Accreditation, Definitions of Academic Terms

Accreditation

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

LeTourneau University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of LeTourneau University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

ABET

LeTourneau’s Engineering program offers the BSE degree with various concentrations, and is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org/

LeTourneau’s Engineering Technology program offers the BSET degree with various concentrations, and is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org/

LeTourneau’s Mechanical Engineering program offers the BSME degree, and is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org/

LeTourneau’s Electrical and Computer Engineering program offers the BSECE degree with concentrations, and is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org/

LeTourneau’s Civil Engineering program offers the BSCE degree with various concentrations, and is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org/

CCNE

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at LeTourneau University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The School of Aviation & Aeronautical Science offers three programs that are approved by the FAA. The Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic curriculum is approved by the FAA under 14CFR Part 147. The Private, Instrument and Commercial Pilot curriculum is approved by the FAA under 14CFR Part 141. 

Texas State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC)

LeTourneau University’s educator preparation program underwent its first program review and approval from the State Board for Educator Certification in October 1993 and is accredited on an annual basis by the Texas Education Agency.

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)

THECB does not require nonprofit, private institutions in Texas to have a state license to operate, as long as the institution is regionally accredited.

Definitions of Academic Terms

Academic Year

The academic year is divided into two regular semesters, fall and spring, and a summer semester. Fall, spring, and summer semesters have at least 15 weeks, and each semester contains several modules. The University has two types of courses, semester-long courses and module courses. Semester-long courses and module courses have the same rigor and content, however the module courses are compressed into a much shorter time frame than the semester-long courses. Most on campus programs occur primarily in fall and spring; most online campus programs occur year round. The University’s academic year begins in the fall and concludes at the end of the following summer semester.

Credit Hour, Carnegie Unit, and Student Engagement

LeTourneau University uses the semester hour as its standard credit hour. Consistent with the Carnegie Unit expectation and university best practices, a 3-semester-hour course should require a minimum of 112.5 actual hours of student engagement for a C-level student. Student engagement is defined as the actual time in the classroom plus time spent on activities related to the course, including but not limited to reading, conducting research, writing, and studying. This broad definition applies to all LETU courses, regardless of the length of the course, location of instruction, or instructional format.

At least an equivalent amount of work is required for academic activities such as laboratory work, internships, practica, research, thesis, and similar activities that lead to the award of credit hours. Both the amount of work spent in the academic activity and the expected time of student engagement outside the activity will be considered when assigning credit hours to laboratory work, internships, practica, student teaching, research, thesis, and similar activities.

Carnegie definition:

• 15 weeks of instruction x 50 minutes of instruction x 3 classes/week = 2,250 minutes of class time
• 2,250 minutes of class time x 3 = 6,750 minutes divided by 60 min = 112.5 hours of student engagement

Online Campus Programs

The University’s online campus programs include those programs offered primarily online, as well as on ground programs at educational centers throughout Texas. For online campus programs, each semester-fall, spring, and summer semesters-contains two 7-week modules for undergraduates, one 3-week module for graduate students, two 7-week modules for graduate students, and some undergraduate and graduate courses span the entire 15-week semester. Module courses are compressed into a much shorter time frame than semester-long courses. Most online programs occur year round.

On Campus Programs

The University’s on campus programs are offered primarily on ground at the main campus in Longview. For on campus students, courses typically span the length of the entire semester. Most on campus programs occur primarily in fall and spring.

Grades, Grade Point Averages (GPA), and Grade Points

Academic standing is determined by grades earned from class work and examinations. Grade point averages (GPA) are determined on a 4.00 basis per credit hour. The letter grades W, I, and X do not count in the GPA, nor do grades transferred to LETU from other institutions. The WF grade is calculated on the same basis as an F. Five grades are given for passing* work, with significance as follow

*For undergraduate programs, a grade of D is not considered passing for some courses within a given major. Check program requirements. For graduate programs, a grade of D is not considered passing and will not count toward meeting graduation requirements.

Incomplete Grades

When circumstances beyond the control of the student prevent the completion of all requirements for a given course, an instructor may choose to submit a grade of “I” (incomplete) if the student has completed a majority of the coursework. Students must satisfactorily complete the work before April 1st for fall courses and before November 1st for spring or summer courses. An earlier deadline may be set at the discretion of the instructor. Incomplete grades will be changed to “F” grades if a Change of Grade form is not submitted by the instructor to the Office of the Registrar prior to the April 1st or November 1st deadline.

Coursework Status

In addition to grades, courses will also have a status. The code indicates the student’s status in the course section. Course status codes are:

Semester Honors and Graduation Honors

Two levels of semester honors are recognized for full-time students: the Deans’ List and the President’s List. Full-time students who achieve a semester GPA of 3.50 to 3.99 are included in the Deans’ List. Those who achieve a semester GPA of 4.00 are included in the President’s List. Students receiving any incomplete grade (I) during the semester will not be eligible for semester honors. For information about graduation honors, see Graduation Requirements.

Cognate

A course related to a discipline (yet not within the major) which is required for completion of a degree program.

Undergraduate Student Classifications

Graduate Student Classifications