Policies and Procedures
Declaring or Changing a Major
Policy: Students are encouraged to declare a major in the first semester of their sophomore year. Students may, however, change majors as often as they choose.
Procedure: Students must file a "Student Change Form," available from the Registrar's Office (RAU 111) or the Office of Academic Services (LAC 298). Full-time day students must have this form signed by the department chair of their new department. Part-time evening students should have the form signed by an academic advisor in the Office of Academic Services.
Advising Issues: Because all BS majors, except Mathematical Sciences, share the same General Education and Business Core requirements, there is tremendous flexibility in changing a major prior to beginning major courses. However, once students have begun a major, there are some logistical considerations:
- The major in Corporate Finance and Accounting and the major in Accounting Information Systems both have a 30-credit major requirement. The curriculum is somewhat complex because of the pre-requisite structure and will require careful planning. Also, these majors have only two open business-related electives. All students should be encouraged to meet with a departmental advisor.
- Management and Marketing majors have two business-related electives in the major, and include two unrestricted electives and two business-related electives. Therefore, these programs, along with Managerial Economics, are the most accommodating for later major changes.
- The Managerial Economics major combines economics with a variety of other concentrations.
- Accountancy, Corporate Finance and Accounting, Computer Information Systems, and Information Systems Audit and Control involve a relatively lock-step progression through their major courses. See degree requirements under Majors and Minors and refer students to departmental advisors for assistance in planning their major.
- BA Majors may complete no more than 25 percent of their course work (10 courses) through business courses.
Other Resources:
Major selection workshops are scheduled each semester through the Office of Academic Services and the Academic Advising Center.
The academic advisors in the Academic Advising Center are available to speak with students and are able to create degree requirement summaries for a variety of majors so that students will know how their courses will fit into a new program.
The Miller Center for Career Services provides a wide variety of career development services - personal counseling, workshops, on-line services - to assist students in making the connection between their major and possible careers.
Adding or Dropping Courses
Adding Courses:
Policy: Students may add courses through the first week of the semester only. Courses may be dropped through the second week. If a course is dropped during the second week, a student's tuition may be impacted.
Procedure: Courses may be added or canceled through BannerWeb. Students must obtain the approval of the department chair to add a course that is closed.
Students with Financial Holds: A student with a financial hold may not add courses to his or her schedule without first meeting with Student Financial Services. Students may drop courses, but they must do so in person at the Registrar's Office by completing a Course Change form.
Withdrawing from Courses:
Policy: Students may withdraw from courses during the first two-thirds of the semester. These withdrawal deadlines are enforced.
Procedures: Students must file a "Course Change Form" with the Registrar's Office (RAU 111). Students are not required to have sign-off from faculty instructors. Under extenuating circumstances (e.g., serious illness), students may petition the Office of Academic Services (LAC 298) for a late withdrawal.
Advising Issues: While there are certainly legitimate reasons to withdraw from a course, students may find it worthwhile to explore opportunities for additional academic support to be able to succeed: working with the course instructor, seeking help through the Learning Center, and obtaining one-on-one tutoring may be advisable. Some red flags:
Withdrawing from a course could:
- impact financial aid (refer student to financial aid counselor).
- delay completion of an important course pre-requisite, thus jeopardizing timely completion of a necessary sequence.
- put a student in violation of the course attempt policy.
Course Substitutions
Policy: Any student may substitute another course for a failed elective. While only the new course grade will calculate into the students GPA, all courses and grades continue to appear on the transcript.
Procedure: Student must fill out a "Course Substitution Form" at the
Registrar's Office (RAU 111).
Auditing Courses
Policy: For Undergraduate Students Only. Audit status is given for a course in which students participate, and for which they pay full tuition, but do not earn credit. A student is permitted to audit any course being offered by the university provided he or she obtains permission from his or her adviser and the instructor. Students may take the examinations for the course, but receive no credit for them.
Procedure: Audit must be declared before the end of the third week of classes with the requirements for the retention of such status to be spelled out by the individual instructor to the student. If the requirements are not fulfilled, the AU can be changed to a W. After the first three weeks, the AU cannot status cannot be changed to a credit status. Audit forms must be filed with the Registrar's Office.
Pass/Fail
As Bentley attracts more highly qualified students and offers a greater range of challenging courses, the pass/fail option has become a way for interested students to risk taking elective courses that are intellectually challenging without jeopardizing their GPA as long as they pass the course as defined below.
Policy: Available for sophomores, juniors and seniors (class code 3-8);
- The pass fail option can be used for one (1) course in your Bentley curriculum.
- A pass/fail option can only be used for courses that are Busines electives, Arts and Science electives, or Unrestricted electives.
- Students are not permitted to use pass/fail grades toward their General Education, Business Core and Major requirements.
- That pass/fail option may be used for courses taken in a minor.
- That pass/fail option may not be used for Honors courses.
- Certain BA majors are not able to use the Pass/Fail option for the Business minor.
- 5-year students are restricted from taking pre-program required courses or courses for advanced credits standing as pass/fail.
- Students may not use the pass/fail option for courses taken in Bentley-sponsored education abroad programs.
- Students may not use the pass/fail option for internships, directed studies, tutorials, ID 120, ID 121, or study tour courses.
Grading Scale: - Faculty will submit numerical grades that will be converted by the Registrar's Office. The pass/fail designation will be updated after all grades are received.
- When converting numerical grades, students electing this option will receive a grade of "P", "D", or "F".
-
Procedure:- A "P" (1.7 to 4.0) will earn academic credit and is not calculated in the term and cumulative GPA.
- A "D" (.3 to 1.3) will earn academic credit and is calculated in the term and cumulative GPA. A grade value of 1.0 will be used in calculating the term and cumulative GPA.
- An "F" will not earn academic credit and is calculated in term and cumulative GPA.
- Students must complete and sign a Pass/Fail Declaration Form and submit it to the Registrar's Office. Forms are available at the Registrar's Office, the Office of Academic and online here.
- The form must be received prior to the end of the add/drop period. No faculty member or department chair can waive this deadline.
The decision is irrevocable. Be sure to check the accuracy of your declaration. No changes will be permitted after the deadline.
Leave of Absence
Policy: A full-time day student may choose to take a leave of absence for any number of reasons. While not actively engaged in course work at Bentley, these individuals are considered to have a special student status and must be in good standing with all departments of the University. Courses taken elsewhere during a leave of absence fall under the Course Away Policy.
Part-time students are not required to take a formal leave of absence except under certain financial aid conditions. Part-time students receiving aid should consult a counselor in the Financial Assistance Office.
Procedures: A student begins the formal leave of absence process at the Office of Student Affairs, STU 330, x. 2161. See the Student Handbook for more detailed information.
Withdrawal from the University
Policy: A full-time student who is unable to continue attending Bentley must officially withdraw from the University. Mere absence from class does not constitute official withdrawal from the University nor does it reduce financial obligation.
Procedures: Full-time day students must begin the process by contacting the Office of Student Affairs (x. 2161). Part-time students should contact the Office of Academic Services (x. 2803). See the Student Handbook for details.
Grading
Policy: Students are required to earn a passing grade of at least 0.7 in each course.
| Grade Equivalent | Alphabetical Equivalent | Numerical Equivalent |
| 4.0 | A | 95-100 |
| 3.7 | A- | 90-94 |
| 3.3 | B+ | 87-89 |
| 3.0 | B | 83-86 |
| 2.7 | B- | 80-82 |
| 2.3 | C+ | 77-79 |
| 2.0 | C | 73-76 |
| 1.7 | C- | 70-72 |
| 1.3 | D+ | 67-69 |
| 1.0 | D | 63-66 |
| 0.7 | D- | 60-62 |
| 0 | F | below 60 |
Grade Point Average
The grade point average is obtained by multiplying the course grade by the semester hours of credit the course carries, and dividing the total quality points earned by the total semester hours of course work taken. Passing grades, ranging from .7 to 4.0 earn quality points; failures and incomplete grades are recorded as F and I, respectively, and earn no quality points. For example:
| Course Grade | Semester Hours | Quality Points |
| 3.7 | 3 | 11.1 |
| 2.7 | 3 | 8.1 |
| 2.0 | 3 | 6.0 |
| 2.3 | 1.5 | 3.45 |
| F | 3 | 0.0 |
| 13.5 | 28.65 |
Grade point average: 28.65/13.5=2.12
Incompletes are recorded as "I" and are not counted in computing grade point averages. However, incompletes must be cleared within 60 days into the next semester: Spring and Summer I or II "incompletes" must be made up within 60 days into the fall semester; fall "incompletes" must be made up within 60 days of the start of the spring semester.
Class Designation
The class designation is officially determined by the Registrar, quite apart from the number of semesters a student has attended college. It is based on the total number of courses a student has passed or for which a student has received officially recorded transfer or proficiency credit.
| Classification | Passed Credits | Class Code |
| 1st semester freshman | 0-14.5 | 1 |
| 2nd semester freshman | 15-29.5 | 2 |
| 1st semester sophomore | 30-44.5 | 3 |
| 2nd semester sophomore | 45-59.5 | 4 |
| 1st semester junior | 60-74.5 | 5 |
| 2nd semester junior | 75-89.5 | 6 |
| 1st semester senior | 90-104.5 | 7 |
| 2nd semester senior | 105 and up | 8 |
See Window Policy.
Academic Honors
President's List
A President's List is published each semester to identify all full-time students who complete at least 12 course credits in the semester with a qualifying GPA of 3.7 or better (real, not rounded), and with no course grade below 3.0. Part-time students must complete at least 12 course credits in a calendar year with the qualifying GPA noted above. The President's List for part-time students is compiled in October, based on the previous Fall, Spring and Summer sessions.
Dean's List
A Dean's List is published each semester to identify all full-time students who complete at least 12 course credits in the semester with a qualifying GPA of 3.3 or better (real, not rounded), and with no course grade below 2.0. Part-time students must complete at least 12 course credits in a calendar year with the qualifying GPA noted above. The President's List for part-time students is compiled in October, based on the previous Fall, Spring and Summer sessions.
Graduation Honors
Honors are awarded at Commencement to degree recipients who have completed, at the university, at least 30 semester hours toward an associate’s degree or 45 semester hours toward a bachelor’s degree. The following standards apply:
| 3.8 or better | Summa cum laude (bachelor’s degree) Highest honors (associate’s or certificate) |
| 3.6-3.799 | Magna cum laude (bachelor’s degree) High honors (associate’s or certificate) |
| 3.4-3.599 | Cum laude (bachelor’s degree) Honors (associate or certificate) |
Bentley Honor Society
The Bentley Honor Society has the following characteristics:
- Membership is restricted to full-time or part-time juniors and seniors who have completed a minimum of 30 semester hours at Bentley.
- Juniors are eligible for membership if they have completed 75 semester hours and are in the top 5 percent of their class.
- Seniors are eligible if they have completed 102 semester hours and are in the top 10 percent of their class.
- Determination for membership is made twice a year, after the fall and spring semester.
Graduation
Policy: Bentley confers degrees three times per year, matching the date of the meetings of the Board of Trustees:
- Students completing requirements in the summer session areconsidered October/November graduates;
- Students completing requirements in the fall semester or wintersession are considered February/March graduates;
- Students completing requirements in the spring semester are considered May graduates.
Bachelor's degree students may participate in the May commencement exercises as "walkers" if they are within 6 credits of completing their graduation requirements, as long as all other criteria are met (i.e., overall and major GPA are 2.0 or higher, all financial obligations have been met). The actual degree will be conferred and graduation honors determined when all course work has been completed.
Associate degree recipients must complete all degree requirements to participate in commencement exercises.
Concentration certificate students do not participate in the formal commencement, but are conferred once all requirements are met.
Procedures: All degree and certificate recipients must file a petition to graduate with the Registrar's Office through BannerWeb. Petitions are due early in the semester in which courses are to be completed - see the Academic Calendar for specific dates. Late petitions will be subject to late fees of $50 or $100.
Registration
All continuing students—full-time day or part-time evening—register through BANNERWeb.
| Full-time Day Students: | |
| Fall Registration: | Preceding April |
| Spring Registration: | Preceding November |
| Summer Registration: | Preceding April through start of Summer II |
Students access web registration grouped by class code and alpha categories.
Part-time Evening Students
Continuing part-time evening students have on-going open access to on-line and web registration from the start of their access through the first week of classes.
| Fall Registration: | Begins late July |
| Wintersession/Spring: | Begins early December |
| Summer I and II: | Begins mid-April |
New students register in writing by submitting a registration form to the Registrar's Office.
Course Pre-requisites
All undergraduate students enrolled in degree programs are screened for satisfactory completion of pre- and co-requisites, including class standing. Under extenuating circumstances, department chairs may waive a prerequisite. Chairs may not waive class standing requirements except for professionally qualified adult students.
Window Policy
The window policy permits students slightly short of class standing requirements to enroll for upper-level business courses as follows:
| Sophomore standing | 21 credits |
| Junior standing | 51 credits |
| Senior standing | 81 credits |
Other BANNERWeb Services
Students may access the following information through BANNERWeb:
- course schedule
- grades
Course Load/Overload Policy
Policy: Standard course load is defined as follows:
| Full-time day students: | 12 to 16.5 credits |
| Part-time evening students: | 9 credits |
Day students may take a course overload of 18 credits without permission if their cumulative GPA is 2.7 or higher (Seniors with a GPA of 2.0 or higher). Day students with a GPA below 2.7 must attain permission to take an overload. New day students may not register for 18 hours until they have completed one semester of study at Bentley.
Procedure: Submit a written petition to the Office of Academic Services, LAC 298 during the Drop/Add period.
Bentley-Brandeis-Regis Exchange
Policy: Full-time day students may enroll in courses not offered at Bentley at Brandeis University or Regis College through a cross-registration agreement among these institutions, subject to permission from the Brandeis or Regis faculty member.
Procedure: Authorization from Jane Ellis (LAC 298, x. 2904) and Patricia Rogers (RAU 111, x. 2297) is required.
Transfer Credit
Policy: Any 3-credit course (semester hours) from an accredited college or university in which a student has received a grade of C (2.0) or higher is potentially transferable. Courses are evaluated for content comparability. Courses that carry fewer than 3 semester hours of credit may be combinable for credit.
Procedure: Transfer credit is evaluated by the Undergraduate Admissions Office. Students must submit official transcripts from their previous institution. If a course has not been previously evaluated by the University, a course description or syllabus may be requested. Appeals of transfer credit may be directed to Jane Ellis in the Office of Academic Services (x. 2803).
Course Validation
Policy: Our AACSB International accreditation requires that upper-level business courses from non-AACSB International institutions be validated either by sequential course or validation exam before transfer credit is awarded.
Procedure: Students should consult the Registrar's Office or the Office of Academic Services. Students must complete a "Course Validation Form" with the Registrar's Office to indicate whether a course will be validated by exam or by a sequential course. Validation exams are scheduled through the Registrar's Office several times each semester.
Internships
Student Eligibility for credit internships:
- Junior-level or senior-level standing—see department guidelines for specific course prerequisites
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 (Finance 2.7 and IDCC is 3.3)
- Approval of departmental internship coordinator prior to acceptance of internship
Tuition: All internships that are approved for credit will be assessed tuition. Internship courses are subject to all tuition refund deadlines as well as the deadline policies for add, drop, and withdrawal.
Course requirements vary by department, but usually include weekly journals, a term paper, and meetings with the internship coordinator. Minimum work hours are established by individual departments, ranging from a minimum of 12 hours per week for 12 weeks to 35 hours per week for Fall, Spring, or Summer sessions. Internships last for one semester only or through the full Summer Sessions and end when the semester ends.
Maximum credits: Students may pursue a maximum of two 3-credit internships during the undergraduate program. Only one internship (3 credits) can be used in your major field of study.
Registration: Students should register for an internship during registration period and must register no later than the "add/drop" period of the semester during which the work is done, unless otherwise approved by the Internship Coordinator. That is, if you are working during the summer, you must officially register for a summer internship.
Not all internships are considered credit-worthy, and not all students qualify to pursue an internship for credit. It is important that you meet with the appropriate internship coordinator to determine what sort of internship opportunity is available to you. The Office of Career Services can also provide you with resources to help you find a suitable internship.
For financial reasons, many companies are now offering internships only if they are awarded credit. This is designed primarily to allow companies to offer unpaid internships without tax consequences. Unfortunately, unless both the student and internship meet the criteria for credit, Bentley cannot award credit simply to comply with company requirements. The Center for Career Services will send a letter explaining our policy to the company—some will accept this, others won’t. If you find yourself in that situation, do talk with CCS. We urge you to determine the company's policy, your eligibility and your internship's eligibility for credit before accepting or beginning your internship. Departmental Internship coordinators can be found here.
Directed Study
Policy: Qualified students can, under the guidance of a faculty member, undertake directed study to conduct in-depth investigation or analysis of a specialized topic. To be eligible, students must have a 3.0 cumulative average; or a 3.3 cumulative average for the previous two semesters; or a 3.3 cumulative average in at least 12 credit hours within the curriculum area the directed study will be done. Students may not take more than two directed study courses in any semester. Students may apply directed study credits only as electives, or, with departmental permission, as credit for major courses.
Procedure: Interested students should submit a directed study proposal in writing to the appropriate faculty member. Upon faculty approval, the proposal, along with a petition, is forwarded from approval to the department chairperson and the associate undergraduate dean. (Lynne Durkin, MOR 312, x. 2989 for arts and science courses or Judy Kamm, MOR 305B, x. 2867 for business courses).
Tutorials
Policy: Tutorials enable students to complete a regular course when it is not offered in the university's schedule. All academic regulations apply to tutorials, and students register under the course's regular catalogue number.
Procedure: To initiate a tutorial, students must have a special need for the proposed course, e.g., the course is needed to complete a degree at a particular time. Approvals are required from the appropriate faculty member, department chairperson and associate undergraduate dean. (Lynne Durkin, MOR 312, x. 2989 for arts and science courses or Judy Kamm, MOR 305B, x. 2867 for business courses).
