Academic Progress, Policies, and Procedures
Extension and Correspondence Course Transfer Policy
Late Appeal to Add/Drop a Course after the University Deadline Policy
** Disclaimer for Academic Policy and Program Changes **
Information displayed on this website is not to be regarded as a contract between the student and Gonzaga University. The University reserves the right to make changes in courses, programs, faculty, calendar, tuition and fees, grading procedures, graduation requirements, admission criteria, and any other information contained on this website at any time without notification. Changes become effective when the University so determines, and apply to prospective students as well as students currently enrolled. The University will make an effort to notify students of changes through publications and notices.
** Disclaimer for Course Availability **
All reasonable care is taken to ensure that both course offerings and degree requirements contain no erroneous, deceptive, or misleading information by either omission, actual statement, or implication. Every effort will be made by the University to offer at least the courses listed in the catalogue during the period in which it is in effect; student enrollment and faculty availability, however, may affect the courses offered. Some courses listed in University publications are offered only as needed. The decision to offer such courses rests with the Chairperson in consultation with the appropriate Dean. Final course information is updated and published each semester on ZAGWEB.
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Academic honesty is expected of all Gonzaga University students. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, and theft. Any student found guilty of academic dishonesty is subject to disciplinary action.
Disciplinary action against a student found guilty of academic dishonesty may include but is not limited to: (1) a failing grade for the test or assignment in question; (2) a failing grade for the course; and/or (3) a recommendation for dismissal from the University.
A student may appeal the disciplinary action taken. The appeal shall be made in writing to the chair of the department, or dean if there is no chair, of the appropriate school within 14 days of receipt of written notification of the disciplinary action taken.
Following an appeal, a final report shall be submitted to the Academic Vice President for review and possible further disciplinary action taken by the University. The Academic Vice President may direct an intermediate appeal to the chair’s dean. Final appeal by the student may be made to the Academic Vice President.
A complete copy of the policy can be obtained from the Academic Vice President’s Office.
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Satisfactory Academic Progress The Higher Education Amendments of 1992, and the Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board, require that a student receiving federal and/or state assistance must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress (SAP). In general, SAP is defined as "proceeding toward successful completion of degree requirements." Full-time students who are eligible for, and receiving, financial aid must successfully complete twelve (12) credits with a minimum GPA of 2.00 each semester. Students who fail to achieve this criterion are placed on Financial Aid Probation and may lose all financial aid if their academic performance does not reflect satisfactory progress during the next semester. Additionally, State of Washington financial aid recipients who are enrolled full-time are required to successful complete at least six (6) credit hours per semester or risk immediate suspension of state aid. Please note that current financial aid awarding procedures reflect the expectation that undergraduate students enrolled on a full-time basis will complete their degree requirements in eight semesters. The policies and procedures governing SAP and its relationship to financial aid are available from the Financial Aid Office, College Hall, Room 129. Students with additional questions regarding this policy are invited to inquire at the Financial Aid Office. |
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Satisfactory Academic Progress for Veterans
Veterans failing to achieve minimum standards of academic progress are placed on probation for the following semester and notified via letter by the University’s Veterans’ Coordinator. The Department of Veteran Administration will be notified should a veteran fail to achieve satisfactory academic progress subsequent to the initial probationary period and benefits will be suspended until satisfactory progress standing is attained.
Good Academic Standing, Unsatisfactory Academic Progress, Probation, and Academic Dismissal
Students are on Academic Probation whenever the term and/or cumulative GPA falls below a 2.00. To be in Good Academic Standing with the University, students must maintain a cumulative GPAof 2.00 as determined at the end of every semester, beginning with the completion of the student's second regular (non-summer) semester at Gonzaga University. Good Academic Standing is required for all graduating students, and it may impact a student's ability to receive financial aid, scholarships, or to represent Gonzaga in extra-curricular activities.
Any student on academic probation will have their student status reviewed by the committee on Academic Standing. The conditions of academic probation are specified in a letter to the student from the committee. Students are expected to comply with all stipulations made in the letter and any additional requirements placed upon them as a result of academic probation.
Students on academic probation, regardless of their academic standing, may be subject to academic dismissal from the University. A notation of "Academic Dismissal" will appear on grade reports and transcripts. Dismissed students have an opportunity for appeal. Directions for this process are indicated in the dismissal letter sent to the student.
Those receiving financial aid also may be subject to Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Probation and/or Suspension, which may result in additional financial consequences.
For further information contact the office of Academic Services.
Alumni Audit Policy
Alumni audit of a course may only be used by students who have graduated with any degree type at any level from Gonzaga University. The option is only available during the academic year of fall and spring semesters. Only courses deemed as undergraduate lecture courses may be audited. The courses will not appear on transcripts and cannot be made to do so. Registration for this option occurs during Registration Period III when drop/add takes place.
To initiate the process and obtain the Alumni Audit form, please contact the Alumni Association.
Auditing a Course Policy
Audit grading option (AU grade assigned): Auditors are students who register for a course under the Audit grading option by signing the audit form in the Registrar’s Office. Regular tuition is charged. Activity courses (e.g., physical education, music, art, etc.) are not permitted to be taken under the Audit grading option. Auditors will not be allowed access to individual instruction, to equipment, or to supplies in conjunction with the course. Once a course is registered for under the Audit grading option, students who fail to attend the class according to the regular attendance requirements of the class are liable to receive a "V" grade at the discretion of the professor.
1. Registration is available through Registration Period III which is the late registration-drop/add period. The auditor registers for a lecture method course under the Audit grading option and pays tuition based on this option and course credits. A designation of "AU" is recorded on the auditor’s academic transcript if the auditor satisfactorily attended the course.
An "AU" on a student’s transcript reflects no academic credits earned and indicates that the person has received exposure to the course content for an academic semester/term. The "AU" designation does not apply toward meeting degree requirements.
2. A professor may assign a "V" grade for unofficial withdrawal when attendance is unsatisfactory.
3. Professors may assign the "AU" designation in ENGL 098, 099, and MATH 099 when a student who has not registered as an auditor is unable to attain the objectives of those courses within one semester in spite of diligent work and attendance; these courses must be repeated until a passing letter grade is granted.
4. Under this option, audited course credits are not counted toward meeting full-time credit requirements for financial aid, students loans, VA benefits, etc., although standard tuition is paid for the credits. Auditors should be very cautious about registering using the Audit grading option.
Class Attendance Policy
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Students are presumed to have sufficient maturity to recognize their responsibility for regular class attendance. Since illness or other good reasons may prevent attendance, Gonzaga University has a standard policy on absences. This policy stipulates that the maximum allowable absence is two (2) class hours (100 minutes) for each class credit. For the three credit class the maximum absence is, therefore, six (6) class hours (300 minutes). |
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Classes scheduled to meet for more than 50 minutes have more than one class hour for each meeting; for example, a class which meets for 75 minutes has one and one-half class hours for each scheduled meeting. Instructors may report absences to the Registrar’s Office, who will in turn notify the students by letter. The proper grade for excessive absence is "V" which has the same effect as an "F" grade and is counted in the GPA. |
Participation in school activities or athletics does not exempt students from this standard policy on absences. The fact that a student has met the other course requirements (such as papers) is not sufficient to change a "V" to a passing grade. The University Class Attendance Policy may be modified for qualified students with documented short or long term disabilities. For more information or case consultation, contact Disability Resources, Education, and Access Management (DREAM).
Late Appeal to Withdraw a Course after the University Deadline Policy
Undergraduate and graduate students who do not drop courses during the advertised University drop week may late appeal after the University deadline, to late withdraw from a course.
Petitions for late withdraw appeal considerations are available from the Registrar’s Office. The petition must also include a separate typed page addressing the following issues:
reasons for the appeal to withdraw a course after the University deadline for the semester
indication of when the course was last attended
identification and explanation of the reasons for any previous late withdraws made in prior semesters
Signatures must be secured from the advisor and the professor of the course from which the student is wishing to withdraw. Submission of the documentation to the Dean of the school offering the course from which the late withdrawal is requested is required. The Dean’s Office will forward a copy of the appeal to the Registrar’s Office with the appeal decision where the appropriate registration action will be taken by way of the Dean’s decision.
No tuition adjustment is allowed under this policy.
Complete Withdrawal from the Semester Policy
Undergraduate students who register but decide not to attend the University should obtain a Complete Withdrawal form from the Office of Academic Services. The withdrawal process requires approvals and an interview with a professional in this office who will assist undergraduate students in acquiring approvals from the following offices as necessary: Registrar’s Office, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and the Office of Housing and Residence Life.
Tuition adjustments are calculated in Student Accounts. Financial adjustments are based upon the effective dates of complete withdrawals.* Refunds for room and board will be pro-rated throughout the semester.
Financial aid funds will be refunded in accordance with government and University regulations.
*The tuition adjustment schedule for complete withdrawals is posted in the Student Accounts and Financial Aid offices.
***Graduate students are instructed to contact the Registrar’s Office regarding any withdrawal from the University whether it be an individual course withdrawal or a complete withdrawal. ***
Late Appeal for Complete Withdrawal from the Semester Policy
An undergraduate student requesting permission to completely withdraw from a semester after the advertised University date deadline, should contact the office of Academic Services, where he/she will meet with a professional to discuss his/her request.
Students will be directed to write a letter detailing their request and to provide documentation as necessary. If a determination is made that the appeal should be granted, the Registrar’s Office will be notified by e-mail to withdraw the student from the semester appealed.
***Graduate students are instructed to contact the Registrar’s Office regarding any withdrawal from the University whether it be an individual course withdrawal or a complete withdrawal. ***
An undergraduate student can repeat any course with another course of the same designation, in an effort to improve the GPA. The original course and grade will remain recorded on the student’s transcript but will not be counted into the student’s GPA. The cumulative credits and GPA will be adjusted to reflect the last credits and grade earned. Courses for which a student received a grade carry no quality point value, such as W, (X prior to 1996), and AU may be re-taken in subsequent semesters; these grades are not included in the course repeat policy jurisdiction. Courses retaken as an independent study or directed reading do not qualify under this policy. Only courses re-taken at Gonzaga University qualify to improve the GPA.
Courses with enrollment of less than eight students may be subject to cancellation. Individual instruction courses such as independent studies, practica, internships, applied music classes, etc., will be exempt from this policy. Consideration will also be given to courses required for graduation. If a student is registered for a class that is being canceled, the academic department will make every effort to notify them by telephone. Once the course is canceled, there will be no more opportunities for enrollment in that course. If a canceled class reduces a student’s enrollment status to less than full-time (fewer than twelve credits) their financial aid and/or athletic eligibility may be compromised. For information on financial aid status, contact the Financial Aid Office.
The "Course Challenge" policy provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to receive credit for a course in which they have demonstrated mastery of the subject matter by way other than regular course attendance and completion of the formal course requirements.
Before a student will be allowed to challenge a course, he/she must:
Be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program as a full-time student (at least 12 credits), during fall or spring semesters only; challenged course credits cannot take a student over the 18 credit maximum:
Have completed at least twelve semester credits at Gonzaga;
Be a student in good standing;
Obtain written permission from the instructor in charge of the course, the student’s advisor, the Dean of the college or school in which he/she is enrolled, and the Chair of the department in which the course is offered;
Pay a fee of $25 per credit at the Registrar’s Office
Courses which can not be challenged for credit include:
Fundamentals of English (ENGL 098)
Basic Writing (099)
Intermediate Algebra (099)
All courses in the Thought and Expression Block:
English Composition (ENGL 101)
Introduction to Speech Communications (SPCO 101)
Critical Thinking (PHIL 101)
Excursion in Mathematics (MATH 103)
Lower Division Modern Languages (FREN, GERM, ITAL, SPAN 101 & 102)
All graduate level courses
If the subject matter of a lower level course is contained or presumed in a higher level course, the lower level course may not be challenged by students who have completed the higher level course. If a student has already taken a course at Gonzaga for credit or audit, he/she will not be allowed subsequently to challenge that same course.
Mastery of the course may be tested by way of an extended written examination (this examination needs to be reviewed in advance by at least two faculty members other than its' author) or by way of an oral examination and/or special written assignments.
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Students in good academic standing may petition their school’s Dean to take more than the maximum of eighteen credits. There is an additional tuition charge for these extra credits. Students in the Honors Program or the Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, however, with the approval of the respective Program Director, may take extra credits without charge.
Extension and Correspondence Course Transfer Policy
The transfer of any extension or correspondence course credit is limited to six semester credits for undergraduate students and requires the written aproval of the Academic Vice President's Office.
Courses taken in extension or by correspondence are not allowed as credit toward graduate degrees. In exceptional cases, the Academic Vice President may waive this regulation if recommended by the Program Director and Dean.
To provide enrollment space for others, students who do not attend the first class meeting may be dropped at the discretion of the professors with the approval of the Dean. Professors will report absences to the Dean, who, upon approval, will notify the Registrar’s Office to drop students from course sections.
Students should contact professors or academic departments if they plan to be absent the first day of class. Students who register for courses they do not attend are themselves responsible for officially dropping the courses through the Registrar's Office. The consequence of not officially dropping courses is a "V" (unofficial withdrawal) grade which is calculated as a failing grade and is counted into the student’s grade point average (GPA). Students should not assume that professors will automatically initiate course drops for non-class attendance on the first day of course sections.
Students will experience a reduction in credits when they are dropped for non-attendance. This may affect financial aid awards, scholarship eligibility, athletic eligibility, VA benefits and numerous other areas that are dependent on minimum credit limits.
Final examinations are held at the end of each semester, and, at the option of the instructor, examinations are held at mid-semester. Students making their travel arrangements for the end of each semester must take into account these final examination times.
Final examinations or their equivalent can be administered by instructors only on the day at the time indicated in the final exam schedule; any exceptions to this procedure must have the explicit approval of the appropriate Dean.
Students must maintain standards of academic performance set forth by the University if they are to receive the certificate of competence implied by course credits and degrees. The instructor is the usual and competent judge of these matters. Students must be protected against the rare case of unjust grading and evaluation. Allegations of unfair or prejudiced grading may be brought to the attention of and reviewed by the Dean of the appropriate school and, if necessary, by the Academic Vice President, whose decision is final.
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Late Appeal to Add/Drop a Course after the University Deadline Policy
Undergraduate and graduate students who do not add/drop courses during the advertised University add/drop week, may appeal after the University deadline, to late add/drop a course .
Petitions for late add/drop appeal considerations are available from the Registrar’s Office. The petition must also include a separate typed page addressing the following issues:
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reasons for the appeal to add and or drop a course after the University deadline
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indication of when the course was last attended
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identification and explanation of the reasons for any previous add/late drops made in prior semesters
Signatures must be secured from the advisor and the professor of the course which is being late added or dropped. Submission of the documentation to the Dean of the school offering the course from which the late appeal is requested is required. The Dean’s Office will forward a copy of the appeal to the Registrar’s Office with the appeal decision where the appropriate registration action will be taken by way of the Dean’s decision.
No tuition adjustment is allowed for any course late dropped under this policy.
Student’s who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Gonzaga and who must interrupt their education for a period of not more than one year may be eligible for a leave of absence from the University. To be eligible for a leave of absence, a student must have at least a 2.00 in the preceding fall or spring semester and cumulative grade point averages and plan to return within a year. Leave of Absence forms are available from the office of Academic Services. Students requesting a leave of absence must have an interview and obtain approval from Academic Services. Academic Services staff will assist students in acquiring approvals from the following offices as necessary: Registrar’s Office, Financial Aid, and Student Accounts. Students are not eligible to reside on campus, attend classes, or participate in regular campus activities during their absence. Students who attend another school during their leave of absence will have that status voided and they must apply for re-admission to the University. Leaves of absence will not extend beyond one academic year. Students who wish to return to the University after the termination date on their leave of absence must apply for re-admission to the University.
