Policies
Attendance
Policy
Students are expected to attend 100% of their classes.
Policy Detail
Students must be organized to attend each class (on time and for the entire duration). Attendance is recorded in Brightspace by instructors for each course.
Students can view their attendance record in each Brightspace course.
If classes are missed due to medical reasons, a doctor’s note is mandatory.
Cold weather, work, or pre-planned appointments are not viable reasons to miss a class and are considered in the control of the student.
All Canadian study permit holders are required by the IRCC to actively pursue their studies. Hence, missing classes may negatively impact your student status and study permit.
NAIT is required to regularly report on the enrolment status of its international students to the IRCC.
Procedure
If you are going to miss a class or be delayed for circumstances out of your control: email pdcertificate@nait.ca AND the instructor before class. We expect a minimum of 24 hours' notice. If that is not possible, please provide us with as much notice as possible.
Rescheduling Classes
Policy Detail
The PD Certificate program team will attempt to reschedule missed short-format courses (student may be required to pay); however, this is not always possible.
If no new courses are available, students will risk not receiving their certificates and/or it may negatively impact their study permit.
Procedure
If you missed a class for circumstances out of your control, email pdcertificate@nait.ca AND the instructor before class (giving as much notice as possible).
There are certain courses and specific times in the year where rescheduling is not possible—even when additional fees are paid to NAIT. It is your responsibility to attend all your classes and give advance notice to your instructor if you have an emergency or something unexpected happens.
Student Code of Conduct / Classroom Expectations
Policy
Arrive to class on time
Policy Detail
The class will start at the scheduled time. All students are expected to arrive on time.
Procedure
For short-format courses, if you arrive late and are refused entry to the classroom, please email PDCertificate@nait.ca to reschedule your course or explore your options. You will be responsible for paying fees to reschedule the course.
Attend class until the scheduled end time
Policy Detail
It is the student’s obligation to be in the classroom during the whole class. Please schedule work, appointments, and other commitments either before or after your class.
Procedure
If you miss a portion of the class, you may be assigned a failing grade or marked as absent. You will be responsible for paying fees to reschedule the course (short format).
Active participation and collboration
Respect your instructors and your peers
Policy Detail
To avoid disrupting the teaching and the learning of other students, students are expected to:
- Actively listen when someone is speaking (not be distracted by their phones or anything else).
- Participate in class activities, share their opinions and be curious in a respectful and professional way.
- Practice for professional work – this means, completing their assigned reading/activities on time; working in groups collaboratively when assigned (not copying, everyone contributes), and respecting the differences amongst the class and finding a healthy way to work together.
Procedure
If you are asked to leave the class, you may be assigned a failing grade or marked as absent. You will be responsible for paying fees to reschedule the course (short format).
If you miss a portion of the class, you may be assigned a failing grade or marked as absent. You will be responsible for paying fees to reschedule the course (short format).
Submitting Assignments
Policy Details
Class assignments/projects/papers and activities must be submitted by the deadline established by the instructor.
Procedure
If you have any issues with Brightspace platform while submitting your assignment, please email the assignment to your instructor by the deadline. Note that penalties apply for late submissions.
Language of Instruction
Policy Details
NAIT teaches in English, and to maximize their investment in their program and connections with peers, students should speak English while in class.
English is the dominant language in most Canadian workplaces – students will gain valuable practice in English to help their future careers in Canada.
Procedure
If you are speaking in a language other than English, which makes classmates or instructors feel ‘outside of the conversation’ you may be asked to leave the class.
NAIT's language of instruction is English. To promote a space where everyone can share and discuss ideas, feel included and respected, all conversations inside the classroom must be in English. Failure to comply may result in asking you to leave the classroom. If you are asked to leave, you will need to email pdcertificate@nait.ca to reschedule your class and pay relevant fees.
Phones
Policy Details
Using cell phones for texting, calls, and browsing is not permitted during class time.
Procedure
If you are distracted by your cell phone, you may be asked to leave the class. You will need to email pdcertificate@nait.ca to reschedule your course (short format) and pay relevant fees.
Online Classes
Policy Details
Active participation with cameras on is mandatory for live online classes.
Each student must join their class from their own account (i.e. multiple students should not use the same log in).
Procedure
Please be aware of the delivery mode of your course (synchronous or asynchronous):
- Synchronous - Live class, where students and instructors interact in real time.
- Asynchronous – Self-paced classes, without the need for real-time interaction.
Classroom / Lab Conduct and Safety Guidelines
Policy Details
No food allowed in the computer labs
No littering in any NAIT classroom, computer lab, or NAIT public space.
Procedure
General Expectations
- Please maintain cleanliness of your classroom / lab at all times.
- No food or drinks allowed: For safety and hygiene reasons, food and beverages are strictly prohibited in the lab.
- Respect the equipment: Do not write on, damage, or misuse any lab equipment or devices. Always handle tools and instruments with care.
If classrooms are left dirty (trash, food scraps, equipment or furniture not in order) NAIT may charge the student a cleaning or repair fee that is appropriate to restore the class to its original, working order.
Academic Integrity
Policy
All Student assignments/projects/papers or activities submitted must be original to each student (their own work).
Policy Details
Plagiarism is intentionally or unintentionally representing assignments, ideas, words, data, photos, or work, that have been taken from another source, or completed by another person, as your own. Ideas from another source without citation are considered plagiarized even if paraphrased.
NAIT has a zero-tolerance policy towards plagiarism. Staff take active measures to identify plagiarism cases.
Students cannot submit plagiarized work and claim it as their own.
Procedure
Students who submit work that was not 100% created by them, will be reported for academic misconduct. Consequences can include:
- You may be asked to re-do the work.
- You may receive a zero on that assignment.
- You may be expelled from your program without a refund. This will also impact your student status at NAIT and with the IRCC.
Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD)
Policy
Student laptops—guidelines for acceptable use.
Policy Details
As a technology-focused polytechnic institution, NAIT promotes the use of technology, hence each IPDC student will receive a laptop ahead of their first day of class. These laptops are purchased by the IPDC team for the students.
Students own their laptops. They are responsible for its physical care, maintenance, and security.
NAIT takes no responsibility for the hardware or software compliance.
Students must use laptops in ways that:
- Support academic learning and institutional objectives.
- Respect the privacy, safety, and digital rights of others.
Prohibited uses include:
- Using laptops to disrupt classes.
- Accessing inappropriate, violent, or offensive content on NAIT premises.
Students are expected to:
- Use NAIT provided laptops for IPDC classes.
- Join online classes from their laptops.
- Bring their own laptops to each class to access course materials from their Brightspace accounts.
- Comply with NAIT’s IT security protocols.
- Ensure laptops are fully charged before each class.
- Contact NAIT ITS Team for help with IT issues.
Note: In most cases, printed course materials will not be provided to students. Students will be expected to access digital materials from the Brightspace.
Procedure
Non-compliance with our BYOD policy may result in:
- Restricted access to campus network and systems.
- Academic penalties for misconduct.
- Disciplinary action as per the Student Code of Conduct.
Student Concern Resolution
Policy Details
NAIT is committed to providing a learning environment that supports respect and safety within our community. Every student has the right to an inclusive learning environment that respects NAIT's values and is free from discrimination and the right to a learning environment that is safe, free from violence and harassment.
Anyone who has applied to, been admitted to or has enrolled in a NAIT course or program is accountable to the NAIT Student Rights and Responsibilities policy as well as the academic regulations and procedures. When considering fairness and conflict resolution, NAIT’s policies will be a helpful starting point.
Procedure
If a student has an appeal, concern or question about their rights or the program is to speak to the IPDC team: pdcertificate@nait.ca
If no resolution can be reached, students can connect with the student resolution office: https://www.nait.ca/nait/contact/student-service-centre
Note: For detailed information on policies for students and instructors, please visit our Policies and Procedure