Academic Load
A minimum of 12 hours of credit is required for full-time enrollment. Normally, a student registers for five academic courses each semester, plus co-curricular courses, for a schedule of 15 to 17 credit hours of study; however, a student may register for more than 17 credit hours if he has demonstrated an above-average academic record. Most freshmen will take four academic courses each semester, plus co-curricular courses, in a typical schedule of 12 to 16 hours of credit. Credit hours associated with an audited course do not count toward the 12-credit hour minimum for full-time status.
Beginning with the 18th credit hour, an additional per-credit tuition overload charge is required. Courses exempt from the tuition overload charge are: Biology 590, 591, 592, 593, and 594; Chemistry 475, 570, 575; Dance 210; Music 180, 190, 199, music ensembles, and music lessons for beginning students; Rhetoric and Public Address 241, 251, 261, Theatre 205; Journalism 380, 381; CCA; Collegiate Scholars Program seminars and thesis; and Theory and Application in Responsibility and Leadership (IDS 391).
CLASSIFICATION OF STUDENTS
1 – 25 hours Freshman
26 – 55 hours Sophomore
56 – 89 hours Junior
90 – 124 hours Senior
*Note: Classification of students is not to be confused with academic probationary limits.
GRADING SYSTEM
In order to make grade computations as accurate as possible, all grades, including plus and minus designations, are given point values: “A”=4.000 points; “A-”=3.700 points; “B+”=3.300 points; “B”=3.000 points; “B-”=2.700 points; “C+”=2.300 points; “C”=2.000 points; “C-”=1.700 points; “D+”=1.300 points; “D”=1.000 points; “D”=0.700 points; “F”=0.000 points.
The deficiency of Incomplete must be removed no later than 6 weeks after the close of the semester; otherwise, the grade becomes an “F.”
ACADEMIC PROBATION AND SUSPENSION
Grade-point averages required for academic standing are as follows:
1 – 34 hours 1.750
35 – 64 hours 1.900
65 – 124 hours 2.000
Any student who, at the end of any given semester, fails to reach the required cumulative average is placed on academic probation. Students placed on academic probation, or admitted on academic probation, will automatically be suspended unless they achieve the required average within one semester. The normal duration of academic suspension is one year (12 months), after which a student is eligible to apply for readmission. Such readmission is not automatic and will be dependent upon demonstration of significant productive activity during the period of suspension. In unusual circumstances, supported by exceptional academic achievement, a student may appeal to the Academic Status Committee for readmission after an academic suspension of less than one year. The academic suspension encompasses all terms during the 12-month duration, including the summer and interim sessions. Eligibility to enroll in any summer or interim session is granted just as it is for any regular semester.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
In their academic endeavors, students are expected to comport themselves in accordance with the Policy on Academic Honor.
SOCIAL SUSPENSION OR DISMISSAL
Any social suspension or dismissal during the regular semester will result in the recording of “W” grades for all courses, if the suspension or dismissal occurs prior to the seventh week of the semester. After the seventh week, grades of “WF” or “WP” will be assigned for all courses. See the section on Procedure for Student Discipline for more information.
TRANSFER OF CREDIT
Transfer of college credit to Hillsdale can be made only on an official transcript from another regionally accredited American collegiate institution. Grades below “C-” will not be transferred for credit. Grades for courses transferred from other institutions are not factored into a student’s cumulative grade-point average at Hillsdale. Students who wish to transfer college credit to Hillsdale College must receive prior approval from the Registrar’s Office, which is responsible for ensuring the evaluation of each transfer course.
CREDIT BY EXAMINATION
Hillsdale College recognizes the Advanced Placement and CLEP programs of the College Entrance Examination Board. See the College Catalog for details.
SUMMER COLLEGE
Hillsdale College offers two consecutive three-week summer sessions. The first three-week session extends from the middle of May through the first week of June. The second three-week session continues immediately through the month of June. Summer College is designed as an all-purpose program, but is particularly helpful to those who wish to accelerate progress toward graduation, those who need to make up specific courses, and those freshmen entering college who wish to begin the work early and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of starting college prior to the busy fall semester.
ACADEMIC ADVISORS
Each student is assigned an academic advisor. During the freshman-sophomore years, the advisor assists the student in understanding and integrating the liberal arts core curriculum, assimilating the College experience, and helping with course scheduling and general academic counseling. Once a student has declared a major field of concentration, he or she will typically change to an advisor within that discipline. The major advisor offers guidance related to the upper-level curriculum in the discipline, as well as graduate school and vocational planning. To change academic advisors, a student completes the process as directed by the Registrar’s Office.