Academic Basics

Student Course Load and Schedule

The typical student course load is 15 credit hours. For your students to graduate on time, it is important that they take 15 hours every semester. If a student falls below 12 credit hours, it could affect their status with financial aid, scholarships, Greek Life, and their eligibility to serve in student organization leadership positions. 

The maximum number of hours that students may take in one semester is 18 credit hours. It is helpful to consider these parameters and have a conversation about how many hours your student will take per semester to graduate in a timely manner. Also, it is worth noting that the tuition rate remains the same for 12+ credit hours.

Student Classification

Freshman - 30 or fewer semester hours

Sophomore - 31 to 60 semester hours

Junior - 61 to 90 semester hours

Senior - 91 or more semester hours

Classification is important when registering for classes and for scholarship consideration. Student classification depends only on the number of credit hours a student has earned, not how many semesters they have attended. The classification may determine whether your student is eligible to take needed classes.

Course Syllabus

In every class, your student will receive a syllabus. This document outlines the entire class for your student. The class attendance policy, required textbooks, grading policies, and assignments are found on the syllabus. Talk to your student at the beginning of each semester about the courses that they are taking. Encourage them to plan out their classes by mapping out assignments. Not only will this help teach your student time management, but it will also help them plan ahead for busier times in the semester.

Class Attendance Policy

One of the most important factors in academic success is attending class and ensuring that your student is mentally present while there. Sleeping or browsing the internet during lectures is the same as not attending the class at all. It is crucial to make attendance and attentiveness a habit early on; your student’s grades depend on it.

Individual attendance policies are left to the discretion of the professor and are clearly listed in each course syllabus. Students who fail to comply with the course attendance policy risk earning an “F” in a course, or it can be classified as an “FA” on their academic transcript, which means failure to attend.

Though attending class is the foundation of academic success, unforeseen circumstances may arise. If this happens, remind your student to contact his or her professor(s) as soon as possible with documentation to excuse their absence.

How to Calculate a Grade Point Average

Your student’s grade point average, or GPA, is an indication of academic achievement. Auburn University uses a 4.0 grading scale. The following grades and the grade values associated with them are used to determine grade point average. To determine a student’s GPA, multiply the grade value by credit hours, then divide by the total number of credit hours. See the example below.

Grading Scale/Associated Values

• A (superior) equals 4.0
• B (good) equals 3.0
• C (acceptable) equals 2.0
• D (passing) equals 1.0 (D is failing for graduate students)
• F (failure) equals 0.0
• FA (failure due to absences) equals 0.0
• WF (withdrawn failing) equals 0.0

Example:

Using the totals above, Divide the total Quality Points (39) by the Total Credits (12) to calculate the GPA. In this example 39/12 = 3.25.

Although a "D" is considered a passing grade, many degree programs require students to earn a "C" or higher in key courses that pertain to their major. Students can find more details through the Auburn Bulletin or by consulting their academic advisor.

Course Add/Drop/Withdrawal Policy

The first five class days of fall and spring semesters allow for students to add or drop classes to adjust their schedule without penalty. As a practical matter, if a student wishes to add a course, it is strongly recommended that they do so no later than the 1st day of the semester.

Students may drop or withdraw from a course up through the date indicated in the Academic Calendar each term. Students should review the academic calendar prior to dropping a class to clarify whether the time of the withdrawal will result in course drop fees, a grade being assigned or a “W” notation on the student’s transcript, potential tuition refund, or other impacts as noted in the academic calendar. Grades of W are not used in calculating the term or cumulative GPA at Auburn University.

A “WF” (withdrawal failing) occurs if your student officially dropped a course with the permission of their dean after the official drop date but is failing at the time of withdrawal. If a “WF” is recorded, it is considered the same as an “F” and will be calculated as such.

If a student is under the care of a licensed healthcare professional and needs to withdraw from their courses due to a documented physical and/or psychological condition, the student should reach out to the Auburn Cares Office to discuss the medical withdrawal process.

Academic Warning and Suspension

Academic Warning occurs when a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 2.0. If your student is placed on Academic Warning, they must do one of two things to avoid Academic Suspension. Your student must earn a semester GPA of 2.2 or higher or earn a cumulative GPA based on the table below:

If your student is unable to meet the requirements of this scale, they are placed on Academic Suspension. During this time, your student cannot be enrolled at the university for a minimum of one semester, not including summer semester. If your student is placed on Academic Suspension for a second time, they must wait two semesters to re-enroll, not including summer semester. A student who receives a third Academic Suspension will be expelled from Auburn.

Undergraduate Grade Adjustment Policy

All regularly admitted undergraduate students may delete GPA computation and credit for a maximum of three (3) grades of D or F (including FA, WF, or U) associated with their undergraduate degree program from the computation of their cumulative GPA.

This policy does not offer exemption from academic requirements for Auburn University degrees; adjustment only applies to grade computation in individual courses.

Students should review the Undergraduate Grade Adjustment Policy in full and contact their academic advisor for steps to complete the process.