Academic Regulations
ACADEMIC CALENDAR
General academic calendars are printed at the beginning of this Bulletin. Calendars are also published in the Schedule of Classes. Students are responsible for adhering to the deadlines published in these calendars, and for keeping track of amendments to these calendars.
REGISTRATION
Students are required to register in person at the times specified in the Academic Calendar. Contact the Office of the Registrar or your academic department for specific registration times. In unusual circumstances, out-of-town students may petition the Registrar for permission to register by mail.
All student programs must be approved by the student’s academic advisor prior to registration; academic departments will assign students advisement appointments. Contact your department for further information. All fees are payable by the first day of class. Progressively larger late fees will be added to the students account if they register late, depending on how many days have passed. A schedule of these fees and dates are published with each Schedule of Classes.
SCHEDULE OF CLASSES
Each semester, the University publishes a Schedule of Classes. The schedule lists specific course offerings for a given semester, as well as instructors, times, and other pertinent information. It also includes a detailed academic calendar for the current semester.
CLASS ATTENDANCE
Students are expected to attend all scheduled meetings of every class for which they are registered. While the University has no formal attendance requirements, individual instructors may institute attendance requirements providing they communicate this, in writing, to the students at the beginning of the semester along with the penalty for violations. In case of special hardship, a student may petition the academic dean or director of the program for suspension of the requirement or permission to withdraw without penalty. Colloquia and internship classes always have attendance requirements.
FINAL EXAMINATIONS
It is the prerogative of the instructor to determine whether a final examination and/or a term paper shall be required in any given course. However, if a final examination is given, it must be given on the day and time advertised in the Schedule of Classes unless all students in a class agree to an alternative. Students are expected to be present for regularly scheduled final examinations unless, because of illness or other unavoidable circumstances, a student finds it impossible to report for a final examination at the scheduled time. In this case, he or she must inform the instructor as well as the appropriate academic dean or program director in advance and petition for permission to take a makeup examination.
ADDING AND WITHDRAWING FROM COURSES
Students may add or withdraw from courses as follows:
WEEKS ONE AND TWO
During the first two weeks of class, students may drop any course for which they have registered, though students should be aware of the course requirements for their programs. Adding, dropping, or withdrawing from a class requires the permission of the class instructor, the advisor, and the appropriate academic dean. There will be no fee for such changes, and courses that are dropped will not appear on the student’s transcript. In order to add, drop, or withdraw from a course, the student must complete the appropriate forms that may be obtained in the Office of the Registrar. Nonattendance does not constitute withdrawal from a course. Any exceptions to these policies must be approved by the dean of the program.
WEEKS THREE THROUGH EIGHT
During the third through eighth weeks of class, students may withdraw from courses only with the approval of the instructor, advisor, and the appropriate academic dean. Students will receive a Withdrawal on their transcript for these courses.
AFTER WEEK EIGHT
Withdrawals are not permitted after week eight. Students may petition with appropriate evidentiary documentation for withdrawal in the case of accident or serious illness, where the cause of the withdrawal is clearly beyond the student’s control, and where the assignment of an Incomplete is not practical. Students requesting such a withdrawal must complete the appropriate forms in the Office of the Registrar, and must also receive the permission of the instructor, advisor, and the appropriate academic dean. Should the petition be approved, a grade of W will then be recorded on the transcript.
MEDICAL WITHDRAWAL POLICY
A student seeking a medical withdrawal from American Jewish University must secure the appropriate approvals through the petition process. The student should obtain instructions as well as a petition form from the Registrar’s Office. Medical withdrawal may be granted based on certain documented, extenuating medical circumstances. The petition may be granted if all required approvals are obtained.
The petition, a triplicate form available at the Registrar’s office, should include Attached verifying documentation from the student’s personal physician. It will then be evaluated and approved initially by the Office of Student Affairs. The Office of Student Affairs will then refer the petition to the dean or director of the program for approval. If a medical withdrawal is granted, a medical reevaluation from the student’s personal physician may be required prior to re-enrollment.
Normally a medical withdrawal constitutes complete withdrawal from the University for no more than one academic year. Students who wish to medically withdraw from the University for more than one year must reapply to the University. A partial medical withdrawal may be granted if sufficient medical grounds exist and specific documentation is provided by the student’s physician. All medical withdrawal petitions must be favorably approved by the Office of Student Affairs and the program dean or director.
In all cases where a student either does not appropriately request a withdrawal or is not granted one and nonetheless fails to complete the course requirements, a grade of F will be recorded.
These policies are applicable to both undergraduate and graduate students.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
A leave of absence is granted by petition to students in good academic standing for each semester requested, for a maximum of two semesters. The petition must be approved by the appropriate academic dean and submitted to the Registrar. Students must reapply for each additional semester requested. Approval of a request for a leave of absence is not automatic.
The fee for each semester on leave of absence will be equivalent to the registration fee for that semester. Students who fail to apply for a leave of absence or who, after receiving a leave of absence fail to pay the registration fee, must contact the Office of Admissions in order to apply for readmission to the program in which they were enrolled.
SPECIAL STUDENT STATUS
In addition to matriculating students, we also welcome students in the following special categories:
CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT:
Fulltime undergraduate students at neighboring accredited colleges and universities may enroll concurrently at American Jewish University. Students interested in the concurrent enrollment program should consult with their advisors at their home campuses concerning regulations and the transfer of units, and with the academic head of the school or graduate program in which they wish to enroll at the University.
CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS:
Concurrent Enrollment allows high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn college credit while in high school. Students wishing to enter the Concurrent Enrollment Program must submit a complete AJU application for admission and pay the $50 application fee. In addition, the supplemental Concurrent Enrollment Application must be completed.
VISITING STUDENTS (Non-matriculating students):
Individuals other than admitted students wishing to enroll in courses may take, on a non-matriculated basis, up to seven units each semester (for a total of 15 units) at the regular tuition rate. All registration and late fees apply to these students. Approval to take courses as a non-matriculated student must be obtained from the dean or director of the program in which the student wishes to take the course.
INSTITUTE FOR JEWISH EDUCATORS:
Each semester the Fingerhut School of Education sponsors courses in cooperation with the Bureau of Jewish education of Greater Los Angeles. These courses are designed for educators working in the field. Students in this program may take as many courses as are offered; there is no limit to the number of units a non-matriculating student in this category may earn. However, most courses taken in this program may not be applied toward degrees earned at American Jewish University. Check with the Bureau of Jewish Education or the Dean of the Fingerhut School of Education for more information.
Special Summer Institute courses for professional educators are described in the Fingerhut School of Education announcements. Please see that section of this Bulletin for details.
HIGH SCHOOL HONORS:
Students admitted to this program will be awarded a tuition scholarship enabling them to take one course per semester, paying only the registration fee for the course in which they enroll. Students may take any class listed in the Schedule of Classes, except Hebrew language. Credit awarded for work completed in the American Jewish University High School Honors Program may be applied toward requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree from American Jewish University or other accredited colleges and universities.
GRADES AND UNIVERSITY RECORDS
THE GRADING SYSTEM
Grades are defined as follows: A, excellent; B, good; C, satisfactory; D, poor; F, failure; I, incomplete (see separate section for more information); W, withdrawal without penalty; P, passing; and *, course still in progress (usually two semester courses of which one semester has been completed).
For computing grade point average, the numerical equivalents are as follows:
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+=1.3; D=1.0; D-=0.7; and F=0.0. Grades of P and W are not included in the grade point average. D is the lowest passing grade for courses in the College of Arts and Sciences. However, a minimum grade of C- is required for Freshman Seminar courses in a student’s major, and in approved courses that are prerequisites for more advanced courses in the student’s major. Check with the departmental requirements or with the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences for details. C- is the minimum passing course grade for graduate students. In the graduate programs, when a student receives a grade lower than a B in any course, the program head will review the case and may require that the student demonstrate competency in additional ways. Each program will develop and publish its own guidelines for determining competency.
INCOMPLETES
A student who fails to complete all required examinations and papers by the end of the semester will receive a grade based on the work completed by the end of the finals period. In no case will the professor establish deadlines later than the last day of the finals period. The student may petition for a grade of I (incomplete) in a course when unusual circumstances make it impossible to fulfill the requirements on time and he/she is doing passing work in the course. This petition must be first submitted to the instructor for written approval. In addition, the student must obtain the signatures of his/her advisor and the Academic Program Head. Students must submit petitions no later than the last day of class of a given semester. No petitions are accepted beyond this date. An Incomplete must be removed by completion of the required work no later than 30 calendar days beginning the Monday after the end of classes. If the Incomplete is not removed within this time frame, the grade of F will be recorded. Candidates for graduation for any program may not petition for incompletes in their final semester prior to graduation. Similarly, a student who has been on probation for two consecutive semesters may not request an incomplete the following semester.
TRANSCRIPTS
Upon completion of an on-line transcript request or a transcript request form available in the Office of the Registrar, students may receive, or have issued on their behalf, transcripts showing all work taken by them at the University. Transcripts will be issued upon application at the cost of $5.00* for each copy. Transcripts will not be issued for students who have not paid all outstanding financial obligations to the University.
*All fees are subject to change without notice.
STUDENTS AND GRADES
Students are responsible for checking their grade reports after each semester. Any discrepancies must be reported, in writing, to the Office of the Registrar within six months from the date the grades are issued.
DEAN’S LIST AND GRADUATION WITH HONORS
Inclusion on the Dean’s List is awarded to full-time undergraduate students who earn a GPA of 3.6 or higher in any given semester. Dean’s List is recorded on students’ transcripts.
Students may graduate with the following honors:
3.4 GPA Cum Laude (with honors)
3.6 GPA Magna Cum Laude (with high honors)
3.8 GPA Summa Cum Laude (with highest honors)
ACADEMIC PROBATION
Undergraduate students must maintain at least a C average (2.0 grade point average); graduate students must maintain a B average (3.0 grade point average). Students who drop below the minimum average will be placed on probation for one semester. Students are subject to dismissal if the grades achieved in the probation semester are not sufficient to raise the overall average to the required minimum after an entire academic year has passed. Students who have been dismissed for failure to meet scholarship requirements may apply for re-admission upon presentation of evidence of satisfactory academic work completed at another accredited institution subsequent to dismissal from the University.
American Jewish University is required to establish and apply reasonable standards for measuring whether an eligible financial aid applicant is maintaining satisfactory academic progress. All Financial Aid applicants are monitored on an annual basis for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). If a student drops below the required GPA for two consecutive semesters, s/he will be placed on Financial Aid probation the following semester. Financial Aid recipients will be disqualified for Financial Aid if the GPA in the third semester is still below the required GPA.
MINIMUM GRADES
To graduate, undergraduates must receive a minimum of a C- grade in Freshman Seminars, courses in their majors, and in courses the department considers to be prerequisites for more advanced courses. Graduate students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0.
REPEAT AND DROP POLICY
If a course is successfully repeated after the grade earned was a D or F, the grade will be replaced in the GPA for the first 15 units, repeated by exactly the same course taken at American Jewish University. The first grade earned will be listed on the transcript with 0 units next to the course. The second grade will be listed with full credit, and that grade will be counted in the grade point average. If a course is repeated a third time, the second and third grades will be averaged. Beyond 15 units, both grades will be recorded and counted in the GPA.
PASS/FAIL OPTION
Full-time undergraduate students may take one course per semester (with a maximum of eight) on a Pass/ Fail basis. Courses offered only on a Pass/Fail basis will not count toward the student’s one course limit.
Undergraduate students may not take Freshman Seminar courses, core curriculum courses, or upper-division courses (200 level and above) in their major or courses for the minor on a Pass/Fail basis. They may take elective courses and introductory courses, other than those in the major, on a Pass/Fail basis.
Part-time and graduate students may not take courses on a Pass/Fail basis, except for those courses offered only on a Pass/Fail basis (such as Colloquium). Graduate students taking undergraduate courses for any purpose, including prerequisites, may not take courses on a Pass/Fail basis.
Students must make decisions about the Pass/Fail option within the deadline included in the Academic Calendar. No changes in either direction will be permitted after the deadline has passed. A Pass will be awarded for a C- or above for both undergraduate and graduate classes. Grades below these minimums will be recorded as an F and will be calculated as such in the GPA.
INDEPENDENT STUDY
Students may earn units through independent study with permission granted for special study projects not covered in the general course offerings. The program of independent study must be approved, in writing, by the instructor overseeing the independent project. A detailed outline of the study project, including material to be covered, bibliography, written work to be submitted, etc., must then be submitted to the academic head of the school in which the student is enrolled for his/ her approval. All independent study courses must be documented using the Independent Study form developed by the Registrar and signed by the instructor, academic advisor and academic program head. Said form shall be filed in the Registrar’s Office by the deadline for adding classes in the semester in which the Independent Study is to be taken.
Students may not take required courses by independent study, although in special cases students may receive permission to earn credit for an elective course. In these cases, the aforementioned procedure must be followed.
No more than 12 units of independent study will be counted toward degree requirements unless special permission to do so has been given (such as in an Individualized Major where classes needed may not be offered), and only one independent study may be taken per semester.
AUDITING COURSES
Students may audit courses, or enroll in them without receiving credit. They are not obligated to write papers or take examinations; they are expected to attend class regularly and to complete all reading assignments. If auditing students do not prepare the assignments, instructors have the right to bar them from attending classes.
Students who audit courses pay full registration and tuition fees for the courses they audit. A grade of “Auditor” will be recorded for auditors who meet regular attendance requirements; otherwise, the grade of W will be recorded. Students who are admitted to the University and are enrolled in courses for credit may audit additional courses. Students who meet the academic requirements of the various schools of the University, but have not formally applied for admission, may request permission to enroll from the instructor of the course to be audited.
Auditors wishing to enroll in the University for credit must complete the regular admission procedure. After the late registration period, students may not change their status in a course from that of a regularly enrolled student to that of an auditor or vice versa.