Academic Policies
Courses
Lower-division courses at Richmond are designated by course numbers 100-299. Upper division courses are designated by course numbers 300-499. Graduate level courses are designated by course numbers 500-699. Students should take the level of a course into account when they are registering, and should ordinarily expect to complete lower division requirements (including the core curriculum, explained in detail on pages 30-34) before registering for upper division courses. Freshmen will only in exceptional circumstances be permitted to take upper division courses. Graduate level courses may only be taken by graduate students.
Course Load
Most courses offered by the University carry three credits. The normal course load for a full-time student is five courses (15 credits) per semester. The minimum course load for a full-time student is three courses (at least nine credits). The maximum course load is six courses; however, only students with a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher are permitted to take six courses.
Course Scheduling
Students should be aware that some courses at Richmond are scheduled once per academic year. Degree students should work with their advisers to ensure that they enroll in classes in the proper sequence to make certain that they meet their graduation requirements in a timely manner.
Adding or Dropping a Course
Students may add or drop courses on a space available basis during the official add/drop period of each academic semester (the first five days of fall and spring semesters). Classes missed during this process in fall and spring are not counted as absences for the purposes of the attendance policy, although students must recognize that they are responsible for course material covered in any classes missed. Students must add or drop courses through their academic advisers, either online or using a Course Change Form signed by their adviser and submitted to the Registrar.
Note that in the summer sessions, the add/drop period is truncated to the first two days of the semester. Due to the compressed and intensive nature of the summer sessions, absences during the add/drop period ARE counted as absences for the purposes of the attendance policy, and therefore students are strongly advised to finalize their summer course arrangements (including payment of summer fees) well in advance.
Changing Sections of a Course
Students may change sections of a course on a space available basis following the same procedure as for adding or dropping a course.
Withdrawing from a Course
After the official add/drop period and until the last day to withdraw (see academic calendar), students may withdraw from a course by presenting a Course Withdrawal Form, signed by their adviser, to the Registrar. Students enrolled on the Internship Program should note that should a student terminate their internship prior to the end of the above stated time, withdrawal will not normally be permitted, and a grade of “F” will be recorded for the entire internship.
Note: In cases where a grade of F is assigned because of academic dishonesty, the student may not withdraw from the course. However, the normal policy for repeating a course applies.
Repeating a Course
A student may repeat a course for which a grade of F has been awarded. The failing grade will remain on the student’s transcript even if the course is repeated and passed. If the course is repeated and passed, the passing grade will be recorded on the transcript and only this grade (not the original F) will be used in computing the cumulative GPA. A notation of NC, indicating “no credit”, will be entered on the transcript next to the original grade of F. In exceptional cases, and only with the permission of the Academic Standards Committee, a student may repeat a course for which a passing grade has been earned. Such a repeat may occur only once, and only the second grade earned is used for the GPA.
Auditing a Course
A student may choose to register for a course on an audit basis. The student is normally expected to attend and to participate in all class activities, assignments, and assessments, except for the final examination, which is optional. As an auditor, the student will not receive a final grade for the course. The student’s record will show a grade of AU for audit. The following regulations apply to registering for a course as an auditor.
- Approval from the student’s adviser must be obtained in order to audit a course;
- A student’s status in a course may be changed between audit and credit no later than the end of the add/drop period;
- A student taking a course for audit will be subject to the same course fees as those taking the course for credit (including tuition and laboratory or materials fees or the cost of theatre tickets);
- A student taking a course for audit will be subject to the usual course load policies, with the audited course counting towards the total maximum allowed number of courses; or
- If a course becomes oversubscribed, students registered as auditors may be subject to deregistration.
- Audited courses may not be used to satisfy prerequisite, major, degree, or Masters Degree exemption requirements.
Incomplete Courses
In cases where students believe they have a legitimate reason for missing a final examination or failing to complete course work, they may petition the Academic Standards Committee for a re-sit examination and/or an extension to course work deadlines. If the petition is approved, an interim grade of I (Incomplete) is assigned, and the final grade for the course is then revised by the instructor upon completion of the course requirements. Incomplete work for a fall semester must be submitted by the last day of classes of the following spring semester; incomplete work for a spring semester or summer session must be submitted by the last day of classes of the following fall semester. Failure to meet these deadlines will result in the I grade reverting to the original grade submitted by the instructor, or to an F grade if no grade was submitted. If a graduating senior is awarded a grade of I in a spring semester course, she or he will not receive a diploma dated that May. The diploma will be awarded the following December provided the work is completed by the last day of classes of the following fall semester.
Independent Study
Independent study is an individual research, laboratory, or creative arts project, taken under the direct supervision of a full-time faculty member. Independent study requires in-depth academic work on a specialized topic, and this involves research, reading, writing, and where appropriate, experimentation. Students wishing to pursue independent study must have at least 60 credits and a GPA of at least 3.0. Independent study is not available to study abroad students.
To arrange for an independent study course, the student must find a full-time faculty supervisor, define the project, and obtain the approval of the topic before the end of the preceding semester. The faculty member and Department Chair or Program Director must approve the project in order for the student to register for the course. Approval will be based on a written application using forms available from department secretaries or the Office of the Registrar. It will require evidence of:
- the academic merit of the study;
- the availability of resource material; and
- the student’s own capacity to undertake the work.
Students who need assistance may discuss their proposal with the appropriate Department Chair or Program Director. Once approved, a student normally meets with her or his supervisor once each week for a minimum of two hours, although in some cases the nature of the subject matter may dictate less frequent meetings of longer duration. However, the minimum number of tutorial hours in any given semester must be 15. The course is graded and carries one, two, or three credits, based primarily upon formal instructional time, but also taking into consideration the nature and quantity of student work assessed.
Courses at Other Institutions
Degree candidates wishing to take courses at other institutions at any time must obtain the approval of the Dean of Academic Affairs for both the institution and the intended courses via a Course Approval Form. If approval is granted, transfer credit will be awarded for the courses taken provided the grades earned are (the equivalent of) C or better. To ensure the necessary pre-approval of courses to be taken at other institutions, a candidate must:
- Consult with his or her adviser concerning the appropriateness of the suggested course for general education and/or major requirements, and have the adviser sign the Course Approval Form.
- Submit the completed Course Approval Form to the Dean of Academic Affairs with supporting documentation including full course descriptions, and sufficient information (including the institution’s name, address and website) for the Dean to verify the institution’s accreditation information.
The Dean of Academic Affairs makes the final decision regarding the approval of any course to be taken at another institution. The decision will be communicated to the student via email, and a record of the decision will be place in the student’s file.
Course Changes or Cancellation
While every effort is made to ensure that the content of courses corresponds with the descriptions in the catalog, some variation may take place. Students should be aware that the instructor’s detailed course syllabus will more authoritatively describe the exact content and methodology of a particular course.
The University reserves the right to cancel or replace courses for which there is insufficient enrolment.
Declaring a Major
When applying for admission, students are given the opportunity to indicate an area of interest for study by choosing one of the undergraduate degree programs offered at Richmond. Students who indicate one of these will be registered in that major upon entry. Students not declaring a major upon application will be categorized as undeclared majors. Following entry, students may declare or change their majors at any point. A completed Declaration of Major/Change of Major Form must be submitted to the Office of Academic Affairs. At this time, if necessary, a new academic adviser will be assigned. Students who have not declared a major will be asked to declare one upon completion of 60 credits. Students will normally follow the major requirements in effect at the time of their admission to the university.
Double Majors
A student may complete the requirements of two majors and receive one degree with those two majors. The student’s transcript will indicate one degree conferred with two majors, and the student will receive one diploma. Only one of the majors will be validated by the Open University Validation Services. Students completing two majors may be required to complete more than 120 credits.
Leave of Absence
Students wishing to withdraw from the University may apply to the Dean of Academic Affairs for a leave of absence consisting of a maximum of two semesters. Normally students applying for a leave of absence must be in good academic, social, and financial standing. Approved leaves of absence provide students with the right to return to the University and to register for a future semester or summer session without applying for readmission.
Note: Students must be aware that the University is obliged to report to the UK Borders Agency any student who is in the UK on a student visa, but who is not attending classes. This also applies to students who are taking a Leave of Absence. The University's granting of an LOA should in no way be interpreted as granting permission for a student on a student visa to remain in the country.
Leaves of absence must be applied for and approved by the Dean of Academic Affairs in advance of the term in which they are to be taken. Students registered for and attending classes will not be permitted to apply for a leave of absence retroactively. They must withdraw from any courses in which they are enrolled in the usual manner.
On returning from an approved leave of absence, students continue under the same graduation requirements that were in force when they began their leave. Those granted a leave of absence for medical reasons may be required to provide confirmation from their health-care provider that they are medically fit to resume their studies. Students failing to return from a leave of absence within one calendar year must apply for readmission. If they are readmitted, they will be governed by the graduation requirements in effect at the time of readmission.
Note: For purposes of leaves of absence only, “good academic standing” may include academic probation. However, if a student on academic probation applies for a Leave of Absence, the Academic Standards Committee may need to determine whether that student is a candidate for dismissal. Academic dismissal takes precedence over leave of absence.
Midsemester Warning
A warning is issued at mid-semester to students whose work is unsatisfactory (below C) in two or more courses, as reported by their instructors to the Chair of the Academic Standards Committee. A copy of the warning is also sent to the Dean of Academic Affairs, and to the student’s advisor.
Minors
Students have the option of adding a second field of specialization, called a minor, to their major degree programs.
Students Completing Graduation Requirements Elsewhere
Students are normally expected to complete their graduation requirements at Richmond. However, in exceptional circumstances, a student may apply to the Dean of Academic Affairs for permission to complete graduation requirements elsewhere under an official Leave of Absence. As with all courses taken elsewhere after matriculation at Richmond, the student must obtain the prior approval of the Dean of Academic Affairs for both the institution and the courses to be taken.
If official transcripts confirming completion of the approved courses with grades of C or better are received by the Richmond Registrar’s Office prior to the expiration of the Leave of Absence, the student’s diploma will be awarded at the next Richmond graduation ceremony following actual completion of the degree requirements, with OU validation of the degree. If official transcripts confirming completion of the approved courses with grades of C or better are not received by the Richmond Registrar’s Office prior to the expiration of the Leave of Absence, the student’s OU registration will lapse with no possibility of renewal.
The student may also make arrangements to return to Richmond to complete degree requirements, provided the arrangements are finalized before the Leave of Absence expires.
After expiration of the Leave of Absence, the student may apply for re-admission to Richmond. If the application is successful, the student will be re-admitted under the graduation requirements in effect at the time of readmission (which may be substantially different than those under which the student was originally admitted). If the student subsequently satisfies the degree requirements, a Richmond diploma will be awarded at the next Richmond graduation ceremony following actual completion of the degree requirements. Since the student’s OU registration will have lapsed, this degree will not be OU validated.
Summer Sessions
The academic calendar normally includes two five-week intensive summer sessions. Students may enroll in at most two courses (maximum of seven credits) in each session. Summer school tuition is charged on a per-credit basis. Classes meet for at least 95 minutes per day, Monday through Friday. Due to the intensive nature of the summer sessions, students may not miss more than two class meetings, including any classes missed during the add/drop period (see above under "Adding or Dropping a Course"). Students must arrange for payment of all summer courses before the summer session begins. Please consult the Finance Department for details of summer tuition fees.
