Registration

Registration is the process of selecting and enrolling in classes for upcoming semesters. You must pay a non-refundable deposit before registration (See General Information and Policies). This deposit will be applied toward tuition fees for the current academic year. The deposit must be paid in the first semester in which you are registered, either in the Fall or Winter semester. You become registered in a class only after the non-refundable deposit is received and your registration is submitted through the Student Portal. Only students who are registered will be permitted to attend class and receive a grade for the course. All registration for courses must be submitted through the Student Portal. If the class is full, you will be notified through the Student Portal that you are on the waitlist for that class. If a spot becomes available in the class, you will be notified through the Student Portal and you will have the option of accepting the registration at that time.

Course Selection

You are responsible for ensuring that the courses you take are appropriate for your program, that they do not have any scheduling conflicts, that they have the necessary prerequisites and that they meet all degree requirements. Information about course prerequisites may be found in the Course Descriptions. Not all courses are offered every year, so select your courses carefully. Check the course description to see how often a course is offered.

You will be assigned a faculty academic advisor who will assist you in understanding academic requirements and course selection. You are strongly encouraged to meet with your advisor early and often in your academic career. Additional assistance may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar.

A Degree Audit is available to you through the Student Portal, which outlines your requirements and is updated automatically as your progress in your program.

Course Substitution

A Course Substitution request determines whether an Ambrose University course that is not included in the list of required courses of a program can be used to fulfill a specific course requirement. A course substitution does not replace prerequisite requirements needed to enrol in courses. To request approval for a Course Substitution, submit a Course Substitution request form to the Office of the Registrar. (See ambrose.edu/registrar/request-forms.)

Course Load

A full student load is 15 credit hours (typically, five three- credit courses) per semester. If you wish to complete your degree program in the minimum time required, you must take a full load each semester. The Office of the Registrar may grant approval of loads in excess of 16.5 credit hours a semester to students who have demonstrated superior academic ability. Student athletes are strongly encouraged to take 12 credit hours per semester.

Course Overloads

The Registrar may grant approval of loads in excess of 16.5 credit hours per semester to students who have demonstrated superior ability. Your cumulative GPA will be a factor in determining permission to exceed this limit. To request approval for an overload, submit a Request for Course Overload form to the Office of the Registrar.

Full-time/Part-time Classification

Undergraduate students are considered full-time when they register in nine credits or more per semester for the fall and winter semesters, and six credits or more during the spring semester. Students are considered part-time when they register in fewer than nine credits per semester for the fall and winter semesters, and three credits during the spring semester. The exception is students who have an approved accommodation for a reduced course load.

Graduate students registered in thesis-based master’s programs will be considered full-time.

Graduate students in course-based credentials (i.e., certificates, diplomas or master’s degrees) will be considered full-time if they enrol in 9 credits or more per term during each of the Fall and Winter semesters and 6 credits or more per term during each of the Spring semester.

Graduate students enrolled in course-based credentials (i.e., certificates, diplomas or master’s degrees) are considered part-time when they register in fewer than 9 credits per term in the Fall and Winter semesters or fewer than 6 credits per semester in the Spring semester.

Class Attendance

You are expected to attend all classes in which you are registered. An instructor may determine and include in the syllabus an attendance policy appropriate to the particular course.

Directed Study

See Definitions. The Directed Study course will not be officially registered until all necessary approvals, signatures and a course syllabus have been obtained. (See ambrose.edu/registrar/request-forms.)

Independent Study

See Definitions. To undertake an Independent Study, you must submit a completed application form to the Office of the Registrar by April 1 for Spring semester, May 1 for Fall semester and by December 1 for Winter semester. The course will not be officially registered until all necessary approvals, signatures and the course syllabus have been obtained. (See ambrose.edu/registrar/request-forms.)

Registration Period

Once you are admitted to an Ambrose program you may register for courses through the Student Portal after the official Course Offerings schedule is published for the semester. If you want to register for a course without being admitted to a program, submit a Registration Form for Individual Courses to the Office of the Registrar.

Changes to the course schedule, including cancellation of classes, may be made without prior notice. If a change is made, your timetable will be amended accordingly and you will be notified by email.

Repeating a Course

Students may repeat a course only once. The course for each attempt is noted on the student transcript. Only the higher grade awarded is used to determine the cumulative and semester GPA, eligibility to graduate and academic standing. The original attempt will appear with the final grade ‘FR’ (failed, repeated) or ‘R’ (passed, repeated), as appropriate.

Special permission by the Office of the Registrar for a third attempt may be considered. Should permission for a third attempt of the same course be granted the earned grade on the second and third attempts will show on the transcript and be used in the calculation of the grade point average (GPA).

Withdrawal from Courses

A formal application through the Office of the Registrar to be removed from a course prior to the Withdrawal deadline (see Academic Schedule) with the exception of students in the School of Education who must obtain approval from their faculty to withdraw from a course. 

• Prior to the Add/Drop deadline: through the student registration system whereby course(s) will be removed with no academic or financial penalty. 
• After the Add/Drop deadline and until the Withdrawal deadline: through submission of the ‘Withdrawal from Course’ form whereby course(s) will remain on the permanent academic record/transcript with the symbol ‘W’. (See ambrose.edu/registrar/request-forms.)

Students who withdraw from more than 30 credits attempted at Ambrose University will be required to withdraw from their program. Students considering withdrawing from courses are encouraged to discuss with their Faculty Advisor and/or the Office of the Registrar questions relating to their withdrawal decision specifically relating to financial assistance, study permit requirements, prerequisites for subsequent courses, readmission, and/or graduation timeline. 

Students who do not formally withdraw from a course are still considered registered in the course, even if they are no longer attending classes. In this case, students will be assigned a grade based on coursework completed as per the course syllabus and are responsible to pay the tuition and fees assessed for the course. 

Under extenuating circumstances, students may request from the Office of the Registrar a course(s) withdrawal after the Withdrawal deadline and until the last day of classes. Extenuating circumstances typically consider situations such as medical emergencies, compassionate grounds, or unforeseen conditions/situations beyond the students’ control that arise after the start of the semester and are considered on a case-by-case basis. Supporting documentation from a physician or Registered Health Professional must accompany this request.

Withdrawal from Ambrose

To withdraw from Ambrose University, you should ensure you are not registered in classes and notify the Office of the Registrar. The Finance Office is able to make monetary adjustments to your account only if you are eligible for a refund and only after receiving notification. See Financial Information for further details.

Failure to Withdraw

You are liable for tuition and fees for all courses in which you are registered. If you register and decide not to attend, but do not cancel your registration before the Add/Drop deadline, you will be charged tuition and compulsory fees according to the Ambrose University fee assessment schedule listed under Financial Information. If you intend to withdraw from a course, but fail to do so by the applicable date, you will receive the grade you earn in the class, in accordance with the course syllabus.

 

Categories of Experiential Learning

Work-Integrated Learning (WIL)

Built by Ambrose, these kinds of activities introduce students to the world of work as part of their post-secondary program. This is a model and process of curricular experiential learning which formally and intentionally integrates a student’s academic studies within a workplace or practice setting. WIL experiences include an engaged partnership of at least: an academic institution, a host organization and a student. WIL can occur at the course or program level and includes the development of learning outcomes related to employability, personal agency and life-long learning. WIL activities include internships, coaching, mandatory professional practice, field experience, field placements, service learning, and community and industry research projects (CIRPS). (This definition is consistent with Alberta Advanced Education’s definition published 9 November 2020.)

 

Internship

Supervised, structured work experience, typically lasting a semester or more, at or near the end of a study program.

• In the School of Ministry, this is a term for a full-time extended learning experience in a ministry location, usually several months in duration, supervised by a practitioner whom the institution has approved and for whom the institution has provided orientation. In the intercultural studies programs, the internship is cross- cultural, and this is sometimes an international experience. This WIL experience is guided by procedures in the Field Education Handbook.
• In the School of Business, students can participate in an extended learning experience in a company or community organization. Internships can be unpaid or paid and may be full-time or part-time. They are typically between 2 - 4 months in duration, with a minimum of 90 contact hours, but can involve more, depending upon the placement. Supervision is provided by the workplace practitioner with the guidance of an Ambrose faculty member.

 

Mandatory Professional Practice

Supervised work arrangement required for a professional license or designation. These experiences are under the supervision of an experienced registered or licensed professional.

• In the School of Ministry, this is a term for part-time professional experience (practicum) accompanied by in-class reflection; it is an integral part of ministry formation. The experiential learning experience is guided by the course syllabus.
• In the School of Education, all professional training, full-time or part-time, supervised by certified teachers, is referred to as a practicum or field experience. This training is mandatory for the degree and guided by their Handbook and other procedures.

 

Field Placement

Work-related experiences that prepare students for professional or occupational fields, but are not required for a professional license. Field placement courses give students opportunities to apply their growing knowledge and skills in diverse workplace settings, under the guidance of a faculty member and the supervision of a workplace mentor.

 

Community Service Learning

Activities designed by Ambrose to achieve specific community goals. Combines classroom instruction and critical reflection to enrich the learning experience and strengthen communities. Students work in partnership with a community- based organization to address a challenge identified by the community.

• In the Certificate of Christian Discipleship, required community service learning courses combine theory, practice, and reflection to give students experience in church and community settings.
• In other Arts and Science programs, elective community service learning courses combine theory, practice, and reflection to give students experience in church and community settings.

 

Community and Industry Research Project

Activities within courses in which students apply their growing knowledge and skills to solve real-world problems, serving partners in business, industry, the non-profit sector, or the community.

 

Research-Based Learning

Students whose career plans involve professional research work with a faculty member on a research project (independent research or student-faculty collaborative research) within a mentorship model that includes structured learning outcomes. When an external partner is involved, these experiences may include a WIL component.

• Independent Research Projects in the School of Business and in Arts and Science programs, including Behavioural Science, Biology, Chemistry, Christian Studies, English, History, Music, and Psychology.
• Entrepreneurial Incubator in the School of Business, in which teams of students learn by starting companies based on business plans they have developed previously.
• Case Competitions or Challenges in the School of Business, which bring students from multiple post-secondary institutions together to solve challenging problems.

 

Indigenous and Land-Based Learning

Learning experiences undertaken in collaboration with Indigenous partners. When an external partner is involved, these experiences may include a WIL component.

• Activities and projects embedded in courses in Education, Theology, Business, and Arts and Science.
• Specific Indigenous Studies (INDG) courses, typically taught by Indigenous instructors.

 

Culminating Senior Experience

Capstone course, senior project or thesis, comprehensive exam, Personal Growth Portfolio, etc. When an external partner is involved, these experiences may include a WIL component.

 

Travel Study/International Travel Program/Study Abroad

Several programs offer opportunities to travel as part of the experience of education at Ambrose (e.g. History, Biology, Business Administration). This experiential learning experience is guided by course syllabi. When an external partner is involved, these experiences may include a WIL component.