FISHER COLLEGE College Catalog An Independent College 2005–2006 Table of Contents Message from the President ....................................................................5 Day Division Calendar ..........................................................................6 Division of Continuing & Distance Education .......................................7 General Information-- Day Division and Division of Continuing & Distance Education .............8 College Policies-- Day Division and Division of Continuing & Distance Education ...........15 Academic Information-- Day Division and Division of Continuing & Distance Education ...........23 Evaluation of Student Performance ......................................................23 Satisfactory Academic Progress ............................................................31 Financial Aid-- Day Division and Division of Continuing & Distance Education ...........43 Application Process .............................................................................43 How Need Is Determined ....................................................................44 Federal Financial Aid Sources .............................................................45 Alternative Loan Program ....................................................................46 State Financial Assistance ....................................................................46 Institutional Scholarships ....................................................................47 Satisfactory Academic Progress ...........................................................49 Financial Aid Refund Policy ................................................................52 Day Division ........................................................................................55 Application Procedures .......................................................................55 Enrollment Procedures .........................................................................56 International Application Procedures ...................................................56 Student Services ..................................................................................57 Residential Life ....................................................................................61 Commuting Life ...................................................................................62 Financial Information ..........................................................................63 Division of Continuing & Distance Education .......................................69 Admissions Procedures ........................................................................69 Student Services ..................................................................................70 Financial Information ..........................................................................71 Program Requirements Day Division and Division of Continuing & Distance Education ...........75 Course Descriptions Day Division and Division of Continuing & Distance Education .........121 Directory ............................................................................................177 Board of Trustees ...............................................................................177 Administration and Staff ....................................................................178 Division of Continuing & Distance Education ....................................180 Full-Time Faculty ...............................................................................181 Adjunct Faculty .................................................................................184 Index ..................................................................................................189 This Catalog is an offi cial publication of the College and is subject to change at any time. The College reserves the right to add, withdraw, or revise any course, program of study, provision, or requirement described herein. Message from the President As a member of our academic community, you join the thousands of men and women from around the world who have come before you to enrich their lives through a Fisher College education. A most important component within the covers of a college catalogue is the description of the college mission. I hope you read it. It describes the aspiration of every member of our faculty and professional staff. It states in part that Fisher College endeavors “to create a learning environment that fosters the intellectual growth of its students, promotes respect for self and oth- ers, and seeks to develop inherent capacities of each student to prepare for a full, satisfying and productive professional and cultural life.” Our mission then, is to enlighten, to energize, and to empower our students. Every day I witness this as we accomplish small miracles together. This catalogue is a “road map” to guide you toward your graduation from Fisher College. Like so many before you, I hope you use it in addition to working with the many caring professionals at the College who are dedicated to your success. Be assured that with your inherent capacities and individual strengths coupled with our dedication to mis- sion, your experience at Fisher College will indeed, enrich, enlighten, and empower your life. Welcome to Fisher College. Very truly yours, Charles C. Perkins President 5 General Information DAY DIVISION CALENDAR 2005 Saturday, August 27 Resident Halls Open for New Students Saturday - Monday, August 27-29 New Student Orientation Monday, August 29 Resident Halls Open for Returning Students Tuesday, August 30 Fall Semester Classes Begin Monday, September 5 Labor Day (No Classes) Tuesday, September 6 Drop/Add Period Ends Monday, October 10 Columbus Day (No Classes) Friday, November 11 Veterans’ Day (No Classes) Thursday - Friday, November 24, 25 Thanksgiving Break (No Classes) Friday, December 2 Last Day to Withdraw from Class Friday, December 9 Fall Semester Classes End Monday - Friday, December 12-16 Final Exams 2006 Sunday, January 15 Resident Halls Open for New Students Sunday - Monday, January 15-16 New Student Orientation Monday, January 16 Resident Halls Open for Returning Students Tuesday, January 17 Spring Semester Classes Begin Monday, January 23 Drop/Add Period Ends Monday, February 20 Presidents’ Day (No Classes) Saturday - Sunday, March 11-19 Spring Recess Monday, April 17 Patriots’ Day (No Classes) Tuesday, April 25 Last Day to Withdraw from Class Tuesday, May 2 Spring Semester Classes End Wednesday, May 3 Reading/Study Day Thursday - Saturday, May 4, 5 & 6 Final Exams Monday - Tuesday, May 8 & 9 Final Exams Continued Saturday, May 13 Graduation 6 General Information DIVISION OF CONTINUING & DISTANCE EDUCATION Term Beginning Special Dates & Holidays Term Ending September 6, 2005 Columbus Day October 29, 2005 October 10, 2005 Last Day to Withdraw October 19, 2005 Final Exams* October 26-29, 2005 October 31, 2005 Veterans’ Day December 23, 2005 November 11, 2005 Thanksgiving Day November 24, 2005 Last Day to Withdraw December 14, 2005 Final Exams* December 21-23, 2005 Winter Recess December 24, 2005 - January 16, 2006 January 17, 2006 President’s Day March 11, 2006 February 20, 2006 Last Day to Withdraw March 1, 2006 Final Exams* March 8-11, 2006 March 13, 2006 Patriots’ Day May 6, 2006 April 17, 2006 Last Day to Withdraw April 26, 2006 Final Exams* May 3-6, 2006 May 8, 2006 Memorial Day July 1, 2006 May 29, 2006 Last Day to Withdraw June 21, 2006 Final Exams* June 28 - July 1, 2006 Summer Recess July 1 - July 9, 2006 July 10, 2006 Last Day to Withdraw August 26, 2006 August 16, 2006 Final Exams* August 23-26, 2006 The drop/add period is the fi rst calendar week of each term. * Fisher Online Finals to be Announced. 7 General Information ▼ General Information--Day Division and Division of Continuing & Distance Education History of Fisher College Founded in 1903, Fisher College emphasized vocational preparation for its fi rst few decades. Since then, curriculum plans and objectives have expanded. In 1952, Fisher was approved as a two-year college by the Board of Regents of Higher Education of the Commonwealth of Mas- sachusetts, and, in 1957, was given degree-granting powers. In 1970, Fisher gained membership in the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., with accreditation. Today, students from all parts of America and from numerous foreign countries attend Fisher’s Day School. Approximately half commute and others live in College dormito- ries. As of February 1998 the day division became coeducational. In January 1999 Fisher College was approved by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education to offer the Bachelor of Science in Manage- ment Degree. The Division of Continuing & Distance Education was established in 1975 and the Online/Distance Education program was established in 1998 to serve the adult population of Massachusetts. Branch campuses provide convenient access to students, local businesses and organizations. College Mission Fisher College, founded in 1903, is a Boston-based accredited indepen- dent college, offering curricula that integrate a liberal education with career and pre-professional programs designed to meet the changing needs of both traditional and non-traditional learners. Through its degree level and certifi cate programs, Fisher College has endeavored to create a learning environment that fosters the intellectual growth of its students, promotes respect for self and others, and seeks to develop inherent capacities of each student to prepare for a full,