Tips for Success | Information on Academics | Programs of Study | Clubs and Organizations | Student Support Services

Academic Achievement Programs

The Dean's List

The Dean's list of students in the Barney School achieving superior standing is issued once each semester. In order to qualify for the Dean's List you must take 12 or more credits in the semester and you must attain letter grades of A, B, or C. Your semester grade point average must be a minimum of 3.25 with no grade lower than C. Dean's List students are mailed a card recognizing this achievement. Dean's List students are also invited to a luncheon each spring in recognition of their academic achievement.

Honors Program

The Honors Program is designed to serve your special academic and intellectual needs. It is an 18-credit academic program open to highly motivated students across the campus. The Honors Program offers an opportunity to take special honors sections of the required general education courses. In these enriched courses students interact with peers from other colleges on campus. Nine of the 18 required credits are general education and include All University Curriculum courses. Six credits are "contract honors" courses in your Barney major at the junior or senior level. Three credits are senior-level honors courses which may include writing a thesis, participation in your University Scholar Program, or an independent study with a member of the faculty.

The Barney School Honors Program is a very flexible and rewarding program and does not require any additional credits. Upon completing the Honors Program with an overall GPA of at least 3.0 in the general education courses, and a 3.25 in the Barney School honors courses, students graduate with "University Honors." Honors students are also eligible to belong to the Honors Student Organization and to use the Honors Study in Mortensen Library.

Academic Calendar
Academic Calendar.pdf

Academic Probation and Dismissal

A review of academic performance is done once per semester by the Academic Standards Committee. Full-time freshmen are evaluated at the end of their first semester and are given a warning letter if their GPA is below a 1.70. At the end of the freshmen year and for the remainder of your tenure in the Barney school, if it is determined that you are not making satisfactory academic progress, you will be placed on academic probation.

If you are placed on probation, you will be asked to reduce your semester course load to 12 credits. In addition, you will be asked to complete a Probation Contract, stating that you will meet with a staff member in the Academic Services Office four times during your probationary semester to discuss your class schedule and workload. Finally, you will be required to attend three study skills courses: CRW 101: Time Management, Listening, and Note taking; CRW 102: Reading and Remembering; and CRW 103: Preparing for Tests.

If you make substantial progress but still do not meet the minimum GPA requirements, you may be continued on probation for another semester. Students continued on probation will be subject to the probation requirements stated above. If you have not demonstrated a level of performance that indicates future success in meeting minimum degree requirements, the Academic Standards Committee may choose to academically dismiss you from the university. If at that time you feel that your status merits reevaluation you may appeal your dismissal to the Academic Standards Committee.

If you are dismissed, the only way to return is through the Fresh Start Program. Under this program, you can not take classes at the University of Hartford for at least two semesters. To re-apply, you must write a letter to the Barney Committee on Academic Standing stating how your approach to school has changed in the interim. If you are re-admitted, all grades of "D" and "F" will be eliminated, as well as the credits for those courses. See the Bulletin for more details on the program.

Academic Progress - Grades

At the end of each semester you will receive a grade report. The grades will reflect your instructor's assessment of your mastery of the material covered in their class. Grades are based on a combination of measurements including tests, class participation, assigned projects, papers and final exam. Each instructor will have his/her own criteria for grading, which will be explained in the course outline (syllabus). If you are not sure what is expected of you, seek advice from the instructor.

Grades range from "A" (excellent performance) to "F" (failing performance) with "minus" or "plus" used for finer distinctions.

The following grade system is employed in evaluating work in undergraduate courses:

• Grade Definition Grade points per credit hour
  
• Grades of "Pass or Fail" (P or NP) have no effect on your grade point average.
• Repeating a Course

You will have the option to repeat a course if you feel you want to improve your grade. Only the grade most recently earned will be used in the computation of your grade point average (GPA) and credits earned. However, the original grade will remain on your transcript with the letter "E" next to it, indicating it is being excused from your GPA calculation. The most recently earned grade will have the letter "I" next to it, indicating it is being included in overall GPA computation.

Student Classifications

When will the university consider me a First, Second, Third or Fourth year student?

The following numbers represent credits successfully completed and are inclusive. For example, if you complete 23 credits after your first two semesters, the University will still classify you as a freshman. If you complete 24 credits you will be classified as a sophomore.

• 1st year 0-23
• 2nd year 24-53
• 3rd year 54-86
• 4th year 87-~
  

These numbers are important because they decide your place in line for the housing lottery, parking privileges and registration. The more credits you have earned the further up in the line you will be. Their real significance however, is their measurement of timely completion of program requirements. To complete your degree in four years, you must complete a minimum of 15 or 16 credits per semester. It is crucial to remember when you drop below 15 credits in a semester, that somewhere along the line you must make up these credits. Many students make up credits in the summer. If you are having difficulty in a particular class, talk to your professor, your faculty advisor and parents before deciding to drop it. They can help you avoid making the wrong decision. A full time student must satisfactorily complete 24 credits each year. You may be ineligible for future financial aid if you don't meet this requirement.

Barney : Minimum Standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress and Business Degree Requirements

To obtain an undergraduate degree from the Barney School, the student must

1. successfully complete all degree and course requirements;
2. earn a minimum of 123 credits for a bachelor's degree;
3. maintain at least a 2.0 overall grade point average (GPA), specifically:

• Students who do not have at least the minimum 2.0 GPA after their sophomore year (after 53 credits) will not be allowed to take additional Barney business or required major courses until their overall GPA rises to at least 2.0. Students may retake courses in Barney in order to increase their GPA.
• Students who do not have at least the minimum 2.0 GPA after their junior year (after 86 credits) will not be allowed to enroll in MGT 440 (Barney capstone course) until their overall GPA rises to at least 2.0.

4. have an overall grade point average of at least 2.0 on a scale of 4.0;
5. have at least a 2.0 grade point average in his/her major;
6. earn at least 50 percent of the business course credits at the University of Hartford; and
7. earn no more than 3 credits in PE 110-111 courses.

Specific Undergraduate Business Requirements on Pass/No Pass Status

1. A student may take only one Pass/No Pass course a semester. If either PE 110 or 111 is taken, one other class may be taken Pass/No. Pass during that semester.
2. A student may take only unrestricted and non-business electives Pass/No Pass. No other degree requirements may be taken Pass/No Pass.
3. A student may drop or add the Pass/No Pass status only up to the 10th week after classes begin.
4. A student may take a maximum of 12 credits on a Pass/No Pass basis during his/her entire undergraduate career.