Academics

Academic Information

Academic Advising

Academic advising at Simpson is integral to the total academic program. Each new student is assigned to a member of the faculty who acts as the academic advisor. For the purpose of proper guidance, this relationship typically exists until the student selects a major field of concentration. At that time the student chooses or is assigned to an advisor in that field.

The Academic Plan

In consultation with an academic advisor, students project an academic plan that reflects their personal and academic goals. Depending on how clearly objectives are defined at the time students enter the College, the academic plan is projected for as little as one or for as much as four years. To assure both breadth and depth in the academic plan, a student in the Bachelor of Arts program is required to limit enrollment to 42 semester hours in the major department and to 84 semester hours in the division of the major. The remaining courses are to be completed in other divisions of the College.

The academic plan requires the approval of the faculty advisor and is subject to review by the Dean for Academic Affairs.

Orientation

New students are expected to attend the College's orientation program. Orientation sessions include educational assessments and topics relating to liberal arts education, the basic programs and regulations of the College, student government, co-curricular life, and contemporary issues pertinent to the academic community. Social activities are also held during this time.

Registration

The process of registration begins with a conference between the student and the academic advisor. The act of registration is complete when the student makes proper financial arrangements with the Business Office, completes all other instructions, and picks up a registration validation card. The individual student is responsible for fulfillment of graduation requirements.

A full-time academic load is defined as 12 to 16 semester hours each semester. A student with a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or better may enroll for an overload with the approval of the academic advisor.

Advanced Placement Opportunities

Students at Simpson are encouraged to progress in the curriculum as rapidly as proficiency permits. In general, there are three ways to secure advanced placement:

1. A student who achieves a score of three (corresponding to a C) or better on any College Entrance Examination Board Advanced Placement Test (subject matter) is given advanced placement with credit for the course in which the test was taken.
2. A student may earn up to 24 semester hours of credit by examination in those courses or subject areas available through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).
3. Students may also request permission from the appropriate department chairperson to test out of those courses for which there is no CLEP test.
4. For any additional fees for exams, see tuition and charges. 

Grading Procedures

At the end of each semester, grades are recorded in the Registrar's Office in accordance with the following definitions: A, outstanding; B, very good; C, adequate; D, poor; F, failure. Letter symbols used for other purposes on grade reports and the academic transcript are: I, incomplete (a temporary designation indicating the student was unable to complete the work for reasons beyond his/her control); W, withdrawn; H, honors; P, passing; NP, not passing; CR, credit, RG registered (a temporary designation when for some reason grades are not available when processed).

In computing the cumulative grade point average, grades are assigned the following quality points: 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-,.7; F,0. Course work in which an incomplete is received must be made up within 30 days following the close of the semester; otherwise zero (0) quality points are assigned. The cumulative grade point average is determined by dividing total graded semester hours attempted into total quality points earned. A grade of P is equivalent to a C- or better.

Grades of H and P are assigned credit but are not used in determining the cumulative average. The grade of NP receives no credit. The grade of CR receives credit but no quality points. A sophomore, junior or senior may take one course H/P/NP each class year providing that course is neither a Cornerstone nor a major requirement. A grade of RG means that the student is registered in the course but no grade has been given.

If a student repeats a course, the last grade received is the grade earned. All courses and grades will be recorded; however, only the last grade will be used to determine the student's grade point average. Repeat courses must be taken at Simpson College.

Distribution of Grade Reports

Grade reports during the first two years are sent to both students and the students' parents unless stipulated otherwise in writing to the Office of the Registrar.

The Dean's List

The Dean's List is announced after each semester of the regular academic year. The Dean's List includes the names of all students who, regularly enrolled in the College, complete at least 12 semester hours with a grade point average of 3.70 or better. In the event one of the courses is taken on the Honors/Pass/Non-Pass basis, an Honors grade must be achieved. Special recognition is accorded those with similar qualifications who have achieved a grade point average of 4.00 by their being named to the President's List.


Academic Standing.

Cumulative college, major and minor G.P.A. minimums of 2.00 are required for graduation. No grade below C- will count towards fulfilling the requirements for the major or minor. No more than 12 semester hours of D+ or below may count towards graduation at Simpson College. To remain in good academic standing, a student must achieve the following cumulative grade point average at the end of the respective year:

Freshman (1-29 semester hours) 1.80
Sophomore (29.01-61.00) 1.90
Junior (61.01-95.00) 2.00
Senior (95.01-graduation) 2.00 

Normal Progress.

Each student is expected to make normal progress toward the completion of the degree. A course load of 14.5 hours per semester, plus three hours in May, constitutes the normal course load necessary to complete the degree in four academic years. Minimal progress means the successful completion of at least 12 semester hours each semester and three hours during May Term. Thus, a minimal full-time student must complete successfully a minimum of 27 hours per year.

The progress of each student is reviewed by the Office of Academic Affairs at the end of each semester. If a student does not maintain normal progress toward the degree, an academic warning will be issued by the Office of Academic Affairs. If a student successfully completes less than 12 semester hours for two consecutive semesters, the student will be acknowledged as a part-time student and, thus, ineligible for Simpson College financial assistance during the third consecutive semester.

All degree seeking students are to declare a major on a Declaration of Major form submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the time he/she has completed 40 semester hours.

Although there are no semester hour guidelines for normal progress of the part time student, he/she is requested to apply to become a degree- seeking student and to declare a major by or before the time 40 semester hours are completed. The 40 semester hours include transfer credit. Transfer credit will be added to the student's Simpson transcript at the time he/she becomes degree-seeking.

Class Attendance

Students are expected to be present at regularly scheduled meetings of classes and laboratories. The privilege of being excused from class or making up work missed because of absence from the class is granted wholly at the discretion of the instructor.

A student who does not meet the expectations of the course (attendance, active participation, etc.) during the first six weeks of the course (first week of May Term) may be withdrawn by the teacher by mid-semester. See "Withdrawal" below.

Withdrawal

Withdrawal from a course by presenting a signed "drop" slip to the Registrar's Office during the first 10 days of any semester results in no indication on the student's transcript that the class was even started. After 10 days a "W" symbol for withdrawal is shown on the transcript for all withdrawals. The last day to withdraw from a class is the 14th day after the mid-term point in the semester. The exact date is indicated in each semester's course schedule book. Failure to withdraw in a timely manner results in an "F" showing on the transcript if the student does not fulfill the course requirements in a satisfactory manner.

Students who wish to withdraw entirely from the College before completion of a semester should file a withdrawal form in the Office of the Dean of Students. Withdrawal forms are available at the Office of the Dean of Students. Withdrawal protects the academic record in that the designation of "W" is recorded for any course in progress at the time of a student's departure from the College. Students who leave the College without completing the withdrawal record risk receiving "F's" for courses in progress and jeopardize receiving partial refunds of tuition and board costs.

Upon enrollment at Simpson, each student pays a deposit which is kept on file until the student leaves Simpson. The deposit is refundable under the following conditions: first, that the student has no outstanding financial obligations to the college; second, that timely notice of withdrawal from the institution is provided by the student who plans not to re-enroll at Simpson. Notification should be provided by July 1 for a change in fall semester plans and December 31 for a change in spring semester plans. Notification of plans to withdraw should be directed to the Student Development Office.

Requests for Transcripts and Grade Reports

Copies of transcripts and grade reports will be mailed to whatever address is indicated by the person making the request. Requests must be made in writing to the Office of the Registrar and must include the signature of the person whose transcript or grade report is being requested.

Continuous Attendance and Requirements for Graduation

In the event a student does not remain in continuous attendance at Simpson, the requirements for graduation at the time of initial registration shall remain in force, provided that the non-attendance period does not exceed one full calendar year. In the event that the non-attendance period exceeds one full calendar year, the student will be required to complete the catalog requirements in force at the time of readmission.

The requirements for the major are to be those in effect at the time of the declaration of the major program. The time of the declaration of the major is determined by the date of its receipt in the Office of the Registrar. The student is to declare a major on a Declaration of Major form submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the time he/she has completed 40 semester hours.

Students who initiate their studies at Simpson College through the Adult Learning program and subsequently become degree-seeking students will not, under guidelines for part-time students, lose their status of duly admitted student if they interrupt their studies for no more than two consecutive calendar years.

Credit for Non-Resident Study

Approval of credit for non-resident study must be filed with the Registrar prior to undertaking such study. Applications for approval may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar.

Academic Honesty and Dishonesty Policy Statement

Honesty is expected of all members of the Simpson community.  Honesty in all academic work is required of all students.  Dishonesty in academic work robs all of us of our integrity in learning and demeans the natural talents we have for creative living.

Each faculty member is urged to take a strong and positive stand for honesty and independent work at the first meeting of each class and, as appropriate, intermittently thereafter.  Further, the college policy should be stated in appropriate printed course materials and circulated to the students of each class.  Emphasis should be placed upon the development of honesty and integrity at Simpson.

Dishonesty, generally identified as cheating and plagiarism, is not acceptable behavior at Simpson.
 

Penalties for Dishonesty

The penalty for any form of academic dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, inappropriate collaboration) substantiated by firm evidence is:
1.       failure of the course;
2.       failure of the assignment; or
3.       the requirement that the work be redone with a substituted assignment.

The instructor may choose from the above options to reflect how knowing, intentional, or serious he or she judges the incident to be.  All cases of substantiated academic dishonesty must be reported to the student’s academic advisor and the Dean for Academic Affairs.

If the instructor determines that the student shall fail the course, and even if that decision is made within the withdrawal period, the student may not withdraw, and the faculty member will immediately enter a grade of “F” for the course.  If the instructor determines that the student will not automatically fail the course, but must redo the assignment, and it is within the withdrawal period, the student may withdraw from the course.

Upon the second report of substantiated academic dishonesty, the Dean for Academic Affairs will convene the Academic Council to recommend appropriate punishment, which may include suspension, expulsion, or academic probation.

If a student wishes to appeal a charge of substantiated academic dishonesty, he or she may request a hearing before the Academic Appeals Committee.  The student(s) shall present to the Registrar of the College a written appeal stating clearly what is being appealed and the rationale.  The instructor shall present the evidence to the committee.  The committee’s decision shall be final.

 In cases of suspected academic dishonesty that cannot be substantiated by firm evidence, the instructor may give the student a warning and may require the student to redo the assignment.  In a case where academic dishonesty is strongly suspected but cannot be substantiated, the instructor will issue a formal warning, along with a report to the academic advisor and the Dean for Academic Affairs.  Repeated instances of suspected academic dishonesty may lead to appropriate disciplinary action, including suspension, expulsion, or academic probation, at the discretion of the academic dean.

 

Foreign Study

A student may apply for permission to include foreign study in the curriculum leading to a degree. Permission for such study must be granted by the Office of the Dean of Academic Affairs. In order to receive credit at Simpson, the student must be registered through Simpson College and must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.25 before permission to study abroad will be granted. Students who are foreign language majors must complete at least 15 hours of the language of their major on campus at Simpson.

      Domestic Study American University's Washington Semester Program
      Washingon, D.C.
      Students spend a semester studying in our nation's capital.
      Students have the opportunity to work with and learn from policy makers in Washington.
      Each student enrolls in an intensive seminar, undertakes an independent research project and participates in an internship. 

      Drew University Semester on the United Nations
      Madison, NJ/New York, NY
      A semester of study that focuses on the United Nations and the role of international organizations in world politics.

     Washington Center Internships and Symposia
     Washington D.C.

Internships consist of semester-long (15 weeks) full-time, supervised work experiences in our nation's capital, supplemented by weekly academic seminars. Interns are also invited to lectures, panels, and debates where they come into contact with public figures. Students earn six hours of internship credit plus six hours of independent study credit on a P/NP basis. In addition, three hours of letter-graded credit is awarded for completion of the academic seminar. Requirements are:

   1. 2.500 or greater grade point average, junior or senior standing, and the recommendations of three faculty members.
   2. Correspondence and Extension Work. No more than six hours of credit toward a Simpson degree may be taken through correspondence or in extension courses. Such courses must have the prior approval of the Dean of Academic Affairs and must be taken through institutions having accredited correspondence and extension divisions.
   3. Pre-professional Study. In a few instances, and with special permission, students who contemplate further study in graduate or professional schools are permitted to use part or all of the first year(s) of professional study toward the satisfaction of the Simpson degree requirements. In addition, the programs of the College offer strong preparation for such professions as medicine and related fields, dentistry, law, and the ministry. Specialized counseling is made available for those intending further graduate or professional study.

Simpson maintains a formal transfer program in engineering with Washington University (St. Louis). A student who selects appropriate courses while at Simpson can transfer after three years and receive both the B.A. from Simpson and the B.S. degree from the university upon completion of two years of appropriate work in engineering. Some of the advantages are: a broader, more liberal education is achieved; a greater variety of social contact is possible because of attendance at two schools in different areas; delayed selection of engineering and/or of the specific field in engineering is possible; secondary school deficiencies (either selection of courses or low grades) can be corrected before applying to the engineering college; the broad preparation will provide a better base for coping with the changing nature of engineering demands in the world of the future.

Study at Other Institutions .

Simpson has articulation agreements both with Des Moines area institutions and with certain community colleges throughout Iowa. The College also has an affiliation in medical technology with The Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines. Students may also choose another accredited school of medical technology.

The successful completion of three years at Simpson and twelve months of study at an approved school of medical technology earns students a Bachelor of Arts degree at Simpson and renders them eligible for the board of registry examination. Students in medical technology and other approved fourth-year professional programs are eligible to participate in Simpson's spring commencement, subject to the following conditions: a) completion of program prior to beginning of Simpson's summer sessions; b) data from the appropriate office of the program forwarded to Office of the Registrar at Simpson.

Career Observation, Employment Experience and Internships

Simpson's experiential learning programs integrate classroom work with learning on the job. Three different experiences (courses numbered 119, 219 and 319) are available and may be taken individually or in sequence. No more than twelve hours credit in 119, 219 and 319 combined may be counted toward graduation. Grading for 119, 219 and 319 will be P/NP/H. See department chairpersons and Director of Counseling and Career Services for further information. The Departments of Biology and Environmental Studies; Communication Studies; Management, Accounting, and Economics; Physical Education; Political Science; and Theatre Arts regularly offer the following courses:

Co-op Ed 119: Career Observation: Career observation is an opportunity for students to investigate career directions while earning three hours of credit. First, the student participates in career exploration workshops. Second, the student observes and "job shadows" in a specific workplace during the May Term. Third, the student researches both library and professional journals for information about the areas of interest and writes a paper and presents an oral report on this subject. The student must be in good academic standing and must be a freshman or sophomore.

Co-op Ed 219: Employment Experience: Employment Experience is an opportunity for students to gain an introduction to basic skills within a given occupation for a maximum of three credit hours. The student is given an opportunity to learn from a professional in a specific workplace and to build upon and expand abilities through assigned tasks. Completion of the tasks should contribute to the overall operation of the organization. The occupation and location must be ones in which the student has not previously been employed prior to enrollment. The student must be in good academic standing and have earned at least 29 hours. Students must work 40 hours for each semester hour of credit.

Co-op Ed 319: Internship: An Internship is an opportunity for a student to participate in professional training, assume initial decision making responsibilities, or engage in project based research and development with an off-campus organization in the private or public sector. To qualify as an internship the position must provide the student with professional training or managerial responsibilities appropriate to an entry level opportunity available normally only to a candidate with a college degree. The position will ordinarily require some specific academic training or skills related to a major, minor or program at the college, and may or may not provide compensation. The internship may consist of from one to twelve credit hours. The student must be in good academic standing and be a junior or senior.

Life Experience Portfolio Assessment

The Life Experience Portfolio Assessment Program is designed for adults who have limited college education, and who seek to complete an undergraduate degree. Adults of at least 25 years of age who have at least five years of full-time work responsibility or its equivalent are eligible to apply. Candidates may receive up to 24 semester hours of credit through this program. The total number of transfer credit hours, credit hours earned at Simpson and life experience credit is not to exceed 64 semester hours at the time the portfolio is submitted. The candidate must be degree-seeking. The portfolio is assessed by a faculty committee which makes a recommendation of award based on the experience's being educationally pertinent to the pursuit of the student's course of study. Inquiry should be directed to either office of the Division of Adult Learning.
Senior citizens age 65 or over, contingent upon space availability, may audit up to two courses per semester tuition free (all seniors will be expected to pay activity and any special fees for the courses). Persons interested in registering for courses for credit may do so at a cost of one-half of the regular course tuition.

Credit Granting Policy for Non-Traditional Credit

The following guidelines apply to CLEP credit, military credit, vocational-technical credit, and life experience credit.

1. A maximum of 32 credit hours may be granted to a student in the combined areas of coursework taken through the armed services, CLEP credit, life experience credit, vocational-technical credit, and credit through non-accredited associations.
   2. Students will be able to earn credit in the non-traditional areas only within the first 64 hours of graduation credit, which is equivalent to the first two years of work toward a degree.
   3. Credits granted for coursework taken in and through CLEP general exams, the armed services, life experience credit, or vocational-technical coursework may not be used to fulfill required courses in the major or cornerstone studies. CLEP subject exams may apply to cornerstone or requirements subject to department approval.
   4. The student must demonstrate that the credit applied for meets the curriculum and standards of Simpson College by supplying appropriate supporting documentation.

Sources for non-traditional credit include:

1. CLEP. A maximum of 24 credit hours may be earned by taking examinations. A maximum of three credit hours can be earned through CLEP tests in each of the following general subject areas: Humanities, Natural Sciences and Social Science-History, for scaled scores corresponding to the "B" grade in the ACE (American Council on Education) guidelines, for CLEP general exams, credit will be given for scores at the 65th percentile or better. NOTE: A student may earn up to twelve (12) credit hours in a foreign language by taking the CLEP examination. If the student scores at least the minimum passing score of 101-102 level, six (6) hours of credit will be given to the student for Foreign Language 101-102. If the student scores at or above the minimum passing score for 201-202 level, the student will be given six (6) additional hours of credit for Foreign Language 201-202, but only after having successfully completed a course in the same language numbered higher than 202. Students who are enrolled in a Simpson College language course and who wish to take the CLEP must do so before completing the first semester of their language course.
   2. International Baccalaureate. Simpson recognizes the IB program and grants credti on a course by course basis for examinatin scores of 4 or better on the Higher Level courses only. A maximum of 24 credti hours may be earned through the IB.
   3. Armed Services Credit. A maximum of 16 credit hours may be awarded for coursework equivalent to Simpson College courses taken while in and through the armed services that meet ACE (American Council on Education) guidelines for course transfer. The Dantes tests (Military CLEP) will be accepted under the guidelines; pertaining to Simpson CLEP standards. To be eligible for credit, each course transferred must be approved by the Dean of Academic Affairs.
   4. Vocational-Technical Credit. A maximum of 16 credit hours may be awarded for vocational-technical credit earned from an accredited community or junior college. The vocational-technical credit will be designated on the transcriptas undesignated approved vocational-technical credit.
   5. Professional Organization. A maximum of 16 credit hours may be awarded for coursework equivalent to Simpson courses taken through unaccredited organizations such as LOMA (Life Office Management Association), ABA (American Banking Association), CPCU (Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters), and Bible Schools. Each course must be approved by both the chairperson of the department in which the credit is being granted and the Dean of Academic Affairs.

   6. Life Experience. A maximum of 24 credit hours may be awarded for life experience credit, and credits are limited to that number that would bring the student's total credits to 64 hours. The total number of life experience credits available to a student will be determined at the date of submission of the final portfolio

Summer Session

A variety of courses are conducted on the Inianola campus and in camuses in West Des Moines and Ankeny throughout the summer. Courses range from two to ten weeks in duration and are offered days, evenings, and Saturdays. Students may enroll in those courses approved either by their academic advisors or by the Director, Eveing, Weekend and Graduate Program. Through these offerings students are provided an opportunity to accelerate progress toward degree objectives, make up deficiencies, or distribute their course work over a longer period of time. Many elementary and secondary teachers take summer courses for certification purposes or to increase competence in their specialties.

The College Catalog: Limitation of Applicability

A student in continuous attendance must complete the graduation requirements listed in the Simpson College catalog which is current at the time of initial registration. If a student does not remain in continuous attendance, the graduation requirements at the time of initial registration pertain, provided that the non-attendance period does not exceed one full calendar year for full-time students or two full calendar years for part-time students. If the non-attendance period exceeds one or two full calendar years respectively, the student will be required to complete the catalog requirements in force at the time of readmission.

The requirements for the major are those in effect at the time of the declaration of the major program. The time of the declaration of the major is determined by the date of its receipt in the Office of the Registrar. The student is to declare a major on a Declaration of Major form submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the time he/she has completed 40.0 semester hours.

Dunn Library

Dunn Library, at the center of campus, offers a collection of more than 120,000 books; over 600 periodical subscriptions; and access to almost 15,000 online journals; and a variety of CDs, videos, DVDs, and other research materials. The library staff provides reference assistance and coordinates campus media services. Dunn also houses a computer lab, curriculum workroom, and the college archives. The library’s web site provides access to the online catalog, including items at the Indianola Public Library, as well as many full-text databases, e-books, and links to other resources.

Hawley Academic Resource Center

The Hawley Academic Resource Center, located on the third floor of Dunn Library, is designed to provide students with individualized help to meet the requirements for competencies and courses.The Center provides guidance at any point in the writing process (including the revising and editing of portfolios), gives assistance for any math or foreign language course, and assigns tutors for most classes. Students can learn academic strategies for test taking, note taking, reading college textbooks, and time and stress management. All tutoring services available at Hawley are free to Simpson students. In addition, the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) test is available upon request, and graduate school test registration and study materials are also available.

Last Updated: 9/15/09