H.7. – Student Handbook
DEAC—2015
7. Student Handbook
To comply with DEAC’s Standards IV. Student Services, institutions should have a Student Handbook. The purpose
of a Student Handbook is to provide the student with information on his or her educational experience. Some
institutions provide the same information within their catalog. Here is an overview of such a Handbook.
Areas
Mission and Goals of Institution
How to Contact the Institution
Academic Calendar
Course Scheduling
Study Suggestions
Course Overview
Program Objectives
Admissions
Academic Progress
Student Privacy Policies
(FERPA)
Nondiscrimination Policy
Disabilities
Copyright
Elements
Same as stated in catalog
Administrators, faculty, IT
Hours of operation, holidays, etc.
Dates courses begin or how long is need to finish the course
How to complete each course, create a study schedule, develop study habits,
techniques to review material
Course study materials (textbooks, study guides, online resources) Exams and
assignments (quizzes, mid-course exams, unit exams, papers and projects, final
exams) Thesis or Dissertations and Proctoring requirements.
What the student is expected to achieve by completing the course.
Orientation, placement or entrance testing, technology requirements, using the
LMS, acceptance of credits, transcripts, transfer of credits, etc.
Academic dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism), examinations procedures, grading
policies, academic probation, retake examinations, graduation requirements,
graduation with honors, transcripts, student records, record retention, leave
admission, withdrawal, termination, etc.
Under the provisions of the federal law known as the Family Education Rights
and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), eligible students, or where applicable, the
parents of the students, are afforded certain rights pertaining to University
records and personally identifiable information on file with the institution. An
eligible student is defined as any person who is currently enrolled or has been
enrolled in the institution’s programs. It is the policy of the institution to treat
all student information, both personal and academic, as strictly confidential.
Student information will only be released after appropriate written permission
has been obtained.
The institution is in compliance with all requirements imposed by or pursuant
to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and section 504, Rehabilitation Act
of 1973. The institution does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
religion, sex, or national origin in its activities, programs, or employment
policies, in accordance with Federal, State, and local laws.
The right to the institution’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, as amended.
Following the copyright law of the United States which prohibits the making
or reproduction of copyrighted material except under certain specified
conditions. Acts of copyright infringement include, but are not limited to,
misusing copyrighted material in one’s coursework and misusing material for
which the institution owns the copyright (i.e., web site materials, course
materials, publications, etc.)
Distance Education Accrediting Commission, 1101 17th Street, NW, Suite 808, Washington, DC 20036
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H.7. – Student Handbook
DEAC Accreditation Handbook—2015
Appeals and Grievances
Intellectual Property
Refund Policy
Other
Complaint Policies and procedures
The institution’s policy on intellectual property rights
DEAC’s refund policy, textbook refund policy
Library Services, List of Faculty with qualifications, office hours, contact
information, etc.
ALSO AS FOUND IN CATALOGS
Grading Policies (proctoring)
Explanation of grading policies, what’s acceptable and what’s not; assessment
and proctoring procedures
Student code of conduct &
Student code of conduct and academic and non-academic dismissal policies;
grievance policies
student complaint and grievance policies and procedures, including DEAC
contact information
Graduation Requirements
Graduation requirements, including minimum passing grades
Academic Policies and
Time requirements, extensions, contact requirements, satisfactory progress
Procedures
policy, proctored exams and other assessments, retake policy, grading policy,
code of ethics/academic integrity, leave of absence policy, graduation
requirements
Student Services
Change of contact information, student ID cards, orientation, graduation
ceremony, career services, honor society
Other Policies
Transfer of credit policy, nondiscrimination policy, experiential credit policy,
notification of acceptance, denial of admission, student verification
procedures, Student Financial Aid program policy disclosures, as required by
federal regulations, if participating in Title IV funding
Fees
Statement of refund policy and cancellations that conforms to DEAC Business
Standards
Financial Information
Costs per credit hour, course, program, etc.; administrative fees, discounts,
scholarships, payment options, past due obligations, re-enrollment, leave of
absence, etc.
Counseling and/or Placement
Description of counseling and/or placement services available to students, if
any.
Distance Education Accrediting Commission, 1101 17th Street, NW, Suite 808, Washington, DC 20036
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