Academic Policies

The University operates on a semester system. Semesters usually encompass fifteen weeks, and each credit corresponds to fifteen hours of classroom instruction. Students should plan to spend an average of between two and three hours out of class studying for each hour of classroom instruction. Courses with required laboratory or studio time typically have thirty hours of supervised laboratory or studio time for each credit. Non-classroom courses, such as internships and field experiences, require sixty hours of documented work time for each semester credit hour.

 

 

The University accepts transfer credits from regionally accredited institutions. Acceptance of transfer credit from institutions lacking regional accreditation is rarely granted and requires approval of the Provost.

 

English 111 is waived for students with at least a 22 on the English section of the ACT, at least 520 on the verbal section of the SAT, or a score of 81 or above on the COMPASS test. Transfer students with ENG 111 credit may waive the ENG 117 requirement with a score of 85 or above on the COMPASS test.

Math 100 is waived for students with at least a score of 22 on the Mathematics section of the ACT, at least a 520 on the quantitative section of the SAT, or a score of 62 or above on the COMPASS test.

 

 

The University accepts CLEP credit in accordance with ACE guidelines. Specifically, at present, this policy provides for credit for CLEP scaled scores of fifty or above. In addition, the University accepts AP credit in accordance with the recommendation of The College Board. At present, the policy provides credit for scores of 3 or higher. A chart detailing the specific correlation between CLEP and AP credits and University requirements is available through both the Student Services Office and the Registrar’s Office.

 

A freshman is a student who has earned fewer than 32 semester credits. A sophomore must have completed 32 semester credits. A junior must have completed 64 semester credits. A senior must have completed 96 semester credits.

 

During the fall and spring semesters, the maximum student load is nineteen credits per semester, and any student taking a minimum of twelve credits is considered a full-time student. During the summer terms the maximum load is seven credits per six-week session or twelve credits in the ten-week Telecom session. No student may exceed a total of fourteen credits per summer in any combination of terms. Permission to exceed the maximum load at any time must come from the student’s advisor and the Provost.

 

Resident credit is defined as credit offered through the University. Resident credit includes courses taught on campus, by Telecom, and at Extended Campus sites. To satisfy the University graduation residency requirements, thirty of the final forty credits earned for the bachelor degree, or fifteen of the last twenty credits earned for the associate degree, must be credits completed from the University of Great Falls.

 

As long as a student remains in continuous enrollment he or she may graduate by meeting the requirements of the catalog that was in effect at the time of entrance to the university. Continuous enrollment is defined as successful completion of at least twelve credits in residence per year.

 

To graduate, students must submit a formal application for graduation to the Registrar’s Office. Students should work closely with their academic advisor on course selection to ensure that course requirements for graduation are met; however, each student retains ultimate responsibility for meeting all graduation requirements. The formal application deadlines for graduation are listed on the Academic Catalog.
Applicants who do not meet the deadline for submission of their application will not be processed for graduation unless they receive approval from the Registrar. Applicants who do not meet graduation requirements in the term for which they applied must re-apply. The graduation fee is assessed for each degree including separate fees for undergraduate and graduate degrees.