Late Course Work
This policy governs the acceptance and grading of late work (including assignments, quizzes and exams, and discussion posts) in Excelsior University courses. The intention of the policy is to promote consistency and academic rigor in Excelsior University courses, while also providing faculty with the flexibility to respond to students experiencing extenuating circumstances.
- Students are expected to submit work for Excelsior courses by the due date stipulated in the course.
- Students who are unable to submit coursework by the due date because of an extenuating circumstance should contact their instructor prior to the due date to request an extension for the work. If it is not possible to contact the instructor prior to the due date, they should do so as soon after the due date as possible.
Extenuating circumstances include, but are not limited to, the following:
- an illness or injury (documentation required)
- a death of a family member or significant other
- a significant change in employment or military status
- a traumatic event (i.e., domestic/acts of violence, homelessness, natural disaster)
- Instructors have the discretion to offer an extension or to accept late course work with or without penalty based on their assessment of a student’s circumstances. If the extenuating circumstance is related to an illness or injury, documentation must be submitted from the treating provider to studentsupport@excelsior.edu. Documentation of additional extenuating circumstances listed may be required.
- Unless otherwise stipulated in the instructions or grading rubric, the following penalties will apply to late coursework that has not been granted an extension by the instructor:
- Coursework submitted less than a week (seven calendar days) after the due date will be subject to a 10% penalty (10 points out of 100);
- Coursework submitted more than a week after the due date will receive a zero.
- Discussion posts will receive a zero after the due date for the discussion without prior permission from the instructor.
- Coursework submitted after the final day of the term will receive a zero unless an official course extension has been granted.
Submitting Documentation
If you need an exception to the course late policy for medical reasons, you must submit medical documentation. This must be a statement from your medical provider on an official letterhead confirming you were ill during the relevant time. Detailed medical information is not required. Hospital discharge papers that show admission and discharge dates are also acceptable. Submit your documentation to studentsupport@excelsior.edu and keep a copy of your records. We will review your request and inform you of the decision.
