Accreditation
Lake Erie College is a private, not-for-profit institution, accredited by The Ohio Department of Higher Education and the Higher Learning Commission (www.ncahlc.org). The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, national origin or disability in admissions or access to its programs and activities. Graduate and undergraduate academic programs provided through Lake Erie College’s Department of Business are accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). Education licensure programs and the M.Ed. degree are authorized by The Ohio Department of Higher Education, approved by The Ohio Department of Education, and have TEAC accreditation status by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Higher Learning Commission accreditation approval occurred in March 2014. The program has also been accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) It has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Lake Erie College Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Lake Erie College. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.
Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be September 2028. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
This Catalog reflects the curriculum, policies, personnel, and expenses at Lake Erie College at the time of printing. It is intended for the guidance of current and prospective students and the College’s faculty and staff. The catalog is not intended and should not be regarded as a contract between the College and any student currently enrolled or applying for admission, or any other person. The College reserves the right to depart without notice from the terms of this Catalog. To the extent possible, a student who has been continuously enrolled full time and who has continuously made satisfactory progress towards a degree will be allowed to graduate according to policies and requirements in effect during the first semester in which the student is enrolled at Lake Erie College.
Institutional Overview and Mission Statement
Institutional Overview
Founded in 1856, Lake Erie College is an independent, coeducational institution located thirty miles east of Cleveland, Ohio, offering instruction at the baccalaureate and master’s degree levels. Programs of study are founded in the liberal arts and are offered through the Schools of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences; Natural Sciences and Mathematics; Business; Equine Studies; and Education and Professional Studies. The College seeks to accommodate traditional and nontraditional age students on both a full-time and part-time basis.
The College is located in Painesville, the seat of Lake County, in the heart of the Western Reserve. The small-town setting and historic homes surrounding the campus provide a traditional academic environment, while the proximity to Cleveland offers the cultural advantages of a major metropolitan area.
The campus consists of 18 buildings of both traditional and contemporary styles. Five miles south of the campus is Morley Farm, whose eighty-six acres are home to the George M. Humphrey Equestrian Center and Victor Manor House, residence of the College President and site of a variety of College and community activities.
Mission Statement
Lake Erie College provides an excellent, inclusive, and highly personalized education grounded in the liberal arts tradition. Guided by hope and care, our students are empowered to lead lives of personal significance and professional success as global citizens.
With an emphasis on applicable skills such as communication, critical and intellectual inquiry, and designing solutions for realworld problems in specific disciplines, faculty in the program guide students to aspire to the highest levels of personal and professional fulfillment.
Vision Statement
Lake Erie College will empower students by successfully integrating the following elements into the learning experience: Self-discovery, The development of strong personal attributes, Creative problem solving, and the balance of personal and professional goals with the needs of others.
The College is committed to being mission-driven, fostering strong partnerships and collaboration in the region, service to the community, embracing diversity and inclusion, and helping students successfully reach their academic goals.
All graduate programs at Lake Erie College are committed to the College Mission and Learning Outcomes in a manner appropriate for graduate education. Intellectual goals reflect the disciplinary focus and greater depth of post-baccalaureate education. Self-discovery, and cultural awareness are developed and shaped through emphasis on globalism and diversity. Creative problem solving is the results of ongoing complex analysis and interpretation of disciplinary theory, application and innovation.
Graduate Learning Outcomes
Graduates of Lake Erie College graduate programs will:
- Develop content mastery, independent thought in subjects of increased complexity and critical understanding of research
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, about theories, arguments, methods and concepts related to the specific area of study
- Demonstrate proficiency in the professional skills needed to participate in the intellectual and organizational aspects of chosen career field
Graduate Council Defined
The Graduate Council at Lake Erie College has several purposes: (1) to communicate with the faculty senate on policy discussions and proposals, program review, and to make recommendations regarding graduate studies and resources affecting graduate programs; (2) to study and review both new and existing graduate programs and to provide institutional guidance regarding the exploration of new graduate programs (3) to act as a board of appeals on matters of academic petitions as they pertain to graduate studies.
The Graduate Council at Lake Erie College is composed of The Director of Graduate Studies, Deans of the schools with graduate programs, A faculty representative from each graduate program, and the Dean of the College (ex officio)
Diversity and Inclusion Statement
Lake Erie College seeks to be an institution where individuals of all backgrounds feel welcomed. We also strive to ensure that all within the campus community hold themselves accountable for contributing positively to a culture of inclusion and empowerment. We are committed to an institution that respects the breadth of diversity, which includes, but is not limited to, race, gender, age, disability, background, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. With the understanding that diversity must align with inclusiveness, the College seeks to support an environment that is welcoming, supportive, and dignified with regard to programming, support, and services. We recognize that we must have an environment where stakeholders may express opinions, thoughts, or ideas freely and openly, and in such a way, that embraces differences with acceptance and respect as part of our growth and sustainability strategy.
Lake Erie College seeks to emblemize a culture that projects our diversity and inclusion values into the communities that surround us. We recognize that inclusion should be a campus ideology. Without diversity and inclusion, in its broadest sense, our ability to accomplish our mission fully is hindered.
[Developed and Approved by the Diversity and Inclusion Committee - May 2021]
Special Information Regarding DACA and Undocumented Students
Lake Erie College welcomes students and scholars from around the world who contribute to our mission of inclusiveness and ethic of hope and care. In alignment with our institutional commitment to diversity and inclusion (our Diversity and Inclusion Statement may be found here: https://www.lec.edu/about-us#dis, Lake Erie College is proud to affirm our commitment to undocumented and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students in keeping with our policies on nondiscrimination, privacy, and public safety. We continue to admit, enroll, and support all students without regard to their immigration status.
Open Campus
Lake Erie College has an open campus. Open Campus means that the physical property of the college is not surrounded by a fence and that Faculty, Staff and students may come and go as they please. It also means that visitors to the campus also can freely come on campus. The open campus concept does not mean that individuals or groups can come on campus and not follow the rules set forth.
As an open campus, students have access to all campus buildings. Buildings and rooms are secured at certain hours of the day. Faculty, Staff and Students are permitted access to secured buildings or rooms that are secured for purposes of study, projects and other college related activities. After-hours access does require that all Faculty, Staff and Students carry a form of identification with them in case the person from whom they are requesting access does not know or recognize them. Students should always carry their Lake Erie College identification card to be presented for access to secured buildings or rooms. Access may not be granted if the Faculty, Staff or Student isn’t able to present proper identification or if they are unable to explain the college related activity for which they are requesting access.
Admission to Lake Erie College
Graduate Admissions
General Admissions/Application Information
Admission to a graduate program is determined on the basis of demonstrated professionalism, intellectual capability for successful completion of the program and potential for leadership. Students may be admitted to and begin a graduate program during the Spring (January) semester, the Summer (May) session, or the Fall (August) semester. The Office of Admission processes applications to graduate education programs. To obtain application information, contact the admission office at:
Lake Erie College Admission
391 W. Washington Street
Painesville, OH 44077
440.375.7050 or 1.800.916.0904
Email: admission@lec.edu
To be considered for graduate admission, students are required to:
- Completed the appropriate Graduate application admission at www.lec.edu/graduate
- Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies applicants should follow the M.S.P.A.S. program admissions process as outlined in the specific program admissions criteria section. www.lec.edu/pa-admission
- Hold an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university.
- Submit official transcripts from the student’s undergraduate degree-granting institution and transcripts for all graduate work previously completed. Graduate transfer credit must be requested at the time of admission to Lake Erie College. An official transcript is one that is sent directly to Lake Erie College from another institution.
- Have achieved an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale. Conditional acceptance may be given at the discretion of each individual program. Previous graduate work may be taken into consideration for acceptance into a graduate program.
- Please see specific program for additional admission requirements.
International Students
Prospective students who are not citizens of the United States nor have “Permanent Resident” status are considered to be international students and are not eligible for federal financial aid. Prior to the submission of application materials, the student must submit an “Affidavit of Financial Support” officially demonstrating that the student, the student’s family, or sponsor is able to provide the sufficient funding to cover the cost of attendance for one year of study at Lake Erie College. This amount will cover the educational expenses, housing, transportation, record maintenance and any associated costs for one year of study at Lake Erie College.
Students must demonstrate support in varying amounts depending on the Graduate Program in which they enroll, according to the following guidelines:
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.): $27,358/year
Master of Education (M.Ed.): $22,840/year
Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.): $27,358/year
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (M.S.P.A.S.): $54,975/year
Prospective students should work with admission to determine the proper documentation that is required in each circumstance to prove the requisite amount.
Students whose first language is not English must achieve:
TOEFL: a paper score of 600, a computer score of 250, or an internet score of 100 is required.
- IELTS: a score of 6.0 is required.
- STEP: passing grades at the first and pre-first levels.
International students whose native language is not English, but who have completed an undergraduate degree at a U.S. institution with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, are waived from the English-proficiency requirement when applying to Lake Erie College’s graduate programs.
Graduate international student applicants follow the graduate admission requirements and the international student requirements. All documents, transcripts, letters of recommendation and essays must be accompanied by an official English language translation from WES (World Education Services, Inc.) www.wes.org, ECE (Education Credential Evaluators, Inc.) www.ece.org, or SpanTran www.spantran.com.
Entry Information
Students apply for acceptance to a graduate program through the Office of Admission at Lake Erie College unless otherwise stated in the admission process of the specific program. Acceptance to graduate study will remain valid up to one calendar year from the time of the original acceptance. Requests to defer enrollment must be made in writing and sent to the Office of Admission.
Non-Degree Seeking Graduate Status
Non-degree seeking students are those wishing to enroll in graduate courses for professional development only and who are not interested in a degree program of study; www.lec.edu./professional-ed.
- Applicant must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
- Student enrollment in each term will be limited to those courses which have been authorized by the appropriate dean.
- The prospective student must complete a Life Long Learner Application in the Registrar’s Office.
- Students who want to be considered for regular degree-seeking graduate status are required to submit an application for graduate admission. Coursework taken prior to the application to the program will be considered for credit on a course-by-course basis.
Appeal Information
Appeals of graduate admissions decisions must first be made to the applicant’s intended department. After the department has rendered a decision, the student has 30 days to initiate their appeal at the Department of Graduate Studies. Decisions made by the Graduate Appeals Committee regarding admissions decisions are final. There is no higher level the applicant can submit an appeal.
If the Applicant receives a score greater than 1.5 on the Evaluation Rubric, they will be conditionally admitted to their graduate program. They will be required to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better in the first two courses they take in their program in order to be fully admitted into that program.
Dual M.S.P.A.S. and M.B.A. Opportunity
Students successfully graduating from the Lake Erie College PA Program can elect to pursue their M.B.A.. This will allow Lake Erie College PA graduates additional opportunities to pursue careers in healthcare administration. Interested graduates will need to request this opportunity by written communication to the Director of the M.B.A. Program and Director of the PA Program. Upon PA Program Director confirmation of graduation, individuals will be granted direct admission into the M.B.A. Program. Three courses from the PA Program will count as elective courses toward their M.B.A.: “PAM 501 Introduction to the PA Profession”, “PAM 503 Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice”, “PAM 504 Business Practice for the PA Profession.” This credit will reduce the time and expense to achieve an M.B.A. Upon graduating from the PA Program, individuals have up to ten years to initiate a request the Dual PA and M.B.A. opportunity.
Dual M.S.P.A.S. and M.P.S. Opportunity
Students successfully graduating from the Lake Erie College PA Program can elect to pursue their M.P.S. This will allow Lake Erie College PA graduates additional opportunities to pursue careers in healthcare administration. Interested graduates will need to request this opportunity by written communication to the Director of the M.P.S. Program and Director of the PA Program. Upon PA Program Director confirmation, two courses from the PA Program will count as core courses toward their M.P.S.: “PAM 501 Introduction to the PA Profession” for “MPS 502 Business Ethics, Diversity and Social Issues” and “PAM 503 Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice” for “MPS 565 Research Methods”. This credit will reduce the time and expense to achieve an MPS Upon graduating from the PA Program, individuals have up to ten years to initiate a request the Dual PA and M.P.S. opportunity.
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