Center for Adult and Online Studies

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Director: Christopher Davis, D.M.
Program Coordinator: Naomi Valentine, M.B.A.

The Center for Adult and Online Studies offers nontraditional degree programs and courses. The programs and courses may be nontraditional in structure, student body, mode of delivery or some other way. The center currently offers a degree completion program that leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in “leadership and management” and “leadership and marketing.”

The program provides for an intensive and accelerated study program, allowing completion in a much shorter time than normal. The programs allow students who have already completed 60 or more hours of college credit and are 23 years or older to finish their undergraduate studies.

A Bachelor of Arts degree with concentrations in either management or marketing is offered, delivering 54 hours of study that encompass an interesting and applicable study of leadership and management or marketing knowledge and skills. The program also requires students to complete six hours of textual Bible and three hours of Christian Business Ethics. The six hours of textual Bible address the relevance of Christ’s teaching and the application of wisdom literature in both biblical times and the present. These textual Bible courses will be delivered online.

In total, students will have to complete a minimum of 128 hours of credit and all other graduation requirements.

Financial Aid Information

Need-based Grants: Eligibility for need-based grants is determined by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). After the FAFSA has been processed, a response will be mailed calculating the student’s eligibility for need-based grants. Families may estimate their eligibility by using the financial aid need estimator found on our Web site.

Federal Pell Grant: Awarded to undergraduate students who qualify based on financial need.

Federal SEOG Grant: Awarded to Pell Grant recipients who demonstrate exceptional financial need.

Veterans Benefits: Eligibility is determined by the Veterans Administration. Students should contact their local Veterans Administration representative.

Single Parent Scholarship: For single parents who are working toward an undergraduate degree, are Federal Pell Grant recipients, and are Arkansas residents. For more information and application details, call (479) 927-1402 or visit www.aspsf.org.

Internet and Local Scholarship Resources: The University Web site, www.harding.edu/finaid, provides a link to an abundance of information on national scholarships.

Loan Programs, Federal Stafford Student Loan: Each year, the following loan amounts are available to all eligible students considered financially independent for financial aid purposes:

Sophomores: $8,500

Juniors and seniors: $10,500

Educational Tax Benefits

The following is a summary of education-related tax benefits. We highly recommend that students consult their tax advisers or review IRS Publication 970 for information on how these benefits might apply to their particular tax situation.

Tax Credits: Tax credits allow for a dollar-for-dollar reduction of taxes. For example, a tax credit of $1,000 will reduce a family’s tax liability by $1,000. Full tax credits are restricted to families with incomes under $100,000. Expenses that qualify for tax credits include school tuition and required fees, minus any tax-free grants, scholarships or employer payments.

Lifetime Learning Tax Credit: A $1,000 per-family tax credit may be claimed for students beyond the first two years of education. There is no limit on the number of years for which the credit can be claimed for each family.

Tax Deductions: Families with incomes under $130,000 may deduct up to $3,000 for payment of tuition and fees incurred each tax year. Expenses that qualify for a tax deduction include school tuition and required fees, minus any tax-free grants, scholarships or employer payments.

For More Information

Harding University
Office of Financial Aid Services
www.harding.edu/finaid
finaid@harding.edu
1-800 477-3243 (toll free)
501-279-4257
501-279-5438 (fax)
Box 12282
Searcy, AR 72149-0001
915 E. Market
American Heritage Center
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CST) Monday - Friday

Code of Conduct

Harding expects its students to conduct themselves as responsible citizens with an understanding and philosophy of life consistent with Christian ideals. In addition to the promotion of scholarly pursuits, Harding endeavors to instill within each student a deeper spiritual quality. All members of Harding’s administration and faculty are dedicated to building Christian character and responsibility within each student.

Enrollment at the University is viewed as a privilege that brings the attendant responsibilities and accountability. Students are encouraged to develop a servant-leadership-ministry lifestyle that integrates faith, learning and living. Students are expected to pursue honesty and integrity, avoiding all forms of dishonesty.

While attending classes and events at Harding’s Searcy campus, students must comply with the University’s policies concerning conduct. This includes the following specific items:

Harding is a drug, tobacco, and alcohol free campus.
Modest dress is required.
Inappropriate language is prohibited.
No firearms or weapons are allowed on campus.
Sexual immorality including pornographic materials are prohibited.
Christian principles should be respected by all students.

Upon registration to Harding University, CAOS students acknowledge and agree to uphold Christian principles for which Harding stands. Harding University reserves the right to refuse admission to or dismiss students whose lifestyle is not consistent with the Christian principles for which Harding stands; and when the general welfare of the institution requires such action. A standard form is provided and
signed by each individual student in the CAOS upon entry into the program concerning his/her commitment to uphold these principles.

Code of Conduct Disciplinary Procedures

When it appears a rule of conduct or procedure has been broken, the director of the Center for Adult and Online Studies will conduct an investigation concerning the allegation.

If possible, the issue will be resolved with the director of the program and the student.
If not resolved between the director of the program and the student, an appeal is presented to the Appeals Committee for their review and recommendation concerning the alleged code of conduct violation.
The appeal must be made to the Appeals Committee within 24 hours after the attempted resolution by the director of the program and the student.
The appeal shall be conducted in a fair and reasonable manner.
All witnesses shall be required to affirm the truth of their testimonies.
Presentation of evidence shall be as follows:
1. Evidence that supports the charge against the student or organization.
2. Evidence of innocence or mitigation by the accused.
3. Rebuttal evidence by both parties.
4. Closing statements by both parties.
Both parties shall have reasonable opportunity for cross-examination of witnesses.
The appeals will be open to the appealing party, representatives of the Appeal Committee and witnesses with relevant evidence to present. Only two eyewitnesses from each side may present their case, and neither legal counsel, guardian nor parents of the accused shall be permitted to appear before this committee.

Disciplinary sanction can range from a written or verbal reprimand, suspension and expulsion from the Center for Adult and Online Studies.

Questions in regard to code of conduct for the Center for Adult and Online Studies program should be referred to the director of the CAOS.