Academics
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Course Selection and Scheduling
Registration and Course Adjustments
Instructions and dates for registration are available on Populi. Upon enrollment, all students will receive their Populi login credentials, including a unique ID and password. Students will also be notified by email with detailed registration instructions and the deadline for registration.
For any questions, students should contact the Office of the Registrar. Students are required to register for Chapel each term they are enrolled. Failure to register for Chapel may result in administrative withdrawal from all courses for the corresponding term, along with possible disciplinary actions.
Returning students eligible for re-enrollment who have indicated their intent to attend Hesed University will also receive registration instructions and updates via email.
Adding and Dropping Courses
Students may officially add or drop courses without incurring a clerical fee until the designated add/drop deadline. After this deadline, a $15 clerical fee will be charged for each course added or dropped.
- Additional fees owed will be calculated based on the adjusted schedule.
- Refunds will be issued according to the university’s refund policy and based on the adjusted schedule.
To add or drop a class, students must submit a Drop/Add Class Form to the Registrar’s Office. Students are also responsible for obtaining permission from the course instructor and their academic advisor.
Students wishing to withdraw from a course after the add/drop deadline must complete a Drop Class Form through the Office of the Registrar. They are also required to pay any associated fees and obtain approval from the course instructor and academic advisor.
Dropping vs. Withdrawing
Students may drop a class during the official add/drop period at the start of each quarter. This process is completed online through the Populi system. If a class is dropped during this period, there will be no official record of the student’s enrollment in the course at the end of the quarter.
Class Withdrawal
Students may withdraw from a course after the add/drop period has ended and up until the seventh week of the quarter. In this case, a grade of “W” will be recorded on the student’s transcript.
Withdrawal Policies
Class Withdrawal
- During the first week of the quarter, students may withdraw from a course with no record of the class appearing on their transcript.
- From weeks three through seven, students may withdraw with the advisor’s permission. A grade of “W” will be recorded on the transcript.
- After week seven, students may not withdraw from courses.
Limitations on Withdrawal
- Students may not withdraw from more than five courses during their entire program of study for a degree.
- Withdrawal from the same course more than once is not permitted.
Withdrawal Procedure
Withdrawal from a course is completed using the Add/Drop Class Form, which must be processed through the Registrar’s Office.
If a student plans to leave Hesed University permanently or be absent for more than one year, they must file the Leave of Absence/College Withdrawal Form.
To maintain good academic standing and eligibility for readmission, students must complete the withdrawal process officially.
Refunds for Withdrawal
- Course Withdrawal Refunds: Students can drop a course with no fees during the first two weeks of the quarter.
- After this period, a $15 drop fee applies for each course withdrawal, up until the end of the fourth week. After week four, course withdrawal is no longer possible.
- Tuition Refunds: A 90% tuition refund is available if the withdrawal form is processed by the end of the second week of classes.
- Refunds are provided for fees paid for which instruction was not received, up to 60% completion of the course or term. No refunds are issued after 60% of the term has elapsed.
Repeating Courses
- Courses for which grades of “D” or better have been earned cannot be repeated for credit.
- Courses for which grades of “F” have been received may be repeated for credit.
- Only the grade for the repeated attempt will count toward the student’s grade point average.
- All entries, including original grades, will remain on the student’s permanent academic record and transcript.
- Students are not allowed to register for a course in which they have already received a passing grade.
Quarter System
Hesed University operates on a quarter system, and courses of study are offered with credit for satisfactory completion granted on this basis.
The academic year is divided into three regular quarters: Fall Quarter, Winter Quarter, and Spring Quarter. Each regular quarter includes 10 weeks of instruction, not including final exams. The Summer Quarter provides 42 days of instruction.
The basic unit of credit is the quarter hour, representing one hour of classroom instruction per week for 10 weeks.
Modes of Instruction
The “Mode of Instruction” refers to the method through which a course is delivered during a specific academic quarter. Hesed University is committed to providing high-quality education while accommodating the needs of its students.
Online
The online mode of instruction utilizes advanced digital tools and resources to deliver a fully virtual learning experience.
- Pre-recorded video lectures
- Audio lectures
- Online tests and quizzes
- Interactive assignments and projects
Onsite and Hybrid
While the University is committed to enhancing its online programs, plans for onsite instruction at the Elkins Park campus are under development. Hybrid and blended formats may also be introduced as student needs evolve.
Class Schedules
Class Attendance
Students at Hesed University are expected to be punctual and regular in their participation in online classes, including real-time lectures, discussions, and group activities.
- Attendance Requirement: Any student who misses one-third or more of the scheduled sessions for an online course will have failed the course.
- Absence Notification: Students unable to attend live online sessions must notify their instructor promptly and arrange to complete missed work.
- Absence Limits: Accumulated absences totaling 70% or more of any course will result in a grade of “NF” for non-attendance failure.
- Make-Up Policy: Students missing a scheduled assessment or live session for legitimate reasons may be granted permission to make up missed work at the instructor’s discretion.
- Excused Absences: Occasionally, students may miss scheduled online sessions due to authorized academic or co-curricular activities, family responsibilities, or ministry commitments.
- Online Learning Engagement: Active participation in discussions, timely submission of assignments, and consistent interaction through the learning management system are critical components of attendance.
Full-Time Enrollment
At Hesed University, full-time enrollment is determined based on the number of quarter hours a student is registered for each term. This policy applies to the Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters only.
- Undergraduate Students: Full-time enrollment requires a minimum of 12 quarter hours per quarter.
- Graduate Students: Full-time enrollment requires a minimum of 8 quarter hours per quarter.
- Maximum Credit Hour: Undergraduate students may take a maximum of 18 quarter hours per term. Graduate students may take a maximum of 14 quarter hours per term.
- Special Permission: Students must seek approval from the Academic Dean before registering for additional credits beyond the maximum permitted load.
- Online Program Considerations: Students must manage their time effectively to meet all requirements of full-time enrollment, including participation in real-time lectures and completion of coursework by designated deadlines.
