Credits, Grades and Exams
Maximum Course Load: University of Hawai‘i - West O‘ahu students may take up to 18 credits. Those who request enrollment of 19 or more credit hours of work in any semester must obtain approval from the Dean of Student Services. Approval for more than 18 credits will not be given at the time of pre-registration except for extenuating circumstances and must be approved by the Dean of Student Services.
International Students: International students on student visas are required to carry a minimum of 12 units of credit each semester.
Evaluation and Grades
Grades are awarded for the purpose of recognizing different levels of achievement in the pursuit of course objectives. These grades are interpreted as follows:
Grades Interpretation Grade Points
A Excellent Achievement 4.0
B Above Average Achievement 3.0
C Average Achievement 2.0
D Minimal Passing Achievement 1.0
F Failure 0.0
I Incomplete 0.0
L Audit 0.0
R Credit (for Challenge Exams) 0.0
W Withdrawal 0.0
The “W” grade indicates formal withdrawal from a course between the fourth and ninth week of instruction.
Individual grade reports are no longer mailed to the student after each semester. Grades may be viewed and/or printed through the MyUH Portal over the World Wide Web. Grade reports may be requested by the student at the Student Services Office.
Incompletes
With the approval of the instructor, an “I” or incomplete grade may be awarded at the request of the student. An “I” indicates that the student has yet to complete part of the work in the course. Each “I” grade will be reported with a letter grade which indicates student performance in the class at the end of the term. If no further work is submitted by the student by the published deadline, the incomplete will automatically convert to the assigned letter grade (e.g. an “IF” will convert to a grade of “F”). Each student receiving an “I” should contact the instructor to determine what work must be completed to make up the incomplete. Grade changes must be submitted by the instructor to the Student Services Office no later than the dates specified on the University Academic Calendar. If a grade change is not submitted by deadline, the “I” grade will automatically become the letter grade assigned with the incomplete. “I” grades will be noted on the transcript along with the grade that will be earned once the deadline for incomplete grade changes has passed.
Transcripts
Transcripts of coursework completed at the University of Hawai‘i - West O‘ahu may be obtained with a written request to the Student Services Office. The cost per copy is $5.00 for “regular” processing within 10 business days after date of receipt. “Rush” transcripts are prepared for mailing within two business days after date of receipt and may be requested at a cost of $15.00 per copy. Payment must be remitted at the time the transcript request is made.Transcripts to be sent to University of Hawai‘i system campuses for admission purposes are sent at no cost to the student.
Class Attendance
Regular and prompt class attendance is expected of all students. A student is expected to inform each instructor of anticipated or unavoidable absences. The responsibility for make up work lies with the student. Unexcused absences exceeding 20% per calendar month is considered unsatisfactory attendance.
When a student fails to attend a class or stops attending class but does not officially withdraw from that class, the instructor may award any letter grade, including an “F.” Under no circumstances will the “W” grade be awarded by the instructor.
Repetition of Courses
A student may repeat any course taken at the University, regardless of the grade received. However, in the certification of a degree, credit will be allowed once for a course. In determining whether the concentration requirement has been met, the higher grade and grade point will be used. The lower grade, however, shall remain on the student’s record and will be calculated into the UH West O‘ahu cumulative grade point average.
In some cases, courses such as Directed Reading and Selected Topics may be repeated for additional credit. The student’s faculty advisor should be consulted in this matter.
Transfer of Lower-Division Credit
The University of Hawai‘i - West O‘ahu accepts transfer credits only in courses completed at appropriately accredited colleges or universities. Credit will not be given for remedial courses (i.e., in the University of Hawai‘i system, under 100 level courses). Certain correspondence, occupational, vocational or technical courses may be accepted although they may not be applicable to the chosen program of study.
Transfer credits that meet University of Hawai‘i - West O‘ahu’s degree requirements will be applied towards the degree; however, not all will satisfy the University’s General Education requirement. Students may be required to earn additional credits in order to meet General Education requirements. The General Education requirement may also be fulfilled by the completion of an Associate in Arts degree from an accredited institution.
The University of Hawai‘i - West O‘ahu allows a maximum of 66 lower-division credits (freshman and sophomore level courses or equivalent) for application towards a Bachelor of Arts degree.
It is the responsibility of the student to notify the Student Services Office to review official transcripts from any of the University of Hawai‘i campuses for re-evaluation of credits earned. It is also the responsibility of the student to have official transcripts sent directly to UH West O‘ahu for coursework taken outside of the University of Hawai‘i system.
Transfer of Upper-Division Credits
A student transferring to the University of Hawai‘i - West O‘ahu from another appropriately accredited college or university may be allowed upper-division transfer credits (junior and senior level courses) for work taken at that institution. Applicability of these credits towards fulfillment of University, major and/or concentration requirements will be determined by the Student Services Office in conjunction with faculty in the appropriate areas.
It is the responsibility of the student to have official transcripts of previous upper-division college work sent directly to the Student Services Office of the University of Hawai‘i - West O‘ahu.
Credit for Prior Learning
The University of Hawai‘i - West O‘ahu encourages and assists students in obtaining college credit for knowledge acquired outside the regular college classroom through independent study, on-the-job training, military service school, or other means. The University believes students should be provided the opportunity to prove their mastery of subject material through “non-traditional” means.
Any student who is accepted and enrolled in the University of Hawai‘i - West O‘ahu and who believes he/she has acquired the equivalent of a course through experience or training may petition the University for the granting of appropriate credit. Students may request an evaluation of their equivalent credit for specific courses during their initial semester. Credits earned by the equivalency method may not be used to satisfy the college residency requirements for graduation.
Students interested in requesting an evaluation for credit based on standardized exam results or military course work should apply at the Student Services Office within their first semester of enrollment. Students requesting credit by examination (Challenge Exams) must do so within their first year of enrollment. Transcripts and other supporting documents are the responsibility of the student. These will be reviewed by the Student Services Office and/or by a faculty committee who will make the credit recommendation.
The University of Hawai‘i - West O‘ahu recognizes and employs the following means of evaluating equivalent college credit:
* The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) of the College Entrance Examination Board.
* The Credit by Examination process (Challenge Exams; fees and tuition as applicable).
* The Military Service School evaluation process (based on guidelines established by the American Council on Education)
* Advanced Placement Examinations.
Information regarding fees and tuition (if any), as well as the policies and procedures for obtaining equivalent college credit by the methods listed above is available from the Student Services Office.