who have completed at least one semester of course work at the Atkinson School, and intend to enroll in less than one (1) Atkinson course for two (2) or more consecutive semesters should apply for a Leave of Absence. Students applying for a Leave of Absence must complete the following procedures prior to the end of the semester preceding the leave or within two weeks of the beginning of the semester on leave:

• Complete an exit interview with the Associate Dean/Director of Admission; and/or
• Complete an "Atkinson School Request for Leave of Absence" form.

Students who apply for readmission to the MBA program will be automatically readmitted by the Director of Admission if they meet the following six (6) criteria:

1. The student applied for and received a Leave of Absence; and
2. The student has submitted a letter to the Associate Dean/Director of Admission requesting readmission to the program; and
3. The student has a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher; and
4. The six (6) year completion date for the degree is feasible at the time of readmission; and
5. There were no pending disputes, disciplinary actions, or appeals at the time of withdrawal; and
6. The student has not previously applied for readmission.

1. The six (6) criteria listed for automatic readmission; and
2. Quality of student's experience while absent from the program; and
3. Performance in alternate classes attended while absent from the program; and
4. Evidence of professional growth; and
5. Assessment of ability to successfully complete the program; and
6. Evidence of commitment to complete the program within the six (6) year completion requirement period.

Final Exam Policy
Final exams will be conducted during the last week of the course and during the normal time of class, therefore there will be no more than one exam scheduled for each evening.

Requests for Exceptions to Academic Policies or Procedures
Students requesting an exception to academic policies or procedures must submit a written request and rationale for the request. The proposal should be directed to the Associate Dean/Director of Admission (joneill@willamette.edu) for review. The following are required of all written proposals.

• The student must explain the request in detail
• The student must provide information about any discussion or tentative agreements that may have occurred between the student and a faculty member (if any)
• If a tentative agreement has already been made with a faculty member, the student must provide the signature of the faculty member involved or the faculty member must send an email directly to the Associate Dean/Director of Admission discussing their level of support for the proposal and any other comments or suggestions
• The student must state a clear rationale for the request as it why it is the best alternative for their educational and career goals

If the proposal is not approved, the Associate Dean/Director of Admission will notify the student via email.

If the proposal is tentatively approved, the student must complete an interview (in person or on the telephone) with the Associate Dean/Director of Admission to discuss the implications and regulations governing the requested exception and any future implications of the exception.

Following the interview, the student must sign in writing that they understand and accept the exception that has been made and the conditions and regulations governing the exception. The signature is required for the exception to be implemented. Failure to provide a written statement accepting the conditions and regulations governing an exception voids any tentatively approved exception to policy or procedures.

Students should note that the following basic requirements of the MBA degree are never modified:

• Satisfactory completion of the minimum number of credits required for graduation
• Satisfactory completion of required courses (or substitute courses approved by the dean)
• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 in Willamette MBA course work