Teacher Education Program
General Academic Policy

Checksheets

Program evaluations (checksheets), to indicate students' progress toward a degree, are issued during orientation to transfer students who have completed admission requirements and submitted a final transcript. Checksheets are requested from records when application for TEP admission is submitted. Students are placed on the checksheet of the year they start their collegiate study, regardless of when they were admitted to TEP. However, University policy states that anyone who has been out of college for five years will re-enter on the current year checksheet. Students have the option of moving up a checksheet, (ie., 2005-2006 to 2006-2007). Once they have moved, they are not permitted to move back and must meet all requirements of the checksheet they have moved to. Students should consult with their adviser before electing to move up a checksheet, to determine changes in academic requirements. Students and advisers may request a copy of transcripts for evaluation purposes at any time.

Copies of all checksheets for or related to the College of Education are included in this handbook in Appendix E. Questions about checksheets should be addressed to the Records Office in Palmer Hall. Questions concerning teacher certification should be addressed to the Office of Teacher Education Services, Wills 207.

University of Montevallo students must secure a Letter of Good Standing from their academic adviser and the Records Office to take work at another institution and must earn a passing grade on each course in order to transfer the credit to the University of Montevallo. Students should note that professional studies courses may not be taken at two-year institutions. Also, any course taken at Montevallo must be repeated at Montevallo.

A sample of the Letter of Good Standing form is included in Appendix D. It may be obtained from the student's adviser or from the Records Office.

Students are expected to attend all classes for which they are registered, since in most cases attendance is necessary for success. Attendance policies vary by instructor, area, and/or department.

Since students must earn a grade of “C” in professional studies and teaching field courses, occasionally courses will have to be repeated. In such cases, students should remember that in computing the grade point average both course grades will count as work attempted. Students who fail a required course must repeat the course at the University. The credit hours and grades for every attempt of the course are used in determining the grade-point average (GPA). Also, a professional studies or teaching field course may be repeated no more than once to improve the grade earned. After admission to TEP, a TEP restricted course MAY NOT be repeated if the professional studies, teaching field or general studies gpa drops below 2.5.

The maximum course load for undergraduates is 19 semester hours for Fall or Spring Semesters; 4 semester hours for May Term and 7 semester hours for each Summer Session. Overloads must be approved by the student's academic dean.

Drop-Add Procedures

Students may drop-add during the specified period either on the Web or in the major department. Students who are considering dropping or adding courses should discuss the proposed changes with their adviser.

There is no fee charged for dropping or adding courses during the period between pre-registration and registration day. A fee will be charged for any schedule change submitted after registration day unless the change is initiated by the University.

Courses may be added for one week following registration day and dropped for a specified period following registration day. After the drop period, freshmen may drop one course without penalty until near the end of the term, as indicated in the University Calendar and course schedule. This drop must be done in the Records Office.

Students who transfer from two-year institutions should remember that coursework which was completed and transferred from that institution in the teaching field area must be approved by the chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Courses in the area of Professional Studies are approved by the Director of Teacher Education Services. Transfer credits in the area of general studies must be evaluated by the Records Office and approved by the student's department chair.

Note: The University's Undergraduate Bulletin comprehensively explains Academic Programs and Policies, please consult it for more information.

Withdrawal Procedure

A student who withdraws from the University of Montevallo during any semester or summer term must follow these procedures:

Students who wish to withdraw during a term should go to the Counseling Center to complete a withdrawal form. Students receiving financial aid should consult the Office of Student Financial Services to determine the effect the withdrawal may have on their aid. Resident students should notify the Office of Housing and Residence Life of their intent to withdraw. Completing these procedures will result in official withdrawal from the University, and a grade of “W” will be recorded for each course. Students may not withdraw from the University after the last day of regular classes. A student may elect not to take final examinations; however, a student who does so receives no credit for the examination, which could result in failure. Those who do not adhere to the withdrawal procedure will receive those grades as posted to the academic record at the conclusion of the semester or summer term.

A student on probation or suspension who has withdrawn on more than one occasion from the University is not eligible for subsequent withdrawal without special permission from the Dean of the college and the concurrence of the Provost.

Change of Major

Students wishing to change majors must follow these procedures:

1. Obtain a Change of Major Form (see Appendix D) from the Records Office or department, and complete Part 1.

2. Take the form to the new department for completion of Part 2, approval of admission to that major, and for assignment of an adviser.

3. Take or send the form to the Records Office where Part 3 is completed and the change is recorded.

Since students can register only in the department which offers their major, it is important that changes be made prior to advising and pre-registration each semester.

Students may change advisers within a department and should meet with the department chair to discuss the change.