academic policies

In the following format, we answer key questions, so that you can be certain that IFW will meet or exceed your expectations. If you don’t find the answer to your question here, please feel free to email us at info@instituteforwriters.com or call us at
1-800-243-9645.

Academic Progress

IFW’s learning model allows students to complete coursework at their own pace without specific deadlines for each individual assignment. However, if a student has not completed an assignment within a 30 day period, the student will be contacted in an effort to motivate or identify issues the student may be experiencing and provide assistance. IFW encourages students throughout their course to achieve their goal of completion. If a student has not completed all coursework within 30 days of the expiration of their enrollment period, IFW will notify the student of options for extending their course.

Upon entering the course, if a student has difficulty with the first assignment our student service department will contact the student to assess the reason for difficulty. If it proves to be a course content issue or delivery of instruction being too difficult, IFW will offer assistance to the student to see if the issue can be resolved. If it cannot be resolved, IFW will provide a full refund to the student. For those students that encounter difficulty later in either an ICL or IFW course, each case is treated individually. IFW remains committed to the graduation of its students and willingly works with any student expressing a desire to continue and complete their course. Upon meeting graduation requirements, students will be awarded their writing certificate.

College Credits

College Credits and Professional Development: The Connecticut Board for State Academic Awards recommends that our graduates be awarded a set amount of college credits related to the course completed. To see the number of credits awarded to each of our course offerings click here. No matter where you live, you can obtain these credits for a fee from Charter Oak State College—which functions under the credit-granting authority of the Connecticut Board—anytime within five years of course completion date. Teachers may be able to receive professional development hours. Check with your district or administrators.

Transfer of Credits

The Institute for Writers does not guarantee the transferability of credits. The acceptance of transfer academic credits to another institution is determined by the receiving institution. Institutions individually establish criteria for transfer credit acceptance based on many factors, including but not limited to course content, credits per course and age of credits. Graduates should consult with the registrar at the receiving institution prior to opening the credit bank to determine how/if credits will be accepted. The Institute for Writers does not imply or guarantee the transferability of course credit.

Instructor Feedback

Students submit completed assignments and receive Instructor feedback through IFW’s Online Student Center. Our one-on-one method allows students’ personal instructor to make editorial comments directly on each assignment manuscript to show exactly what needs to be revised, strengthened, or rewritten – and why. Along with the edited manuscript, students receive a personal letter further explaining the edits and recommended steps to take to build and strengthen writing skills. Students apply their instructor’s suggested corrections and recommendations on each assignment as they progress through the course. If an instructor feels an assignment needs to be repeated, students will be specifically asked to submit a revision before proceeding to the next assignment.

Incomplete Assignments

IFW promotes a building block method of instruction, where each assignment builds on the concepts taught and skills acquired in previous lessons. To foster IFW’s learning model, students may only submit one assignment at a time. In order to graduate, students must successfully complete all assignments following each lesson plan provided, in the order presented in the course manual. Assignments may not be skipped or substituted. If any inaccuracies are identified, students will be contacted by their instructor or by a Student Services representative to encourage successful course completion.

Course Interruption

For a student looking to take a temporary leave of absence, a request should be made in writing to IFW, One three-month leave of absence regarding coursework will be granted for good cause. A leave of absence does not extend the required time for completion.

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