Academic and University Policies

Some degree programs may have additional policies and procedures. Please see the appropriate section of the catalog for more information.

Temporary Student Request Grace Period Due to Student Information System Transition

To support students during National University’s transition to the Anthology Student Information System, the University will observe a temporary processing pause from June 5, 2026, through June 15, 2026. During this system shutdown period, the University will be unable to accept, review, or process student requests that require access to student records or administrative systems.

In recognition of this temporary service interruption, the University will provide a one-time grace period from June 15, 2026, through June 30, 2026, during which students may submit eligible requests that may have otherwise exceeded published University deadlines during the shutdown period.

Requests submitted during the grace period will be reviewed in accordance with University policy, academic requirements, and supporting documentation standards. Approval is not guaranteed, and the University reserves the right to deny requests that do not meet applicable criteria or fall outside the scope of this temporary accommodation.

This temporary exception applies only to deadlines directly impacted by the June 5–15, 2026 system transition period and does not establish an ongoing exception to standard University policies or deadlines.

Exceptions to Academic Policies

Students can request an exception to a published University Academic Policy. Exceptions may be granted based upon academic rationale and exceptional circumstances. Students must refer to each specific policy being appealed, provide the reason(s) why an exception should be granted, and provide all relevant supporting documentation. Lack of knowledge and or understanding of a published policy does not constitute sufficient justification for a policy exception request. 

No exceptions to policy will be made when doing so will compromise academic integrity and/or rigor (e.g., program credit requirements), accurate record-keeping (e.g., removal of completed classwork), or equitable access to educational programs (e.g., inconsistent application of exceptions). Please contact your Academic and Finance Counselor to determine if an exception applies. 

Students are to work with their Academic and Finance Counselor to ensure that the following documentation is submitted including, but not limited to: 

• A letter of explanation as to why an exception should be made 
• Documentary evidence in support 

Each case is decided upon its own merits and the decision is final and not subject to appeal, unless there is information pertinent to the outcome which was not available at the time of the initial request. 

The University strives to review and render decisions in a timely manner. All decisions rendered are valid for 180 days from the date the decision was made, unless otherwise specified in the appeal. Students will receive an email to their University email account with the final decision. Students who exit the University may be required to resubmit their appeal. 

Approved exceptions may be amended or revoked within the specified time frame if the pertinent circumstances change prior to enacting the exception (ex. Administrative Withdrawal). 

Class Modality Policy

National University (NU) differentiates between modality (i.e., where the instruction is delivered - onsite, online, hybrid), delivery method (i.e., synchronous or asynchronous instruction), and model (i.e., group-based or individual-based). Online classes can be asynchronous or synchronous (i.e., method). Programs can only be considered online if 100% of the instructional time is online (no matter the delivery method). Internships or field experiences are NOT considered instructional time, so they would not count in the definition of modality. Classes that are fully online in instructional time include a requirement to come onsite for orientation, final exams, labs, or tests are also still considered online due to the instructional time all being online. NU has three class modality types: 

• Onsite: 100% of class instructional time is onsite at a designated campus (45 in-person contact hours for an undergraduate 3 semester credit hours; and 40 in-person contact hours for graduate 3 semester credit hours). 
• Hybrid Online: instructional time is split between onsite and online modalities. 
• Fully Online: 100% of class instructional time is online. 

Onsite - A standard undergraduate onsite class requires 10 onsite sessions, generally consisting of 8 weekday evening sessions and two daytime Saturday sessions; a graduate onsite class requires 9 onsite sessions, consisting of 8 weekday evening sessions and one daytime Saturday session. Some programs’ class schedules may vary. Please refer to the degree section of the catalog to review specific schedule information. 

Hybrid - A standard hybrid class requires two 2 ½ hour weekday class sessions. 

• 4-week class – onsite sessions will be scheduled during the first and third week of the class or during the second and fourth week of the class. 
• 8-week class – onsite sessions will be scheduled during the first and fifth week of the class or the second and sixth week of the class. 

*Class schedules may be adjusted as needed to accommodate the campus classroom availability. Some programs’ class schedules may vary. Please refer to the degree section of the catalog to review specific schedule information. 

Online - NU’s fully online classes may offer online instruction in either synchronous or asynchronous delivery methods. 

• Asynchronous: Instruction is delivered at no set meeting time, and work is done according to the deadlines in the syllabus. 
• Synchronous: Instruction is delivered at set dates and times. 

Class Scheduling

Undergraduate Class Schedule 

Undergraduate classes are 3 semester credit hours, unless otherwise noted. National University offers hybrid, onsite and online modalities. All class terms begin on Mondays, except those terms when Monday is a holiday. In these cases, classes begin on Tuesday. Ending times and dates vary by program. 

Hybrid Schedule

A standard hybrid class requires two 2 ½ hour evening class sessions. 

4-week class – onsite sessions will be scheduled during the first and third week of the class or during the second and fourth week of the class. 

8-week class – onsite sessions will be scheduled during the first and fifth week of the class or the second and sixth week of the class. 

• Contact Hours - Hybrid undergraduate classes use a combination of in-person classes and online (asynchronous and synchronous) class requirements to meet the 45-contact hour requirement. 
• NU Facilities - Hybrid classes offered at NU campuses are generally held in the evenings starting after 5:00pm. Some programs’ class schedules may vary. Please refer to the degree section of the catalog to review specific program information. 
• Shared Community Locations and Military Base - days and times of classes offered at a shared community location (e.g., shared space at local community colleges) and classes offered at military bases will vary depending on the availability of those sites. Students should contact their academic advisor for more information on their specific class and/or program. 

Onsite Schedule 

• Contact Hours - Onsite undergraduate classes meet for 45 contact hours. 
• NU Facilities- most classes offered fully onsite at NU campuses are held either Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday evenings after 5:00pm. Onsite sessions generally require 10 onsite sessions, consisting of 8 weekday sessions and two daytime Saturday sessions. A few programs may require daytime classes on different days. Please refer to the degree section of the catalog to review specific program information. 
• Shared Community Locations and Military Base- the day and time classes offered at a shared community location (e.g., shared space at a local community college) and classes offered at military bases will vary depending on the availability of those sites. Students should contact their academic advisor for more information on their specific class and/or program. 

Online Schedule

• Contact Hours: online undergraduate classes use online (asynchronous and synchronous) class requirements to meet the 45-contact hour requirement. 

Graduate Class Schedule 

Graduate classes are 3 semester credit hours, unless otherwise noted. National University also offers hybrid, onsite and online modalities. All class terms begin on Mondays, except those terms when Monday is a holiday. In these cases, classes begin on Tuesday. Ending times and dates vary by program. 

Hybrid Schedule

A standard hybrid class requires two 2 ½ hour evening class sessions. 

4-week class – onsite sessions will be scheduled during the first and third week of the class or during the second and fourth week of the class. 

8-week class – onsite sessions will be scheduled during the first and fifth week of the class or the second and sixth week of the class. 

• Contact Hours - Hybrid graduate classes use a combination of in-person classes and online asynchronous class requirements to meet the 40-contact hour requirement. 
• NU Facilities - Hybrid classes offered at NU campuses are generally held in the evenings starting after 5:00pm. Some programs’ class schedules may vary, please refer to the degree section of the catalog to review specific program information. 
• Shared Community Locations and Military Base - the day and time classes offered at a shared community location (e.g., shared space at a local community college) and classes offered at military bases will vary depending on the availability of those sites. Students should contact their academic advisor for more information on their specific class and/or program. 

Onsite Schedule

• Contact Hours - onsite graduate classes meet for 40 contact hours. 
• NU Facilities- in general 4- and 8-week classes offered fully onsite at NU campuses are held either Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday evenings after 5:00pm. Onsite sessions generally require 9 onsite sessions, consisting of 8 weekday sessions and one daytime Saturday session. A few programs may require daytime (prior to 5pm) classes on different days. Please refer to the degree section of the catalog to review specific program information. 
• Shared Community Locations and Military Base- the day and time classes offered at a shared community location (e.g., shared space at a local community college) and classes offered at military bases will vary depending on the availability of those sites. Students should contact their academic advisor for more information on their specific class and/or program. 

Online Schedule

• Contact Hours - online graduate classes use online (asynchronous and synchronous) class requirements to meet the 40-contact hour requirement. 

Changes in Scheduled Classes

Any class scheduling changes in a degree program must be consistent with a student’s degree objective and fulfill the graduation requirements. Students should contact their Academic and Finance Counselor for assistance with scheduling changes. Scheduling changes should occur prior to the start date of that class.

For students receiving financial aid, changes made to their schedules after processing may delay or cancel their aid. Students should speak to an Academic and Finance Counselor before withdrawing from a class or requesting a change of schedule or program.

Note: Please see the Institutional Refund Policy  and Class Drop and Withdrawal Policy. 

Class Late Add Policy

Students who are attending the first class in their degree program at National University are not eligible to add a class after close of business on the second day of class. 

Students who have successfully completed their first class in their degree program at National University and wish to register for a class after the start date must contact their Academic Finance Counselor by 12:00 pm (PST) on the third day of the class to request that a class be added. 

Requests submitted after 12:00 pm (PST) on the third day of the class will be considered a late add request and require additional approvals. Late adds will be reviewed and considered by the Dean’s office or designee, but depending on the class, not all late add requests can be approved. 

No late add requests will be permitted after the vesting period for a class. 

Note: Please see the Class Vesting Policy for more information. 

Note: For Juris Doctor students, please see the Juris Doctor Catalog for specific information. 

Class Vesting Policy

Purpose 

To ensure clarity regarding students’ academic and financial responsibilities and align with the University’s Attendance Procedures, this policy outlines the requirements for students to formally vest into a class during the drop period, defined as the first seven calendar days of the class. 

Policy

Vesting into an Online Class 

The University considers an online class as vested when a student completes an academic-related activity (ARA) within the first seven (7) calendar days of the class. Academic-related activities may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Submitting an academic assignment; 
• Taking an assessment or an exam; 
• Participating in an interactive tutorial, webinar, or other interactive computer-assisted instruction; 
• Participating in a study group, group project, or an online discussion that is assigned by the institution.

Vesting into an In-Person Class 

The University considers an in-person class as vested when a student physically attends their campus class within the first seven (7) calendar days of class. If the student is registered for more than one class, they will need to attend at least one onsite meeting of each class they are registered for.

Vesting into a Hybrid Class 

The University considers a hybrid class as vested when, within the first seven (7) calendar days of a class, a student attends at least one onsite meeting campus class or completes an academic-related activity (ARA) online of each class they are registered for. Academic-related activities may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Submitting an academic assignment; 
• Taking an assessment or an exam; 
• Participating in an interactive tutorial, webinar, or other interactive computer-assisted instruction; 
• Participating in a study group, group project, or an online discussion that is assigned by the institution.

Students using the GI Bill®

Failure to attend the in-person portion of a hybrid class will result in the class being reported to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as an online class. This may reduce your VA Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) 

If a student satisfies the vesting criteria listed above for their class modality and does not request to be unregistered from an online class by 11:59 pm Pacific Time of the seventh (7th) calendar day of class, the class will be deemed vested. By vesting into a class, a student assumes all academic and financial obligations associated with enrollment. 

Note: For Juris Doctor students, please see the Juris Doctor Catalog for program specific requirements. 

Note: Please see the Attendance Procedures Policy for more information. 

Non-Vesting of a Class

If a student does not satisfy the vesting criteria listed above for their class modality by the end of the drop period (the seventh (7th) calendar day of the class), the class will not be considered vested. In this case, the student will be automatically unregistered from the class. Students unregistered under this policy will have no financial or academic obligations for the class. Students who are unregistered from their class should reach out to their Academic and Finance Counselor to reschedule. 

Note: In this policy, “unregistered” refers to being administratively removed from a class before financial or academic liability is incurred (equivalent to a “drop”). 

Attendance Policy Alignment

This class vesting policy aligns with the University’s Attendance Procedures, which require students to engage in academic-related activities (ARAs) consistently throughout the term. Academic engagement ensures compliance with attendance requirements and determines the official enrollment status of students. 

Note: Please see the Attendance Procedures Policy for more information. 

Important Note: 

• Logging into the Learning Management System (LMS) without completing an ARA does not count as attendance. 
• Participating in orientation or contacting an Academic and Finance Counselor does not fulfill attendance requirements. 
• If the student has vested in the class but wishes to be removed from the class, they will need to contact their Academic and Finance Counselor for their options. 

Class Drop and Withdrawal

Students can request to unregister from a class within the first seven (7) calendar days, and the class will not appear on the student’s transcript. If the request is made after seven (7) calendar days but before 75% of the class has elapsed, the student will be formally withdrawn from the class and a grade of W will be issued with no effect on GPA. After 75% of the class has elapsed, the student will be issued the grade earned based on academic performance according to the Grades Policy. Students in the Juris Doctor (JD) program should refer to the policies listed in the Juris Doctor Catalog. 

Notifying the instructor of one’s intent to withdraw is insufficient and will not constitute an official withdrawal. Students may unregister for a class prior to 11:59 pm (Pacific Time) of the seventh (7th) calendar day by emailing their Academic and Finance Counselor.

Active-duty, guard, and reserve military personnel (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force) who are enrolled at National University and whose academic progress is interrupted due to deployment or activation mid-month may withdraw without tuition penalty. A student currently in a class will not be charged for the class; however, the class will remain on the student record with a grade of “WL”. Students must submit a copy of their military duty assignment orders verifying deployment or activation to their academic and finance counselor along with their request to withdraw from the class. This policy does not apply to retired military personnel or dependents. 

Note: Please see the Class Vesting Policy for more information. 

Attendance Procedures

Defining Attendance 

Attendance is mandatory in all University classes. The University requires students to be in attendance at least once every 28 calendar days from the last date of attendance.

Note: For Juris Doctor students, please see the Juris Doctor Catalog for program-specific requirements. 

Students satisfy class attendance requirements through academic-related activities. Academic-Related Activities (ARAs) are used to determine a student’s official last date of attendance in the LMS and corresponding enrollment status at the University. ARAs are also used to determine the effective date of active and withdrawn enrollment statuses. (See examples of ARAs below).

The start-date of a session is the first Monday of the new class term. If the first Monday is a holiday, the start date of the session may be the first Tuesday. For example, if the first-class meeting offered in the September session for a hybrid class meets on Mondays and Monday is the holiday, then that first Tuesday is the start-date for the session. The class start date (whether a Monday or Tuesday) is the start date of the session and not the day students meet for their first hybrid class. 

All students must be officially enrolled to attend class or receive a grade. Students who are not officially enrolled may not attend class, and instructors may not issue grades to students who are not formally registered. The Office of the Registrar will not post grades for any student who is not officially enrolled in the class. 

For more information related to attendance, vesting, and financial responsibility, please review the following policies in this section. 

• Class Vesting Policy 
• Class Late Add Policy
• SAP Policy 
• Class Drop and Withdrawal Policy
• Leave of Absence Policy 

Residential (In-Person) Classes

Students are expected to attend all scheduled meeting days of a class. Failure to attend may impact the students’ grades. Some programs may have additional attendance requirements based on accreditation and funding bodies.

Note: Please see program requirements and class syllabus for additional attendance requirements.

Online Classes

Academic-related activities (ARAs) must be posted must be posted to an online class regularly; see class information for assignment deadlines The University’s Attendance Policy is designed to encourage consistent or weekly academic engagement. All students are expected to engage in one of the following academic related activities throughout the term:

• Submitting an academic assignment; 
• Taking an assessment or an exam; 
• Participating in an interactive tutorial, webinar, or other interactive computer-assisted instruction; 
• Participating in a study group, group project, or an online discussion that is assigned by the institution. 

The following will not count as attendance:

• Logging in and not engaging in an academically related activity
• Participation in orientation
• Contacting academic advisor

Continuous Enrollment

To maintain continuous enrollment, students are required to complete an Academic-Related Activity at least once every 28 consecutive calendar days from the last date of attendance. This requirement applies to all instructional modalities, including in person and online classes. Lack of participation and/or attendance for students taking in person or online classes does not qualify the student for a refund or consideration for a drop or withdrawal from the class unless the student submits the request within the established timeframe (see the Institutional Refund Policy  and Class Drop and Withdrawal Policy).

Students who fail to meet the 28-day attendance requirement will be considered out of continuous enrollment and will be administratively withdrawn from the University on the twenty-ninth (29th) day from their last date of attendance. The Office of the Registrar monitors compliance with this requirement. 

Students who wish to appeal an attendance determination should reach out to their Academic and Finance Counselor within thirty (30) days of administrative withdrawal. If extenuating circumstances prevent submission within this timeframe, the Office of the Registrar will determine whether additional consideration is warranted. 

Definition of Student Status (Full-Time, Part-Time/Half-Time)

A student’s enrollment status will be determined based upon their class schedule and the number of credits carried (see chart below). Students are not considered “Withdrawn” or discontinued from the University until they either request to enter that status or exceeded 28 days from their last date of attendance, but are considered “Withdrawn” (for verification purposes such as loan deferment or full/ half-time student certification) for the time period in which there was a break of two months or more.

The number of credits used in determining enrollment status differs depending on the career being pursued (undergraduate or graduate).

The credits for any individual class with a “Withdrawn” status do count toward determining full or part-time status. Students, who are working on project, thesis or research class in which a grade of “IP” (In Progress) or “I” (Incomplete) is issued, will receive credit toward enrollment from the official start date through the published end-date of the class only. Once 90 calendar days have passed after the published end-date of the class, it may no longer be used to determine a full- or half-time student status.

Off-campus agencies may use different definitions for determining full-time status. For example, the definition of “Full-Time Student Status” may not apply to international students who require an F-1 visa.

Students with proper identification can verify enrollment at the Office of the Registrar or obtain enrollment verification via the student portal on the University website. Verifications can also be requested through the mail with an authorized student signature to the following address:

Office of the Registrar
9388 Lightwave Ave.
San Diego, CA 92123
P: 858-642-8260
E: registrar@nu.edu

Enrollment Reporting Policy

National Student Loan Data System (SSCR Reporting)

Student enrollment status (full-time/part-time/withdrawn, etc.), effective date, and primary location are submitted monthly to National University’s servicer, the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC). The report is generated using university developed logic that collects information from the student information system based on the latest guidance available in the NSLDS Enrollment Reporting guide. The report is generated after the withdrawal deadline on the 22nd day of each month. There are a total of four reports submitted to account for different degree levels and terms, submitted on staggered dates for servicer intake. Student enrollment status is determined based upon student class schedule and the number of credits carried at all University locations. The number of credits used in determining enrollment status differs depending on the career being pursued (undergraduate or graduate) and is calculated as follows:

Non-Term Based Enrollment Status

The University recognizes the following program-level enrollment statuses:

Term-Based Enrollment Status

For the purpose of financial aid and enrollment verification enrollment status is determined by the number of credits per semester:

Credit Hour Policy

National University has a variety of degree offerings that award semester credit hours.

Students at NU have the opportunity to enroll in programs that are onsite, online, or a hybrid combination of the onsite and online modalities. The length of the classes attached to programs will vary by the modality, degree level, and programmatic requirements.

Distance Education Classes

The online modality National University provides students is defined as distance education, which means that one or more of the technologies listed below is used to deliver instruction to students who are separated from the instructor and to support regular and substantive interaction between the students and the instructor, either synchronously or asynchronously. The technologies may include:

• The internet;
  • One-way and two-way transmissions through open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave, broadband lines, fiber optics, satellite, or wireless communications devices.
• Audio conference; or
• Other media used in a class in conjunction with any of the technologies listed above.

(Department of Education - https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-B/chapter-VI/part-600/subpart-A/section-600.2)

Programs in which fifty percent (50%) or more of the classwork is delivered online shall meet the substantive change requirements related to distance education programs as established by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

The following activities are examples of contact hours in the online environment but are not limited to:

• Attending an online synchronous class, lecture, recitation, or field or laboratory activity;
• Submitting an academic assignment;
• Taking an assessment or an exam;
• Participating in an interactive tutorial, webinar, or other interactive computer-assisted instruction;
• Participating in a study group, group project, or an online discussion that is assigned by the institution.

Note: Please see the information below about class classification, credit hour determination, and contact or non-contact hours of instruction at National University.

Semester Credit Hours

NU offers Undergraduate, Graduate, and Doctoral degrees, which use semester credit hours.

The University offers students the option to enroll in Undergraduate, Graduate, and Doctoral level programs in the onsite, online, and hybrid modalities.

Per WSCUC, 1 semester credit hour = 1 hour of classroom instruction identified as a contact hour and 2 hours of out-of-class non-contact student work each week for approximately 15 weeks for a semester. Contact hours include but are not limited to activities such as interactions with instructors in person or online, content discussions, and working with fellow students. Non-contact hours include hours spent reading, writing papers, or creating presentations.

Semester credit hours vary and are based on the hours of instruction for each class and the hours a student should reasonably expect to devote to preparing for each hour of instruction. Depending upon the degree level, students are generally expected to complete 10 to 15 hours in class and 20 hours of outside preparation each week.

Undergraduate Classes - Associate and Bachelor’s Level

Classes in National University’s Undergraduate programs are predominantly lecture-based 3 semester credit hours or laboratory 1 semester credit hours. Students should refer to the University catalog to verify class classification, award type, award amount, contact, and non-contact information.

Graduate Classes - Master’s Level

Classes in National University’s Master’s programs are predominantly lecture-based, seminar, or capstone 3 semester credit hours or laboratory 1 semester credit hours. Students should refer to the University catalog to verify class classification, award type, award amount, contact, and non-contact information.

Graduate Classes - Doctoral Level

Classes in National University’s doctoral programs are predominantly categorized as core, foundation, or dissertation 3 semester credit hours. Students should refer to the University catalog to verify class classification, award type, award amount, contact, and non-contact information. 

Fieldwork, Internship, and Practicum Classes

Typically, at least 40 hours of internship work are assigned throughout the class of one term. However, depending on the academic program, the number of required hours may be governed or regulated by that particular program’s board of accreditation (e.g., American Bar Association, American Psychological Association, Board of Registered Nursing, Department of Education, Council on Social Work Education, Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, State Bar of California, etc.).

Practical training classes may take the form of internship, practicum, or residencies, depending on the academic discipline in which a student is enrolled. This training may be accomplished in University facilities, or approved off-campus locations, depending on the specialty being pursued. Practical training experiences require significantly more time than a regular class.

Note: Please see program for specific requirements Independent or Guided Study Programs in the Group-Based Catalog.

One credit is assigned to a minimum of 45 hours of work, including discussion with faculty, time studying and doing homework or research per week throughout a four-week term. The academic reasons justifying why the subject must be pursued in the class of Independent Study must be approved by the faculty lead, the department chair, and the dean.

Students in guided study classes work independently under the guidance of an instructor, and credits vary based on individualized classwork. Guided study classes that are listed for variable credits must specify how credit values will be assigned. Requirements should be clearly delineated for each credit value offered.

JFK School of Law at National University Credit Information

The JFK School of Law at National University awards credit earned based on semester credit hours. Most required classes carry 3-semester credit hours. Consistent with the Rules and Guidelines of the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State of California: A “semester credit” includes at least 15 hours of verifiable academic engagement and a total of 45 hours of engagement.

Students in the JFK School of Law at National University may earn credit for verifiable academic engagement via the D2L Learning Management System, including, but not limited to, any of the following:

• Participating in a synchronous class session;
• Viewing and listening to recorded classes or lectures;
• Participating in a live or recorded webinar offered by the law school;
• Participating in any synchronous or asynchronous academic assignment in any class monitored by a faculty member;
• Taking an examination, quiz, or timed writing assignment;
• Completing an interactive tutorial or computer-assisted instruction;
• Conducting legal research assigned as part of the curriculum in any class; and
• Participating in any portion of an approved clinical or experiential class or activity offered through distance learning technology totaling no more than 12.5 percent of the hours required for graduation; and/or
• Student participation in an experiential or clinical program where the student’s participation is pre-approved, a faculty member reviews the student participation to ensure educational objectives are achieved, the amount of credit is commensurate with the time spent, and the total credit does not exceed 12.5 percent of the total hours required for graduation.

It is expected that a student taking a 3-credit class will need to spend approximately 135 to 144 hours on verifiable academic engagement and independent work/academic engagement, including reading and study; research; faculty-student interaction; demonstration of defined learning outcomes through assignments, papers, and projects; examinations; outlining; case briefing; doing practice hypotheticals and any other work necessary to ensure meeting the learning objectives.

Note: For more information on specific program requirements, please see the Juris Doctor Catalog.

Periodic Review of Standard Classes and Other Academic Activities

A number of processes under the purview of the Office of the Provost contribute to the periodic review of the credit hour assignments to ensure that they are accurate and reliable:

• Class development (and re-development) checklist – a review of the Credit Hour Policy against class syllabi and online class shells in the Learning Management Systems (LMS) (when in the online or hybrid format) is completed as part of the class development and re-development process.
• Each class provides students with a general statement of student expectations based on the degree level and modality of the class and information on specific activities required to be completed during that class.
• Five-Year Program Review – built into the Five-Year Review is a review of all class syllabi against the Credit Hour Policy to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Accelerated Study

National University acknowledges the diverse academic requirements of its student body, which often vary due to external commitments. The institution recommends a minimum enrollment of 12 semester credit hours per My Terms semester, defined as 16 instructional weeks, to maintain full-time student status. For undergraduate students who wish to expedite their academic journey, the University permits concurrent simultaneous enrollment in classes amounting to a maximum of 6 semester credit hours. This is subject to programmatic specific requirements, class availability, the successful completion of any prerequisite classes, and any programmatic accreditation limitations. See your program in the catalog for programmatic specific requirements that may impact your ability to accelerate your study. Juris Doctor students and PSY-D students must follow a specific class of study and are not eligible to accelerate. 

Additionally, students desiring to enroll in the maximum of 6 semester credit hours must: 

• Be currently classified in met academic standing according to NU’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy. Should a student fail to meet the satisfactory academic progress criteria, the University reserves the right to rescind said approval. 
• Have successfully completed at least 6 semester credit hours, at National University prior to their enrollment in concurrent classes. ​Have successfully completed at least 6 semester credit hours at National University prior to their enrollment in concurrent classes. Unless the student’s program specifically allows an overlap prior to 6 semester credit hours 
• Have completed all prior classwork with no outstanding grades of “Incomplete”.​ 
• Acknowledge through a signed disclosure the expected workload of class/curricular engagement at an accelerated pace. 

This acceleration policy is not subject to Dean’s review unless an exception to the requirements above is necessary. Exceptions to this policy require the school/college’s review. 

Bulk Loading

National University emphasizes the importance of submitting classwork regularly and consistently, as students are better positioned to stay on track and achieve their specific academic goals. Bulk loading—defined as submitting multiple assignments before receiving feedback on a previous one—is not allowed as it prevents students from reflecting on and incorporating faculty feedback into future assignments.

Please notify your instructor if there are unforeseen circumstances which may require an exception to this policy. Exceptions to this policy are at the discretion of the class instructor and dependent on class pacing.

University Class Numbering System

As of November 2025, National University will begin transitioning the group-based programs from three-digit to four-digit course numbers.

Group-Based Numbering System

• 0- to 99-Level Classes: Remedial Classes that do not grant collegiate credit. 
• 100 to 200 or 1000 to 2000 - Level Classes: Lower-Division Classes applicable to associate degrees. 
• 300 to 400 or 3000 to 4000 - Level Classes: Upper-Division Classes applicable to bachelor degrees. 
• 500 or 5000 - Level Classes: Classes which may be applicable as advanced Upper-Division credit or as graduate credit, as specified by the requirements of each program. 
• 600 or 6000 - Level Classes: Graduate-level Classes. 
• 700 to 800 or 7000 to 8000 to - Level Classes: Doctoral-level Classes. 

John F. Kennedy School of Psychology PSYD Program Numbering System 

• 5000 to 5999 Graduate-level Classes 
• 6000 to 6999 Post-Master-level Classes
• 7000 to 7999 Doctoral-level Classes 
• 9000 to 9999 Non-Credit, Field Placement, and Workshops 

Note: All classes are 3 semester credit hours unless otherwise specified. 

Individual-Based Numbering System

• 100 to 880: Juris Doctor-level Classes
• 1000-4999: Undergraduate-level Classes
• 5000-6999: Masters-level Classes 
• 7000-9700: Doctoral-level Classes
• 9100A-D to 9914A-D: Dissertation-level Classes

Grades

National University awards letter grades for classes in recognition of academic performance. Students not in compliance with the University’s Attendance Policy cannot be awarded a letter or satisfactory grade. Once grades have been issued and credit awarded, neither the classwork nor the grade can be expunged from the student’s record. 

Note: Please refer to National University’s Attendance Policy, Grade Scales, and Administrative Codes. 

Academic Performance Grade Scale and Grading Definitions

Grades are based on the faculty member’s academic judgment that the student has demonstrated a specified level of performance based on objective and subjective evaluations such as papers, presentations, assignments, examinations, projects, and discussions. Students are graded according to their individual performance in the class and not on a curve. Students are not compared with each other to determine a grade or performance ranking. Criteria for awarding grades for achievement may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Preparation of assignments, including accuracy, legibility and promptness;
• Contribution to faculty member-student discussions;
• Demonstrated understanding of concepts on exams, papers, assignments, etc.;
• Application of skills and principles to new and real-life situations;
• Organization, presentation, and professionalism of written and oral reports;
• Originality and reasoning ability demonstrated in working through assignments; and
• Meeting minimum standards for all rubric criteria on the required deliverable

Grade points are assigned to academic performance grades as indicated and are used to calculate a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) for each student:

Unified Grade Scale

Grading Policies and Procedures

Minimum Class Passing Grade Requirement 

Minimum grades considered passing for a specific class can vary depending on programmatic or accreditation requirements and degree level of study. Please refer to the specific program description for the minimum grade requirement. 

Note: Juris Doctor students please see the Juris Doctor Catalog for specific grade requirements. 

Doctoral students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 before enrolling in the CMP (portfolio/prospectus) class. Students must also achieve a B or better to proceed within the Doctoral Sequence.

Students who earn a grade below the minimum must repeat the class or take an alternate class. Please refer to the University’s policy on Repetition of Classes, Repeating Doctoral Sequence Classes, and Unsatisfactory Grades for Doctoral Students.

Assignment Deadlines and Faculty Response

Policies and procedures regarding the submission of assignments and acceptance of late submissions can be found in the class syllabi and/or class essential document. Faculty response times may vary according to the complexity of the assignment. Discussion board posts may be as short as one day or up to 7 to 10 days for longer assignments. 

Incomplete “I” Grades

Students may submit an Incomplete request after the class drop date and up to the Monday following the class end date. The approval of an Incomplete and additional time granted is at the discretion of the instructor. The typical amount of time granted is usually 2-3 weeks. The additional timeframe that may be granted once per class cannot exceed a total of 90 days. The instructor may request supporting documentation in addition to the Incomplete request.

If the Incomplete is approved, the student will be given a temporary “I” grade. The instructor will indicate the work that needs to be completed, the amount of additional time granted up to 90 days, and the grade the student would earn if the Incomplete work is not completed satisfactorily. The responsibility for completing all classwork rests entirely with the student. An “I” grade will be changed to a grade when the student completes the missed classwork, and the instructor submits the final class grade. In the event that the instructor is not available, the School will assign a qualified designee who will receive and grade the work. 

If the Incomplete is denied, the student will earn the appropriate grade for the work submitted and may be required to retake the class. 

Note: Extended timeframes for clearing an Incomplete may cause program-specific financial aid implications and class scheduling issues. Students are advised to contact their Academic and Finance Counselor to verify that requesting an Incomplete grade will not impact financial aid or the start date of their next class. In some circumstances taking a Leave of Absence or withdrawing from the class may be a better option.

Note: Please see the Leave of Absence Policy and the Class Drop and Withdrawal Policy for more information. 

Note: 

• A degree or certificate cannot be awarded with an Incomplete “I” on the transcript. 
• Dissertation classes DIS-9XXXA, B, and C are not eligible for Incomplete grade extensions. 
• For students in the Juris Doctor program please see the Juris Doctor Catalog for specific requirements. 

Interruption of Study Due to Excessive Incomplete Grades 

Students are permitted to have two (2) concurrent Incomplete grades. Students with two Incomplete grades are prohibited from enrolling in any further classes and will be allowed to resume their program once one (1) or more of the Incomplete grades have been resolved.

Incomplete grades are not calculated in a student’s GPA until the Incomplete grade is changed to a letter grade or satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade. 

Repetition of Classes

Repeating Undergraduate and Graduate Classes

Students are not obligated to retake a failed class unless it is required for graduation. Students may retake any class to improve their cumulative GPA. Although restrictions on funding may apply. Students are advised to consult their Academic and Finance Counselor for more information on funding a retake. 

Students retaking a class that has variable topics (i.e., seminars and elective classes) must retake the class with the same topic as the failed attempt. 

Assignment submission for the retaken class must adhere to the academic integrity policy. Students are advised to reach out to their instructor before submitting previously graded assignments.

Note: Please see program description for specific programmatic and/or accreditation requirements regarding retaking classes. 

Note: Students in the Juris Doctor (JD) program, please see the Juris Doctor Catalog for the program specific class repetition policy. 

Undergraduate classes may be retaken a maximum of two times, for a total of three attempts. Once the undergraduate class has been retaken, the grade point average will be factored based on the best grade for the retaken class. The transcript will display all attempts. However, only the highest attempt will earn credit and be factored in the GPA. Grades earned at National University remain counted in the student’s GPA if the class is retaken at another institution. 

Graduate classes may be retaken once, for a total of two attempts. Prior approval from the School is required for additional attempts. Credit is only given for passed attempts. Once the graduate class has been retaken, the grade point average will be factored based on the best grade for the retaken class. Grades earned at National University remain counted in the student’s GPA if the class is retaken at another institution. 

Note: Please see program description for specific programmatic and/or accreditation requirements regarding retaking classes. 

Note: Graduate content classes may only be retaken once without prior approval from the School. A denial of a third attempt of a required class or a third failed grade in any class listed on a student’s degree plan as required for graduation will lead to dismissal. 

Students should work with their Academic and Finance Counselor to determine class retake and financial aid eligibility. Students receiving veteran benefits may not be eligible for benefits when retaking classes. Additional information may be obtained from the National University Veterans Affairs Department. 

If an alternate class is taken to meet degree requirements for a non-passing class, the grade for both the alternate class and the non-passing class will appear on the student’s transcript and both grades will be used in computing the cumulative GPA. 

Students will be required to pay tuition for retaken or alternate classes. 

Exception: Passing grades earned in graduate-level classes completed as part of a conferred NU undergraduate degree will need to be retaken if the grade does not meet the graduate program’s degree requirements.

Unsatisfactory Grades for Dissertation or Doctoral Project Sequence Classes

Repeating CMP, Dissertation or Applied Doctoral Project Sequence Classes 

Students enrolled in class codes CMP-9600 through CMP-9799, and DIS-9100A through DIS-9914D, may be eligible to earn a Repeated Doctoral Sequence (“RD”) grade for classes that were originally completed with a non-passing grade if subsequent attempts are completed with a “B” or better. Classes awarded an “RD” grade will not be used in GPA calculations.

Note: A dissertation block consists of a 12-week dissertation class (DIS-9XXXA) and three, 12-week supplemental classes (DIS-9XXXB, DIS-9XXXC, and DIS-9XXXD). For non-passing grade(s) to be replaced, students must successfully complete the dissertation block with a grade of “B” or better by the end of the third supplemental dissertation class (DIS-9XXXD).

Students who earn a non-passing grade in a dissertation block will be automatically scheduled and accepted into the appropriate supplemental class without a break in scheduling to ensure that students remain in continuous enrollment throughout the doctoral sequence. 

Students who do not complete the dissertation block by the end of the third supplemental dissertation class are dismissed from the University. 

Maximum “RD” Grade Policy for Doctoral Sequence Classes

A student may utilize the “RD” grade a maximum of fourteen times during the Doctoral Sequence (CMP-9600+ and DIS-9XXXA+). During the dissertation block, a student will be allowed a maximum of three “RD” grades per dissertation block. 

Administrative Class Codes

Administrative class codes do not contribute to GPA calculation.

Note: Students should refer to the SAP Policy for more information on the impact these grades can have on their academic progress.

Grade Appeals

Faculty members are vested with the authority to establish class requirements and performance standards. It is the responsibility of faculty to articulate and communicate class requirements and standards of performance to students at the beginning of each class and apply all grading criteria uniformly and in a timely manner. Final grades submitted by faculty to the Office of the Registrar are presumed to be accurate and final. However, if a student believes a grade assigned is incorrect, the student may invoke the grade appeal procedure outlined below. 

Students can appeal a grade only when they can document that one or more of the following has occurred: 

• An error in calculating the grade. 
• Failure of the instructor to notify students clearly and promptly of the criteria for grade determination. 
• Grading that does not adhere to the announced criteria and standards. 
• Concerns with an academic integrity violation and/or cheating. 

Note: Requests for additional time to complete assignments or other classwork beyond the end date of a class do not constitute grounds for a Grade Appeal. Note: For guidance on requesting an Incomplete grade please see the Incomplete Grades section. 

Grade Appeal Submission 

1. If a student believes a grading error has occurred for one or more of the reasons mentioned above, they should reach out to the faculty member who assigned the original grade. The student should explain the nature of the concern and present any evidence. 
   • If the student and instructor agree on the necessity of a grade change, the instructor should submit a Change of Grade form to the University Registrar. 
   • If the student and instructor CANNOT agree on the final grade, then the student has the right to request a Grade Appeal. 
2. The student must submit a Grade Appeal form within 10 calendar days of the grade posting for the class. It is recommended that students request a Grade Appeal as soon as possible. 
   • The student must include substantiating documentation that demonstrates the occurrence of one or more of the above-listed grounds for appeal. Documentation may be in the form of e-mail correspondence, graded assignments, proof of timely submission, etc. The student must also attach documentary evidence of the level of achievement in support of the grade the student believes they should have been awarded. 

Grade Appeals Review 

Original course instructors are offered the opportunity to respond to the appeal prior to the Grade Appeals Committee review. Grade appeals are reviewed and decided upon by the appointed Grade Appeals Committee Chair and Committee no more than 10 business days from the submission date. (See below for exceptions to this timeline). The Chair will inform the student, the original instructor, and the Office of the Registrar of the decision. All Grade Appeals Committee decisions are final and not eligible for appeal. 

Note: The Grade Appeals Committee members are appointed by school/college Deans and are not determined by, nor can they be requested by, the student.

Grade Appeals Involving Discrimination, Academic Accommodations, Temporary Medical Conditions, or Academic Integrity

When a student believes a grading decision has been made in part due to discrimination or unfair treatment based on their identity as a protected class OR the original grading decision was made in part or wholly due to suspected or confirmed academic integrity violations of policy, the Grade Appeals Committee will halt review of the appeal and send all relevant information to the appropriate University office. 

In the case of discrimination or unfair treatment based on a protected class, the Office of Institutional Equity will investigate the claims in accordance with the published policy and inform the Grade Appeals Committee (if appropriate) when to proceed in the grade appeal review. In this instance, the normal timeline for grade appeal review will be delayed to allow the Office of Institutional Equity to perform a thorough investigation. 

In the case of academic integrity concerns, the Office of Community Standards will provide appropriate documentation to the Grade Appeals Committee (if appropriate) regarding the nature of the suspected/confirmed policy violation. The grade appeal review will then resume the normal process. In this instance, the normal timeline for grade appeal review will be delayed to allow the Office of Community Standards to perform a thorough investigation. 

In the case of academic accommodations or temporary medical conditions, the student may ask Student Accessibility Services for assistance in confidential receipt and storage of any documentation. Students may contact Student Accessibility Services (sas@nu.edu) to review options for registration and/or supporting the appeal without disclosing sensitive information. In this instance, the normal timeline for grade appeal review will be delayed to allow for Student Accessibility Services to evaluate the documentation, meet with the student (if necessary), and provide guidance to the Grade Appeals Committee. 

Final Grade Reporting 

All final grades are reported electronically. Students can access their official grades as posted to their record via the student portal on the University’s website. Students who need an official printed copy of a grade report can request one through the student portal. Grades are not given by Faculty over the telephone or via e-mail. Depending on program-level class deliverables, final grades are due from instructors within 4 to 10 calendar days after the end of the class.

Note: Students should direct all questions regarding the accuracy of a grade to their instructor.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the standard by which the University measures a student’s progress toward completion of a degree or certificate program. SAP is evaluated using the following components:

• Program Grade Point Average (GPA)
• Course Completion Rate (Pace)
• Maximum Timeframe

Please note that the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy for the Juris Doctor (JD) program is maintained separately and is available in the Juris Doctor Catalog.

SAP Procedures 

SAP Component Definitions

Program Grade Point Average (GPA)

A cumulative Program GPA is calculated using only grades earned at the University that apply to the student’s current program of study.

• Minimum GPA requirement for undergraduate programs: 2.0
• Minimum GPA requirement for School of Law Juris Doctorate program: 2.4
• Minimum GPA requirement for masters, doctoral, and graduate certificate programs: 3.0

Course Completion Rate (Pace)

Students must successfully complete at least 66.67% of the cumulative credit hours attempted.

• Pace is calculated by dividing cumulative successfully completed credits by cumulative attempted credits.
• Passing grades count as completed credits.

Attempted, passing and non-passing are assigned as follows:

Treatment of Courses and Credits

Course Repetitions

• Only the highest grade is included in GPA calculations.
• All attempts are included in Pace and Maximum Timeframe calculations.

Dropped Courses

Courses dropped before the end of the official drop period are not included in GPA, Pace, or Maximum Timeframe calculations.

Incomplete / In Review Grades

Incomplete or In Review grades:

• Are included in Pace and Maximum Timeframe
• Are not included in GPA

Once a grade is finalized for a previously assessed I or IR grade, that grade is evaluated in the overall SAP as appropriate at the next evaluation point.

Course Withdrawals

Courses withdrawn after the drop period receive a grade of W and:

• Are included in Pace and Maximum Timeframe
• Are not included in GPA

Applied or Migrated Credits Earned at the University

Credits earned at the University and accepted into the student’s current program:

• Are included in GPA, Pace, and Maximum Timeframe calculations

Transfer Credits from Another Institution

All accepted transfer credits:

• Are included in Pace and SAP Maximum Timeframe calculations
• Are not included in GPA calculations

Changing Programs

When a substantial change is approved:

• SAP calculations reset only during the first substantial program change
• Applicable prior coursework may still count toward GPA, Pace and Maximum Timeframe

Note: See substantial program change for more information

Remedial, Prerequisite, and Preparatory Coursework

Remedial Coursework

Remedial coursework is defined as coursework designed to correct or improve a student’s skills at the postsecondary level while enrolled in a program of study so the student can successfully pursue a degree or certificate.  A remedial course cannot be below the educational level needed for a student to successfully pursue their program after one year in that course.  One academic year’s worth of these courses can be used for enrollment status and receive Title IV funds.

• Remedial coursework counts toward GPA, Pace, and Maximum Timeframe

Prerequisite Coursework

Prerequisite coursework required for admission into a program or to enroll in a specific course that is required for graduation but which itself does not count toward program completion is not Title IV eligible unless they are also remedial courses and would be treated as such.

• Prerequisite coursework does not count toward GPA, Pace, or Maximum Timeframe

Preparatory Coursework

Preparatory coursework prepares a student to be eligible for admission as a regular student into an educational program. Title IV aid can only be paid for courses which count toward degree completion requirements, or for qualifying remedial courses after a student has been admitted as a regular student. After admission, courses that do not count toward degree completion and are not remedial courses cannot be paid with Title IV aid.

• Preparatory coursework does not count toward GPA, Pace, or Maximum Timeframe

SAP Evaluation Schedule

• Term-based programs: Evaluated at the end of each term
• Non-term programs: Evaluated at the end of each payment period
• Subscription-based programs: Evaluated annually

SAP Statuses

The University communicates SAP statuses to students when there is a SAP status change. A SAP status is not nullified due to a student not receiving a SAP status change notification.

Met

A student is in “Met” status if they meet all SAP requirements at the  evaluation point.   Students in this status may continue in their academic program and are eligible to receive Title IV financial aid.

Warning

A student is in “Warning” status if SAP standards are not met at the evaluation point.  Students may continue in their program and remain eligible for Title IV funding during the Warning period.

Suspension

A student is placed in “Suspension” status when they fail to meet SAP standards after being in “Warning” status. While in “Suspension,” the student is not eligible for Title IV funding unless an appeal (see below) is submitted and approved for Title IV eligibility, at which point the status is updated to “Probation.” Students in “Suspension” have seven (7) days to submit an appeal to continue in their program of study, regardless of their funding source.  If no appeal is submitted within this timeframe, the student will be dismissed from the program, and their status will be updated to “Dismissed.” If an appeal is approved, the student may continue enrollment in a “Probation” status until the next SAP evaluation point.  If the appeal is denied, the student will be dismissed from the program, and their status will be updated to “Dismissed.”

Students can regain “Met” status by achieving the minimum GPA, Pace, and Maximum Timeframe calculations by the next SAP evaluation point or transferring into a substantially different program.

Probation

A student is placed in “Probation” status when a SAP appeal has been approved. Students may continue in their program and are eligible for Title IV funding while on Probation through the next SAP evaluation point, provided they meet the terms of their approved appeal.

SAP Dismissal

A student is in “Dismissal” status  when they fail to meet SAP standards after “Probation” status, they cannot achieve ‘Met’ status within the remaining maximum timeframe, or if the student does not appeal for “Probation” once entering “Suspension.”  A student in “dismissal” status is dismissed from the program and may not appeal to return under the same program.

SAP Appeals

Students may appeal a “Suspension” status when documented extenuating circumstances exist. Appeals must be submitted through the student portal and include the following:

• A description of the extenuating circumstance
• An explanation of how the extenuating circumstance prevented the student from meeting SAP requirements
• An explanation of what has changed since the extenuating circumstance that will support the student’s future academic success

Appeals will only be accepted within seven (7) calendar days after the “Suspension” status has been applied. An approved appeal grants the student both the “Probation” evaluation period AND Title IV eligibility for the courses taken during that time.  All appeal decisions made by the University are final.

Time Limits for Degree Completion

Students at the University are held to two standards regarding time to degree completion: SAP Maximum Timeframe and Academic Maximum Timeframe.

SAP Maximum Timeframe

The Maximum Timeframe cannot exceed 150% of the published program length of the student’s active program, measured in credit hours.

Example: A 120-credit program must be completed within 180 attempted credits.

Below is a list of example programs. Please see your program page for specific graduation requirements.

Academic Maximum Timeframe

Changing Degree Programs

Students who wish to change their academic program may contact their Academic and Finance Counselor to begin the application process. Student and Financial Services will complete an evaluation of the student’s record to determine any impact changing degree programs will have on federal financial aid eligibility and disbursements. In some cases, a program change will result in a return of federal aid per the withdrawal from the initial program and the immediate re-packaging of federal aid that will apply towards the new program. The Office of the Registrar will determine if any previously completed classes apply to the new program. Classes that were completed but do not apply to the new program will still appear on the transcript and be counted in the cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), but will not be counted for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).

Students who are on probation or disqualified from their current program will need to submit a policy exception request before applying for a change of program. 

If an undergraduate student requests to change their degree/program, concentration, or minor a third time (after having already changed two times), the dean’s office of the program being sought must review and approve the request.

Any request to change a master’s or doctoral degree/program, specialization, or concentration must be reviewed and approved by the dean’s office of the program being sought.

National University must be authorized to offer the new program in the state where the student resides. State authorization verification is required before the program change can be processed by the Registrar’s Office.

If the request to change programs in approved, students are subject to the catalog policies, program requirements, and SAP maximum timeframes in place at the time of enrollment.

Note: Please see the Program Availability , Substantial Program Change Policy , and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy for more information on program changes.

Program Discontinuation

The University regularly reviews academic programs to ensure that there is adequate student and workplace demand. On occasion, the University may determine that a program or specialization is no longer viable. In that case, the program or specialization may be discontinued. 

Students who are enrolled in a discontinued program or specialization and continue to meet attendance requirements will be afforded the opportunity to complete their program. 

Academic Leave of Absence (LOA) Policy

The Academic Leave of Absence (ALOA) policy is applicable to all officially admitted and enrolled students in degree programs at the University. If a student is not actively enrolled in a program, the student is not eligible to apply for a leave of absence (LOA). Students who are in the process of changing programs cannot use an LOA to avoid being administratively withdrawn due to lack of attendance because the break in the student’s program will no longer be temporary, and the university must have a reasonable expectation that the student will return to their current program.

Students may be approved by the University for multiple LOAs in a 12-month period. Students also may be approved for consecutive LOAs, but each LOA must be independently submitted by the student and approved by the University. LOA duration will be established based on the student’s needs but will not exceed 180 days in a rolling 12-month period.

Non-Term Students

The University can only approve non-term students for an LOA when they are between classes without additional documentation. For non-term students who require an LOA while they are active in a class, the University can only approve LOAs where the student meets all the following criteria: 

• The student provides evidence of an extenuating circumstance.
• The student is in met standing within their current class.

LOAs aren’t granted during an active class except in extenuating circumstances. If the student can show an eligible extenuating circumstance, they will not be charged for the class they take upon return. Students should contact their advisor with questions.

Semester or Subscription-Based Student

The University can only approve Semester or Subscription-Based students for an LOA when they are between Semesters or Subscription Periods without additional documentation. Students will need to utilize the Intent to Return (ITR) process outlined below for any desired break within a Semester or Subscription Period.

Students who have utilized an Intent to Return (ITR) break period of up to 60 days for non-term programs (45 days for Semester-based programs) may request an LOA if they have utilized all available time and are unable to return to class as scheduled. ITR days will not count toward approved LOA days. LOA requests must be submitted before the student’s scheduled return date to be considered. Students who have not requested an LOA by their scheduled return date and do not return to class as scheduled will be administratively withdrawn from the University, and an R2T4 calculation may be performed.

When unforeseen circumstances prevent a student from submitting an LOA request for a subsequent LOA, the University may grant a requested LOA if the reason and decision have been documented by the University. The University must receive the official LOA request from the student before the end of the LOA, and the request must be approved by the University. Unforeseen circumstances may include, but are not limited to, medical and family emergencies, military, jury duty, business travel, inclement weather, and natural disasters.

During an LOA, the student is not considered withdrawn, and no Return to Title IV (R2T4) calculation is required for financial aid recipients. The University will not impose additional charges when the LOA ends, and students return to their program of study. During an approved LOA, there will be limited access to the Learning Management System.

Time spent on an LOA counts toward program length and is included when determining if a student can complete their degree program within the maximum time limits.

LOA Request Process

To request a formal LOA, students will need to follow the steps outlined below. Students who receive FSA in the form of loans and grants, and who will have a break in attendance of 28 days or more, may be subject to recalculation and/or return of unearned FSA monies, unless they have an approved LOA on file. Students who do not return from an approved LOA on the student’s scheduled return date will be administratively withdrawn from the University.

Further information for FSA students may be obtained from their Academic and Finance Counselor.

Students requesting an LOA must:

1. Timely inform their Academic and Finance Counselor of their request and discuss financial aid implications, as appropriate.
2. Submit the request for Leave of Absence located on the student portal and include the following information:
   1. Beginning and ending dates of the LOA requested
   2. Reason for the LOA request.
3. An LOA approval must meet the above criteria, and the reason for the request must be approved by the Office of the Registrar.

All students are encouraged to submit requests at their earliest opportunity to allow the University adequate time to process the request. Requests submitted the day of the requested leave start date or later will not be considered. This request must be received prior to the date that the student would be administratively withdrawn due to non-attendance.

All LOA requests start the day of the student’s request for the LOA. LOA requests will not be backdated unless the student has documented extenuating circumstances that prevented them from making the request in advance of their leave.

Once approved, the LOA will be entered into the student’s record, and the student will be reported as an approved LOA student. It is the student’s responsibility to determine how this status may affect any other funding sources they may be receiving.

Requesting an LOA does not grant a drop or withdrawal from the current class of attendance. The current class remains subject to the official drop and withdrawal policies as published in the catalog. If an emergency LOA is approved, in the middle of the class, and the student receives a Withdraw, upon return, the student will not be charged tuition to retake the class.

Required Documentation

An LOA is a temporary interruption in a student’s program of study and may be approved if the University determines there is a reasonable expectation that the student will return. The University will not grant a student an LOA merely to delay the return of unearned Title IV funds or to avoid failing grades. Students must request the LOA by proactively providing the Academic and Finance Advisor/Counselor (on or before the start of the LOA) with a request, including the reason for the LOA.

A student’s initial request for an LOA will be reviewed, and if applicable, approved and processed by an Academic and Finance Advisor/Counselor. A student’s subsequent request for an LOA in a 12-month period will be reviewed, and if applicable, approved and processed by an associate director or their designee. A third request for an LOA in a 12-month period will be reviewed, and if applicable, approved and processed by a director, senior director, or their designee.

Students in Semester or Subscription-based programs may have class availability differences upon their return. Students can refer to their program-specific requirements and/or contact their Academic and Finance Advisor/Counselor for additional information.

When unforeseen circumstances prevent a student from proactively providing a request on or before the start of the LOA, the University may grant the LOA if it has documented the reason and decision. Unforeseen circumstances may include, but are not limited to, medical and family emergencies, military duties, jury duty, business travel, University class unavailability, inclement weather, and natural disasters.

Access to University Resources During Leave

Students on leave do not maintain access to faculty or the online classroom. Access to other university resources, such as the University Library and the Academic Success Center coaching service, may also be limited while a student is on leave. Please contact the Library or ASC directly with any questions about what resources are available.

When doctoral candidates are not actively enrolled in a class, they have limited communication with University support staff and may not engage in certain activities related to their research. Specifically, doctoral candidates must be actively enrolled in a class to have contact with their dissertation chair. Doctoral candidates must also be actively enrolled in a dissertation class with the University in order to recruit, obtain informed consent, have any contact with participants, or perform data collection if their Institutional Review Board (IRB) application has been approved.

Financial Aid Implications for Students Requesting a Leave of Absence

Financial aid students must contact their Academic and Finance Counselor as early as possible upon determining they would like to request an LOA to discuss the impact on student aid. Students who do not return from an approved LOA will have all future loan disbursements canceled. The loan repayment grace periods established on all previously disbursed loans will begin as of the first day of the student’s approved LOA. Therefore, if the student does not return from an approved LOA, the student may have exhausted some or all of the grace period and may be required to enter repayment immediately. Students will need to contact their lender(s) regarding grace period rules and requirements.

Students who wish to dispute the interpretation of a University financial policy, or who seek special consideration regarding a financial matter, can appeal their case to the Finance Committee.

Requests must be submitted in writing through the Student Accounts Office and must contain all pertinent information to support the appeal. All financial disputes must be submitted within one year of occurrence. Each case is decided upon its own merits. The decision of the committee is final and not subject to appeal, unless there is information pertinent to the outcome that was not available at the time of the initial request.

Return from Leave 

Students returning from LOA remain in the degree program in which they were enrolled at the time the LOA was approved. 

If a student does not return to the University by the end of an approved LOA, the student is administratively withdrawn from their program, and a Return to Title IV Calculation will be performed.

To avoid being administratively withdrawn, the student must complete an Academic-Related Activity within the first seven (7) days and vest in a class upon their LOA return date. The return class will be scheduled at the time of the LOA request and approval. It is the responsibility of the student to work with their Academic and Finance Counselor to begin a class on or before the date specified as the date of return from leave. The student’s withdrawal date is retroactive to the student’s last day of attendance (LDA). 

Please see our Attendance Procedures for information on Academic-Related Activities.

Intent to Return (ITR) Policy

The Intent to Return (ITR) process enables students to take an approved break from their studies without the risk of being withdrawn due to non-attendance. This policy applies when students plan to be absent for 30-60 days from their Last Date of Attendance. Students in a Semester-based program can request an ITR with a maximum length of 45 days.

Process for Requesting an ITR

Students must request an Intent to Return in writing to an Academic Finance Counselor to officially state their intent to return and must include the following information:

1. Start Date: The proposed start date of the absence, which may be the same day or a future date. Retroactive requests are only accepted under documented emergency circumstances.
2. End Date: The intended return date, which must fall within 30-60 days from the requested start date for non-term students and between 30-45 days for Semester-based students. The end date must be set for the day before the next scheduled class begins and can be no later than 60 days after the student’s Last Date of Attendance (45 days for Semester-based programs).

This request must be received prior to the date that the student would be administratively withdrawn due to non-attendance.

Requirements for Return or Additional Leave

Students will have seven days from the end date to return and post attendance in their new class.

If a student would like to request additional time off through an additional ITR or LOA, the request must be submitted prior to the anticipated return date. Students returning from a Leave of Absence (LOA) may submit a subsequent LOA if needed; however, an Intent to Return (ITR) will not be permitted. Students who do not request another leave prior to the return date or successfully return to class will be administratively withdrawn for failure to return.

Student Withdrawal from the University

Students have the right to withdraw from the University at any time. Students who wish to withdraw permanently from National University must: 

• Complete a “University Withdrawal Form” online through the University’s website or via the student portal.

Once a request has been received, students will be withdrawn from the University and all future classes will be deleted from their schedules. Students should be aware that current classes at the time of request remain subject to the official drop and withdrawal deadlines as published in this catalog. The Office of the Registrar will use applicable grading policies and procedures to determine the final grade of the withdrawn class. Federal student aid recipients should refer to the Institutional Refund Policy  and State-Specific Refund Policy  sections in this catalog, as withdrawal from any classes and/or periods of enrollment can have financial consequences and may require the University to return financial aid to the funding source.

Once officially withdrawn from the university, students are no longer considered to be active. Students who are not active in a program or certificate may no longer have access to the portal, previously submitted assignments, or university resources. It is the student’s responsibility to save previously submitted assignments, syllabi, electronic textbooks (in accordance with publisher download permissions), and other documents from the portal to their personal devices. 

If a student withdraws or leaves the University while a departmental process is pending, such as an Office of Community Standards or Office of Institutional Equity investigation, then the student may not return to the University in any capacity until the complaint being investigated is resolved and any sanctions imposed are satisfied. 

Administrative Withdrawal

Students will be administratively withdrawn from any or all classes if they fail to meet all applicable registration, code of conduct, attendance, academic integrity, and enrollment policies or requirements at all times. Any withdrawals may impact a student’s financial aid awards, academic progress, military funding, residential status, and/ or student visa status.

Administrative withdrawal from the University may occur for the following reasons:

1. Failure to pay required fees,
2. Failure to provide documents or meet credit requirements to be enrolled,
3. Failure to attend,
4. Violation of University or program-specific policies, or
5. Emergency administrative withdrawal. 

Term-Based Programs Offered in Modules: Exceptions

A student will not be considered administratively withdrawn if any of the following conditions apply:

• The student has successfully completed at least 50% of the credits required to maintain full-time status for the term; or
• The student has successfully completed 49% or more of the scheduled instructional time for the term, as evidenced by passing grades; or
• The student’s break in attendance was planned and approved prior to the start of the term.

Program-Specific Dismissal

This policy summarizes procedures for dismissal from a program for otherwise academically eligible students who present with disposition or comportment that does not align with professional and ethical standards. 

This policy applies to all programs that have specific requirements for admission, progression, and completion beyond general University standards.

The Program Director, Department Chair, Committee, or Dean’s designee will render a determination on whether the student possesses skills and dispositions that align with licensure, or field-specific ethics and service.

Program-specific dismissals are governed by school and/or program policy and are separate from investigations occurring within the Office of Community Standards (OCS). Based on the nature of the reported incident, the matter may also be referred to the OCS for review and investigation following the established process. 

Note: For more detailed information and program-specific expectations, refer to the appropriate specialized academic program information. 

Note: For Juris Doctor specific information, please see the Juris Doctor Catalog.

Grounds for Dismissal

Students may be dismissed from a program for any of the following reasons: 

1. Inability to meet specific academic, professional, or ethical standards required by the program and discipline.
2. Violation of program-specific codes of conduct or ethics (aligns with licensure or certification).
3. Inability to meet clinical, practicum, or training place work requirements due to student disposition or comportment.

Dismissal Notification Procedure 

The student will be notified in writing of the intent to dismiss, including but not limited to:

• Rationale for decision with supporting documentation if applicable.
• Options for remediation, if applicable.
• Notification that the decision is final unless appealed to the Office of the Provost.
• Procedures for appeal, including mandatory timelines.

Note: For information on the appeal process in the Juris Doctor program, please see the Juris Doctor Catalog.

Consequences of Dismissal 

• Dismissed students will be withdrawn from all program-specific classes. 
• Students dismissed from a program may be eligible to request admission to another program at the University, subject to meeting program admission requirements.
• If students do not enter a new degree program in accordance with the University’s Attendance Policy, access to University resources and the student portal may be limited.
• Tuition refunds, if any, will be handled according to the Institutional Refund Policy. 

Financial Obligations and Release of Records

The University awards diplomas only after a student satisfies all financial obligations to the University. Some services are withheld from students who have any outstanding financial obligations to the University or who have defaulted on federal Perkins or NU Institution Loans.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate, all degree-seeking students must complete their degree program within the maximum time limits specified in the University’s catalog under the Time Limits for Degree Completion Policy.

Degree Conferral

GPA Requirements

Students must meet the following GPA requirements for their degree to be conferred unless otherwise specified in the program description: 

Degree Conferral Requirements

Each degree has been structured to delineate the program prerequisites, foundations, core requirements, area(s) of specialization, and electives that constitute the requirements for the degree.

Undergraduate Programs

Associate degree Credit and GPA Requirements / Total Number of Credits

The minimum number of credits required to earn an associate degree is 60 semester credit hours.

Bachelor degree Credit and GPA Requirements / Total Number of Credits

The minimum number of credits required to earn a bachelor degree is 120 semester credit hours. Students may be required to complete more than the required credits depending upon their program of study.

Upper-Division Credits

• The total number of upper-division credits required for a bachelor degree is 51 semester credit hours.
• Students must meet the following requirements for their degree:
• Minimum overall cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0 (letter grade of “C”) for core classwork
• Minimum overall cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0 (letter grade of “C”) for classwork leading to a minor or concentration
• Official documents on file for basis for admission from an institutionally accredited academic institution
• Official transcripts on file for all transfer credit hours accepted by the University
• Completion of all degree program credit requirements
• All financial obligations to the University have been satisfied

Please see the specific program for additional degree requirements.

Undergraduate Residency Requirements

Students must meet the established University residency requirements. Programs may have additional requirements.

Please see the specific program page for more information on residency and transfer credit eligibility.

Associate

• A minimum of 21 semester credit hours completed at National University.
• At least two-thirds of the classes/credits required for the minor or concentration as applicable.

Baccalaureate (Bachelor’s)

To qualify for a baccalaureate degree, students must complete each of the following requirements at National University: 

• A minimum of 30 semester credit hours, at least 24 semester credit hours of which must be in upper- division classes (numbered 300–599).
• At least half of the upper-division credits required for the major.
• At least two-thirds of the upper-division credits required for the minor or concentration, if a student has selected a minor or concentration, or if a concentration is required as part of the degree requirements.
• Classes taken through credit by examination and credits students transfer to the University do not apply toward residency requirements.

Sanford College of Education Credential Programs 

Credential candidates must complete a minimum of 21 semester credit hours in residence at National University to be recommended for a credential to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. 

For more information, please see the specific program page as well as the Sanford College of Education Credential Information section of the Group-Based Catalog. 

GPA Requirements

Students must meet the following GPA requirements for their degree:

• Minimum overall cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0
• Minimum cumulative Grade Point Average of a 2.0 within their major or core classwork (unless otherwise specified)
• Minimum cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0 within their minor or concentration classwork (unless otherwise specified).

General Education Requirements

National University has general education requirements in the following areas including but not limited to: English Communication, Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning, Information Literacy, Arts, Humanities and Languages, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Physical and Biological Sciences, and Lifelong Learning and Self Development. Students enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts and residing in Oregon must complete 12 semester credits of Foreign Language to satisfy state requirements. For specific requirements please refer to the program.

CSU General Education Certifications and IGETC

National University will accept the following General Education certifications: California State University (CSU) General Education Breadth Certification and the Inter-Segmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC). All requirements for CSU General Education and IGETC must be completed and certified prior to transfer to National University. The University will not accept partial certifications. Students must provide an official transcript with the signed certification included or a separate certification form from the community college attended.

National University has general education requirements in the following areas: English Communication, Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning, Information Literacy, Arts, Humanities and Languages, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Physical and Biological Sciences, and Lifelong Learning and Self Development.

The required number of credits in each section can be found in the General Education Requirements section of the Group-Based Catalog.

Classes taken to achieve minimum collegiate-level competency in the areas of writing and mathematical concepts and systems do not satisfy any portion of the general education requirement.

Major, Minor, and Concentration Requirements

Preparation for the Major

Some majors require a set of introductory and/or skills classes designed to prepare students for upper-division study. Many classes taken for this purpose can also be used to satisfy general education requirements.

Major

Students must complete a departmental major for any bachelor’s degree. Most majors consist of an integrated area of specialized study at the upper-division level and contain at least nine classes, which total at least 27 semester credit hours. 

Classwork taken to meet major requirements cannot be used to meet general education requirements. At least half of the required upper-division classes for the major must be completed in residence.

Minor

Completion of a minor is not required. A minor consists of a minimum of at least 18 semester credit hours unless otherwise specified. Classes in the minor can be used to satisfy preparation for the major and general education requirements as appropriate. Two-thirds of the classwork for classes used to achieve a minor must be unduplicated. At least two-thirds of the credits in the minor must be completed in residence.

Students may take any minor with any bachelor’s degree program. Students must verify, prior to requesting a change of degree, that the particular combination being requested has not been duplicated by the major or specifically prohibited by the bachelor’s program. Students must also meet any entry requirements and prerequisites for the requested minor.

Concentration

A concentration may be required by the degree program or an optional choice for the student. A concentration is an area of specialization related to the major that allows students to delve deeper into a focused study area. Unless otherwise specified, completion of a concentration is not required. Classes in the concentration cannot be used to meet major requirements.

Classes in the concentration can be used to satisfy preparation for the major and general education requirements as appropriate. Two-thirds of the classwork for classes used to achieve a concentration must be unduplicated. At least two-thirds of the credits in the concentration must be completed in residence.

Graduate Programs

Certificate

Students must meet the following requirements for their certificate:

• Minimum overall cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0 (letter grade of “B”)
• Official documents on file for basis for admission from an institutionally accredited academic institution
• Official transcripts on file for all transfer credit hours accepted by the University
• Completion of all degree program credit requirements
• All financial obligations to the University have been satisfied

Please see the specific program for additional degree requirements

Master’s

Students must meet the following requirements for their degree:

• Minimum overall cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0 (letter grade of “B”)
• Official documents on file for basis for admission from an institutionally accredited academic institution
• Official transcripts on file for all transfer credit hours accepted by the University
• Completion of all degree program credit requirements
• All financial obligations to the University have been satisfied

Please see the specific program for additional degree requirements

Doctoral

Students must meet the following requirements for their degree:

• Minimum overall cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0 (letter grade of “B”)
• Official documents on file for basis for admission from an institutionally accredited academic institution
• Official transcripts on file for all transfer credit hours accepted by the University
• Completion of all degree program credit requirements
• University approval of dissertation manuscript and successful completion of dissertation defense for doctoral students
• For Applied Doctoral Experience Program students, University approval of the dissertation research and successful completion of a professional publication or presentation is required.
• All financial obligations to the University have been satisfied

Please see the specific program for additional degree requirements

Juris Doctor

• Successful completion of 82 semester credits of study in accordance with the prescribed curriculum and in compliance with the residency requirement of the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California including a minimum of 62 credits of numerically graded classwork. Successful completion of all required classes.
• The residency requirement is 28 credits completed in the program while enrolled at the University.
• A cumulative grade point average is as follows: Students who entered into the JFK School of Law at National University beginning in Fall 2022 and later must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.4 or better to be considered in met academic standing. Students who entered into the JFK School of Law at National University prior to Fall 2022 must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better.
• All official documents must be on file for the basis for admission from a regionally or nationally accredited academic institution as well as official transcripts on file for all transfer credit hours accepted by the University.
• Students must ensure all financial obligations to the University have been satisfied.

Please see the Juris Doctor Catalog for more information.

Degree Completion Review

Degrees and certificates are not awarded automatically upon completion of academic requirements and require a final degree audit to be performed. This audit process confirms that the student has met all academic and programmatic requirements to process the conferral of their credential.

The conferral date will be listed as the date the Office of the Registrar determines the student has successfully completed all degree requirements. This date will be used as the student’s degree conferral and diploma date.

The student’s legal name in the official record will be printed on their diploma. Students will be asked to confirm their name and address to ensure accuracy. Only minor deviations from the student’s legal name will be allowed (e.g., omission or inclusion of middle name or suffix, abbreviated or nickname). If a student wants a different name than what is on record, they must complete a change of information request or contact the Office of the Registrar for additional assistance. 

Diplomas are mailed out up to eight weeks following the degree conferral date. Students will be mailed one physical diploma and will receive one electronic diploma sent to their primary email address. Additional copies of diplomas may be purchased.

Additional Information regarding commencement ceremonies can be found on the University website.

Honors and With Distinction

Undergraduate

Students who demonstrate exceptionally high academic progress in the undergraduate programs are eligible for graduation honors. Students must have earned at least 30 semester credit hours with letter grades (A through F) at NU for honors to be determined. Honors for associate and baccalaureate degrees are determined only by classes taken at National University. Academic honors are posted to the diploma and final transcript when the degree is conferred. 

Students completing an Undergraduate program may qualify for the following honors: 

• Summa Cum Laude (with highest honors) = GPA 3.90 +
• Magna Cum Laude (with high honors) = GPA 3.70 - 3.89
• Cum Laude (with honors) = GPA 3.50 - 3.69

Master’s

Students in a master’s program whose grade point average (GPA) is 3.85 or higher will graduate “With Distinction.” Prerequisites completed at the undergraduate level are not included in the calculation of the GPA for graduation with distinction. In the calculation of eligibility, the official cumulative GPA is truncated to two decimal places. 

Earned distinctions are noted on diplomas and official University transcripts.

Students must have earned at least 27semester credit hours with letter grades (A through F) at NU for master’s distinction to be determined.

Juris Doctor

Juris Doctor students who have completed their degree requirements, have completed at least 39 of the 62 required numerically graded credits in residence at the JFK School of Law at National University, and have taken no more than 17 terms (including summers) to complete their degree requirements are eligible for graduation with honors as follows:

• Summa Cum Laude (with highest honors) = GPA 3.66 +
• Magna Cum Laude (with high honors) = GPA 3.33 - 3.65
• Cum Laude (with honors) = GPA 3.0 - 3.32

Academic honors will be posted on the students’ transcript and diploma.

Note: Please see the Juris Doctor Catalog for more information.

Doctoral 

Students completing Doctoral programs are not eligible for Graduation with Distinction. 

Commencement Ceremony

Students who are eligible to participate in commencement ceremonies will need to complete the registration process within 45 days prior to the ceremony date.

Students may order regalia and announcements from the University’s third-party vendors. The third-party vendor’s website and contact information are published on https://www.nu.edu/grad-events/.

Students who have not yet completed degree requirements are eligible to participate in commencement ceremonies when they meet the requirements outlined below.

• Associate degree students must be within 3 classes of program completion
• Bachelor degree students must be within 3 classes of program completion
• Master degree students must be within 3 classes of program completion
• Doctoral students must have passed their dissertation defense or completed their applied doctoral project 45 calendar days prior to the commencement ceremony.
• Juris Doctor students must be in their last term or within 12 semester credit hours of program completion 45 calendar days prior to the commencement ceremony event date.

Note: Students who attend commencement ceremonies prior to completing their degree requirements are not guaranteed degree conferral. Academic standards must be met in order for a degree to be awarded. Students may fail to meet these standards after attending commencement ceremonies.

Dissertation of the Year Award

Each year, National University recognizes scholarly achievement among its doctoral students by honoring one or more authors of outstanding dissertations submitted for consideration by committee Chairs. More information on Dissertation of the Year can be found at https://resources.nu.edu/ld.php?content_id=71054913. 

Poster of the Year Award

NU annually recognizes the outstanding academic work of its doctoral students by hosting an annual poster session. The Office of Graduate Studies encourages doctoral candidates to submit their research for presentation. The NU community will recognize the recipient of the Poster of the Year (POY) award at the poster session held in conjunction with the annual commencement ceremony. More information on Poster of the year can be found at https://resources.nu.edu/ld.php?content_id=71054913.

National University Dean’s List 

At National University, we believe it is important to recognize academic success in many forms. We realize our students have many demands across many roles in their lives. While Cum Laude and other graduation honors are awarded in recognition of achievement sustained across the student journey, the Dean’s List recognizes students in their shorter sprints toward ultimate success. 

The Dean’s List at National University is a quarterly recognition of undergraduate and graduate students who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance. Students eligible for the honor must complete a minimum amount of classwork (6 semester credit hours) with a three-month GPA of at least 3.5 (undergraduate) or 3.7 (graduate). 

In determining student eligibility, we use the following criteria: 

• Completed a minimum of 6 semester credit hours. These credits are calculated on the end date of the class. For instance, a student completing an 8-week class with 4 weeks completed prior to the quarter and 4 weeks completed during the assessment period would be granted credit and GPA credit for the whole class. 
• Quarter GPA of at least 3.5 (undergraduate) or 3.7 (graduate). These minimum GPAs are only calculated with the classes completed during the assessment period. Therefore, a student may have a cumulative GPA of 3.3, receive two A’s during classes completed in the quarter, and will be eligible for the honor of Dean’s List. 
• Exceptions: Dissertation classes and some clinically-focused classwork are excluded in the calculation of eligibility, and those students in the Juris Doctor program have different eligibility criteria based on program accreditation requirements as outlined in the Juris Doctor Catalog. 

The Dean’s List is calculated and awarded quarterly in February, May, August, and November for the three months preceding. Students are notified via their student email address and also receive a confirmation when their certificate is issued. Certificates are available electronically through Parchment. 

National University President’s Circle

National University (NU) is deeply committed to promoting academic and service excellence. In pursuit of this objective, National University takes great pride in annually acknowledging and honoring students’ outstanding academic achievements through the President’s Circle.

Nomination Process:

• Graduating students are nominated annually by the Dean of their respective schools for consideration to be part of the President’s Circle.
• Within each school, one student is selected from each degree program, including associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs.
• The nominated students represent the highest achievers in their respective programs, consistently exceeding expectations while demonstrating exceptional dedication.
• The following criteria are used to determine the selection of each student:
  • Attainment of consistently high academic performance
  • For graduate students, sustained performance at a distinguished scholarly level
  • Active participation in various student groups, such as University activities, the Student Advisory Council, or Honor Societies
  • Demonstration of a strong commitment to improving the lives of others through their education
  • Belief in their capacity to effect positive change in their communities

Students chosen to join the President’s Circle are invited to attend the President’s Circle Breakfast or Luncheon, which occurs before the commencement ceremony annually. Students will have the opportunity to interact with NU leadership and their school Deans during this event. They will also be publicly recognized for their outstanding achievements and receive an appreciation certificate and specialized honor cords. Subsequent to recognition, academic-year classes of President’s Circle members will be invited to stay engaged as premiere NU academic ambassadors with students, alumni, and the broader community.

National University Memorial Degree

National University wishes to recognize the academic achievements of students enrolled at the University at the time of their passing. In the event of an untimely death of a National University student, they might be eligible to receive an honorary posthumous degree to commemorate those achievements for the benefit of the family. Diplomas awarded posthumously will indicate the honorary posthumous designation. A family member may contact the Office of the Registrar at 858-642-8260 or registrar@nu.edu for more information about the process and eligibility. 

Procedure

Honor Societies

The University’s schools hold membership in honorary societies listed below. Acceptance into these programs is based on academic excellence.

The University’s schools hold membership in honorary societies. Acceptance into these programs is based on academic excellence.

All Schools

Golden Key International Honor Society (GK) (Undergraduate and Graduate Students)

Golden Key is the world’s largest collegiate honor society for undergraduate and graduate students. Participation in the society is open to all academic disciplines. Membership is by invitation only and is sent to eligible students on a periodic basis.

For more information about Golden Key, visit www.goldenkey.org. Students who have not received a membership invitation but believe they meet the University’s academic eligibility criteria can submit an online application at https://goldenkey.org/golden-key-eligibility for review.

Honors Fellows for Social Change (Undergraduate and Graduate Students)

The Honors Fellows for Social Change is a highly selective honors program comprised of students who show the potential to utilize their degree to make positive social change in their communities of choice. Students are admitted to the program based on a rigorous application process that includes video testimonials and writing samples that illustrate the student’s capacity to connect their educational goals to further advancing the public good.

National Society of Leadership Success (NSLS) (Undergraduate and Graduate Students)

The National Society of Leadership and Success is the nation’s largest leadership honor society. Candidacy is a nationally recognized achievement of honorable distinction. Participation in the society is open to all undergraduate and graduate level majors based on GPA and number of classes completed. Lifetime membership benefits include: an accredited leadership development program, free admission to live broadcasts of speakers from leading organizations as well as a presidential series, opportunities for scholarships and building a professional network, access to a job bank, letter of recommendation, and more.

For more information about National Society of Leadership Success, visit: http://www.nsls.org.

Phi Chapter Omega Nu Lambda Honor Society (Undergraduate and Graduate Students)

Phi Chapter Omega Nu Lambda (ONL) is the only national collegiate honor society exclusive to online students. ONL strives to help make online education a better experience by acknowledging academic achievement, rewarding online experience by offering scholarship opportunities, and creating environments that promote connectivity among other ONL members throughout the United States. 

For more information about Phi Chapter Omega Nu Lambda, visit https://www.omeganulambda.org or contact ONL@nu.edu. 

SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society (Undergraduate and Graduate Students)

SALUTE is a national academic honor society recognizing the service and scholastic achievements of student veterans and active-duty military in higher education.

For more information about SALUTE, please contact the Veteran Center at veterancenter@nu.edu.

Sanford College of Education

Pi Lambda Theta Honor Society (Undergraduate and Graduate Students)

Pi Lambda Theta is the international honor society and professional association for students in the field of education. The dean of the Sanford College of Education nominates students to Pi Lambda Theta who have met rigorous requirements. Membership in this honor society offers students access to scholarships, research grants, career support, and leadership conferences, as well as support from the National Board of Professional Teacher Standards. A gold cord worn during commencement exercises designates Pi Lambda Theta graduates.

For more information about Pi Lambda Theta, visit https://pilambda.org/.

School of Business and Economics

Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society (Undergraduate and Graduate Students)

Sigma Beta Delta is an honor society for students of business, management, or administration who are pursuing bachelor’s or master’s degrees. The society characterizes itself by three principles; wisdom, honor, and the pursuit of meaningful aspirations. It recognizes these qualities as being important for success in the academic realm as well as providing guidelines which lead to a fulfilling personal and professional life and a life distinguished by honorable service to humankind.

For more information about Sigma Beta Delta, visit: https://sigmabetadelta.org/. 

School of Health Professions

Delta Omega Honor Society (Graduate Students)

Delta Omega is a national honorary society comprised of CEPH-accredited programs and schools of public health. Delta Omega exists to encourage research and scholarship among graduate students of public health and to recognize attainment and achievement in the field of public health. With over 50 active chapters, Delta Omega and its members are dedicated to ensuring the quality of the field of public health and to the protection and advancement of the health of all people. National University founded the Gamma Psi chapter of Delta Omega in 2013 and has inducted 125 graduates, alumni, faculty, and community members.

For more information about Delta Omega, visit; https://deltaomega.org/.

Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Omega Omega Chapter 574 (Undergraduate and Graduate Students)

The mission is to develop nurses’ leaders to improve healthcare everywhere. Students who qualify from Undergraduate and Graduate level Nursing Programs are invited to join this international community of nurses. These nurse leaders are dedicated to the advancement of knowledge, teaching, learning, and service through the cultivation of communities of practice, education, and research.

For more information about Sigma Theta Tau International Omega Omega, visit; https://www.sigmanursing.org/.

Upsilon Phi Delta (UPD) (Undergraduate and Graduate Students)

Applicable for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration (BSHA) and the Master of Health Administration (MHA) Program in the School of Health Professions. Upsilon Phi Delta is an honor society only open to programs who hold membership with the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA). Invitation to the student is offered by the School of Health Professions. Membership Benefits include lifetime recognition of outstanding academic achievement, scholarship program, lifetime contact through national networking, and other benefits. 

For more information about Upsilon Phi Delta, visit; http://www.aupha.org/main/resourcecenter/currentstudents/honorsociety.

JFK School of Psychology and Social Science

Delta Kappa International (Graduate Students)

Delta Kappa, is the official honor society for the field of MFT, serves to further and complement the fine work being done by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the American Family Therapy Academy, and the International Family Therapy Association. An installation ceremony is held twice e a year – one at graduation and a virtual ceremony.

Membership benefits include a lifetime recognition of outstanding academic achievement, resume enhancement, scholarship program, lifetime contact through national newsletter, and other benefits.

For more information about Delta Kappa International, please visit: https://www.deltakappamft.org/Home. 

Phi Alpha Honor Society (Graduate Students) 

The purpose of Phi Alpha Honor Society is to provide a closer bond among students of social work and promote humanitarian goals and ideas. Phi Alpha fosters high standards of education for social workers and invites into membership those who have attained excellence in scholarship and achievement in social work.

For more information about Phi Alpha Honor Society, please visit: https://phialpha.org/. 

School of Arts, Letters, and Sciences

Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society (Undergraduate Students)

Alpha Kappa Delta seeks to acknowledge and promote excellence in scholarship in the study of sociology, the research of social problems, and such other social and intellectual activities as will lead to improvement in the human condition. Alpha Kappa Delta is a non-secret, democratic, international society of scholars dedicated to the ideal of Athropon Katamannthanein

Diakonesin or “to investigate humanity for the purpose of service.” At commencement, membership in Alpha Kappa Delta is signified by the wearing of a teal honor cord.

For more information about Alpha Kappa Delta, visit: https://alphakappadelta.org/.

Psi Chi Honor Society (Undergraduate and Graduate Students) 

Psi Chi is an international honor society whose purpose is to encourage, stimulate, and maintain excellence in scholarship of the individual members in all fields, particularly in psychology, and to advance the science of psychology. Undergraduate and graduate students accepted for membership in Psi Chi are recognized for their academic achievement and devotion to the field of psychology. Psi Chi is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies and is an affiliate of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Association for Psychological Science (APS). Nominees can be identified by the platinum and blue cord they wear during the ceremony.

For more information about Psi Chi, please visit: https://www.psichi.org/.

Sigma Tau Delta, International English Honor Society (Undergraduate and Graduate Students)

Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society, was established in 1924 to confer distinction for high achievement in English language, literature, and writing, and the organization is dedicated to fostering literacy and all aspects of the discipline of English. With over 900 active chapters located in the United States and abroad, there are more than 1,000 Faculty Advisors, and approximately 9,000 members are inducted annually.

For more information about Sigma Tau Delta, visit: https://www.english.org.

JFK School of Law at National University

Alpha Phi Sigma (APS) (Undergraduate and Graduate Students)

The Mission of Alpha Phi Sigma is to promote analytical thinking, rigorous scholarship, and lifelong learning; to keep abreast of the advances in scientific research; to elevate the ethical standards of the criminal justice profession and to sustain in the public mind the benefit and necessity of education and professional training.

Alpha Phi Sigma recognizes academic excellence of undergraduate and graduate students of Criminal Justice and related disciplines. Alpha Phi Sigma is the only Criminal Justice Honor Society that is a certified member of the Association of College Honor Societies and is affiliated with the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.

For more information about Alpha Phi Sigma, visit; https://alphaphisigma.org/.

Lambda Epsilon Chi Honor Society (Undergraduate and Graduate Students)

Lambda Epsilon Chi (LEX) is a National Honor Society for students of Paralegal Studies/Legal Studies. The purpose of the JFK School of Law at National University Chapter of LEX is to recognize persons who have demonstrated superior academic performance in an established program of paralegal studies/legal studies in which they earn a Paralegal Certificate.

Order of the Sword and Shield Honor Society (Undergraduate and Graduate Students) 

The Order of the Sword and Shield is the first and only academic and professional honor society dedicated exclusively to homeland security, intelligence, emergency management, cyber and information security, and all protective security disciplines. The mission of the Society shall be to promote critical thinking, high scholarship and professional development; to further enhance the ethical standards of the protective security professions; and to cultivate a high order of personal living.

For more information about the Order of the Sword and Shield, visit; https://www.securityhonorsociety.org/.

Phi Alpha Delta Fraternity (Graduate Students) 

The mission of Phi Alpha Delta is to better both the legal profession and the community through its devotion to the ideals of compassion, courage, diversity, innovation, integrity, professionalism, and service. Undergraduate Pre-Law and Paralegal student members with a 3.5 GPA and Juris Doctor student members in the top one-third of their class are eligible to join Phi Alpha Delta’s Society of Scholars.

For more information about Phi Alpha Delta, visit; https://www.pad.org/page/SocietyOfScholars.

Licensure and Certification

Professional organizations, societies, states, and licensing jurisdictions have specific requirements for membership, certification, or licensure. Students intending to seek licensure of any type must acknowledge their degree program at National meets the licensing requirements of the intended state, school districts, professional associations, or agencies where they intend to seek licensure. A student who changes their state of residence while enrolled in a program may become ineligible for Title IV Higher Education Act funding if the change in residence results in a student participating in a program in a state in which NU does not meet licensure or certification requirements in that new state of residence.

Some programs offered at National University may not provide all the educational requirements necessary for professional licensure or certification in a student’s state. Prospective and current students should review the University’s Licensure Disclosures for more information related to these programs. Individuals considering a program that leads to a professional license/certification should be aware that requirements for professional licensure can vary drastically by state, and these requirements can change frequently and often without notice. While a program may originally meet the educational requirements for licensure, changes in requirements could impact the program’s ability to meet any new educational requirements. Students considering a program that leads to a professional license are highly encouraged to contact the appropriate licensing agency and organization(s) in that state to seek information and additional guidance before beginning the program; students should also continually monitor changes throughout the program as licensure requirements may change over time. Many licensure boards require more than successful degree completion to obtain a license, such as completion of an examination(s), test(s), background check(s), pre and post-degree internship/practicum hours, and other requirements determined by the respective state board. 

 National University is not responsible and cannot be held liable if the student is unable to qualify for licensure or certification in any jurisdiction or cannot obtain a practicum/internship location post-degree. National University can provide state licensure/certification requirements to a student. However, NU cannot provide interpretation regarding state licensure/certification requirements.