IN AND AFTER THE FALL OF 2000

Degree Requirements

Wesleyan University confers only one undergraduate degree, the bachelor of arts. Degrees are awarded once a year at Commencement. Students who complete the requirements for the degree at other times during the year will be recommended to receive the degree at the next Commencement. Based on a modification voted by the faculty, the requirements for this degree specified below are for students entering Wesleyan in and after the fall of 2000. Students who entered Wesleyan prior to the fall of 2000 must refer to the appropriate section of the degree requirements and academic regulations at the web site www.wesleyan.edu/registrar/AROld.html.

Graduation Requirements for Entry in and After the Fall of 2000

For those students who enter Wesleyan in and after the fall of 2000, the requirements are (1) satisfaction of requirements for a major; (2) satisfactory completion of 32 course credits, no fewer than 16 of which must be earned at Wesleyan or in Wesleyan-sponsored programs;  (3) a cumulative average of 74 percent or work of equivalent quality; and (4) at least six semesters in residency at Wesleyan as full-time students for students entering in their first year (for students entering as sophomore transfers, at least five semesters in residency at Wesleyan as full-time students; for students entering as midyear sophomores or junior transfers, at least four semesters in residency at Wesleyan as full-time students). Full-time residence at Wesleyan means enrollment for at least three credits (with a normal course load being four credits) in a given semester. Any semester in which a grade is given is counted as a Wesleyan semester for purposes of graduation. If a conversion to semester hours is required, each Wesleyan credit may be assigned a value of four semester hours.

All courses taken at Wesleyan will be listed on the student's transcript. However, there are limits on the number of credits students can count toward the total of 32 course credits required for the bachelor of arts. No more than 14 course credits in any one department (15 with a senior project and 16 with a two-credit senior thesis) can be counted toward the degree requirements. Of these 14 course credits in any one department (15 or 16 with project or thesis), no more than 12 course credits numbered 201 or higher (13 or 14 with project or thesis) and no more than four course credits numbered from 101 to 200 can be included. If a given course appears in more than one departmental listing, i.e., is cross-listed, it must be counted in all departments in which it is listed. A student who exceeds these limits will be considered oversubscribed and the additional course credits may not count toward the 32 required for the bachelor of arts.

In addition, the student may count toward the 32 credits a maximum of the following credits:

• Physical education courses and student forums

  • No more than one credit in physical education

  • A maximum of two credits of student forums

  • A combined maximum of two credits in physical education and student forums

• Teaching apprenticeships--a maximum of two teaching apprentice credits

• Tutorials--a combined maximum of four individual and group tutorial credits

• Independent study and education in the field--a combined maximum of four independent study and education-in-the-field credits

While a maximum of two credits earned before matriculation by entering first-year students may count toward the Wesleyan degree, all such credits that have been duly approved by Wesleyan departments will be listed on the student's transcript. This applies to Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate, and Advance-Level and Ordinary-Level exams, as well as any college-level courses taken with college students and taught by a college teacher on a college campus, provided that the course meets Wesleyan's transfer credit criteria. Aside from AP credits and other credits regularly awarded on the basis of centrally administered examinations, no course that is listed for credit on a student's high school transcript may be used for Wesleyan credit.

Major

To satisfy the major requirement, a student must complete a departmental major, an interdepartmental major, or a collegiate program (College of Letters or College of Social Studies). A student will graduate if the requirements of one major are fulfilled in conjunction with the completion of other degree requirements.

Students should apply for acceptance as a major in a department or program by the first week of March of the sophomore year. Declaration as a major in a department or program may not be made prior to the start of the second semester of the sophomore year. However, application for membership in the College of Letters or the College of Social Studies should be submitted by the end of the first year. Eligibility requirements are set by the department, program, or college, which may deny access or the privilege of continuation to any student whose performance is unsatisfactory. A student who has not been accepted as a major or as a member of a collegiate program by the beginning of the junior year may not be permitted to enroll in the University. A student who has not submitted a Senior Major Form to the Office of the Deans at the beginning of the senior year may not be permitted to enroll until the Senior Major Form is submitted.

Departmental Major Programs

The departmental major is an integrated program of advanced study approved by the major department. It consists of a minimum of eight course credits numbered 201 or higher. No more than four course credits in the departmental major may be elected from other than the major department. Please see Graduation Requirements for the number of credits that may be counted toward the bachelor of arts degree and oversubscription.

The major advisor must approve any change in a student's major. If the change occurs during the senior year, the student must submit a new Senior Concentration Form to the Office of the Deans.

Comprehensive Examination

In those departments in which a comprehensive examination is required, passing the examination is a condition of graduation. The major departments determine the nature and scope of the examinations, the amount of supervision to be given to the student in preparation for them, and the time and place of their administration. Both oral and written examinations may be required.

A student who has passed the comprehensive examination with a grade deemed creditable by the major department may be excused by the department from the final examination of the last semester in any course in that department and in any extra departmental course included in the major program. The student may substitute the grade attained in the comprehensive examination for the final examination grade in each of the designated courses. In all such cases, permission of the course instructor is required.

If a student fails to qualify for the degree in the senior year solely through failure to attain a satisfactory grade in the comprehensive examination, but having satisfied all other requirements for graduation, the student may be permitted to take a second comprehensive examination.

Interdepartmental Major Programs

The University offers three kinds of interdepartmental majors:

Interdepartmental majors.  These are African American studies, American studies, archaeological studies, East Asian studies, feminist, gender, and sexuality studies, Latin American studies, medieval studies, Russian and East European studies, and science in society.  The list may change from time to time.

Departmentally-sponsored interdepartmental majors. Two related departments may offer a joint major, subject to approval by the Educational Policy Committee. At present, the approved major is mathematics-economics.

University majors. A student may propose a University major program involving two or more departments, provided that an ad hoc group of at least three members of the faculty approves and supervises the program. Students contemplating a University major should be accepted for admission to a regular departmental major, since the proposal for a University major must be approved by the Committee on University Majors. Deadlines for application are November 1 for the fall semester and April 1 for the spring semester. Additional information about the application procedure may be obtained from the Office of the Deans.

All interdepartmental major programs, like departmental major programs, must include at least eight course credits numbered 201 or higher. Other conditions, including additional courses, may be imposed.

Collegiate Programs

In the spring of the first year, an undergraduate may apply for admission to the College of Letters or the College of Social Studies. Both of these programs offer an organized course of study continuing through the sophomore, junior, and senior years and leading to the degree of bachelor of arts.

General Education Expectations

The inclusion of courses that fulfill Wesleyan's general education expectations is vital to the student's educational experience at Wesleyan. To assist in the experience, the faculty has divided the curriculum into three areas: natural sciences and mathematics (NSM), the social and behavioral sciences (SBS), and the humanities and the arts (HA).  The faculty has assigned a general education designation to a course when appropriate as well as established a distributional expectation for each general education area.  In consultation with their advisors, first-year and sophomore students are encouraged to select courses from all three areas to experience the full dimension of intellectual breadth vital to a liberal education.

General education courses in the natural sciences and mathematics introduce students to key methods of thought and language that are indispensable to a liberal education as well as to our scientifically and technologically complex culture. They are intended to provide scientific skills necessary for critically evaluating contemporary problems. These courses apply scientific method, utilize quantitative reasoning, and enhance scientific literacy. They also provide a means of comparison to other modes of inquiry by including historical, epistemological, and ethical perspectives. The natural science and mathematics division has made special efforts to design and present a variety of courses that meet these objectives and are appropriate for future majors in the humanities, arts, and social sciences, as well as those interested in majoring in one of the natural sciences or mathematics.

General education courses in the social and behavioral sciences introduce students to the systematic study of human behavior, both social and individual. They survey the historical processes that have shaped the modern world, examine political institutions and economic practices, scrutinize the principal theories and ideologies that form and interpret these institutions, and present methods for analyzing the workings of the psyche and society.

General education courses in the humanities and the arts introduce students to languages and literature, to the arts and the mass media, and to philosophy and aesthetics-in short, to the works of the creative imagination as well as to systems of thought, belief, and communication. These courses provide both historical perspectives on and critical approaches to a diverse body of literary, artistic, and cultural materials.

The general education expectations are divided into Stages 1 and 2. The expectation for Stage 1 is that all students will distribute their course work in the first two years in such a way that by the end of the fourth semester, they will have earned at least two course credits in each of the three areas, all from different departments or programs. To meet the expectation of Stage 2, students must also take one additional course credit in each of the three areas prior to graduation, for a total of nine general education course credits. Advanced Placement and transfer credits do not meet Wesleyan's general education expectations. However, courses taken prior to matriculating at Wesleyan may be considered for general education equivalency credit for transfer students. Students may also request in advance that individual courses taken on an approved study-abroad program or a sponsored domestic study-away program be considered for equivalency. Courses taken on Wesleyan-administered study-abroad programs or through the Twelve College Exchange are coded for equivalency.

When a course has multiple general educational area assignments (NSM, SBS, HA), a student must select one general education area assignment by the end of the drop/add period. Student forums and individual and group tutorials never carry a general education designation.

A student who does not meet these expectations by the time of graduation will not be eligible for University honors, Phi Beta Kappa, honors in general scholarship, or for honors in certain departments.

ACADEMIC STANDING

Semester Credits and Course Load

Students are expected to earn four credits in each of eight semesters. A student who plans a course schedule with fewer than four credits must have the approval of their class dean and faculty advisor.  Students who enroll in fewer than three credits may have their enrollment in the University revoked. A student who plans a course schedule with five or more credits must have the approval of the faculty advisor. Candidates for the undergraduate degree may not enroll as part-time students (fewer than three credits). A three-credit program is the minimum required to be considered a full-time student and for which full tuition will be charged. The exception is for seniors completing the second half of their senior thesis who need only this credit to fulfill all degree requirements. They may enroll for only the one thesis credit in their last semester, which will not count as a Wesleyan semester or Wesleyan semester in residence.

Grading System

A student's academic performance in individual courses taken at Wesleyan will be evaluated either by letter grades (A-F) or by the designations credit (CR) or unsatisfactory (U). At the discretion of the instructor, all the students in a course may be restricted to a single grading mode, or each student may be allowed to choose between the two modes. Instructors announce the grading options in WesMaps. In courses in which students have a choice of grading mode, the final choice must be made by the end of the drop/add period.

Whenever the credit/unsatisfactory mode is used, the faculty member is expected to submit to the Office of the Registrar a written evaluation of the student's work in the course.

A student's work in courses using letter grades is evaluated as follows: A, excellent; B, good; C, fair; D, passing but unsatisfactory; E, failure; and F, bad failure. These letter grades (with the exception of the grade of F) may be modified by the use of plus and minus signs.

The numerical equivalents of the letter grades are

Sequence Courses

The granting of credit in two-semester courses (indicated by the "Required Course Sequence" notation in WesMaps) is contingent upon successful completion of both semesters. A student who has failed the first semester of a required course sequence may not continue in the second semester without the permission of the instructor and the class dean. A student who receives the grade of E (but not F) at midyear in a course running through the year and who is permitted by the instructor to continue the course in the second semester may receive credit for the first semester at the completion of the course upon the recommendation of the instructor to the class dean. At that time, the instructor may also recommend a revision of the first-semester grade. If this is not done, the grade for the first semester will remain recorded as E, but credit will be given for the first semester's work. A student who fails the second semester of a two-semester course loses credit for both semesters.

Honors Program See Wesleyan's Online Thesis Guide for more information

A degree with honors can be earned two ways: (1) Departmental honors will be awarded to the student who has done outstanding work in the major field of study and met the standards for honors or high honors set by the respective department or program; (2) Honors in general scholarship will be awarded to the student who is a University major, or who is working on an interdisciplinary thesis, or who is working under a department other than the major. The candidate for honors in general scholarship must fulfill general education expectations and submit a senior thesis that meets the standard for honors or high honors set by the Committee on Honors.

In the fall semester of the senior year, all candidates for departmental honors must either enroll in a senior thesis tutorial or, if they are pursuing an alternate route to honors, must ask their department to forward their names to the Honors Committee as candidates. For honors in general scholarship, each candidate must submit (1) a brief proposal describing the honors work; (2) a short statement telling how general education expectations have been or will be fulfilled; and (3) letters of support from the thesis tutor and the department chair of the student's major (or, in the case of a University major, from the Committee on University Majors). The completed thesis is due in mid-April.

University honors is the highest award Wesleyan bestows. To be eligible, a student must fulfill general education expectations, earn high honors (either departmental or in general scholarship), be recommended for University honors, and qualify in an oral examination administered by the Committee on Honors. See Wesleyan's Online Thesis Guide or contact the office of the Registrar for more information.

Phi Beta Kappa

The oldest national scholastic honor society, Phi Beta Kappa at Wesleyan is limited to 12 percent of the graduating class each year. Election to the society is based on grades and fulfillment of the eligibility requirements described below.

Fall election is based on grades through the end of a student's junior year and fulfillment of the general education expectations (Stages 1 and 2). Normally between 10 and 15 students are elected in the fall; transfer students are not eligible for consideration in the fall.

Spring election is based on grades through the end of a student's first semester of the senior year and fulfillment of the general education expectations (Stages 1 and 2). Transfer students are eligible for consideration in the spring. It is preferred that students complete their general education expectations in their first semester senior year. However, a rationale for second-semester completion is not required, provided that the secretary of the Gamma Chapter continuously monitors those students to guarantee completion of Stage 2 of the general education expectations.

In addition to fulfilling the general education expectations, students are expected to have a grade point average of 90 or above to be considered for election in the spring. The minimum grade point average for the fall election is 93. Students are nominated by their major departments

Academic Review and Promotion

The University expects students to make good use of Wesleyan's educational resources. A student is expected to satisfy the requirements for the degree of bachelor of arts within eight semesters. To remain in academic good standing, an undergraduate is expected to maintain a cumulative average of 74 percent and to satisfy the following earned credit requirements. Pending credit for an incomplete or absent-from-final-examination with a provisional failing grade may not be considered credit earned. Students who are provisionally required to resign over the summer due to a credit deficiency or who are at risk for required resignation due to failing provisional grades on incompletes must submit earned credit or completed work two to three weeks prior to the start of Fall semester classes.  Upon submission of a grade for an incomplete or "absent from final" grade, a student's academic status will be reviewed. Promotions in class standing are made at the end of each semester.

Requirements for Academic Good Standing

• At the completion of the first semester, a student is expected to have earned four credits and no fewer than two credits.

• At the completion of the second semester, a student is expected to have earned eight credits and no fewer than six credits.

• At the completion of the third semester, a student is expected to have earned 12 credits and no fewer than 10 credits.

• At the completion of the fourth semester, a student is expected to have earned 16 credits and no fewer than 14 credits.

• At the completion of the fifth semester, a student is expected to have earned 20 credits and no fewer than 18 credits.

• At the completion of the sixth semester, a student is expected to have earned 24 credits and no fewer than 22 credits.

• At the completion of the seventh semester, a student is expected to have earned 28 credits and no fewer than 26 credits.

Requirements for Promotion

• To be promoted to sophomore standing, a student must have satisfactorily completed at least six credits.

• To be promoted to junior standing, a student must have satisfactorily completed at least 14 credits and been accepted into a department/program major.

• To be promoted to senior standing, a student must have satisfactorily completed at least 22 credits and made acceptable progress toward the completion of the major.

Students whose academic performance is deficient will be subject to the following forms of academic discipline, according to the seriousness of the deficiencies: (For purposes of academic review, one course is the equivalent of .75 to 1.50 credits.  Failing grades on partial-credit courses (.25 and .50) are treated as the equivalent of a D.)

Warning. The mildest form of academic discipline, usually recommended for students whose academic work in one course is passing but unsatisfactory (below C-).

Probation. The category of academic discipline used when the academic deficiency is serious, usually involving failure to achieve the requisite cumulative average of 74 percent, failure in one course, or passing but unsatisfactory work in two or more courses. A student on probation is required to perform at a satisfactory level in all courses. Failure to do so usually results in more serious discipline. A student who receives more than two incompletes without the class dean's permission may also be placed on probation.

Strict probation. The category of discipline used in very serious cases of academic deficiency, usually involving at least one of the following conditions:

• Failure in one course and passing but unsatisfactory work in another

• Passing but unsatisfactory work in three courses

• Unsatisfactory work in one or more courses while on probation

• Credit deficiency for promotion

• Earning two or fewer credits in a single semester

Students on strict probation are required to attend all classes, to complete all work on time, and to meet regularly with their class dean. They may not receive an incomplete without the class dean's approval. Two or more semesters on strict probation, sequential or not, may require a student to resign from the University.

Required resignation. The category of discipline used when the student's academic performance is so deficient as to warrant the student's departure from the University for the purpose of correcting the deficiencies. The notation "resigned" will be entered on the student's official transcript. The performance of students who are required to resign will usually involve at least one of the following deficiencies:

For all students:

• Failure to earn the required number of credits for promotion

If a student is in good standing:

• Failure in two or more courses, or

• Failure in one course and passing but unsatisfactory work in two others

If a student is on probation:

• Failure in one course and passing but unsatisfactory work in one other, or

• Unsatisfactory work in three or more courses

If a student is on strict probation:

• Failure in one or more courses

• Unsatisfactory work in two or more courses

• One or more unapproved incompletes, or

• Failure to earn removal from strict probation, even if there is a period of good standing

Students who are required to resign may not be on campus or in University housing, nor may they participate in student activities or the life of the University community while on this status. Students who are required to resign may be readmitted by the class dean after an absence of at least two semesters. The process of application for readmission requires a demonstration of academic preparedness and fulfillment of all the specified requirements for return. Students readmitted after being required to resign will be placed on strict probation.

Separation. The category of discipline used when the student's academic deficiencies are so serious as to warrant the student's departure from the University without eligibility for readmission. The notation "separated" will be entered on the student's official transcript. Separation is imposed if a student's academic performance warrants required resignation for a second time.

Appeals. Students who are required to resign or are separated from the University may appeal their status to a subcommittee of the Educational Policy Committee. A student who wishes to appeal must notify his or her class dean two days prior to the scheduled date on which appeals will be reviewed. Information about the appeals procedure will be provided by the student's class dean. Appeals are reviewed by members of the subcommittee of the Educational Policy Committee with attendance by the class deans and the Vice President for Student Affairs. A student may elect to attend his or her review or participate via telephone. The committee's decisions are final.

Advanced Placement Credit, International Baccalaureate Credit, and Other Prematriculation Credit

A student who has completed an Advanced Placement (AP) course or its equivalent while in secondary school and has achieved a score of 4 or 5 in the corresponding AP examination may be grant granted one or two credits toward the Wesleyan degree of bachelor of arts with the appropriate department approval.

Students who have completed the International Baccalaureate (IB) course of study and have received a score of 5, 6, or 7 on the corresponding IB examinations may be granted one or two credits for the higher level examination and .70 credits for the subsidiary-level examination toward the Wesleyan degree of bachelor of arts with the appropriate department approval.

For both the Advanced Placement and the International Baccalaureate, the awarding of credits will be determined at the discretion of the relevant department. The department may stipulate the award of such credit upon successful completion of course(s) at a specific level in the appropriate department of the University. Additional information about Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate credit may be obtained from the Office of the Deans or from the relevant departments. Students wanting to post A-level credit should consult their class dean.

Other prematriculation credits that the University will post on the Wesleyan transcript are courses taken with college students and taught by a college teacher on a college campus, provided the courses meet Wesleyan's transfer credit criteria.  Please see "Transfer of Credit from Other Institutions" for further details.

A maximum of two credits earned before matriculation will apply toward graduation.  This includes Advance Placement credit, International Baccalaureate credit, and college transfer courses posted to the Wesleyan transcript. While a maximum of two credits will be counted toward the Wesleyan degree, all such credits that have been duly approved by Wesleyan departments will be listed on the student's transcript.  These credits may contribute to oversubscription in anyone department.

Students may use up to two prematriculation credits awarded for the purpose of class promotion. However, students are not permitted to use this credit to reduce the course load, to clear up failures or unsatisfactory work, or to count toward fulfillment of the general education expectations.

Acceleration

A student may complete work for the bachelor of arts degree in fewer than the normal eight semesters, but in no less than the required semesters in residence. Requests for acceleration should be made in writing to the student's class dean. This may be accomplished by (1) applying up to two pre-matriculation credits, such as approved transfer credits, Advanced Placement credits, A-level credits or International Baccalaureate credits; (2) transferring preapproved summer credit at Wesleyan or another institution; (3) completing independent study or education-in-the-field projects during a summer or an authorized leave of absence; (4) transferring preapproved credit taken at another institution while on an approved leave of absence; or (5) completing additional Wesleyan credits (beyond the normal course load per semester) during the academic year.

Nondegree, Part-time Undergraduate Students

Wesleyan offers the following opportunities to take undergraduate courses on a nondegree, part-time, nonresidential basis.  All nondegree part-time students are subject to the following policies:

• An application is required; students must have a high school diploma or the equivalent (with the exception of High School Scholars), may not be matriculated or degree candidates at another academic institution or have already earned a bachelor's degree, and must be approved for admission by one of the programs below.

• nondegree-seeking undergraduates may take no more than two courses per term (High School Scholars typically take only one).

• Admission to nondegree status does not constitute admission to Wesleyan University.  nondegree students who wish to apply for admission to degree candidacy may do so through the Admission Office.  Their applications will be reviewed according to the same rigorous standards as those of other candidates for admission.  Nondegree undergraduates who become admitted to degree candidacy will be expected to satisfy normal degree requirements, including the provision that only two courses taken prior to matriculation (admission to degree candidacy) may count toward the degree.

Auditor. Subject to any conditions set by the instructor, permission to audit does not include permission to have tests, examinations, or papers read or graded. Wesleyan alumni and members of the community who are not registered students are permitted to audit undergraduate courses, subject to the following conditions:

• That the presence of an auditor not compromise undergraduates' access to the course;

• That the auditor receive permission of the instructor;

• That the terms of the auditor's participation in the work of the course be mutually agreed upon in advance with the instructor;

• That no academic credit be awarded to an auditor and no transcript issued.

Center for Prison Education. Wesleyan offers the Center for Prison Education, awarding undergraduate credit to incarcerated students who are admitted to and complete courses in the Center.  All students in the Center are subject to Wesleyan academic and nonacademic policies, and are also subject to Center policies.  Center courses are offered on-site at the correctional institution.

Community Scholars. Individuals eligible for community scholar status cannot be matriculated at another academic institution or hold an undergraduate degree, and they must fall into one of the categories listed below:

• Members of the Wesleyan community, i.e., employees of the University, spouses/domestic partners of members of the faculty, administration, or staff;

• Middletown-area residents, i.e., residents of the following towns: Cromwell, Durham, East Haddam, East Hampton, Haddam, Killingworth, Middlefield, Middletown, Moodus, Portland, and Rocky Hill;

• Employees of the city of Middletown.

Community scholars may enroll in up to two courses with the instructors' approval if their enrollment does not displace a degree-seeking student. The tuition is a per-credit charge, based on Wesleyan's full-time tuition. Financial aid is not available for community scholars. Wesleyan University employees working full time and their spouses or partners may register for up to two courses in the fall and up to two courses in the spring semester free of tuition payment. Wesleyan University employees working less than full time should consult the Human Resources Web page to determine their eligibility. Employees of the city of Middletown should contact the Middletown Personnel Department to inquire about tuition assistance.

High School Scholars. Wesleyan permits outstanding juniors and seniors from selected area high schools to take one course per semester at Wesleyan. Application is made through the guidance counselor at each high school. The completed application should be submitted to the Office of Admission. Permission is granted by the course instructor.

Transfer Students

Students wishing to apply to Wesleyan as transfer students must have been enrolled for at least one full academic year at another postsecondary academic institution and must have obtained the equivalent of at least six Wesleyan credits. Student who do not meet these conditions must apply for admission as a first-year student.

It is expected that transfer students will keep pace with the class to which they are officially assigned by the Office of the Deans; that is, the number of Wesleyan semesters available to transfer students to earn the Wesleyan degree will be determined by their class standing on entry. For certain exceptional cases and upon petition to the class dean, students may be granted an additional semester to complete requirements for the bachelor's degree. Please see Degree Requirements for residency requirement.

Transfer students entering Wesleyan in the fall of their sophomore year are expected to declare a major by the first week of March of their sophomore year. Transfer students who enter in their junior year must apply for acceptance into a major program as soon as possible, but no later than the end of their first semester at Wesleyan.

Credits approved for transfer from other institutions may be considered by the student's major department for inclusion in the major. Transfer students are encouraged to comply with Wesleyan's general education expectations. Transfer credits earned prior to matriculation at Wesleyan may be evaluated for general education equivalency. Please note that grades in courses must be a C- or better to be eligible for transfer of credit. No more than two credits may be transferred from one summer.

International Study

Students may earn Wesleyan credits by enrolling for nonresident study in either of the following types of programs abroad:

• Wesleyan-administered programs

• Wesleyan-approved programs

The only way in which courses taken abroad during the academic year can be credited toward a Wesleyan undergraduate degree is by prior approval from the Office of International Studies.

Wesleyan-Administered Programs

Wesleyan-administered programs, alone or in a consortium, are

• France: Vassar-Wesleyan Program in Paris

• Germany: Program in Regensburg, in consortium with Vanderbilt University and Wheaton College

• Israel: Wesleyan University and Trinity College Program in Jerusalem (suspended 2000-2009)

• Italy: Eastern College Consortium (ECCO) Program in Bologna

• Spain: Vassar-Wesleyan Program in Madrid

Study on these programs does not count toward the residency requirement. Courses taken on these programs may fulfill general education expectations if course equivalency is determined before departure or, when course listings are not available beforehand, at the point of course registration in the program.

Wesleyan-Approved Programs Abroad

The Committee on International Studies has approved programs for Wesleyan credit in a wide range of countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Oceania, and the Americas. The list is reviewed and updated annually by the CIS, and changes are vetted by the Educational Policy Committee. Students may obtain a copy of the list from the Office of International Studies, 105 Fisk Hall, or access it through the Internet at www.wesleyan.edu/ois/

Programs Abroad Approved by Petition

In exceptional cases, the Committee on International Studies may grant ad hoc approval for a program not included on the official list of Wesleyan-approved programs. Students must submit a petition, accompanied by a letter of support from a member of the Wesleyan faculty. Students should understand that the burden of justifying their choice (i.e., providing an academic justification for their participation in the program) is theirs. Approval for such programs is granted on a one-time basis and exclusively for the applicant. Regulations governing Wesleyan-approved programs (credits, fees, financial aid) apply to any program approved via petition.

International Study Regulations and Guidelines

Copies of the guidelines and financial procedures are available in the Office of International Studies or online at www.wesleyan.edu/ois.

Credit toward graduation is granted automatically for preapproved course work completed on a Wesleyan-administered or Wesleyan-approved program. Four credits are allowed for each of two semesters. Permission for a fifth credit for any given semester may be granted by the program director in the case of Wesleyan programs and by the Director of International Studies for Wesleyan-approved programs. School of International Training (SIT) programs are eligible for 3.5 credits rather than four. Grades earned will be reported on the Wesleyan transcript and will be counted in GPA calculations. This is the only way in which credit is given for courses taken abroad, except for courses taken during the summer, which are processed as transfer credit.

Credit toward completion of a major is not granted automatically for courses taken abroad. Students must consult with a faculty member or major advisor when applying for study abroad and must have courses for major credit preapproved by the department before departure or, in the event that course information is not available before the program begins, at the point of course registration in the program.  Major credit is not granted retroactively, and students who need to change course selections on arrival abroad must seek approval at the time of registration through their major advisor and the Office of International Studies. It is the responsibility of the student to check with the class dean concerning progress toward graduation and the possibility of oversubscription. General education credit may be granted for courses taken on administered and approved programs abroad only if requested through the Office of International Studies and approved by the academic deans before departure or, when course listings are not available beforehand, at the point of course registration in the program.

Students placed on strict probation at the end of the semester and students on medical leave are not eligible to study abroad the following semester; exceptions may be made in the latter case. Any grade of incomplete, X, or AB must be resolved two weeks prior to the student's departure date, and students with such grades on their transcript should consult with their class dean about the resolution process.

All University academic regulations apply to students studying for Wesleyan credit abroad, and withdrawal from a study-abroad program will be treated in the same way as withdrawal from the University. Wesleyan may withdraw a student from a program abroad or place a student on medical leave, should it be deemed advisable to do so.

Fees. Students are considered to be enrolled at Wesleyan while abroad. They are therefore charged Wesleyan tuition and are eligible for financial aid. Application for financial assistance should be made to the Financial Aid Office. Tuition charges cover the academic and administrative portions of the program expense. Expenses such as room and board, transportation, and cultural activities will be paid by students either through Wesleyan or directly, depending on the program. This financial arrangement applies to all study abroad for credit during the academic year.

Wesleyan programs. Program fees are set by the programs' administering committees in consultation with the Office of Academic Affairs. The committees also establish the criteria for admission and process all applications, with assistance from the Office of International Studies. For information and application forms, students should contact the Office of International Studies.

Wesleyan-approved programs. Besides applying directly to the sponsoring institution, students must fill out and submit to the Director of International Studies a Wesleyan application form for permission to study abroad. The form is available at the Office of International Studies or online, and all applications are subject to approval by the Committee on International Studies.

Internal Special Study Programs

Summer Study at Wesleyan

Students may earn summer credit at Wesleyan through the Graduate Liberal Studies Program, Wesleyan independent study, and Wesleyan education in the field.  These credits must be pre-approved, and student may earn a maximum of two credits each summer to be posted to their Wesleyan University transcripts

Graduate Liberal Studies Program (GLSP)

Wesleyan undergraduates, normally rising juniors and seniors, may take courses in the Graduate Liberal Studies Program subject to approval by the instructor of the course, their class dean, faculty advisor or major department chair, and the GLSP director. Attendance does not, however, constitute residency for the purpose of satisfying the graduation requirement of six semesters of full-time residency. Wesleyan undergraduates attending GLSP are subject to its academic rules and regulations. All grades and course work attempted by Wesleyan undergraduates in GLSP will be recorded on the student's undergraduate record and transcript.

Independent Study

A student may obtain academic credit for certain forms of independent study during a summer or an authorized leave of absence. Activities such as independent reading, special work under supervision, and educational tours may earn credit provided that (1) these plans have been approved in advance by the relevant Wesleyan department and the class dean, and (2) all requirements specified by the approving department in the form of an examination, paper, or equivalent assignment have been satisfied. Please note that senior theses or senior projects may be undertaken only as senior thesis tutorials or projects and not as independent study. No more than two credits may be earned in a semester or summer for such special work. See "Fees," below. Forms for independent study are available in the Office of the Deans or on the Office of the Deans'  web site.

Education in the Field

Approved education-in-the-field programs are listed under the sponsoring departments or colleges. They may be taken during the summer, during an authorized leave of absence, or during an academic term. At the discretion of the department involved, up to two course credits per semester may be granted for education in the field. Students must consult with the department in advance of undertaking education in the field for approval of the nature of the responsibilities and method of evaluation. Credit and a grade for education in the field will be posted to the student's transcript once a grade report has been submitted by the faculty sponsor.

Students pursuing an education in the field during the summer or while on an authorized leave of absence during the academic year are not eligible for financial aid and will be charged a special tuition rate (see below). Students enrolled full time may also pursue an education in the field in conjunction with regular courses (for a combined total of at least three credits) and will be charged the full tuition rate. In no case will financial aid to a student in this category exceed the amount of aid the student would have received as a regular full-time student at the University.

Education-in-the-field programs are under the general supervision of the Educational Policy Committee. Information concerning specific procedures for the supervision and evaluation of education-in-the-field programs may be obtained from the sponsoring department or college. Forms for education in the field are available at the Office of the Deans or on the Office of Deans' web site.

No more than four credits earned through independent study and education in the field combined can be counted toward the graduation requirements.

Fees for independent study and education in the field and credit from unaccredited institutions.

Students engaged in independent study or enrolled only in education in the field or taking a course at an unaccredited institution will pay a per-credit tuition charge equal to one tenth of the prevailing tuition rate for the semester.

teaching Apprentice Program

The Teaching Apprentice Program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to participate with a faculty member (who serves as master teacher) in the teaching of one of the faculty member's courses. The apprentice is enrolled in an apprenticeship tutorial conducted by the master teacher. The tutorials focus in varying degrees on the subject matter of the course and on the teaching activity itself. Apprentices are awarded one course credit for successful completion of the semester tutorial.

The Teaching Apprentice Program has two main objectives:

• To provide an opportunity for advanced students to deepen their understanding of a subject while gaining insight into the teaching process; and

• To improve the learning environment in courses designed primarily for first-year and sophomore students by adding a student teacher who can bridge the intellectual gap between instructors and beginning students. The apprentice is viewed as a member of a teaching team rather than as a teaching assistant. While the interaction between the apprentice and the master teacher can take many forms, faculty are urged to design the role of the apprentice to stimulate greater participation in the learning activity by students in the course. Normally, the apprentice and master teacher have, in some prior activity, established the sort of intellectual rapport that will promote an effective team relationship.

Apprentice proposals should be developed by the master teacher with input, when possible, from the prospective apprentice. Applications should describe the teaching role to be played by the apprentice, the academic course work to be done in the apprenticeship tutorial, and the basis on which the apprentice will be evaluated. Applications must also meet the guidelines for apprenticeships established by the department or program and approved by the Educational Policy Committee. Faculty members must submit applications to the Office of Academic Affairs in October to apply for a spring-semester apprentice and in April to apply for a fall-semester apprentice. The following policies apply to teaching apprentices and teaching apprenticeships:

• If a student serves as an apprentice in the same course more than once, the student may receive no more than a total of one credit for teaching in that course.

• Teaching apprentices may not teach in group tutorials or student-forum courses.

• A student may not count more than two course credits earned in apprenticeship tutorials toward degree requirements.

Tutorials

Individual tutorials, numbered 401-402 and 421-422, are available only to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. A tutorial may not be given when a comparable course is available in the same academic year. Students may not count more than four course credits combined of individual and group tutorials toward degree requirements. Tutorial forms must be approved by the chair of the department or program in which the tutorial is given.

Tutorial applications should include a concise description of the work to be done, including the number of hours to be devoted to the tutorial, the number of meetings with the tutor, a reading list, and a description of the work on which the student's performance will be evaluated. Application forms are available at the Office of the Registrar.

Tutorials for one credit should be added during the drop/add period. Partial-credit tutorials beginning after the drop/add period must be added to a student's schedule within five days of the start of the academic exercise. The minimum credit amount for any tutorial is 0.25 credit.

Group tutorials, numbered 411-412, are proposed and taught by a faculty member.  Applications are available at the Office of the Registrar and must be approved by the department and Academic Dean.

Student Forums

Student-run group tutorials, numbered 419 or 420, must be sponsored by a faculty member and approved by the chair of a department or program and by the relevant academic dean. Proposals for a student forum must be submitted by the department or program chair to the Office of Academic Affairs by the end of exams prior to the semester in which the course will be offered. Application forms and instructions are available at the Office of the Registrar. A student may count two student forum course credits toward degree requirements but is limited to a combined maximum of two credits in physical education and student forum courses.

External Special Study Programs

Summer Study at Other Accredited National and International Institutions

A student may obtain credit toward the Wesleyan degree for courses taken in the summer session of another accredited institution if (1) the courses have been approved in advance by the relevant Wesleyan department, and (2) the grades in the courses are B- or better. Departments may impose other conditions for the transfer of credit, such as a higher minimum grade, review of course work, passing a departmentally-administered exam, etc. Grades earned at another institution will not be reflected in the Wesleyan academic record; only credits may be transferred. Forms for permission to transfer credit are available at the Office of Deans or on the Office of the Deans' web site.

Transfer of Credit from Other Domestic Institutions

A student may obtain credit toward the Wesleyan degree for courses taken during the academic year (other than summer session) at another accredited U.S. institution if (1) the courses have been approved in advance by the relevant Wesleyan department, and (2) the grades in the courses are C- or better. Departments may impose other conditions for the transfer of credit, such as a higher minimum grade, review of course work, passing a departmentally-administered exam, etc. Grades earned at another institution will not be reflected in the Wesleyan academic record; only credits may be transferred. The final amount of credit transferred to the Wesleyan transcript will be determined in accordance with Wesleyan's policy on transfer credit and the evaluation of the appropriate department. (As a guideline, it should be noted that one Wesleyan unit is equivalent to four semester hours or six quarter hours.)  Study-abroad credits earned by students who currently are withdrawn or required to resign will not be accepted. Forms for permission to transfer credit are available at the Office of the Deans or on the Office of the Deans' web site.

A student who wishes to receive Wesleyan credit for work done at an unaccredited institution must secure the sponsorship of a Wesleyan faculty member, the approval of the chair of the corresponding Wesleyan department, and the approval of the class dean prior to undertaking the work. To apply for credit, a student should write a statement that describes the work to be done and indicates the amount of academic credit sought. The statement should be endorsed by the faculty sponsor and the department chair and submitted to the class dean. The faculty sponsor will be responsible for evaluating the completed work and reporting the amount of credit earned to the class dean. See "Fees," above.

Twelve-College Exchange Program

The Twelve-College Exchange Program is a cooperative program for residential student exchange between Wesleyan and the following colleges: Amherst, Bowdoin, Connecticut, Dartmouth, Mount Holyoke, Smith, Trinity, Vassar, Wellesley, and Wheaton.  Two special programs associated with the Twelve-College Exchange Program are the Williams-Mystic Seaport Program in American Maritime Studies in Mystic, Connecticut, sponsored by Williams College, and the National Theater Institute, in Waterford, Connecticut, sponsored by Connecticut College. Wesleyan sophomores, juniors, and seniors in good standing are eligible to apply to any of the participating institutions for either one semester or the full year. Participation in the Twelve-College Exchange Program by Wesleyan students does not count toward Wesleyan's residency requirement, but courses are coded for general education equivalency. Catalogs of participating colleges and information about the programs are available in the Office of International Studies.

Tuition and fees are paid to the host colleges; no fees are paid to Wesleyan. Financial-aid students may apply their Wesleyan assistance, with the exception of work/study benefits, toward expenses at the host college. It is the student's responsibility to complete any loan negotiations before leaving the Wesleyan campus. A Wesleyan student who participates in the exchange program is expected to abide by the rules and regulations of the host institution.

Students who wish to participate in the Twelve-College Exchange Program must apply through the Office of International Studies. Students may apply to only one college at a time. The deadline for submission of completed applications is February 1 for either or both semesters of the subsequent academic year. However, applications will be considered as long as space is available at the desired institution. Completed and approved applications are sent by Wesleyan to the respective colleges. If rejected by the college of their first choice, students may apply to a second college.

Other Nonresident Programs

A small number of programs considered by the faculty to be of importance in supplementing the Wesleyan curriculum for students with certain academic interests are treated as approved nonresident study programs. Participants continue to be Wesleyan students, pay regular tuition to the University, and are not placed on leave of absence. Information about these programs can be obtained from the Office of International Studies or the faculty member or office listed below. Students planning to participate in these programs should check with their faculty advisor and class dean concerning their progress toward completion of the major and graduation. Except for students who matriculated before the fall of 2000, such study does not count toward the six-semester residency requirement.

The Woods Hole SEA semester. Through this 12-week program, students spend six weeks at the Woods Hole Center for Oceanographic Research, studying the chemistry, biology, physics, and geology of the oceans, marine history and literature, and maritime policy, and designing an independent research project. The second six weeks of the program entail lab research and sailing, navigating, and maintenance aboard a 135-foot vessel. See the chair of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences for information about the curriculum and application process.

Semester in Environmental Science (SES) at the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole. The purpose of this program is to instruct students in the basic methods and principles of ecosystems science in a manner that enhances and supplements existing curricula in natural and environmental sciences at the colleges participating in the SES consortium. The program is interdisciplinary and offers a core curriculum, stressing team research and team study. See the chair of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences for information about the curriculum and application process.

The Urban Education Semester. This is a fully-accredited academic immersion program combining an interdisciplinary examination of inner-city public education with supervised practical teaching experience in selected New York City public school classrooms. Each semester, students enroll in graduate courses at the Bank Street College of Education and work three days per week under the guidance of distinguished teachers. The Urban Education Semester introduces students to the theory and practice of urban education. Interested students should contact the Career Resource Center.

Wesleyan-Trinity-Connecticut College Consortium. By special arrangement with Connecticut College and Trinity College, Wesleyan students may enroll, without additional cost, in courses given at these institutions. Normally, students will be permitted to take only courses not offered at Wesleyan. Enrollment is limited to one course per semester. Arrangements for enrollment may be made through the Office of the Registrar.

Combined 3-2 Programs in Science and Engineering.  Wesleyan maintains a 3-2 program with Columbia and the California Institute of Technology for students wishing to combine the study of engineering with a broad background in liberal arts. A student participating in this program spends three years at Wesleyan followed by two at the engineering school. After completing all degree requirements from both schools, he or she receives two degrees, a bachelor of arts from Wesleyan and a bachelor of science from Caltech or Columbia. During the three years at Wesleyan, a prospective 3-2 student enters a normal major program and completes the minimal requirements for the major, and in addition, fulfills the science and mathematics requirements for the first two years of the engineering school he or she plans to enter. During the final two years at the engineering school, the student follows the regular third and fourth year program in whatever field of engineering is selected and may need to take other specific courses to satisfy degree requirements there.

ROTC/AFROTC. Qualified Wesleyan students may participate in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) or the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (AFROTC) programs hosted by the University of Connecticut's detachments. Students who wish to transfer credits for courses they successfully complete through these programs may do so if (1) the courses have been approved in advance by the relevant Wesleyan department, and (2) the grades in the courses are C- or better. Student who wish to request the transfer of credit to their Wesleyan degree must do so through the same process and under the same guidelines as transfer credit from any other accredited institution. For details on how to transfer credit, please refer to Transfer of Credit from Other Institutions. For further information about University of Connecticut's programs please contact the appropriate department:

Advanced Degrees

The MALS and CAS in the Graduate Liberal Studies Program

The Graduate Liberal Studies Program offers courses in the arts, humanities, mathematics, sciences, and social sciences leading to the master of arts in liberal studies (MALS) or the certificate of advanced study (CAS). Fall- and spring-term courses meet evenings, once weekly, for two and a half to three hours. Saturday morning classes also may be offered. The summer term offers an intensive schedule. Students generally study part time and are expected to complete all graduation requirements within six years.

For more information, visit www.wesleyan.edu/glsp, send e-mail to glsinquire@wesleyan.edu, or visit the office at 284 High Street on the Wesleyan campus.

MA and PhD Programs in Sciences and Music

The University offers work leading to the MA degree in astronomy, computer science, earth and environmental sciences, mathematics, music, and psychology and to the PhD in biology, chemistry, ethnomusicology, mathematics, molecular biology and biochemistry, and physics. Theses and dissertations are required for these degrees. An interdepartmental program leading to the PhD is offered jointly by the chemistry and physics departments. An interdepartmental program in molecular biophysics leading to the PhD is offered by the departments of molecular biology and biochemistry and chemistry.

All graduate instruction is scheduled within an academic year consisting of two academic semesters from September to June. Summer work consisting of independent study or research is encouraged. No evening courses or summer school courses other than those in the Graduate Liberal Studies Program are available.

Combined Plans of Study

The BA/MA program in Anthropology. The Anthropology department offers a five-year program leading to concurrent BA and MA degrees. Application for the program must be made to the department prior to the end of the junior year. Candidates for the bachelor's degree who satisfy the Wesleyan requirements for honors in general scholarship may, in their senior year, be admitted to candidacy for the master's degree, provided that they have earned at least 32 credits toward the bachelor's degree by the start of the senior year and are not otherwise deficient in satisfying the requirements for the undergraduate degree. The work of these candidates is under the direction of the Graduate Council. Successful candidates may receive the BA and MA degrees concurrently.

The BA/MA program in the sciences - A five year plan. The Science programs at Wesleyan offer a variety of excellent research opportunities. In fact, the opportunity to carry on significant research is one of the strongest features of science at Wesleyan. Many undergraduates carry on research in their major department in close collaboration with a faculty member in the department, and those who do often report that undergraduate research has been the most valuable part of their Wesleyan education. However, in recent years, as the opportunities to do high-quality research have multiplied at Wesleyan, some students have felt the need for a more intensive involvement in research than is possible in the traditional four year undergraduate setting. In consultation with their major department, students have constructed programs of study through which they have been able to obtain the MA degree after a fifth year of study following their BA. This additional year has provided them with the opportunity to devote a great deal of time to completing the research project they had begun as undergraduates.

Wesleyan's five-year BA/MA is a formal curricular option for those students who feel the need for the intensive research experience which a fifth year of study can afford. The program will have a strong research orientation. However, it will also include course work, seminars, and, in some cases, teaching. Although it is anticipated that most individuals who enroll in this program will go on for further graduate study, the program will provide a strong professional background for either further advanced study or employment in industry. It should be clear that completion of both BA and MA requirements in five years will require careful planning of one's schedule of courses and research for the last two years of the program. A student hoping to enter this program will be expected to declare the intention to do so early enough in his/her academic career to permit the design of an acceptable program for the last two years with both the major department and a research advisor within that department.

The program will include the following features:

The MA will require six to eight credits in addition to the 32 necessary for the Wesleyan BA. Of these credits, two to four (at the department's discretion) will be in advanced course work; the remaining credits may be earned through research, seminars, research practica, etc. MA credit will only be awarded for academic exercises in which grades of B minus or higher have been earned. However, a student in the program who earns more than 32 credits in four years may apply any excess credits toward the MA, providing that they are in the major area or a related area and they have not been used to fulfill the undergraduate major requirement.

Students enrolled in this program will receive the BA degree after four years and the MA degree at the end of the fifth year. However, this is a combined degree program; in order to be able to complete the two degrees in five years, it will be necessary for the student to submit a carefully worked out and integrated study plan for the final two years at the time of application to the program.

Students are encouraged to declare their interest in the program during their sophomore year, but application to (deadline for application is March 1) and acceptance into the program will normally be by April 7 of the junior year. For seniors who apply to the program the application deadline is December 1. with acceptance to the program by January 31. Admission to the program will be based on both departmental recommendation and academic record. Departments will set their own requirements for admission into the program.

Wesleyan will not charge tuition for the fifth year if the student has completed all the requirements for the undergraduate degree by the end of the eighth term in the undergraduate program. Tuition will be charged, however, if credits earned in the fifth year are being used to complete the undergraduate degree requirements. Students needing more than five years to complete the program will pay tuition for the additional time required and an extension fee of $250 per semester.

Students in this program will be expected to submit an MA thesis describing the research which they have carried out in partial fulfillment of the degree requirements. Many students in the program will choose not to write senior Honors theses because they will be writing a more substantial MA thesis based on the same project the following year. However, there will be no prohibition against writing a BA thesis should the student wish to do so. This would not relieve the student of the obligation to submit an MA thesis in the fifth year.

The program will be under the administrative supervision of a three-person committee of the Graduate Council, which will monitor the progress of students in the program toward completion of the degree requirements. The Office of Graduate Student Services will maintain a roll of those enrolled in the program and will administer the academic records of students in the fifth year of the program.

Financial support other than tuition remission in the fifth year is not a formal component of this program. However, some students in the fifth year of the program may be able to find support either from research grant funds or as teaching assistants.

For further information on the BA/MA program or MA and PhD programs, contact the Office of Graduate Student Services, wblades@wesleyan.edu, 130-132 Science Tower, or visit the web site.

General Regulations

The University expects all students to fulfill faithfully and effectively their responsibilities as members of the Wesleyan community. A student may be suspended or be required to withdraw from the University or from any course at any time when, in the judgment of the class dean or the faculty, respectively, the student fails to meet this obligation satisfactorily.

Enrollment. Students must comply with the regulations for matriculation with the University as announced by the registrar. A student who does not enroll in the University by the announced deadline will be considered administratively withdrawn from the University. Students who enroll in fewer than three credits may be subjected to disenrollment.

Medical report. Every student entering the University for the first time must submit health information as requested by the director of the University Health Services.

Payment of bills. It is the student's responsibility to see that payment deadlines are met. Failure to do so prevents the student from enrolling, participating in course pre-registration, and participating in the housing selection process. Diplomas, grades and transcripts also will be withheld until University bills have been paid.

Selection of courses. Detailed information concerning course offerings is given in the Wesleyan University Course Catalog; WesMaps, Wesleyan's online curriculum home page; and the Course Supplement, a condensed listing of all course offerings for each semester. These publications should be consulted for information concerning time and place of class meetings, additions or changes, and cancellations.

Changes in and withdrawal from courses. Students may not add courses (including tutorials) to their schedules after the drop/add period. Exceptions will be made for courses that start after the beginning of the semester, provided that the required drop/add or tutorial forms are submitted to the Office of the Registrar within five class days after the start of the course.

Students who drop a course before the end of the drop/add period will have the course deleted from their record.  A student who withdraws from a course, the only option after the drop/add period, will receive a grade of "W" and the course will remain on the student's transcript.  A student may withdraw, by choice and without penalty, from a full-semester, second- and fourth quarter course through the end of the tenth week of the semester.  A student may withdraw from a first- and third-quarter course by the end of the corresponding quarter. To do so, the student must submit to the Office of the Registrar by the stated deadline a withdrawal slip signed by the instructor, the faculty advisor, and the class dean.

An instructor may require a student to withdraw from a course if the student fails to meet the announced conditions of enrollment.  The student will be required to submit a completed withdrawal slip to the Office of the Registrar to make the withdrawal from the course official.

Students who withdraw from the University before the stated withdrawal deadline will also be withdrawn from their courses. For a student withdrawing after the stated withdrawal deadline, the courses will remain on the transcript and they will be graded accordingly.

Auditing. Subject to any conditions set by the instructor, a registered Wesleyan student may be permitted to audit a course without charge. At the end of the semester, the instructor may add to the grade roster the name of any student who has attended with sufficient regularity to have the course listed in the academic record as audited, without credit. Permission to audit does not  include permission to have tests, examinations, or papers read or graded. Wesleyan alumni and members of the community please see section on nondegree Part-time Undergraduate Students

Class attendance..  A student is expected to attend class meetings regularly. Since the faculty intends that class attendance be primarily the student's responsibility, no precise limitation of absences has been prescribed for all students. It is understood, however, that absence from class is regarded as the exception, not the rule. An instructor should notify the class dean of any student who is absent from class for one week or three consecutive classes, whichever comes first. Students on strict probation must attend all classes in which they are enrolled.

Instructors are entitled to establish definite and precise rules governing attendance. Any student who is repeatedly absent without excuse from scheduled academic exercises at which attendance is mandatory may be required to withdraw from the course.

Unsatisfactory Progress Reports. It is expected that faculty will submit in a timely manner an Unsatisfactory Progress Report (UPR) to the class dean for any student who is doing unsatisfactory work.   UPRs help the class deans identify students who are having academic difficulties and allow the deans to work with the instructor to reach out and work with these students.  Early intervention proves to be the most effective method for helping students who are experiencing academic difficulties.  UPRs  should be submitted for:

• Students who are doing unsatisfactory work (lower than C-) or experiencing difficulties that will result in unsatisfactory work;

• Students who are experiencing  substantial difficulty with the course even though they  may have a satisfactory grade of C or better;

• Students who are on strict pProbation.  The Deans' Office notifies instructors if such a student is in their course.

Submission or Change of Grades. Only the instructor of record can submit or change a course grade, unless the instructor is no longer employed by the University or has become unavailable, in which case the department chair, upon review of the student's work, may submit a grade. Grades can only be given for work assigned and submitted during the academic term, except in the case where a student has requested an incomplete (please see Incompletes/Completion of Work Courses), in which case work assigned during the semester may be submitted no later than the first day of classes of the subsequent semester.  A change of grade may be made on the following grounds:  

• Administrative error;

• Error in calculation of grade;

• Lost work submitted during the academic term was found;

• Submission of outstanding work from an incomplete whereby the final grade is not lower than the provisional grade.

Incompletes/Completion of work in courses. All the work of a course (semester-long projects and papers) must be completed and submitted to the instructor by the last day of classes. The only exceptions to this are semester examinations, take-home final exams, or final papers that may not be scheduled or be due any sooner than the first day of the examination period and preferably at the time designated by the registrar for the course's examination time. A student who is unable to meet these deadlines, for the reasons listed below, may request the permission of the instructor to meet the requirement no later than the first day of classes of the subsequent semester. If the instructor grants the extension, a grade of Incomplete (IN) must be submitted to the registrar at the time grades are due. A student whose credit total is deficient or who is at risk of required resignation will be subject to an earlier deadline, two to three weeks prior to the first day of classes of the subsequent semester, by which time outstanding course requirements must be met and submitted to the instructor.

Incompletes must be accompanied by a provisional grade that will become the final grade if the outstanding work in the course is not submitted by the first day of classes of the subsequent semester or earlier deadline, as stated above.

A student may receive up to two incompletes per semester by this method. To receive incompletes in more than two courses, the student must petition his or her class dean. The petition can be granted only on grounds of illness, family crisis, or other extraordinary circumstances. The dean may, on petition, grant a student incompletes for these reasons, whether or not the student has contracted for any incompletes with the instructors.

For the impact of incompletes on students' records for the purposes of academic review, students should consult their class dean.

Students on strict probation will not be allowed to receive incompletes without the prior approval of their class dean.

Repeating courses. Except for designated courses (see WesMaps), a course for which a student received a passing grade may not be repeated for credit. If a student repeats a course in which a failing grade was received, the failing grade will remain on the transcript and will be calculated in the grade-point average even after the course is repeated.  If a course may be repeated for credit, it may be taken twice at most for a letter grade (A-F) and it may be taken four times at most for graduation credit.

Regulations governing the scheduling of classes. Classes will meet each week for three class periods of 50 minutes each, for two class periods of 80 minutes each, or for one class period that corresponds as closely as possible to the standard time periods described below.

• Meeting patterns:  Classes that meet three times weekly may meet only on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Classes that meet twice weekly may meet within regulated times on Tuesday and Thursday or Monday and Wednesday afternoons, or on any two mornings combining Monday, Wednesday, or Friday (MW, MF, or WF) from 8:30 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. Courses that meet once weekly may meet in the afternoon or evening on any day. Classes and laboratory sessions should be scheduled between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and in the evenings after 7 p.m.

• Morning classes:   On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday classes are scheduled for three periods of 50 minutes each beginning at 8 a.m.  On Tuesday and Thursday classes are scheduled for two 80-minute periods beginning at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.; any combination of two on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday (MW, MF, or WF) may be scheduled at 8:30 a.m. or 11 a.m.  Eight a.m. classes and noon classes (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday only) are 50 minutes each.

• Afternoon classes:   On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday classes are scheduled classes for three periods of 50 minutes each.  Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday classes are scheduled for two periods of 80 minutes each. All afternoon classes should begin at 1:10 p.m. or 2:40 p.m.

Exceptions to these rules require approval by the Educational Policy Committee. Ordinarily, classes should not overlap more than one standard period between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday classes may be scheduled as desired by departments.

Reading week. This period is designated for students to prepare for examinations and complete assignments due at the end of the semester. To protect the integrity of that week, the faculty have established the following regulations:

• Final exams, comprehensive examinations covering materials from the course of the entire semester, are to be given only during the formal exam period established by the faculty.

• Classes  can be held only during the class period established by the faculty; make-up classes should be held during that established class period.

• In courses without a registrar-scheduled final examination, significant assignments such as final take-home exams, semester-long projects, and term papers must be due no  sooner than the first day, and no later than the last day, of the exam period, and preferably at the time slot reserved for the registrar-scheduled examination.

• Student organizations should not schedule retreats, programs, or meetings that require student attendance during Reading Week.

• Departmental, program, and college activities that require student participation should not be held during Reading Week, with the exception of oral and written examinations covered by alternative exam calendars.

• Sessions or information programs that require student attendance should not be held during Reading Week.

Scheduled final examinations. The schedule of final examinations will be issued in advance. The time of any examination may be changed by unanimous request of the class and with the approval of the instructor, but it must be set within the period designated by the faculty for examinations, and the change must be reported promptly to the registrar. The faculty has voted to comply with the following guidelines:

• That "hour exams" be limited to 50 minutes so that students who are scheduled to leave for other classes may not be placed at a disadvantage

• That final examinations be limited to three hours unless otherwise announced before the examination

If a student is absent from the final examination with the permission of the instructor, a grade of absent will be assigned. A grade of absent will be accompanied by a provisional grade that will become the final grade if the final examination is not made up by the end of the first full week of classes of the subsequent semester. Grades are due in the Office of the Registrar no later than the date published in the academic calendar.

If a student has three or more final examinations on one day or four in two days, the student may request a rescheduled examination from one instructor.

Make-up examinations for suspended students. Students who have been suspended from the privileges of the campus for a limited period are held responsible ultimately for all of the work in their courses. Giving make-up examinations to a suspended student upon the student's return is entirely at the discretion of the instructor. The instructor may waive any examinations or quizzes given to the class during the period of the suspension and may base the student's grade on the rest of the record, or the instructor may require the student to take make-up examinations or submit additional work.

Leave, Withdrawal, Readmission, and Refund Policy

The following categories indicate the conditions under which a student's registration at Wesleyan may be interrupted. These designations are recorded on the student's permanent record.

Leave of absence. An undergraduate may take an approved leave of absence for a specified period, normally not to exceed two semesters. Students who interrupt their enrollment at Wesleyan by taking a nonacademic leave for more than four consecutive semesters must apply for readmission. Leave-of-absence application forms are available in the Office of the Deans, the Office of the Registrar, or on the department web sites.

For academic and nonacademic leaves, the deadline for submission of leave-of-absence applications is December 1 for the spring semester and April 1 for the fall semester. Academic and nonacademic leaves will not be granted after the drop/add period at the beginning of each semester.

Notice of intention to return to Wesleyan from academic and nonacademic leaves should be filed with the registrar by the end of the last semester for which the leave was taken. Students wishing to return for a spring semester must submit their notice of intention by December 1 and students wishing to return for a fall semester must submit their notice of intention by April 1. Students who do not return or renew their leave at the end of their leave will be considered to have withdrawn voluntarily. Application for readmission will be considered.

• Academic Leave. A student on academic leave must earn a minimum of three course credits per semester (full-time status) at another institution. Academic leave is limited to one year but may be renewed for an additional year upon request to the class dean and the faculty advisor. Students may not go on an academic leave to study abroad. Please see Transfer of Credit from Other Institutions for transfer credit criteria.  Credits earned while on leave must be processed two weeks prior to the semester in which a student returns for purposes of class-year classification.

•  Nonacademic Leave. Wesleyan permits students to interrupt their college careers for a semester or year of nonacademic experience. Students may receive assistance from the Office of the Deans and from the Career Resource Center in exploring opportunities for the period of the leave. Nonacademic leave is limited to one year but may be extended upon request to the faculty advisor and class dean. Students will be reclassified to the appropriate class year at the end of the semester in which they file their leave. Students who have obtained prior approval may earn academic credit while on leave and will be reclassified, if appropriate, once these credits are posted to their transcript.

• Medical Leave. A medical leave is given on the basis of a recommendation from the director of University Health Services or the director of the Office of Behavioral Health for Students (OBHS), whose recommendation is also necessary before the student can return. Leaves recommended by OBHS, while open-ended, are at least one semester beyond the semester in which the leave was taken. In exceptional cases, some incompletes may be granted, depending on course content and the date of the leave. Any semester in which a grade is given is counted as a Wesleyan semester for purposes of graduation.

Withdrawal. The five forms of withdrawal fall into three main categories: voluntary, involuntary for academic reasons, and involuntary for nonacademic reasons. Withdrawal from the University does not include withdrawal from courses if it occurs after the course withdrawal deadline.

• Voluntary

  • Withdrew. A student has voluntarily left Wesleyan.

• Involuntary for Academic Reasons

  • Required Resignation. A student has been asked to leave the University for academic reasons, with the privilege of applying for readmission after the recommended period of absence.

  • Separation. A student has been asked to leave the University for the second time for academic reasons and does not have the privilege of applying for readmission.

• Involuntary for Nonacademic Reasons

  • Suspension. A student has been asked to leave the University for other than academic reasons for a specified period.

  • Dismissal. A student has been asked to leave the University for other than academic reasons without the privilege of applying for readmission.

Readmission. Students who have withdrawn or have been required to resign may apply to the Office of the Deans for readmission.  The readmission application requires a $50 fee and other accompanying materials specified at the time of departure.  Students wishing to enter the University for the fall semester must notify the Office of the Deans of their intent by May 1 and submit readmission materials by June 1; for the spring semester, notification must by made by November 1 with materials submitted by December 1. Candidates are strongly urged to meet all requirements well in advance of deadlines, since housing assignments and financial aid awards cannot be made until readmission is granted. Credits earned while away are subject to the conditions described in the section on Transfer of Credit from Other Institutions.

Refunds. The following guidelines govern refunds to student who terminate enrollment before the end of the semester.

• Tuition and Fees. If a student leaves the University prior to the end of the drop/add period, 100 percent of tuition will be refunded. If a student withdraws after the end of the drop/add period, tuition will be refunded on a pro rated basis. The Student Accounts Office maintains a schedule of the percent of tuition to be refunded that is based on the number of weeks in the semester that have passed. When a student is receiving financial assistance, a prorated reduction in aid will be calculated based upon the revised charges. No refunds will be given for withdrawals from the University after the ninth week of the semester.

• Fees. The Student Activity Fee is refundable if a student is absent for an entire semester but it is not prorated for periods of less than one semester.

• Residential Comprehensive Fee. The housing portion of the fee will be prorated according to the number of days of occupancy; no housing portion refunds are granted for the final two weeks of a semester.  Dining refunds will be based on the unused portion of the plan at the time of the withdrawal.