Public Administration Program

History and Purpose

The Public Administration Program at Flagler College offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration.  The Program is offered as a community service for working professionals employed in public service, non-profit agencies, and private enterprises within state of Florida.

Program Administration

The Public Administration Program is administered under the Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs.  The program director is Dr. Joel Bolante, who is assisted by Dr. Richard Parker.  Their contact information is listed below:

Admission

Applications for admission are submitted online.  Official copies of all college transcripts must be received prior to acceptance.  All students must have completed an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree, an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree, or a minimum of 60 transferable college credits from a regionally accredited college or university in which a grade of C or better was earned.  Students who lack an A.A. and students who have earned an A.S. degree may be required to take additional courses to satisfy the College’s general education requirements of 33 hours in a variety of disciplines.  These requirements are listed below.

• English Composition I
• English Composition II
• Speech Communication
• Computer Literacy
• Two courses in Humanities
• Two courses in Social Science
• Two courses in Mathematics
• One additional course from: Humanities, Social Sciences, Mathematics, or Natural Sciences

Students enrolled in the Public Administration Program may submit some credits earned through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP); however, students must consult with the Office of the Registrar to confirm that the CLEP credits will satisfy the College’s General Education requirements. 

In accordance with the Articulation Agreement between the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF) and the State Board of Community Colleges, students who have earned an A.A. degree may transfer up to three courses in which a grade of D was earned.  No more than 64 semester hours may be transferred to Flagler College from a two-year college, and no more than 75 hours may be transferred to Flagler College from a four-year college or university.  The Articulation Agreement also provides that students who have earned an A.A. degree from a Florida community college will have satisfied Flagler College’s general education requirements.  Students with military coursework may be eligible to transfer up to 15 credit hours toward general education or elective coursework.  Students with law enforcement, fire service, EMS or corrections certification coursework may be eligible to transfer up to 15 credit hours toward the 27 hours of required elective coursework. The Registrar assigns all transfer credits.  See pages Transfer Credits from Another Institution for additional information regarding transferrable credit.

Admission Requirements

There is no application fee for the Public Administration program. Admitted students must submit a $100 deposit within 30 days of their acceptance to officially enroll. This deposit is credited to students’ accounts in their second semester of attendance.

To apply for the Public Administration program:

1. Complete the online application for admission, which can be found here.
2. Request that the Registrar of each college attended forward an official copy of the student’s transcript to the Office of Admissions, Flagler College, 74 King Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084
   1. Protective service employees (law enforcement, fire protection, paramedics/emergency medical technicians) should also provide documentation of professional training for evaluation of transfer credit. This may be sent to the same address as official college transcripts.
   2. Military veterans should order their official Joint Service Transcript or Community College of the Air Force transcript for evaluation of transfer credit; other documentation of military training may also be submitted. For a full discussion of Flagler College’s military training and education transfer credit policy, see Admission.
   3. Official AP or CLEP exam score reports may be submitted, if applicable. See Admission for discussion of credit for AP and CLEP exams.
   4. SAT or ACT score reports are not required.
3. Submit the required deposit within 30 days of the acceptance letter date. Acceptance letters will include a link to submit deposits online. Deposits may also be mailed or submitted in person to Bursar’s Office, Department of Business Services, 20 Valencia Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084.

Charges

Schedule of Classes and Calendar

Classes for the Public Administration Program will be offered in Hybrid and Online formats.  Four classes are scheduled per 16-week semester (two 8-week sessions with 2 classes per session) for 12 semester hours.  One Hybrid and one Online course will be offered each session unless otherwise directed by the Program Director.  Hybrid classes will meet on campus one night per week.  Online classes will be asynchronous.  The 2020-2021 Public Administration Calendar can be found on the College Calendar .

Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Science degree is awarded to students who meet the following conditions:

1. Completion of general education requirements (See Admission for further information).
2. Completion of the Public Administration major (See Public Administration Courses for further information).
3. Completion of at least 120 semester hours
4. Cumulative GPA of 2.0

Public Administration Courses

Below is the list of courses that must be successfully completed in the Public Administration major.  If a student has previously taken one of these courses and is also lacking a general education requirement, he/she can meet that requirement by taking a general education course in Flagler College’s traditional program of classes or from another college or university.  Any course substitution must be approved by the Program Director.  In addition to the courses listed below and subject to approval by the Program Director, PAD 491 and PAD 492 (Independent Study) may be offered in extenuating circumstances for students enrolled in the final semester of their program.

FALL SEMESTER 2022
Term A – 8 weeks
PAD 470–Current Issues for Public Managers
PAD 440–Behavior in Public Organizations

Term B – 8 weeks
PAD 401–Grant Writing and Administration
PAD 420–Administrative Ethics

SPRING SEMESTER 2023

Term A - 8 weeks

PAD-425 Issues in State and Local Government

PAD-445 Research Methods

Term B - 8 weeks

PAD-372 Intergovernmental Relations

PAD-460 Program Evaluation

FALL SEMESTER 2023

Term A - 8 weeks

PAD-215 Public Relations

PAD-301 Introduction to Public Administration

Term B - 8 weeks

PAD-220 Accounting for Public Administrators

PAD-320 Public Policy

SPRING SEMESTER 2024

Term A - 8 weeks

PAD-351 Administrative Law

PAD-200 The Public Economy

Term B - 8 weeks

PAD-210 American Government

PAD-360 Fiscal Administration

FALL SEMESTER 2024

Term A - 8 weeks

PAD-305 Managing in the Public Sector

PAD-440 Public Sector Human Resource Management 

Term B - 8 weeks

PAD-362 Administrative Leadership

PAD-340 Emergency Management

In addition to completing the above-mentioned courses, students must fulfill general education requirements (see Admission for further information), complete at least 120 semester hours, and earn a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in order to graduate from the Public Administration program.

Textbooks

The Flagler College Campus Bookstore is your source for used texts, textbook rentals, and e-books.  The bookstore works directly with Public Administration Program faculty to provide the most accurate, up-to-date selection of required course materials.  Over 80% of texts at the bookstore are available used.  Students are requested to provide their class schedules, and the Bookstore will supply the appropriate course materials.  Required textbooks will be posted on the price-comparison book list - available at www.Flagler.bncollege.com.  The Flagler College Campus Bookstore will buy back student textbooks for cash.  The bookstore buys books regardless of the original place of purchase, no receipt required.  The bookstore is open 9-4 Monday through Friday and 10-3 Saturday and Sunday.

Student Identification Cards

Student Identification Cards will be required for access to campus buildings, including Kenan Hall, Pollard Hall, the Proctor Library, and the Ringhaver Student Center.  Information on how to obtain Student Identification Cards will be presented at the Orientation for New Students.

College Services

Because the program is offered at a reduced cost, college services are limited to the following:  academic advisement, registration services, financial aid processing, business office services, library privileges, bookstore access, food service, career planning, and academic honors.  Public Administration students also have access to the Learning Resource Center.  Other services, such as on-campus housing, student activities, medical services, personal counseling are not provided.

Financial Aid

There are two basic sources of funds for financial aid for the Public Administration Program: the federal government and the State of Florida.

Students must apply for financial aid to establish eligibility.  Regardless of aid applied for, a student is responsible for his or her tuition and fees.  Correct and timely completion of all required forms is the student’s responsibility.

Following is a description of the aid available under each of these categories and directions on how to apply for that aid.

State of Florida Financial Aid

The following types of financial aid are available to Florida residents:

Florida Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) Grant

The EASE grant was formerly known as the Florida Resident Access Grant, or FRAG.  To receive the EASE Grant, the student must have been a one-year resident, for other than educational purposes, prior to the first day of classes of the semester.  A student must possess a high school diploma or GED, be enrolled on a full-time basis (12 hours or more), must be pursuing his/her first undergraduate degree, and must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements:  maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and earning 12 hours each semester for which the EASE Grant is received.  A student can only receive the EASE Grant for a maximum of nine semesters. Please note: If a student fails to qualify for the EASE Grant or fails to maintain eligibility during his/her enrollment, that student will be personally responsible for all charges.

To apply for the EASE Grant, a student must complete the Florida Residency Affidavit, which can be located under the “Forms” tab at https://financialaid.flagler.edu.  The deadline date is October 15th for fall entrants and February 15th for spring entrants.  Students should understand that these deadlines are after school has already begun.  If they delay applying for the EASE Grant until these deadlines, they will be responsible for their full tuition or may be denied clearance for that semester’s classes.

Students who wish to apply for other types of aid, including student loans, should review the information provided at https://www.flagler.edu/admissions–aid/types-of-financial-aid/ and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, available online at https://fafsa.ed.gov.  Students should note that Flagler College’s Title IV code is 007893; this code must be entered on the FAFSA in Step 6.  For additional questions regarding applying for financial aid, please contact the Flagler College Financial Aid Office at 904-819-6225.

Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG)

To receive the FSAG, a student must meet the eligibility requirements described above for the EASE GRANT and have an EFC (as established by the FAFSA) at or below the State’s qualifying EFC benchmark.  Each year, the State sets a qualifying EFC benchmark, with any student at or under the EFC being potentially eligible.  A student who submits the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is automatically considered. The amount of the Grant depends on funds provided by the State legislature, but awards can range from $200-$3,260 per year.

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program

A student transferring in to Flagler College who has been receiving the Florida Academic Scholars Scholarship or Florida Medallion Scholarship is eligible to continue receiving the scholarship if he/she has met the grade and hour requirement for renewal.  The student should notify the Financial Aid Office that he/she has been receiving such a scholarship so that the State can be contacted for an eligibility determination.

Federal Financial Aid

The following types of federal financial aid are available:

Federal Pell Grant

A non-repayable Grant awarded to the neediest students, as determined by the results of the FAFSA.  The amount of the Grant depends specifically on the student’s EFC. Each year, the federal government establishes the Pell Grant range and EFC benchmarks. 

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan

A fixed interest rate loan repayable after the student graduates or ceases to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis.  The amount a student can borrow is based on the student’s level of need and his or her year in school. The maximum amount available for an academic year for a student who has earned 60 or more credit hours is $5,500. Subsidized loans are interest-free while the studen is enrolled in at least six (6) credit hours. 

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

An interest-bearing loan with a fixed interest rate (visit http://studentaid.ed.gov for current interest rate information), simple interest, not compound interest. Repayment begins six months after the student graduates or ceases to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis. The maximum amount available for an academic year for a dependent student who has earned 60 or more credit hours is $7,500. The maximum amount available for an independent student who has earned 60 or more credit hours is $12,500.  Unsubsidized loans are interest-bearing from the time they are disbursed. Note: Any loan funds that a student receives as a Federal Direct Subsidized Loan will be deducted from the annual maximum Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan amount. 

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan

A fixed interest rate loan available to parents of dependent students. The maximum amount available is determined by subtracting all financial aid the student is receiving from the Estimated Cost of Attendance. The PLUS loan application can be completed online at https://studentloans.gov. 

If a parent is denied a PLUS Loan, then the student is eligible to borrow additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan funds above the usual annual limit. Grade level determines the amount of additional loan funds for which a student may apply, e.g. juniors and seniors may borrow $5,000 more per year. 

Application Procedures for Federal Financial Aid

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at https://fafsa.ed.gov. Be sure to list Flagler College in the Step Six Section and use the Federal School Code for Flagler College:  007893.

You may be required to submit a copy of an official tax transcript and other documents to the Financial Aid Office during the application process.  The Financial Aid Office will notify you if additional documents are required.

Notification of Financial Aid Awards and the Student’s Account

When the student’s application is complete, the Office of Financial Aid will determine the student’s eligibility for financial aid and notify the student by online means of their awards.  An award notice is emailed to continuing students once their grades from the previous semester have been posted by the College.

The award letter will indicate all items of financial aid of which the Financial Aid Office is aware at the time.  If additional aid is received later, this could affect the aid already awarded.

In some instances, an award item will be marked as pending.  This usually means that the Financial Aid Office is awaiting confirmation from the source of the award or awaiting some action on the student’s part.

Students who are awarded (offered) financial aid (including Grants and loans) must log on to https://financialaid.flagler.edu and accept or decline the award. 

If a student informs the Financial Aid Office about a private source scholarship, it will be indicated on the student’s award letter as a tentative/pending award until confirmation is received from the provider of the scholarship.  Private scholarship funds are applied upon receipt.  The student is responsible for following up with the donor and the balance due if funds are not sent directly to the college.

Each item of confirmed financial aid will be credited directly to the student’s account in the Business Office.  Tentative/pending awards are not formally credited to a student’s account; however, in some cases, the Business Office may allow tentative credit when the student pays the bill.  This is particularly true in the case of loans when a student has applied for a loan, but the actual disbursement has not been received.

If the aggregate total of a student’s confirmed financial aid exceeds the Business Office charges, the student can receive a refund for the excess amount.  Refunds are not made when the excess balance is credited by tentative/pending awards.  Refunds will be issued in accordance with the refund choice selected by the student (ACH or paper check).  Students should contact the Business Office with questions regarding refunds.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Financial aid recipients are required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress to be eligible for financial aid.  Satisfactory Academic Progress is comprised of three elements:  Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), Maximum Academic Terms of Eligibility, and Minimum Percentage of Work Completed Per Academic Year.

Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)

Federal financial aid recipients must meet the CGPA requirements specified under the College’s “Academic Requirements for Continuation,” as outlined in the “College Policies–Academic” section. Only grades earned at Flagler College will be used in the GPA calculation.

There are certain State of Florida Grants/scholarships which require a higher CGPA for renewal than those mentioned above.  Following are those Grants/scholarships in this category with the CGPA required for renewal indicated:

Note:  For the Florida EASE Grant (formerly FRAG), a one-year grace period is allowed if the CGPA falls below 2.0.  For the Florida Academic Scholars Scholarship, if the required 3.0 CGPA is not attained, this scholarships can be converted to the Florida Medallion Scholarship if the student has at least a CGPA of 2.75.

Maximum Academic Terms of Eligibility

A student is eligible to receive federal financial aid for a maximum of 150% of the program length, which is generally 180 attempted hours.  Attendance at all post-secondary schools is counted.  Awards not based on need are normally available for a maximum of eight semesters.  The Florida EASE Grant (formerly FRAG) is available for nine semesters.  The Florida Academic Scholars and Florida Medallion Scholarship are available for a maximum of 120 semester hours.

Minimum Percentage of Work Completed

A student must complete a minimum of 67% of all credit hours attempted.  The completion percentage will be calculated as the total number of completed credit hours divided by the total number of attempted credit hours. Institutionally accepted transfer hours count as completed credit hours and include credit hours earned at other institutions, CLEP, IB, AICE, and AP.  These transfer hours will not be counted in the GPA calculation to meet the Qualitative standard.  In the case of a repeated course, the most recent attempt of a repeated course will count as completed hours if a passing grade is earned.  For financial aid purposes, students are allowed only one repeat of course that was previously passed. 

To be eligible for renewal, most grants/scholarships sponsored by the State of Florida require that the student earn the equivalent of 12 hours for each semester the student receives such a grant or scholarship during the preceding year.  Hours earned during the succeeding summer school cannot be counted toward the fall and spring hours.

The scholarships under the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program (Academic Scholars and Medallion Scholarship) require that the student earn the equivalent hours for each semester the scholarship is received.

Appeals

A student has the right to appeal the denial of aid under this policy.  The Flagler College Financial Aid Office should be contacted for procedures.

Handling of Financial Aid in Cases of Withdrawal

A student who does not begin attending classes is not eligible for any type of financial aid.  Also, as discussed later in this section, a student is not eligible for any type of aid sponsored by the State of Florida if he or she withdraws before the end of the drop/add period.  In either case, each item of financial aid will be canceled and returned to its source.

When a student begins attendance and subsequently withdraws, his or her financial aid is subject to adjustment depending on the withdrawal date and the type of aid.  The adjustment will involve a determination of how much of the student’s financial aid was “earned” and how much was “unearned.”  Earned financial aid will be retained in the student’s account to apply to his or her charges.  If the earned aid exceeds the student’s adjusted charges, it can be retained by the student for other educational expenses.  The financial aid that is unearned will be withdrawn from the student’s account and returned to the source(s).

It should be noted that there will be instances of withdrawal when the amount of earned aid will be disproportionately lower to the adjusted charges than the original amount of aid was to the original charges.  In such instances, the student will be required to make payment using his or her own funds.  Also, there will be instances when, before withdrawal, a student will have been given a refund by the Business Office because his or her payments and/or financial aid total exceeded the charges assessed, but upon withdrawing, the student will have to repay some of these funds.

The following paragraphs describe how each of the major sources of financial aid will be handled when a student withdraws:

Federal Aid

Federal Aid includes: Federal Direct Subsidized Loan, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans, and Pell Grant.

A student who withdraws during the first 60% of a semester (beginning with the first day of classes) will have his or her federal aid adjusted based on the amount of time the student was enrolled.  The amount of federal aid a student “earns” will be directly proportional to the percentage of time enrolled.  There is no adjustment of federal aid after the 60% period.

The unearned amount of federal aid will be returned to the source using the following distribution priority: Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, Federal Direct Subsidized Loan, Federal Direct Parent Loan (PLUS), and Pell Grant.

Example:  A student has $4,000 of federal aid consisting of a $2,000 Federal Direct Subsidized Loan, and a $2,000 Pell Grant.  The student earns 30% ($1,200) with 70% ($2,800) unearned.  Using the prescribed distribution, the Federal Direct Subsidized Loan of $2,000 would be returned, and then $800 of the Pell Grant would be returned.

If the amount required to be returned is not available in the student’s account, it is the student’s responsibility to repay these funds to the College.  In some instances, the student will be required to return funds in addition to what the College has to return. These students will receive a letter from the College regarding the additional amount of unearned aid and how to repay it.

State of Florida Aid

Included in this category are all grants and scholarships administered and/or sponsored by the State of Florida.

As previously mentioned, a student is not eligible for any Florida-sponsored aid if he or she withdraws before the end of the drop-add period.

A student who withdraws after the drop-add period will retain the Florida Aid received for the semester; however, the student will have failed to complete the hours needed to continue receiving the specific Florida Aid Funds and will therefore be ineligible for those funds in future semesters.  Exception: the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program (Florida Academic Scholars Scholarship and Florida Medallion Scholarship) requires funds to be returned to the State for any courses withdrawn/dropped by a student after the end of the drop/add period, unless the student has been granted an exception by the Florida Department of Education.

Handling of Financial Aid when Dropping from Full-Time to Part-Time Status

When a student begins a semester as a full-time student (12 hours or more) but subsequently reduces his or her course load, resulting in less than full-time enrollment, the student’s financial aid might be affected.  Also, a reduction in course load could affect the student’s eligibility for aid in the following years, since some aid requires that a specific number of hours be earned for renewal of that aid.  (See section on Satisfactory Academic Progress).  Before changing enrollment status from full-time to part-time status, a student should consult with the Financial Aid Office to ascertain the effect of that action on his or her aid.

Tuition Payments

For your convenience, tuition payments can be made online at https://my.flagler.edu.

• Log on to https://my.flagler.edu/ics and enter your Flagler College email username and password.
• Click on the “Students” tab on the top of the page.
• Click on the red “Business Services” button.
• Click on the “Payments/Invoices and Parent PINS”
• Follow the on-screen instructions to make a payment. Please note: a 2.75% transaction fee applies to all payments made by credit card. E-Check payments can be made at no charge.

Students eligible for VA Educational Benefits may reference jpedicelli@flagler.edu or 904.819.6321 and should address inquiries to Mrs. Jennifer Pedicelli in the Office of Financial Aid.

Payment of Tuition and Fees

Failure to meet financial obligations in a reasonable manner may result in the cancellation of a student’s enrollment.  Students with balances on their financial account will NOT be awarded a diploma or issued transcripts.  No adjustment will be made to charges for any student whose enrollment is involuntarily terminated from the College.

Requirements for Graduation

Prospective graduates must complete an Application for Graduation within the first month of the student’s final semester of enrollment.  Information on the application is used to establish the student’s anticipated degree date and to confirm how the student wishes his or her name to appear on the diploma.

All graduating seniors are required to participate in the commencement ceremony.  Exceptions to this requirement must be approved in advance by the Program Director.

Graduating with Honors

Three degrees of distinction are awarded to graduating seniors based on their cumulative grade point averages for all academic work attempted at Flagler College, including the semester’s work in which the baccalaureate degree requirements are completed.  The degree may be awarded cum laude (3.5-3.69), magna cum laude (3.7-3.89), or summa cum laude (3.9-4.0).  To qualify for graduation with honors, a student participating in the Public Administration Program must complete at least 54 credit hours of academic work at Flagler College.

Achievement Awards

Graduating seniors will also be eligible for two special awards: the David B. Shoar Award and the Hamilton D. Upchurch Award.  These awards are named for St. Johns County Sheriff David B. Shoar and for Mr. Hamilton D. Upchurch, attorney, a former Mayor of St. Augustine, and former member of the Florida House of Representatives.  The David B. Shoar Award will be presented to the top achieving graduating senior based on grade point average earned in the courses that comprise the Public Administration major, and the Hamilton D. Upchurch Award will be presented to the second highest achieving graduating senior based on grade point average earned in the courses that comprise the Public Administration major.  In the event of a tie (two or more students earning the same grade point average), the selection of the award recipient will be based on a comparison of the mid-term and final grades in the last two courses taken.  In order to be eligible for either award, the student must have taken at least 19 of the 20 courses that comprise the Public Administration major (see page 5).  Public Administration students may also qualify for the Dean’s List (3.4 GPA) and the President’s List (4.0).

Academic Honesty

Flagler College affirms the value of academic honesty and requires all students to adhere to the highest standards of integrity in their academic work.  Students are entrusted to be honest in every phase of their academic life and to present as their own work only that which is genuinely theirs.  Cheating, plagiarism, violation of test conditions, complicity in dishonest behavior, or other falsification of academic work is a serious breach of college expectations and is subject to immediate disciplinary action.

Plagiarism is defined as any attempt to represent the work of another as one’s own original work.  More specifically, plagiarism is the direct appropriation of the language, thoughts or ideas of another, either literally or in paraphrase, without appropriate notification of the source and in such fashion as to imply that the work is one’s own original work.  To this end, Flagler College subscribes to Turnitin.com, a web-based plagiarism detection service, which enables professors to determine if a paper has been documented properly.  This service is also available for use by students.

Fabrication is defined as the use of created or invented information or research for the purpose of deceiving some instructor or other college personnel.  Bribery is defined as the promising, offering, giving, receiving or soliciting of any materials, items or services of value to influence the judgment or conduct of college personnel.  Misrepresentation is defined as giving false information to any college representative with the intent to deceive or gain an unfair advantage.  This may include using computer programs generated by another person and submitting the information to an instructor as your own work (unless expressly allowed by the instructor).

Instructors are responsible for explaining to students what constitutes academic dishonesty in relation to particular course requirements.  Instructors are also responsible for ensuring that examinations and quizzes are administered in a fashion that discourages dishonesty.

Depending upon the nature of the case, a student guilty of academic dishonesty may receive a penalty ranging from a grade of “F” for the work in question to expulsion from the College. The official actions of the College may be solely academic in nature or both academic and disciplinary.

Academic Requirements for Continuation

Students are required to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better to remain in good academic standing.  The following procedures are designed to ensure thorough consideration of a student’s progress and qualifications for continuation.  At the conclusion of each semester, the Program Director reviews the academic records of students whose semester average or cumulative average fall below a 2.0.  The Program Director considers the student’s cumulative grade point average, semester grade point average, and number of semesters enrolled at Flagler College, current academic status, declared major, performance related to academic aptitude, and performance related to the guidelines for continuation. After careful review and in light of his or her own professional judgment, the Program Director determines whether a student receives an academic warning, is placed on probation, is suspended, or is dismissed.  Listed below are explanations of, and conditions for, the four types of action that can be taken by the Program Director.

Warning:  An academic warning is issued to students whose semester grade point average is below 2.0 and/or whose good academic standing is in jeopardy.  Academic warning is a precautionary admonition that is meant to draw attention to a student’s academic performance and to encourage renewed diligence in the pursuit of educational goals.

Probation:  A student whose cumulative grade point average is below 2.0, or whose academic performance is judged to be of poor quality, will be placed on academic probation. Probation covers a stated trial period during which it is determined whether the student is returned to good standing, remains on probation, or is dismissed at the end of the probation period for failure to meet the stated academic standards.

Students placed on academic probation are expected to complete at least 12 semester hours and to achieve a 2.0 grade point average in the subsequent semester. Based upon a review of the student’s academic record, other conditions for continuation may also be stipulated.  Students on probation are notified in writing of any continuation requirements that must be satisfied in the subsequent semester, and a copy of the notification is kept on file in the student’s permanent record. Failure to satisfy any of these conditions may result in a continuation review and academic dismissal.

The Vice President of Academic Affairs, at his or her discretion and irrespective of grades, may declare probationary status for any student whose time or talents are not being used properly.

Suspension:  Academic suspension is the involuntary separation of the student from the College.  Student records are reviewed carefully before a decision for suspension is made.  Students are subject to academic suspension if, in the professional judgment of the Program Director, the student’s academic performance is consistently below the College’s standards or otherwise indicates the inability to maintain good academic standing.  Academic suspension will be for a specified time. Students who are academically suspended must go through the Flagler College readmission process.

Dismissal:  Academic dismissal is the involuntary separation of the student from the College.  Dismissal may or may not be a permanent separation, and it does not entail a definite time of eligibility to return. Student records are reviewed carefully before a decision for dismissal is made.  Students are subject to academic dismissal if, in the professional judgment of the Program Director, the student’s academic performance is consistently below the College’s standards or otherwise indicates the inability to maintain good academic standing.

Criteria used in a decision for dismissal include any of the following:

1. Failure to maintain a minimal level of academic progress from semester to semester, as suggested in the following guidelines:

2. Failure to meet the stipulated conditions for continuation as specified in the notification of being placed on academic probation;
3. Failure to remove the probationary status after two consecutive semesters on probation; and
4. Failure to make satisfactory academic progress toward fulfilling degree requirements beyond the junior year.

The guidelines for continuation listed in (1) above are regarded as minimal levels of progress. Students who fall below these levels are subject to automatic dismissal; however, students who are above these minimal requirements, but below the required 2.0 cumulative grade point average, are also subject to academic dismissal.

A decision for dismissal ultimately is made on the basis of a student’s total academic record and in light of appropriate expectations of academic progress.  Students who are experiencing academic difficulty are strongly encouraged to seek assistance from their academic advisors, their course instructors, and the Academic Chair Person.

In the case of dismissal, a student may appeal the decision and request to be reinstated as a full-time student.  All such appeals must be directed to the VP of Academic Affairs or his designee, within a period of time specified in the letter of dismissal.  This appeal may be granted if, in the judgment of the VP of Academic Affairs or his designee, such a decision will benefit both the student and the program.

Suspension or Dismissal during the Semester:  Students who are dismissed during the semester for academic reasons will receive a grade of withdraw (W) or withdraw failing (WF) for the courses in which they were enrolled.  The grades assigned by the instructors will be based upon the student’s performance in achieving the objectives of the courses at the time of separation from the College.  Students who are suspended or dismissed during the semester, for disciplinary reasons, will be assigned a grade of W or WF, depending upon the time in the semester of their suspension or dismissal.

Administrative Withdrawal during the Semester:  Students who miss more than 20% of any course (two classes) for any reason will be administratively withdrawn from the class.  The transcript will reflect a grade of W or WF, depending upon the time in the semester at which the 20% limit is exceeded.  The course will need to be repeated at a future date.

Class Attendance

Flagler College holds all members of our community to the highest academic standards in its pursuit of academic excellence. Regular attendance and participation in classes and examinations are fundamental to this commitment. Students are, therefore, expected to attend and participate as part of their personal responsibility as members of this community.  Students who do not complete weekly assignments in their online courses may be considered absent for that particular week.

Individual professors will establish specific attendance policies for each class and publish them in the syllabus at the beginning of every academic semester. Professors must also discuss with students on the first day of class the relationship between attendance, interaction in the classroom, and evaluation in specific courses. Students have the responsibility to take appropriate action to make up missed work where permitted by the professor’s policy. All absences should be discussed with the professor in advance when possible.

It is recognized, however, that students enrolled in the Public Administration Program have professional commitments that may interrupt their course of study.  Such commitments may include, but are not limited to, mandatory training, military deployment, professional conferences, and emergency summons.  Students who exceed the allowable absences as a result of such commitments may be eligible, at the discretion of the instructor, to complete a special assignment that will compensate for the missed class.

“Cohort” Scheduling

The Public Administration program schedules classes in a “cohort” manner, moving students through sequences of classes in a block or cohort.  Class sections and faculty members are scheduled by the institution, thereby eliminating the need to cancel class sections with insufficient enrollment, deny students a seat when classes have filled to capacity, or delay a graduation date because of schedule conflicts.  This type of scheduling removes many of the frustrations inherent in registering for classes.  Cohort scheduling does not allow for the accommodation of individual preferences with regard to class times, class sequencing, faculty selection, or other personal requests for those students who wish to retain full-time status.

All public administration courses are offered in hybrid and fully online formats.  Hybrid Courses: Hybrid courses require students to attend on-campus classes one night per week for each 8-week course.  At least 9.5 hours of all hybrid courses will involve teaching/learning online activities.  Fully Online Courses:  Depending on instructors, fully online courses will be synchronous and/or asynchronous.  Teaching methods will be clearly specified in the course syllabi.

Each semester, students will have the opportunity to select whether they want to take hybrid or online courses, or a mixture of both.

General Education Requirements

Students who have earned an Associate of Arts degree from a Florida Community College are considered to have completed all general education requirements.  Other students may complete the following:  two courses in English Composition; one course in Speech Communication; two courses in the humanities; two courses in the social sciences; two courses in mathematics at or above the MAT 135 level, and one additional course from the any of the following four groups of courses—humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and natural sciences.  Additionally, students must demonstrate a sufficient level of skill and knowledge in the basic use of computers.  This last requirement may be satisfied by earning a passing grade in a computer literacy course or by presenting a certificate of proficiency to the Program Director.  A letter of computer proficiency from the student’s employer, on letterhead, will also suffice.

Grading of Academic Work

Final grades are available to students, via MyFlagler, at the conclusion of each semester and are recorded on the student’s permanent record.  The grading system is as follows:

For the purpose of computing a student’s grade point average, 4 quality points are given for each semester hour of A, 3.7 for each hour of A-, 3.3 for each hour of B+, 3 for each hour of B, 2.7 for each hour of B-, 2.3 for each hour of C+, 2 for each hour of C, 1.7 for each hour of C-, 1.3 for each hour of D+, and 1 for each hour of D.  A grade of F, WF, or I is counted as zero.  The grade point average is calculated by dividing the total hours attempted into the total quality points.

Grades of D or F

A student may earn no more than two grades below C in the courses of a major.  If a student receives more than two such grades, the student may repeat the course in order to improve his/her grade point average.  While a record of both courses will remain on the transcript, only the grade assigned for the repeated course will be computed in to the student’s cumulative grade point average.  Students who repeat a course in which a grade of F was originally earned will receive credit hours for the repeat course, provided that a passing grade is earned.  However, students who repeat a course in which a grade of D was originally earned will not receive credit hours for the repeat course since credit hours have already been awarded.  No Flagler College course may be attempted more than three times; withdrawals are counted as attempts.

Grade Correction

Any errors in grades, including omissions, must be reported by the student to the Program Director.  A “Grade Correction Authorization” form may be obtained from the Program Director’s office and must be completed and signed by the appropriate faculty member. No corrections, additions or changes will be made unless grade appeals are made within the first two weeks of the semester following the term in which the course was taken.  Failure to file a grade appeal within the time specified above will result in the original grade being filed on a permanent basis.

Incomplete Grade

A grade of I (Incomplete) is assigned by the instructor when a student is unable to complete a course due to extenuating circumstances and when all requirements can be completed in a short time following the end of a term. In the absence of justifiable cause, an incomplete grade will not be assigned.

In order to receive an incomplete grade, a student must initiate the process by completing a “Request for Incomplete Grade” form. The form is available in the Program Director’s Office, and it must be signed by the student and the instructor.

The student is responsible for making arrangements with the instructor to complete the requirements for the course and to remove the incomplete grade within eight weeks following the term in which the incomplete grade was received. The eight-week period is the maximum time allowed, and the instructor should establish an earlier date, if possible. Students who fail to complete the course requirements within the prescribed period will automatically receive a grade of F for the course.

Incomplete grades are included as a grade of F in the calculation of a student’s grade point average until the course is completed.  Upon completion of the course requirements, the incomplete grade will be removed, and the final course grade will be used to compute the student’s grade point average.

Appeal of Grade

As a general rule, faculty decisions regarding academic matters within their purview are not subject to appeal, unless the student can present evidence indicating mitigating circumstances of a substantial nature.  In an effort to minimize such occasions, it is anticipated that members of the faculty will provide students with adequate explanation of course requirements and grading standards.  It is expected that attendance requirements and other standards pertaining to classroom deportment will be explicit.  Additionally, grading procedures should be designed to keep students informed of their relative standing.

A student has the right to appeal a course grade, provided there is evidence that the grade is an inaccurate assessment of the student’s work or that it is inconsistent with stated grading criteria.  The student must first consult with the instructor to clarify the grading method used and the rationale for the grade issued.  If the matter cannot be resolved between the student and the instructor, then the student should consult with the Program Director, who will inform the student of his or her decision.

If a student wishes to appeal the decision of the Program Director, he or she must submit a formal written appeal to the Dean of Continuing Education.  Such an appeal must be submitted within two weeks of the beginning of the next semester and should contain information pertinent to the appeal.  The Dean of Continuing Education or his/her designee may dismiss a grade appeal for lack of merit, render a final decision in the matter, or may appoint a faculty committee to review the appeal and to consider all related evidence.  If a committee is appointed, the committee’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Vice President of Academic Affairs, who may, with the advice of the Dean of Continuing Education, accept or reject the recommendation.  In either case, the decision of Vice President of Academic Affairs is final. 

If an instructor is no longer employed by the College, the student grade documentation will be used in the event of a grade appeal.  The grade documentation will be maintained in the Registrar’s Office for one year and then destroyed.

When a student wishes to appeal some other disciplinary action (e.g., expulsion from class) taken by a faculty member, the student must first contact the faculty member and obtain a thorough explanation of the reasons for the faculty member’s action.  If, in the student’s opinion, the reasons provided are inadequate or the action taken is too severe, the student should then contact the Program Director.  The Program Director may counsel with the faculty member and the student in an effort to resolve the matter.  The Program Director, however, is not authorized to require that a student be reinstated in a class; rather, the Program Director should submit a recommendation to the Dean of Continuing Education, who may rule in the matter or schedule a hearing with the faculty member and the student. If a hearing is scheduled, the Dean of Continuing Education will consider all information and evidence presented and forward a recommendation for final disposition to the Vice President of Academic Affairs. The decision of the Vice President of Academic Affairs is final.

Repeat Courses

Students enrolled in the Public Administration Program who need to make up coursework or who need to repeat a course in which they have earned a grade of D or F at Flagler College may repeat that course, if offered, at the College.  If a student is repeating a course in which he or she earned a grade of D or F, the student may use the grade earned in the repeat course to improve his or her grade point average.  While a record of both courses will remain on the transcript, only the grade assigned for the repeated course will be computed into the student’s cumulative grade point average.  The most recent repeat grade recorded will be used in calculating the grade point average.  Students who repeat a course in which a grade of F was originally earned will receive credit hours for the repeat course, provided that a passing grade is earned.  Students who repeat a course in which a grade of D was originally earned will not receive any credit hours for the repeat course, since credit hours have already been awarded.  Students repeating a course at the College will be charged the current per credit hour charge for the traditional program.

A student receiving financial aid who considers repeating a course should contact the Office of Financial Aid to determine if he or she will earn sufficient hours for continued eligibility of that financial aid.

Students may also make up or repeat a course in which they have earned a D or F by registering for an independent study with one of the full-time Public Administration faculty.  A student wishing to register for an independent study must complete the Public Administration Independent Study Form, confirm that the faculty member agrees to offer the independent study, and obtain the approval of the Program Director. 

• The completed Independent Study form will be submitted to the Office of Student Accounts.  All signatures prior to the Student Accounts signatures must be in place upon submission to Student Accounts.
• Student Accounts will calculate tuition and fees charges and add them to the respective student’s account/bill.
• Student Accounts will maintain the form until payment is made.  Once student has satisfied financial obligations, Student Accounts will sign to approve the form and forward the form to the Office of the Registrar.
• Upon receipt of the completed form, the Office of the Registrar will add the independent study to the student’s schedule as a currently enrolled course.

Students must register for an independent study prior to the beginning of a semester or during the official add period.  Students registering for an independent study course will be charged $513.00 plus a $50.00 Independent Study Fee per course.

Before an independent study course will be approved, students must have completed two full semesters at Flagler College.  No student may take more than one independent study per semester; however, under special circumstances, students may submit a request to the Program Director to take more than one independent study. 

Online or distance education courses may not be substituted for Flagler College Public Administration courses.

Transfer Credits from Another Institution

Applicants transferring from another institution must be in good standing and must be eligible to return to the college or university previously attended.  Recipients of the Associate of Arts (A.A.) Degree are generally admitted at the junior level; however, applicants who transfer from community/junior colleges will be allowed no more than 64 semester hours of credit toward the completion of degree requirements at Flagler.  Military transfer credit is also available.

Transfer credits will be granted for courses in which a grade of C or better was earned.  Grades are not transferable; hence, quality points earned for transfer credits are not used in computing a student’s GPA at Flagler.  Students who have been awarded an A.A. degree at a Florida community college may transfer up to three courses in which a grade of D was earned, provided the total number of transfer credits does not exceed 64 semester hours.  The amount of transfer credit and advanced standing allowed by the College will be determined by the Registrar on the main campus.  Transfer students are responsible for submitting all official transcripts, Joint Service/Community College of the Air Force transcripts, CLEP or Advanced Placement test scores, and for confirming their level of advanced standing prior to registering for classes at Flagler College.

Withdrawals

It is recognized that students enrolled in the Public Administration Program may find it necessary to withdraw for a semester or for a longer period of time to fulfill professional and/or family responsibilities.  If a student finds it necessary to withdraw before the beginning of the fall or spring semester, he or she must provide written notification to the Office of the Registrar (registrar@flagler.edu). 

Withdrawal from a Course

Students who withdraw from a course during one of the two sessions in the fall or spring semester will be assigned a grade of W or WF, depending upon the date of the notice of their withdrawal.  Students may withdraw without academic penalty during the first six weeks of each session without academic penalty, i.e. they will receive a grade of W (withdraw).  Students who withdraw from a course during the last two weeks of the session will receive a grade of WF (withdraw fail).  Students are required to complete the Single Class Withdrawal Form available from the Office of the Registrar.

Withdrawal from the Public Administration Program

Students who find it necessary to withdraw during the semester must complete an Official Withdrawal form, which can be obtained from the Office of the Registrar.  The withdrawal form requires the student to obtain signatures from the Program Director, the Office of Financial Aid, the Office of Student Accounts, and the Office of the Registrar. 

Students who withdraw during the semester will be assigned a grade of W or WF, depending upon their status at the time of their withdrawal.  When a student leaves the College without following proper procedures, his or her permanent record is marked as an “unofficial withdrawal.”  Students who do not adhere to the prescribed procedures for withdrawing are subject to administrative withdrawal and the assignment of failing grades in all courses.

Student Conduct

Student Identification Cards

All students will be given a student identification card upon enrollment during the orientation session.  This photo identification card is required for all full and part-time students.  It is non-transferable and must be carried by the student at all times.  Once a card is reported lost, it may not be reactivated if found. A new card will need to be purchased.

All students must courteously present their identification cards upon request by a college official or by law enforcement.  The possession, use, manufacture or sale of government issued or altered identification card is strictly prohibited and a felony in the State of Florida.

Students will be charged $25.00 for replacement of a lost or damaged identification card.  This charge is paid in the Office of Business Services.  A new card may be obtained by bringing your paid receipt from the Office of Business Services to the Office of Security.

Alcoholic Beverages

The use or possession of alcoholic beverages on the campus by students or their guests is prohibited and is grounds for suspension from the College.  Students are expected to comply with municipal, state, and federal laws pertaining to the possession and use of alcoholic beverages off campus.  Incidents of intoxication and/or misconduct involving the consumption of alcoholic beverages are subject to college disciplinary action regardless of the location of such incidents. Alcoholic beverage containers, including shot glasses, and bottle caps in the residence halls and in automobiles are in conflict with the College’s policy prohibiting consumption of alcohol on campus.  When such containers are found in the residence halls or in the automobile, it will be assumed that the alcohol was consumed on the campus, and the students involved will be charged with possession of alcohol.  Physical evidence of any container of an alcoholic beverage (whether empty, full, or partially full) will constitute sufficient evidence to find a student (or students) of a room (or suite) or automobile guilty of possession of alcoholic beverages on campus.

Students found guilty of driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages (DUI) are subject to suspension.  In the case of formal charges filed by a law enforcement agency, the College is not required to await legal adjudication of the case.  If deemed advisable, the College may proceed with a disciplinary hearing on the basis of the evidence available.

Children on Campus

Campus grounds and infrastructure are designed to provide an environment conducive to academic and work activities.  For reasons that include the safety of minor children and assuring the efficient performance of academic pursuits, operations and services, the College generally does not accommodate minor children in campus workplaces, classrooms, laboratories, the library, and physical plants.  Children under the age of eighteen are only permitted in these areas when accompanied by a non-student parent or legal guardian, or as a direct consequence of participation in a recognized college program or activity specifically designated to include children.  This policy does not prohibit children from the campus when the purpose of their visit is to attend events or to participate in activities specifically approved and scheduled for their benefit (i.e., camps, sponsored family activities, etc.).  Moreover, the College recognizes and respects without discrimination the need to accommodate lactating mothers who choose to express breast milk.

The College recognizes there may be an occasion when it becomes necessary to accommodate a minor child on campus.  When those circumstances arise, it is expected that the child’s stay on campus will be of short duration and that the following guidelines will be followed:

Permission must be sought from the appropriate faculty member before bringing a child into the classroom or from a supervisor before bringing a child into the workplace;

Children visiting campus must be under direct supervision at all times.  A student or employee bringing a child to campus is solely responsible for the child’s supervision, safety, and actions and may not ask another student or employee to accept responsibility for looking after the child;

The College does not accept liability for the child’s presence on campus.

Destruction of Property

Students responsible for destruction of or damage to personal or private property are subject to disciplinary action and will be held financially liable.

Disorderly Conduct

From the time a student applies to the College until the date at which the student’s enrollment is officially terminated, the College reserves the right to take cognizance of any conduct on the part of the student that may disqualify him or her from initial enrollment or from continuing enrollment for successive terms.  Once enrolled, students are not only accountable for their conduct on campus during the academic semester but also for their conduct off-campus, during vacations and between semesters.  Accordingly, the violation of any law, statute or ordinance, the violation of any college rules or other conduct that reflects discredit upon the institution is subject to review and appropriate disciplinary action regardless of whether it occurs off-campus, during vacations, or between semesters.

Disorderly conduct is any action or disruptive behavior, committed on or off campus that may result in a breach of the peace or a disturbance, or adversely affect the college community. Such conduct is a violation of college regulations and constitutes an interference with the standards and purpose of the College. Disorderly conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following: violation of “any” law, statute or ordinance; failure to comply with written or oral instructions given by the college staff and faculty in the performance of their official duties; the forging of a faculty/administrators’ name on any document and indecent or obscene conduct or expression.  Any violation of this policy will subject the student to suspension or dismissal from the College.

Disrespect

Flagler College students are expected to be courteous, polite, and respectful toward faculty, staff, administration, guests, and other students. When a student is reported for being disrespectful, rude, or discourteous, severe disciplinary action will be initiated.

Faculty‑Student Relationships

Faculty relationships with students shall be based upon the highest and professional principles and shall contribute to the general well-being of the students and the institution.  Actions that impair the professional relationship between a faculty member and a student are detrimental to the entire College. Appropriate friendships and associations are encouraged.  The maintenance of appropriate and necessary professional relationships, however, must take precedence over social relationships and must be preserved, if necessary, by curtailing actions that would impair the standards and objectives of the College.

Falsification of Records

A student who has withheld or has given false information on his or her application for admission or readmission is subject to suspension or expulsion.

Firearms, Fireworks, Explosives

The possession or use of firearms, parts of a firearm or weapon, fireworks of any description, explosive devices, or any dangerous weapon is prohibited on college premises or at any college-sponsored function.  Dangerous weapons shall include, but not be limited to: firearms of any description, swords, dirks, knives, brass knuckles, blackjacks or any other instrument deemed to be a weapon (including toy guns and weapons).

Fireworks/explosives and dangerous weapons are prohibited under Florida law. They may not be brought on campus under any circumstances.  Violators of this regulation will be subject to suspension or expulsion from Flagler College.

Under Florida’s “bring your gun to work” law as it pertains to Flagler College, Florida residents are allowed to keep “lawfully possessed” firearms that are “locked inside or locked to a private motor vehicle” at the workplace.  The law recognizes several types of locations that are exempt from this law for safety reasons.

Flagler College is exempt from this law as an educational institution [as defined in § 790.115, Fla. Stat. (2006)].  No students, staff, or faculty members (including contract workers, interns, volunteers, and guests) are allowed to bring a firearm to the Flagler College campus or keep a firearm locked inside their vehicle in any Flagler-owned or leased parking lot.  Active sworn law enforcement personnel are allowed to carry firearms (concealed or not) at all times.  For more information on this law and the full text of the Florida Statute, the legislation may be viewed online at www.flsenate.gov under SB1130.

Bullying and Hazing

It is the policy of Flagler College to maintain a learning and work environment that is free from bullying and hazing of any type.  It shall be a violation of college policy for any student, instructor, faculty member, staff member, administrator, volunteer, campus guest, or third-party (i.e. contracted vendor) to bully or haze any student, employee or other member of the college community on any college property, at any college function, event or activity, or through the use of any electronic or digital technology, whether or not such use occurs on college property.

The College will act promptly to investigate all instances of bullying or hazing, take appropriate steps to protect individuals from further bullying or hazing that comes to its attention, and, if it is determined that a policy violation has occurred, take appropriate action reasonably calculated to end the behavior and to appropriately discipline any student, instructor, faculty member, staff member, administrator, or other employee, volunteer, campus guest, or third-party (i.e. contracted vendor) and/or take other appropriate action reasonably calculated to end the behavior.  This disciplinary action could possibly include termination of an employee or expulsion of a student who has violated the policy.

Nonprescription and Illegal Drugs

Flagler College complies with the Drug Free Schools and Communities Amendments of 1989 in making students and employees aware of the laws pertaining to the use of alcohol and other drugs and by actively discouraging the violation of these laws.

The College’s student conduct regulations prohibit the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of alcohol and other drugs by students and student organizations. The College responds to the issue of substance abuse in three ways: education of the college community about alcohol and drug use and its consequences; confidential counseling for those with personal problems related to alcohol/drug abuse and illegal substance abuse/use; and disciplinary actions.

The use, consumption, possession, sale manufacture, trafficking or transfer of any illegal drug or controlled substance, as defined by Florida state and Federal law, for which the individual does not have a legal license or valid prescription is strictly prohibited.  Use, display, and/or possession of drug paraphernalia are prohibited.  This includes, but is not limited to, bongs, pipes, hookahs, water pipes, or any other item modified or adapted for planting, propagating, cultivating, growing, harvesting, manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, processing, preparing, testing, analyzing, packaging, storing, containing concealing, injecting, ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing a controlled substance into the human body.

Violations of this policy are handled on a case by case basis through the Dean of Students/Chief Judicial Affairs Office.

Vehicles and Parking Regulations

In order to park a vehicle (automobile, motorcycle, moped) in any campus parking facilities, students must apply for a parking decal. To secure a decal, students must complete an online parking permit application form at www.flagler.edu/parkingpermit or contact the parking permitting office at parking@flagler.edu. 

Violations of Local, State And Federal Laws

The College, upon learning of a student’s arrest, will inquire into the nature of the charge and note any violations of college regulations. These violations may result in disciplinary action.  In cases where the safety or welfare of others may be jeopardized, the College may suspend or expel prior to legal adjudication of the charges. In such instances, the case may be referred to the appropriate committee for review and recommendation. However, the student may be summarily suspended pending a hearing.

Privacy of Student Records

The College enforces the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974.  This regulation, as it applies to institutions of higher learning, ensures that students have access to certain records that pertain to them. It prohibits others, except faculty members or administrators who have “a need to know” and parents who claim their student as a dependent for tax purposes, from access to the student’s records, unless the student signs a waiver.  This waiver, the “Release of Student Information Request” form, may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar or found on-line at My.Flagler.edu. The “Release of Student Information” form remains in effect until the student rescinds it in writing.

In accordance with the FERPA, Flagler College affords students certain rights with respect to their student records. They are:

The right to inspect and review the student’s educational records within 45 days from the College receiving the request for access.
A “Request to Review Student Education Record” form is available in and must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar.

The right to request the amendment of the student’s educational records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading.
Students may ask the College to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading.  Students should write the college official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.  If the College decides not to amend the record as requested, the College will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment.  Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.

The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s educational records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
One exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to college officials with legitimate educational interests.  A school official may be considered a person employed by the College in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including campus safety and security personnel and health services staff); contractors, consultants, volunteers or other parties; a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.  A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the College to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
The name and address of that office is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-4605.

Flagler College complies with the Student Right to Know Act.

Student Complaints

When appropriate, students are encouraged to resolve problems or conflicts through informal means with their instructors, program directors, or department heads before they initiate a formal complaint.  If the matter cannot be resolved by informal means, students may submit written complaints in accordance with the following procedures.

These procedures are intended to ensure that written student complaints are addressed in a timely manner, that patterns of similar complaints may be readily discerned, and that appropriate actions are taken to address complaints.

1. A written student complaint should be addressed to the Program Director. In the case of a complaint made against the Program Director, the complaint should be addressed to the Dean of Continuing Education or his/her designee.  
2. The administrator who receives the written student complaint shall acknowledge the complaint within five (5) working days and forward a copy of his or her letter with a copy of the student complaint to the Assistant to the Dean of Continuing Education. The administrator shall subsequently send a memorandum outlining the action taken to address the complaint. Possible actions include conferring with the appropriate personnel or arranging a meeting with the student to discuss his or her complaint.  However, if in the opinion of the administrator, the complaint is without merit, the student shall be so advised, and a copy of the communication will be forwarded to the Assistant to the Vice President of Academic Affairs.
3. The Assistant to the President shall be responsible for receiving and logging written student complaints and for ensuring that complaints are properly processed.
4. If the student is not satisfied with the action taken or with the proposed resolution, he or she may appeal the matter to the VP of Academic Affairs; however, such an appeal must be based upon evidence of the neglect or violation of college policies or procedures by a member of the staff or faculty.  The merits of such policies or procedures are not subject to appeal.
5. The Vice President of Academic Affairs may elect to meet with the student and with the person(s) to whom the complaint is directed; however, the Vice President of Academic Affairs’ decision is final, and he or his designee will notify the student of the decision or the action to be taken.

Course Descriptions

PAD 200 – The Public Economy (credits: 3)
A review of the American economy. Topics of study include federal, state, and local effects on the economy, economic growth, inflation, and the United States in the world economy.

PAD 210 – American Government (credits:3)
An introduction to American Government, including such representative topics as the Congress, the Presidency, civil liberties, voting and public opinion, and national defense.

PAD 215 – Public Relations (credits: 3)
This course examines the principles of effective communication and the tools of successful public relations. Students will learn how to research, design, present, implement, and evaluate a communications plan to support an organization and its policy choices.

PAD 220 – Accounting for Public Administrators (credits: 3)
An introduction to Governmental and Fund Accounting, providing an overview of fund accounting, governmental accounting standards, program cost accounting and reporting. Students will acquire a basic knowledge of fund accounting, account structure, revenue and cost reporting, and auditing requirements.

PAD 301 – Introduction to Public Administration (credits: 3)
A survey of the major concepts and ideas shaping the field of public administration today, emphasizing public vs. private management, bureaucratic processes and politics, and administrative responsibility.

PAD 305 – Management in the Public Sector (credits: 3)
An introduction to the role of management in the successful operation of public sector organizations. Representative topics include executive-bureaucratic linkages, human relations, and strategic management.

PAD 320 – Public Policy (credits: 3)
An examination of the policy making process and a survey of the major policy areas facing public administrators today, including representative topics such as the environment, education, crime, welfare, and taxation.

PAD 340 – Emergency Management (credits: 3)
An introduction to emergency management, including such topics of study as the evolution of emergency management in the United States, managing natural hazards and disasters, and managing man-made hazards and disasters.

PAD 351 – Administrative Law (credits:3)
A review of the safeguards in the administrative system for the rights and liberties of those in direct contact (or conflict) with public administrators, and for the rights and liberties of public administrators. Topics of study include rule making, adjudication, administrative discretion, regulation, and the Administrative Procedures Act.

PAD 360 – Fiscal Administration (credits: 3)
An examination of fiscal administration within the public sector. Major topics of study include: principles of public finance, the budgetary process, budget methods and practices, budget classifications and reform, capital budgeting, tools of taxation, user fees, tax collection, revenue forecasts, intergovernmental fiscal relations, debt administration, and cash management.

PAD 362 – Administrative Leadership (credits: 3)
A study of leadership theory and how it applies to real situations. Topics include an examination of the strengths and criticisms of the various approaches to leadership including Traits, Skills, Style, Situational, Contingency Theory, Path-Goal Theory, Transformational, and Team Leadership. Topics of study will also include the differences between leadership and management, and the use of communication, vision, and courage in effective leadership.

PAD 372 – Intergovernmental Relations (credits: 3)
An examination of how the various levels of government, local, county, state, and federal, share authority and power in their constantly changing relationship of joint action.

PAD 401 – Grant Writing and Administration (credits: 3)
An examination of the practice of grant writing, including analysis of the different kinds of grants, the market for grants, the preparation of grant proposals/applications for submission and successful management of the grant and the relationship with the funding agency.

PAD 410 – Public Sector Human Resource Management (credits: 3)
A review of the personnel function in public organizations. Representative topics include position analysis, job evaluation, recruitment, selection, promotion, employee benefits, training, collective bargaining, and conflict resolution.

PAD 420 – Administrative Ethics (credits: 3)
A study of the definition and philosophy of ethics. Students will learn to recognize ethical problems and gain skills to approach them with honesty, sincerity, and confidence. Special emphasis is given to public service ethics for public administrators.

PAD 425 – Issues in State and Local Government (credits: 3)
Broad introduction to the structure and operations of state and local governments. Included among the topics of study are the role and power of state and local governments, interest groups, political parties, and state constitutions.

PAD 440 – Behavior in Public Organizations (credits: 3)
An examination of human behavior in public organizations. Representative topics include organizational change, personal development, and team building.

PAD 445 – Research Methods for Public Administrators (credits: 3)
This course emphasizes the important role of research in public affairs. Topics include research design, measurement, survey design and implementation, observational techniques, quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis, and research ethics.

PAD 460 – Program Evaluation (credits: 3)
An examination of the evaluation of public programs. Topics to be covered include planning, monitoring, and conducting program evaluations. Students will also study cost-benefit analysis and evaluation design.

PAD 470 – Current Issues for Public Managers (credits: 3)
The course examines the array of challenges faced by public managers in the 21st century. Students will study how to successfully manage in an era of reduced revenues, a decreased public sector workforce, difficult decisions on service levels, and increased public and policymaker scrutiny. Representative topics of study include: sustaining revenue and budgets, re engineering service delivery, public employee health care and pensions, contracting and public-private partnerships, use of technology, and effectively communicating with stakeholders and citizens.

PAD 491, 492 - Independent Study (credits: 3)
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor and program director.  May be offered in extenuating circumstances for students enrolled in the final semester of their program.