Cross-Enrollment Policies

Expanding Your Academic Horizons at TUOS

At The University of Ontological Science, we recognize that intellectual growth often flourishes at the intersection of diverse academic environments. Our cross-enrollment programs enable TUOS students to enrich their studies by taking courses at partner institutions, while also welcoming visiting students who bring new perspectives to our community. These carefully structured opportunities maintain academic rigor and integrity while expanding the educational possibilities available to our scholars.

Cross-Enrollment Opportunities

TUOS participates in several cross-enrollment programs, each designed to serve specific educational needs:

Consortium for Philosophical Advancement (CPA)

A partnership of five institutions specializing in philosophical studies and related disciplines:

• The University of Ontological Science
• Metropolitan Institute of Philosophical Studies
• Riverside College of Liberal Arts
• Valley State University
• Eastlake Philosophical Seminary

Regional Higher Education Alliance (RHEA)

A comprehensive network of 12 institutions within a 100-mile radius that facilitates cross-registration for undergraduate students.

Online Course Exchange Program (OCEP)

A national consortium for sharing specialized online courses across member institutions, particularly in niche philosophical disciplines.

International Exchange Partnerships

Formal agreements with select international universities for semester-based exchanges, primarily at the graduate level.

Eligibility Requirements

For TUOS Students Seeking External Enrollment

To participate in cross-enrollment at partner institutions, TUOS students must meet these criteria:

• Academic Standing: Good academic standing (minimum 2.5 GPA for undergraduates, 3.0 for graduates)
• Enrollment Status: Full-time enrollment at TUOS during the cross-enrollment term
• Class Standing: Completion of at least 24 credits at TUOS (undergraduates) or 9 credits (graduates)
• Approvals: Permission from academic advisor and department chair
• Prerequisites: Fulfillment of all prerequisites for the requested course
• Financial Standing: No outstanding financial obligations to TUOS
• Program-Specific Requirements: Any additional requirements imposed by the specific cross-enrollment program

For Visiting Students Seeking TUOS Enrollment

Students from partner institutions wishing to take courses at TUOS must:

• Home Institution Verification: Provide verification of good standing from their home institution
• Prerequisites: Demonstrate completion of all prerequisites for the requested TUOS course
• Application: Submit the Visiting Student Application by the appropriate deadline
• Program Enrollment: Be actively participating in one of our formal cross-enrollment programs
• Course Eligibility: Seek enrollment only in courses designated as available for cross-enrollment

Available Courses

Courses Available for External Enrollment

Not all TUOS courses are available for cross-enrollment. Generally, these categories apply:

Typically Available:

• Most 2000-3000 level courses that are not at capacity
• Selected introductory graduate courses (5000 level)
• Specialized electives with unique content not offered at partner institutions

Limited Availability (requires special permission):

• Advanced seminars (4000 level)
• Core graduate courses
• Courses with specialized facilities or equipment requirements

Not Available:

• First-year foundational courses (1000 level)
• Capstone and thesis courses
• Courses that are fully enrolled with TUOS students
• Doctoral-level seminars (7000-8000 level)
• Laboratory courses with limited capacity

Partner Institution Offerings

TUOS students may typically access:

• Complementary courses not offered at TUOS
• Courses that align with the student’s academic program
• Specialized topics that enhance TUOS degree programs
• Courses that resolve scheduling conflicts in degree progression

View Complete Cross-Enrollment Course Listings

Process for Cross-Enrollment

For TUOS Students Seeking External Enrollment

1. Research Options: Review available courses at partner institutions through the Cross-Enrollment Course Database

2. Academic Consultation: Meet with your academic advisor to discuss:

   • How the course fits your degree requirements
   • Transfer equivalency considerations
   • Impact on academic progress and load

3. Submit Application: Complete the Cross-Enrollment Request Form which includes:

   • Course information (institution, course number, title, credits)
   • Academic justification for taking the course externally
   • How the course fits into your degree plan
   • Confirmation of prerequisite completion

4. Obtain Approvals:

   • Academic advisor
   • Department chair
   • TUOS Registrar’s Office

5. Host Institution Process:

   • Submit any required host institution forms
   • Receive confirmation of enrollment from host institution
   • Complete host institution orientation (if required)

6. Registration Confirmation:

   • Enrollment appears as a placeholder course on your TUOS schedule
   • Confirmation sent to your TUOS email

For Visiting Students Seeking TUOS Enrollment

1. Initial Approval: Obtain permission from your home institution’s cross-enrollment coordinator

2. Application Submission: Complete the Visiting Student Application and provide:

   • Official verification of good standing
   • Prerequisite documentation
   • Academic justification for TUOS enrollment

3. Course Approval: TUOS department reviews qualifications for requested course

4. Registration Processing: TUOS Registrar’s Office processes enrollment if approved

5. Confirmation and Orientation: Receive TUOS temporary credentials and complete online orientation

Timeline and Deadlines

Program	Application Deadline	Notification	Registration Period
CPA Consortium	4 weeks before host registration	Within 10 business days	Host institution’s registration period
RHEA Alliance	6 weeks before term start	Within 14 business days	Special registration window
OCEP Online Exchange	8 weeks before term start	Within 21 business days	Upon approval
International Exchanges	Previous semester	Varies by institution	Varies by institution

Note: Late applications are rarely approved and subject to additional restrictions.

Credits and Transcripts

Credit Transfer

• Credit Conversion: Credits earned through cross-enrollment will be converted to TUOS equivalent credits if necessary (quarter to semester, ECTS to U.S. credits, etc.)

• Grading Equivalency: Grades earned at partner institutions are converted to the TUOS grading scale according to established equivalency tables

• Transcript Notation: Courses appear on the TUOS transcript with special notation indicating the host institution

• GPA Impact:

  • CPA and RHEA courses: Grades calculate into TUOS GPA
  • OCEP and International courses: Typically transfer as credit only without GPA impact

• Credit Limits:

  • Undergraduates: Maximum of 18 credits through cross-enrollment
  • Graduate students: Maximum of 9 credits through cross-enrollment
  • No more than 6 credits per term through cross-enrollment

Transcript Processing

• Official transcripts from host institutions must be sent directly to TUOS Registrar
• Credit posting typically occurs 3-4 weeks after term completion
• Students must authorize transcript release at host institutions

Financial Considerations

Tuition and Fees

Consortium for Philosophical Advancement (CPA)

• Students pay regular TUOS tuition
• No additional tuition at host institution
• May be responsible for course-specific fees

Regional Higher Education Alliance (RHEA)

• Base tuition paid to TUOS
• Differential fee may apply if host tuition is higher
• Student responsible for course-specific fees

Online Course Exchange Program (OCEP)

• Special per-credit rate applies
• Payment made to TUOS
• No additional fees to host institution

International Exchanges

• Governed by specific exchange agreements
• Generally requires payment of TUOS tuition
• Student responsible for any in-country fees

Financial Aid Implications

• Cross-enrollment credits count toward enrollment status for financial aid purposes
• Some scholarships and grants may have restrictions on cross-enrollment
• Students should consult with the Financial Aid Office before finalizing cross-enrollment

Schedule Financial Aid Consultation

Academic Policies for Cross-Enrolled Students

TUOS Students at Host Institutions

• Academic Standards: TUOS students must adhere to all academic policies of the host institution
• Course Changes: Dropping or withdrawing from a cross-enrolled course requires notification to both institutions
• Academic Calendar: Students must follow the host institution’s academic calendar for the cross-enrolled course
• Academic Integrity: Violations at host institutions may result in disciplinary action at TUOS
• Accommodations: Students with approved accommodations must work with host institution’s disability services office

Visiting Students at TUOS

• TUOS Policies: Visiting students are subject to all TUOS academic and conduct policies
• Resources Access: Visiting students receive access to:
  • TUOS Library and digital resources
  • Learning Management System
  • Academic support services
  • Campus facilities necessary for course participation
• Community Expectations: Visiting students are expected to engage respectfully with the TUOS intellectual community

Special Cross-Enrollment Programs

Interdisciplinary Research Initiative

A specialized cross-enrollment opportunity focusing on collaborative research projects across consortium institutions.

• Eligibility: GPA of 3.5 or higher and faculty nomination
• Format: Research-based courses with faculty from multiple institutions
• Outcomes: Collaborative publications and presentations
• Application: Requires research proposal and faculty endorsement

Ontological Scholars Exchange

Intensive, short-term cross-enrollment opportunities for advanced study in specialized ontological topics.

• Duration: 3-6 week modular courses
• Schedule: Typically offered during term breaks
• Focus: Advanced topics not available in regular curriculum
• Participants: Limited to 3-5 students from each institution

Cross-Institutional Colloquia

Virtual and hybrid courses jointly taught by faculty from multiple partner institutions.

• Structure: Synchronous sessions across multiple campuses
• Interaction: Collaborative projects with peers from partner institutions
• Technology: Utilizes advanced learning technology platforms
• Assessment: Joint evaluation by instructional team

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I know if a course I want to take at another institution will count toward my TUOS degree?
A: Before applying for cross-enrollment, consult with your academic advisor who can verify course equivalency and confirm how the course will apply to your degree requirements. For courses without clear equivalents, your department chair may need to review the syllabus.

Q: Can I participate in cross-enrollment during my first semester at TUOS?
A: No, cross-enrollment is only available to students who have completed at least one full semester at TUOS and have established an academic record. This ensures you have familiarity with TUOS academic expectations and programs before engaging with partner institutions.

Q: What happens if I need to withdraw from a cross-enrolled course?
A: You must follow the withdrawal procedures at both TUOS and the host institution. Different deadlines may apply, so it’s crucial to understand both institutions’ academic calendars. Failure to properly withdraw from both institutions may result in a failing grade.

Q: Will my financial aid cover cross-enrolled courses?
A: In most cases, yes. Since you remain enrolled at TUOS, your financial aid package typically applies to approved cross-enrollment credits. However, certain scholarships or grants may have restrictions. Always consult with the Financial Aid Office before finalizing cross-enrollment plans.

Q: Can I take a course through cross-enrollment if a similar course is offered at TUOS?
A: Generally, cross-enrollment is intended for courses not available at TUOS or for resolving unavoidable scheduling conflicts. Your cross-enrollment application must include a strong academic justification if you’re seeking a course with a TUOS equivalent. Such requests are approved on a case-by-case basis.

Q: How do cross-enrolled courses appear on my transcript?
A: Cross-enrolled courses appear on your TUOS transcript with a special notation indicating the host institution. The course title, credits, and grade are included, and for most consortium programs, the grade is factored into your TUOS GPA.

Contact Information

Office of Academic Partnerships and Cross-Enrollment
Academic Building, Room 230
crossenrollment@tuos.edu
(555) 123-4579

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Virtual appointments available upon request

Consortium Coordinators:

• CPA Program Coordinator
  Dr. Eliza Montgomery
  e.montgomery@tuos.edu
  (555) 123-4579

• RHEA Alliance Liaison
  Dr. Marcus Chen
  m.chen@tuos.edu
  (555) 123-4581

• OCEP and International Exchanges
  Dr. Sophia Nkambu
  s.nkambu@tuos.edu
  (555) 123-4582

Resources and Forms

• Cross-Enrollment Course Database
• Cross-Enrollment Request Form (PDF)
• Visiting Student Application (PDF)
• Partner Institution Directory
• Cross-Enrollment Policies Handbook (PDF)
• Credit Equivalency Tables (PDF)
• Academic Calendar Comparison Chart
• Cross-Enrollment FAQ (PDF)

At The University of Ontological Science, we view cross-enrollment as more than an administrative arrangement—it is an embodiment of our commitment to the free exchange of ideas across institutional boundaries. By engaging with diverse academic environments, our students develop intellectual flexibility and a deeper appreciation for varied approaches to knowledge construction. These experiences enrich not only individual learning journeys but also strengthen the intellectual vitality of our entire community.

We encourage students to approach cross-enrollment as a thoughtful extension of their TUOS education, seeking opportunities that genuinely complement and enhance their academic path. Through these carefully curated educational experiences beyond our campus, students develop the expansive perspective essential to contemporary philosophical inquiry.