Grading Scale

Letter Grades & Point Values:
A: 4.0 (93–100%) | A–: 3.7 (90–92%) | B+: 3.3 (87–89%) | B: 3.0 (83–86%) | B–: 2.7 (80–82%) | C+: 2.3 (77–79%) | C: 2.0 (73–76%) | C–: 1.7 (70–72%) | D+: 1.3 (67–69%) | D: 1.0 (63–66%) | D–: 0.7 (60–62%) | F: 0.0 (below 60%)

Additional Grade Marks:
• W (Withdrawal) — No GPA impact
• I (Incomplete) — Must be resolved within one semester or converts to F
• P/NP (Pass/No Pass) — Available for up to 2 elective courses per year with advisor approval; does not affect GPA
• AU (Audit) — No credit, no GPA impact

Grade Disputes: Must be initiated within 30 days of grade posting. Process: (1) Discuss with instructor, (2) Appeal to department chair, (3) Appeal to Academic Standards Committee.

Dean’s List: Semester GPA of 3.5+ with 12+ credits. President’s List: Semester GPA of 3.9+ with 12+ credits.

Academic Standing

Good Standing: Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.

Academic Warning: Semester GPA below 2.0 but cumulative GPA above 2.0. Student receives notification and is advised to meet with an academic advisor.

Academic Probation: Cumulative GPA falls below 2.0. Mandatory meeting with academic advisor within 2 weeks. Required participation in Academic Recovery Program (study skills workshops, bi-weekly check-ins). Limited to 14 credit hours. Ineligible for some extracurricular leadership positions.

Academic Suspension: Cumulative GPA below 2.0 for two consecutive semesters while on probation. Student is suspended for minimum one semester. May apply for readmission after suspension period with Academic Recovery Plan.

Academic Dismissal: Failure to achieve good standing after readmission from suspension. Must wait minimum one calendar year before reapplying.

Graduate Students: Minimum 3.0 GPA required; below 3.0 triggers probation. Two semesters below 3.0 results in dismissal from program.

Credit & Course Load

Full-Time Enrollment: 12–18 credits/semester (undergraduate), 9+ credits (graduate). Normal load: 15–16 credits (undergraduate).

Overload: 19+ credits requires advisor approval and minimum 3.3 GPA. Maximum: 21 credits with dean’s approval.

Financial Aid Requirements: 12 credits (full-time), 9 credits (three-quarter), 6 credits (half-time).

Credit by Examination: AP (score of 3+ for credit, varies by department) | IB (Higher Level score of 5+) | CLEP (minimum score varies). Maximum 30 credits by examination.

Transfer Credits: Maximum 75 credits from accredited institutions. Minimum C grade required. Evaluated by Registrar within 2 weeks of transcript receipt.

Course Repeat Policy: Students may repeat a course once; highest grade counts in GPA. Third attempt requires department chair approval.

Honor Code

All students are bound by the Mongoose University Honor Code upon enrollment. Core Principles: Honesty, Trust, Fairness, Respect, Responsibility.

Academic Dishonesty Includes:
• Plagiarism — Representing others’ work as your own, including AI-generated content submitted without attribution
• Cheating — Unauthorized materials or collaboration on exams
• Fabrication — Falsifying data, citations, or records
• Facilitating Dishonesty — Helping another student cheat
• Multiple Submission — Submitting the same work for multiple courses without permission

AI Policy: Use of AI writing tools (ChatGPT, etc.) must be disclosed per your instructor’s syllabus. Some courses permit AI assistance with attribution; others prohibit it entirely. When in doubt, ask the instructor.

Disciplinary Process

Reporting: Suspected violations reported by faculty to the Office of Academic Integrity (academicintegrity@mongooseuniversity.edu).

Process:
1) Student receives written notice of allegation
2) Meeting with Academic Integrity Officer (student may bring an advisor/support person)
3) Finding of responsible or not responsible
4) If responsible, sanctions are determined

Sanctions: Warning (first minor offense) | Grade reduction on assignment | Grade of F for the course | Academic probation | Suspension (1–2 semesters) | Expulsion (permanent). All findings recorded in student’s academic integrity file.

Second Offense: Typically results in suspension or expulsion.

Appeals: May be submitted to the Academic Standards Committee within 10 business days. Transcript notation for suspension or expulsion.

FERPA & Student Privacy

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects student education records.

Your Rights:
• Inspect and review your education records
• Request amendment of inaccurate records
• Control disclosure of personally identifiable information
• File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education

Directory Information: Name, email, major, enrollment status, degrees earned, honors may be released unless you file a FERPA block through the Registrar. FERPA block must be renewed annually.

Parents/Guardians: Students must provide written consent (FERPA Release Form at registrar.mongooseuniversity.edu/ferpa) for parents to access grades, financial information, or conduct records. Exception: Parents may access financial records if the student is a dependent for tax purposes (IRS dependency override).

Honors Program

Admission: Invitation-based—3.5+ GPA and 1300+ SAT (or 29+ ACT) for incoming freshmen. Current students may apply with 3.5+ GPA after one semester.

Benefits:
• Small honors sections (15 students max)
• Honors housing option in Lakeside Commons
• Priority registration
• Honors thesis/capstone opportunity
• Special notation on transcript and diploma

Requirements: Maintain 3.5 GPA, complete 24 honors credits (including HNRS 101 and 4 honors-designated courses), complete honors thesis or capstone in senior year.

Funding: Honors Study Abroad scholarship $2,500. Phi Beta Kappa: Eligible juniors and seniors invited based on liberal arts coursework and GPA.

Study Abroad

Programs: 45 programs in 28 countries through the Center for Global Education (globaleduc@mongooseuniversity.edu, (555) 478-3175). Semester, full-year, and summer options.

Popular Destinations: London, Barcelona, Florence, Tokyo, Dublin, Cape Town, Buenos Aires.

Financial Aid: All financial aid transfers to approved study abroad programs.

Scholarships: Global Mongoose Award ($3,000) | Honors Study Abroad ($2,500) | Need-based study abroad grants (up to $5,000).

Requirements: GPA 2.75 minimum (some programs higher). Application deadlines: March 1 (fall), October 1 (spring). Language requirement: some programs require minimum proficiency. Faculty-led short-term programs (2–3 weeks, winter/summer) available.

Independent Study, Internships & Research

Independent Study (1–3 credits): Student-initiated, faculty-supervised research or creative project. Requires proposal approved by faculty sponsor and department chair. Available to juniors and seniors with 3.0+ GPA.

Internship for Credit (1–6 credits): Supervised professional experience related to your field. Minimum 45 hours per credit. Must be approved by academic department and Career Services. Paid and unpaid internships eligible.

Undergraduate Research (1–3 credits): Work in a faculty research lab. Funded research assistantships available through the Office of Undergraduate Research (up to $3,000 stipend for summer research).

Mongoose Research Symposium: Each April—300+ student presentations (posters, oral, creative). Research Honors: Students completing a thesis-quality research project graduate “with Research Distinction” noted on transcript and diploma.