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Credit Hour Policy

As outlined in the Credit Hour Policy, all semester / credit hours awarded by Trocaire conform to federal and state requirements and definitions. In general, a credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out of class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester. A semester hour means a credit, point, or other unit granted for the satisfactory completion of a course which requires at least 15 hours (of 50 minutes each) of instruction and at least 30 hours of supplementary assignments.

At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) above for other academic activities including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.

Attendance Policy

Trocaire College recognizes the relationship between student attendance and student retention, achievement and success. The College is an attendance-taking institution that requires student attendance in order for students to remain enrolled in a course. Students are expected to attend, to be on time for all scheduled courses (i.e. lectures, clinical experiences, laboratories, and internships), and to attend all courses in their entirety regardless of the course modality. Instructors are required to maintain attendance records and to report absences. Attendance is considered more than logging into an online course or physically attending a seated course. 

Excessive absences will result in a grade of “FX”, failure for non-attendance, and students may be required to return Title IV financial aid monies. The definition for excessive absence is being absent from a scheduled course in a semester for more than twice the number of times a class meets in a given week. This permits two (2) absences for once a week meeting and online classes and four (4) absences in twice a week meeting courses each semester. Once a student exceeds these numbers, they will earn a grade of “FX”. In most cases, excluding clinical courses, a grade of “FX “ will be applied on the 11th week of the semester if the student has already exceeded the number of allowable absences but has not officially withdrawn from the course by the official last day to withdraw.  Non-attendance in a course does not signify withdrawal.

Absence does not constitute an exemption from course requirements. Students are required to complete all assignments and examinations. It is the student’s responsibility to take the initiative in making up any missed work. Students are expected to notify the College of any absence in accord with the program policy and/or the syllabus guidance. Only registered students may attend classes.

For purposes of this policy, attendance in online courses is more than simply logging into the course. Students must complete substantive work to be marked attended. This work may include:

  • Submitting an academic assignment

  • Taking or submitting an exam

  • A posting by a student showing the student’s participation in an online study group that is assigned by the College or attending a study group that is assigned by the College

  • Participating in or posting by a student in a discussion forum showing the student’s participation in an online discussion about an academic matter

  • Initiating contact (email, in-person, or other documented contact) with the instructor to ask a substantive question about the academic content studied in the course (instructor discretion)

For purposes of this policy, attendance in seated course is more than simply being present. Students must appropriately engage in the course to be marked attended. This may include:

  • Taking notes and asking questions during lecture

  • Participating in a class or small group discussion

  • Attending a class, lab or internship in-person where there is an opportunity for direct interaction between the instructor and students

  • Attending at a clinical site (must be present, on time and in appropriate dress code the entire class time to be counted in attendance)

 Students are expected to attend all classes and laboratory periods for which they are enrolled. The instructor and/or program defines conditions under which an absence is excused. Traditionally, students are considered excused for documented medical emergencies, the death of an immediate family member, military service and religious holidays. Under extenuating circumstances, the instructor may also consider additional substantive academic activity for attendance purposes. Programs with external accreditors, may have additional attendance requirements define in the program manual.

Students are notified if their instructor cannot meet with them during any regularly scheduled class period and/or a class is canceled. In the event that the instructor does not arrive at an appointed class within 15 minutes after the class regularly begins and after student representatives of the class have made inquiries to the Program Director and/or Dean of the course’s division, students are excused from the class.

Religious Holidays

The College respects students’ religious beliefs and in compliance with New York State Law, students who are absent because of religious beliefs, will be given the opportunity to make up any academic requirements missed because of such absence. In the case of religious observance, students enrolled in clinical programs/placements must notify the Clinical Placement Coordinator, course faculty, and on/off Clinical Instructor in writing the first week of the academic term so that a make-up clinical experience can be arranged in advance.

In accordance with New York State Education Law, students who do not attend classes on certain days because of religious beliefs should refer to the policy below.

New York State Education Law Section 224-a provides:

Students unable because of religious beliefs to attend classes on certain days.

  1. No person shall be expelled from or be refused admission as a student to an institution of higher education for the reason that he or she is unable, because of his or her religious belief, to attend classes or to participate in any examination, study, or work requirements on a particular day or days.

  2. Any student in an institution of higher education who is unable, because of his or her religious beliefs, to attend classes on a particular day or days shall, because of such absence on the particular day or days, be excused from any examination or any study or work requirements.

  3. It shall be the responsibility of the faculty and of the administrative officials of each institution of higher education to make available to each student who is absent from school, because of his or her religious beliefs, an equivalent opportunity to make up any examination, study or work requirements which he or she may have missed because of such absence on any particular day or days. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to the said student such equivalent opportunity.

  4. If classes examinations, study or work requirements are held on Friday after four o’clock post meridian or on Saturday, similar or makeup classes, examinations, study or work requirement shall be made available on other days, where it is possible and practicable to do so. No special fees shall be charged to the student for these classes, examinations, study, or work requirements held on other days.

  5. In effectuating the provision of this section, it shall be the duty of the faculty and of the administrative officials of each institution of higher education to exercise the fullest measure of good faith. No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to any student because of his or her availing himself or herself of the provisions of this section.

  6. Any student, who is aggrieved by the alleged failure of any faculty or administrative officials to comply in good faith with the provisions of this section, shall be entitled to maintain an action or proceeding in the supreme court of this county in which such institution of higher education is located for the enforcement of his or her rights under this section.