Academic Standards & Policies
Registration & Grading
Registration
Students are expected to register in person for classes each semester during the registration period as announced in the University calendar.
Adding Or Dropping Courses
During the first two weeks of class, the student may add or drop a course without restriction or penalty. No symbol is recorded on the student’s transcript. After the first two weeks, any course approved to be dropped will appear on the student’s transcipt with the notation “W” and will not count in the units attempted or in the calculation of the grade point average.
Grading
Grading System
The following grade points are assigned per unit of coursework:
A = 4.0 B+ = 3.3 B- = 2.7 C = 2.0 D+ = 1.3 D- = 0.7
A- = 3.7 B = 3.0 C+ = 2.3 C- = 1.7 D = 1.0 F = 0.0
Grade point averages are determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of units attempted.
Incomplete Grade
A grade of “I” is given only in exceptional instances when unavoidable circumstances prevent the completion of the course. The incomplete must be removed by the end of the following semester. If, through no fault of the student, he or she finds it impossible to remove an incomplete by the end of the following semester, he or she may petition for an extension of time. At least one semester before graduation, prospective graduates must have made up all incompletes incurred during previous semesters.
Academic Probation
Students are placed on academic probation at the end of any semester when their cumulative grade point average in residence falls below 2.0. New and transfer students admitted with a cumulative grade point average of less than 2.0 are automatically placed on academic probation. Academic probation involves a trial period which, unless otherwise stated, is the current academic year, during which it is determined whether the student is returned to good standing, having met the stated requirements, or is suspended or dismissed at the end of the probationary period for failure to meet them. Students on academic probation may not carry more than 12 units of class work.
Semester System
Dharma Realm Buddhist University operates on the semester system with each semester lasting 15 weeks. School is in session year round. The fall semester culminates in the annual Amitabha Buddha Recitation Session followed by the winter Chan Meditation Session. The summer session provides a seven to eight week opportunity for intensive study.
Course Load
The normal undergraduate course load is 15 units per semester. Students may be advised to limit their course load to 12 units during their first semester. By permission of the academic administration, a student of superior scholastic ability may register for more than 15 units. Normal course load for graduate students is 9 units per semester.
Definition of Semester Unit
There are three types of units given: academic, lab, and practicum.
- 1 academic unit (A) = one 50-minute class per week for a minimum of 15 weeks
- 1 lab unit (L) = three 50-minute lab periods per week for a minimum of
15 weeks
- 1 practicum unit (P) = 45 hours of practice.
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