Academic Standards

Credit Hour

The credit hour is a unit by which an institution measures the volume of work a student must complete to earn credit for a course of study. Defining the work required in terms of credit hours allows for comparable work requirements across programs, majors, and degrees. The value of a credit hour may be determined by time, the educational experience, and outside preparation by the student.

For purposes of this policy, an hour of instructional time = 50 minutes. Thus, three instructional hours = 150 minutes.

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

1. Lecture/Seminar Classes: A credit hour equates to a minimum of forty-five (45) hours of student work: a minimum of fifteen (15) hours in-class or direct instruction plus a minimum of thirty (30) hours of out-of-class work.

2.  Laboratory/Experiential Classes: A credit hour equates to a minimum of thirty (30) to forty-five (45) hours of direct instruction in a laboratory/experiential setting, and a minimum of fifteen (15) to thirty (30) hours of out-of-class student work per credit hour to total a minimum of forty-five (45) hours of student work.

3. Studio Art Classes: A credit hour equates to a minimum of forty-five (45) hours of student work: a minimum of thirty (30) hours in-class or direct instruction plus a minimum of fifteen (15) hours of out-of-class work.

4. Ensemble/Production Classes (Music and Theater): A credit hour equates to a minimum of ninety (90) hours of student work: a minimum of forty-five (45) hours in-class or direct instruction plus approximately forty-five (45) hours of out-of-class time. Total term hours may happen in irregular scheduling. Ensemble or Production Classes beyond degree requirements are awarded zero (0) credit.

5. Applied (Private) Music: A credit hour equates to a minimum of forty-five (45) hours of student practice, plus approximately seven and a half (7.5) hours of direct individual instruction.

6. Internships, clinical and field experiences require a minimum of forty-five (45) clock hours for each credit hour.

7. 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 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.

The School of Nursing adheres to the University grading scale with one exception.  The School of Nursing has additional grading policies based on critical components. If the student does not meet the required minimum grade of 75% average on the critical components, the student will not pass the course and will be assigned an F.  If the student meets the requirement of 75% average on the critical components, then the course grade will be calculated according to the assignment grading weights, consistent with the University grading scale.

In addition, students should be aware that there is no rounding of grades on assignments or final grades.  Students must meet the minimum of 75 percent in each of the critical component areas to be successful in the course. This means that a 74.99 is a failing grade and the student would not meet the criteria for successful completion of the critical component.  See the School of Nursing Handbook for more information. 

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). A student placed on academic suspension will meet with their Student Success Coordinator to make an academic plan for their semester of suspension. This plan may include taking courses at another institution for transfer back to UMHB upon readmission. 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 placed on probation by petition. The student will be required to adhere to an individualized academic action plan as determined by the student’s academic Dean or Student Success Coordinator 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

Grounds for Appeal

Students may appeal any academic decision that is arbitrary, capricious, or unfair. For an appeal to have merit, the student must show that the decision was clearly erroneous or that the university failed to follow its policies or rules.

The following do not form a valid basis for an academic appeal:

• Dissatisfaction with a grade or decision
• Poor academic performance as a result of the student’s personal circumstances
• Interference caused by the student’s employment
• Failure to make a timely application for a disability accommodation
• Failure to make a timely application for a withdrawal, including a withdrawal necessitated by illness or injury

At every level the appeal must be in writing and state: (1) the change requested, (2) all valid reasons for the change, (3) any evidence to support the change, and (4) the student's contact information.  Appeals must be submitted  utilizing the form available on the Registrar’s page of the UMHB website. 

Appeals Related to Academic Coursework

An appeal must be submitted to the faculty member who made the decision no later than ten (10) calendar days after the decision. The faculty member shall notify the student of the appeal decision within seven (7) calendar days.

The student may appeal the faculty member’s decision to the dean of that college* (see section below for Mayborn College of Health Sciences appeal process). The appeal must be submitted by the student within seven (7) calendar days after receiving the faculty member’s decision.

The dean (or the dean’s designee) will provide the student a written decision on the appeal within seven (7) calendar days after receiving the appeal. 

The student may appeal the dean’s decision by submitting an appeal to the Provost’s Office within seven (7) calendar days after receiving the dean’s decision.  The Provost or the Provost’s designee will provide the student a written decision on the appeal within seven (7) calendar days after receiving the appeal. This decision shall be final.

*Appeals in the Mayborn College of Health Sciences

The path for appealing a decision related to academic coursework in the Mayborn College of Health Sciences shall be first to the faculty member, then to the school’s Dean for undergraduate programs (or to the Program Director for graduate programs), and finally to the Executive Dean, who shall serve as the Provost’s designee and whose decision shall be final. Otherwise, the procedures and timelines described in the previous section shall apply.

Timelines

If the student has received no response within seven (7) calendar days after submitting an appeal to the dean or provost’s office, the student may inquire of the appeal recipient about the status of the appeal. 

Other Provisions

The Provost’s Office may extend the time for the university to respond to an academic appeal at any level when the appeal requires more extensive review, a school break occurs during the appeal response time, or other extenuating circumstances apply.

If an academic decision affects both a student’s grade in a course and dismissal from a Program because of the grade, the appeal shall take both issues into consideration as a singular appeal.

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

Other Types of Academic Appeals

The procedure for appealing decisions regarding incidents of academic dishonesty is discussed in the Academic Integrity section of this Catalog.

The procedure for appealing decisions related to academic probation and academic suspension are provided to the student in writing when the student is notified of academic probation or academic suspension status.

For academic appeals not otherwise specified in this policy, the student should promptly consult the Provost’s Office for specific information on whether an appeal process is available.