Academic Policies

The Major

The major is a sequence of courses in a department or program designed to prepare students, according to departmental or program objectives, for certain careers and/or for graduate work. All students are required to complete at least one set of major requirements for graduation from the University, including at least four upper-division major courses (12-16 hrs.). At minimum, a 2.0 GPA is required for graduation. A higher GPA in the major may be required by some programs.

Declaration of Major

Students apply for a major by completing a Program Change form obtained from the dean of the college or from the Academic Services department within the Center for Academic Success & Enrichment (CASE). Approval from the chairperson of the department offering the major is required for declaration. Students are encouraged to declare their major(s) early. However, all students must declare a major before completing 58 credit hours applicable toward graduation. Transfer students who have earned more than 58 credit hours transferable to Lewis must declare a major upon admission.

Once declaring a major, the student will be assigned a faculty mentor from the major who will assist the student in preparing an approved program leading to graduation.

Change of Major

Students may change majors by applying to the chairpersons of the two departments involved by means of a Program Change form obtained from the dean of the college(s). The change of major is not complete until it has been recorded in the Office of the Registrar. Students must meet the admission requirements of the nursing program to be accepted as a change of major to nursing.

Double Major

A student may complete the major requirements of two departments or programs at Lewis, thus earning a double major which will be indicated on the permanent record. To do so, a student must complete all general education requirements of the college and University, as well as the requirements of each major. Application for a double major is made through the office of the dean of the college(s) involved and requires the consent of both the primary and secondary major department chairpersons. A student may apply for the double major no earlier than the sophomore year, and only after successfully beginning the program of the primary major. No application for the double major may be made after a student enters the final semester at Lewis. Requirements for the double major must be completed by graduation. All students are required to complete at least one set of major requirements for graduation from the University, including at least four upper-division major courses (12-16 hrs.) that cannot be applied to another minor or major.

Triple Major

A student may complete the major requirements of three departments or programs, thus earning a triple major which will be indicated on the transcript. To do so, a student must complete 60 credit hours, at least 20 of them at Lewis, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. No application for a triple major may be made after a student enters the final semester at Lewis. To apply for the triple major, a student must request that his or her academic advisors form a Program Approval Committee (PAC) consisting of the chairs of each of the departments involved, as well as the dean. The student will present to the PAC a brief statement explaining the benefits of the third major, along with letters of support from advisors or faculty members in the majors. The PAC will determine on an individual case basis which classes will be required and decide upon the required number of credits for each major. A minimum of four different upper-division courses (12-16 hours) must be taken in each of the three majors. In each case, the decision of the PAC will be detailed in a written contract, signed by the department chairs, the dean and the student. Each signatory and the Office of the Registrar will receive a copy of the contract. If the PAC rejects a request for a triple major, the dean will supply the student with a written rationale for the decision. Students should consult with their respective Dean.

Minors

Students pursuing a minor should follow the requirements of a specific minor found in this catalog. These requirements must be completed by graduation. Credit for “D” grades does not transfer toward the hours that are required for the minor. Two upper-division courses (6-8 hrs.) in the minor must be taken at Lewis. A 2.0 GPA (“C” average) in the minor is required for graduation.

Certification

Students who want to qualify for professional certification should consult with the chairperson of their major department to learn how to meet such requirements.

Residency Requirement: The 32-Hour Rule

Lewis University requires that undergraduate students fulfill a residency requirement by completing a minimum of 32 credit hours of their degree programs in Lewis courses. In addition, all courses in the graduating semester should be taken at Lewis. This academic policy is known as the 32-Hour Rule, and it fulfills one of the eligibility requirements for graduation.

Registration and Coursework

The Registrar publishes the online University Course Schedule for the regular semesters and summer session. These schedules include both procedures and dates for registration.

Before Registration

Each semester academic advising will ordinarily take place after the publication of the online class schedule and registration information that is available several weeks before registration begins. The student must obtain a registration PIN from their advisor in order to register. 

Success Coaches provide academic advising in the first two years and beyond and Faculty Mentors provide academic advising for courses taken in the junior and senior year in the major and minor (students with 46+ earned credit hours).  Students can always touch base with their Success Coach if assistance is needed by calling (815) 836-5593.  Students in the School of Graduate, Professional and Continuing Education (SGPCE) can click here for more information about advising in SGPCE.

All financial obligations, including unpaid tuition and fees, library and traffic fines, and residence hall charges, must be paid for the current semester before a student can register for the next semester, or a satisfactory payment plan must be arranged with the Student Accounts Office. Specific information on financial obligations can be found in the section of this catalog titled “Financial Information”

Fast Track: Bachelor's to Master's Program Guidelines

The Fast Track option offers accelerated pathways to graduate programs for outstanding Lewis University undergraduate students.  Regardless of major, students can begin taking graduate coursework in their senior year (completion of 90+ credit hours). if they have met the prerequisite course requirements.  The student accepted into Fast Track program may begin fulfilling selected master's degree requirements while still completing requirements for the baccalaureate degree.

Requirements

• Students must complete all University graduation requirements applicable to undergraduate students and to graduate students.

• Students admitted to an accelerated to graduate program may take up to 50% of the credit hours in their graduate program as an undergraduate student.
• Students must complete a minimum of 21 hours while enrolled as a graduate student.
• Graduate classes students take as an undergraduate fulfill program, course, and credit hour requirements for both the bachelor's and graduate program. 

Eligibility 

• Departments may determine program-specific prerequisites for admission into Fast Track bachelor's to master's programs in addition to University requirements.

• In addition to department-determined program admission requirements, the student must complete at least 75 credit hours before they are permitted to apply and be formally accepted into a University approved bachelor's-to-master's degree program.

• The student must complete an application to the Fast Track to master's program and be approved by the program/department. Final approval prior to enrolling in graduate courses must be granted by the dean of Graduate, Professional, and Continuing Education, assuring compliance with University policy.

• Student must have and maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher to enroll in graduate level coursework.

• A Fast Track program may require additional evidence of readiness, such as faculty recommendations, additional approvals, or higher GPA.

Student Status

• The student continues to be classified as an undergraduate student, with all rights and responsibilities, until all degree requirements for the baccalaureate degree are completed.

• To maintain full-time status as an undergraduate student, 12 or more semester hours must be taken each term.

• Admission to a Fast Track program does not replace official application and admission to the graduate program. Application must be made to the graduate program consistent with University policy as outlined in the Graduate Catalog

A Fast Track program may require additional evidence of readiness, such as faculty recommendations, additional approvals, or higher GPA.

Opt-Out General Education Policy

Effective Fall 2019, Lewis University implemented a new general education model. All students beginning during or after Fall 2019 must complete the new general education requirements set forth in the University catalog with the following exception:

• Transfer students beginning during the 19-20 and 20-21 academic years may elect to complete the previous general education requirements if they began their course of study at another institution prior to the publication of the new general education model.
• Students who matriculated to Lewis prior to Fall 2019, and who are readmitted to Lewis University after 2 or more years away, should consult with the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Academic Affairs and Dean of General Education for general education advising.

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