Academic Requirements

Ronald Hendrick, Ph.D.,
Provost and Senior Vice President

Office of the Provost | 104 Administration Building
Box 42019 | Lubbock, TX 79409-2019 | T 806.742.2184
F 806.742.1331 | www.depts.ttu.edu/provost
www.facebook.com/TTUProvost
www.twitter.com/TTUacademics

Overview

Students are responsible for their academic progress. Students seeking assistance with academic progress or experiencing academic difficulty should consult their associate academic dean (or designee) and academic advisor. For information about Academic Advising and Support, click here .

Each undergraduate student accepted for admission will enroll in one of the university’s degree-granting colleges or areas: College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, College of Architecture, College of Arts & Sciences, Jerry S. Rawls College of Business, College of Education, Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering, Honors College, College of Human Sciences, College of Media & Communication, J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts, or Office of the Provost. A student’s major subject is the primary area of specialized study (e.g., English) the student is pursuing within a degree program (e.g., Bachelor of Arts). A student interested in obtaining a double major or dual degree should contact his or her associate academic dean and academic advisor for specific requirements.

All baccalaureate degrees conferred by Texas Tech University are based on the satisfactory completion of specific authorized degree programs comprising a minimum of 120 semester hours. Requirements for undergraduate degrees are established at three different levels:

1. The university as a whole (Uniform Undergraduate Degree Requirements).
2. The college or area through which the degree is conferred (General Degree Requirements).
3. The particular degree program in which the student is working (Requirements for the Major).

Students should familiarize themselves with all three sets of requirements that must be fulfilled before the degree is granted. Students should consult their associate academic dean (or designee) and academic advisor whenever any question arises concerning academic standing or progress. Matters specifically requiring the associate academic dean’s (or designee’s) approval include the following:

• Concurrent enrollment in Texas Tech University and another institution
• Pass/fail option
• Credit by examination
• Exception to graduation requirements, including participating in a commencement ceremony prior to completing degree requirements, and candidacy for a degree
• Application of graduate credit hours toward the undergraduate upper-division requirement
• Applicability of transfer credits to degree programs
• Exception to taking the last 30 hours of coursework from Texas Tech University
• Application of workforce education, vocational, or technical coursework to a degree
• Satisfaction of foreign language requirement via study abroad and language placement test

Uniform Undergraduate Degree Requirements

The Uniform Undergraduate Degree Requirements apply to all Texas Tech undergraduates regardless of their major or college. The requirements have six components:

• General Requirements
• Core Curriculum Requirement
• Multicultural Requirement
• Foreign Language Requirement
• Science Laboratory Requirement
• Communication Literacy Requirement

General Requirements

Residence Credit. The minimum actual residence required of each student is two consecutive semesters or the equivalent, and the minimum amount of residence work required is one-fourth of the total hours applicable toward the degree sought. In addition, the last 30 hours of coursework must be from Texas Tech.

The term “residence” as a degree requirement should not be confused with “residence” in the state of Texas for tuition purposes. “Residence credit” used here means credit for work done while enrolled in and attending classes taught under a Texas Tech course number, including distance education courses and those taught at locations other than the Lubbock campus.

Graduation Under a Particular Catalog. All degree requirements for undergraduate students must be met according to a single active Texas Tech University catalog. Upon first enrollment, the student will be assigned the catalog in effect, with the following permissions for exception requests: 

1. Students enrolling as a transfer student may select any Texas Tech catalog that remains active from the point of their high school graduation to their enrollment at Texas Tech.
2. For the Former Tech student seeking readmission to the university, the applicable degree requirements are those that were in effect for the catalog year in which the student was first enrolled at the university, provided that catalog is still active. Only with the specific approval of the associate academic dean (or designee) may a different catalog be selected.
3. For the student who changes a degree program after having enrolled at Texas Tech University, the applicable degree requirements are those in effect at the time the student is officially admitted to the college in which the degree program is housed. Only with the specific approval of the associate academic dean (or designee) may a different catalog be selected.

In no case may a student complete the requirements set forth in a catalog more than seven years old. When necessary, a catalog issued later than the student’s first registration at Texas Tech University may be selected by the associate academic dean (or designee) in conference with the student. In reviewing catalog change requests, priority will be given to the course of action that most benefits the student, as determined by the student, the student’s academic advisor, and the student’s associate academic dean.

Students are encouraged to declare an academic minor at the same time that they declare their academic major so that the major and minor share the same catalog year. Students who do not declare their academic minor at the same time that they declare their academic major may be responsible for any changes made to the academic minor since the time the student declared the major. Examples of such changes include but are not limited to: a GPA requirement for admission to the minor, changes to required courses, and changes to the number of credit hours required to earn the minor.

DegreeWorks Audit. DegreeWorks is the official degree auditing system of the university. DegreeWorks alone does not guarantee graduation but is used in conjunction with academic advising to determine graduation eligibility and degree completion status. At the time of graduation, the completed DegreeWorks audit is saved as the official document showing that all graduation requirements have been met.

Filing a Degree Plan. In 2019 the Texas Legislature passed SB 25 requiring all students enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program at a state university to file a degree plan after the 12th class day but before the end of the semester or term immediately following the semester or term in which the student earned a cumulative total of 30 or more semester credit hours for successfully completed coursework. The 30 hours includes all transfer courses, international baccalaureate courses, dual credit courses, and any other course for which Texas Tech University has awarded college course credit, including credit awarded by examination. A student who enrolls for the first time at Texas Tech University with 30 or more semester credit hours already completed shall file a degree plan after the 12th class day but before the end of the initial semester or term of enrollment. In the event of a change in major, students should submit a new degree plan as soon as the program change is complete.

A baccalaureate student must verify at each registration that a degree plan has been filed and the courses for which the student is registering are consistent with that degree plan. This verification will be done electronically through Raiderlink and Banner. Students who have not filed a degree plan within the allotted time period may not obtain an official transcript from the university registrar until the plan has been filed. Students using federal veteran’s benefits must meet a federal requirement to file a degree plan by the time they have accumulated 64 semester hours.

Filing “Intent to Graduate.” Students must file an online application to graduate with their college no later than the final class day in the term prior to their intended graduation. The online application may be found on the MyTech tab at www.raiderlink.ttu.edu. Students who miss the deadline to file an intent to graduate online must make an appointment with their associate academic dean (or designee) to file a paper copy of the intent to graduate form.

Commencement Exercises. Commencement exercises are held at the end of each long semester (May and December) and at the end of the second summer term (August).

Second Bachelor’s Degree. A student pursuing a second bachelor’s degree must complete a minimum of 24 semester credit hours that were not applied to the student’s first bachelor’s degree. The required courses necessary for a student pursuing a second bachelor’s degree will be defined by the college and department housing the degree. No second bachelor’s degree is conferred until the candidate has completed at least 24 semester credit hours after the completion and awarding of the first degree. Students attending TTU to pursue a second bachelor’s degree will be considered core complete provided that the first bachelor’s degree was awarded from an accredited institution of higher education. A core complete designation does not mean that a student is also complete in the multicultural, foreign language, communication literacy, Texas constitution, or lab science areas. Second degree-seeking students should consult with their academic advisors about remaining requirements in those areas.

Notice of Potential Ineligibility for License. A student’s eligibility for an occupational license could be impacted by any criminal history they might have. For information on published guidelines for licensure in certain fields, consult Texas Occupations Code Chapter 53, section 53.025. Also note, under Section 53.102 of the Occupations Code, a student has the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the applicable licensing agency.

Science Laboratory Requirement

Students graduating from Texas Tech University are required to complete two semester credit hours of science laboratory courses. Normally this will be done by taking two 4-credit science courses or combinations of lecture and lab. Examples are BIOL 1401 /BIOL 1402  or CHEM 1305 /CHEM 1105  and CHEM 1306 /CHEM 1106 . Students may not take a lab that is not matched to a corresponding lecture course without permission from their associate academic dean (or designee).

Transfer students who present 3-hour science courses may complete the science laboratory requirement in either of the following in ways:

• They may take a laboratory course that matches a 3 credit-hour course accepted in transfer as satisfying a portion of the life and physical sciences requirement (for example, GEOL 1101  if the student transferred a course that was accepted as equivalent to GEOL 1303 ).
• They may enroll in BIOL 2202 . This is a 2-hour self-paced online course designed specifically for transfer students who need to complete the science laboratory requirement. BIOL 2202  carries a biology prefix, but it is designed to be taken by any student who has completed one or two 3-hour science courses in any science discipline. The BIOL 2202  modules stress providing students with a framework for evaluating and critiquing scientific research findings and will help students understand the role of scientific research in improving human health, contributing to economic growth, answering basic questions about the world, and working toward solving a multitude of problems faced by society. BIOL 2202  is not available to students who complete their life and physical sciences requirement at Texas Tech University without permission from the students’ associate academic dean (or designee).

Foreign Language Requirement

Students graduating from Texas Tech University should be able to express, negotiate, and interpret meaning in a second language.

Any entering student who has not completed two years of a single foreign language in high school must complete at least two semesters (or its equivalent) of a single foreign language at the first-year college level (for example: FREN, GERM, or SPAN 1502 or 1507) or at least one semester of a foreign language at a 2000 level or higher as a graduation requirement. This requirement may also be satisfied by transferring in the equivalent courses from another college or university. Individual Texas Tech University colleges may have additional foreign language proficiency requirements. Additional requirements may be necessary for select majors.

Many programs in the College of Arts & Sciences and some programs in the J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts require sophomore-level proficiency. Admission to sophomore-level foreign language courses requires either a minimum score on a placement exam or successful completion of prerequisites within the respective language.

International students who wish to have the foreign language requirement waived should review the Guidelines for High School Foreign Language Requirements for International Students .

Students who take first-year level courses to satisfy the foreign language graduation requirement may not use those courses to satisfy any other specified university degree requirements. Hours in the required first-year level language courses may count toward free elective hours included in any baccalaureate degree.

The foreign language requirement may be met through credit by examination, described elsewhere in this catalog. Students who petition to complete the foreign language requirement via study abroad through a non-Texas Tech affiliated program must agree to have foreign language credit applied to their degrees based on scores on a language placement test administered by the Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures after their return from the study abroad. Approval to do this must be granted in advance by the student’s associate academic dean (or designee). For more information, consult the Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures.

Communication Literacy Requirement

Students attending Texas Tech University for the first time in the Fall 2017 term or later will complete the Communication Literacy requirement in their program(s) of study.

Texas Tech University’s transition from the Writing Intensive requirement to the Communication Literacy requirement signals the university’s awareness that in addition to the fundamental role that writing plays in enabling students to explore, develop, focus, and organize a message, other types of communication must also be taught as appropriate for a student’s discipline. Throughout each program of study, students must be given ample opportunity to develop their skills in forms of communication central to that program.

All students following a 2017-2018 or later catalog should consult the catalog information specific to their program(s) of study for more information about their Communication Literacy requirement.

Academic Regulations

Classification of Students. An undergraduate student is classified according to the following: first-year student, 0 to 29 hours completed; sophomore, 30 to 59; junior, 60 to 89; senior, 90 to completion of degree requirements. The junior and senior ranks are often referred to as “upper division” and “advanced.” A student who is enrolled for 12 or more credit hours per semester is considered a full-time student; one enrolled for fewer than 12 hours is considered a part-time student. A first-year student may have remedial courses (excluding TSI courses) numbered 0301 or 0302 counted as part of a full course load, although these courses do not count toward a degree or toward classification.

All baccalaureate degrees conferred by Texas Tech University are based on the satisfactory completion of specific authorized degree programs comprising a minimum of 120 semester hours. Students are required to take a minimum of 40 credit hours of 3000- and 4000-level courses prior to graduation. Graduate courses that have been approved by the student’s home department and college to apply toward the student’s undergraduate degree may apply toward the upper division coursework requirement. Students are considered to be making satisfactory progress toward a degree objective when they complete at least 30 credit hours in each calendar/academic year, achieve an institutional GPA of 2.00 or higher in each semester, and maintain an institutional GPA of 2.00 or higher.

All references to a grade point average (GPA) reflect policy effective January 1, 2009, stipulating that the university will calculate only current and cumulative GPAs. Both calculations will include replaced grades. Unless otherwise stated, all GPA references refer to a cumulative institutional GPA that includes replaced grades.

Semester Credit Hour and Contact Hour Equivalents. For most purposes, a traditionally offered face-to-face course will have a minimum of 15 contact hours for each semester credit hour. Thus, a 1 credit hour course should meet for at least 15 hours over a long semester and a 3 credit hour course should meet for 45 hours over the semester. Courses taught during a summer session are expected to have the same number of contact hours as if they were taught during a long semester.

Semester Hours and Course Loads. The semester hour is the unit of measure for credit purposes. The student is expected to spend a minimum of two hours in preparation for each hour of lecture or recitation.

In-residence students and any students in their semester of graduation must be enrolled in a minimum of one credit-bearing semester hour. Registration in remedial and other zero-credit hour coursework must be accompanied by one credit-bearing course. Should a student drop to zero credit hours, the student will be withdrawn from the institution.

The maximum number of semester hours a student may take without specific permission of the associate academic dean (or designee) is as follows: 19 hours per long semester, 16 hours per long semester for students on academic probation or continued academic probation, and 8 hours per summer term. In determining a greater load, the associate academic dean (or designee) considers the quality of scholastic work performed by the student, the types of courses involved, the student’s health, and extracurricular interests and activities.

Quarter Hour Conversion. Quarter credit hours are converted to semester credit hours by multiplying the number of quarter hours by two-thirds (or .67). Since a fraction of a credit hour cannot be awarded, the remaining fraction of semester hour credit is rounded to the nearest whole number from the tenth’s position of the decimal.

For example, 5 quarter hours are equivalent to 3.4 semester hours, which in turn would be rounded to 3 semester hours of credit: 5 quarter hours x .67 = 3.4 semester hours = 3 semester hours. Applicability of transfer credit toward degree requirements at Texas Tech University will be at the discretion of the student’s associate academic dean (or designee).

Dropping a Course. Dropping a course delays graduation. Students should plan their schedules and make a serious commitment to academic success. When it becomes necessary to drop a course, the procedure varies according to the rules below. All course drops, whether during the early semester student-initiated add-drop period, later in the semester as one of the restricted drops, or because of withdrawal from the university, are the responsibility of the student. If students stop attending a class but fail to drop the course, they will receive a grade of F and the grade will become a permanent part of their academic record.

All students who attend a Texas state institution of higher education are restricted to a maximum of six course drops during their undergraduate academic career. This includes all courses that were dropped at any Texas state institution of higher education the student has attended. For example, if a student attended a public community college and dropped two courses prior to enrolling at Texas Tech University, that student has four course drops remaining prior to graduation.

Students may use their limited drops (DG’s) up to the deadline for drop and withdrawal for each term. Students must initiate a drop by following the procedures listed at raiderlink.ttu.edu. Further information can be obtained at 806.742.3661.

Exclusions from the rule governing course drops are as follows:

Drop or Withdrawal Designations

• A two-week period of student-initiated add/drop at the beginning of each semester allows students to drop a course without the drop counting against their limit of six drops. The student-initiated add/drop period is noted in the academic calendar that appears in each university catalog and online at: www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/calendar/index.php.
• Students who find it necessary to withdraw completely from the university before the withdrawal deadline near the end of the semester will not have the dropped courses counted against their six course limit.

Aside from the exceptions noted above, students will not be permitted to drop more than six courses during their undergraduate academic career unless they can show good cause, including, but not limited to, demonstrating one or more of the following:

• Severe illness or other debilitating condition that affects the student’s ability to satisfactorily complete the course.
• Student responsibility for the care of a sick, injured, or needy person if the provision of that care affects the student’s ability to satisfactorily complete the course.
• Death of a person who is considered to be a member of the student’s family or who is otherwise considered to have a sufficiently close relationship to the student that the person’s death is considered to be a showing of good cause.
• Active duty service as a member of the Texas National Guard or the armed forces of the United States of either the student or a person who is considered to be a member of the student’s family or who is otherwise considered to have a sufficiently close relationship to the student that the person’s active military service is considered to be evidence of good cause.
• Change of the student’s work schedule that is beyond the control of the student and affects the student’s ability to satisfactorily complete the course.

Students who have dropped the maximum number of courses and believe they have good cause to drop an additional course should petition their associate academic dean (or designee).

Change of College. Students who wish to transfer from one college of the university to another should contact the associate academic dean (or designee) of the college to which they plan to transfer to ensure that they can meet all enrollment requirements. Students should then complete an academic transfer form in the receiving dean’s office. The last day to change colleges in a given semester or term is the twelfth class day of the term. Students who return to the university following academic suspension may change their college if they follow the procedures specified in the section of this catalog on the Undergraduate Academic Standing Policy.

Change of Address. Students are responsible for maintaining a correct address on file with the university. Changes may be made online at raiderlink.ttu.edu or by calling 806.742.3661 for assistance. Students required by the housing residence rules to live on campus may not move off campus during the semester without approval from University Student Housing.

Administrative Holds. Failure to meet certain university obligations may result in an administrative hold being placed on a student’s record to prevent access to systems or information such as registration, release of transcripts and/or diplomas, and course add/drops.

Administrative holds may be placed on a student’s record until resolution of problems, including, but not limited to, an outstanding debt to the university, disciplinary action, academic suspension, incomplete admission forms, or substandard test scores. It is the student’s responsibility to get the hold released, which can be accomplished by meeting the requirements of the department placing the hold. Status of holds on student records may be obtained online at raiderlink.ttu.edu. An official diploma will not be issued unless all financial obligations to the university have been satisfied.

Class Attendance. Responsibility for class attendance rests with the student. Instructors set an attendance policy for each course they teach. The university expects regular and punctual attendance at all scheduled classes, and the university reserves the right to deal at any time with individual cases of nonattendance. Instructors should state clearly in their syllabi their policy regarding student absences and how absences affect grades.

In the event of excessive absences, the student must visit the instructor to discuss his or her status in the course. Excessive absences constitute cause for dropping a student from class. If the drop occurs before the first day of open registration for the next long semester or the last day with withdraw of the enrolled summer term, a designation of DG will be assigned (see section on “Dropping a Course”). If the drop occurs after that time period, the student will receive a grade of F. This drop can be initiated by the instructor but must be formally executed by the associate academic dean (or designee). In extreme cases, the associate academic dean (or designee) may suspend the student from the university.

Department chairpersons, directors, or others responsible for a student representing the university on officially approved trips should notify the student’s instructors of the departure and return schedules in advance of the trip, per OP 34.04. The instructor so notified must not penalize the student, although the student is responsible for material missed. Students absent because of university business must be given the same privileges as other students (e.g., if other students are given the choice of dropping one of four tests, then students with excused absences must be given the same privilege).

Reporting Illness. In case of an illness that will require absence from class for more than one week, the student should notify his or her associate academic dean (or designee). The dean’s office will inform the student’s instructors through the departmental office. In case of class absences because of a brief illness, the student should inform the instructor directly. Other information related to illness can be found in the Student Handbook.

Absence Due to Religious Observance. A student shall be excused from attending classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day, including travel for that purpose. A student who intends to observe a religious holy day should make that intention known in writing to the instructor prior to the absence. A student who is absent from classes for the observance of a religious holy day shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time after the absence.

Absence Due to Military Service. A student called to active military service must be excused for up to a maximum of 25% of the class meetings, excluding the final exam.  Additional options exist for students and should be discussed with the office of Military & Veterans Programs. See OP 34.13 for more information.

Civility in the Classroom. Students are expected to assist in maintaining a classroom environment that is conducive to learning. To ensure that all students have the opportunity to gain from time spent in class, faculty members are encouraged to include a statement in their course syllabi relating to behavioral expectations in the classroom.

Grading Practices. A grade is assigned for all courses in which a student is enrolled during any semester or summer term. Only through  enrollment can a grade be earned. A passing grade may be earned only if the student is enrolled for the duration of the course, and a grade, once given, may not be changed without approval of the student’s academic dean (or designee).

The instructor of record determines all grades for a course. The method of determining a grade will be included in the course syllabus presented to students at the beginning of the semester.

The grades used, including plus and minus, with their interpretations, are: A, excellent; B, good; C, average; D, inferior (passing, but not necessarily satisfying degree requirements); F, failure; P, passing; PR, in progress; I, incomplete; and W, withdrawal (not to be confused with a drop). The letter R designates a course repeated to remove an I. The grade of PR is given only when the work in a course extends beyond the semester or term; it implies satisfactory performance and is used primarily in individual study courses but is not considered a final grade. The grades of CR (credit) and NC (no credit) are given in certain instances.

The grade of I is given only when a student’s work is satisfactory in quality but, due to reasons beyond his or her control, has not been completed. It is not given instead of an F. Prior to assigning the I, the instructor must fill out an online form stating the reasons beyond the student’s control for granting the I and the conditions to be met to remove the I. The instructor, student, and associate academic dean (or designee) must authorize the request. The I may be replaced by an R if the course is repeated, and the appropriate grade will be given for the second registration. The grade of I will revert to an F after one calendar year if the conditions for completing the I as stated on the form have not been met.

The grade of DG is regulated by the university’s drop policy (see section on “Dropping a Course”).

Non-semester-based courses that are in progress but not completed by the end of a term will be noted on the transcript by PR. Official grades for such courses will appear on the transcript for the term when completed.

Grade Appeals. A student who wishes to appeal a final course grade should first consult with the course instructor, then with the department chairperson, and then, if the matter remains unresolved, with the associate academic dean (or designee) of the college in which the course is offered. A grade appeal must be filed in the office of the dean of the college in which the course is offered within 45 days of the start of the next long semester after the term in which the disputed grade was received. Copies of the grade appeals policy can be obtained from any academic dean’s office or from the Center for Campus Life.

Mid-Semester and Semester Grade Reports. At the close of each semester and each summer term, final course grades are available on raiderlink.ttu.edu (MyTech). Instructors of record are to post mid-semester grade reports for first-year, student athletes, and students with an institutional GPA below 2.0. Once mid-term grades are posted, students can view the grades on Raiderlink (MyTech).

Grade Points. The grades of A, B, C, and D carry with them grade points of 4, 3, 2, and 1, respectively, for each semester hour of credit value of the course in which the grade is received. All other grades have no assigned grade points.

Grade Point Averages. Only courses taken and grades received at Texas Tech University are used in calculating grade point averages. The current grade point average is determined by dividing the total number of grade points acquired during that semester by the total number of semester hours of all courses in which the student was registered in that semester, exclusive of courses in which grades such as DG, I, P, CR, and PR are received. In the same manner, the grade point average is obtained by dividing the total number of grade points earned in all courses for which the student has registered at this university, including hours for an F, by the total number of semester hours.

Undergraduate-level courses, including those taken toward a second bachelor’s degree or for graduate leveling purposes, are calculated into the undergraduate Texas Tech University GPA. The cumulative Texas Tech University (institutional) GPA is adjusted to reflect grade replacements. A pure institutional GPA reflects all hours and courses taken at Texas Tech University and is the GPA used to calculate GPA for Texas Tech University honors designations.

Grade Replacement Policy. The Office of the Registrar will initiate the grade replacement process at the end of each term after a Texas Tech course had been retaken at Texas Tech University and prior to graduation. Students wanting to replace a grade received before fall 1983 should contact their associate academic dean’s office.

Grade replacement is for the purpose of adjusting the cumulative grade point average. On the transcript, the original grade will remain visible but will include a notation indicating that the original grade was subsequently replaced. A pure grade point average including all coursework taken at Texas Tech will be used for honors designations. Additional rules concerning grade replacements are below:

1. Only grades of D and F are eligible for grade replacement.

2. There is no limit on the number of times that a student may attempt to grade replace a course. However, after the third attempt, the student will be charged the non-resident, undergraduate tuition rate for any and all subsequent enrollments in that same course (per the authority granted by Rule 13.105 of Title 19, Part 1, Chapter 13, Subchapter F of the Texas Administrative Code).

3. Regardless of the number of attempts made by a student to grade replace a course, only the grade of D or F associated with the most recent attempt of the course will be factored into the student’s cumulative grade point average until such time as the student successfully achieves a grade of C or better.

4. When considering retaking a course for the purposes of grade replacement, a student with a grade of D in the course should consider the risk of making an F in the subsequent enrollment. The grade of F will replace the grade of D and the student may be required to retake the course again.

Effective January 1, 2009, only current and cumulative institutional GPAs will be calculated. The current and cumulative institutional GPA will include grade replacements. A notation will indicate the original course(s) that is being replaced. The transcript will include the original grade and original academic standing status on the term in which the initial grade was earned, however, a notation will be included that the grade has been “Grade Replaced” and excluded “E” from the GPA and hours.

Pass/Fail Option. Undergraduate students may take up to 13 elective semester hours toward satisfying degree requirements in which they will be graded on a pass/fail basis. Courses taken as pass/fail may not apply to core curriculum, communication literacy, or multicultural requirements. Students wishing to take a course as pass/fail in their major, minor, or area of concentration must obtain approval from the associate academic dean’s office of the college specific to the program in question. For example, students wishing to take as pass/fail a course that is part of their minor must obtain permission from the associate academic dean’s office of the college housing the minor. A student who has chosen to take a course pass/fail may not subsequently change to a letter grade option. A grade of F received on a course taken pass/fail will be computed into the grade point average.

Credit by Examination for Matriculated Students. Matriculated students may be given the opportunity to receive credit by examination for courses in which proficiency may be determined by examination. For more detailed information, see “Undergraduate Credit by Exam ” in the Undergraduate Admissions section of this catalog.

Final Examination Policies. Class-related activities, with the exception of office hours, are prohibited on designated individual study days and during the final examination period (OP 34.10). These dates are set aside for students to prepare for and take scheduled final examinations. During this period, review sessions are not to be scheduled, quizzes are not to be given, and no other class-related activities can be scheduled.

No substantial examinations other than bona fide make-up examinations may be given during the last class week or during the individual study day. Courses in which lab examinations and design studio reviews are normally scheduled the week prior to finals are excluded from this policy. No extracurricular activities of any kind may be scheduled within the individual study day and the final examination period without written permission of the Office of the Provost.

An instructor with a compelling reason to change the time of an examination must obtain written approval from the department chair and/or associate academic dean of the college or school in which the course is taught before requesting room accommodations from Section Inventory within the Office of the Registrar. Requests for change must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar by 30 days prior to the finals period. A change in the room assignment for a final examination may be made only with the approval of the Office of the Registrar.

There is no university policy that provides relief to students who have three examinations scheduled the same day. In that situation, students may seek the assistance of the course instructors, department chair, and/or associate academic dean of the college. Contact Section Inventory within the Office of the Registrar at 806.742.1484 with questions, comments, or concerns regarding the final exam schedule.

Graduation Requirements. Graduation requirements include a minimum cumulative Texas Tech University GPA of 2.0 for all courses, including repeated courses, attempted in the degree program in which students seek graduation. To obtain a degree granted by the university, at least 25 percent of the total semester credit hours must be earned through instruction offered by Texas Tech University. Students in their semester of graduation must be enrolled in a minimum of one credit-bearing semester hour.

Graduation Rates. Federal regulations require that the university disclose graduation rates for men and women who are full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students. Disclosure of graduation rates for various student populations, including athletes, is also required. These are the same rates as those supplied by Texas Tech to the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Detailed graduation rates are available from the Office of Communications and Marketing.

Withdrawal from the University. Students who find it necessary to withdraw from the university before the end of a semester or summer term must submit a withdrawal request online at https://db.reg.ttu.edu/withdraw by the appropriate deadline for the term. Although a W will be recorded for all classes that semester or term, these W’s will not be counted as one of the six permitted drops. Under certain circumstances, a student may be administratively withdrawn from the university.

International students must receive clearance from the Director of International Programs as a part of the withdrawal procedure.

Core Curriculum Requirement

Multicultural Requirement

Academic Integrity

It is the aim of the faculty of Texas Tech University to foster a spirit of complete honesty and a high standard of integrity. The attempt of students to present as their own any work they have not honestly performed is regarded by the faculty and administration as a serious offense and renders the offenders liable to serious consequences, possibly suspension.

Academic integrity is taking responsibility for one’s own class and/or coursework, being individually accountable, and demonstrating intellectual honesty and ethical behavior. Academic integrity is a personal choice to abide by the standards of intellectual honesty and responsibility. Because education is a shared effort to achieve learning through the exchange of ideas, students, faculty, and staff have the collective responsibility to build mutual trust and respect. Ethical behavior and independent thought are essential for the highest level of academic achievement, which then must be measured. Academic achievement includes scholarship, teaching, and learning, all of which are shared endeavors. Grades are used to quantify the successful accumulation of knowledge through learning. Adhering to the standards of academic integrity ensures grades are earned honestly. Academic integrity is the foundation upon which students, faculty, and staff build their educational and professional careers. [Texas Tech University Quality Enhancement Plan, Academic Integrity Task Force, 2010]

Students must understand the principles of academic integrity and abide by them in all classes and/or coursework. Academic integrity violations are outlined in the Code of Student Conduct, Part X, B3 of the Student Handbook. If there are questions of interpretation of academic integrity policies or about what might constitute an academic integrity violation, students are responsible for seeking guidance from the faculty member teaching the course in question.

“Academic dishonesty” includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, falsifying academic records, misrepresenting facts, and any act designed to give unfair academic advantage to the student (such as, but not limited to, submission of essentially the same written assignment for two courses without the prior permission of the instructor(s) or the attempt to commit such an act).

1. “Cheating” includes, but is not limited to, the following:
   1. Copying from another student’s test paper or devices.
   2. Using unauthorized materials or devices during a test or other assignment.
   3. Failing to comply with instructions given by the person administering the test.
   4. Possession during a test of materials that are not authorized by the person administering the test, such as class notes, textbooks, or other unauthorized aids.
   5. Possessing, using, buying, stealing, transporting, selling, or soliciting in whole or in part items, including, but not limited to, the contents of an unadministered test, test key, homework solution, or computer program/software. Possession of current or previous test materials at any time without the instructor’s permission.
   6. Collaborating with, seeking aid, or receiving assistance from another student or individual during a test or in conjunction with other assignments without authority.
   7. Discussing the contents of an examination with another student who has taken or will take the examination without authority.
   8. Substituting for another person or permitting another person to substitute for oneself in order to take a course, take a test, or complete any course-related assignment, including, but not limited to, signing in/registering attendance for another student without permission from the instructor.
   9. Paying or offering to pay money or other valuables to obtain or coerce another person to obtain by any means items, including, but not limited to, (1) an unadministered test, test key, homework solution, or computer program/software or (2) information about an unadministered test, test key, homework solution, or computer program.
   10. Falsifying research data, laboratory reports, and/or other academic work offered for credit.
   11. Taking, keeping, misplacing, damaging, or altering property of the university or of another individual if the student knows or reasonably should know that an unfair academic advantage would be gained by such conduct.
2. “Plagiarism” includes, but is not limited to, the following:
   1. Representation of words, ideas, illustrations, structure, computer code, and other expression or media of another as one’s own.
   2. Improper citation or lack of acknowledgement that direct, paraphrased, or summarized materials are not one’s own.
   3. Self-plagiarism that involves submission of the same written assignment for two courses without prior permission of the instructor and/or failure to cite correctly previous work written by the same student.
3. “Collusion” includes, but is not limited to, the following:
   1. The unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing academic assignments offered for credit.
   2. Collaboration with another person to commit a violation of any section of the rules on academic dishonesty.
4. “Falsifying academic records” includes, but is not limited to, the following:
   1. Altering or assisting in the altering of any official record of the university and/or submitting false information.
   2. Omitting requested information that is required for, or related to, any academic record of the university. Academic records include, but are not limited to, applications for admission, awarding of a degree, grade reports, test papers, registration materials, grade change forms, and reporting forms used by the Office of the Registrar. A former student who engages in such conduct is subject to a bar against readmission, revocation of a degree, and withdrawal of a diploma.
5. “Misrepresenting facts” to the university or an agent of the university includes, but is not limited to, the following:
   1. Providing false grades, resumes, or other academic information.
   2. Providing false or misleading information in an effort to receive a postponement or an extension on a test, quiz, or other assignment to obtain an academic or financial benefit for oneself or another individual.
   3. Providing false or misleading information in an effort to injure another student academically or financially.

NOTE: See www.depts.ttu.edu/studentjudicialprograms/academicinteg.php for more Academic Integrity information.

Instructor Responsibilities. Any person becoming aware of alleged violations of academic integrity should report the allegation to the instructor of record in the course. The instructor in a course is responsible for initiating action in each case of dishonesty or plagiarism that occurs in that class. The instructor may contact the Office of Student Conduct to discuss the nature of the violation and the student’s record of academic integrity violations. The instructor should attempt to discuss the matter with the student and receive a response from the student about the allegations. Then, the instructor may assign academic sanctions, including, but not limited to, assigning a paper or research project related to academic integrity, assigning a make-up assignment that is different from the original assignment, issuing no credit for the original assignment, reducing the grade for the assignment and/or course, issuing a failing grade on the assignment, and/or issuing a failing grade for the course. All academic integrity violations should be referred to the Office of Student Conduct as a central clearinghouse of violations and for adjudication as a Code of Student Conduct violation in which disciplinary sanctions, conditions, and/or restrictions will be assigned.

Withdrawal and Assignment of Grades. Once a student has been notified of an academic integrity violation, the student may not drop the course or withdraw from the university until the academic integrity processes are complete. The university reserves the right to reinstate the student until the matter is resolved. A student should continue academic class and coursework until a final decision is made. If it is determined that the student was not responsible for academic integrity violations, the student may file a request with the Assistant Vice Provost for Student Affairs for approval to drop the course or withdraw from the university retroactively, without academic and financial penalty.

If a referring faculty member must submit a final course grade before an academic integrity violation allegation is resolved, the faculty member should notify the Registrar of the intention to assign a grade of F and/or leave the final grade blank. The involved student shall be given a temporary grade of X, which does not affect the student’s GPA until the academic integrity adjudication process is complete. When the adjudication process is complete, the final grade will be assigned through the appropriate academic channels and the completion of a grade change form. When a student is found responsible for academic integrity violations, the recommended academic sanction will be enforced. When a student is found not responsible for academic integrity violations, the student will be entitled to the grade he/she would have received in the absence of an academic integrity violation.

All appeals related to academic integrity violations should follow the process outlined in the Student Handbook, Part X.E: Code of Student Conduct: Disciplinary Appeals Procedures.

Referrals to the Office of Student Conduct. In addition to the assignment of academic sanctions by the instructor of record, a referral of the academic integrity violation should also be made to the Office of Student Conduct for the assignment of disciplinary sanctions. A student referred to the Office of Student Conduct for alleged violations of academic misconduct is entitled to all substantive and procedural guarantees provided in the Code of Student Conduct. Law students are subject to discipline procedures as described in the Honor Code of the School of Law. Instructors of record of the course in which the violation occurred and the associate academic dean of the college in which the student is enrolled may participate in the adjudication of the violation and assignment of additional sanctions, conditions and/or restrictions with the Office of Student Conduct as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct.

Undergraduate Honors

Honor Lists. Full-time undergraduate students who earn a grade point average of 4.0 during a semester are eligible for the President’s Honor List. Those who earn a GPA of 3.5 or higher during a semester are eligible for the Dean’s Honor List of the college in which they are enrolled during that semester. For these acknowledgments, students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 undergraduate hours. Undergraduate students enrolled in approved, accelerated Bachelor’s-to-Master’s degree programs may be eligible for Dean’s and/or President’s Lists if:

1. The students have completed 90 degree-applicable semester credit hours at the undergraduate level;

2. The students are enrolled in graduate credit hours that are approved to apply toward the completion of the undergraduate degree, and; 

3. The students are enrolled in a minimum of 12 semester credit hours total, including both the graduate and undergraduate courses.

Students taking between 7 and 11 hours and enrolled in the South Plains College (SPC) Spanish courses taught on the Texas Tech campus (SPCS 1501, 1502) may count the SPC hours to accumulate enough hours to qualify for the President’s Honor List and the Dean’s Honor List if they would otherwise qualify for those honors without the SPC courses. The SPC grades are not sufficient to advance students to qualify for the President’s or Dean’s list, but the courses can be used to acquire the necessary number of hours (minimum of 12) to qualify and thus keep the student eligible.

Graduation with Honors. Members of a graduating class who complete their work with a pure Texas Tech University grade point average of 3.9 or above are graduated Summa Cum Laude; those who complete their work with a GPA of 3.7 to 3.89 are graduated Magna Cum Laude; and those who complete their work with a GPA of 3.5 to 3.69 are graduated Cum Laude. Appropriate designation of the honor is made on the diploma and on the commencement program. The grade point average for graduation honors is calculated using all hours taken at Texas Tech University, and those hours must include the final two semesters prior to graduation. Students are considered for graduation honors only if a minimum of 48 semester credit hours have been completed at Texas Tech University. The grade point average for graduation honors is calculated using all hours taken at Texas Tech University, including Texas Tech University approved reciprocal exchange study abroad credit, pass/fail credit, and graduate hours applied toward the undergraduate degree. However, no CLEP, foreign language placement tests, or similar types of credit that do not involve course enrollment should be counted in calculating the GPA for graduation honors. Only grades earned at Texas Tech are counted, and only the cumulative GPA without grade replacements is used to calculate honors.

Those who graduate from the Honors College after acquiring at least 24 Honors credit hours (including two Honors seminars) graduate with “Honors,” a distinction that is noted on diplomas and transcripts and receives special recognition at graduation ceremonies. Those who also complete an Honors thesis or project consisting of 6 additional hours graduate with “Highest Honors.”

Graduation with Honors for Second Texas Tech University Degree Students. Students are considered for graduation honors only if a minimum of 24 semester credit hours have been completed at Texas Tech University after the completion and awarding of the first degree. Honors for the additional undergraduate degree will be based upon all Texas Tech University coursework taken in fulfillment of the second degree requirements. Policies governing minimum coursework required to earn a second undergraduate degree are available at: www.depts.ttu.edu/admissions/apply/status/returning_other/second-undergrad/

Honors Studies. Honors courses are available to students in all undergraduate colleges. Interested students should consult the Dean of the Honors College or their college academic advisors.

Texas Tech offers one of the best honors programs in the nation for highly motivated and academically talented students who want to maximize their college education. Students must make special application to be considered for admission to the Honors College either as an entering first-year student or as a continuing Texas Tech or transfer student. With the exception of those in the honors arts and letters major, students accepted into the Honors College are also enrolled concurrently in the college that houses their major area of study.

Honor Societies and Organizations. The honorary societies listed here represent more than 20 university organizations open to undergraduates who qualify as a result of their academic achievements. To view a comprehensive listing of all honorary societies at Texas Tech, see TechConnect.

• Phi Beta Kappa - Eligibility is limited to upper-division students with outstanding records of achievement in what the Phi Beta Kappa Society designates as the liberal arts and sciences. Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest honorary society in America and has chapters at only three public universities in Texas.
• Mortar Board - Mortar Board is a national honor society that recognizes college seniors for distinguished ability and achievement in scholarship, leadership, and service. The Texas Tech chapter is limited to 50 of the top seniors on campus, and members are chosen each spring.
• Omicron Delta Kappa - Omicron Delta Kappa is a national leadership honor society in which student membership candidates must rank in the upper 35 percent in scholarship of their school or college and must show leadership in at least one of five areas: scholarship; athletics; campus or community service, social and religious activities, and campus government; journalism, speech, and the mass media; and creative and performing arts.
• Phi Kappa Phi - The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest all-discipline honor society. Membership is by invitation only to the top 7.5 percent of second semester juniors and the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students.
• National Society of Collegiate Scholars - The National Society of Collegiate Scholars is an honors organization recognizing outstanding academic achievement among first- and second-year students who rank in the top 20th percentile of their class and have a minimum GPA of 3.4. Chapters are involved in service to their campus and local communities as well as scholastic and social activities.
• Honor Societies for First-year Students - Alpha Lambda Delta and Phi Eta Sigma are national honor societies that recognize scholastic attainment during the first student year. Membership is offered to students who earn a grade point average of at least 3.5 during the first semester of their first year while completing at least 12 semester hours of coursework. Students who do not qualify during the first semester may become eligible by earning a grade point average of at least 3.5 for the first two semesters of work combined.

Service Learning Course Designation

Service learning courses are available to all Texas Tech University students and are identified with an “S” in the course section number, e.g. Section S01. Service learning is a pedagogy that links academic study and civic engagement through thoughtfully organized service that meets the needs of the community. The service is structured by and integrated into the academic curriculum, which provides opportunities for students to learn and develop through critical reflection.

A partnership of the Center for Transformative Undergraduate Experiences (TrUE) and the Teaching, Learning, and Professional Development Center (TLPDC), the Service Learning Program is committed to providing rigorous and reflective academic experiences for students. Texas Tech faculty from diverse academic disciplines report that service learning enhances their teaching and students’ interest in course material and connects both faculty and students to the community.

Undergraduate Academic Standing Policy

Texas Tech University is committed to student success and assisting students in being accountable for engaging in the educational process. Academic standing is determined upon the completion of the academic terms (fall, spring, summer) and is based on both current and prior academic performance. Academic standing can be an important indicator of progress and is used to assist with determining appropriate steps to help a student achieve educational goals. The possible academic standing levels for students are as follows:

1. Good Standing
2. Warning
3. Probation
4. Suspension
5. Dismissal

Academic Good Standing. The student has a cumulative institutional GPA at or above 2.0 and is eligible for all extracurricular activities as governed by the rules of the specific activity. Some academic and extracurricular programs have requirements over and above the cumulative GPA of 2.0. Students who have a cumulative GPA above 2.0 but whose current semester GPA is below 2.0 should seek advice from their associate academic dean (or designee).

Academic Warning. A student whose cumulative institutional GPA falls below 2.0 will be placed on “Academic Warning.” Such a student may not enroll for more than 16 hours without prior approval of the associate academic dean (or designee). Students should seek to take one course that was not satisfactorily completed for the purpose of grade replacement, which can have a significant positive impact on GPA. Midterm grades for students placed on Academic Warning will be required in the next enrolled term. In addition, the student must continue to seek regularly scheduled advice and counsel from an academic advisor or the associate academic dean. Students whose semester GPA is below 2.0 in their first semester at Texas Tech must complete in the next semester an Academic Recovery Plan, enroll in a Programs for Academic Development and Retention (PADR) course, and pay a nonrefundable course fee. Once required to enroll in a PADR course, students must repeat the course every term that they are enrolled at Texas Tech until the course is successfully completed. Athletic academic services should be consulted on recovery plans for student-athletes. A student on Academic Warning remains eligible for all extracurricular activities as governed by the rules of the specific activity.

If the student’s term and cumulative institutional TTU GPA is above 2.0 at the end of the following attended term, the academic standing for that term would be Good Standing. If the student’s term GPA is above 2.0, but cumulative institutional GPA remains below 2.0 at the end of the following attended term, the academic standing for that term would remain Academic Warning. If the student’s term TTU GPA and cumulative institutional GPA is below 2.0 at the end of the following attended term, the student will be placed on Academic Probation. Should a student on Academic Warning withdraw during the next attended term, the student’s status will remain Academic Warning until such time as additional completed Texas Tech coursework may be considered.

Academic Probation. A student whose cumulative institutional GPA is below 2.0 for the second consecutive term will be placed on Academic Probation. Such a student may not enroll for more than 16 hours without prior approval of the associate academic dean (or designee). Students should seek to take two courses that were not satisfactorily completed for the purpose of grade replacement, which can have a significant positive impact on GPA. Midterm grades for students placed on Academic Probation will be required in the next enrolled term. In addition, the student must continue to seek regularly scheduled advice and counsel from an academic advisor or the associate academic dean. Students placed on Academic Probation must complete a College Academic Strategy Course, or an Academic Recovery Plan. Students who were previously required to enroll in a Programs for Academic Development and Retention (PADR) course but who have not yet successfully completed it must re-enroll for the current term. Athletic academic services should be consulted on recovery plans for student-athletes. The student will remain eligible for all extracurricular activities as governed by the rules of the specific activity subject to the conditions established by the academic dean or committee granting permission to attend classes.  

If the student’s term and institutional TTU GPA is above 2.0 at the end of the following attended term, the academic standing for that term would be Good Standing. If the student’s term GPA is above 2.0, but cumulative institutional GPA remains below 2.0 at the end of the following attended term, the academic standing for that term would be Academic Warning. If the student’s term TTU GPA and cumulative institutional GPA is below 2.0 at the end of the following attended term, the student will be placed on Academic Suspension and all future registration cancelled. Should a student on Academic Probation withdraw during the next attended term, the student’s status will remain Academic Probation until such time as additional completed Texas Tech coursework may be considered.

Academic Suspension. A probationary student who has a current and a cumulative GPA below 2.0 at the end of a fall, spring, or summer semester will be on Academic Suspension. A student on academic suspension is not permitted to take classes for the period of one full term (fall, spring, or summer) and is ineligible to participate in any extracurricular activities once the suspension is posted.  

A suspended student must apply for readmission (see Readmission after Suspension below). If readmitted, a student may not enroll for more than 16 hours without prior approval of the associate academic dean (or designee). Students should seek to take two courses that were not satisfactorily completed for the purpose of grade replacement, which can have a significant positive impact on GPA. Midterm grades for students returning from Academic Suspension will be required. In addition, the student must continue to seek regularly scheduled advice and counsel from an academic advisor or the associate academic dean. Students returning from Academic Suspension must complete a College Academic Strategy Course or an Academic Recovery Plan, enroll in a Programs for Academic Development and Retention (PADR) course, and pay a nonrefundable course fee. Athletic academic services should be consulted on recovery plans for student-athletes. The student will be eligible for all extracurricular activities as governed by the rules of the specific activity subject to the conditions established by the associate academic dean or committee granting permission to attend classes. 

If the student’s term and cumulative institutional TTU GPA is above 2.0 at the end of the next attended term, the academic standing for that term would be Good Standing. If the student’s term GPA is above 2.0, but cumulative institutional GPA remains below 2.0 at the end of the following attended term, the academic standing for that term would be Academic Probation. If the student’s term TTU GPA and cumulative institutional GPA is below 2.0 at the end of the following attended term, the student will be placed on Academic Dismissal and all future registration cancelled.

Should a student returning from Academic Suspension withdraw during the term of readmission, the student’s withdrawal must be reviewed by the associate academic dean (or designee) and the Provost Office. If the withdrawal is for a documented cause (i.e., family, medical, or personal emergency), the academic standing for the withdrawn term will be Withdrawn Without Penalty. A student in this situation will be subject to the same requirements and guidelines for a suspended student upon returning to the institution. If the withdrawal is not for a documented cause, the student will be placed on Academic Dismissal and all future registration cancelled. A withdrawn student will be required to apply for readmission.

Academic Dismissal. Students reaching the point of Academic Dismissal are at a critical point of their academic career. Academic Dismissal is a serious consequence of poor academic performance. Students will be dismissed from the institution for a period of one calendar year. Following the dismissal period, the student may appeal the dismissal and apply for readmission. The student’s associate academic dean (or designee) will review the student’s application.   

If readmitted, a student may not enroll for more than 16 hours without prior approval of the associate academic dean (or designee). Students should seek to take two courses that were not satisfactorily completed for the purpose of grade replacement, which can have a significant positive impact on GPA. Midterm grades for students returning from Academic Dismissal will be required. In addition, the student must continue to seek regularly scheduled advice and counsel from an academic advisor or the associate academic dean. Students returning from Academic Dismissal must complete a College Academic Strategy Course, or an Academic Recovery Plan. Students who have failed to successfully complete the PADR course required upon their return from suspension must enroll in that course upon return from dismissal.

If the student’s term and cumulative institutional TTU GPA is above 2.0 at the end of the next attended term, the academic standing for that term would be Good Standing. If the student’s term GPA is above 2.0, but cumulative institutional GPA remains below 2.0 at the end of the following attended term, the academic standing for that term would be Academic Probation. If the student’s term TTU GPA and cumulative institutional GPA is below 2.0 at the end of the following attended term, the student will be placed on Permanent Academic Dismissal and all future registration cancelled.

Should a student returning from Academic Dismissal withdraw during the term of readmission, the student’s withdrawal must be reviewed by the associate academic dean (or designee) and the Office of the Provost. If the withdrawal is for a documented cause (i.e., family, medical, or personal emergency), the academic standing for the withdrawn term will be Withdrawn Without Penalty.  A student in this situation will be subject to the same requirements and guidelines for dismissed students upon returning to the institution. If the withdrawal is not for a documented cause, the student will be placed on Permanent Academic Dismissal and all future registration cancelled.

Permanent Academic Dismissal. A student whose academic standing is Permanent Academic Dismissal will have no opportunity for appeal. The student will be notified of her/his expulsion from the institution by the Office of the Provost.

Readmission Following Suspension or Dismissal

Students wishing to return to the university after suspension or dismissal will be treated as former students for reinstatement purposes and must provide official transcripts for all academic work completed at institutions other than Texas Tech. Students seeking to return to the university must have a 2.0 GPA on work taken since leaving Texas Tech. Application materials and deadlines for former students are available at www.depts.ttu.edu/formertech.

Students who apply for reinstatement after suspension or dismissal may be subject to additional requirements as prescribed by the academic dean.

Conditions of Return from Academic Suspension. Students on academic suspension may seek reinstatement after a minimum of one semester (fall, spring, or summer). Both summer terms are considered to be a semester for the purpose of serving a suspension. Students who are reinstated after suspension will be required to enroll in a Programs for Academic Development and Retention (PADR) course for their major during their first semester of reinstatement and pay a nonrefundable course fee
(see www.depts.ttu.edu/padr/). Once required to enroll in a PADR course, students must repeat the course every term that they are enrolled at Texas Tech until the course is successfully completed. Attendance in the PADR class is mandatory from the first day of classes. Five absences in a PADR class will result in a student being withdrawn from the university. Absences accumulate from the beginning of the semester. Withdrawal from the university may result in Academic Dismissal.

Students who are reinstated from a suspension and desire to change colleges to pursue a different major or career goal must (1) contact the associate academic dean (or designee) of the college to which they desire to transfer and ensure they meet enrollment requirements, (2) complete an academic transfer form in the receiving dean’s office, and (3) complete the process by the last day to change colleges, which is the first day of open registration for the next semester.

Conditions of Return from Academic Dismissal. Students who were academically dismissed from the university may appeal for reinstatement following one calendar year. Students seeking to be readmitted should go to www.depts.ttu.edu/formertech and complete the Returning Student Application Form, including the required statement of how they plan to complete a degree program successfully.

Returning students must submit all transcripts for work completed at other institutions of higher education attended since leaving Texas Tech. After the application, transcripts, and required fee are received by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, a message will be sent to the applicant describing the following remaining steps to be readmitted:

All returning students are required to meet with the associate academic dean (or designee) of the college for which they are requesting admission. Returning students will then prepare an Academic Recovery Plan that complies with college and/or program admission requirements. Students who have failed to successfully complete the PADR course required upon their return from suspension must enroll in that course upon return from dismissal.

Returning students entering as an undeclared major are required to meet with a University Advising staff member to develop an Academic Recovery Plan.

The completed “Return from Academic Dismissal Approval Form” concludes the readmission process. This form must be submitted to the Department of Undergraduate Admissions, which will admit the student upon receipt of the form.

Students who fail to adhere to the terms of the agreements required for readmission may be withdrawn from the university and/or barred from enrolling in other Texas Tech University courses until the terms of the contract are successfully completed. Withdrawn students may be permanently academically dismissed.

Graduate-On-Time (GOT): Saves You Money and Time

More than 70 percent of undergraduate degrees at Texas Tech are designated for a 4-year graduation timeline with a minimum course load of 15 hours each long semester. For students in programs requiring more hours, such as architecture, engineering, or teacher certification, graduation timelines vary by program up to 5.5 years. Yet, national and state statistics reveal students take an additional 1 to 1.5 years beyond institutional expected timelines to graduate, i.e., 5.5 years to graduate with a 4 year degree or 6.5 years to graduate with a 5 year degree. Dropping courses, retaking classes, or earning credit for less than a full course load will delay graduation. To address this issue, Texas Tech University created the Graduate-On-Time Partnership Agreement (GOT).

The GOT partnership agreement is a two-party agreement between the student and the Provost of Texas Tech University. When students follow the expectations outlined in the GOT plan, they can save $10,622 to $31,866 or more in out-of-pocket expenses simply by working with their academic advisor(s) to actively plan to graduate on time. Additionally, students can begin their careers or graduate/professional programs earlier.

The agreement is offered to first-year students to help ensure their college investment will be used as efficiently as possible. Students can save time and money by being more aware of how today’s decisions might affect graduation timelines. The GOT agreement helps each student better understand the degree plan, intentionally plan the graduation timeline, track academic progress, and earn a degree within the university-specified timeframe.

First-year students receive information about the Graduate-On-Time initiative in the academic college and/or advising sessions during Red Raider Orientation. A current list of majors and the number of years required to complete each degree can be found at www.depts.ttu.edu/graduateontime/majors.php.

The best news is that students do not have to sign anything to get started. All entering first-year students are automatically entered into the program when they enroll for classes at the university. However, to stay in the program and reap the benefits, students must adhere to the expectations outlined herein. Students should work with their college/department academic advisor to develop an educational plan designed to support graduation within the specified time period. The educational plan will include, but is not limited to, the following:

• A timeline for making informed decisions leading to a best-fit choice of major (and minor, where appropriate) and career.
• A semester-by-semester plan of course sequencing strategically tailored to the individual student’s academic needs and goals.
• Guidance on making efficient use of academic support services available to enhance academic success.

Student Commitment

To remain a participant in the GOT partnership agreement, the student agrees to adhere to the following conditions:

• Choose a major that qualifies for the GOT partnership.
• Be admitted to a major (or change majors) in time to meet the sequence of required courses in the GOT agreement period.
• Stay on track by earning a minimum of 30 semester credit hours per academic year (September to August).
• Avoid being placed on academic suspension.
• Maintain a current email address, local mailing address, and current phone numbers in MyTech via www.raiderlink.ttu.edu.
• In the first six weeks of each semester, schedule an academic advising appointment with the assigned academic advisor(s) in time to allow for registration during advance registration.
• During the academic advising appointment discuss progress toward graduation, identify courses needed for future semesters, and make appropriate adjustments to the educational plan.
• Register during the advance registration period for the number of semester credit hours designated by the educational plan.
• Successfully complete the courses on the educational plan.  
• File the degree plan and submit an Intent to Graduate form by the stipulated deadlines.
• Avoid cancellation by meeting all payment obligations.
• Submit annual applications for financial aid and scholarships on time.
• Document each semester the fulfillment of these conditions.

Additionally, students should consult their assigned academic advisor(s) when situations arise that may negatively impact the educational plan including struggling in class, receiving unsatisfactory mid-term or final grades, before modifying enrolled courses, facing personal issues, experiencing financial hardship, and when considering withdrawing.

Texas Tech Commitment

For programs in the accompanying list, Texas Tech University assures each student meeting the above conditions will be able to enroll in courses that permit graduation in the designated timeline of the student’s declared major. In the event the university does not satisfy the commitments made herein and the student would be unable to graduate due to the unavailability of a course(s), the department and college offering the major will choose one of the following options as the exclusive remedy:

• Allow the student to graduate on time by substituting a different course(s) or independent study assignment for the unavailable course(s) as determined by the department and college offering the major.
• Allow the student to graduate on time by waiving the requirement to be met by the department or college offering the major.
• Allow the unavailability of a course(s) to delay the student from graduating on time, in which case the university will pay the institutional tuition and fees for the student to take the unavailable course(s) at Texas Tech University in a later term.

For more information on the GOT program and its benefits, refer to www.graduateontime.ttu.edu or contact Student Success & Retention, 237 West Hall, 806.742.7774, got.success@ttu.edu.

Note: The Graduate-On-Time Partnership Agreement program is a savings program. For information concerning the State of Texas Tuition Rebate for Certain Undergraduates see www.depts.ttu.edu/studentbusinessservices/resources/tuitionRebate.php.