Undergraduate Academic Information

Application Requirements

First-Year Melbourne Campus Admission

The Office of Undergraduate Admission carefully reviews all candidates for admission, using evaluation criteria to determine a student’s ability to complete several years of rigorous study. Applications are reviewed with reference to specific degree programs or for admission to first-year programs in General Engineering  or General Science  (College of Engineering and Science ), or General Studies  (College of Psychology and Liberal Arts ). In addition to a completed application for admission, applicants must submit:

• Transcripts indicating a strong high school curriculum and achievement in college preparatory classes
• SAT or ACT results
• An essay
• One letter of recommendation

The required documents will be used to determine the potential for success in an applicant’s chosen field of study.

Participation in special classes, clubs or teams that involve research projects/opportunities and advanced problem-solving techniques is encouraged and should be indicated in the application process.

Although an admission interview is not required, campus visits and interviews with admission counselors are highly recommended. An interview, mid-year grades or additional testing may be requested at the discretion of the admission committee.

Florida Tech accepts applications throughout the school year. Students may submit an application any time after the end of their junior year of high school. It is recommended that applicants for the fall semester submit all application materials as soon as possible after starting their senior year in high school and completing the SAT or ACT. Each applicant will be notified of an admission decision as soon as possible after the applicant’s file is complete and evaluated.

Florida Tech Online

General admission requirements for students applying for an associate or bachelor’s degree are as follows:

Any student with a high school diploma from a regionally accredited or state-approved high school or a General Equivalency Development (GED) test is eligible to enroll. The final high school transcript and diploma type must indicate a readiness for college studies in a chosen academic program. Students are required to take a minimum of the last 25 percent of credit hours while enrolled through Florida Tech in order to receive an associate or bachelor’s degree.

Admission Guidelines

Melbourne Campus

Applicants must demonstrate readiness to succeed in a challenging academic curriculum. The transcript from a regionally accredited or state-approved high school is the most important element of the application. While no minimum grade point average, class rank or standardized test score is specified, these measures must indicate a readiness for college studies in a chosen academic program. An applicant must have earned a high school diploma from a regionally accredited or state-approved high school or a GED by the date of first enrollment or the equivalent for international applicants. All offers of admission are tentative if the student has high school or collegiate coursework in progress. Final admission is dependent on receipt and review of the student’s final transcripts.

Science and engineering applicants should complete four years of mathematics, the minimum level including trigonometry, mathematics analysis, analytical geometry or precalculus. Science and engineering applicants are also expected to have taken four years of science, including physics and chemistry. It is recommended students take the most rigorous mathematics and science curriculum offered by the high school.

Applicants for aeronautics, business, psychology and liberal arts majors must complete at least three years of mathematics. A fourth year of mathematics is highly recommended. Applicants for these majors must also complete at least three years of science, with a fourth year recommended.

A home-schooled applicant must submit a transcript of academic work that is approved by the state Department of Education from whichever state the applicant resides. The transcripts must include an assessment of the level attained in mathematics and science. In addition to the transcript of work, the student must provide written proof the curriculum meets state requirements; a self-descriptive, one-page essay that includes academic, community and athletic accomplishments, career goals and work experience; and SAT or ACT scores. Home-schooled applicants may provide a GED in lieu of a department of education approved transcript. Although SAT II (Subject Examination) scores are not required, it is strongly suggested that SAT II results in mathematics (level 2), chemistry, physics and literature be submitted.

Applicants who present a GED must also present secondary school records and standardized test scores (SAT or ACT).

Florida Tech Online

Students may enroll for up to two consecutive 8-week terms before being fully admitted. Full admission is satisfied once all submitted material including official transcripts has been received and evaluated by Florida Tech. Students should complete the following steps:

Complete the online admission application.

Students with less than one year of full-time equivalency at a regionally accredited post-secondary school must provide official transcripts from a regionally accredited or state-approved high school or GED.

Official transcripts are required for all students seeking admission to a Florida Tech Online degree program. Provide official transcripts of all current or previously attended regionally accredited colleges and universities. These transcripts will be requested on the student’s behalf as part of the application process.

Provide official records for advanced testing/external examination credit (CLEP, DANTES, advanced placement examinations).

Students with credit hours from other institutions will automatically be evaluated for transfer credit as a part of the application process. Only courses with a grade of C- or equivalent received from a regionally accredited college or university will be considered for transfer credit. See “Classification of Florida Tech Online Students.”

All incoming degree-seeking students are required to take diagnostic assessments in mathematics and communication to determine the appropriate academic requirements and classes.

Only fully admitted students are eligible for federal financial aid. The full application is required if financial aid will be requested.

In accordance with federal and university policies, students requesting to receive financial aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All fully admitted, degree-seeking students who are eligible to receive financial aid will be awarded aid accordingly.

Transient Students

Transient students are those students who are using Florida Tech to meet requirements for their home institution. Florida Tech allows these students to enroll in up to two consecutive 8-week terms by following the transient student admissions process that includes an application and a copy of their current university transcripts. Transient students are not required to take ASC 1006 Mastering eLearning  or complete diagnostic assessments.

International Students on Melbourne Campus

Florida Tech is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant students. Florida Tech provides a certificate of eligibility (I-20) to all admitted international students. The form is used to apply for the F-1 student visa. It also verifies to U.S. immigration officials the student is academically qualified to attend Florida Tech and has sufficient funds to cover the first year of study and that subsequent funds will be available for the future. Students must demonstrate proof of financial support at the time of application. Florida Tech policy states that students are required to attend for one full semester when entering the United States on a Florida Tech-provided I-20 form. Florida Tech will not release a student to another educational institution until the student completes one semester at Florida Tech (see “Office of International Student and Scholar Services” in the Institution Overview  section).

Transfer Students

Applicants to Florida Tech must demonstrate readiness to succeed in a challenging academic curriculum. Transcripts are the most important element of the application. While no minimum grade point average is specified, the student’s GPA must indicate a readiness for college studies in a chosen academic program. Transfer applicants must provide official transcripts from any and all colleges and universities attended. Students who have earned less than 24 semester credit hours will be evaluated as a first-year candidate (see “Application Requirements for First-Year Admission”). Admission will be granted to those applicants who have completed appropriate coursework that indicates progress toward their chosen field of study.

Special High School or Community College Dual Enrollment

Upon application, Florida Tech may grant “special status” to an outstanding junior or senior enrolled in a high school in Brevard County, or an outstanding community college student from Eastern Florida State College or Indian River State College. Enrollment is on a reduced tuition basis and allows students to take up to a maximum of 12 semester credit hours in total. Registration is on a class-by-class space-available basis. Interested students should contact Florida Tech’s undergraduate admission office for application materials and the policy agreement.

Admitted Students on Melbourne Campus

Merit-based scholarships are determined at the time of admission to Florida Tech and are based on past academic performance (SAT or ACT results, class rank and GPA). To maximize opportunities for all types of assistance including federal, state and university need-based grants, it is recommended that students submit a FAFSA by March 1 of the academic year in which they wish to enroll. A copy of the student aid report should be sent to Florida Tech (list the Florida Tech Title IV code (001469) on the FAFSA).

Florida Tech subscribes to the College Board candidates’ reply date of May 1. A $300 nonrefundable tuition deposit is required as a means of confirming a student’s intention to attend Florida Tech. Payment is due by May 1. If the student is admitted after May 1, or for the spring or summer term, payment within 30 days of the date on the acceptance letter is required. The deposit guarantees a place in the entering class in the indicated major/program and is applied to the student’s account.

Entering first-year students can qualify for advanced standing by earning academic credit through any of the following programs:

• Advanced Placement Exams (AP) administered each May by the College Board
• International Baccalaureate (IB), based on an IB diploma, or a score of four or higher on the HL IB examinations
• Cambridge Advanced-Level Examinations (A-levels)
• Advanced Cambridge International Examinations (AICE)
• Dual enrollment at a regionally accredited college, university or community college

Official results of these examinations or college transcripts must come directly to Florida Tech from the examination board or college attended. The credit Florida Tech awards for each examination can be found through www.fit.edu/ugrad/exams.

Once admitted to the university, incoming students are assigned a TRACKS account username and password allowing access to Panther Pass. Panther Pass (https://pantherpass.fit.edu) is an admitted student portal that guides newly admitted students through all mandatory tasks required between acceptance and university orientation.

Examinations for Credit or Placement

Placement Examinations for Melbourne Campus Students

Placement examinations are administered to new freshmen online through Panther Pass via the university’s learning management system before and during the orientation period each semester. Academic credit can be earned on the basis of these examinations if the result is placement into a more advanced course than an entry-level course in the same field, as designated in the student’s published program.

There are two mathematics examinations given for specific majors. Depending on the incoming student’s major, they will be required to take the College Algebra Readiness Examination or the Calculus Readiness Examination. These examinations are given through Panther Pass before enrollment or once the student arrives on campus. The exams determine readiness for the mathematics courses required in the student’s degree program and can result in the award of advanced standing credit. A low score necessitates the student taking one or more preparatory courses before enrolling in the first mathematics courses listed as part of the program. A low score can also impact the student’s placement into chemistry. A very high score can result in an invitation for further testing to determine if additional credit is warranted.

The communication examination is required for new freshmen, and for all new transfer students except those who have received transfer credit for COM 1101 Composition and Rhetoric .

Many students entering Florida Tech are sufficiently proficient to qualify for advanced placement above the entrance level. Currently, those advanced placements are in chemistry, physics and computer science. A qualified student should contact the academic program, academic advisor or the Academic Support Center to discuss advanced placement examinations in these areas.

International Students

International students do not take the communication placement examination. They are initially registered in WRI 0100 English Writing Review  and may be placed in COM 1101 Composition and Rhetoric  based on an in-class writing sample generated during the schedule adjustment period at the beginning of the semester or term.

Diagnostic Assessments for Florida Tech Online Students

All undergraduate degree-seeking students are required to complete certain diagnostic assessments during the first 8-week term. Academic credit is not earned on the basis of diagnostic assessments. The assessments aid in the placement of the student in the correct level of courses as designated in the student’s published program plan.

As a requirement for ASC 1006 Mastering eLearning , all degree-seeking students must complete diagnostic assessments as assigned, without regard to transfer credits awarded or transfer credits under evaluation. Any transfer credit officially awarded will supersede scores received through diagnostic assessments.

Equivalency Examinations for Melbourne Students

These examinations are administered by academic departments to allow an undergraduate student to demonstrate proficiency in courses offered at the university. They are used with new students to evaluate advanced standing and to reconcile issues involving transfer credits. Specific limitations apply:

• Students may not take an equivalency examination for any course
  • for which they have been evaluated by a prior placement or equivalency examination;
  • in which they have received a grade, including an F, W (withdrawal) or AU (audit); or
  • in which they are currently enrolled beyond the first week of classes.
• Students may not take an equivalency examination for any course during the semester in which they have petitioned to graduate.
• Equivalency examinations are not available for some courses. Information about excluded courses is available in each academic unit office. All humanities elective courses are excluded.
• Equivalency examinations are not available for graduate-level courses, even if the purpose would be to apply the credit toward a bachelor’s degree, nor are equivalency credits earned for an undergraduate course applicable toward a graduate degree.

Credit by Examination

Florida Tech awards credit for the examinations listed below as determined by the student’s score. Information on the scores required and the examinations accepted are found here and may be described below.

• ACE Examination Credit
• Advanced Placement Program (AP)
• Assessment and Qualification Alliance (AQA)
• Cambridge A-Level Exam Credit
• Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE)
• College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) Credit
• DANTES Examination Credit
• Edexcel Foundation Examination Credit
• International Baccalaureate Examination Credit
• Northern Ireland Council CCEA
• Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examination Credit (OCR)
• Welsh Joint Education Committee Examination Credit

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Florida Tech grants academic credit for Subject Examinations only. To receive credit, the minimum score must be equal to or above the recommended percentile as published by the American Council on Education (ACE) and based on Florida Tech transfer credit policy. CLEP examinations are not administered on the Florida Tech campus.

Florida Tech expects students to take any CLEP examination before enrollment. Although a student may take these examinations while enrolled at Florida Tech, they may do so only with the permission of their major department and college dean. Credit earned from CLEP is excluded from the three-course limit that applies to the study at another institution policy. Students must take CLEP examinations before their last term of enrollment. Contact the registrar’s office (Florida Tech Online students contact their Florida Tech academic department) for further information.

International Examinations

Credit is awarded for grades of four or higher in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program for higher-level examinations and certain standard-level examinations for IB diploma holders. Based on a review of the subject areas and scores, credit is also awarded for receiving a C or better for the following: 

• British GCE examinations at the advanced level (A-level)
• Assessment and Qualification Alliance (AQA)
• Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum Examination and Assessment (CCEA)
• Edexcel Foundation Examination Credit
• Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examination Credit (OCR)
• Welsh Joint Education Committee Examination Credit (WJEC)

Credit is also awarded for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) when two units are completed with grades of 1, 2 or 3, and the National Examinations Council of Tanzania (A-level). Credit may be awarded for the Advanced International Cambridge Examinations, Cambridge Pre-U Examinations and AP/Cambridge Capstone Program.

ACE/DANTES Examination Credit

Credit is only considered for Military Courses when listed on an official Joint Services Transcript or for Military Training Credit listed on an official Coast Guard Institute transcript. Credit is awarded based on ACE recommendation and Florida Tech transfer credit policy.

Credit is considered for DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) and CLEP subject area examinations through DANTES listed on an official DANTES transcript. Credit is awarded based on ACE recommendation and Florida Tech transfer credit policy.

Florida Tech expects students to take any DANTES examinations before enrollment. Although a student may take these examinations while enrolled at Florida Tech, they may do so only with the permission of their major department and college dean. Credit earned from DANTES is excluded from the three-course limit that applies to the study at another institution policy. Students must take DANTES examinations before their last term of enrollment. Contact the registrar’s office (Florida Tech Online students contact their Florida Tech academic department) for further information.

Transfer Credit

Florida Tech operates on the semester system. To convert credit hours transferred in from a quarter-system institution into semester credit hours, the number of quarter hours is divided by 1.5.

Undergraduate transfer credit may be awarded for courses taken at a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association in the United States, or with equivalent recognition in the case of a college or university elsewhere. Flight credit is transferable subject to FAA rules for transferability between schools.

Any student who transfers to Florida Tech with an Associate of Arts degree from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. automatically meets Florida Tech’s humanities core requirement for two 3-credit humanities core courses. Transfer students should see the School of Arts and Communication for applicable course substitutions in the case of transferring to Florida Tech with less than an associate degree.

Credit at the junior or senior level (3000- and 4000-level courses) may be awarded for courses taken at a regionally accredited community college only when there is a formal agreement between the community college and Florida Tech. In the absence of a formal agreement, the maximum course level granted toward transfer credit is sophomore- level (2000-level course). Elective credit may be awarded. The student should contact his/her academic department for information regarding the possibility of an appropriate academic department course substitution.

Transfer credit requires a grade of at least C- or equivalent and a determination that the work is equivalent to that given at Florida Tech in course content and hours.

Florida Tech uses ACE recommendations as guidelines when reviewing all United States military and transfer credit. Transferability and applicability will vary based on the student’s major requirements and/or degree program. All transfer courses, including military credit, are required to adhere to the overall academic standards and requirements of the university. 

A course that includes a significant writing or speaking component must be taught entirely in English to be eligible for transfer. Credits can be transferred without being applied toward the student’s desired degree. Grades and grade points are not transferable. Florida Tech’s forgiveness policy is not applicable toward transfer credits.

Credit will not be given for courses listed on a transcript when credit was received by examinations such as equivalency, advanced standing or other examinations; courses without a grade or carrying grades but not credit hours; courses which are developmental in nature; vocational/technical courses; or for internships, seminars, practicums or experiential learning. In most cases, credit will not be given for courses completed more than 10 years before Florida Tech enrollment. Transfer credit for grades of P or S is subject to approval. Competency or assessment-based courses will be reviewed for possible transfer credit on a case-by-case basis.

Melbourne Campus

All requests for transfer credit, including credit earned by taking AP examinations, subject area CLEP examinations, etc., must be submitted to the registrar. All official transcripts and documents must be submitted before the completion of the first semester of enrollment. Requests for additional transfer credit must be made before the end of the second semester. Requests for advanced standing must be submitted to the appropriate academic unit head no later than 45 days after initial registration.

If the course equivalency is questionable, credit may be granted by equivalency examination.

The official certification of transfer credit is performed by the registrar’s office based on evaluations performed by the academic units responsible for the subject matter areas represented by the transfer courses, except for courses for which there is no corresponding Florida Tech program. In the latter case, the registrar is the sole approving authority. Official transfer credit is reported on the transcript in terms of equivalent Florida Tech course identifications, if any, and otherwise as electives, either with the subject area identified (e.g., physical science elective) or as undesignated transfer credits. The use of any transfer credit, other than credit for a specific Florida Tech course, in meeting degree requirements is subject to the approval of the faculty responsible for the degree program. Transfer students are encouraged to provide the registrar with college catalog(s) and/or course syllabi and names of textbooks used in courses to help assure a thorough transfer credit evaluation.

Certification of transfer credit is based on official transcripts bearing the correct seals and authorized signatures from all former institutions. A transcript is considered official only when each issuing institution sends the transcript directly to the Florida Tech undergraduate admission office or the registrar’s office. The registrar’s office coordinates the process by working with the academic unit overseeing the subject matter to certify how the course may be transferred and provides notice of the official evaluation.

While Florida Tech makes every effort to complete the official certification of transfer credit before the student’s arrival at Florida Tech, university policy allows one semester in which to complete this process. The academic college reserves the right to review transfer credit evaluations for errors and make corrections within 60 days from the date of transfer credit evaluation notice. Once the evaluation is complete, students may appeal the decision by providing the registrar’s office with a syllabus of the course in question from the term during which the course was taken.

Florida Tech Online

The transfer credit policies outlined above apply equally to online students with the following exceptions and clarifications:

University policy allows two consecutive 8-week terms in which to complete the transfer credit process. The academic college reserves the right to review transfer credit evaluations for errors and make corrections within 60 days from the date of transfer credit evaluation notice.

The official certification of transfer credit for Florida Tech Online students is performed by the Office of Online Learning, based on evaluations performed by the academic units responsible for the subject matter areas represented by the transfer courses, except for courses for which there is no corresponding Florida Tech program. In the latter case, the registrar is the sole approving authority.

A transcript is considered official only when sent directly to Florida Tech Online at Florida Tech from the issuing institution. The online learning office coordinates the process once all completed documentation is received, certifies courses without respect to the major and provides notice of the official evaluation. Florida Tech academic departments overseeing undergraduate online programs reserve the right to determine the transferability of courses taken five years or more before Florida Tech enrollment. The decision is based on comparing the transferring course description in content and credit hours from the term in which the course was taken to the courses currently taught by Florida Tech. Once the transfer credit evaluation is complete, students may appeal the decision by providing OL-tce@fit.edu with a syllabus of the course in question from the term in which the course was taken. Students who wish to appeal a transfer rejected due to the statute of limitations may do so by contacting their Florida Tech academic department’s undergraduate online program coordinator. Appeals will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Online students are ineligible to waive program requirements through equivalency examinations.

Courses taken at another university that are equivalent in content and credit hours to MTH 1701 College Algebra  will be considered for transfer only if the course was taken within 10 years of enrollment at Florida Tech. Exceptions to this policy will be considered when the student scores 35 or higher on the Mathematics Diagnostic Examination taken during ASC 1006 Mastering eLearning  followed by the student submitting an exception to policy request via email to OL-tce@fit.edu.

International University Transfer Credit

Undergraduate transfer credit may be awarded for courses taken at an international college or university that is recognized as being degree-granting by that country’s educational governing authority. The student may be required to contact the country’s educational governing authority to request that official documentation be sent from the educational governing authority directly to the Florida Tech registrar’s office.

A student requesting transfer credit for academic work completed at an international educational institution must request that official transcripts be sent directly to the appropriate admission office from all previous institutions, showing all courses taken, dates and grades. A transcript is considered official only when each issuing institution mails the transcript directly to Florida Tech’s undergraduate admission or registrar’s office. Official course descriptions and/or syllabi are also required. In the case of transcripts and course syllabi that are not in English, official English translations are required. Florida Tech reserves the right to require the student to request an independent evaluation and/or recommendation regarding the international institution, performed by an agency specified by Florida Tech.

While Florida Tech makes every effort to complete the official certification of transfer credit before the student’s arrival at the university, university policy allows one semester (two 8-week terms for Florida Tech Online) in which to complete this process. Transfer credit criteria mentioned in the section above apply to transfer credit from international institutions.

Foreign Credential Evaluation for International Applicants

Florida Tech does not require applicants for any program or location to submit an official Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE). All students are required to submit official transcripts from previous regionally accredited institutions attended.

Any documentation not in English requires translated documents to be provided. Students needing English translation of their academic documents may contact University Language Services (ULS) at www.universitylanguage.com/translation-academic-records/. 

Articulation Agreements

Articulation agreements exist with a number of schools in the United States and abroad. The majority of these agreements is with two-year colleges and is designed to provide ease of transfer for students who have completed the Associate of Arts degree. Florida Tech has an articulation agreement with all of Florida’s community and junior colleges.

Four-Year Guarantee

A four-year guarantee is offered to the incoming Melbourne campus freshman class. Florida Tech guarantees that a student who meets the following requirements will earn a bachelor’s degree in four years.

• Declare a major as an incoming freshman and continue in that major until graduation.*
• Consult the designated academic advisor before registering each semester.
• Follow the curriculum plan presented in the University Catalog by taking and passing each course in the semester indicated.
• Maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher.

*Students needing prerequisite coursework and those initially enrolled in nondegree programs (General Engineering, General Science or General Studies) do not qualify for this guarantee.

Grading and Honors

Undergraduate Grading System

Distinguished Student Scholars

Following each fall semester (or Fall-2 for Florida Tech Online students), all undergraduate students who have a cumulative GPA of 3.8 or higher and have completed more than 52 credit hours at Florida Tech are recipients of Distinguished Student Scholar recognition.

Dean’s List

Undergraduate students who earn 12 or more graded undergraduate credit hours in the semester with a semester GPA of at least 3.4 are considered to be “Dean’s List” students for that semester. Developmental courses beginning with a zero (i.e., WRI 0110) are not included in Dean’s List calculations and are not applied toward any Florida Tech degree.

Dean’s list designation will be listed on the student’s transcript. A congratulatory letter from the student’s dean confirming this designation will be provided on request to the dean’s office on the Melbourne campus.

Accelerated Master’s Programs

Undergraduate students who meet certain requirements may be eligible to participate in accelerated master’s programs that entail completing both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years by maintaining higher overall and program undergraduate GPAs and who are willing and able to carry increased course loads. High-achieving students are strongly recommended to discuss this option with their advisors. Accelerated programs are not available in all majors or colleges. Students who have been admitted into an approved accelerated or fast track master’s program may apply up to six 5000-level (graduate) credit hours to both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Graduation Honors

At graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients achieving high academic performance are recognized according to their cumulative grade point averages. In the case of multiple bachelor’s degree recipients (multiple diplomas), the honors must be earned separately for each degree received and are determined by the program GPA based on courses that apply to the specific degree. In computing the cumulative GPA for graduation honors, transfer credits do not apply. Academic honors are listed on the student’s diploma and transcript. The honors are determined as follows:

Honors College

Lisa Perdigao, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President, Head

Florida Tech’s Honors College recognizes the talents and initiative of high-performing Melbourne campus students. Students in the Honors College have the opportunity to enroll in interdisciplinary seminars, advance study in their disciplines, work with faculty members on independent research projects, and participate in social and cultural activities that foster a global mindset, civic engagement, and professional and personal development.

Melbourne campus students are invited to apply for admission to the Honors College based on their GPAs and test scores. In order to be admitted to the Honors College, students must demonstrate a record of achievements in academics and extracurricular activities.

If department/program Honors are available in their majors, Honors College students must meet department/program Honors requirements, which contribute toward University Honors requirements.

Students interested in applying for admission can find information at www.fit.edu/honors. 

University Honors

Honors College students may attain University Honors in one of the three tiers outlined below.

Mercury Scholars (Honors)

• 3.2 University GPA and 3.0 Honors GPA
• 15 Honors credits
  • One Honors Seminar taken during freshman or sophomore year 
  • Up to six credits of Honors Research
  • Honors courses and Honors sections across colleges and programs
  • One successfully completed graduate course can contribute 3-4 Honors credits (depending on course) with no extra requirements
• 20 Honors activity hours
  • Co- and extra-curricular activities
  • Honors lectures and special events

Gemini Scholars (High Honors)

• 3.5 University GPA and 3.2 Honors GPA
• 21 Honors credits
  • One Honors Seminar taken during freshman or sophomore year 
  • Up to nine credits of Honors Research
  • Honors courses and Honors sections across colleges and programs 
  • One successfully completed graduate course can contribute 3-4 Honors credits (depending on course) with no extra requirements
• 24 Honors activity hours
  • Co- and extra-curricular activities
  • Honors lectures and special events

Apollo Scholars (Highest Honors)

• 3.7 University GPA and 3.5 Honors GPA
• 27 Honors credits
  • One Honors Seminar taken during freshman or sophomore year 
  • Up to nine credits of Honors Research
  • Honors courses and Honors sections across colleges and programs 
  • One or two successfully completed graduate courses can contribute up to eight Honors credits (depending on courses) with no extra requirements
• 28 Honors activity hours
  • Co- and extra-curricular activities
  • Honors lectures and special events

University Honors Requirements

Curriculum

Honors Seminar: The Honors Seminar is a 2000-level course that focuses on topics such as “Engineering the Body,” “Artificial Intelligence,” “Race to the Moon” and “War and Technology” and features guest lectures by faculty across disciplines. Students read primary and secondary sources on the topic and complete numerous writing assignments, including a research paper. The course  satisfies one three-credit humanities (HU) elective.

Honors Sections: Honors sections of core and elective courses offer distinct approaches to the material and require students to explore issues and problems in depth. Such courses are often discussion-oriented rather than lectures and involve research projects to facilitate the analysis, synthesis and understanding of scholarly work.

Honors Options: Honors options allow faculty members to add requirements to non-Honors courses or sections. Honors options can be added to any 2000-, 3000-, or 4000-level course although options are ideal for upper-level electives. The student and faculty member sign a contract outlining the additional work for the course. The contract must be submitted to and approved by Honors College administrators before the start of the semester.

Studies-Related Assistance

Academic Support Center

The Academic Support Center (ASC) is a multipurpose learning facility located in the Evans Library Pavilion. The ASC offers students free one-on-one tutoring in composition,  computer science, physics, accounting, chemistry, aeronautics and engineering courses. In addition, the ASC offers small group study sessions led by undergraduate honor student tutors.

Early Warning System

The Early Warning System, a service of the ASC and registrar’s office, requires advisors to contact their first-year students during the ninth week of the term if they are deficient in one or more courses.

Florida Tech Online

Online tutoring is available to students via a service called Smarthinking. Students can access this service by clicking on the Resources tab within their course site. Students can get live, online tutoring, as well as reviews and comments about essays and reports. Information about this service is available at www.smarthinking.com.

The learning management system (LMS) makes weekly notifications to students when they have not shown satisfactory progress in an assignment.

Graduation Requirements

To receive an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree, a cumulative Florida Tech grade point average of 2.0 or higher is required. In the case of a student seeking two or more associate or bachelor’s degrees (see “Dual Majors and Additional Degrees”), a program GPA of at least 2.0 is required in each program for which a degree is awarded, as well as the overall GPA of at least 2.0 that is required for the award of any associate or bachelor’s degree (see “Grade Point Average” for the definitions of program and overall GPA).

A student is not permitted to graduate unless all financial obligations have been satisfied. All program requirements must be completed no later than 24 hours before commencement exercises. Program requirements completed after the deadline will cause a delay in the awarding of the degree.

Students should petition to graduate and attend the commencement ceremony for the term program requirements are met. Melbourne campus and education center students attend the spring ceremony if requirements are met in spring and the fall ceremony if the requirements are met in summer or fall. Florida Tech Online students participate in the Melbourne commencement ceremony in spring if they satisfy requirements during Spring-1 or Spring-2 and the fall commencement ceremony if they satisfy requirements during Summer-1, Summer-2, Fall-1 or Fall-2.

All required documentation such as course substitution forms, transfer credit, defense or final program examinations must be received by the graduation office (undergraduates) or the Office of Graduate Programs (graduate students) by the second Monday before the end of the semester in order for the candidate to participate in the commencement ceremony.

Residency Requirements for Graduation

To qualify for an associate or bachelor’s degree from the university, no less than 25 percent of work must be completed while enrolled and attending Florida Tech. The 25 percent requirement cannot be waived.

The university reserves the right to change requirements for graduation when it is decided that such changes are necessary. Students are generally graduated according to the degree requirements of their peer group in effect at the time of their admission unless attendance has not been continuous.

Undergraduate Core Requirements

A common purpose of all undergraduate programs at Florida Tech is to impart an understanding of our current technology-centered civilization and its historical background. All students seeking a bachelor’s degree are therefore required to complete the following core requirements:

Communication (9 credit hours)

Including ,  and one additional 3-credit communication course.

Humanities (9 credit hours)

Undergraduate students are required to satisfy each of the following three humanities areas. Not all humanities courses are offered every term; check the current schedule of classes for term offerings. Transfer credit for non-equivalent HUM courses may be substituted for one or both of the humanities requirements listed in this section only if the transferred course is a survey course with content reasonably consistent with the HUM courses listed in this section, including survey courses focusing on different world regions.

Select one of the following 3-credit courses:

Select one of the following 3-credit courses:

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•   
•  
•  (may not be repeated for credit)
•   
•  
•   

Three additional credits from any HU designated course: 

• 3000- or 4000-level strongly recommended

Mathematics (6 credit hours)

Physical and/or Life Sciences (6 credit hours)

Social Sciences (3 credit hours)

In addition to the 33 credit hours of the general education curriculum described above, there is a requirement that all new Melbourne campus students complete the one-credit course, , during the first year. New transfer students on the Melbourne campus with 30 or more earned credit hours are not required to complete FYE 1000 and should consult with their academic program chairs or advisors for an appropriate substitution. Florida Tech Online students are required to enroll in  during the first term.

Courses listed under more than one prefix or listed as interchangeable (i.e.,  and ) may not be repeated for credit under the alternate prefix or interchangeable course name/number.

Core requirements for the associate degree in Florida Tech Online are as described in this catalog for each degree program and include the minimum undergraduate core requirements as described above.

Scholarly Inquiry Requirement

SACS (see “Accreditation and Memberships” in the  section) requires each university to develop and implement a unique quality enhancement plan to enhance student learning in all undergraduate programs in a manner consistent with the university’s mission, heritage and recognized strengths.

Florida Tech’s ongoing emphasis on the relationships among research, teaching and learning led to the selection of scholarly inquiry as the theme for the plan. Its goals focus on student application of academic knowledge, and student problem-solving and communication skills. Florida Tech’s quality enhancement plan is designed to accommodate the various forms of scholarly inquiry including student design projects, student research and investigations undertaken as part of preprofessional internships.

All research projects are undertaken during the junior and/or senior year (may be the third or fourth year for Florida Tech Online students). Courses within the scholarly inquiry plan are designated as Q in the  and  sections. Consistent with this, all undergraduate students are required to plan, undertake and report on a scholarly project in an area of their own choosing that is approved by the instructor of the Q-designated courses in their program of study.

As part of its ongoing quality enhancement plan, Florida Tech’s Certificate in Cross-Cultural Competence is a non-credit program allowing undergraduate students to certify their preparation for the global workforce through academic courses, co-curricular activities and international experiences. Through the program, students learn effective cross-cultural communication and how to develop strategies for solving global issues. Students choosing to participate in the certificate program believe in the importance of becoming informed, creative and productive global citizens, and who wish to add a valuable credential to their resume and transcript. Courses used to fulfill the certificate are designated as CC in the  section.

Cooperative Education Credits

Students participating in the university’s cooperative education program (, ,  and ) receive free elective credits. College of Engineering and Science students can use  for a maximum of three credit hours of technical elective. All participating students are classified as full-time students when working full time. Engineering students are encouraged to participate in the engineering co-op program (, ,  and ).

The applicability of these credits toward degree requirements is limited and dependent on the degree being sought and the nature of the work experience.

Electives

The following definitions of electives pertain to all degree programs at Florida Tech. The student should consult these definitions when selecting appropriate courses to satisfy the electives listed under program requirements. The counsel and consent of the student’s academic program chair or advisor is important in the final selection.

Engineering Design Elective

Engineering design is the process of devising a system, component or process to meet desired needs. It is a decision-making process, often iterative, in which the basic sciences, mathematics and engineering sciences are applied to convert resources optimally to meet a stated objective. Among the fundamental elements of the design process are the establishment of objectives and criteria, synthesis, analysis, construction, testing and evaluation. Central to the process are the essential and complementary roles of synthesis and analysis. Each engineering design course includes some of the following features: development of student creativity, use of open-ended problems, formulation of design-problem statements and specifications, consideration of alternative solutions, feasibility considerations, detailed system descriptions and a variety of realistic constraints, such as economic factors, safety, reliability, aesthetics, ethics and social impact. A list of approved engineering design electives is normally available in each engineering department office.

Engineering Science Elective

Engineering sciences have their roots in mathematics and basic sciences but carry knowledge further toward a creative application. These studies provide bridges between mathematics, basic science and engineering practice. A list of approved engineering science electives is normally available in each engineering department office.

Flight Training

Flight training is available to any Melbourne campus student and may be used as elective credit in many degree programs with program chair or advisor approval. FAA Private Pilot Certificate training requires only two courses totaling five semester hours of credit.

Foreign Languages

Students who have had less than two years of foreign-language study at the secondary level may enroll in elementary language courses at Florida Tech. Students who have had two or more years of foreign-language study at the secondary level and students who transfer one year of foreign-language study to Florida Tech from another college or university must enroll in intermediate courses. Native or multilingual speakers of foreign languages may not enroll in elementary or intermediate courses; they may, however, enroll in advanced-level courses. The head of the School of Arts Communication will make final decisions regarding the placement of students in foreign-language courses.

Free Elective

Free electives may be any courses 1000-level or above taken at Florida Tech or courses that were taken elsewhere if transfer credit is awarded by Florida Tech. Courses can be combined to satisfy the specified free elective credits (e.g., three 1-credit courses can satisfy one 3-credit listing in a degree program) or vice versa (one 3-credit course for three 1-credit courses). No more than a total of four credit hours of free elective credits earned for physical education activities and/or health education can be applied toward meeting degree requirements.

Humanities Elective

Courses concerned with human culture including literature, history, philosophy, religion, linguistics, professional ethics and foreign languages other than a student’s home language meet the requirements for humanities electives. Courses in art, music and drama, other than performance courses, also meet these requirements. These courses are designated as humanities (HU) or humanities/social science (HU/SS) electives in the  section.

A foreign language is considered to be the student’s home language if it is the formal or commonly used language of the student’s country or community, or if it was the language used as the medium of interaction in all or part of the student’s pre-university education.

Humanities elective credits may not be granted by equivalency examinations.

Liberal Arts Elective

A liberal arts elective is any course offered by the School of Arts and Communication (HUM, COM, LNG, MUS) or any psychology course (PSY). Certain BUS and EDS courses may also be considered liberal arts electives as determined by the student’s academic unit.

Restricted Elective

A restricted elective is an elective selected from a specified academic discipline. The academic discipline is included in the specification of the elective, e.g., Restricted Elective (Chemistry) or Restricted Elective (CHM). The level of the elective may also be specified by the academic unit.

Social Science Elective

Studies of society and of the relationship of the individual to society including anthropology, psychology, sociology, economics, political science, history, linguistics and social responsibility meet the requirements for social science electives. These courses are designated as SS or HU/SS electives in the  section.

Social science elective credits may not be granted by equivalency examinations.

Technical Elective

A technical elective is a course in any field of science or engineering, subject to department or program approval. Courses classified as mathematics, basic science, applied science, engineering science, engineering design or some combination of these satisfies the requirement. These courses should be at a level appropriate to the level at which they appear in the program.

Academic Regulations

The following represents an abbreviated presentation of some of the more commonly encountered regulations affecting undergraduate students at Florida Tech (see also other definitions in this section). Most can be found on the Florida Tech website. For other academic policies and regulations, the chief academic officer should be consulted. Academic policies are subject to change.

Attendance

Melbourne Campus

Students registered for any course are expected to attend all lectures and must attend all laboratories, examinations, quizzes and practical exercises, subject to penalties specified by the instructor for that course.

Students who miss class must obtain permission from the course instructor to make up missed work. This permission must be requested at the earliest possible opportunity, and before the absence if possible. The student must arrange with the instructor to make up the missed work. The makeup must be completed within two weeks after the absence. In the case of missed final examinations, the policy on Incomplete (I) applies. In mitigating circumstances, the instructor, with the concurrence of the academic unit head offering the course, may require an alternative to making up the missed work.

If circumstances require a student to report late for a class or to leave before the class is over, prior notification should be given to the instructor if possible. Repeated occurrences may result in the student being temporarily denied admission to the classroom.

The professor of military science of the Army ROTC unit has sole authority to determine attendance regulations in ROTC classes.

Florida Tech Online

The learning management system (LMS) tracks student attendance electronically. In order to participate in a class or access class materials, students are required to log into the system with a unique username and password.

Attendance for Florida Tech Online classes is required. Non-attendance may also be recorded by the student’s failure to log in to registered classes, failure to take part in discussion boards or forums, failure to respond to an instructor’s email or any combination of these.

Classification of Students

All new students are classified as freshmen unless they have completed sufficient transferable credit hours at another college or university to qualify for advanced standing at Florida Tech. The university operates on the semester system, and course credits are computed on that basis. For those students who have completed college work elsewhere, classification is based on credit hours accepted at Florida Tech rather than the amount of work presented.

Melbourne campus undergraduate students are classified by student level as follows:

Students whose studies at Florida Tech began under the quarter system are classified on the basis of all credits earned under both systems, with quarter hours being translated to semester hours according to the ratio of three quarter-hours to two semester hours.

Florida Tech Online Students

Florida Tech defines the academic year for Florida Tech Online undergraduate programs as 24 credit hours over 32 weeks of instruction. Students are classified by year as:

All new students are classified as first-year unless they have completed sufficient transferable credit hours at another college or university to qualify for advanced standing at Florida Tech. The university operates on the semester system and course credits are computed on that basis. For those students who have completed work elsewhere, classification is based on credit hours accepted at Florida Tech rather than the amount of work presented.

Dual Majors and Additional Degrees

The dual major is recognized any time a student completes all degree requirements for two bachelor’s degree programs. On completion of the requirements for both programs, the student receives one diploma noting both majors (e.g., “Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Interdisciplinary Science” or “Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences/Ecology and Marine Biology Options”). A student may become a candidate for a second bachelor’s degree (two diplomas) when he or she has completed at least 15 credit hours of additional Florida Tech work beyond the requirements of a single degree in the major requiring the higher number of credits and all requirements listed for both degree programs.

A student may become a candidate for a second or subsequent associate degree when he or she has completed at least nine credit hours of additional Florida Tech work beyond the requirements of a single associate degree in the major requiring the higher number of credits, and all requirements listed for both degree programs.

Florida Tech Online students may pursue a concurrent dual degree only from within the Florida Tech Online programs currently offered. Florida Tech Online students may not seek a second degree from an academic unit outside Florida Tech Online while currently fulfilling requirements for the first degree. A student may only enroll consecutively for a second degree from another academic unit at Florida Tech.

Minors

Florida Tech offers minor programs in several areas of study. Colleges/departments may designate minors that require 18-21 credit hours of selected coursework, excluding the core courses , ,  and one humanities (HUM) core course from the published core list. The intent of the minor is to encourage and recognize value-added study in an academic field chosen in consultation with the student’s minor advisor.

No more than nine credit hours applied to the minor may be named courses in the major and at least nine must be taken on the Melbourne campus (see below for the online minor offered to Florida Tech Online students). If the proposed minor includes nine or more credit hours of courses also named as required in the student’s major, to complete the minor requirements the student must take additional courses not named as required in the major. A minor program GPA of at least 2.0 is required in order to receive recognition for the minor on the student’s diploma. The minor is awarded at the same time as the major. Additional restrictions may be placed by the college/department offering the minor.

Minors may be chosen from within or outside the student’s major college or department. Minors are indicated on the student’s transcript and resulting diploma. Requests to pursue a minor require the approval of the minor program plan by both the major and minor program chairs. The request for a minor must be made before filing the petition to graduate and be indicated on the petition.

Florida Tech Online offers a minor in human resources management for its online students. All other minors are offered only in the classroom on the Melbourne campus. Information about each minor program offered at Florida Tech may be found within the college/department section offering the minor.

Forgiveness Policy

The forgiveness policy is a system by which an undergraduate student may repeat an undergraduate course. A course may be forgiven if the student’s initial attempt of the course resulted in an earned grade of D or F. Only the last grade received for this course will be used in the cumulative grade point average and in evaluating the fulfillment of graduation requirements. All grades received in any course, including those retaken under the forgiveness policy, are retained and recorded on the transcript. Credits, where the forgiveness policy has been applied to a course, will be removed from both the term and overall GPA.

The forgiveness policy applies to honors sections, which may be replaced by the equivalent non-honors section.

An undergraduate student is allowed to apply forgiveness to undergraduate courses a maximum of five (5) times during their Florida Tech career. No forgiveness is allowed for subsequent retakes above the maximum of five; all subsequent grades are averaged into the cumulative GPA. The forgiveness policy does not apply to graduate courses, even if taken by an undergraduate student, or to undergraduate courses taken by a graduate student. The forgiveness policy cannot be applied after a degree has been awarded, except if the course is a degree requirement for a subsequent degree.

A Request to Retake a Course form must be completed for every course retaken under the forgiveness policy. To be applied, this form is due in the registrar’s office no later than Friday of the 12th week of classes for fall or spring semester, Friday of the third week before the end of regular classes for a summer term, and no later than Friday of the fifth week of classes for Florida Tech Online students. This form is a binding agreement between the student and Florida Tech. Once applied to a repeated course, forgiveness cannot be reversed.

Prerequisite Requirement for Registration

To ensure proper completion of prerequisite courses, any Melbourne campus student who fails or receives an incomplete for a course that is a listed prerequisite for a course in which they register the following term, will have that course automatically dropped as soon as the incomplete or failing grade is posted to the student’s record. The student should work with their advisor to update their program plan or request to retake the failed prerequisite.

Not Permitted to Register

When it is determined by the academic dean of the college in which a student is enrolled that a student is deliberately trying to circumvent university academic policy, regardless of scholarship, the dean may determine that such a student is not permitted to register.

Study at Other Institutions

The university expects undergraduate students who are earning a Florida Tech degree to take the majority of their courses at Florida Tech. However, students who meet course eligibility requirements are allowed to transfer up to three courses from another university to their Florida Tech degree. Financial aid recipients may wish to consult their financial aid counselor before requesting to study at another institution. All requirements affecting the transfer of credits taken elsewhere for application toward a Florida Tech bachelor’s degree apply. 

Melbourne campus students who request to study at another institution for a summer term will be directed to take the course online if the course is offered through Florida Tech Online during Summer-1 or Summer-2 terms (students pay Florida Tech Online rates and no other discounts apply). International students on the Melbourne campus should contact ISSS and their sponsors for special exceptions to the policy. 

To be eligible to study at another institution the following criteria must be met: 

• The student has successfully completed the prerequisites of the course
• The student meets the residency requirement for graduation
• The Melbourne campus student is registered for a maximum of 13 credits during the summer term, including main campus courses, online courses and studying at another institution

Restrictions when requesting to study at another institution: 

• Students may not apply the Florida Tech Forgiveness Policy to a course taken at another institution
• Students without prior permission will receive no credit for a course taken at another institution
• Students will receive no credit for a course taken elsewhere if the student was ineligible for any reason to take the equivalent course at Florida Tech
• To be eligible for transfer, a course that includes a significant writing or speaking component must be taught entirely in English

The student must request an official transcript be sent by the other institution directly to the Florida Tech registrar’s office. Any student in their final year or term must request official transcripts be sent immediately on completion of the course or as near as possible to the end of the Florida Tech term in which they plan to graduate to avoid having their graduation date delayed until the following term.

This catalog does not list the procedure for studying at another institution. The complete procedure on the study at other institutions can be obtained from the appropriate office or online from the university website. 

Florida Tech Online students should email OL-tce@fit.edu for mandatory prior approval by the credential evaluator in the online learning office before beginning study at another institution.

Change of Major

During their studies, students receive exposure to a number of different academic subjects, and some are attracted to programs different from their initial choices. A change of major is possible if the student requests the change online and has the request approved by the new academic unit head. After a change of major, courses unrelated to the new program will not be used in computing the student’s cumulative GPA. However, all earned grades and credits remain on the transcript.

Following a change of major, the degree requirements in the new major may be based on either the student’s original catalog, or the catalog in effect at the time of the change of major, or on a catalog between those two, subject to the approval of the academic unit head, as indicated on the submitted request.

The policy above applies equally to Florida Tech Online students, with the exception that a change of major will not change a transfer credit evaluation.

Undeclared Major on Melbourne Campus

A new student may be uncertain about the specific academic program he or she wishes to pursue. The undeclared major gives a new student the opportunity to explore the general area of interest more broadly for a limited time before choosing a specific major.

Three freshman-year undeclared major programs are available on the Melbourne campus:  or  () and  (). The general studies program is for those who may wish to pursue a major in business administration, communication, humanities or psychology. More information on these programs may be found under each college in the  section.

Undergraduates Applying Graduate Courses to Bachelor’s Degree

Undergraduates may receive written authorization to take a graduate class (5000-level) and apply it to their bachelor’s degree requirements. Once a course is approved for use in a degree program and is recorded on the transcript, no reversal is permitted.

Undergraduates accepted into accelerated master’s programs (fast track) may apply up to six 5000-level (graduate) credit hours to both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accordance with Florida Tech policy.

Probation and Dismissal

Academic Warning

Academic warning status will be applied to an undergraduate student with a term GPA between 1.50-1.99 who has attempted no more than 21 credit hours at Florida Tech. A student on academic warning is not permitted to register for more than 15 academic credit hours without the approval of the student’s dean and will be enrolled in , when applicable. The student’s academic performance is reviewed at the end of the warning term. 

Academic Probation

Academic probation status is applied to an undergraduate student with a term GPA of less than 1.50 regardless of the number of attempted credit hours, or a cumulative GPA of less than 2.00 after 21 attempted credit hours. A student on academic probation is not permitted to register for more than 15 credit hours without the approval of the student’s dean and will be enrolled in , when applicable. The student’s academic performance is reviewed at the end of the probationary term. The probationary status is continued if the cumulative GPA is less than 2.00 and falls within the minimum standards shown here.

Note: Credit hours above include transfer credits, credits by examination and all Florida Tech credits earned.

Academic Dismissal

A student whose cumulative GPA does not reach the level defined above is academically dismissed at the end of the probationary term, with the exception of a student who has been reinstated and is meeting all reinstatement conditions.

Melbourne Campus

A summer grace period is available to a student who would normally be academically dismissed at the end of a spring term probationary period but who has registered for the summer term by the last day of spring term’s final examination week. Such a student will not be academically dismissed but will be re-evaluated at the end of the summer term. A student who fails to meet previous reinstatement conditions does not qualify for the summer grace period and will be academically dismissed at the end of the spring term. The grace period is not available to students enrolled in 8-week online terms.

Academic Dismissal Notification/Right Of Appeal

The registrar will send notification of academic dismissal from the university to the student.

An academically dismissed student may be reinstated for educationally sound reasons by special action of the Academic Standing Committee of the college in which the student is enrolled. A letter requesting reinstatement should be submitted to the committee through the registrar. A student who has been away from the university for four or more consecutive semesters (12 or more 8-week terms) and was dismissed after the last term of enrollment must submit a letter of appeal for reinstatement. The letter is sent to the undergraduate admission office along with the application for readmission.

Students reinstated by the Academic Standing Committee may be subject to special requirements as determined by the committee. Failure to meet the conditions specified at the time of reinstatement will result in a second dismissal, with the student retaining the right to request another reinstatement, although such requests are normally granted only in extraordinary cases.

Disciplinary Dismissal

The university reserves the right to dismiss any student at any time if there is just cause and such action is consistent with the policies outlined online in the Student Handbook.

Any student dismissed for disciplinary reasons will not be entitled to receive any refunds, will forfeit all fees and deposits, and will receive failing grades for all courses scheduled during the semester unless recommended otherwise by the University Disciplinary Committee or designated conduct officer and approved by the dean of students.

Students are expected to be familiar with the “Code of Conduct and University Discipline System” detailed in policies online in the Student Handbook.