Wilmington University Courses
Course Numbering System
Courses at Wilmington University are identified and numbered to reflect the level of academic expectation for a particular course. They include:
Undergraduate Courses
000-099…Non-credit courses
100-199…Lower division courses
200-299…Lower division courses
300-399…Upper division courses
400-499…Upper division coursesGraduate Courses
5100-5600…Non-credit prerequisite courses
6100-8999…Master’s level courses
7100-9100…Doctoral
(Ed.D., D.B.A., D.N.P. or PSC) courses
Course Load
Undergraduate Full-time Course Load
Twelve credit hours per semester constitute a full-time undergraduate course load. A course load in excess of 19 credit hours per semester requires written approval of the Academic Dean or Chair. Students wishing to carry excess course loads, as defined above, must also have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Students who are denied approval to take a course load in excess of 19 credits per semester may appeal in writing to the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Students wishing to carry excess course loads (more than 19 credits per semester) must submit a request in writing to the office of the appropriate Academic Dean. Such written requests must be submitted in sufficient time to allow for adequate review prior to the beginning of classes. Students who fail to follow these procedures may be required to drop classes they are attending.
Graduate Full-time Course Load
Nine credit hours per semester constitutes a full-time graduate course load. For international graduate students, Master of Science in Nursing students, Doctor of Education, Doctor of Business Administration, and Doctor of Nursing Practice students, 18 credit hours over a one-year period constitute full-time status. A course load in excess of 14 credit hours per semester requires the approval of the Academic Dean or Program Chair. Students who are denied approval to take a course load in excess of 14 credits per semester may appeal in writing to the Office of Academic Affairs.
Attendance/Absences
Regular and prompt class attendance is an essential part of the educational experience. Wilmington University expects students to exercise good judgment regarding attendance and absences. Students accept full responsibility for ensuring that work does not suffer from absences. All students are expected to attend every scheduled meeting of each class on time. Exceptions may be made for Wilmington University-sponsored or work-related activities, illness, or valid emergencies.
Please note that some academic colleges have additional attendance requirements beyond those specified in this section. In accordance with veterans' and financial aid regulations, attendance must be taken for all enrolled veterans in each class learning session.
Attendance/Hybrid Courses
Wilmington University stresses that regular and prompt class attendance is an essential part of the educational experience. A hybrid course meets for in-class and online learning sessions. Students are expected to attend all in-class sessions and to participate in all online sessions as required by the instructor. Failure to do so may be considered an unexcused absence without prior approval by the course instructor.
Attendance/Online Learning Courses
Attendance for an online learning course is defined as "logging onto the course" and participating in course assignments and discussions as directed by the instructor. Failure to do so may be considered an unexcused absence without prior approval by the course instructor.
Unexcused Absence - Administratively Dropped
Students who are absent for the first two sessions of a course will be administratively dropped (removed) from the course roster. Being administratively dropped from a course may have unintended consequences on a student's financial aid and/or standing with the University.
Independent Study
Undergraduate
Students desiring to study areas of knowledge outside of disciplines available through regular course work must secure written permission from an Academic Advisor or Site Director one month (minimum) prior to the semester registration period in which the independent study is to be conducted. Upon final approval by the Academic Dean or Program Chair, a student may register for an independent study by following the official registration procedure. Tuition and fees for independent study are the same as those for standard courses. Independent study is graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. A minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average is required to be eligible for independent study. Students needing additional information about independent study should contact an Academic Advisor or Site Director. A maximum of 6 credits may be earned through the independent study format and may be used towards residency credits.
Graduate
Students desiring to study areas of knowledge outside of disciplines available through regular course work must secure written permission from the appropriate Academic Dean or Program Chair one month (minimum) prior to the semester's registration period in which the independent study is to be conducted. Tuition and fees for independent study are the same as those for standard courses. Independent study is graded on a pass/fail basis. A maximum of six (6) credits may be earned through the independent study format and may be used towards residency credits.
Directed Study
Undergraduate
Directed study is available only under extenuating circumstances for students who are approved by their Program Chair or Academic Advisor one month prior to the semester registration period in which the directed study is to be conducted. A maximum of 6 credits may be earned through the directed study format and may be used towards residency credits.
Graduate
Directed study is available only under extenuating circumstances for students who are approved by their Academic Dean or Program Chair one month prior to the semester registration period in which the directed study is to be conducted. A maximum of 6 credits may be earned through the directed study format and may be used towards residency credits.
Enrollment as an Auditor
Students who wish to audit a specific course for no credit may do so by seeking permission of an academic advisor or site director. Students may then follow established registration procedures, clearly stating which courses they wish to audit. Course auditors pay the same tuition as non-auditors and may participate fully in classroom activities. They are not required to take examinations or complete class assignments. Course auditors receive a grade of "AU" (audit) that does not affect grade point average (GPA).