University policy prohibits students from repeating a course in which they have earned a grade of A, unless the course is one in which there is a change of subject matter and the course has been designated “repeatable for credit”. Courses that are repeatable for credit are identified as such in the course description. 

 

Students may repeat up to six courses or 18 hours (whichever comes first) in which the original grade was a ‘B’ or lower. No course may be repeated more than once without permission of the faculty advisor and the approval of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. A repeat grade in a course will become a standing grade for that course even if it is lower than the first grade received in the course. All repeat grades will be included in the calculation of the retention/graduation grade point average even if the most recent grade(s) is lower than the previous grade(s) earned. All first attempt grades will still appear on the student’s permanent record, but will not be calculated into the student’s retention/graduation grade point average or total hours earned. Note that an individual course can only be repeated a maximum of two times (total of three attempts).

 

Students who repeat courses/hours beyond those under the Repeat Policy may do so with both the original grades and repeat grades included in the calculation of the retention/graduation grade point average.

 

A student may request only one reprieve or renewal from Cumberland University.

 

The Reprieve Policy allows currently enrolled Cumberland University undergraduate students to request that one or two semesters’ grades be excluded from the calculation of the combined retention/graduation grade point average. Grades from courses taken during the reprieved term(s) will remain on the student’s permanent record, but will not be calculated into the student’s cumulative grade point average. A student may request an academic reprieve if the following criteria are met: 

·	The student must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate at Cumberland University (Note that if a student is enrolled under Academic Probation that they must demonstrate a 2.5 GPA within the probationary semester (minimum of 12 credit hours)).

·	At least one calendar year must have elapsed between the period in which the grades being requested to be reprieved were earned and the reprieve request.

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Prior to requesting the renewal, the student must have earned at least a 2.50 cumulative grade point average from the initiation of the renewal semester forward with no grade lower than a C in all regularly graded course work (minimum 12 semester credit hours), excluding activity and performance courses. This coursework may be completed at any regionally accredited higher education institution.

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Prior to requesting the reprieve, the student must have earned at least a 2.5 grade point average from the initiation of the renewal semester forward with no grade lower than a C in all regularly graded course work (minimum 12 semester credit hours), excluding activity and performance courses. This coursework may be completed at any regionally accredited higher education institution.

The request may be for one semester/term or two consecutive semesters/terms. If the reprieve is awarded, all grades and hours during the enrollment period are excluded from the retention/graduation grade point average. Coursework with a passing grade included in a reprieved semester(s) may be used to demonstrate competency in the subject matter. Neither the content nor credit hours of course work taken during the semesters/terms voided for academic reprieve may be used to fulfill any degree or graduation requirements.  If the student’s request is for two consecutive semesters/terms, the institution may choose to reprieve only one semester. 

The student may not receive more than one academic reprieve (or academic renewal) during his/her academic career. The student will not be eligible to receive a reprieve if a previous reprieve request was denied at Cumberland University. 

The request form is available in the Registrar’s Office. Students should contact their academic advisor and/or the Registrar’s Office concerning the process for requesting a reprieve. 

 

The Academic Renewal Policy allows students who have had academic trouble in the past and who have been out of higher education for a number of years to recover without penalty and have a fresh start. Under Academic Renewal, all course work taken prior to a date specified by Cumberland University will be excluded from retention/graduation grade point average. At least three (3) years must have elapsed between when the last semester requested to be renewed was completed and when the renewal is requested. All courses and grades will remain on the student's transcript, but will not be calculated in the student's cumulative grade point average. Neither the content nor credit hours of course work taken during the semesters/terms voided for academic renewal may be used to fulfill any degree or graduation requirements. If a student has received a renewal at another institution, the student may request to have their Academic School review the renewal. The student's Academic School may accept the renewal approved at the previous institution or may deny the request. Whether accepted or denied, this review will constitute the student's request for renewal at Cumberland University. 

If the student has not received a renewal at another institution, they may request an academic renewal if the following criteria are met: 

·	The student must be currently enrolled as a Cumberland University undergraduate (Note that if a student is enrolled under Academic Probation that they must demonstrate a 2.5 GPA within the probationary semester (minimum of 12 credit hours));

·	At least three years must have elapsed between the period of time in which the grades being requested to be renewed were earned and the renewal request.

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Prior to requesting the renewal, the student must have earned at least a 2.5 grade point average from the initiation of the renewal semester forward with no grade lower than a C in all regularly graded course work (minimum 12 semester credit hours), excluding activity and performance courses. This coursework may be completed at any regionally accredited higher education institution.

The request form is available in the Registrar’s Office. Students should contact their academic advisor and/or the Registrar’s Office concerning the process for requesting an academic renewal.