Academic Rules

This is the official version of the academic rules of Syracuse University effective for the 2024-25 academic year. The general rules contained in this section also apply to graduate students. Additional rules specific to graduate students appear in the Graduate Course Catalog in the section titled Academic Rules and Regulations for the Graduate School. Both undergraduate and graduate students will find that their individual school/college/department has additional rules that apply. In the case of graduate students, these rules may be more restrictive than the general University rules. Academic rules for the College of Law may be found at http://law.syr.edu/academics/academic-handbook/

Additional Sources for Information

There are a number of other sources for information and rules that are important for students. They include, but are not limited to, the following:

Syracuse University Policies
Financial Aid
Student Handbook
Syracuse Abroad
Tuition, Fees & Related Policies

Also see school, college, and academic department materials and websites.

Academic

1.0 Academic Integrity

Syracuse University’s Academic Integrity Policy and procedures are administered by the Center for Learning and Student Success (CLASS) in the Division of Academic Affairs and may be found at https://class.syr.edu/academic-integrity/policy. (Please see supplemental policy and procedures for the College of Law at http://law.syr.edu/academics/academic-handbook).

2.0 Attendance in Classes

Attendance in classes is expected in all courses at Syracuse University. Students are expected to arrive on campus in time to attend the first meeting of all classes for which they are registered. Students who do not attend classes starting with the first scheduled meeting may be academically withdrawn as not making progress toward degree by failure to attend. When a student has missed a significant portion of coursework, and they were not academically withdrawn from the class, they should confer with their instructor or advisor to explore options, including withdrawal from the course. Instructors set course-specific policies for absences from scheduled class meetings in their syllabi. Students should also review the university’s religious observance policy and make the required arrangements at the beginning of each semester. https://policies.syr.edu/policies/university-governance-ethics-integrity-and-legal-compliance/religious-observances-policy/

2.1 Reporting Non-Attendance/Non-Participation or Stopped Attending

If a student never attends or stops attending a class, the instructor will report non-attendance/non-participation in Orange SUccess. A student who never attends a class will be flagged in Orange SUccess for non-attendance before the Financial Drop deadline and by the close date of the Early Semester progress report (ESPR). If a student stops attending a class, the student will be flagged in Orange SUccess for stopped attending by the close date of the Mid-Semester progress report (MSPR).

If a student is flagged for non-attendance in a class and does not drop the class by the Financial Drop deadline, the student will receive an NA “did not attend” grade on the official transcript. Reporting a student as never attended/participated may result in a change to the enrollment status and may impact student financial aid. Students not planning to attend a class are strongly advised to drop the class no later than the Academic/Financial deadline in the academic calendar.

3.0 Academic Renewal

Undergraduate students who are returning after an absence of seven years and are readmitted or admitted (for previously non-matriculated students) to Syracuse University with a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0 may apply for academic renewal. Academic renewal removes all previously taken classes from calculation, allowing the student a fresh start for their academic career. Before applying for academic renewal, the student should discuss academic consequences with an advisor in their school/college and discuss the process of academic renewal with a financial aid counselor if receiving or planning to apply for financial aid.

During the first semester of re-admission or admission, a student must complete a contract with their school/college no later than the midterm date of that semester, as published in the academic calendar. Schools/colleges review main campus students’ academic renewal requests at the end of the first semester. Unless otherwise noted in the table below, a minimum semester GPA of 2.5 is required for a full-time course load with no I, F, NA, NG, P, V, WD, or missing grades. College of Professional Studies students must complete 12 credits within two years (four consecutive fall and spring semesters) and must have attained a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, with no I, F, NA, NG, P, V, WD, or missing grades.

If the student is approved for academic renewal all classes taken during the semesters prior to the readmission/admission will be flagged with the code “ar” and removed from the calculation in the cumulative credits and grade point average. If a previously taken class has a passing grade that can be used toward the degree program it may be brought in as transfer credit from the Syracuse University Undergraduate Record. If a student does not meet their home school/college requirements for academic renewal at the time of review, the student may not petition again.

Academic Renewal School/College Rules
School/College Rule
School of Education A GPA of 3.0 is required for the first semester (full-time students) or first 12 credits (College of Professional Studies students).
S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications Only students who have attempted no more than 30 credits or the equivalent of two full semesters may apply for academic renewal.
David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics A GPA of 3.0 is required for the first semester (full-time students) or first 12 credits (College of Professional Studies students).
College of Visual and Performing Arts A 2.8 GPA is required for the first semester (full-time students) or first 12 credits (College of Professional Studies students).

4.0 Student Academic Work

Student work prepared for University courses in any media may be used for educational purposes, if the course syllabus makes clear that such use may occur. A student may grant permission to have their work used in this manner by registering for, and by continuing to be enrolled in, courses where such use of student work is announced in the course syllabus.

After the student has completed such courses, any further use of the student’s work will meet one of the following conditions: the work will be rendered anonymous by removing all of the student’s personal identification; or written permission from the student will be secured.

As a generally accepted practice, dissertations, graduate theses or research projects, honors theses, or other capstone projects submitted in partial fulfillment of degree requirements are placed in the library, University Archives, or department for public reference.

5.0 Research Involving Human or Animal Subjects

Syracuse University’s Office of Research Integrity and Protections supports the institution in ensuring the University’s solid commitment to compliance with all applicable regulations and accreditation standards.

The Office of Research Integrity and Protections provides assistance to faculty, staff and students who are working with animals or humans in research and provides administrative support for the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). The policies for course related student projects may be found at http://orip.syr.edu/human-research/policy-for-student-projects/policy-for-student-projects.html and http://orip.syr.edu/animal-research/Policies-and-Regulations/policies-and-regulations.html

Academic Record

6.0 Transcript

Syracuse University maintains a permanent academic transcript showing complete course and grade-earned information for every student, matriculated or non-matriculated, who takes coursework through any Syracuse University program. The transcript may not be modified or selectively deleted for any reason, including ignorance of deadlines or academic rules. Once a degree is conferred, the transcript may not be changed except for subsequently discovered fraud or academic dishonesty, assessments that more accurately represent academic work completed prior to degree certification, or to correct administrative error. In extreme cases, such changes may include the rescinding of a degree.

Transcripts of courses taken and degrees received at Syracuse University are maintained by the Office of the Registrar in accordance with the policies of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. Official transcripts show the entire record of all coursework, both undergraduate and graduate, matriculated and non-matriculated. Undergraduate and graduate transcript records print separately but are issued together for students with more than one Syracuse University academic career. Coursework is displayed chronologically within each career record, with one GPA calculation for the career (examples of a career: undergraduate, graduate, Law). However, within that distinction the transcript is not degree-specific: i.e., it does not designate courses that apply to multiple specific degree programs at the same level. Such information may only be obtained from the student’s school/college for undergraduate degrees; the academic department for graduate programs; or the College of Law for law degrees.

All courses taken at Syracuse Abroad centers are listed on students’ transcripts. Credit hours and grades are computed in the GPA in the same manner as any other Syracuse University courses. Courses taken through Syracuse Abroad at foreign institutions and approved for Syracuse University credit are listed on students’ transcripts with credit hours and grades computed in the GPA in the same manner as any other Syracuse University course.

Coursework accepted as transfer from other institutions appear in a separate section above the Syracuse University semesters. Credit is displayed in alphabetical order by institution name along with total credits accepted per institution. Credit accepted as other credit types (AP, CLEP, IB A-Level, Military etc.) appear in the same area as transfer credit, listed by exam type or by other credit type and total credits accepted.

Syracuse University does not maintain a transcript record of Syracuse University courses taken by The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) students. For ESF students, ESF is the college of record. ESF courses taken by matriculated Syracuse University students appear on the Syracuse University transcript and calculate in the same way as Syracuse University courses, except for graduate students admitted to concurrent master’s degree programs.

Syracuse University cannot provide copies of transcripts it has received from other institutions to third parties. Students must request transcripts from the originating institution.

Access to transcripts and other student records is protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

7.0 Courses

All courses at Syracuse University are taught in English unless otherwise specified. The present system of numbering courses prescribes that all courses use three digits to indicate the course level and/or type of course, and a three-letter subject to indicate the department or college as follows:

Course Numbering System
Remedial, developmental, and noncredit courses 000-099
First-year-level courses 100-199
Sophomore-level courses 200-299
Junior- and senior-level courses 300-499
Joint undergraduate-and graduate-level courses 500-599
First year graduate-level courses 600-699
Second year and above graduate-level courses 700-899
Readings, research, and individual study courses at the doctoral level only 900-996
Master’s thesis 997
Individualized study at the graduate level 998
Doctoral dissertation 999

8.0 Credit

The unit of credit at Syracuse University is the semester hour. Each semester hour represents one class period of 50 minutes per week for 15 weeks, or the equivalent. The 15 week period includes final examinations. Laboratory or field courses require a minimum of two or three class periods a week for each credit hour. Faculty are expected to assign students at least 100 minutes of work outside of class time per week for each credit hour and 150 minutes of time per week over a 15 week semester for lab or studio time.

Certain options for credit that may apply toward a student’s degree and certificate program include: transfer credit, experiential learning, external exams, and restricted graduate credit. Students should confer with their academic advisors for a complete overview of credit requirements needed to fulfill their degree or certificate requirements. Credit applied to an undergraduate major or minor may only be shared with one other major or minor. Credit may not be triple counted.

8.1 Advanced Credit Examinations

Advanced Credit Examinations provide matriculated students the opportunity to be tested on, and to receive credit for, knowledge and skills already achieved that would be covered by regular Syracuse University courses. A student must discuss the request with the appropriate academic department for approval to take an Advanced Credit Exam. The department is under no obligation to approve the request. Approval by the student’s academic advisor, appropriate department chair, and home school/college is required in order to take an Advanced Credit Examination. The student must earn a grade of C or higher to pass the exam. Advanced Credit Exams count toward the 30 semester hours maximum credits that will be accepted from a combination of Advanced Credit Exams, experiential learning, extra-institutional credit, and external examination programs toward the total number of credits required for graduation.

The exams are administered and graded by faculty. Each Advanced Credit exam carries a fee, at an amount published each year in “Tuition, Fees, and Related Policies.” For undergraduates, the student’s school/college may accept a maximum of 30 semester hours from a combination of Syracuse University advanced credit exams and any other credit (e.g., AP exams, experiential learning). Advanced Credit Exams

8.1.1 Credit for Extra-Institutional and Experiential Learning, and External Examination Programs

Following University rules and program requirements, Syracuse University schools/colleges and graduate departments may award credit for various external examinations and other types of extra-institutional and experiential learning. Such credit is evaluated only for the degree or certificate program to which the student is admitted and may change if the student moves into a different Syracuse University program. Credit is evaluated using the guidelines of the American Council on Education and the Council for Advancement of Experiential Learning, as well as institutional assessment. See TABLES A, B, C and D below for a listing of undergraduate-level exams that may qualify. For examinations or subject areas not covered in the listing below, the student should contact their home school/college or appropriate department to determine whether credit may be considered or if the student is a candidate for an Advanced Credit Examination. A student should also contact their home school/college to discuss other types of non-institutional experience, such as the military, business, or government, which may qualify for credit.

Undergraduate credit may also be awarded for some matriculation examinations and post-secondary educational experiences offered in other countries. Decisions about awarding such credit are made by the student’s school/college during the admissions process.

8.1.2 Portfolio Review

Upon departmental evaluation of the portfolio and related credentials, credit may be granted toward degree programs in the College of Visual and Performing Arts for students demonstrating extensive experiential knowledge directly related to course requirements.

8.1.3 External Examinations

College Board Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), International Baccalaureate (IB), A-Levels.
The student’s home school/college uses the rules in effect at the time the student matriculates at Syracuse University in order to evaluate and accept degree-program credit for AP and CLEP exams. The academic unit with principal responsibility for the examination subject recommends the minimum score for credit and Syracuse University course equivalency; however, the student’s home school/college may have higher score requirements and/or different qualifications, both for awarding credit and meeting degree requirements.

† Exam offered in Puerto Rico only.

TABLE B CLEP Examination Credit
Exam Title Minimum Score Awardable Credit Equivalent SU Course Recommending School/College
American Literature 50 3 ETS 118 Arts and Sciences/Maxwell
Principles of Microeconomics 50 3 ECN 101 Arts and Sciences/Maxwell
French Level I 50, plus passing of oral test at SU 4 FRE 101 Arts and Sciences/Maxwell
French Level II 62, plus passing of oral test at SU 4 FRE 102 Arts and Sciences/Maxwell
Biology 70 8 BIO 121, BIO 123, BIO 124 Arts and Sciences/Maxwell
Chemistry 50 6 CHE 106, 116 Arts and Sciences/Maxwell
German Level I 50, plus passing of oral test at SU 4 GER 101 Arts and Sciences/Maxwell
German Level II 63, plus passing of oral test at SU 4 GER 102 Arts and Sciences/Maxwell
History of U.S. I, II 50 6 HST 101,102 Arts and Sciences/Maxwell
American Government 50 3 PSC 121 Arts and Sciences/Maxwell
Introductory Sociology 50 3 SOC 101 Arts and Sciences/Maxwell
Spanish Level I 50, plus passing of oral test at SU 4 SPA 101 Arts and Sciences/Maxwell
Spanish Level II 66, plus passing of oral test at SU 4 SPA 102 Arts and Sciences/Maxwell
Western Civilization I,II 50 6 HST 111, 112 Arts and Sciences/Maxwell

TABLE C International Baccalaureate Credit

International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit for Higher Level IB examinations completed with a grade of 5 or higher will be awarded as indicated in Table C. No credit will be awarded for IB Standard Level exams or additional requirements.

IB Higher Level Examination Minimum Score Awardable Credit Equivalent SU Course Recommending School/College Biology 5 8 BIO 121, 122, 123, 124 Arts and Sciences/Maxwell Business and Management 5 6 Lower division; free elective only Martin J. Whitman School of Management Chemistry 5 8 CHE 103 and 113 Arts and Sciences/Maxwell Economics 5 6 ECN 101 and 102 Arts and Sciences/Maxwell English 5 3 WRT 105 Arts and Sciences/Maxwell Foreign Languages 5

No credit awarded

Exemption from basic and continuing skills in foreign languages according to performance on proficiency examination administered by the department.

TABLE D GCE A-Level Examinations

GCE A-Level and AS-Level examinations with a minimum score of D will be awarded as indicated in Table D.

Score of A or B: 3 credits

Art & Design Elective only - 100 level, to be determined based on subject matter.

8.1.4 Military Service Credit

Credit may be awarded for military-service courses and occupations having the appropriate content, scope, and rigor for undergraduate degree or certificate program to which the student is matriculated. Syracuse University may accept 30-credits of military-service experience as extra-institutional learning. Additional military-service credit may be awarded above the 30-credits if recommended as a semester hour (SH) and listed as upper (U) division or graduate (G) level credit. Military vocational (V) credit may be awarded if reviewed by the home school/college and approved.

Currently serving members of the military who are enrolled at Syracuse University in either a degree or certificate program may request to have new military courses and occupations evaluated for transfer credit by their home school/college in accordance with that school/college’s post-matriculation credit transfer policy.

8.2 Transfer Credit

In compliance with NYSED regulations, Syracuse University only awards transfer credit for courses that are an integral part of a Syracuse University degree program, as determined by the appropriate Syracuse University academic unit.

Generally, schools/colleges may consider accepting transfer credit from: