Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I get help with test anxiety?

There are several options available for help including your academic advisor, the Learning Resource Center (MC2.402), the Counseling Center (SU1.608), the New Student Programs Office (SU1.610), and your professor. See What is the Learning Resource Center?

Where can I get help with time management?

Can I replace a grade by retaking a course?

An undergraduate student is limited to three grade-bearing enrollment attempts for any specific class. A student attempting the same class for the third time will be charged a penalty fee equivalent to the out-of-state tuition for the same number of semester credit hours. The grade from the first attempt will not be used in computing a student's GPA. All further repeats will be used in computing the student's cumulative GPA. The grade from the last attempt will determine credit earned to satisfy degree requirements. Regardless of the number of times a course is repeated, any single course can contribute only once to the number of hours required for graduation.

All grades will appear on a student's transcript. If a course was originally taken for a letter grade, it may not be repeated for Credit/No Credit in lieu of a letter grade.

When a course is repeated, the student is responsible for completing a Repeated Course Adjustment form in the Office of Admissions and Records to initiate the change on the student's permanent record. A notation will be made on the transcript showing that the course has been repeated.

Courses transferred for credit to UT Dallas from another accredited college or university may not be repeated for additional credit.

Students who fail a course in residence at UT Dallas may repeat the course at another accredited college or university. Upon completion of the course with a grade of at least 'C', the class may be transferred to UT Dallas where it will meet the content requirements of the course failed in residence and contribute hours toward graduation. However, the grade of 'F' earned at UTD will remain a part of the student's academic reord and will be computed as a part of the cumulative GPA.

With the permission of the instructor, a student may audit a course which has previously been taken for credit.

If I make a 'D' in a course do I have to take it over?

Students earning a degree in Electrical Engineering must make a minimum grade of 'C' in each of their major courses. Students earning below 'C' in those course will be required to repeat them.

Other majors are not required to repeat courses in which they earn a 'D'; however, all students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00, as well as a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the major and related courses, in order to be eligible for graduation.

When is a student placed on academic probation?

All students who show a cumulative grade point deficiency, defined as a cumulative UTD GPA below a 'C' or 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale), are placed on scholastic probation automatically by notation of such status on their academic record. The Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education may also place a student on probation who fails to maintain at least a 2.00 GPA in the major and related courses, independent of the overall GPA.

Students on scholastic probation must meet with an academic advisor prior to registration. Such students may not register for more than 12 semester credit hours, must earn a 2.20 GPA each semester while on probation, and may not drop or withdraw from classes. Violation of these conditions may lead to the student's suspension from the university.

Grade point deficiencies incurred at UT Dallas must be removed through additional course work at UT Dallas. Grade points earned at other institutions are not used in computing the GPA and may not be used to remove a grade point deficiency.

Students who leave the University on scholastic probation will be readmitted on scholastic probation only, even if they have attended another institution in the interim. If a student withdraws from the University while on scholastic probation, and if this action results in an additional grade point deficiency, the student has failed to meet the minimum requirements for removal of scholastic probation and will be placed on scholastic suspension.

What if I don't meet my probation requirements?

A student is automatically placed on scholastic suspension by the University for failure to meet the terms of scholastic probation. A student who is under scholastic suspension will be placed on hold and may not enroll in, audit, or visit a class unless readmitted as described below. Notice of this scholastic suspension will show on the student's transcript.

Students in a major who are placed on scholastic suspension by the University for the first time may be readmitted only by permission of the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education. Non-degree-seeking students and students with undeclared majors who are placed on suspension for the first time may be readmitted only by the permission of the Dean of Undergraduate Education. Students thus readmitted may be subject to additional probationary conditions placed upon them.

A student who has been placed on scholastic suspension more than once or has a grade point deficiency of 30 grade points or more will be suspended from the University indefinitely and may be readmitted only by petition of the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education to the Dean of Undergraduate Education. Students thus readmitted may be subject to additional probationary conditions placed upon them.

A student who re-enters the University after scholastic suspension will re-enter on scholastic probation.

How do I appeal a grade?

Procedures for appeals of academic decisions are found in Title V, Chapter 51, Rules on Student Services and Activities, of the university's Handbook of Operating Procedures.

Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students where staff is available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations.

(See Flowchart - Grievance Procedures for Undergraduate Academic Appeals)

Do transferred grades count toward my GPA?

Only grades earned at UT Dallas are used in calculating the GPA. Although UT Dallas normally accepts all credit from courses taken at other accredited institutions in which a grade of 'C' or better has been earned, specific course and degree requirements must be met in order for these courses to be included in the student's degree plan.

To ensure that credit earned elsewhere will be accepted, continuing UT Dallas students who wish to take courses elsewhere must complete an 'Off Campus Transfer Work Approval Form' in their advising office prior to registering for the course(s). Upon completion of approved courses an official transcript must be sent electronically or by mail to the Office of the Registrar.

How can I get an incomplete in a course?

Students may obtain a petition/documentation form for an Incomplete in the office of the student's Undergraduate Associate Dean. The form is to be submitted to the instructor from whom the Incomplete is sought. If a significant fraction of a semester is missed with cause, the student may need to withdraw. See How do I drop a class?

A grade of Incomplete may be given, at the discretion of the instructor of record for a course, when a student has completed at least 70% of the required course material but cannot complete all requirements by the end of the semester. An incomplete course grade (grade of 'I') must be completed at UT Dallas within the time period specified by the instructor, not to exceed eight weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester.

Upon completion of the required work, the symbol 'I' may be converted into a letter grade ('A' through 'F') by the instructor. If the grade of Incomplete is not removed by the end of the specified period, it will automatically be changed to 'F'. Extension beyond the specified limit can be made only with the permission of the instructor and the student's Associate Dean and the Undergraduate Dean. A student may not re-enroll in a course in which a grade of 'I' remains.

An instructor assigning an Incomplete must submit the petition/documentation form containing a description of the work required to complete the course to the Undergraduate Associate Dean of the school offering the course. Upon approval, a copy of the petition will be forwarded to the student's Undergraduate Associate Dean to be retained with the student's academic record. The Petition/Documentation form serves to record this description. The instructor alone will be responsible for determining whether the requirements for completion are met and for assigning the grade in the course.

If the instructor who has signed the Incomplete is no longer associated with UT Dallas and the work is completed within the time allowed before the Incomplete lapses to an 'F', the Associate Dean of the instructor's college may assign a committee of appropriate faculty to evaluate the material, and/or obtain any other information which may be required to assign the grade in the course.

How many hours a week do I need to study?

It is recommended that students study 2 - 3 hours per week for every credit hour in which they are enrolled. For example a student taking 15 credit hours should spend 30 - 45 hours per week studying, in addition to the 15 hours in class.

this page last updated November 12, 2008