The College of Professional Studies attendance policy is designed to ensure the quality of your learning process. It is in your best interest academically and financially to be aware of the policy.

As we all know, learning in a college program occurs in a variety of settings. In the cohort model at CPS, learning within the classroom is a very important component of students’ education.  Therefore, much of the learning in CPS courses stems from group interaction.  Our students learn from each other through the sharing of ideas and experience.  Absenteeism weakens this crucial component of the CPS learning environment.

The CPS model of instruction is accelerated.  The majority of courses are seven weeks in length. Missing two four-hour sessions in a seven session course represents a 29% absentee rate.  This is equivalent to missing thirteen hours of instruction in a traditional 15-week course. In a traditional college program, such absenteeism would result in a failing grade.  Because of the concentrated CPS delivery system, attendance at every session is extremely important.

Attendance at each class meeting is expected. The student, not the instructor, is responsible for a missed class. If you know in advance that you will be absent from a class, it is your responsibility to notify the instructor prior to the class, to get the homework to the instructor, to find out the learning objectives for the missed class, and to get the homework assignment for the next class. If you are absent from more than one class in a course, regardless of the number of class sessions, you may be subject to administrative withdrawal from the course and/or the program. 

Attendance in online courses is determined by regular participation in the Blackboard virtual/online classroom. If you do not log onto Blackboard, participate in the online discussions, or submit assignments online as required by the instructor, you may be administratively withdrawn from the course and/or program for non-attendance.

And finally, you are expected to be on time for all classes.  Tardiness or failure to attend a full session may be penalized.  Again, the emphasis at CPS is on ensuring the quality of your learning process in a cohort structure.  Your participation is essential.