Course Information

Adding and Dropping Courses

Within the Add/Drop deadlines, as recorded in the Academic Calendar, a student may change course sections, add one or more course(s), or drop one or more course(s), with no change recorded on the permanent record. In every case, the student must submit a properly executed Add/Drop Form. To be properly executed, the form must be signed and dated by the student’s academic advisor and be received in the Registrar’s Office. The student must withdraw from the course within the first 60% of the term, according to the date and time specified in the online Schedule of Classes information and the Academic Calendar. After that date, the student will not be allowed to officially withdraw from a course. If the student has entered into a financial aid agreement, the student should meet with the Financial Aid Office. In every situation, the student is responsible for making sure that the form progresses through each step in the Add/Drop process, whether the process is conducted in person on the main campus or through faxes and telephone conversations.

Any appropriate refund will be calculated according to the date the Add/Drop Form is received in the Registrar’s Office. Students are subject to a fee each time a course is dropped.

Note: International students are responsible for maintaining appropriate course loads per INS guidelines. All add/drop/withdrawals can only be processed upon approval of the International Office and appropriate academic advisor.

Official Withdrawal

It is the student‘s responsibility to officially withdraw from the University when necessary. Failure to officially withdraw through the Registrar’s Office will cause the student to receive an “F” in each course regardless of the record at the time the student ceased to attend class. (Withdrawal from the University does not automatically withdraw the student from housing.)

After the Add/Drop deadlines recorded on the Academic Calendar, a student may drop one or more courses; this is defined as Withdrawal. Withdrawal from all courses on any date is known as Official (full) Withdrawal from the University. If the Official (full) Withdrawal occurs prior to completing 60% of the semester or term, a pro-rated portion of all Federal Financial Aid received during the semester must be returned to the federal aid programs within 45 days of withdrawal. In every case, the student must submit a properly executed withdrawal form. To be properly executed, the form must (1) be signed and dated by the instructor for each course and (2) be received in the Registrar’s Office. If the student has entered into a financial aid agreement, the student should meet with the Financial Aid Department. Federal Financial Aid recipients who withdraw from all classes before 60% of the semester is completed, will be required to return a portion of the Federal Financial Aid received. In every situation, the student is responsible for making sure that the form progresses through each step in the withdrawal process, whether the process is conducted in person or through fax and telephone conversations. Any appropriate refund will be calculated according to the date the withdrawal form is received in the Registrar’s Office. Students are subject to the appropriate fee.

Note: Once the withdrawal period has expired, the grade of “F” will be assigned for courses not completed.

Continuous Progress (CP)

This is a non-traditional system of course progress for students who have been admitted to the University. CP courses are regularly scheduled courses that students may not be able to take because of a conflict in their schedule. Special approval is required from the Vice-President of Enrollment and the Director of Admissions for a total of more than six (6) hours of Continuous Progress courses, Independent Study/Research courses, or a combination of both. All necessary conferences are to be scheduled individually between the student and the instructor. The following policies apply to Continuous Progress courses:

  1. Only students who have been admitted to the University may register for these courses during the regular registration period as published and must complete the course before the end of that semester.
  2. Course work cannot begin until enrollment is completed and the course fee is paid.
  3. There is a $100.00 fee per course over and above the regular tuition for each CP course. Refunds and withdrawal policy are based on the standard refund schedule and withdrawal policies as published in the Graduate Catalog.
  4. Authorization to take CP courses will not be given except in extenuating circumstances.
  5. The dean of the college involved will approve both the student and faculty instructor for all CP courses.

In order to register for a CP course, a Continuous Progress Form must be completed and the form must state the definite plan for accomplishment of the course objective. The plan must include the course syllabus and work schedule. After the Continuous Progress Form has been completed by the instructor and signed by the student and instructor, it is then submitted by the student for approval to the dean of the college in which the course will be taught. Upon final approval by the dean of the college, regular registration procedures are followed.

Independent Study/Research Courses

This is a non-traditional system of course progress for students who have been admitted to the University. Independent Study/Research Courses are devised by professors to permit students to explore material not offered in regularly scheduled courses, or to do guided research on their own in a given discipline. Experimental course numbers (courses with a “9” as the third digit) are to be used in Independent Study/Research courses. Special approval is required from the Vice-President of Enrollment and the Director of Admissions for a total of more than 6 hours of Continuous Progress courses, Independent Study/Research courses, or a combination of both. All necessary conferences are to be scheduled individually between the student and the instructor. The following policies apply to Independent Study/Research courses:

  1. Only students who have been admitted to the University may register for these courses during the regular registration period as published and must complete the course before the end of that semester.
  2. Course work cannot begin until enrollment is completed and the course fee is paid.
  3. Authorization to take Independent Study/Research courses will not be given except in extenuating circumstances.
  4. The dean of the college involved will approve both the student and the faculty instructor for all Independent Study/Research courses.

In order to register for an Independent Study/Research course, an Independent Study/Research Form must be completed and the form must state the definite plan for accomplishment of the course objective. The plan must include the course syllabus and work schedule. After this form has been completed by the instructor and signed by the student and instructor, it is then submitted by the student for approval to the dean of the college in which the course will be taught. Upon final approval by the dean of the college, regular registration procedures are followed.

Cross-listed Courses

Graduate courses at the 5000-level cross-listed with undergraduate 4000-level courses and doctoral courses at the 7000-level cross-listed with master's courses at the 6000-level will include specific graduate course requirements which reflect appropriate deeper learning experiences and rigor in the higher-level course.