/Institutions/Trident-University/json/current/2024-Academic-Catalog-local.json

/Institutions/Trident-University/json/current/2024-Academic-Catalog.json

Course Extensions Policy

A course extension gives students in 8-week up to 30 additional days from the end of the session to complete the course. A course extension gives students in 12-week sessions up to 14 additional days from the end of the session to submit assignments to complete the course. In addition, due to the Repeating Courses and Cancellation of Failed Grades policy, some doctoral prospectus, doctoral study, and dissertation courses are not eligible for extensions. Please refer to those sections of the catalog for more information.

A course extension may be granted when circumstances prevent students from completing all required coursework before the end of the session. A student found to be in violation of Trident’s Academic Integrity policy is not eligible for course extensions. Having an approved course extension limits the options for Retroactive Withdrawal. There are also consequences associated with an extension (e.g., compressed time frame to complete the course; challenge of meeting requirements if enrolled in other course(s) during the extension period; possible loss of ability to earn timeliness or professionalism points). Please refer to the provisions discussed under the Student Responsibilities Following Approval of Course Extension section.

 

Standard Course Extension

Undergraduate and Graduate students

A student who submits bonified assignments (Case, SLP, and Discussion) in the first 50% of the course may apply for a standard course extension. For four module courses, all assignments in modules 1-2 must be complete.) Standard course extension requests must be submitted via the TLC Portal no later than 24 hours after the last day to submit coursework for 8-week sessions, as indicated on Trident’s Academic Calendar. The course instructor will check to make sure that the submission(s) uploaded are legitimate, i.e., that the uploaded assignment(s) are not simply placeholders to qualify for a course extension. If approved, an interim “Incomplete” grade will be assigned, and the student will be granted up to 30 days from the end of the session to complete the course.

Doctoral Students

A student who submits bonified assignments (Case, SLP, and Discussion) in the first 50% of the course may apply for a standard course extension. For six module courses, all assignments in modules 1-3 must be complete. For four module courses, all assignments in modules 1-2 must be complete. Standard course extension requests for Doctoral students in 12-week sessions must be submitted via the TLC Portal no later than 24 hours after the last day to submit course work, which is a week prior to the end of the session, as indicated on Trident’s Academic Calendar. The course instructor will check to make sure that the submission(s) uploaded are legitimate, i.e., that the uploaded assignment(s) are not simply placeholders to qualify for a course extension. If approved, an interim “Incomplete” grade will be assigned, and the student will be granted up to 14 days from the end of the session to complete the course. Doctoral study projects and dissertation courses are not eligible for a course extension.

Due to the Repeating Courses and Cancellation of Failed Grades policy, some doctoral prospectus, doctoral study, or dissertation courses are not eligible for standard extensions. These courses include DEL 622, DHA 699 I, DHA 699 II, DHS 699, DOC 690, DOC 700, EDD 614, PBA 699, PBA 700, RDS 699 E/H/B, DSP 700, DSP 701, DIS, 700, DIS 701, DIS 702, and RES 620. Please refer to those sections of the catalog for more information.

Extensions for Extraordinary Circumstances (EEC)

A student who has successfully completed at least one module or the equivalent but is unable to complete the course due to documented unforeseeable extraordinary circumstances may apply for an extension for extraordinary circumstances (EEC). The request must be submitted via the TLC portal seven days after the release of final grades as indicated on Trident’s Academic Calendar.

The student will be required to submit official documentation of unforeseeable extraordinary circumstances (see examples below). Requests for certificate, diploma, undergraduate, and graduate students will be reviewed by the Committee on Academic Standards (CAS). Requests for doctoral students will be reviewed by the Program Director. All CAS and/or Program Director decisions are final. Appeals for further review will not be granted.

A student in an 8-week session who has been granted an EEC will be given up to 30 days from the end of the session to complete the course. A student in a 12-week session who has been granted an EEC will be given up to 14 days from the end of the session to submit assignments. Because Trident is committed to helping students succeed, the student may be required to roll over subsequent enrollments for accommodation of an approved extension. Exceptions to this timeframe may be granted to military servicemembers who are prevented from accessing their courses or are otherwise prevented from accessing the student portal for timely extension requests as a result of military service obligations including but not limited to wartime or short-notice deployment, national emergencies, or natural disasters. The same rules apply for affected Military Spouses.

Course Extension due to Extraordinary Circumstance examples

Examples of extraordinary circumstances that prevented the student from participating or completing the course during the session include the following:

• Military deployment or exercise during which the student had no access to the Internet for more than 30 days
• A medical event requiring hospitalization and/or a medical condition that lasted for more than 30 days
• Adverse effects of a natural disaster (e. g., hurricane, tornado, flood)
• Death of an immediate family member
• Unexpected and unscheduled “Increased operational tempo” or “expanded role at work” occurring after the beginning of the session as certified by the student’s commanding officer or supervisor.

Examples of acceptable documentation:

• Written verification on letterhead, including contact information, from commanding officer or supervisor specifying the dates and nature of the extraordinary circumstances
• Healthcare provider’s written verification specifying the dates that the student had been incapacitated for more than 30 days during the session in which student has requested the course extension (Verification should not include medical diagnosis)
• Obituaries or copies of death certificates, including an explanation of the student’s relationship to the deceased
• Insurance claims or other verification that student has been impacted by a natural disaster specifying the dates and the nature of the disaster and its impact on the student

Student Responsibilities Following Approval of Course Extension

Receiving approval of a course extension (Standard or EEC) does not alter the financial obligations a student may have with Trident.

Students must also comply with all tuition assistance, Title IV, and Veteran Education Benefit requirements. In compliance with federal regulations, students who have been granted a course extension but who are not enrolled in the following session and who fail to obtain an official Leave of Absence (LOA) will be reported as “withdrawn” to the National Student Clearinghouse and National Student Loan Data System. A withdrawal from Trident may impact the student’s financial aid eligibility, Student Academic Progress (SAP), and planned graduation date.

If a student requests a course extension for the last course in the degree program, the student will be reported as “withdrawn” to ensure the student enters the grace period for repayment in a timely manner and in compliance with federal regulations. Upon completion of the course with a passing grade, the student’s status will be updated from “withdrawn” to “graduate.”

If a student completes the course by the deadline, the student will receive the letter grade earned.

If a student fails to complete the course by the deadline, the “Incomplete” grade will be changed to the appropriate letter grade earned.

If the student fails to complete the course (or receives a non-passing grade) and military or government tuition assistance (TA) funding was used, the student may be subject to recoupment of the TA. If Department of Veterans Affairs’ funds were used, similar restitution of VA benefits may have to be made by the student to the Department of Veterans Affairs. If federal financial aid was used, the disbursements received by the student may be subject to return of Title IV funds calculated based on the last date of academic activity. If employer reimbursement was used, the student may be subject to return of the reimbursed amount to the employer.

Students are responsible to familiarize themselves with the requirements and restrictions imposed by applicable funding or tuition assistance entities.