UMD Academic Policies 2020-2021
Contents
Contents 0
Academic Space Allocaon Guidelines 2
Academic Standing 3
Appropriate Student Use of Class Notes and Course Materials 5
Class Scheduling Guidelines 6
Course Enrollment Limits and Cancellaon 8
Course Numbering Definions and Requirements 9
Credit for Prior Learning Policy 12
Credit Standards for Instrucon and Student Work 13
Degrees with Disncon and Degrees with Honors 15
Establishing, Enforcing, and Waiving Prerequisites 16
Exams for Credit or Proficiency 17
Exams Outside of Regular Class Time 19
Excused Absences 20
Final Examinaons 22
Grading and Transcripts 25
High School Preparaon Requirements 30
Holds on Records and Registraon 32
Leave of Absence and Readmission for Undergraduates 33
Maintaining Course Records 35
Mid-Term Grade Alerts for Academic Performance 36
Sasfactory/Non-sasfactory (S/N) Grading Policy 37
Student Academic Complaint Resoluon 38
Student Academic Integrity 40
Syllabus Policy 44
Syllabi, Recommended Policy Statements for 46
Teaching and Learning: Instructor and Student Responsibilies 48
Transfer of Undergraduate Credit 52
Undergraduate Admission 53
Undergraduate Degree Requirements 56
Withdrawal from the University 58
1
Academic Space Allocaon Guidelines
Effecve: November 19, 2011
Last Updated: November 19, 2011
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
Academic space assignment is the purview of the Execuve Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Academic
space will be used as fully and efficiently as possible. The Minnesota Facilies Model (MFM) space allocaon
recommendaons will be a baseline reference in evaluang requests for space and in jusfying the assignment
or jusficaon of addional campus space.
Highest priority for the use of space in areas housing classrooms and academic unit offices will be for
instrucon, offices, and teaching and research laboratories/studios. Student instruconal space, including
computer laboratories, will be maintained, and expanded if necessary, to sasfy the demand (number of
classes, class size, physical requirements, etc.) for such space. Non-instruconal space will be assigned
according to the general criteria for space allocaon presented below. Library and NRRI space will be assigned
by the respecve directors.
Criteria for use of Non-Instruconal Space in Academic Units
1. Office space (and research space as appropriate) will be first assigned to full me faculty.
2. Office space for full-me professional staff supporng academic acvies will be provided as the next
priority.
3. Remaining office space will be assigned to part-me faculty, teaching/research assistants, vising faculty,
and staff supporng outreach acvies. Except under unusual circumstances these individuals will be assigned
shared office space.
4. Administrave units and personnel most conngent to the space will have highest priority for its use,
according to need.
5. Space for externally funded research and creave acvies will be allocated aer the above needs have
been met. Priority in allocaon of space for such (funded) acvies will be as follows (highest to lowest
priority):
● Projects that provide direct or indirect cost funds to the campus and idenfy faculty members as
principal invesgators or managers.
● Mission-related grant projects supervised by UMD faculty or professional staff.
● Outside projects that provide direct or indirect funds to the campus.
6. Whenever possible, space will be provided for student groups, student study and lounge areas, and staff
lounge areas.
2
Academic Standing
Effecve: September 1, 2011
Last Updated: Approved by EPC February 9, 2011; amended and approved by Campus Assembly April 12,
2011; revised and approved by Curriculum Subcommiee; approved by EVCAA 4-8-20
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING
Students who have a cumulave University of Minnesota Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher are in
good academic standing in the University.
ACADEMIC INTERVENTION or WARNING
Students in good standing with the University but who are not making sasfactory progress as defined by their
specific academic program(s), or whose academic performance declines significantly, may be idenfied for
academic intervenon and be required to meet with an academic advisor. Colleges/Schools which use
academic intervenon with students may change a students’ status to that of undeclared major or pre-major.
ACADEMIC PROBATION.
Students with a cumulave University of Minnesota GPA less than 2.0 are placed on academic probaon.
ACADEMIC SUSPENSION
Students who fail to achieve a cumulave University of Minnesota GPA of 2.0 at the end of the probaonary
semester are academically suspended from the University. When suspended, a student cannot register for any
University of Minnesota courses for at least one full academic year. All colleges/schools and campuses at the
University must recognize the suspension holds and will not allow students, including non-degree seeking
students, with these holds to register.
READMISSION AFTER SUSPENSION
Re-admission aer a period of suspension is not automac. Students suspended from the University, who can
demonstrate improved academic capability, and/or show evidence of changes in circumstances that
demonstrate likely success in an academic program, may peon to be readmied on a probaonary basis
aer the lapse of at least one full academic year (two academic semesters, fall/spring in either order; does not
include summer term).
Subsequent to an approved peon to re-enter, readmied students will be placed on academic probaon,
and all colleges/schools will use a probaon hold to monitor the students’ performance. If the student is
academically suspended a second me, they will be required to reapply for admission to a college/school
rather than a peon to re-enter.
DEFINITIONS
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Grade Point Average (GPA): GPA is the total number of grade points earned divided by the total number of
credits aempted. For example, a student might earn 15 credits spread over five courses as follows:
Course 1, 3 credits: Grade of B = 3.0 x 3 credits = 9 grade points
Course 2, 3 credits: Grade of C+ = 2.3 x 3 credits = 6.9 grade points
Course 3, 3 credits: Grade of A = 4.0 x 3 credits = 12 grade points
Course 4, 3 credits: Grade of B- = 2.7 x 3 credits = 8.1 grade points
Course 5, 3 credits: Grade of D+ = 1.7 x 3 credits = 5.1 grade points
Total: 41.1 grade points/15 credits = 2.74 GPA
Academic Probaon is the academic standing of students whose term or cumulave GPA is below 2.0. A hold is
placed on the students’ record requiring them to meet with their advisor before being able to register for
courses.
Academic Suspension is the academic standing of students who, following a probaonary term, have not
elevated their GPA above 2.0 and/or fulfilled the condions of an academic contract. Students on Academic
Suspension may not register for courses at any University of Minnesota campus and are ineligible for financial
aid.
4
Appropriate Student Use of Class Notes and Course Materials
Effecve: April 29, 2009
Last Updated: Approved by EPC February 27, 2002; Amended and approved by EPC April 29, 2009
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
Overview
The faculty of the University of Minnesota encourages students to take and share notes in their classes,
laboratories, and the many other instruconal sengs in which they parcipate as they pursue their educaon
at the University. Taking notes is a means of recording informaon but more importantly of personally
absorbing and integrang the educaonal experience. The faculty recognizes that collaborave note-sharing
and discussion helps students learn.
Explanaon
However, the organizaon, preparaon, and presentaon of materials in a class or other instruconal seng
represent the intellectual effort of the instructor. Instructors have an interest in protecng this intellectual
effort and in assuring the accuracy of any public representaons of their course lectures and presentaons.
The classroom should also be a place where instructors feel free to share with students the full range of
informaon available in their subject areas, including results of new research as it is produced, without
concern that such new knowledge will be shared prematurely outside the University learning community.
Broadly disseminang class notes beyond the classroom community or accepng compensaon for taking and
distribung classroom notes undermines instructor interests in their intellectual work product while not
substanally furthering instructor and student interests in effecve learning. Such acons violate shared norms
and standards of the academic community.
● Students may not distribute, via the Internet or other means, lecture notes or instructor-provided
materials, except to other members of the same class or with the express wrien consent of the
instructor.
● Instructors have the right to impose addional restricons on course materials in accordance with
copyright and intellectual property law and policy. (See Board of Regents Policy: Copyright , Board of
Regents Policy: Commercializaon of Intellectual Property Rights and Administrave Policy: Copyright
Ownership .
● While students hold the copyright to their own notes from a course, students may not engage in the
sale or widespread distribuon of transcript-like notes or notes that are close to verbam records of a
lecture or class presentaon. Students may share notes with other students in the same class.
● The provisions of this policy are enforceable as University rules under the Board of Regents
Policy: Student Conduct Code .
● If the faculty of a department or collegiate unit, as a group, or individual faculty in a parcular course,
have assented to or authorized the distribuon of lecture notes or instructor-provided materials, such
acon does not violate this policy.
5
Class Scheduling Guidelines
Effecve: March 16, 2009
Last Updated: March 16, 2009 revised November 12, 2014
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
Overview
These guidelines are for the purpose of maximizing the use of instruconal space, improving student access to
classes, and minimizing campus congeson. The guidelines are designed to apply to most situaons, but
special circumstances may jusfy excepons to these guidelines.
All classes in all terms must comply with policies governing credit standards (academic work per credit and
instruconal me per credit).
Definions
Classroom: an auditorium, lecture room, or seminar room usable by various disciplines for instruconal
purposes. General purpose classrooms are rooms that are centrally scheduled by the scheduling office and
may or may not have fixed demonstraon equipment.
Teaching/Class Laboratory: a room with specialized equipment or use that is assigned to a department and
used for regularly- or irregularly-scheduled instrucon.
Scheduled Use: use of a room for classes with official department idenfiers and course numbers for
scheduled class and secon meengs. Oponal meengs, open labs, and tutorial sessions are not included in
scheduled use.
Staon Occupancy Rate: the percentage of student staons occupied when room is in use. In pracce it is
computed as the percentage of staons in a room theorecally occupied according to the official enrollment of
the course/secon. General purpose classrooms are considered "full" at 65% occupancy (Minnesota Facilies
Model).
Time Ulizaon Rate: is the percentage of me that a room is used/scheduled during a specified block of me.
The normal block of class me is defined as 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. General purpose
classrooms are considered fully used at 71% me (Minnesota Facilies Model).
Full Use: General purpose classrooms are defined as fully used when the product of the me and staon rates
equal 46% (Minnesota Facilies Model).
Guidelines and Protocols
1. Classes will be scheduled each week of the term in 50 minute me blocks (plus a 10 minute break), in
configuraons appropriate for the class and in a manner to minimize class conflicts for students.
2. Classes will start on the hour (8, 9, 10, etc.) Monday through Friday, except as noted below.
3. Three-credit classes can be scheduled on two days (Tuesday and Thursday) instead of over three days by
using 75-minute me blocks on each day. These classes must be scheduled between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. or
between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.; class periods on this schedule would be 8:00-9:15, 9:30-10:45, 2:00-3:15, and
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3:30-4:45. Departments should aempt to schedule two, three-credit courses within the three-hour block to
use a classroom most efficiently.
4. Non-standard class mes will be scheduled before 9 a.m. or aer 3 p.m.
5. Excepons to these schedule paerns may be allowed for pedagogical reasons and in a manner that will
minimize possible conflicts in student schedules. Excepon requests should be submied through the college
schedule coordinator to the VCAA office for approval. Non-Standard Request Form
6. Departments will schedule classes for students on a five-day per week (Monday through Friday) basis.
7. No more than 55% of a department’s class me shall be scheduled during the prime me hours. This
measurement is based on the TOTAL hours, and/or fracon, of instrucon by the department between the
hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Prime me hours are defined as the hours between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Reference UM Report: Course Scheduling- Peak vs Non-Peak Minutes
8. When classes cannot be placed, the campus scheduler will work with the department schedule coordinator
to reschedule classes. Classes will be rescheduled first in departments which violate prime-me and/or other
class schedule paern rules.
9. If space becomes available in prime me for class placement, classes will be placed in the following order of
priority: technology needed, locaon preference (from the scheduling soware preferences), and best fit
between class size and room capacity.
10. Academic offerings have priority on the space into which they have been scheduled. Departments should
be certain that academic offerings are not displaced from departmental rooms by meengs, conferences, or
other occasional acvies.
11. The Room Scheduling Office ( [email protected] ) should be nofied immediately if a class is cancelled or if
there are any changes in when, where, or how a class is scheduled or delivered so that affected pares can be
nofied and/or the room can be rescheduled for other acvies.
12. Enrollment capacies (and therefore requested room capacies) will be limited to 10% above
the actual previous term enrollment.
13. Classes with enrollment capacies equal to or less than 10 should be scheduled in departmental
conference rooms whenever possible.
14. Aer priority scheduling, departmental classrooms will be available for general purpose scheduling before
departmental meengs.
15. The availability of a larger classroom must be verified before faculty give students permission to enroll in a
class beyond assigned room capacity.
16. Scheduling of teaching laboratories is the responsibility of the department and collegiate unit to which the
lab is assigned. Departments are expected to achieve acceptable use of laboratory space (with a "full-use" goal
of 44% me ulizaon and 80% staon occupancy). Under-ulized laboratories are subject to reassignment by
the EVCAA office.
7
Course Enrollment Limits and Cancellaon
Effecve: April 30, 2012
Last Updated: Approved by EPC December 14, 2011 ; approved by Campus Assembly April 17, 2012
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
Enrollment limits for course secons
Departments or programs may set minimum and maximum enrollment limits for any course or any secon of a
course. Enrollment limits are subject to approval by the dean.
Cancellaon of low-enrollment courses
1. Each collegiate unit must maintain a policy regarding the cancellaon of low-enrollment courses or secons.
These policies may differ across colleges and may allow variaons by department. Any such policy must, at a
minimum, take into account (a) the effect of cancellaon of a course or courses on student academic progress
and graduaon, (b) the need for a course to contribute to appropriate program breadth and curriculum, (c)
commitments made to instructors that a course would be offered, and (d) instuonal commitments to
outside organizaons.
2. In the event that a course is canceled, preferably it would be canceled before the beginning of the term, but
no later than the second class meeng of the term.
8
Course Numbering Definions and Requirements
Effecve: September 1, 2011
Last Updated: Approved by EPC December 15, 2010; approved by Campus Assembly April 12, 2011 ; revision
approved by Teaching & Learning commiee 5-6-15; revised by TLC 3-20-19; approved by EVCAA 5-22-19;
revised by TLC, approved by EVCAA 4-8-20
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
Semester Courses
Semester courses will have four digit numbers. The first number designates the course level.
0xxx Courses that do not result in credit hours toward any University degree; however, they may be assessed tuion
and/or fees in the same way as courses that carry credit.
1xxx Course content designed primarily for undergraduate students in their first year of study.
2xxx Course content designed for undergraduate students in their second year of study.
3xxx Course content designed for undergraduate students in their third year of study.
4xxx Course content designed for undergraduate students in their third or fourth year of study; graduate students
may include such courses in the Graduate Degree Plan (GDP) with program approval.
5xxx Course content designed for graduate students; advanced undergraduate students may enroll in such courses.
Programs are not allowed to require 5xxx-level courses in undergraduate programs.
6xxx Courses for post-baccalaureate students in professional degree programs.
7xxx Courses for post-baccalaureate students in professional degree programs.
8xxx Courses for graduate students.
9xxx Courses for graduate students.
Note: 1xxx and 2xxx courses: 1xxx and 2xxx courses are to be at the introductory collegiate level. They should have few,
if any, prerequisites. Notable excepons are where there is a sequence of courses at the introductory level (e.g.,
one-year sequence of science, math, wring, world language, art).
Note: 3xxx and 4xxx courses: 3xxx and 4xxx courses are considered to be upper division, are to be of a more advanced
level, and should require a higher level of sophiscaon. They may require previous work at the college level (e.g. lower
division courses or a credit total as a prerequisite)
Note: Use of 4xxx Courses in Graduate Programs: a maximum of nine 4xxx course credits may be counted for a graduate
degree but a graduate program may restrict the use of 4xxx courses in the program (e.g., by spulang that no more
than y credits of 4xxx courses may be counted or by spulang that only certain 4xxx courses may be counted). Such
restricons may be applied both for 4xxx courses in the major field and for 4xxx courses outside the major field.
Note: 6xxx and 7xxx Courses: 6xxx and 7xxx courses are to be used primarily for post-baccalaureate professional
programs at the graduate level.
Thesis Credit Courses
All thesis credit courses shall use the following numbering convenons.
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8666 Doctoral Pre-thesis Credits
8777 Thesis Credits: Masters
8888 Thesis Credits: Doctoral
Graduate Acve Status Courses
GRAD 0999 Acve status: 0 credit - student pays basic computer network access fee each semester of enrollment.
8333 FTE: Master’s - student is considered a full-me student for assistantship loan deferments, veterans benefits,
and other consideraons.
8444 FTE: Doctoral - student is considered a full-me student for assistantship loan deferments, veterans benefits, and
other consideraons.
Other Courses
Generally, these courses may be repeated for credit.
xx91 Independent Study
xx92 Directed Reading
xx93 Directed Study
xx94 Research
For xx91, xx92, xx93 and xx94 course content, the student and faculty member will develop a wrien contract that
includes the number of credits, nature of work to be accomplished, me expectaons, the name of the faculty member
who is responsible for the final grade, and the number of periodic meengs between the student and faculty member.
xx95 Special Topics: Umbrella course number for specific topics or issues which are mely in nature. An abbreviated
course proposal must be submied for each new class tle under the Special Topics umbrella course. A department
wishing to offer a specific Special Topics tle more than twice must submit a course proposal through the standard
course approval process to convert this tle to a regular course.
xx96 Field Study: The student will work in a mentored/supervised status in a professional seng. Clear guidelines
will be available as to the student’s responsibilies and grading procedures will be established. One credit requires a
minimum of 40 hours of work in a supervised seng over the course of the term. Graduate students are expected to
work a greater number of hours per credit.
xx97 Internship/Externship: The student will work as an intern in a professional seng. Clear guidelines will be
available as to the student’s responsibilies and grading procedures will be established. One credit requires a minimum
of 40 hours of work in a supervised seng over the course of the term. Graduate students are expected to work a
greater number of hours per credit.
xx98 Used for Internships.
xx99 Used for projects and seminars.
Dual-listed courses
A course is dual-listed when the course content is offered at both the 1xxx and 3xxx or 4xxx and 5xxx course levels.
Courses that legimately meet the needs of undergraduate programs, but are oen also used as required or elecve
graduate courses may be dual-listed. The course will have the same subject designaon, but be offered with both
1xxx/3xxx or 4xxx/5xxx course numbers. Students registered at either level meet at the same me and place, with the
same instructor. Separate syllabi are prepared for each course level and will evidence respecve evaluaon criteria and
outcomes for the level of the course.
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Cross listed courses
A cross listed course consists of a single course offered for registraon under two or more disnct subject designators
and course numbers. Cross-listed courses must be at the same level (e.g. 1000-level, 3000-level, etc), have the same
content, tle, descripon, outcomes, same or equivalent prerequisites, and be offered for the same number of credits.
Course proposals and syllabi for the cross-listed courses must be discussed and approved by both departments,
collegiate curriculum commiee(s), and dean(s) prior to review by Academic Affairs. A compelling case based on course
content and outcomes must be made on the Course Proposal for cross-lisng a courses. The decision by a department to
disconnue a cross-listed course is unilateral for both teaching departments and must be communicated in wring and
routed through the usual curriculum process. Students register for only one of the cross-listed courses (e.g., either Soc
1xxx or Anth 1xxx; Stats 3xxx or Math 3xxx). Each semester departments must coordinate adding cross-listed courses to
the UMD Schedule of Classes.
11
Credit for Prior Learning Policy
Last Updated: Approved by Teaching and Learning Commiee: 10-07-2015; revised 2-24-2016; approved by
EVCAA 8-25-16
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
The University of Minnesota Duluth recognizes that significant learning can take place in many forms outside of
the tradional classroom; i.e., “nontradional learning.” Such learning may have resulted from parcipaon in
certain government, military, employment or other non-graded acvies/courses. Actual credit-based
coursework as well as AP, CLEP, IB, DSST and other standardized exams do not fall within this policy.
Requests for consideraon must comply with the following:
1. If granted, credit for prior learning may or may not include UMD academic credit and/or course
requirement waivers.
a. Evaluaons for academic credit or waiver of program requirements will be conducted by the
academic department(s) affected.
b. Evaluaons for general, non-program-specific credit or waiver of UMD requirements will be
conducted by the Associate Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Educaon.
2. If academic credit is assigned or program requirements are waived, the following fees apply:
a. For academic credit, the student must pay the UMD-approved credit by examinaon fee.
See hp://onestop.umn.edu/finances/fees
b. If program requirements are waived rather than credit assigned, no fee is charged.
3. No more than 30 credits will be awarded for nontradional requests. Actual credit-based coursework as
well as AP, CLEP, IB, DSST and other standardized exams do not fall within this policy.
4. No more than one-half of any program, including majors and minors as well as the Liberal Educaon
Program may be waived in lieu of a non-tradional award.
5. Students must meet all UMD policy requirements, including fulfilling the Liberal Educaon Program and
having a minimum of 120 credits to graduate.
6. Credits based upon Prior Learning Assessments by UMD generally do not transfer to other schools
outside of the University of Minnesota system without reevaluaon by their faculty in accordance with
their academic policies. Credits based upon Prior Learning Assessments made by other instuons do
not transfer to UMD without reevaluaon by our faculty in accordance with UMD academic policies.
7. Any request for prior learning assessment must be made within one year of matriculaon or
compleon of the experience(s) in queson.
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Credit Standards for Instrucon and Student Work
Effecve: September 1, 2011
Last Updated: Approved by EPC on December 15, 2010; Approved by Campus Assembly April 12, 2011
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
Credit standards are fundamental to the integrity of University degrees, transferability of courses, curricular
transparency, workload assignments, and accountability to state and federal agencies. Therefore, consistency
in assigning credit hours to courses is crical.
Long-standing credit hour standards as defined by naonal organizaons for reporng and accountability are
becoming inadequate as instrucon is increasingly delivered online. This policy maintains the semester credit
hour as the standard while broadening its applicability to online and parally online courses. The policy will be
reviewed and adjusted as naonal, state, and accreditaon agencies redefine standards for higher educaon.
1. The number of credits assigned to an individual course is a funcon of the breadth and depth of subject
maer deemed appropriate by the program faculty to achieve the outcomes of the program or the liberal
educaon category, and approved through the regular curriculum review process.
2. Curriculum guidelines permit programs to define the delivery mode(s) approved for a course as follows:
● Classroom (100% face-to-face)
● Parally online (4 or more face-to-face class periods per term)
● Primarily online (1-3 defined face-to-face meeng dates per term)
● Online (no face-to-face meengs)
The pedagogy should be appropriate for the delivery mode selected for the secon of a course.
3. For classroom delivery mode (assuming a 15-week semester)
● For lecture and discussion course components, 750 minutes will be scheduled, according to classroom
scheduling guidelines, per credit hour. This typically is scheduled in fieen (15) 50-minute periods. The
course will be designed and expectaons established so that the average student will need to study
and/or engage in out of class learning acvies an average of two hours outside of class for every hour
in the classroom in order to achieve sasfactory performance.
● Study and/or engage in out of class learning acvies include but are not limited to: compleng online
modules, reading text, viewing recorded lectures, compleng assignments, synchronous or
asynchronous discussion with the instructor or other students, taking exams, group projects, or service
learning.
● For course components such as laboratory, rehearsal and studio, a minimum of fieen (15) 50-minute
periods will be scheduled, according to classroom scheduling guidelines, per credit hour. This
component will be designed and expectaons established so that the average student will need to
devote an average of three hours total per credit hour to a combinaon of scheduled me and me to
study and/or engage in learning acvies outside of the scheduled me in order to achieve sasfactory
performance.
4. For parally online delivery mode, the course will be designed to ulize both classroom and online delivery
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so that the combinaon requires the student to spend an average of 150 minutes per week per credit.
5. For primarily online or online delivery modes, the course will be designed and expectaons established so
that in order to achieve sasfactory performance, the average student will need to spend an average of 150
minutes per week per credit for a 15 week-semester or 45 hours per credit per course engaged with the course
material in a combinaon of ways (see 3b above). Compleon of laboratory experiences conducted using
either digital technology or purchased supplemental materials will require addional me and should be
designed with expectaons that the me required is comparable to compleon of similar acvity in a
laboratory space.
6. For course components that designate individual study or research, the scope of the study or research will
be established to require the average student to work an average of three hours a week per credit for 15
weeks.
7. For course components that designate a working/learning experience, e.g., internship, student teaching,
praccum, field work, in general, 1 credit requires 40 hours of work in a supervised seng over the course of
the term. Full-me (40 hours per week) field study courses should equate to 14 credits (43 hours/cr).
8. Any departure from these standards must be jusfied in the course proposal and approved by the college
curriculum commiee, and collegiate and campus administrators.
9. The breadth and depth of graduate level work is expected to require addional me to achieve sasfactory
performance.
10. For dual listed courses in which, for example, undergraduate students register for the 4xxx level course and
graduate/professional students register for the 5xxx level course, workload expectaons will be higher for the
graduate/professional students. See Course Numbering Policy
14
Degrees with Disncon and Degrees with Honors
Effecve: January 3, 2011
Last Updated: Approved by EPC January 27, 2010; amended and approved by Campus Assembly November 9,
2010
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
Baccalaureate degree candidates who have done outstanding work may be awarded special honors upon
compleon of all degree requirements through graduaon with Lan honors, conferral of campus honors,
conferral of department honors, or any combinaon of these.
Lan honors are designated as summa cum laude, magna cum laude, or cum laude . Fieen (15) percent of
students graduang in a collegiate unit will be awarded Lan Honors. Within each college Lan honors shall
consist of no more than 3 percent summa cum laude , 5 percent magna cum laude , and 7 percent cum laude .
The collegiate unit in which the student is enrolled determines the grade point average requirements for each
level of Lan honors.
UMD offers a Campus Honors Program. Students are invited to apply to the program based on class rank, ACT
scores, Advanced Placement courses, leadership experience and extracurricular acvies. Requirements for
graduaon with Campus Honors include: a cumulave GPA of 3.3 at graduaon; compleon of at least three
Honors designated courses; compleon and presentaon of an Honors Capstone project; parcipaon in a
minimum of six Honors Program acvies events each academic semester.
Departmental honors programs are created by individual departments and approved by the dean. These
departments are responsible for a) idenfying the criteria for departmental honors, and b) students who, upon
graduaon, have met all of the requirements of the departmental program.
When the baccalaureate degree is conferred, these achievements are noted, as appropriate, on the student’s
transcript in the following ways
● Lan honors: summa cum laude, magna cum laude , or cum laude
● Campus Honors: UMD Honors
● Departmental honors: Disncon
In addion, the achievement of Lan honors and departmental honors are noted on the diploma.
15
Establishing, Enforcing, and Waiving Prerequisites
Effecve: May 19, 2014
Last Updated: July 23, 2009 amended April 8, 2014
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
Procedure/Annotaons
Course proposals should indicate whether there is a prerequisite. Prerequisites are enforced by the
registraon system at the point of registraon; students will not be able to register unless the prerequisite
course is on the student academic record. Note: transfer credit is not included on the academic record that
feeds into the registraon system. Students who completed the prerequisite from a transfer instuon may
not be able to register without instructor or department permission. A specific grade in a prerequisite cannot
be enforced at the me of registraon; however, faculty may list in the syllabus and verbally confirm in class
the need for a specific minimum grade in a prerequisite course.
1. Departments and colleges should be selecve in determining prerequisites for courses. Prerequisites should
not be set for a course except in progressive, sequence courses or where departments can clearly demonstrate
that a student will not be able to complete the course successfully without first compleng the prerequisite
course work.
2. Where prerequisites have been set, catalogs and course materials must list them and advise students to take
only those courses for which the prerequisites have been met.
3. Where prerequisites have been set, instructors may require that any student who has not taken the
specified prerequisites for the course must withdraw. Instructors may, however, grant permission, on an
individual basis, for a student to take a course without having taken the prerequisite(s).
16
Exams for Credit or Proficiency
Effecve: November 22, 2011
Last Updated: Approved by EPC October 12, 2011, Approved by Campus Assembly November 22, 2011;
revised by EPC 10-31-12, approved by Campus Assembly May 14, 2013.
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
Certain examinaons are accepted for credit toward or exempon from equivalent degree program
requirements.
College Level Examinaon Program (CLEP)
Students may earn college credit for successful compleon of some CLEP examinaons which have been
reviewed by faculty and determined to assess the content of certain UMD courses. The list of approved CLEP
exams is maintained and posted by the Registrar.
Advanced Placement (AP) and Internaonal Baccalaureate (IB)
High school students may earn college credit by receiving sasfactory examinaon scores (3, 4, or 5) on the
College Entrance and Examinaon Board Advanced Placement Program examinaon, or scores (of typically 5,
6, and 7) on the Internaonal Baccalaureate examinaon. Academic departments evaluate whether the
material in the AP exam is substanally similar to that of an exisng course, and if so, will award credits for that
course. If the material is judged not to be substanally similar to an exisng course, the academic department
will assign general departmental credits. Academic departments may also provide an alternave method for
evaluang proficiency in order to award academic credit. The list of approved AP and IB exams and the
associated academic credit awards are maintained and posted by the Registrar.
Departmental Examinaons
Academic departments have the discreon to offer any currently-enrolled, undergraduate degree-seeking
student an exam to either demonstrate proficiency or earn course credit. Departments may establish eligibility
criteria for an exam for proficiency or credit. The format of these exams is at the department’s discreon (e.g.,
final examinaon, oral tests, wrien papers or projects). A student may not take an exam for credit for a
course in which s/he is currently enrolled or one already completed for any grade basis (i.e., A-F, S-N, or AUD
status). No department is required to offer exams for proficiency or credit.
1. Exam to earn course credit
A departmental exam for credit may be used to earn credit for a course. Credit(s) earned by departmental
exam do not earn GPA points and are reflected only within the student’s cumulave credit totals on the
transcript (not within the term in which the student completed the exam). Credits earned through
examinaon are not considered as regular, residence, or transfer credits.
The academic department giving the examinaon will determine the minimum standards for successful
compleon of an exam for credit. Students are required to pay the credit by special examinaon fee for exams
to earn course credit.
Work of “C-“ quality or beer will earn credit with a ‘T’ posted on the transcript to indicate credit by exam. If
the work on the examinaon is below this level, no notaon is made on the transcript. Only credits, not
17
grades, are granted upon successful compleon.
Procedures to take an examinaon for credit are found at:
hp://www.d.umn.edu/registrar/credit_by_exam.html
2. Exam to demonstrate proficiency
A departmental exam for proficiency may be used to fulfill prerequisites for advanced courses or sasfy other
requirements. An exam for proficiency does not yield any course credit or grade. The academic department
giving the examinaon will determine the minimum standards for successful compleon of an exam for
proficiency. Courses sasfied through proficiency examinaon do not reduce the total credit requirements for
graduaon or in the major field.
If proficiency is demonstrated, a notaon is made on the student’s transcript that reads, “Course X sasfied by
proficiency examinaon.”
The department determines whether there is a fee for proficiency tesng and administers the fee.
18
Exams Outside of Regular Class Time
Effecve: September 3, 2013
Last Updated: Approved by Campus Assembly on May 14, 2013
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
It is expected that for most courses, examinaons will be given during the regularly scheduled class period.
For instances where the instructor deems it necessary for addional exam me beyond the normal class
period, the following guidelines apply:
● Department head approval is required for any instructor who wants to schedule an exam in an
undergraduate course outside of the regular class me.
● Every semester, a list of undergraduate courses in which exams have been scheduled outside of class
me should be sent to the collegiate associate dean or dean for review.
● Faculty must indicate on the course syllabus and any other course informaon that examinaons will be
scheduled outside of regular class me. The date and me of the exams should be listed.
● When an exam is scheduled outside of a regularly scheduled class period faculty should cancel a
normal class meeng me. The cancelled me slot may be used as an oponal review period.
● Accommodaon must be provided to any student who encounters an academic conflict, such as
between an examinaon scheduled outside of regular class me and the regular class period of
another course, or between two exams scheduled to be held simultaneously outside of regular class
me.
● Exams in graduate classes (5xxx and above) may be scheduled at the instructor’s prerogave. The
course syllabus should describe the nature of the examinaons and the scheduling policy.
● Having students vote on rescheduling an exam outside of normal class hours at a different date or me
than what appears on the syllabus is not allowed.
19
Excused Absences
Effecve: January 3, 2011
Last Updated: Approved by EPC April 28, 2010; amended and approved by Campus Assembly on November 9,
2010, amended and approved by TLC 11-15-17; approved by EVCAA 1-24-18, amended and approved by TLC
3-20-19; approved by EVCAA 4-30-19
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
Students are expected to aend all scheduled class meengs. It is the responsibility of students to plan their
schedules to avoid excessive conflict with course requirements. However, there are circumstances that lead to
excused student absence from the classroom.
1. Students may not be penalized when legimate and verifiable circumstances lead to their absence from
aending class or taking a final exam. These are:
● illness, physical or mental, of the student or a student’s dependent(s);
● medical condions related to pregnancy, including me away from class for lactaon;
● parcipaon in NCAA intercollegiate athlec events (does not refer to or include recreaonal sports,
intramural sports, club sports, or other special interest sport clubs or organizaons. Student athletes
must provide instructors the team schedule during the first week of the semester.);
● subpoenas;
● jury duty;
● military service;
● bereavement, including travel related to bereavement;
● religious observances; and
● parcipaon in formal University-wide system governance, including Board of Regents meengs, by
students selected as representaves to those governance bodies.
2. Vong in a regional, state, or naonal elecon is not an unavoidable or legimate absence.
3. Instructors are expected to accommodate students who wish to parcipate in party caucuses, pursuant to
Board of Regents resoluon (see December 2005 Board of Regents Minutes, p. 147.)
4. In addion, there are other circumstances not menoned above that lead to absence from class. These
requested absences may be excused at the instructor’s discreon; students must provide wrien
documentaon to verify the reason for the absence.
Noficaon, Verificaon Of Absences, And Make-Up Work
5. Students must nofy their instructors of circumstances idenfied in (1) or other circumstances leading to a
request for makeup work as soon as possible and provide informaon to explain the absence. Some situaons
will be sufficiently urgent that arrangements for makeup work cannot be made prior to the date of an absence.
In such cases, arrangements should be made as soon as possible following the student’s return.
6. The instructor has the right to request, and the student must provide if requested, verificaon for absences.
7. The instructor may not penalize the student and must provide reasonable and mely accommodaon or
opportunity to make up missed work, including exams or other course requirements that have an impact on
20
the course grade if the student:
● Was absent due to circumstances idenfied in (1);
● Has complied with the noficaon requirements; and
● Has provided verificaon if the instructor has requested further informaon.
8. Instructors are not obligated to accommodate a student who has missed so much of the crical
components of a course, even for legimate reasons, that arrangements for makeup work would not be
reasonable.
Instructors should take all factors into consideraon when determining whether to grant an excused absence
and how to make arrangements for makeup work that has an impact on the course grade. If a student has
missed a component of the course that cannot be made up in exactly the same manner, the instructor may
substute another acvity or assignment in order to assess the missed components. If no substuon can be
devised, the missing component(s) cannot be factored into determining that student’s final grade for the
course.
Appeals Process
The first step of any resoluon should be between the pares involved. Department head involvement may be
requested to assist in finding a resoluon. If the course instructor is the department head then the student
should request assistance from the collegiate associate dean. If sasfactory resoluon cannot be found at this
level, an appeal can be made first to the Collegiate Dean and then to the Office of the Execuve Vice
Chancellor of Academic Affairs.
Special Situaons
For the health or safety of a campus, the senior academic officer for the campus or the officer’s designee may
waive the requirement that students provide verificaon from a health care provider for illness.
DEFINITIONS
Dependent
A person, typically a qualifying child or other relave, other than the taxpayer or spouse, who entles the
taxpayer to claim a dependency exempon for tax purposes.
Medical provider
A licensed mental health or medical professional including registered nurses (RNs).
Bereavement
Bereavement refers to a period of mourning. For purposes of this policy, (a) bereavement is defined by the
student, but (b) the terms of the excused absence, including length of me a student may be excused and
makeup work must be negoated with the faculty member.
21
Final Examinaons
Effecve: January 3, 2011
Last Updated: Approved by EPC April 28, 2010; amended and approved by Campus Assembly on November 9,
2010; revised and approved by TLC on 4-26-17; revised by TLC 2-20-19; approved by EVCAA 5-22-19
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
All classes that normally permit undergraduates to enroll, including online courses, should include a final
graded component or end of term evaluaon (such as a typical exam) that assesses the level of student
achievement of one or more course objecves. Instructors are encouraged to design the final component or
evaluaon to be comprehensive and culminang.
1. “Final graded component” or “end of term evaluaon” may include a wrien final examinaon, project,
composion or performance, demonstraon of laboratory skills, or presentaon. The date of the final graded
component should be included on the course syllabus.
2. All final graded components are to be administered or due at the me and place according to the final exam
schedule and not during the last week of class. Final Exam Week is part of the regular semester calendar.
3. Online exams must be administered or due during final exam week and not during the last week of class.
4. Final graded components such as group projects, final speeches, presentaons, etc. may begin before final
exam week but cannot conclude before the scheduled final exam me.
5. For courses that end at a me other than the end of the term, including summer terms, final graded
components are to be administered or due on the last scheduled day of the course.
6. Final exams will normally be scheduled in a two hour block. In order to accommodate transion me, no
final exam should be scheduled for longer than one hour and fiy minutes.
7. Instructors may not hold a regular class period during the final examinaon period and may not hold a class
during the first hour of the examinaon period and then conduct the final examinaon during the remaining
hour.
8. No University-sponsored extra-curricular events, which require the parcipaon of students, may be
scheduled during finals weeks. Excepons to this policy may be granted ONLY by the Execuve Vice Chancellor
for Academic Affairs. Instructors must provide an alternave and mely opportunity for students to complete
course requirements they were unable to complete because of an absence permied by this policy.
Exempons to this policy can only be granted by the appropriate department head and college or school dean.
Exempon documentaon must be kept on file in the dean’s office. Instructors are responsible for informing
students of approved deviaons from the published final examinaon schedules.
1. Requests for exempon must be iniated by the instructor of record for the course and forwarded through
the department head to the college dean for acon. Such requests are considered on a semester-to-semester
basis.
22
2. Requests for permanent exempon for a course for which regular final graded component is inappropriate,
such as independent study or seminar courses, should be iniated by the sponsoring department and
forwarded to the college dean for acon. Such requests, once granted, remain in effect unl modified by acon
of the department.
Examinaons Scheduling Procedures
UMD policy provides that no student may be required to take more than two final examinaons on the same
day. The regular final examinaon and the common examinaon schedules are constructed to minimize
conflicts.
Conflicts are resolved according to the following policy. Regular final examinaons take priority over common
final examinaons and both take priority over examinaons that have been shied to a me deviang from
the published examinaon schedule. When three or more regular final examinaons fall on the same day for
an individual student, the first and last scheduled examinaons on that day take priority over others. When
one regular final examinaon conflicts with two or more common final examinaons, the first scheduled
common final examinaon on that day takes priority over other common final examinaons. When three or
more common final examinaons fall on the same day, the first and last scheduled examinaons on that day
take priority over others. When one or more common final examinaons are scheduled at the same me,
priority is given to the earliest class me as determined by the regular class schedule.
In cases where a student has three final exams (or graded components) in one day and one of those is for an
online course, the graded component for the online course should be considered the “middle” exam and thus,
upon request from the student, rescheduled. In cases where a student has three final graded components in
one day and two of those are for online courses, upon request from the student, one of the graded
components for one of the online courses should be rescheduled. In cases where a student has three final
graded components in one day and all of those are for online courses, upon request from the student, one of
the exams for one of the online courses should be rescheduled.
Students will nofy their instructors as soon as possible during the term but no later than one week before the
start of final exams during the regular school year or three days before the start of final exams during summer
term of final exam conflicts.
Final Examinaon Conflicts
UMD policy provides that no student may be required to take more than two final examinaons on the same
day. The regular final examinaon and the common examinaon schedules are constructed to minimize
conflicts.
Conflicts are resolved according to the following policy. Regular final examinaons take priority over common
final examinaons and both take priority over examinaons that have been shied to a me deviang from
the published examinaon schedule. When three or more regular final examinaons fall on the same day for
an individual student, the first and last scheduled examinaons on that day take priority over others. When
one regular final examinaon conflicts with two or more common final examinaons, the first scheduled
common final examinaon on that day takes priority over other common final examinaons. When three or
more common final examinaons fall on the same day, the first and last scheduled examinaons on that day
take priority over others. When one or more common final examinaons are scheduled at the same me,
priority is given to the earliest class me as determined by the regular class schedule.
In cases where a student has three final exams (or graded components) in one day and one of those is for an
23
online course, the graded component for the online course should be considered the “middle” exam and thus,
upon request from the student, rescheduled. In cases where a student has three final graded components in
one day and two of those are for online courses, upon request from the student, one of the graded
components for one of the online courses should be rescheduled. In cases where a student has three final
graded components in one day and all of those are for online courses, upon request from the student, one of
the exams for one of the online courses should be rescheduled.
Students will nofy their instructors at least one week before the start of final exams during the regular school
year or three days before the start of final exams during summer term of final exam conflicts.
Makeup Examinaons
When a student is excused from a final examinaon because of a conflict of more than two exams scheduled
on the same day, a makeup examinaon will be scheduled during the final examinaon period on a day and at
a me of mutual convenience to the student and faculty member concerned. If mutual agreement cannot be
reached, the faculty member may specify any me during the final examinaon period that does not create
addional conflict with the rest of the student’s scheduled examinaons.
24
Grading and Transcripts
Effecve: January 3, 2011
Last Updated: Revised by the Teaching & Learning Commiee March 15, 2017, approved by EVCAA
November 22, 2017
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
This policy may be modified from me to me but exisng transcripts will not be modified when there are
changes in policy. Changes to the grading and transcript policy will be reflected on the legend on the back of
the official transcript.
A. Establishment and Use of University Grading Systems
1. There are two disnct grading systems at the University of Minnesota Duluth, A-B-C-D-F (with pluses
and minuses as permied by this policy; see chart below) and S-N. The S-N system is a self-contained
alternave to the A-F system and the two may not be combined for a parcular student in a parcular
course. Students may receive grades or symbols only from the grading system under which they have
registered for a course. This policy does not require any instructor to use pluses and minuses.
2. There are, in addion, registraon symbols idenfied and described in this policy that carry neither
grade nor credit.
3. No college or program is required to offer a course on the S-N grading system.
4. Any unit may choose to limit grades in a parcular course to the A-F or the S-N system.
5. When both grading systems are available to a student, he or she must declare a choice of system as
part of the inial registraon for the course. The choice may not be changed aer the end of the
second week of classes (the first week in summer sessions).
6. Except as provided in this policy in Secon A (7), no college may use any grading systems other than the
ones established by this policy.
7. The UM Medical School Duluth is exempt from the provisions of this policy, but will report their grading
systems, and any changes therein, to the Office of Academic Administraon.
8. The No Grade (NG) grading basis is used for courses where no grade is required, i.e. thesis courses or
courses that have no credit value.
B. Permanent Grades for Academic Work
1. The list below idenfies the possible permanent grades that can be given for any course for which
credit is to be awarded. These grades will be entered on a student's official transcript and carry the
indicated grade points. (UMD does not award A+ grades, nor are D- grades permied).
Grade
Grade
Points
Definion
A
4.000
Represents achievement that is outstanding relave to the level necessary to meet course requirements
A-
3.667
B+
3.333
B
3.000
Represents achievement that is significantly above the level necessary to meet course requirements
25
B-
2.667
C+
2.333
C
2.000
Represents achievement that meets the course requirements in every respect
C-
1.667
D+
1.333
D
1.000
Represents achievement that is worthy of credit even though it fails to meet fully the course requirements
S
Represents achievement that is sasfactory, which is equivalent to a C or beer. The S grade will not carry
grade points but the credits will count toward the student's degree program if allowed by the college or
program.
F
0.000
Represents failure and signifies that the work was either (1) completed but at a level of achievement that is
not worthy of credit or (2) was not completed and there was no agreement between the instructor and the
student that the student would be awarded an I (see Secon C). The F carries 0 grade points and the credits
for the course do not count toward any academic degree program. The credit hours for the course will count
in the grade point average.
N
Represents no credit and signifies that the work was either (1) completed but at a level of achievement that is
not worthy of credit or (2) was not completed and there was no agreement between the instructor and the
student that the student would be awarded an I (see criteria for I grade). The N carries no grade points and
the credits for the course do not count toward any academic degree program. The credit hours for the course
do not count in the grade point average.
1. These definions might not apply to grades awarded to students enrolled in graduate,
post-baccalaureate, and professional programs, but the grade points are the same no maer the level
or course of enrollment.
2. Instructors are permied to hold graduate and undergraduate students who are in the same class to
different standards of academic performance and accomplishment. The syllabus must make clear what
the different standards will be for the different groups of students who may be enrolled in the class.
3. These are the general University standards. In connecon with all symbols of achievement, instructors
will define for a class, at one of its earliest meengs and as explicitly as possible, the performance that
will be necessary to earn each grade.
4. Grades for academic work are based on the quality of the work submied including when a grade is
reduced by the instructor for academic dishonesty. Instructors have the responsibility and authority to
determine how final grades are assigned.
C. Incompletes
There will be a symbol I (incomplete) awarded to indicate that the work of the course has not been completed.
The I will be assigned at the discreon of the instructor when, due to extraordinary circumstances (as
determined by the instructor), the student who has successfully completed a substanal poron of the
course's work with a passing grade was prevented from compleng the work of the course on me.
26
1. The assignment of an I requires a wrien agreement between the instructor and student specifying the
me and manner in which the student will complete the course requirements. In no event may any
such wrien agreement allow a period of longer than one year to complete the course requirements,
except as provided in secon C (7).
2. Work to make up an I must be submied to the instructor (or the department head) within one year of
the last day of final examinaons of the term in which the I was given for all students except graduate
and professional students. If not submied by that me, the I will automacally change to an F (if the
student was registered on the A-F system) or an N (if the student was registered on the S-N system) for
the course. If an I changes automacally to an F or an N, the instructor has the discreon to reinstate
the I for one addional year only.
3. For graduate and professional students, an I remains on the transcript unl changed by the instructor
or department head. Under non-academic exceponal circumstances, more than one year may be
permied to complete the I, when noted in the wrien agreement.
4. When an I is changed to another symbol, the I is removed from the record. Once an I has become an F
or an N, under the provisions of the preceding paragraph, it may subsequently be converted to any
other grade, upon peon by the instructor (or the department if the instructor has le the University)
to the college.
5. A student does not need to be registered at the University in order to complete the work necessary to
convert an I to a grade with credit in the me and manner previously agreed upon between the student
and the instructor. The instructor is expected to turn in the new grade within four weeks of the date the
work was submied by the student. (Depending on the ming of when the work is turned in and the
ability of the instructor to award a grade, an F or an N may appear temporarily on the transcript.)
6. Students may have a degree conferred with an I for a course(s) that is not required for the degree. A
permanent grade may replace the I and be calculated in the degree GPA within 30 days from the end
term in which the degree was conferred. Otherwise, the degree GPA is frozen upon graduaon but the
cumulave GPA will reflect the change in GPA as a result of the grade change.
7. When students are called to acve military duty, and reach agreement with their instructor(s) to take
an incomplete, they will have up to one calendar year following their discharge from acve duty to
complete their incomplete(s).
8. Receipt of an I in a course does not create an entlement for a student to take the course a second
me.
D. Scholasc dishonesty
Scholasc dishonesty in any poron of the academic work for a course may be grounds for awarding a grade of
F or N for the enre course, at the discreon of the instructor. This provision allows instructors to award an F
or an N to a student when scholasc dishonesty is discovered; it does not require an instructor to do so.
Students who enroll for a course on the A-F grading system will receive an F if such grade is warranted;
students who enroll for a course on the S-N system will receive an N if such grade is warranted. (See Board of
Regents Policy: Student Conduct Code , Academic Integrity, for a definion of scholasc dishonesty.)
E. Other Transcript Symbols
1. Credit by Exam. There will be a symbol T posted as a prefix to the original grade, to indicate credits
awarded by test.
2. Auding a course.
a. There will be a symbol V, visitor, indicang registraon as an auditor or visitor, which will carry
no credit and no grade.
b. Students auding a course are required to pay full tuion but do not take exams and are not
required to do homework. An auditor is entered on the class roster (grade report), is counted as
27
filling a seat in a controlled entry course, and is counted in an instructor's student contact hours.
c. Students may not sit in on a course without registering for it.
d. A student will be allowed to take a previously audited class for a grade.
3. Withdrawing from a course.
a. If a student cancels registraon in a course during the first two weeks of classes, there will be no
record of that course registraon entered on the student's transcript.
b. There will be a symbol W, withdrawal, entered on the transcript irrespecve of the student's
academic standing in that course, if the student withdraws from the course during the third
through tenth week of class or during the second or third weeks of summer sessions.
c. Except as provided in the preceding secon, withdrawal aer the deadlines will require
approval of the college and may not be granted solely because a student is failing the course;
there must be extenuang non-academic circumstances jusfying late withdrawal.
4. Connuaon course. There will be a symbol X, indicang a student may connue in a connuaon
course in which a grade cannot be determined unl the full sequence of courses is completed. The
instructor will submit a grade for each X when the student has completed the sequence.
5. No Grade. There will be a symbol, NG, posted for courses in which no grade is required.
6. No grade reported. There will be a symbol NR, administravely assigned to indicate that a grade was
not reported for the course. The NR does not carry any GPA points.
F. Repeang Courses
Students may retake a course in which they received a grade of a C- or lower or an N. Those wishing to retake a
course in which they earned a grade of a C or higher or an S must obtain department approval before
registering for the course through a Permission to Retake a Course (or Equivalent Course) form.
1. Within the University of Minnesota System . Students may choose either to retake the UMD course at
UMD or to take an approved equivalent course anywhere else within the University of Minnesota
system. The laer requires department approval prior to registraon through a Permission to Retake a
Course Using an Equivalent Course form. Only the last grade recorded is used in calculang the
University of Minnesota GPA. Only the most recently completed credits can be applied toward
graduaon requirements.
2. Outside the University of Minnesota System . UMD students may take an equivalent course at an
instuon outside of the University of Minnesota system to replace a course previously completed at
UMD only if department approval is granted before registering for the course through a Permission to
Retake a Course Using an Equivalent Course form. Although this course may be used to meet UMD
degree requirements, its grade will not be included in the student’s University of Minnesota GPA. Only
the most recently completed credits can be applied towards graduaon requirements. A notaon will
be added to the transcript that the UMD course was repeated at another instuon.
3. When a student repeats a course before receiving his/her degree, (a) both grades for the course will
appear on the official transcript, (b) the course credits will not be counted more than once toward
degree and program requirements, and (c) only the last enrollment for the course will count in the
student's grade point average. This does not apply to courses (1) using the same number but where
students study different content each term of enrollment and (2) to courses designated as "repeon
allowed."
4. If an undergraduate student repeats a course aer his/her degree has been awarded, the original
course grade will not be excluded from the degree GPA nor will the new grade be included in the
degree GPA.
5. Brackeng is the pracce of not including a course in the calculaon of a student's GPA and not
counng the course as sasfying any degree requirements, including elecves, because a student has
28
repeated a course. When a student repeats a course, all prior aempts are bracketed and only the most
recent aempt counts. An F grade earned in a course may not be bracketed with an N grade earned
when the course is repeated. Any grade earned in a course may be bracketed with an S grade earned
when a course is repeated.
6. When a student enrolled in the Graduate School repeats a course, provision 3 applies, but all grades for
the course will be counted in the student's grade point average.
G. Other Provisions
1. Zero-credit courses. Courses that carry zero credits do not count in either term or cumulave grade
point averages. Such courses carry normal tuion and fee charges.
2. Releasing transcripts. The University's official transcript, the complete and chronological record of the
student's enrollment and academic performance, will be released by the University only at the request
of the student or in accord with state or federal statutes.
3. Grade point average. Every student will have calculated, both at the end of each grading period
(quarter or semester) and cumulavely, a grade point average, which will be the rao of grade points
earned divided by the number of credits aempted with grades of A-F (including pluses and minuses).
Both the term and cumulave grade point average will appear on each student's record.
4. Final grade due date. Final grades will be submied to the Registrar no later than three business days
following the date of the last scheduled final examinaon for the term.
5. Transcript Text. Text notaons may be entered to the transcript to describe specific events. Any
requests for a new category of notaon to be included on the transcript must be approved by the
Registrar in coordinaon with Academic Affairs.
29
High School Preparaon Requirements
Effecve: January 3, 2011
Last Updated: Approved by EPC on April 28, 2010; amended and approved by Campus Assembly on
November 9, 2010; revised and approved by EPC March 7, 2012; approved by Campus Assembly April 17,
2012; ; approved by EVCAA May 1, 2019.
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
These University undergraduate admission expectaons were prepared and adopted in conjuncon with the
University system and Minnesota State Colleges and Universies.
A strong curriculum during high school will enhance your success in college. A student’s senior year is
especially important. The University expects students to connue with college preparatory coursework,
including English and math, for all four years of high school and maintain their strong academic performance
through graduaon. Please note that admission to some programs is compeve and successful applicants to
those programs typically exceed the expectaons listed below.
1. ENGLISH
Four years, including wring, literature, and speech. Within the wring component, students may elect work in
composion, creave wring, journalism, or research wring. Literature may include both American and world
literatures; speech may include both public speaking and debate.
2. MATHEMATICS
Four years, including two years of algebra, one of which must be intermediate or advanced algebra, and one
year of geometry.
3. SCIENCE
Three years, including at least one course each in the biological and physical sciences, with at least one course
that requires significant laboratory experience. The biological and physical science requirements would most
commonly be met by courses in biology, chemistry, and physics. Other courses could include human anatomy
and physiology, botany, zoology, and geology.
4. SOCIAL STUDIES
Three years, including one year each of geography and American history. Geography need not always be taught
as a full year course, and may in fact be incorporated in a significant way into other studies.
5. WORLD LANGUAGE
Two years of a single world language other than English. World language courses should guide students to
begin to develop proficiency in the target language as well as to gain transcultural appreciaon and
understanding of the communies where the target language is spoken.
6. ARTS
One year in the visual or performing arts including instrucon in the history and crical interpretaon of the
art form. Courses in the arts should offer students the opportunity to experience the arts directly as
30
creators/performers and as crical, informed observers.
Compleng all of the high school preparaon course guidelines enhances students’ preparaon for success in
college and strengthens their applicaon for admission. Admission decisions are based on the holisc
assessment of each applicaon, and students not meeng all of the guidelines may sll be admissible with
otherwise strong applicaons overall. Consult with the Office of Admissions if this applies to you.
31
Holds on Records and Registraon
Effecve: June 29, 2009
Last Updated: June 29, 2009
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
The University may impose holds on student records for financial, judicial, or academic reasons.
Holds may be placed on a student's record under the following circumstances:
● In order to assist the student, advisers may at any stage during a student's academic career impose a
hold on his or her record that affects the student’s ability to register when appropriate for advising
purposes.
● The University may place a hold on a student's record for a violaon of Board of Regents Policy: Student
Conduct Code or for failure to meet financial obligaons to the University (for example, unpaid bills,
library fees, unreturned keys).
● Academic Affairs may designate other appropriate reasons for the University to place a hold on a
student’s record.
A hold ordinarily will prevent a student from obtaining an official transcript or registering for courses or making
changes to courses for which they have already registered.
To remove a hold from a student record, the student must first pay the debt owed; correct the deficiency or
problem; or be cleared by the Office of Student and Community Standards.
32
Leave of Absence and Readmission for Undergraduates
Effecve: January 11, 2017
Last Updated: Approved by Teaching & Learning commiee 11-2-16; approved by EVCAA 11-22-16
Policy Owner: Academic Affair s
Undergraduates are expected to maintain connuous registraon from the me they matriculate unl they
graduate. Students who will not maintain connuous registraon for any reason should consult with an adviser
about whether to request a leave of absence because there may be financial aid or re-enrollment implicaons
if a student leaves without a leave of absence.
1. Students in good academic standing will ordinarily be granted a leave of absence upon request. The
term of the leave must be specified and may not exceed two years. (Study abroad may or may not
require a leave of absence.)
2. All colleges will have a process for implemenng this policy.
3. Students who follow the college process and whose leave is approved in accordance with this policy
need not apply for re-admission when they return, and students may return before the expiraon of
the leave. Whether the student returns early or at the expiraon of the leave, colleges may condion
the ming of re-admission to a program on availability of space. Re-admission may be denied based on
crimes or other serious misconduct occurring during the leave that would have been grounds for
suspension or expulsion had the student engaged in the conduct while enrolled (see Board of Regents
Policy: Student Conduct Code .)
4. Undergraduates who fail to register for two semesters (excluding summer) and who have not been
granted a leave of absence or whose leave of absence has expired will be placed on "inacve" status.
Students who are placed on Inacve status must obtain permission to be re-admied to a program.
Students in good academic standing at the me they became Inacve normally should be allowed to
return to Acve status. Students on Inacve status must contact their college office for approval to
regain Acve re-enrollment status before registering for another term.
5. At the me of matriculaon, students should be informed about both the consequences of Inacve
status and the University's policy, including whether re-enrollment aer a period of Inacve status is
dependent on availability of space in the program.
6. A student who has le the University without a leave of absence for more than two consecuve
semesters (not including summer session) may be held to new program requirements upon his or her
return. A student returning aer one year or less will be allowed to follow the program requirements.
FORMS/INSTRUCTIONS
Applicaon for Readmission
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Who should a student contact about taking a leave of absence?
A student should contact her/his academic advisor and follow the process for the college in which the student
is enrolled. Informaon is found at: hp://www.d.umn.edu/onestop/degree-planning/re-enroll.html .
33
2. If a student is on a leave of absence and has quesons about returning or extending the leave, who should
the student contact?
The student should contact the college student services office for the college in which the student was enrolled
at the me of taking the leave.
3. If a student is inacve (i.e., not on an approved leave of absence) and would like to inquire about resuming
her/his studies, who should the student contact?
The student should contact the college student services office for the college in which the student was enrolled
at the me of last enrollment. The student should provide current contact informaon, and the student's U of
M ID number, and indicate that the student is inquiring about readmission.
4. Can an undergraduate student on a leave of absence from the University of Minnesota enroll in college
courses at another instuon during the leave?
Yes, a student on an approved leave of absence can take courses at another instuon during the leave.
However, a student on leave from one University of Minnesota campus is not permied to take classes at
another University of Minnesota campus during the leave.
34
Maintaining Course Records
Effecve: April 30, 2012
Last Updated: Approved by EPC on November 30, 2011; approved by Campus Assembly April 17, 2012
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
1. Student work which has not been returned to the student by the end of the semester should be retained by
the instructor for a minimum of 30 days into the next semester (not including summer, so a request in the
spring would require a unit to hold the work unl 30 days into the following fall semester) in order to permit
students the opportunity to retrieve or review their work, as appropriate. Aer the retenon period, such
student work must be discarded securely (following applicable University document-destrucon procedures).
2. Instructors must follow state and federal privacy laws in retaining and returning student work. (For example,
student work may not be le in hallways or other public places where anyone may see it.)
3. Academic departments must retain grade books or their equivalents for a minimum of one year or, if a grade
is appealed, unl the end of the appeal. Instructors leaving the University must give all grading records to the
department.
4. Academic units must also be aware of and follow Administrave Policy: Managing University Records
Retenon .
35
Mid-Term Grade Alerts for Academic Performance
Effecve: June 1, 2009
Last Updated: June 1, 2009; revised by the Teaching & Learning Commiee March 12, 2014; approved by
EVCAA May 6, 2014 ; revised by the Teaching & Learning Commiee November 19, 2014
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
1. Instructors in all 1-XXX and 2-XXX courses will provide a mid-term grade alert for students who, on the basis
of performance to date in the course, appear to be in danger of receiving a grade of D, F, or N. Such
noficaon will be provided no later than the end of the eighth week of the semester and earlier if possible, to
allow students to improve their classroom performance or to withdraw by the tenth week. Mid-term grade
alerts will not be recorded on transcripts.
2. Instructors are encouraged to provide mid-term grade alerts for all other courses.
3. The provision of mid-term grade alerts is a courtesy to the student. Failure to receive a mid-term grade alert
does not create the right for a student to contest a grade in a course.
36
Sasfactory/Non-sasfactory (S/N) Grading Policy
Effecve: January 13, 2016
Last Updated: Approved by TLC 11-18-15; approved by EVCAA 11-20-15
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
Limits on the use of S/N grades (see Grading and Transcripts Policy for definions of S and N).
1. The maximum number of University of Minnesota S/N credits permied within the total of University credits
in the degree is 20 credits.
2. No unit will allow S/N grading in major course work unless the S/N grading system is preset by the unit for
specific courses.
3. For a student who completes only the minimum number of 30 credits at the University, no more than 8 of
the 30 credits may be taken S/N.
4. Subject to the overall University policy contained in #1 above, colleges, campuses, and programs may specify
what courses or proporon of courses taken by its students or its prospecve students must be on the A/F or
S/N grading system, not to exceed 20 required S/N credits
a. In exceponal cases only, such as may occur with a student coming to UMD specifically to obtain student
teaching credit, #4 is intended to over- ride #3. Students should always consult with their advisors before
registering for S/N graded courses.
37
Student Academic Complaint Resoluon
Effecve: November 22, 2011
Last Updated: Approved by EPC on October 12, 2011, Approved by Campus Assembly November 22,
2011; Revised and approved by Teaching & Learning Commiee 3-11-15; approved by EVCAA 4-30-15
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
Scope and Purpose
This procedure implements Board of Regents Policy: Conflict Resoluon Process for Student Academic
Complaints and outlines the resoluon process. Academic complaints are complaints brought by students
regarding the University’s provision of educaon and academic services affecng their role as students.
Academic complaints must be based on a University rule, policy, or established pracce claimed to be violated.
(This policy does not limit the University’s right to change rules, polices, or pracces.)
This procedure does NOT apply to student complaints regarding:
● University employment
● Disciplinary acon under Board of Regents Policy: Student Conduct Code (with the excepon of
academic dishonesty)
● Grades
● Applicant complaints regarding University admission decisions
This policy provides a process that allows for both informal and formal resoluons of conflicts. Resoluons may
include student reinstatement or other correcve acon for the benefit of the student, but may not include
monetary compensaon or take disciplinary acon against any employee of the University. If, as a result of the
outcome of a student complaint, discipline is being considered, the appropriate disciplining member of the
administraon or his/her designee who will follow the procedures in the relevant contracts, and where
applicable, will conduct a separate invesgaon.
Informal Resoluon
The first step of any resoluon should be at the lowest level, between the pares involved (usually the student
and faculty member) or the pares and an appropriate administrator (usually the Department Head) at that
lowest level. If the issue is not resolved informally, the student may seek formal resoluon.
Formal Resoluon
Each college unit designates an academic complaint officer (generally the Associate Dean) who reviews formal
complaints, interviews the pares involved, and recommends a course of acon to the Dean, who provides a
formal resoluon. In the case of involved units without an established faculty, the complaint officer will be a
member of that staff.
Steps (listed in the order in which they should occur):
38
● The complaint should be filed in the collegiate unit in which the incident occurred.
● The complaint must be submied in wring to the college Associate Dean, idenfying the complainant,
the respondent(s), the incident, the rule/policy/established pracce claimed to be violated, and a brief
statement of the desired outcome.
● The Associate Dean conducts the invesgaon and makes a recommendaon to the Dean of the college
(or Director in units without an established faculty), who provides a formal resoluon.
● If the complainant is not sasfied with the Dean’s/Director’s decision, an appeal may be made to the
appropriate Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs who will review materials from the
invesgaon.
The decision of the Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs is final.
Complaints arising from acons of college Deans will be resolved as outlined below (listed in the order in
which they should occur):
Steps:
● The complaint must be submied in wring to the appropriate Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic
Affairs idenfying the complainant, the respondent(s), the incident, the rule/policy/established pracce
claimed to be violated, and a brief statement of the desired outcome.
● The Associate Vice Chancellor conducts the invesgaon and recommends a course of acon to the
Execuve Vice Chancellor, who provides a formal resoluon.
● If the complainant is not sasfied with the decision of the Execuve Vice Chancellor, an appeal would
go to the UMD Chancellor who will review materials from the invesgaon.
The decision of the Chancellor is final.
Timelines
● All complaints must be filed within fieen (15) business days aer the incident causing the complaint
occurred. A response to the complaint must be filed within ten (10) business days.
● The Dean (or Associate Vice Chancellor if the respondent is a Dean) shall provide a formal resoluon, if
required, within thirty (30) business days of the date formal acon is requested.
● Appeals of the Dean’s (or Associate Vice Chancellor’s if the respondent is a Dean) acons must be filed
within fieen (15) business days.
● The Execuve Vice Chancellor (or Chancellor if the respondent is a Dean or Associate Vice Chancellor)
shall provide a final resoluon, if required, within thirty (30) business days of the receipt of an appeal.
● Timelines may be adjusted if there are compelling reasons for delay offered by any of the pares.
39
Student Academic Integrity
Effecve: November 22, 2011
Last Updated: Approved by EPC October 12, 2011; Approved by Campus Assembly November 22, 2011;
Revised and approved by Teaching & Learning Commiee 3-11-15; approved by EVCAA 4-30-15; Revised and
approved by EVCAA 12-8-18
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
Introducon
Academic dishonesty tarnishes UMD's reputaon and discredits the accomplishments of students. UMD is
commied to providing students every possible opportunity to grow in mind and spirit. This commitment can
only be fulfilled in an environment of trust, honesty, fairness, respect, and responsibility. As a result, academic
dishonesty is regarded as a serious offense by all members of the academic community. All faculty, staff, and
students are expected to maintain the highest levels of academic integrity.
Scope and Purpose
This policy addresses violaons of academic integrity by one or more members of the UMD student academic
community. This policy is consistent with the Board of Regents Student Conduct Code . "(1) Scholasc
Dishonesty: Scholasc dishonesty means plagiarism; cheang on assignments or examinaons; engaging in
unauthorized collaboraon on academic work; taking, acquiring, or using test materials without faculty
permission; subming false or incomplete records of academic achievement; acng alone or in cooperaon
with another to falsify records or to obtain dishonestly grades, honors, awards or professional endorsement;
altering, forging, or misusing a University academic record; or fabricang or falsifying of data, research
procedures, or data analysis."
Prohibited Content
All forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited, including (but not limited to):
● subming false records of academic achievement
● cheang on assignments or examinaons
● subming sentences or ideas as your own without proper acknowledgment or citaon (plagiarizing)
● altering, forging, or misusing a University academic record or forging the signature of any member of
the University community
● taking, acquiring, using, or circulang test materials without faculty permission
● acng alone or in cooperaon with another to falsify records or to obtain dishonestly grades, honors,
awards, or professional endorsement
● facilitang academic dishonesty by knowingly assisng another student to violate the Student
Academic Integrity Policy, such as providing course work for another student to turn in as their own
effort or taking an exam for another student
40
● presenng as one's own a plot, succession of ideas, or list/outline of another without proper
acknowledgment
● aending a class, compleng an assignment, or taking a quiz/test in the name of another student
● altering or viewing computer records, dispensing or releasing informaon gained via unauthorized
access, modifying computer programs or systems, or interfering with the use or availability of computer
systems or informaon (refer to UMD policy)
● purchasing or otherwise presenng work as your own when it was done by another person
● subming the same paper or work (or generally similar papers or work) to meet the requirements of
more than one course without the approval and consent of faculty
● depriving another student of necessary study or research materials or in any way impeding another
student's work and pursuit of educaon
● subming falsified data, such as bibliographic resources and experimental data or altering graded
academic work/quizzes/tests and resubming them in order to get a higher grade
● use of electronic devices for the unauthorized assistance in academic work, quizzes, or tests
● distribung or selling video, audio, or transcript-like notes of lecture or course presentaons.
Procedure for Handling Violaons
Academic dishonesty violates the Board of Regents Student Conduct Code. Violaons of academic integrity will
be adjudicated by faculty and academic administrators in a fair and mely manner. As per University of
Minnesota policy (Resolving Alleged Student Conduct Code Violaons), a preponderance of evidence (i.e.,
more likely than not) is used in adjudicang violaons. In addion, the UMD Student Conduct Officer maintains
a record of violaons, and will nofy the student of the appeal process. The Student Conduct Officer provides
privacy of records in accordance with state and federal laws.
Upon a suspected violaon of this policy, the process is as follows:
● Fair and mely noce (within 10 business days) of the allegaon(s) is provided to the student via email.
● The faculty member will schedule a meeng with the student about the violaon, at which evidence
supporng the allegaon(s) will be presented to the student. Students and faculty are encouraged to
find agreement at this level – considered the “informal level.”
● The student has the right to have at least one advisor present with them when presented with the
faculty member’s allegaon(s), while if desired, the faculty member has the right to have their
department head or associate dean with them when presenng the allegaon(s) to the student.
According to the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resoluon, an advisor refers to an “individual
who advises the complainant or respondent, as permied by campus procedures, through the
disciplinary process. An advisor may be an aorney, union representave, advocate, support person, or
any other individual of the student’s choosing with the excepon of those who are witnesses with
informaon about facts material to the underlying case.” “…Pares may have up to two advisors
present during the hearing, but these advisors cannot acvely parcipate in the hearing process.”
Students may call witnesses; however, witnesses are no longer eligible to serve as the student’s advisor.
41
● If the faculty member decides to take acon, the faculty member is responsible for imposing a
sancon, and must file the Report of Academic Dishonesty with the UMD Student Conduct Officer who
advises the student of the appeal process, and that this event has been noted as a Student Conduct
Code violaon.
● If the student refuses to meet or disagrees with the faculty member, the faculty member completes the
Report of Academic Dishonesty form, including the sancon imposed, and forwards it to the Student
Conduct Officer who advises the student of the appeal process, and that this event has been noted as a
Student Conduct Code violaon.
Examples of faculty sancons include but are not limited to:
● addional work
● grade reducon on an assignment/quiz/test, including an F
● grade reducon in the class, including an F
● re-examinaon
● other sancons deemed appropriate by faculty member
Faculty members are encouraged but not required to nofy the department head when sancons are
imposed.
A student who disagrees with the allegaons or the sancons may ulize the appeals process outlined below.
Mulple Violaons
Academic integrity violaons are adjudicated by faculty and academic administrators; however, they are
considered as violaons of the Student Conduct Code and are monitored by the UMD Student Conduct Office.
A student with mulple academic integrity violaons will be reported to UMD Academic Affairs where the
Associate Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Educaon may recommend any possible sancons available
under the Student Conduct Code, including but not limited to:
● warning/reprimand
● withdrawal of University funding
● suspension from the University for a given period of me
● permanent expulsion from the University
● other sancons deemed appropriate by the academic affairs officer
Timeline for Single Violaon
1. The faculty member must request a meeng with the student within ten (10) business days of
becoming aware of the offense. This request must be presented fairly and reference specifically Board
of Regents Policy: Student Conduct Code. Students and faculty are encouraged to find agreement at
this informal level.
2. All reports of academic dishonesty should be filed by the faculty member within ten (10) business days
of imposing the sancon.
3. A student who disagrees with the faculty member's allegaons and/or sancon(s) has ten (10) business
days from the date the Report of Academic Dishonesty was submied to begin the appeals process.
4. The first step of the appeals process is to speak with the faculty member’s Department Head. If the
42
faculty member is the Department Head the student should meet with the Associate Dean of the
College. Within ten (10) business days aer speaking with the student, the Department head or
Associate Dean of the College provides a wrien decision to the student concerning the appeal.
5. A student who disagrees with the wrien decision of the Department Head or Associate Dean of the
College may use the Student Academic Complaint Resoluon policy to further appeal.
Any of these melines may be adjusted by mutual consent. Winter, spring, and summer breaks are taken into
account.
Timeline for Mulple Violaons
1. If the Office of Student Conduct idenfies the student as having more than one academic integrity
violaon reports on file, the student will be referred to the Associate Vice Chancellor for
Undergraduate Educaon (AVCUE), who will review the reports and contact the student within ten (10)
business days of receiving those reports, requesng a face-to-face meeng with the student.
2. The student has five (5) business days from the AVCUE’s request to respond. If the student does not
respond or refuses to meet with the AVCUE then the AVCUE has the opon to impose addional
penales on the student and simply inform him or her of those penales. In such cases the student will
have lost the opon to appeal the AVCUE’s decision.
3. If the student agrees to meet with the AVCUE a me will be found that is convenient to both. Materials
will be reviewed and opons discussed. The AVCUE will make a decision and inform the student within
five (5) business days aer the meeng of that decision. If the student disagrees with the AVCUE’s
decision she or he may appeal to the Execuve Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. The appeal must
be in wring (email is acceptable) and must detail the basis of the appeal. Simply disagreeing with the
decision is not an acceptable basis for appeal. The appeal must be filed within five (5) business days of
the AVCUE’s decision. The Execuve Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs’ decision will be
communicated within ten (10) business days of receiving the appeal.
The decision of the Execuve Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs is final.
Any of these melines may be adjusted by mutual consent. Winter, spring, and summer breaks are taken into
account.
43
Syllabus Policy
Effecve: January 3, 2011
Last Updated: Approved by EPC April 28, 2010; amended and approved by Campus Assembly November 9,
2010, updated & approved by EVCAA April 28, 2017; revised by TLC 10-31-18; approved by EVCAA 1-10-19
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
During the first week of class, regardless of delivery mode, each instructor is required to provide a course
syllabus in wrien or electronic form to every student in each secon of each course taught (including
individualized courses). In order to help students complete the course to the best of their abilies, the syllabus
must contain:
1. Course subject designator, number, secon (if applicable), credit hours, and tle, and the current
semester.
2. Class meeng mes and locaon(s).
3. Instruconal staff (including TAs) names and contact informaon: office hours, office locaon, and
e-mail address.
4. Course pre-requisites and/or co-requisites, as applicable.
5. Required and supplemental course materials such as textbook(s), online readings, soware, and
computer use.
6. If the course is in the Liberal Educaon Program, a statement of the category (or categories) that the
course fulfills.
7. Student learning outcomes for the course, which includes Liberal Educaon Program category student
learning outcomes as applicable.
8. Type of each graded course component (e.g. exams, quizzes, homework, papers, presentaons,
parcipaon in discussion, blogs, aendance) with the relave weight and the idenficaon of student
learning outcomes measured by each component. Approximate dates should be included recognizing
that certain revisions may occur if necessary.
9. Final exam date, me, and locaon (when available). If a “common” final exam is to be given, date,
me, and locaon should be announced as soon as the common exam is officially scheduled.
10. Special outside-of-class requirements as applicable (e.g. field trips, performances, service learning,
exams outside of regular class me).
11. Aendance requirements and penales for non-aendance.
12. Statement on parcipaon by students needing academic accommodaons, and availability of
disability support services.
13. Statement about the availability of mental health and stress management support at UMD Health
Services.
14. Instructor’s policies on late and make-up work, extra credit, and appropriate and inappropriate use of
technology in the classroom.
Addionally, it is recommended that all syllabi include links to the following policies:
1. Student Academic Integrity policy
2. Appropriate Use of Class Notes & Course Materials policy
3. Excused Absence policy
4. Final Exam policy
5. Teaching & Learning: Instructor & Student Responsibilies policy
6. Grading & Transcripts policy
44
7. Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Stalking and Relaonship Violence policy
8. Equity, Diversity, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Affirmave Acon policy
9. Academic Freedom and Responsibility policy
10. Disability Services policy
Recommended syllabus statements can be found at: Recommended Policy Statements for Syllabi
45
Syllabi, Recommended Policy Statements for
The following academic policies relate to specific aspects of teaching and learning. In addion to including a
reference to these policies as part of the syllabus, instructors are encouraged to discuss elements of the
policies parcularly applicable to their courses.
Instructors may:
● Copy the exact language provided below, or
● Include references to the policies, or
● Include statements on the following policies in the syllabus.
Student Conduct Code :
Appropriate classroom conduct promotes an environment of academic achievement and integrity. Disrupve
classroom behavior that substanally or repeatedly interrupts either the instructor's ability to teach, or
student learning, is prohibited. Student are expected adhere to Board of Regents Policy .
Teaching & Learning: Instructor and Student Responsibilies :
UMD is commied to providing a posive, safe, and inclusive place for all who study and work here.
Instructors and students have mutual responsibility to insure that the environment in all of these sengs
supports teaching and learning, is respecul of the rights and freedoms of all members, and promotes a civil
and open exchange of ideas. Reference the full policy here .
Academic Integrity :
Academic dishonesty tarnishes UMD’s reputaon and discredits the accomplishments of students. Academic
dishonesty is regarded as a serious offense by all members of the academic community. UMD’s Student
Academic Integrity Policy
Final Exams :
All 1xxx-5xxx courses offered for undergraduate credit should include a final graded component or end of term
evaluaon that assesses the level of student achievement of one or more course objecves. All final graded
components are to be administered or due at the me and place according to the final exam schedule and not
during the last week of class. Reference the full policy here .
Excused Absences :
Students are expected to aend all scheduled class meengs. It is the responsibility of students to plan their
schedules to avoid excessive conflict with course requirements. However, there are legimate and verifiable
circumstances that lead to excused student absence from the classroom. These are subpoenas, jury duty,
military duty, religious observances, illness, bereavement, and NCAA varsity intercollegiate athlecs. Find
complete informaon here .
Appropriate Student Use of Class Notes and Course Materials :
Taking notes is a means of recording informaon but more importantly of personally absorbing and integrang
the educaonal experience. However, broadly disseminang class notes beyond the classroom community or
accepng compensaon for taking and distribung classroom notes undermines instructor interests in their
intellectual work product while not substanally furthering instructor and student interests in effecve
learning. Find addional informaon here .
46
Students with Disabilies
It is the policy and pracce of the University of Minnesota Duluth to create inclusive learning environments for
all students, including students with disabilies. If there are aspects of this course that result in barriers to your
inclusion or your ability to meet course requirements such as me limited exams, inaccessible web content, or
the use of non-caponed videos, please nofy the instructor as soon as possible. You are also encouraged to
contact the Office of Disability Resources to discuss and arrange reasonable accommodaons. Call
218-726-6130 or visit the Disability Resources web site for more informaon.
Sexual Harassment
"Sexual harassment" means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or other verbal or
physical conduct of a sexual nature. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with
an individual's work or academic performance or creang an inmidang, hosle, or offensive working or
academic environment in any University acvity or program. Such behavior is not acceptable in the University
seng. Reference the full policy here .
Equity, Diversity, Equal Opportunity, and Affirmave Acon
The University provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs and facilies, without regard to race,
color, creed, religion, naonal origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran
status, sexual orientaon, gender identy, or gender expression. The UMD Department of Human Resources &
Equal Opportunity is available to all UMD employees, students, and parcipants in University-related acvies
to discuss issues or concerns regarding University policies or pracces involving potenal bias, discriminaon,
harassment or retaliaon that an individual may have experienced or observed. Reference the full policy here .
Mental Health and Stress Management
Feelings such as anxiety, anger, depression, low self-esteem, or tension are a normal part of being human and
can affect anyone. Somemes these feelings are temporary and can be eased by rest, relaxaon, exercise,
good nutrion and the support of trusted friends. At other mes, stressors, relaonships or past family
experiences cannot be managed so easily and become overwhelming. If this happens, and you find it hard to
funcon, you may want to seek professional help. Counseling Services are available at UMD Health Services to
assist you. If you are in need of mental health support when Health Services is closed, or in case of an
emergency, please contact The Birch Tree Center's Crisis line at 218-623-1800 or go to the emergency
room/urgent care at either St. Luke's Hospital or St. Mary's Hospital. If an ambulance is needed, call 911. If the
emergency is non-life-threatening and you do not have a means of transportaon, call Campus Police at
218-726-7000). If you have needs that Counseling Services does not treat, they have a case manager who helps
connect students to referrals as well as navigang issues with insurance. You can learn more about the broad
range of confidenal mental health services available on campus at UMD Health Services .
47
Teaching and Learning: Instructor and Student Responsibilies
Effecve: January 3, 2011
Last Updated: Approved by EPC on April 14, 2010; approved by Campus Assembly November 9, 2010; revised
by TLC March 12, 2014; approved by EVCAA May 6, 2014 ; revised by TLC November 19, 2014; revised by TLC
4-17-19; approved by EVCAA 5-22-19
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
UMD is commied to providing a posive, producve, safe, and inclusive learning environment for all students
and instructors. Teaching and learning at the university take place in a variety of educaonal sengs including
on-campus lecture halls and classrooms, laboratories, field sites, and online. Instructors and students have
mutual responsibility to ensure that the environment in all of these sengs supports teaching and learning, is
respecul of the rights and freedoms of all members, and promotes a civil and open exchange of ideas.
I. Instructor Responsibilies
A. Provide a respecul teaching and learning environment.
Instructors are responsible for modeling and maintaining a respecul and producve learning environment. To
this end, instructors should arculate classroom behavior expectaons at the beginning of the term and
reinforce them as necessary. Instructors are expected to take appropriate and immediate steps to curtail
disrupve classroom behavior. Such steps may include speaking to the offending student, asking the offending
student to leave the classroom, or calling 911. A guide to help instructors respond to behavioral disrupons is
located under Teaching Resources .
B. Deliver a course that is consistent with the course proposal including the course descripon, content,
objecves, and level.
C. Provide informaon about courses
1. Instructors are responsible for providing accurate and mely informaon about their courses to enrolled and
prospecve students and to the University community.
2. Instructors must provide a course syllabus to enrolled students during the first week of classes. This syllabus
may be in wrien or electronic form and should contain informaon that students need to know in order to
complete the course to the best of their abilies. The UMD Syllabus Policy describes the required and
recommended content of a syllabus. Instructors are also required to provide a copy of the syllabus to the
department offering the course for every course, every semester.
3. The instructor must inform the class in a mely manner if changes to the syllabus informaon are made. No
major change (e.g., adding a research paper or major examinaon) should be imposed aer the second week
of the semester.
4. Instructors must ensure that all locaons where class descripons are located (e.g., class URL, UMD Catalog,
department web pages) are updated as necessary to help students make decisions about course registraon.
48
D. Provide students with access to and feedback on their work
1. To help students achieve the course objecves to the best of their abilies, instructors are responsible for
regularly evaluang student work, returning student work with clear and construcve feedback, and clarifying
this feedback as needed. So that the student can benefit from this feedback, evaluaons should be
communicated to the student promptly.
Term papers and comparable projects are the property of students who prepare them (see Board of Regents
Policy: Copyright ). Instructors who desire to retain a copy for their own files should state their intenon to do
so.
2. Instructors are required to provide graded feedback to their students no later than the end of the sixth week
of fall and spring terms, or earlier if possible, to enable students to assess their progress in the course prior to
the deadline for withdrawing from the course at the end of the tenth week of the term.
3. Instructors are required to provide midterm alerts to students in their 1xxx- and 2xxx-level courses who are
performing at the D, F, or N level, in accordance with the Midterm Grade Alert policy .
4. Instructors must turn in grades within three business days aer the last day of final examinaons
E. Comply with FERPA data privacy regulaons
1. Instructors must be knowledgeable about and comply with regulaons governing privacy of student
informaon (FERPA). hp://privacy.ahc.umn.edu/pdf/real_ferpa.pdf
2. Instructors are responsible for maintaining security of student work including examinaons both before
and aer exams are given.
F. Observe scheduled class mes
Instructors are expected to meet their classes at the scheduled mes, to be prepared for all class sessions, and
to start and end classes at the scheduled mes. When instructors know in advance that they will be unable to
aend parcular class sessions, they are responsible for working with their academic unit to make appropriate
alternate arrangements. Instructors should nofy their students via email when unancipated illness or
emergencies prevent them from conducng class.
G. Schedule and observe office hours and appointment mes
Instructors shall post a reasonable number of office hours per week at a me convenient for students and shall
be available during such hours for the purposes of consultaon with students.
H. Report scholasc dishonesty
If a faculty member decides to take acon and impose a sancon that affects a student’s grade, the violaon
must be reported to the UMD Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resoluon , which is responsible for
invesgang and adjudicang incidents of scholasc dishonesty.
49
I. Administer student evaluaon according to UMD procedures
Instructors are required to administer summave student evaluaons in their courses according to UMD
Procedures .
J. Adhere to the UMD Policy on Final Examinaons
II. Student Responsibilies
A. Promote a respecul teaching and learning environment.
Students are responsible for conducng themselves in a manner that (a) is respecul of the instructor and
other students in the classroom; (b) is civil in language, tone and behavior; and (c) is recepve to ideas and
other points of view. The UM Board of Regents Student Conduct Code describes the behavior expectaons of
students and applies to all UM students: “Disrupve classroom conduct means engaging in behavior that
substanally or repeatedly interrupts either the instructor’s ability to teach or student learning.” Making
hosle, threatening, discriminatory or disparaging remarks toward or about the instructor, other members of
the class or groups of people will not be tolerated.
B. Meet course prerequisites
Students are responsible for meeng the course prerequisites prior to registering for a course unless they have
permission from the instructor.
C. Be Informed of and meet all course requirements
Students are responsible for the informaon contained in the syllabus and for meeng all course
requirements, observing all deadlines, examinaon mes, and other course procedures.
D. Aend class
Students are expected to aend all meengs of their courses.
Students must aend the first class meeng of every course (e.g. lecture, lab, discussion) in which they are
registered unless (a) they obtain approval from the instructor before the first meeng or (b) they provide
noce to the instructor they must miss class in accordance with UMD’s Excused Absence Policy . Otherwise,
they may lose their place in class to other students.
Students are responsible for being on me and prepared for all class sessions.
E. Be informed of and abide by UM Board of Regents and UMD academic integrity policies
Students are required to do their own assigned work. If it is determined that a student has violated either the
Board of Regents Student Conduct Code: Scholasc Dishonesty or UMD’s Student Academic Integrity Policy an
"F" or an "N" may be given for the assigned work and /or the course, and the student may face addional
sancons from the University.
F. Other
1. Students are responsible for seeking academic help in a mely fashion.
2. Students who need disability accommodaons are responsible for working first with UMD Disability
Resources and then with the instructor at the beginning of the course.
3. Students who have concerns or complaints about a course should first meet with the instructor to arculate
their dissasfacon with and desired improvement in the course. If the issues are not resolved, they should
50
meet with the department head. In unusual circumstances, the department head may be the first level of
recourse.
4. Guests, including children, may not be brought to class without prior permission from the instructor.
51
Transfer of Undergraduate Credit
Effecve: September 1, 2011
Last Updated: Approved by EPC March 30, 2011; approved by Campus Assembly April 12, 2011; revision
approved by Teaching & Learning commiee 11-5-14; approved by EVCAA 12-15-14, approved by EVCAA
4-8-20
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
1. Instuons from which credit is transferred must have regional accreditaon in order for their courses to be
considered for transfer to UMD. Credit for course work taken at other instuons will be transferred subject to
the following consideraons:
● the comparability of the course work with UMD course work; and
● the appropriateness of the course work for meeng baccalaureate degree requirements at UMD.
2. Courses that are eligible for acceptance in transfer to UMD may transfer as direct course equivalent credit
(e.g., Hist 1304), elecve credit (e.g., Hist 1xxx), or undesignated elecve credit (e.g., Tran 1xxx). Transferred
college-level credits that do not have direct course equivalents at UMD may count toward liberal educaon
requirements or toward total credits.
3. UMD does not accept remedial or non-credit-bearing courses for transfer.
4. Academic departments may determine whether transfer elecves sasfy specific program curricular
requirements. The applicability of transfer credit toward the Liberal Educaon Program is determined by the
Associate Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Educaon.
5. UMD will accept transfer courses with a D grade or higher.
6. Students may iniate a Transfer Course Evaluaon (TCE) request for any course not currently arculated.
7. The minimum grade for transfer is D. The college or program determines how the course may be used to
meet degree requirements.
8. Religious studies courses may transfer if they are not doctrinal or confessional in nature. Religious studies
courses from public instuons transfer without special review; religious studies courses from all other
instuons will be evaluated by appropriate departmental faculty and/or an Associate Vice Chancellor.
9. Students who transfer to UMD with an Associate of Arts (AA) degree, a completed U.S. Bachelor's degree, or
who have completed the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) will have fulfilled UMD's enre Liberal
Educaon Program requirement. Courses at the transfer instuon used to complete the AA, MnTC, or U.S.
Bachelor's degree do not necessarily transfer as equivalent UMD courses.
52
Undergraduate Admission
Effecve: January 3, 2011
Last Updated: Approved by EPC October 13, 2010; approved by Campus Assembly November 9, 2010; revised
by SEM subcommiee December 2018; approved by EVCAA May 2019.
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
1. Undergraduate students are admied to a college at the University of Minnesota Duluth campus to pursue a
baccalaureate degree. The Office of Admissions is responsible for undergraduate admission decisions.
2. Enrollment targets for the admission and enrollment of New High School (NHS) and New Advanced Standing
(NAS) students are proposed annually by the AVC for Enrollment Management. These targets are subject to the
review and approval of the EVC for Academic Affairs in consultaon with the Council of Deans.
3. In collaboraon with the undergraduate-adming colleges and the Office of Admissions and with
consultaon from UMD Shared Governance, the EVC for Academic Affairs will approve the guidelines and
standards that are to be used by the Office of Admissions in adming both NHS and NAS students to the
University, including college-specific criteria. This funcon is coordinated by the AVC for Enrollment
Management.
4. The University will communicate to admied students the condions that may be imposed on them as part
of the matriculaon process. For example, admission is condional upon connuing with a consistent grade
trend in final term high school courses and providing proof of high school graduaon (or an appropriate proxy
requirement for NAS students). Such condions are administered by the Office of Admissions and apply to
students new to the University of Minnesota Duluth but not to students transferring from one college to
another within the Duluth campus.
5. The University will communicate to admied students any condions that may be imposed on them
concurrent with enrollment or as a condion of graduaon. For example, students may be required to
complete specific foundaonal coursework in support of their academic success. Such condions are
monitored by the college through which the student is enrolled and may be in addion to degree requirements
and/or credits required to earn a degree. Administrave authority for these condions is held by the AVC for
Undergraduate Educaon.
6. The University of Minnesota Duluth reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant.
REASONS FOR POLICY
The colleges and campus administraon work together to set enrollment targets for the admission of NHS and
NAS students in order to support both long- and short-term campus enrollment goals and to ensure that
University resources are available to serve the admied students.
The colleges and campus administraon work together to establish admission guidelines, which are used by
the Office of Admissions to evaluate applicants and to admit applicants who can be successful in the degree
programs offered by that college.
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DEFINITIONS
Matriculate
The process by which a student accepts the University’s offer for admission and indicates that he or she
intends to enroll.
New Advanced Standing (NAS)
Students who have graduated from high school who have previously matriculated at another post-secondary
educaon instuon.
New High School (NHS)
Students who have graduated from high school but have not previously matriculated to another
post-secondary instuon. (They may have earned college credits while they were enrolled in high school).
RESPONSIBILITIES
Applicant:
● Provide full and accurate informaon on applicaon for admission.
● Follow published melines for submission of applicaon materials.
● Nofy the Office of Admissions if there are any changes to the informaon provided in the applicaon.
Office of Admissions:
● Parcipate in enrollment management processes; provide guidance to undergraduate adming
colleges and the AVC for Enrollment Management to assist in target seng and criteria used in the
admission process.
● Communicate admissions review criteria to prospecve students and applicants.
● Receive and review applicaons.
● Render admission decisions and communicate decisions to applicants.
● Administer condions that may be imposed on admied students as part of the matriculaon process.
Undergraduate-Adming Colleges:
● Through the Council of Deans, provide input on annual enrollment goals.
● Collaborate with the Office of Admissions and the AVC for Enrollment Management in recommending
standards for admission.
● Review applicaon materials and provide input on admissions decisions as requested by the Office of
Admissions.
● Monitor condions that may be imposed on admied students concurrent to enrollment or as a
condion of graduaon.
AVC for Enrollment Management:
● Oversee processes for seng enrollment targets and the guidelines and standards for admission.
● Oversee the Office of Admissions.
AVC for Undergraduate Educaon:
● Hold administrave authority for condions of admission that may be imposed on admied students
concurrent with enrollment or as a condion of graduaon.
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EVC for Academic Affairs:
● Review and approve enrollment targets and the guidelines and standards for admission.
● Consult with the collegiate units and the Office of Admissions.
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Undergraduate Degree Requirements
Effecve: January 3, 2011
Last Updated: A pproved by TLC March 15, 2017; approved by EVCAA May 5, 2017; revisions approved by TLC
2-20-19; approved by EVCAA 5-15-19
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
The Board of Regents, on recommendaon of the faculty, grants degrees from the University of Minnesota. To
receive an undergraduate degree, or to have a minor or cerficate recorded on their transcript, students must
complete a required minimum of their coursework from the campus that awards the degree or cerficate
(commonly referred to as “resident credit” or “credit in residence”).
University resident credit includes the courses offered by the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD), or
University of Minnesota online courses, or programs sponsored by UMD (including study abroad) or other
University of Minnesota campuses.
Students may complete a major and minor from two different campuses. Students may earn a cerficate from
any cerficate program to which they have been admied on any campus.
The minimum cumulave University of Minnesota (UMN) GPA required for graduaon is 2.00 and includes only
University of Minnesota coursework. A minimum UMN GPA of 2.00 is required in each UMD undergraduate
major, minor, and cerficate. No academic unit may impose a higher GPA standard to graduate.
Diploma, transcripts, licensure, and cerficaon will be withheld unl all financial obligaons to the University
have been met.
Students must meet all course and credit requirements of the degree or credenal according to the students’
declared academic catalog. Students seeking two degrees must fulfill the requirements of both degrees. Two
degrees cannot be awarded for the same major (e.g. B.A. and B.S. in Economics).
Applicaon of transfer credits toward majors, minors, and cerficates are subject to department approval.
Minimum requirements for an undergraduate degrees, minors, and cerficates from the University of
Minnesota Duluth are as follows include the following:
Undergraduate (baccalaureate) degree
1. A minimum of 120 semester credits
2. All requirements of the Liberal Educaon Program or its approved equivalent
3. At least 30 semester credits through UMD
4. At least 15 credits of the last 30 credits through UMD
5. At least half of upper-division (3xxx-level or higher) credits that sasfy major requirements (major
requirements includes all courses required for the major, including courses in a subplan) through UMD
Undergraduate minor
1. At least 3 upper-division credits that sasfy requirements for the minor through UMD
Undergraduate cerficate
1. At least 3 upper-division credits that sasfy requirements for the cerficate through UMD. If the
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program does not require upper division credits students must take at least one course from the
cerficate program from UMD.
The Execuve Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs may, under extraordinary circumstances, waive the
requirements above.
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Withdrawal from the University
Effecve: June 24, 2011
Last Updated: June 24, 2011; revised an approved by Teaching & Learning commiee 4-8-15
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
By registering for classes, students enter into a contract to pay for all tuion and fees. Students are responsible
for all transacons on their academic records.
To withdraw from all academic coursework at the University, a student must officially cancel all courses
through the last day of the tenth week of the semester. Aer that date, students who believe they have
extenuang circumstances may submit a peon to the collegiate Advising & Academic Services office to
withdraw from the University.
Students Called to Military Duty
Students who are called to acve military duty may withdraw from UMD. The University works with students
to remove them from classes and resolve tuion and other financial issues. Students must submit a copy of
their military orders and will be asked to complete a retroacve tuion peon. As a general rule, the peon
is approved for a 100 percent refund unless there are negave financial aid implicaons for the student.
Students are advised about what would be the most beneficial for their situaon.
Tuion Refund for Withdrawal
Refunds for withdrawal from the university are the same as for individual course withdrawals: 100 percent
tuion and fee refund on or before the end of the first week of the semester; 75 percent on or before the end
of the second week; 50 percent on or before the end of third week; 25 percent on or before the end of the
fourth week. No refunds are given aer the fourth week. Courses that are shorter in length than the full
semester have an abbreviated refund schedule. Withdrawing from courses can have financial and academic
implicaons, possibly affecng billing, financial aid, and VA benefits, etc. The withdrawal could result in debt to
the University, government or both.
Aer the fourth week, refunds beyond the published schedule will be granted by appeal only. A Tuion Refund
Appeal with relevant documentaon should be submied to One Stop Student Services.
Medical Withdrawal
Appeal for medical withdrawal must include documentaon from a licensed medical or mental health
professional indicang:
● Date of onset of illness
● Date at which inial treatment was sought
● Diagnosis
● Dates of treatment service
● Severity of illness
Return aer Withdrawal
Students who peon for medical withdrawal may be asked to present proof of treatment before subsequent
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registraon.
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