Academic Calendar The academic year consists of 38 weeks: Fall and Spring cycles of fifteen weeks each and an additional Summer cycle of 8 weeks. The College considers 38 weeks of continuous instruction to be crucial in enabling students to graduate in optimum time while providing them a wide range and depth of learning opportunities.

Registration Procedures

Prior to each cycle, eligible students are notified by mail about the dates and times of registration. Newly admitted students, and students in good academic standing for the previous six 15-week cycles, may register. On registration day every student is assigned a Faculty Facilitator, who assists students to fill out registration forms, and class schedules and Learning Contract. A student must sign and complete the registration process in order to receive academic credit.

Academic Load

Students who register for Fall and/or Spring cycle(s) may achieve up to sixteen credits; for the 8-week cycle, students may register for up to eight credits. Credits are distributed among the five areas of the curriculum as follows:

Course Work

At Boricua College, time spent in the classroom is only part of the student’s course work. Courses require reading, research, logs and completion of instructional modules and may also require laboratory, tutorials, field work, and research.

Course Policies and Practices

The time spent in the classroom is only part of the student’s course work. Courses also require the completion at home of assigned readings, research, logs and completion of assigned papers and instructional modules, and may also require laboratory, tutorials, field work and independent study. Course policies and practices are made explicit in the course syllabi of each academic program.

Change of Class Within The First Three Weeks Only

Students may change their registration for any of their five courses by submitting a Change of Class form to the Department of Registration and Assessment. These changes are only accepted within the first three weeks of the cycle.

Cancellation of Courses

In case of insufficient registration in a particular course (defined as less than 15 students), the College is not obligated to offer that course. If a course is cancelled because of insufficient enrollment, students will be enrolled in another course.

Student-Requested Courses

Students who need a particular course not offered in a forthcoming cycle, may consult with the Associate Dean or Chairperson of their department. Generally, courses listed in the catalog are provided if there is indication from the Registrar that the course is needed or if 15 students sign a petition for it by the tenth week of the previous cycle.

Course Pre-Requisites

A pre-requisite course is one that prepares a student for advanced courses in a chosen field. Prerequisites may be waived by the department Chairperson or Associate Deans. A signed waiver form must be filed with the Department of Registration and Assessment prior to registration.

Independent Study

Independent Study is available to all students. The design of this course varies from program to program. Students must consult with their Faculty Facilitators before embarking on an independent study project. All Independent Studies must be indicated in the Learning Contract and must have prior approval from the academic administrator.

I.D. Cards (Identification Cards)

The Department of Registration and Assessment distributes I.D. cards to new admits, and validates identification cards during the second week of the cycle for all continuing students. All students must present a copy of their Tuition Charges Statement to either receive or validate an I.D. card. There is a $5 fee for replacement of a lost I.D. card.

Attendance

Students are expected to maintain active attendance in each of the five areas of study. Non-attendance will jeopardize academic achievement and eligibility for financial assistance.

Official Withdrawal

Students who choose to withdraw from the College after registration for any academic cycle must complete and submit a Withdrawal form to the Department of Registration and Assessment. (See Withdrawals and Refunds section of this catalog).

Disenrollment

Boricua College’s programs are designed to permit students of differing capacities to progress toward a degree at their own pace. Occasionally, a student’s progress is so limited as to make disenrollment from the college clearly in the student’s and College’s best interest. If a student is awarded fewer than eight credits in two consecutive cycles (less than 5 credits in a Summer Cycle) and his progress judged as not likely to improve in the foreseeable future, the Assessment Committee may advise the student to withdraw from the College for one or more cycles. The student may appeal the ruling to the Vice Presidents whose judgments in this matter will be final.

Important: Withdrawal from or non-attendance to individualized instruction course or colloquium, is equal to a withdrawal from all courses and no academic credit will be recorded for the cycle.