Curriculum Design
The eCleary model class format, used in all classes, provides a complete set of instructional elements to effectively address learning. Because of the standard features that include Introduction, Research, Discussion and Assessment, the eCleary model assists in setting a consistent expectation for students. College Chairs determine course learning outcomes and design and select instructional materials. All faculty members are asked for input on the courses they teach. Cleary also seeks input from students and employers regarding program goals.
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Faculty Teaching Methods

Asynchronous distance learning, synchronous distance learning, and on-campus blended (combination of asynchronous distance learning and on-campus delivery), are expected to utilize a variety of active learning methods, minimize lecturing, and incorporate multiple instructional approaches including computer and Internet technology.  Faculty are expected to seek out and take part in professional development opportunities, both within and outside of the University, to improve teaching effectiveness.  It is expected that faculty members will revise and update their courses on an on-going basis to reflect current and emerging theory and practice.

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Quality Measurements
University faculty members have identified specific intended outcomes for the degree and for each course. The instructor teaching the course is expected to gather data that provides evidence that these outcomes are being met. These data are used to evaluate and grade students and to make improvements in the curriculum and in instructional methods. In addition to utilizing various assessment tools as a component of each course, BBA, BS, and MBA students are required to complete the Educational Testing Service Major Field Test in Business as a condition of graduation from the program. This test measures degree outcomes within the core courses. Outcomes, by major, are measured using an objective test within the final course of each major sequence.
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Academic Calendar
The University follows an academic year, September through August, divided into four academic quarters. Fall, Winter and Spring quarters are each 13 weeks in length. Summer term is six weeks in length. Each 13-week term has two six-week sessions. Classes are six weeks in length scheduled in each of the two sessions of the term. Terms start seven times a year: Fall (September and November), Winter (January and February), Spring (April and June) and Summer (July). The calendar can be accessed by clicking here.
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Calendars and Schedules
The Assistant Vice President, Academic Services’ office provides academic calendars and class schedules. Individual student schedules may be obtained using the Cleary Student Portal.
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Class Meeting Schedule

On-campus blended classes meet in a variety of schedules including one evening per week (four hours/week) per session, two days per week per session, or one day per week per term, and utilize a combination of on-campus and online deliveries.  Students and faculty are expected to meet and make effective use of the entire class period as scheduled.  All undergraduate and graduate class sessions begin on Monday and end on Sunday.

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Class Attendance

Students are expected to attend all regularly-scheduled class meetings.  This includes participation (completing a quiz within the eCleary classroom, posting to the discussion forum, uploading an assignment, etc.) for all courses.  To maximize learning, students should arrive on time and participate during the entire class meeting. 

A student who misses two or more meetings of a six-week evening class without the permission of the instructor will earn a grade of  NC (no credit) if the student is earning a passing grade for the class based on the criteria identified in the instructor's syllabus at the time of the second absence.  If the student is failing the class at the time of the second absence, the instructor may elect to assign the student a failing grade based on the student's poor performance.  This step is designed to discourage a student from using the NC grade to leave a class due to a failing grade. In the case of a NC grade, the student may repeat the class to fulfill degree requirements.

In special circumstances approved by the instructor, the student who misses two classes may be given the option to continue in the class and complete all missing assignments, resulting in a grade in the class.  However, the student must be passing the class at the time of the second absence. 

Class attendance records are kept by the instructor and may be included as a criterion for the course grade.  Instructors provide their individual policies on absence and grading in their class syllabus.

The same policy on attendance applies to students enrolled in the undergraduate traditional program or other courses delivered in a twelve-week format.   However, the policy covers students who miss four meetings for classes meeting twelve times per term. 

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Class Time
Class time in an accelerated program is at a premium. Every effort should be made by the faculty and students to make use of that time effectively. Students should expect faculty to use the entire time planned for each class period. Many instructors use papers for student evaluation while in other classes some in-class testing is used.
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Official Academic Records
A permanent transcript contains identifying information, a complete record of all course work, academic status and degree(s) granted. Duplicate posting of the same or equivalent courses is not permitted. Additional records are maintained if the student has used financial aid or veterans’ services. At the end of each quarter, final grades are available through the student portal and recorded on the student's permanent transcript. Official transcripts and student copies may be obtained by contacting the Records Office. Fees and restrictions may apply.
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Placement Testing
Every entering student will be assessed relative to program requirements. As appropriate, testing will be used to determine skill levels in the areas of computing, communications, and mathematics. The testing will be Web-based and undertaken after an initial advisor meeting.
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Course Placement
Lower Division
New students entering Cleary University’s lower division will be assessed for academic readiness with the use of the following tools:

• Personal interview
• Placement examination (if appropriate)
• Thorough screening of the student’s academic record

Upper Division

With students entering upper division courses with sufficient lower division preparation, academic advisors will conduct an interview and a thorough preview of each student’s academic record and then determine if other preparatory coursework is necessary before enrolling in upper division courses. If the occasion arises that determines that placement screening would be appropriate for students entering Cleary’s upper division, then those exams will be recommended.
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Curriculum Selection

All degree-seeking students are required to select one curriculum, the degree program they intend to complete. Students not enrolled in a degree-seeking program will use “non-degree seeking” to fulfill this requirement. A student applying for graduation must either complete the degree requirements from the current catalog (year of graduation) or complete the degree requirements in effect the year the student declared her/his program choice. Students must complete the required courses for the degree within a seven-year period from the date of degree program selection.
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Change of Curriculum
With approval by an academic advisor, students may change their academic curriculum (major). Curriculum changes should be planned a term in advance to coordinate class registration and delivery of textbooks; a change of curriculum may require additional academic course work. The student has the responsibility to gain the approval of his or her academic advisor to change to a different curriculum. A student enrolled in a program that has been discontinued by the University is allowed two academic years to complete that curriculum. If he/she is unable to complete it in the time allowed, he/she must change to a current curriculum.
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Cohort Policies
Key portions of the Cleary degree may be delivered using cohort instruction. Cohort instruction means that individuals join a group who complete together a specific portion of their degree program. The “cohesive group” nature of cohort instruction produces strong bonding between individual cohort members. Preserving this characteristic of the cohort is critical to gain positive student learning, completion success and high satisfaction. The University’s cohort policy allows individual students to join a cohort only at planned entry points and only when the expectation and plan are for that person to complete the cohort course sequence with the cohort group. The only exception would be to allow a student who has stopped out to join a cohort to complete with that group. Students will not be permitted to join a cohort for the purpose of making up a single course requirement. Single course requirements must be met taking non-cohort classes.
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Directed Study
Under special circumstances a course may be completed by a student under the direction of a faculty person. Academic advisors are required to approve directed study enrollment in advance of the term in which the course is to be completed. Students are expected to complete all normal requirements for the course and demonstrate competency through completion of an exam or an alternative evaluation method provided by the faculty. All other University policies apply.
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Co-requisite Courses
Co-requisite courses are courses that have been designed to be completed at the same time.  Normally this means course learning activities, assignments and assessments have been coordinated to attain the learning outcomes of both courses but at the same time reduce student work load. Courses designated as co-requisites must be taken concurrently. 
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Pre-requisite Courses
A course designated as a pre-requisite for another course must be taken first. This is done to provide needed preparation for a course before enrollment. Course sequences that are designated as cohort delivery have assumed pre-requisites; these courses must be taken in the order specified by the curriculum outline. 
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Registration
Open registration for all students takes place before the start of each term. Class registration changes are accepted only during the registration period for a given term, but not after the start date of that term. Students should consult with their academic advisor regarding class registration.
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Dropping/Adding/Withdrawing from a Class
Any changes in registration must be approved by an academic advisor who submits a drop/add form before the term start date. Classes dropped during the registration period are removed from the student's transcript.
Once the term starts, a student may withdraw from classes through the final withdrawal date of each term or session by contacting his or her academic advisor. A withdrawal form can be processed after the first day of the term; financial penalties apply. If a student withdraws from class after the beginning of the term, a grade of "W" (Withdrawal) will be recorded. A student who leaves the University during a term or stops attending class without officially withdrawing will receive a no credit (NC) or failed grade (E) from the instructor of the course(s) in question. “W” grades may affect the student's future eligibility for financial aid.
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Institutional Withdrawal
Students who register for classes and subsequently never attend any classes, do not file the proper forms to drop or withdraw and have not communicated their intentions regarding continuation of classes, may be dropped from all classes by the institution. Though the "IW" appears on the transcript, it will not affect the student's overall grade point average. IW grades may affect the student's future eligibility for financial aid.
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Student Evaluation Feedback Surveys
Class evaluations are a standard component of each class. Students complete them electronically. Students respond to questions about the course design, instructional materials, instructor, and support services. Instructions for completing and submitting the survey are provided in each course syllabus. Individual responses from these surveys are anonymous and strictly confidential.
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Faculty Expectations of Students
Faculty members have the expectation that students will take responsible action to fulfill duties and responsibilities in their academic program and in each class. Therefore, we believe it is reasonable for faculty to assume that students will:

• Treat the classroom as a professional environment and treat students and faculty with respect.
• Adhere to class start times and end times that are prescribed and regard them as not negotiable.
• Show courtesy as other students speak.
• Restrict side bar conversations when anyone is addressing the class.
• Never plagiarize or cheat.
• Hand in all work on time.
• Silence all pagers and cell phones in every class.
• Return to class on time after every break.
• Be accountable for their actions toward group members when working in groups.
• Take ownership of one’s performance, both academic and behavioral.
• Keep e-mail addresses and phone numbers current on University records.
• Include one’s first and last name (course name and number are also helpful) on every document the student submits to a faculty member.
• Notify the instructor in the event of an absence.

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Student Expectations of Faculty

The faculty of Cleary University provide the highest level of service possible to all students. To this end, it is reasonable for students to assume that faculty will:

• Provide a current, complete and accurate class syllabus posted one week prior to the term start.
• Use the textbooks and instructional materials described in the syllabus as an integral part of the course work.
• Provide office hour information and other means of communication to students, using phone and e-mail.
• Plan and conduct meaningful learning activities for the full time allotted for all classes.
• Provide such other reasonable assistance on an individual basis as may be necessary and appropriate.
• Electronically acknowledge all student questions within 24 - 48 hours.
• Engage in appropriate electronic discussions on a regular basis for each course module.
• Provide regular and informative feedback on assignments in order to insure that students understand their strengths and deficiencies on any given lesson.
• Notify students in the event of an absence and arrange a plan with the class to make up the missed class session using distance format.
• Keep course-related materials for at least 12 weeks from the end of the class. This includes student work, e-mails, grade books, etc. After grades become permanent, faculty members are free to discard course-related materials.

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Faculty-Student Dispute Resolution Procedures

In the event that either the student or the faculty member believes that a legitimate dispute or difference of opinion exists regarding a classroom issue other than grading, the following procedures are established for use by either party.

1. In the event that a student or faculty member disagrees over the other’s actions, comments, conduct or decision (other than a final course grade*), the student or faculty member should first address his or her concern directly with the other party. Both parties are encouraged to discuss any classroom-related or academic disputes with each other in person, by phone or by e-mail. All parties are expected to treat each other with respect.
2. If, after discussion, the student or the faculty member still disagrees and the issue remains unresolved, he/she may confer with the student’s academic advisor. The academic advisor will take reasonable steps to assist in the resolution of the matter.
3. If, after consultation with the academic advisor, the student or faculty member believes the issue or dispute has not been resolved satisfactorily, the student or faculty member may submit a written and signed statement to the Dean of Instruction. The statement should present a brief description of the specific problem and the desired outcome. The Dean will attempt to arrange a satisfactory resolution.
4. All disputes must comply with these procedural requirements. Anonymous complaints will not be acted upon.

*The Grade Appeal Procedure is the process students use when they want to appeal the final course grade. Grade Appeal Procedure instructions and forms are available in each campus center or on eCleary. The contact person for grade appeals is the student’s academic advisor.
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Residency Policy

In order to earn a degree from Cleary University, students must complete the residency requirement.  For students enrolled in the MBA program, the residency requirement consists of a minimum of 40 course credits.  The Cleary University BBA and BS residency requirement is 48 course credits (56 course credits for the Executive BBA).  All BBA and BS students, without substitution or exception, must complete the required major courses for their selected major at Cleary University.  ABA and AAS students must complete a minimum of 32 course credits to fulfill the residency requirement.  Certificate requirements as listed in this catalog constitute the residency requirement for certificate options. 
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Completing Program Requirements
Program credit requirements are met by completion of required or elective course credit, application of transfer credit and/or application of prior learning, non-traditional credit. The student and his or her advisor work together to ensure successful completion of degree requirements.
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