2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog

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Academic Forgiveness

Cumberland University has provided the following Academic Forgiveness options to help currently enrolled, eligible Cumberland University undergraduate students to overcome low academic standing (note that Academic Forgiveness is not available to graduate students). Although the transcript will still be a full and accurate reflection of the student's academic performance/history, the retention/graduation grade point average (GPA) will be utilized in determining matters such as academic probation, academic suspension, transfer admissibility, and graduation GPA. There are three academic forgiveness provisions available: Repeated Courses, Academic Reprieve, and Academic Renewal. A student may only receive one academic reprieve or renewal in his/her academic career and only one option can be used. The repeated course provision may be used independently within the limits listed below. If you believe you are eligible for one of these provisions, please contact the Office of Academic Affairs for additional information.

Repeated Course Policy

  1. A student may repeat a maximum of six (6) courses, not to exceed 18 hours, and have only the most recent grade, even if it is lower than a previous grade(s); count in the calculation of the retention/graduation GPA providing the original grade was a "B" or lower. 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. Note that an individual course can only be repeated a maximum of two times (total of three attempts).
  2. All attempts will be recorded on the transcript with the earned grade for each listed in the semester earned.
  3. If a student repeats an individual course two times (total of 3 attempts), the last grade earned will be used to calculate the retention/graduation GPA.
  4. Students repeating courses above the first six (6) courses of "B's" or below may do so; however, both the original grades and repeat grades will be averaged.
  5. This policy only applies to undergraduate work, no matter when or where it was completed.
  6. In cases where students believe courses to be identical, although the course number or title may differ, it will be necessary to obtain verification of course equivalency from the appropriate academic department.

Academic Reprieve

  1. The student must be a currently enrolled Cumberland University undergraduate student.
  2. At least one calendar year must have elapsed between when the semester(s) requested to be reprieved were completed and when the reprieve is requested.
  3. Prior to requesting an academic reprieve, the student must have earned a GPA of 2.5 or higher with no grade lower than a "C" in all regularly graded course work since the semester(s) requested to be reprieved.
  4. The student must have completed a minimum of twelve (12) semester hours at Cumberland University, excluding activity or performance courses, since the semester(s) requested to be reprieved.
  5. The request may be for one (1) semester of enrollment or two (2) consecutive semesters of enrollment.
  6. If approved, all grades and credit hours earned in the semester(s) requested will be included in the reprieve.
  7. If the student's request is for two (2) consecutive semesters, the institution may choose to reprieve only one semester.
  8. All courses reprieved will remain on the transcript but will not be used to calculate the retention/graduation GPA.
  9. Neither the content nor credit hours of reprieved courses may be used to fulfill any degree or graduation requirement.
  10. Academic reprieves granted by other colleges and universities are not automatically honored by CU. Students who have received such reprieves from other institutions may apply for an academic reprieve under Cumberland University guidelines.
  11. The student must apply for consideration of an academic reprieve according to institutional policy.
  12. A student may not receive more than one academic reprieve.

Academic Renewal

  1. The student must be a currently enrolled Cumberland University undergraduate student.
  2. 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.
  3. Prior to requesting an academic renewal, the student must have earned a GPA of 2.5 or higher with no grade lower than a "C" in all regularly graded course work since the semester(s) requested to be renewed.
  4. The student must have completed a minimum of twelve (12) semester hours, excluding activity or performance courses, since the semester(s) requested to be renewed.
  5. The request will be for all courses completed before the date/semester specified in the request for renewal.
  6. All courses renewed will remain on the transcript but will not be used to calculate the retention/graduation GPA.
  7. Neither the content nor credit hours of renewed courses may be used to fulfill any degree or graduation requirement.
  8. Academic renewals granted by other colleges and universities are not automatically honored by Cumberland University. Students who have received such renewals from other institutions may apply for an academic renewal under Cumberland University guidelines.
  9. The student must petition for consideration of academic renewal according to institutional policy.
  10. A student may not receive more than one academic renewal.

The Academic Forgiveness application can also be found 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.