Academic Standards

Credit Hour

The semester credit hour is a unit by which an institution measures its course work. The value of a semester credit hour can be determined by time, the educational experience, and outside preparation by the student.

The following constitutes the definition of a semester credit hour for various modes of instruction offered at UMHB:

1. At least fifteen (15) contact hours, as well as, a minimum of thirty (30) hours of student homework is required for each semester credit hour.
2. Laboratory courses, with little outside work, require a minimum of forty-five (45) contact hours. If moderate outside work is required, thirty (30) contact hours are required.
3. Art courses follow the recommendations for awarding credit as recommended by The National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Texas Association of Schools of Art (TASA). In lecture courses, like art history, normally one semester hour of credit represents one 50-minute session each week of the term. For our studio classes, normally a ratio of one semester hour of credit equals two hours of contact time and one hour of outside work per week. For example, a three semester credit hour course would require six faculty contact hours per week. Note: Faculty contact must be sufficient to ensure the development of knowledge and skills required by each course. Normally, faculty contact is greater at the foundation or introductory level than at the advanced studio level.
4. Music courses follow the recommendations for awarding credit as required by The National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). Normally, a semester hour of credit represents at least three hours of work each week for a period of fifteen or sixteen weeks. In lecture classes, such as music history, normally one semester hour of credit is given for one 50-minute session plus two hours of homework each week of the term. For ensembles, like laboratory classes, normally one semester hour of credit is given for two to four 50-minute rehearsal sessions per week, depending on the ensemble. For applied lessons, normally one semester hour of credit is given for each three hours of practice, plus the necessary individual 30-minute lesson per week with the instructor. For example, a two semester credit hour applied lesson would meet for two 30-minute lessons per week.
5. Internships, clinical, and field experiences require a minimum of forty-five (45) clock hours for each semester credit hour.
6. For online, hybrid, and other nontraditional modes of delivery, credit hours are assigned based on learning outcomes that are equivalent to those in a traditional course setting, forty-five (45) hours of work by a typical student for each semester hour of credit.

Syllabi for every course will contain the appropriate definition of a credit hour from the list above.  Each course should then follow this definition.

Course Numbers

The first digit in the numbering system denotes the course level (1-Freshman, 2-Sophomore, 3-Junior, 4-Senior). The second digit denotes the number of semester credit hours the course carries. The third and fourth digits are departmental numbers. Junior- and senior-level courses are upper-level. (e.g. UMHB 1110 would be a freshman-level class of 1 semester credit hour).

Student Course Load

To be considered a full-time undergraduate student, one must be enrolled in twelve semester credit hours for the fall/spring semesters and six for the summer session. Fifteen to eighteen semester credit hours is considered a normal undergraduate load for a regular semester. Six or seven semester credit hours is considered a normal undergraduate load for a summer session and three to four semester credit hours is considered a normal undergraduate load for mini-mester. Nineteen semester credit hours may be permitted during a regular semester, if the student has earned a minimum grade point average of 3.00 for the preceding semester. Any student desiring to carry a load in excess of this amount must have an overall GPA of 3.00 and at least a 3.30 GPA for the preceding semester before such a request may be considered. A maximum of 8 semester credit hours for one summer session or 14 semester credit hours for the full summer term may be permitted if the student has earned a minimum grade point average of 3.00 for the preceding semester or full summer term. Graduating seniors may be permitted to earn 15 semester credit hours during the full summer term. All overloads must be approved by the student’s Dean.

Class Standing

The class standing of an undergraduate degree-seeking student is determined as follows:

Grading System

* Not counted in computing GPA

** Counted in computing GPA for the semester in which the course was taken AND for computing overall GPA.

Incomplete Grade

An “I” (Incomplete) indicates inability of a student to complete some vital requirement of a course (e.g. final exam, major report, term paper, etc.) due to conditions beyond the student’s control. It is not the intent of the “I” grade to give a student an unfair time advantage over other students who complete their work in a timely manner. As such, an “I” grade will be approved only when exceptional circumstances, clearly beyond the student’s control, are substantiated (e.g. protracted illness, injury, or other acute personal emergency). It is the responsibility of the student to contact his/her professor prior to the final exam to execute the Incomplete Grade Contract.

Once an “I” grade is assigned, it is the responsibility of the student to take the initiative to complete the work within thirty (30) calendar days after the start of the next semester (excluding full summer term). If more than thirty days are required, an extension request is to be submitted by the student through the instructor and Associate Dean or department chairperson to the Dean. Approved extensions will be filed with the Registrar’s Office. An extension longer than the end of the next semester (excluding full summer term) will not be approved. The “I” will be automatically changed to an “F” if the course is not satisfactorily completed within this time frame. A $25 fee is charged to remove an “I” grade.

Grade Reports

All final grades are available on MyCampus at https://mycampus.umhb.edu/ics/.

Transcript of University Credits

A transcript of university credits is an official copy of a student’s permanent record, bearing the University seal and the signature of the Registrar. Copies of students’ transcripts are available upon written request to the Registrar’s Office.

Requests should include the students’ name at time of attendance, social security number, or student identification number, and complete address of where the transcript is to be sent. Requests can be sent to:

Office of the Registrar

UMHB Box 8425

900 College Street

Belton, TX 76513

Transcripts will not be released if the student owes money to the University. This includes, but is not limited to, money owed to the library, bookstore, health center, business office, or any other department or agency considered a part of the University.

Provost’s Honor Roll

At the end of the fall and spring semesters, a scholastic honor roll is compiled by the Provost. This honor roll includes all students completing 12 or more undergraduate hours during the semester who have earned a 3.85 grade point average or above on those hours. Neither courses taken at another institution during a semester nor courses earned by examination such as Advanced Placement or CLEP count toward requirements for the Provost’s Honor Roll.

Dean’s Honor Roll

At the end of the fall and spring semesters, a scholastic honor roll is compiled by the dean of each college. This honor roll includes all degree-seeking undergraduate students who had completed 12 or more undergraduate hours during the semester and earned a 3.50 grade point average or above on those hours. Neither courses taken at another institution during a semester nor courses earned by examination such as Advanced Placement or CLEP count toward requirements for the Dean’s Honor Roll.

Academic Probation

For a student to remain in good standing with the University, he/she must maintain academic Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).  (This should not be confused with Financial Aid SAP, discussed in a previous section of this catalog.)  If the student is unable to maintain SAP, then the university will place the student on probation and/or suspension. 

There are three categories of academic probation status recognized at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor: probation, continued probation, and probation by petition. Each of these is explained in appropriate areas of the following sections.

Academic probation: An undergraduate student failing to meet the following minimum standards is automatically placed on academic probation:

A student who is admitted to the University on academic probation or who is placed on academic probation is expected to conform to the following regulations:

(1) Reduce academic load to a maximum of 12 semester hours;

(2) Adjust his/her work program (if applicable) to better fit the academic needs of the student;

(3) Attend all classes; and

(4) Adhere to individualized academic action plan if deemed necessary by the student’s academic Dean.

To be removed from academic probation, a student must achieve the cumulative GPA level required for the student's classification.

Continued probation: If a student does not achieve the cumulative GPA level required to be removed from probation, he/she may be placed on continued probation if the student earned a term GPA of 2.0 or better the semester on academic probation.

During the period of continued probation, the student may be required to adhere to an individualized academic action plan as deemed necessary by the student’s academic Dean and will not be eligible to participate in any non-curricular activity or represent the University, except under the following conditions:
1. No participant in any class for which he/she is registered shall be prohibited from taking field trips or from taking part in productions which are a part of that class.
2. A student who is on continued probation status usually may participate in tours and other such activities only if his/her credit for the course is dependent on participation in said activities and provided he/she receives prior approval from the Provost/Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.
3. A student who is on continued probation status ordinarily may not represent the University in activities other than those stated in 1 and 2 above. This probation includes, but is not limited to, such activities as intercollegiate contests, off-campus productions, or active membership in a club or student organization. (Official representation is defined as participation in any activity under the name of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, under the direction, supervision, or sponsorship of any university area.)

If the student did not achieve a term GPA of at least 2.0 during the semester on probation, he/she is placed on academic suspension.

Note:  Students should note that the standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for Financial Aid purposes are slightly different from the standards for academic purposes.  See “Financial Aid” for the Satisfactory Academic Progress and how they apply to the financial aid award.  

Academic Suspension

A student who is placed on academic suspension will be suspended for a minimum of one “long” semester. For example: A student placed on academic suspension at the end of the fall semester will not be allowed to re-enroll until the start of the summer semester. A student placed on academic suspension at the end of the spring semester will not be authorized to register for classes until the start of the next spring semester (excluding full summer term). Courses taken at other institutions during a period of academic suspension from UMHB may not be transferred to UMHB. A student who has been suspended must apply to be readmitted (on probation) through the regular admission procedure at the completion of the suspension period. If readmission is granted, the student would be required to comply with the regulations listed in the Academic Probation section above. Falsifying transcripts will result in the permanent dismissal of a student from UMHB.

A student who appeals academic suspension and has the suspension waived by the student’s academic Dean will be continued on probation by petition. The student may be required to adhere to an individualized academic action plan as deemed necessary by the student’s academic Dean and will not be eligible to participate in any non-curricular activity or represent the University, except under the following conditions:

1. No participant in any class for which he/she is registered shall be prohibited from taking field trips or from taking part in productions which are a part of that class.
2. A student who is on probation by petition usually may participate in tours and other such activities only if his/her credit for the course is dependent on participation in said activities and provided he/she receives prior approval from the Provost/Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.
3. A student who is on probation by petition ordinarily may not represent the University in activities other than those stated in 1 and 2 above. This probation includes, but is not limited to, such activities as intercollegiate contests, off-campus productions, or active membership in a club or student organization. (Official representation is defined as participation in any activity under the name of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, under the direction, supervision, or sponsorship of any university area.)

The university reserves the right to take into account the student's compliance with the university's student code of conduct when considering whether to grant a student continued probation or probation by petition status.

Academic Appeal

Students may appeal any academic decision believed to be arbitrary, capricious, or unfair. A student’s mere dissatisfaction with a grade or decision is not grounds for an appeal. For an appeal to have merit, there must be some evidence that the student has been treated inappropriately with regard to the administration of the university’s policies and procedures. 

Appeals will be considered only if they are submitted directly by students enrolled at UMHB upon initiation of the first appeal.  Furthermore, appeals must be submitted by the student within 30 days calendar of the date of the decision or action being appealed.  The student should submit the appeal by campus email.  A written copy delivered to the recipient is also strongly encouraged.

The student should appeal the decision in writing to the person who made it by stating the appropriate rationale for reconsideration, the requested remedy, and the student’s contact information. In matters related to academic coursework, the line of appeal is first, the faculty member.  If the matter is not resolved, the student may then elect to appeal that decision in writing to the next highest authority.  Typically, that is to the associate dean/department chair (as applicable to the College); third, the dean of the college; and finally, to the Vice Provost.

If the student’s appeal is of an academic nature unrelated to individual coursework/grades, he/ she should submit the appeal in writing to the person who made the original decision.  For the subsequent chain of appeal, the student should consult with the dean of the college or Provost’s Office

Each person to whom an appeal is made will normally respond to the student in writing within five (5) business days of receipt of the appeal. The student will have ten (10) calendar days from the date of that response to appeal to the next level.  Extensions may be granted by the Provost’s Office in cases where the issue requires more extensive review and/or other extenuating circumstances.

Faculty who are no longer employed by the University (e.g. retirements) are not participants in the appeal process beyond their last day of employment.  In this case, the student should begin the appeal at the next level, or if the appeal is in progress, the exiting faculty member will pass the appeal to the next administrator in line for completion.

If the student has heard no reply from the person to whom he/she submitted the appeal after five (5) business days, he/she should inquire about the status of the appeal to the dean.

The dean and/or Provost’s Office may request a meeting with the student and other parties involved. Students who have incidents of alleged academic dishonesty that occur in multiple courses and/or for multiple incidents during the student’s enrollment at UMHB may occur additional penalties. Students should contact the Provost’s Office for the procedure governing students with multiple incidents.