Academic Policies and Procedures

Students may withdraw from a course up to 8 weeks after the first day of instruction. The official deadline is published in the University calendar. All course withdrawal result in a grade of “W.”

Submission Guidelines
Students without “holds” can drop a course on Bison Web. Students with “holds” must see their advisers to submit a “Change of Program” form.

Be Mindful that . . .
Dropping a course may result in unanticipated consequences. Students should meet with their adviser and financial aid representative before dropping a course.

Students may add a course during the registration period.

Submission Guidelines
Students without “holds” can drop a course on Bison Web. Students with “holds” must see their advisers to submit a “Change of Program” form.

Be Mindful that . . .
Students who add a course after the first class meeting of the semester may fall behind on course assignments. Students should discuss the course requirements with the instructor as soon as possible after adding the course.

Students may attempt to get on the course waitlist or request instructors to authorize a “course override.” Students should not expect that they will be granted permission to add a closed course.

Submission Guidelines
The override process will require one or both of the following actions: 1. placement on course waitlist via Bison Web; 2. Complete the course override form.

Be Mindful that . . .
Students should check with their advisers to make sure that they understand the process and have completed all necessary actions.

Students may request instructors to authorize a “course override.” Students should not expect that they will be granted permission to schedule courses with conflicts (overlapping times).

Submission Guidelines
Students must discuss the time conflict with instructors of affected courses and get permission to schedule a course conflict. The instructor must sign a “Course Override Form.”

Be Mindful that . . .
Students should discuss their plan to access required instruction with each course instructor and their adviser. By seeking permission, the student accepts the responsibility to complete the same course requirements as other enrolled students.

Late adds are permitted through week 

Submission Guidelines
Students can add a course by submitting a ______ form that is signed by the Course Instructor, Department Chair, and Dean.

Be Mindful that . . .
Students who add a course after the first class meeting of the semester may fall behind on course assignments. Students should discuss the course requirements with the instructor as soon as possible after adding the course.

A student may withdraw from the university through the end of the 12th week of classes. The official deadline is published in the University calendar.

Submission Guidelines
Students must complete and submit a Total Withdrawal Request Form. Students physically unable to complete the withdrawal should contact their adviser.

Be Mindful that . . .
Before withdrawing from the University, students should meet with an adviser and financial aid representative to discuss their decision to withdraw.

All change of grade requests must be directed to the course instructor for resolution.

Submission Guidelines
Grade disputes are resolved within the department and School/College where the course is offered. For changes to submitted grades, an instructor must submit a “Change of Grade” form.

Be Mindful that . . .
When meeting with an instructor about their grades, students should bring all documents and assignments that support their request for reconsideration.

A student must meet with his/her adviser to determine if submitting a retroactive petition is appropriate. Students should not expect that a retroactive request will be granted.

Submission Guidelines
Retroactive Petition Forms are available from advisers and School/College Offices. Requests for retroactive actions must include documentation of rare and extenuating circumstances. Inability to pay tuition and fees is not an acceptable justification for a retroactive petition.

Be Mindful that . . .
An approved retroactive petition may result in unanticipated academic and financial consequences. Students should meet with an adviser and a financial aid representative to discuss their requests.

A student must meet with his/her adviser to determine if submitting a retroactive petition is appropriate. Students should not expect that a retroactive request will be granted.

Submission Guidelines
Retroactive petition Forms are available from advisers and School/College Offices. Requests for retroactive actions must include documentation of rare and extenuating circumstances. Inability to pay tuition and fees is not an acceptable justification for a retroactive petition.

Be Mindful that . . .
An approved retroactive petition may result in unanticipated academic and financial consequences. Students should meet with an adviser and a financial aid representative to discuss their requests.

A student must meet with his/her adviser to determine if submitting a retroactive petition is appropriate. Students should not expect that a retroactive request will be granted.

Submission Guidelines
Retroactive petition Forms are available from advisers and School/College Offices. Requests for retroactive actions must include documentation of rare and extenuating circumstances. Inability to pay tuition and fees is not an acceptable justification for a retroactive petition.

Be Mindful that . . .
An approved retroactive petition may result in unanticipated academic and financial consequences. Students should meet with an adviser and a financial aid representative to discuss their requests.

Policies regarding these requests should be discussed with an adviser and course instructor. The deadline for these actions is published in the University calendar.

Be Mindful that . . .
These actions may affect students’ degree progression. Students should meet with their advisers at least one semester prior to seeking permission to audit a course, take a course P/F or adjust variable credit hours.

All requests must be directed to the course instructor. Instructors issue Incompletes based upon University, Department, and School/College policies. Students should not expect requests for incompletes to be granted without documented special circumstances.

Submission Guidelines
Departments and Schools/College’s may have policies regarding the issuing of incompletes. Students should discuss all grade matters with their course instructor.

Be Mindful that . . .
Incompletes are given due to special and extenuating circumstances unrelated to the anticipated course grade or inability to complete course assignments on time.

Students must complete required work and instructor must submit a “Change of Grade” form by the last day of classes the next semester in which the student is enrolled. Failure to meet this deadline will result in the Incomplete being changed to the permanent alternate grade.

Submission Guidelines
Instructors must submit the “Special Grade Report” Form with requisite signatures.

Be Mindful that . . .
Students are required to follow up to complete all work. Instructors are not responsible for informing students of outstanding work and reminding them of deadlines. Students are encouraged to check Bison Web to ensure that all incompletes have been changed to reflect their completion of course assignments. Grade disputes should be discussed with the course instructor.

In some instances, students may repeat a course for which she/he has earned a grade of “D” or “F.” The lower grade will not be a part of the GPA calculation.

Submission Guidelines
There is no restriction on the number of distinct courses that undergraduate students can repeat under the “Repeat a Course Policy.” However only one grade replacement can be applied per course. Students should consult with their academic advisers regarding how this policy affects the major and minor gpa requirements, eligibility for honors, etc.

Be Mindful that . . .
All grades, including grades no longer calculation due to the application of the “Repeat a Course” policy will appear on the student’s official academic record/transcript.

Student must complete an “Intra-­‐University Transfer Form.” Transfers must be received in the Office of the Registrar by the first day of classes will be effective the same semester. Forms received after the first day of classes will be effective the next semester of enrollment.

Submission Guidelines
Once approved by the former and new School/College and submitted to the Office of the Registrar, the transfer will be processed.

Be Mindful that . . .
Students should meet with advisers in the new School/College to review their academic record and identify requirements for degree completion.

Credit for courses taken at accredited university must be evaluated by the Office of the Registrar and/or the Academic Departments.

Submission Guidelines
For new students, transcripts from your previous institutions will be reviewed by University officials and/or faculty to determine credits transferred to Howard and the application of transfer credits to degree requirements.

Be Mindful that . . .
Students should submit any available course materials (syllabi, course descriptions, etc.) that will assist the review process. Students should regularly check Bison Web and meet with their adviser to monitor the review and posting of transfer credit.

Credit for courses taken at accredited universities must be evaluated by the Office of the Registrar and/or the Academic Departments.

Submission Guidelines
Students should meet with their academic adviser to determine if the course(s) and credit hours can be used to fulfill specific degree requirements.

Be Mindful that . . .
Students should submit available course information (course descriptions, etc.) to facilitate a comprehensive review of the course prior to registering for the course

Howard University students meeting specific requirements may be permitted to enroll in courses at participating area universities. The deadline for enrollment in Consortium courses is published in the University calendar.

Submission Guidelines
Consortium policies and procedures are available in the Office of the Registrar. Students should discuss their potential enrollment in Consortium courses with their adviser at least one semester prior to applying to enroll in a Consortium course.

Be Mindful that . . .
Students are responsible for following the detailed guidelines for completing the Consortium application, and registration processes. Please note that guidelines may vary by institution and enrollment in Consortium courses is not guaranteed.

Eligible students will receive accommodations as required by

Submission Guidelines
Students should contact the Office of Special Student Services (at 202­‐238­‐2420) to get information regarding eligibility requirements, available services, and to request “Self-­Disclosure” and “Request for Service” forms.

Be Mindful that . . .
Students should contact the Office of special student Services at the very beginning of each semester (or during General Registration) to communicate their accommodation needs to the Office of Special Student Services.

Requests for readmission must include:

• an application for admission and
• an approved petition for readmission to the school or college in which the student was last enrolled.

If readmitted, students must adhere to conditions outlined by the School and/or College and the University.

Submission Guidelines
Students seeking readmission must in collaboration with their adviser develop a plan to return to good academic standing. The plan may require that students not apply for readmission for at least one semester.

Be Mindful that . . .
Academic suspension is serious and requires that students take time to reflect on the behavioral and attitude changes that will result in academic habits that facilitate rather than thwart their academic success.

Registration “holds” are issued by a variety of offices including the Office of the Registrar, Department and Schools/Colleges.

Submission Guidelines
Students must meet with their academic adviser to determine the reason for the “hold” and to address the matter so that the hold can be lifted.

Be Mindful that . . .
Students who do not clear registration “holds” prior to the general registration period not be permitted to register and will lose their priority registration.

All students are required to submit a completed Report of Medical History and proof of immunization to vaccine-­‐preventable diseases. Students who do not comply with this requirement will not be permitted to register.

Submission Guidelines
All students should contact the Howard Medical Center to make sure that all Medical Forms have been received.

Be Mindful that . . .
Required immunizations may be completed at the Student Health Center. The on-­campus process may require a series of vaccinations and/or tests. Students are encouraged to complete this process prior to arriving for New Student Orientation.