2012–2013 UNIVERSITY CATALOG - Florida Institute of Technology

Forgiveness Policy
The forgiveness policy is a system by which an undergraduate
student may repeat an undergraduate course with only the last
grade received for this course (this grade may be an F) used in the
cumulative grade point average, and in evaluating the fulfillment of
graduation requirements. All grades received in any course, including
those retaken under the forgiveness policy, are retained and
recorded on the transcript. Credits where the forgiveness policy has
been applied to a course will be removed from both the term and
overall GPA.
An undergraduate student is allowed to apply forgiveness to undergraduate
courses a maximum of five times during his or her Florida
Tech career. No forgiveness is allowed for subsequent retakes above
the maximum of five; all subsequent grades are averaged into the
cumulative GPA. A student attaining 90 or more credit hours may
not apply the forgiveness policy to 1000- and 2000-level courses.
The forgiveness policy does not apply to graduate courses, even if
taken by an undergraduate student, or to undergraduate courses
taken by a graduate student.
A Request to Retake a Course form must be completed for every
course retaken under the forgiveness policy. To be applied, this
form is due in the registrar’s office no later than Friday of the 12th
week of classes for fall or spring semester, Friday of the third week
before the end of regular classes for a summer term, and no later
than Friday of the fifth week of classes for Florida Tech University
Online students. This form is a binding agreement between the
student and Florida Tech. Once applied to a repeated course, forgiveness
cannot be reversed.
Not Permitted to Register
When it is determined by the academic dean of the college in which
a student is enrolled that a student is deliberately trying to circumvent
university academic policy, regardless of scholarship, the dean
may determine that such a student is not permitted to register.
Study at Other Institutions
A currently enrolled student may take a limited number of courses
at other regionally accredited institutions for transfer to a Florida
Tech undergraduate degree program. Prior approval is mandatory.
The student must complete and submit all applicable forms with all
required signatures and a written justification. A copy of the other
institution’s published course description(s) may be required.
Florida Tech’s forgiveness policy is not applicable under the
Undergraduate Request to Study at Another Institution policy.
Financial aid recipients may wish to consult their financial aid
counselor before requesting to study at another institution.
All requirements affecting transfer of credits taken elsewhere for
application toward a Florida Tech bachelor’s degree apply, as listed
in this section. After becoming a Florida Tech student, no more
than three courses may be taken elsewhere and applied toward a
Florida Tech degree.
A course that includes a significant writing or speaking component
must be taught entirely in English to be eligible for transfer.
No credit will be awarded for a course taken elsewhere if the
student was ineligible for any reason to take the equivalent course
at Florida Tech.
40 Florida Tech
The student must request an official transcript be sent by the other
institution directly to the Florida Tech registrar’s office.
This catalog does not list the complete policy for studying at
another institution. The complete policy on study at other institutions
can be obtained from the appropriate office or online
from the university website.
Florida Tech University Online students should email tceua@fit.edu
for mandatory prior approval by the credential evaluator in the online
learning office before beginning study at another institution.
Change of Major
During their studies, students receive exposure to a number of
different academic subjects, and some are attracted to programs
different from their initial choices. A change of major is possible if
the student submits a Change of Major/Minor, Change of Site or
Dual Degree form that is approved by the new academic unit head.
After a change of major, courses unrelated to the new program will
not be used in computing the student’s cumulative GPA. However,
all earned grades and credits remain on the transcript.
Following a change of major, the degree requirements in the new
major may be based on either the student’s original catalog, or the
catalog in effect at the time of the change of major, or on a catalog
between those two, subject to the approval of the academic unit
head, as indicated on the submitted change of major form.
The policy above applies equally to Florida Tech University Online
students who complete their Change of Major request online from
the Florida Tech website.
Undeclared Major on Melbourne Campus
A new student may be uncertain about the specific academic program
he or she wishes to pursue. The undeclared major gives a new
student the opportunity to explore the general area of interest more
broadly for a limited time before choosing a specific major.
Three freshman-year undeclared major programs are available
on the Melbourne campus: General Engineering (College of
Engineering), General Science (College of Science) and General
Studies (College of Psychology and Liberal Arts). The general studies
program is for those who may wish to pursue a major in business
administration, communication, humanities or psychology. More
information on these programs may be found under each college in
the Degree Programs section.
Probation and dismissal
Academic Probation
Academic probation status will be applied to an undergraduate student
with a cumulative GPA less than 2.0 at the end of any term. A
student on academic probation is not permitted to register for more
than 15 credit hours without the approval of the student’s dean.
The student’s academic performance is reviewed at the end of the
probationary term. The probationary status is continued if the
cumulative GPA is less than 2.0 and falls within the minimum
standards below:
0–59 credit hours ......................................................................... at least 1.50
60–89 credit hours ....................................................................... at least 1.70
90 or more credit hours................................................................ at least 1.90
Note: Credit hours above include transfer credits, credits by examination and
all Florida Tech credits earned.