Registration

All registrations must be made in writing. Registration may be done one of three ways, which include:

1.       Submit a request through the web site at www.smumn.edu/gradspecial

2.       Submit a request by email to program staff.

3.       Submit a completed Registration card to program staff.

Changes in Registration

Changes in registration include adding or withdrawing from a course. All changes in registration must be made in writing. Changes in registration may be done one of three ways, which include:

1.       Submit a request by email at mplsdropclass@smumn.edu.

2.       Submit a request by email to program staff.

3.       Submit a completed Add/Withdrawal card to program staff.

A student who withdraws from a course prior to the semester start will pay a drop fee and the course will not be listed on the transcript. A student who withdraws from a course once the semester begins will pay a drop fee and the course will be listed on the transcript. Fees are published each semester in the Course Schedule.

A student who misses the first class of a two-session course must withdraw from the course. Withdrawals requested during the first 50% of the course will result in the grade of W on the student's transcript. Withdrawals requested after 50% of the scheduled course has been completed will result in a grade of NC (No Credit) on the student's transcript. A student will be administratively withdrawn for non-attendance after 50% of the course is completed, and the student will be charged the full tuition for the course and will be awarded a grade of NC (No Credit).

Repeating Courses

Credit can be earned only once for a course. However, if a student repeats a course, each grade appears on the student's transcript, and the higher grade is used to compute the cumulative grade point average.

Audit

Audit status is reserved for Saint Mary's University alumni or students currently enrolled in a Saint Mary's University program. Prerequisite requirements for audited courses must be completed. Audit students pay one-half the regular course tuition. Students who audit a course receive a grade of AU. Audit courses may not be converted to credit. Audits are allowed on a space-available basis with priority given to full credit registrations. Audit is not available for continuing education offerings.

Prerequisites

Students must have completed all course prerequisites in order to register for courses. Any exceptions must be granted in writing from the program director before registration will be processed. A student must have earned a grade of A, AB, B, BC, C, CD, D (undergraduate only), or P in a prerequisite course to meet the criterion for registration.

Concurrent and Continuous Enrollment

Students who are either concurrently enrolled at another institution or engaged in academic activities other than coursework must enroll in a zero credit course in order to continue their active student status. Graduate students enroll for GR 100 and undergraduate students enroll for BR 100. There is no cost for these courses. Students may take these courses for up to five semesters. Student status will drop to inactive if no regular courses are taken after five consecutive semesters.

Course Credit and Scheduling Policies

Time Standards

• A class hour is a fifty minute period.
• One traditional graduate credit requires a minimum of 15 contact hours. In addition, it is suggested that students invest a minimum of two hours per contact hour in outside study.
• Courses in the Bachelor of Science completion program with reduced class hours require a minimum of 11 contact hours. In addition, it is suggested that students invest three hours per contact hour in outside study.
• Courses in the Doctorate program with reduced class hours require a minimum of 13 contact hours. In addition, it is suggested that students invest three hours per contact hour in outside study.
• Dissertation courses require a minimum of 120 hours per credit.
• Lab courses require a minimum of 30 contact hours per credit.
• Practicum/Field Experience requires a minimum of 60 hours per credit.
• Class meeting dates are to be held as published unless a change is authorized by the program director.
• Instructors determine an appropriate break schedule.
• Canceled classes will be rescheduled.

See program requirements for Lab and Practicum/Field Experience.

Full-time and Part-time Course Load

Full and part-time statuses are defined as follows:

Undergraduate Students
Full time = 12 credits per semester
3/4 time = 9–11 credits per semester
1/2 time = 6–8 credits per semester

Graduate and Doctoral Students
Full time = 8+ credits per semester of coursework or 2 credits of dissertation work
3/4 time = 6–7 credits per semester of coursework
1/2 time = 4–5 credits per semester of coursework or 1 credit of dissertation work

Counseling and Psychological Services and
Marriage and Family Therapy Certificate Practicum only:
PY690, PY691, PY692 and PY790
300 hours = 1/2 time

Nurse Anesthesia Clinical Practicum:

NA771, NA772, NA773 and NA774 only

Full time = 480 hours minimum

Independent Study Policy

Independent study is a learning activity that occurs outside of the formal classroom setting and includes a contract between faculty and students for instructional direction and oversight. Credit is awarded based on one semester credit for 45 clock hours of approved work.

Two types of independent study exist. Faculty-designed independent study follows established course syllabi; the syllabi reflect courses faculty may teach in a formal classroom setting. Student-designed independent study is proposed by the student and is directed by faculty for individualized areas of study not covered in the formal curriculum.

Independent study proposals must be submitted on the university form and approved by the faculty with final approval by the program director. Program directors approve the use of independent study based on the specific program structure.

Independent Study Policy – Contract-Based Programs

1. Credit will not be granted for independent study work that was completed prior to acceptance into one of the Saint Mary's University graduate programs.
2. Credit will not be granted for independent study work completed without prior approval of a dean and program director.

Course Incompletion Due to Call to Active Military Duty

Students called to active military duty prior to completion of courses have the following options. They must indicate in writing to a dean, before departure, which option will apply.

1. If the student is close to completion of the course, he or she may request a grade of In Progress (IP). The student then completes the remaining required work upon his or her return. There are no academic or financial penalties associated with a grade of IP; however, if the student does not complete the work within 90 days of his or her return, the grade of IP will be changed to W (Withdraw) and the student will need to reregister and retake the course.
2. The student may request withdrawal from the course. No drop fee will be charged and the student will receive a full tuition refund. The dropped course will not appear on the student's transcript. There are no academic or financial penalties associated with withdrawal from a course under these circumstances. The student may reregister and retake the course upon his or her return.

Tuition and Fees

The tuition and fee schedule is published in the Course Schedule each semester.

Students are required to pay the current tuition rate, indicated in the Course Schedule, for all classes taken toward their degree. The tuition is based on the students' program and degree regardless of the course level and program in which the course is offered.  Students seeking double degrees or double majors are required to pay the tuition rate of the program through which the course is offered. Students in the Master of Arts in Education – Catholic School Leadership program are required to pay the full tuition rate for courses taken outside of this program.

Saint Mary's University reserves the right to revise tuition payment policies at any time. Should this occur, students will be notified prior to the effective date of the changes.

Tuition Payment Policy – Courses

Registration for classes at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota indicates acceptance of this tuition payment policy.

All students enrolled at Saint Mary's University are expected to pay each semester's tuition in one of the following ways:

• Billing
  Billing statements are sent from the business office in Winona after the 21st of each month. Payment for classes is due the 15th of the following month after the first day of class.
  
• Student Loans
  Student loans will be applied as received. If the loan amount does not cover the balance shown on the statement, the difference must be paid by the 15^th of the following month.
  
• Employer Reimbursement
  Students who have a company reimbursement policy on file in the business office in Winona will have 30 days after the end of the semester to pay their bill. Students waiting for reimbursement will not be required to pay service charges until 30 days after the end of the semester.

Tuition Payment Policy – Contracts

All tuition is due and payable upon billing from the university. If a bill is not paid in a timely manner and a payment plan is not made, the registration of a contract may be suspended until clearance is obtained from the business office. If applicable, rebates will be issued only on paid, completed contracts.

Students are not eligible to register for subsequent contracts until all previous financial commitments have been honored.

Method of Payment

Tuition bills may be paid by loan funds directly applied to a student's account, personal check or money order.  Credit cards are not accepted.

A FINANCE CHARGE of 1% per month (12% per annum) will be added to all balances more than 30 days past due. Should it become necessary to forward this account for collection, the student shall be responsible for all additional fees.

No student will be allowed to register for the next semester with an account balance from the previous semester. Students who are not registered due to a financial hold on their account may not attend classes. A billing statement will be sent that itemizes the student's payment obligations including, but not limited to: tuition, course fees, and other fees. The statement will also reflect any credits due the student such as grant or loan aid, payments made, etc. The only exceptions are students with a company tuition reimbursement policy on file and with an account balance no older than the current semester.

Business Office

To express concerns or to forward payment, contact the Business Office at the following:

Business Office
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
700 Terrace Heights #8
Winona, MN 55987

(Phone) 507-457-1444
(Toll free) 877-304-4273

Tuition Refund

Tuition Refund – Courses

Students who withdraw in writing from courses will receive tuition refunds according to the following schedule:

• 100% before the second class meeting.
• 75% after the second class meeting but before the third.
• 50% after the third class meeting but before the fourth.
• No refund after the fourth class meeting.

To obtain a 100% tuition refund for a single weekend or two-session course, students must withdraw 24 hours before the class begins. The appropriate drop fee will apply. Failure to withdraw within the 24 hour notice period will result in responsibility for 100% of the course tuition. Withdrawal after attending the first session and prior to the start of the second session of a single weekend or two-session course will result in a 50% refund and a recorded NC on the official transcript.

Tuition Refund – Contracts

Students who cancel contracts in writing will receive refunds according to the following schedule:

o        100% through the first month of contract period.

o        75% through the first 30% of the contract period.

o        No refunds after the first 30% of the contract period.

Delinquent Account Policy

The university reserves the right to modify the terms and conditions of this policy prior to registration for any semester by sending a written notice to students at their last known billing addresses. Students are responsible for providing the business office with their billing addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses.

Students with balances on their accounts on the billing date of any month will receive a statement with the amount owed designated as the new balance. Payments are due on or before the 15th day of the following month. Payments, credits, or charges received or made after the billing date will be reflected on the next monthly statement.

If the new balance shown on the monthly statement is paid before the 15th of the following month, no FINANCE CHARGE will accrue. If full payment is not made by the 15th, a FINANCE CHARGE is imposed on the adjusted balance of the account. The university will use a monthly periodic rate which corresponds to an ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE of 12% to compute the FINANCE CHARGE. The university calculates the FINANCE CHARGE by applying the periodic rate to the adjusted balance of the student's account. The adjusted balance is calculated by taking the balance owed at the end of the previous billing cycle and subtracting any unpaid finance charges and payments or credits received during the present billing cycle. The student may pay the balance in full at any time.

Accounts are delinquent when the payment terms on a student's account have not been met. When an account becomes past due, a past due notice will be generated on the student's billing statement.

The university has the right to take steps to collect the balance owed including, but not limited to, prohibiting the student from registering for classes; withholding course credits, academic transcripts, and diplomas; remanding the student's account to a collection agency; and taking legal action to collect the amount due. The university is authorized to release financial information to those concerned with collecting the balance owed. The student shall pay all costs incurred by the university in association with collecting monies owed. This may include collection agency fees, attorney fees, and court costs.

Student's Billing Rights

If a student believes a bill is incorrect, or if a student needs more information about a bill, the student should contact the following:

Business Office
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
700 Terrace Heights #8
Winona, MN 55987

Business Office: 507-457-1444
(Toll free) 877-304-4273

The student must contact the university in writing within 60 days of the charges in question. In the letter, provide the following information:

• Student name and account number.
• Dollar amount of suspected error.
• Description of the error or an explanation of why the student believes there is an error. If the student needs more information, describe the item about which the student is unsure.

The university will acknowledge the student's letter within 30 days unless it has corrected the error. Within 90 days, the university will either correct the error or provide explanation as to why it believes the bill to be correct.

After the university receives the student's letter, it may not attempt to collect the amount in question or report the student as delinquent. However, the university may continue to bill the student for the amount in question, including finance charges. The student is not obligated to pay the parts of the bill in question, but is responsible for the remainder of the balance, if any.

If the university finds an error was made, the student will not have to pay the amount or any finance charge which may have accrued on the amount in question. If the university finds no mistake, the student is then immediately responsible for the amount, plus may be responsible for any finance charges accrued. In either case, the university will send out a new statement which reflects the amount the student owes.

If the university's explanation does not satisfy the student, the student must inform the university within 10 days that he or she still refuses to pay the bill in question. The university will then tell any party to whom it reports the student's nonpayment that the student has a question about the bill. The university will further tell the student the name of anyone to whom it reports nonpayment information. The university is further obligated to report to all parties when the matter has been resolved.

If the university fails to follow the above rules, it cannot collect the first $50 of the questioned amount, even if the bill was correct.

Insufficient Funds Checks

A service charge will be assessed against the student's account for each check returned for insufficient funds.

Transcript Requests

Twin Cities Campus and Rochester Center

Requests for transcripts must be submitted in writing to the registrar's office with a $3.00 fee for each request. Requests should include full name, social security number and where the transcript is to be sent.

Send request and check to:

Transcript Request

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Twin Cities Campus
2500 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404-4403

(Fax) 612-728-5121

Transcripts and diplomas will not be issued to any student with an outstanding account balance or to any student with conditional admission status.

Winona Campus

Requests for transcripts must be submitted in writing to the registrar's office. Requests should include full name, social security number and where the transcript is to be sent.