Academic Policies

Students are required to abide by the academic policies of the University and the college in which their major resides and the college in which courses are taken. College policies may be more specific than University policies.

Academic Advising

The Center for Academic Advising engages undergraduate students and supports faculty advisors in the academic planning process. Professional academic advisors empower students to develop personalized educational goals which align with their academic and career interests. Academic advisors proactively assist students in navigating their curricular requirements efficiently, guided by each student’s unique academic and professional goals. Student advising resources, including appointment scheduling, access to academic forms, advising application tutorials, and relevant links are found at https://advising.utulsa.edu. Students can reach academic advisors through the center email, at advising@utulsa.edu, or by calling 918-631-2100.

Registration and Enrollment

Admitted students will be instructed by the Center for Academic Advising regarding enrollment procedures. Continuing students should initiate enrollment as directed by the Center for Academic Advising, or their faculty advisor. Students must complete proficiency tests, placement exams, and other requirements prior to the start of the semester in which they wish to take a course for which proficiency, placement or other standing is required. Enrollment (including the addition of any courses to existing enrollment) will close at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday of the second week of classes for the fall and spring semesters.

Students wishing to enroll in courses that have prerequisites must satisfactorily complete those prerequisites before enrolling in the more advanced class, unless granted written permission by the instructor and their faculty advisor prior to that enrollment.

Classification

Students are classified on the basis of the number of credit hours earned. The classifications used are:

• 0-29 hours - Freshman
• 30-59 hours - Sophomore
• 60-89 hours - Junior
• 90+ hours - Senior

A student must be enrolled in at least 12 semester hours in fall or spring semesters to be considered a full-time student. Enrollment in more than 18 hours during a semester requires special permission from the dean of the college. Additional tuition will be charged for each semester hour over 18.

Course classifications are:

• 1000 - Freshman level
• 2000 - Sophomore level
• 3000 - Junior level
• 4000 - Senior level
• 5000 - Advanced Senior level courses taken with advisor consent only

Credit Hours

The last digit of the course number indicates the number of credit hours for that course.

The University of Tulsa follows institutionally established equivalences that meet or exceed the Oklahoma State Regents’ requirements in each area:

• For traditional classroom courses, one credit hour at The University of Tulsa requires 845 instructional minutes (including final examination time) over a 16-week semester.
• For laboratory courses, one credit hour requires a minimum of 2380 meeting minutes over a 16-week semester (170 minutes per week over 14 weeks).
• Courses offered during a summer term or during any other academic term that is shorter than a semester must observe the same academic standards regarding instructional or laboratory hours as those courses offered during a standard academic semester.

Credit by Examination

The maximum amount of credit towards a baccalaureate degree that may be awarded by examination is 36 hours. This may be awarded under any combination of the following types of credit by examination programs:

Advanced Placement Examinations

The University participates in the College Entrance Examination Board’s program of Advanced Placement (AP) examinations, which allows high school students to earn college credit. Official test scores must be forwarded directly from the Educational Testing Service to the Registrar. AP exam score requirements for credit may be obtained through the Office of the Registrar.

Proficiency Examinations

A program of advanced standing gives exceptionally qualified students a chance to earn credit by proficiency examinations. In order to be eligible to receive University of Tulsa credit through this program, students must be currently enrolled at the University. Proficiency tests are administered by University faculty only after the application has been completed in the Office of the Registrar and the required fee paid in the Office of the Bursar. The cost of proficiency examinations is specified in the Tuition and Fees  section of this Bulletin. Proficiency tests must be administered prior to the beginning of classes each term. Students who have failed a course may not subsequently take a proficiency exam as replacement for that course.

International Baccalaureate Program (IB)

The University of Tulsa will award students who complete the IB Diploma with a score of 28 or above at least 30 credits. Credit will also be awarded on a sliding scale to students completing the IB Diploma with a score below 28. Students should consult the Registrar for details. A list of courses credited for IB Examinations is available from the Office of the Registrar. Final determination of hours awarded is at the discretion of the Registrar.

High School Transfer Equivalencies

A select group of classes at the Oklahoma School of Science & Mathematics, Union High School, and Rogers College High School are approved for transfer credit that counts towards the credit by exam limitations.  A list of courses by school and required grades is available from the Office of the Registrar. 

Transfer Credit

Official transcripts must be sent directly from the institution to the Office of Admission for entering students and the Office of the Registrar for continuing students. No transfer credits will be awarded based on unofficial transcripts or transcripts that have not been sent directly from the transferring institution. Veterans must also submit military training transcripts for evaluation of credit.

Credit earned at other institutions is evaluated by the Transfer Credit and Articulation Specialist in the Office of the Registrar. The Transfer Credit and Articulation Specialist will work with discipline specialists to determine equivalency options. Faculty policy determines which courses are applicable toward a chosen major. Transfer applicants will be notified in writing of their advanced standing and the number of hours remaining to complete a degree or certificate program at The University of Tulsa. Final transfer evaluations will be based on specific program requirements current at the time of a student’s first enrollment and will not necessarily apply to another curriculum if the student changes major. Changing majors may require reevaluation of prior transfer credit.

Transfer credit policies within the colleges may be more stringent than University policies. Students are advised to check the policies of their college. Students are required to abide by the transfer credit policies of the college in which their major resides.

Transfer work taken after matriculation as a student at The University of Tulsa must be approved by the Transfer Credit and Articulation Specialist prior to enrollment at the other university. Failure to receive prior approval will result in work not being transferable to TU. Students who have attempted a course at TU may not receive credit for that course from another university.

Current students who want to take a class at another institution for transfer to TU should contact transfer-evals@utulsa.edu.

Transfer credit will be granted only for courses offered during a regular semester with a minimum three week term, and consistent with applicable academic standards of The University of Tulsa and its academic programs.

Coursework taken from accredited institutions and in which a grade of C or higher was earned is generally transferable. Courses taken pass/fail are not transferable unless a grade of C or better can be documented.

Credit is not granted for the following:

• Courses below college level (e.g. developmental English, math and reading courses; ESL courses)
• Vocational/technical courses or PE activity courses
• Correspondence courses
• Courses completed at a school that is not regionally accredited
• Courses with a grade below a “C”
• Credit by examination earned at another college or university

No more than half of the requirements for a chosen TU degree can be fulfilled using past community or junior college credits, unless there is an approved articulation agreement between TU and the prior institution for the associated major(s).

The last 45 hours of coursework must be completed in residence at The University of Tulsa.

International students and others who apply for advanced standing credit for studies completed at foreign institutions must present certified English translations of transcripts or their equivalents from all foreign institutions attended, as well as associated course syllabi.

Documents and transcripts from foreign institutions are subject to individual review and interpretation. It is not unusual to require international students to validate coursework of unknown quality by examination and to repeat courses in areas where knowledge appears inadequate. Credit for work completed at a foreign institution is always subject to review and reassessment because of differences in accrediting practices, grading methods and customs, and course content. Such credit is normally recorded as total hours of advanced standing for a specific curriculum and will not necessarily apply to another curriculum.

Transfer Credit Policy for Spring 2020-Spring 2021. Due to the global pandemic for credits earned during Spring 2020, Summer 2020, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021, TU will accept Pass/Fail transfer of credit without the constraint that it be equivalent to at least a grade of C. In addition, for Spring 2020, Summer 2020, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021, Pass/Fail credits will be accepted in all cases in which TU would normally accept a grade of C or higher, including minors and majors, with the exception of accreditation and licensure restrictions.

Students may appeal transfer credit evaluation decisions or request exceptions to the policies listed above. Appeals must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar with supporting documentation (justification statement, syllabus, course material examples, and/or list of associated texts). Following submission of an appeal, the Registrar will coordinate review of the appeal with the appropriate department chair and collegiate dean.

Credit-bearing Internships

Academic units may enroll students in internships that contribute to their educational goals. Whether credit is offered for paid internships is at the discretion of the academic unit. To earn academic credit there must be a course number associated with the internship, a professor of record, prior approval by the professor of record, and agreement on how the student will demonstrate having achieved the credit-worthy academic goals of the internship. Like independent study courses, there may be multiple sections of the course with different professors of record as appropriate. Management of the number of such sections and how they are administered will be left to the governance of the college faculty and its dean.

Probation

Student academic performance is reviewed at the end of every fall and spring semester. Any student whose cumulative University of Tulsa grade point average falls below 2.0 (C) is automatically placed on probation and may be subject to dismissal. A student on academic probation is required to complete FYE 1021 Effective Learning Strategies , which can increase the number of credit hours needed to meet degree requirements. In the case of course deficiencies, a student on academic probation can be required to make up course deficiencies. For students who are on probation for multiple semesters and who have previously completed FYE 1021 , other conditions will be assigned.

In order to be removed from academic probation, students must raise their University of Tulsa cumulative grade point average to 2.0 or above, successfully complete FYE 1021 , and fulfill any other conditions imposed by the dean. In conjunction with the deans’ offices, the Office of the Registrar places students on probation and removes students from probation, informing campus offices as appropriate. In extenuating circumstances, deans can grant exceptions to the probation policy. Students placed on probation cannot be removed from probation with work taken outside the University of Tulsa. A student can be placed on probation for reasons other than poor grades. This includes, but is not limited to, the falsification of application materials including academic records, failure to satisfy stipulations imposed upon admission to the program, failure to maintain the standards of academic, ethical, or professional integrity expected in the colleges or in a particular discipline or program, and failure to satisfy these or other program or college requirements in a timely fashion. Cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty are addressed through the Academic Misconduct Policies. 

Dismissal

Grading

Grading System

The following grades are assigned: A (superior), B (above average), C (average), D (below average), P (pass), I (incomplete), F (failure), W (withdrew), AU (audit), MG (missing grade), and NG (course still in progress).

Incomplete Grades

Undergraduate students who are doing passing work but who, because of serious illness or other legitimate extenuating circumstances, cannot complete their coursework may, at the discretion of the instructor, receive a grade of I (incomplete). Incompletes will not be granted without an exceptionally good reason to students who have been absent excessively during the term nor to students who have merely failed to complete coursework.

When the instructor grants an incomplete, a Record of Incomplete form must be completed and filed in the office of the undergraduate dean. This form, which is signed by the instructor and student, specifies what must be done to remove the incomplete and gives a deadline for the completion of the unfinished work. The contract is attached to the course grade report for inclusion in the student’s official file in the Office of the Registrar.

The incomplete grade will remain on the student record for no more than one year. After that time, unless the coursework is completed or the instructor is able to assign a grade, the Office of the Registrar will change the I to an F. Students with more than nine credits of I will not be permitted to enroll in courses at the University without the permission of the collegiate dean.

Undergraduate degrees will not be conferred until all incompletes are removed from the undergraduate record.

Pass-D-Fail Option

Subject to certain restrictions, each college allows students to take a limited number of courses on a pass-fail basis. For regular term courses the request must be made in writing to the Center for Academic Advising before the end of the twelfth week of a regular semester. For short courses, including summer terms, the deadlines are based on one day for each week of class time; for example, a request must be made within the first six days of a six-week term. Deadlines for declaring this option are not subject to waiver or change. For further limitations imposed by a particular college, consult the Center for Academic Advising. Grades of C or higher in such courses will be recorded as P (pass). Grades of D will be recorded as D and grades of F as F and are calculated in the grade point average. In a limited number of courses the only grade offered is Pass/D-F.

Grade Point Averaging

Grade points are computed as follows: four points per hour of A, three points per hour of B, two points per hour of C, one point per hour of D, and 0 points per hour for F. The University offers a limited number of courses graded as Pass/D-F only, with no option for an A, B, or other letter grade.

To determine a grade point average, total number of semester hours attempted at The University of Tulsa for which a grade of A through F has been assigned are divided into the total number of grade points earned at The University of Tulsa, except: (1) hours earned with a grade of P and grades designated as I, AU, MG or NG are omitted from this calculation, and (2) only the last grade earned when a course has been repeated is used in the grade point calculation.

Repeating a Course

An undergraduate student may repeat a course up to two times and will be charged the usual fees each time. A grade of W will be considered an attempt for the purpose of the number of times a student repeats a course. Students are not allowed to repeat a course in which they have an Incomplete pending. Additional repeating of a course may be allowed only with written approval from the dean of the student’s college of enrollment. When a course is repeated, only the most recent grade earned in the course will be included when calculating the student’s cumulative grade point average. VA beneficiaries cannot receive payment from VA if repeating a course where SAP has been met.

Students who have attempted a course at The University of Tulsa may not receive credit for that course from another institution.

Honor Rolls

At the end of the fall and spring semesters, the President’s Honor Roll and the Dean’s Honor Roll are determined based on current semester grades only. For the Dean’s Honor Roll, the student must have at least twelve graded hours and at least a 3.500 term grade point average. The President’s Honor Roll requires at least twelve graded hours and a term grade point average of 4.000. Graded hours include grades of A, B, C, D, and F. Passes and incompletes are not included in graded hours. The University does not round up grade point averages for these criteria to be met.

Graduate Courses for Undergraduate Credit

The University offers select graduate courses taught at the 7000-level that are cross-listed at the 5000-level and may be taken by undergraduates for undergraduate credit. This option is intended for exceptional undergraduates with at least junior standing, and may be eligible to double count towards future TU graduate program requirements, following approval by the relevant graduate program advisor. Enrollment in 5000 level courses requires the approval of the undergraduate program advisor, the instructor of the course, and the graduate program advisor for the discipline in which the course is offered.

Undergraduate students in a 5000-level course must meet all the requirements and complete all of the same assignments as required for the graduate students in the 7000-level of the course. Undergraduate students are evaluated in exactly the same way as the graduate students in that course.

Approved undergraduate students are limited to two 5000-level courses a semester, as long as all other coursework is 4000-level or lower. If a student is taking a 6000- or 7000-level course as a non-degree seeking graduate student while also completing an undergraduate degree, only one 5000-level course may be taken in the same semester. Any exception to this requires the approval of the Graduate Dean. See the Graduate Bulletin for more information about course options under Non-degree Seeking Status.

Successful completion of 5000-level coursework does not guarantee admission to a graduate program. If a student is officially admitted to a graduate degree program with previously completed 5000-level coursework, the relevant graduate program advisor is responsible for approving any double counting. Double counting of 5000-level coursework is capped at up to nine hours for graduate programs requiring 36 hours or less, twelve hours in programs with 37 to 45 hours, and up to fifteen hours for programs requiring in excess of forty-five hours. Any grades associated with the 5000-level credit hours will not be included when computing the student’s graduate cumulative G.P.A. The limits listed above are a maximum allowable amount only and it is not guaranteed that all students would be able to double-count coursework, even if it was below that maximum limit for that program.

Students may not receive credit for a course at the 5000-level and then later retake the same course at the 7000-level. It is up to graduate program advisors to approve the number of credit hours allowed for double-counting for individual students.

Excused Absences

Students who participate in an officially sanctioned, scheduled activity shall be given an opportunity to make up exams or other assignments that are missed as a result of this participation. Officially sanctioned participation occurs when the student is representing The University of Tulsa and participation is a requirement of a class or scholarship. The manner in which missed tests or other assignments are made up is left to the discretion of each individual faculty member; however, students shall not be penalized and should be informed of the instructor’s makeup policy, preferably in writing, at the beginning of each semester. It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements with the instructor prior to the scheduled exam or other missed assignment, and to perform the make-up work as scheduled. Only absences reported by the Registrar to the faculty will be considered excused.

Students who are absent for personal reasons (e.g., contagious illness requiring quarantine, significant hospitalization, a medical emergency in the immediate family, a death in the immediate family) are covered by the Absence Notification Policy of the Student Access Office. All absences are considered on a case-by-case basis by the instructor in accordance with the policies of the academic unit and college.

Auditing

Students who elect to audit a course will have all the responsibilities of students taking the course for credit, except those of taking the final examination or receiving credit for the course. Auditing students are expected to respect the rights of students who are taking the course for credit and grades. Auditors who have completed all requirements for a course may elect to take the course for credit at any time within the first three weeks of a regular semester if the course instructor and the college dean give their permission. The schedule for auditing courses during the summer term should be obtained from the Office of the Registrar.

Students originally enrolled in a course for credit may elect to change their status to that of auditor at any time within the first three weeks of a regular semester if they are passing the course at the time that the change in status is requested, and if they secure the consent of the course instructor. Students must complete a drop/add form and secure permission from the collegiate dean in order to make such a change.

Students who enroll in a course for audit but fail to attend the class regularly may be withdrawn at the request of the instructor and the approval of the academic dean. The University’s normal refund policy for withdrawals will apply.

Withdrawal

Voluntary Withdrawal from the University

Official withdrawal from the University requires a standard procedure originated through the office of the collegiate dean. It is financially and academically advantageous for students to follow the official withdrawal procedure. Students withdrawing prior to the start of the seventh week of a regular semester are entitled to a partial refund of tuition calculated from the date of their official withdrawal. Withdrawals from the University are not permitted after the twelfth week of a regular semester. Nonattendance of classes does not constitute official withdrawal.

Medical/Psychological Withdrawals or Leaves of Absence

Students wishing to withdraw or take a leave of absence from the University based on a medical or psychological reason should contact the Student Success Center regarding their reasons for seeking a withdrawal or a leave of absence, the medical documentation required, their plans while on leave, and any conditions that may be necessary for an easier transition back to The University of Tulsa. It should be noted that a student may voluntarily withdraw before the twelfth week of classes through the normal withdrawal process. The complete policies are available from the Student Success Center.

“W” grades will be assigned to all classes for the current semester if a medical/psychological withdrawal is granted. Students who have not completed the process will be assigned permanent grades by the instructor. Retroactive grade changes are not permitted.

The Student Success Center will maintain all documentation in confidential student files and will provide verification of appropriate documentation as needed. A medical/psychological withdrawal does not negate the student’s financial responsibility to the University. Students should contact the Office of the Bursar, Housing and Dining, and Student Financial Services regarding outstanding fees, bills, refunds other charges related to their enrollment or withdrawal, and the impact of withdrawal on any financial aid or scholarship arrangements.

Withdrawal from the University for Military Service

Students who are called to active military duty at any time during their enrollment will be eligible for a full refund or credit of their tuition for the semester of their withdrawal. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss their situation with their academic advisor to consider alternate arrangements. For example, students who are called to report for active duty near the end of a semester may choose to take “incompletes” in one or more of their courses, rather than repeating the entire semester when they return to the University. The University will work closely with students to minimize the impact a withdrawal will have on their academic progress. All students called to active military duty are required to meet with the Director of Veterans Affairs.

Non-voluntary Withdrawal from the University

Students may be required to withdraw from the University for habitual absence from class, habitual idleness, or any other behavior that prevents them from fulfilling the purposes implied by their registration at the University. A grade of “W” will be entered for each of the courses in which a student is registered. Students who have been required to withdraw must apply for readmission to their dean in the same manner as that required of a suspended student.

Voluntary Withdrawal from a Course

Withdrawal from a course prior to the start of the fourth week of a regular semester is considered a cancellation of enrollment, and the course is not shown on students’ academic records.

Withdrawal from a course after the start of the fourth week and up to and including the twelfth week of a regular semester will be considered a partial enrollment for which a grade of W (withdrew) will be recorded.

Withdrawals are not permitted after the end of the twelfth week of a regular semester. The schedule for withdrawal from courses and refund of tuition is printed in the Schedule of Courses for each semester. Any formal withdrawal shall constitute a forfeiture of any and all right to remain in the course or seek an incomplete.

Non-voluntary Withdrawal from a Course

Students may be withdrawn from a course for habitual behavior which prevents the student from fulfilling the purposes implied by registration in the University, or interferes with the rights of other students in the course. A grade of “W” will be entered for the course in which the student was registered.

Degree Requirements

All degrees are awarded by a vote of the University’s Board of Trustees upon recommendation by the faculty. Students must complete their prescribed curricula with at least a 2.0 (C) grade point average in order to become candidates for a degree and must meet the additional degree requirements of their college and program. Transfer students must have at least a 2.0 (C) grade point average in work taken at The University of Tulsa.

Minimum Hours Required

All undergraduate degrees from The University of Tulsa require a minimum of 120 hours for completion and some majors require more than 120 hours. For further information on these minimums, see the specific program requirements in this Bulletin and consult the Center for Academic Advising.

Residency Requirement

The last 45 semester hours in any degree program (major) must be completed in residence.

Double Majors

Students may pursue two or more majors within a single degree type.  Students who wish to major in two or more different fields in the same degree type may do so by completing the minimum number of hours and course requirements for each major. A single diploma is issued, regardless of when the individual majors are completed; the student transcript shows the major(s), minor(s), or certificates.

Dual Degrees

A student pursuing two different degree types is seeking dual degrees. Normally, to receive a second bachelor’s degree, a student must fulfill the minimum number of hours and specific requirements for each degree program. Credit hours may be applied to more than one degree program only with permission from the dean of the college in which the degree program is offered. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to declare a double degree. A diploma is issued for each degree type.

See Baccalaureate Degrees for the list of degree types offered by The University of Tulsa.

Graduation Check and Commencement Participation

Students must file a degree application at the time of registration for the final semester.  The University will confer a degree on a student who has completed all of the requirements for the degree even if the student has not applied for graduation.

A student will graduate at the end of the semester in which all degree requirements were met. Students who have fulfilled all degree requirements during a summer term will graduate on the last day of classes for the term.

The University holds a commencement ceremony every May. Students who complete degree requirements in the fall are to participate in that academic year’s spring commencement. In the spring semester, students who are in good standing with extreme extenuating circumstances and/or lack up to 12 hours of coursework to complete in the upcoming fall session may request permission to participate in the May commencement. Any exceptions to this policy must be cleared by the appropriate collegiate dean and Dean of Students. Honors will not be called for students that have petitioned to walk early. Approval is not guaranteed and each request is considered on a case by case basis.

Graduation with Honor

Students who maintain a 4.0 grade point average in all undergraduate courses taken at TU graduate summa cum laude; those with a 3.8 or higher, magna cum laude; and those with a 3.5 or higher, cum laude. These designations appear on the official transcript and on the diploma.

Transfer of Records

The Office of the Registrar will forward official transcripts to other institutions or prospective employers when requested in writing by the student. Transcripts will not be issued for students who have not met their financial obligations to the University. The University issues transcripts electronically through the National Student Clearinghouse. Visit the Office of the Registrar webpage for instructions on ordering transcripts through the National Student Clearinghouse. The University does not issue unofficial transcripts or copies of transcripts from other institutions.

Reading Days

No academic activities including classes, labs, or assignments will be scheduled during designated reading days prior to final exams at the end of each semester.

Student Responsibility

The University strives to provide stimulating instruction, rigorous curricula, and challenging academic standards. Collegiate deans and academic advisors are willing to help explain available options, describe requirements, and plan degree programs. Nonetheless, students ultimately are responsible for proper enrollment, attainment of acceptable academic standards, and fulfillment of graduation requirements. Students who fail to maintain minimum standards are subject to probation or dismissal from the University. Students experiencing difficulty in courses are encouraged to connect with their academic advisor(s) and/or Student Success Coach for support and access to university resources.

Academic Misconduct

In keeping with the intellectual ideals, standards for community, and educational mission of the University, students are expected to adhere to all academic policies. Cheating on examinations, plagiarism, and other forms of academic misconduct violate both individual honor and the life of the community, and may subject students to penalties including failing grades, involuntary withdrawal, dismissal, and other disciplinary actions.

Academic misconduct also includes unauthorized or inappropriate use of University computers, vandalism of data files or equipment, use of computer resources for personal reasons unrelated to the academic and research activities of the University, plagiarism, violation of proprietary agreements, theft, tampering with the programs and data of other users, and other inappropriate behavior that unreasonably interferes with the educational process and the rights of others to pursue their educational goals.

The complete academic misconduct policy can be found here .

Faculty lectures and classroom discussion may not be recorded without the written permission of the instructor. When permitted, such recordings are for private use only and may not be posted or otherwise distributed.