Academic Excellence

Hancock's curricula, faculty, student services and campus are pathways linked directly to the career world. Hancock's resources are designed to help you meet the high standards of excellence in the professional marketplace. Each program area has a separate faculty drawn from respected leaders in related career fields. As a result, the curriculum remains both focused and flexible-focused on the needs of industry, flexible in response to changes in those needs. Students are helped to strengthen their skills in communication and problem solving under conditions of uncertainty.

At Hancock, we have created a learning environment that revolves around the professionals who are our students. They know first-hand the importance of keeping technical skills sharp and industry knowledge current. They understand the challenge to stay on the leading edge of their careers. Hancock offers the programs that meet those needs, and presents them in a supportive, adult-oriented atmosphere geared to academic and career success.

Academic Calendar

Hancock operates on a trimester system. The academic year consists of three semesters, 16 weeks each. The first trimester begins in January, the second trimester begins in May, and the third begins in September.

Course Requirement Changes

Because courses are re-evaluated from time to time and added to or eliminated from various curricula, students may experience changes to their degree requirements related to a specific course; however, the total required credits will remain the same throughout degree completion.

Mode of Instruction

The University will offer both residential instruction and correspondence instruction.

Residential Instruction: Residential classes are held at the main campus. One semester unit is equivalent to fifteen contact hours or the equivalent in accelerated or distance learning terms. Because classes are held on campus, students have easy access to an array of student services including the library, the computer center and the career center, plus the many other academic, and recreational resources of the University.

Textbooks are required for all residential courses. Students may obtain textbooks from the publisher or a recommended textbook vendor.

Students have face-to-face interaction to an instructor who provides the classroom instruction. Office hours are also available before and after class.

Correspondence Instruction: Instruction that provides lessons for study and completion by a student at a location separate from the main physical campus. One semester unit is equivalent to fifteen contact hours or the equivalent in accelerated or distance learning terms. Please contact HCU to see which courses are available through correspondence.

Textbooks are required for all correspondence courses. Students may obtain textbooks from the publisher or a recommended textbook vendor.

Communication between student and instructor including, but not limited to coursework feedback, questions, and daily interaction can be conducted via emails and/or telephone calls.

General Education

The General Education program seeks to provide students with knowledge, skills, and experiences that form the foundation of higher education, informed global citizenship, and lifelong learning success.

HCU's General Education program has been designed to provide lifelong students with those tools, skills and knowledge fundamental to successful, scholarly bachelor degree studies and for enhancing personal future effectiveness in all aspects of life.

The student-centered focus is reflected in a course-embedded assessment process and interactive mentoring system that provides students with continuous guidance and support for learning success. Required initial courses are those necessary skills with lifelong benefits. Written communication and writing skills are essential for success in HCU's programs and are therefore a foundation of general education. The curriculum provides sequential writing courses that support developmental, academic and critical thinking learning opportunities.

HCU requires that students satisfactorily complete a minimum of 30 semester credits in general education for the bachelor's degree program(s).

Non-Degree Study

Many serious students enter studies not intending to obtain a new degree, but rather to enhance personal and professional knowledge. They may want to advance in their present career, acquire the background to make a career change, or make up academic deficiencies before entering a degree program. If the student later applies for admission to a degree program, such non-degree study will be evaluated as to whether the coursework will be applied to the degree requirements. Minimum enrollment requirements for a degree program must be satisfied after the student is accepted into the HCU degree program. Tuition for non-degree study will be charged at the current credit rate at the time of course enrollment.

Academic Integrity

Hancock University is a community of shared academic values, foremost of which is a strong commitment to intellectual honesty, honorable conduct, and respect for others. In order to meet these values, students at Hancock University are expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity. These standards are embodied in the philosophy of Hancock University, which all students shall pledge to uphold by joining the HCU community. By honoring and enforcing this Academic Integrity philosophy, the University community affirms that it will not tolerate academic dishonesty.