Interpretación en profundidad

Academic Standing

The Conestoga Student Guide is your first source for information concerning academic regulations, policies and procedures. Each student is provided with this annual publication early in the semester each academic year. The Conestoga Student Guide is also available on the college web site by visiting:

http://www.conestogac.on.ca/registrar/studentguide.jsp

In addition to the Academic Regulations found in the Conestoga Student Guide, the following apply to the Paralegal Program:

Achievement:

• Students who have met all course requirements will be promoted to graduation. Clearance of Academic Deficiency

• Please refer to Conestoga Student Guide for the procedure and criteria regarding Clearance of Academic Deficiency. Please note that following the end of semester, contact with any student eligible to write a supplemental will be made by email. A specific date, time and room number will be given to each student. If a student does not respond to this contact, the student forfeits the opportunity to write a supplemental test. The maximum number of supplemental opportunities during the program is 2 per student.

Academic Probation:

• Students who have been unsuccessful in their field experience, have demonstrated a significant lack of professional deportment, have failed two or more academic courses, and/or have required considerable testing/assignment variances may be recommended for Academic Probation.

Academic probation allows students to be promoted to the next level with a special timetable or with academic conditions. Special timetables and academic conditions are designed as part of written learning contract that the student and program coordinator create together. The goal of these measures is to allow students to continue in the program accompanied by a supportive plan for success.

• The Paralegal program offers each course only once per academic school year. Failure of a course will impact your ability to graduate that year. Students will not be able to repeat a course until the following academic year.

Discontinuance:

• Students who have not successfully participated in the requirements of their academic probation, who have failed to meet the standards set out in the Conestoga Student Guide and/or the

Paralegal Program Standards and Procedures Handbook involving academic dishonesty, student responsibilities, or unacceptable behaviour, attitude or conduct or have failed 2 or more of their academic courses and field experiences may be discontinued from the Program at the end of the academic term. Students who have not successfully completed all academic courses are not eligible to participate in the practicum placement. Students who have been discontinued from the Program may be considered for re-entry to the program for the following academic year. The

Department will determine eligibility for re-entry into the program on a case-by-case basis. Re- admission to the program will be based on a plan of success developed and signed by the student, in consultation with the Program Coordinator.

Withdrawal:

• Students not planning to return to the Paralegal Program the following semester are expected to complete a Withdrawal Form available from the program coordinators, the registrar’s office, or on the college website: http://www.conestogac.on.ca/registrar/forms/index.jsp

Appeal:

• Students have the right to appeal any academic decisions as set out in the Conestoga Student Guide. It is recommended that students begin this appeal process by first meeting with the faculty and/or program coordinator.

Graduation

• Students who have completed the Paralegal program in the prescribed sequence are

automatically registered to graduate. Students who have not completed the Paralegal program in the prescribed sequence must “apply to graduate” during their final semester. Visit the college web site for an application to graduate: http://www.conestogac.on.ca/registrar/forms/index.jsp

Process for Resolution of Student Concerns

In order to resolve any concerns which may arise during a course, practicum or relating to the program overall, students are encouraged to resolve issues or concerns informally at the program level prior to proceeding to a formal appeal.

If attempts have been made, and a successful resolution has not been reached, students are encouraged to refer to their Conestoga Student Guide, and to follow the procedures outlined under the “Academic Dispute Resolution and Appeal Procedure” section.

Additional Information for Students

Below is information to supplement the information found in the Conestoga Student Guide.

• Your Student Guide provides detailed information about dropping courses. If you are planning to drop a course, you must do so within the time period. If you have missed that time period, please see the Program Coordinator to find out about your options. Not attending a course does not constitute an official dropping of a course and will result in a grade of “F”.

• If you have completed courses from a college or university that you think may be very similar in content to courses in the Paralegal program you may be eligible for a course exemption. Please note that to receive an exemption, courses must have been completed within the past 7 years and with a mark of at least 60%.). The course content must match 80% of the Paralegal course

content. If you would like to proceed with a request for exemptions, please contact your Program Coordinator for guidance. Exemptions will not be processed until a student starts the course. The exemption process will take some time (2-3 weeks), and students should attend all scheduled courses until they receive the exemption as they will be responsible for all material covered in class should the exemption be denied.