ACADEMIC REGULATION

Academic Calendar

The academic calendar consists of two semesters — fall (the first) semester and spring (the second) semester.
Summer courses may be offered either at the WIUU campus or at WIUU partner universities abroad.
American courses are taught during 15 weeks of the semester.
An academic hour equals 50 minutes.

Transcripts

Transcripts of grades are official documents given together with Diplomas.
The American transcripts list grades chronologically by semester. The advantage of this is that if a student has a poor semester (because of illness or family problems) this is obvious to the reader of the transcript and allowance can be made.

Grading System

Subjects taught in English by American faculty are graded on a basis of А, В, С, D and F.
Hardly ever is the grade in an American semester course graded solely on the basis of a final exam. Typically, the composite grade for a semester course depends upon some elements or “grading devices”. Some elements are more heavily weighted in some subjects and by some professors than in other subjects and by other professors. American professors announce the approximate weighting (X%) or importance of each element at the beginning of the class in the semester course syllabus. These elements include: homework problems, class participation (including attendance), quizzes, papers, compositions, major term paper, oral reports, group projects, hour exams and final exam.

The grade in a semester course is thereby a “process” rather than an outcome, measured by a final examination. American instructors design their teaching around the expectation that students will be in class and are themselves committed to extensive preparation for the lecture. Grading of homework and quizzes as well as at least one major examination and the final examination are considered in the grade for the course.

The system of grading is more extensive than just the final examination. Students who fail the semester course in the American system are required to take the whole course over again in another semester. Retaking the final exam is not possible for the American degree. American instructors offer a forecast of the student’s expected grade by midway through the semester so that in consultation with teachers, administration and parents, students may make appropriate adjustments to do better by the end of the semester.

To improve the grade in a course in which he is not doing well at mid-semester, the student may do several things. He may simply become more disciplined and devote more time to the subject. If he has been missing class, he should not miss. He should read the relevant parts of the textbook. He may consult with the American faculty during office hours. In some cases a student in consultation with the instructor and the parent may decide to “withdraw” from a class and take it another semester. For student whose English is currently weak, who are working, or otherwise overloaded this may be the best approach.

Students who fail or withdraw from a course must take it over again. They may do this the next year, in a summer session or as independent study. In the case of failure or withdrawal the student will be required to pay additional tuition. Very frequent failure or withdrawal may result in extending the time of study. This normally means that the course of study would take more than 4 years.

A student seeking the American degree may also be able to substitute an acceptable semester course when it is offered.

Grading

Formal reports of the student’s progress are listed at the close of each semester. The following grade point system is used in connection with these grades:
A (outstanding) equals 4.00 per credit
В (good) equals 3.00 per credit
С (satisfactory) equals 2.00 per credit
D (poor) equals 1.00 per credit
F (failure) equals 0.00 per credit
W —Withdrawal
I  — Incomplete
The lowest acceptable grade for which credit is granted is D. A student who fails a course (receives an F) must repeat that course when it is offered again (and pay tuition costs again) and receive a satisfactory grade.

Grade Point Average

The term GPA (Grade Point Average) is an important part of the American educational system. GPA is used to determine the sufficiency of the student’s work for graduation as well as for honors such as scholarships and academic prizes.
The GPA is a “weighted average”. This means that the grade of 4, 3, 2, 1 or 0 is multiplied by the number of credit hours (2, 3, 4, etc.) to arrive at “grade points” for each semester course. Grade points are then added and divided by the total number of class hours to arrive at the GPA. The maximum GPA is 4.0 and the lowest is 0.0. Cumulative GPA is calculated for each semester.

Academic Standing

A student is considered in good standing if a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 is maintained. If the cumulative grade point average falls below 2.00, the student is placed on academic probation. The status of the student will be reviewed at the end of the following semester. In the United States, many colleges and universities require a 2.00 grade point average to remain in good standing.
The required GPA for MBA is 3.00.

Incomplete

An incomplete means the student has a legitimate reason for not completing all work required in a course. An incomplete grade automatically becomes a failing grade if it is not removed within the period. The period cannot extend more than thirty days after the start of the next full semester. In exceptional cases, an extension may be made with the approval of the professor and the American Dean.

Withdrawal

Students who wish to be granted a withdrawal in good academic standing (“W” notation on the student’s transcript) should consult with the American Dean and apply for a withdrawal. Students are permitted to withdraw from a course at any time during the semester until the beginning of mid-term examination week provided the instructor and American Dean have signed the application. A grade notation of “W” is recorded on the student’s transcript.

Audit Status

If a student elects to withdraw from a class, he may with the permission of both the teacher and administration elect to stay in the class and not receive a grade. In this case the student’s transcript will for this semester class be marked “AUDIT”. A course that is audited allows the student to improve his English and to understand the course that is offered for a second time. Credit towards the required 30 courses is not given for audit courses, nor it is counted in the GPA.

Academic Probation

A student receiving less than average GPA in any semester is considered to be on “academic probation”. His parents will be notified and he is required to consult with the administration to determine what he can do differently. A low GPA in courses taught in English is a forecast that the student may not be able to do work at a sufficiently high level in English to earn the American degree.

Extra Courses

Students who have maintained satisfactory records may apply for permission to enroll for more courses than offered by the curriculum for the particular semester. Students permitted to enroll for extra courses must pay an overload fee.

Qualified students may enroll for one independent study per semester. An additional fee is charged for each independent study project.
The projects must be discussed with the Academic Director who assists in selecting an appropriate supervising instructor.

The student and supervising instructor jointly determine a reading list and/or work program for the independent study. During the first two weeks of a semester the student’s application and the reading list and/or week program must be submitted for the Academic Director’s approval.

Receiving the Ukrainian Degree without the American Degree

If a student has completed the Ukrainian degree requirements, but has not yet completed all of the American degree requirements (e.g. needs more courses taught in English, etc.), he may take the Ukrainian degree, without the American Degree. The student has the option of doing additional work for American degree at WIUU any time within 2 years, operating under the same rules as when the student first entered WIUU.

Receiving the American Degree without the Ukrainian Degree

Some students, particularly those who do not know Ukrainian language well, those who are working, or for another reason do not need the Ukrainian degree, may elect to study only for the American degree.

Classification of Students (American Program)

Students enrolled for four classes or 12 credits are considered full-time. Students with fewer classes are part-time. Students with fewer than 30 credits are considered first year or freshmen students. Students with more than 30 credits, but less than 60, are second year or sophomore students. Students with more than 60 credits, but less than 90, are third year or junior students. Students with over 90 credits are fourth year or senior students.