University Calendar
General Education Classes
Credit Hours
American Grading System
Probation and Dismissal
Repeated Classes
Wichita State University operates on the semester system. The University calendar is as follows:
*Note: Summer Session enrollment is not required unless it is your first term of enrollment. Students who study during the optional Summer Session may graduate faster.
TopOne of the unique features of the American educational system is the requirement that students must take classes in areas not related to their major. We feel that a broad education is more beneficial in your professional and private lives than an education that is strictly focused in one area of study. Students often find that, after taking various General Education classes, they have an aptitude or interest in an area of study that they would never have considered before. With the help of your advisor at WSU, all students must take classes in:
| Basic Skills | Required: English Composition I and II, Public Speaking, and College Algebra or higher |
| Fine Arts | Choose from: Art History, Dance, Musicology-Composition, or Theatre |
| Humanities | Choose from: Communication, English, History, Linguistics, Modern and Classical Languages, Philosophy, Religion, and Women’s Studies |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | Choose from: Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Ethnic Studies, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology |
| Mathematics and Natural Sciences | Choose from: Biology, Biological Anthropology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Mathematics/Statistics, Physics, and Public Health Sciences |
As a reminder, you do not need to select these classes now. You will meet with an advisor after your arrive in Wichita for assistance in selecting your classes.
TopMany students ask, "What is a credit hour?" A credit hour represents the number of hours that you spend in one class each week during a semester. Most classes at the University are 3 credit hours. This means that you will attend class 3 hours each week for that particular class. Credit hours are important because:
Wichita State University, like most American schools, uses the following system for grading:
| A | = | 4.0 | grade points = | Excellent Achievement |
| B | = | 3.0 | grade points = | Very Good Achievement |
| C | = | 2.0 | grade points = | Average Achievement |
| D | = | 1.0 | grade points = | Below Average Achievement |
| F | = | 0.0 | grade points = | Failing |
Your grade point average (often called a "GPA" in the U.S.) is determined by dividing your Total Grade Points for a semester by the number of Credit Hours you attempted. An example is as follows:
| Class Name | Credit Hours | Grade | Grade Points | |
| Calculus - I | 5 | B = 3.0 | 15 | (5 credit hours X a grade of 3.0 = 15) |
| Psychology | 3 | A = 4.0 | 12 | (3 credit hours X a grade of 4.0 = 12) |
| Public Speaking | 3 | C = 2.0 | 6 | (3 credit hours X a grade of 2.0 = 6) |
| Geography | 3 | C = 2.0 | 6 | (3 credit hours X a grade of 2.0 = 6) |
| Total | 14 | 39 |
SEMESTER GPA = 2.79 (39 grade points ¸ 14 credit hours = GPA of 2.79)
The term "GPA" is a general term and can actually refer to many different kinds of GPA’s – depending on the use. Students at Wichita State University may have the following GPA’s:
Why is your GPA important? First and foremost, your GPA is a reflection of your achievement at the University. Your GPA is also used in deciding if you might qualify for a scholarship, special honors at graduation, and your eligibility to graduate or continue your study at Wichita State. Some employers may use your GPA in deciding if you would be a good candidate for a job. For this reason, it is important that you try to obtain the highest GPA possible each semester.
TopYou must perform satisfactorily in your classes in order to be allowed to continue your studies at Wichita State University. Each Faculty (a Faculty is often called a "College" in the U.S.) at WSU has its own GPA requirement that is used to measure a student’s satisfactory performance and his/her eligibility to graduate. Students must obtain the following Semester GPA, WSU GPA, and Cumulative GPA in order to be able to continue their studies at WSU and graduate:
| W. Frank Barton School of Business | 2.25 GPA |
| College of Education | 2.50 GPA |
| College of Engineering | 2.00 GPA |
| College of Fine Arts | 2.00 GPA |
| College of Health Professions | 2.00 GPA |
| College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | 2.00 GPA |
Students who have a GPA below what is required by their Faculty/College cannot graduate or receive a diploma. Students who do not obtain the GPA required by their Faculty/College will be first placed on “probation” and given the opportunity to improve their performance before being dismissed (expelled) from the University. Students who are placed on probation will be given one semester to improve their GPA. Students who perform unsatisfactorily during the semester during which they are on probation will be dismissed from the University.
Students are placed on probation at the end of any semester in which they have obtained a Semester GPA, Cumulative GPA, or WSU GPA below what is required by their Faculty/College (see the above GPA requirements). Probation is removed when a student’s Semester GPA, Cumulative GPA, and WSU GPA reaches the requirement for their Faculty/College. Students will remain on probation if they earn the minimum Semester GPA required by their Faculty/College during their probation semester but their WSU GPA or Cumulative GPA remains below the minimum. In short, it is best for all students to obtain the GPA required by their Faculty/College during each semester of enrollment at WSU in order to avoid being placed on probation and risk being dismissed from the University.
If you are placed on probation by your Faculty/College, you will be allowed to study a maximum of 12 credit hours during your probation semester. During the semester you are on probation, it is very important that you obtain the highest GPA you can. If, at the end of your probation semester, your Semester GPA, Cumulative GPA, and WSU GPA meet or exceed the requirement by your Faculty/College, you will be removed from probation. You will remain on probation if you earn the minimum Semester GPA required by your Faculty/College during your probation semester but your WSU GPA or Cumulative GPA remains below the minimum. Important Warning: If you fail to meet the minimum Semester GPA required by your Faculty/College during the semester you are on probation, you will be dismissed (expelled) from the University.
TopThe University’s repeat policy allows students to have a total of 5 repeated classes. If you have already repeated classes at another school, those repeats will count toward the 5 you are allowed. After 5 repeated classes, all grades are averaged into your Cumulative GPA.
For other important information about the policies and procedures at Wichita State University, please check out http://www.wichita.edu/registrar and click on the link for "Catalog".
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