Scholastic Standards

Student Handbook

The One Stop Student Resource website serves as UW-Stout’s Student Handbook. The site is a portal for information on registration, finances, academic planning and other resources. It includes a listing of important dates and quick links for important student logins, calendars and technical assistance.

Semester Credit

UW-Stout defines a credit hour as an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that reasonably approximates: [1] At least 750 minutes of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of 1,500 minutes of out-of-class student work for one semester credit hour, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time (e.g. compressed courses); or [2] At least an equivalent amount of work as required in part one [1] of this definition for other academic activities as established by UW-Stout, including distance education, online, hybrid, or other indirect faculty instruction, laboratory work, internships, co-op experiences, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.  This definition of the semester credit hour applies to all academic credit bearing activities at all levels (graduate and undergraduate). In order to receive a degree, you must not only gain the required number of credits in the program you are pursuing, but also must attain a certain standard of scholarship. (See also “Suspension and Probation.”)

Credit by Examination

You may be able to receive credit by demonstrating your competence through examination. External examinations include the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and the Proficiency Examination Program (PEP). For further information on external examinations, contact the Counseling Center.

You may also receive credit through the “test out” procedures developed by various university academic departments. For more information, contact the appropriate school or department office.

If you test out of a course, you will be charged a testing fee.

Credit Registration and Overload Policy

Courses are designed and graduation requirements are established so that a normal semester credit load for undergraduates is 16 to 18 credits. Early registration will be limited to 18 credits. Additional credits may be added at the beginning of the term. You should register for only those classes which you fully intend to complete. If you register for more than 20 credits, you must have an “Overload Permit” signed by your program director on file with the registrar at the time you go over 20 credits.

You may not register for classes that conflict with other classes on your schedule. Eighteen credits is considered a maximum load for undergraduate students with less than 2.25 cumulative grade point average. Enrollment for any additional credits requires consultation with your program director or the coordinator of undeclared/undecided academic advisement if you are not enrolled in a degree program.

The Registration and Records Office is responsible for the application and interpretations of this policy. You will be notified of non-compliance and any subsequent withdrawals made to bring you into compliance should you not answer the notification.

Retroactive Credit for Foreign Language

Students who earn a grade of “B” (3.0) or better in foreign language courses would also receive credit for the lower level foreign language course or courses associated with that course.

Math and English Placement

Remedial Placement Students who are not transferring credits in math or English must take the regional math and English placement tests. These are given around the state during the spring semester. Make-up tests are given in the summer at announced times. Students who place into remedial math or English must successfully complete the course by the end of 30 credits or they will not be permitted to register.

English Placement Students who perform well on the placement tests may be placed in an advanced English class (ENGL-111 Freshman English–Honors I ).

Advanced Placement UW-Stout grants credit for scores of three or greater on the College Board Advanced Placement test. In addition, students can receive credit for a specific course. For more information about advanced placement examinations, call the Office of Admissions at 715/232-1411.

Add/Drop Policy

Even with careful planning, you may find you have to add or drop a class after the semester begins. To comply with accreditation and financial aid regulations, UW-Stout has a published add/drop policy.

The following serves as UW-Stout’s procedures for adding or dropping classes within the guidelines of the policy:

Students are expected to complete courses for which they register. Students who wish to adjust their class schedules may add or drop classes before the end of the second week of semester classes and before the end of the first week of quarter classes. Drops made during the first two weeks of a semester course or the first week of a quarter course will not appear on a student’s transcript. If students deem it necessary to reduce their program after the normal add/drop period, they should do so as early as possible.

“Withdrawal” or “W” is a drop grade given to students who drop a course after the Drop Retain Record Date given in Access Stout and before the Drop with Penalty Date. The Drop Retain Record Date means that a class dropped on or before this date will be retained on your academic record with a status of dropped. After this date a drop grade of W will be assigned to the class.

“WU” or “Withdrawal Unsatisfactory” is a drop grade given to students who drop a course after the Drop with Penalty Date but before the Drop with Greater Penalty Date(class end date) given in Access Stout, which is allowed only when there are extenuating circumstances. The Drop with Penalty means a class dropped after this date will appear on your transcript and a drop grade of WU will be assigned to the class.

Drop with Greater Penalty Date is the last date to drop a class for the semester. After this date classes can no longer be dropped. For help with finding these dates, use the step by step guide to view your course deadlines.

These drop grades are issued after the drop is processed. The drop grade is posted on the student transcript, however, it does not affect their GPA.

Grade Point and Symbols

Accommodating Religious Beliefs

UW-Stout honors individuals’ religious beliefs. If scheduling of tests or other mandatory activities interferes with students’ religious observances, students may request alternative arrangements.

Within the first three weeks of class, students must notify their instructors if there will be days or dates when their religious activities will prevent them from participating in academic events. For summer sessions or short courses, students must notify their instructors within the first week of class.

The university accepts, at face value, the sincerity of students’ religious beliefs. Information students provide about their religion will be kept confidential.

Once instructors know of students’ needs, they will be able to schedule make-up examinations or other course requirements, before or after the regularly scheduled examination or other requirement.

If students believe their religious beliefs have not been accommodated, they may file a grievance. For more information about the policy or the grievance procedure, contact the Dean of Students Office at extension 1181.

Procedure for Withdrawal from UW-Stout

Withdrawal should be undertaken only after serious consideration. If you intend to withdraw from the university, you must contact the Registration and Records Office and complete a withdrawal form. If you fail to withdraw officially from the university, you will receive a grade of “F” in all your courses. Withdrawals after the midpoint of a term or course will generally result in “F” grades. (See the grading policy on the Registration and Records website.)

Suspension and Probation

Grade point requirements for graduation vary by major. Minimum acceptable standards for retention are defined as follows:

Good Academic Standing

A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.000 or greater. Selected majors require a cumulative GPA greater than 2.0 for graduation.

Probation
Academic Probation

A temporary status due to low academic grades. Improvement in academic grades is needed for continued enrollment in the university. A student is placed on probation due to one of the following conditions:

Cumulative GPA is lower than 2.000

Conditionally admitted as a transfer or new freshman

Readmitted after leaving UW-Stout while on probation or when dismissed for academic reasons.

Dismissal
Academic Dismissal

Termination of enrollment in the University of Wisconsin-Stout due to one of the following conditions:

Cumulative GPA is less than 2.000 at the end of two successive semesters.

If a student earns a 2.500 or higher GPA with 12 or more earned credits in the 2nd semester of Academic Probation, but the cumulative GPA is below 2.000 for 2 successive semesters, the student will be granted an additional or third semester on Academic Probation.

GPA for one semester is less than 1.000. Academic Probation status is not a prerequisite for dismissal due to this low GPA.

Readmission Application Timeline Following Dismissal

One semester must lapse if academically dismissed.

Two years must lapse if academically dismissed, readmitted and failed a second time to earn the required grade point average.

Appeal Process to Dismissal

If circumstances were so unusual and out-of-the ordinary that academic performance was significantly and temporarily impacted, the dismissal decision maybe appealed. The appeal process is on-line and handled by the Dean of Students Office.

Requirements for Graduation

The semester credit hours required for graduation are stated under the program of study for each major. You are responsible for knowing and meeting the requirements for graduation. To fill the minimum residence requirement, you must earn 32 semester hours of credit in residence at UW-Stout. One semester before graduation, you must apply to graduate via Access Stout.

Graduating with Honors

Undergraduate honors are based upon scholarship. The following designations are used:

Cum Laude » 3.5 - 3.699 grade point average
Magna Cum Laude » 3.7 - 3.899 grade point average
Summa Cum Laude » 3.9 - 4.00 grade point average

A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 must have been earned in all credits from all institutions attended. For commencement purposes, the cumulative grade point average earned at the end of the semester preceding the commencement ceremony will determine recognition at the commencement ceremony. However, honors will be officially determined when all coursework has been completed. Honors will be listed in the student’s transcript and will appear on the diploma.

Chancellor’s Award

The Chancellor’s Award recognizes undergraduate students who receive a semester grade point average of 3.5 or greater on 12 or more credits. A special Four Star Recognition Award will be given to undergraduate students who attain a 4.0 average.