Undergraduate Program Policies
Application Process
Prospective students will submit their application materials to Bisk Education/University Alliance via the BOAS (Bisk Online Application System). Once all required documentation has been received, Bisk will forward the complete application package to Villanova's Program Administrator, who will submit the application to the Academic Advisory Committee for review. Refer to the Admissions Requirements for additional information.
Transfer Credits
A minimum of 60 transfer credits are required from a prior nursing program. As a student, you will complete up to 60 credits of academic work through Villanova: 45 credits (including the 12-credit Clinical Decision Making Assessment) through the College of Nursing plus 15 general education course credits. Any course submitted for transfer credit must be equivalent to one of the required courses in Villanova's nursing and general education programs, and the student must have earned a 2.75 or higher GPA.
Academic Requirements, Grades and Grading Policies
Students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA for all undergraduate-level courses. Grades are recorded at the end of each term as soon as they are posted by faculty. Students who require a printed grade report should contact the University Office of the Registrar. Any inaccuracies should immediately be reported to the Registrar in writing.
A grade of "N" represents "incomplete" and indicates the instructor has agreed to give the student an extension for completion of any remaining assignments. If the student does not complete and submit the remaining coursework within one month after the term has ended, the "N" grade will automatically convert to an "F" (failing) grade.
A grade of "WX" signifies that the student was permitted to withdraw from the course without academic penalty. An approved withdrawal may be granted in cases such as a prolonged serious illness or significant employment difficulties, and requires official documentation.
Academic Integrity
Undergraduate students are expected to adhere to Villanova University's policies and regulations. Students who exhibit dishonesty in any exam or assignment may receive a failing grade ("F") for either the exam/assignment or for the entire course. Punishment for egregious cases may include suspension or dismissal from the program.
Code of Conduct
In addition to maintaining a 2.0 GPA, Villanova undergraduate students must exhibit a consistently high level of professional behavior at all times. They must adhere to the values and principles of their chosen career field and treat all faculty, staff and fellow students with respect. Repeated or severe violations of reasonable performance expectations may result in dismissal from the University.
Course Materials
Students can order all required textbooks, study guides and other course materials through University Alliance and have them shipped directly to their address of record. Each student is assigned a program representative, who is available to assist with the enrollment and ordering processes and answer any questions the student may have.
Library Resources
Students enrolled in the online undergraduate program will have access to online library materials and services through Villanova's Falvey Memorial Library. Available materials and services include electronic books, online reference sources, interlibrary loan services, electronic document delivery services, assistance from reference and research librarians, and more. For additional information, visit library.villanova.edu.
Full-Time and Part-Time Status
Students enrolled in six (6) credit hours per term are considered to be enrolled on a half-time basis. Students must meet this criteria, and must be fully matriculated:
- Must be enrolled in 6 credits for Session I OR
- Must be enrolled in 6 credits for Session II OR
- Must be enrolled in 3 credits Session I, 3 credits Session II for that term. (Example, student is enrolled in Summer I for 3 credits, and Summer II for 3 credits)
Please note "half-time" status cannot be defined by combining sessions from other terms. For example, a student who enrolls in 3 credits Summer II, and then 3 credits Fall I cannot combine those sessions to qualify for "half-time" status. That student would be considered to be enrolled less-than half-time.
Students MUST be enrolled in 6 credits at the time of disbursement in order for disbursement to occur. The exception to this rule is those students using VA Benefits.
Crossover Requests for Campus-Based and Online Degree Programs
Villanova University does not permit crossover program enrollments. Students accepted to the online undergraduate program will not receive credit for courses taken on campus, and students accepted to the ground-based program will not receive credit for courses taken online.
Transient/Visiting Students
Transient/visiting students are defined as those who wish to enroll in undergraduate-level courses but do not intend to pursue a degree from Villanova. The University does not permit transient or visiting students to enroll in online undergraduate classes.
Waiver Exams
Waiver exams are not administered for any course in Villanova's online undergraduate program.
Adding or Withdrawing From a Course
Students are not permitted to add a course after the registration deadline has passed. Students who wish to drop a course may do so within the first seven days of class without penalty and it will not reflect on the transcript. After that date, students can withdraw by using MyNova, which will result in a grade of "WX."
*Maryland residents-only can receive 5% withdrawal refund in weeks four and five.
The Appeals Process is as follows:
- Academic Integrity Violation Appeals: Students who receive an academic integrity penalty may, if they believe that they have not committed an academic integrity violation, take their case to the Board of Academic Integrity. The appeals procedure is described in this document
- Admissions Decisions Appeals: Any applicant wishing to appeal an admission decision by the College of Nursing Admissions Advisory Committee must send the written appeal, along with any additional pertinent application materials, to the Nursing Facility Coordinator, Dr. Margaret Lyons, who will convey the case to the College of Nursing Dean for final decision.
- Grade Complaint or Faculty Performance Decisions Appeals: In the extraordinary case when a student or faculty member is unwilling to accept the decision of the Nursing Advisory Committee with respect to a grade complaint or a faculty performance complaint, she or he may appeal the decision in writing to the Dean of the College of a Nursing within seven days of that decision but only on the following grounds: 1. material procedural defect in the Committee, or 2. material procedural defect in the handling of the matter, or 3. new material evidence not reasonably available at the time of the original review of the matter. All written deliberations concerning the complaint shall be forwarded to the Dean to aid in the decision. In the course of his or her review of the appeal, the Dean may, but shall not be required to, consult with others, interview the complainant, faculty member, Chairperson, committee members or others. The decision of the Dean shall be final. See more information.
- Academic Dismissal Appeals: A student who is dismissed from the program for failing to maintain a 2.0 GPA may appeal the dismissal in writing to the Dean of the College of Nursing.
