Academic

• Current students
• Former students

• Provost Academic Calendar
• Provost Academic Calendar by Week

First-Generation Initiatives develops programs to help “FirstGen” students succeed. First-Generation is defined that as neither parent nor guardian has completed a four-year degree. FirstGen offers mentoring programs, academic help via their student success programs, as well as programs that ensure a seamless transition from high school to college.

Student Support Services

Student Support Services provides eligible undergraduate students with individualized tutoring, academic advising, computer workstations, assistance with the financial aid process, personal one-on-one support from trained SSS professionals, as well as a variety of activities, events, and programs.

Serves undergraduate students who meet the following program requirements:

• First-generation college student (neither parent/guardian has graduated from a 4-year institution)
• Income eligible (as determined annually by the federal government)
• Or have a disability and be registered with WVU’s Office of Accessibility Services

Cognitive Enhancement

MindFit’s Cognitive Enhancement program utilizes non-pharamacological interventions including cognitive training and neuro-feedback to improve attention span, memory and cognitive functioning. This is a paid service with limited spots, more information is provided on the website.

Assessment Services

• Mindfit Assessment Services - If a student is concerned that they may have a learning disorder or ADHD, WVU MindFit provides paid evaluation services. This includes a comprehensive assessment with referral recommendations. Currently this service is not eligible for insurance billing.
• Off-campus Assessment Services - There are several local providers that offer learning disorder or ADHD assessments. Information about payment and accepted insurance companies is included in the list above.
• West Virginia Department of Rehabilitation Services - Can provide evaluation and diagnostic services.

Testing Centers

• Office of Accessibility Services Testing Center - The testing center may be used by students with testing accommodations authorized by the Office of Accessibility Services.
• University Testing Center - L ocated in Hodges Hall, the University Testing Center houses 200 workstations and an additional 8-seat Quiet Room for less distracting testing options.

Grades and Coursework

Note that your Advisor is the best source for up-to-date information on the University’s academic policies and procedures. Please consult with your Advisor if you are considering any academic changes.

DegreeWorks

DegreeWorks provides WVU students and advisors a visual checklist of courses and objectives required for graduation, including major requirements, major electives, capstone, as well as each general education foundations (GEF) requirement. Students can access DegreeWorks via the WVU Portal.

Check Grades

Students can check their midterm and final grades through the WVU Portal and accessing STAR. Once in STAR, navigate to the Student Services and Housing tab, then Student Records tab, and select View Grades to view.

Calculating Grades

The academic catalogs contain information about the grading system and how to calculate a student’s GPA (Grade Point Average). Additionally, in DegreeWorks, which is accessed through the WVU Portal, students can use a tool to determine their GPA by term or calculate what is needed to reach a specific GPA. *Note that repeated coursework may need specialized calculation.

• Undergraduate Catalog - grading system
• Graduate Catalog - grading

D/F Repeat Repeated Courses - D/F repeat is an opportunity to repeat a class in which the student received a grade of “D” or “F” on their first attempt of the course and replace the original grade with the new grade. For Undergraduate students, this policy would allow the first attempt grade to be removed from their institutional GPA, and for Graduate coursework all grade attempts remain in the GPA calculation.

• Undergraduate Catalog - repeat policy
• Graduate Catalog - repeat policy

Course Attempt Policy

Some courses are ineligible to D/F repeat and would fall under the Repeated Courses policy. There may be limitations on number of course repeat attempts and further attempts may be requested utilizing the form linked on the Undergraduate Academic Strategies, Curriculum and Assessment website.

Some colleges, schools, or majors may have a stricter attempt policy. Students should contact their academic advisor for additional information.

Office of the Provost - Additional Course Attempt Form

Mid-semester courses

Mid-semester courses are a great opportunity to replace a class mid-year or earn expedited credits. However, sometimes it is not in a student’s best interest to enroll in mid-semester coursework due to their expedited delivery. Also, there could be challenges with the maximum number of credit hours in a given term. Students should consult with their academic advisor before registering for a mid-semester course to determine if this might be a viable option for them.

To find mid-semester course options:

• Go to registrar.wvu.edu/registration
• Under the “Course Schedule” heading, click the “Start search” button
• Select the term
• In the section labeled “Part of Term”, select “1st Half S/F Term – 8 weeks” and/or “2nd Half S/F Term – 8 weeks”
• Fill out any additional search criteria
• Click the Search button

Other Term Courses

WVU offers several options to earn credit hours at an accelerated pace. Winter Intercession (runs between Fall and Spring semesters) and Maymester (within the month of May) are 3 week, online only courses that may be appealing to students. Summer coursework is also available in a variety of modalities and lengths of term.

WVU Online

WVU Online offers fully online course study programs for associate, undergraduate, and graduate degrees as well as undergraduate and graduate certificates. Please note these are online programs with an admission process, online or hybrid class options are available for traditional campus students outside this program.

Academic Probation and Suspension

In the event that a student may be placed on academic probation or suspension due to academic performance, the provided links review the process and methods to reduce the possibility of time away from school via suspension.

• Undergraduate Catalog - Probation Information
• Academic Strategies, Curriculum and Assessment - Undergraduate Probation Suspension Overview
• Graduate Catalog - Probation Information

Credit Residence Requirements

In order to meet residency requirements at West Virginia University locations for a bachelor's degree, students must complete a minimum of 90 total credit hours in residence or 30 of the final 36 credit hours in residence to earn a WVU degree. Individual colleges, schools, or departments may have additional residence requirements as part of their degree or major requirements.

Note: Resident credit hours are not synonymous with West Virginia state residency definitions for tuition purposes.

More information on residency requirements in the academic calendar.

Transient coursework/transferring credits

Transient coursework is any coursework taken by a currently enrolled WVU student at another institution. Students are limited to take a total of 18 credit hours in transient, and only 9 of which may be major specific requirements.

For more information regarding transient coursework and related policies see the academic calendar.

If you are a current WVU student who wants to take credits at another regionally-accredited institution, the first step is to see your academic advisor to get permission to begin the process. Once you know what courses you want to take, you and your advisor can access the transfer credit database to determine the available transient credit courses. Any courses not found in this database, may be requested to be added via the Transfer Equivalency Review Request (TERR). For more details, see the Transient Credit Approval Process.

The WVU Transfer Equivalency Self Service (TESS) system is designed to help potential WVU students identify course equivalency information for courses from other institutions. TESS also allows students to see how their translated coursework is applied in their desired degree program.

Remember, your academic advisor can help you identify which courses are eligible for transfer as well as guide you through the transient coursework and credit transfer process.

See transient coursework in the academic calendar for additional information.

Graduate School Time Limits

Master’s Degree

Master’s degree students are permitted to continue in a program for a maximum of eight years following their term of admission to the program. Students who have been inactive for two or more years or who exceed eight years following their term of admission are required to apply for readmission to the University and their graduate program.

Doctoral Degree

Doctoral candidates are allowed no more than five years in which to complete the remaining requirements of their program after being admitted to doctoral candidacy to ensure that students earning a doctoral degree have current knowledge in their field. Admission to doctoral candidacy is normally expected to precede work on the dissertation (check program guidelines for exceptions to this expectation). The five-year time limit begins with the start of the semester following the completion of a program’s requirements for doctoral candidacy.

More information on degree regulations.

Students Seeking Re-admission

You are considered a readmitted student if you have been away from the University for at least one semester excluding the summer terms. More information on readmitted students.

Navigating Absences and Emergencies

Attendance Policies

The academic catalog fully explains each aspect of the absence types; below provides a brief overview for ease of information navigation. Outside of any accommodations formally granted through the Office of Accessibility Services or ADA Coordinator and implemented with the instructor (or supervisor in the case of student employment), all determinations of ability to make up missed work due to absence is at the discretion of the instructor. Per the University policy, instructors are able to ask for third party documentation.

• Undergraduate Catalog - attendance policy
• Graduate Catalog - attendance policy

University Sanctioned Absences

University sanctioned absences are absences in which instructors provide opportunities to make up missed substantial class work or activities (e.g., assignments, exams) and will not penalize students for those absences.

Examples of university sanctioned absences:

• Mandatory court appearances
• Mandatory military obligations
• Participation in university activities at the request of university authorities

Excused Absences

Other events may justify an excused absence at the discretion of the instructor or program, school, or college. Instructors appropriately notified regarding anticipated absences that are not university sanctioned may use their judgment as to whether to allow make-up work. Quarantined students are expected to complete class work and activities as assigned.

Examples of excused absences:

• Medical appointments or general illness
• COVID-19 related absences
• Illness or death of an immediate family member
• Religious observances
• Extreme weather

Students that experience chronic or reoccurring illness are encouraged to register with the Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) for formal accommodations related to class participation and absences.

Military Leave Policy

WVU supports its students who are also members of the United States armed forces, reserve units, and National Guard. Absences of less than three weeks of course work for military obligation (i.e. drill or training) are university sanctioned absences. WVU’s Center for Veteran, Military, and Family Programs has additional information on the drill schedule for the West Virginia National Guard and can provide official verification of student’s military orders upon request.

Students who will miss more than three weeks of course work due to military obligation should notify faculty members of the circumstances of their absence as far in advance as possible and work with faculty members to agree upon a plan of action.

Students who receive orders with sufficient advance notice are expected to notify their professors of their upcoming deployment date and meet with their professors to come to an agreement on what regular course assignments they can reasonably complete prior to the deployment date. The details of this arrangement should be included in a contract initialed by both the instructor and the student and kept on file in the Dean’s Office. Students should not be penalized for not completing assignments, quizzes, tests, or exams due after their deployment date.

For more information: catalog.wvu.edu/undergraduate/enrollmentandregistration/#Military_Credit

Campus and Community Life Assistance

Students who encounter extreme circumstances that necessitate short-term absence, such as a death in the immediate family or hospitalization, should contact the Office of Campus and Community Life at 304-293-5611. The Office of Campus and Community Life will notify instructors of imminent absence in situations in which the student is unable to do so. Please note that the Office of Campus and Community Life does not "excuse" absences but will communicate to instructors for notification purposes only.

For more information view the University's Attendance Policy

Emergency Leave Policy

During any semester, students may experience serious emergencies that will prevent them to be present in class or participate in a course for more than a week.

Short Term Leave (1 – 3 weeks)

Up to 13th week of instruction:

• Can withdraw from one or several classes.
• Must work with their instructor to develop a plan to catch up on work that they have missed.

After the 13th week of instruction:

• Students may petition the Dean of the College, where the course is housed to obtain a late withdrawal from a single class.
• Students who wish to withdraw from all their classes can petition the Dean of the College where their major is housed for a full, retroactive withdrawal.
• Request an Incomplete (see next section)

Long Term Leave (3+ weeks)

Up to 13th week of instruction:

• Can withdraw from one or several classes.
• Notify Dean of College to facilitate with instructors a plan of action to catch up on work that they have missed.

After the 13th week of instruction:

• May receive a grade if the course is substantially complete.
• Notify Dean of College for an administrative withdraw.
• Request an Incomplete (see next section)

For more information: catalog.wvu.edu/undergraduate/enrollmentandregistration/#Emergency

Incomplete

A grade of “I” (Incomplete) is a temporary grade assignment used when unforeseen, non-academic circumstances arise that prohibit students from completing the last course assignments or examinations at the end of the semester. Generally, the student will have been active in the course up until the last day of the 13th week of classes and earned at least a “D-“ to be eligible to request an incomplete.

• Undergraduate Catalog catalog.wvu.edu/undergraduate/enrollmentandregistration/#Incompletes
• Graduate Catalog catalog.wvu.edu/graduate/advisingcoursesdegrees/advising_and_evaluation/#Incompletes Academic Strategies, Curriculum and Assessment
• Incomplete Form undergraduate.wvu.edu/strategies/academic-policy-committee/forms

Leave of Absence

Graduate students in good standing who wish to be away from their academic endeavors at WVU for one or more semesters but intend to return at a later date may request a leave of absence. Students should consult with their program or school/college concerning the required procedure to request a leave of absence.

Some programs (such as some master’s programs or part-time programs) may not require students to request a leave of absence in order to enroll intermittently and remain in good standing. Doctoral students admitted to candidacy who do not wish to enroll for one or more semesters must be granted a leave of absence in order to maintain their candidacy. Leaves of absence are not required for summer terms unless otherwise specified by a student’s program.

When possible, requests for leaves of absence should be submitted in writing to students' program directors or department chairs prior to the beginning of the semester for which the leave is desired. Program directors or department chairs (or their designees) determine whether or not to grant leaves of absence, the length of time granted, and any conditions students must meet to return to their program following the leave of absence (including a date by which students must inform their program that they plan to return). Students are informed in writing of the outcome of their requests, and copies of the outcomes are retained in students' departmental or program records.

For more information: catalog.wvu.edu/graduate/advisingcoursesdegrees/advising_and_evaluation/#LeavesAbsence

Withdrawal

General considerations when withdrawing from courses:

Academic Considerations