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The standards herein are applicable to all undergraduate students at the University and constitute the basic authority and reference for matters pertaining to University academic regulations and records management. Enrollment in the University is a declaration of acceptance of all University rules and regulations.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 is a federal law that grants to students the right to inspect, obtain copies of, challenge, and, to a degree, control the release of information contained in his or her education records. The act and regulations are very lengthy, and for that reason SMU has issued guidelines that are available to students in the Division of Enrollment Services. Policy 1.18 of the University Policy Manual, accessible on SMU's Intranet, also discusses this law.
In general, no personally identifiable information from a student's education record will be disclosed to any third party without written consent from the student. Several exceptions exist, including these selected examples: (1) Information defined by SMU as directory information may be released unless the student sends a written request to the registrar that it be withheld; and (2) information may be released to a parent or guardian if the student is declared financially dependent upon the parent or guardian as set forth in the Internal Revenue Code. A parent or guardian wishing to have access to a student's education records must provide to the University registrar a completed Declaration of Student Dependency form, available in the Registrar's Office.
When students enter their school of record and into a specific degree program, they are assigned an academic adviser. Students should consult with the adviser for course scheduling, schedule changes, petitions, degree requirements, and other such academic concerns. Advisers normally will have established office hours. The Offices of the Academic Deans monitor progress and maintain official degree plans for all students in their schools. Students should schedule conferences with staff in the dean's office upon admission to the school and prior to their final term to ensure that they are meeting all general education and graduation requirements.
The Fall, Spring, and Summer terms each have an enrollment period during which the formal process of enrollment in the University is completed. Prior to each enrollment period, the University registrar will publish enrollment instructions.
To assist new and readmitted students in making a comfortable, satisfying transition to University academic life, programs of academic advising, enrollment, and orientation are conducted in May or June, July, August, and January. Information concerning the programs is distributed by the Office of New Student Programs.
Each student is personally responsible for complying with enrollment procedures and for the accuracy of his or her enrollment. Students are expected to confirm the accuracy of their enrollment each term. Students who discover a discrepancy in their enrollment records after the close of enrollment for the term should immediately complete an Enrollment Discrepancy Petition. Petition instructions are available on the Web at www.smu.edu/registrar. Petitions are to be submitted to the University registrar within six months of the term in which the discrepancy appeared. Petitions submitted later than six months after the discrepancy may not be considered.
Academic advising is an important process for each undergraduate student at SMU. All students must meet with their assigned academic adviser prior to enrolling for an academic term. At this time, the adviser will assist students in planning majors and minors, understanding their Degree Progress Reports and scheduling courses that will count towards their graduation requirements. After the initial required advising session, students are encouraged to seek assistance from their adviser when considering adding or dropping courses.
For an effective advising relationship, students must be prepared when meeting with their adviser. The student must initiate the advising appointment. Prior to the meeting, the student should obtain through Access.SMU aDegree Progress Report that provides detailed information concerningcompletion of degree requirements, and be familiar with different academic programs of interest. The adviser will give assistance to the student, but students have the final responsibility for the accuracy of their enrollment,the applicability of their courses towards their degree requirements, and their academic performance.
Students are assigned an academic adviser by their academic dean. Students who enroll without first meeting with their assigned academic adviser may be subject to sanctions including, but not limited to, the following: cancellation of the term enrollment and restriction from the self-service enrollment functions.
A student's SMU identification number is an eight-digit number assigned by the University. The SMU ID number should be furnished on all forms when requested, as it is the primary means for identifying the student's academic records and transactions related to the records.
Insufficient or improper information given by the student on any admission or enrollment form, or academic deficiencies, disciplinary actions, and financial obligations to the University, can constitute cause for the student to be determined ineligible to enroll or to be administratively withdrawn.
Once students have matriculated at SMU, they are limited to no more than 15 hours for transfer to SMU from accredited colleges and universities. Any course to be transferred must have the prior approval of the chair of the department and dean of the school at SMU that normally offers the course, the adviser, and the student's dean. These approvals must be obtained by students prior to taking any such courses. Permission may be denied for educational reasons.
Credit is awarded for college courses a student takes prior to graduation from high school if they meet the criteria for transfer work outlined in the Transfer Admission Criteria section of this catalog. Official college transcripts are required for all college-level work attempted, regardless of transferability.
Petitions to attend another college or university during the summer must be completed and approved in advance to ensure that proper credit is awarded. Petition forms are available in the Undergraduate Offices. Students are responsible for making sure a transcript of all transfer work attempted is sent to the University registrar immediately following completion of the work.
A student who has a change in name must provide his or her Social Security card or the form issued by the Social Security Administration. Enrollment or records services for the student under a name different from the last enrollment cannot be accomplished without the above documents. All grade reports, transcripts, and diplomas are issued only under a person's legal name as recorded by the University registrar.
Each student must provide the University registrar with a current home address, telephone number, a local mailing address as well as the name, address, and telephone number of a designated emergency contact. Students enrolling at SMU authorize the University to notify their emergency contact in the event of a situation affecting the student's health, safety, or physical or mental well being, and to provide that contact with information related to the situation.
Undergraduate students are also required to provide their parents' current home address and telephone number. Students, who are independent, may file an exception to the parent requirement by contacting the University registrar.
Students are expected to keep current all their addresses and telephone numbers, including emergency contact detail through Access.SMU, the University's Web-based self-service system. Changes to parent information should be reported on the Web form found at www.smu.edu/registrar. Students may be prevented from enrolling if their information is insufficient or not current.
The University issues all students an e-mail address. Students may have other e-mail addresses, but the University-assigned e-mail address is the official address for University electronic correspondence, including related communications with faculty members and academic units (except for distance education students).
Official University correspondence may be sent to any of the student's mailing addresses or SMU e-mail address on file. It is the student's responsibility to keep all their addresses current and to regularly check communications sent to them as they are responsible for complying with requests, deadlines, and other requirements sent to any of their mailing addresses on file or to their SMU e-mail.
A transcript is an official copy of the official permanent academic record maintained by the University registrar. The permanent academic record includes all SMU courses attempted, all grades assigned, degrees received, and a summary of transfer hours accepted. Official transcripts and certifications of student academic records are issued by the University registrar for all students of the University. Copies of high school records and transfer transcripts from other schools must be requested from the institutions where the coursework was taken.
Transcripts are $11.25 per copy. Additional copies in the same request mailed to the same address are $3. Additional copies mailed to different addresses are $11.25 a copy. Requests may be delayed due to outstanding financial or other obligations or for posting of a grade change, an earned degree, or term grades.
Transcripts should be requested on-line at www.smu.edu/registrar. Once on the registrar's page click on Transcripts and follow the instructions. Your request will be processed through the National Student Clearing House. Telephone and e-mail requests are not accepted. Students may pick up their transcripts in person at the Registrar's Service Counter, 101 Blanton Building. No partial or incomplete transcripts including only certain courses or grades are issued. Transcripts cannot be released unless the student has satisfied all financial and other obligations to the University.
SMU is permitted, but not required, to disclose to parents of a student, information contained in the education records of the student if the student is a dependent as defined in the Internal Revenue Code.
*Chapter 675, S.B. 302. Acts of the 61st Texas Legislature, 1969 Regular Session, provides: Section I. No person may buy, sell, create, duplicate, alter, give, or obtain; or attempt to buy, sell, create, duplicate, alter, give, or obtain a diploma, certificate, academic record, certificate of enrollment, or other instrument which purports to signify merit or achievement conferred by an institution of education in this state with the intent to use fraudulently such document or to allow the fraudulent use of such document.Section II. A person who violates this act or who aids another in violating this act is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction is punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 and/or confinement in the county jail for a period not to exceed one year.
Students officially declare their major when they have made a firm choice and when they have met the specific program entrance requirements for their intended school and department. For most students, the declaration of the major occurs in the sophomore year. Students are required to qualify for and to declare a major no later than upon completion of 75 term hours, including credits by examination and transfer credits, in order to continue their studies at SMU.
Undergraduate students who desire to change their academic programthat is, transfer from one school to another within the University, change their degree objective, change their major, or change their minorfirst should apply to the dean of the school in which they are currently enrolled. Students can change their academic program at any time during a term. The program change is effective on the date received and processed. However, changes should be made at least three weeks prior to enrollment for a term for the change to be effective for that enrollment.
A part-time student who wishes to transfer from the School of Education and Human Development to an undergraduate program offered by Dedman College, Cox School of Business, School of Engineering, or Meadows School of the Arts must meet all standard University admission requirements.
Students can simultaneously earn two degrees from two schools of the University with approval of the academic dean of each school. The requirements for each degree must be met. Students should meet with advisers in both schools at an early date to prepare a proposed plan of study and to complete the processing of all necessary forms.
The deadline for adding courses, dropping courses without grade record, and changing sections for each enrollment period is listed in the Official University Calendar. Schedule-change forms are initiated in the office of the student's academic dean or adviser and must be completed for all courses added or dropped and for all section changes. A student may drop a course with a grade of W (withdrew) through approximately midterm. The specific deadline is listed in the Official University Calendar (www.smu.edu/registrar).
After the deadline date in the Official University Calendar, the student may not drop a class. All schedule changes must be processed by the deadline date specified in the Official University Calendar. Schedule changes are not complete for official University record purposes unless finalized in the Office of the University Registrar.
A student who wishes to withdraw (resign) from the University before the end of a term or session must initiate a Student Petition for Withdrawal form, obtain approval from their academic dean, and submit the form to the Division of Enrollment Services-University Registrar. The effective date of the withdrawal is the date on which the Student Petition for Withdrawal is processed in the Registrar's Office.
Discontinuance of class attendance or notification to the instructors of intention to withdraw does not constitute an official withdrawal.
Reduction of tuition and fees is based on the schedule listed in the publication Financial Information: Southern Methodist University, which is found at www.smu.edu/bursar, and is determined by the effective date of the withdrawal. This information is also available on the Web at www.smu.edu/registrar. Students receiving financial aid should refer to the Financial Information section of the catalog.
The enrollment of students who withdraw on or before the fifth day of regular classes as listed in the Official University Calendar will be canceled. Courses and grades are not recorded for canceled enrollments. A student who withdraws after the fifth class day will receive the grade of W in each course in which enrolled.
Medical withdrawals provide a daily pro rata refund of tuition and fees, and have conditions that must be met prior to re-enrollment at SMU. Medical withdrawals must be authorized by the Medical Director; Psychiatric Director; Counseling and Testing Director; Dean of Student Life, or Vice President for Student Affairs. Authorization must be obtained no later than the University's withdrawal date for the term.
Students who live in University housing must obtain clearance from the Office of Housing.
Students desiring to audit (visit) a class, whether or not concurrently enrolled for regular coursework, are required to process an Audit Enrollment Request form. Forms are available on the Web at www.smu.edu/registrar. Space must be available in the class. The following regulations are applicable:
Enrollment for "no-credit" is accomplished in the conventional manner of enrollment, with regular admission and enrollment procedures being required. The student pays the regular tuition and fees, participates in class activities, is listed on class rolls, and receives the grade of NC upon completion of the coursework. The student must indicate in writing no later than the 12th day of classes (the fourth day during summer sessions) that he or she wishes to take a course for No-Credit. Permission of the instructor or department is required for this type of enrollment. This enrollment is different from audit enrollments, for which no enrollment or grade is recorded.
All undergraduate students in the University are required to make regular and satisfactory progress toward their degrees. Graduation in four years, which is the University norm, requires the accrual of at least 30 academic term hours per year and the maintenance of a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.00. The University's academic probation and suspension policies define the minimum standards by which student academic progress is measured.
Failure to meet established minimum acceptable standards of academic or disciplinary performance could result in probation, suspension, or dismissal. Information regarding disciplinary action may be found in the University Life section of this catalog.
Academic Probation. The status of academic probation is a stern warning to the student that satisfactory progress toward graduation is not being made. A student on probation is considered in "good standing" for certification purposes and is eligible to enroll. No entry is made on the permanent academic record.
Academic Suspension and Dismissal. These are involuntary separations of the student from the SMU school of record. Suspension is for a set period of time. Dismissal is permanent. A student is not in good standing in the suspending or dismissing school and is not eligible to enroll as a student in that school during the suspension or dismissal period. "Academic Suspension (or Dismissal)" is recorded on the permanent academic record.
Students in Dedman College, including the Evening Studies Program who earn a G.P.A. of less than 2.00 in any regular term, or whose cumulative SMU G.P.A. falls below 2.00 are placed on probation. Typically probation is for one regular term (excluding interterms and summer terms). The dean may impose special conditions in exceptional probationary situations. They are removed from probation status when they achieve both a term and cumulative G.P.A. of 2.00 or higher.
Semester Probation. Students who earn less than a 2.00 in any regular term, but maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher, are placed on Semester Probation. They are removed from Semester Probation status when they achieve a term G.P.A. of 2.00 or higher. Failure to clear Academic Probation status when they achieve a 2.00.
Academic Probation. Students who do not maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher are placed on Academic Probation. They are removed from Academic Probation status when they achieve a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.00 or higher. Students who fail to clear Academic Probation following one regular term (excluding interterms and summers) are subject to Academic Suspension.
Academic Suspension. First-year pre-majors who have not achieved a cumulative SMU G.P.A. of at least 1.70 by the end of their second regular term at SMU will be suspended. Students transferring fewer than 15 hours from another college or university will be subject to the same requirements on their SMU work.
Second-year students who have not achieved a cumulative SMU G.P.A. of at least 2.00 and successfully completed the Written English and Mathematical Sciences Fundamentals requirements of the General Education Curriculum by the end of their fourth regular term at SMU will be suspended. Students transferring 15 or more hours from another college or university will be subject to the same requirements, at the end of their second regular term at SMU.
Upperclass students whose cumulative SMU G.P.A.s fall below 1.80, or who fail to clear academic probation after one term on probation (because their cumulative SMU G.P.A.s remain below 2.00), or who (in the case of pre-majors) upon completion of 75 term hours (including credit by examination and transfer work) are not eligible to declare a major, will be suspended. The 1.80 G.P.A. requirement will not apply to new transfer students until the end of their second regular term at SMU.
Students who are subject to suspension at the end of the Spring term may petition the Office of the Dean for permission to attend the Summer sessions, if by so doing they could make up their deficiencies. A grade-point deficiency must be made up in residence at SMU.
Suspension is for a minimum of one term, not counting interterms or summer sessions. Credits earned at another college or university during a term of suspension may not be applied toward an SMU degree.
Students who have been suspended from another school on campus are also subject to suspension from Dedman College.
Readmission on Probation Following Suspension. Students who have been suspended once may apply for readmission to the University, but readmission is not guaranteed. In certain cases, prescribed conditions, including the completion of coursework elsewhere, must be met before a student will be approved for readmission. Students who have been readmitted to the University following suspension remain on probation and are normally allowed two regular terms within which to make up their academic deficiencies and return to good standing. However, special conditions for the first term may be set in individual cases.
Academic Dismissal. A second suspension is final, resulting in dismissal from the University with no possibility of readmission.
Cox School of Business
Academic Probation. A student may be placed on academic probation for one term following the term in which the SMU term, cumulative, or business G.P.A. falls below 2.00. A student on probation may enroll for a maximum of 12 hours, will not be allowed to enroll for an internship or directed study, must meet with the BBA Director of Academic Advising or a designee once a month, must attend the Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center (A-LEC) and follow recommendations established by the A-LEC Director, will not be allowed to enroll in summer school classes and must sign an academic probation contract.
Academic Suspension. A student on academic probation who fails to maintain an SMU term, cumulative, or business G.P.A. of 2.00 may be suspended. A student who has been suspended must petition the director of the B.B.A. Program of the Cox School for reinstatement, but this petition will not be considered until the student has been suspended for at least one full term (Summer terms excluded). For example, a student suspended at the end of the Spring term may petition for reinstatement for the beginning of the next Spring term, but no sooner. Petitions for reinstatement must set forth clearly the reasons for the previous unsatisfactory academic record and must delineate the new conditions that have been created to prevent the recurrence of such performance. Each petition is considered individually on its own merits. After consideration of the petition and perhaps after a personal interview, the student may be reinstated on academic probation if the suspension was the student's first. Reinstated students will be required to meet with an Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center counselor during the first week of classes and follow through on recommendations from that meeting.
Academic Dismissal. A second suspension is final, resulting in dismissal from the University with no possibility of readmission to the Cox School.
Failure at Other Colleges. Students who are on academic suspension from other colleges will not be admitted to the Cox School of Business for the immediate following term. Students who have received academic suspension twice from any college or university will not be admitted to the Cox School. Failure to disclose any such suspensions will be grounds for dismissal from the Cox School.
Academic Probation. A student who fails to maintain a 2.00 cumulative or term G.P.A. in a regular term will be placed on academic probation for the following regular academic term. A student on academic probation may enroll for a maximum of 12 term hours and must achieve a term and cumulative 2.00 G.P.A. at the end of the term.
A student who fails to meet divisional artistic standards may be placed on artistic probation at any time.
Academic Suspension. A student who fails to meet the terms of academic probation will be suspended for one regular academic term, after which the student may apply for readmission. A student may petition the Associate Dean for reconsideration and may be reinstated on academic probation.
A student who fails to meet divisional artistic standards may be suspended from the division at any time.
Academic Dismissal. A second suspension is final, resulting in dismissal from the University with no possibility of readmission.
Academic Probation. A student may be placed on academic probation whose term or cumulative G.P.A. falls below 2.00. The minimum period of probation is one term or Summer term, but the usual period is one academic year. The student remains on probation until the overall G.P.A. is 2.00 or better or until he or she is suspended. A student on probation is not allowed to serve as an officer of any organization representing either the School of Engineering or SMU. The student on probation may not participate in any extracurricular activities that might interfere with or detract from academic efforts.
Academic Suspension. A student on probation who fails to maintain a G.P.A. of at least 2.00 during an academic year will be suspended. A student who has been suspended may petition the dean for reinstatement, but this petition will not be considered until the student has been suspended for at least one full term. For example, a student suspended at the end of the Spring term may petition for reinstatement for the beginning of the next Spring term, but not sooner. Petitions for reinstatement must set forth clearly the reasons for the previous unsatisfactory academic record and must delineate the conditions that have been created to prevent recurrence of such work. Each petition is considered individually on its own merits. After consideration of the petition and perhaps after a personal interview, the student may be reinstated on academic probation if the suspension was the student's first.
Academic Dismissal. A second suspension is final, resulting in dismissal from the University with no possibility of readmission.
Regular class attendance is required. The instructor of each class announces at the beginning of the course policies regarding the effect of class attendance on the student's standing in the course. These policies may include dropping a student from the course for nonattendance after a certain number of absences. All reasons for absence should be submitted at once to the instructor.
The satisfactory explanation of absence does not relieve a student from responsibility for the work of the course during his or her absences. A student who misses an announced test, examination, or laboratory period in a regular course of study and has the permission of the instructor may be given an opportunity to make up the work at the instructor's convenience. The instructor determines in all instances the extent to which absences and tardiness affect each student's grade.
Students may be dropped by a course instructor or academic dean for nonattendance or tardiness with a grade of W until the calendar deadline to drop. After the deadline, students must remain enrolled in the course. Dedman students who miss two successive class meetings during the official add-drop period at the beginning of each term are subject to being dropped from the class. To avoid this possibility, students should contact the instructor or the department concerned immediately following such a series of absences.
A student who has a passing grade in a course at the time of the final examination but misses the examination and satisfies the dean that the absence was unavoidable may secure from the dean permission to take the examination at a time convenient for the instructor.
Students who participate in officially sanctioned, scheduled University extracurricular activities should be given an opportunity to make up class examinations or other graded assignments that are missed as a result of this participation or related travel. The manner in which examinations or other assignments missed as a result of these activities are to be made up is left to the discretion of each individual faculty member. However, students should not be penalized in any way for these excused absences, and should be informed by the instructor at the beginning of the semester, preferably in writing, of the instructor's makeup policy. It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements with the instructor prior to any missed scheduled examination or other missed assignment for making up this work, and to obtain any class notes or other course material missed due to absence prior to taking any subsequent examinations or submitting any subsequent graded assignments.
This statement of University policy applies for all students. In order to minimize the difficulties caused for both student-athletes and their instructors by excused absences due to University-sanctioned athletic activities or related travel, the Athletic Department shall: 1) Make available to all student-athletes and their academic advisers prior to registration a copy of the student's activity and travel schedule for the upcoming semester, so as to facilitate the student's enrollment in class sections that will minimize activity and travel conflicts; and 2) require all student-athletes to provide a copy of that semester's activity and travel schedule, and a copy of this Statement of University Policy, to each of their instructors at the first class meeting of the term.
Other University colleges and departments whose students also will miss classes as a result of their participation in officially sanctioned, scheduled University extracurricular activities or related travel also are encouraged to adopt similar procedures to minimize the difficulties caused by such absences.
A student's classification is determined by the number of hours earned or the degree-seeking status of the student:
First-year – 0-29 term hours earned
Sophomore – 30-59 term hours earned
Junior – 60-89 term hours earned
Senior – 90 or more term hours earned
Nondegree – not a candidate for a degree
The unit of measure for the valuation of courses is the term "hour," i.e., one lecture hour or three laboratory hours per week for a term of approximately 16 weeks (including final examinations). Usually each lecture presupposes a minimum of two hours of preparation on the part of students.
A full-time load in the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms is 12 hours for undergraduates. Persons who enroll for fewer than these minimum hours are designated part-time students. The normal undergraduate enrollment for each of the regular terms is 15 term hours. An undergraduate student enrolled in an Engineering Co-op course or enrolled for six hours of student teaching is considered a full-time student.
Cautionary note: Federal financial aid and some other outside agencies require 12 hours of enrollment for full-time status and do not make exceptions for co-op or student teaching enrollments. Students on financial aid should consult a Financial Aid adviser regarding minimum enrollment requirements for their situation.
Minimum and maximum course loads are based on the school of record:
Dedman College. For Fall or Spring term: Pre-majors or majors in Dedman College must have the approval of the dean to enroll for more than 18 hours. For Summer terms: Dedman students may not enroll for more than seven hours in any Summer term. For May term: Dedman students may not enroll for more than four hours. For Evening Studies: Students must have the approval of the dean to enroll in more than nine credit hours.
Cox School of Business. B.B.A. students may enroll for more than 18 hours per term provided their cumulative grades (SMU, all college and Cox GPA is 2.0 or above) show satisfactory progress toward completion of the degree.
Meadows School of the Arts. Students are not permitted to enroll during a Fall or Spring term for more than 18 hours, unless the G.P.A. for the preceding term is at least 3.00.
During the term in which a student is to graduate, he or she may enroll for 19 hours (nine hours for a Summer term) regardless of the preceding term G.P.A. Regardless of the status of a student, credit will not be allowed for more than 21 term hours in a term. A student with less than a 2.00 G.P.A. for the preceding term will not be permitted to enroll for more than 12 hours.
School of Engineering. Students must have the approval of the assistant dean of Undergraduate Studies to enroll for fewer than 12 hours or more than 18 hours during a Fall or Spring term. Normally, a student must have a G.P.A. of 3.00 or higher to enroll for more than 18 hours. An exception is made during the term in which a student is to graduate. Credit will not be allowed for more than 21 hours in a term.
Final course examinations shall be given in all courses where they are appropriate, must be administered as specified in the official examination schedule, and shall not be administered during the last week of classes. Exceptions to the examination schedule may be made only upon written recommendation of the chair of the department sponsoring the course and concurrence of the dean of that school, who will allow exceptions only in accordance with guidelines from the Office of the Provost.
The grade of a student in any course is determined by the instructor of the course. The following grades are authorized for recording on the student's official undergraduate academic record maintained by the University registrar.
| GRADE POINTS PER |
||
| GRADES |
DESCRIPTION |
TERM HOUR |
| A |
Excellent Scholarship |
4.00 |
| A- |
Excellent Scholarship |
3.70 |
| B+ |
Good Scholarship |
3.30 |
| B |
Good Scholarship |
3.00 |
| B- |
Good Scholarship |
2.70 |
| C+ |
Fair Scholarship |
2.30 |
| C |
Fair Scholarship |
2.00 |
| C- |
Fair Scholarship |
1.70 |
| D+ |
Poor Scholarship |
1.30 |
| D |
Poor Scholarship |
1.00 |
| D- |
Poor Scholarship |
0.70 |
| F |
Failure |
0.00 |
| P, CR |
Pass, Credit |
* |
| I |
Incomplete |
* |
| NC |
No Credit Received |
* |
| W |
Withdrew |
* |
| X |
No Grade Received in Registrar's Office |
* |
*Grades not included in grade-point average.
A student may receive a grade of Incomplete (I) if the majority of the course requirements have been completed with passing grades but for some justifiable reason, acceptable to the instructor, the student has been unable to complete the full requirements of the course. At the time an I is given, the instructor must stipulate in writing to the student and to the University registrar the requirements and completion date that are to be met and the grade that will be given if the requirements are not met by the completion date. The maximum period of time allowed to clear the Incomplete grade for an undergraduate course is 12 months. If the Incomplete grade is not cleared by the date set by the instructor or by the end of the 12-month deadline, the I will be changed to the grade provided by the instructor at the time the Incomplete was assigned or to an F if no alternate grade was provided. The grade of I is not given in lieu of an F or W, or other grade, each of which is prescribed for other specific circumstances. If the student's work is incomplete and the quality has not been passing, an F will be given. The grade of I does not authorize a student to attend the course during a later term. Graduation candidates must clear all Incompletes prior to the deadline in the Official University Calendar, which may allow less time than 12 months. Failure to do so can result in removal from the degree candidacy list and/or conversion of the I to the grade indicated by the instructor at the time the I was given.
A failure is graded F. After such a grade, credit may be obtained only by repeating the course.
The grade of D represents performance below average expectations. Students receiving a D in a course that is a prerequisite to another course should consult with their adviser about repeating the course so they will be adequately prepared for work in the following course.
The grade of W cannot be recorded unless completion of official drop or withdrawal process has occurred by the applicable deadline during the term of enrollment. Only the grade of W may be recorded if the student has officially dropped courses from the schedule or withdrawn (resigned) from the University. The grade of W may not be revoked or changed to another grade, as the act of officially dropping/withdrawing is irrevocable.
The student's grades are available to the student through Access.SMU.
Students may take one course per term on a Pass/Fail basis. The maximum total credits with a grade of Pass that may count toward a degree is 12 hours.
A student must indicate intention to take a course Pass/Fail no later than the 12th day of classes (the fourth day in Summer terms) by filing a form available in the Office of the Dean. If a course is graded Pass/Fail for all students by departmental policy, a declaration by the student is not required. A failed course cannot be repeated on a Pass/Fail basis, except for those courses designated as Pass/Fail-only courses.
Students should consult with their advisers before declaring the Pass/Fail option for any course, as some courses may not be taken Pass/Fail. In general, elective courses may be taken on a Pass/Fail basis. With the exception of CHOICES for Living (Wellness), courses required to fulfill the General Education Curriculum (GEC) may not be taken Pass/Fail. Courses in the academic majors and minors also are excluded, but in some programs courses may be taken Pass/Fail after the minimum program requirements have been met. (There may be other courses required to meet certain professional accreditation standards or entrance requirements, such as teacher accreditation and preprofessional studies, that may not be taken Pass/Fail by a particular student. The departments or advisers concerned with these requirements will make these exclusions known to the students.)
Business students may elect the Pass/Fail option in business elective courses only after satisfactory completion of the previous term, including completion of 48 hours of business courses taken on a regular letter-grade basis, as well as all requirements of the student's declared major.
Under the Pass/Fail option, pass (P) grades are A, B, and C (including C); failure (F) grades are D and F. A student who declares Pass/Fail is not entitled to know the regular letter grade, and a Pass/Fail grade cannot be changed to a regular letter grade (or vice versa) after the Pass/Fail grade has been assigned. The grade of P is not calculated in the grade-point average, although the credit hours are included in the total number of hours earned. The grade F is calculated in the grade-point average.
This average is computed by multiplying the term hours of each course attempted by the grade points earned in the particular course and then dividing the total number of grade points by the total number of hours attempted, excluding those hours for which grades are shown with an asterisk. The grade-point average is truncated at three decimal places.
Changes of grades, including change of the grade of I, are initiated by the course instructor and authorized by the academic chair and by the academic dean of the school in which the course was offered. If a student requests a grade change, the instructor may ask the student to provide a written petition requesting the change of grade which may become an official part of any further process at the instructor's discretion. Changes of grades may be made only for the following authorized reasons: to clear a grade of I; to correct a processing error; or, to reflect a reevaluation of the student's original work. A change of grade will not be based on additional work options beyond those originally made available to the entire class.
Changes of grades of I should be processed within a calendar year of the original grade assignment. Other changes in grade must be processed by the end of the next regular term. No grade will be changed after 12 months or after a student's graduation except a grade successfully appealed, provided that written notice of appeal is given within six months following graduation, and in extenuating circumstances authorized by the academic dean and approved by the registrar.
Students who enter the University directly from high school may repeat up to three courses for which grades of D+ or lower were received, provided these courses were completed before or during a student's first two consecutive regular terms following matriculation (regardless of the student's enrollment or withdrawal). "College Prep" courses completed a summer prior to matriculation are NOT eligible to be repeated under this rule. The grade from the repeated course, even if lower, will be the grade used to calculate the student's grade-point average. A course may be repeated only once under this policy, and it must be repeated within the next two regular terms (regardless of the student's terms of enrollment or withdrawal, but not counting a term of academic suspension) following the term in which the course was initially taken. Exceptions to the two-term restriction may be requested from the University registrar if the course is not taught again within that period. The student must declare which courses he or she will repeat under this policy with his or her academic dean by the 12th day of classes. Only the repeated course and not the initial credit hours count toward the number needed for graduation. Both the initial and the second grades are shown on the student's permanent academic record. Students are cautioned that for some purposes, such as admission into an academic program, both grades may be used.
In all other cases, students will be allowed to repeat courses according to the following rules: Both the initial and the second grades will be on the student's permanent academic record. Both grades will be included in the calculation of the grade-point average and in the determination of academic probation, suspension, honors, and graduation. Only the repeated course and not the initial credit hours count toward the number needed for graduation.
The courses a student can repeat are determined by the school of record:
Dedman College and the Cox School of Business. Students can only repeat courses in which the original grade was a D+ or below.
Meadows School of the Arts and School of Engineering. Students can repeat courses in which the original grade was a C- or below. Such courses can be repeated only once.
Academic Forgiveness permits a student to have academic work taken 10 or more years prior to the term of admission or readmission forgiven and not included in the grade-point average or hours earned used for actions such as the determination of admission, academic probation, suspension, honors, and graduation. A student must request academic forgiveness at the time of admission or readmission. Currently enrolled students cannot request academic forgiveness. Once declared and the student has enrolled, academic forgiveness cannot be rescinded.
A student can declare academic forgiveness only for courses taken 10 or more years prior to the term of admission or readmission. The student can select the term at which academic forgiveness starts. Academic forgiveness applies to all courses taken during that term, regardless of the grade earned, and to all courses taken prior to that term. Academic forgiveness cannot be applied to only some courses for a term or to only some terms within the forgiveness period.
Forgiven academic work taken at SMU remains on the permanent academic record. Academic Forgiveness is recorded on the record. The forgiven grades are excluded from the grade-point average and hours earned. Transfer applicants must provide transcripts from all institutions attended including those where all work may be forgiven.
Petitions and/or requests for waivers concerning general education requirements, graduation requirements, and the evaluation of transfer work should be submitted to the Office of the Dean.
Petitions and/or requests for waivers concerning a major or a minor should be submitted to the appropriate department chair or program coordinator/director for consideration.
A student who feels that an assigned grade is other than the grade earned must first discuss the matter with the course instructor to determine if the discrepancy is caused by error or misunderstanding. At the time of the initial discussion, the student may be asked to provide a written petition requesting the change of grade.
A student who is not satisfied by the instructor's denial of a request for a grade change, and who maintains that the original grade was capriciously or unfairly determined, may appeal to the chairperson of the department in which the course was offered (or, in the case of a nondepartmental course, to a faculty agent designated by the dean for the course). After discussing the matter with the student, and bearing in mind that the final authority in matters of academic judgment in the determination of a grade rests with the course instructor, the chair (or faculty agent) will consult with the course instructor, who will subsequently report to the student the disposition of the appeal.
A student who is not satisfied by the disposition of the appeal may appeal the decision to the dean for the course. The dean will take action as he or she deems appropriate. A student may appeal the dean's decision to the provost. In their actions, the dean and the provost must respect the principle that the determination of a grade rests with the course instructor.
The University policy for academic grievance and appeals procedures for students with disabilities is available in the offices of Services for Students With Disabilities and of the University Registrar.
Each SMU course has a four-digit course number. The first number indicates the general level of the course: 1 first year; 2 sophomore; 3 junior; 4 senior; 5 senior or graduate; 6, 7, 8, 9 graduate. The second digit specifies the number of credit hours ("0" for this digit denotes no credit, one-half hour of credit, or 10-15 hours of credit; for theology courses, a "1" denotes one or one and one-half hours of credit). The third and fourth digits are used to make the course number unique within the department.
Students must file an Application for Candidacy to Graduate form with their academic dean during the term at the end of which they will have completed all degree requirements. Applications should be filed by the deadline date in the Official University Calendar. Applications cannot be accepted after the graduation date.
Students may march in the procession in the University Commencement if they have met graduation requirements or if they have no more than six hours remaining for graduation, they are in good standing, they have a clear plan for completing the six hours by the end of the ensuing Summer session, and they have filed a petition for graduation at the end of that summer session. Students satisfying these requirements must file a petition in order to participate. These students may participate in departmental or school ceremonies if the department or school permits such participation and if the department or school then clearly indicates in the ceremonies that these students are candidates for August graduation.
A student who has been readmitted to the University following an absence of more than three years will be expected to meet all current requirements for graduation.
There are three classes of graduation honors: summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude. The awarding of graduation honors will be determined by minimum G.P.A.s announced at the beginning of each academic year for each of the four undergraduate schools – Cox, Dedman (including Evening Studies), Meadows, and Engineering. The minimum G.P.A.s generally will represent the top 5 percent, 10 percent, and 15 percent of graduates in the school. Students earning a degree with majors in two or more schools will receive the highest degree honors for which they are eligible.
The minimum G.P.A.s for each school will be determined by pooling all graduates in the school from the previous three academic years and determining the G.P.A.s in each school that represent the top 5th, 10th, and 15th percentiles. The G.P.A. used is the lower of the student's SMU cumulative G.P.A. and all-college G.P.A. (includes transfer work).
The minimum graduation honors G.P.A.s for students graduating during the 2005-2006 academic year will be announced in October 2005. Students can obtain information about minimum G.P.A.s required in the past years from their academic school.
Separate from eligibility for graduation honors, the Cox School of Business awards special Cox Honors distinction to students who have successfully completed the requirements for the Cox B.B.A. Honors Program. Departmental Distinction may be awarded in Dedman College and the Meadows School of the Arts. Students may also earn Honors in the Liberal Arts. These honors require completion of requirements prescribed by the department or school. Further information may be obtained from the individual departments and schools.
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