Academic Advising Center

FAQ - Academic Issues and University Policies

1.  How many course units do I need to be a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior?

  • FRESHMEN: Students who have earned less than seven course units.
  • SOPHOMORES: Students who have earned at least seven but less than 15 course units.
  • JUNIORS: Students who have earned at least 15 but less than 24 course units.
  • SENIORS: Students who have earned at least 24 course units and who have the ability to complete all graduation requirements during the academic year.

2.  What is the Credit/No Credit grading option and how do I change a course from graded to Credit/No Credit?
When a student selects this option, the final grade in the course will be either Credit or No Credit. In order to be eligible to take a course for Credit/No Credit, a student must have completed eight course units, must be in good standing (GPA of 2.0 or above). The Credit/No Credit option may be elected only by declaring this intention in the Office of the Registrar — it may not be done on the web-based registration system. The option may be dropped within the regular period for dropping courses. No more than one Credit/No Credit course may be taken in a single term, and no more than six such courses may be taken by an individual student at Illinois Wesleyan. No course originally taken for a grade may be retaken for Credit/No Credit. Only elective courses, i.e., courses which are not used to satisfy general education, major or minor field requirements, may be taken under this designation. In the case of a course taken in a field in which a major or minor is later declared, it may be counted toward the major or minor if the appropriate department chair approves. Typically, students may not elect to take coursework abroad on a credit/no credit basis, regardless of the policies of their study abroad program and/or host university. When departments offer courses for Credit/No Credit only, the policies applying to the student–selected Credit/No Credit option do not apply. The Credit/No Credit Option is not available to students during May Term. In exceptional cases, a course may be offered on a credit/no credit basis.

3.  How do I calculate my grade point average (GPA)?
A student’s cumulative grade average (GPA) is based on grades and credits earned at Illinois Wesleyan University.  It is determined by dividing the total number of earned quality points by the total number of graded units of credit for which he or she has been enrolled at IWU, including affiliated off-campus and affiliated study abroad programs.

A = 4.0 ,   A- = 3.7,   B+ = 3.3,   B = 3.0,   B- = 2.7,   C+ = 2.3,   C = 2.0,   C- = 1.7,   D = 1.0,    F = 0

4.  Can I repeat a course?
Only courses graded below a “C-”may be repeated. All grades for any courses taken, whether repeated or not, and whether taken at IWU or not, remain permanently on the IWU transcript; however, only the grade and credit recorded the last time the course was taken may be used in the calculation of the GPA and credits earned. Only grades earned at IWU, including affiliated off-campus and affiliated study abroad programs, are used to calculate the GPA. Therefore, repeating a course elsewhere may remove an IWU grade and credit from the GPA calculation, but transferred-in grades and credits will not be included in the calculation.

5.  What is Academic Probation?
When a student’s cumulative grade average is below 2.00, the student is classified “on academic probation.”

6.  What is Academic Disqualification?
ACADEMIC DISQUALIFICATION – Students whose cumulative grade averages fall below the following standard shall be disqualified from attendance at the University (unless allowed to continue under the specific written prescriptions of the Associate Provost):

  • GPA at the end of one full year of college study must be 1.5 or higher.
  • GPA at the end of two full years of college study must be 1.8 or higher.
  • GPA at the end of three full years of college study must be 2.0 or higher.
  • Beyond three years of college study the student must maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative average through graduation.

All GPA calculations for probation and disqualification are exclusive of military science courses. Students who have been academically disqualified may gain readmission to the University only though the Admission Office and the regular application process.

7.  What is academic distinction?
Students with excellent academic records are recognized at Commencement with the awarding of the degree cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude. These honors are based on the final cumulative grade average for Illinois Wesleyan coursework according to the following scale (exclusive of military science): cum laude – 3.50 or higher, magna cum laude – 3.70 or higher, and summa cum laude – 3.90 or higher.

8.  How do I withdraw from the University?
A student who is considering withdrawal from the University should discuss plans with the Dean of Students and the academic advisor. Notification of intent to withdraw will be considered official only after the student has completed and returned a withdrawal card to the Registrar. Official withdrawal after the thirtieth class day must be approved by the Registrar and Dean of Students.