Frequently Asked Questions
How do I compute my cumulative GPA?
Grade points are determined by multiplying the points for each grade by the number or credit hours; for example, 4.00 ('A') X 3 (hours) = 12 grade points. A student's grade point average (GPA) is determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the number of semester credit hours for which a grade other than 'I', 'NC', or 'CR' is received.
Only grades earned at UT Dallas are used in calculating the GPA.
Grading Scale
How do I graduate with honors?
Students who show particular distinction in scholarship at the University are afforded the opportunity of graduating with Latin Honors and/or School Honors. Only grades earned at UT Dallas are used in determining graduation with honors.
Latin Honors
Graduates may earn on of three degrees of Latin Honors: summa cum laude, magna cum laude, or cum laude. Requirements for graduation with honors are as follows:
- A minimum of 45 UT Dallas graded credit hours.
- Each Latin Honors level requires a minimum grade point average (GPA) to be attained over all course work taken at UT Dallas.
- In the case of a student with a double major who wishes to graduate with honors, a single honors designation will be awarded. If a higher level of honors is attained in one major and a lower in the other, the lower level of honors will be awarded. Students graduating with double degrees who wish to receive honors for both degrees must complete a separate honors requirement for each degree.
- The grade point requirements for Latin Honors are issued by the University in the summer of each academic year and apply to graduates in the following academic year. The thresholds for each level of honors are determined from a rolling average of the grades of all graduates for the previous six long semesters. Averages are computed separately for each school within the University
- The GPA that represents the top five percent of all graduates in a particular school will be considered the threshold for awarding summa cum laude honors.
- The GPA that defines the next 10 percent in each school will be the lower limit for magna cum laude.
- The average grade that defines the next 15 percent in each school will be considered the benchmark for awarding cum laude honors.
- A minimum GPA of 3.40 is required for any Latin Honors.
Major Honors
Students may graduate with honors from their individual schools based on participation in their school's Honors Program. Each program provides two levels of recognition, Honors and Distinction. All students must have completed a minimum of 30 graded semester credit hours to qualify for major honors.
The requirements for school honor's recognition vary across schools. Students should review the descriptions within the school section of the catalog. To graduate with school distinction honors, students must complete an undergraduate thesis judged by faculty to be of exemplary quality.
What should I do if I am unable to take an exam?
Students should notify their instructors as soon as they know they will not be able to take an exam, and refer to the course syllabus as to the make-up exam policy.
If a student is required to take more than one final exam at the same time, or when a student is scheduled for more than three final exams in the same day, the student should discuss arranging an alternate time with the professor. If the professor and the student cannot agree on an arranged time for the exam, the registrar will assist in scheduling the test.
How can I place out of some of my classes?
Students wishing to receive examination credit must first meet with an academic advisor to complete a request form that is then submitted to the Office of the Registrar.
Lower-Division
Documentation of any lower-division credit established by examination through such programs as the AP (Advanced Placement Program) or the SAT II which the student wishes to apply toward college credit should be received by the University prior to registration. Academic hours awarded through credit by examination become a permanent part of the student's official UT Dallas college transcript.
Credit for admission may be established through testing programs such as the Advanced Placement Program (AP), the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), the International Baccalaureate (IB) and SAT II. Guidelines for credit by examinations are available on this site (choose the "Advising" link from the top menu of this page).
Test scores not on official transcripts must be submitted directly from the testing agency. UT Dallas will provide college credit to those who present an International Baccalaureate Diploma in accordance with Texas state law.
Upper-Division
Not more than six semester hours of extension, credit by examination, or correspondence credit may be applied toward upper-division requirements. This credit must be upper-division credit earned at an appropriate accredited institution or through acceptable scores on approved tests. The University does not offer correspondence courses.
I have a disability, where can I get help?
Disability Services provides reasonable accomodations for students with documented disabilities. Students are encouraged toregister with Disability Services as soon as they are admitted to the University. The Office of Disability Services is located in SU1.610, 972-883-2098, http://www.utdallas.edu/disability/.
How do I qualify for the Dean's List?
The top ten percent of all students in each school who complete 12 or more Semester Credit Hours during the fall and spring semesters will be recognized as members of the Dean's List of their respective schools. Students without a declared major are eligible for the Office of Undergraduate Education Dean's List.
What degrees are offered at UT Dallas?
See http://www.utdallas.edu/dept/ugraddean/mags.html.
How do I find out what is required for my degree?
Specific degree requirements can be found in the Undergraduate Catalog for the year in which you entered the University.
Undergraduate students must declare an academic course of study by the time they have earned 54 semester credit hours in order to continue enrollment.
Students wishing to change majors should complete a 'Change of Major Request Form' in their academic advisor's office before registration and no later than the first day of classes of a semester/term. Forms are submitted to the Office of the Registrar. Students with a cumulative GPA below 2.00 may only change their major with permission from the Associate Dean of their current major and the Associate Dean of their intended major.
Students who select a major and enter their major code on the application for admission are not required to complete any additional paperwork.
Some academic units designate a set of classes that constitute a minor in that academic unit. The requirements for the minor are set by the faculty of the academic unit offering the minor, not by the academic unit of the student's major field of study. When an academic unit offers a minor in a field of study, it is open to all students in the University regardless of school of origin. Students who take a minor will be expected to meet the normal prerequisites in courses making up the minor. Minors consist of a minimum of 18 credit hours, of which at least 12 must be upper-division hours, although individual academic units may require more hours at their sole discretion. Credit hours may not be used to satisfy both the major and minor requirements; however, free elective hours or major preparatory classes may be used to satisfy the minor. At least one-third of the hours for a minor must be taken at UT Dallas. Students enrolled as of Fall 1999 who are pursuing majors under prior catalogs may incorporate minors in their degree plans. Students should consult with an academic advisor in their major field of study as they select and plan minors. See How do I find out who my advisor is?
With the approval of the relevant Associate Dean, students may complete a double major by satisfying all requirements set by each program. This shall include no fewer than 12 semester credit hours at the University in each major field.
If the two majors lead to a B.A. and a B.S., the student must choose which baccalaureate will appear on the degree. Double majors in Interdisciplinary Studies are not available.
this page last updated November 21, 2008
