In Independent Study, with the supervision and guidance of a faculty sponsor, a student develops a research project, field study, practicum, or special readings proposal which centers on an area of study not included in the regular course sequences. Independent Study is never a substitute for a course or for a course not successfully completed. Credit for the proposal must be recommended by the faculty sponsor at the time the study is presented by the student. Credit will vary between one semester hour and four semester hours. A student may enroll for one course of independent study at a time with a maximum of 20 hours applicable towards a baccalaureate degree.

Independent Study presupposes a developed competency and maturity; consequently, participation in the program is restricted to students who have accrued a cumulative point average of 2.5 or a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the student’s major. A student who does not meet the qualifying criteria, but develops a proposal which merits Independent Study status, should consult with a prospective faculty sponsor to assess the possibilities for successful completion of the project.

Procedures to be followed are:

1. The interested student completes the Independent Study Form available from the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Measurable objectives, work to be completed, and methods of evaluation must be included.
2. The student reviews the proposal with a faculty sponsor.
3. With the agreement of the faculty sponsor, the proposal is submitted to the Division Chair for approval.

Directed Study provides students with the opportunity to pursue special areas of study under the direction of a faculty sponsor. Directed Study differs from Independent Study in that the faculty sponsor provides the direction for the student’s work.

Procedures to be followed are:

1. The interested student and faculty member complete Directed Study proposal form. Objectives, work to be completed, and methods of evaluation must be included. (Forms are available from the Vice President for Academic Affairs.)
2. Proposal is then submitted to Division Chair  for approval.
3. Student begins and completes project during the regular academic term.    

Directed Study is open to all students who meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Students must be either juniors or seniors in baccalaureate programs or sophomores in associate programs.
2. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5. Additional information concerning Directed Study is available from the Registrar or Vice President for Academic Affairs.
3. Students will generally not receive approval for a Directed Study in an existing course except in extraordinary circumstances.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent recognizes that enrolled students may have developed knowledge and skills from previous readings, work, and other experiences, or through degrees/diplomas, licenses, or certification from other agencies. Where possible, UMFK attempts to honor past experiences by granting credit for other types of learning.

Experiential Learning Credits Guidelines:

1. Be currently matriculated and enrolled at UMFK.
2. Have a current cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
3. Be willing to demonstrate, upon request, the knowledge or skills appropriate to the course for which the individual is seeking credit.

To apply for experiential learning credits, the applicant must complete and return to the Vice President for Academic Affairs the “Credit for Past and Experiential Learning” form along with the supportive evidence of past and experiential learning which includes:

1. Detailed resume of experiential activities listed in chronological order.
2. Copies of diplomas, transcripts, certificates, and/or licenses.
3. Official letters and other documentation from supervisory sources confirming the experience and attesting to its quality.

The Vice President for Academic Affairs will forward the materials to the appropriate Division and faculty for review and credit recommendation. The review will determine the amount of credit to be awarded as well as the equivalent UMFK courses. Recommendations will then be submitted to the Vice President for Academic Affairs for final approval.

Occasionally, a student may have reason to question an academic process or result. In such cases, the following procedure will apply:

1. The student must discuss the concern with the appropriate faculty member.* If the concern persists,
2. The student must consult with the division chair/dean of the appropriate division who will attempt to resolve the complaint. Failing this,
3. The student may request a review of the situation to be made by the President/Provost. All parties are expected to adhere to the final decision.

The foregoing steps should be made in order of progression and all information, recommendations, and decisions must be made IN WRITING and made available to the next level of review. Maximum efforts and attempts should be exerted toward resolution of concerns without the necessity of review. 

*Early college and concurrent enrollment students may choose to seek the support of the Dean of Community Education to assist them in bringing their concern forward.

Students may petition to have one complete semester of UMFK coursework removed from calculation on their academic transcript. This includes courses, grades, and quality points. Removal of partial or selective coursework is not permitted under this policy.

The following are the conditions to request academic forgiveness:

1.        Only one semester will be forgiven.
2.        A period of three years of separation from higher education must have elapsed after the semester to be forgiven.
3.        The student must have completed three years of matriculation in good academic standing.
4.        Student must petition the Academic Council for the request.

The Academic Council will recommend approval or denial of the request to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Transfer Procedure from Associate Programs to Baccalaureate Degree Programs    

Students enrolled in programs leading to the Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degrees may elect to apply for admittance into a program leading to a baccalaureate degree. To be admitted to a baccalaureate program the student should:

1.        Submit a Change of Degree Program Form to the Registrar’s Office. The advisor’s signature is required on the form. Forms are available in the Registrar’s Office.
2.        Have full academic standing at the time of transfer. No applications will be considered until the student has completed a minimum of 12 semester hours of credit.
3.        When transfer has been approved, the Registrar will inform the student in writing of the decision and will convey in writing a statement which indicates which courses are applicable to the degree. 

Transfer Procedure for Change of Baccalaureate Degree Program    

Students enrolled in programs leading to a baccalaureate degree may elect to apply for admittance into another four-year degree program. To change baccalaureate programs, the student should:

1.        Submit a Change of Degree Program Form to the Registrar’s Office. The advisor’s signature is required on the form. Forms are available in the Registrar’s Office.
2.        Have full academic standing at the time of transfer.
3.       When transfer has been processed, the Registrar will inform the student in writing which courses are applicable to the new baccalaureate degree program.

Students may earn multiple degrees provided they are different. In order to receive the additional degrees, the following conditions must be met:

1.        The first degree has been awarded.
2.        The student has applied through Admissions for the subsequent degrees.
3.       A minimum number of credits has been completed beyond the total hours earned for the previous degree: 15 for each additional Associate, 30 for each additional Baccalaureate.

Candidates for degrees who wish to participate in Commencement exercises must file an application for graduation with the Registrar’s Office before the end of the third (3rd) Friday in the month of March.  Candidates for degrees who DO NOT wish to participate in Commencement exercises must file an application for graduation with the Registrar’s Office before the end of the second (2nd) Friday in the month of April.

Applications for degrees to be awarded at the end of a fall or summer term should be completed and filed in the Registrar’s Office before the end of the previous term. No applications will be accepted for fall or summer term degrees after the end of the second week of instruction of the regular term.

Commencement exercises at the University of Maine at Fort Kent are held in May.  Commencement exercises at the University of Maine at Fort Kent are held only once each academic year.

Students may participate in Spring Commencement exercises if they have no more than 2 courses (no more than 8 credits) or an internship remaining to complete their degree requirements.  By the third (3rd) Friday in the month of March, students must be registered for these credits in the following summer semester to be eligible to participate.

For those who applied for graduation prior to the application deadline and were denied, appeals to participate in Commencement ceremonies from students who failed to meet graduation requirements due to extenuating circumstances may be submitted to the Academic Affairs office no later than fourteen (14) calendar days from the date of application denial notification.  

A student may not participate in two separate Commencement exercises for the same degree.

Graduation credentials will be recorded on the transcript, and the diploma issued, when all degree requirements have been completed. The diploma will be dated the same as the transcript. The graduate will be considered as an alumnus/alumnae of the year he/she completed degree requirements.

 

Courses at the University of Maine at Fort Kent may be taken on an audit basis. Attendance in the courses is mandatory. Scheduled work and exams will be determined by the course instructor. Registration for audit must be completed prior to the end of the Add/Drop period (see Academic Calendar). Forms for auditing courses are available in the Registrar’s Office.

     Tuition and fees are assessed for audited courses.