Academic Requirements

SCHOLASTIC REQUIREMENTS

  • 120 credits are required for graduation
  • Distribution of credits include major requirements, common core and general electives (which may be used to satisfy an academic minor or second major)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

  • Minimum cumulative and major grade point average (GPA) = 2.0
  • Core requirements completed
  • Major requirements completed
  • Some majors may require a higher minimum GPA

Requirements for Graduation

CLASS STANDING
Class standing is calculated automatically whenever there is a change in a student's number of completed credits. Day Division registration and housing priority are based upon a student's anticipated class standing at the end of the current semester. Students who plan to graduate in four years should plan to complete 30 credits each academic year. Students who fall more than 6 credits behind will be moved to the next lower class.

Class

Lower

Upper

First-Year

0-8

9-23

Sophomore

24-38

39-53

Junior

54-68

69-83

Senior

84-98

99-

HOW TO CALCULATE A SEMESTER GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA) QUALITY POINTS

 

1

2

3

4
 

Credits

Credits

Credits

Credits

A...4.0

4.0

8.0

12.0

16.0

A-...3.7

3.7

7.4

11.1

14.8

B+...3.3

3.3

6.6

9.9

13.2

B...3.0

3.0

6.0

9.0

12.0

B-...2.7

2.7

5.4

8.1

10.8

C+...2.3

2.3

4.6

6.9

9.2

C...2.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

C-...1.7

1.7

3.4

5.1

6.8

D+...1.3

1.3

2.6

3.9

5.2

D...1.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

D-...0.7

0.7

1.4

2.1

2.8

F...0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0
  1. For each course taken, find the appropriate number of quality points from the above list.
  2. Add the quality points for each course together.
  3. Add the total number of quality hours (credits) taken for the semester. (Note: "F" grades count as quality hours carried, although they do not earn quality points.)
  4. Divide the total number of quality hours (credits) into the total number of quality points. This is your GPA for the semester.
  5. To calculate the cumulative GPA you simply divide the total quality hours into the total quality points.
  6. Credits for courses taken Pass/Fail are not included in the calculating of a GPA.

DECLARING AND CHANGING A MAJOR
All students are encouraged to consult with their assigned advisor. Students must obtain the appropriate form from the Registrar's Office and return the form to the Registrar's Office. This form requires the approval of the chairperson of the new department first, then the release from the chairperson of the original department.

Course Load Day—Division Students

The Minimum Course Load:

Twelve (12) credit hours a semester is the minimum load for full-time day students. Graduating seniors in their last semester who are carrying fewer than 12 credits are considered full-time provided that they are carrying the number of credits needed to complete all their degree requirements. All other students carrying fewer than 12 credit hours lose their full-time status. Eligibility for on-campus housing and financial aid may be affected. Students carrying fewer than 12 credits cannot represent the College in co-curricular activities. A student's eligibility for medical insurance coverage under a parent's policy may also be affected. A student's full-time status is determined by the number of credits in which the student is enrolled at the end of the Add/Drop period.

** NOTE: Students carrying fewer than 12 credits are subject to adjustments in their financial aid awards. Students must complete a minimum of 24 credits in an academic year to complete satisfactory academic progress.

The Average Course Load:

Fifteen (15) credit hours per semester is the normal academic course load of students at Westfield State University. Students may enroll for up to eighteen (18) credit hours without special permission. Students wishing to enroll in more than eighteen credit hours must secure the permission of their advisor, Department Chair, and Dean of their College. Credit overload permission forms are available at the Registrar's Office.

The Maximum Course Load:

The maximum course load a student may carry in a given semester is 21 credits including both day and evening courses and programs. A student should have a minimum quality point average (QPA) of 2.50 to carry 19-20 credit hours, and a minimum QPA of 3.00 in order to carry 21 credit hours.

NOTE: A student's full-time status is determined by the number of credits in which the student is enrolled at the end of the Add/Drop period.

Office Hours
Monday-Thursday: 8:30 a.m.—5:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m.—4:00 p.m.

campus

Contact us

The Office of Academic Advising & Transfer Transition
Parenzo Hall 163