Select an academic category to the left, or scroll down the list to find questions and answers for each category.
Dropping and Withdrawing from Classes
GPA, Grade Replacement, Grade Appeal
Transferring Credits from Colleges and Exams (AP, IB, CLEP)
University Policies, Procedures, and Deadlines
Who is my academic advisor?
As a student in the College of Humanities, you have two advisors. One of your advisors will be a faculty member who will assist you with requirements for your major and minor, as well as to help you with issues related to graduate study and careers. The second advisor is located in the College of Humanities Academic Advising Center in the Dean's Office. The advisors in the COH Academic Advising Center will assist you with questions and issues related to the general education program, dropping and adding classes, petitions, among a variety of other things.
What can I expect from my academic advisor?
Your academic advisor will assist you with course selection, registration, understanding college and university policies and procedures, as well as to listen to your successes and difficulties. Your academic advisor will not tell you what to take, call you to make sure you are going to your classes, contact you regarding deadlines, etc. We will treat you as an adult, with respect and dignity. The advising relationship is a reciprocal one, in which each party has a responsibility to the other. As a student, you are responsible for knowing your degree requirements, deadlines for dropping and adding classes, the general education requirements you have left to complete, etc. This is your education – make the most of it!
How can I find my academic advisor?
The COH academic advisors are located in Modern Languages 345 within the Academic Advising Center. The office is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The phone number is 621-1048, or if you have a quick question you can email it to one of the following advisors:
Click on the link to find your major faculty advisor , or follow the links to each department below:
Africana Studies
Classics
East Asian Studies
English/Creative Writing
German Studies
French and Italian
Religious Studies
Russian and Slavic Studies
Spanish and Portuguese
If I don't like one of my classes, is it okay to just stop going to class?
No, it's not okay. If you just stop going to class without dropping or withdrawing, you will almost certainly get an “E” in the class. You can drop the class through the end of the 4th week of classes on-line using WebReg via Student Link . It is your responsibility to drop a class if you are not attending it. After the 4th week of classes, your instructor must sign a drop form for you to withdraw from a class. If you are failing a course at the time that you withdraw, your instructor may award you an “E” instead of a “W”. After the 8th week of classes, the only way to withdraw from a course is to file a late change petition. You must be able to document circumstances beyond your control for the petition to be considered. You can pick up a late change petition in the COH Academic Advising Center, Modern Languages 345. Talk to your advisor if have any questions about dropping or withdrawing from a class.
How can I find out the deadlines for dropping and adding classes?
Dates and deadlines are provided in the General Catalog and in the Schedule of Classes .
See the answer to the previous FAQ for details on dropping classes. In order to add classes once school has begun, you must get an add/drop form signed by the instructor of the course you wish to add. After the first eight weeks of class, you must file a late change petition in order to add a class. There is no specific deadline for adding classes, but instructors don't usually let students add after the first 2 weeks of the semester because they would have a hard time catching up on what they had missed and therefore could be setting themselves up for failure in the class. Please remember that any increase in the number of units you are enrolled in after the 21st day of classes will result in a $250 late fee.
I dropped one class and added another class using a drop/add form. How can I check to make sure that these changes in my class schedule were definitely made?
Every semester you should check your class schedule in Student Link to make certain you are registered for the classes you think you are registered for. If you drop and quit attending a class, you must check to verify that it was dropped from your schedule; otherwise, you might receive an “E” grade for the class. And if you are attending a class that was not added to your class schedule, you will not receive a grade for the class even if you completed all the assignments. Keep a copy of the drop/add form and all other UA forms.
The University of Arizona seems so big and unfamiliar – where can I go when I have questions or need some help?
The COH Academic Advising Center, located in the College of Humanities Dean's Office in Modern Languages 345, provides a friendly and comfortable environment where Humanities students can find the following services:
Additionally, the following services are available to ALL students:
Questions? Stop in and visit us at the COH Academic Advising Center or call 621-1048.
I feel overwhelmed! I'm having a hard time coping! Is help available?
Counseling and Psychological Services offers crisis intervention and brief therapy for students to help them cope with personal and family problems and successfully achieve their educational goals. The first visit is free and all visits are confidential.
I have a lot of questions – what classes should I take, what math class do I need, how can I change my major? – and some other questions that aren't answered here in the FAQs. Who can help me?
Your advisor can help you answer all those questions and more! Advisors can also refer you to the right source at UA if you have questions or problems not related to academic advising. Don't wait until it's too late! See your advisor right away if you have questions or problems. Advisors are here to help you!
How is my grade point average (GPA) calculated? How can I figure out what grades I need to get to bring up my GPA?
Each letter grade is worth grade points: A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, E = 0. For each course you have taken, multiply the number of units (credits) for each course by the number of points for the grade you received. For example:
| Course | Units | Grade | Units x Grade = Grade Points |
| ENGL 101 | 3 | C (2) | 3 x 2 = 6 |
| MATH 110 | 4 | C (2) | 4 x 2 = 8 |
| INDV 102 | 3 | B (3) | 3 x 3 = 9 |
| TRAD 104 | 3 | D (1) | 3 x 1 = 3 |
| total: | 13 | 26 Grade Points |
Now, divide the number of grade points by the number of units to get your semester GPA. 26 divided by 13 = 2.0 GPA. To figure out what grades you need to get to attain a target GPA, go to the University Learning Center web site and click on The A/B Deficit Calculator.
My roommate said he was going to GRO a course. What is that?
GRO stands for Grade Replacement Opportunity. If you earn a C, D or E in a course, you can GRO the class if you want to. Register for the identical course a second time. File a GRO form at the Registrar's Office by the deadline. The first grade is taken out of your grade point average. It will, however, stay on your transcript. The grade you earn in the class the second time will be the grade calculated into your GPA, even if the grade is lower. You don't necessarily have to GRO the course the next semester. You can GRO a course any time during your career at UA as long as it is the identical course number and title. You can GRO 3 classes, or 10 units, whichever comes first.
I didn't do very well my first semester. Can I take classes at Pima Community College or another community college to raise my GPA?
No, the grades from courses you take at other institutions do not affect your UA grade point average. The units will transfer to the UA as long as you earn at least a "C" in the course and it is transferable credit. The grades, however, will not transfer. It's very important that you see an advisor before taking a class at another institution. You may need to provide a course description for pre-transfer approval.
I'm not doing very well in my classes this semester. What will happen if I get low grades?
If your cumulative GPA is below a 2.00 (that's a C average), you will be put on academic probation. You need to meet with your advisor to discuss your academic progress. Determining the reasons why you were not successful academically will be important in making the necessary changes to improve your GPA. Students on academic probation risk the possibility of disqualification.
What is disqualification?
Students in the Colleges of Humanities with a cumulative GPA below 2.0 may be disqualified from the university if they fail to get at least a 2.0 semester GPA after being put on probation, or by special action of the dean. If you complete 24 transferable units at a community college with a GPA of at least 3.0, you may be considered for readmission but it is not guaranteed. Disqualification means that you are no longer a student at UA. Any classes you have registered for during priority registration for the upcoming semester will be dropped. You need to speak to your advisor immediately if you think you are at risk for disqualification.
My friend and I both got a 3.5 GPA last semester. She was on the Dean's List but I wasn't; I got Honorable Mention. What's the difference?
Congratulations to both of you on your good grades! Your friend apparently completed more units than you did. The General Catalog explains this under Academic Policies, Academic Honors & Awards . Honors are bestowed as recognition of outstanding academic achievement and as a means to further encourage sound scholarship. Three categories are awarded every semester based on units completed for credit and letter.
• Dean's List with Distinction is based on 15 units and a 4.000 grade-point average
• Dean's List is based on 15 units and a grade-point average of 3.500-3.999
• Honorable Mention is based on 12 units of 3.500 and above grade-point average
Students awarded these academic honors receive a certificate at the Honors Convocation the following fall. This recognition becomes part of the official record and appears on the transcript.
I received a C in one of my classes, but I believe I deserve a B, what can I do?
If the course in which you received the C is not a humanities course, see the university's grade appeal policy . If the course is a humanities course, there is a COH grade appeal policy and procedure which you will need to follow.
Am I required to be a full time student? How many units do I need for full time status?
Full time status requires a minimum of 12 units. However, if you want to graduate in 4 years without attending summers you need to register for at least 15 units. Full time status may be required for residence halls, Greek life, scholarships, financial aid and some health insurance plans. Be sure to get detailed information before you drop below 12 units. If you are registered for at least 15 units, you can drop up to 3 units (be sure to check the deadline) and still maintain full time status.
A friend told me I can use my SAPR to plan my class schedule and register for classes, and even use it to see requirements for other majors. Is that true?
Yes, it's true! Your SAPR is a great tool for planning your class schedule. In Section 2, your SAPR provides a list of all UA courses that satisfy a given catalog requirement.
When you request your SAPR, under “Display,” click on “With Links to the Semester or Summer Session You Are Planning.” Classes currently being offered are highlighted in the SAPR and linked to the Schedule of Classes. At the top of the SAPR, click on “View Courses with Available Seats” to view it with links only to courses with open seats. Click on the course number to see the class location, when the class meets, and number of open seats. To register for an open class, at the top click on “Links: Switch to WebReg.”
Thinking about changing your degree program? The “What-If SAPR” lets you explore new programs and see which of the classes you've already taken will apply, as well as what the full requirements are for the new program. Please remember, though, that the “What-If SAPR” is just a trial run—before changing colleges you'll still need the approval of the new college.
If I want to plan my class schedule to take classes only on certain days or at certain times, is there an easy way to do that?
Yes, you can use the Course Query Wizard in the Schedule of Classes. This handy tool helps you locate available classes that mesh with your existing schedule. If you need a class that meets only on certain days or at certain times, or need to see a list of classes that don't conflict with those already on your schedule, the wizard can help you!
I have AP credits, CLEP credits, and also some community college credits I earned while I was in high school. Will all of these be elective credits, or can they be used to fulfill general education requirements?
Many transfer classes and exam credits can fulfill General Education or other requirements. You need to see your advisor as soon as possible to find out what requirements might be fulfilled. If you fail to see an advisor, you might take classes you don't really need because they duplicate credit you already have.
I just graduated from high school, and this is my first year at the University of Arizona. I transferred in 35 units of CLEP and AP credit. Am I a freshman or a sophomore?
Since you were admitted directly from high school, for purposes of required programs in the College of Humanities, you are considered a new first year student. However, the number of units that you have makes you a sophomore. When you register for next semester during Priority Registration you will register with the sophomores.
Can I take summer classes at a community college that will count toward my degree at UA?
If you plan to take courses at an Arizona or out-of-state institution and apply the courses toward completion of a UA degree, you should select appropriate courses with the help of your college or department academic advisor. Provide your advisor with course descriptions from that institution's undergraduate catalog, most of which are accessible on-line. Obtain approval for a course before you enroll at the other institution by completing and submitting a Transfer Credit Pre-approval Form according to the instructions on the form. Your advisor will keep the original form and will give you a copy. You must get a “C” or better to transfer a class.
Will someone be contacting me and telling me when I have to register and when deadlines are for things like GRO, paying fees, etc.?
When you enter the university, we treat you as an adult. And as an adult, you are responsible for knowing the university's deadlines. Deadlines are listed in the Schedule of Classes and the General Catalog. If you have questions about deadlines, please see your advisor.
I was very ill last semester and missed a lot of classes. I notified my instructors that I would have to miss classes, but some of them didn't allow me to make up the work so I failed some classes. Is there anything else I should have done? Anything I can do now?
Whenever any kind of problem arises that affects your academic career at UA, contact your advisor immediately. You did the right thing to contact your instructors, but that was just the first step. Advisors can inform you of university policies and procedures and what your options are in such situations. It is possible to withdraw from a class even after the deadline for withdrawal if you are passing the class. You can file a late change petition, but you must be able to document circumstances beyond your control for the petition to be considered. Since your grades have already been posted, you could file a General Petition requesting retroactive withdrawal. It is much more difficult to get approval for retroactive withdrawal, but with adequate documentation such petitions will be considered. See your advisor to discuss your situation, and to get more information about the options available to you.
Where can I look up academic policies at the University of Arizona?
All the policies and university-wide regulations regarding courses, exams, grades, graduation, registration, transferring, etc. are available on-line in the General Catalog . If you need help understanding policies, see your advisor .
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