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UNITY COLLEGE DISTANCE EDUCATION CATALOGWhy are you interested in pursuing a degree at Unity College and howdoes this program align with your career goals?o How do your previous experiences and background prepare you for thisdegree?GRE score reports (optional)For applicants with GPAs between 2.75 and 3.0: Statement of circumstances(maximum of 500 words) that affected the student’s GPA and how these havebeen addressed to ensure success at Unity College.o While unofficial transcripts are accepted during the admissions process, officialtranscripts from the institution where the bachelor’s degree was awarded must besubmitted prior to completing the student’s first term at Unity College. Failure tosubmit official transcripts will prohibit the student from registering for the next term.Admissions Requirement for Graduate Students with a Non-ScienceBackgroundStudents with a non-science bachelor’s degree must have the following classesbefore admittance into the Master of Professional Science in Wildlife Conservationand Management, Professional Wildlife Biologist Track: one statistics class and oneecology or wildlife biology or natural resource management class. There are no prerequisites for the Master of Professional Science in Wildlife Conservation andManagement, Conservation and Management Track.Students with a non-science bachelor’s degree must have the following classesbefore admittance into the Master of Professional Science in Environmental Scienceprogram: one statistics class and one geology or soil science or earth science class.Students with a non-science bachelor’s degree must have the following classesbefore admittance into the Master of Professional Science in Marine Scienceprogram: one statistics class and one marine biology or biology or oceanographyclass.Readmission to the CollegeStudents enrolled in a degree program may continue to work toward their degreeprogram under the requirements that were in effect at the time they matriculated,providing there have been no breaks of more than twelve (12) months. Students whohave a break of more than twelve months must apply to be reinstated to theDistance Education program and meet requirements of the catalog in effect at thetime they are reinstated. After 12 months of inactivity, students must contact theiracademic advisor to express their intent to re-enroll in classes. Students who had abreak in attendance for up to two (2) years due to military service are readmitted totheir original program and catalog requirements, as long as the program is still activein Distance Education. The College reserves the right to make substitutions for coursesthat are no longer offered.10

UNITY COLLEGE DISTANCE EDUCATION CATALOGTransfer of CreditsUndergraduate students may transfer a maximum of 90 undergraduate credits intoundergraduate programs at Unity College. Students must earn a ‘C-’ (1.7) or higherfor the credit to be accepted for transfer. The credit-granting institution must also beaccredited by a Department of Education-recognized regional or nationalaccrediting body. If an institution is accredited by a DOE recognized agency buthas programs and/or courses which are not eligible for Title IV funding, thatcoursework is not transferable for credit. Some coursework may not be eligible forcredit transfer, including remedial/fundamental coursework.Advanced Placement (AP ) exams are eligible for transfer credit and counttoward the 90-credit maximum for undergraduate students. A minimum score of 4 isrequired to earn credit for mathematics and biology courses. For all other courses, aminimum score of 3 is sufficient.College Level Examination Program (CLEP ) exams are also eligible for transfercredit and count toward the 90-credit maximum for undergraduate students. UnityCollege follows College Board recommendations for minimum scores whenprocessing transfer credit.DSST is a credit-by-examination program often utilized by members of the military.DSST scores can be submitted to earn college credit toward a degree program.Unity College will utilize current ACE recommendations for the minimum passingscore and amount of credits to be awarded.Unity College accepts credits from the International Baccalaureate DiplomaProgramme for courses grades with a 5 or higher if applicable to the student’s majorat the college. International Baccalaureate credits are subject to transfer creditlimitations.GED exams may be eligible for transfer credit and count toward the 90-creditmaximum for undergraduate students. Unity College follows the recommendations ofthe American Council on Education (ACE ) guidelines for minimum scores whenprocessing transfer credit. Students may receive up to 3 credits of math elective, 3credits of biology elective, 3 credits of humanities elective, and 1 credit of generalelectives based on individual test subject scores.Active and former military members may receive transfer credit by submitting a JointServices Transcript. Courses will be evaluated per ACE recommendations and canbe applied to the major (if relevant) or toward general electives.Students enrolled in an undergraduate certificate may not transfer more than 25% ofthat certificate’s required credits.Unity College reserves the right to determine the eligibility of transfer credits. Transfercredits count only toward the total earned hours, not undergraduate grade pointaverages.11

UNITY COLLEGE DISTANCE EDUCATION CATALOGGraduate students may transfer a maximum of nine (9) graduate credits intograduate programs at Unity College. All coursework transferred must apply to thedegree requirements of the program the student is enrolled in. Students must earn a‘B’ (3.0) or higher for the credit to be accepted for transfer. The credit grantinginstitution must also be accredited by a recognized regional or national accreditingbody. Credits should be transferred at the time the student is admitted and will bereviewed by the Registrar’s Office, in consultation with the deans. Transfer creditscount only toward the total earned hours, not graduate grade point averages.Transfer of credits from other approved graduate programs will be considered on acase-by-case basis by the Registrar’s Office in consult with the Deans.Transfer of Credits for Prior LearningUndergraduate students may receive up to 30 credits toward a program throughCredit for Prior Learning and no more than a total of 90 credits combined with priorlearning and transfer credits. Graduate students may receive up to six creditstowards a degree program through Credit for Prior Learning. Students must applythrough the Credit for Prior Learning Assessment process. All applicants must submit aportfolio that justifies the credits requested for award. The Distance EducationCurriculum and Assessment Task Group reviews submitted portfolios and provides arecommendation to the Vice President of Distance Education. The Vice President ofDistance Education is responsible for the final decision. The following categories areways that students may qualify to receive through prior learning experiences:-Credit for professional licenses and credentials earned-Credit of a prepared portfolio documenting skills and knowledge-Credit for exams, trainings, or certifications receivedPortfolio must include the following information: Course Information - Includes the learning outcomes for the specific course you arechallenging. Summary Sheet - Matches each course learning outcome to your experience andsupporting evidence. Resume and Biographical Essay - Provides an overview of your learning experiencesrelated to the course. Narrative - Demonstrates how you have achieved each course learning outcome. Documentary Evidence - Supports your claims to knowledge of the learningoutcomesTransfer of Credits from a Quarter SystemUnity College recognizes that some students may transfer in credits earned from aquarter credit system. To convert quarter hours to semester hours, multiply the12

UNITY COLLEGE DISTANCE EDUCATION CATALOGnumber of quarter credits earned by 2/3. For example, a course earned at 4.5quarter credits converts to 3 semester credits.When the conversion of credit hours completed results in a fraction, the number ofcredit hours will be rounded up for the benefit of the student by 0.5 semester credits.For example, a course earned at 4 quarter credits converts to 2.67 semester credits,which is rounded up to 3 semester credits. A course earned at 5 quarter creditsconverts to 3.33 semester credits, which is rounded up to 3.5 semester credits.International Transfer CreditInternational transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES - or AICE -approvedagency to determine U.S. credit equivalency. Unity College will not consider foreigncredits for transfer without the agency evaluation.13

UNITY COLLEGE DISTANCE EDUCATION CATALOGSECTION 3: EXPENSES AND FINANCIAL AIDCost of AttendanceUndergraduate courses cost 470 per credit hour. Books, software, hardware, andother materials are not included in the credit hour cost and must be purchasedseparately.Graduate courses cost 650 per credit hour. Books, software, hardware, and othermaterials are not included in the credit hour cost and must be purchased separately.Military Differential Tuition: All distance education courses are reduced by 10% forveterans or active military members and their dependents.BillingStudents will be billed for each term after registering for their courses, and all studentaccounts must be settled and any financial aid in place before the end of theadd/drop period (day 3 of the term). Any outstanding balance will lead toautomatic withdrawal from courses. Any outstanding balance must be paid prior tofuture enrollment.Failure to PayFailure to pay bills in full when due may result in revocation of Unity College privileges,including but not limited to, issuance of grades and/or transcripts, registration forsubsequent terms, participation in graduation ceremonies, and participation inregistered classes and examinations. It is imperative that a student contact StudentFinancial Services if any charges are disputed.Refund PolicyDistance Education students who drop a course, whether they are active or not,before the end of the add/drop period are eligible for a 100% tuition refund for thatcourse. After midnight of the last day of add/drop, students are no longer eligible fora refund.If a student takes no action to drop a course and stops participating in the classduring the add/drop period, the institution will take action to withdraw the studentand the student will be held accountable for the total cost of the course.Failure to ParticipateStudents who fail to participate in their course within the first three (3) days (as definedby a minimum of one discussion forum post) may be automatically dropped from thecourse.Financial AidYour federal need will be determined based on the income and asset information14

UNITY COLLEGE DISTANCE EDUCATION CATALOGyou provide on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online atfafsa.gov. Choose Unity's College Code (006858) to ensure that the federalapplication data will be transmitted to the Financial Aid Office. Please respondpromptly to requests for additional information or clarification concerning your aidapplication.Return to Title IVStudents receiving any federally sponsored financial aid, such as Federal Pell Grants,or Federal Stafford Loans, are subject to a separate Federal policy pertaining to theamount of those federal funds they may retain when they withdraw from the collegeduring an academic semester. This policy, called The Return of Title IV Funds Policy,prorates available aid based on the amount of the semester completed. Writtenexamples of the refund calculations are available upon request from StudentFinancial Services, as well as any further information that may be needed pertainingto the refund or return of Title IV Funds process. Whenever applicable refunds aredetermined and any federally sponsored programs are involved, the followingfederally prescribed order of refund distribution is required Prescribed by Law andRegulation TOTAL REFUND:1. Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan2. Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan3. Federal Perkins Loan4. Federal PLUS Loan5. Federal Pell Grant6. FSEOG7. Other Title IV Aid ProgramsFinancial Aid Available for Distance Education StudentsPell GrantMatriculated undergraduate students who complete a FAFSA may be eligible for thePell Grant. This need-based award does not need to be paid back.Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity GrantMatriculated undergraduate students who receive Pell Grant are eligible for this grantbased on fund availability. This award is to Pell-eligible students.The Direct Subsidized Loan ProgramMatriculated undergraduate students enrolled in three (3) or more credit hours per 5week term may complete a FAFSA for consideration for this loan. The maximumannual award is based on the student’s year in college. The total undergraduateamount a student may receive is 23,000.Repayment on the Subsidized Loan starts no sooner than six (6) months after yougraduate or fall below half-time status. There is a ten-year repayment period and15

UNITY COLLEGE DISTANCE EDUCATION CATALOGother re-payment options.The Direct Unsubsidized Loan ProgramMatriculated undergraduate students enrolled in three (3) or more credit hours per 5week term may complete a FAFSA for consideration for this loan. The maximumannual award is based on the student’s year in college. The total undergraduateamount a student may receive is 34,500.Matriculated graduate students enrolled in three (3) or more credits per 8-week termmay complete a FAFSA for consideration for this loan. The maximum annualunsubsidized loan is 20,500. More information about the Direct Unsubsidized Loan willbe provided to qualifying students.The Unsubsidized Loan starts to accrue interest after payment to your account. Whilein College, you can elect to pay interest on an Unsubsidized Loan, or have it addedto the principal. Repayment on the Unsubsidized Loan starts no sooner than six (6)months after you graduate or fall below half-time status. There is a ten-yearrepayment period and other re-payment options.NOTE: Financial Aid is not available for non-degree seeking candidates.Private LoansPrivate loans may be an option if no other sources of financial aid are available.Unity College is not permitted to provide counsel about which private loans tochoose. For help on this matter, please visit: http://www.Unity.edu/FastChoice.16

UNITY COLLEGE DISTANCE EDUCATION CATALOGSECTION 4: ACADEMIC POLICIESDefinition of a Distance Education CreditUnity College policy defines one undergraduate credit hour as a semester hour, thestandard measure of progress toward a degree at most institutions. For most standardlecture courses, it represents 50 minutes of faculty-directed instruction and 2 hours ofself-directed class work each week for a traditional 15-week semester (i.e., one 3credit undergraduate class is approximately 135 hours of student work). The tablebelow demonstrates how this standard is applied to Unity College’s undergraduateterm calendar. This credit hour definition follows the guidelines for awarding semestercredit hours from the US Department of Education and the New England Commissionof Higher Education. While online courses do not have specified time in a physicalclass, they require an analogous amount of work to a semester credit hour.CreditHoursMinimum totalrequired facultydirected instructionhoursMinimum totalstudent-directedinstructional hoursTotal MinimumInstructional HoursHours perweek for 5week term3459013527Graduate students are expected to perform not only additional work beyondundergraduate expectations, but to submit work that is more in-depth and of higherquality as befits a graduate-level course. Graduate students are therefore expectedto perform roughly a third more work than their undergraduate counterparts. Thus,one Unity College graduate credit hour in an eight-week term is equal to at least 60hours of student work.Definition of a non-credit course:Non-credit offerings may be stand-alone courses or instructional programs that do notoffer academic credit. The term “program,” in this policy, refers to a series of non-creditcourses that may lead to a culminating non-credit certification or credential. Nonmatriculated students participating in non-credit courses are considered non-degreestudents. Non-credit courses will appear on the official Unity College transcript, but donot have final letter grades. Individual assignments, projects, or coursework may receivefeedback and/or assessment as relevant to the content and structure of the course.Non-credit courses may be offered simultaneously as a for-credit course; in this case, astudent must be registered for the for-credit course by the end of the add/drop periodin order to receive academic credit. Participation in non-credit offerings will not yieldcredit and cannot be converted to academic credit after the fact.17

UNITY COLLEGE DISTANCE EDUCATION CATALOGCourse Load and StatusThe maximum load for all DE undergraduate students is limited to 6 credit hours per 5week term. Students taking 3 credits per five-week term are considered full time status.To be eligible for financial aid, undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least one3-credit course per term. Any increases to the recommended maximum load arecontingent upon course availability and must be approved by the Vice President ofDistance Education or hiring Dean.The maximum load for all DE graduate students is limited to 6 credit hours per 8-weekterm. To complete the Master of Professional Science program in one year, a studentmust enroll in 6 credits for five consecutive terms. To complete the Sustainable MBA in14 months, a student must enroll in 6 credits for six consecutive terms. To be eligible forfinancial aid, graduate students must be enrolled in at least one 3-credit course per 8week term. Any increases to the recommended maximum load are contingent uponcourse availability and must be approved by the Dean.Course RegistrationStudents will register for courses by working with their Distance EducationConcierge/Advisor to select courses that are appropriate for their degreecompletion. Based on the student’s academic plan, the

PROFESSIONAL SCIENCE COURSES 114 SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS COURSES 115 SUSTAINABLE NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COURSES 116 SUSTAINABILITY COURSES 118 URBAN ECOLOGY AND SUSTAINABLE PLANNING COURSES 119 . There are no pre-requisites for the Master of Professional Science in Wildlife Conservation and Management, Conservation and Management Track. .