Accreditation
Baker College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, located at 230 S. LaSalle St., Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL, 60604-1411; (800) 621-7440; info@hlcommission.org.
Specialized Program Accreditations are noted with Specific Program Information and on the Website.
Baker College has long been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as an institution of higher education and has been granted the legal authority to operate as a not-for-profit educational corporation by the state of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. The College is empowered to grant certificates and associate, bachelor, master and doctoral degrees. It is also approved for veterans’ benefits.
External peer review is the primary means of assuring and improving the quality of higher education institutions and programs in the United States. This recognition is accomplished through program accreditation, approval or certification.
Baker College is recognized as an institution of higher education by the U.S. Secretary of Education, U.S. Department of Education.
The Academic Year
The Baker College Academic Calendar consists of three semesters including fall, spring and summer. The fall and spring semesters are 16 weeks. The summer semester is 12 weeks. Most courses delivered on-ground and virtually have a 16-week schedule, while most online courses are scheduled during the first 8-week session, or the second 8-week session of the semester. Students may enroll in most academic programs at the beginning of any semester, however some programs require students to enroll at the beginning of the fall semester if they wish to register for a full-time course load.
Advising
Academic advising is provided by an academic advisor either virtually or in person in the OneStop Office for students with academic questions and concerns.
Registration
Students register during the scheduled registration time either via the MyBaker portal or through an academic advisor. For a student to register for more than 18 credits in one semester, the student must receive approval from the Director of Student Affairs.
Drop/Add Period
A student may add and/or drop a course that is eight weeks or longer to their schedule up to the end of week one. A student may not add a course of less than eight weeks’ duration after the first session for that course has met. All other late registrations are at the sole discretion of the campus Director of Student Affairs.
Classification of Students
Undergraduate
Full-time student: registered for twelve semester hours or more.
Three-quarter-time student: registered for nine-eleven semester hours.
Half-time student: registered for six-eight semester hours.
Less than half-time student: registered for one-five semester hours.
Graduate
Full-time student: registered for nine semester hours or more.
Three-quarter-time student: registered for seven-eight semester hours.
Half-time student: registered for five-six semester hours.
Less than half-time student: registered for one-four semester hours.
Class Status
Undergraduate
The following schedule defines the number of credit hours that must be completed to qualify for class designations.
| Class |
Credit Hours Completed |
| Freshman |
less than 30 |
| Sophomore |
30 to 59 |
| Junior* |
60 to 89 |
| Senior |
90 or more |
*In addition to the number of credit hours, the student must be currently enrolled in a program that constitutes the appropriate class level. For example, to be considered a junior, the student must be enrolled in a bachelor degree program and have already completed an associate degree or its equivalent.
Credit Hour Definitions
16-Week Courses
The mathematical formula for calculating one semester credit hour is that a credit hour equals one hour of direct instruction plus two hours of outside-of class work over 15 weeks totaling 45 hours of student time.
8-Week Courses
The mathematical formula for calculating one 8-week session credit hour is that a credit hour equals two hours of direct instruction and four hours of outside-of-class work over 8 weeks, totaling 48 hours of student time.
For additional information regarding credit hour definitions, please visit the Baker College website.
Grades
It is the responsibility of each student to meet the specific outcomes of each course, as defined and provided by the instructor in the course syllabus. The student must also meet the general overall requirements for graduation, which include the following:
- a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA*,
- total program credit hours and
- general education credits.
If the student believes that his/her performance is not on track to meet these requirements he/she should make an appointment to see his/her instructor or OneStop advisor.
NOTE*: Some programs may have program-specific GPA requirements.
Grades are computed at the end of each course and are available at my.baker.edu
Student grade reports list the courses, the grade for each course, the GPA for semester and the student’s cumulative GPA.
Grade Definitions
A = Outstanding Achievement
The student demonstrates exceptional mastery of the content. An “A” is an exceptional grade indicating distinctly superior performance. The student demonstrates unusually sharp insight regarding the content and every aspect of performance is exemplary.
B = Commendable Achievement
The student demonstrates above average mastery of the content. A “B” is an above average grade indicating achievement of a high order. The student has exceeded the stated requirements. The student demonstrates commendable insight regarding the content and overall performance is above average.
C = Acceptable Achievement
The student demonstrates average mastery of the content. A “C” is an average grade indicating that a student has performed satisfactorily in all aspects of the work. The student has adequately met the stated requirements. The student demonstrates acceptable insight regarding the content and overall performance is average.
D = Marginal Achievement
The student demonstrates below average mastery of the content. A “D” is a below average grade indicating that a student has marginally met the stated requirements. The student demonstrates minimal insight regarding the content and overall performance is marginal.
F = Failing
The student demonstrates little or no mastery of the content. An “F” is a failing grade indicating that a student has not met the stated requirements. The student demonstrates insufficient insight regarding the content and overall performance is not worthy of credit.
| A plus (+) or minus (-) indicates performance at the higher or lower end of the grade range. |
| STANDARD UNDERGRADUATE GRADING SCALE |
| A |
= 93-100% |
|
| A- |
= 90-92% |
|
| B+ |
= 87-89% |
|
| B |
= 83-86% |
|
| B- |
= 80-82% |
|
| C+ |
= 77-79% |
|
| C |
= 73-76% |
|
| C- |
= 70-72% |
|
| D+ |
= 67-69% |
|
| D |
= 63-66% |
|
| D- |
= 60-62% |
|
| F |
= 0-59% |
|
| STANDARD GRADUATE GRADING SCALE |
| A |
= 95-100% |
|
| A- |
= 90-94% |
|
| B+ |
= 88-89% |
|
| B |
= 82-87% |
|
| B- |
= 80-81% |
|
| C+ |
= 78-79% |
|
| C |
= 72-77% |
|
| F |
= 0-71% |
|
| STANDARD DOCTORATE GRADING SCALE |
| A |
= 90-100% |
|
| B |
= 80-89% |
|
| F |
= 0-79% |
|
| GRADING SYSTEM |
| GRADES LETTERS AND MEANING |
GRADE POINT VALUE PER SEMESTER CREDIT |
| A |
= 4.0 points |
| A- |
= 3.7 points |
| B+ |
= 3.3 points |
| B |
= 3.0 points |
| B- |
= 2.7 points |
| C+ |
= 2.3 points |
| C |
= 2.0 points |
| C- |
= 1.7 points |
| D+ |
= 1.3 points |
| D |
= 1.0 points |
| D- |
= 0.7 points |
| F |
= 0.0 points (failure) |
| GPA NOT COMPUTED FOR THE FOLLOWING GRADES: |
| CR |
= Credit (Undergraduate = C or better; Graduate = B or better) |
| EL |
= Nontraditional Credit |
| R |
= Articulation Credit |
| S |
= Satisfactory |
| T |
= Test Credit |
| U |
= Unsatisfactory |
| HOURS AND GPA ARE NOT COMPUTED FOR THE FOLLOWING GRADES: |
| AU |
= Audit (Must be establish at registration) |
| I |
= Incomplete |
| NC |
= No Credit |
| PR |
= Progress (Coursework extends beyond the end of the semester) |
| W |
= Withdrawal |
The cumulative GPA is calculated by determining the quality points for each course completed (grade points multiplied by credit hours; e.g. an “A” or 4.0 grade in a three-semester hour course yields 12 quality points). All quality points earned are divided by the total credit hours attempted for all semesters at Baker College.
Auditing a Course
An audit grade is given when a student enrolls in a course for which neither a grade nor credit(s) will be awarded. The student is permitted to attend the class but is not required to submit assignments or take examinations. The tuition for auditing a course is $100.00. Additional fees may be associated with some courses. Audit status must be declared at the time of registration and confirmed with the instructor on the first day of class. Audit enrollments are based on class size availability. Not all courses are available for audit.
Incomplete Grade Policy (excluding work, clinical or field experience courses)
An instructor may agree to issue an Incomplete (I) grade for a course if all of the following conditions are met:
- The student requests the Incomplete (I) grade before the end of the course.
- The student has completed 80 percent of the total coursework and has a chance of a passing grade in the course.
- The student is unable to complete the course requirements within the regular time frame due to significant, extenuating circumstances. Documentation may be required.
- The student and instructor will have a documented agreement that clearly states the requirements to be completed and the due date for the completion of each requirement. The due date may not exceed the last day of the following semester.
If the coursework is not completed by the agreed upon due date, the final course grade will be based on the work that was completed by the end of the semester in which the course was taken.
Incomplete Grade Policy for Work, Clinical or Field Experience Courses
An instructor may agree to issue an Incomplete (I) grade for a work or field experience course if any of the following conditions are met:
- The coordinator* of the work or field experience informs the instructor that an Incomplete (I) grade should be assigned when a work or field experience site becomes unavailable.
- The experience coordinator informs the instructor that an Incomplete (I) grade should be assigned because the student is unable to complete the required hours within the time frame of the registered course.
- The student had completed 80% of the total coursework and has a chance of earning a passing grade.
The student and instructor must sign a “document” that clearly states the requirements to be completed and the due date for completion of each requirement. The due date may not exceed the last day of the following semester unless extenuating circumstances are reviewed and approved by the Director of Academic Affairs. If the coursework is not completed by the agreed upon due date, the final course grade will be based on the work that was completed by the end of the semester in which the course was taken.
*The coordinator can be any of the following: (1) the instructor teaching the course, (2) the academic fieldwork coordinator, (3) the clinical coordinator, (4) the practicum coordinator or (5) Career Services staff.
Grade Changes Policy
No grade change can be processed after the completion of the following semester or after a student has been cleared for graduation.
Undergraduate Honors
The President’s List
Students who earn a 4.0 GPA during a semester in which 12 credit hours or more were completed will be placed on the President’s List.
Full-Time Student Dean’s List
Students who earn a 3.5 to 3.99 GPA during a semester in which 12 credit hours or more were completed will be placed on the Full-Time Student Dean’s List.
Part-Time Student Dean’s List
Students who earn a 3.5 to 4.0 GPA during a semester in which 6 to 11 credit hours were completed will be placed on the Part-Time Student Dean’s List.
Academic Standing - Undergraduate
| ACADEMIC STANDING |
COLLEGE CRITERIA |
FEEDBACK/ADVICE |
| Good Standing |
You must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 to graduate from any program. |
Congratulations! You are in good academic standing. |
| Academic Probation |
If your cumulative GPA, which is calculated at the end of each semester, falls below 2.0 you are placed on Academic Probation |
If you attain a 2.0 GPA during the probationary semester, but your cumulative GPA is still below a 2.0, you will remain on academic probation. |
| Academic Suspension |
Students are placed on Academic Suspension if any of the follow are true:
- Student fails all credit bearing courses in the first semester.
- Student earns a semester cumulative GPA below a 2.0 while on Academic Probation.
|
Consideration for re-enrollment will be given only after both of the following have been met:
- An absence of at least one semester and
- Approval of petition for re-enrollment by the Director of Student Affairs.
If you are living in Baker College housing at the time of Academic Suspension, you must reapply to be considered for readmission to College housing.
|
| Academic Dismissal |
If you fail to earn a cumulative 2.0 GPA and you were previously suspended during any prior semester, you are Academically Dismissed. |
You must not attend classes at Baker College for four years. You must then reapply for and be granted academic amnesty. |
Academic Standing - Graduate
| ACADEMIC STANDING |
COLLEGE CRITERIA |
FEEDBACK/ADVICE |
| Good Standing |
You must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 to graduate from any program. To remain in good academic standing, you must meet or exceed the minimum GPA listed on step scale below.
1-9 attempted hours: 2.75
10-18 attempted hours: 2.87
19-graduation attempted hours: 3.0
|
Congratulations! You are in good academic standing. |
| Academic Probation |
If your cumulative GPA falls below the step scale listed above during a semester, you are on Academic Probation. |
At the end of a semester, if your cumulative GPA is less than the minimum GPA listed on the step scale above, you are on academic probation. If you attain the GPA based on the step scale above during the probationary semester, but your cumulative GPA is still below the step scale above, you will remain on academic probation. |
| Academic Suspension |
If your cumulative GPA falls below the step scale listed above while on probation, you are on Academic Suspension. |
Consideration for re-enrollment will be given only after both of the following have been met:
- An absence of at least one semester and
- Approval of petition for re-enrollment by the Director of Student Affairs.
|
| Academic Dismissal |
If you fail to earn a cumulative GPA based on the step scale above and you were previously suspended during any prior semester, you are Academically Dismissed. |
Academic dismissal is final and cannot be appealed. |
Academic Amnesty: Fresh Start Program
Academic Amnesty is available to undergraduate students in poor academic standing and have not attended Baker College for at least four years and allows them to resume their college education with a clean record. (See the Academic Standing section in this Handbook.)
If a student is approved for amnesty all previous grades will be excluded from computation of the student’s GPA. Courses passed with a C or better will count as a credit grade for program requirements and graduation. All courses and grades will remain on the student’s transcript with a notation of Academic Amnesty on the transcript. Academic Amnesty can be used only once. Requests must be made upon re-entry. Approval for Academic Amnesty must be received prior to the start of the semester in which the student returns. Once a student is granted Academic Amnesty, the student’s permanent record cannot be changed.
Academic Amnesty will not supersede the Baker College Satisfactory Academic Progress Rules for receiving federal and state financial aid funds, which are based on cumulative grades, hours attempted and hours completed. If a student is in violation of the Satisfactory Academic Progress Rules for financial aid and wishes to establish eligibility for those funds, an appeal for reinstatement must be submitted to Financial Services.
Readmission and Re-entry
Undergraduate students considering re-enrollment after an absence of at least three consecutive semesters must complete the electronic Re-entry Application. Any student re-enrolling must meet the most recent admissions and curriculum requirements. If a program is no longer offered, a new program must be selected. Graduate students re-enrolling after a three-year absence must submit a new application. All courses and grades earned during previous attendance at Baker College remain on the transcripts and are part of the cumulative GPA for re-entering students.
Program Changes
Students considering program changes must request a change through the student’s academic advisor.
Program Name Change/Curriculum Update
If Baker College changes the official name of a program, with no curriculum or content change, students will be transitioned to the new program name.
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