Section I:
The University

Section II:
Graduation Requirements

Section III:
Majors, Minors, Courses

Section IV:
Academic Policies

DePauw University's academic calendar consists of a fall semester, a Winter Term during the month of January and a spring semester. Degrees are awarded in May and December.

Credit. The unit of credit for standard semester-long classes is a course; one course is equivalent to four semester hour credits. Some classes carry one-half or one-quarter credit. Students generally enroll in four courses, although they may take from three to 4.5 courses in a semester.
 

Students are classified under one of three groups: undergraduate, special or auditor.

Undergraduate students are candidates for degrees. The classification of students is determined by the amount of academic credit earned.

First-year:     fewer than seven course credits
Sophomore:  seven to 14.75 course credits
Junior:          15 to 22.75 course credits
Senior:          23 or more course credits

Special students are those not pursuing degree programs. Special students may take any subject for which they are eligible without regard to requirements for a degree. The Alpha Program enables selected students from Putnam County high schools to take courses for credit at a special fee of $180 per course.

Auditors are registrants who attend classes as listeners and do not receive credit or grades for their work. The instructor and student are to agree on the amount of participation required in order for the student to have the audit appear on the transcript. If the class is not completed to the instructor's satisfaction, the class will not be recorded for degree students. Special and audit students who do not complete the class will receive a W (withdraw) grade. There is no refund for withdrawal from an audit class after the adjustment period. Students enrolling in classes for credit have priority over audit students. Certain classes are not open to audit, such as music ensembles and applied music.
                                                                                                                                     

Course Numbering System

The first digit of the course number indicates the minimum classification of students who should enroll in the class. Students with classification beyond the course number are also eligible to take the course.

Generally, odd numbers (101, 203, etc.) designate courses offered the first semester, and even numbers (104, 306, etc.) are second semester courses. Hyphenated numbers (101-102) indicate that the course is sequential and offered throughout the year.

Grades                                                                                                               

 A student's cumulative GPA includes all grades recorded on the transcript, except for grades in courses:

• taken Pass/Fail;
• not applicable toward the degree; and
• taken while studying on approved off-campus programs (except the DePauw program in Vienna) or music ensembles. These off-campus grades and music ensembles are recorded on the transcript but not calculated into the DePauw GPA.

Change of Grades. Grades reported to the Office of the Registrar may be changed by one of two procedures.

1. A grade of I, L or W may be changed as set forth in the preceding paragraphs.
2. A grade of A, B, C, D or F may be changed only upon the instructor's request and with the approval of the registrar. Approval to change a grade will be made for such reasons as: calculation error or material that was turned in on time but was not considered. Students are not to be given additional time to complete or re-do work after the semester has ended to improve their grade.
    

Competence Certification

DePauw students learn and demonstrate writing (W), quantitative reasoning (Q) and oral competence (S) by successfully completing designated upper-level courses across the curriculum. Certification in each of the competence areas will be recorded upon completion of the designated courses. The following designations will show on the student's record after the course credit:

W Writing Competence
Q Quantitative Reasoning Competence
S Oral Communication Competence
 

Grade Reports

Students may access their midterm progress reports, final semester and Winter Term grades through the web. Students are encouraged to share their grades with their families. Staff in academic affairs and the office of the registrar, dean of students, and dean of student academic services may discuss academic progress with parents or guardians of dependent students.

Progress Reports. Instructors submit progress reports the Monday of the seventh week of the semester for all first-year students, students on academic probation, and upper class students who are making grades of C- or lower.

Mid-semester progress reports are not permanent or final but serve as a basis for advising students of their progress. Students (and their academic advisors) with midterm grades receive an e-mail to check their e-Services. Students having a GPA of less than a 1.3 at mid-semester may be advised to withdraw from the University. Parents of first-year students and students on academic probation with low midterm grades may be notified that the University is concerned about their student's progress.

Final Grade Reports. Students may access their final semester and Winter Term grades through the web as soon as grade reports are processed, generally after 4:00 pm the day grades are due.

Letter grades translate into grade points for each class.  The cumulative grade point average determines the scholastic standing of all students.

Absences/Attendance

Regular attendance at classes and laboratories is expected of all students according to guidelines established by individual instructors. There are no "allowed cuts" or "free" absences from class sessions. Students may be dropped from a course if absences are too frequent or if the student's behavior seriously disrupts the learning environment in the classroom.

Students who miss classes for medical, personal or psychological reasons may notify the Student Affairs Office. Student Affairs staff will confirm with faculty that serious illness or an emergency has been reported to them. Students are responsible to contact each faculty member, preferably before missing class, to arrange for making up the work.

Absences for medical reasons: When an absence due to medical reasons will result in a student being unable to fulfill academic responsibilities--for example, papers and examinations--the student should notify the instructor in advance. Each instructor should let the students know how to give this notification. The instructor and student should work out arrangements for possible extension or makeup work. In cases where students are hospitalized, the University physician will, with the student's permission, notify the Student Affairs Office. It is the student's responsibility to contact the faculty; in addition, the faculty will be notified by student affairs personnel.

If a student misses two or more weeks of class for medical or other reasons beyond the student’s control, the student’s faculty instructors, in consultation with a member of the Academic Affairs staff, will decide whether the student may reasonably make up the missed work. Students who miss two or more weeks of class may no longer be eligible to continue in the class. The final decision about whether a student may continue with a class rests with the faculty instructor.

Absences for personal or psychological reasons: Occasionally student affairs staff will encounter students who must miss class for personal or emotional reasons. These cases include such events as death or illness of a family member or emergency psychological crisis. When possible, student affairs staff will ask the student to notify faculty and indicate that faculty may call student affairs staff for confirmation if such validation is deemed necessary. In some of these cases, the student affairs staff member has no real way to validate the student's statement. Maintaining such information over a period of time, however, could help determine possible patterns of dishonesty for an individual student. In some extreme emergencies, student affairs staff may notify faculty directly.

Early Departure or Late Return from Breaks: Faculty are expected to hold class on the days immediately before and after breaks. Students will not be excused from class attendance or from taking examinations at their announced time to accommodate travel schedules. It is the responsibility of students and their families to make travel arrangements accordingly.

Extracurricular Activities: DePauw University believes that both curricular and extracurricular activities make important contributions to the education of students. The University reminds students, however, that classroom performance takes priority over all extracurricular activities. When conflicts between regularly scheduled classes and academically approved extracurricular activities arise, all parties involved in such conflicts have certain responsibilities toward resolving them. These responsibilities are enumerated in the Student Handbook.

Absences for religious holidays: Students who miss class or other academic responsibilities because they are adherents of a faith tradition that prohibits such activities are expected to notify their instructors of their intent to fulfill the obligations of their faith tradition. Special scheduling or rescheduling arrangements should be made well in advance. A list of the holy days that regularly occur during the academic year that may affect attendance are listed in the Student Handbook.


Academic Advising

Students have primary responsibility for knowing graduation requirements and planning adequately to meet them. Faculty advisors work closely with students in planning their programs of study.

First-year students are advised by the faculty instructor of their first-year seminar (or by a faculty member closely associated with the seminar). Students normally work with their advisor through the first two years or until they choose a major, but they may change advisors at any time.

Students declare a major and choose a faculty advisor in the appropriate department by the sixth week of the second semester of the sophomore year.

Full-time faculty members are eligible to serve as advisors after they have been associated with the University for one year. Advisors confer with students individually each semester, provide academic advice consistent with the aims and obligations of a liberal arts education and help plan individual programs in keeping with each student's abilities, academic interests and aspirations.

Academic Integrity

A university presupposes a basic integrity in its members as a foundation for the mutual trust necessary to its life as an academic community. For this reason, academic dishonesty in any of its forms is regarded as a serious offense against the University.

Forms of academic dishonesty and procedures for handling violations of academic integrity are set forth in the Student Handbook.

Academic Probation and Dismissal

The committee on academic standing reviews records of each student who achieves less than a 2.0 semester and/or cumulative GPA or has less than a 2.0 in the major, and it takes appropriate action. Students are warned that scholastic improvement is necessary and are offered resources to help improve academically. Students who achieve below a 2.0 in two consecutive semesters, receive less than a 1.3 any given semester or do not make satisfactory progress are subject to academic suspension. The Student Handbook contains more specific information regarding academic probation and dismissal.

Advanced Placement

First-year students may earn a maximum of eight courses through a combination of the following programs:

1.  Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board. Students who have passed the CEEB Advanced Placement (AP) examination with ratings of 5, 4 and sometimes 3 may enroll for those higher-level courses for which the department concerned determines them to be qualified. Any student who receives a score of 5 or 4 on an examination is granted one course credit toward graduation, except for studio art and economics. Students must take both microeconomics and macroeconomics in order to earn a full course credit in economics. In some cases, an additional course credit may be granted upon recommendation of the department concerned and the approval of the Office of the Registrar. Students with ratings of 3 may receive credit at the discretion of the department concerned. The AP Policy is online through the DePauw web search by typing in "advanced placement".

2. College-level Courses Taken While a High School Student.  Students who enroll in college-level courses taken in the high school must establish credit by subsequent evaluation at DePauw. See transfer credit in this section for more information. High school students who take college classes taught on a college campus with other college students and earn a grade of C or higher may receive credit. (College credit taken on a college campus is not included in the eight course limit.)

3. Departmental Placement Examinations. Students may qualify for credit or admission to higher-level courses on the basis of departmental placement examinations given on campus during the orientation period. Departments have established examinations to evaluate the competence and preparation of new students in their respective fields and will assign them to courses on the basis of the examinations.

4. Credit by Examination. Each student has the right to take a departmental examination in any given subject during the first semester at DePauw. If the results of the examination warrant, the department concerned may grant up to two course credits subject to the maximum number of courses of advanced credit. The department may grant the advanced credit without requiring the student to take additional work in the requirement area. 

There is a non-refundable fee for each examination that is constructed, administered and graded by a departmental representative of DePauw University at student request.

5. International Baccalaureate (IB) credit may be awarded for subjects taken at the higher level upon departmental review and recommendation. A student normally receives at least one course credit for each higher-level examination with a score of 5, 6 or 7, subject to departmental approval. Students may receive one course credit for higher-level examinations with a score of 4 following further departmental examination. Advanced credit or exemption from requirements is also available through regular University placement and testing.

Assessment

DePauw University is committed to excellence in its academic programs. To assess and improve its academic programs, the University obtains periodic measurements of student perceptions and intellectual growth. Participation in assessment activities is expected of all students. The information obtained through these assessment procedures is used solely to improve the quality of the educational experience at DePauw.

Commencement

The University awards degrees in December and May. Commencement exercises are held only in May, however.

Students who are within two courses and/or a Winter Term of meeting all graduation requirements may participate in commencement exercises. The diploma will be awarded in either December or May following successful completion of the required course work.

Students whose financial obligations are not settled before commencement are ineligible to receive their diplomas. See Section VII, Student Financial Obligations.

Dean's List

Eligibility is based on the completion of at least three courses with a 3.5 semester GPA or better with no incomplete or failing grades. Once Incomplete grades are completed, eligibility is reevaluated.

Examinations in Courses

Instructors schedule all but the final examination in their courses. No hour examinations may be given the last five class days of the semester except for laboratory portions of final exams. Only assignments that substitute for a final exam should be given a due date during finals week. In addition, assignments for papers and projects due in the last five days of class should be provided well in advance.

Final Examinations

An examination period is provided at the end of each semester for instructors to give such examinations as they deem proper to cover the course work. Normally, a final examination should not exceed three hours. Final examinations are not to be given at any time other than that announced in the official schedule, although the laboratory portion of final examinations in science courses may be given in a regularly scheduled lab period in the last week of classes. The Vice President for Academic Affairs must approve any request to move an exam time for a whole class. Instructors may allow individual students with unusual circumstances (such as a death or serious illness in the family, postseason athletic events, or having three exams in one day) to take an examination at another time. Problems involving transportation, family occasions, and/or jobs, for example, are not sufficient grounds for changing an examination. No student may be excused from taking the final examination in any course in which an examination is a requirement for credit in the course.

Multiple Exams Policy 

No student may be required to take more than two in-class final exams on the same day. Any student with three final exams in one day is responsible for trying to reach a solution by talking with the professors involved at least two weeks before the beginning of the final exam period. If none of the professors involved voluntarily agrees to give the student his/her exam on another day, the professor whose exam is scheduled second in the day will offer an alternative date for the exam. The student should obtain a multiple exam form from the registrar's office to provide written verification to the professors involved that three final exams are actually scheduled and being given on the same day.

Graduation Honors

Graduating seniors who have excellent academic records at DePauw University may earn the baccalaureate degree with honors, summa cum laude, magna cum laude and cum laude. To be eligible for graduation honors, students must complete at least 15 courses at DePauw University with the required scholastic average for the DePauw work. Approximately 20 percent of graduates in the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) and in the School of Music earn Latin honors. The minimum grade average for the honors for each of the schools follow:

                                                           CLA         School of Music

Summa Cum Laude	3.8	3.9
Magna Cum Laude	3.7	3.8
Cum Laude	3.5	3.7

Pass/Fail

Students who have junior or senior classification may take one class each semester on a Pass/Fail basis up to a maximum of three registrations. In addition, ENG 120 and the activity courses in physical education (PE) may be taken Pass/Fail, regardless of the student's classification.

The credit received applies toward the degree for which the student is working as elective credit only, and, with the exception of PE activity courses, does not fulfill any specific graduation requirement.

Students indicate the work to be done on a Pass/Fail basis at the time of registration. Courses may be designated as Pass/Fail through the first six class days of the semester. Changes from Pass/Fail to regular grades may be made through the 10th week of the semester.

Pass/Fail courses may not be taken in a student's major or minor area, to satisfy distribution requirements or to earn competence certification; nor can students take courses over the required number of elective courses in the major or minor area Pass/Fail. Pass/Fail courses are not counted in computing the student's scholastic average.

Petitions

A student has the right to request approval from the Petitions Committee for any of the following that is not in accord with regular practice:

• to deviate from the normal student course load;
• to carry a normal course load when registering late;
• to make an adjustment in registration after the adjustment deadline;
• to modify graduation requirements;
• to deviate from other academic regulations.

Petition forms are available from the Office of the Registrar or on DePauw's web site and should be submitted to the registrar's office. The Student Handbook has additional information about petitions.

Registration Information

Each semester the Office of the Registrar produces a Schedule of Classes on the web that lists registration procedures as well as the courses offered, class meeting times, room assignments, and instructors. The final exam schedule is also available as a part of the Schedule of Classes. See www.depauw.edu/e/reg/soc-view.

Students who do not complete registration by paying tuition and fees by the designated date may forfeit their class enrollment. Students must receive permission from the Petitions Committee to begin classes after the first week of class and may be limited in their course loads. No student may enroll after the second week of classes. The act of registration indicates that the student intends to comply with the University regulations.

The University reserves the right to change a course and cancel any course for which enrollment is fewer than five students or for which satisfactory arrangements cannot be made. Most classes have enrollment limits to facilitate learning.

Adjustments in Registration. Students are responsible for the accuracy of their course registrations. They may check their class schedule at any time on the web--see Student e-Services. Students, in consultation with their advisors, make changes to their course schedule within the deadlines specified as follows:

• The regular adjustment period extends into the first six days of the semester. During this period, students may change course registrations to Pass/Fail or audit and add or cancel courses.
• Adjustments involving withdrawal from a course may be made through the seventh week; changing from Pass/Fail to a regular grade may be made through the 10th full week.
• Seven-week course adjustment deadlines are half of those of full-semester courses. 

Adjustments after the above deadlines may be made only under extraordinary circumstances with permission of the Petitions Committee and a late adjustment fee may be assessed..

Prerequisites. Prerequisites follow course descriptions and are in italics. A prerequisite defines conditions under which a student may enroll in a course.

Repetition of a Course

Students may repeat one time a course in which the original grade is a D+ or lower  provided:

• the advisor and department concerned approve the repeat;
• the repeated course is taken for a grade, if that is the way the original course was taken; and
• the course is repeated at DePauw.

In the case of repeated courses, only the second grade counts toward the cumulative GPA. The original grade and credit remain on the students' academic record, however. If credit was already earned in the course, no additional credit is given.

With the permission of the Petitions Committee, students may also repeat a grade of C- if it is needed to raise the major GPA to a 2.0. The above policies apply.

Transfer students who are required, on the basis of placement tests or official recommendation, to repeat courses for which they have credit elsewhere, receive the credit and grade earned at DePauw. The original credit is rescinded. Courses voluntarily repeated carry the original credit and grade points.

Semester Course Load

The number of courses carried each semester constitutes the student's course load, even if courses do not apply toward a degree or are Pass/Fail. The normal course load is four courses. The course load may vary from three to four and one-half courses excluding PE activity courses and Dance (MUS 171-179) and music ensembles.

Normally, first-year students should limit their registration to courses numbered 100-199 unless they have prerequisite preparation for advanced courses. It is not recommended that students in the College of Liberal Arts register for more than two fractional courses in any semester.

Students with a cumulative or immediately preceding semester GPA of at least 3.0 may take up to four and three-quarter courses, and those with a 3.25 GPA or better may take up to five course credits. Students will be charged additional tuition for all courses over the maximum four and one-half, including PE activity courses and dance. An exception is made for music ensembles; a limited number of ensembles may be taken tuition free each semester.

Degree students must receive permission of the Petitions Committee to take an overload or fewer than three courses or to withdraw from a class that reduces the course load below three courses. 

Transcript of Credits

Upon official request, the Office of the Registrar furnishes a transcript of credits that includes all the information on the student's record: credit, grades, degrees received and dates awarded. Transcripts also include any transferred credits accepted, but not grades.

Normally, transcripts should be sent directly to potential employers and graduate schools upon request of the student. The cost of transcripts may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar or from DePauw's web search by typing in "transcripts".

The University does not release transcripts or official statements of student records until all student accounts are paid.

Transfer Credit

DePauw students who take part of their work at another institution with the intention of transferring the credit to DePauw should obtain advance approval through the Office of the Registrar, from the advisor and the department chairs concerned. Final transfer credit evaluation will be made only after DePauw has received an official transcript of the coursework directly from the issuing school.

DePauw generally accepts course credits earned at accredited institutions as elective credit, if the grades are C or above and the subject and level are appropriate for a DePauw liberal arts degree. However, the University does not accept credit awarded at another institution by national tests or departmental examinations. Other transfer credit policies are:

• Courses are evaluated on the basis of equivalent course offerings at DePauw and, if accepted, may be counted toward meeting graduation distribution requirements. Department chairs determine those courses that meet major requirements.
• DePauw records, without credit, physical education activity courses taken if an institution does not give credit for those courses. However, the classes  may count toward the graduation distribution requirement.
• The University may accept courses taken Pass/Fail, if the grade P indicates that the student has done C work or better in accordance with the grade standards of the institution or if the student can prove through the institutional authorities that the course performance was a C grade or above. A grade of P in PE activity courses is accepted up to the equivalent of one course credit.
• Students transferring to DePauw from another school at which January or interim session courses are a part of the regular curriculum that is offered during the academic year may receive credit for the courses. DePauw students wishing to attend another school that gives credit for a January interim session normally receive Winter Term credit only. Exceptions allowing for credit transfer may be arranged through the Office of the Registrar.
• DePauw accepts course credits from junior or community colleges when the quality and extent of the work prove to be the equivalent of DePauw work.  Students who have completed the equivalent of four semesters may not transfer credit earned at a community college.
• When credit allowed for work taken at another institution is not justified by the quality of subsequent DePauw work, the credit may be rescinded.

Distance Learning Credit A maximum of one course credit may be earned through correspondence or open ended distance learning classes. Distance learning courses with a fixed beginning and end date which allow regular interaction with the class members are treated the same as other transferred classes. This credit must be approved by the department into which it transfers. The University does not allow credit in modern languages or laboratory science taken in this way.

Summer School Credit. The University evaluates credit earned in summer schools on the basis of equivalent work at DePauw; however, the credit given by DePauw may not exceed that granted by the original school. No grades below C are accepted. Any student who wishes to apply for credit for summer school courses must have the approval of the department concerned.

Policy for Summer Study Abroad
There are additional steps for obtaining approval to earn credit on an international program during the summer. Contact the Registrar's Office.

College Credit for High School Students. Students who earn college credit while attending classes in a high school setting will not receive credit until they are evaluated by the appropriate department or program at DePauw. Generally, students should perform at the B level or higher if they expect to earn transfer credit.

If the student is attending classes on a college or university campus with students who have already matriculated and the course is taught by a regular college or university faculty member, DePauw will allow credit if the student receives a grade of C or higher and provided that subsequent testing at DePauw, when appropriate, indicates satisfactory learning. 

Credit for Training in Armed Forces. In the evaluation of credit for training and educational experiences in the armed services, the University considers the recommendations in the American Council on Education Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services and the appropriateness of the work toward a liberal arts degree.

One course credit may be granted for the completion of a specific military program in the Reserve Officers Candidate Schools. The University does not give credit for such a program in addition to credit for military service and/or ROTC.

Transfer Credit from Other 4-1-4 Schools

Students wishing to take a course at another university for transfer credit during January may do so if:

• the student has completed the First-Year Winter Term requirement successfully;
• credit is authorized by the appropriate department at DePauw and the Office of the Registrar;
• it is not taken concurrently with a DePauw Winter Term; and
• it is not used as one of the three required Winter Terms.

Withdrawal from the University

All students, except graduating seniors, who are leaving the University are requested to notify personnel in the Office of the Registrar or the Student Affairs Office. A leave of absence may be arranged for students planning to return within one or two semesters. Contact the Registrar's Office for additional information.

Any student who has received student loans must have an exit interview with the Student Loan Office prior to withdrawal.

©2001 DePauw University

email: sbates@depauw.edu