TRANSFERRED CREDIT
Official transcripts from other colleges and universities attended should be sent to the University for review and application of credit toward Columbus course requirements.

In order to receive transfer credit for an undergraduate course, a grade of “C” or above must have been received. In order to receive transfer credit for a graduate or post-graduate course, a grade of “B” or above must have been received.

In order for Columbus to consider awarding transfer credit for coursework completed at a college or university outside of the United States, the student must submit an evaluation of academic credentials conducted by a recognized, expert service in the field of
international academic credential evaluations.

Official transcripts must be received prior to graduation. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the transferred credits not being applied to Columbus course requirements.

Credit by Examination
Students may be awarded academic credit on the basis of accepted credit by examination. The student must submit official results from the testing agency for evaluation. Failure to do so will result in the credits not being applied to Columbus course requirements.

INDEPENDENT STUDY
Any course for which transfer or credentialization credit was not received must be completed via independent study. Independent study is defined as studying the
presented course material(s) and demonstrating understanding and application by successfully completing a final examination or course paper, or submitting a portfolio.

Examinations
Examinations may be ordered by mailing, faxing, or emailing Course Examination Request forms to the University.

Course Papers
Course papers must demonstrate that the student has achieved a comprehensive understanding of the material covered and can effectively apply that understanding.

Students are required to use the assigned textbook, however, additional references from other sources are required as well. The Course Paper must include a table of contents,
introduction, body, conclusion, footnotes, and bibliography. Columbus recommends that
students consult manuals on writing term papers such as the Turabian Guide, MLA Handbook, or APA Handbook.

On the Bachelor’s level, course papers 10-15 pages in length with 5-10 resources are required. On the Master’s level, course papers 15-20 pages in length with 10-15 resources are required. On the Doctorate level, course papers 20+ pages in length with 10-15 resources are required. All pages must be double-spaced and in 12-point font.

Bachelor’s Final/Project
Once all Bachelor’s-level courses have been completed, a Bachelor’s Final/Project Proposal form should be submitted to the University. While students are permitted to select their subject matter, the proposed topic must directly relate to his/her major. Upon approval, composition may commence. Students may complete a Bachelor’s Final or a Bachelor’s Project.

Bachelor’s Final
The Bachelor’s Final must demonstrate that the student has achieved degree-specific proficiency, is able to communicate concepts and principles within his/her major, and can utilize pertinent research data from various sources. The submission must be organized and information must be documented properly and presented clearly, logically, effectively, and correctly with respect to grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Finals 15-20 pages in length with 5-10 resources are required. All pages must be double-spaced and in 12-point font.

Bachelor’s Project
The Bachelor’s Project should be a physical work. Typically, projects take the form of policy and procedures manuals, instructional guides, video presentations, theatrical productions, and the like. A written analysis must be submitted with the Project describing the ways in which the Project relates to the student’s major.

Written analyses 10-15 pages in length with 5-10 resources are required. All pages must be double-spaced and in 12-point font.

Master’s Thesis/Project
Once all Master’s-level courses have been completed, a Master’s Thesis Proposal form should be submitted to the University. While students are permitted to select their subject matter, the proposed topic must directly relate to his/her major. Upon approval, composition may commence. Students may complete a Master’s Thesis or a Master’s Project.

Master’s Thesis
Students are required to submit a final draft of their Thesis to the University for approval, prior to submitting it for formal assessment. A Faculty Advisor will review the draft and advise as to whether the composition is deemed appropriate for submission, or requires further development.

The Master’s Thesis must demonstrate that the student has achieved degree-specific proficiency, is able to communicate concepts and principles within his/her major, and can utilize pertinent research data from various sources. The submission must be organized and information must be documented properly and presented clearly, logically, effectively, and correctly with respect to grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

The following guideline can be used as an aid. Note that not all of the below listed categories are necessary and/or appropriate for all areas of study.
I. Topic Introduction.
II. Literature Review.
III. Methodology or Procedures.
IV. Findings (Analysis and Evaluation).
V. Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations.

Theses 75-100 pages in length with 15-20 resources are required. All pages must be double-spaced and in 12-point font.

Master’s Project
The Master’s Project should be a physical work. Typically, projects take the form of policy and procedures manuals, instructional guides, video presentations, theatrical productions, and the like. A written analysis must be submitted with the Project describing the ways in which the Project relates to the student’s major.

Written analyses 20-40 pages in length with 15-20 resources are required. All pages must be double-spaced and in 12-point font.

Doctoral Dissertation/Project
Once all Doctorate-level courses have been completed, a Doctoral Dissertation Proposal form should be submitted to the University. While students are permitted to select their subject matter, the proposed topic must directly relate to his/her major. Upon approval, composition may commence. Students may complete a Doctoral Dissertation or a Doctoral Project.

Doctoral Dissertation
Students are required to submit a final draft of their Dissertation to the University for approval, prior to binding it in hard cover and submitting it for formal assessment. A Faculty Advisor will review the draft and advise as to whether the composition is deemed appropriate for binding and submission, or requires further development.

The Dissertation must demonstrate that the student has achieved degree-specific proficiency, is able to communicate concepts and principles within his/her major, and can utilize pertinent research data from various sources. The submission must be organized and information must be documented properly and presented clearly, logically, effectively, and correctly with respect to grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

The following guideline can be used as an aid. Note that not all of the below listed categories are necessary and/or appropriate for all areas of study.
I. Topic Introduction.
II. Literature Review.
III. Methodology or Procedures.
IV. Findings (Analysis and Evaluation).
V. Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations.

Dissertations 125+ pages in length with 20+ resources are required. All pages must be double-spaced and in 12-point font.

Doctoral Project
The Doctoral Project should be a physical work. Typically, projects take the form of policy and procedures manuals, instructional guides, video presentations, theatrical productions, and the like. A written analysis must be submitted with the Project describing the ways in which the Project relates to the student’s major.

Written analyses 40+ pages in length with 20+ resources are required. All pages must be double-spaced and in 12-point font.

Acceptable Grades
Once the submitted examination, course paper, Bachelor’s Final/Project, Master’s Thesis/Project, or Doctoral Dissertation/Project is graded, a Grade Report will be sent to the student. If a failing or unsatisfactory grade is received, the submission must be redone to meet minimum degree requirements (on the Bachelor’s level, coursework receiving an “F” must be redone, and on the Master’s and Doctorate levels, coursework receiving a “D” and below must be redone). Submissions may also be redone in an effort to raise one’s grade if he/she so desires.