Chapter 3359-60 | Academics In General

Rule 3359-60-02 | Undergraduate admissions.

• Effective: May 7, 2022
• Promulgated Under: 111.15

(A) Admissions process.

The university of Akron operates under a policy of "rolling admissions" which means that successful applicants for admission receive a letter of admission as soon as all credentials are processed and have until May first to accept the offer of admission. The application/admission process may be through online or other mechanisms appropriate at the time. The university reserves the right to enforce a deadline for applications and admission, and to not consider applications received after such deadline. The university reserves the right to require official high school and prior college transcripts, and/or G.E.D./home-school documentation, before enrolling any applicant. The university reserves the right to require placement testing and/or advising of admitted and/or enrolled students. Admission procedures will vary for: recent high school graduates, home-schooled students, adult students, transfer students, postbaccalaureate students, special students, guest students and international students. Students shall be charged fees and/or tuition and other fees in accordance with schedules adopted by the board from time to time, and through online or other billing mechanisms appropriate at the time.

(1) Prospective in-state and out-of-state students who have graduated from a regionally accredited secondary school, or have earned a G.E.D., or have obtained an equivalent home-schooled education are eligible to apply. Applicants are encouraged to submit scores from either the "American College Testing Program" ("ACT") or from the "Scholastic Aptitude Test" ("SAT") of the "College Entrance Examination Board" for the purpose of course placement, though such scores are not required for admission. Applicants admitted without standardized test scores may be required to complete examinations to determine initial course placement. Applicants are reviewed holistically for admission to the university on the basis of the quality of the secondary schoolwork.

(2) Admission is necessarily limited by the university's capacity to provide for student's educational objectives. The university reserves the right to approve admission only to those individuals whose ability, attitude and character promise satisfactory achievement of university objectives.

(B) Admission requirements.

(1) Recent high school graduates.

Students who have not attended other regionally accredited higher education institutions, and who, within two years of date of application to the university of Akron, have either graduated from high school, or obtained an equivalent home-schooled education, or earned a G.E.D., are in this category. Applicants are reviewed holistically for admission to the university on the basis of the quality of the secondary schoolwork. Departments and schools may, for the purpose of conferring direct entry to specific degree program, impose admission requirements that supersede those required for university admission.

(2) Adult students.

Students who have never attended other regionally accredited higher education institutions and who, more than two years prior to the date of application to the university of Akron, either graduated from high school, or obtained an equivalent home-schooled education, or earned a G.E.D., are in this category. Admission and enrollment status decisions will be based on placement exams and individual advising.

(3) Transfer students.

A student applying for admission who has attended other regionally accredited higher education institutions following high school graduation is considered a transfer student. Such students are ordinarily eligible to transfer to the university if the student is eligible to re-enter the last institution from which transfer is desired or is a graduate of such institution. Transfer students with fewer than twelve earned credit hours (excluding developmental credits) will be evaluated for admission based on high school academic credentials. Transfer students with twelve or more earned credit hours (excluding developmental credits) will be evaluated for admission based on post-secondary academic credentials. A transfer student on probation, regardless of earned credit hours, or dismissed from another institution will not be considered for admission until the combined post-secondary grade point average reaches 2.0 or higher, or until a two-year waiting period (without post-secondary enrollment) has been satisfied. A transfer student that has satisfied the two-year waiting period must submit a written statement outlining the causes of poor academic performance and steps taken toward improvement. A student dismissed from another institution for disciplinary reasons will not be admitted unless changes in the student's circumstances indicate a strong likelihood that the student will abide by the university's code of student conduct.

The student must present scholastic records judged to be satisfactory by university of Akron officials. The assessment of scholastic records may include consideration of prior courses, grade-point average, credit value and other such factors which the university or individual colleges use in evaluating, ranking, or otherwise determining admissibility to the university or to specific programs. Admission and enrollment status decisions will be based on these scholastic records, placement exams and individual advising.

(4) Postbaccalaureate students.

A student who holds a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and desires to obtain further education but has not been admitted to the graduate school should apply as a postbaccalaureate student.

(5) Special students.

A special student is enrolled as a non-degree seeking student to participate in a special short-term program. A special student may not take more than fifteen credits unless official status as a regular student is gained.

(C) Transfer admission into degree-granting colleges, certain departments/schools and certified programs.

(1) Admission procedures and requirements vary for each of the university degree-granting colleges, some departments within the degree-granting colleges and certain certificated programs. Information about these admission procedures and requirements is available in the dean's office of the various degree-granting colleges.

(2) Except as otherwise stated herein, admission to the university of Akron does not, per se, entitle a student to admission into a degree-granting college, any department which has admission procedures and requirements, or certain certificated programs. Students seeking admission into these colleges, departments or programs must meet the requirements of the respective college, department or program as the situation may warrant.

(3) Admission procedures and requirements of the degree-granting colleges, any departments which have admission procedures and requirements, or certain certificated programs are subject to change from time to time when recommended by faculty senate and approved by the board of trustees. Students are advised to consult advisers within these colleges, departments or programs, the general bulletin, and other university documents that may apply to the discipline or program in which they seek admission to ascertain the current admission procedure and requirements for the college, department or program in which they seek admission.

(4) Unless explicitly stated otherwise in college - or program-specific criteria for inter-college transfer, only the university of Akron grade point average after successful completion of fifteen or more credits will be used to determine eligibility for students to inter-college transfer into their desired degree-granting college and major.

(D) International student program.

(1) The university of Akron welcomes qualified students from other lands and seeks to make their educational experiences pleasant and meaningful. These students represent numerous countries, and they pursue studies in a number of major fields.

(2) Admission procedures for international undergraduates.

(a) Applicants may be accepted for any academic term. All admission requirements should therefore be completed at least forty-five days prior to start of the term for which the student wishes to enroll.

(b) The following application procedures should be followed:

(i) Apply through online or other mechanisms appropriate at the time.

(ii) Submit official transcripts from all secondary or middle schools and all universities/colleges previously attended. Original academic records in languages other than English must be accompanied by exact English translations and certified by the school, an official translator or by a U.S. consular officer, and accompanied by appropriate verifications.

(iii) Degree conferral.

Applicants must submit supporting documentation for all earned degrees indicated on the application. Provisional certificates may be accepted pending the award of a degree. High school/secondary school students must show proof of graduation before they will be permitted to register for their first semester.

(iv) Proof of English language proficiency.

The university of Akron requires all students for whom English is not the native language to take the "Test of English as a Foreign Language" ("TOEFL") the "International English Language Testing System" ("IELTS"), or the "Michigan English Laboratory Assessment Battery" ("MELAB"). "TOEFL" applications may be obtained from bi-national agencies, "United States Information Service" ("USIS") offices, or from the "Educational Testing Service" ("ETS"). The "IELTS" is jointly administered by Cambridge ("ESOL"), British council and IDP education Australia. The "MELAB" is a secure test battery, and is administered only by the ELI-UM and ELI-UM authorized official examiners in the United States and Canada. Undergraduate students must achieve a minimum "TOEFL" score of seventy-one (internet-based test) or a corresponding minimum "IELTS" or "MELAB" score. "TOEFL", "IELTS", and "MELAB" scores older than two years are invalid and unacceptable.

(v) Proof of adequate financial support.

An international student is required to submit a "Declaration and Certification of Finances" and official documents showing that the student has sufficient funds to cover the cost of the student's education, living expenses, and health insurance while attending the university of Akron and that these funds will be available to them in this country. Immigration regulations prevent the student from earning any substantial portion of these funds while studying in the United States. Each international student will be held responsible for obtaining and maintaining appropriate health and accident insurance coverage while enrolled at this institution. This insurance coverage is mandatory as described in the following paragraph.

(vi) Student health insurance.

All international students will automatically be enrolled in the student major medical health insurance available through the university, the cost of which will be assessed as a fee and applied to the student's account unless prior to enrollment the student provides proof, as proscribed by the university, and maintains in full force and effect during enrollment, major medical insurance that meets or exceeds requirements established by the university.

(3) Orientation.

The international student is required to attend a special orientation program which is held prior to the beginning of fall/spring semester classes. A student admitted for summer semester must attend the fall semester orientation. The schedule for orientation will be mailed with the "Certificate of Eligibility" from the office of international programs immigration specialists. During orientation, the international student is given an English language placement examination. This is in addition to the international proficiency examination. The student may be required to participate in noncredit English classes if it is felt the results of this placement examination warrant such action.

(4) English language institute.

The university of Akron offers an intensive English language institute program for the international student whose command of the English language has not reached the level of proficiency to enable the student to begin full-time coursework. The English language institute operates on a schedule of two fifteen-week semesters and a summer session. An applicant is required to pass a language proficiency test before being fully admitted for academic study. An international student enrolled in the English language institute may not enroll for undergraduate coursework at the same time.

Last updated May 16, 2022 at 4:41 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3359
Amplifies: 3359
Prior Effective Dates: 11/4/1977, 8/31/1992, 6/30/2011, 12/22/2019

Rule 3359-60-03.1 | Credit by transfer and/or examination.

• Effective: December 18, 2021
• Promulgated Under: 111.15

(A) Transfer credit for undergraduate courses.

(1) A total for all non-remedial, non-developmental college-level course work completed with earned grades of "D-" or better taken at an institution of higher education in the United States which is fully accredited or has been granted candidacy status by one of the following regional institutional accrediting agencies: middle states association of colleges and schools, commission on higher education; new England association of schools and colleges, commission on institutions of higher education; north central association of colleges and schools, higher learning commission; northwest commission on colleges and universities; southern association of colleges and schools, commission on colleges; western association of schools and colleges, accrediting commission for community and junior colleges; western association of schools and colleges, accrediting commission for senior colleges and universities will be listed on the university of Akron official academic record. Each course posted to the degree audit system will reflect the course number, title, grade and credit value; no grade-point value will appear on the record; however, grade-point average may be considered for purposes of evaluating, ranking or otherwise determining admissibility to the university or to specific programs. In addition, the name of the institution, as well as the time period during which the courses were taken, will be listed on the university of Akron official academic record.

(2) No grade-point value will appear on the record, and no grade-point average will be calculated for the course work listed. Transfer students shall be accorded the same class standing and other privileges as all other students on the basis of the number of credits earned.

(3) All residency requirements must be completed successfully at the receiving institution prior to the granting of a degree.

(4) "CLEP" or advanced placement credit posted on transcripts from regionally accredited previous Ohio colleges and universities is eligible for credit at the university of Akron.

"CLEP" or advanced placement credit posted on transcripts from previous non-Ohio institutions is not eligible for credit at the university of Akron. Students must present original documentation attesting to scores earned prior to receiving alternative credit considerations.

(5) The university of Akron does not guarantee that a transfer student automatically will be admitted to all majors, minors, or fields of concentration at the institution. For courses that have been taken at an institution of higher education noted in the reference in this paragraph, the dean of the college in which the student intends to obtain a degree will specify which courses listed, other than general studies, will apply toward the degree requirements at the university. This specification will be made at the time the student enters the degree-granting college. The office responsible for transfer student services will specify which courses listed will apply toward the general education requirements when the student enters the university.

(B) Transient student. A university of Akron student may take coursework at another institution of higher education as a transient student. These courses will be listed on the university of Akron official academic record. Each course will reflect the course number, title, grade and credit value; no grade-point value will appear on the record and the grade for such course will not be included in the university of Akron grade-point calculation. The name of the institution will be listed on the university of Akron official academic record as well as the date that the coursework was taken.

(1) Coursework must be taken at a regionally accredited institution.

(2) For transient coursework with established equivalency, prior written approval must be received from the dean of the student's degree-granting college, or from the dean's designee. If the student is not yet admitted to a degree-granting college, written approval must be received from the dean, or the dean's designee, of the student's intended degree-granting college or, if the student has not declared a major, from the dean, or the dean's designee, of the degree-granting college offering the course. For transient coursework without established equivlency, student must provide a syllabus to the appropriate department or school chair/director for evaluation, after which approval must be received per the procedure outlined in this paragraph.

(3) A student must earn a grade of "D-" or better in the course at the other institution in order for the credits to apply towards the student's degree requirements at the university of Akron unless otherwise specified by the degree granting college. The student must provide the official transcript for the course in order to receive credit.

(4) No more than eighteen total credit hours of transient work may be approved prior to the granting of a baccalaureate degree. No more than nine total credit hours of transient work may be approved prior to the granting of an associate degree.

(5) Approvals for transient attendance at other institutions are valid for only the requested term.

(6) Students who are on probation or dismissed are restricted or denied transient permission except in rare and compelling circumstances. Note: Students nearing degree completion should review university graduation requirements.

(7) Coursework taken at another institution cannot be considered for the university of Akron repeat- for- change- of- grade policy or the academic reassessment policy and will not be calculated into the university of Akron grade-point average.

(C) Credit by examination. A student interested in earning credits by special examination may do so with the permission of the dean of the students college and the dean of the college in which a particular course is offered and by payment of the special examination fee. The grade obtained in such an examination is recorded on the student's permanent academic record. Credit by examination is not permitted in the semester before graduation. Credit by examination may not be used to repeat for change of grade.

(D) Bypassed credit. Certain courses designated in the general bulletin by each department enable a student to earn "bypassed" credit. A degree-seeking undergraduate student who completes such a course with a grade of "C" or better is entitled to credit for designated prerequisite courses which carry the same departmental code number. Credit for such bypassed prerequisite shall be included in the total credits earned but shall not count in the quality point ratio, or class standing, or hours required for graduation with honors. Bypassed credit is not awarded on the basis of completing a course either credit-by-examination or credit/noncredit. Bypassed credit may not be used to repeat for change of grade. The appendix to this rule outlines courses approved for bypassed credit.

The university shall from time to time publish a list of courses approved by the faculties of the college for bypassed credit.

Last updated May 1, 2024 at 11:58 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3359
Amplifies: 3359
Prior Effective Dates: 1/30/1981, 5/22/1991

Rule 3359-60-03.3 | Repeating courses.

• Effective: April 5, 2021
• Promulgated Under: 111.15

Undergraduate students may repeat a course twice. Undergraduate students may repeat a course more than twice with the permission of the dean of their degree-granting college or, if they are not yet admitted to a degree-granting college, by the dean of their intended degree-granting college or, if they have not yet declared a major, by the dean of the college offering the course. All course repeats are subject to the following conditions:

(A) To receive a new grade of "A" through "F" a student may repeat a course in which the previously received grade was a "C-," "D+," "D," "D-," "F," "CR," "NC," or "AUD."

(B) To receive a new grade of "CR" or "NC," a student may repeat a course in which the previously received grade was a "NC." Registrations under the "CR/NC" option are subject to the restrictions in the "CR/NC" policy.

(C) To receive a new grade of "A" through "F," or "CR" or "NC," a student may repeat a course in which the previously received grade was an "AUD." Registrations under the "CR/NC" option are subject to the restrictions in the "CR/NC" policy.

(D) A course in which the previously received grade was "A" through "F," or "CR" or "NC," may be repeated for a grade of "AUD"; however, the grade of "AUD" does not replace the previously received grade.

(E) With the dean's permission, a student may substitute another course if the previous course is no longer offered.

(F) Grades for all attempts at a course will appear on the student's official academic record.

(G) Only the grade for the last attempt at a course at the university of Akron will be used in calculating the grade point average. Attempts prior to the last attempt cannot be used to satisfy curricular requirements.

(H) A student who wishes to receive credit or satisfy a prerequisite by repeating a course at another institution must satisfy the conditions and receive the permissions specified for transient students in paragraph (B) of rule 3359-60-03.1 of the Administrative Code. A course repeated at another institution for transient credit will count toward the two repeats allowed without the dean's permission. A course repeated at another institution will not be used in the calculation of the grade point average.

(I) Regardless of where a course is taken, credit for the course or its equivalent will apply only once toward meeting degree requirements.

Last updated April 8, 2021 at 2:06 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3359
Amplifies: 3359
Prior Effective Dates: 8/30/1979, 8/27/2017

Rule 3359-60-03.4 | Academic reassessment and discipline.

• Effective: April 29, 2023
• Promulgated Under: 111.15

(A) To be eligible for academic reassessment due to leave of absence, a student shall:

(1) Have not attended the university of Akron for at least two calendar years. A semester or summer session in which the student received all "WD" grades cannot be counted as part of the separation period; and

(2) Have reenrolled and maintained a grade point average of 2.50 or higher for the first twenty-four letter-graded ("A" through "F") hours attempted at the university of Akron; and

(3) Have not used academic reassessment due to leave of absence before at the university of Akron; and

(4) Submit a written request for academic reassessment to the student's college dean's office.

(B) To be eligible for academic reassessment due to change of major, a student shall:

(1) Have changed major during the first sixty credit hours attempted at the university of Akron; and

(2) Have maintained a grade point average of 2.50 or higher for the first twenty-four letter-graded ("A" through "F") hours attempted subsequent to the student's change of major; and

(3) Have not used academic reassessment due to change of major before at the university of Akron; and

(4) Submit a written request to the student's college deans office.

(C) To be eligible for academic reassessment due to discontinuation of courses, a student shall:

(1) Be currently enrolled at the university of Akron beyond the deadline to drop courses; and

(2) Have completed courses at the university of Akron which are no longer offered and have not been offered in the preceding five calendar years, and for which there are no related courses applicable to the repeat for change of grade policy; and

(3) Have not used academic reassessment due to discontinuation of courses before at the university of Akron; and

(4) Submit a written request to the students college deans office.

(D) To apply for academic reassessment, the student shall complete the appropriate form in consultation with his/her academic adviser.

(E) The office of the university registrar shall confirm eligibility and make the adjustments to the student's academic record.

(1) The student begins with a new cumulative grade point average and adjusted credit hour totals.

(a) Credit hours are defined as semester hours.

(b) Only grades with a "C-" or lower may be reassessed.

(c) The student, in consultation with his/her academic adviser, shall identify the courses to be reassessed.

(d) For reassessment due to leave of absence, grades to be reassessed shall come from the time period prior to the student's reenrollment following the two-year absence.

(e) For reassessment due to change of major, grades to be reassessed shall come from the time period prior to the student's change of major.

(2) Grades earned for the courses that are reassessed at the university of Akron are excluded from the calculation of the cumulative "GPA," but will remain on the student's official transcript.

(3) Credit hours earned for courses at the university of Akron during the previous enrollment with a grade of "C" or better, including "CR," are retained.

(4) For reassessment due to leave of absence, credit hours from all reassessed courses taken during the previous enrollment at the university of Akron with a grade of "C-" or lower are removed from the calculation of the cumulative "GPA" (although the grades are retained on the academic transcript with the notation "academic reassessment policy").

(5) For reassessment due to change of major, up to three courses may be reassessed. Credit hours from all reassessed courses taken prior to the change of major at the university of Akron with a grade of "C-" or lower are removed from the calculation of the cumulative "GPA" (although the grades are retained on the academic transcript with the notation "academic reassessment policy").

(6) For reassessment due to discontinuation of courses, credit hours from all reassessed courses with a grade of "C-" or lower are removed from the calculation of the cumulative "GPA" (although the grades are retained on the academic transcript with the notation "academic reassessment policy").

(F) The office of the university registrar will apply the following provisions of the academic reassessment policy.

(1) When counting the first twenty-four credits attempted, if the twenty-fourth credit is part of other credits earned during a semester, the entire number of credits earned for that semester will be calculated into the grade-point average.

(2) An undergraduate student may utilize each academic reassessment policy only one time in his/her career at the university of Akron.

(3) This policy applies to undergraduate course work taken at the university of Akron and only for undergraduate students earning a first undergraduate degree. (The graduate school has adopted its own academic reassessment policy, paragraph (E) of rule 3359-60-03.4 of the Administrative Code.)

(4) Any academic probations, suspensions or dismissals from reassessed semesters shall not be forgiven. They will count when the probation-dismissal policy is applied to the student's record after readmission.

(5) A student may seek an exception to this policy through an appeal to the senior vice president and provost and chief operating officer whose decision will be final.

(G) Academic reassessment: graduate.

(1) A student who meets all the criteria described in this paragraph may petition the vice president for research and dean of the graduate school to remove from her/his graduate cumulative grade point average all those grades earned under the student's prior enrollment at the university of Akron.

(a) Degree-seeking graduate student,

(b) Previous graduate enrollment at the university of Akron,

(c) Not enrolled at the university of Akron for at least five years prior to current enrollment, and

(d) Maintain a current graduate grade point average of at least 3.00 or better for the first fifteen hours of re-enrollment credit.

(2) If the student's petition is granted, the following will apply to the reassessment policy:

(a) This policy only applies to the student's graduate grade point average.

(b) All university of Akron grades will remain on the student's official, permanent academic record (transcript); this process will affect the cumulative grade point average only. It will not remove evidence/documentation of the student's overall academic history at the university.

(c) No grades/credits from the student's prior graduate enrollment at the university may be counted toward the subsequent degree program requirements. Degree requirements may only be met by courses included in the calculation of the student's cumulative graduate grade point average at the university of Akron. Thus, the student who successfully petitions for cumulative graduate grade point average recalculation under this policy automatically forfeits the right to use any of the excluded course work toward the current degree requirements.

(3) A student may exercise this graduate reassessment option only once, regardless of the number of times the student enters/attends a graduate degree program at the university of Akron.

(H) Discipline. Continuation as a student of the university is dependent on the maintenance of satisfactory grades and conformity to the rules of the institution.

Last updated May 1, 2023 at 8:39 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3359
Amplifies: 3359
Prior Effective Dates: 8/30/1979, 5/5/2008

Rule 3359-60-03.6 | Graduation.

• Effective: April 29, 2023
• Promulgated Under: 111.15

(A) Graduation with honors.

(1) For a student who is being awarded a baccalaureate degree and who has completed sixty or more credits at the university of Akron, the degree:

Will be designated	If the overall grade-point average is
cum laude	between 3.40 and 3.59
magna cum laude	between 3.60 and 3.79
summa cum laude	3.80 or higher

The grade-point average will be rounded to the nearest hundredth for the purposes of determining graduation with honors.

The number of credit hours used to determine graduation with honors for the commencement ceremony includes the total number of credit hours completed at the university of Akron plus the number of credit hours in progress at the university of Akron.

A student who holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, including the university of Akron, and who earns a subsequent baccalaureate degree at the university of Akron per the academic policy requirements for second degrees, is eligible to graduate with honors.

(2) For a student who is being awarded an associate degree and who has completed thirty or more credits at the university, and for a student who is being awarded a baccalaureate degree and who has completed fewer than sixty credits at the university, the degree:

Will be designated	If the overall grade-point average is
with distinction	between 3.40 and 3.59
with high distinction	between 3.60 and 3.79
with highest distinction	3.80 and higher

The grade-point average will be rounded to the nearest hundredth for the purposes of determining graduation with honors.

A student who holds an associate degree from an accredited institution, including the university of Akron, and who earns a subsequent associate degree at the university of Akron per the academic policy requirements for second degrees, is eligible to graduate with honors.

(3) Where deemed necessary, the chief academic officer may waive these requirements for rare and unique circumstances and report such waivers to the board of trustees for its information.

(B) Requirements for baccalaureate and associate degrees. A candidate for the baccalaureate or the associate degree must:

(1) File an application for graduation with the office of the university registrar.

(a) If the undergraduate or law candidate plans to complete degree requirements at the end of fall semester, submit an application by or before May fifteenth.

(b) If the undergraduate or law candidate plans to complete degree requirements at the end of spring semester, submit an application by or before September fifteenth.

(c) If the undergraduate candidate plans to complete degree requirements at the end of summer semester, submit an application by or before February fifteenth.

(d) If the graduate candidate plans to complete degree requirements by the end of spring, fall or summer semesters, submit an application by dates established by the graduate school.

(2) Earn a minimum 2.00 grade-point average as computed by the office of the university registrar for work attempted at the university of Akron consistent with the repeating courses policy. Some of the colleges may have by action of their faculties, adopted a higher grade-point average for graduation with a degree from that college. The grade-point average achieved at the time of completion of requirements for a degree will be used to calculate rank in class and if applicable honors.

(3) Meet all degree requirements including grade point requirements which are in force at the time a transfer is made to a degree-granting college. If the student should transfer to another major, then the requirements should be those in effect at the time of the transfer. For a student enrolled in an associate degree program, the requirements shall be those in effect upon entrance into the program.

(4) For purposes of meeting foreign language requirements, all foreign languages and "American Sign Language" can fulfill the foreign language requirement for those programs that have a non-specific foreign language requirement. However, for those majors or programs that specify specific language requirements, the applicable specific language requirement must be met to satisfy graduation requirements for that major or program.

(5) Be approved for graduation by the appropriate college faculty, faculty senate, and board of trustees.

(6) Complete the requirements for a degree in not more than five calendar years from the date of transfer, as defined below. In the event the student fails to complete the degree requirements within five calendar years from the date of transfer, the university reserves the right to make changes in the number of credits and/or courses required for a degree.

If a student who has transferred from another institution wishes to present for the student's major fewer than fourteen credits earned at the university of Akron written permission of both the dean and head of the department concerned is required.

The date of transfer for a student into a baccalaureate program will be the date that the student is accepted by the degree-granting college. For a student enrolled in an associate degree program, the date of transfer refers to the date of entrance into the program.

(7) Credit hour minimums.

(a) Earn at least one hundred twenty credits in the baccalaureate degree or sixty credits in the associate degree.

(b) Earn the last thirty credits in the baccalaureate degree total or fifteen credits in the associate degree total in residence at the university of Akron unless excused in writing by the dean of the college in which the student is enrolled.

(c) Earn a minimum of thirty credits in the baccalaureate degree total or fifteen credits in the associate degree total in residence at the university of Akron.

(8) Discharge of all other obligations to the university of Akron.

(C) Requirements for additional baccalaureate and associate degrees.

(1) Meet all the requirements listed in paragraph (B) of this rule.

(2) Earn a minimum of:

(a) Thirty credits which have not counted toward a baccalaureate degree, for an additional baccalaureate degree, or

(b) Fifteen credits which have not counted toward an associate degree, for an additional associate degree.

(3) These credits shall be earned in residence at the university of Akron.

(D) Change of requirements.

(1) To better accomplish its objectives, the university reserves the right to alter, amend or revoke any rule or regulation. The policy of the university is to give advance notice of such change, whenever feasible.

(2) Unless the change in a rule or regulation specifies otherwise, it shall become effective immediately with respect to the student who subsequently enters the university, whatever the date of matriculation.

(3) Without limiting the generality of its power to alter, amend or revoke rules and regulations, the university reserves the right to make changes in degree requirements of the student enrolled prior to the change by:

(a) Altering the number of credits and/or courses required in a major field of study.

(b) Deleting courses.

(c) Amending courses by increasing or decreasing the credits of specific courses, or by varying the content of specific courses.

(d) Offering substitute courses in the same or in cognate fields.

(4) The dean of the college, in consultation with the department or division head of the student's major field of study, may grant waivers in writing if a change in rules affecting degree requirements is unduly hard upon a student enrolled before the change was effective. The action of the dean of the college in the granting or refusing a waiver must be reviewed by the chief academic officer on motion by the dean concerned, or at the request of the dean of the college of the student affected or at the request of the student affected.

(E) Credit and grade point requirements for graduation as adopted by the college faculties are listed in the university's "Undergraduate Bulletin."

(F) When deemed necessary and only in rare and unique circumstances that do not undermine the overall integrity of the various graduation requirements, the chief academic officer in consultation with the president, may waive specific requirements contained in this rule and report such waivers to the board of trustees for its information.

(G) Posthumous conferral of degrees

A request for the posthumous conferral of a degree may be made to the chief academic officer by the faculty of the degree-granting college in which the deceased student was enrolled if the student was in good academic standing at the time of death. Ordinarily, the following criteria should be met:

(1) The student should have been enrolled at the time of death, or in a fall spring or summer term in the calendar year immediately preceding the date of death; and

(2) The student should have had a reasonable chance of degree completion within six months after the date of death.

Last updated May 1, 2023 at 8:39 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3359
Amplifies: 3359
Prior Effective Dates: 1/30/1981, 6/25/2007

Rule 3359-60-04 | Fees.

• Effective: May 4, 2017
• Promulgated Under: 111.15

(A) Any and all fees are subject to change without notice, when approved by the board of trustees. Students are advised to consult the university's website and any other university document that may apply to fees and related charges.

(B) Despite the willingness of taxpayers and generous friends of the university to help support higher education, some portion of this total expense must be borne by the student.

(C) The university's website lists all current comprehensive and individual course fees for students and prospective students at the university who are studying for credit and noncredit in all areas of instruction. Included also are the additional expenses required for special academic services available to a student such as private music lessons, thesis-binding, etc.

(D) It is the responsibility of the student to know the correct amount of all fees including the non-Ohio resident surcharge.

(E) In any question concerning fees, surcharge or residence, it is the responsibility of the student, parents, or court appointed guardian, to furnish such proof as may be required by the university of Akron. A student who is in doubt about residency status should consult with the university registrar.

(F) It is the responsibility of the registrar to assess fees and surcharges at the time of registration; information given by the student at that time is used in the assessment. Each registration is later reviewed by the office of student accounts/university bursar and appropriate additional charges or refunds will be made.

(G) All fees and surcharges are due at the time of registration or on the specified fee payment deadline. The status of the student as of the opening day of the semester or session for which registered, will determine the final, correct amount of fees and surcharges.

(H) Room and board.

(1) Residence hall facilities are available for the housing of a limited number of undergraduate students. The current cost of housing accommodations and food service is outlined on the university's website. All students who live in the residence halls, except those living in the apartments in "Exchange Street Residence Hall" with full kitchens, are required to purchase a residential dining plan.

(2) Students living off campus may participate in the dining plan program by purchasing a commuter plan.

(I) Veterans' fees.

(1) A disabled veteran who is eligible for admission to the university may register for courses without payment of fees if the disabled veteran has been authorized for training by the veterans' administration.

(2) If the disabled veteran has not been authorized, payment of all fees is required. However, the university will return to the veteran the payment made when the official authorization is received.

(3) A non-disabled veteran must pay the fees at the time of registration. The non-disabled veteran will receive direct payment from the V.A. after enrollment has been certified under the provisions of USC Title 38.

(4) An Ohio veterans bonus commission recipient may arrange with the accounts receivable office to have the Ohio bonus commission billed directly for tuition charges only.

(5) Dependents of veterans covered under other provisions of USC Title 38 must pay at the time of registration. The V.A. will make direct payment to the eligible payee.

(J) Auditors. The fees for an auditor in any course or group of courses are the same as if taken for credit.

(K) Student health and accident insurance. Student health and accident insurance designed specifically for a student of the university of Akron is required of all residence hall students and all international students except those who present proof that they already have similar coverage. Other students carrying nine or more credits, graduate students carrying six or more credits may purchase this insurance, at the same annual individual rate, through the student health services office.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3359
Amplifies: 3359
Prior Effective Dates: 8/30/1979, 1/31/2015

Rule 3359-60-04.2 | Regulations regarding refunds: credit/noncredit.

• Effective: May 4, 2017
• Promulgated Under: 111.15

(A) All academic and instruction related tuition and fees, whether for credit or noncredit courses, are subject to change without notice. Students shall be charged fees and/or tuition and other fees in accordance with schedules adopted by the board of trustees. Students are advised to consult the website of the office of student accounts/bursar and the current "undergraduate bulletin" for tuition and fees. Registration does not automatically carry with it the right of a refund or reduction of indebtedness in cases of failure or inability to attend class or in cases of withdrawal. The student assumes the risk of all changes in business or personal affairs.

(B) Academic and instruction related tuition and fees are subject to the refund calculation reflected in paragraphs (C)(2)(a) and (C)(2)(b) of this rule for credit and noncredit courses.

(C) Amount of refund. Amount of refund is to be determined in accordance with the following regulations and subject to course instructor/advisor signature requirements contained in the university of Akron's official withdrawal policy:

(1) In full:

(a) If the university cancels the course.

(b) If the university does not permit the student to enroll or continue except for disciplinary reasons. No refund will be granted to a student dismissed or suspended for disciplinary reasons.

(c) If the student dies before or during the term, is drafted into military service by the United States, is called to active duty, or if the student enlists in the national guard or reserve prior to the beginning of the term. Notice of induction or orders to active duty is required if the student is called to active duty. A student who enlists voluntarily for active duty should see paragraphs (C)(2)(a) and (C)(2)(b) of this rule.

(2) In part:

(a) All refund calculations are determined by class length, not by class meetings completed. Class length is defined as the number of days between and including the beginning and ending dates of any given term/session (including weekend days and holidays). The standard fifteen-week academic semester refund calculation is as follows:

(i) One hundred per cent refund through day fourteen.

(ii) Zero per cent refund after day fourteen.

(b) Refunds for course sections that are shorter than the standard fifteen-week academic semester will be calculated on a proportional basis according to the number of class days for the course. Refund schedules for non-standard semesters are maintained by the office of student accounts/university bursar.

(c) Refunds will be determined as of the date of formal withdrawal unless proof is submitted that circumstances beyond control of the student, e.g., hospital confinement, prevented the filing of the official withdrawal earlier, in which case the refund will be determined as of the date of said circumstance. The student assumes responsibility for filing for a refund.

(d) Refunds will be provided as soon as possible. Refunds are subject to deduction for any amount owed to the university of Akron by the student. Depending on the date of withdrawal and the refund due, if any, a balance may still be owed on an installment payment plan contract.

(e) No refund will be granted to a student dismissed or suspended for disciplinary reasons.

(f) The university reserves the right to cancel a course for insufficient enrollment.

(D) Amount of refund - noncredit.

(1) If a noncredit course is canceled by the university of Akron, a full refund will be issued. Withdrawal requests received up to three business days prior to the first class meeting will result in a full refund, less a fifteen dollars processing charge, or an opportunity to transfer to another course. Thereafter, withdrawal requests received up to the beginning of the second class meeting will receive a fifty per cent refund.

(2) No refunds are issued after the start of the second day of classes.

(3) Refunds for noncredit courses are determined by the date the withdrawal request is received. The refund period cannot be extended if the student fails to attend the first class. Charge cards and refund checks will be processed promptly. Parking permits must be returned to the university of Akron (UA) business solutions office to receive a refund.

(4) The university reserves the right to cancel a course for insufficient enrollment.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3359
Amplifies: 3359
Prior Effective Dates: 2/1/2015

Rule 3359-60-04.3 | Residence hall refunds and dining plan refunds.

• Effective: May 4, 2017
• Promulgated Under: 111.15

(A) Refund/release and forfeiture policy. A contract for housing accommodations or food services at the university of Akron upon being breached by the student or otherwise terminated by the university of Akron is subject to the following refund provisions.

(1) Housing refunds.

(a) A full refund of any prepaid fees including the one hundred fifty dollar housing accommodations prepayment and release of other financial liability therefore under the following circumstances:

(i) Graduation of the student from the university of Akron.

(ii) Academic dismissal of the student from the university of Akron.

(iii) Non-attendance or complete withdrawal by the student from the university of Akron prior to the start of the contract term (except for one hundred fifty dollars housing accommodations prepayment which shall be forfeited.) The one hundred fifty dollar housing accommodations prepayment will be refunded for new entering, transfer and graduate students when notification of intent to break the housing contract is received prior to the fifteenth of May for the following fall semester and the fifteenth day of October for housing contracts initiated for spring semester.

(iv) Mandatory or recommended participation in academic programs of the university of Akron requiring the student to commute regularly beyond the Akron metropolitan area (i.e., student teaching or co-op assignments). Documentation from the university department affiliated with the program is required at the time of cancellation.

(b) Once occupancy has been established (i.e. acceptance of room keys and signing occupancy document) and the student remains enrolled at the university of Akron, the student must petition for contract release and only those students who are able to demonstrate extenuating circumstances will be released from their housing or dining contract.

(c) Students who are released from the housing contract, either by petition or non-enrollment for the then current term, will be subject to a refund schedule based on a percentage refund from the first day of class through the twenty-eighth calendar day. In addition, if a student is granted release from their housing contract after taking occupancy during the fall term or prior to the twenty-eighth calendar day of the spring term, a cancellation fee of two hundred dollars will apply for housing.

(i) Refund policy for housing charges:

(a) First day of class through day seven equals ninety per cent refund;

(b) Day eight through day fourteen equals eighty per cent refund;

(c) Day fifteen through day twenty-one equals sixty per cent refund;

(d) Day twenty-two through day twenty-eight equals forty per cent refund; and

(e) Day twenty-nine or after equals zero per cent refund.

(d) The housing refund date will be established based on the date the student officially surrenders use of university housing and returns all appropriate keys (room and apartment keys) to university staff and satisfies university mandated housing separation requirements and procedures.

(2) Dining refunds will be based upon usage from the first day of class through the twenty-eighth calendar day of the semester. If the student cancels their dining plan during the fall or spring term prior to the twenty-eighth calendar day a student will be refunded the cost of the meal plan less any usage to date. After the twenty-eighth calendar day no refunds will be issued for dining.

(3) A student shall remain responsible for the full cost of the then-current residence hall contract term and dining plan usage if the university, in its sole discretion, terminates the contract:

(a) For reasons related to the orderly operation of the residence halls, or for reasons relating to the health, physical, or emotional safety and well-being of the persons or property of students, faculty, staff, or university property.

(b) If the student is dismissed or suspended from the university of Akron for disciplinary reasons in accordance with law or the rules and regulations of the board of trustees; or, if the student is suspended or placed on terms of disciplinary probation in accordance with law or the rules and regulations of the board of trustees, whereby such terms of suspension or probation prohibit the student from residing in university housing accommodations.

(4) Notice requirements. All notices of intent to break the housing or dining contract must be submitted in writing to the department of residence life and housing or dining services, respectively. If the student is under the age of eighteen years, the written notification of termination must be co-signed by the student's parent or legal guardian.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3359
Amplifies: 3359
Prior Effective Dates: 8/30/1979, 5/22/1991

Rule 3359-60-04.5 | Freshman residential requirement.

• Effective: April 20, 2019
• Promulgated Under: 111.15

(A) Purpose.

The university of Akron seeks to provide a learning environment supportive of its academic mission and complimentary to its academic programs. The university acknowledges national studies that find first-year freshman students uniquely benefit from a residence hall experience. Social integration, access to faculty, staff, and institutional resources are better achieved through an on-campus experience, which positively influences academic persistence and success. Further, the university considered and accepted findings that living on campus facilitates integration into the campus social network of peers and extracurricular activities, all of which positively affects degree completion.

(B) Freshman residential requirement.

Subject to available space and except as otherwise exempted below, freshman students at the university of Akron are required to reside in university residence halls for the duration of their freshman academic year at the university.

(C) Rule compliance.

Except as provided in this rule, upon being admitted and paying the intent to enroll fee, freshman students are required to submit a housing application and contract in order to be assigned to residence in university housing. Except for those entitled to an exemption as provided in this rule, any freshman student who fails to reside in university housing, may be subject to immediate administrative withdrawal by the university or assessment of residence hall fees for the semester(s) that the student failed to reside in university housing as required by this rule. The director of residence life and housing, upon finding that any such freshman student, during the freshman year, failed to reside in university housing, shall notify the university registrar of such fact. The university registrar, upon receipt of such notice and upon approval of the chief student affairs officer, shall execute rule compliance as outlined herein.

(D) Exemption from freshman residential requirement.

Freshman students are subject to exemption from the freshman residential requirement, based upon the following general categories: automatic exemption without filing an exemption petition, automatic exemption requiring filing an exemption petition, and eligibility for exemption requiring filing an exemption petition. The latter category is not automatic and the university will carefully consider the exemption petition on a case by case basis.

(1) Conditions which automatically exempt a student from freshman residential requirement without filing an exemption petition.

The university will determine, from the information supplied by the student in the normal course of applying and registering for courses, if a student qualifies for an exemption from the freshman residential requirement. Filing an exemption petition will not be required if:

(a) Permanent home residence of parents or legal guardians who reside in: medina, portage, stark, summit, wayne counties;

(b) Registered for fewer than six credit hours (as verified on fourteenth day of instruction);

(c) Twenty-one plus years of age on the first day of the term for which the student has been admitted.

(2) Conditions which automatically exempt a student from freshman residential requirement which require filing an exemption petition.

The student must file an exemption petition and provide documentation for an exemption based on the following:

(a) Active duty military experience (one plus years: DD-214 discharge documentation required);

(b) Marriage (submit copy of the marriage certificate);

(c) Student is single parent with custodial care responsibilities (submit copy of the most recent tax return showing the child is claimed as a dependent or a copy of the medical eligibility card for student and dependent child);

(d) Permanent home residence of parents or legal guardians who reside outside medina, portage, stark, summit, or wayne counties and such residence is twenty-five miles or fewer from main campus ("302 E. Buchtel Ave., Akron, OH 44325").

(3) Conditions which may, in the discretion of the university, exempt a student from freshman residential requirement which require filing an exemption petition.

The student must file an exemption petition and provide documentation for an exemption based on the following:

(a) Medical condition (written statement is required from student's non-university attending physician/licensed mental health practitioner which outlines the reason why living in a residence hall is detrimental to the student's health);

(b) Disability (similar documentation as required for medical condition);

(c) Other extenuating circumstances, including but not limited to special dietary needs or conditions, cultural or religious needs or accommodations, undue hardship, or any other such circumstance or circumstances in support of an exemption, which, if not granted, would undermine or contravene the purpose of the freshman residential requirement.

(E) Exemption petition procedure.

(1) , A link to the freshmen residential exemption petition is available on the university's web page;

(2) Exemption petitions and documentation must be submitted at least thirty days prior to the initial semester of enrollment. Failure, by the deadline, to submit the freshman residential exemption petition and any/all supporting documentation required, will nullify the petition request;

(3) Students admitted to the university (fall or spring term) within thirty days of the first day of instruction and who seek exemption from the freshman residential requirement, must submit the exemption petition as soon as possible after admission notification, but no later than the fourteenth day of instruction;

(4) Upon completion by the student, the petition and supporting documentation is submitted to the department of residence life and housing for processing;

(5) Completed exemption petitions and documentation will be reviewed by the department of residence life and housing. Consultation with financial aid, dining services, office of accessibility, and student health services will be made as appropriate;

(6) Exemption petition submittals with insufficient, inaccurate, or incomplete documentation will be returned to the student for completion. University evaluation will be held in abeyance until appropriate documentation is received;

(7) The student will be notified of the decision in writing via the student's university email address.

(F) Appeal procedure.

Any student who disagrees with a decision about eligibility for exemption from this requirement, an administrative withdrawal under this policy, assessment of any charges or fees for violating this policy, or any other decision made under this policy may appeal such decision. The student must first contact the director of residence life and housing, or designee, and request clarification or reconsideration of the decision. Should the student continue to disagree with such decision, the student may thereafter appeal, in turn, to the chief student affairs officer, and, lastly, the senior vice president and provost.

(G) Availability of housing.

This policy is subject to the availability of university housing, as determined by the university. Accordingly, the university reserves the right, at any time without any requirement for prior notice, to suspend or cancel applicability of this policy to any or all freshman students under such terms as the university deems reasonable and necessary.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3359.01
Amplifies: 3359.01
Prior Effective Dates: 10/18/2015

Rule 3359-60-07 | School of law admission.

• Effective: October 20, 2019
• Promulgated Under: 111.15

(A) Admission. Admission to all law school degree and certificate programs is at the discretion of the faculty and dean of the school of law. Admission decisions ordinarily will be made by an admissions committee or select members of the admissions committee designated by the whole committee or the dean, or by the dean in consultation with the committee. Prior to the beginning of each academic year, the dean assigns selected faculty members to serve on the admissions committee.

For all programs and certificates, the school of law admissions committee seeks students who will perform successfully in law school, enhance the environment of the school of law and ultimately use their legal education to benefit society. Thus, the committee strives to assemble a student body that is academically well prepared, highly motivated and diverse. Although an applicant's undergraduate grade point average (GPA) and score from the law school admission test (LSAT) or the graduate record examination (GRE) are important indicators of academic preparation and motivation, the admissions committee considers other factors as well. These other considerations include, but are not limited to: the nature and difficulty of the applicant's course of undergraduate study; ascending or descending grade trends; graduate work or degrees; extracurricular activities while in undergraduate or graduate school; the LSAT or GRE writing sample; work experience; community activities; achievements; personal obstacles that may have hindered realization of the applicant's full potential; recommendation letters; and the applicant's personal statement.

The university of Akron school of law is an equal educational institution. In assessing an applicant's academic promise, the admissions committee considers the extent to which the applicant has overcome disadvantages associated with obstacles in life, including membership in a historically disadvantaged racial or ethnic group. Committee members seek to recruit and enroll minority students.

The admissions committee begins to review applications as early as September for admission into the next spring, summer or fall entering class. Applications are reviewed and admission decisions are made on a continuing (rolling) basis. Applicants should therefore submit completed applications as early as possible.

Applicants may receive additional information by visiting the university of Akron school of law website and by reading admission publications. The most up-to-date information on admission requirements will be included on the law school website.

(B) General requirements and procedures for admission.

(1) A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited four-year college or university (or the international equivalent) must be conferred prior to law school matriculation.

(2) Test scores from the LSAT or GRE. Test scores older than five years ordinarily will not be considered.

(3) All applicants must register for and submit applications and supporting documents through the law school admissions council (LSAC) by the deadlines stated on the school of law website.

(4) A complete application consists of the following:

(a) Registration with the LSAC credential assembly service (CAS).

(b) Completion of the LSAT or GRE.

(c) Submission of an electronic application through LSAC.

(d) Submission of transcripts to LSAC for processing.

(e) Submission of optional letters of recommendation to LSAC for processing.

(5) International applicants for whom English is not their first language must take the test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) or international English language testing system (IELTS) exam before their applications may be considered for admission. On a rare occasion and in the sole discretion of the admissions committee, the TOEFL/IELTS requirement may be waived if (a) the applicant has a college degree from an institution in which the primary language of instruction was English, or (b) the applicant can show other circumstances demonstrating proficiency in English.

(6) Letters of recommendation are optional, but strongly suggested.

(7) Students who are admitted to the school of law are required to pay a non-refundable seat deposit by the stated deadline. Admitted applicants receive additional details in the admit packet distributed to all students shortly after they are admitted.

(8) By the date stated on the admissions website, students who intend to enroll must arrange to send to the school of law a final, official transcript from each academic institution attended by the student.

(C) Orientation. All entering students are required to attend various orientation courses and activities. Details will be provided to admitted students after they are admitted.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3359
Amplifies: 3359
Prior Effective Dates: 11/4/1977, 12/31/1986, 5/22/1991