Academic Information and Policies

Academic Policies

Academic policies developed and announced in the course of the school year have the same application as those published in this bulletin. Students wishing any exception to published policy may petition to the Academic Standards Committee. Forms for this purpose are available at the Academic Records Office and online.

Course Load

The academic study load at Walla Walla University is computed in quarter hours, one quarter hour normally representing one class meeting per week or three hours of laboratory work per week. Thus, a three-quarter-hour class would meet three times each week. For each quarter hour of credit earned, a student is expected to spend at least two clock hours a week in outside preparation or three hours a week in supervised study or laboratory work.

The normal course load is 16-17 hours per quarter. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors may register for 18 quarter hours if their cumulative WWU grade-point average is 3.00 (B) or better. Undergraduate students on academic probation will carry a reduced course load.

The following minimum study loads will satisfy the parties indicated; however, in order to graduate in four years the student should take 16 hours per quarter.

Financial Aid

12 quarter hours

Immigration Authorities

12 quarter hours

Social Security

12 quarter hours

Veterans

12 quarter hours

Registration

The academic year is divided into four academic quarters, Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer. Full-year online registration is available to all continuing students who have obtained Junior or Senior status. Continuing Freshmen and Sophomores may register online quarter by quarter. Registration dates will be announced. Registration is official only after all procedures required by the University have been completed and all fees have been paid. Students who do not receive financial clearance by the deadline will have their registration cancelled and will have to re-register on a space-available basis. 

Faculty advisers are available to assist students with registration and in planning academic programs. Adviser approval is required for class registration. Adviser signatures are required on Change of Registration forms for undergraduate students. In the event of temporary unavailability of the assigned adviser, the student should first consult the department chair/school dean. If the chair/dean is not available, the forms may be signed by the Director of Academic Advisement. It is the student's responsibility to inform the assigned adviser of the action.

Students are not permitted to attend courses for which they have not registered. Students will not be permitted to register for two classes which meet concurrently.

REGISTRATION WITHOUT OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS. Walla Walla University recognizes that in some instances a student may not be able to provide an official transcript immediately prior to enrolling at the University. At the University's discretion, some students may be allowed to enroll prior to admission on the basis of work shown on unofficial or incomplete transcripts. Students who have enrolled directly from high school in this fashion will have a maximum of three consecutive quarters to have their official transcripts received by the Marketing and Enrollment Services Office. No further enrollment will be allowed until the transcripts are on file. Transfer students allowed to enroll on this basis must have their official complete transcript(s) on file by the end of their first quarter in order to continue enrollment.

UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE. All freshmen are expected to attend the JumpStart Program, (University Experience class) which takes place the week prior to the beginning of Autumn quarter classes. The JumpStart Program focuses on topics and activities that will help students make a successful transition to university academically, socially and spiritually. JumpStart includes regular orientation information, financial clearance, course placement, academic advisement and finalization of the registration process. Students who successfully complete the JumpStart Program receive one elective credit. A fee is assessed for this program; see the Academic Fee Section of the Financial Bulletin.

MENTOR PROGRAM. All freshmen are required to participate in the Freshman Success Program. The program focuses on assisting students in a successful transition to college life through individualized mentoring. Mentors are trained to give academic, spiritual, and social support that will: assist students in setting and achieving academic careers and goals; aid students in developing time management skills; encourage students to live balanced lives that includes academics, and spiritual and physical development; support students in reaching and maintaining satisfactory grade point averages; strongly encourage students to connect with faculty, staff, and other students, and participate in organizations sponsored by the University; identify students who are having academic or personal difficulties early in an academic quarter; direct students in effectively using campus resources; and encourage students when they encounter personal challenges. A fee is assessed for this program; see the Academic Fee Section of the Financial Bulletin.

LATE REGISTRATION. Students citing unusual circumstances may register after the designated registration periods; however, they will be charged a late registration fee, and may expect a reduction in course load. Students may register between the 5th and 10th days of the quarter only with permission of the instructors involved.

CHANGES IN REGISTRATION. Changes in registration may be made during the first four days of instruction without charge. Course changes after that require advance permission from the instructor and from the student's academic adviser; there is also a fee for each course added or dropped. Courses may not be added after the tenth day of any quarter.

WITHDRAWALS. Students withdrawing from all classes must submit an official University Withdrawal Form to the Academic Records Office. Students withdrawing from individual courses must submit a Change of Registration voucher to the Academic Records Office signed by the instructor involved and the student's adviser. The final date for dropping a course is listed in the academic calendar.

An instructor or department chair/school dean may drop a student from a course during the 100% refund period if the student has not satisfied the prerequisites for the course and the student is informed.

CONCURRENT REGISTRATION. Concurrent registration at another accredited college/university may occasionally be advisable because of course unavailability or schedule conflicts. Students who are considering this option should consult their adviser and the registrar to ensure that their total course load is reasonable, that the transfer course will not interfere with their Walla Walla University class schedule, and that the course will satisfy the intended requirement. Transfer course approval requests are available at http://wallawalla.edu/resources/forms. It is the student's responsibility to have a transcript sent to Walla Walla University as soon as the course has been completed. Seniors should not enroll for courses at other colleges without prior approval from Academic Standards Committee (see Residency Requirements in this bulletin).

Students in good and regular standing may request to concurrently enroll in a Whitman College class through a reciprocal program in which tuition is paid at Walla Walla University while the student registers at Whitman College. Some restrictions apply; the program is intended for students who wish to take a course that is not available at Walla Walla University. The application process should be initiated through the office of the Associate Vice President for Academic Administration at least three weeks before the beginning of the term in which concurrent enrollment is desired.

ADMISSION TO UPPER-DIVISION STATUS. A student may register for upper-division courses provided that he/she has completed 45 quarter hours of university course work; the general studies mathematics requirement; ENGL 121 and 122 or HONR 141 and 142; and has completed or is concurrently enrolled in either ENGL 223, HONR 243, or ENGR 222.

SENIOR REGISTRATION FOR GRADUATE COURSES. Seniors who wish to take graduate (500-level) courses must submit a petition, a copy of a degree audit or a copy of their approved senior outline, and a current transcript to the Graduate Standards Committee for evaluation. Approval to register is based upon the student's background for the course in question and a minimum of 2.75 cumulative GPA. Academic Standards Committee must approve the petition to have the course apply to the undergraduate program. Courses so taken will be marked on the transcript as applying to the undergraduate degree. Seniors wishing to take credit to be applied toward a future graduate program should consult the Graduate Bulletin.

AUDIT. Students may audit classes provided they (1) register in the usual manner; (2) receive prior approval of the instructor , because certain classes and labs may not be audited; (3) pay any special fees, as appropriate; and (4) pay one-half tuition. Students auditing courses are not required to do class assignments or take tests. They receive no grades and no academic credit. The deadline for changing to or from audit status is the tenth day of the quarter. Students may not take challenge or waiver examinations for courses they have audited and may not add the class for credit after the 10th day of the quarter. Students with a Walla Walla University cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.00 and a course load of at least 13-16 hours (excluding audit courses) pay a special fee if their total credits exceed 16 hours. See the Academic Fee section of the Financial Bulletin.

Other Academic Policies

CHANGE OF MAJOR/MINOR AND ADVISER. Students who wish to declare or change a major/minor are required to complete a “Change of Major/Adviser” form in the Academic Advisement Office. If the declaration of major requires the selection of a new adviser, the student is required to consult with the Director of Academic Advisement for a new adviser assignment. Students are assigned a secondary adviser for the chosen minor, and the student is expected to consult with the adviser to insure appropriate course selection. Students who are pursuing secondary education certification must consult with the certification officer in the School of Education and Psychology.

CLASS ATTENDANCE. Students are responsible for punctual and regular attendance at all classes for which they are registered. Missing instruction for any reason may jeopardize the course grade.

FINAL EXAMINATIONS. All students are expected to take final examinations as scheduled. Requests for exceptions are to be submitted to the Associate Vice President for Academic Administration three weeks prior to the close of the quarter. A fee is assessed for each out-of-schedule examination; see the Academic Fee section of the Financial Bulletin.

TRANSCRIPTS. Official transcripts are issued from the Academic Records Office. Transcript requests must be in writing using a transcript request form or personal letter. Forms are available in the Academic Records Office or online at http://www.wallawalla.edu/academics/forms/records/transcript.pdf. Letters must include the student's ID number or Social Security number, birth date, dates of attendance, signature and return address. Requests for faxed transcripts must include the following statement, “I realize my privacy may not be maintained.” Faxed transcripts are not official transcripts. Transfer credit is not recorded after a student has ceased attendance at the University.

Classification of Students

FRESHMEN. Students who have met the University's entrance requirements and have completed less than 45 quarter hours are classified as freshmen.

SOPHOMORES. Students who have completed a minimum of 45 quarter hours with a grade-point average of at least 2.00 are classified as sophomores.

JUNIORS. Students who have completed a minimum of 90 quarter hours with a grade-point average of at least 2.00 are classified as juniors.

SENIORS. Students who have completed a minimum of 136 quarter hours with a grade-point average of at least 2.00 are classified as seniors. Seniors who can complete all degree requirements during the current school year are eligible for class membership.

POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS. Students who have completed a baccalaureate degree and are registered for work which does not ordinarily apply toward an advanced degree are classified as postgraduates.

GRADUATE STUDENTS. Students who have been accepted into one of the graduate programs are classified as graduate students.

NONMATRICULATED STUDENTS. Individuals ineligible for regular admission or who do not intend to matriculate in an academic program at Walla Walla University are considered nonmatriculated. (See Admission to the University: Nonmatriculated Admission)

SPECIAL STUDENTS. Students who are currently enrolled as students in secondary school and who have permission from their principal to take certain college-level courses are classified as special students.

Academic Integrity Policy

An integral part of the mission of Walla Walla University is to prepare its students to be responsible individuals with Christian values. The University expects all members of its community to have integrity, including a steadfast adherence to honesty. Faculty have a responsibility to foster integrity by example and instruction. Students have a responsibility to learn, respect, and practice integrity.

All acts of dishonesty are unacceptable, including cheating, plagiarism, forgery, misrepresentation, falsification, prohibited collaboration, and prohibited use of files. Departments or schools may have specific criteria for behavior and skills suitable to their disciplines which will be communicated to students, typically in course syllabi.

Any violation of the academic integrity policy will result in disciplinary action. Teachers and administrators will follow approved guidelines which are available upon request in the office of the Associate Vice President for Academic Administration or online at: http://www.wallawalla.edu/academics/academic-administration/academic-policies/academic-integrity-policy

Grading System

The grade-point average is computed by totaling the grade points of all courses taken at Walla Walla University and dividing by the total quarter hours for which grades are received. Only the best grade of a repeated course will be calculated in the grade-point average. Default grades of Incompletes are included in the grade point calculation. The AU, IP, NC, S, W and X are disregarded in computing the grade-point average.

A report of grades is available on the WWU web-site for students (and parents of dependent students) at the end of each quarter. Classes taken for 0 credit may only be graded S/NC.

The following grades are used:

A

4.0

C+

2.3

D

1.0

A-

3.7

C

2.0

D-

0.7

B+

3.3

C-

1.7

F

0.0

B

3.0

D+

1.3

S/NC

0.0

B-

2.7

 

 

 

 

In place of grades, the following symbols are used:

I

Incomplete

 

In the case of incomplete work due to justifiable cause, the instructor may assign a grade of Incomplete, allowing the student an extension of time to complete the course requirements. The Incomplete is not a permanent grade. The instructor for the course also submits a default grade for the course that the student will be assigned if no further work is done in the allotted time, taking into account all the course requirements. The default grade appears beside the I; e.g. IF, ID, etc.

 

Submission of all required work is due to the teacher three weeks before the close of the following term (excluding summer session for undergraduates). Graduating seniors must complete all outstanding incompletes six weeks prior to graduation. 

   

I*

Standing Incomplete

  Final grade for coursework not completed within appropriate timeframe.
   

IP

In Progress

 

IP grading for certain undergraduate approved courses, particularly courses that extend beyond regular grading periods. Courses to receive IP grading will be approved by Curriculum Committee. Graduating seniors must complete all outstanding in-progress credits six weeks prior to graduation.

   
IP* Standing In Progress
  Final grade for coursework not completed within appropriate timeframe
   

S/NC

Satisfactory/No Credit

 

Indicates that credit earned was satisfactory (C or better) or that the credit was not earned because performance did not meet the minimum standards for a satisfactory grade. Some professional schools calculate the NC mark as an F grade when computing the grade-point average.

   

W

Official Withdrawal

 

Courses dropped during the first two weeks of the term will not appear on the student's record. Courses dropped thereafter will appear on the permanent record with a W.

   

X

Unofficial Withdrawal

 

Indicates that the student discontinued class attendance prior to the fifth week, mid-term, but failed to withdraw officially.

   

AU

Audit

GRADE ERRORS AND CORRECTIONS. Grades will be processed and posted to the Web for viewing at the close of each quarter. Upon viewing grades via the secured web site, the student should carefully check the accuracy of the courses recorded, quarter hours, and grades. Grades may be changed only if an error has been made in calculating or recording the grade. Students will have until the last day to drop classes during the next regular quarter to report any discrepancies to the Academic Records Office.

Academic Probation

The probation policy and conditions are intended to enhance the probability of academic success. Students should be aware that many types of financial aid are dependent on academic success or adequate academic progress. Students may become ineligible for financial aid for either poor academic performance (GPA) or for lack of academic progress (not successfully completing enough credits). Student Financial Services may be consulted for detailed information.

CALCULATION OF GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA) FOR PROBATION. For academic probation consideration, the GPA includes all Walla Walla University courses as well as the default grade of all Walla Walla University courses with a grade of Incomplete. Grades in remedial courses (courses numbered 001-100) or transfer courses do not count in the probation GPA calculation.

ACADEMIC WARNING. A student whose Walla Walla University cumulative and previous term GPAs are 2.0 or higher, but whose current term GPA is below 2.0, receives a warning letter from the Associate Vice-President for Academic Administration. A copy of the letter is also sent to the student's academic adviser.

ACADEMIC PROBATION AND DISMISSAL. Students must show satisfactory academic performance by maintaining a term and cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above. At the end of each term, students' academic performance is reviewed. Students are automatically placed on academic probation if their performance places them in one of the two categories described in the following paragraphs. Probationary status is communicated to them in writing by the Associate Vice-Present for Academic Administration. A copy of the letter is also provided to each student's academic adviser. After the fourth day of the term, a student's probation status does not change for that term even if a subsequent grade change is submitted or an Incomplete is finished.

Students on academic probation have one term in which to demonstrate satisfactory academic achievement. During that term, they must comply with the conditions listed in the following section, "Conditions of Academic Probation." At the end of the term, each student's performance will again be reviewed.

A student is automatically placed on probation when:

  1. The student's cumulative grade point average for courses taken at Walla Walla University, including default grades for Incompletes, is below 2.00.

    The student is placed on probationary status for the ensuing term, at the end of which the student must earn a term GPA of at least 2.3 (C+ average). A student who meets this requirement may continue on academic probation for the following term. When the cumulative GPA reaches 2.0, the student returns to regular status. If neither a 2.3 term GPA nor a 2.0 cumulative GPA is achieved during the probationary term, the student is automatically dismissed from the University. The Associate Vice-President for Academic Administration notifies the student of the dismissal and process of potential appeal.

  2. The student's term GPA at Walla Walla University, including default grades for Incompletes, is below 2.0 for two consecutive terms, even though the cumulative GPA is above 2.0.

    The student is placed on probationary status for the ensuing term, at the end of which the student must earn a term GPA of at least 2.0. A student who meets this requirement returns to regular status. If a 2.0 term GPA is not achieved during the probationary term, the student is automatically dismissed from the University. The Associate Vice-President for Academic Administration notifies the student of the dismissal and process of potential appeal.

A student dismissed for academic reasons may, following at least six months' absence from the University, apply for readmission by contacting the Associate Vice-President for Academic Administration. Convincing evidence will be required to demonstrate the student's commitment and potential for academic success.

CONDITIONS OF ACADEMIC PROBATION. Academic probation entails the following conditions to assist a student in improving academic performance:

  1. The student must meet in person with the Associate Vice-President for Academic Administration within the first three days of the term.
  2. Enrollment is limited to 13 quarter credits. Students are advised to repeat courses with a grade less than C. Students with Incompletes should consider further reducing their academic load.
  3. A biweekly conference with the academic adviser is expected.
  4. The student may be required to participate in a special mentoring program at the discretion of the Associate Vice-President for Academic Administration. A fee for this service will be charged to the student's account.
  5. Courses outside the University, such as correspondence or online courses, are not permitted.
  6. Participation in the University Athletics Program or Adventist Colleges Abroad is not permitted.
  7. Extracurricular activities which necessitate class absences are not permitted.
  8. The student is not permitted to hold office in any student organization or serve as a student missionary or taskforce worker.

Note: A student receiving financial aid must also meet satisfactory progress standards adopted by Student Financial Services. See the Financial Policies section of the Financial Bulletin for details.

Achievement Recognition

DEAN'S LIST. The Associate Vice President for Academic Administration maintains a list of undergraduate students who have earned a minimum of 15 hours per quarter (excluding S credits, IP, and incompletes) and have achieved a grade-point average of 3.50 or better. Students who have earned a G.P.A. above 3.75 appear on the Dean's List of Distinguished Students.

GRADUATION WITH HONORS. Candidates for the baccalaureate degree with the appropriate G.P.A. both overall and for credits earned at Walla Walla University will be awarded the degree with the following honors distinction:

3.50 - 3.74

cum laude (with distinction)

3.75 - 3.89

magna cum laude (with great distinction)

3.90 - 4.00

summa cum laude (with highest distinction)

Credit by Examination

Walla Walla University recognizes that students who have independently achieved college-level proficiency on the basis of work experience and study may receive credit for what they already know by challenging, validating, or waiving comparable classes offered by the University. (Certain university classes may not be challenged.)

APPLICATION FORMS. A current student wishing to obtain credit by examination must apply. Permission from the chair of the department in which the course is offered and permission of the course instructor are required. Application forms for challenge, validation, and/or waiver examinations may be obtained from the Academic Records Office. A student must have approval for an exam prior to taking an exam. Fees for these examinations are listed under the heading Special Fees in the Academic Fee section of the Financial Bulletin.

RESTRICTIONS. The following restrictions apply to all credit earned by examination.

  1. A student must have an approved examination application on file in the Academic Records Office before credit by examination can be recorded on the permanent record.
  2. A student must be currently enrolled before credit by examination can be recorded on the permanent record.
  3. Credit by examination may be earned only if a student has not already earned credit in a similar course, or taken advanced courses.
  4. A maximum of 24 quarter hours by examination may be counted toward a baccalaureate degree and a maximum of 12 quarter hours may be counted toward an associate degree excluding validation examinations.
  5. Grades are issued as on normal test scores, and all grades are recorded on the permanent record of the student.
  6. Examinations may not be repeated.
  7. Repeat course work and F grades are not open to credit by examination.
  8. Students may not take challenge or waiver examinations on courses they have audited.
  9. Examinations must be taken prior to the last 3 weeks of any quarter.
  10. CLEP examinations must be taken prior to the student's completion of a total of 45 quarter hours of university credit.

CHALLENGE EXAMINATIONS. A challenge examination is a university-prepared or a standardized examination which, if successfully completed, will yield regular university credit. The student must take the examination before enrolling for further study in the field of the examination. The challenge examination may not be repeated and must be taken prior to the final quarter of residence. Labs may be challenged by permission of school/department.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAMINATION (CEEB). Regular university credit may be established by successful completion of an Advanced Placement (AP) examination. These tests are graded on a scale of 1 to 5.

Biology 141, 142, 143 General Biology

Students obtaining a 3 or higher on the Advancement Placement Biology examination will be awarded 12 quarter hours for BIOL 141, BIOL 142, BIOL 143. AP credit for Biology may not be accepted by some professional programs.

Chemistry 141, 142, 143 General Chemistry

Students receiving a score of 3 or greater on the AP Chemistry examination will be granted credit for 12 quarter hours of CHEM 141, CHEM 142, CHEM 143. Credit does not cover Introductory Chemistry and may not be accepted by some preprofessional programs. Credit will meet the General Studies laboratory science requirement.

Computer Science 141 Introduction to Programming and 142 Data Structures, Algorithms, and Objects

Students obtaining a 3 or higher on part A of the Advanced Placement Examination will be awarded 4 quarter hours for CPTR 141. Students obtaining a 3 or higher on parts A and B will be awarded 8 quarter hours for CPTR 141 and CPTR 142.

English 121, 122 College Writing I, II

Students obtaining a 3 on the Advanced Placement Language and Composition examination will be awarded 3 quarter hours as a substitute for ENGL 121. Those obtaining a 4 or 5 will be awarded 6 quarter hours as a substitute for ENGL 121 and ENGL 122. All students must take ENGL 223 or ENGL 323. Advanced placement credit may not be applied to HONR 141 or HONR 142.

English 121, College Writing, and 204 Introduction to Literature

Students obtaining a 3 on the Advanced Placement Literature and Composition examination will be awarded 4 quarter hours as a substitute for ENGL 204. Those obtaining a 4 or 5 will be awarded 7 quarter hours as a substitute for ENGL 204 and ENGL 121. All students must take ENGL 122 and ENGL 223 or ENGL 323. Advanced placement credit may not be applied to HONR 141 or HONR 142.

History 221, 222 History of the United States

Students obtaining a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Examination will receive 8 quarter hours, which will fulfill two quarters of the History requirement.

Language 101, 102, 103 (Introduction and elementary level)

Students obtaining a 3 on the Advanced Placement Language examination will be awarded 4 credit hours (101). Students obtaining a 4 on the examination will be awarded 8 credit hours (101, 102). Students obtaining a 5 on the examination will be awarded 12 credit hours (101, 102, 103).

Mathematics 181 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I

Students obtaining a score 3 or 4 on the AB test will receive 4 quarter hours for MATH 181.

Mathematics 181, 281 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I, II

Students obtaining a score of 5 on the AB test or a score of 3 or 4 on the BC test will receive 8 quarter hours for MATH 181 and MATH 281.

Mathematics 181, 281, 282 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I, II, III

Students obtaining a score of 5 on the BC test will receive 12 quarter hours for MATH 181, MATH 281, and MATH 282

COLLEGE-LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM (CLEP). Walla Walla University grants credit for selected undergraduate college courses. For dates and specific information candidates should consult Counseling and Testing Services (Meske Hall, phone #527-2147) who administers these computer-based tests by appointment. These tests may not be repeated and must be taken prior to the student's completion of a total of 45 quarter hours of university credit.

A number of subject-matter examinations are offered by CLEP. Students obtaining the scales scores established by the following departments will receive credit toward that basic requirement. Students wishing credit in courses other than those listed below should consult the appropriate department chair.

Accounting 201 Principles of Accounting

Students who obtain a scaled score of 50 on the Financial Accounting test will receive 4 quarter hours for ACCT 201.

Biology 141, 142, 143 General Biology

Students obtaining a scaled score of 54 in the Biology examination will receive 12 quarter hours, which will fulfill the basic science requirement. CLEP credit does not count toward a biology major and is not accepted by most professional schools (dentistry, medicine, etc.)

English 121 College Writing

Students who achieve a score of 50 on the English Composition With Essay Examination will receive credit for ENGL 121. All students must take ENGL 122, or HONR 142, followed by ENGL 223 or ENGL 323 or HONR 243.

History 221, 222 History of the United States

Students who earn a scaled score of 50 in either or both of the American History subject-matter examinations will receive 4 or 8 quarter hours toward fulfillment of the basic history requirement. The CLEP subject-matter test covering early colonization to 1877 may substitute for HIST 221; that covering 1865 to the present may substitute for HIST 222.

Mathematics 117 Accelerated Precalculus

Students obtaining a scaled score of 55 in the Precalculus Test will receive 5 quarter hours, which will fulfill the basic general-studies mathematics requirement.

Mathematics 121 Precalculus Mathematics I

Students obtaining a scaled score of 55 in the College Algebra test will receive 4 quarter hours, which will fulfill the basic mathematics requirement.

Mathematics 181 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I

Students obtaining a scaled score of 55 in the Calculus Test will receive 4 quarter hours for MATH 181.

Modern Language 101, 102, 103 (Introduction and elementary level)

German and Spanish examinations: Students obtaining a scaled score of 40-44 will receive 4 quarter hours in level 101. Students obtaining a scaled score of 45-49 will receive 8 quarter hours in levels 101 and 102. Students obtaining a scaled score of 50 and above will receive 12 quarter hours in levels 101, 102 and 103.

Psychology 130 General Psychology

Students who earn a scaled score of 50 on the Introductory Psychology exam will receive 4 quarter hours for PSYC 130.

Psychology 215 Child and Adolescent Development

Students who earn a score of 50 on the Human Growth and Development exam will receive 4 quarter hours for PSYC 215.

French Examinations

Students obtaining a scaled score of 44-48 will receive 4 quarter hours in level 101. Students obtaining a scaled score of 49-53 will receive 8 quarter hours in levels 101 and 102. Students obtaining a scaled score of 54 and above will receive 12 quarter hours in levels 101, 102 and 103.

Sociology 204 General Sociology

Students obtaining a scaled score of 50 in the General Sociology examination will receive 4 quarter hours, which will fulfill the basic social studies requirements.

VALIDATION EXAMINATIONS. Students who have transcripts from non-accredited colleges and/or transcripts showing nontransferable college courses may request to take validation examinations in courses which are comparable to those offered by Walla Walla University. Upon successful completion of the examination(s), the student will be given credit as specified.

COURSE WAIVER EXAMINATIONS. A student may meet an academic requirement, within specified limits, by passing a waiver examination at least equal in scope and difficulty to a final examination in a course. Successful completion of the examination waives the curricular requirement, but does not result in credit earned. Thus, it does not reduce the total number of quarter hours required for a degree, but will increase the available number of elective hours. The waiver examination is administered by the department in which the course is offered and may not be repeated. Waiver examinations must be taken prior to the final quarter of residence.

TRANSFER CREDIT BY EXAMINATION. Credit earned by examination at other colleges or universities may be transferred provided such credit meets the guidelines used by Walla Walla University for credit by examination.

Repeat Courses

Students may repeat a course in which credit has been granted and grades have been received; however, academic credit may be earned only once. Regardless of the number of times a course is repeated, only the best grade will be computed in the grade-point average, though all grades will remain on the permanent record. This repeat work must be taken in a regularly offered class. Challenge examinations and independent or directed study arrangements are not allowed for repeat course work. Repeat course work for which an F has been received must be completed in residence unless permission to do otherwise is granted by the Academic Standards Committee.

Extension Course Work

Extension courses are offered by Walla Walla University on a limited basis. These off-campus courses provide opportunity for academic enrichment, acceleration, and continuing education.

The University accepts extension course credit from other institutions provided the institution offering the courses accepts similar credits toward a degree on its own campus.

Adventist Colleges Abroad

Walla Walla University, together with 13 other Seventh-day Adventist colleges in North America, founded an organization in 1967 for the purpose of providing opportunities for qualified students to study abroad while completing the requirements of their programs. The ACA program allows students to immerse themselves in the culture and life of the host country and to become conversant in the language. Presently, students may take a full year at:

Brazil Adventist University, Sao Paulo, Brazil   (Portuguese)
Friedensau Adventist University, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany  (German)
Saleve Adventist University, Collonges-sous-Saleve, France  (French)
Seminar Schloss Bogenhofen, Braunau, Austria
 (German)
Istituto Avventista Villa Aurora, Florence, Italy
 (Italian)
Colegio Adventista de Sagunto, Sagunto, Spain
 (Spanish)
Universidad Adventista del Plata, Entre Rios, Argentina
 (Spanish)
Middle East University, Beirut, Lebanon  (Arabic)

Prerequisites for admission to a year of study abroad through ACA are:

  1. Admission as a regular student of Walla Walla University.
  2. Competence in the language (minimum: one year of college language or two years of secondary study).
  3. A grade-point average of 2.50 in the language and an overall grade-point average of 2.00.
  4. Completion of ENGL 121, 122 and a general studies math course.
  5. A good citizenship record.
  6. Application to the Academic Records Office on the special ACA application form.
  7. Ability to meet the financial requirements.

Students planning to study under this program must submit a completed ACA application with a $100 processing fee by July 15, as there are usually more applications than spaces available. Information and applications may be obtained from the Academic Records Office or online at www.aca-noborders.org.

All applications and payments for tuition, room, and board are to be made through Walla Walla University. Any deviation from this schedule by students of Walla Walla University must be arranged in advance with the Office of Student Financial Services.

Students cannot plan on financial credit for work while residing in foreign countries. The student financial aid officer has information on grants and loans available to students for overseas study.

Academic credit may be granted for these studies so that a student may be able to complete a full college year abroad. Prospective students must have successfully completed one year of college French, German or Spanish or the equivalent as applicable, except for Italian. It is recommended that students desiring to participate do so during their sophomore year. Applicants must consult with their major professors, the Communications and Languages Department and the ACA Coordinator prior to enrollment. The Registrar, the chair of the applicant's major department, and the Academic Standards Committee will determine how the credits are applied.