DETC—2014 H.7. – Student Handbook
To comply with DETC’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 Same as stated in catalog
How to Contact the Institution Administrators, faculty, IT
Academic Calendar Hours of operation, holidays, etc.
Course Scheduling
Study Suggestions
Course Overview
Elements
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.
Program Objectives
Admissions
Academic Progress
Student Privacy Policies
(FERPA)
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.
Nondiscrimination Policy
Disabilities
Copyright
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.)
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Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council, 1601 18 th Street, NW, Suite 2, Washington, DC 20009
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H.7. – Student Handbook DETC Accreditation Handbook—2014
Appeals and Grievances
Intellectual Property
Refund Policy
Other
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 & grievance policies
Student code of conduct and academic and non-academic dismissal policies; student complaint and grievance policies and procedures, including DETC contact information
Graduation Requirements
Academic Policies and
Procedures
Complaint Policies and procedures
The institution’s policy on intellectual property rights
DETC’s refund policy, textbook refund policy
Library Services, List of Faculty with qualifications, office hours, contact information, etc.
Student Services
Other Policies
Fees
Graduation requirements, including minimum passing grades
Time requirements, extensions, contact requirements, satisfactory progress policy, proctored exams and other assessments, retake policy, grading policy, code of ethics/academic integrity, leave of absence policy, graduation requirements
Change of contact information, student ID cards, orientation, graduation ceremony, career services, honor society
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
Statement of refund policy and cancellations that conforms to DETC Business
Standards
Financial Information
Counseling and/or Placement
Costs per credit hour, course, program, etc.; administrative fees, discounts, scholarships, payment options, past due obligations, re-enrollment, leave of absence, etc.
Description of counseling and/or placement services available to students, if any.
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Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council, 1601 18 th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009
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