Out-of-Class Work.
No more than 30 degree credits are awarded for out-of-class work, such as independent study, research, cooperative education courses, and approved School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) internship courses. In those uncommon cases where credit may have been awarded for life experiences, these credits are viewed as out-of-class work. Students wishing to register for more than 8 credits of independent study/research/internship in any one semester must have the approval of the dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.
Pass/No Credit Courses. Students who have completed 90 or more credits may take up to two courses (8 credits maximum, one course per semester) on a Pass/No Credit basis. Grades of A, B, and C correspond to Pass; grades of D and F to No Credit. Courses taken in fulfillment of major, minor, and the SAS liberal arts distribution requirements may not be taken on a Pass/No Credit basis. The Pass/No Credit option may not be exercised if the course potentially will satisfy an outstanding degree requirement. Forms to request the Pass/No Credit option are available in the Office of Academic Services or online at http://sasundergrad.rutgers.edu/academics/forms/passnc.html and must be submitted by the end of the fourth week of the semester. Students who wish to exercise the Pass/No Credit option for a six-week summer course must complete the application within 10 calendar days of the beginning of the course. Once the Pass/No Credit option is in place, it may not be reversed.
The above restrictions do not apply to courses that are only offered on a pass/no credit basis.
Repeating Courses. A Rutgers University transcript records all courses taken at Rutgers University and the outcome (grade or withdrawal). Students may not repeat, for degree credit, courses bearing the same or equivalent course numbers.
Grades of F. In general, when a course is repeated in which the student previously earned a grade of F, both the original grade of F and the new grade remain on the transcript and in the cumulative grade-point average. However, for up to 16 credits in no more than four courses, the grade of F will be removed from the cumulative grade-point average if the student repeats a failed course and earns a higher grade. The original grade of F will remain on the transcript with an E prefix attached; the repeated grade will have an R prefix. For further explanation of these and other grade prefixes, see the section on grading under University Policies and Procedures.
This policy may be applied anytime during the undergraduate years, but only once for a given course. The course must be repeated at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. If the student fails the course a second time, only the second F will enter the cumulative grade-point average. This policy may not be applied to punitive grades of F given for reasons such as academic dishonesty. Use of this policy to remove a grade of F from the cumulative grade-point average does not qualify a student for retroactive nomination to the Dean's List nor does it rescind unsatisfactory scholastic standing status.
Grades of D. When students who have earned a grade of D choose to repeat the course, credits and grades are computed in the cumulative grade-point average for both courses, but credit is subtracted from the degree-credit total for the repeated course; the repeated grade is denoted by the addition of a K prefix. If the student receives a grade of D when taking a course for a second time and chooses to repeat the course yet again, all three grades are computed into the cumulative grade-point average, but the student receives degree credit only once.
Grades of C and above. When students earn a grade of C or better and choose to repeat the course, it must be repeated for E credit. Courses with E prefixes do not lead to graduation credit and the grades are not computed in the cumulative grade-point average.
Change of Grades. Students are responsible for obtaining prompt information about their grades each semester, the requirements for a change of grade, and the requirements for the removal of a temporary grade. Under normal circumstances the original grade cannot be changed after the end of the next full semester. In special situations such as continued illness this requirement may be waived with the consent of the faculty member. Grade changes made after the end of the next full semester do not qualify a student for retroactive nomination to the Dean's List.
Short-Session Courses. Students in good academic standing may register for the Rutgers University Summer Session via WebReg or through the Rutgers Touchtone Telephone Registration System (RTTRS). Students may register for Winter Session courses online at the Winter Session Registration website. Students may earn no more than 3 credits during the Winter Session and no more than 12 credits during the Summer Sessions.
Students wishing to take short-session courses at other institutions must obtain prior approval from departments offering similar courses at Rutgers and from an academic dean. Transfer approval forms are available online at http://sasundergrad.rutgers.edu/academics/forms/transfercourse.html and from the Office of Academic Services.
Achieving the full benefit of instruction typically requires some time for reflection about the course content. For this reason, students should always consult an adviser before enrolling in short-session courses. Some academic departments may not apply these credits toward the major or minor.
Students on probation must obtain prior approval from the Committee on Academic Standing before registering for courses during the summer and winter sessions.
Attendance and Cancellation of Classes. In accordance with Rutgers University regulations, attendance is expected at all regularly scheduled meetings of a course and individual courses may set policies for maximum absences.
Students may obtain a note from the Office of the Dean of Students to authenticate an absence that is supported by appropriate documentation. Faculty notified of authenticated absences should make reasonable accommodations to allow students to make up work that counts toward their semester grade.
Absences due to religious observance, participation in university-sponsored events or activities such as intercollegiate athletics, or documented chronic illness are treated as authenticated absences. Authenticated absences do not waive the overall policy for attendance. Students who must, for any reason, miss more than an occasional class should consult with their instructors and an academic adviser.
It is the policy of the Rutgers University not to cancel classes on religious holidays. For information on the cancellation of classes due to inclement weather, see the University Policies and Procedures section.
Foreign Language Courses. Two years of a high school foreign language or one year of college-level foreign language or demonstrated proficiency in the elementary level of a language other than English, sufficient to enroll in an intermediate level course, is required for admission to the SAS.
Students with two or more years of a foreign language in high school or whose native language is other than English may not receive degree credit for elementary courses (typically numbered 101-102) or courses numbered below their placement in that language. Degree credit in that language begins with an intermediate or review course even if the Rutgers Placement Test indicates elementary-level placement or if there has been an interruption in language study.
Courses to Satisfy Admission Deficiencies. In rare circumstances students may be admitted on probationary status with an admission deficiency. The course(s) necessary to remove the deficiency will receive E credits, and must be completed as soon as possible (typically in the first semesters of registration) to permit removal from probation.
Graduate Courses. Students with a grade-point average of 3.0 or better and who have accumulated at least 84 credits may register for graduate courses with the approval of the instructor, graduate director of the department offering the course, the dean of academic affairs of the graduate school in question, and the Office of Academic Services.
