Policies E through O
Emergency and Crisis Resources
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) has developed a mental health emergency webpage for students. It describes steps that students can take to get help at different times of day, for different levels of crisis.
EMERGENCY AND CRISIS RESOURCES
English Language Proficiency Requirement
Who must satisfy the English Language Proficiency Requirement?
All students who entered the Institute before Fall 2011, except NYU dual degree students, must satisfy this requirement.
How can I satisfy the English Language Proficiency Requirement?
THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO SATISFY THE ENGLISH PROFICIENCY GRADUATION REQUIREMENT:
Pass the S.E.C.E.
The Stevens English Competency Exam is a one-hour essay exam which is holistically graded by at least two English teachers. Continuing students have several opportunities during each academic year to take the exam, and are notified of exam schedules via email.
Submit a portfolio
A portfolio may be submitted with essays, research papers, home works, exams or reports providing a record of English competence. A passing grade on the portfolio evaluation will result in passing the English proficiency requirement. Portfolios should be submitted to Prof. Sinnreich-Levi, whose mailbox is in P308. Only original copies may be included in the portfolio. The outside of the envelope or folder containing the portfolio should have the student's name and email address as well as date submitted.
Any questions about the S.E.C.E. or other academic writing questions should be directed to Prof. Deborah Sinnreich-Levi (201-216-5403 or [email protected]).
Examinations
For what courses are examinations required?
All students must take a written examination at the end of each term in all major-required core courses. Examinations in all technical, engineering, humanities, and management electives are at the option of the specific department(s).
Extra Courses - Overloads
Students Entering Prior to Fall 2016:
UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS MAY I TAKE AN OVERLOAD?
Taking extra courses beyond a program's normal load is a serious matter. While the Office of Undergraduate Academics does not encourage overloading, any overload consideration must be discussed and approved by the office. The following are the criteria for overloading:
With the permission of the Office of Undergraduate Academics and a GPA of 3.0 or better for the previous full-time semester, you may enroll in an extra course at no charge (this is not for students on the Reduced Load Program Plan). Upperclassmen with a GPA of 3.3 or better in the preceding semester may, with the permission of the Office of Undergraduate Academics, take a second extra course at no charge. Juniors and seniors with a GPA of 3.6 or better in the preceding semester may, with the permission of the Office of Undergraduate Academics, take a third extra course at no charge. The GPA requirements above can also be met by the student’s cumulative GPA.
The baseline definition for the regular course load is the maximum number of credits for the student's major in any of the semesters of the program in the catalog for the student's entrance year.
Students will be charged the per credit rate for each credit over the allowed number of credits as described above.
Students Entering Fall 2016 and later:
UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS MAY I TAKE AN OVERLOAD?
Freshman, during the first academic year, are not allowed to take extra classes beyond the number of courses in their major.
Taking extra courses beyond a program’s normal load is a serious matter. While the Office of Undergraduate Academics does not encourage overloading, any overload consideration must be discussed and approved by that office. The following is the criteria overloading:
After the first year, the students may enroll in one extra class with the permission of the Office of Undergraduate Academics and a GPA of 3.3 or higher in the previous full-time semester. In the following semester, students who have taken an extra overload course, and who achieved a 3.6 or higher GPA with the permission of the Office of Undergraduate Academics may enroll in two extra courses. The GPA requirements above can also be met by the student’s cumulative GPA.
The baseline definition for the regular course load is the maximum number of credits for the student's major in any of the semesters of the program in the catalog for the student's entrance year.
Students will be charged the per credit rate for each credit over the allowed number of credits as described above.
Financial Aid Eligibility - Academic Requirements
See Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Full & Part-Time Status
How many credits do I need to carry in order to be considered a full-time student? What are the implications of part-time status?
A student carrying at least 12 credits is considered a full-time student; a load of fewer than 12 credits results in part-time student status. Withdrawing from a course after the Add/Drop period does not jeopardize your academic status as a full-time student (as long as you remain registered in at least 12 credits). For international students, withdrawing from a course could have implications for your immigration status; please consult the ISSS Office before taking any withdrawal action.
The impact on financial aid for a full-time student who becomes a part-time student can vary greatly depending on the type of financial aid. Students considering switching from full-time status to part-time status should consult with the Office of Financial Aid to learn of the impact in their particular case.
Only full-time students are eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletic competition. The only exception to this is a part-time student in his/her final semester taking the courses required for graduation.
Full-time students or part-time students carrying six or more credits have their student loan repayments deferred. Students taking fewer than six credits will enter their grace period.
Grade Appeals
A student wishing to appeal the final grade for a course must first attempt to resolve the issue by discussion with the instructor within one month of the end of the semester. This is the starting point for all grade appeals. In the event that the issue cannot be resolved between the student and the instructor, the student may appeal to the department director no later than two weeks after the instructor's decision. A student wishing to appeal the decision of the department director must do so to the dean of the School offering the course no later than one week after the department director's decision. The decision of the dean is final; no further appeal is possible.
Grading
What grading scale does Stevens use?
Academic grades are listed below and quality points per credit are indicated in parentheses.
A (4.00) Excellent
A- (3.67)
B+ (3.33)
B (3.00) Good
B- (2.67)
C+ (2.33)
C (2.00) Fair
C- (1.67)
D+ (1.33)
D (1.00) Poor
F (0.00) Failure
P (0.00) Indicates a successfully completed Pass/Fail course.
W If a student withdraws from a course up until one week before the last class meeting of the semester, a grade of W is posted.
EXC If a student is excused by a physician from attending physical education class, the student will receive an EXC and will receive credit for the class.
Faculty regulations concerning the notations ABS for absent and INC for incomplete are contained within this FAQ under ABS grade and INC grade.
What are the types of grade point averages and how are they calculated?
The Office of the Registrar calculates three different GPAs for each student: The semester GPA is determined from all courses taken at Stevens during a semester. The graduating GPA is calculated from all courses taken at Stevens that are part of the degree requirement. If a course is repeated, only the last grade is used, even if the last grade is lower than the previous grade(s). If the last grade is a withdrawal (W), the previous grade is included. If a course is repeated outside of Stevens, the grade is not included. The ranking GPA is calculated from all courses that are part of the degree requirement. In this case, all repeated courses are included and repeated courses taken outside of Stevens are calculated as a "C." See also Grade Appeals.
Graduate Courses
Can I take graduate courses as an undergraduate?
Students with at least junior standing and a 3.0 or higher GPA can enroll for 600-level graduate courses if they satisfy the prerequisite requirements and complete an Undergraduate Permission Form To Take Graduate Courses. Students with at least junior standing can enroll for graduate courses at the 500-level, provided they satisfy the prerequisite requirements (written permission is required for Management 500-level courses unless an approved Study Plan has been filed). Students are not allowed to enroll in more than two online classes in any semester. All these courses are counted as part of the student's regular credit load for computing charges for extra courses.
Can an undergraduate student begin studies towards a Master's degree?
Graduation Requirements
What do I need to do to be eligible for graduation?
To be eligible for graduation, you must have a "C" average (2.00 cumulative GPA) and pass all required courses for your major curriculum. In addition, a GPA of at least 1.75 is required for all courses taken during the senior year. Students can transfer in at most 50% of their required graduation requirements; to get a Stevens degree, at least 50% of the required graduation credits must be taken at Stevens. For information about repeating courses, please click here.
Honor Board
What is the Honor Board and what do they do?
The Honor Board is comprised of up to 20 student representatives who are responsible for interpreting the constitution of the Stevens Honor System, and for performing the functions of the System. The Board investigates reports of Honor System violations, conducts hearings, and recommends to the Office of Undergraduate Academics penalties for students who have either confessed to or been convicted of an Honor System violation. The Honor Board strives to educate the Stevens community about the importance of academic integrity and the value that adherence to the Honor System brings to a Stevens degree. Detailed information about the Honor Board can be reviewed by visiting their web site, click here.
Humanities Requirements
ALL STUDENTS ENTERING FALL 2011 OR LATER:
All students entering Fall 2011 or later are required to complete CAL 103, Writing and Communications, and CAL 105, Knowledge, Nature, Culture.
Following the completion of CAL 103 and CAL 105, students must meet the humanities requirements below:
Engineering students: Four additional humanities classes. At least one must be at the 100 or 200 level, at least one must be at the 300 or 400 level, and courses must cover at least two different disciplines within CAL.
Science and Math students: Six additional humanities classes. At least one must be at the 100 or 200 level, at least one must be at the 300 or 400 level, and courses must cover at least two different disciplines within CAL.
Computer Science, Cybersecurity, and Information Systems (for 2011 & 2012 incoming classes) students: Six additional humanities classes. At least one must be at the 100 or 200 level, at least one must be at the 300 or 400 level, and courses must cover at least two different disciplines within CAL. One of the six additional classes must be either HSS 371 or HPL 455.
Cybersecurity (for 2014 incoming class and LATER):Four additional humanities classes. At least one must be at the 100 or 200 level, at least one must be at the 300 or 400 level, and courses must cover at least two different disciplines within CAL. One of the four additional classes must be either HSS 371 or HPL 455.
Business & Technology (Marketing, Finance, Economics, & Information Systems) and Quantitative Finance students: Two additional humanities classes. One must be at the 100 or 200 level, one must be at the 300 or 400 level, and courses must cover at least two different disciplines within CAL.
No AP or transfer credit will be given for CAL 103 or CAL 105.
International students will be placed in CAL 101 during their first semester. After successful completion of CAL 101, international students must take CAL 103, followed by CAL 105. A diagnostic will be administered during the first week of CAL 101 and students who surpass the requirements of the diagnostic may transfer to CAL 103. CAL 101 may be used to satisfy a general or free elective requirement.
BT 243, Macroeconomics, and BT 244, Microeconomics, may be counted as upper-level humanities courses, provided they are not required courses in the student's major.
Humanities requirement can be fulfilled by courses taken in the following disciplines:
•History (HHS)
•Literature (HLI)
•Philosophy (HPL)
• Social Sciences (HSS)
• Science Communication (HST)
• Science, Technology, and Society (HST)
• Music and Technology (HMU)*
• Visual Arts and Technology (HAR)*
*The only Music & Technology and Visual Arts and Technology classes that fulfill humanities requirements are:
Music
HMU 101 Music History I
HMU 102 Music History II
HMU 192 Music Appreciation I
HMU 193 Music Appreciation II
HMU 195 History of Electronic and Experimental Music
HMU 350 Music of the Eastern Mediterranean
Other classes in the history of music can qualify, but are very rarely taught. Music Theory currently does not qualify for Humanities credit.
Visual Arts
HAR 181: History of Technology in the Arts
HAR 180: History of Art: Prehistory to the Modern Era
HAR 280: Modern Art History and Theory
HAR 281: History of Photography
HAR 380: Media Culture and Theory
HAR 385: Contemporary Art
HAR 389: History of Middle Eastern Art
HAR 372: Technology and the Landscape
HAR 495: Special Topics
Other classes in the history of art, for example classes with an HAR 495 prefix (in Fall 14: History of Design), can qualify, but are very rarely taught.
Students may complete 6 semesters of HMU 490, Music Performance: Concert Band OR 6 semesters of HMU 491, Music Performance: Jazz Ensemble OR HMU 492 Music Appreciation: Stevens Choir as a general elective.
STUDENTS ENTERING PRIOR TO FALL 2011:
Engineering majors entering Stevens from Fall 2005 to Spring 2011 are required to complete six humanities courses as follows:
four 100-level courses (see note below)*
two 300/400-level courses in the junior and senior years (note that MGT/BT 243, Macroeconomics, and MGT/BT 244, Microeconomics, may be counted as upper-level humanities courses, provided they are not required courses in the student's major).
Computer Science majors entering Stevens from Fall 2007 to Spring 2011 must satisfy the above requirements; one of the four upper-level courses must be HPL 339 or HSS 371.
Computer Science majors entering Stevens before Fall 2007 must satisfy the above requirements and must take a fifth 300/400-level course, for a total of nine Humanities courses; one of the five upper-level courses must be HPL 339 or HSS 371.
Business and Technology Majors are required to complete five humanities courses as follows:
four 100-level courses (see note below)*
one 300/400-level course
* Of the four required 100-level courses, two must be from the Literature/Philosophy group (Group A), and two must be from the History/Social Science group (Group B). See information below regarding art and music classes.
Because MGT/BT 243 and MGT/BT 244 are required in the B&T major, in addition to the humanities requirements described above, these two courses MAY NOT be used to fulfill humanities requirements for B&T students.
Students who take HUM 103 and/or HUM 104 may count those courses toward either Group A or Group B.
The only art and music classes that fulfill 100-level humanities requirements are:
Group A
HMU 192 Music Appreciation I
HMU 193 Music Appreciation II
Group B
HAR 190 History of Art: Prehistory to the Modern Era
HAR 191 Modern Art History and Theory
HAR 195 History of Electronic and Experimental Music
HMU 101 Music History I
HMU 102 Music History II
HMU/HAR 120 History of Technology and the Arts
Other art and music classes do not fulfill the upper-level humanities requirement EXCEPT that students may complete 6 semesters of HMU 490 Music Performance: Concert Band, OR 6 semesters of HMU 491 Music Performance: Jazz Ensemble, OR HMU 492 Music Appreciation: Stevens Choir.
For information about transferring humanities credits to Stevens from another institution, see Transferring Courses to Stevens. While at Stevens, students may transfer in no more than two humanities courses from other institutions.
INC Grade
What is an INC grade?
The grade of INC (incomplete) may be given only when a student has failed to complete some of the required course work, not including the final examination, due to significant extenuating circumstances such as a serious illness or injury or a family emergency. In fairness to other students, this type of extension of time may not be granted due to reasons such as course overloads or not having enough time. In order to receive a grade of INC in the course, the student must file a Petition for INC Form with the Registrar's Office before the grades are due. This form requires the approval of the instructor, the Department Head, and the Office of Undergraduate Academics. The form also should indicate a date for completion of the course, which must be before the end of the next full semester. If the required work is not complete within the next full semester, the INC grade will be changed to a failure.
International Baccalaureate
What International Baccalaureate (IB) topics and scores are accepted by Stevens?
Stevens participates in the International Baccalaureate program. You may receive college credit toward your degree for the following examinations and corresponding scores.
Internships
May I complete an internship for credit?
Stevens encourages students to complete internships but academic credit is not granted for internships (except in the Art and Technology program).
Leave of Absence from Stevens
A student who takes a Leave of Absence (LOA) from Stevens plans to return to Stevens to continue his/her studies. Students may take a leave of absence from Stevens for up to 6 months. A Leave of Absence may be extended for another six months with permission.
Students seeking a Leave of Absence should visit the Office of Undergraduate Academics on the 9th floor of the Howe Center to complete a Leave of Absence form.
Students wishing to extend a Leave of Absence should contact the Office of Undergraduate Academics to complete a Request to Extend Leave of Absence form before the current leave of absence expires.
A student is withdrawn from the Institute if an extension has not been granted. A student who does not return after an approved extension will be withdrawn from the Institute.
For more information on how to return from a leave of absence please visit our Return from a Leave of Absence policy section.
Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA)
A student who takes a Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA) plans to return to Stevens to continue his/her studies. A Medical Leave of Absence must be approved. Students seeking a Medical Leave of Absence or an extension related to the medical leave should contact the Dean of Students on the 10th floor of the Howe Center.
Details regarding the procedure for a Medical Leave of Absence can be found in the Student Handbook located on the Undergraduate Student Life page.
Students whose application for a medical leave of absence is not approved may take a traditional leave of absence per the policy above.
In case of an emergency or a crisis please visit the resources for students website from the Counseling and Psychological Services Office.
Administrative Leave of Absence
Students may be placed on an Administrative (involuntary) Leave of Absence for any of the below reasons:
Financial: If a student is not able to meet his/her financial obligations for the semester or has an outstanding balance from a previous semester/year
Medical/Mental Health: as determined by professional staff member(s)
Disciplinary: as determined by the Dean of Students or by the Honor Board
Academic: as determined by the Academic Promotions Committee
Not Enrolled: students who do not register for classes by the end of the drop/add period for the semester
If you are not on campus or in the area, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Academics at 201-216-5228 during regular business hours (Monday – Friday 9:00AM – 5:00PM).
Note: Undergraduate students must apply for readmission within 7 years from the date of the withdrawal from Stevens. An undergraduate degree must be completed within 12 years of entrance to Stevens.
Minors
Can I earn a minor at Stevens?
Several departments offer a minor, which provides a coherent program of study in one area without the depth required for a major concentration. Each of these departments has a faculty member responsible for "minor advising;" students can get these names from the individual departments. The departments currently offering minors are listed in the Undergraduate Catalog. Each minor in Engineering or Science requires at least two courses over and above the requirements for the major degree.
Non-Matriculated/General Credit Students
What are the requirements to take a course at Stevens as a non-matriculated student?
Students wishing to take a course at Stevens on a non-matriculated basis must obtain approval from the Office of Undergraduate Academics. A minimum 3.0 GPA at the student's current or previous college or university is required, in addition to completion of the equivalent of all pre-requisite courses for the desired Stevens course. Students may not take more than nine credits a semester and no more than fifteen credits total as a non-matriculated student. Tuition is charged on a per-credit basis. Students wishing to audit a course, please see Auditing a Course policy.