Undergraduate Academic Policies

Academic Honor Code

All Hood undergraduates affirm on each class assignment that they “have neither given nor received any unauthorized aid.” Cheating or plagiarism—any unacknowledged use of another person’s language or ideas—is thus both an affront to the general standards of conduct on which an intellectual community depends and a specific violation of the Honor Code. As such, these offenses are treated seriously and may lead to severe disciplinary action, including dismissal from the College. For a full description of the policies and procedures of the Honor Code, contact the dean of students.

Students wishing advice on the proper use and acknowledgement of scholarly materials should consult their individual instructors, the library staff and any of the several reliable guides to scholarly writing that these sources may recommend.

Copyright Statement

Hood College affirms the obligation of its faculty, staff, and students to comply with all Federal copyright laws (Title 17, United States Code). Copyright law gives copyright holders (writers, publishers, artists, etc.) exclusive rights to distribute, copy, perform, or publicly display, their own original works. The College recognizes its obligation to promote the rights and responsibilities granted under this law. Hood College assumes that any questions regarding copyright, as they apply to materials for instructional or other College use, will be resolved prior to the use of those materials on College-owned equipment or in College-sanctioned activities.

As members of an institution with an established Honor System emphasizing intellectual integrity, the Hood College community should recognize their responsibility to follow the law and to model it for others. All members of the College community are responsible for complying with College guidelines regarding the legal use of copyrighted materials, regardless of their format or the purpose for which they are used, and for complying with the requirements of copyright law, including obtaining required permissions to use copyrighted materials. Members of the Hood community who willfully disregard copyright law do so at their own risk and assume any liability, which may include criminal, and/or civil penalties. In addition, disciplinary action may be taken as outlined a) for students, in the Bylaws of the Student Government Association (Judicial System), b) for faculty, in the Faculty Code (Termination or Sanctions for Cause), and c) for staff, in the Staff Handbook (Section 405.3).

Peer-to-Peer File Sharing

Uploading or downloading works protected by copyright without the permission of the copyright owner is an infringement of the copyright owner’s exclusive rights of reproduction and/or distribution. Anyone found to have infringed a copyrighted work may be liable for statutory damages up to $30,000 for each work infringed and, if willful infringement is proven, liability may be increased up to $150,000 for each work infringed. An infringer of a work may also be liable for the attorney’s fees incurred by the copyright owner to enforce his or her rights. The files distributed over peer-to-peer networks are primarily copyrighted works, and there is a risk of liability for downloading material from these networks. There are currently many “authorized” services on the Internet that allow consumers to purchase copyrighted works online, whether they be music, e-books, or motion pictures. By purchasing works through authorized services, consumers can avoid the risks of infringement liability.

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act

The DMCA is a response to concerns regarding the pirating and distribution of digital materials, and it helps to clarify how copyright relates to those materials. The DMCA criminalizes the development of technologies intended to circumvent devices (such as passwords or encryption) that limit access to copyrighted material, and it also criminalizes the act of circumvention itself. Institutions of higher education that act as Internet Service Providers (such as Hood College) are granted limited liability for copyright infringement involving the use of their networks if they take steps to designate a local agent to receive notices regarding instances of infringement over the local network and for effecting a “take-down” of the infringing material. The Library Director will provide contact information for Hood’s Take-Down Officer.

Academic Honors

Commencement Honors

Commencement Honors are awarded to graduating seniors who have achieved the following composite average at the time of graduation (see The Hood College Grade Point Average and The Composite Average located under Grades):

• Summa Cum Laude: 3.95–4.00
• Magna Cum Laude: 3.85–3.94
• Cum Laude: 3.70–3.84

Convocation Honors

Convocation Honors are awarded to current sophomores, juniors or seniors who achieved a 3.6 or above G.P.A. for the preceding year. The College bases this G.P.A. on at least 12 credit hours of Hood work (or approved study away) on a letter-grade basis, or an alternate recognized full-time status (as verified by the Center for Academic Achievement and Retention) based on letter-graded coursework. Students who have outstanding incomplete grades for the year are not eligible.

Dean’s List

The Dean’s List recognizes degree-seeking students who completed at least 6 semester hours of Hood work (or who have received permission to study abroad or away for a semester) and achieved a 3.5 or above semester G.P.A. Students who have outstanding incomplete grades for the semester are not eligible.

Hood College Scholar

A Hood College Scholar, named at the beginning of the junior or senior year, is the student who received Convocation Honors for at least two consecutive years (may include approved study away). A student who has graduated from the College is not eligible to become a Hood College Scholar.

Academic Standing and Classification

Classification

• Freshman: fewer than 25 credits earned.
• Sophomore: 25-55 credits earned.
• Junior: 56-86 credits earned.
• Senior: 87 or more credits earned.

Academic Standing

Students are in good academic standing when both the semester and cumulative Grade Point Averages are at least 2.0. Hood makes every effort to assist students to maintain this academic standard. It is the student’s responsibility to take advantage of the College’s academic, health and psychological counseling services as a means of overcoming problems impeding progress.

At the end of each semester, the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies considers the records of those students who have earned a semester or cumulative average below 2.00, and examines the records of students previously placed on academic warning or probation. Academic action by the Committee is based not only on the academic record, but includes input from the offices of Residence Life, Disability Services, Student Affairs and the student’s instructors and adviser, regarding issues such as attendance and completion of assigned coursework, and issues from outside the classroom that may have affected a student’s academic success. Based on all the information, students will be placed on academic warning, academic probation, required leave of absence or be dismissed from the College.

Academic Warning

A student will be placed on academic warning if his or her semester Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) falls below 2.0.

Academic Probation

A student will be placed on academic probation if his or her cumulative Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) falls below 2.0. Academic probation means that a student is in danger of being dismissed from the College for academic reasons. Students on academic probation must make satisfactory progress the following semester or risk being dismissed.

Students on academic probation may not register for more than 14 credits or 4 courses without permission from the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies.

Students who are placed on Academic Probation will be required to sign a copy of the probation letter, indicating they have agreed to assume responsibility for their academic status by attending classes regularly, completing assignments on time, using course, mathematics and composition tutoring services and/or doing whatever is appropriate to resolve their specific academic problems.

Academic Dismissal

The College, upon recommendation of the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies, may at any time dismiss a student who is experiencing academic difficulty. This policy applies to all students. Although all cases are decided individually, the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies will use the following guidelines when reviewing academic records:

1. Students whose cumulative Grade Point Averages (G.P.A.) fall below the following levels will be dismissed:

Total Semester Hours Attempted*	Minimum Cumulative Hood G.P.A.
Less than 30 credits	1.75
30 or more credits	2.00

*Credits attempted include all transfer credits accepted by Hood. However, grade point averages listed in this table are based on Hood work only.

2. Students with three consecutive semester averages below 2.0 will be dismissed.

3. The College reserves the right to dismiss at any time any students who fail to meet minimal standards of academic responsibility or who are deemed to be a detriment to themselves or to others, as determined by the vice presidents of academic affairs or student life. Such grounds for dismissal could include but are not limited to ceasing to attend classes, disrupting the life and work of the College community or completing any semester with a term grade point average below 1.0. This policy applies to all students, including first–semester first-year students.

4. Students who are dismissed from the College may not enroll in classes as a nondegree-seeking student.

Exceptions:

1. Students with more than two consecutive semesters on probation may be permitted to remain at the College only if the student has earned a G.P.A. above 2.0 in the most recent regular (fall or spring) semester and in the opinion of the Academic Standards and Policies Committee is making satisfactory progress toward the completion of degree requirements.

2. The Committee on Academic Standards and Policies Committee may make exceptions to the above-mentioned guidelines based on input about unique circumstances from the Offices of Residence Life, The Josephine Steiner Center for Academic Achievement and Retention, Student Affairs and/or the student’s instructors and adviser.

Appeals for exemption from dismissal may be granted by the provost and dean of the faculty in unusual circumstances and following consultation with the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies, the student’s instructors and adviser and other relevant offices. Appeals for reinstatement following fall semester dismissal must be received one week prior to the first day of the spring classes and appeals following spring semester must be no later than the last working day of June. Students whose appeals are granted will be readmitted to the College for one semester on a provisional basis. Failure to comply with the conditions specified in the letter allowing them to return to the College will result in their dismissal at the end of the provisional semester, if their minimum G.P.A. for retention is not attained.

Dismissal and Reinstatement

Students who are dismissed for academic reasons may petition for reinstatement after completing a minimum of one full-time semester at another accredited institution and receiving no grade below a C.

The following is the procedure for possible reinstatement:

• The student writes to the registrar to request permission to return to Hood.
• The student provides transcripts of work attempted elsewhere or other pertinent information.
• The Committee on Academic Standards and Policies reviews the request and makes a decision regarding reinstatement.

A student who is reinstated will be placed on academic probation. Reinstatement does not automatically reinstate financial aid. The student must notify the Office of Financial Aid.

If a student is dismissed for nonacademic reasons, the student must request in writing to the dean of students permission to return to Hood. The dean of students decides if the student may be reinstated.

Financial Aid Implications

Financial aid recipients are required to be in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory academic progress toward degree requirements. Please refer to the financial aid section of the catalog for financial implications.

Attendance and Absence

The College does not set a maximum number of absences permissible in any course. Individual faculty members have the prerogative to establish a maximum number of absences at the beginning of the semester, and are encouraged to include a written statement of their attendance policy on the course syllabus. Students accept full responsibility for seeing that work does not suffer from excessive absence.

The College recognizes that there are other justifiable reasons for class absence: observance of religious holidays or participation as a representative of the College in athletic contests or cultural performances. Such absences are acceptable only if previous absences are not excessive and if the student has made arrangements with the instructor, prior to the day of the absence, for the work missed.

Limits/Restrictions:

• Students must attend the first class meeting of each of their courses or notify the instructor or the Registrar’s Office of their absence, or risk being withdrawn from the class with a grade of WX.
• Enrollment in a course constitutes an informal contract with the instructor, and a student who violates an instructor’s attendance policy risks dismissal from the course. Instructors may have a student withdrawn from a class and a grade of WX recorded up until the deadline for course withdrawal. After the course withdrawal deadline has passed, the student receives a grade of F.
• A student who is dismissed from a course for excessive absences or who is withdrawn from the class for failing to appear at the first class meeting may be reinstated only by the joint consent of the course instructor and the registrar.
• Classes are held up to the date and hour preceding vacations and they resume promptly after the recess in accordance with the academic calendar. Students are expected to attend classes meeting just prior to and immediately following holiday periods.
• Students are fully responsible for making up work missed due to class absence. When students are absent, they are responsible for obtaining lecture notes from reliable sources. Assignments and projects are to be delivered to the instructor on the assigned date, even when the student does not attend class. All exams are to be taken at the scheduled time. Having another exam scheduled on the same day is not considered sufficient justification for rescheduling the exam.

The College requires instructors to inform the director of The Josephine Steiner Center for Academic Achievement and Retention of students who demonstrate erratic attendance patterns. This is not done to penalize the student but rather to ensure that College officials can assist students in making consistent progress toward the degree.

Audit

With instructor permission, a student may enroll in most lecture courses as an auditor. As the term implies, auditors listen rather than engage in class discussions and projects. Auditors attend class regularly but do not write papers or take exams or quizzes.

 Limits/Restrictions:

• The student receives neither credit, grade nor grade points for an audit; however, the audit does appear on the transcript.
• There is no limit on the number of courses that a student may audit during a semester. If the audited course or courses cause a student to exceed 18.5 credits, the excess credits will be billed by the undergraduate per-credit-hour fee.
• It is not possible to audit courses such as creative writing, painting, drawing, labs and other courses where the nature of the activity requires the participation of the student. Students may enroll on a noncredit basis in such courses by paying the current per-credit-hour fee.
• No changes to or from the audit option may be made after the end of drop/add period.
• A student may take for credit, at a later time, a course that was previously audited.
• Part-time students pay a reduced audit fee to audit a course. See Tuition, Fees and Other Charges 

Credits

Following the guidelines of the United States Department of Education and using the Carnegie unit of measure for assigning credits to its undergraduate and graduate courses, Hood defines a credit hour as representing one 50-minute hour of class work and at least two to three hours of student preparation in a given subject per week throughout the semester.

Credits	Faculty instruction	Class Minutes/Hours per Semester	Student Preparation
1	50 minutes	750 minutes (12.5 hours)	120 minutes
2	100 minutes	1,500 minutes (25 hours)	240 minutes
3	150 minutes	2,250 minutes (37.50 hours)	360 minutes
4	200 minutes	3,000 minutes (50 hours)	480 minutes

One credit of supervised laboratory or studio classes require a minimum of 30 hours, of 50 minutes each.

Double-Numbered Courses and Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses

Certain courses have been designated as appropriate for both graduate students and undergraduates. These “double-numbered courses” are identified by numbers in both the 400 and 500 range. Undergraduate students enroll in the 400-level course and receive undergraduate credit. Graduate students enroll in the 500-level course and receive graduate credit. Syllabi for such courses will clearly outline different expectations for graduate and undergraduate students.  Students who took a double-numbered class at the 400 level as an undergraduate student may not take the same class at the 500 level as a graduate student for credit.

Undergraduate students must meet different performance standards from the graduate students. These differences may relate to the quality and/or quantity of work required, and may also involve measures of grading.

To be eligible to take a 400/500-level course, undergraduate students must have a cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0 or better and have earned at least 56 credits, including 12 credits or more at the 200 level or above in the course discipline.

To be eligible to take a 500-level graduate course and receive u n dergraduate credit, Hood undergraduate students must have earned senior status (87 credits) including 12 credits or more at the 200 level or above in the course discipline; have a cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0 or better; have a Grade Point Average of 3.0 or better in the major area of study; and complete a petition, verified by the registrar and approved by the Graduate School, the adviser and the instructor. Credit will count only toward the undergraduate degree.

To be eligible to take a 500-level graduate course and receive gra d uate credit, Hood undergraduate students must have earned a minimum of 109 credits and meet the requirements indicated above. Credit will not apply toward the 124 credits required for the undergraduate degree.

Final Examinations

Instructors give final examinations in all courses except those in which special assignments are more appropriate. Instructors inform students of final examination policy at the beginning of the term. Final exam dates are listed in the official Academic Calendar, and students’ travel plans must take the dates of scheduled exams into account. No student may reschedule a final examination in order to leave or travel early. In accordance with the Hood College Honor Code, the student may not discuss any final examination in any way with anyone during the final examination period. Final examinations may not be given prior to the start of the designated examination period.

No student will be required to complete three exams in one day. Students will be directed to the department in which the third exam is scheduled to arrange for an alternate day and time. Arrangements must be made prior to the beginning of exam week.

Financial Obligations

Grades, transcripts, future registrations and diplomas will be withheld until the student has paid all tuition, fees and other bills incurred at the College, and has returned all library books.

Grades

Grading Criteria

Hood’s faculty uses the following general criteria in determining grades. Demonstration of the ability to write and speak standard English is included in the grade evaluation of every course. The criteria upon which students will be evaluated is included on every course syllabus.

A, A- (90–100) indicates general excellence; the student displays initiative, independence and often originality in the course.

B+, B, B- (80–89) indicates an unquestioned grasp of the subject’s fundamental facts and principles, an understanding of their significance and an ability to use them effectively; work is logically organized and technically correct; the student often shows initiative and independent work.

C+, C, C- (70–79) indicates the student has a fairly accurate knowledge of the subject’s fundamental facts and principles and is able to apply them reasonably well; work is fairly logical in organization and technique but it is incomplete; there is evidence of growth in handling the coursework.

D+, D, D- (60–69) indicates work is of inferior quality yet deserving of credit; there is some acquaintance with basic facts and principles but work is poorly organized and technically faulty; the student frequently fails to complete assignments.

F (0–59) indicates work shows no grasp of basic facts and principles and is not deserving of credit; it is poorly organized and technically faulty; the student frequently fails to complete assignments.

S indicates satisfactory completion of work done on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis; performance is at a C- level or better.

U indicates unsatisfactory completion of work done on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis and not deserving of credit; performance is at a D+ level or lower.

INC indicates incomplete work in a course because of illness or serious emergency beyond the student’s control; students must arrange to finish assignments in accordance with the College’s incomplete grade policy.

Grade Appeal

Grade appeals of the final course grade must be filed in a timely manner. Students must contact the faculty member involved no later than the end of the first week of the semester following the filing of the disputed grade. If the issue is not satisfactorily resolved, the department chair must be contacted within 30 days of the beginning of the semester. Appeals to the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies must be initiated by the last day prior to midsemester recess of the semester following the filing of the disputed grade. A Final Grade Appeal, available in the Registrar’s Office, must be completed and submitted with all required documents before the Committee considers the petition. A delay in the filing of a grade appeal constitutes sufficient reason for denial of the appeal by the Committee.

The Committee on Academic Standards and Policies will screen out frivolous or unsubstantiated appeals and will consider legitimate appeals that fall into the following categories:

• Miscalculation of a grade; or,
• Assignment of a grade to a particular student by application of more exacting requirements than were applied to other students in the same course.
• Assignment of a grade on some basis other than performance in the course.

All parties to the grade appeal (student, instructor, chairperson, registrar, committee members) are to maintain strict confidentiality until the matter is resolved.

Grade Changes

Instructors have the right to change a grade if they have made an error in computing or recording a student’s grade. Instructors must notify the Registrar’s Office in writing of the error within three weeks after the grades have been issued. Grade changes due to a computational or recording error discovered after the deadline, and requests for grade changes for any other reasons, must be submitted by the instructor in writing to the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies.

Final and Midterm Grades

Hood releases final and midterm grades electronically to the student and the student’s adviser through Self-Service. Final and midterm grades will be forwarded to parents/guardians of first-year students who have signed a release form sent to them the summer before they enter Hood.

Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Grade Plan

Hood provides an alternate grade plan as a means of encouraging intellectual curiosity. Under the satisfactory/unsatisfactory option, students receive a grade of “S” and credit for work of “C-” caliber or better or a grade of “U” and no credit for work of “D+” or lower quality. Neither grade is computed in the cumulative grade point average.

Limits/Restrictions:

• Students may not choose the S/U option for any course used to satisfy the Core, in the major field, the minor field or an independent study. If a course is only offered for S/U credit, this policy does not apply.
• Students may choose the S/U option for a maximum of 12 satisfactory/unsatisfactory credits within the total 124 credits Hood requires for graduation. Students spending three years at Hood may choose the S/U option for only 9 satisfactory/unsatisfactory credits to meet graduation requirements; two years, 6 credits; one year, 3 credits. Courses only offered for S/U credit are not counted in these totals.
• At registration, students indicate their intent to take a course on the satisfactory/unsatisfactory plan on the course and schedule card. Change from one grading plan to another must have the adviser’s approval and must occur before the end of the drop/add period. No changes to or from the satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading system may be made after the drop/add period.
• Students are cautioned that some graduate and professional schools and employers look negatively at satisfactory/unsatisfactory on transcripts because actual performance or mastery of the subject has not been demonstrated.

Grade Point Averages (GPA)

The average that appears on all transcripts and grade reports is the average of all grades earned at Hood or through Hood affiliated semester or year abroad programs. Accepted transfer credit is included in the earned credit total and is applied toward the 124-credit degree requirement, but the quality hours and quality points earned at another institution are not calculated in the Hood average. Students participating in a non-Hood affiliated semester or year abroad/away will earn transfer credit for all courses completed with a grade of C- or above.

Each grade received at Hood on the A-F grading scale has a corresponding grade point: A=4.00; A-=3.67; B+=3.33; B=3.00; B-=2.67; C+=2.33; C=2.00; C-=1.67; D+=1.33; D=1.00; D-=0.67 and F=0.00.

Grades with no quality points include: AU, S, U, INC, Z, TR, W

By computing the quality points received for each letter grade, students can ascertain their average or grade point average. For example, a grade of “C” in a 3-credit course earns 6 qual­ity points. Add the number of quality points earned in each course to learn the quality point total. Divide the quality point total by the total number of credits (in courses which have letter grades) and the result is the Grade Point Average (G.P.A.).

The Composite Grade Point Average

The composite Grade Point Average is the average of all college work attempted. All grades earned at Hood and those completed at other institutions are calculated, regardless of whether the course credit was accepted for transfer. The composite average is used to determine eligibility for various honor societies as well as determining Commencement honors.

The Major Average

An academic department may refuse to accept as a major a student whose G.P.A. falls under 2.0 in the discipline. The department may require a student who has declared a major to drop the major if the student’s G.P.A. falls below 2.0.

Graduation and Commencement Participation

Graduation

The Self-Service Degree Progress Report provides all students and advisers with an accurate list of core and major requirements required for the degree.  The Registrar’s Office begins monitoring degree progress in the spring of the student’s junior year.  Student must meet with their faculty advisers on a regular basis to review degree requirements and plan senior year registrations.  Seniors must complete the Application for Graduation in the fall of the senior year.  Bachelor degrees are awarded in January, May and September.

Commencement Participation

Students who have completed all degree requirements by the date grades are due for the second semester may participate in the May commencement.

Students graduating in January participate in the May commencement ceremony. Students completing degree requirements in September participate in the May ceremony the following year.

Students may not participate in commencement unless all degree requirements and all financial obligations to the College have been met.

Incomplete Grade Policy

When serious illness or emergency prevents a student from completing the work for a course, instructors may allow additional time to finish assignments. Incompletes are not substitutes for failure to attend classes or to complete assigned work.

Limits/Restrictions:

1. The student must file an application for an incomplete grade with the Registrar’s Office no later than the last day of classes.

2. An incomplete may not be granted unless a student has completed at least half the work of the course.

3. The student’s progress in the course must be passing (D- or above) at the time the incomplete is requested.

4. The registrar must approve a notation of incomplete and record an INC on the student’s permanent record. After the instructor assigns a grade, an “I” remains permanently on the record with the final grade earned beside it.

5. The date agreed upon for completion of all assignments may not be later than March 15 for fall semester and October 15 for spring or summer semester. Any request for extension of an incomplete grade must be submitted by the student to the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies.

6. Work not completed by the deadlines stated above will convert to a grade of zero unless an extension is approved by the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies.

7. Students who register for a subsequent semester with more than three credits of incomplete outstanding will have their schedules reviewed and their enrollment registration potentially restricted by the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies. As a result of this review, the Committee may limit the course load that a student is permitted to undertake in the subsequent semester.

Independent Study and X-Credit

Independent study includes directed readings; conferences with a supervising instructor; and papers, reports and/or exams. Two kinds of independent study are available at Hood: regular (designated by the course number 375) and X-credit.

Regular independent study consists of a project designed by a student and approved by a faculty adviser with whom the student will work closely during the semester. The number of credits may vary from 1 to 3 according to departmental policies and the design of the independent study. The subject chosen may not duplicate any course offered during the period of the student’s enrollment at Hood. Registration procedures and deadlines for regular independent study are the same as for all departmental courses.

X-credit independent study also is designed by the student and approved by a faculty adviser. However, the subject matter must be related to a class in which the student is enrolled. X-credit independent study is, therefore, added to the student’s schedule after the beginning of the semester (but no later than the sixth week) and is limited to one credit. The grade for the X-credit is independent of the grade for the course to which it is related.

Before registering for regular or X-credit independent study, students should refer to the statement on credit limits for self-directed study in Self-directed Study and Teaching Assistantships.

One credit of independent study requires approximately two hours of work per week plus periodic conferences with the advising faculty.

Internship Program

Requirements for 3- to 9-credit Internship

• Enrollment at Hood as a degree candidate (nondegree or non-matriculated students are ineligible for internships).
• A minimum 2.0 cumulative G.P.A. and 2.5 G.P.A. in the internship discipline.
• Completion of a minimum of 45 college-level credits prior to the beginning of the internship.
• Completion of at least 9 credits or three courses at the 200 level or above at Hood in the internship discipline. (See additional department requirements.)

Requirements for 12- to 15-credit Internship

• Enrollment at Hood as a degree candidate (nondegree or non-matriculated students are ineligible for internships).
• A minimum 2.0 cumulative G.P.A. and 2.5 G.P.A. in the internship discipline.
• Completion of 75 college-level credits prior to the beginning of the internship.
• Students may enroll for 15 credits during the spring or fall only. Students may enroll for a maximum of 12 credits of internship during the summer term. The number of credits available also varies by department.

Note: Students may take a maximum of 15 internship credits throughout their academic career.

Applying for an Internship

Students considering an internship should visit the Center for Career Development and Experiential Education to explore internship options and pick up appropriate paperwork, including an Application, Learning Agreement, and Student Wavier Form. Each of these documents will need appropriate signatures which includes a Career Development staff member, faculty advisor and internship site supervisor. Upon completion of the paperwork, the student must turn in all documents to the Center for Career Development and attend an orientation meeting with a Career Development staff member.

Internship Responsibilities  

All parties have specific responsibilities for ensuring the integrity and success of the internship experience. Please refer to the Internship Handbook available on the Center for Career Development and Experiential Education website (www.hood.edu/careercenter) for additional details.

Supplemental Expenses and Time

In fulfilling the expectations of the internship, the intern may incur expenses in addition to the usual tuition and fees. Students who enroll in an internship must plan to provide their own transportation or use public transportation.

Due to the time requirements of an internship, students may need to work during breaks and holidays. Campus housing is available when the College is not in session.

Placement is not Guaranteed

Interns are not placed in sites and it is the student’s responsibility to find a site. The Center for Career Development and Experiential Education and departmental offices provide many resources to the student to assist in locating a suitable internship.

Termination of Internship

Under unusual circumstances, any party involved in the internship may terminate the agreement. Because the internship is essentially a professional commitment, Hood strongly encourages students to fulfill their obligations to complete the full term of service at the site. Unfortunately, on rare occasions, the intern or the faculty internship adviser may determine that the internship site is not an appropriate learning experience, or the internship site may determine that the intern is not a good fit for their internship. In either case, any of the parties may decide to terminate the internship. If this occurs, notify the Center for Career Development and Experiential Education immediately. Please note: If an internship is terminated for any reason, the student is responsible for following all procedures regarding adding/dropping credits and is responsible for all tuition, fees and penalties associated with credit coursework. Please refer to the Internship Handbook available on the Center for Career Development and Experiential Education website (www.hood.edu/careercenter) for additional details.

Time Requirements

A student must work a minimum of 40 hours at the internship site for each credit earned.  

Leave of Absence

Students who need to be away from the College for one or two semesters, but who wish to maintain ties to the College and to resume their studies at a later time, may take a leave of absence instead of withdrawing. Students who do not return from a leave of absence after two semesters will be withdrawn. Students may not request a leave of absence for the remainder of the currently enrolled semester without the written permission of the dean of students. Leave of absence forms are available in the Office of the Registrar.

Students do not file a leave of absence form in order to study abroad or at another institution in the U.S. Instead, they must file a petition with the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies for approval for study elsewhere.

Emergency Leave of Absence (ELOA)

A student may be granted an Emergency Leave of Absence (ELOA) for a period not to exceed two consecutive weeks within an academic semester. A request for an emergency leave of absence must be supported with appropriate documentation which is required before the leave is approved. Requests for an emergency leave of absence will be reviewed and approved by the Dean of Students and communicated to the Registrar’s Office for a specified period of time.

An emergency leave of absence applies to students who must be absent for mental or physical health reasons, military commitments, international travel/documentation or any other personal or family emergency.

Students who require an emergency leave of absence beyond the two week period will be withdrawn from the semester. Failure to attend classes by the return date specified on the emergency leave of absence form will result in an automatic administrative withdrawal from the College.

Students are asked to consult with appropriate offices/personnel in processing an emergency leave of absence. Such consultations may include conversations with the Financial Aid Office, Residence Life Office, Office of Multicultural Affairs and International Student Programs, Dining Services, ROTC, and the academic adviser.

An Emergency Leave of Absence (ELOA) Form may only be obtained from the Dean of Students Office.

Registration, Drop/Add and Course Withdrawal

Advising and registration for degree candidates occurs in April for the fall semester and November for the spring semester. Matriculated students are required to meet with their advisers to select courses and review degree progress. The adviser authorizes the student for registration and, on the day indicated on the Academic Calendar, the student registers for classes via Self-Service.

Cancellation of Courses

A fall or spring semester course is subject to cancellation when fewer than eight students are enrolled. Summer term classes are subject to cancellation when fewer than five students are enrolled.

The College reserves the right to cancel the course as late as the first day of classes each semester. Every effort will be made to work with students regarding program planning and placement in alternate courses that would be compatible with the cancelled course.

Course Schedules

A credit hour usually represents one hour of class work and at least two to three hours of preparation in a given subject per week throughout the semester.

Classes usually meet on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday, Monday-Friday afternoon or a Tuesday-Thursday schedule. Except for lab sessions, 3-credit Monday-Wednesday-Friday classes generally convene for 50 minutes and Tuesday-Thursday classes for 75 minutes. Four-credit classes meet for a total of 200 minutes per week. Most evening classes meet once a week for 2-1/2 hours or twice a week for 75-minute periods. 

Hood also has blocked courses, which are courses that meet for double periods during a portion of the semester. Blocked courses are primarily studio art and education courses in the teaching internship semester.

Course Repeat Policy

A student may repeat a course under the following circumstances:

• Failure (F, U) in the course previously.
• Enrollment in a course on a credit basis after previously auditing the course.
• Course description states that a course may be repeated (e.g., MATH 335).
• Grade of “C-” or below has been initially earned in a 100- or 200-level course. Course may be repeated once.
• Failure to meet minimum grade required in a prerequisite course.
• All grades earned for a given course will remain on the academic record and, effective Fall 2017, the highest grade earned at Hood will be computed in the Grade Point Average. Credit will be awarded only once.
• Students may not repeat a course at Hood for which transfer credit has been awarded.

Course Load Full-time and Part-time Status

Full-time status requires 12 credit hours or more per semester. A typical semester program consists of 15 or 16 credits except in the first year when it may be 12-15 credits.

Part-time status is accorded students taking 11.5 credit hours or fewer per semester.

Students are normally limited to 12 credits completed during the summer. Exceptions to this credit limit require permission of the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies.

Limits/Restrictions:

• Enrollment in more than 18.5 credits in one semester requires a 3.0 cumulative average and permission from the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies. Enrollment in credits beyond 18.5 requires additional tuition for each hour or fraction above that number.
• A student may not enroll in two courses which meet at the same hour.

Drop/Add Period

Students may drop or add courses without academic penalty from the time of registration through the end of the drop/add period. See the Academic Calendar for dates.

During this period students may also change to or from the SU (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) grading option, change to or from enrollment on an audit basis, or alter the number of credits in courses carrying variable credit.

Course Withdrawal After Drop/Add

If a student withdraws from a course after the end of the drop/add period and before the end of the eleventh week of the semester a W (indicating withdrawal) will be noted on the transcript. This notation will not be computed in a student’s grade point average.

A student may not withdraw from a class during the last four weeks of classes.

Self-directed Study and Teaching Assistantships

Hood defines self-directed study as: 1) regular and X-credit independent study; and 2) internships, field work and other courses similar to internships in that they do not have a classroom component.

• Students may take a maximum of 27 credits (excluding an honors paper) in self-directed study in the total 124-credit program. A combination of internships and independent study must not exceed 15 credits of internship or 12 credits of independent study.
• Students may take a maximum of 18 credits (excluding an honors paper) in self-directed study in the major program. A combination of internships and independent study must not exceed 15 credits of internship, 12 credits of independent study or more than 1/4 of the major program (whichever is less).
• Students may not add independent study credits to internships to fill a complete semester program. An exception to this rule is independent study that students take at the Washington Center for Learning Alternatives or through a similarly structured program.
• Independent study topics may not duplicate any course offered during the period of the student’s enrollment at Hood.
• Independent studies are granted to nondegree students under only exceptional circumstances.

Teaching Assistantships

Many departments offer students the opportunity to serve as teaching assistants, for which academic credit is awarded. Serving as a teaching assistant affords a student the opportunity to understand the materials of a course or of a laboratory from the perspective of the teacher. The course number 335 designates this type of study.

Limits/Restrictions:

• A total of 4 credits of Teaching Assistantship may be counted toward the degree. The course may be taken for 1-3 credits and may be repeated at the discretion of the department. Departments have the right to limit the number of credits granted per semester and may or may not allow students to repeat the course.
• As a general guideline, a student should work at least three hours per week for each credit granted in the assistantship. Grading is on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis.

Student Information, Records and Transcripts

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords eligible students certain rights with respect to their education records. (An "eligible student" under FERPA is a student who is 18 years of age or older or who attends a postsecondary institution at any age.) These rights include:

1.  The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days after the day the Hood College receives a request for access. A student should submit to the Registrar a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. The Registrar will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.

2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.
   A student who wishes to ask the school to amend a record should write the Registrar, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed, and specify why it should be changed.
   If Hood College decides not to amend the record as requested, the College will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student’s 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.

3. The right to provide written consent before Hood discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. Hood College discloses education records without a student’s prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is typically includes a person employed by the College in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person serving on the board of trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee. A school official also may include a volunteer or contractor outside of the College who performs an institutional service of function for which the school would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of PII from education records, such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent or a student volunteering to assist another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official typically has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for the College.

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the College 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.

As of January 3, 2012, the U.S. Department of Education’s FERPA regulations expand the circumstances under which your education records and personally identifiable information (PII) contained in such records - including your Social Security Number, grades, or other private information - may be accessed without your consent. First, the U.S. Comptroller General, the U.S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or state and local education authorities (“Federal and State Authorities”) may allow access to your records and PII without your consent to any third party designated by a Federal or State Authority to evaluate a federal- or state-supported education program. The evaluation may relate to any program that is “principally engaged in the provision of education,” such as early childhood education and job training, as well as any program that is administered by an education agency or institution. Second, Federal and State Authorities may allow access to your education records and PII without your consent to researchers performing certain types of studies, in certain cases even when we object to or do not request such research. Federal and State Authorities must obtain certain use-restriction and data security promises from the entities that they authorize to receive your PII, but the Authorities need not maintain direct control over such entities. In addition, in connection with Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems, State Authorities may collect, compile, permanently retain, and share without your consent PII from your education records, and they may track your participation in education and other programs by linking such PII to other personal information about you that they obtain from other Federal or State data sources, including workforce development, unemployment insurance, child welfare, juvenile justice, military service, and migrant student records systems.

Disclosure of Directory Information
Hood College may disclose any information deemed as Directory Information without prior consent unless notified in writing to the contrary. The following items are considered Directory Information and will be released in response to any inquiry, unless the student notifies the Registrar in writing that she/he does not wish this information released:

• Name
• Class level
• Enrollment status
• Date of birth
• Major
• Dates of attendance
• Name and dates of attendance at other institutions
• Degrees and dates awarded
• Honors and awards received

Students should carefully consider the consequences of withholding Directory Information as this hold would prevent the verification of attendance or degree awarded to all inquiries, including potential employers.

Transcripts

No transcript will be released if the student has not satisfied all financial obligations to the College.

Hood College has authorized the National Student Clearinghouse to provide transcript ordering. This service provides 24 hour access, seven days a week; secure transactions; secure electronic transcript delivery worldwide; on-demand order tracking and updates emailed to the student; enables additional documents to be delivered with the transcript; and the ability to order multiple transcripts for multiple recipients in one order.
Current students may place transcript requests through Self-Service. Alumnae and former students may access the Clearinghouse through www.getmytranscript.com Normal requests are processed within 3-5 working days upon receipt of request. Rush transcripts are processed in 24 hours of the next working day at a charge.

Transfer Policy and Attending Other Institutions

Transfer Policy

The registrar evaluates prior college coursework and credit earned through alternative methods for applicability to degree requirements at Hood College. Credit is generally awarded for courses that are clearly applicable to a baccalaureate degree and for which the student earned a grade of C- or above. Courses that are clearly vocational or occupational in nature will not be accepted as credit towards the baccalaureate degree. A maximum of 62 credits may be awarded for freshman/sophomore level work completed elsewhere. Although there is no limit for junior/senior level coursework, students will be awarded no more than a total of 94 credits for all college-level work completed.

Courses taken on a quarter credit system will be converted to semester hours of credit by multiplying the number of quarter hours by 0.67 to determine the semester hour equivalent.

The transferability of credits from an institution that is not accredited by a regional accreditation agency may be considered upon receipt of documentation that demonstrates equivalency regarding course information, equivalencies and learning outcomes. It is the student’s responsibility to provide this documentation.

The final 30 hours of the degree must be taken on the Hood campus (see Undergraduate Degree Requirements ). In addition, the College requires transfer students to take a minimum of 12 credits of classroom instruction in the major discipline at Hood, regardless of the number accepted in transfer. Transfer students must submit their transcripts to the registrar prior to enrollment. All transfer documents must be filed within the first semester of enrollment. The registrar may refuse to award credit if students fail to meet this deadline.

All grades earned at Hood and those completed at other institutions are calculated in the composite grade point average, regardless of whether the course credit was accepted for transfer. The composite average is used to determine eligibility for various honor societies as well as determining Commencement honors.

Frederick County Public Schools High School Articulation Agreement

Hood College has agreed to grant college credits to students completing certain courses at a Frederick County high school.  To be eligible, students must be admitted to Hood, have earned a grade of “B” or higher in the course, and have submitted an official high school transcript.  The student must initiate the request for credit within two years of graduation from high school. 

Transfer Articulation Agreements

Hood participates in the ARTSYS articulation program, which allows students and advisors to determine the transferability of each community college course. The ARTSYS program also outlines the recommended transfer courses for specific programs of study. In addition, Hood recognizes the associate of arts, associate of arts in teaching, and associate of science degrees of every community college in Maryland. 

Degree Students Attending Other Institutions 

Students may receive credit for coursework completed with a grade of C- or above at another accredited institution during the academic year or the summer with prior approval of the department and the registrar. Students must petition to take a course from another college during any semester or session. The course may not be offered at Hood during that semester/session. Petitions are available in the Registrar’s Office. The maximum number of credits that can be taken during the summer is one credit more than the number of weeks in the session for a maximum of 12 credits.

Community College Exchange

Full-time Hood students may take one course each semester at Carroll Community College (CCC) or Hagerstown Community College (HCC) without charge, provided that the course chosen is not offered at Hood during the academic year. CCC also offers the exchange to Hood students during their summer sessions. To register, students obtain the consent of their advisers and the Hood registrar. The registrar will provide a statement of enrollment for registration at CCC or HCC.

Transfer of Non-Traditional Credit

Hood awards up to 30 credits for prior learning through Advanced Placement exams (AP), College-Level Examination Program  exams (CLEP), Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Support (DANTES) exams, departmental challenge exams,  International Baccalaureate, GCE/General Certificate of Education A-Level and AS exams,  and military training and non-collegiate programs approved by the American Council on Education. These alternative modes of learning are evaluated separately from transcripts of traditional transfer credit from other accredited schools.

Limits/Restrictions:

• Credit for prior learning is awarded only to students admitted as degree candidates.
• A maximum of 30 hours of credit may be earned through any combination of prior learning credits and Hood courses elected on the Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis.
• Students may not receive credit by examination for any course that they have previously audited, failed, received credit or from which they have withdrawn.
• Credit through examination may not be attempted during the final 15 hours of credit.
• Credit through examination may not count in the minimum of 30 Hood credits required for the degree.
• The requirement of 12 credits of coursework at Hood in the major cannot be fulfilled through credit by examination.

Advanced Placement

Unless otherwise noted, Hood College awards credit upon receipt of the official AP Grade Report for AP scores of 4 or 5 for the following tests:

Art:

Art History, 3 credits for ART 220 and exemption for ART 221

Studio Art-Drawing, 3 credits for ARTS 123 (score of 3 is acceptable)

Studio Art-2D or 3D, 3 credits for ARTS 101 (score of 3 is acceptable) 

Biology:

Biology, 4 credits for BIOL 110-139 with a score of 4 or 5

Chemistry:

Chemistry, 4 credits for CHEM 101 with a score of 4; 8 credits for CHEM 101 and CHEM 102 with a score of 5.

Computer Science :

Computer Science Test A, 3 credits for CS 201

Computer Science Test AB, 3 credits for CS 202

Computer Science Principles, 3 credits, no Hood equivalent

Economics:

Macroeconomics, 3 credits for ECON 205

Microeconomics, 3 credits for ECON 206

English:

English Language/Composition, 3 credits for ENGL 101

English Literature/Composition, 3 credits for ENGL 221

Environmental Science and Policy :

Environmental Science, 3 credits for ENSP 101 for score of 5

Foreign Languages:

Chinese Language and Culture, 3 credits, No Hood equivalency

French Language and Culture, 3 credits, No Hood equivalency

German Language and Culture, 3 credits, No Hood equivalency

Italian Language and Culture, 3 credits, No Hood equivalency

Japanese Language and Culture, 3 credits, No Hood equivalency

Latin, 3 credits, No Hood equivalency

Spanish Language and Culture, 3 credits, No Hood equivalency

Geography:

Human Geography, 3 credits for GEOG 101

History:

European History, 3 credits, no Hood equivalent

United States History, 3 credits for HIST 218

World History, 3 credits for HIST 266

Mathematics:

Calculus AB, 3 credits for MATH 201

Calculus BC, 3 credits each for MATH 201, MATH 202

Calculus BC/AB Subscore of 4 or 5, 3 credits for MATH 201

Statistics, 3 credits for MATH 213

Music:

Music Theory, 3 credits for MUSC 101

Physics:

Physics 1, 4 credits for PHYS 101 with score of 4

Physics 2, 4 credits for PHYS 102 with a score of 4

Physics C-Mechanics, 4 credits for PHYS 203 with a score of 4

Physics C-Electricity/Magnetism, 4 credits for PHYS 204 with a score of 4

Political Science :

Comparative Government, 3 credits for PSCI 210

United States Government, 3 credits for PSCI 203

Psychology:

Psychology, 3 credits for PSY 101

CLEP

Unless otherwise noted, Hood College awards credit for scores of 50 on the following CLEP examinations:

Biology:

Biology, 4 credits for BIOL 110-139 for score of 52

Business Administration:

Principles of Management, 3 credits for MGMT 205

Principles of Accounting, 6 credits for MGMT 281, MGMT 284

Economics:

Principles of Macroeconomics, 3 credits for ECON 205

Principles of Microeconomics, 3 credits for ECON 206

Education:

Human Growth and Development, 3 credits for EDUC 223 for score of 52. Students who transfer credit for a similar human growth and development course must take the departmental test to qualify for courses for which EDUC 223 is a prerequisite. No additional credit is earned for this test.

English:

American Literature, 3 credits for ENGL 223

English Literature, 3 credits for ENGL 222

History:

History of the United States I, 3 credits for HIST 217

History of the United States II, 3 credits for HIST 218

Mathematics:

Calculus, 6 credits. No Hood equivalency

Precalculus, 3 credits for MATH 120

Political Science:

American Government, 3 credits for PSCI 203

Psychology:

Human Growth and Development, 3 credits for PSY 237

Introductory Psychology, 3 credits for PSY 101

Sociology:

Introductory Sociology, 3 credits for SOC 101 with a score of 52

DANTES

Hood awards credit for the following DANTES examinations:

Geography 101

History - No Hood course equivalency

History 234

Mathematics 112

Religion - No Hood course equivalency

Departmental Examinations

$200 per test for Hood students; administered through The Josephine Steiner Center for Academic Achievement and Retention 301-696-3569.

Departmental examinations may not be repeated. Credit is awarded for grades of A, B or C on the following departmental examinations:

CHEM 101 – 3 lecture credits; may be used to fulfill Non-laboratory area of the Core

CHEM 102 – 3 lecture credits; may be used to fulfill Non-laboratory area of the Core

IT 180 – 3 credits

MATH 120 – 3 credits

MATH 201 – 3 credits if Level III has been earned on the BSI

MATH 202 –3 credits (test available only to students who have earned credit for or completed MATH 201)

MATH 207 – 3 credits if Level III has been earned on the BSI

MATH 253 – 3 credits

MUSC 103 – 3 elective credits

PHIL 207 – 3 credits

PE 225 – 3 credits

PHYS 101, PHYS 102 –3 lecture credits each; may be used to fulfill Non-laboratory area of the Core

PHYS 203, PHYS 204 –3 lecture credits each; may be used to fulfill Non-laboratory area of the Core

Foreign Language Placement Examinations:

Additional credit in is awarded at the end of the first semester with grades of A, B or C earned for the following placements:

3 credits – Placement in and completion of a 201-level French, German, or Spanish course during first semester at Hood ; no credit for students awarded credit for AP/Foreign Language

6 credits – Placement in and completion of 203 or civilization course in French, German or Spanish  during first semester at Hood; 3 credits for students awarded credit for AP/Foreign Language

9 credits – Placement in and completion of 207 or a 300-level French, German or Spanish course during first semester at Hood ; 6 credits for students awarded credit for AP/Foreign Language

GCE General Certificate of Education ALevel

Upon receipt of the official Edexcel transcript, Hood will award 6 to 8 credits for each passing score on an Advanced Level examination and 3 to 4 credits for each passing score on an Advanced Subsidiary examination. 

International Baccalaureate

Credit is awarded only upon receipt of the official IB transcript. Students who have received an IB diploma, with a score of 30 or higher and with no score less than 4 in any one of the six examination groups, may be awarded up to 30 credits toward an undergraduate degree at Hood College. Students who have not completed the full IB diploma will receive 6-8 credits for Higher Level examination results of 5, 6 or 7.

Military Experience

Hood recognizes the unique nature of the military lifestyle and has committed itself to easing the transfer of relevant course credits and crediting learning from appropriate military training and experiences. Students need to provide a copy of their DD214 and/or ACE/AARTS transcripts. One credit in physical education is awarded for military basic training. First aid certification will receive elective credit for PE 214.

Teacher Academy of Maryland

EDUC 204, 3 credits awarded to students who have successfully completed all requirements of the Teacher Academy of Maryland

Withdrawal from the College

A student may withdraw from the College at any time during the semester. See Tuition and Financial Aid for refund information. If the withdrawal occurs after the drop/add period, a grade of W will be recorded for each course.

Reinstatement after Withdrawal

Students in good academic standing at the time of withdrawal and with no holds on future registration are eligible for reinstatement to the College. Reinstatement requests must be sent to the Registrar, indicating: the year and semester of return; if the student will return as a full or part-time student and as a resident or commuter. Students will be readmitted with the major active at the time of withdrawal.