Academic Policies

In accordance with the Drew University Bylaws, academic policies are promulgated by the College faculty. No additions, modifications, or deletions can be made to the content of this page without a vote of the College faculty. 

Academic Accommodations

Academic Accommodations are handled through the Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR) which is a part of the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE).

Academic Advising

Information about Academic Advising is available through the Office of Academic Services.

All first-year students are assigned a faculty adviser who supports and mentors them until they declare a major. Once a student declares a major, they will be assigned a primary academic advisor who will assist students in developing an academic plan. 

Academic Calendar

Students are responsible to regularly review all dates and deadlines posted on the Academic Calendar from the Office of the Registrar’s website.

Academic Honors

Dean’s List

A student whose semester grade point average is at least 3.6 on a registration of 12 or more gpa-inclusive graded credit hours, with no outstanding incompletes or grades not reported, is eligible for Dean’s List.

Phi Beta Kappa

Phi Beta Kappa was installed at Drew in the spring of 1980. The Drew chapter, Gamma of New Jersey, elects a limited number of seniors and occasionally exceptional juniors on the basis of scholarly achievement in the liberal arts and good character. Those who are awarded this high distinction are inducted into the society at a ceremony each spring, and are listed in the Commencement program. Eligibility for Phi Beta Kappa includes completion of one 4-credit course in mathematics (or the equivalent from a designated list of alternative courses) and demonstration of foreign language competency through the intermediate level.

Latin Honors

Latin honors, based on the cumulative grade point average, at the time of graduation, are awarded in three levels: cum laude (3.60–3.74), magna cum laude (3.75–3.89), and summa cum laude (3.90 and higher). A student must complete at least 48 credits of study at Drew and have received no more than one grade of F or the equivalent to be eligible for graduation with Latin honors.

Specialized Honors in the Major

Specialized Honors may be awarded in only one major field or area. The diploma shall carry the designation “With honors in (a specific major field or area).”

The requirements for specialized honors shall be:

a) Cumulative Grade Point Averages: An overall cumulative average of 3.4 or higher and a cumulative average of 3.5 in the courses included in the major or area.

b) Residency: Completion of honors work during the student’s last two semesters at Drew.

c) Invitation: In the spring of the junior year, the Dean and the Director of the Specialized Honors Thesis shall invite qualified juniors to apply to work toward honors during the senior year. A student who does not meet the GPA requirement for honors may, with the strong support of the major department or program, petition to begin honors work. However, if the petition is granted the student must, by graduation, have met the GPA requirement for honors in the major to be awarded.

d) Application: Using the honors application form, a candidate for Specialized Honors must present to the Honors Advisory Committee the subject of his or her proposed thesis approved by an adviser in his or her major. This proposed topic shall be subject to reasonable change if the candidate and his or her adviser deem it necessary as the work progresses.

e) Fall Honors Thesis Colloquium: Honors candidates must participate in the Fall Honors Thesis Colloquium, the purpose of which is to bring young scholars together and to encourage the development of theses of high quality. The Honors Thesis Colloquium shall be administered by the Director of the thesis program.

f) A thesis voted, at the completion of the defense, by the thesis committee as “worthy of honors.”

i. A final draft of the thesis shall be due to all members of the Committee toward the end of the spring semester. The thesis shall be read by all members of the candidate’s thesis committee. Committee members shall take into account substance, documentation, organization, and style. If a thesis is unsatisfactory in any one of these areas, it may be rejected on that ground alone. The thesis shall be expected either to give fresh statement to a subject of intellectual importance upon which there is room for difference of opinion, or to report an investigation of some magnitude and difficulty and to explain the significance of the findings to general knowledge in the area of the investigation. It should demonstrate the student’s intellectual comprehension of the subject of the thesis and mastery of writing skills appropriate to the discipline.

ii. The thesis in its final form shall conform to the requirements of a style manual appropriate to the field of research. A PDF copy of the thesis must be uploaded to the library. The PDF shall be accompanied by a 200-500 word abstract of the thesis. Once the thesis has been submitted, advisers will indicate to the library that the thesis is approved, and notify the student and the Director of the Specialized Honors Thesis. Requirements for specialized honors in the major have not been met until this final step is completed.

g) Honors Thesis Defense: The conduct of the honors defense required of candidates for honors shall be the responsibility of the thesis adviser. Requirements for the defense include the following:

i. Scheduling of the defense: The defense shall occur between the date on which theses are due and the date on which the final copies must be submitted to the Library for honors to be awarded. The defense must be scheduled no sooner than one week after the date on which a final draft of the thesis is received by the Committee. The honors candidate is responsible for scheduling the defense at a time convenient to all members of the Committee. The defense date shall be announced publicly to the University community.

ii. Composition of the Thesis Committee: The Thesis Committee shall consist of three members: the adviser and two additional members selected by the student in consultation with the adviser, one of whom must be from a different department or program without regard to division. Honors candidates must submit to the Honors Advisory Committee the names and signatures of the three members they have selected on a form also signed by the program director or chair of the department in the area in which specialized honors will be awarded; this form must be submitted by the fourth week of the first semester. Students who have any concerns about their thesis committee are able to seek the assistance of the Director of the Thesis Program, who can intervene on their behalf in the Thesis Committee discussions. Students will be informed of this resource on the Specialized Honors website and in informational meetings at the beginning of the Fall semester. Students also retain the right to appeal Thesis Committee decisions to the Committee on Academic Standing.

iii. Length of the defense: The defense shall be approximately one hour in duration unless, in the judgment of the Committee, more time is desirable, in which event the defense may be extended. Defenses shall be open to members of the faculty and to students in the College and, with the permission of the chair, to guests of the candidate. At the conclusion of the defense, all who are not members of the faculty shall leave the place of examination.

iv. Successful defense: Two of the three members of the Committee must vote the thesis “worthy of honors” for honors to be awarded.

h) Lack of Completion: Honors candidates who do not complete their work or who fail to meet the GPA requirement for honors to be awarded may, with the approval of the adviser, petition the Committee on Academic Standing to receive independent study credit for the honors work. The amount of credit awarded shall be determined by the adviser.

For information on the Specialized Honor Program, consult the program page.

Academic Integrity Policy

Standards

Standards of integrity in the academic world derive from the nature of the academic enterprise itself. Students attend college in order to educate themselves. The various exercises that absorb so much time and energy during the semester – tests, reports, problem sets, essays, and term papers – are all purposeful opportunities enabling students to develop and display their acquired skills, knowledge, and capacity for critical thinking and creative analysis. Since academic dishonesty necessarily hinders such development, it cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. Accordingly, Drew University has established standards of academic integrity and procedures governing violations of them. These basic standards apply to all work done at Drew.

Students are expected to understand the principles of integrity and comply with the university’s standards. 

All members of the academic community are expected to report any instance of presumed dishonesty. 

Mission of the Academic Integrity Committee

The Dean of Arts & Sciences or designee from the Dean’s or Provost’s office convenes an Academic Integrity Committee made up of faculty members from each division of the College. The committee’s mission is to promote a culture of honesty and adherence to academic standards of integrity, by providing guidance to the community in fulfilling its responsibilities under the Academic Integrity Policy, and by supporting student engagement in educational opportunities and intellectual growth.  

Categories of Academic Dishonesty

The standards of academic integrity apply to information that is presented orally, in writing, or via the computer, in any format ranging from the most informal comment to a computer program or a formal research paper. These standards apply to source material gathered from other people, from written texts, from computer programs, from the internet, or from any other location.

1. Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the act of appropriating or imitating the language, ideas, or thoughts of another and presenting them as one’s own or without proper acknowledgment. This includes

• submitting a paper or part of a paper written by another person as one’s own, whether that material was stolen, purchased, or shared freely.
• submitting a paper containing insufficient citation or misuse of source material.
• submitting work with unacknowledged inclusion of language, ideas, or thoughts taken from another individual or information source.
• Knowingly allowing one’s work to be used by other student(s) without prior approval of the instructor. Unless explicitly permitted or prescribed by the faculty member, students should not engage in collaboration on graded assignments, including but not limited to homework, projects, papers, laboratory work, and take-home exams.
   

2. Unintentional Plagiarism: Unintentional plagiarism, also known as patch writing, may occur when students depend too heavily on textual material to make a point rather than making the point themselves and using the text to support it. In such cases, students cite the sources they have used, but do not correctly paraphrase the source material. They often also fail to indicate where paraphrased source material begins and ends. Unintentional plagiarism can also result from excessive collaboration when students fail to give adequate credit to others with whom they have worked. In all cases, unintentional plagiarism leaves the reader unsure of whose ideas are being presented, or leads them to assume that the words and ideas of others are those of the author.

3.  False Citation: Listing an author, title, or page reference as the source for obtained material, when the material actually came from another source or from another location within that source, is a breach of academic integrity. This includes attributing fabricated material to a real or fictitious source.

4.  Unethical data reporting: Suppressing results inconsistent with one’s interpretation or conclusions, fabricating or falsifying lab or research data.

5.  Duplicate Submission: Submitting one work in identical or similar form to fulfill more than one requirement without prior approval of the relevant faculty members is a breach of academic integrity. This includes using an assignment for more than one course or submitting material previously used to meet another requirement.

6.  Cheating on Examinations: Copying material from another person or source or by gaining any advance knowledge of the content or topic of an examination without the permission of the instructor is a breach of academic integrity. Knowingly providing answers to another students during an exam also constitutes cheating. These standards apply to take-home examinations as well.

Reporting Cases

Instructors shall report alleged cases of violations of the Academic Integrity Policy to the Academic Integrity Committee. The following considerations may apply to reporting alleged cases:

• In cases where there is question as to whether a preponderance of evidence exists, instructors may wish to consult with the convenor for guidance in choosing the appropriate course of action.
• New faculty may wish to consult with their department chair to review suspected violations and to assist in moving a viable case forward.
• Students are expected to maintain the standards of the college by reporting to the instructor any violations of the policy they observe in their classes.

The following constitute two potential courses of action in response to reporting an alleged violation:

1. Alternative Resolution Procedure (ARP): The ARP applies to first offenses that are minor or unintentional for a student who admits responsibility for the violation. Violations by first-year students are generally managed through the ARP. Details on the ARP follow below.
2. Academic Integrity Hearing: If the evidence suggests that the violation is more serious, was intentional, and/or the charged student is unwilling to admit to the offense, the Academic Integrity Committee may determine that an alternative Resolution is inappropriate.  When at least one of the following conditions apply, the Integrity committee convenor will schedule an Academic Integrity Hearing:
3. The nature of the case is more serious than would be warranted by an Alternative Resolution or
4. The student refuses to admit to a first offense that could otherwise be resolved through the Alternative Resolution procedure or
5. The student fails to complete Sanction(s) articulated in the Alternative Resolution form or
6. The violation is the second recorded violation for the student.

Details on the Hearing procedures follow below.

Alternative Resolution Procedure

For cases in which the Academic Integrity Committee advises an Alternative Resolution with concomitant sanctions, the instructor and student are required to complete and sign the Alternative Resolution form; the faculty signs the form upon successful completion of all designated sanctions. The form, placed on file in the Office of the Dean of Arts & Science, documents the violation, the student’s admission of responsibility, and the sanctions that apply.  Failure to complete all sanctions will prompt the convening of an Academic Integrity Hearing.

The form is not considered part of the student’s permanent academic record and therefore the violation will not be reported internally or externally as a formal breach of conduct.  However, the form and associated documentation will be used as evidence of a first offense if the student is accused of another breach of academic integrity.

The form, together with all documentary material from the case, will remain in an internal file until the student graduates or otherwise separates from the university.

Academic Integrity Hearings

The Academic Integrity Committee convenor notifies the following individuals of the intent to schedule a hearing based on a reported offense: the accused student and two faculty members from the Academic Integrity Committee. Before the hearing is scheduled, each individual is provided the opportunity to report a potential conflict of interest. As appropriate, alternative Committee members will be scheduled such that no potential conflict of interest is reported.

The accused student may request the presence of a faculty or staff member of his or her choosing at the hearing.  This faculty or staff member’s presence is intended for moral support only and not for student advocacy; this individual is expected to communicate to the convenor in advance of the hearing any information that he or she intends to share with the committee. The convenor will confirm whether or not the information is relevant and should be shared.

For students with documented disabilities: Upon request, the University can provide disability-related assistance to be present at the hearing. As appropriate, the assistance may be provided by the Director of Accessibility Resources.  Disability-related support may include assistance with communication and clarification of any and all aspects of the hearing. 

Hearing Process

All those in attendance of the hearing are generally afforded one week’s notice of the hearing. All evidentiary documentation to be presented at the hearing is made available for review by the hearing attendees one week prior to the hearing. All documents are shared in a secure setting.

If a student fails to attend the scheduled hearing and has not provided prior notification of a valid reason for absence, the hearing will proceed and the committee will deliberate in the student’s absence.

In the first stage of the hearing, the faculty member bringing the charge, the accused student, and faculty or staff supports will be present. The faculty member will be asked to explain the assignment and the violation, and then the student will be asked to make an oral statement regarding the allegation.  Both may be asked questions by members of the committee, and each will make an oral statement to the Committee and answer any questions. At this stage, either the faculty or the student may ask to address the Committee without the others being present, and will be granted the right to do so.

The accused student and faculty or staff attending for support (if present) will be asked to wait outside the room while the Committee deliberates. The accusing faculty member is released from the hearing.  The accused student may be called back in the room or the faculty member contacted via phone to answer follow up questions should any arise.

The convenor, the two committee members will vote on the matter. A decision of guilt or innocence will be based on a preponderance of the evidence in the case.  It is at this stage in the process that previous findings of guilt and/or mitigating circumstances are introduced in determining sanctions.

At the end of the Committee’s deliberations on the case, the student will be called back into the hearing to hear the outcome. Shortly thereafter the convenor will convey the decision in writing to the student and the instructor. 

In all cases, both the accused student and the faculty member bringing the charge may appeal the decision as described in Appeals Process below.

If the student is found guilty, all documents relating to the case will be placed on file in the office of the Dean of the College, where they will remain until the student’s file is destroyed one year after the student graduates.  As long as the file exists, the student is not considered in good standing with respect to student conduct. If the student is found guilty of any further integrity violation, a more severe sanction will apply and may result in suspension from the university. Any violations recorded after a suspension semester will result in permanent expulsion from the university and the case will remain permanently on file with the institution.

Sanctions

The individual merits of each case are weighed by the Academic Integrity Committee member attending to the case.  Overall, the processes underscore the importance of integrity in the academic setting and are mindful of the role of education in the remediation process.

Minor offenses: Penalties may include, but are not limited to,

Participation in and achievement of a passing score in an educational tutorial

No credit for the assignment

A failing grade on the assignment

Re-do of the assignment with grade penalty

An assigned paper or project related to academic integrity

More serious violations: Penalties may include, but are not limited to,

Failing grade in course

An assigned paper or project related to academic integrity

Dismissal or denied entry to departmental/university honors or merit-based program

Suspension for one or more semesters

In rare or extreme cases, or for multiple offenses, permanent expulsion from the University.

Appeals Process

a) Decisions of the Academic Integrity Committee may be appealed only if the original hearing overlooked specific evidence or committed procedural errors.

b) The Dean’s Council is the final appeals board for cases of violations of the academic integrity policy. The appeal, whether sought by the faculty member who brought the charge or by the accused student, must be submitted in writing to the Council. On the basis of the written appeal, the Council may decide to hear the case or to uphold the original decision if no evidence has been shown to have been overlooked and/or if no procedural errors have been shown to have occurred. Whatever its decision, the Council must provide reasons in writing to both parties. If the Council agrees to hear the case, it has the right to reverse the decision of an earlier hearing.

c) Only the five faculty members of the Dean’s Council will vote on such appeals. The Dean of Arts & Sciences or designee will remain in attendance during such hearings, and will have a voice but no vote.

d) When any member of the Council believes he or she should not hear the matter under appeal because of a possible conflict of interest, that member may be excused. In this event, the Dean of Arts & Science will appoint a temporary faculty replacement. The student is granted the same provision of faculty, disability-related support, or staff support  as for an integrity hearing.

e) During the hearing of the appeal, both the faculty member who brought the original charge and the student may be asked questions by members of the committee. and each will make an oral statement to the Committee and answer any questions.

f) Decisions will be based on a preponderance of the evidence and will be provided in writing to both parties.

Auditing Courses

Students may audit a class if the course is so designated or with permission of the instructor. A student who audits will be able to attend class, have access to class materials, and learn the content. Students must register to audit a class before the end of the add/drop period. At the beginning of the semester, the instructor determines the requirements for auditing, including the attendance policy and whether assignments and exams must be completed. Instructors are not obligated to grade assignments or involve auditors in regular classroom activities (e.g., discussion, small-group work). At the end of the term, the student will receive a grade of “AU” for audit on the transcript, which is not included in the GPA. Additionally, audited credits are included in the maximum number of credits taken in a term; however, are not included in a student’s earned hours and will not be applied towards degree completion. Students are responsible for tuition and course fees; lab and studio fees, may also apply. Continuing education students and community members who wish to audit courses should refer to the Community Education Audit (CEA) Program website for community auditor policies.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy

Policy Summary

Regularly enrolled college-classified students are expected to maintain full-time registration in the College (12 credits or more per semester).  Students carrying full-time registration averaging 16 credits per semester will normally complete the degree in four academic years (8 semesters); in no case may a full-time student expect to spend more than five years (10 semesters) earning the degree unless an exception to this rule is granted by the Committee on Academic Standing.  Additionally, federal regulations require that Drew University establish minimum standards of academic progress for students receiving financial aid.  

In order to remain enrolled, as well as receive federal, state, or institutional financial aid, including Title IV and Higher Education Act (HEA) funds, at Drew University, students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward their degree objective.   These requirements apply to part-time as well as full-time students for all semesters of enrollment within an academic year, including those semesters for which no financial aid was granted.  The Office of Academic Services and the Office of Financial Assistance conduct a review of SAP at the conclusion of each academic term once grades are posted in the university system.*

*During academic terms (Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021) in which the P/LP/U grade mode policy is in effect, an accumulation of LP and U grades, instead of GPA, may be used to identify gaps in progress that suggest student performance is below minimum standards.

Academic Year Progression by Class

Requirements

There are three areas that are evaluated at the end of each semester: number of credit hours passed, cumulative grade point average, and maximum time frame for degree completion.  Accepted transfer hours are counted as both attempted and completed hours.
 

Both the qualitative (grade-based) and quantitative (time-related) requirements must be met, regardless of full-time or part-time attendance.
 

Incompletes

At the time of evaluation, Incompletes (grades of “I”) do not affect a student’s cumulative GPA for SAP, but count as credit hours attempted both Pace and Maximum time frame (see below). Students with grades of Incomplete which become new letter grades prior to or during a subsequent period of enrollment must contact the Office of Financial Assistance for further evaluation.
 

Withdrawals

The grade “W” received for a withdrawal after the add/drop period ends in the term does not affect a student’s cumulative GPA for SAP, but counts as credit hours attempted towards Pace and Maximum time frame.
 

Course Repetition

Students are allowed to repeat a course and have it count toward enrollment for financial aid eligibility only once, unless it is a course that customarily can be repeated for credit. Each attempt at the course, however, will count towards a student’s Pace, and all other attempts with lower grades will count as unsuccessful credit hours attempted.
 

1. Minimum Cumulative GPA earned at Drew University

2. Minimum Annual Pace

A student must successfully complete at least 12 credits in each semester in which they are enrolled full-time, and at least 6 credits in each semester in which they are enrolled half-time. 

In addition, full-time students must complete 24 credits by the end of the first year, 48 credits by the end of the second year, 72 credits by the end of the third year, 100 credits by the end of the fourth year, and a degree by the end of the fifth year.  A year consists of a fall and spring term.

3. Maximum Time Frame

A student may attempt no more than 150% of the credit hours required by her/his degree program.

Explanation of SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) Status Codes

Good Standing

A student who meets all of the standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress when progress is reviewed will be in Good Academic Standing and can continue to be enrolled and receive financial aid.

Warning/Probation

Students previously in Good Standing will be placed on Warning and students previously on Warning will be placed on Probation for any of the following reasons:

• A fall or spring semester term grade point average which falls below grade point average, as reflected in chart above;
• A cumulative grade point average, or a grade point average in all majors, at the end of the fall or spring term below the minimum standards described in the table above. 
• A failure to satisfactorily complete credits according to minimum standards for Pace: 24 credits by the end of the first year, 48 credits by the end of the second year, 72 credits by the end of the third year, 100 credits by the end of the fourth year, and a degree by the end of the fifth year. A year consists of a fall and spring term.
• A withdrawal from all classes in a fall or spring semester.

       The following conditions apply to students on Warning or Probation

• A student cannot enroll in more than 17 credits without the approval of the Academic Standing Committee.
• A student who at the end of a fall or spring semester has satisfactorily completed at least 12 credits, earned a term grade point average of at least 2.0, and met the minimum credit and grade point levels described above will be returned to Good Standing. A student on Warning who at the end of a fall or spring semester has not returned to Good Standing will be placed on Probation or, in exceptional cases, may be placed on Required Withdrawal (exceptional cases include students with  disciplinary sanctions, two consecutive semesters of full withdrawal, or irrecoverable cumulative GPA).

A student on Warning is eligible to receive financial aid for one payment period.

Probation

A student who  is allowed to enroll on Probation, will not be eligible to receive financial aid until they submit an appeal and that appeal is approved by the Offices of Academic Services and Financial Assistance.  The SAP Appeal Form must be submitted to the Office of Academic Services.  The student may submit documentation that supports his/her appeal from medical professionals, counselors, or other third party professionals (nonfamily members) who understand the details of the situation. The student should also include an explanation of what has changed in his/her situation that will allow him/her to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress at the next evaluation.  If it is not possible for the student to achieve the minimum standards of progress by the next evaluation, the student, with the assistance of the Office of Academic Services, must develop an academic plan that outlines what the student must do to achieve Satisfactory Academic Progress.  

If the student’s appeal is approved, the student will be placed on a Financial Aid Probation status for that term.  This Probation status is for one term only.  At the conclusion of the probationary term the student’s record will be reviewed to determine whether the student has achieved SAP or, in the cases where a plan was required, has followed the requirements of the plan.  

A student, who after a semester on Probation, has not returned to Good Standing and/or fulfilled the conditions of their academic plan will not be eligible for Title IV or HEA program funds and will be placed on Required Withdrawal.  Under exceptional circumstances only, such as the death of a close relative or an injury or illness to the student, a student on Required Withdrawal may appeal to be re-admitted for the next term and have financial aid reinstated by submitting the Satisfactory Academic Progress appeal to the Office of Academic Services by the deadline indicated on the notification of Required Withdrawal. The appeal must contain information regarding why the student failed to make satisfactory academic progress and what is changed in the student’s situation that would allow the student to make satisfactory academic progress going forward. The Academic Standing Committee reviews each readmission appeal received. If the appeal is approved, the student will be reinstated and placed on Probation. 

Such re-admissions are granted only in unusual cases, and in no cases may a student be readmitted twice.

Active Students Not Registered

First Semester of Inactivity:

A student who is not registered by the end of the Add/Drop Period in a spring or fall semester and who does not have either a Leave of Absence or Withdrawal Status recorded for them, will have a registration status of “Not Registered” and remain active.

Second Consecutive Semester of Inactivity:

A student who is not registered for two (2) consecutive Semesters (which excludes Summer and January Term sessions) by the end of the Add/Drop Period of the second consecutive Semester and who does not have either a Leave of Absence or Withdrawal Status recorded for them, will have their registration status revised to “Not Registered”, receive a registration-blocking hold of “Re-entry Required”, and the student status will remain active.

Third Consecutive Semester of Inactivity:

A student who is not registered for three (3) consecutive Semesters (which excludes Summer and January Term sessions) by the end of the Add/Drop Period of the third consecutive Semester and who does not have either a Leave of Absence or Withdrawal Status recorded for them, will have their student status revised to Withdrawn and will require re-entry into the program.

Attendance

Students are responsible for class attendance and for the prompt and regular performance of all assigned work. 

Absence Policy: Student Responsibilities and Rights

Class attendance and participation are integral to the academic experience at Drew University. Missing classes, even for legitimate reasons, negatively impacts the class experience for both the absent student and their classmates. Students should realize that absences can indirectly affect final grades as a result of the impact absences have on learning. Nonetheless, Drew University realizes there are legitimate reasons for missing class and acknowledges every student’s right not to have legitimate absences, as defined by this policy, directly affect their class grade. Students also bear responsibilities for absences, including:

• students are responsible for all material covered in missed classes;

• students must promptly notify the course instructor of their absence according to the following:
  • for planned absences, such as religious holidays, NCAA-sanctioned athletic competitions, and Drew organized field trips (see list and criteria below), students must notify their course instructor during the first week of class;
  • for unplanned absences, such as illness or injury, a death in the family or NCAA-sanctioned post-season competitions (see list and criteria below), students must notify the course instructor prior to the absence (see below) and provide appropriate documentation to the Office of Academic Affairs.

This policy defines the minimum number of legitimate absences that every student has the right not to have a direct impact on their class grade, if the criteria and procedures of this Absence Policy are met.

• For legitimate planned absences, students may miss the equivalent of one week of class or less (i.e. three classes for a class that meets three times a week, or one class for classes that meet once a week), so long as they inform the faculty member of their planned absences in the first week of the semester.
• For legitimate unplanned absences, students may miss the equivalent of one week of class or less as long as they notify the instructor prior to the class and as soon as they are aware of the unplanned absence. If extraordinary circumstances prevent a student from providing prior notification, they must notify the instructor within 24 hours of the unplanned absence. Students must provide appropriate documentation to the Office of Academic Affairs.

In such cases, students can expect reasonable accommodations such that there is no direct impact on their grade. Additional legitimate absences may be granted at the instructor’s discretion. Students who feel that the Absence policy has not been fairly implemented may appeal to the CLA Dean’s Office.

Planned Absence from Class

Reasons for legitimate planned absences are:

• Observing religious holidays

• Participating as a student-athlete in NCAA-sanctioned competition (but not practices or scrimmages)
• Participating in another Drew sponsored event, such as a class field trip, concert, or theater performance.
• Attending academic conferences

There are times during the semester when a student may need to miss class for an important event that is scheduled or known in advance. The faculty at Drew support our students in these pursuits. If the student needs to miss the equivalent of one week of class or less (i.e. three classes for a class that meets three times a week, or one class for classes that meet once a week), they need to inform the faculty member of their planned absences in the first week of the semester. If a student is aware of the need to miss more than the equivalent of one week of class, they need to inform the faculty member of their planned absences, ideally during registration but no later than the first day of the semester.

Student discussions with the faculty member about planned absences that require missing more than a week’s worth of classes should be done as far in advance as possible because there may be cases where the number of planned absences cannot be reasonably accommodated. If a student needs to miss more than the equivalent of one unplanned week of class, the subsequent absences will not necessarily be considered legitimate, although additional legitimate absences may be granted at the instructor’s discretion. In these cases, in close consultation with the faculty member, a student may decide to take the particular course in a different semester. 

As long as the guidelines outlined in the previous two paragraphs for informing the faculty member are followed, classes that are missed for the above reasons are considered legitimate absences. If a student fails to notify the faculty member in advance of approved absences, the instructor may consider the absence not legitimate.

Unplanned Absence from Class

Reasons for legitimate unplanned absences are:

• Illness or injury

• Participating as a student-athlete in NCAA-sanctioned post-season competition
• Death in the family

There are times during the semester when a student may need to miss class without advanced notice. If, during the course of the semester, the student needs to miss, due to unplanned absences, the equivalent of one week of class or less, these absences will be considered legitimate, as long as appropriate documentation has been provided to the Office of Academic Affairs. In these cases, as with planned absences, the student and the faculty member work together to create a plan to make up course requirements. If a student needs to miss more than the equivalent of one unplanned week of class, the subsequent absences will not necessarily be considered legitimate, although additional legitimate absences may be granted at the instructor’s discretion. Students are expected to contact the faculty member as soon as they are aware of the unplanned legitimate absence. If extraordinary circumstances prevent a student from providing prior notification, they must notify the instructor within 24 hours of the unplanned absence.

Academic Accommodations for Attendance Flexibility

Students with documented disabilities, who have been approved for flexibility accommodations, will be held to the conditions outlined in their flexibility agreement. It will be the responsibility of the student to present the flexibility agreement to their instructors each semester, ideally during registration, but no later than the first day of class.  If the need for flexibility cannot be accommodated in a particular course without compromising the integrity of the course, students should work with faculty and advisors to find a replacement course.

Summer Classes and Half Semester Classes

The policy applies to students enrolled in half semester classes and summer classes, with the absence limits adjusted proportionately.

Syllabus Language:
University Absence Policy: In addition to the course attendance policy, students should be aware of their rights and responsibilities regarding absences for legitimate reasons as described in the University’s Absence Policy. This policy states that students can expect reasonable accommodations for (1) the equivalent of one week of class or less missed for legitimate planned absences (religious holidays, NCAA-sanctioned athletic competitions, and Drew organized field trips) so long as they inform the faculty member of their planned absences in the first week of the semester; and (2) the equivalent of one week of class or less for legitimate unplanned absences (illness, a death in the family or NCAA-sanctioned post-season competitions) so long as they notify the instructor prior to the class and as soon as they are aware of the unplanned absence (or within 24 hours of the absence in extraordinary cases), and provide appropriate documentation to the Office of Academic Affairs. For all legitimate absences, students are responsible for all material covered in missed classes, and students should realize that absences can indirectly affect final grades as a result of the impact absences have on learning. Please review the complete Absence Policy: Student Responsibilities and Rights at .

Course Ending

The instructor may announce a date when a course will close and all work is due. If no such announcement is made, the final examination closes a course; or, if there is no final examination, the course closes on the last class day of the semester. Grades are based on the work a student has submitted by the date the course closes.

Grade Point Average

Only work completed at Drew is included in the computation of the average. Grade points are assigned as follows to each credit hour attempted on a graded basis:

No other grades are included in the computation of the average.

The grade point average (GPA) is determined by dividing the total grade points earned from grades on the A to F scale by the total number of credit hours attempted.

Calculating a GPA

1. Multiply the number of class credits by the numerical equivalent of the grade (above).
   • e.g. HIST 102, 4 credits A-, multiple 4 X 3.67 = 14.68
2. Sum the number of credits taken at Drew (exclude transfer credit, Pass/Fail, W grades, and repeats).
3. Sum the results of step 1 (numerical grade equivalent).
4. Divide the total numerical equivalent of the letter grades by the total hours taken at Drew.
5. The result is the GPA.

Calculating Major and Minor GPA Policy

Major GPA calculations include all courses specifically identified in the CLA Catalog as being eligible for the Major regardless of whether the course is being used to satisfy a Major requirement. It also includes those courses that carry the subject code associated with the major. Minor GPA calculations will include only those courses being used to complete the program of study.

Grade Appeal Policy

The purpose of these guidelines is to provide a mechanism, within the framework of existing University policies and regulations, for the review and consideration of grade disputes.

Grade Appeals

Students have the right to appeal course grades. Drew University’s grade appeal policy is intended to present a process that is fair to both students and faculty. Student must be able to show that the grade in dispute was incorrect or inappropriately awarded. For purposes of this policy, a student must demonstrate that:

a. A demonstrable error was made in the calculation of the grade,

b. The assignment of a final course grade was apparently made on a basis other than the policies described on the course syllabus, or

c. The instructor did not assign or remove an Incomplete or initiate a grade change as agreed upon with the student in writing.

Procedure:

In general, grade appeals proceed according to the following route: 1) the student attempts to resolve the appeal informally with the instructor; 2) if there is no resolution of the dispute with the instructor, the student can file a formal written appeal with the department or program chair; 3) if the instructor and the chair are the same, or if the chair denies the appeal, the student can present his or her appeal in writing to the Associate Dean. When the department chair and instructor are the same individual or a student has cause to first bring the complaint to the Associate Dean, the Dean of the College will serve as the final arbiter on an appeal.

An appeal of a fall semester grade can be initiated no later than January 31st following the semester in which the grade was awarded. An appeal of a spring semester grade can be initiated no later than June 30th following the semester in which the grade was awarded. An appeal of a summer term grade can be initiated no later than August 31st following the semester in which the grade was awarded. Graduating seniors must initiate a grade appeal within three weeks of graduation.

All involved parties should keep the proceedings confidential at all times.

All complainants have the right to a maximum of one appeal related to an incident.

If the appeal is based on student health or personal issues, the student must first contact the Associate Provost for Academic Services who will affirm the validity of such issues with the department chair.

This policy is not applicable to allegations of violations of academic integrity.

Matters involving claims of sexual harassment or misconduct will be handled under the Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Policy and Procedures. 

1. Student-Instructor Contact: Students are expected to first contact their instructor in person or by email. Written records of all communications should be maintained. Students may request, and faculty should provide for review, graded exams (faculty may, however, restrict circulation of an exam), papers, or other submissions used for assessment. If the student has discussed the concern with the instructor and no resolution has been reached, the student may file a formal appeal with the instructor’s department chair. If the instructor and department chair are the same, or the student has demonstrable cause, the student can take the case directly to the Associate Dean for Curriculum.

2. Role of the Department Chair: The appeal to the chair must state succinctly, accurately and completely the cause for the appeal. The student should include a syllabus, relevant course materials, and any correspondence (to and from the instructor) that supports the appeal. A record of the communication should be kept by both the student and the chair. The chair will review the submissions and will consult directly with the instructor. The chair will notify both the student and the instructor of the outcome as soon as possible but within a reasonable period of the submission of the complaint, explaining his/her decision to both instructor and student in person and/or in writing. Written records of all communications should be kept.

There are two possible outcomes:

(a) The chair rejects the appeal as unwarranted and the grade stands.

(b) The chair deems that the appeal is warranted and refers the grade appeal to the Academic Standing Committee to request that the grade be changed.

3. Appeal to the Associate Dean for Curriculum: Only with demonstrable cause (e.g., the chair and the instructor are the same person), can a student present the grade appeal directly to the Associate Dean for Curriculum. In this case, the decision of the Associate Dean for Curriculum can be appealed to the Dean of the College. Each student is guaranteed the right to one appeal per incident. Once the appeal has been decided by the Associate Dean for Curriculum or the Dean of the College, as the case may be, no further available appeal is available.

Information Release to Parents

Grades are made available to students via TreeHouse Self-Service. Students may also give parents access to grades via TreeHouse Self-Service.

To set up proxy access for your parents or guardian to view your grades in TreeHouse Self-Service:

1. Navigate to the TreeHouse Students Tab.

2. Select Parent/Guardian Proxy Access within the Help & Services box.

3. Follow the on-screen instructions to add new proxies and set up authorization to the desired information.

In addition to setting up on-line access to grades, you may also set up parent/guardian access for registration, billing, and financial aid information. Moreover, you will have the option to assign a “pass-phrase”. The pass-phrase can be used by your parent or guardian to verbally confirm their identity and authorization to your information when they are speaking with University offices on your behalf. A printable guide to proxy access is also available.

Grades

The grades awarded in the College are:

Every course is in the charge of one instructor, who is responsible for assigning grades.

The College does not issue official mid-semester grades, but individual instructors may send academic warning notices during the semester to students whose performance is less than satisfactory. 

Incomplete Grades

With the approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Services, the mark “I” may be given at the end of a semester in cases of serious or chronic illness or urgent personal circumstances that, in the judgment of the Associate Dean for Academic Services, justify its use. When the Associate Dean permits a student to receive a mark of “I”, the Associate Dean and the instructor of the course determine the time and the conditions under which the mark may be removed. Work must be completed no later than six weeks after the close of the semester, unless a later date is approved by the Committee on Academic Standing. Final grades are due within four weeks after the submitted work deadline. If a final grade for an Incomplete has not been submitted by the agreed-upon deadline, a grade of “F” will be recorded by the Registrar.

Internship Credit

Internship credit may be earned through an internship project approved by the academic internship office in consultation with a faculty sponsor. Up to 8 internship credits may be applied toward credit for graduation. 

Leave of Absence/Voluntary Withdraw

Students may opt to take a temporary leave from the university for any number of reasons including family emergency, financial distress, illness, and hardship. A student may leave for one or two semesters and return, or choose a different course of action. Before a request is submitted, students are advised to discuss their plans with their academic adviser and their financial aid counselor (as there may be potential financial implications). Students are expected to submit a Leave of Absence request before the drop with a W deadline for the term as published on Drew’s Academic Calendar. To proceed, students must complete the leave-of-absence form, which is available through TreeHouse (Request a Leave of Absence or Voluntary Withdraw). Once submitted, the form will be sent to the Associate Provost for approval.

If a student’s circumstances necessitate withdrawal from all courses after the drop with a W deadline for the term, the student must submit a petition to the Academic Standing Committee with supporting documentation. Pending approval by the committee, the student will be placed on a Leave of Absence and subject to the Re-Entry Policy stated below.

A Leave of Absence is valid until the start of the semester of return indicated by the student on the request form.  Students who do not return from a leave of absence will be administratively withdrawn and will lose access to Drew email. Students seeking an extension to their leave of absence should discuss their intentions with the Associate Provost/Center for Academic Excellence and must submit a petition to the Academic Standing Committee.

Re-entry

Students returning from a leave of absence, extended period of non-registration, or voluntary or administrative withdrawal, who wish to return to Drew must submit a petition for re-entry to the Academic Standing Committee prior to the start of term for which they are seeking re-entry. Students should submit this request at least one month prior to the start of the term to allow for approval and processing (submissions after that time may affect a student’s ability to register for the term in a timely manner). With regard to financial aid, students are advised to consult with the Office of Financial Assistance regarding deadlines and eligibility. Students are required to clear account balances prior to re-entry and should contact Student Accounts with any questions or concerns.

Re-entry to Drew is subject to approval by the Academic Standing Committee.  Students on leave must submit documentation in support of their re-entry according to the guidelines indicated on the re-entry form.

Pass/Fail

A student with sophomore or higher standing who is carrying a full-time course of study may elect one course per semester on a Pass/Fail (P/F) basis, up to at most 20 credits, to be applied toward the degree. A Pass (P) grade is defined as quality of work equivalent to a D- or better. Courses applied to the major or minor and courses used to meet general education requirements may not be taken on a P/F basis unless the course has been designated as only carrying the P/F grade. Courses graded P carry full credit toward graduation but are not included in the computation of the cumulative GPA. Courses graded F do not carry credit toward graduation and are included in the computation of the cumulative GPA.

No course originally taken on a graded basis may be retaken under the P/F option, although a course originally taken on the P/F option and failed may be retaken on a graded basis. The P/F option is not available in courses that are taken off campus. Students indicate their desire to take a course P/F prior to or during the first two weeks of the semester.

Registration and Changes in Registration

Students register for courses at times announced by the Office of the Registrar. Students may add courses during the first week of classes and in the second week with the permission of the instructor. No course may be added after the end of the second week of classes. All original registrations and any later changes require the approval of the student’s adviser. Courses dropped between the end of the second week and the end of the ninth week of classes are graded “W”. Courses dropped after the ninth week are graded “F”. Students may petition the Academic Standing Committee for changes in registration that do not meet these regulations, but must document extraordinary circumstances. For policies regarding half semester or summer courses, please see the Academic Calendar. Information about registration can be found on the Registrar’s website. This includes details about registering for Honors Courses, Independent Studies, and Music Lessons.

Maximum registration

First year students are strongly advised not to register for more than 16-18 credits during their first semester, and are generally advised not to register for upper-level courses. After the first semester, students may register for a maximum of 21 credits provided they are in good standing. Approval of the Committee on Academic Standing is required for any registration in excess of 21 credit hours.

Reservation of Rights

The University reserves the right in its sole judgment to make changes of any nature in the University’s academic program, courses, schedule, or calendar whenever in its sole judgment it is deemed desirable to do so. The foregoing changes may include, without limitation, the elimination of colleges, schools, institutes, programs, departments, or courses, the modification of the content of any of the foregoing, the rescheduling of classes, with or without extending the enhanced academic term, the cancellation of scheduled classes, or other academic activities. If such changes are deemed desirable, the University may require or afford alternatives for scheduled classes or other academic notification of any such change as is reasonably practical under the circumstances.

Retaking Courses/Forgiveness Policy

Retaking a course

A student may retake a course in which he or she has earned a grade of D+, D, D- or F.  For courses retaken after a first grade of F, both the original F and the grade earned when the course is retaken are calculated in the GPA. Credits are awarded for the second course enrollment, assuming the student earns a passing grade.

For courses retaken after a first grade of D+, D or D-, both the original and the subsequent grade are calculated in the GPA, but credits for the course are only awarded once. Courses transferred from other institutions are not covered by this policy.

Requesting Forgiveness of an Earlier Grade 

Students who earned a grade of D+, D, D-, or F in a course may request permission to retake the course and exclude the original grade from their GPA through the grade forgiveness policy. In exceptional cases, students who earned a C- may petition the Academic Standing Committee for permission to retake the course for grade forgiveness. 

Students will not be permitted forgiveness for a low or failing grade in a course in which they were found guilty of an Academic Integrity violation. The Drew Seminar, College Writing, and DREW 110 are not eligible for the grade forgiveness policy. Students may not request to use the forgiveness policy when enrolling in a course at another institution.

The later grade will be counted in the GPA, even if the student earns a lower grade on the second attempt. Each student is limited to a collective total of three grade forgiveness attempts during their entire undergraduate career. Students may not invoke the grade forgiveness policy more than one time for any given course. Withdrawing from a class after requesting forgiveness in that course will be considered a forgiveness attempt.

Although the earlier grade will still be listed on the transcript, it will be marked with an “E” indicating that the grade has been excluded from the student’s GPA.

The grade forgiveness policy will not be applied automatically. Students must make a formal request for grade forgiveness through the online form found in TreeHouse under the Student tab. The request to retake a course must be made at the time of registering to retake the course but before the registration has occurred. Approval to retake a course under the grade forgiveness policy is not automatic and must be approved by the department chair of the requested course. If grade forgiveness is approved, the student will need to register themselves for the class section in TreeHouse. Grade forgiveness approval does not guarantee seat availability in the class section, nor does it grant approval for any other registration restrictions. 

Special Major

A student may develop a special major rather than elect one of the existing departmental or interdisciplinary majors. There must be a strong educational advantage for doing so, one that cannot be served through any of the traditional majors. Choosing options such as a double major or major/minor(s) is preferred to designing a special major.

Requirements

To submit a proposal for a special major, a student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.1.

1. In developing a special major proposal, the student must work with a faculty member who agrees to serve as the major adviser. The proposal shall be reviewed by the Associate Dean, who will present it, if it is acceptable (i.e., if it meets the guidelines, is well written, and is without error in spelling or grammar), to the Committee on Academic Policy and Curriculum (CAPC) for evaluation and action.
2. If a student has or later declares a second major, no more than two courses from one major may count toward the other.

Guidelines

A special major proposal is expected to include:

1. A short descriptive title.
2. Significant academic work in at least three disciplines.
3. A minimum of 60 credits, no more than 12 of which may be at the introductory level.
4. A rationale for the proposal that explains its purpose, specifying how and why the proposed special major provides a learning experience not available in the pursuit of a traditional major and demonstrating creativity, intellectual integrity, and ability to synthesize.
5. An integrated, coherent, focused program of inquiry supported by a schedule of courses and/or programs that constitute the special major and a statement that justifies the selection of each course.
6. A statement of endorsement from the major adviser addressing the merits of the proposal and the student’s argument for the special major. It is the responsibility of the adviser to check the proposal for content, presentation, and adherence to these guidelines, prior to submission.
7. The form with the required signatures of faculty and administrators.

Any exception to these guidelines must be approved by CAPC following receipt of a petition submitted by the student and supported by the major adviser.

The final version of the proposal is to be submitted to the Associate Dean for Curriculum and Faculty Development. Submit both a hard copy with the signed cover form and an electronic copy of the proposal.

Due Dates

Special majors should normally be approved by the second semester of the sophomore year. They are to be submitted to CAPC no later than October 15 for a student declaring a major in the Fall semester and no later than March 15 for a student declaring a major in the Spring semester. Any exception to submitting a proposal later than the second semester of the sophomore year requires a petition to CAPC. Petitions will be evaluated on the basis of the strength of the proposal, the academic record of the student, and the educational merits of the case for exception.

Related Considerations

General education requirements must be met.

1. Special majors must be presented individually. Approval of a special major in one instance in no way implies approval of similar subsequent proposals.
2. Examples of well written proposals are available in the Office of the Associate Dean.

Student-Designed Minors

A student-designed minor allows students to pursue a particular interest and explore an area not represented in the regular curriculum. In consultation with a faculty sponsor, students may design a minor of six courses (24 credits including no more than four credits at the introductory level) that is composed of courses focused on a particular topic, problem or theme. The faculty sponsor must approve the minor, which is then submitted for approval to the Associate Dean of Curriculum and Faculty Development. Student-Designed minors must be approved by the Committee on Academic Policy and Curriculum.

With the exception of introductory level courses that provide a foundation for multiple disciplines, no more than eight credits may be counted toward two majors or in both a major and a minor.

Student Education Records

Drew University students have the right to access, and the assurance of privacy for, their Drew educational records. These rights are in keeping with Public Law 93-380, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (also known as the Buckley Amendment), and University policy. The full text of Public Law 93-380 and a full statement of Drew University policy and procedures with respect to student education records are on file and may be consulted in the Offices of the Registrar and the Dean of Campus Life and Student Affairs, and in the Office of Financial Assistance. See the Drew University official FERPA policy. 

It is University policy and Registrar’s Office procedure that the adjustment of academic records cannot be made once the official Academic Record has been sealed. The sealing of a record occurs when a student has completed their academic relationship with the University. This can happen via completion of a degree program or withdrawal from a degree program. The adjustment of a record cannot be made once the inactivation of a record has been complete; graduation or full withdrawal. As such, an appeal cannot be made to this regard. All information on a sealed academic record is final.

Transcripts of Record

The transcript is an official record of courses taken, grades received, academic honors, and degrees conferred to a student. Official transcripts may be obtained through the Registrar’s Office.

Once a student graduates, the transcript is considered “sealed” for that particular degree and changes cannot be made.

Transfer Credit Policy

Courses transferred to Drew’s College of Liberal Arts from other institutions: 

Whether taken by a matriculated Drew student at another college or by a new student transferring to the College of Liberal Arts, credits will be transferred if the following criteria are met:

• The course must be listed on an official transcript from an institution that has been accredited by a body duly recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or be officially recognized by the appropriate government agency/ministry of education for foreign institutions.
• Transcripts from institutions outside of the U.S. must be evaluated by World Education Services.
• The course must be a course that would or could be offered at a liberal arts college.
• A grade of C- or better must have been earned in the course. Pass/fail courses are not eligible for transfer.
• The course must have been taken within the past 10 years. Courses that were taken more than 10 years prior to the request for transfer credit will require departmental approval for transfer.
• Transfer credits are not calculated in the GPA, credits earned in Drew’s exchange program with the College of St. Elizabeth or Fairleigh Dickinson University are not counted as transfer credit and so are calculated in the Drew GPA.
• Students may transfer up to 80 credits toward Drew’s bachelor’s degree and must earn a minimum of 48 credits from Drew.

Transfer of credit from a U.S. military transcript

Veterans enrolling with a military transcript of college-level work will be granted credit at the discretion of the department according to the criteria enumerated by the American Council on Education for credit/course-type equivalencies (http://www.acenet.edu/news-room/Pages/Transcripts-for-Military-Personnel.aspx). A maximum of 16 ROTC credits may be transferred as elective credit toward bachelor’s degree.

Applicability of Transfer Credit to Majors and Minors

A student transferring credits toward a major or minor from another institution must complete at least 16 Drew credits at the intermediate- or upper-level to earn a major in that area. They must complete at least 8 intermediate- or upper-level Drew credits in order to earn a minor in that area. If Drew transfers 2.5 credits or more for courses that satisfy required or elective courses for a major or minor, that student may complete the major or minor with up to 3 fewer total credits.

Applicability of Transfer Credit to General Education Requirements

• Transferred courses are eligible to fill general education requirements in cases where they meet the learning objectives of a specific Drew requirement.
• The Drew Seminar (DSEM) is waived if a student transfers in two semesters of college writing from a community college or one semester from a four year college or university.
• If Drew transfers 2.5 credits or more for a course taken at another institution, that course may be used to satisfy one 4-credit Drew general education requirement.
• If Drew transfers 2.5 credits or more for courses at the intermediate or upperlevel, that student may complete the 64 credit intermediate or upper-level requirement with up to 3 fewer intermediate or upper-level credits.
• If Drew transfers 2.5 credits or more for courses at the upper-level, that student may complete the 32 credit upper-level requirement with up to 3 fewer upperlevel credits.

Pre-Approved Credit Earned Elsewhere

• Enrolled Drew University bachelor’s students must receive permission PRIOR to taking courses at another institution in order for the credits to transfer to Drew.
• Students planning to study away in the U.S. for a Fall or Spring semester or an entire academic year must also file a Pre-Approval for Credit Study Elsewhere form available online. 
  • Students must obtain the approval of their academic adviser and the appropriate department chair if they would like a course transferred for major or minor credit. After obtaining all necessary signatures, a student must submit the form to the registrar for final approval.    
• Only approved courses with a grade of “C-” or above will be accepted for transfer. Courses accepted for transfer will count as credit toward the Drew University degree and the grades will be recorded on the Drew transcript, but these grades will not be calculated in the grade-point average. 
• Official transcripts reflecting the final grade must be sent to Drew University Office of the Registrar within 4 weeks of course completion.

Transfer Policy for Students with an Associate of Arts or Associates of Science Degree

If a transfer student has completed the Associate Degree, they will be granted junior status (64 credits, including a minimum of 8 intermediate- and 4 upper-level credits) upon transfer to Drew. 

If a student has completed the Associate Degree, they must complete the following general education requirements:

• 64 credits of which at least 48 must be earned at Drew University.
  • If a student has completed more than 64 transferable credits up to 80 transfer credits could be awarded
• 52 intermediate and upper level credits, of which at least 28 must be at the upper level. (If a student has completed more than 12 transferable intermediate and upper level credits, each additional credit may apply toward this requirement. If a student has completed more than 4 transferable upper level credits, each additional credit may apply toward this requirement.)
• A major area of study;
• The equivalent of one four credit course in the following course categories:
  • Writing Intensive course (unless student has taken two equivalent courses in their Associate Degree);
  • Quantitative course (unless student has taken two equivalent courses in their Associate Degree);
  • Diversity course (unless student has taken two equivalent courses in their Associate Degree).
• Students are required to complete three semesters of foreign language between their Associate and Drew degrees. If they have not completed three semesters of language upon transfer to Drew, a placement test will determine the appropriate course level for completion of the remaining semester(s) at Drew.Students may also complete the language requirement for their Drew degree in one of the following ways:
  • if their application to Drew requires them to submit a TOEFL score;
  • by providing documentation to the Office of Academic Services that they attended school taught in a language other than English up through at least the 6th grade;
  • by demonstrating proficiency equal to Drew’s language requirement on a Drew placement test;
  • by demonstrating proficiency equal to Drew’s language requirement on a placement test administered through the Office of Academic Services in a language not offered at Drew;
  • by scoring 680 or higher on an appropriate SAT II exam;
  • by scoring a 4 or 5 on an appropriate Advanced Placement (AP) exam;
  • by scoring a 5 or higher in an appropriate IB language course (SL or HL).

NOTE 1: Immersive experiences are an integral part of Drew’s General Education program and are core to the mission of the institution. These experiences provide students with the opportunity to practice what they have learned outside a traditional classroom setting.  Transfer students are highly encouraged to talk with their advisers about how to integrate such an experience(s) into their Drew program of study.  These might include internships, community-engaged projects and community-based learning courses, study abroad or domestic programs, undergraduate research or creative projects, and peer mentoring or student leadership positions.

NOTE 2: While not required, students transferring in to Drew with an Associate Degree are encouraged to take DREW 110 Launch Workshop: Preparation for Career and Academic Success. This one-credit course is offered for all transfer students in fall semesters, and with limited spots in spring semesters. This course helps provide students with an introduction to Launch strategies and resources, including initial career design steps, career and identity communities, mentoring opportunities, and job postings. 

NOTE 3: Students who completed a combined High School and Associate Degree program and who applied as a first-time student will be evaluated based on the Advanced Standing policy described below for “College Credits Earned Prior to Graduation from High School.”

On-line course credit transfer

• Drew will accept in transfer no more than four on-line courses totaling no more than sixteen credit hours for courses that meet all requirements.
• A form for approval of eligible courses may be found on the Registrar’s website.

Transfer Credit Policy Exception for COVID-19

Pass/fail courses taken during spring and summer 2020 with a grade of P, or the equivalent, will be accepted for transfer credits and can be used to satisfy general education and major requirements.
 

College Credits Earned Prior to Graduation from High School

Advanced Standing

A maximum of 32 credits may be counted toward the 128 required for a Bachelor’s degree for credits resulting from satisfactory Advanced Placement Examinations, International Baccalaureate scores, British A-Level Exams, or college-level courses including those completed as part of a combined degree program leading to a High School diploma and an Associate degree.

Advanced Placement Credit (AP) 

• Credit will be granted only for scores of 4 or 5 on Advanced Placement exams. On the Calculus BC exam a student who scores a 3 will receive 4 Drew credits. Further details of how AP credits are assigned are available online.
• To Students need to have an official copy of their AP scores sent to the Registrar’s Office in order to have them transferred to Drew for credit. A student can contact the College Board to request that the scores be sent.

International Baccalaureate Courses

• Students with an IB Diploma have the potential to enter Drew with sophomore standing (a maximum of 32 credits will be awarded).
• Higher Level IB courses (HL) – Students with a score of 5 or above will be awarded 8 Drew credits up to a maximum of 32 credits.
• Standard Level IB courses (SL) – Students with a score of 5 or above will be awarded 4 Drew credits up to a maximum of 32 credits.

Visit our website for more information on International Baccalaureate Diploma and Courses.

A-level exams

• Students who earned a grade of A*, A, or B on a British Advanced Level (A-Level) exam will be granted 4 Drew credits, up to a maximum of 32 credits.
• Students who earned a grade of a C on a British Advanced Level exam in 2010 or before will be granted 4 Drew credits, grades of C thereafter will not earn Drew credit.
• Credit is awarded for successful scores on A-Level examinations only, not on O-Levels (ordinary level) or AS-level (Advanced Subsidiary) examinations.
• No credit may be granted for English language examinations or the general paper.
• Drew departments have the discretion to grant up to 8 credits per appropriate A-level score in cases where the content coverage of the A-level exam so warrants.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

• Credit and exemption are also granted for appropriate CLEP subject examinations on which satisfactory scores have been earned, and for the CLEP general examination in mathematics, the only CLEP general examination for which credit is awarded. Students taking CLEP examinations must include the optional essay portion for any examination for which it is offered.
• Students must earn a minimum score of 65 and take CLEP exams before completing 16 semester hours of college credit at Drew in order to receive credit. 

College-level courses taken prior to graduation from high school

• In order to receive credit for college-level courses taken prior to graduation from high school, students must complete the Request for College Credit Form and submit it to the Registrar’s office for a review of your credits. The form may be found online and must be approved in order for the student to receive credit.
• Note that in order to receive credit for college-level courses taken prior to graduation from high school, the course must be listed on an official transcript from an institution that has been accredited by a body duly recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
• The course must be comparable to those listed in the current Drew University College of Liberal Arts catalog.
• A grade of C- or better must have been earned in the course.
   

Credit Hour Policy

Drew University Credit Hour Policy

Drew University complies with federal (U.S. Department of Education), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), and New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) regulations pertaining to degree requirements and credit hours.  Drew University’s undergraduate degree requires the successful completion of 128 semester credit hours. Graduate programs range from 18 to 84 credit hours depending on the degree and the standards. 
 

Drew University’s academic year is separated into fall and spring semesters, each running 15 weeks, a two to three-week January term, and two summer terms, each six weeks, with two embedded four-week sessions. The Theological School has a three-week January term, a twelve-week regular semester, and a range of hybrid and online course formats. 
 

Drew adheres to the Federal standard of a total of 45 learning hours for every 1-credit earned in a semester, regardless of the time frame or format of instruction.  A credit hour is the equivalent of one hour of classroom instruction (50 minutes) with an average of two hours of out of class work for each hour in class. For example, a 3-credit hour course requires a total of 135 hours of combined in and out of class work, while a 4-credit hour course requires a total of 180 hours. 
 

All course formats and schedules are monitored by the curriculum committees or academic dean’s office of each school to comply with the university’s credit hour policy. The credit hour calculation worksheet is completed for every Drew credit-bearing course or experience and are kept on-file in the appropriate Dean’s office. Existing courses are reviewed periodically by the curriculum committees or academic dean’s offices of each school to ensure that the workload is consistent with the credits to be earned. For accelerated and non-traditional course formats, faculty use the credit hour calculation worksheet to document how these courses meet the minimum semester credit hour requirement.  Credit hour calculation worksheets are also reviewed as data for departmental external reviews.

Policy on Undergraduate Students Enrolled in Graduate Courses

Upper-level undergraduate students may, with instructor permission, enroll in graduate-level courses.  The assignment of credit hours in these cases follows all aspects of Drew’s credit hour assignment policy.  In these cases, the increased level of difficulty of graduate work generally requires undergraduates to spend more time completing assignments and reading advanced texts.  As a result, undergraduates in these courses generally earn one more credit than graduate students therein.  

Policy on Graduate Students Enrolled in Undergraduate Courses

In limited cases, graduate students may take courses in the College of Liberal Arts and apply the credits toward graduate degree completion. The assignment of credit hours in these cases follows all aspects of Drew’s credit hour assignment policy. In recognition of the difference in level of undergraduate and graduate coursework and the amount of time that it should take a graduate student to complete work in an undergraduate course, graduate students earn only three credits for completing a four-credit undergraduate course. In addition, faculty teaching undergraduate courses in which graduate students enroll may replace some assignments to ensure appropriate rigor or enhance the graduate student’s professional and disciplinary goals. Such curriculum adjustments include alternative readings, research work, and performance or portfolio work. These curricular adjustments should not exceed the total hours appropriate to a three-credit graduate course.