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- Accelerated Degree Program Frequently Asked Questions
General Frequently Asked Questions
A: DARS stands for “Degree Audit Report System” and is an electronic degree progress tracking tool used by students and advisors. DARS is continuously updated to show your progress toward completing program requirements. Your DARS is available through your NetDirect account. View a demo of how to read a DARS report at http://www.dars.mntransfer.org/updates/captivate/HowtoReadaDARSAudit.swf
Q: What is the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system?
A: Metropolitan State University is one of 32 institutions within the MnSCU system. The system consists of 25 two-year colleges and seven state universities making it the largest single provider of higher education in the state of Minnesota.
Q: What is the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC)?
A: The MnTC includes approved general education courses within the following ten goal areas: I.) Communication; II. Critical Thinking;III. Natural Sciences;IV. Mathematics/Logical Reasoning; V. History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences; VI. Humanities and Fine Arts; VII. Human Diversity; VIII. Global Perspectives; IX. Ethical and Civic Responsibility; and X. People and the Environment. To complete the entire MnTC, you must earn a minimum of 40 credits in the ten goal areas, and meet the specific requirements for each goal area.
A: First College is one of seven colleges at Metropolitan State University where students design their own degree. Students are required to register for PRSP301 “Perspectives” in their first term where they will explore what it means to be an educated person and develop an individualized degree that builds on their previous college course work and takes into consideration their current needs for pursuing an education.
Q: What if I have completed a few college credits and want to pursue a B.S. in Business Administration?
A: Other Online Options for Continuing Your Undergraduate Education is a good place to start. You can learn more about continuing your education by contacting the Schwan's High Performance Development Center representative Beth Vanderpoel at beth.vanderpoel@schwans.com or 507-537-8900 ext. 2271 and provide a copy of your transcripts for an initial review. Beth will explain your options and help you with the next steps in pursuing your education.
Q: What is a technical degree?
A: A technical degree from a trade school or technical college focuses on skills for an entry-level position in areas such as accounting, paralegal, auto mechanic or office manager. The course work is very specific and not designed to be transferfriendly toward a bachelor’s degree.
Accelerated Degree Program Frequently Asked Questions
A: ADP stands for Schwan’s Accelerated Degree Program (ADP) and consists of:
- A.S. in Supervision and Leadership through Minnesota State Technical and Community College and
- B.S. in Business Administration through Metropolitan State University. The course work for the A.S. in Supervision and Leadership meets the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum and is designed to be transfer friendly toward the B.S. in Business Administration.
A: D2L stands for Desire 2 Learn and is a Course Management System (CMS) that is used to deliver online courses at Metropolitan State University.
Q: How may I find out about the Schwan’s ADP cohort schedule of courses that are offered and when through Metropolitan State University?
A: A current Schwan’s ADP Course Schedule that provides the list of courses and when the courses will be offered is available at https://db.metrostate.edu/webapps/drep/CourseSchedule-BusinessAdministration-SchwanADP-COM-Online-2008.pdf Two courses are offered per term that consist of one qualitative course covered over an 8 week term and one quantitative course covered over a 15 week term. The qualitative course is designed to be completed before the midterms begins for the qualitative course. Courses are offered online to provide the flexibility needed to accommodate busy schedules with work, family and other obligations.
Q: When can I get my textbooks?
A: Your Schwan representative will provide you the information needed to purchase your textbook approximately a month before the course starts.
Q: How do I get into the Schwan’s Accelerated Degree Program (ADP)?
A: Students must be nominated to participate in the program by their Schwan’s manager. Executive nomination is also acceptable. Once a student has been nominated, s/he will be asked for more information as well as any official transcripts of prior college work. Representatives from the Schwan’s University will then review the information submitted and formulate a list of those who qualify for the Accelerated Degree Program (ADP). This list is then given to the Schwan’s Executive Group and the selection process will begin. Once the list is finalized, a representative from Schwan’s University will contact students admitted, providing further information and instruction about enrolling in the ADP.
Q: Is it important that I have all my transcripts submitted for evaluation before starting the Schwan's ADP at Metropolitan State University?
A: Students attending Metropolitan State University must have all their official transcripts submitted for evaluation. Transcript Specialists determine whether courses you have previously taken at other institutions can be used as meeting degree requirements at this University. The evaluation process generates a Degree Audit Report (DARS), which is used in planning your academic program. Taking the right courses, in proper sequence will save you both time and money while getting the most out of your academic program.
Q: How may I correspond with the university using email?
A: After you are admitted to the university, you will be assigned a Student (Tech) ID that is required when you activate your NetDirect account. Activating your NetDirect account will generate your personal university email account and allow you access to the portal where you will find grades, online courses, announcements, advisor’s contact information, etc. You must use your university email account for correspondence to ensure your data privacy. Refer to University email policy at https://db.metrostate.edu/webapps/drep/Policy%201050.pdf
Q: Is there a form that students must sign to allow the Schwan’s University representative to have access to school records such as grades and online courses for business purposes and tuition reimbursement?
A: According to the Privacy of Education Records Under the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and Minnesota Government Data Practices Act University Policy #1040 found at https://db.metrostate.edu/webapps/drep/Policy1040.pdf , students must complete a Student Release Form. In accordance with federal regulations found at http://db.metrostate.edu/webapps/drep/InfoRelease.pdf , this form needs to be renewed on an annual basis.
Q: How are students registered for online courses in the Schwan’s ADP cohort at Metropolitan State University?
A: Students in the Schwan's ADP are registered for “scheduled” courses by a Metropolitan State University representative. If a student cannot take a course during any term, s/he needs approval from the Schwan's representative before Metropolitan State will remove the student from the course. Students who take courses out of sequence will delay graduation and will not be allowed to take certain courses, if the prerequisites are not completed.
Q: If I am unable to take a course as scheduled in the Schwan’s ADP cohort, may I make up the course at a later date?
A: Students unable to take courses as scheduled will jeopardize delaying their graduation. However, the opportunity to make up a course or two does exist but requires payment for the full cost of the course. Students needing to make up courses are strongly encouraged to work with both the educational representatives at Schwan’s High Performance Development Center and the advisor at Metropolitan State University in order to select courses that complete prerequisites in a timely manner and complete degree program requirements. Depending on the student's situation, these courses are either covered by financial aid, employer reimbursed or paid out of pocket. Regardless, notify the Schwan representative as soon as possible to avoid charges and/or jeopardize your Grade Point Average (GPA).
Q: What is Metropolitan State University’s Academic Standing Policy?
A: Metropolitan State University’s Academic Standing Policy #2050 found at https://db.metrostate.edu/webapps/drep/Policy2050_may_08.pdf is based on students’ cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better and cumulative completion rate of 66.66% or better to remain in good academic standing. Students who fall below these standards will be on academic probation. Students on academic probation who fall below these cumulative standards in their next term of registration will be dismissed for academic reasons, unless their term GPA is 2.25 or better AND their term completion rate is 75% or better.
Q: What is Metropolitan State University’s drop/withdraw/incomplete policy?
A: The drop date is usually within the first week or 7 days of class and results in a refund to the student. The withdraw date varies depending on whether the course is for the full term or accelerated. The withdraw date is usually within the 11th week of class for courses that run the full term and within the first five weeks for an 8 week (fall and spring) or 7 week (summer) course. Refer to the Schwan’s ADP Course Schedule for the actual dates. In summary:
- A drop needs to occur within the first week of class so the course does NOT show up on the student's transcript.
- A withdraw is "after" the first week of class and before the 11th or 5th week of the term depending if the course is for the full or half term. A "W" does show up on the student's transcript, which negatively affects the student’s completion rate and academic progress.
Q: What if I have an extenuating circumstance such as being hospitalized and it results in failing a course?
A: Some options may be:
- Granting an incomplete for the course is at the discretion of the instructor. In general, an incomplete is only possible if the student has satisfactorily completed and delivered 75% of the course in good standing. "Good standing" means the student is earning a C or better and has consistently participated in online discussions. Students have one term to complete the incomplete and if not, then the incomplete becomes an "F" that negatively affects the student's GPA and academic progress. However, instructors reserve the right to refuse any request for an incomplete.
- A request to retroactively drop a course due to extenuating circumstances may be done by completing the Registration Appeal Form at https://db.metrostate.edu/webapps/drep/registappealform.pdf and must include substantiating documentation to support the claim. If the appeal is approved, the course is expunged from the student's record.
Q: How may I access my grades so that I can submit them to Schwan’s University for reimbursement?
A: Instructions to obtain your final grades:
- Select the following link: https://webproc.mnscu.edu/eservices/login.html;jsessionid=B94F4DFBD34B0F4BAC333CC1DF5449C2?campusid=076
- Login using your Student (Tech) ID and password (PIN) that you created when activating your NetDirect. Reminder: It may be your DOB (YYMMDD) or last-six digits of your social security number.
- If asked to change your password (PIN), please do so and be sure to write your new password down in a safe place.
- Check the "Display My Name" box to indicate you want your name to appear on the documentation before you click "Login Now".
- Select "Grades and Transcripts" located in the upper left hand corner under Student e-Services, which defaults to "Check Grades".
- Click "Academic Record" on the left hand side.
- Choose "Chronological" .
- Click "Text Copy of this Academic Record ".
- Click File and Print.
- When you have the printout, highlight the classes for which you wish to be reimbursed (ex: Marketing Principles, Principles of Finance). Be sure your name is on the grades and book receipts.
- Submit this printout to Linda Vandendriessche in HR via fax 507-537-5348 or mail:
Schwan's Human Resources, Attn: Linda V.,
115 West College Dr., Marshall, MN. 56258
Q: How does financial aid work if I am part of the Schwan’s Accelerated Degree Program?
A: A student in the Schwan’s ADP may apply for financial aid online http://www.metrostate.edu/aid Once financial aid is determined, which is driven by mandated government guidelines, your estimated award letter will be available for viewing in your student account through the online registration system. Select the tab labeled "student" and then click on "My Financial Aid" to view account balance, payment information, and financial aid disbursements and pay online. Determination for financial aid will include the estimated Schwan’s tuition reimbursement that would not be paid out to the student. Additional funds related to textbooks and living expenses may be awarded and disbursed to the student. If you have questions regarding your financial aid award, email financial.aid@metrostate.edu and include in the Subject line: Schwan’s ADP - Financial Aid Award as well as your contact information. It may be a good idea to copy your advisor on this email.