Academic Policies and Procedures
- Academic Progress
- Academic Progressions
- Academic Standing
- Class Attendance
- LPS (formerly CGS) Course Credits
- Course Load
- Course Selection/Drop Period
- Examinations
- Grading
- Internal Transfer
- Leave of Absence
- Petitions for Exceptions
- Residency Requirement for External Transfers
- Transfer Credit
- Verification Letters
- Withdrawal from Courses
To maintain satisfactory progress at Wharton, students are expected to:
- Maintain a minimum semester GPA of 2.0,
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0,
- Have no more than two I, F, GR or NR grades for the academic term, and
- Complete a minimum of 8 cu’s in an academic year.
Students are responsible for successful completion of all degree requirements and are expected to work with an advisor to ensure that satisfactory progress is being made throughout their academic careers. The Academic Progressions Committee will review students who do not complete at least 8 course units per academic year and/or students who do not complete Wharton courses required for the degree in a timely manner. Students who do not meet these minimum academic standards may be placed on a one-year mandatory leave of absence.
The Academic Standing Committee monitors the academic performance of all undergraduates. At the end of every semester, the committee reviews the performance of all students and assesses their academic standing. The following sanctions may be rendered against a student whose performance falls below the school's standard for making satisfactory progress.
Probation: Students who have a semester GPA below 2.0 will be placed on probation by the Academic Standing Committee. Once on probation, students must take four courses in the following semester, must earn at least a 2.0 term GPA with no I, F, W, or GR grades, and may lose the ability to participate in school-based co-curricular activities. Students on probation must meet regularly with an academic advisor in the Undergraduate Division.
Students who have previously been placed on Probation and fall below the school’s standard for satisfactory progress in any subsequent semester will be subject to more serious sanctions than students who are facing academic difficulties for the first time.
Drop Warning: Students may be placed on Drop Warning if they fall significantly below the level of academic performance required to make progress toward graduation, if they have two consecutive semesters with a GPA below 2.0, or if they have one semester with a GPA below 1.50. Once students have been placed on Drop Warning, they must take four courses in the following semester, must earn at least a 2.0 term GPA with no I, F, W, or GR grades, and may lose the ability to participate in school-based co-curricular activities. This action is intended to provide students with an opportunity to show improvement in their academic course work.
Students who have previously been placed on Drop Warning and fall below the school’s standard for satisfactory progress in any subsequent semester will be subject to more serious sanctions than students who are facing academic difficulties for the first time.
First Drop: Students who continue to earn failing grades or otherwise perform very poorly, showing no significant improvement, will be dropped from the rolls of the University. The First Drop action requires a minimum one-year mandatory leave from the University. During this period, students may not enroll in another institution with the intent of transferring those credits to Penn. At the end of the one-year period, students may apply to the Academic Standing Committee for reinstatement. The committee may require medical or employment documentation to assist in making its decision. If re-admitted, students must maintain good academic standing through graduation or they will be dropped from the university without further warning, with no opportunity for readmission.
Students who feel that extenuating circumstances warrant continued enrollment may submit an appeal to the Academic Standing Committee to rescind its drop decision and permit them to continue their course of study without interruption.
At the discretion of the Academic Standing Committee, students may be placed on Drop Warning or First Drop because of poor academic performance.
Second Drop: A Second Drop action is permanent and irrevocable.
Students are expected to attend all classes. A class for which a student is registered is an appointment that takes precedence over all other engagements. In all courses, the faculty member in charge of the course will determine the number of absences permitted without incurring a penalty. Non-attendance or frequent absences in a course may result in a grade of F at the end of the term.
College of Liberal and Professional Studies Course Credits
Wharton students may take courses in the College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS), whether day or evening classes, for full credit and may count them toward the curriculum requirements. Refer to the Advising & Registration section of the handbook for information on permits for LPS courses.
Wharton offers only a full-time program of study. The minimum course load is 4 cus per term for the Bachelor of Science degree, although many Wharton undergraduates complete 5 cus per term.
Registration for a reduced course load of fewer than 4 cus per term may have implications for financial aid, among other areas. Please refer to page 26 of the handbook for financial policies and procedures related to course load.
First-year students may not take more than five courses during the first semester. Students must be approved for more than 5.5 course units in subsequent semesters by an advisor in the Undergraduate Division.
Students may request courses in Penn InTouch until the end of the second week of classes. After the first two weeks, students may request additional courses only with the permission of the instructors. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that s/he is properly enrolled or not enrolled in courses. This may be done by accessing Penn InTouch or by checking with an advisor in the Undergraduate Division.
Students may drop courses in Penn InTouch until the end of the fifth week of classes. Students may not drop a course after the drop period ends. They may, however, withdraw until the end of the tenth week of class; see the section on course withdrawals on page 26 in the handbook.
Some academic departments have different rules governing their course selection, drop and withdrawal policies. Consult the department websites and individual faculty for more information.
Students who are receiving financial aid should check with Student Financial Services before dropping a course, since some aid packages require a minimum number of credits per semester. International students have strict course load requirements and must consult with the Office of International Programs about maintaining a full course load.
Midterm Examinations: Students who miss a scheduled midterm examination may take a postponed exam only with the approval of the instructor in charge of the course.
Final Examinations: If final exams are given at the end of the term, they must be given at times published in the University Course Roster. Students may not take final exams at times other than those specified. For rules governing final exams, refer to http://www.upenn.edu/registrar/pdf_main/Exam_Rules.pdf.
Students may check posted grades at any time by accessing Penn InTouch.
Term Grades: Grades are reported for each course at the end of the term. Students must obtain a grade of D or better to receive credit in any course.
Grading System: All Wharton courses are graded on a plus/minus system, from A+ to F. All students taking Wharton courses will be graded in the same manner. Wharton students who take courses in any other school of the University are subject to that school's grading system for those courses.
The grade point average (GPA) is tabulated at the end of every semester based on the following: A+, 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), and F (0.0). There is no grade of D-.
Dean's List: The Dean’s List is an academic honor that is reflected on a student’s transcript. In order to achieve Dean’s List honors, a student must:
- Achieve a grade point average of 3.70 or higher over the two consecutive semesters of one academic year (excluding summer)
- Have no grade lower than a C
- Complete six or more courses for letter grades
- Have no incompletes
- Have no disciplinary action taken against him/her
Graduation Honors: Graduation Honors are based on cumulative GPA at the time of graduation.
Summa Cum Laude 3.80 - 4.00 GPA
Magna Cum Laude 3.60 - 3.79 GPA
Cum Laude 3.40 - 3.59 GPA
Pass/Fail (P/F): Wharton undergraduates may take up to three courses in the General Education Distribution and the elective areas on a P/F basis. All three Global Environment courses and second concentration courses counting as Unrestricted Electives must be taken for a grade.
Students may take no more than one course P/F in a given semester, with the exception of second-semester seniors, who may take two courses pass/fail. First-semester freshmen cannot take a course P/F.
A grade of D or better in a course taken P/F will appear on the transcript with a P, denoting a pass. F will appear on the transcript for a failing grade. Ps do not figure into the GPA. Fs are included in the GPA.
Instructors are not made aware of the grading type of a course. Therefore, it is the student’s responsibility to confirm the grade type in Penn InTouch. The grade type of a course may not be changed after the drop deadline.
Changing Grade Type: The registration system asks students to choose a grade type (grade or pass/fail) when they register for a course. Students may change a course's grade type until the end of the drop period. There are certain restrictions on the use of pass/fail courses in the curriculum; see the section on pass/fail above.
It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that his/her enrollment accurately reflects the desired grade type for a course. Students may do so by checking Penn InTouch.
Incomplete Grades: In extenuating circumstances, students may be granted an extension of time by an instructor to complete course requirements including taking a make-up exam. In this case, the grade of I (incomplete) is recorded; however, work must be completed for the course within the first five weeks of the next semester, or the I will automatically convert to an F for the course. The grade of F will remain on the transcript until the work has been completed and the instructor has submitted a change of grade for the course.
Failing Grades: An F in a course will permanently remain on the transcript and will be factored in when calculating a student’s cumulative GPA. If the course is retaken, the new grade will not replace the original F; however, the new grade will be counted toward the cumulative GPA and the student will receive credit for the repeated course. If a student receives an F in a required course, the course must be retaken. If a student receives an F in a non-required course, s/he may either repeat the course or substitute another.
Repeating Courses: A student may not repeat for credit any course in which a passing grade (D or better) was received.
Auditing Courses: Undergraduate students cannot officially audit a course. Students who wish to attend a class but not take it for credit may do so only with the permission of the instructor. No formal record appears on the transcript for students who sit in on a course.
Wharton students who are interested in applying for internal transfer to one of the other undergraduate schools at the University of Pennsylvania must meet with an advisor in the respective school to discuss the internal transfer process and eligibility criteria and to seek guidance on the school’s academic requirements and potential majors. Internal transfer may not be initiated until the student has completed one academic year in Wharton.
Internal transfer is not automatic or guaranteed. Students must meet the requirements and gain formal acceptance to the school to which they are applying. Students who fail to successfully transfer and who are not making progress toward degree completion in the Wharton School may be reviewed by the Academic Progressions Committee for further action.
External transfer students cannot apply for internal transfer to another school at Penn. External transfer students are only permitted to apply for a dual degree program after two resident semesters at Penn and must complete the degree program in their home school.
Any currently enrolled student is eligible to take a leave of absence. Students who are not in good standing or who have a disciplinary action pending against them require special approval. During a leave of absence, Wharton students cannot earn credit for courses given by another institution. In addition, students must complete degree requirements within an eight-year period after matriculation. Failure to do so may result in the student being withdrawn from the University of Pennsylvania.
Financial reimbursement or credit may be issued when a leave is approved early in a semester. Consideration for tuition refund or credit is based on the number of weeks completed in the semester. Please refer to the Financial Policies and Procedures section of the handbook for more information.
A student who is required to withdraw because of a violation of University regulations will not receive a tuition refund.
For more information on refunds or credit for non-tuition charges, such as housing and dining, students should contact those campus offices directly. The Student Financial Services Leave of Absence Checklist provides additional information and a list of pertinent contacts.
Requesting a Leave of Absence: To apply for a Leave of Absence, students must meet with an advisor in the Wharton Undergraduate Division and submit a Wharton Leave of Absence Request Form with a written explanation of the nature of their leave. Dual-degree and coordinated-dual-degree students are held to the leave of absence policy governed by their home school and must submit requests to take and return from a leave of absence to both schools.
Medical and psychological leaves require documentation from the appropriate health professional. An advisor in the Wharton Undergraduate Division may require the student requesting the leave to consult with a Penn professional such as Student Health or Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) prior to granting approval.
Students are responsible for dropping their classes when a request for leave is submitted within the University drop period and should meet with their academic advisor to discuss academic planning issues. When a request for leave is submitted after the fifth week of the semester up until the end of the tenth week, students will be withdrawn from their classes. The deadline for leave of absence requests for a given semester is the same as the University course withdrawal deadline (end of tenth week).
Students requesting a leave of absence should consult the Leave of Absence Checklist available on the Student Financial Services web site. The checklist outlines other campus offices and services that students should contact prior to taking a leave.
Return from a Leave of Absence: Students on leave are required to notify the Wharton Undergraduate Division of their plans to return from or extend their leave according to the following timeline:
Semester on Leave: |
Notify WUG Division of Plans: |
Fall |
Between October 15th and January 1st |
Spring |
Between March 15th and September 1st |
Students planning to return from leave must complete a Wharton Return from Leave of Absence Request Form and must consult with an academic advisor in the Undergraduate Division. Dual- and coordinated-dual-degree students must contact both schools in which they are enrolled.
Students who are on a leave of absence for medical or psychological reasons will be required to submit documentation from a healthcare professional supporting their return to the University. An academic advisor can verify if documentation is required.
Students returning from leave of absence should consult the Returning to Penn Checklist available on the Student Financial Services web site. The checklist outlines other campus offices and services that students should contact in preparation for the return from leave.
Exceptions to the Wharton undergraduate regulations can only be granted by approval of the Undergraduate Petitions Committee. Students who wish to petition the Committee should obtain a petition form in the Undergraduate Division.
Dual-degree students in the Huntsman or Nursing & Health Care Management programs may petition Wharton for any Wharton-related academic issue. For M&T and dual-degree students, all other petitions for exceptions (for example, late drop, late add, late withdrawal, late change of grade type) should be submitted to the home school.
External-transfer students must complete at least one-half (19 cus minimum) of their required course work and at least four semesters at Penn.
Transfer Credit after Matriculation
Once students matriculate at the University of Pennsylvania, they must take all business courses at the University. However, in Wharton faculty-approved study abroad programs, students may receive business breadth course credits.
Students who enter Penn as freshmen may take up to four courses outside of the University toward their degree (this includes courses taken prior to matriculation at Penn). These courses must be taken during the summer and may only be taken in non-Wharton subjects. To receive credit, students must earn a grade of C or better and have individual departmental approval for each course. Students may not transfer courses from outside Penn that were taken pass/fail.
Credit away is granted only on the basis of regular college classroom instruction. Courses must be approved by the appropriate academic department for credit. None of the grades from these courses will be included in the Penn grade point average.
External transfer students may take no additional courses outside the University for transfer credit once they have matriculated at Penn.
Enrollment and Academic Standing: Students requiring a letter or completion of paperwork verifying their enrollment status or academic standing should complete a Letter of Good Academic Standing Request and submit it to the Wharton Undergraduate Division, G95 Huntsman Hall. Students will be notified via email when their letter is ready for pick-up.
Degree Conferral and Graduation: Students who require verification of graduation and degree conferral can request a copy of their official transcript from the Office of the Registrar.
International students sometimes require additional verification in the form of a letter. Letter requests should be made in writing by completing a request form available in the Undergraduate Division.
Graduating students will be able to obtain graduation verification letters according to the timeline below provided that all course work has been successfully completed, grades have been recorded, and all other degree requirements have been met, resulting in the posting of the degree conferral date on the transcript. Joint and dual degree students must be cleared for graduation by both schools in which they are enrolled and should contact their home school for verification.
Graduation Term: |
Verification Available Beginning: |
December |
January 31st |
May |
June 1st |
August |
August 31st |
The Wharton Undergraduate Division will not provide graduation verification letters prior to the respective deadline dates and prior to the above conditions being met.
Students who have questions about this policy should contact Melissa Thomas at (215) 898-6353 or thomasm2@wharton.upenn.edu.
For questions or concerns related to visa status, please visit the Office of International Programs at 3701 Chestnut Street, Suite 1W or contact them at 215-898-4661.
Students may drop a course with no notation on their transcript up until the end of the fifth week of a fall or spring semester. Refer to the Course Selection/Drop section of the handbook for more information on drop/add and to the Summer Course Guide online at http://www.upenn.edu/registrar/ for summer session drop and withdrawal dates.
Between the fifth and tenth week of a fall or spring semester, students may withdraw from a course, but only with the written permission of the course instructor. Withdrawals appear on the transcript as a W and are not calculated into the grade point average. After the tenth week of the semester, withdrawals are not normally permitted. Students who have a serious and compelling extenuating circumstance may petition the Petitions Committee to grant a late withdrawal for a course. Students petitioning for an exception must obtain written support from the instructor for the committee to consider the petition.
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