Academic Honesty Code

All courses of instruction offered at the University follow the official Academic Honesty Code, as published in the Student Handbook. Students are advised to familiarize themselves with the code as violations can lead to serious sanctions, including dismissal from the University.

Proficiency Examination

All registering students, whether new first-year students or transfer students, must take The American University of Rome proficiency tests in reading, writing and mathematics. The tests are given at the beginning of each semester and the scores obtained will be used for English and mathematics placement.

Credits

At a minimum, one semester credit hour equals 15 classroom contact hours of lectures, 30 hours of laboratory and 45 hours of practicum. The majority of courses listed in this catalog carry three semester credit hours. Intensive courses worth four to six credits and also one credit courses are available. Internships carry three semester credits and require 135 hours of work experience. Credit information on individual courses can be found below each course description, at the rear of the catalog.

Course Load and Student Classification

A minimum of 12 credit hours are required to be considered a full time student. A student enrolled in fewer than 12 credit hours is considered a part-time student. Class standing is defined as follows:

• Sophomore after completing 30 credit hours of coursework
  
• Junior after completing 60 credit hours of coursework and officially declaring a major field of study
  
• Senior after completing 90 credit hours of coursework
  

Course Numbers

Each course is designated by the subject discipline and a three digit number indicating the level of the course. Course numbers beginning with 0 carry no credit. Courses numbered 100-200 are lower level undergraduate. Courses numbered 300-400 are upper level undergraduate.

Prerequisites

Some courses at The American University of Rome require prerequisites. With the assistance of his or her academic advisor, the student must ensure all prerequisites are in place. Exceptionally, where the requirement has been met but the formal requirement is not in place, the academic advisor may approve a prerequisite waiver. In these cases, a Prerequisite Waiver form, signed by both the student and the academic advisor, must be submitted to the Registrar.

Attendance

Attendance is required at all classes at The American University of Rome and attendance records are maintained. More than two unexcused absences from any class may have a negative effect on student grades. Absence documented by a medical certificate or an obvious case of emergency may be excused by the Office of the Provost. Should the Registrar determine that the student’s attendance record is unacceptable, the student will be required to withdraw from the class with a grade of WU. The criteria upon which grades are determined, including the attendance policy, are outlined in each course syllabus.

Grade Point Average

A student’s grade point average (GPA) is computed by multiplying the quality points achieved by the number of credits for each course. The total number of quality points is then divided by the total number of credit hours taken. The Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is the grade point average for all credit hours taken at the University.

Grades

Grades may be found on AUR's website under MyAUR.. Grades are then mailed or emailed to AUR resident students and to the various study abroad programs. Grades computed in the grade point average (GPA) reflect the following grade equivalents:

Grade Quality Points

Incompletes

The grade of Incomplete (I) may be given to a student who is unable to complete a course due to extenuating circumstances. This grade is given at the discretion of the instructor and only if the student is receiving a passing grade in the course to that point. An Incomplete Contract must be completed for an Incomplete grade to be given. The Incomplete Contract must be signed by both the instructor and the student. It must detail the work to be submitted, the deadline by which it must be submitted and the grade which should be substituted for the Incomplete should the student not fulfill the contract. The submission deadline should not extend beyond the last day of the following semester.

On completion of the contract, the Incomplete grade must be replaced through the completion of a Change of Grade form by the instructor. If no Change of Grade form is received, the default grade from the incomplete contract will become the final grade. An Incomplete grade will not be recognized by the Registrar without proper documentation. An Incomplete grade can not be replaced by a W. An Incomplete may not stand as a permanent grade.

Course Withdrawal (W and WU)

Students who wish to change schedule by dropping a course within the published time parameters may do so with the permission of the Registrar. Exceptions may be made after deadlines have expired only with the permission of the Provost, academic advisor and Registrar. Students who withdraw from a course prior to completion will be assigned the grade of either W or WU. The grade W is not calculated into the CGPA. The grade WU is considered an F and is calculated into the CGPA. Both the W and WU will be considered credits attempted if the student has incurred a financial obligation for the semester and will affect the successful course completion percentage. Any withdrawal after the withdrawal deadline as specified in the academic calendar will be considered an unofficial withdrawal (WU).

Repeating a Course

A student will normally be allowed to repeat a course only if the original grade was an F, D, WU or W. While the grades for all attempts remain on the transcript, only the higher grade is computed in the student’s grade point average. The student will earn credit for the course only once; however, both the original course and the repetition of the course will be considered credit hours attempted for the purpose of determining successful course completion percentages.

Provost’s List

Each semester full-time students who have completed the previous semester’s work with a grade point average of 3.4 or better on a 4.0 scale are placed on the Provost’s List. No grades of D, F, I, or WU are allowed in any course completed or attempted. Students must complete 12 credits or more in the semester. Inclusion on the Provost’s List is reported in the official transcript. Students on the Provost’s List are permitted to enroll for up to 18 credits for the following semester at no additional charge.

National Italian Honor Society - Gamma Kappa Alpha (G.K.A.)

The G.K.A. exists to acknowledge superior scholastic performance in the field of Italian language, literature and culture. The National Italian Honor Society chapter at The American University of Rome organizes various activities to encourage student interest in Italian culture and literary achievements.

Standards of Satisfactory Progress

All students must meet the following minimum standards of academic achievement and successful course completion to remain enrolled at the University. The student’s progress is monitored each semester and evaluated at the required evaluation points on the satisfactory progress table. Non-credit courses (e.g., Developmental English) are not counted as credits attempted, earned or taken. These courses therefore do not influence the standards of satisfactory progress.

Maximum Time Frame and Successful Course Completion

The maximum time in which a student is permitted to complete a degree or certificate program is equal to the period of time during which the student attempts 1.5 times the number of credit hours normally required to complete the program (180 attempted credits). In no case can the student exceed 1.5 times the standard time frame and receive the original academic credential for which he or she enrolled. Part time students should consult the Registrar for further information on the appropriate satisfactory progress standards.

Satisfactory Progress Table

1.5 times credit hours required.

Minimum Academic Achievement: Probation and Suspension

A student must achieve a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of the following: 1.5 at 25% of the maximum time frame; 1.75 at the midpoint of the maximum time frame; and 2.0 at the maximum time frame. A student who does not complete 55% of the courses attempted or does not achieve a CGPA of 1.5 at 25% of the maximum time frame or at the end of the first academic year will be placed on probation. A student who does not complete 60% of courses attempted or does not achieve a CGPA of 1.75 at 50% of the maximum time frame is not eligible for probation and will be suspended for one grading period. A student who does not complete 60% of courses attempted or does not achieve a CGPA of 2.00 at the end of the second academic year is not eligible for probation and will be suspended for one grading period. Transfer students shall have their status determined for purposes of satisfactory academic progress measurement, by factoring in the number of credits accepted toward the degree as both the cumulative attempted credits and cumulative earned credits.

Appeal of Satisfactory Progress Standard

Should a student disagree with the application of these satisfactory progress standards, he or she must first discuss the problem with the Provost. If still dissatisfied, the student may then appeal to the Academic Satisfactory Progress Committee, comprising the Provost and two members of the faculty appointed by the President.

Academic Fairness Committee

The Academic Fairness Committee, staffed by two student representatives appointed by the Student Government and two faculty members appointed by the Provost in consultation with the faculty, provides a court of appeal for students who feel they have received unfair treatment in the evaluation of their academic performance. Such appeals concern course grades, examination policy and other means of academic evaluation. The committee is chaired by the Provost or a designated representative of the Provost. Appeals to the committee should be submitted in writing to the Provost no more than 60 days after the grade in question has been issued.

Mitigating Circumstances

The Provost may waive the academic progress standards for circumstances of poor health, family crisis or other significant occurrence outside the control of the student. These circumstances must be documented by the student to demonstrate that they have had an adverse impact on the student’s performance. No waivers will be provided for graduation requirements.

Academic Probation

Students who fail to maintain a GPA of 2.0 for any semester will be placed on probation for one semester. The student on probation will be counseled to reduce his or her academic program in order to improve his or her GPA. In any case, the student may not register for more than 12 credits per semester while on probation. At the end of the probationary period, if the academic record is not in compliance with the standards of satisfactory progress, the student will be suspended for a minimum of one semester. The student is considered to be maintaining satisfactory progress while on probation. However, the student on probation may not hold office in student organizations or participate in the work-study program.

Reinstatement as a Regular Student

Students who wish to be readmitted after being suspended or dismissed due to the failure to maintain the academic minimums must reapply for admission but not before a full Fall or Spring semester has passed from the time of suspension. The Provost will evaluate whether the student has the desire and the academic ability to progress satisfactorily in the program. The readmitted student must retake courses previously failed as soon as these courses are offered or demonstrate the skills applicable to the student’s academic objectives. If readmitted, the student will be placed on probation for a period of one term. At the end of the probation period, if the student’s academic record is not in compliance with the standards of satisfactory progress, the readmitted student will be dismissed.

Study Abroad Opportunities for AUR Students

With the approval of the academic advisor, matriculated students can apply to participate in study abroad programs offered at other institutions. Courses taken at other universities must be pre-approved by the academic advisor and a study abroad permit must be completed if transfer credits are to be granted. This also applies to summer and winter sessions. Please see ‘Study Abroad Opportunities’ under ‘Special Programs’ for further information.

Leave of Absence

Matriculated students may take a leave of absence by filing the appropriate request form with their academic advisor or the Registrar. A leave of absence can be for no more than one year and enables automatic readmission under the same academic program. A student who fails to file a signed form and does not return by the start of classes, will be considered to have withdrawn from the University. A student must reapply for admission under then applicable rules should he or she decide to return.

Withdrawal from The American University of Rome

Students wishing to withdraw from the University should complete a Withdrawal Notification form available from the Registrar or notify the Registrar in writing.

Graduation

The formal commencement ceremony is held at the end of Spring semester for degree candidates who have completed all graduation requirements that academic year. Degree candidates who have to complete a maximum of six credits in the summer session may also apply to participate in the ceremony. Candidates for degrees are to file an application for graduation at the Office of the Registrar (registrar@aur.edu) before beginning their final semester of study. Students must pay the graduation fee by April 30th in order to participate in the ceremony and/or receive their diploma. Students graduating in the Fall semester must pay the graduation fee by November 30th. Students may not file an application for graduation during the summer sessions. Diplomas will be issued only to students in good financial standing with the University.

Graduation with General College Honors

A student who has completed 60 credits at The American University of Rome may be considered for graduation honors. Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.90 or higher will be graduated Summa Cum Laude. Students with a GPA of at least 3.75 but less than 3.90 will be graduated Magna Cum Laude. Students with a GPA of at least 3.5 but less than 3.75 will be graduated Cum Laude.

Graduation with Departmental Honors

On recommendation of any department or interdisciplinary field, students with at least 24 credits in the department or field may graduate ‘with Honors’ in that department or field.

Students are eligible for departmental honors if their GPA in the major is not less than 3.5 and their cumulative GPA is not less than 2.7 at the time of graduation.

Transcript Requests

An official transcript will be sent to any institution or institutions designated by the student on a transcript request form, which is available from the Registrar (registrar@aur.edu) and from the AUR website www.aur.edu Only requests bearing a student signature will be processed. Faxed requests are accepted.
Students should allow three weeks for transcript processing. A fee will be charged for the service. Transcripts will not be issued to students who are not in good financial standing with the University.

All students registered in The American University of Rome/College of Staten Island Articulation program can also request a transcript from the College of Staten Island. Requests should be sent to:

The Center for International Service
The College of Staten Island
2800 Victory Boulevard
Staten Island, New York 10314 USA

Grievances

Students who have any grievances against the University regarding its institutional policies or the actions of any of its officers should submit a written statement of their grievances to the President of the University at:

Via Pietro Roselli 4
00153 Rome, Italy
Tel: +39-06 5833 0919
Fax: +39-06 5833 0992

Grievances may also be submitted to The American University of Rome’s accrediting authority:

ACICS
750 First Street, NE, Suite 980
Washington, DC 20002-4241 USA
(202) 336-6780

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