Academic Policies & Procedures

It is your responsibility to be certain that your course load conforms with academic requirements. The minimum course load in the fall or spring term is four semester courses. Seniors may request permission from their Academic Deans to take an underload of three courses for their last semester.

Normal Load

A “normal course load” is defined as four (4.0) course credits-specifically four 1.0 credits– and, as noted above, you are expected to enroll in at least this many course credits each semester.

Overload

You may register for 4.5 credits during your normal registration window, and can then increase your course load to as many as 5.5 credits in Trinity College and 5.0 in Pratt during the drop/add period; however, Freshmen may not exceed 4.5 academic credits in their first semester.

Permission from your academic dean is required for an overload of 5.5 or 6.0 course credits. A course load of 6.0 academic courses is considerably more demanding than one of 5.0 course credits. In determining whether to approve an overload to 6.0 course credits, your academic dean will carefully consider your academic history, including your grades and your course load in previous semesters. Under no circumstances will students be allowed to register for more than 6.0 course credits.

Underload

You are permitted to be in an underload, defined as a course load of between 3.0 and 3.75 course credits, only if authorized to do so by your academic dean. The number of semesters you may be in an underload cannot exceed two semesters during your time at Duke,though this limit excludes withdrawals for documented medical conditions or other extraordinary reasons known to the academic dean. A student in an underload is still considered a full-time degree candidate at Duke.

Note: if you are a scholarship student contemplating withdrawal from a course to an underload, you should check the conditions of your award to ascertain whether you are bound by scholarship regulations governing your course load each semester.

Changes to Underload Policy for Spring 2021:

• An underload (3 to 3.75 courses) approved by a student’s dean and Director of Undergraduate Studies for Spring 2021 will not count towards the student’s academic career limit of underloads.

• Students experiencing unusual stress or circumstances due to the pandemic may be allowed by their dean to take a withdrawal to underload in Spring 2021 that will not count towards the student’s academic career limit.

Two categories of underloads may be authorized:

Withdrawal to an Underload

During the semester, your academic dean may permit you “for compelling reasons” to withdraw from a normal course load to an underload. Such a withdrawal to an underload is possible only prior to the final four weeks of classes in a semester. After this deadline, withdrawals to an underload are only permitted for documented medical reasons. If granted permission to withdraw from a course to an underload for a reason other than a documented medical condition, you should not expect to receive permission to withdraw to an underload in a subsequent semester.

Enrollment in an Underload

Under certain specific circumstances, students with a strong academic record may start a semester enrolled in an underload of between 3.0 and 3.75 course credits. This is permitted as many as two times in a student’s Duke career. To be eligible for this, you must meet the following conditions:

• have declared a major;
• have a GPA of at least 3.0 and not be on academic probation;
• be enrolled at Duke-enrolling in an underload is not permitted when you are studying abroad or otherwise away from Duke;
• have passed at least 16 courses before a first underload semester;
• before a second underload semester, have passed at least 20 courses prior to the 6th semester or 24 prior to the 7th semester (excluding AP credits but including transfer credits) or 31 prior to the 8th semester (including AP, IPC, and PMC credits).

If you meet these requirements and wish to start a semester enrolled in an underload you must receive certification from the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the major that the underload will not inhibit completion of major requirements and permission from your academic dean. An Underload Enrollment Authorization Form [PDF, 368 kb] is available for this purpose.

The number of semesters any student is permitted to be in an underload cannot exceed two, though medical withdrawals are not counted in this number. Thus, if you withdraw from a course to an underload, which (as noted above) is permitted only once in your Duke career, you will be permitted to enroll once in an underload, provided you have met the conditions described above. If you do not withdraw from a course to an underload in your undergraduate career, you may enroll in an underload no more than two times, provided you meet the conditions described above. In short, there are only two possible enrollment patterns involving underloads:

• One (1) withdrawal to an underload + one enrollment in an underload, or
• Two (2) enrollments in an underload

Seniors needing only three (3) courses to graduate may enroll in an underload only in accordance with one or the other of these two patterns. Seniors who anticipate that they will need fewer than three (3) courses to graduate must apply no later than the last business day before the first day of classes in that final semester for part-time degree status, which is not affected by or a part of the underload enrollment policy described here.

Cautions Regarding Enrolling in an Underload

When considering whether to enroll in an underload, please note that you:

• will be ineligible for Dean’s List and Dean’s List with Distinction that semester;
• may not use half- or quarter-credit courses to enroll in an underload of 3.0 course credits;
• may not withdraw from a course during the underload semester; and
• must pass at least 3.0 course credits in order to meet semester continuation requirements and avoid dismissal for academic reasons.

Please also consider whether a semester of enrollment in an underload might affect:

• your scholarship or financial aid-check the conditions of your award;
• your subsequent application to graduate or professional school-consult your graduate or pre-professional school adviser.

Last updated: January 30, 2017

“Withdrawing” from a course differs from “dropping” a course.

When you drop a course, you can do so yourself through DukeHub during the Drop/Add period, and the course does not appear on your official Duke transcript.

However, to withdraw from a course after the Drop/Add deadline, you must follow a set of procedures that begins at your Academic Dean’s office, and (if the withdrawal is approved) ends when a grade of W is recorded on your official transcript.

Students at Duke withdraw from courses for a host of good reasons, and consequently the receipt of a W grade in a course is not a blemish on your record.

If you are considering a course withdrawal, read carefully the information under Course Load to fully understand the ramifications of a withdrawal to an underload.

Important Note

Withdrawal from a course will not be approved by the Academic Dean if disciplinary action is pending, or if a sanction has been imposed by the Undergraduate Conduct Board related to the course in question.

Deadline to Withdraw

The deadline for requesting to withdraw from a course is four (4) weeks before the last day of classes.

The specific deadline date is published in the official Academic Calendar set by the University Registrar. The Withdrawal deadline is a generous one and consequently strictly adhered to.

It is the student’s responsibility to decide whether to withdraw from a course and to initiate the withdrawal process by meeting with your academic dean to obtain a form no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the deadline date.

To be valid, the completed form must be returned to your academic dean’s office by the return date indicated on the withdrawal form.  If you miss the deadline, you should expect to remain in and complete the course in question.

Overload and Underload

Students enrolled in an overload are permitted to withdraw from a course to a normal load (4cc) so long as they do so by the withdrawal deadline, but withdrawal from a course to an underload is permitted only once in a student’s Duke career.

Students on academic probation are expected to remain in a full course load during their semester of probation and will be permitted to withdraw to an underload by their academic dean only in compelling circumstances.

When Should You Withdraw from a Course and When Should You Persist?

Each situation is unique and you are welcome to discuss the range of your options with Academic Deans at any time.

If you are having great difficulty in a course such as math, chemistry or a foreign language where your background is weak or your study habits are not well enough developed to permit you to pass the course, then withdrawing from it is a sensible option.

Having a W a transcript is preferable to an F. If you are struggling in a course but think you can finish the course with a passing grade, then persisting might be appropriate. This is particularly true if you are using available resources (tutors/help room/study groups, Academic Resource Center, etc.), conferring with the instructor, and believe you are making progress as the semester continues, then persisting might be preferable.

Have a frank discussion with your instructor about how you are doing in the course, and make sure that you understand how the grading is done in the class. Know what grades you have to date and what the best/worst case scenario will be at the end of the semester. Also ask yourself if you are putting too much time into one course that you must neglect your other courses, thereby, perhaps pulling down all your grades.

If you must withdraw from a course, consider it a learning experience. Try to identify the problems that you encountered and determine how to avoid the same problems in the future, whether or not you repeat the course from which you withdrew. Consider that if you have problems in reading, memorization, problem solving, time management or some other basic skill, the same problems may affect some of your other courses.

For example, students who have difficulty in math often also have difficulty in chemistry, biology and courses that involve problem-solving. These same students may excel in courses that involve reading and writing.

Not all courses require the same study habits and skills. You can consult with a Learning Consultant in the Academic Reource Center to better understand your learning styles.

Procedure for Course Withdrawal

To withdraw from a course, you will need to make an appointment with your academic dean to obtain a link to the electronic course withdrawal form.  You will need to submit the form, and obtain an electronic acknowledgement from your instructor by the date indicated on the form.

When withdrawing from a course to an underload—since this is generally only permitted once—you must meet with your dean to discuss the matter.

Contact your academic dean’s office for information about how to proceed.

Medical Withdrawal from a Course

Before the Withdrawal Deadline

• The decision whether to approve a course withdrawal is an administrative one to be made by your academic dean. If you request permission to withdraw from a course for medical reasons, your dean’s decision will be informed by the opinion of your attending health care provider but not driven by it. Beyond the information provided by your doctor, the dean will take into account all that is known about your situation at Duke including such factors as your medical history, your use of resources in the past, your compliance with medical expectations, how you have conducted your academic responsibilities in courses to date, and other such indicators that you have been managing your condition and your academic affairs in responsible ways.
• Because medical compliance and responsible conduct of your academic affairs are among the factors considered in the decision whether to authorize a medical course withdrawal, it is important for you to continue to attend classes and to keep up with your work in your courses throughout the semester. If due to a serious illness you fall behind in your work, you should contact your instructor, your dean, and health care provider so that you can receive the help that you need and can demonstrate your efforts to manage your illness responsibly.
• Depending upon how debilitating your medical situation is, it may be the case that other types of relief, such as a medical leave of absence, is more appropriate.

If you need to seek a second or subsequent withdrawal to an underload for a medical condition, this can be indicative of a chronic condition that may make you eligible for accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Accordingly, you should consult with a representative of the Student Disability Access Office (if you are not already registered with that office) to discuss your eligibility for accommodations through that office.

To withdraw from a course for medical reasons, your dean may request medical documentation that will enable him or her to understand your medical situation and needs.

After the Withdrawal Deadline

• Students who request a medical withdrawal after the withdrawal deadline will be advised to take a medical leave of absence if the condition negatively impacts multiple classes, or a grade of Incomplete may be assigned to the course of concern. The incomplete grade will be determined per policy and in consultation with the course instructor(s). If a medical leave of absence or an incomplete grade is not granted, the student will receive a grade in the course.
• Students should meet with their academic dean to discuss course completion options after the withdrawal deadline.

Last updated: Nov 19, 2024

Dean’s excuses are not issued for short-term illness. In accordance with faculty policy, students who miss graded assignments for the following reasons may receive a Dean’s Excuse:

• Long-term illness
• Personal or family emergency (known to and approved by your dean)

If you must miss a graded assignment due to one of the three circumstances listed above, you should contact your Academic Dean. A Dean’s Excuse does not exempt you from completing the assignment. Rather it makes you eligible for accommodation according to the policy set by the instructor in the course.

No Dean’s excuses are issued for missing classes, only graded assignments. However, in the case of long-term illness or a personal or family emergency, it may be appropriate for your academic dean to notify your instructors that you will be away from class for a period of time.

Last updated: June 21, 2012

When determining a student’s eligibility, Duke will consider only grades earned in Duke courses, including those earned in Duke Study Abroad programs and in courses covered by the Interinstitutional Agreement.

To qualify for Dean’s List, a Pratt undergraduate must fulfill the following criteria:

1. Carry a normal academic load including four credits other than dance performances/technique, physical education activity, music activity, and house courses;
2. Earn grades other than a “S” in at least three semester courses;
3. Receive no incomplete or failing grades;
4. Earn a semester grade point average that is placed in the highest one third of undergraduates in Pratt.

For Dean’s List and Dean’s List with Distinction GPA requirements, click here.

For information about Graduation With Departmental Distinction, click here.

SPECIAL NOTE FOR SPRING 2020, FALL 2020, & SPRING 2021 – Changes in academic policy due to COVID-19 caused the suspension of identifying Dean’s List and Dean’s List with Distinction in these three semesters.
Last updated: May 19, 2021

Engineering students will declare their major over the summer, after their first year. You may change your major after the initial declaration. However, you should consult your academic dean to discuss any implications to your course schedule and/or intended graduation date.

Use this form to declare your major online, and also use this same form if you are making any changes to your current academic plan(s) after the initial declaration, such as adding or deleting a 2nd major, minor, or certificate.

NOTE: If you are a senior in your final two (2) semesters before graduating and you would like to make change(s) to your academic plan, then you must email your request to prattdom@duke.edu with the information you would like to change.

Last updated: December 21, 2023

Undergraduate students having three final examinations that begin and end within a 24-hour time period (any contiguous combination of the 9AM, 2PM, and 7PM exam times) or two final examinations during the same exam period may petition to have one exam changed to another date/time. If one of the exams under consideration is a block exam, the block exam may not be the exam that is changed.

• Print and complete the Petition to Change Final Examination Schedule
• Deliver the form to the Office of the University Registrar

The Office of the University Registrar will determine if you are eligible to have an exam changed and confirm that exams are being given in each of the courses that you have listed. Instructors will be contacted in the priority order that you have established to request the rescheduling of the exam. The Office of the University Registrar will contact you via email when an instructor has responded positively to the request. After receiving that email from the Office of the University Registrar, you will be responsible for contacting the instructor to finalize the arrangements for rescheduling the exam.

NOTE: There is no requirement for any instructor to reschedule an exam. Submission of a “Petition to Change a Final Exam Schedule” does not guarantee that an exam will be changed.

Any student wishing to petition for relief from unauthorized changes in his/her examination schedule should contact the Registrar’s Office, 1121 W. Main Street, Suite 1200, Bevan Building, (919) 684-2813.

Note: The official schedule of final semester examinations for Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, the Pratt School of Engineering, and the Graduate School is prepared and distributed by the University Schedule Committee. No changes may be made to the examination schedule without the committee’s approval. Generally, final examinations are scheduled according to the day and hour at which the course meets during the semester.

Policy

If you find that you are unable to complete your work for a course because of illness, emergency, or reasonable cause, you should discuss this with your instructor and your academic dean. It is sometimes possible for your instructor to issue you an Incomplete, or “I.” This will allow you to complete the course work after the semester has finished. There are several issues that you and your instructor should be aware of if you are thinking about requesting an Incomplete.  The last day to request an Incomplete is the last day of class in the semester for which the Incomplete is requested.

• An Incomplete is appropriate for limited amounts of work due late in the semester, and is at the discretion of your instructor and academic dean.  Approval is not guaranteed.  An Incomplete is not appropriate and would not be approved if there are excessive absences, significant work remaining, and/or if you are already failing the course.  If you have abandoned or discontinued participation in a course without authorization by your academic dean, university policy stipulates that your instructor is to submit a grade of F.
• If an Incomplete is approved by your dean and instructor, the notation of “I” will appear on your transcript in place of a grade. When a final grade is given, it replaces the “I”, but the notation, “NOTE:  I GRADE” will be added to indicate that an Incomplete was originally given.
• If you receive an “I” in a course, you forfeit eligibility for Dean’s List honors in that semester.
• If your work is incomplete and you are also absent from the final examination, the instructor is expected to assign an “X” for the course (see also Absence from a Final Exam).
• There are specific deadlines for completing incomplete work (see below) and the deadlines for undergraduates differ from those that apply to graduate students.

Deadlines for Completing an Incomplete Course

If you are in a full course load (or overload) and have only one “I” and no other problem grades (X, U, F), the deadline for completing the “I” is the following:

Unless otherwise limited, you will have until the last class day of the 5th week of the subsequent semester to complete the work for the course. If you receive an “I” in the fall, you must complete it no later than the 5th week of the spring semester; if you receive an “I” in the spring or summer, you must complete it no later than the 5th week of the fall semester. However, instructors may set earlier deadlines if they wish, in which case they must make their intentions known and documented on the Incomplete form. Instructors have until the end of the 6th week of classes to submit a grade to the University Registrar. If a passing grade is not submitted by this time, the “I” will be converted to an F.  An exception to this deadline applies if you are not enrolled for the semester following the assignment of the Incomplete. In that case, the “I” remains on your record until the next semester you are enrolled and converts to an F if a grade has not been reported by the end of the sixth week of that semester.

If you receive multiple “I” grades or an “I” in combination with another problem grade or grades or while on an approved underload, consider the following:

In order to continue from one semester to the next, students must pass at least 3 courses (2 courses in the 1st semester of enrollment). This requirement is termed “semester continuation” (see Continuation Requirements). Courses in which an “I” is given are not considered passed until a passing grade has been submitted by the instructor to the University Registrar and recorded. Therefore, if you have multiple “I” and/or “X” grades such that you have not received passing grades in at least 3.0 courses, you may be at risk of not being able to continue into the next semester at Duke unless you complete one or more “Is” by an earlier deadline. Students who do not meet semester continuation requirements before the start of the next semester are subject to academic dismissal for two semesters.

If you receive more than one “I,” if you receive an “I” in combination with another problem grade (X, U, F), or if you are in a course underload and receive an “I” and are thereby failing to meet semester continuation requirements, you will be notified by your academic dean.  In this case, you will be given the opportunity to complete the necessary work before the beginning of the next semester.  If you do not complete the work by the date of determining continuation, then you will be determined as NOT meeting semester continuation requirements and thereby dismissed for two semesters.

When your continuation at Duke is in question the following policies apply:

• If you fail to meet semester continuation at the end of the fall semester, you will need to have passing grades recorded in at least 3.0 courses by the day before classes begin in the spring semester.
• If you fail to meet semester continuation at the end of the spring semester, you will need to have passing grades recorded in at least 3.0 courses by one week prior to the first day of classes for Summer Term II.
• If you fail to meet semester continuation at the end of the spring semester, you will not be eligible to enroll in Summer Session I or participate in summer study away, Duke Engage, or other program requiring you to be an active student in good standing. An Incomplete must be completed and a grade submitted by the first day of summer term I.  If you do not meet semester continuation at this time, your enrollment in Summer I or participation in a summer program will be canceled.
• If by completing incomplete work you meet semester continuation requirements by the beginning of Summer Session II, you may enroll in Summer Session II.  However, if you do not meet semester continuation requirements by the beginning of the second summer term, you will be dismissed for academic reasons.  The Incomplete will remain on your record and you may complete the work due later, up to the end of the 5th week of the subsequent enrolled fall or spring semester.

If you have questions about these policies, please see your academic dean.

Procedure

If you are having difficulty completing a course, discuss your situation with your instructor and academic dean to find out if an Incomplete might be appropriate and if there are alternatives.  If your instructor agrees to an Incomplete, you and your instructor should:

• Complete the form obtained from your academic dean.
• Identify specifically what work must be done.
• Set an appopriate date by which you can submit your work and the instructor will be available to receive it and submit a final grade.
• You and your instructor should sign the form and then give the signed form to your academic dean to keep on file.
• Your dean will confirm the appropriate deadline and give the final approval, and provide you and your instructor with a copy.
• Your instructor will then issue an Incomplete at the time grades are turned in.

Instructors:  To submit a final grade after an Incomplete has been issued, you will need to send a grade change letter to the Office of the University Registrar:  registrar.duke.edu/faculty-staff-resources/grading.

Last updated: December 21, 2023

Through IDEAS: Interdisciplinary Engineering & Applied Science, an undergraduate proposes their own curricula, or uses approved curricula, to create a specialized Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) major.

To participate, engineering students (in consultation with an independent-study advisor and appropriate faculty members) propose unique combinations of courses designed to meet their career objectives.

Important Notes

• IDEAS curricula are not specifically accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, but do satisfy the national general engineering accreditation criteria
• A student’s independent-study advisor need not also be the student’s academic advisor
• Duke rules for credit for Advanced Placement (AP) and International Placement apply

Download Documents

• General IDEAS template
• Risk, Data & Financial Engineering approved template

Submitting a Proposal

A proposal may be submitted as early as the second semester of the first year, but must be submitted before the senior year.

Students submit proposals to the Engineering Faculty Council, through the Office of the Vinik Dean of Engineering, for approval. For more about this process, consult your Academic Dean.

Last updated: April 12, 2024

All first-year students will receive mid-term grades from their instructors for the fall and spring semesters. These grades can be viewed on DukeHub. Students with 2 or more D or F grades will be called in for a meeting with the Office of the Vinik Dean of Engineering.

Sophomores, juniors and seniors receive mid-term grades only when instructors report D or F grades. These mid-term grades are also available to view on DukeHub.

Last updated: May 10, 2011

Students who encounter short-term medical issues or instances of personal distress/emergency can seek academic support if needed.

• For short-term incapacitation, you should use an Incapacitation Form
• For longer-term incapacitation, personal emergencies, or absence from a final exam, you should consult with your academic dean to discuss accommodations and support
  

SHORT-TERM ILLNESS

You are expected to notify your instructors if you become incapacitated due to a short-term illness or injury that prevents you from completing an assignment, exam, quiz, presentation, lab, or any graded work; or from attending a class where attendance is required.

Definition of Incapacitation: An incapacitating illness or injury is one in which a student is hospitalized, under medical care for a short-term condition, or otherwise sufficiently debilitated as to be unable to perform basic academic tasks.  Colds, headaches or other such mild complaints that result in your feeling less than 100% are not considered incapacitating, and you should NOT use the Incapacitation Form in such instances.

Appropriate uses of the Incapacitation Form might include such conditions as influenza, migraine, sinus infection, and strep throat.

For longer-term issues such as mono, a broken leg, or a chronic illness, consult your academic dean to discuss whether it is appropriate to use an Incapacitation Form.

Note: The Incapacitation Form is only a notification, indicating that you cannot complete an assignment on time due to an incapacitating illness or injury.  When you submit an Incapacitation Form, it is your responsibility to meet (or otherwise communicate) with the instructor of the course in question within 48 hours to discuss your missed work and how it will be treated in accordance with the instructor’s policy.  If you do not contact your instructor within 48 hours following the date the Incapacitation Form was submitted, the instructor is under no obligation to accommodate your illness and can treat your missed work as unexcused.  (Exceptions to the 48-hour deadline may be granted by the student’s academic dean in extraordinary circumstances.)

The Incapacitation Form should only be used for reasons related to your health. An Incapacitation Form submitted for any other reason will not be accepted by the instructor.  Incapacitation Forms are monitored by your academic dean, who will refer cases of abuse to the Office of Student Conduct.

For Students

The short-term illness notification procedure is based on these operating principles:

• You are in the best position to judge whether you are too incapacitated to complete an assignment or exam at the designated time.
• You will only use the Incapacitation Form for reasons related to your health and then only if your illness is truly incapacitating.
• You will act in accordance with the Duke Community Standard, in particular, that provision stating that you will not “provide false or misleading information in order to be excused from classes or assignments.”

This is what you should do:

1. Consult the DukeHub website to view your class schedule to obtain the name and number of the course and the name of the course instructor.
2. Complete the secure online form (to be found at the end of these instructions) and submit it.  An email to your instructor will be generated, with a copy sent to you, and a copy will be available to your academic dean.
3. Submit the Incapacitation Form to your instructor as soon as possible once you realize that your short-term illness has become incapacitating. Instructors expect you to submit the Incapacitation Form prior to the class in which the graded assignment is due or will occur, if at all possible.
4. Within 48 hours of submission of an Incapacitation Form, you must meet with (or otherwise contact) the instructor to discuss how you can be accommodated under the circumstances in accordance with the course policy. Your instructor is under no obligation to accommodate your absence if you fail to meet the 48-hour deadline and can treat it as an unexcused absence or late work.
5. Avoid obtaining any information about a graded exercise that would give you an unfair advantage over other students taking the course.  Your instructor may want to use the same graded exercise that the rest of the class completed.
6. Your electronic signature on the form affirms your compliance with the Duke Community Standard.

Incapacitation Form

Notes to Instructors:

1. Please require the use of the Incapacitation Form for all absences due to incapacitating illness when graded work is missed. The Incapacitation Form provides a means of documenting student absences. This record is used by the academic deans as a basis for evaluating problematic absences, and identifying students in need of support.
2. The Incapacitation Form only allows a student to address the form to one instructor.  If you have a team taught course or TA’s, give clear instructions to students as to whom they should send the Incapacitation Form.
3. You have a right to expect students who submit an Incapacitation Form to meet (or otherwise communicate) with you within 48 hours to talk about how you might accommodate their missed work in accordance with your course policy and to discuss the implications of missing a class or deadline for submission of work.  If a student fails to meet the 48-hour deadline, you are under no obligation to accommodate the student, and his/her missed work may be treated as late or unexcused.
4. Do not accept an Incapacitation Form as valid if it has been used for any reason other than incapacitating illness.
5. If you suspect that a student is abusing the Incapacitation Form policy, you should bring this to the attention of a student’s academic dean. Or, refer the matter directly to the Office of Student Conduct for investigation.
6. For a student who has excessive absences and missed work such that he/she is no longer able to meet the learning objectives of your course, you should bring this to the attention of the student’s academic dean.  In such cases, the use of the Incapacitation Form would be inappropriate and unacceptable.  A student may be asked to withdraw from your class, or be given a failing grade.

A note about the final exam period: See Final Exams, Absence From

Last updated: Jan 8, 2020

POLICY

Graduating seniors who need 1cc-2.5 cc at Duke to graduate may request permission to study on a part-time basis in their last semester of enrollment.  To do so, present your request to your academic dean as soon as you know that you want to be enrolled part-time but no later than the last day of classes (LDOC) in the term that immediately precedes your final term of your enrollment at Duke.

As a part-time student, you may enroll in no less than one (1.0), and no more than two-and-a-half (2.5) course credits.  Also, concurrent enrollment at another university is not permitted. If you are taking 2.5 units or less at Duke, you will not be able to use additional units taken at another institution toward your degree completion.

Note:  as a part-time student you may be denied university housing.  Discuss your eligibility for housing with Residence Life.  To discuss your eligibility for part-time status, confer with your academic dean.

If you are considering Part-Time, and you are:

• on financial aid
• a varsity athlete
• on an F-1 Visa

then please read the notes below carefully.

Financial aid

Part-time students are eligible for federal and/or institutional aid. Book allowance will be reduced by half, while housing, meals, and other budget items will remain the same as for full-time status. Students taking fewer than 2 credits are ineligible for financial aid, either federal or institutional, with exceptions for some Pell-eligible students who may receive a small Pell grant only. The part-time semester will count as one of a student’s 8 semesters of total aid eligibility. Any financial aid implications should be discussed with our Financial Aid Advisor found on Duke Hub.

Varsity athletes

Student-athletes interested in pursuing part-time status must receive permission from Heather Ryan (hryan@duke.edu) or Todd Mesibov (tmesibov@duke.edu) to ensure they continue to meet NCAA requirements for athletic participation.

International students on F-1 visas

F-1 regulations require that international students be enrolled full-time each semester except the final semester before graduation.  Due to changing policies, you should contact your Duke Visa Services Advisor for further input and advice.

PROCEDURE

To apply for part-time status in your last semester at Duke, contact your academic dean and submit the form no later than the last day of classes in the term that immediately precedes your final term of enrollment at Duke.

Last updated: April  19, 2021

You will be placed on “Probation” for a semester if you accumulate a certain number of D and F grades. See the section on grades for a detailed listing of grades and outcomes. A semester of probation is designed to serve as a “wake-up” call. It is a sign that you are in imminent danger of being withdrawn from Duke for academic reasons.

Students with poor grades in the fall will be placed on probation in the spring. Students with poor grades in the spring will be placed on probation in the fall. If, due to exceptional circumstances, you petition for and are permitted to withdraw from a course to an underload during your semester of probation, your probationary status will be automatically extended to the next semester. Parent(s)/guardian(s) are notified of probationary status. Probationary information is not placed on your official transcript.

If your semester academic record warrants probation you will receive notification from one of your Academic Deans:

• You must meet with a Dean
• You must acknowledge your probation in writing by signing an acknowledgment form. Failure to sign the acknowledgment form by the end of the first week of class will result in dismissal
• You must enroll in four and only four full credit (1.0 credit) courses for the semester of probation
• Your courses must be approved by a Dean
• At the end of the probationary semester, if you maintain a C (2.0) average or you have no grade lower than a C- for the semester, you will clear probation. If you fail to clear probation, you will be academically withdrawn from Duke for two semesters. Regardless of probation, you must still meet all continuation requirements

If you are placed on probation, you should take the time to address your strengths and weaknesses in study skills and habits and also identify problems that have disrupted your academic program. You should institute changes wherever appropriate. We urge you to confer with your Academic Deans, Advisor, Instructor, a counselor at CAPS, or with a member of the staff of the Academic Resource Center, as appropriate, early in the semester of probation.

Last updated: August 24, 2007

Policy

Students are permitted by university policy to be absent from class to observe a religious holiday. This policy reflects the Duke University’s commitment to being responsive to our increasing diversity and to enabling students’ spiritual development. Accordingly, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences and the Pratt School of Engineering have established procedures to be followed by students for notifying their instructors of an absence due to the observance of a religious holiday.

Students who miss class to observe a specified religious holiday are expected to make prior arrangements with their instructor to make up any work missed, as follows:

Procedure

• At the beginning of each semester, you should notify each of your instructors of any religious holiday(s) that will necessitate your absence from class(es) that semester.  Instructor policies regarding class attendance vary widely; you are responsible for being aware of individual faculty policies and for communicating any intended absences for religious observance.

• As a religious observance approaches, you should send an official notification to your instructor that you will miss class in order to observe a religious holiday by completing and submitting the Religious Observance Notification Online Form no later than one week prior to the date of the holiday.
• When you submit this form, your instructor will be notified by email and a copy will be sent to you.  A copy will also be placed in a file which your academic dean may access.
• Because religious holidays are scheduled in advance, instructors have the right to insist, where feasible, that you complete the course work prior to the anticipated absence in accordance with the course attendance policy.

• Since absence from class due to observance of a religious holiday is excused according to university policy, no dean’s excuse is required.  If an instructor is unwilling or unable to excuse your absence from class, you should consult your academic dean.  It is the responsibility of each instructor to communicate the university policy to his or her students and to accommodate reasonable requests.

• Your electronic signature on the form affirms your compliance with the Duke Community Standard.

The Religious Notification Online Form is not active during finals week; therefore, this procedure cannot be used during the final exam period. As noted in the first bullet point above, you should have a conversation with your professor at the beginning of the semester. If a religious holiday should fall during exam week, contact your academic dean well before the scheduled assignment or exam.

Religious Holidays

Duke University recognizes that various religious traditions observed by our diverse student body include more holidays than can be easily included on a list.  Moreover, we recognize that in some faiths observances vary by tradition and country, and in accordance with the lunar calendar. However, as a guide to faculty and students in the planning of their courses and assignments, members of the campus ministry have identified the dates of major religious holidays that occur when classes are being held during the academic year. This list is not a designation of religious holidays recognized by the university; nor is it mean to be all-inclusive. The list found here is merely an aid for planning purposes.

Last updated: March 27, 2024

You cannot repeat a course in which you earned a grade of C- or better. An engineering student who has earned a grade of D-, D, or D+ in a required mathematics, science or a required engineering course, may with permission of his or her adviser, director of undergraduate studies, and academic dean, repeat the course.

To do this, you’ll need to fill out a Course Request Repeat Form (PDF). The form needs to be approved and signed by your Academic Dean.

If you repeat the course, both grades will appear on your transcript and both will be calculated into your grade point average. Only one will count toward the 34 courses/credits required for graduation and for the fulfillment of continuation requirements.

Repeating a course may be warranted when it is part of a sequence of courses in a discipline of importance to your academic future. Repeating the course may be particularly important if much of the course material was beyond your comprehension and there are serious gaps in your knowledge, Experience suggests that progressing uninterrupted to the next level when your background in a subject is weak will often lead to a repetition of the original difficulties, compounded by the weak foundation from the first semester. You would probably do better to repeat the course with the help of a tutor or other support from the Academic Resource Center before going on to the next level in the subject.

If you have no compelling need to repeat a course, there may be no advantage to doing so. It may be better to take other course work in which you are more interested and experienced and are more likely to meet with success.

Last updated: August 24, 2007

With careful planning, Pratt School of Engineering students can make study away part of their Duke Experience

Pratt students should be aware that:

• In addition to Duke policies and procedures, Pratt students must also follow Pratt School of Engineering’s Study Away Policies, and sign the Pratt School of Engineering Study Away Contract
• An important difference is that Pratt requires students to have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
• There are important steps to be taken before, during, and upon return
• Advising and planning resources are available at Duke and Pratt to help students interested in studying away

Pratt Study Away Policies

1. Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA

The Pratt School of Engineering requires a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA to be cleared academically for any study away program during the Fall or Spring semester.

It is important for Pratt students to know that this is a difference from the Duke Global Education Office (GEO), which requires a minimum 2.7 cumulative GPA. Also, individual study away programs may also require a higher cumulative GPA.

2. Meet With Pratt Academic Dean

Pratt students must develop an academic plan that includes study away, in addition to a plan for the remaining semesters upon return.

An initial meeting with your Pratt academic dean should take place 2-3 semesters prior to the planned semester away. The meeting is required for all students prior to study away in order to discuss viable course options to continue progress toward graduation.

When a final decision on location is determined and courses identified, students must discuss and sign the Pratt School of Engineering Study Away Contract.

The study away agreement is due to your Pratt academic dean prior to completion of the GEO Participation Agreement.

Your academic dean must submit a final electronic copy of this agreement to the GEO.

3. Only Two Engineering Technical Courses Are Allowed

While on study away, a maximum of two engineering courses are allowed. With special permission from the departmental Director of Undergraduate Studies, a third departmental elective course may be allowed.

Other required engineering courses can also be taken. You can discuss this with your Academic Dean to determine the appropriate courses.

Students who wish to take courses to satisfy a second major, minor, or certificate, must confirm with the Directors of Undergraduate Studies of both departments to confirm courses will count for one or both majors.

Students are at risk of not being able to count study away courses toward degree requirements if those courses are not confirmed in accordance with the Pratt School of Engineering Study Away Contract.

4. Only One Course That Requires a Lab to be Completed Upon Return to Duke is Allowed

Only one instance of a study away course that does not offer an approved lab, and therefore requires the lab to be completed at Duke, will be allowed. Furthermore, students will have a maximum of two semesters to complete the lab at Duke.

Advice

Timing

To prepare for study away, it is important to begin planning—even if you are just exploring possibilities—as early as the spring semester of your First Year.

The required meeting with your Pratt academic dean should take place 2-3 semesters prior to the planned semester away.

Types of Study Away Programs

Visit the Global Education Office website for information about types of study away programs »

Advising Resources

Global Education Office

The Duke GEO staff:

• Can discuss GEO policies and procedures, program-specific fees, deadlines, and any rules/regulations
• Maintain a database of pre-approved courses around the world

The GEO database is an excellent place to begin. However, don’t limit your search to just this database. Be sure to look beyond the database, especially if there is a course or a country you have identified that does not appear on GEO’s list.

Importantly, GEO staff cannot advise you on which courses satisfy engineering degree requirements.

Your Academic Dean

Your Pratt Academic Dean can:

• Discuss your academic goals
• Assist in developing an academic plan that includes appropriate course work for study away

Meeting with your academic dean is a required step, as outlined in the Pratt School of Engineering Study Away Policies.