General Transfer Credit Policy
Students may transfer credits from another graduate or professional program if the credits are appropriate to the NCOU program. Only modules offered at approved university or college may be accepted with an equivalent of a 'C' grade or better for the 'B' grade or better.
Registration
Students must register in order to attend online classes and receive a grade. All registration and other forms or documents are official and become NCOU's property when received by the Registrar's Office.
The minimum academic load is 15 credits per term for all programs and may only be exceeded under extenuating circumstances and with the prior written consent of the Management team.
The University reserves the right to cancel from the time-table any module in which there is an insufficient number of students enrolled. Students enrolled in a module that has been cancelled should contact the Registrar for assistance in making another module selection.
A minimum of 15 credits hours and additional library research per week are required for full-time status, which must be maintained for all foreign students.
It is also important to note that a student who has registered for a higher qualification is not later allowed to move and register onto a lower qualification unless the move is onto the same level qualification and approval is obtained from the Management Team.
Note: NCOU reserves the right to alter, amend, change or modify the academic programme in cases of under or over enrolment, or in the case of a mutual agreement with a sponsoring institution. Similarly, NCOU reserves the right to alter, amend, change or modify its terms and conditions of admissions and other policies without further notice.
Adding And Dropping modules
In some instances, students may find it necessary to add or drop a module after having registered. An application must be completed and placed on file with the Registrar. The 'add and drop' period runs for a maximum of two weeks starting on the first day of class. Non-attendance does not constitute an official withdrawal. Failure to file an official drop will result in a failing grade in online classes in which the student is registered or supposed to have registered, and the student will be liable for full tuition payments.
Graduation
NCOU organises one graduation ceremony annually, in September. Students who have completed their programs and who are above the required CGPA for final graduations are entitled to petition for graduation and to attend the nearest graduation ceremony exercise.
Withdrawal
A student who wishes to withdraw from either a module or an entire program must first file an application available to the Registrar's Office.
Note that no refund can be entertained once classes and application have approved and started.
Academic Term
North Carolina Open University operates on a term system, with each term consisting of 10-15 intensive weeks of online classes. This research and reading components are expected to take the equivalent of ten academic hours. In addition, each module requires ten academic hours of post-coursework designed to complete and present each module's project. Students will receive three hours of classroom instruction during 10 weeks, in addition to the pre and post-assignment, for a 'three term credits hours' class. Academic support will be provided by the instructor and the Academic Dean. Students are expected to spend at least two hours of time for homework outside of online class for each hour of work in class levels.
Academic Dismissal Appeal
A student may appeal against an academic dismissal decision by submitting a written explanation with viable proof of non-occurrence of the deficiency or unjustified dismissive action together with the signature of approval of the Management team for a hearing to take place. If successful, all remedial actions will be taken immediately.
Directed Study
Directed study has been designed to meet the specialised interests and needs of advanced students. Request for directed study should be made in writing to the Management team unless prior approval has been given. The written request for directed study must include the specific module concerned and the justification for taking it as a directed study module. The student enrolled in a directed study module is required to work with an assigned faculty member throughout the term and complete requirements according to a specific syllabus.