2014-2015 Undergraduate Academic Catalog

Credit/No Credit Program The grade designation “credit/no credit” may be assigned by faculty members in courses such as student teaching, laboratories, independent studies, electives, and one-hour courses in physical education and music. The opportunity to take elective courses on a credit/no credit (CR/NC) basis offers students the opportunity to develop background in new areas of study without threatening cumulative GPAs. The following guidelines govern involvement in the program: 1. A student of any classification may choose to earn credit/ no credit or a letter grade in one semester hour, non-major physical education courses. This choice may be made at the end of the semester. 2. To earn credit, a student must maintain an average of “C” or better in the course. 3. A student must be at least a junior in classification (have earned at least 61 semester hours) to take an elective course on a credit/no credit basis. An elective is a course that will not count toward the student’s general education, major, minor, or cognate requirements. 4. A student may take just one elective course per term under the credit/no credit designation. 5. The total number of courses (other than one-hour physical education courses) that may be taken under the credit/no credit designation is determined by the student’s cumulative GPA: 2.0–2.49 one course 2.5–2.99 two courses 3.0–3.49 four courses 3.5 and above six courses 6. A student taking an elective course who wishes to change from the credit/no credit designation to the regular grading designation must do so before the end of the fourth week of the semester. 7. A student who wishes to change an elective course to the credit/no credit designation must do so before the end of the first full calendar week of the semester. Grade Points and Point Averages Cedarville University uses the “four-point system” to determine academic averages. Grade points are awarded as follows: Grade Grade Points A 4.0 A- 3.7 B+ 3.3 B 3.0 B- 2.7 C+ 2.3 C 2.0 C- 1.7 D+ 1.3 D 1.0 D- 0.7 F 0.0 The GPA is computed by dividing the total grade points earned by the total hours attempted. Grades are issued at the end of each semester. The student is responsible for discussing their academic achievement with their instructor. Academic Progress, Warning, and Suspension To satisfy the minimum graduation requirements, a student must earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0. The minimum cumulative GPA needed to maintain good academic standing is also 2.0. The University recognizes that some students may have difficulty earning and/or maintaining the minimum cumulative GPA required for good standing and for graduation. To assist them, the following academic progress chart outlines the minimum cumulative GPAs needed according to the credit hours earned. Academic Progress Chart Credits Minimum Cumulative Minimum Cumulative Attempted GPA for Academic GPA for Academic Probation Warning 0–18.99 1.00 1.45 19–36.99 1.25 1.60 37–64.99 1.50 1.75 65–96.99 1.75 1.90 97–112.99 1.90 _ 113–128.99 1.95 _ Some academic programs have stricter academic progress requirements than those listed above. Students should check academic department sections of the catalog for the specific grade point requirements of their majors. Students who are not in good academic standing will be notified by the dean of their college or the dean of undergraduate studies. First-semester freshmen who do not meet the 1.0 average will usually not be academically suspended in order to provide some additional time for them to make the adjustment to college life. Any student who does not meet the minimum cumulative GPA required for academic probation will be suspended for at least one semester. Any student on academic probation for two successive semesters who is not making satisfactory academic progress is subject to academic suspension. Any student whose term GPA is not above 1.0 for two successive semesters and who is not making satisfactory academic progress is subject to suspension. The school dean or dean of undergraduate studies may make exceptions to the academic progress guidelines when appropriate. A student receiving veterans benefits who is on academic probation for two successive semesters without making satisfactory progress will be reported to the Veterans Administration. The veterans benefits for such a student will be terminated unless the student is making progress toward meeting the minimum academic requirements for graduation. Faculty members and other counselors are available to discuss student progress. The student experiencing academic difficulty should utilize these personnel, as well as resources available in the academic assistance center, to help find solutions to academic problems. Students on academic warning or probation may be required to take a special study skills course as a condition for continuing at the University. Academic warning may preclude involvement in certain University activities. Students facing academic warning or probation should consult with the coaches, advisors, or directors Page 29 2014–15 Undergraduate Academic Catalog Academic Information Grading System