Repeat PolicY

University Repeat Policies (Policy #3190)

Overall Repeat Maximum

While earning an undergraduate degree, the maximum number of overall course repeats is six (6), not including repeatable courses. For the purposes of counting the overall repeat maximum neither Ws nor CWs count. Once a student has exhausted six (6) repeats:

• The students must either meet with the department of their current major to receive permission to continue in the major or declare a new major. If declaring a new major, the student must select a major that can be completed without incurring additional repeats.

• The maximum number of six (6) repeats is not reset with a change of major.

Individual Course Repeat Maximum

• A student can attempt an individual course a maximum of two (2) times, unless the course is a repeatable course.

• Third or subsequent attempts require approval of the academic advisor of the student’s major and the chair of the department offering the course. For the purposes of counting individual Course Repeats, Ws and CWs count in the number of attempts.

MSE Repeat Policy

This MSMSE policy is designed to support students who are struggling academically. Because repeating a course takes time and money, as well as extends the time to degree, we want to ensure that we are supporting students who find themselves in this position. Furthermore, when a high number of courses have been repeated, we want to make sure that students are, in fact, working toward a degree that they can accomplish in a timely manner.

Requesting a third attempt at a course

Students who have repeated a course and still not passed (e.g., after two attempts) are required to complete a “Request to Exceed Maximum Course Registration” form (available through the Registrar's website) and the MSMSE Permission for a Third Attempt form.

This form requires approval by the student’s advisor, as well as the chair of the department offering the course. In MSMSE, the Associate Director for Undergraduate Programs will sign in place of the advisor for all such requests.

MSMSE will use the following criteria when evaluating a request to sign a “Request to Exceed Maximum Course Registration” form:

If the student has accumulated six (6) or more grades below C- (including W) in degree-required MATH, CHEM, PHYS, ENGR, or MSE courses during their academic career, their request to repeat a course will be denied and they will be encouraged to meet with an advisor to review academic career options.

• If the student has accumulated fewer than six (6) grades below C- (including W) in degree-required MATH, CHEM, PHYS, ENGR, CS or ME courses during their academic career, their first request will be approved, but they must initiate a student success plan as part of the approval process. This plan will be reviewed and signed by the Associate Director for Undergraduate Programs.

• If the student requires a second request to exceed maximum course registration,

  • If they met the terms of the student success plan and passed the course after the first request, they will be eligible for MSMSE approval for a subsequent request.

  • If they didn’t pass the course on the first request, we will not approve subsequent requests.

Exceeding the maximum (6) repeats

If a student has exceeded the number of repeats allowed (i.e., the student has 6 or more repeats and/or will need to exceed that number to complete all degree requirements for MSMSE), the following steps will be taken.

• The student must complete the Permission to Remain in Major form along with a student success plan.

• The Associate Director for Undergraduate Programs and Academic Programs Manager will determine whether or not a student should be allowed to continue in the MSE major. In considering whether or not we will grant the request, we will consider, among other things: which courses were repeated; when the first (and/or second) attempt was made; the student’s academic progress since the repeats; how changing their major may have affected academic progress.

• If the Associate Director for Undergraduate Programs and Academic Programs Manager determine that the student can continue enrolling in MSE courses, it will be on the condition that the student passes all subsequent courses with a grade of C- or better. Any grade of D+ or lower will result in the student needing to change to a different major.

• A registration hold will be placed. The student needs to meet with the Associate Director for Undergraduate Programs for advising. As part of the meeting, the student will need to develop a student success plan.

• The student’s performance in each semester will determine how we proceed:

• If the student has a semester GPA of 3.0 or higher, then no student success plan is needed.

• If the student has a semester GPA < 3.0 but passed all courses with a grade of C- or better, then the student can continue in the MSE major, but with a continuation or (or revision to) their student success plan.

• If the student earned a grade of D+ or lower in any of the courses, the student will not be allowed to continue in the MSE major and will need to choose a new major.

Student success plan

The purpose of the student success plan is for students to (1) reflect on the approaches they’ve used in the past that have resulted in courses needed to be repeated and (2) developing a plan which will (ideally) result in a different outcome in the future. The components of the student success plan will ultimately be chosen by the student, in consultation with the Associate Director for Undergraduate Programs.

The student’s student success plan should include about 3-4 specific actions they will take to increase the likelihood of success moving forward. These might be chosen from the following:

• using tutoring resources

• attending learning assistant sessions

• using the writing center

• participating in study skills workshops

• enlisting academic coaching

• completing ACAD courses

• committing to attend the instructor’s office hours

• seeking counseling or other wellness services

• other ideas from the student

The student and Associate Director for Undergraduate Programs agree on the plan. As the semester unfolds, the student will check in monthly with the Associate Director for Undergraduate Programs to provide an update and documentation (as appropriate) regarding their academic progress.