Undergraduate Enrollment

Arizona State University shares with other colleges and universities a tradition of service and academic excellence that is hundreds of years old. Its purpose is the exchange of knowledge and the pursuit of wisdom. ASU is committed to providing a setting where faculty and students are challenged to exchange ideas and information within an atmosphere of intellectual honesty.

The university offers its students unique opportunities to enjoy both a rich cultural heritage and a diverse student population. Anyone giving evidence of suitable preparation, by way of acceptable academic credentials, is welcome to the university without regard to race, religious creed, or national origin.

Under the constitution and the laws of the State of Arizona, jurisdiction over ASU has been vested in the Arizona Board of Regents. The regents, in turn, grant broad legal authority to the president, the administration, and the faculty to regulate student life within reasonable limits.

By enrolling, a student voluntarily assumes certain obligations of conduct and performance. These obligations include acting with honesty, integrity, and fairness in all campus and community activities. They also include avoiding certain behaviors, such as: the irresponsible use of alcohol; the use, possession, or distribution of illegal drugs; and verbal or physical assaults. Should a student intentionally or inadvertently become involved in questionable campus-related actions or activities, the university will investigate the circumstances and will enforce its standards of conduct through prescribed procedures contained in the Student Code of Conduct.

The primary purpose for the Student Code of Conduct is to set forth the standards of conduct expected of students who choose to join the university community. Students and student organizations are expected to become familiar with and adhere to this code. Violations of the Student Code of Conduct will result in university disciplinary action being taken and appropriate sanctions being imposed for the misconduct. Copies of the Student Code of Conduct are available in the Office of Student Life, SSV 263, or on the Web at www.asu.edu/studentlife/judicial.

The university further reserves the right to take necessary and appropriate action to protect the safety and welfare of the campus community and will cooperate with appropriate law enforcement agencies in their efforts to ensure a safe and secure environment.

STUDENT SERVICES AT ASU - Back to Top

Arizona State University is a richly diverse academic setting with more than 50,000 students. The ASU student may be a traditional 18- to 24-year-old, a recent high school graduate, a community college transfer, someone returning to college to pursue a degree, or a professional studying for an advanced degree or career change. The ASU student may live in residence halls, in on-campus housing for sororities or fraternities, or in one of the many communities in the metropolitan Phoenix area. Each of the 50 states and more than 100 countries have students enrolled at ASU.

The university is organized into several distinct administrative areas. Student Affairs, one of these areas, is responsible for the delivery of a variety of services and developmental programs in support of students’ educational pursuits. These programs and services are based upon human development research that advocates that a person develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, morally, physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually.

Special attention is given not only to the recruitment of a high-achieving, culturally diverse student body, but also to the creation of an energetic campus environment that both catalyzes the mature development and advances the academic endeavors of students.

Enrollment services to students begin with recruitment, admissions, student financial assistance, on-campus housing, and registration programs. Student Affairs encourages students to explore the facilities, services, and human resources available. ASU departments guiding students in their educational experience include Career Services, Counseling and Consultation, the Memorial Union and Student Development, Recreational Sports, Residential Life, the Student Health and Wellness Center, Student Life, and Student Media. Each of these areas provides specialized learning opportunities, contributing to an environment that fosters both personal and academic growth.

Undergraduate Admission - Back to Top

Arizona State University welcomes an application for admission from any individual seeking to benefit from the university’s broad spectrum of educational programs and services.

For information and application materials, prospective students may call 480/965-7788, access the Web site at www.asu.edu/admissions, or write

Undergraduate Admissions offers tours of ASU, University Information Sessions, and admission appointments Monday through Friday (except days that are official university holidays). For more information, call 480/727-7013.

Requests for specific information relating to academic programs or student services should be addressed to the appropriate department, school, division, or college.

Admission Procedures for Freshman and Transfer Applicants - Back to Top

Individuals interested in admission to an undergraduate program at ASU need to have the following items on file at Undergraduate Admissions (non-U.S. citizens should see “International Student Admissions” for additional requirements): the required application, fee, official transcripts, and test scores.

Application for Admission. Prospective students must complete and sign the Application for Undergraduate Admission. As with other state-supported colleges and universities, ASU distinguishes between resident and nonresident students with regard to tuition. Residents of Arizona are required to provide residency information, which is part of the admission application. Any student who does not provide residency information is classified as a nonresident for tuition purposes. For more information, call Residency Classification at 480/965-7712.

Students who are admitted for a specific semester and do not enroll must submit a new application (and application fee for nonresident applicants) if they wish to apply for a subsequent semester. All documents are destroyed one year after the semester for which the student has applied if the student is not enrolled in a degree program. Any misrepresentation or falsification on the admission application, including failure to report any college or university attendance, is cause for cancellation of admission enrollment and/or any credits earned.

Application Fee. All applicants classified as nonresidents must submit a $50 nonrefundable application fee.

Official Transcripts. Applicants are responsible for requesting transcripts from each educational institution attended. Official transcripts must be mailed directly to Undergraduate Admissions by the records office of the issuing institution(s). ASU does not accept transcripts sent or carried by hand by the applicants themselves or transmitted by facsimile (fax) machine. High school transcripts must show GPA and date of graduation. ASU requires an English translation of all foreign language transcripts.

ACT or SAT. See “Freshman Applicants” to determine which test scores ASU requires. Undergraduate Admissions may investigate any test score that is inconsistent with a student’s academic record or previous scores.

A report of the test scores should be sent to Undergraduate Admissions directly from

or the

Application Time Line. ASU urges applicants to have their materials sent as soon as possible to enable university officials to make an early decision concerning the applicant’s admission and to permit the student to take part in preregistration and orientation. Applicants should allow four weeks after all necessary items are received for an admission decision to be made.

Early Notification Date. Applicants whose files are complete (all necessary documentation has been received) by November 1 receive notification by December 1. Applicants whose files are complete by December 1 receive notification by January 15.

Admission Before Receipt of Final Transcript. Admission may be granted to high school seniors who submit a six-semester or seven-semester transcript that shows academic quality or rank in class in keeping with admission standards and who complete the steps in the undergraduate admission procedures. Admission is official when verification of high school graduation showing the final GPA and the date of graduation has been received in the mail by Undergraduate Admissions directly from the high school. Final transcripts must be received a minimum of 45 days in advance of the start of the semester. An admission may be canceled if the final verification shows that the applicant has not met the university requirements for admission or that more than two deficiencies remain.

Transfer applicants enrolled in other colleges and universities may be considered for admission on the basis of meeting all admissions requirements, except for a final transcript of work in progress. This final transcript must be sent to Undergraduate Admissions directly from the issuing institution immediately after the work in progress has been completed. Transcripts carried by hand are not accepted. Admission is official only after the final transcript has been received showing that the applicant has met the university admission requirements. In the event the applicant does not qualify or has falsified application documents, admission and registration are canceled, and any registration fees paid are returned.

Undergraduate Admission Standards - Back to Top

The Arizona Board of Regents establishes undergraduate admission standards for the university in general. Particular colleges, divisions, schools, or departments within the university may establish stricter standards, which are given in the respective sections of the catalog and should be noted by students planning to enroll in any of these programs.

Freshman Applicants - Back to Top

Undergraduate Admissions requires freshman applicants’ official high school records. To be eligible for admission to ASU, a freshman must have graduated from a recognized high school with satisfactory scholarship defined as meeting both the general aptitude and basic competency requirements shown in the “Basic Competency Requirements” table and the “General Aptitude Requirements for Freshmen” table. Applicants who have enrolled in any college-level course must also meet requirements in the “General Aptitude Requirements for College Transfers” table.

Applicants with a maximum of one deficiency in no more than two competency areas—provided the competency areas are not both math and science—may be admitted with conditions subject to removing the deficiencies within two calendar years of university enrollment. See “Meeting Basic Competencies” for an explanation of procedures to meet these competencies.

If the applicant is unable to meet these specific admission requirements, it is possible to file a letter of appeal and three letters of recommendation with the Undergraduate Admissions Board:

The decision of the board is final and any conditions set by the board for future admission supersede all other admission criteria or exceptions. The applicant must be able to meet at least one of the following criteria to be considered for appeal:

1. an upward grade trend during the high school career or an upward grade trend during the senior year;
    
2. positive recommendations from secondary school administrators, faculty, or counselors based on considerations such as academic potential, work experience, and leadership ability;
    
3. an average score of 500 (50 if taken before 2002) or greater on the General Education Development (GED) examination; or
    
4. completion of at least 12 semester hours of college freshman-level academic studies (at a community college or at a university or both) with a GPA of 2.50 or higher on a 4.00 = A scale in courses in English, social sciences, mathematics, physical or natural sciences, foreign languages, fine arts, or the humanities.
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Transfer Applicants - Back to Top

Transfer applicants must submit official academic records from all colleges and universities attended. Transfer applicants under the age of 22 who have not completed an Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) or associate’s degree or higher must submit official high school records and meet basic competency requirements. Students who have not completed first-semester freshman composition from a regionally accredited institution must also submit official SAT or ACT test scores.

Arizona Applicants. An Arizona applicant for transfer admission must have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 (4.00 = A) or higher in all work undertaken at previous institutions of higher learning. A minimum of 24 college or university transferable semester hours must have been earned to be considered a transfer applicant.

Arizona transfer applicants must have the respective minimum GPAs to be admitted to the professional programs in the following areas: computer science—2.50; construction—2.25; economics—2.50; engineering—2.50; and technology—2.25. Other academic units may have different GPA requirements to enroll in junior- or senior-level courses.

Nonresident Applicants. A non-Arizona applicant for transfer admission must have a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher on a 4.00 = A scale in all work undertaken at previous institutions of higher learning. Applicants who have at least a 2.00 on a 4.00 = A scale and who believe that they have a strong academic record are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Transfer Credit - Back to Top

Credit is awarded for traditional course work successfully completed at institutions of higher learning as indicated by ASU and the Arizona Board of Regents. Whether the specific credits can be applied toward a degree depends on the requirements of the department, division, school, or college in which the student is enrolled. There are several qualifications:

1. Transfer credit is not given for courses in which the lowest passing grade (“D”) or a failing grade was received.
    
2. While some courses successfully completed but evaluated on nontraditional grading systems (e.g., pass/fail) may be acceptable for transfer, colleges in the university may not accept such credits to fulfill graduation requirements.
    
3. Grades and honor points earned at other colleges and universities are considered for admission but are not included in computing the student’s cumulative GPA at ASU.
    

The following types of credits cannot be transferred to ASU:

1. credits awarded by postsecondary institutions accredited in the United States that lack candidate status or accreditation by a regional accrediting association;
    
2. credits awarded by postsecondary institutions for life experience;
    
3. credits awarded by postsecondary institutions for courses taken at noncollegiate institutions (e.g., governmental agencies, corporations, industrial firms); and
    
4. credits awarded by postsecondary institutions for noncredit courses, workshops, and seminars offered by other postsecondary institutions as part of continuing education programs.
    

Acceptable academic credits earned at other institutions that are based on a different unit of credit than the one prescribed by the Arizona Board of Regents are subject to conversion before being transferred to ASU. Once a transfer course equivalency is determined, it stands unless the student changes majors and the course is required by the new major.

Veterans Exception. By Arizona statute, no failing grades received by a veteran at an Arizona university or community college before military service may be considered when determining admissibility. This exception applies only to veterans who

1. are honorably discharged;
    
2. have served in the armed forces of the United States for a minimum of two years; and
    
3. have previously enrolled at a university or community college in Arizona.
    

Military service records must be submitted, including form DD 214.

Community Colleges. A maximum of 64 semester hours are accepted as lower-division credit when transferred from community, junior, or two-year colleges.

Students Attending Arizona Community Colleges. To determine the equivalency of courses offered by Arizona community colleges and courses offered at ASU, a student should refer to the Course Applicability System in consultation with an academic advisor. For more information, access the Web site at az.transfer.org/cas.

The Course Applicability System addresses only the acceptability of a course, not its applicability to any specific major, thus the need to consult with an advisor. Community college students who plan to transfer to ASU at the end of their first or second years are strongly advised to follow the ASU transfer guides when taking courses to meet the requirements of the curricula they select. ASU transfer guides are available at www.asu.edu/provost/articulation. Provided college attendance has been continuous, students are permitted to follow the degree requirements specified in the ASU catalog in effect at the time they began community college work. See University Graduation Requirements, “Guidelines for Determination of Catalog Year.”

Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) - Back to Top

The Arizona public community colleges and universities have agreed upon a common structure for a general education core. This curriculum provides students attending any Arizona public community college with the opportunity to build a general education program that is transferable to any other state institution without loss of credit. This common agreement is called the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC).

The AGEC is composed of 35 semester hours of lower-division general education course work in which a student may prepare for transfer.

The AGEC has three forms: AGEC-A, AGEC-B, and AGEC-S. Refer to www.az.transfer.org/cas/atass/student/agec.html for a detailed description of each AGEC.

Community colleges are responsible for certifying completion of the AGEC on the official institutional transcripts.

Completion of the appropriate AGEC will fulfill university lower-division general education requirements of the baccalaureate degree with which the AGEC articulates but may not apply to degrees articulated with the Transfer Guide Pathway TG-XR. Students completing the AGEC will still be required to fulfill lower-division program requirements and prerequisites within their college and major/minor area of study. To complete a degree program most efficiently, students should select courses that concurrently satisfy AGEC and major requirements.

Completion of any AGEC guarantees admission to the university provided that a GPA of 2.00 (for Arizona residents) or 2.50 (for nonresidents) has been achieved. AGEC completion, however, does not guarantee admission to any specific university program. Majors in the professional fields (e.g., architecture, engineering, business, fine/creative arts, or health professions) and sciences have significant prerequisites and/or program requirements that must be completed before a student may be admitted to upper-division course work. Community college students who are undecided about which of the universities they plan to attend or what program of study they intend to pursue are advised to explore educational options while they complete the AGEC. In all cases, students have the responsibility for selecting general education course work that is relevant to the requirements of their intended major and degree.

Students who complete both the AGEC and an approved associate’s degree will be assigned junior-class standing by the state universities. Junior-class standing is based on the number of semester credits a student has earned and does not necessarily indicate the remaining number of semester credits needed to complete degree requirements. Course prerequisites, major requirements, and upper-division requirements continue to be specified by each university. Appropriate sequencing of courses and timely completion of course prerequisites are essential to ensure efficient progress toward a baccalaureate degree. Students who have identified the university they plan to attend and/or a major area of study are advised to fulfill requirements and prerequisites identified by these programs through transfer guides and/or curriculum check sheets provided by the state universities. The AGEC does not replace articulation agreements developed to enhance the transfer process between specific institutions, e.g., Associate Transfer Partnership Degrees (ATP). Nor does the AGEC eliminate the possibility that students who have identified the university they plan to attend and/or a major area of study will follow transfer guides provided by the state universities.

Appeal Procedure. Transfer students who feel they have been unjustly denied credit for courses they have taken may appeal to the standards committee of the colleges in which they have enrolled. This procedure does not apply to community college transfer of credit greater than the 64-hour maximum. The decision of this committee is final.

An applicant for transfer admission whose academic record fails to meet ASU admission standards is denied admission. Such an applicant, however, may write a letter of appeal accompanied by three letters of recommendation to the Undergraduate Admissions Board for reconsideration of his or her application:

To be considered, appeals must be received at least ten days in advance of the board’s meeting date. The decision of this board is final and any conditions set by the board for future admissions supersede all other admission criteria or exceptions.

International Student Admissions - Back to Top

To comply with Immigration and Naturalization Services regulations, any student who plans to attend ASU on an F-1 or J-1 visa must

1. have a minimum GPA of 3.00 (4.00 = A) from secondary school course work if a freshman applicant, or have a minimum GPA of 2.50 (4.00 = A) from college or university course work if a transfer applicant;
    
2. meet basic competency requirements if he or she attended four years of high school in the United States;
    
3. submit a financial statement not more than six months old from a financial institution assuring adequate resources to support himself or herself while in residence at the university;
    
4. have all required admissions materials and credentials reach Undergraduate Admissions by May 1 if applying for the fall semester or October 1 if applying for the spring semester (an English translation of all foreign language documents is required);
    
5. pay a nonrefundable application fee of $50 in U.S. funds; and
    
6. meet all appropriate immigration standards and requirements.
    

Credit from a Foreign Institution. Transfer credits or advanced standing is granted for academic course work completed at foreign tertiary institutions that are either recognized by the home government/Ministry of Education as a degree-awarding institution or attached to a regionally accredited U.S. college or university as a Study Abroad Program. No credit is awarded for English composition courses completed at foreign institutions (credit may be awarded at the discretion of ASU when the credit was completed in a country whose native language is English). There are no advanced credits for the international affiliation programs overseas unless they comply with this general policy. For more information, call Undergraduate Admissions at 480/965-2688.

Nondegree International Applicants. All students with F-1 and J-1 visas must maintain full-time status while studying in the United States. Undergraduate full-time status is defined as a minimum of 12 semester hours. However, students with F-1 and J-1 visas may be permitted to take a maximum of eight semester hours at ASU as a nondegree student while maintaining full-time status at other higher education institutions or in the American English and Culture Program (AECP) at ASU. Approval by the responsible office at the other institution and/or AECP is required to ensure that the student maintains full-time status in compliance with applicable U.S. laws and regulations.

TOEFL. Applicants whose native language is not English (identified by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Public Affairs) must provide evidence of English language proficiency as indicated by acceptable scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) as follows:

The TOEFL requirement for general admission (preprofessional) to the university is 500 (paper-based) or 173 (computer-based). The TOEFL requirement for admission to the professional programs in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the College of Nursing is 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based).

The following exceptions apply to the TOEFL requirement:

1. Applicants who have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States are exempt from the TOEFL.
    
2. Applicants who have completed 48 transferable semester hours at a U.S. college or university—including two semesters (six semester hours) of freshman composition that satisfy the ASU First-Year Composition requirement—with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher are exempt from the TOEFL requirement.
    
3. Applicants who have completed four years of high school in a U.S. high school may be admitted to ASU without a TOEFL score but are subject to competency and aptitude requirements.
    
4. Applicants who have completed their junior and senior years of high school in a U.S. high school may be admitted with a minimum SAT verbal score of 550 or an ACT English score of 23 in lieu of a TOEFL score.
    
5. Applicants who have completed Advanced 2 Level of the American English and Culture Program are exempt from the TOEFL requirement.
    

American English and Culture Program - Back to Top

The American English and Culture Program (AECP) features an intensive course of study designed for adult international students who desire to become proficient in English as a second language for academic, professional, or personal reasons. Inquiries about the curriculum, fee schedule, and other topics should be addressed to

Acceptance into the AECP is separate from admission to the university. For more information, see Extended Campus, “American English and Culture Program.”

Applicants with Disabilities - Back to Top

Some classroom accommodations, such as Braille, audio tapes, interpreting services, enlarged print, and lab material conversions, may require an extended preparation time (i.e., one semester). For this reason, applicants with disabilities are encouraged to contact Disability Resources for Students (DRS) upon application to the university to request information regarding disability documentation/eligibility requirements and deadlines to ensure accommodations for the beginning of the semester. (If students miss DRS deadlines, DRS attempts to provide, but cannot guarantee, requested accommodations. Effective alternatives may be necessary.) Disability identification to DRS is confidential and cannot affect eligibility for admission.

Call 480/965-1234 (voice) or 480/965-9000 (TTY). Access the Web site at www.asu.edu/drs, or write

Admission of Undergraduate Nondegree Applicants - Back to Top

Any high school graduate is invited to enroll for eight or fewer semester hours per semester of undergraduate course work as a nondegree student. Students currently enrolled in high school and persons under the age of 18 may be admitted as nondegree students by submitting official ACT or SAT scores that meet the general aptitude requirements of the university. Persons admitted as nondegree students for a specific year and term must remain nondegree until the next semester.

Anyone interested in admission as a nondegree undergraduate student at ASU must submit to Undergraduate Admissions: (1) a Nondegree Undergraduate Application for Admission (including residency information) and (2) a $50 nonrefundable application fee for applicants classified as nonresidents. Applicants who are not high school graduates or who are younger than 18 must also submit ACT or SAT scores.

No more than 15 hours of completed nondegree work may be applied to a degree program. A nondegree student who decides to work toward a bachelor’s degree must apply for admission to a degree program with Undergraduate Admissions and meet normal admission requirements.

Once registered in a regular degree program, a student is not permitted to register again in a nondegree status. Nondegree students are not eligible to receive most types of financial aid, nor are they eligible to receive certain benefits, such as veteran benefits.

Steps from Admission to Registration - Back to Top

Certificate of Admission. After being admitted, students receive a Certificate of Admission, an Immunization Verification form, and publications that contain information about orientation programs. International students additionally receive a Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 or IAP-66), which enables them to apply for the appropriate visa.

Upon receipt, students should check their admission information for accuracy and report any errors or changes to Undergraduate Admissions at 480/965-7788.

Orientation. University orientation programs for new students and their parents are provided at numerous times during the year, including the beginning of each semester. Most orientation programs include academic advising, campus tours, special events, and an introduction to university resources and procedures. Parent programs are also included. Newly admitted students are sent information preceding each orientation program. Students are strongly encouraged to attend orientation activities.

Immunization Requirements. Every newly admitted student born after December 31, 1956, must provide proof of measles/rubella immunity to the Student Health and Wellness Center. Students are not permitted to register until proof of immunity to measles/rubella is on file with the Student Health and Wellness Center.

The following proof of measles/rubella immunity is considered adequate: (1) two vaccinations of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), at least one of which must have been given after December 31, 1979; or (2) a copy of laboratory test results that show immunity to both measles and rubella.

Measles/rubella immunity proof can be faxed to the Student Health and Wellness Center at 480/965-8914. Verification that the Student Health and Wellness Center received a student’s proof of measles/rubella immunity can be confirmed by going to www.asu.edu/interactive on the Web two working days after the information has been faxed to the Student Health and Wellness Center.

In addition, it is recommended that students also be immunized against mumps, tetanus, hepatitis-B, diphtheria, and meningitis. Special populations may need other vaccines. For more information on measles requirements, visit the Student Health and Wellness Center’s Web site at www.asu.edu/health.

International Student Enrollment. International students must complete these additional steps.

Student Health Insurance. All F-1 or J-1 visa students must have health and accident insurance through ASU, and the cost for insurance is automatically added to their registration bill. No privately acquired insurance is accepted in place of the ASU insurance. However, students who have health insurance through their government or sponsoring agency may qualify for an insurance waiver if that coverage has been preapproved by the university. No waivers may be granted after the first two weeks of classes. To find out if their sponsor is on the preapproved list, sponsored students and others who fall into this category are encouraged to contact the Student Health and Wellness Center at 480/965-2411 or visit the Student Health and Wellness Center Web site at www.asu.edu/health.

All international students must report to the International Student Office in Student Life upon arrival on campus.

Special Programs for Advanced Placement and Credit - Back to Top

No more than 60 hours of credit are awarded for any or all programs, including ASU comprehensive and proficiency examinations. Special program credit will not be awarded for any course in which the student has been given admission credit or transfer credit from any educational institution. Special program credit may not be received for a lower-level or prerequisite course when credit has already been received in a higher-level course within the same field. In these categories, only credit earned by comprehensive examination counts toward the resident credit requirement for graduation.

Advanced Placement. Students who have taken an advanced placement (AP) course of the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) in their secondary school and who have taken an AP Examination of the CEEB may receive university credit. No credit is given for any examination with a score of 2 or 1. There is no limit to the number of AP credits that can be used to meet the General Studies requirement, including the requirements in natural sciences (SQ and SG), and literacy and critical inquiry (L).

When the scores are received by the university directly from the CEEB, credit is awarded as shown in the “Advanced Placement Credit” table.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP). Students who have taken a College-Level Examination of the College Entrance Examination Board may receive university credit. The table of CLEP credit applies to all students enrolled in the university for the first time in August 1975 and any student enrolling thereafter; see the “CLEP Credit” table. CLEP examination credit is not given where (1) it duplicates credit previously earned by the student at the university or accepted by the university for work done elsewhere or (2) it is more elementary than a course in which the student has already received credit. All examinations are given monthly by University Testing Services.

There is no limit to the number of CLEP credits that can be used to fulfill the General Studies requirement. The General Studies requirement in natural sciences (SQ and SG) and literacy and critical inquiry (L) are not satisfied by CLEP (see the “General Studies Courses.”)

General Examinations. To obtain credit or placement, students must receive a standard score of 50 (Computer Based Training [CBT] scale) or higher for the General Examinations, except for English Composition with Essay, on which students must receive a standard score of 610 (1978 scale), 500 (1986 scale), or 50 (CBT scale). Students who have completed 60 semester hours of credit are not eligible to receive any credit for the CLEP General Examinations.

Subject Examinations. A standard score of 50 (except Spanish, French, or German) or higher must be received to obtain credit for any subject examination. The completion of 60 semester hours does not preclude eligibility for additional credit for subject examinations.

All equivalency is subject to future review and possible catalog change. For more information, call University Testing Services at 480/965-7146 or stop by EDB 301.

DSST. Students who have taken a DSST (DANTES [Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Support] Subject Standardized Test) may receive university credit. Credit is awarded for score results at or above the American Council on Education’s recommended score if the subject examination is applicable to a program of study at ASU or may be assigned elective credit. To receive credit, a transcript showing the DSST results must be received by ASU directly from the Educational Testing Service.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma/Certificate. Students who present an International Baccalaureate Diploma/Certificate may qualify for university credit, depending on the level of the examination and the grade received. Arizona State University grants credit for higher-level courses only. A grade of 5 qualifies the student to receive credit for up to two introductory courses while a grade of 4 qualifies a student to receive credit for one introductory course. No credit is awarded for English as a Second Language (English B). Credit is awarded according to the “International Baccalaureate Diploma/Certificate Credit” table.

Comprehensive Examinations. A comprehensive examination is intended to permit a student to establish academic credit in a field in which the student has gained experience or competence equivalent to an established university course. Applications are given only for courses listed in the current catalog and only for courses in which a comprehensive examination can serve as a satisfactory measure of accomplishment.

A number of restrictions apply. The student must be enrolled at ASU with no more than 100 semester hours of credit earned. The examinations must be taken during the first two semesters in residence in a degree program at the university. No more than 60 semester hours of credit may be established by comprehensive examinations (including AP, IB, and CLEP credit) and independent learning courses.

The decision on the suitability of course material for a comprehensive examination, the development of a comprehensive examination, and the administration of an examination are strictly departmental functions. An application is for one course only. The student should complete an application form with the number, title, and number of semester hours for the course. When completed, the application must be approved by the student’s advisor and the chair of the department responsible for offering the course.

The student must then pay the stated fee for such examinations at Cashiering Services. The receipt must be taken to the departmental office.

The examination is prepared by the instructor who normally conducts the course, and it is comprehensive in nature and scope. The instructor and other experts designated by the chair grade the examination, using letter grades “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “E.” If the grade is “C” or higher, a mark of “Y” is entered on the student’s permanent record; otherwise, no entry is made. Credit by examination is indicated as such on the record. The student is notified by mail of the result of the examination. In cases of failure (“D” or “E”), the student is not given an opportunity to repeat the examination.

A student pursuing a second baccalaureate degree may not receive credit by comprehensive examination, but, with prior approval of the college, the student may use the examination to waive a course requirement if a grade of “C” or higher is earned.

Proficiency Examinations. Proficiency examinations and auditions are given

1. to waive a course requirement;
    
2. to validate certain transfer credits in professional programs; and
    
3. to determine a student’s ability in a field where competence is an important consideration.
    

Detailed information may be obtained from the dean’s office of the college in which the student is registered.

UNIVERSITY TESTING REQUIREMENTS - Back to Top

All new, transfer, or readmitted undergraduate students who plan to enroll for seven or more semester hours must meet one of the following testing requirements. Students who fail to meet at least one of these requirements will not be allowed to register for any course the following semester.

1. Take the ACT English or SAT verbal examination and have scores submitted to ASU.
    
2. Receive a score of 4 or 5 for the advanced placement examination in English offered by the College Entrance Examination Board and have scores submitted to ASU.
    
3. Take the CLEP general examination in English, earning a score that qualifies for placement in ENG 105, and have scores submitted to ASU.
    
4. Have previously taken ENG 101, 102, 105, 107, or 108 at ASU and received a grade of “D” or higher. If the course was taken before 1980, contact the Recording Section, in SSV 142, before registering for classes.
    
5. Transfer a course equivalent to ENG 101, 102, 105, 107, or 108 with a grade of “C” or higher. An official transcript showing the grade must be received at ASU at least six weeks before registration. If a student transfers an equivalent composition course from a public community college or university in Arizona, the equivalency is automatically posted, and the student need not take further action. A student transferring a composition course from any other college or university must have the course evaluated for equivalency. See Graduation Requirements, “First-Year Composition Requirement” for more information.
    
6. International students whose native language is not English must take ENG 107 (or WAC 107, followed by ENG 107 the next semester) in the first semester at ASU, unless they have taken and transferred an equivalent composition course from a college or university in the U.S. Such a course must be evaluated for equivalency by the Composition Office.
    

Placement Examinations - Back to Top

English. Students who have not taken any composition courses are placed in First-Year Composition courses according to their scores on the ACT English or SAT verbal tests.

Note: The ACT and SAT scoring systems have been modified. Shown in parentheses are equivalent ACT scores for tests taken before October 1989 and equivalent SAT scores for tests taken before April 1995.

Students who score 18 (16) or below on the ACT English test or 460 (380) or below on the SAT verbal test must enroll in WAC 101, a basic writing course (see “Writing Across the Curriculum”). Students who score between 19 (17) and 28 (24) on the ACT English test or between 470 (390) and 650 (580) on the SAT verbal test are eligible to enroll in ENG 101. Students who score 29 (25) or higher on the ACT English test or 660 (590) or higher on the SAT verbal test may take ENG 105 in place of ENG 101 and 102. Students may also qualify for ENG 105 by achieving appropriate scores on the CLEP General Examination in English Composition with Essay or the CLEP Subject Examination in College Composition with Essay. For more information, go to University Testing Services, in EDB 301, access the Web site at www.asu.edu/uts, or call 480/965-7146.

Foreign Language. For information regarding foreign language placement testing, see Languages and Literatures, “Foreign Language Requirement,” “Foreign Language Placement,” and “Special Programs for Advanced Placement and Credit.”

Mathematics. Placement examinations are not required before registering in mathematics courses at ASU. However, mathematics placement exams should be taken before the start of the semester for MAT 106, 117, 170, and 270. For more information, visit the Department of Mathematics and Statistics undergraduate office, in PS A211, or access the Web site at fym.la.asu.edu/placement.

Academic Advising - Back to Top

Effective academic advising of students is an essential aspect of the educational experience at ASU. The university is committed to providing quality advising to continuing, first-time, and transfer students. To achieve the highest-quality advising, students, faculty, and staff must work to form a partnership.

Academic advising plays a critical role in the retention and graduation of students. Advisors mediate between the institution’s broad regulations and procedures and the individual student’s needs, which are many and varied. In a major, urban, multicampus, largely commuter research institution such as ASU, advisors play many roles and must keep abreast of both changing institutional features and the multiplexity of students’ academic and nonacademic lives.

ASU academic advisors serve as facilitators and mediators for students as they

1. develop a suitable educational plan;
    
2. select appropriate courses;
    
3. interpret institutional requirements;
    
4. develop problem-solving and decision-making skills;
    
5. become independent learners; and
    
6. clarify career and life goals.
    

In their role as facilitators and mediators, advisors

1. enhance student awareness of opportunities and services on campus;
    
2. assist students in evaluating their progress toward their educational goals;
    
3. refer students to institutional and community resources, including opportunities for research and internships;
    
4. promote and enhance the university’s recruiting and retention efforts;
    
5. engage in activities to keep themselves informed on issues that impact student success; and
    
6. support cultural diversity at the university.
    

Each college has advisors to assist students in developing programs of study, assessing educational goals, and understanding rules, procedures, and curriculum requirements. In some colleges, these advisors are faculty members. In others, they are full-time, professional advisors. Students often may seek academic and career advice from both faculty members and full-time advisors. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the skill and knowledge of the advising professionals available to them. Most new students and many continuing students must meet with an advisor as a condition of registration.

An additional unit, Academic Advising Services, is a central advising, referral, and information facility whose staff is available to assist students in their academic careers at ASU. Emphasis is placed on advising services to first-time, prospective, transfer, and visiting students and students in transition, such as those changing majors and those without majors. Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies students (B.I.S. or pre-B.I.S.) also receive academic advising in Academic Advising Services. In addition to guidance in the exploration or selection of a major, Academic Advising Services provides general academic information and referrals to all areas of student academic support. For more information, visit Academic Advising Services in UASB 129, or call 480/965-4464.

Students are strongly encouraged to seek academic advising at the earliest possible time and to do so regularly throughout their academic careers, whether or not advising is mandatory in their particular programs. Advisors may be contacted at the locations and times shown in the “Academic Advising at ASU Main” table. For academic advising at ASU East, see the “Academic Advising at ASU East” table. (See “Building Abbreviations” for a list of building abbreviations and names.)

Readmission to the University - Back to Top

Undergraduate students who have previously attended ASU but have not been enrolled at ASU for one semester or more are required to apply for readmission for the semester in which reenrollment is intended. Nonresident applicants must submit a nonrefundable $50 application fee. If, meanwhile, the student has attended another accredited college or university, it is necessary for the student to have on file an official transcript of all academic work taken. Failure to report such attendance is considered misrepresentation and falsification of university records. In addition, it is considered cause for Records Hold action and withholding of further registration privileges. An applicant for readmission must meet the requirements for good standing. See “Retention and Academic Standards” and the requirements of the college to which the application is being made. An applicant who has been denied readmission may appeal to the University Undergraduate Admissions Board. Nondegree applicants for readmission must have a minimum GPA of 2.00. If not, the applicant must apply to ASU through Undergraduate Admissions.

Conditional Readmission. A student completing academic work in progress at another institution may be granted conditional readmission. This conditional status remains effective until a final official transcript is received. The student is subject to Records Hold action, and additional registration privileges are withheld if this condition for readmission is not cleared by midsemester.

Academic Renewal - Back to Top

Academic renewal is a university policy administered for the purpose of recalculating the ASU cumulative GPA of undergraduate students who have been readmitted to a degree program after an absence of at least five continuous calendar years including summer sessions and who have completed in good standing a minimum of 12 college-approved additional hours in residence within three semesters after reentry. Students may have the former academic record before the five-year absence (including transfer credits) accepted in the same manner as if the credits were transfer credits. That is, earned hours are carried forward for up to 60 hours of credit in which a grade of “C” or higher was earned. The cumulative GPA is based only on credits earned subsequent to the student’s reentry. All graduation residency, academic recognition residency, and GPA requirements must be fulfilled after academic renewal.

A request for academic renewal follows this procedure:

1. Students interested in academic renewal must request the Application for Academic Renewal from the Readmission Section of the Office of the Registrar or the dean of the college offering the major.
    
2. The Application for Academic Renewal may be submitted immediately upon readmission but not later than the start of the third semester after readmission.
    
3. The Application for Academic Renewal is submitted by the student to the dean of the college offering the major.
    
4. The dean specifies in advance a minimum of 12 semester hours.
    
5. When the approved credits are completed with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher, and no grade lower than “C” in each course, the dean forwards the Application for Academic Renewal to the Office of the Registrar for processing.
    

Only students working toward their first undergraduate degree are eligible to apply for academic renewal, which may be effected only once during a student’s academic career. Academic renewal is transferable among colleges. All students with ASU GPAs below 2.00 are eligible to petition for academic renewal. Individual colleges may elect to entertain petitions for academic renewal from students with ASU GPAs above 2.00. College standards committees have final authorization on academic renewal petitions. Eligibility for graduation is based on the ASU cumulative GPA after academic renewal. However, a student’s complete record—before and after academic renewal—remains on the transcript and may be taken into consideration when a student applies for undergraduate professional or graduate programs.

Registration - Back to Top

All persons attending a class at ASU must be registered for that class. A student is considered to be registered when all registration fees have been paid in full.

Eligibility. Only eligible students may register for courses at ASU. An eligible student is either continuing from the previous semester or has been admitted or readmitted to the university. See “Undergraduate Admission” and “Readmission to the University.”

Proof of Identification. To receive university services, photo identification must be presented. Each admitted or readmitted student who completes the registration process for a regular semester needs to obtain a student identification card. This photo identification card is valid for the duration of the student’s enrollment at ASU.

Photo IDs are issued throughout the semester at the Sun Card office located in the Memorial Union on Main Campus, at the OASIS in the Center Building on East Campus, and in the University Center Building at ASU West. See the Schedule of Classes or refer to Fees, Deposits, and Other Charges, “Parking Decals.”

Registration Fees. Registration fees are due and must be paid in full at the time specified for each semester in the Schedule of Classes. If any payment tendered is unauthorized, incomplete, or received after the due date, registration fees are considered unpaid.

Schedule of Classes. The Schedule of Classes, published for the fall and spring semesters, and the Summer Sessions Bulletin are distributed without charge. These publications are available online at www.asu.edu/registrar/schedule. They list course offerings, dates, times, places, and procedures for registration, along with other important information about the term.

Course Loads. A minimum full-time course load for an undergraduate student is 12 semester hours. The maximum course load for which a student may register is 18 semester hours (with the exception of a 19-hour maximum for students enrolled in the Colleges of Engineering and Applied Sciences or Architecture and Environmental Design). A student wishing to register for more than the maximum must petition the standards committee of the college in which the student is enrolled and must obtain an approved override before registration. See “Summer Session Semester Hour Load,” for summer course load information.

Reserving of Course Credit by Undergraduates. Seniors at ASU within 12 semester hours of graduation may enroll in a 400-level or graduate course and reserve the credit for possible use in a future graduate program. The course cannot be used to meet a baccalaureate graduation requirement. Before registration in the course, the student must submit a Graduate College Petition form requesting credit reservation. The form must be signed by the student’s advisor, the head of the academic unit offering the class, and the dean of the Graduate College.

Permission to reserve a course does not guarantee admission to a graduate degree program or that the course may be used toward graduate degree requirements. A maximum of nine semester hours may be reserved, and only courses in which the student earned an “A” or “B” grade are applicable. Reserved credit earned before admission to a graduate degree program is classified as nondegree credit. The maximum course load for a student enrolled in a reserved course is 15 semester hours during a regular semester and six hours during a summer session.

Summer Session Semester Hour Load. The summer session semester hour load limit is seven semester hours for each five-week session and nine semester hours for the eight-week session. The student may not exceed a total of 14 semester hours for any combination of sessions.

Concurrent Enrollment. Provided that the other institution’s regulations concerning enrollment, graduation requirements, and transfer of credits are not violated, a student may enroll in classes at other institutions or in independent learning courses while enrolled at ASU. However, the student is urged to seek advising before concurrent enrollment to assure orderly progress toward a degree. If total credits exceed the maximum course load, prior permission must be granted by the college standards committee. See “Course Loads.”

Attendance. The instructor has full authority to decide whether class attendance is required.

Enrollment Verification Guidelines. The registrar is responsible for verifying enrollment according to the general guidelines in the “Enrollment Verification Guidelines” table. Independent learning courses are not considered for enrollment verification purposes.

Cooperative Programs - Back to Top

Cooperative Education. Cooperative education at ASU is any educational program that requires alternating classroom and work experience in government or industry. The work experience exists for its educational value.

Full-Time Status of Co-op Students. A co-op student, during a work semester, is identified as both co-op and full time by the university. To qualify, the student must have met prescribed hours and GPA requirements.

Rights and Privileges of Co-op Students. During their work semesters, co-op students have the rights, privileges, and protections—with regard to university matters—accorded to full-time students, except financial aid. They maintain catalog continuity and have student access to university facilities and events.

Financial Aid for Co-op Students. Co-op students are not identified to lenders (including ASU) as being in loan repayment status. They have an “in school” full-time enrollment status. Co-op students do not receive any financial aid disbursement during their co-op semesters, nor are such awards transferred to another semester. The student is responsible for notifying Student Financial Assistance as soon as plans for a co-op term are made but no later than 10 days before the co-op term begins. The department or school is responsible for notifying Student Financial Assistance of students approved for co-op terms.

Traveling Scholar Program. The Traveling Scholar Program is a cooperative program among the state universities designed to enable students to take advantage of programs or special resources that are not available at their own institutions. Any undergraduate student with a GPA of at least 2.50 or any graduate student with a GPA of at least 3.00 enrolled at ASU, Northern Arizona University, or University of Arizona may be designated a Traveling Scholar by prior mutual agreement of the appropriate academic authorities at both the sponsoring and hosting institutions. For more information and the application form, call the Registrar’s Records Information section, or access the Web at www.asu.edu/registrar/forms.

Grading System - Back to Top

DEFINITIONS - Back to Top

Unit of Credit - Back to Top

The Arizona Board of Regents has defined (May 26, 1979) a unit of credit for the institutions under its jurisdiction. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. An hour of work represents a minimum of 50 minutes of class time—often called a “contact hour” —or 60 minutes of independent study work. For lecture-discussion courses, this requirement equates to at least 15 contact hours and a minimum of 30 hours of work outside the classroom for each unit of credit. Even though the values of 15 and 30 may vary for different modes of instruction, the minimum total of 45 hours of work for each unit of credit is a constant. Since the unit of credit as defined by the Arizona Board of Regents is the cornerstone of academic degree programs at ASU, degrees granted by other institutions that are recognized by ASU should be based on a similar unit of credit.

Grades and Marks - Back to Top

All grades and marks appear on the permanent record and/or unofficial transcript.They are indicated by the letters shown in the “Grades” table.

Grading Options - Back to Top

Ordinarily a grade of “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “E” is given upon completion of a course, unless a grading option of “audit” or “pass/fail” is indicated at the time of registration. Grading options cannot be changed after the close of the drop/add period.

Incomplete - Back to Top

A mark of “I” (incomplete) is given by the instructor only when a student who is otherwise doing acceptable work is unable to complete a course because of illness or other conditions beyond the student’s control. The mark of “I” should be granted only when the student can complete the unfinished work with the same instructor. However, an incomplete (“I”) may be completed with an instructor designated by the department chair if the original instructor later becomes incapacitated or is otherwise not on campus. The student is required to arrange with the instructor for the completion of the course requirements. The arrangement is recorded on the Request for Grade of Incomplete form. The student has one calendar year from the date the mark of “I” is recorded to complete the course. If the student completes the course within the calendar year, the instructor must submit a Request for Grade of Incomplete/Authorization for Change of Grade form to the Office of the Registrar, whether the student passed or failed the course. Marks of “I” are changed to a grade of “E” for purposes of evaluating graduation requirements for undergraduate students. Marks of “I” received in the fall 1983 semester or thereafter for undergraduate courses that have been on a student’s record for more than one calendar year are automatically changed to a grade of “E.” An undergraduate student does not reregister or pay fees for a course for which an incomplete “I” has been received in order to complete the course.

Students who receive a mark of “I” in courses at the 500 level or above have one calendar year to complete the course for a grade. After one calendar year, the mark of “I” becomes a permanent part of the transcript. To repeat the course for credit, a student must reregister and pay fees. The grade for the repeated course appears on the transcript but does not replace the permanent “I.”

Satisfactory - Back to Top

A mark of “Y” (satisfactory) may be used at the option of individual colleges and schools within the university and is appropriate for internships, projects, readings and conferences, research, seminars, theses, and workshops. The “Y” is included in earned hours but is not computed in the GPA.

Credit Enrollment - Back to Top

The semester hour is the unit on which credit is computed. It represents one 50-minute class exercise per week per semester. To obtain credit, a student must be properly registered and must pay fees for the course.

Audit Enrollment - Back to Top

A student may choose to audit a course, in which case the student attends regularly scheduled class sessions, but no credit is earned. The student should obtain the instructor’s approval before registering and paying the fees for the course. Selected courses may not be audited. Veteran students using education benefits should see Student Services, “Veterans Services.”

The mark of “X” is recorded for completion of an audited course, unless the instructor determines that the student’s participation or attendance has been inadequate, in which case the mark of “W” (unrestricted withdrawal) may be recorded. This grading option may not be changed after the close of drop/add. The “X” is not included in earned hours and is not computed in the GPA.

Pass/Fail Enrollment - Back to Top

A mark of “P” (pass) or “E” (fail) may be assigned for this grading option. This grading method may be used at the option of individual colleges and schools within the university. Consult the academic advisor for detailed information and restrictions. Approval of both the class instructor and the college of the major are required before registration. “P” is included in earned hours but is not computed in the GPA.

Remedial Enrollment - Back to Top

A mark of “RC” (remedial credit) or “RN” (remedial no credit) may be assigned for this grading option. The course appears on an unofficial ASU transcript but does not appear on the grade report or official ASU transcript and is not included in earned hours. Remedial hours are included in verification of enrollment for purposes of loan deferment and eligibility.

WITHDRAWALS - Back to Top

Instructor-Initiated Drop - Back to Top

An instructor may drop a student for nonattendance during the second week of classes in fall or spring semesters or the first four days of each summer session. Instructor-initiated drops for nonattendance are signed by the dean or dean’s designee. The college notifies students by mail. The student must contact the instructor before the end of the first week of classes if absences during that period cannot be avoided.

Drop/Add - Back to Top

Students registering for courses for a semester or summer session may drop or add courses through the first week of classes in a semester or the first two days of a summer session. See the Schedule of Classes or the Summer Sessions Bulletin for dates of drop/add periods. During this period, a student may drop one or more but not all scheduled courses without penalty. Courses that are dropped do not appear on the student’s transcript and fees paid are fully refunded, depending on the student’s remaining hours. A student who wishes to withdraw from all courses during the drop/add period must process an unrestricted withdrawal.

Unrestricted Course Withdrawal - Back to Top

During the first four weeks of a semester or the first six days of a summer session, a student may withdraw from any course with a mark of “W.” See the Schedule of Classes or the Summer Sessions Bulletin for dates of the unrestricted withdrawal period.

Restricted Withdrawal - Back to Top

From the fifth week to the end of the 10th week of a semester and from the seventh day to the end of the third week of a summer session, students may withdraw with a mark of “W” from only courses in which the instructor certifies that they are passing at the time of the withdrawal. See the Schedule of Classes or the Summer Sessions Bulletin for dates of the restricted withdrawal period.

The number of restricted withdrawals with the mark of “W” is limited. One restricted withdrawal is assessed for each course withdrawn from, unless the student is withdrawing from all courses. A complete withdrawal results in the assessment of one restricted withdrawal against a student’s limit. The number of withdrawals is a total of two for students during freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior standing; and a total of two for students during second undergraduate degree standing. Non-degree-seeking graduate students are permitted to process an unlimited number of restricted withdrawals. Students must obtain a Restricted Withdrawal Request and obtain the signature of the instructor. The instructor has the option of assigning either a “W” or a failing grade of “E.”

Students who have reached their restricted withdrawal limit are not allowed to process any additional restricted course withdrawals. However, students are allowed to process a restricted complete withdrawal even when they have reached the restricted withdrawal limit. The preceding limits do not prevent students from processing a complete withdrawal from the university with marks of “W” or “E.” Complete withdrawal counts as one withdrawal for purposes of applying the above limits. The preceding does not apply to audit enrollment or zero-hour labs and recitations.

Procedure for Restricted Withdrawal. A student seeking a restricted withdrawal needs to

1. obtain a withdrawal form from any registrar site or print one via the Web at www.asu.edu/registrar/forms;
    
2. obtain a signature and verification of grade from instructor(s); and
    
3. have the form processed at any registrar site.
    

Instructor-Initiated Withdrawal - Back to Top

An instructor may withdraw a student from a course with a mark of “W” or a grade of “E” only if the student’s continued presence in the course is disruptive to the instructor’s ability to conduct the course. A student may appeal an instructor-initiated withdrawal within 10 days of being withdrawn to the standards committee of the college in which the course is offered. The decision of the committee is final. Restricted withdrawal limits do not apply to withdrawals initiated by an instructor.

Withdrawal from the University - Back to Top

To withdraw from all classes after having paid registration fees, a student must submit a request in person, withdraw using SunDial, or submit a signed request to the Office of the Registrar. The SunDial complete withdrawal option is only available through the first week of classes for a semester. During the unrestricted complete withdrawal period, a student may withdraw from all courses with marks of “W.” During the restricted complete withdrawal period, a student may withdraw with marks of “W” only from courses that the instructors certify the student was passing at the time of withdrawal. See the Schedule of Classes or the Summer Sessions Bulletin for dates of the complete withdrawal periods. No one is permitted to withdraw from the university or to conduct any registration transaction in the last two weeks of the semester. The date of the complete withdrawal is always the date the withdrawal form or letter is received in the Office of the Registrar.

Medical/Compassionate Withdrawal - Back to Top

A medical/compassionate withdrawal request may be made in extraordinary cases where serious illness or injury (medical) or another significant personal situation (compassionate) prevents a student from continuing in his or her classes, and where incompletes or other arrangements with the instructor are not possible. Usually, consideration is for complete withdrawal. All applications for withdrawal require thorough and credible documentation. Application for less than a complete withdrawal must be especially well documented to justify the selective nature of the medical/compassionate withdrawal request.

A student may request and be considered for a medical withdrawal when extraordinary circumstances, such as a serious illness or injury, prevent the student from continuing in classes. This policy covers both physical-health and mental-health difficulties.

A student may request and be considered for a compassionate withdrawal when extraordinary personal reasons, not related to the student’s physical or mental health (for example, care of a seriously ill child or spouse, or a death in the student’s immediate family), prevent the student from continuing in classes.

Each college has a dean’s representative (medical/compassionate withdrawal designee) to review medical/compassionate withdrawal requests, according to that college’s procedures. A student requesting a medical/compassionate withdrawal is referred to the dean’s designee of the college of the major. A nondegree student is referred to the dean’s designee of the college with which he or she is primarily affiliated. The dean’s designee determines the appropriateness of the medical/compassionate withdrawal request and whether an administrative hold is indicated. Removal of the hold must be authorized by the designee before the student can register for a future semester or be readmitted to the university.

The medical/compassionate withdrawal procedure results in a special note line on the unofficial transcript. Refunds are not given beyond six months past the close of the semester. Only one Request for Documented Medical/Compassionate Withdrawal form needs to be filed with the college of the major, even if classes in more than one college are involved. Medical/compassionate withdrawal applications and supporting documents are retained and filed separately from the student’s other records.

GRADE POINTS - Back to Top

For the purpose of computing the grade point average (GPA), grade points are assigned to each of the grades for each semester hour as follows: “A,” four points; “B,” three points; “C,” two points; “D,” one point; “E,” zero points. GPAs are rounded to the nearest 100th of a grade point.

Grade Point Average - Back to Top

Grade points earned for a course are multiplied by the number of semester hours to produce honor points. For example, receiving an “A,” which is assigned four grade points, in a three-semester-hour course would produce 12 honor points. The grade point average (GPA) is obtained by dividing the total number of honor points earned by the total number of semester hours graded “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “E.” Other grades do not carry grade points. Semester GPA is based on semester net hours. Cumulative GPA is based on total net hours.

Change of Grade - Back to Top

Ordinarily the instructor of a course has the sole and final responsibility for any grade reported. Once the grade has been reported to the registrar, it may be changed upon the signed authorization of the faculty member who issued the original grade. Approval for the change is also required by the department chair and the dean of the college concerned. This policy also applies to the grade of “I” (incomplete).

University Policy for Student Appeal Procedures on Grades - Back to Top

Informal. The steps outlined on this page, beginning with step A, must be followed by any student seeking to appeal a grade. Student grade appeals must be processed in the regular semester immediately following the issuance of the grade in dispute (by commencement for fall or spring), regardless of whether the student is enrolled at the university. It is university policy that students filing grievances and those who are witnesses are protected from retaliation. Students who believe they are victims of retaliation should immediately contact the dean of the college in which the course is offered.

1. The aggrieved student must first undergo the informal procedure of conferring with the instructor, stating the evidence, if any, and reasons for questioning that the grade received was not given in good faith. The instructor is obliged to review the matter, explain the grading procedure used, and show how the grade in question was determined. If the instructor is a graduate assistant and this interview does not resolve the difficulty, the student may then go to the faculty member in charge of the course (regular faculty member or director of the course sequence) with the problem.
    
2. If the grading dispute is not resolved in step A, the student may appeal to the department chair or other appropriate chair of the area within the department (if any). The department chair may confer with the instructor to handle the problem. Step B applies only in departmentalized colleges.
    
3. If these discussions are not adequate to settle the matter to the complainant’s satisfaction, the student may then confer with the dean of the college concerned (or the dean-designate), who will review the case. If unresolved, the dean or designate may refer the case to the college academic grievance hearing committee to review the case formally. In most instances, however, the grievance procedure does not go beyond this level.

Formal. The following procedure takes place after steps A, B, and C (or A and C) have been completed.

4. Each college has on file in the office of the dean (and in each department of the college) the procedures and composition of the undergraduate or graduate academic grievance hearing committee for student grievances. Each college committee shall operate under grievance procedures as stated which satisfy due process requirements. The committee shall always meet with the student and the instructor in an attempt to resolve the differences. At the conclusion of the hearing, the committee shall send its recommendations to the dean.
    
5. Final action in each case will be taken by the dean after full consideration of the committee’s recommendation. Grade changes, if any are recommended, may be made by the dean. The dean shall inform the student, instructor, department chair (if any), the registrar, and the grievance committee of any action taken.
    

Repeating Courses - Back to Top

An undergraduate course taken at ASU may be repeated for credit if the grade of “D,” “E,” or “W” or a mark of “X” is received. An undergraduate student may not repeat for credit an undergraduate course in which a grade of “C” or higher is earned. Undergraduate courses in which grades of “D” or “E” are received may be repeated only once. After an undergraduate student repeats 100- and 200-level courses, the student’s transcript shows both grades, but the student’s cumulative GPA reflects only the higher grade. After an undergraduate student repeats 300- or 400-level courses, the student’s cumulative GPA and the transcript reflect both grades.

To be eligible for the deletion of “D” or “E” grades, the course must be repeated at ASU. Independent Learning courses may not be used to repeat “D” or “E” grades. Students who have graduated are not eligible to delete the grade for a course taken before the award of the ASU bachelor’s degree.

Students wishing to repeat a class for the third time with grades of “D” or “E” must petition the standards committee of the college in which they are enrolled. This policy does not apply to seminar and independent study courses with different content each semester. This policy affects only undergraduate students and undergraduate courses.

Demonstration of Mastery - Back to Top

An undergraduate student who receives a “D” in a course in which a “C” or higher is required may use the grade from an equivalent course taken elsewhere to demonstrate mastery at the “C” or higher lev