Academic Policies and Grading

Absenteeism

Class attendance is a necessary part of the learning process. Instructors typically explain their attendance policy during the first class meeting and/or in their course outlines. Never attending or stopping attendance may adversely affect the student’s grade and, if the student is applying for or receives U.S. FAFSA aid, financial aid eligibility. Students who do not attend class should officially drop or withdraw from the class. If students choose to withdraw from class, they should consult with an academic director to determine the impact of the course withdrawal on degree planning and financial aid requirements. Students must maintain at least 12 credits to be considered a full-time student. The recommendation is 16 credits per semester to stay on track for a 4-year graduation.

Professors keep attendance records and maintain course policies that adhere to the Budapest campus policy, namely:

• The student’s grade begins to drop after three unexcused absences, a letter grade per absence over the three-absence limit.
• Attendance is expected from the moment a student is enrolled in a course. If, for example, a student has registered for a given course but is not present during the first week of the semester, then those missed classes will count as absences unless otherwise excused by Dr. Cox, Dr. Adamson, or Dean Frenyó.
• Appeals for excused absences must be made promptly. For such an appeal, medical certificates, stamped doctor’s notes, and other documents are expected to be submitted to the Secretariat without delay. Those documents must include the official stamp of a registered physician in Hungary.

If You Miss a Class

For minor illness when absence may be one or several days (such as cold, flu, sore throat):
Inform the professor of the illness and arrange to make up missed work.
You are still responsible for meeting academic and attendance requirements for each course.
If a serious medical condition or accident occurs and it requires missing multiple sessions of a class, please contact Ms. Adriána Márton, amarton@mcdeaniel.hu. You will then have to upload documentation verifying your illness to the online.mcdaniel.hu portal. If you have any trouble uploading documents, then you can contact Ms. Adriána Márton, amarton@mcdeaniel.hu. After recovery, it is your responsibility to meet with each professor to arrange to make up missed assignments and tests.

If you are called home for a family emergency, such as a death or a personal issue:

Please notify the academic directors (Profs Adamson and Cox).

Your professors will be notified about your absence, but it is your responsibility to satisfy any missed work and to provide documentation for the length of time you are out.

Attendance and Engagement

Did you know your FAFSA Financial Aid may be adjusted or canceled if you don’t attend or engage in class?

Financial aid is initially based on your enrollment status. Once the semester begins, faculty report students who never attended/engaged by the census date. At that point, your financial aid may be adjusted/canceled, and you may be required to repay financial aid (including loans) to the college. To ensure progression toward your degree and maintain eligibility for financial aid, you should attend/engage in all of your classes and make every effort to be academically successful. Lack of attendance can cause you to owe back or lose financial aid!

Did you know there is a difference between receiving a grade of F for failing a class versus receiving a grade of XF for failing a class with an attendance issue? To be in compliance with federal regulations, McDaniel uses a failing grade of XF to identify students who failed a class and also never attended or stopped attending the class. If you fail class(es) and also stop attending class(es), you may be required to pay back financial aid and/or lose future eligibility for financial aid, including federal student loans.

Besides this, proper attendance and engagement in your courses are vital for earning high grades, passing your courses, and graduating on time.

Academic Class Level

The College assigns students’ class levels according to the following earned credit criteria:

0	to	31.5	credits	=	freshman (1st year)
32	to	63.5	credits	=	sophomore (2nd year)
64	to	95.5	credits	=	junior (3rd year)
96	or	more	credits	=	senior (4th year)

Academic Load

Students, in consultation with an academic advisor, decide the number of credit hours (the academic load) that they will carry. The number of credit hours that each course carries is stated in the Self-service (mcdaniel.edu). Search for Classes and McDaniel College catalog. The normal student load is 16 credit hours per semester or 32 credits hours per year. There is an extra fee for students carrying more than 22.5 credit hours per semester. Within the limits described below, the student should develop a schedule based on demonstrated academic ability.

1. Students, in consultation with an academic advisor, decide the number of credit hours (the academic load) that they will carry. The number of credit hours that each course carries is stated in the Self-service (mcdaniel.edu). Search for Classes and McDaniel College catalog. The normal student load is 16 credit hours per semester or 32 credits hours per year. There is an extra fee for students carrying more than 22.5 credit hours per semester. Within the limits described below, the student should develop a schedule based on demonstrated academic ability.
2. The minimum number of semester hours that may be carried by a full-time student is during the fall and spring semesters is 12. Students may carry fewer hours only with permission from the academic directors. Among the consequences of dropping below a full-time load on the Budapest campus are:
   1. loss of financial aid from some sources (FAFSA, etc.);
   2. loss of financial aid from some sources (FAFSA, etc.);

Access to Educational Records & Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Educational records are those records, files, documents, and other material directly related to a student and maintained by McDaniel College or any of its agents. The College assumes implicit and justifiable trust as custodian of these records. Access to and release of student records are determined by the College’s policy, which complies with Public Law 93-380 (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), often referred to as the Buckley Amendment). The College Policy on the release of student information and of the U.S. Department of Education regulations implementing Public Law 93-380 are available here. Students receive email notification of the rights accorded to them under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act at the beginning of each academic year.

Advisor and Academic Directors

For academic advising, you should see either of the academic directors, Prof. Matthew Adamson (Room 225) or Prof. Christopher Cox (Room 228). In addition, if you are interested in speaking about questions in your area of study, please note the following professors on the Budapest campus for the following areas:

• Art and art history: Prof. Zsófia Görömbei (zgorombei@mcdaniel.edu)
• Business, Economics, and Marketing: Prof. Kira Mueller (kmuller@mcdaniel.edu)
• Communication: Prof. Dominika Szabó (dszabo@mcdaniel.edu)
• Psychology: Prof. Ágoston Galambós (agalambos@mcdaniel.edu)

If a student wishes to declare a major, declare a second major, or declare a minor, they should see Prof. Cox.

Course Schedule (Chris, please rewrite this to suit our campus.)

To be reflected accurately on the students’ official records, course registrations and subsequent changes must be recorded on the mcdaniel.hu website on or before specified dates as listed on the Academic Calendar. During the approved add/drop period, students may make schedule changes through the add/drop system on the www.mcdaniel.hu website. Adds and drops will be reviewed and either approved or denied by the assigned academic advisor.

Registration takes place in October for Jan Term, November for the spring semester, March for the summer term, and in April for the fall semester. Students are required to meet with their advisors to assist with course selection prior to registration. Advisors must clear students for registration. Students with a registration restriction (e.g. unpaid tuition, academic suspension, etc.) will be prevented from registering, adding, dropping, or withdrawing until the restriction is removed.

Students may add and drop courses online during the first two weeks of a standard semester (see academic calendar for the exact dates). Courses dropped on or before the drop deadline will not be included on the permanent record. After the add deadline, a student will not be permitted to add additional classes.

After the deadline for dropping a class with no grade, a student may withdraw from a course on or before the established withdraw deadline (see academic calendar for the exact dates). Students must email their assigned advisor to notify them of the withdraw. The withdrawn course will appear on the student’s permanent record with a grade of “W”. If the change results in the student dropping below full-time status (12 credits), a review of the student’s residency status will automatically be conducted by either Dr. Cox or Dr. Adamson.

A student may drop/withdraw from courses only in accordance with the published Academic Calendar. A student who never attends or stops attending a course during the official drop/withdrawal period and does not officially drop/withdrawal from that course will receive a grade of “XF.” A student who stops attending after the official withdrawal deadline will receive the grade earned.

Credit from Other Sources

In addition to classes taken at the College, students can accumulate credits in other ways.

Credit by Examination

Advanced Placement (AP) scores are normally accepted by the College for placement and credit on the following basis:

• Scores of 4 or 5: Student normally receive four credit hours. In some cases, up to 12 credit hours may be awarded.
• Score of 3: Advanced placement or credit is limited.
• Score of 2 or lower: No advanced placement or credit is given.

View the current College Board AP Credit Policy chart here.

AP credit may be applied to fulfill both major requirements and the general education requirements as appropriate. Students may not earn credit from an AP test and the equivalent college course. The number of AP credits awarded is subject to change depending on changes in the tests and at the discretion of the department chair.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) scores in liberal arts subject area examinations will be accepted by the College. Placement and credit will be granted to students whose scores are equal to or above the American Council of Education’s recommended minimum scores. Students may not earn credit from a CLEP exam and the equivalent college course. Matriculated students at McDaniel who wish to use CLEP exams to fulfill degree requirements should contact the Registrar’s Office for prior approval.

International Baccalaureate (IB). The College recognizes the IB diploma and grants a maximum of one year of credits (32 hours) for examinations in higher-level courses only. Credits are awarded as follows:

• Score of 5 or higher: Student normally receives four credit hours but, in some cases, up to 8 credit hours may be awarded.
• 4: Student will receive credit at the discretion of the appropriate department.
• 3 or lower: Student will not receive credit.

IB credits may be counted toward general education requirements, major or minor requirements, or electives. Students may not earn credit from an IB exam and the equivalent college course.

DSST exams are college subject tests that students may take to earn college credit for knowledge obtained outside of a traditional classroom. Students may earn college credit for acceptable scores if recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE). A score of 400 or higher for the majority of DSST exams is considered passing and comparable to earning a “C” grade. Students may not earn credit from a DSST test and the equivalent college course. Matriculated students at McDaniel who wish to use DSST exams to fulfill degree requirements should contact the Registrar’s Office for prior approval.

Transfer Credit

The College may grant transfer credit for courses that are standard liberal arts courses or that compare to the offerings of the College, from accredited institutions where the accrediting agencies are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Students seeking transfer credit from coursework earned at an institution outside the U.S. must submit an official transcript that has been evaluated by a professional international credential evaluation service. McDaniel College recommends World Education Services (wes.org) but will accept an evaluation from any National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (naces.org) member.

Credit will be awarded when the grade from the sending institution is a “C-” or better, with the exception of ENG 1101, where the grade must be a “C” or better. (The grade of “CR”, “P” or the equivalent is transferable for elective courses provided there is proof the letter grade would have been a C- or better.) Once transfer credit is posted to a student’s academic record, it will not be removed.

Block Transfer: Beginning fall 2023, any first-year or transfer student who has earned an Associate of Arts (A.A.), an Associate of Science (A.S.), or an Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.) will have met all McDaniel general education requirements with the exception of first-year students who must still complete First Year Seminar and My Design. This policy only applies to new students who has had one of the above associate degrees awarded prior to their enrollment at McDaniel. The Office of Admissions must receive an official college transcript with the appropriate associate degree listed and award date.

Transfer credit that is more than 10 years old may be accepted as elective credit but will be reviewed on a case-by-base to meet general education, major and/or minor requirements.

Grades from transfer courses are not used in the calculation of the student’s McDaniel College grade point average. Students may not replace a grade earned at McDaniel College with an equivalent transfer course grade.

The following limitations will be placed on the total number of hours allowable towards graduation by transfer:

1. A maximum of 96 hours will be allowed from a four-year institution.
2. A maximum of 64 hours will be allowed from a two-year institution.
3. A total combined maximum of 96 hours from both two and four-year institutions will be allowed.

Transfer students must meet the graduation and residence requirements current at the time they matriculate. Please note only grades earned at McDaniel College and affiliated programs are calculated in the grade point average. In addition, a student must complete 64 credit hours at McDaniel College in order to qualify for general honors at graduation. Credits earned in affiliated study abroad programs, AP, IB and CLEP will be counted toward the 64-semester hour total.

Matriculated Students Attending Another College: See Registration at Other College(s)

Occupational/Life Experience Credit

Students who have done occupational or volunteer work, or have had life experience (including travel, military service, or extensive research/creative endeavors) which they feel might be worth college credit, may submit a portfolio to the Dean of the Faculty of the Budapest campus.

The portfolio should include, but is not limited to, the following:

Detailed description of occupational, volunteer, and/or life experience.

A request to have the life experience credits apply in one of the following ways:
A specific course within a major – The portfolio should include a description of the course-specific knowledge gained from the experience.

A McDaniel Plan requirement – The portfolio should include a description of how the experience fulfilled the student learning outcomes for that McDaniel Plan requirement.

General elective credit – The portfolio should include a description of the college-level learning gained from the experience.

An endorsement signed by the former employer or by the head of the volunteer organization or documentation of military service (e.g., evaluation reports, award recommendations, certificate of discharge from active duty).

Endorsement by a faculty sponsor and an academic dean

If credits requested are linked to a specific major, the appropriate department chair will review the student portfolio for course analysis and approval and credit hour determination. Portfolios from students who seek general elective credits or McDaniel Plan requirements are approved by a dean in the Office of Academic Life and reviewed by the Registrar.

A maximum of 16 life experience credit hours may be awarded. Life experience credit hours are billed at the College’s current summer rate. Students approved to receive life experience credit are responsible for rmaking payment to the Bursar’s Office before the life experience credit will post to the academic record.

Study Abroad Credits

Students who attend one of the affiliated institutions/programs will have their grades, as well as credits, transferred to McDaniel College. McDaniel Budapest grades are considered McDaniel College grades in the calculation of all GPAs. Courses taken at an affiliate are considered McDaniel College courses. Students who attend study abroad programs not affiliated with the College must request a leave of absence from the Office of Academic Life. Only credits (no grades) transfer from non-affiliated programs.

Final Examinations

According to faculty policy, there is to be a significant examination or other culminating experience during the regularly scheduled final examination time for each student in each course (with the possible exception of senior capstone experiences). Because students need time to prepare for other final examinations, undergraduates cannot be required to submit a take-home final assessment during the last regular week of classes. Such final assessments may be due no earlier than the scheduled final exam time. No test or quiz longer than 15 minutes is to be scheduled during the last week of classes. Times of final examinations for courses are not to be changed without the approval of the academic directors or the dean of the faculty of the Budapest campus, but faculty may allow individual students to take examinations at other times, consonant with the following policy (from the Student Handbook).

The times of examinations may be changed only for medical reasons or to relieve students who have exams scheduled in three or more consecutive half-day periods.
Examinations will not be rescheduled to facilitate social, travel, or employment arrangements. The Provost and Dean of the Faculty must authorize alterations in the examination schedule.

Students who have medical reasons or conflicts, as above, should discuss with the professor the possibility of taking the examination at another time with another section, or at a mutually agreeable time. This does not require the Dean’s approval. If arrangements cannot be made this way, the student may petition the academic directors for a change of examination.

Grading System

For each course, the instructor determines the progress of the individual and the class by means of class work, tests, special assignments, papers, projects, conferences, participation, and other procedures that might prove valuable.

Faculty are expected to enter midterm grades for undergraduate classes. Midterm grades are entered prior to the withdrawal deadline so students may have the opportunity to withdraw from a class with a grade of “W” on the transcript. A student should consult with their student success coach or advisor and the Financial Aid Office to determine the impact of withdrawing from a course.

The scholastic standing of students is indicated by a system of grades designated by the letters A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, DX, F, XF, CR, P, NR, W, and I. A, B, C, and D (+/-) are passing final grades, A+ indicating work of the highest rank, D- of the lowest. Students receiving the final grade of F or XF must repeat the course if they wish to receive credit for it.

At times, emergent and extenuating circumstances (e.g., a family emergency, documented illness, unavailability of needed materials to complete an assignment) may prevent a student from completing the requirements of a course before the end of the semester. In these cases, the instructor may allow the student to complete the remaining assignments at a later date. The procedure will vary depending upon whether the student would pass or fail the course without completing the outstanding assignments.

If the student will fail the course without completing the remaining assignments, the student may submit a request for a temporary grade of Incomplete (I) for the course.

If the student could pass the course with a grade of D- or higher when the calculation of the final grade includes zeros for the outstanding assignments, the instructor should submit that final grade and not approve an Incomplete (I) grade.

If the student completes the outstanding work by the deadline and it changes the student’s final grade, the professor should submit an online Change of Grade form.

Please note that an Incomplete grade may place a student’s financial aid at risk. In addition, incomplete grades may affect and delay the determination of a student’s academic status and ability to graduate. For the full Incomplete Grade policy, please visit the Registrar’s Office portal page or access here.

A Not Reported (NR) grade is given for pending Honor and Conduct action.

Students who receive a grade of Incomplete (I) or Not Reported (NR) in any of their courses are not eligible for the Dean’s List for that semester or the President’s List for the academic year.

Grade Point Average

Grade point average (GPA) is calculated on a 4.00 scale, with the point values per grade as follows:

• A+ = 4.0
• A = 4.0
• A- = 3.7
• B+ = 3.3
• B = 3.0
• B- = 2.7
• C+ = 2.3
• C = 2.0
• C- = 1.7
• D+ = 1.3
• D = 1.0
• D- = 0.7
• F = 0
• XF = 0

A student’s grade point average is calculated by dividing the number of quality points by the number of semester hours attempted (exclusive of courses graded “I”, “CR”, “P”, “DX”, “NR” or “W”). A grade of “XF” is calculated into the GPA as a grade of “F”.

Grades from transfer courses are not calculated into the McDaniel College grade point average. The courses accepted from other institutions will be recorded on the McDaniel College transcript. Only grades earned at McDaniel College, or its affiliated programs will be calculated in the student’s grade point average.

The general quality of students’ work is determined numerically and is called the grade point average (GPA). The GPA is calculated in two steps. First, letter grades are converted to numerical values on the following scale: A+=4.00; A=4.00; A-=3.70; B+=3.30; B=3.00; B-=2.70; C+=2.30; C=2.00; C-=1.70; D+=1.30; D=1.00; D-=0.70; F=0.00; XF=0.00. A student earns quality points for each course completed equal to the number of credit hours for the course multiplied by the point value for the grade. Then, the semester grade point average is calculated by dividing the total quality points achieved by the number of credit hours attempted in letter-graded courses. Thus, a student taking four, four-hour courses (totaling 16 hours) who received one A, one B, and two Cs would have earned a GPA of 2.75 for the semester. (4 X 4.00) + (4 X 3.00) + (8 X 2.00) = 44.0 ÷ 16 = 2.75.

Similarly, an overall GPA for all work attempted at the College is calculated by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the total number of credit hours attempted. Affiliated Study Abroad Programs and certain Special Off-Campus Programs will be used in the calculation of a student’s grade point average. However, transfer credit, AP credit, CLEP credit, and other “credit” grades are not calculated in the College’s GPA.

Change of Grade/Grade Appeal

Once a course grade has been reported by the instructor to the Registrar’s Office, it may be changed only with the permission of the instructor, and generally only where there has been a data entry or arithmetical error. If, however, a student believes that a semester grade has resulted from prejudicial or capricious evaluation, the student should consult first with the professor of the course, if necessary, with the academic directors, and ultimately with the dean of the faculty of the Budapest campus, whose approval is required for all grade changes of this nature.

If the Dean of the Faculty finds insufficient reason to support the student’s complaint, the appeals process is ended. Should the Dean of the Faculty find clear evidence of prejudicial or capricious evaluation, the Dean of the Faculty will recommend to the professor that the grade be changed. If the professor refuses to change the grade, the Dean of the Faculty will ask the academic directors to appoint an ad hoc faculty committee to consider the case. This committee will be composed of three faculty members, two of whom must come from the professor’s discipline or an allied discipline. The Committee’s decision, which will be rendered within 30 days of the appeal’s submission, will be final.

The deadline to appeal a grade is the last day of classes of the semester following the term in which the course was taken.

Pass Dx Fail Grading Option

Most internships, some January Term courses, and some program requirements are graded on a Pass/Dx/Fail (P/Dx/F) basis. In addition, students may elect one course per semester (no more than 4 courses total) under the Pass/Dx/Fail (P/Dx/F) option. To receive a grade of Pass (“P”) for a course under this option, a student must attain a grade of C- or better; in this case, students are awarded credits, but the grade point average (GPA) is not affected. A grade of “Dx” is awarded for grades of D+, D, or D- and students are awarded credits, but the GPA is not affected. Any grades of “F” under the P/Dx/F option will not be awarded credits and will be used in the calculation of the student’s GPA. Students may designate the grading system for a course as P/Dx/F by the deadline to withdraw from a course. A student may not change from P/Dx/F to a graded basis after designating a course as P/Dx/F. The instructor normally receives no formal notification of a student’s enrollment in a course under the P/Dx/F option.

Students may not choose to take a course P/Dx/F if it fulfills requirements for a major, a minor, College Writing (i.e., ENG 1101) or the Honors Program. If a student designates a class a P/Dx/F that later is needed for a major/minor the student may be required to retake the class unless an exception is granted by the department chair. Students who are majoring/minoring in Education should be aware that they must take all classes for that program on a graded basis. Taking courses as P/Dx/F may not be advisable for students who will be seeking admission to graduate programs or who plan to transfer credits to another institution. Students who elect to take a course P/Dx/F will not be eligible for the Dean’s List that semester or President’s List for the academic year.

Auditing

There is normally no option to audit courses on the Budapest campus. For further information or questions, please see the academic directors.

Repeat Policy

A student has the option to repeat and pass a course previously failed in order to gain credit hours toward graduation. The student will receive the quality points for the new grade, and the original failing grade will no longer be used in the calculation of the grade point average. If a student repeats a course previously passed, they will not gain any new credit hours toward graduation. The higher of the two grades will be used in the calculation of the grade point average. All grades will remain on the student’s transcript. Transcripts will be marked indicating the repeated courses. There is no limit to the number of times a course may be repeated. With the exception of Study Abroad credits earned from an affiliated program, students may not replace a grade earned at McDaniel College with an equivalent transfer course grade.

Academic Standing

Good Academic Standing

Earning a bachelor’s degree from McDaniel College requires students to earn a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) on all undergraduate level work attempted at McDaniel. At the end of each semester, student grades are reviewed. Students whose semester grade point average and cumulative grade point average are 2.0 or higher are in good academic standing. Certain majors with outside accrediting bodies may require a higher minimum grade point average for progression and continuance in the major, and these policies are specified in the academic catalog. Students must achieve a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 by spring of the senior year to be in “good academic standing” at the College. In addition, students must earn 128 credits and complete all requirements to earn a degree.

Students make adequate progress toward earning a degree when they remain in good academic standing and maintain a 2.0 or higher grade point average on all undergraduate level work attempted at McDaniel College. Students receiving federal financial aid are held to Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards, which fall under a separate monitoring and notification process managed by the Financial Aid Office.

As a college focused on student success, McDaniel informs students when their academic performance is below the college’s minimum required for graduation and offers guidance and support to students for improving their academic performance.

Academic Standing Notice

Students whose semester grade point average falls below a 2.0, but cumulative grade point average is 2.0 or higher will receive an academic standing notification letter after the grade review process has been completed. The notice encourages students to take appropriate action to improve their academic performance and provides guidance on how to do so. An academic standing notice is not included on the transcript.
Academic Warning
Students whose cumulative grade point average falls below 2.0 are in academic warning status. Students receive an academic warning notification letter to their McDaniel email after the grade review process has been completed. The academic warning encourages students to take appropriate action to improve their performance and provides guidance for how to do so. Students are in academic warning status for the semester following the issuance of the warning. Students in academic warning status are restored to good academic standing when their cumulative grade point average returns to a 2.0 or higher on all undergraduate level work attempted at McDaniel College. Academic warning is not included on the transcript.

Academic Probation

Students in academic warning status whose cumulative grade point average remains below 2.0 after one full semester on Academic Warning are placed on academic probation the following semester. Academic probation status is reflected on the transcript. Students receive an academic probation notification letter to their McDaniel email after the grade review process has been completed. The academic probation notice encourages students to take appropriate action to improve their performance and provides guidance and requirements for how to do so. Students on academic probation are required to earn a semester grade point average of 2.0 or higher. Students earning a semester grade point average of 2.0 or higher in their first semester of probation whose cumulative grade point average remains below 2.0 are permitted a second semester of probation to bring their cumulative grade point average to a 2.0 or higher. Students in academic probation status are restored to good academic standing when their cumulative grade point average returns to a 2.0 or higher on all undergraduate level work attempted at McDaniel College.

Academic Suspension

Students on academic probation whose cumulative grade point average remains under 2.0 after two semesters on academic probation are placed on academic suspension for one full semester, and they are not permitted to enroll in courses at McDaniel College. Academic suspension status is reflected on the transcript. Students receive an academic suspension notification letter to their McDaniel email after the grade review process has been completed. If a student believes extenuating circumstances exist, they may appeal their suspension through the Academic Review Board process. The Academic Review Board (ARB) is comprised of 2 Academic Deans and the Associate Vice President of Student Success. Specific instructions and deadlines for appeals to the Academic Review Board are outlined in the notification letter. After completing a semester on academic suspension, students are eligible to apply for reinstatement.

Academic Dismissal

McDaniel College affords students many opportunities to attain good academic standing. Repeated failure to maintain good academic standing (cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher) will result in dismissal from the College. Academic dismissal status is reflected on the transcript. Students receive an academic dismissal notification letter to their McDaniel email after the grade review process has been completed. Students dismissed from the College may apply for reinstatement after a period of one year.

Academic Reinstatement

Students seeking reinstatement to McDaniel College following suspension or dismissal must complete the Application for Academic Reinstatement form found on the www.mcdaniel.hu webpage. An application is considered complete when the form is filled out in its entirety and is accompanied by the set of required documents. Instructions on applying for reinstatement are provided in the notification letter the student receives upon suspension or dismissal. The deadline for student submission of the complete application for reinstatement is June 1 for fall semester and January 3 for the spring semester.

Applications for academic reinstatement are reviewed by the College’s Academic Review Board. If the merits of the application so warrant, then students are invited to meet with the Academic Review Board to discuss their academic status. If the application does not warrant an invitation to meet with the Academic Review Board, then the students are notified that the suspension or dismissal stands.

Following a meeting with the Academic Review Board, one of the following decisions is made:

• The student is reinstated on continued academic probation status and must follow specific requirements outlined in the reinstatement letter provided by the Academic Review Board after the meeting.
• The suspension or dismissal stands.

Upon reinstatement, students must earn a minimum 2.0 semester grade point average on all undergraduate level work attempted during the following semesters at McDaniel College. Additionally, the student must restore their cumulative GPA to a 2.0 within two consecutive semesters of reinstatement. If either requirement is not met, the student will be suspended. Earning a bachelor’s degree from McDaniel College requires students to earn a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average on all undergraduate level work attempted at McDaniel College.

Graduation and Commencement

Graduation occurs at the end of each semester for students who have completed all requirements for their degree as outlined under Degree and McDaniel Plan Requirements. Students who anticipate graduation must complete and submit the online Application for Graduation within the student Portal by the posted deadline: November 15th for May graduation and April 15th for August or December graduation.

Both campuses of McDaniel College hold only one commencement ceremony in the spring of each year. Students who graduated the previous summer or fall semester have the option to attend the ceremony the following spring. The official degree conferral date for summer graduates is on or after August 15th, December 31st for fall semester, and on the day of Commencement for the spring semester.

Degrees will be posted to the official student record after the semester officially ends, all final grades have been received, and the successful completion of all degree requirements are verified by the Registrar’s Office. Diplomas will be mailed to all graduates two-three weeks after the official graduation date. Diplomas will not be released for students with active holds (for reasons of discipline violations or debt to the College).

Petition to Walk at Commencement

Students who have successfully completed their Capstone work, and who have no more than two required courses remaining to meet their graduation requirements and are within eight credits of the 128 overall credits required may petition to walk in the Commencement ceremony.

A student must also currently meet the minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 as well as the minimum GPA of 2.0 for at least one of their respective major(s). Additionally, education majors and education minor students who are scheduled to complete their final student teaching in the fall, are eligible to petition.

The online Petition to Walk form is available in the Portal under the Registrar’s Office and is due no later than April 15th for consideration. The form requires students to submit a plan for completing the missing requirement(s) over the summer term, either through an existing McDaniel College summer registration or an approved Undergraduate Pre-Approval of Transfer Credit form with proof of registration. Petition eligibility will be verifed by the academic directors and the Dean’s Office. Once a Petition to Walk at Commencement form is submitted, the student can expect to receive a status email from the assistant registrar for degree progress within 10 business days.

Students who are approved to walk in the commencement ceremony are expected to complete their remaining degree requirement(s) by earning a passing grade in a McDaniel College summer term course(s) or by providing an official transcript showing a passing grade of “C-” or better for their pre-approved transfer course(s) from an outside institution no later than the end of the 3rd week of August. The degree will be awarded on the appropriate date for the semester in which the final requirements are completed as long as the final grade is received by the deadline. The student will not be eligible to participate in a second undergraduate ceremony the following spring.

Students who are approved to walk early will not be included on any lists, published, or announced, as a recipient for Latin honors or special distinction(s) at the ceremony. Those earning Latin honors or special designation(s) at the time of the awarding of their degree will have it notated on their official transcript.

Students who do not complete their missing requirement in the summer following the commencement ceremony will be placed on “Hold for Continuance” (HC). If the missing requirement is not completed in the subsequent term, the student will be administratively withdrawn from the institution unless a leave of absence is approved.

Program requirements for students returning four or more years after the anticipated completion date will be evaluated by the academic directors for the declared major to determine if additional credits are required or appropriate course substitutions may be made.

Independent Studies

Independent studies provide students with the opportunity for individual study under the direction of a faculty member. The study, agreed upon by the sponsoring faculty member and the student, should be an experience not available within the regular college offerings. To enroll for an independent study, students complete a form available at online.mcdaniel.hu. Independent studies may count toward the Experiential Learning requirement if they meet the criteria for experiential learning as set forth on the registration form. Please see the academic directors for more information.

Internships

McDaniel College conducts an active program of individual student internships through cooperative programs with government, business, industry, institutions, and individuals, as well as providing opportunities on the Budapest campus. Internships are arranged through consultation with the academic directors (Prof. Adamson or Prof. Cox). In general, 45 hours of work during the course of the semester/term equals one credit. An internship that exceeds four credits must have approval of the Dean of the Faculty of the Budapest campus. To enroll in an internship, students complete the online Internship Registration form available at online.mcdaniel.hu. Completed forms should be submitted by the end of drop/add period but must be received no later than the official last day of classes of the semester/term in which the internship takes place. Credit will not be awarded for internships completed in prior semesters. Internships that enroll the student in over 22 credits are billed for each credit over 22. No more than twelve credit hours of internships may be counted toward the 128 credit hours required for graduation, and no more than two credits of classroom internship within a single department may count toward graduation. Internships are graded Pass/Dx/Fail only.

Leave of Absence and Withdrawal from the College

If a student wishes to leave the College temporarily or permanently, a student can choose two different options.

Students who wish to leave the College temporarily for personal or medical reasons may request an official Leave of Absence (LOA). An LOA is temporary and can be requested for up to two semesters. In exceptional circumstances, a third semester of an LOA may be approved, with the consent of the Dean of the Faculty.

To request an LOA, prior to the final two weeks of classes and finals week, students must meet online or in person with an academic director (Prof. Adamson or Prof. Cox). Students will complete an online LOA request form, which is reviewed by the academic directors. For a medical LOA request, students must submit documentation from a medical provider to the coordinator of academic affairs (A. Márton) within fourteen (14) calendar days. If a student fails to submit the medical documentation on time, the LOA request shifts from medical to personal. The medical documentation required for a Medical Leave of Absence must be completed by the student’s treating physician, licensed mental health provider, or other licensed healthcare professional. The provider must be an impartial professional who does not have an immediate familial relationship with the student. The documentation must include 1) diagnosis or condition; 2) how this condition is resulting in functional impairments that prevent the individual from meeting the expectations of a student; and 3) clear recommendation for medical leave of absence from college.

Students will receive final decisions about LOA requests via mcdaniel.edu email.

Students who wish to permanently withdraw from the College should meet with an academic director (Prof. Adamson or Prof. Cox).

If the request for an LOA or permanent withdrawal from the College is submitted prior to the last two weeks for classes and finals week, the student will receive grades of ‘W.’

During the last two weeks of the semester and finals week, students may request an LOA for the following semester(s) or to permanently withdraw from the College at the conclusion of the semester; however, they are encouraged to work with professors to complete currently enrolled coursework to the best of their ability. During this period, requests for an LOA or permanent withdrawal from the college will not be reviewed until after the submission of final grades from the current semester.

When requesting an LOA or permanent withdrawal, students with FAFSA financial aid must contact Financial Aid on the home campus to review and discuss procedures in those areas.

Administrative Withdrawals

The College will administratively withdraw 1) students in active status who have not registered for classes before the first day of classes and who have not contacted the College about extenuating circumstances and/or intention to register by the end of the first week of classes, and 2) students whose Leave of Absence has expired and who have not contacted the College to confirm their return before August 15 (if anticipated to return for the Fall semester) or January 15 (if anticipated to return for the Spring semester).

Re-Admission to McDaniel College

Students who have formerly attended McDaniel College, officially withdrawn (not a leave of absence), or have been administratively withdrawn, and subsequently wish to return, have a separate application process from new students. Any student so wishing to return to the College should reach out the head of the admissions committee of McDaniel College’s campus in Budapest, Prof. Matthew Adamson (mhadamson@mcdaniel.hu).

Regarding Online and Hybrid Classes

A. Definitions of Class Formats

Face-to-Face. Generally, all Budapest campus courses meet in-person in a physical classroom. Some course material, assignments, activities, and tests may be hosted online, however.

Hybrid. Occasionally, for various reasons, class sessions might meet in-person in a classroom, with a few class sessions meeting online. Online sessions can be asynchronous or synchronous in some cases using Teams or Zoom. Dates and times of required synchronous sessions will be published before registration.

Online Asynchronous. Under special circumstances, all of course content, activities, and assessments, as well as class discussions and interactions (student-student and student-faculty) are completed online. No synchronous meetings are required. Students will not be required to come to campus at any time to participate in the course.

Online Webinar. Again, under special circumstances, all of course content, activities, and assessments, as well as class discussions and interactions (student-student and student-faculty) are completed online, some synchronous online meetings may be scheduled using Teams or Zoom. Attendance at synchronous sessions may or may not be a requirement of the course.

B. Online Learning Platform

All online and hybrid classes use Blackboard, McDaniel’s Learning Management System (LMS). Blackboard allows the instructor to deliver course content and assignments, enable communication, receive assignments, facilitate interactions (student-student, student-faculty, student-content), offer feedback, and perform assessment.

The most common features and tools used in Blackboard include:

• Announcements, for regular communication.
• Syllabus and Read Me First, for conveying core course information, including learning objectives, grading requirements, time expectations, course tools, matters of accessibility and other housekeeping matters.
• A Course Guide, for providing a storyboard of the class on one page that includes a class schedule along with objectives, resources, activities, assessments, and due dates.
• Modules, links to areas that present course content aligned with learning outcomes, resources, activities, and assessments.
• Assignments, for posting and submitting student work.
• Discussion Board, for asynchronous conversation, group work, and collaborative activities.
• Journal, that allows and encourages students to reflect on their learning.
• Wiki, that provides a platform for students to collaborate asynchronously on group projects.
• VoiceThread, a tool embedded in Blackboard that allows faculty the ability to create media rich, interactive, asynchronous lessons, as well as providing opportunities for students to interact with the course content, instructor, and one another using audio and/or video.
• Tests and Quizzes, for administering exams, tests, quizzes, and surveys.
• Gradebook, for managing and posting student grades.

C. Student Guidelines for Online Classes

Taking an online course has many advantages. Benefits include flexibility with schedule to assure timely degree progress, the ability to communicate with classmates and the instructor from the convenience of your own home or workplace, and enhanced access to course content and class conversation.

However, an online course is not for everyone. For instance, if you need the discipline of meeting regularly in-person and you enjoy the in-person interaction with other students and your instructor, you are more likely to prefer a regular classroom or hybrid course format.

Students should keep the following points in mind before enrolling in an online course:

Online courses are not easier than traditional face-to-face courses. Just because students are not going to class regularly does not mean that they will be doing less work. Students can expect online courses to have the same rigor and expectations as face-to-face courses.

Online courses require the same time investment as face-to-face courses. Online courses may be more convenient, but they have been designed to take the same amount of time as a student would spend if they were taking a traditional class.

Online courses require strong time management skills. While students will not have set class times, they will still need to meet course deadlines for reading course materials, participating in discussions, and handing in assignments.

Online courses demand engagement. Most online courses employ active learning strategies (where students actively participate in the learning process, as opposed to passively taking in course content). Online courses are no place to hide. In online courses, students will be expected to discuss course concepts, interact with the professors and other students, and, to a considerable extent, take charge of their own learning. A high level of participation is usually a significant part of the final grade.

Online courses require students to be tech savvy. To excel in online courses, students need to be comfortable using a computer and navigating the Internet. Students will need to be able to use a web browser, email, Microsoft Office Suite and understand how to save, send, share, and open files in several types of software.

D. Student Guidelines for Hybrid Classes

For students who have mastered basic time management and active learning skills, hybrid courses offer numerous rewards, including having a more flexible schedule and the opportunity to re-read (or re-watch) course material whenever and as often as they want.

Hybrid courses can be an excellent option for students juggling family responsibilities, jobs with odd hours, or students who have scheduling conflicts with other classes and/or sports commitments.

However, hybrid courses are not right for everyone. For instance, if active learning is still difficult, and/or students need the discipline of meeting regularly in-person to stay focused in class, students are more likely to prefer an entirely in-person classroom.

Students should keep the following points in mind before enrolling in a hybrid course:

Hybrid courses require students to be prepared. Since hybrid classes typically present most course content online instead of via in-class lectures, class meeting times are usually devoted to collaborative activities, conversations, or even doing “homework” in class with the instructor providing feedback. Students should not expect to just show up for an in-person class session. Students must come to class prepared.

Hybrid courses are not easier than traditional face-to-face courses. Just because students attend fewer in-person classes does not mean that students will be doing less work. Students can expect hybrid courses to have the same rigor and expectations as face-to-face and online courses.

Hybrid courses require the same time investment as campus-based courses. Hybrid courses may be more convenient, but they have been designed to take the same amount of time students would spend if taking a traditional class.

Hybrid courses require strong time management skills. While required in-person class meetings will occur fewer times than in traditional classes, students will still need to meet deadlines for reading course materials, participating in discussions, and handing in assignments.

Hybrid courses require students to be tech savvy. To excel in hybrid courses, students need to be comfortable using a computer and navigating the Internet. Students will need to be able to use a web browser, email, Microsoft Office Suite and understand how to save, send, share, and open files in several types of software.

E. Student Integrity and Privacy

Students are issued a unique username and password for access to Blackboard, McDaniel’s LMS.

Faculty may use other means or technologies to authenticate the work of online students (e.g., special software, locked-down browsers, and web cameras).

McDaniel policies and practices with student data are compliant with the European Union General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Students in all courses and programs, regardless of delivery format, must adhere to McDaniel’s Honor Code.

F. Technical Support at McDaniel

The McDaniel Help Desk provides students with technical support (phone, email, virtual) for educational technology hardware and software required in online and hybrid classes, if these are linked to the mcdaniel.edu system.

Replies to students should occur within a reasonable timeframe, preferably within 24 hours if not sooner.

If a student experiences trouble or has questions involving a technical issue concerning a feature of the online.mcdaniel.hu system, they should see coordinator of academic affairs, Ms. Adriána Márton.

G. Accessibility and 508 Compliance

We make every effort to ensure that all online and hybrid classes at McDaniel are fully accessible and 508 compliant.

All Blackboard classes have Ally embedded in them. Ally is a program that (a) automatically checks course materials against WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards and (b) provides students with accessible alternative formats such as audio and electronic braille.

H. McDaniel Core Policies for Online/Hybrid Classes

Online and Hybrid courses are a part of the student’s regular course load.

Students are at the center of each decision in teaching, design, and course management.

Faculty who teach online/hybrid at McDaniel’s campus in Maryland are required to take a four-week online class, BPO 100: Best Practices in Online and Hybrid Instruction.

All online/hybrid classes are written by McDaniel faculty and designed in consultation with the Instructional Design & Technology Department.

The McDaniel course development process includes: Working collaboratively as a team to develop each online/hybrid class; Designing courses according to the principles of Backward Design, aligning learning objectives with readings, activities, and authentic assessments; Encouraging student-centered instructional design and teaching practices that foster active learning and draw on recent discoveries in cognitive psychology and other disciplines for effective teaching and learning; Privileging the Community of Inquiry framework, ensuring social presence, cognitive presence, and teaching presence in each online/hybrid class.

Courses are accessible (508 compliant), engaging, interactive, and meet known best practices in instructional design and teaching methods.

All Interregional Guidelines for the Evaluation of Distance Education established by the Council of Regional Accrediting Commissions (C-RAC) are followed.

Integrity, honesty, and respect are paramount in all aspects of McDaniel’s online/hybrid operations.

Registration at Other Colleges

Students who have matriculated at McDaniel College and are interested in enrolling in courses meeting general education, major, or minor requirements at another institution during the summer or regular semester are required to obtain prior approval by completing the online Transfer Credit Pre-Approval form within the Portal under the Registrar’s Office. The following applies:

Courses comparable to those offered by the College may not be taken elsewhere for transferable credit during either semester of the regular academic year except with permission from an academic director; while such permission is not usually granted, it may be granted in the event of an irresolvable schedule conflict.

Approval of the major or minor department chair is required for any course(s) that will be used to fulfill major or minor requirements.

The number of credits awarded will equate to the credit granted by the transferring institution as listed on the official transcript. For example: If the course is awarded 3 credits from the transferring institution, only 3 credits will be transferred to McDaniel even if the course is equivalent to 4 credits at McDaniel College.

Financial aid cannot be applied to courses taken at another institution.

Grades from transfer courses are not used in the calculation of the student’s McDaniel College cumulative or major/minor grade point average. To transfer, grades must be a “C-” or better, except for ENG 1101, where the grade must be a “C” or better.

Students may not replace a grade earned at McDaniel College with an equivalent transfer course grade.

The following limitations will be placed on the total number of transfer credit hours allowable to be used toward graduation requirements:

A maximum of 96 hours will be allowed from a four-year institution.

A maximum of 64 hours will be allowed from a two-year institution.

A total combined maximum of 96 hours from both two and four-year institutions will be allowed.

Once the course is completed and a final grade posted, the student is responsible for ordering an official transcript from the other institution to be sent directly to the McDaniel Registrar’s Office for posting to their permanent record.

Retention of Records

Transcript records are permanently held by the Registrar’s Office of the home campus in Maryland. Documentation pertaining to the registration for each semester is held by the Budapest campus for a period of one year. If any questions should arise regarding documentation of enrollment more than one year beyond registration for a course, it will be the student’s responsibility to produce proper documentation to support any claim for a change to their record.

Student Concerns About a Class or Instructor

A student who has issues or concerns about a class in which they are enrolled is encouraged (1) to discuss them directly with the faculty instructor, whether after class or during office hours. If this is impossible because the issue is the instructor or if the student finds the response of the instructor unsatisfactory, the student should (2) meet with one of the academic directors (Profs Adamson or Cox). If after this meeting the concerns are not resolved, the student should (3) go to the Secretariat (Room 222) to schedule a meeting with the Dean of the Faculty.

Updated 7 November 2024.