Registrar
Academic Policies
Repeat Credit
Most courses offered in the College of Arts and Science may be repeated. If a course was failed the last time it was taken, credit is awarded when the course is repeated with a passing grade. If a course was previously passed, no new credit is earned. If a course previously passed is repeated and failed, credit originally earned for it is lost. In any case all grades earned are shown on the transcript. Under conditions explained below, the most recent grade in a course replaces the previous grade in determining credit, in computing the grade point average, and in verifying the completion of degree requirements and progress toward the degree. The policy of grade replacement applies when all of the conditions below are met.
- A previously passed course is repeated within one year or (for courses not offered within a year) the first time it is offered. Passed courses may be repeated only once. Failed courses may be repeated at any time and any number of times.
- Exactly the same course (same department and course number) is completed. In addition, a very small number of differently numbered courses as approved by the faculty may be substituted under this policy. These are designated in the departmental course listings.
- The course is repeated on a regularly graded basis. This limitation applies even if the course was originally taken on a P/F basis.
- The course is not one in independent study or directed study.
Courses taken in the College of Arts & Science may not be repeated elsewhere for grade replacement; nor may courses taken elsewhere be repeated in the College of Arts & Science for grade replacement.
When registering for a course previously completed, a student should indicate that the course is being repeated. On OASIS the student should respond correctly when asked whether the course is being repeated. Failure to do so could result in an incorrect record, a subsequent adjustment of credit, and a delay in the student’s graduation.
Students are cautioned that while repeating for grade replacement a course previously passed may improve their cumulative grade point average, it may also lead to a problem in meeting minimum hours requirements for class standing because no new credit is earned.
No Credit
It is the responsibility of the individual student to avoid duplication in whole or in part of the content of any course counting toward the degree. Such duplication may result in the withdrawal of credit.
In most instances, enrollment in a course similar to one already completed but with a different course number will result in the award of no credit for the second course and will have no effect on the grade point average. The Office of Records and Institutional Research should be consulted as to the status of similar but differently numbered courses.
Special Information about Math Credit
In order to accomodate varying levels of progress, the Vanderbilt Math Department has divided its calculus coursework into two sequences (plus MATH 140). The courses in these sequences cover the same material but at different rates of speed, and therefore overlap in content and credit. This means that switching from one sequence to another may result in withdrawal of credit. For more information, please see the Math Credit Information Sheet.
