J o h n F K e n n e d y U n i v e r s i t y

Commencement CeremonyThe ceremonial recognition of graduation is a very specialoccasion at the university. Graduating students andprospective graduates who meet the requirements listed inthe policies below are encouraged to participate in this Juneevent.Students who meet the following criteria are eligible to participatein the June commencement ceremony if all financialobligations to the university have been paid in full:• Prior fall and winter graduates;• Students who are completing all requirements as of springquarter or semester;• Students who have 6 or fewer quarter or 4 semester unitsto complete in summer.Students must also fulfill the master’s/doctoral examinationor thesis/master’s/doctoral dissertation project requirementsif relevant to their degree programs. Students in programsrequiring a master’s examination must either have passedthe exam or be scheduled to take it during summer quarter.Thesis/doctoral dissertation students must have the roughdraft of the thesis/doctoral dissertation project approved byMay 15.Awards at the Commencement CeremonyOutstanding Student AwardAt the request of the President of the university, each schoolselects a student to honor at commencement who bestexemplifies academic excellence, service to their school orthe university, and service to the community. Due to thehigh regard in which they are held, these awards are theonly awards presented to students at the commencementceremony.The Founding President Harry L. MorrisonDistinguished Teaching AwardA citation and monetary gift is given to honor the memory ofDr. Morrison, founding president of the university. The awardrecognizes special dedication to the university and its studentsand is made to the faculty member who best exemplifiesexcellence in teaching and creativity in the classroom as wellas in program and curriculum development and contributionto the enhancemeA transcript is issued only if all financial obligations to the universityhave been paid in full. Unofficial transcripts will notbe issued to students. Transcripts are never faxed.Transferability of JFK University CoursesBecause each institution has its own policy regardingacceptance of transfer credit, students are advised to contactthe receiving institution to determine transferability ofcoursework reflected on the JFK University transcript.Unit CreditUnits described throughout this catalog, excluding law,are quarter units. The university subscribes to the nationalstandard for student workload, which is a minimum of 500seat minutes per quarter unit of credit.The School of Law is on the semester system. One and onehalf(1.5) quarter units equal 1 semester unit.Academic TermThe university’s academic year, other than the School ofLaw, is divided into four 11-week quarters, which include10 weeks of instruction and one week of final examinations.For financial aid purposes, an academic year is defined as aminimum of three quarters of enrollment.Fall and spring semesters for the School of Law are 18 weeksin duration, which includes 15 weeks of instruction, a oneweekreading period, and two weeks for final examinations.Summer Session is 11 weeks in duration, which includes athree-day reading period and four days for final examinations.Full-Time Unit LoadFull-time load is defined as 12 units per quarter forundergraduates and PsyD students, 9 units per quarter forstudents in master’s degree or graduate certificate programs,and 6 units per semester for law students.AttendanceStudents are expected to attend all class meetings of coursesin which they are enrolled and comply with attendancerequirements specified in the course syllabus. Excessiveunexcused absences may affect the course grade.TranscriptsStudents may obtain John F. Kennedy University officialtranscripts by providing a written request that gives name,student ID number or social security number, current address,major, dates of enrollment, degrees/certificates awarded,name on transcript (if different from current name), addressto which the transcripts are to be sent, and any specialinstructions (e.g., holding for current grades or degreeposting). Transcript Request Forms are available in theRegistrar’s Office and online. All transcript requests must besigned and accompanied by a $5 fee for each transcript. Rushtranscripts will be sent within one working day followingreceipt of request for a fee of $10. Rush processing cannot beguaranteed during registration periods.Non-Degree StudentsMost courses are open to non-degree students. However, theapproval of the instructor or school dean may be necessaryto register for some courses including courses that are part ofa certificate program. Refer to the Admission section in thefront of this catalog for information regarding application as anon-degree student.26 GENERAL INFORMATIONJOHN F. KENNEDY UNIVERSITY