College of Health and Human Services

Course Repeat Policy

The Repeat Policy was established to provide the appropriate academic support to students who have multiple course attempts within certain disciplines. Salisbury University’s commitment to students’ success includes ensuring the opportunity to complete an undergraduate degree within four years. However, the repetition of the same course often demonstrates the need for extra academic assistance to stay or get back on track. This Repeat Policy facilitates an enhanced level of intervention based on a students’ needs that will help achieve their academic goals. This policy applies to all undergraduate courses offered in the Henson School of Science and Technology, effective academic year 2013-2014 and all undergraduate and graduate courses offered in the School of Health Sciences, effective academic year 2021-2022. (Note: other restrictions on course repeats may apply; check with specific academic programs for details).

Approved Courses and Grades

Students may repeat courses offered by the Henson School of Science and Technology and the School of Health Sciences one time at Salisbury University without special permission. These include courses with prefixes AHPH, ATTR, BIOL, CHEM, COSC, DSCI, ENGR, EXSC, FTWL, GEOG, GEOL, HLSC, HLTH, MATH, MDTC, PHYS, RESP and URPL for which the student earned any grade (B, C, D, F, PS, I, W, WP, WF, NGR or Audit). Note that grades of W, WF or WP earned by withdrawing from a class after the scheduled adjustment period (typically the first week of the semester for spring/fall and the first three days for summer/winter) are considered grades and are subject to this policy. Exceptions are those courses that may be repeated for credit (e.g., BIOL 490, CHEM 499). Also, some majors may limit students to a single repeat of specific courses (see requirements for your major).

Third Enrollment Approval Process

Students who wish to repeat a course a second time (third enrollment) must seek approval from the appropriate Dean’s Office. For Henson courses, the Course Repeat Request form must be submitted to the Henson School’s advising services coordinator. For Health Sciences courses, the student must contact the College of Health and Human Services’ Advising Services Coordinator to start the process. Completion of this process does not guarantee enrollment for a third time, as enrollment will depend upon a compelling plan for success and available seats in the course. Students will not be allowed to enroll in a course for a fourth time unless there are extenuating circumstances.

GPA Calculation

Please note that all grades appear on students’ transcripts. For undergraduate courses, the grade from the most recent attempt at SU is used to calculate grade point averages, even if that grade is lower than the first time the student took the course. Students transferring credits from other institutions should be aware that these courses may complete degree requirements, but grades earned in these transferred courses will not be used in SU GPA calculations and do not replace any grade earned in the equivalent course at SU.

At Salisbury University, we want to make sure you have every opportunity to succeed. Before repeating a College of Health and Human Services course, you should contact your Faculty Mentor or Academic Advisor to discuss the implications of doing so, as well as review the College of Health and Human Services Repeat Policy, which can be found in the Academic Catalog.

Topics of discussion with your Academic Advisor or Faculty Mentor may include:

• What contributed to your failure to successfully complete the class?
• Was there an early concept that you failed to understand?
• Were your math skills not up to the level needed for the class?
• Did excessive absences contribute to your failure?

Knowing what contributed to your failure will help you as you create strategies to successfully complete the course. Reflect on and summarize your discussion in writing and send to the advising services coordinator.

If you have attempted a College of Health and Human Services course two times and are seeking to take the course for a third time, you will need to complete and submit a Course Repeat Request Form to seek permission before enrolling.

Note: Grades of W, WF or WP earned as a result of withdrawing from a course after the schedule adjustment period (add/drop week) are considered “attempts” and are subject to this policy. A fourth attempt will not be approved.

Course Repeat Request Process:

1. Student submits a Course Repeat Request Form
   • Be sure to escribe three things that you think you can do differently in order to succeed in this class. Be specific; instead of writing “I will study more” explain HOW you will make sure to increase your study time and WHEN you will study.
2. Academic Services Coordinator (ASC) of the contacts former faculty for previous course academic performance.
3. Request reviewed based on course history, prior academic performance, and faculty feedback.
4. Academic Services Coordinator (ASC) communicates decision with student and reviews the level of academic intervention and support required.
5. If approved, student is responsible for completing academic intervention requirements to remain enrolled in the course throughout the semester.
6. If denied, the student may submit a letter of appeal to the Dean, indicating the need to take the course for a third, or subsequent, time, reasons for previous unsuccessful attempts, and forthcoming efforts to ensure academic success during a future attempt of the course.

As a condition of being granted permission to repeat a class for the second time (third or subsequent attempt/enrollment), students must fulfill the following requirements. Failure to meet these requirements will result in an automatic denial of any further requests to repeat this or any other Henson course or CHHS.

• Student must attend every lecture and lab meeting of the class. Absences due to illness must be followed by an appointment with the instructor to discuss missed material. Any absences due to other university responsibilities (extended lab trips, sports travel, etc.) must be cleared with the instructor and the Advising Services Coordinator at least one week prior to the date of absence.
• Student must complete the academic support stipulations outlined by the Academic Services Coordinator.