Academic Regulations
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Classification of Students. An undergraduate student is classified according to the following: freshman, 0 to 29 hours completed; sophomore, 30 to 59; junior, 60 to 89; senior, 90 to completion of degree requirements. The junior and senior ranks are often referred to as “upperclass” and “advanced.” A student who is enrolled for 12 or more credit hours per semester is considered a full-time student; one enrolled for fewer than 12 hours is considered a part-time student. A freshman may have remedial courses (numbered 0301 or 0302) counted as part of a full course load although these courses do not count toward a degree.

All baccalaureate degrees conferred by Texas Tech University are based on the satisfactory completion of specific authorized degree programs comprised of a minimum of 120 semester hours. Students are considered to be making satisfactory progress toward a degree objective when they complete at least 30 credit hours in each calendar/academic year, achieve a GPA of 2.00 or higher in each semester, and maintain an overall GPA of 2.00 or higher.

Semester Hours and Course Loads. The semester hour is the unit of measure for credit purposes. The student is expected to spend approximately two hours in preparation for each hour of lecture or recitation.

The maximum number of semester hours a student may take without specific permission of the academic dean is as follows: 19 hours per long semester, 16 hours per long semester for students on scholastic probation, and 8 hours per summer term. In determining a greater load, the dean considers the quality of scholastic work performed by the student, the types of courses involved, the student’s health, and extracurricular interests and activities.

Quarter Hour Conversion. Quarter credit hours are converted to semester credit hours by multiplying the number of quarter hours by two-thirds (or .67). Since a fraction of a credit hour cannot be awarded, the remaining fraction of semester hour credit is rounded to the nearest whole number from the tenth’s position of the decimal.

For example, 5 quarter hours are equivalent to 3.4 semester hours, which in turn would be rounded to 3 semester hours of credit: 5 quarter hours x .67 = 3.4 semester hours = 3 semester hours. Applicability of transfer credit towards degree requirements at Texas Tech University will be at the discretion of the student’s academic dean.

Enrollment in One of the Colleges or Schools. Each student accepted for admission will enroll in one of the following colleges or schools of the university: Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Architecture, Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Honors, Human Sciences, Mass Communications, Visual and Performing Arts, Law, or Graduate. The student should consult the dean of the college or school whenever any question arises concerning academic status. Matters specifically requiring the dean’s approval include:

• Concurrent enrollment
• Pass–fail option
• Credit by examination
• Withdrawal and honorable dismissal from the university
• Graduation requirements and candidacy for a degree
• Applicability of transfer credits to degree programs

Dropping a Course. Dropping a course delays graduation. Students should plan their schedules and make a serious commitment to academic success. When it becomes necessary to drop a course, the procedure varies according to the following:

1. Undergraduate Students Entering Before Fall 2004

Students who entered Texas Tech before fall 2004 may officially drop a course through the 45th class day of a long semester or the 15th class day of a summer term and receive the grade of DW regardless of their progress in the class. The student must initiate the drop by following the procedures listed at www.techsis.admin.ttu.edu/student. Further information can be obtained at 806.742.3661.

2. Undergraduate Students Entering Fall 2004 and Thereafter

• Effective summer term 2008, students who enrolled in Texas Tech University for the first time during the fall 2004 semester or any subsequent semester through summer 2007 will no longer be limited to only four dropped classes (three for transfer students) but instead will be allowed a total of six dropped courses from all Texas public institutions of higher education attended during their undergraduate academic career, including any course a transfer student has dropped at another Texas public institution of higher education. Students who enrolled in Texas Tech University for the first time in the fall 2007 academic term or any subsequent term will be limited to a total of six dropped courses from all Texas public institutions of higher education attended during their undergraduate academic career, including any course a transfer student has dropped at another Texas public institution of higher education.

• Students may use their limited drops (DG’s) up to the 45th class day of the long semester and the 15th class day of the short summer terms. Students must initiate a drop by following the procedures listed on the Web for Students at www.techsis.admin.ttu.edu/student. Further information can be obtained at 806.742.3661.

• The student-initiated drop/add period on the Web for Students at the start of the term lies outside these limits in regard to the number of drops.

• After all DG’s have been used by a student who entered in the fall of 2004 or thereafter, the student must complete all courses taken and receive a grade.

• Students who find it necessary to withdraw completely from the university before the end of the semester will not have to use their DG's.

• Students will not be permitted to drop more than six courses unless they can show good cause, including but not limited to a showing of the following:

  1. A severe illness or other debilitating condition that affects the student’s ability to satisfactorily complete the course.

  2. The student’s responsibility for the care of a sick, injured or needy person if the provision of that care affects the student’s ability to satisfactorily complete the course.

  3. The death of a person who is considered to be a member of the student’s family or who is otherwise considered to have a sufficiently close relationship to the student that the person’s death is considered to be a showing of good cause.

  4. The active duty service as a member of the Texas National Guard or the armed forces of the United States of either the student or a person who is considered to be a member of the student’s family or who is otherwise considered to have a sufficiently close relationship to the student that the person’s active military service is considered to be a showing of good cause.

  5. The change of the student’s work schedule that is beyond the control of the student and affects the student’s ability to satisfactorily complete the course.

  6. Other good cause as determined by the student’s academic dean.

Change of College. Students who wish to transfer from one college of the university to another should contact the academic dean of the college to which they plan to transfer to ensure that they can meet all enrollment requirements. Students should then complete an academic transfer form in the receiving dean’s office. The last day to change colleges is the first day of open registration for the next semester.

Change of Address. Each student is responsible for maintaining his or her correct address on file in the Office of Recruiting and Admissions and Records. Change of address forms are available in that office, and other campus departments will be notified when such a form is filed. Students required by the housing residence rules to live on campus may not move off campus during the semester without approval from the Department of University Student Housing.

Administrative Holds. Failure to meet certain university obligations may result in an administrative hold being placed on a student’s access to such university procedures as registration, release of transcripts, and course add/drops.

Administrative holds may be placed on a student’s record until resolution of such problems as an outstanding debt to the university, disciplinary action, academic suspension, incomplete admission forms or substandard test scores. It is the student’s responsibility to get the hold released, which can be accomplished by meeting the requirements of the department placing the hold. Status of holds on student records may be obtained online at the TechSIS web site: www.techsis.admin.ttu.edu/student.

Class Attendance. Responsibility for class attendance rests with the student. Instructors set an attendance policy for each course they teach. The university expects regular and punctual attendance at all scheduled classes, and the university reserves the right to deal at any time with individual cases of nonattendance. Instructors should state clearly in their syllabi their policy regarding student absences and how absences affect grades. Excessive absences constitute cause for dropping a student from class.

In the event of excessive absences, the student must visit the instructor to discuss his or her status in the course. If the drop occurs before the 45th class day of the long semester or the 15th class day of the summer term, the instructor will assign a designation of either DG or DW (see section on "Dropping a Course"). If the drop occurs after that time period, the student will receive a grade of F. This drop can be initiated by the instructor but must be formally executed by the academic dean. In extreme cases the academic dean may suspend the student from the university.

Department chairpersons, directors, or others responsible for a student representing the university on officially approved trips should notify the student’s instructors of the departure and return schedules in advance of the trip. The instructor so notified must not penalize the student, although the student is responsible for material missed. Students absent because of university business must be given the same privileges as other students (e.g., if other students are given the choice of dropping one of four tests, then students with excused absences must be given the same privilege).

Reporting Illness. In case of an illness that will require absence from class for more than one week, the student should notify his or her academic dean. The dean’s office will inform the student’s instructors through the departmental office. In case of class absences because of a brief illness, the student should inform the instructor directly. Other information related to illness is found in the Student Handbook and the Residence Halls Handbook.

Absence Due to Religious Observance. A student may be excused from attending classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day, including travel for that purpose. A student whose absence is excused for this purpose may not be penalized for that absence and shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment from which the student is excused.

Academic Integrity. It is the aim of the faculty of Texas Tech University to foster a spirit of complete honesty and a high standard of integrity. The attempt of students to present as their own any work that they have not honestly performed is regarded by the faculty and administration as a serious offense and renders the offenders liable to serious consequences, possibly suspension.

The instructor in a course is responsible for initiating action for dishonesty or plagiarism that occurs in his or her class. In cases of convincing evidence of or admitted academic dishonesty or plagiarism, an instructor should take appropriate action. Before taking such action, however, the instructor should attempt to discuss the matter with the student. If cheating is suspected on a final exam, the instructor should not submit a grade until a reasonable attempt can be made to contact the student, preferably within one month after the end of the semester. See the section on “Academic Conduct” in the Code of Student Conduct for details of this policy.

“Scholastic dishonesty” includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, falsifying academic records, misrepresenting facts, and any act designed to give unfair academic advantage to the student (such as, but not limited to, submission of essentially the same written assignment for two courses without the prior permission of the instructor) or the attempt to commit such an act.

“Cheating” includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Copying from another student’s test paper.
2. Using materials during a test that have not been authorized by the person giving the test.
3. Failing to comply with instructions given by the person administering the test.
4. Possessing materials during a test that are not authorized by the person giving the test, such as class notes or specifically designed “crib notes.” The presence of textbooks constitutes a violation only if they have been specifically prohibited by the person administering the test.
5. Using, buying, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the contents of an unadministered test, test key, homework solution, or computer program.
6. Collaborating with or seeking aid or receiving assistance from another student or individual during a test or in conjunction with an assignment without authority.
7. Discussing the contents of an examination with another student who will take the examination.
8. Divulging the contents of an examination, for the purpose of preserving questions for use by another, when the instructor has designated that the examination is not to be removed from the examination room or not to be returned to or kept by the student.
9. Substituting for another person, or permitting another person to substitute for oneself to take a course, a test, or any course-related assignment.
10. Paying or offering money or other valuable thing to, or coercing another person to obtain an unadministered test, test key, homework solution, or computer program, or information about an unadministered test, test key, homework solution, or computer program.
11. Falsifying research data, laboratory reports, and/or other academic work offered for credit.
12. Taking, keeping, misplacing, or damaging the property of the university, or of another, if the student knows or reasonably should know that an unfair academic advantage would be gained by such conduct.

“Plagiarism” includes, but is not limited to, the appropriation of, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means material that is attributable in whole or in part to another source, including words, ideas, illustrations, structure, computer code, other expression and media, and presenting that material as one’s own academic work being offered for credit. Any student who fails to give credit for quotations or for an essentially identical expression of material taken from books, encyclopedias, magazines, Internet documents, reference works or from the themes, reports, or other writings of a fellow student is guilty of plagiarism.

“Collusion” includes, but is not limited to, the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing academic assignments offered for credit or collaboration with another person to commit a violation of any section of the rules on scholastic dishonesty.

“Falsifying academic records” includes, but is not limited to, alter-ing or assisting in the altering of any official record of the university, and/or submitting false information or omitting requested information that is required for or related to any academic record of the university. Academic records include, but are not limited to, applications for admission, the awarding of a degree, grade reports, test papers, registration materials, grade change forms, and reporting forms used by the Office of the Registrar. A former student who engages in such conduct is subject to a bar against readmission, revocation of a degree, and withdrawal of a diploma.

“Misrepresenting facts” to the university or an agent of the university includes, but is not limited to, providing false grades or resumés; providing false or misleading information in an effort to receive a postponement or an extension on a test, quiz, or other assignment for the purpose of obtaining an academic or financial benefit for oneself or another individual; or providing false or misleading information in an effort to injure another student academically or financially.

Civility in the Classroom. Students are expected to assist in maintaining a classroom environment that is conducive to learning. To ensure that all students have the opportunity to gain from time spent in class, faculty members are encouraged to include a statement in their course syllabi relating to behavioral expectations in the classroom.

Grading Practices. A grade is assigned for all courses in which a student is regularly enrolled during any semester or summer term. Only through regular enrollment can a grade be earned. A passing grade may be earned only if the student is enrolled for the duration of the course, and a grade, once given, may not be changed without approval of the student’s dean.

The instructor of record determines all grades for a course. The method of determining a grade will be included in the course syllabus presented to students at the beginning of the semester.

The grades used, including plus and minus, with their interpretations, are A, excellent; B, good; C, average; D, inferior (passing, but not necessarily satisfying degree requirements); F, failure; P, passing; PR, in progress; I, incomplete; and W, withdrawal (not to be confused with a drop). The letter R designates a course repeated to remove an I. The grade of PR is given only when the work in a course extends beyond the semester or term; it implies satisfactory performance and is used primarily in individual study courses. The grades of CR (credit) and NC (no credit) are given in certain instances.

The grade of I is given only when a student’s work is satisfactory in quality but, due to reasons beyond his or her control, has not been completed. It is not given instead of an F. Prior to assigning the I, the instructor must fill out a form provided on the Web for Faculty stating the reasons beyond the student’s control for granting the I and the conditions to be met to remove the I. Both the student and faculty member must sign the form. The I may be replaced by an R if the course is repeated, and the appropriate grade will be given for the second registration. The grade of I will revert to an F after one calendar year if the conditions for completing the I as stated on the form have not been met.

The grade of DW adn DG are regulated by the university’s drop policy, which is discussed in detail in the previous sectoion entitled "Dropping a Course."

An NP is given if the student has not paid certain fees by the end of the semester. If the student subsequently pays the fees, Student Business Services will notify the registrar, who will then record the academic grade earned.

When a faculty member determines according to Part II B 2 of the Student Handbook that academic dishonesty has occurred and assigns a grade of F for the course, the grade of F will stand as a final grade, notwithstanding a subsequent withdrawal from the course by the student. A faculty member shall notify the registrar of the intention to assign a grade of F for the course, in addition to the notifications of the department chairperson and the student’s academic dean, as provided in Part II B 2 of the Student Handbook.

Grade Appeals. A student who wishes to appeal a final course grade should first consult with the course instructor, then with the department chairperson, and then, if the matter remains unresolved, with the dean of the college in which the course is offered. A grade appeal must be filed in the office of the dean of the college in which the course is offered within 45 days of the start of the next long semester after the term in which the disputed grade was received. Copies of the grade appeals policy can be obtained from any academic dean’s office or from the Center for Campus Life.

Semester Grade Reports. At the close of each semester and each summer term, final course grades are available on the Texas Tech student Web site or as a hard copy. Students wishing to receive a hard copy should update their grading address on the student Web site.

Grade Points. The grades of A, B, C, and D carry with them grade points of 4, 3, 2, and 1, respectively, for each semester hour of credit value of the course in which the grade is received. All other grades have no assigned grade points.

Grade Point Averages. Only courses taken and grades received at this university are used in calculating grade point averages. The current grade point average is determined by dividing the total number of grade points acquired during that semester by the total number of semester hours of all courses in which the student was registered in that semester, exclusive of courses in which grades such as DW, DG, I, P, CR, and PR are received. In the same manner, the grade point average is obtained by dividing the total number of grade points earned in all courses for which the student has registered at this university, including hours for an F, by the total number of semester hours.

With the approval of the student’s dean, a grade point deficiency in degree requirements may be made up by earning sufficient grade points in additional courses.

Grade Replacement Policy. Students may apply to the registrar for grade replacement after a Texas Tech course has been retaken at Texas Tech and prior to their graduation. After the current semester academic procedures have been completed, students can initiate a grade replacement by obtaining an application in the Office of the Registrar or online at www.depts.ttu.edu/registrar. Students may apply after the passing grade is received in the replacing course. Students wanting to replace a grade received before fall 1983 should contact their academic dean’s office.

Grade replacement is for the purpose of providing an adjusted grade point average. The cumulative adjusted GPA will be posted on the bottom of the student’s transcript. A notation will indicate the original course that is being replaced. The original grade and original cumulative GPA will remain. The cumulative GPA without grade replacements will be used for honors designation.

The most recent passing grade will replace all previous grades in that course. First-time freshmen and transfer students who entered Texas Tech in the fall of 2004 or thereafter will not be allowed to repeat a course in which they have earned a grade of C or above. When students repeat a course after having received a grade of D or F, they can repeat the course for credit only one time at the normal tuition rate. Students repeating a course more than once after having received a grade of D or F must pay an additional fee unless their academic dean determines that the enrollment is the result of a hardship or other good cause.

A student placed on academic suspension or probation at the end of the semester will not be removed from suspension on the basis of grade replacements that can be or are made after the semester grades are reported. However, a suspended student who attains an adjusted GPA of 2.0 or higher (see page 2) after official grades have been submitted and academic status has been determined may be allowed to attend Texas Tech upon appeal to the academic dean.

Effective January 1, 2009, only current and cumulative GPAs will be calculated. The current and cumulative GPA will include grade replacements. A notation will indicate the original course(s) that is being replaced. The original grade and original academic standing status will remain on the term in which the initial grade was earned.

Pass/Fail Option. Undergraduate students may take up to 13 elective semester hours toward satisfying degree requirements in which they will be graded on a pass/fail basis. Courses specified in the catalog as available only with pass/fail grading and courses taken in excess of degree requirements are not included in the 13-hour restriction. Freshman Seminar (IS 1100) cannot be taken pass/fail.

A college may further restrict the pass/fail option but may not broaden it beyond elective courses. No student on probation will be allowed the pass/fail option. The names of students taking a course pass/fail will not be made known to the instructor.

Students wishing to take a course pass/fail should contact the academic dean’s office of the college in which they are enrolled. Students must declare their intent to take a course pass/fail no later than the last day on which a DG or DW is automatically given for courses dropped. A student who has chosen to take a course pass/fail may not subsequently change to a letter grade option. A grade of F received on a course taken pass/fail will be computed into the grade point average.

An exception to the above-stated rules applies to students who have had two years of one foreign language in high school and who enroll in the same foreign language at the 1501 level even though a 1507 course is available. Those students taking the 1501 course are required to take it pass/fail.

Courses taken in the declared major or minor shall not be taken by pass/fail unless required by the department. The department of the major or minor will decide whether courses taken under the pass/fail system, before a student has declared a major or minor, shall count toward satisfying the degree requirements.

University students may take elective courses through Outreach and Distance Education (ODE) on a pass/fail basis under the same regulations governing resident students. ODE must receive the pass/fail form, signed by the student’s dean, before the first course lesson may be submitted. Once a lesson has been submitted, a student cannot switch from the pass/fail option to a letter grade option. Students enrolling in ODE college courses must adhere to the provisions outlined in the Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog concerning the Texas Success Initiative (formerly known as TASP). For additional TSI information, contact the Texas Success Initiative Office in Admissions, 116 West Hall.

Credit by Examination for Matriculated Students. Matriculated students may be given the opportunity to receive credit by special examination in courses in which proficiency may be determined by examination. Credit earned by examination is the same as credit earned by successfully passing the equivalent Texas Tech course. A grade of Pass (P) will be given to those students earning course credit by examination, but no credit by exam will be recorded until a student officially completes 12 credit hours at Texas Tech. For more detailed information, see “Undergraduate Credit by Examination” in the Admission to the University section of this catalog.

Writing Intensive Course Requirement. Each degree program will include six hours of writing intensive coursework in the specific area of study. The fundamental premise of a writing intensive course is that students will write often. Furthermore, student writing will be critiqued by the instructor, and the student will rewrite, based on that critique.

The writing intensive course emphasizes the process as well as the products of writing. Faculty use writing to reinforce learning. Students write to formulate ideas, raise questions, and express considered opinions. Students write to analyze, integrate, and synthesize as well as to communicate.

Final Examination Policies. Class-related activities, with the exception of office hours, are prohibited on designated individual study days and during the final examination period (OP 34.10). These dates are set aside for students to prepare for and take scheduled final examinations. During this period, review sessions are not to be scheduled, quizzes are not to be given, and no other class-related activities can be scheduled.

No substantial examinations other than bona fide make-up examinations may be given during the last class week or during the individual study day. Courses in which lab examinations and design studio reviews are normally scheduled the week prior to finals are excluded from this policy. No extracurricular activities of any kind may be scheduled within the individual study day and the final examination period without written permission of the Provost’s Office.

An instructor with a compelling reason to change the time of an examination must obtain written approval from the department chair and/or dean of the college or school in which the course is taught before requesting room accommodations from Academic Support and Facilities Resources (ASFR). A change in the room assignment for a final examination may be made only with the approval of ASFR.

There is no university policy that provides relief to students who have three examinations scheduled the same day. In that situation, students may seek the assistance of the course instructors, department chair, and/or dean of the college.

Contact Academic Facilities 806.742.3658 with questions, comments, or concerns regarding the final exam schedule.

Graduation Requirements. Graduation requirements include a minimum GPA of 2.0 for all courses, including repeated courses, attempted in the degree program in which students seek graduation. To obtain a degree granted by the university, at least 25 percent of the total semester credit hours must be earned through instruction offered by Texas Tech University.

Graduation Rates. Federal regulations require that the university disclose graduation rates for men and women who are full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students. Disclosure of graduation rates for various student populations, including athletes, is also required. These are the same rates as those supplied by Texas Tech to the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Detailed graduation rates are available from the Office of Communications and Marketing.

Withdrawal from the University. Students who find it necessary to withdraw from the university before the end of a semester or summer term must apply to the Office of the Registrar in 103 West Hall. Students under the age of 18 should first consult their parents and secure from them a written statement that they have permission to withdraw. Although a W will be recorded for all classes that semester or term, these W’s will not be counted as one of the six permitted drops.

A student who withdraws from a residence course with a grade of W may complete the course through the Division of Outreach and Distance Education (ODE) by registering for correspondence work, provided the course is regularly offered through ODE and provided the instructor who taught the residence course is assigned as the instructor.

International students must receive clearance from the director of International Programs as a part of the withdrawal procedure.

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