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Policy and Updates

 
Kingston University complies with laws and regulations promulgated by the Bureau for Private Post Secondary Education (BPPE) at all time. When BPPE implements new policies and procedures, the University makes every effort to inform and update students of such new changes through the following ways:
  • updating university catalog
  • posting such announcements on the bulletin boards
  • printing of flyer announcements available for students’ pick up at the Administration office
  • announcement by instructors or administrative staff to students in classes when necessary
  • the University’s website
 

Classification of Students

 

Degree:
Seeking a Bachelor or Masters degree upon completion of a study program enrolled at the institution.


Degree Program:
Full-time:
a student is considered a full-time status if he/she is enrolled for:

  1. 12 or more semester units at undergraduate level each semester
  2. 9 semester units at graduate level each semester
  3. 8 quarter units at graduate level each quarter
Part-time:

a student enrolls for less than any of the above full-time unit criteria
Certificate & Training Program: not seeking a degree but for vocational training, such as Massage Therapy, and English as Second Language (ESL) programs.

 

Attendance

 

Students of Kingston University are expected to attend all scheduled class sessions, and are required to arrive on time, and to stay for the entire schedule class. To receive credit for any single course, the student must attend no less than 90% of the objective lecture hours unless excused. The instructor may assign extra work, require special examinations, or refuse to grant credit for a course if the number of absences is excessive. Unless excused by the instructor, any student arriving twenty (20) minutes after the scheduled class start time may be subjected to a deduction in class time credit. Unexcused tardy arrival sixty (60) minutes after scheduled class start time will be treated as an absence.

Students should ascertain the exact policy of each faculty member at the beginning of each course. Students must attend the first class meeting or they may be unofficially dropped by the instructor, resulting in a failing grade. Only registered students, University faculty and administrators, and guests invited by the instructor may attend classes. All others will be asked to leave.

 

Grading System

 
Instructors of Kingston University may give grades based on various evaluation components such as class attendance, quizzes, tests, oral or written projects, reports and standardized tests. Instructors will inform students of the class requirements and the grading procedures at the beginning of the course. At the end of each term, the University posts students' grades for every course undertaken.

Standard letter grades (A, B, C, D, and F) are used for both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Instructors may use plus (+) or minus (-) which are also accounted for in computing grade point averages (GPA). Both the letter grades and GPA are shown on students' transcript. Students of the English as a Second Language (ESL) program courses will receive letter grades which are not included in the GPA calculation. Students enrolled in massage therapy programs will receive only P (pass) or NP (no pass) as the evaluation result for each course of works.

The conversion equivalents of the University grades are shown in the following table:
Grade Description Grade Point Grade Point Average
A Excellent 94% + 4.00
A-   90-93% 3.70
B+   87-89% 3.30
B Good 83-86% 3.00
B-   80-82% 2.70
C+   77-79% 2.30
C Average 73-76% 2.00
C-   70-72% 1.70
D+   67-69% 1.30
D Below Average 63-66% 1.00
D-   60-62% 0.70
F Failure 0-59% 0.00
I Incomplete - 0.00
CR Credit - 0.00
NC No Credit - 0.00
W Withdrawal - 0.00
P Pass - 0.00
NP No Pass - 0.00
AU Audit - 0.00

Unit of Credit
Kingston University programs are operated in two credit unit systems. The School of Business programs are offered in the semester system, the Spring and Fall Semester, with Summer session being optional. One semester unit is defined as the satisfactory completion of fifteen (15) clock hours of didactic works (lecture hours). One (1) clock hour equals 50-60 minutes.

The School of Oriental Medicine academic work is established by quarters. A quarter credit hour earned is defined as the satisfactory completion of: at least ten (10) clock hours of didactic work (lecture hours); or at least twenty (20) clock hours of laboratory or supervised work as determined by the University. One (1) clock hour equals 50-60 minutes.

Certificate and Training programs are credited by contact hours only.

Incomplete Grade (I)
An incomplete must be converted to a passing grade in the next quarter or it will be converted to a failure (F) which will result in that particular course being counted as a "course attempted" but recorded as a course that was not completed. This will result in the minimum successful course completion rate being lowered which may result in the student not reaching the minimum successful course completion requirement.

Credit (CR)
The grade of CR is used to denote "pass with credit" when no letter grade is given. This grade is assigned to a grade of C or better for undergraduates and a grade of B or better for graduate students. The CR grade is not included in the GPA.

No Credit (NC)
"NC" is used to denote "no credit" when no letter grade is given. NC grades are not included in the calculation of the GPA.

Audit (AU)
The grade of AU is awarded for courses taken for audit. Audit grades are not awarded unless the student is registered for audit. AU grades are not included in the calculation of the GPA.

Withdrawal (W)
Students may withdraw from courses during the first two weeks after classes begin. If done timely, there is no effect to their grade point average or SAP. Students thereafter are required to obtain a permit from the Academic Dean to withdraw. Withdrawal from enrolled classes after the first two weeks with the proper withdrawal procedure will result in a "W" grade recorded in the official transcript. No withdrawals are permitted during the final three weeks of instruction except in cases such as accident or serious illness. A grade of "F" will be automatically entered in the grade report if the student does not attend final three weeks of class without being excused. Withdrawal grades are not included in the GPA, nor are they counted against the minimum successful course completion rate. Refund of Tuition, if any, will be made in accordance with the Refund of Tuition and Fees regulation.

 

Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

 

In addition to completing all courses successfully as required by the degree programs in which the students are enrolled, degree program students at Kingston University must meet the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy while enrolled at Kingston University.

Kingston University’s Satisfactory Academic Progress is consisted of three elements, (a) Qualitative (Grade Based) Component - the minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) required; (b) Quantitative (Pace of Completion) Component - complete (pass) a minimum 67% of hours they attempt and; (c) Maximum Time Frame - complete their degree in a timely manner, i.e. within the Maximum Program Completion Time Frame allowable.

Students enrolled in the credit hour programs must meet all three requirements to maintain good standing regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students enrolled in the clock-hour programs are required to meet the Qualitative and Maximum Time Frame requirement to maintain good standing in SAP.

Attainment of satisfactory progress (attendance, credit earned and GPA) is monitored at the end of each term for degree programs and at the 50%, 100% and 150% program length time frame for the certificate programs. The Qualitative, Quantitative and Maximum Time Frame evaluation of the programs are described below:

(a) Bachelor's Degree Program

Qualitative Measurement

Quantitative Measurement

Term

Minimum Cumulative GPA

Minimum Successful Course Completion (% of Course Attempted in the Term)

1

1.50

33.33%

2

2.00

50%

3

2.00

66.67

4

2.00

66.67

5

2.00

66.67

6

2.00

66.67

7

2.00

66.67

8

2.00

66.67

The Maximum time frame for completion of the Bachelor’s degree programs must not exceed 150% of the published length of program as shown below:
A student whose CGPA is below 2.00 at 50% of the Maximum Program Completion Time Frame will not be allowed for probation and will be suspended for one semester. Failure to maintain a GPA of 2.0 for any semester will subject the student to academic probation.

(b) Master of Business Administration Program

Qualitative Measurement

Quantitative Measurement

Term

Minimum Cumulative GPA

Minimum Successful Course Completion (% of Course Attempted in the Term)

1

2.50

33.33%

2

3.00

50%

3

3.00

66.67

4

3.00

66.67

Students enrolled in the Master of Business Administration degree program must achieve a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.00 throughout the program leading up to the Maximum Program Completion Time Frame.
Failure to maintain a GPA of 3.0 for any semester will be placed on academic probation. 

(c) Master of Science in Oriental Medicine Program

Percentage of Maximum Program Completion Time Frame Attempted

Minimum Cumulative GPA

Minimum Successful Course Completion (% of Course Attempted)

Maximum Program Completion Time Frame (1.5 times the standard program length)

25%

3.00

55%

6 years

50%

3.00

60%

6 years

100%

3.00

-

6 years

Full time students enrolled in the MSOM program must enroll in at least eleven (11) academic units per quarter for twenty-four quarters or six (6) calendar years in order to complete the MSOM program within the Maximum Program Completion Time Frame.

A student whose CGPA is below 3.0 at 50% of the Maximum Program Completion Time Frame will not be allowed for probation and will be suspended for one quarter. Failure to maintain a GPA of 3.0 for any semester will be placed on academic probation.

 

Grade Report

 

At the end of each quarter, notification of the student’s academic standing and report of grades achieved while in attendance at the university are mailed or otherwise delivered to each student.  Grades are normally  provided within one week following the last day of the term.  If there are any unpaid charges or other penalties on record against a student, request for transcripts and class grades will be withheld until arrangements  have been made in advance with the administration.

Grades submitted by instructors after completion of courses are considered final.  Any petition for grade changes due to special circumstances must come from instructors and will be considered on case-by-case basis by the Academic Standards Committee.  Completion of coursework and payment of fees does not guarantee graduation from the University.

 

Approved Leave of Attendance

 
A leave of absence may be granted for personal emergencies and other circumstances that require a temporary interruption in attendance. Students taking a leave of absence must submit a signed leave of absence form to the Registrar’s office prior to taking the leave. If a leave of absence is unavoidable, it is best to finish the current quarter before starting a leave. Students who begin a leave of absence during a quarter will be assigned a grade of “W” for any coursework that cannot be assigned a final grade. Leave of absences may not be granted during a student’s first term of study at the University. Normally, only one Leave of Absence may be granted in any one academic year. A leave of absence has no effect on satisfactory academic progress if no credits are attempted during the leave period.
 

Withdrawal without Approved Leave of Absence

 
Students who wish to withdraw or take a leave of absence must complete a Leave of Absence/Withdrawal Request Form. Students who withdraw from the University, or discontinue their studies without filing a Leave of Absence/Withdrawal Request shall receive a grade of “F” in each course not completed, and they may be required to re-apply for admissions before being allowed to return to the program. Re-admission applications are subject to the terms of admission and graduation requirements as stated in the catalog current at the time of re-admission.
 

Change of Academic Programs

 

A student requesting a change of study program must articulate his/her reason for the change in a statement submitted with said request. A student requesting the change in his/her program must be in satisfactory academic standing. Failure in one program is not an acceptable reason for a change in program request. The credits earned with a grade of “C” and higher in the current undergraduate program or “B” and higher in the graduate program which are relevant to the student’s new program will be considered for transfer to the new program.
Students changing programs must follow the procedures below:

a. Submit the Request for Change of Program to the Registrar
b. Consult with Academic Dean or Program Director.
c. Request a review of transfer credits if needed.

 

Transfer Credit Policy

 
Link to read
 

Academic Probation and Suspension

 

Scholastic probation is an identification of students whose scholastic performance is below university standards.  Academic suspension is an identification of students whose scholastic performance remains below university standards for two consecutive terms.  Below is a general classification of students based on credit hours with the standard grade point average of the quarter indicated. 

1.     A student who is identified as being one that has fallen below the SAP standard will receive a warning from the instructor and/or University, which shall include methods that if followed and completed would improve their standing. The length of the warning status shall expire at the end of the scheduled term from which the warning was issued. If the warning is issued at the end of a scheduled term, the warning shall expire at the end of the subsequent term. The terms to reestablish SAP require the student to perform at least to the minimum standards required by the University.

2.     After a warning has been issued, a student who fails to meet these minimum standards for the subsequent term is placed on academic probation.

3.     Students that fail to meet these minimum standards for two consecutive terms will be placed on academic suspension.

On Academic Probation:

A student may continue at the University pending improvement in his/her academic standing.

On Academic Suspension:

A student is required to remain out of university for one regular quarter.  His/her record will be stamped academic suspension.

Expulsion:

Any student that fails to meet the requirements to overcome Academic Suspension within 2 weeks of the term suspended for, or for a period of 61 days, may be expelled from Kingston University. Expelled students are barred and therefore not eligible to return to Kingston University and their record shall be stamped as “Expelled”.

 

Dismissal and Extended Enrollment

 

Students who have been dismissed due to their failure to maintain the academic minimums out-lined above may apply to continue their studies at Kingston University under an extended enrollment status. However, any such extended enrollment status period will be valid for only one term. The procedure for reestablishment of a student’s SAP, during the extended enrollment status time, requires that student must improve the deficient areas that led to the dismissal by taking appropriate courses as discussed with the University Administrator or Dean of Academics, or by re-taking their failed courses, or by practicing previously learned skills in order to re-establish satisfactory progress. Students will be responsible for all costs associated with and incurred by them during the extended enrollment term. 

At the completion of the extended enrollment term, students who have established satisfactory progress as noted in the tables above, may re-apply to the administration to return to regular student status. A meeting will be scheduled between the Academic Dean and the student applying for such reinstatement to determine whether the student has the academic ability and desire to successfully continue in the program. If reinstated, the student will be placed on probation for a period of one term.

All credits attempted during the extended enrollment period will count toward the maximum 150% program length. If the attempted courses were “repeats” of courses the student had previously taken but failed, the failure grades will be replaced according to grade change policy of the University, as described in the Catalog. Under no circumstances and in no case can a student exceed the 150% maximum time frame of the program length.

 

Academic Dishonesty

 
Individual instructors, in cases of academic dishonesty in class, may fail a student for that examination, activity or course.  The instructor may refer the circumstance to the Academic Standards Committee for review and further action.  The President may fail a student in a test, fail a student in a course, or expel a student for cheating or plagiarism. Cheating includes, but is not limited to, looking at another’s examination paper, using unauthorized notes in an exam, going to a restroom during an exam and consulting notes or references.  Cheating includes plagiarism.
Plagiarism is the presentation or representation of another’s work as one’s own, such as presenting ideas or words of a source without documenting the source.  Cheating is inconsistent with the academic excellence Kingston University represents and will be dealt with vigorously.
 

Interim Suspension

 
The President may immediately impose an interim suspension in all cases in which there is reasonable cause to believe that such an immediate suspension is required in order to protect lives or property and to ensure the maintenance of order.  A student so placed on interim suspension shall be given prompt notice of charges and the opportunity for an academic hearing within ten (10) days of the imposition of interim suspension.  During the period of interim suspension, the student shall not, without prior written permission of the President or designated representative, enter the campus, other than to attend the hearing.  Violation of any condition of interim suspension shall be grounds for dismissal.
 


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3871 E. Colorado Blvd., Main Tel: 626-229-9929
Pasadena, CA 91107   Tel: 562-868-6488
E-Mail: info@kingston-edu.org
 
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