Academic Regulations
Academic Integrity
All courses of instruction offered at the University follow the Academic Integrity policy 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.
Placement Examinations
All new fi rst-year students are required to take placement examinations in mathematics and English. New transfer students are exempt from taking the examinations only if transfer credits in mathematics and/or English have been accepted by AUR. Italian language tests are given for students wishing to register for a course above ITL 101 (optional). The tests are given during orientation week preceding the start of each semester. The scores obtained will be used for English, mathematics and Italian placement.
Credits
At a minimum, one semester credit hour equals 15 classroom contact hours of lectures, 30 hours of laboratory or 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. The maximum full-time student load, except for students on the Provost’s list, is 17 credit hours. A student enrolled for fewer than 12 credit hours is considered a part-time student. On-line courses are considered part of a student’s course load for the semester.
Class standing is defined as follows:
- First Year: 0-29 credit hours
- Sophomore: 30-59 credit hours
- Junior: 60-89 credit hours
- Senior: 90+ credit hours
Course Numbers
Course numbers generally adhere to the guidelines below. Exceptions are indicated by the course prerequisites which may require sophomore (30 or more credits earned), junior (60 or more credits earned) or senior (90 or more credits earned) standing and/or permission of the instructor.
| Definitions | |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite | Must be completed prior to the course |
| Pre- or co-requisite | May be taken prior to or concurrently with the course |
| Co-requisite | Must be taken concurrently with the course |
| 001-099 | Remedial, developmental or other courses carrying no credit |
| 100-199 | Lower-level introductory courses with no prerequisites |
| 200-299 | Lower-level courses with one or more prerequisites |
| 300-399 | Upper-level courses with one or more prerequisites |
| 400-499 | Upper-level advanced courses with two or more prerequisites in the discipline and/or senior standing |
| 450 | Internship |
| 491-494 | Independent Study (one to four credits, respectively) |
| 498, 499 | Senior Seminar/Capstone Course/Senior Thesis |
| 500-599 | Graduate-level courses |
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 have been met. Exceptionally, where the requirement has been met but the formal prerequisite 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 Policy
In keeping with AUR’s mission to prepare students to live and work across cultures, the University places a high value on the classroom experience. As a result attendance is expected in all classes and attendance records are maintained. The University’s attendance policy is as follows:
Minimum Attendance Requirement
Students must attend a minimum of 70% of a course in order to be eligible to be considered for a passing grade.
Absences
- Students will not be penalized for one absence from classes meeting once a week;
- Students will not be penalized for three absences from classes meeting twice a week;
- Students will not be penalized for four absences from classes meeting more than twice a week, as in the case of some intensive courses.
If further absences are recorded, grade penalties will be applied according to the instructor’s specific attendance policy, as stated in the syllabus. If the instructor does not specify an attendance policy, there will be no grade penalty other than that attached to the minimum attendance requirement.
Cases of prolonged absences caused by an emergency or a medical condition may require students to withdraw from some or all of their courses. Under such circumstances students should first consult their academic advisors.
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 result is then divided by the total number of credit hours taken. The Cumulative or Career Total Grade Point Average (CGPA) is the grade point average for all credit hours taken at the University and at approved study abroad programs. The GPA and CGPA are calculated by truncating after the second decimal point. Transfer credits have no effect on the CGPA at The American University of Rome.
Grades
Grades are posted on a secure area of the University’s official website and are mailed to AUR degree students only upon written request. Grades are mailed to the various study abroad programs. Grades computed in the grade point average (GPA) reflect the following grade equivalents:
| Grade | Quality Points |
|---|---|
| A | 4.00 (Excellent) |
| A- | 3.70 |
| B+ | 3.30 (Very Good) |
| B | 3.00 (Good) |
| B- | 2.70 |
| C+ | 2.30 |
| C | 2.00 (Satisfactory) |
| C- | 1.7 (Unsatisfactory) |
| D | 1.00 (Poor) |
| F | 0.00 (Failing) |
| WU | 0.00 (Unofficial withdrawal counts as an F) |
| P | 0.00 (Applicable to developmental courses) |
| Grades not computed into the grade point average are: | |
| W | Withdrawal |
| AUDIT (AU) | Only possible when the student registers for a course at the beginning of the semester as an audit student. |
| I | Incomplete work must be completed within the ensuing semester. Failure to do so results in automatically converting the I grade to the default grade, which is then computed into the grade point average |
| P | Pass grade is applicable to courses as indicated in the catalog. |
| WIP | Work in progress |
Course Repetition
A student will normally be allowed to repeat a course if the original grade was an F, D, WU, or W. While the student will earn credit for the course only once, grades for all attempts remain on the transcript and are marked by an asterisk next to the grade. Instead an ‘R’ to the right of the grade identifies the higher repeated grade that is computed in the grade point average.
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 from the Adjudication Committee of the AUR Senate, 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.
Incomplete Grade Policy
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 fi nal 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)
AUR students who wish to change schedule by dropping a course within the published time parameters may do so with the permission of their academic advisor. Study abroad students who wish to change schedule by dropping a course within the published time parameters may do so with the permission of the home university. Exceptions may be made after deadlines have expired only by completion of a Petition to Drop Courses After the Deadline form and 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 W up to the withdrawal deadline or WU after. Medical withdrawals will be assigned a grade of W. A change of grade may be allowed for a medical withdrawal. 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 fi nancial obligation for the semester and will affect the successful course completion percentage. Any withdrawal after the withdrawal deadline as specifi ed 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 3.50 or above on a 4.00 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 recorded on the offi cial transcript. Students on the Provost’s List are permitted to enroll for six courses for the following semester at no additional charge.
National Italian Honor Society – Gamma Kappa Alpha (GKA)
GKA exists to acknowledge superior scholastic performance in the fi eld 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 and, therefore, do not affect the grade point average. These courses, therefore, do not influence the standards of satisfactory progress. Change of major does not affect the standards of satisfactory progress. Pursuit of an additional degree (e.g., pursuit of a Bachelor of Arts degree following completion of an Associate of Arts degree) does not affect 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 certifi cate 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
| Minimum Required Evaluation Point | CGPA | Minimum Successful Course Completion % of Credit Hours Attempted |
|---|---|---|
| 25% of maximum time frame (45 credits attempted) | 1.50 | 55% (with 45 credits attempted, 24 credits must be earned) |
| 50% of maximum time frame (90 credits attempted) | 1.75 | 60% (with 90 credits attempted, 54 credits must be earned) |
| 100% of maximum time frame (180 credits attempted) | 2.00 | |
| End of First Academic Year (Two semesters as a full time student or at least 30 earned credits) | 1.50 | 55% (with 45 credits attempted, 24 credits must be earned) |
| End of Second Academic Year (Four semesters as a full time student or at least 60 earned credits) | 2.00 | 60% (with 90 credits attempted, 54 credits must be earned) |
| Each Subsequent Academic Year (Each subsequent two semesters as a full time student or each subsequent 30 earned credits) | 2.00 | 67% (with 180 credits attempted, 120 credits must be earned) |
Minimum Academic Achievement: Probation and Suspension
The table above defi nes two criteria (CGPA and per cent of attempted credits earned), both must be satisfied to avoid suspension following a semester on probation. Students who fail to maintain a GPA of 2.00 for any semester will be placed on probation for one semester. The student may not register for more than 12 credits per semester while on probation. At the end of that 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 nor participate in the student assistantship or resident assistant programs.
Transfer students shall have their status determined for purposes of satisfactory academic progress measurement by including the number of transfer credits accepted toward the degree in both attempted credits and earned credits.
Attention is called to the three sections immediately following, which specify rights of appeal and related regulations.
Mitigating Circumstances
The Provost may waive the academic progress standards for circumstances of poor health, family crisis or other signifi cant 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. Students who receive a waiver of the standards of satisfactory progress will be on probation. All graduation requirements must be met.
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 Fairness Committee.
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 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 semester. 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, AUR degree 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 Transfer Credit Permit form must be completed and submitted to the Registrar’s Office. This also applies to summer and winter sessions. AUR also offers its own study abroad program, with a variety of destinations.
Leave of Absence
AUR degree students may take a leave of absence by filling the appropriate request form with 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 requesting a leave of absence to perform military service may request a leave for up to fi ve years. A student who fails to file a signed form and pay the required fee 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. A leave of absence fee is required. This fee will be credited toward the tuition payment once the student returns, otherwise it is nonrefundable.
Withdrawal from AUR
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 the spring semester for degree candidates who have completed all graduation requirements that academic year. Degree candidates who have yet to complete a maximum of eight credits in the following summer session may also apply to participate in the ceremony. There are four degree conferral dates (noted on transcripts and diplomas) per year in December, January, May and July or August. These four dates will constitute a graduating class. Candidates for degrees are to file a Graduation Request Form at the Office of the Registrar (registrar@aur.edu) before beginning their final semester of study. Applications for graduation will only be approved by the academic advisor after the advisor has completed a graduation audit. 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 and only these students may participate in the commencement ceremony.
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 3.50 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 3.50 and their cumulative GPA is not less than 2.70 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). 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.
Grievances
Students who have any grievances against the University regarding its institutional policies or the actions of any of its officers should in the first instance, submit a written statement of their grievances to the President of the University at:
The American University of Rome
Via Pietro Roselli, 4
00153 Rome, Italy
Tel: +39-06 5833 0919
Fax: +39-06 5833 0992
