Academic Advising

Academic Policies

Information on this page is designed to provide the basic details of common university academic policies.

Prior to making academic decisions based on this information, students are encouraged to review the full academic policy.

On this page:

Repeating Courses

Undergraduate students may repeat one or more courses for a grade replacement up to a total of five grade replacements. For repeated courses, only the grade for the last attempt will be calculated in hours earned and cumulative GPA. However, every grade earned for a course will be reflected on the student’s academic transcript.

  • A course is considered a repeat with grade replacement when a student earns a grade of B, C, D, F, or X for the course and retakes the course resulting in a grade of A, B, C, D, F, or X. All such courses will be counted toward the five-course maximum.
  • Withdrawals (W) do not count as repeats.
  • For all courses repeated after a student has reached the maximum of five repetitions, each grade will be counted in the cumulative GPA. Credit hours earned will be counted only once.
  • In calculating the cumulative GPA for the purpose of graduating with honors, only the first grade earned for a course will be counted.
  • Students may not repeat a course after graduation in order to alter their final GPA at the date of graduation.
  • Transfer courses are excluded from the five-repetition replacement policy.
  • Grades assigned as part of a disciplinary action may not be replaced.
  • Students who have been dismissed may not appeal on the grounds of intention to repeat courses.
  • Students in those program units whose repeat policy is more rigorous than that of the university shall follow the policy of that department, college or school.
  • In some instances, repeating courses could affect financial aid or other assistance. Students should consult with appropriate offices prior to registration.

Academic Dismissal and Readmission

Dismissal from the University

  • Students who remain on probation for two semesters may be dismissed from the university for unsatisfactory academic performance.
  • Students enrolled in study skills classes who do not successfully complete more than one half of their developmental course work over a period of two semesters will be subject to dismissal.
  • Notice of dismissal from the university will be sent directly to the student by the college, school, or division to which that student is assigned.

Readmission to the University

  • Students who have been dismissed will not be permitted to enroll for any courses at the university for a full calendar year (three consecutive semesters, including summer semester).
  • Readmission is not automatic. Students must submit an application and petition for readmission.
  • Readmitted students are continued on mandatory advising.
  • Students who are readmitted following academic dismissal may be subject to special requirements to remove academic deficiencies as determined appropriate by the college, school, or division.

Readmission under Fresh Start Policy

Readmission under the Fresh Start Policy results in a recalculation of a student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA) and credit hours earned. This process is only available to undergraduate students.

  • A student may only be readmitted with a fresh start one time.
  • A student must have been absent from the university for three or more years in order to be eligible for readmission with a fresh start.
  • A Fresh Start Rule application must be submitted and approved by the dean or director of the student’s college, school, or division no later than the end of the student’s first reenrolled term.
  • Fresh Start applies only to courses taken at the university prior to the student’s reenrollment term.
  • If the fresh start is approved:
    • All courses taken prior to the reenrollment term remain on the permanent record
    • Only those courses with grades of A, B, C, or P are counted toward credit hours earned.
    • No other grades are counted for credit as hours toward graduation.
    • The student’s cumulative GPA is reset to 0.00
    • After the Fresh Start has been applied, a student must earn a minimum of 30 additional semester credit hours before graduation with a bachelor's degree.

Petitioning for Exceptions to Academic Policies

Exceptions to scholastic regulations may be petitioned to the Undergraduate Petitions Committee. Petition forms are available in most academic department offices and in the RaiderConnect Office.

Petitioning to Drop a Class with a Grade of W

Students petitioning to drop a class with a grade of W or completely withdraw from a semester must submit the petition to the registrar's office before the end of the semester in which the withdrawal is requested.