Academic Information

Academic Policies

Academic Honesty

Just as the faculty, staff and administration at Whitworth strive to be forthright, direct and honest and to value integrity in all their dealings, the university expects all students to function in like manner. Students are expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty and to refrain from any dishonest or unethical action. In all academic exercises, examinations, papers and reports, students are expected to submit their own work. The use of the words or ideas of others is always to be indicated through an acceptable form of citation. This policy will be specified in the syllabus for each course.

Definition of plagiarism: Plagiarism occurs whenever students attempt to pass off as their own work, either verbally or in writing, the words and ideas of others. Plagiarism most often occurs in projects that require independent preparation (outside of class); although it can occur in essay examinations, this is not generally the case. Plagiarism can be either inadvertent (a failure to understand the responsibility for acknowledgment or the means by which acknowledgment should be made) or willful (with a conscious intent to deceive).

Definition of cheating and dry-labbing: Cheating is any academic activity in which students submit for grade or credit work that is not their own and/or work that has not been done within the structure and context established by the assignment. Students may plagiarize in a variety of ways: copying another student’s homework, copying answers from another student’s test, bringing unauthorized notes or materials to an exam, copying another student’s lab notes, or making up fictitious lab results (also known as “dry-labbing”). All cheating is regarded as willful deception.

Consequences of violations of the policy on academic honesty:

  • The faculty member will confront the student(s) in cases of suspected violations of the policy on academic honesty and will keep a written record of the incident.
  • The faculty member will assess the gravity of the violation and determine the consequences, which may range from a failing grade on a specific assignment to a failing grade in the course. Assigning a failing grade in a course must be done in consultation with the Associate Provost.  
  • The faculty member will submit a written report of policy violations, with their consequences, to the Associate Provost in Academic Affairs. 
  • The student has a right to appeal any faculty member's decision by submitting a written appeal to the Associate Provost. Students may request an appeal if new information has been discovered that was not available at the time the original consequence was assigned. A summary of this new information and its potential impact must be included in the request for appeal. The appeal must be submitted within the assigned time frame.
  • The Associate Provost may then review the appeal in consultation with the Academic Policies & Appeals Committee, if such review is deemed necessary. All decisions of the Associate Provost and the Academic Policies & Appeals Committee will be final.
  • All violations of the academic honesty policy become part of a student’s educational record. More than one violation may result in behavioral suspension for the remainder of the current term or for a longer period, depending on the nature of the violations. 

Academic Grievances

Grade Challenges

Grade challenges must be initiated by the student in writing within 30 days after a grade is posted. Challenges on grades go to the professor first, but in cases where resolution is not easily achieved, the procedures are as follows:

  • The student must first seek resolution of the conflict in consultation with the professor.
  • If a satisfactory resolution is not possible in the first phase, the student may contact the department chair.
  • If a satisfactory resolution is not possible in the first and second phases, the student may appeal for further adjudication by submitting a written appeal to the appropriate area dean, or the dean's designee, who will issue a final decision.
Academic Grievances

A student wishing to file a grievance regarding their experience in the classroom should begin with a conversation with their professor or within the department involved. In cases where resolution is not easily achieved, the procedures are as follows: The student must first seek resolution of the conflict in consultation with the professor. If a satisfactory resolution is not possible in the first phase, the student may appeal for further adjudication by submitting a written appeal to the associate provost for instruction. This appeal will be the final step in the grievance process. The associate provost's decision is final.

Montessori Programs in Oregon

Students should attempt to resolve any grievances they may have with their school first. Should attempts to resolve these problems with appropriate school officials fail, or should the student be dissatisfied with the final outcome of the college complaint process, then the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) can respond to a formal complaint. Students may contact the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, 3225 25th St. SE, Salem, OR 97302, or by sending an email to complaints@hecc.oregon.gov. Students may also access the HECC complaints web page at oregon.gov/highered/about/Pages/complaints.aspx . Students may also contact Whitworth’s institutional accreditor, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, 8060 165th Ave. N.E., Redmond, WA 98052, or by calling 425.558.4224.

Academic Warning, Probation and Suspension

Academic Warning

A student receives an academic warning when, during any fall or spring semester, their semester GPA falls below 2.0 while the cumulative grade-point average is 2.0 or above. The academic record of a student who receives an academic warning for two or more consecutive semesters will be reviewed by the Whitworth Educational Review Board and the student may be placed on probation. Extracurricular activities are not limited by an academic warning.

Academic Probation

Students are placed on academic probation at the end of any semester or term in which their cumulative grade-point average falls below 2.0 and/or they have received two consecutive warnings. Students remain on probation until their cumulative GPA reaches the minimum 2.0 standard. Since probation removes a person from good academic standing, students on probation will be limited in their opportunities to participate in off-campus study programs and extracurricular activities (varsity sports, student government, student publications, radio broadcasting and cheer squad, for example).

Academic Suspension

Students may face academic suspension at the end of any semester or term in which their semester GPA falls below 1.0, or if, after being placed on probation, they fail to earn at least a 2.0 GPA for the succeeding semester or term. Academic suspension will be noted on the transcript.

Appeal Process

If there are mitigating reasons for unsatisfactory progress that results in suspension, students may appeal in writing to the Educational Review Board through the Associate Provost in the Academic Affairs office. Reinstatement after any semester or sequence on suspension is dependent upon the student's written application to the Educational Review Board through the Associate Provost. If the student is reinstated, a notation of reinstatement will be noted on the transcript. Students who are receiving financial aid should refer to satisfactory academic progress policies and appeal processes.

Academic Petitions

The Office of the University Registrar has the delegated authority to see that students adhere to the university's academic policies and requirements. The petition process provides students with the possibility of a response outside the normal bounds of policy when extenuating circumstances are judged to warrant such a response. Extenuating circumstances include, but are not limited to, illness, injury, death in the family, problems with immigration, and matters in which established policies are unclear or in conflict. Not knowing a policy or holds that are unresolved by the deadline do not constitute an extenuating circumstance and are not grounds for petition.

Petition Process:
  1. Petitions should be generated by an individual current or potential student on the standard Petition for Exception to Academic Policy form. A petition must not only voice the request but must also substantiate its validity.
  2. Submit the petition, along with all supporting documentation, to the Office of the University Registrar. The Office of the University Registrar will review the petition request, add any additional documentation and evidence and submit the request to the Academic Petition Committee. The Committee will rule on the petition and submit the decision to the Office of the University Registrar; in the case of a denial, written reasons will be supplied to the petitioner.
  3. If the petition is denied, and if extenuating circumstances exist, the student may ask the Office of the University Registrar to have the denial reviewed by the Associate Provost in consultation with Academic Affairs leadership. An appeal may only be requested by the student if new information has been discovered that was not available at the time of the original decision. A summary of this new information and its potential impact must be included in the request for appeal. The appeal must be submitted within the assigned time frame.

All decisions of the Appeals & Policy Committee are final and binding.

Accommodations for Religious Observances

In accord with SSB 5166, Whitworth University accommodates student absences, for up to two days per academic year, for reasons of faith or conscience, or for an organized activity conducted under the auspices of a religious denomination, church or religious organization. Written notice and request for accommodation must be given within the first two weeks of the beginning of the course and provide specific dates the student requests accommodation. Faculty members will work with such students to reach mutual agreement about the terms of the accommodation. Grievances about a failure to accommodate should be directed to the associate provost. 

Declaring or Changing Academic Program

Declaration deadline policies apply as follows:

  • Students with A.A./A.S. degrees: by second semester
  • Students with transfer credit: by second semester or by Spring Term of their sophomore year
  • Freshmen: by Spring Term of their sophomore year

Note: Failure to declare a major by the appropriate deadline will result in a registration hold being placed on the student's record.

Students may elect to change their major, individually designed major or second field, but they are advised to evaluate possible increases in the length of time required to graduate. Any changes of program must be requested and submitted to the Office of the University Registrar.

Credit Hour Policy

One semester credit is equivalent to 14 contact hours and at least two hours of work outside of class for each contact hour for a total of 42 hours per credit. Online courses may define contact hours with either synchronous or asynchronous instruction, but the total expected work still represents at least 42 hours per credit. Students are not allowed to register for courses with time conflicts due to federal requirements for contact hours. The only exceptions allowed for time conflicts are courses where the total contact hours far exceed the minimum 14 contact hours per credit. These include some music ensembles, field studies and laboratories. Students in one of these conflicting courses may obtain permission to partially attend as long as the minimum contact time per credit is met and the total hours of contact time plus outside work still represents 42 hours per credit.   

FERPA

Directory Information

At its discretion, the university may provide directory information in accordance with the provisions of FERPA to include a student’s name, address, telephone number, email address, date and place of birth, major field of study, dates of attendance, class standing, full- or part-time status, degrees and awards received, photos, most recent previous educational agency or institution attended, denominational affiliation, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, and weight and height of members of varsity athletics teams. Students may withhold directory information by notifying the Office of the University Registrar in writing within two weeks after the first day of class for each semester. This request for nondisclosure will be honored until it is revoked. If non-directory information is required during an emergency, and if the university deems that information necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or of other individuals, Whitworth may release that information.

Students may allow the release of academic and/or financial information to designated individuals by granting those individuals proxy access; this authorization can be set up in Self-Service under the User Options menu.

Changes to Directory Information

Legal name-change policy

Current and former students, as well as alumni of Whitworth University may change their legal name with proper documentation and the submission of a completed name-change request form. Acceptable proof of legal name change will include two forms of official documentation such as a birth certificate, divorce decree or court order, government issued identification card, social security card or passport. After the proper documentation and a completed request form are received by the Office of the University Registrar, the change will be reflected on the student’s university records.

Chosen name-change policy

A student may choose to be identified within the university community by a chosen name that differs from the individual’s legal name. Students who want to use a chosen name may initiate the process from the Name Change Request form. A person’s chosen name will appear instead of, or in addition to, the person’s legal name in university-related systems and documents where it is technically feasible and where the use of the legal first name is not required by university business or legal need. Whitworth University reserves the right to deny or remove a chosen name for any reason, including but not limited to misuse, misrepresentation, attempting to avoid legal obligation, or the use of offensive names, with or without notice. Under the university’s Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) policy, a student’s chosen and legal name are both identified, along with other items, as directory information.

Equal Opportunity Policy

It is the policy of Whitworth University to provide equal educational opportunity without regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status or disability as defined by law, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972, Sections 799A and 845 of the Public Health Services Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991. In addition, Whitworth University is committed to the fair and equal treatment of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in its programs and activities. As a religious educational institution affiliated with the Presbyterian church, Whitworth University reserves the right to hire employees who share a commitment to the Christian faith.

Confidentiality

Each academic year the university informs students of their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. This act is designed to protect the privacy of education records, to establish the right of students to inspect and review their academic records, and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal or formal hearings. Students have the right to file complaints with the FERPA office concerning any alleged failure by Whitworth University to comply with this act. The complete institutional policy statement related to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 is available through the registrar’s office.

Grading

Grade Reports

Midterm Grades

Faculty and instructors should report student grades of "C-" or lower to the Office of the University Registrar on the due date designated on the academic calendar.  Students and their advisors are then notified of the grade so that there is opportunity for the students to improve their performance before the end of the semester.

Final Grades

Faculty and instructors should report final grades to the Office of the University Registrar via Self-Service on the designated date specified in the academic calendar. Final grades may be viewed on Self-Service or on an unofficial or official transcript. 

Incomplete Grades

Incomplete ("I") grades are granted to students who, because of extenuating circumstances, merit an extension of time to complete a course. For cases in which an incomplete grade is appropriate, the work must be completed no later than six weeks into the next long semester. If, at the end of that time, no grade is submitted, a default grade of "F" will be recorded. To request an extension for an "I" grade, the faculty member is required to get permission from the Associate Provost and fill out a grade-change form noting the grade’s change from "I" to "IE" (incomplete extended). All signatures are still required for requesting an extension. Students may only receive one incomplete extension per course. "I" grades may also be assigned in courses which, by design, extend beyond the end of the term.

Grades and Quality Points

Accurate evaluation of students and maintenance of records are important professional duties of faculty members. Computational errors and failure to take into account a significant amount of student work may be reasons for a student's request for a change of grade. Grade changes must be requested within 30 days of the end of the term. 

The completion or revision of additional work after the end of a term is not an acceptable basis for a grade change.

A Superior: 4 points
A- 3.7 points
B+ 3.3 points
B Good: 3 points
B- 2.7 points
C+ 2.3 points
C Fair: 2 points
C- 1.7 points
D+ 1.3 points
D Poor: 1 point
D- 0.7 points
F Failure: 0 points
W Official Withdrawal; does not affect GPA
WA Administrative Withdrawal; does not affect GPA
WF Withdrawal Failing (past the acceptable time limit for a "W" grade), computed as an "F" in the GPA
WW Withdrawal Without Permission (stopped attending or never attended the course), computed as an "F" in the GPA
AU Audit; does not affect GPA
I Incomplete; see incomplete grade policy above for more information.
IE Incomplete Extension; see incomplete grades policy above for more information
S Satisfactory; given upon completion of a Satisfactory/Not Satisfactory course; does not affect GPA; commonly used for grading internships, study abroad programs and specific non-graded courses
NS Not Satisfactory; given for unsatisfactory work in a Satisfactory/Non Satisfactory course; does not affect GPA
P/NC For class taken with P/NC option, Pass for a grade of "C" or higher; No Credit is given for grades of "C-," "D+," "D," "D-," or "F"; grade of P/NC does not affect GPA and is irreversible

Calculation of the Grade-Point Average

Current and cumulative grade-point averages are calculated on the basis of grades earned at Whitworth only. Credits for courses accepted in transfer from other institutions count toward the total credits required for graduation, but the grades for those courses are not calculated into the Whitworth GPA. The grade-point average is computed by dividing the quality points total by the total number of graded ("A"-"F") credits attempted during any given grading period. Quality points for a course are determined by multiplying the numerical equivalent of the letter grade by the credit attempted. Pass/No Credit and Satisfactory/Not Satisfactory grades are not used in computing the GPA.

Academic Forgiveness

If a student has been withdrawn from Whitworth for a minimum of one year, they can return and petition to have one semester of academic grades and credits forgiven. The grades will remain on the transcript, but the grade points and credits will be removed. They will no longer calculate in the GPA. A notation of “academic forgiveness” will be indicated on the transcript. Students wishing to apply for academic forgiveness must do so through the office of the Associate Provost.

Honors

Provost's Honor Roll

At the end of each fall and spring semester, undergraduate students with a 3.75 GPA for the semester who carry a course load of 12 semester credits for which "A"-"F" grades are given will be on the Provost’s Honor Roll for that semester once grades have been processed. This designation will be noted on a student's transcript.

Latin Honors

cum laude (with honors) 3.50 GPA
magna cum laude (with high honors) 3.75 GPA
summa cum laude (with highest honors) 3.90 GPA

Note: Honors are calculated and awarded on the diploma and transcript when the degree are posted.

George Whitworth Honors

For George F. Whitworth Honors Program requirements, see the George Whitworth Honors Page.

Departmental Honors

Various departments across the university may choose to award department-specific honors. Departments award and track these honors, they do not appear on transcripts or diplomas.

Student Information

Matriculated Students

Matriculated students are those who have met the requirements for admission, are pursuing a degree at Whitworth and have registered for courses.

Non-Matriculated Students

Non-matriculated students are those who are not seeking a degree and only want to attend specific courses. These students are not required to submit the credentials required for admission as a matriculated student. Non-matriculated students must register for courses in person through the Office of the University Registrar, and comply with all associated policies. Registration policies and procedures for non-matriculated students can be found in the registration section of the catalog. 

Veterans

Whitworth is approved for veteran training as an institution of higher education by the Washington Student Achievement Council. Selected programs of study at Whitworth University are approved by the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board's State Approving Agency (WTECB/SAA) for enrollment of those who are eligible to receive benefits under Title 38 and Title 10, USC. Whitworth is committed to upholding and complying with the intent of Veterans Administration regulations. The university does not and will not provide any commission, bonus or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on success in securing enrollment or financial aid to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting or admissions activities or in making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance. Benefit recipients must meet satisfactory-progress standards in order to continue receiving benefits for study. VA benefit recipients are held to the same academic standards as are other Whitworth students. Records that permit monitoring of progress are kept in the registrar’s office. Termination of benefits will be initiated upon receipt of a withdrawal form. It is the responsibility of the benefit recipient to submit a withdrawal form to the registrar and to notify the veterans coordinator immediately upon ceasing to attend any course. 

Class Standing

Freshman 0-29 semester credits
Sophomore 30-59 semester credits
Junior 60-89 semester credits
Senior 90 and above semester credits
126 minimum credits to graduate

Consumer Information

www.whitworth.edu/consumer-information

For more information please contact:

Assistant Vice President for Research and Innovation: Greg Orwig, gorwig@whitworth.edu
Associate Vice President for Student Financial Services: Traci Stensland, tstensland@whitworth.edu
University Registrar: Emilee Langbehn Bosh, elangbehn@whitworth.edu

Student Right-To-Know Information

In compliance with the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, Whitworth is pleased to provide the following information concerning its graduation rates. The rates reflect the graduation status of full-time, matriculating undergraduate students for whom 150 percent of the normal time to completion has elapsed.

First- to Second-Year Retention Rates
Cohort 2021 Cohort 2022 Cohort 2023 Cohort
Total 78% 80% 78%
Six-Year Graduation Rates
2016 Cohort 2017 Cohort 2018 Cohort
Total 76% 68% 71%
Gender Female 78% 70% 70%
Male 72% 66% 71%
Race/Ethnicity American Indian/Alaskan Native* 100% 33% 50%
Asian 76% 70% 65%
Black/African American* 62% 80% 75%
Hispanic/Latino 73% 62% 61%
Hawaiian/Pacific Islander* na% 55% 33%
Two or More 72% 67% 64%
White 76% 72% 75%
Race/Ethnicity Unknown* 100% 33% 70%
International Students* 88% 45% 71%
Financial Aid Type Pell Grant 72% 66% 64%
Stafford Loan 68% 67% 69%
All Others 83% 60% 78%
*These populations are very small and so small fluctuations can create big changes in the percentages.
Four-Year Average Rate for Graduating Within Six Years
Four-Year Average Rate for Graduating within Six Years* 72%
*Based on first-year students who began at Whitworth in fall 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018
Matriculated day, full-time, student body diversity for fall 2024
Female 55%
Male 45%
American Indian/Alaskan <1%
Asian 4%
Black 2%
Hawaiian 1%
Hispanic 13%
Two or More 10%
White 63%
Unknown 1%
International Students 5%
Pell Grant Recipients 37%

Normal Full-Time Course Load

Fall and spring semesters: The normal load for full-time undergraduate students is 12 to 16 semester credits, including up to five semester credits in Jan Term. Students must have advisor approval to register for more than 16 credits during a single semester. Students may not take more than 20 credits in a single semester regardless of GPA or advisor approval. 

Summer Term: The maximum allowable load is three semester credits in a three-week session and six semester credits in a six-week session.

An undergraduate student must average 31.5 semester credits per year to complete the required 126 credits in four years. In order to remain under the catalog requirements in effect at the time of their initial enrollment, students must complete a degree within six years from the time of matriculation. Because graduate programs vary in format, students should check with their respective graduate schools to determine the normal course load.

If students enroll in more than 16 credits, they may incur additional tuition charges. Students should check with the student accounts office to see if overload tuition charges are waived for a particular course. Jan Term is considered part of the spring semester and tuition is free to students who were enrolled full time as matriculated day students in the fall semester or who are enrolled full time as matriculated day students for the spring semester. A flat fee for Jan Term will be charged; please see Financial Information for more information.

Please note: Class fees are subject to change without notice.

Normal Progress and Financial Aid

A student is eligible to receive aid while they are working toward their degree until they reach 150 percent of the number of credits required to earn the degree. Registration for less than a full-time load (12-16 semester credits) may prevent a student from receiving some forms of Whitworth financial aid. More information on satisfactory progress requirements for recipients of financial aid is available at the Whitworth Financial Aid website or office.

Student Registration

Registration

Matriculated day students register for classes through Self-Service. Matriculated day students register for the next semester during their assigned registration period each semester. Students enrolled in the School of Continuing Studies and in graduate and doctoral programs must work with their program staff/faculty to register for courses. The Office of the University Registrar may assist students who are away from campus on study abroad programs with class registration for their next semester or term.

Matriculated day students can adjust their class schedules via Self-Service through the first week of classes. Beginning with the second week of classes, students must complete an add/drop form, including the instructor and advisor's signature, and submit it to the Office of the University Registrar for processing. It is the university’s policy to deny requests for registration in any course after the add period has passed. Add and drop deadlines and dates can be found on the academic calendar. 

Registration for directed studies are processed in the Office of the University Registrar, for more information please see the Directed Studies page. Registration for study abroad is coordinated by the Whitworth Office of International Education.

Deadlines for adding or withdrawing from classes are published in the academic calendar each semester. It is the student's responsibility to check their registration information for accuracy in Self-Service. Students with questions regarding their registration may reach out to the Office of the University Registrar.

Waitlisting for Closed Courses

Matriculated day students may waitlist themselves via Self-Service for most closed courses.  As space becomes available in such classes, waitlisted students will be sent an email notifying them that they have 24 hours to register for the course on Self-Service. If a waitlisted student does not register within 24 hours, they will be dropped from the waitlist.

Registration Policies

Distanced Learning

In the event health/safety protocols require it, Whitworth reserves the right to deliver instruction through distanced modes.

Class Attendance

Class attendance is expected and may be included in the calculation of the grade for the class. Students who register for courses they do not attend are responsible for dropping the courses officially through the Office of the University Registrar. The consequence of not officially dropping a course is a “WW” (withdrew without permission) grade, which calculates as an “F” in the GPA. A student should contact the professor of a class if they (the student) plan to be absent any day during the first week of the semester/term.

No person, other than a faculty member conducting a formal peer teaching evaluation, may attend a Whitworth class for which that person has not been officially registered. A professor may allow students to attend their class only if the students' names appear on the official and current class roster.

In order for the university to provide the best classroom learning environment for all students, children may not attend any Whitworth class. No child may, under any circumstances, be left unattended in a university building while a parent is attending class. Safety is our main concern; we cannot ensure children's safety when they are left unattended.

Registering for a Term

Students must be registered for at least one credit by the first day of the term or session. Students who are not registered by the first day of the term or session will not be permitted to register for that term or session. 

Add/Drop Policy

Students are required to be registered for all of their courses before the end of the add/drop period, including directed studies. 

Students who must change their schedule after the fifth day of the semester must do so by completing an Add/Drop form and returning it to the registrar's office with signatures from the course instructor and the students' advisor. After the 10th day of the semester, a grade of "W" will be given for any full-semester course that is dropped. A grade of "WF" will be given for full-semester courses dropped after the ninth week of the semester. See the academic calendar for applicable dates for half-semester courses. The last day to drop a course is the final day of regular instruction before final exams.

Repeat/Delete Policy

A course taken at Whitworth may only be repeated at Whitworth. Courses cannot be taken under the repeat/delete policy except at Whitworth. Courses retaken at a different institution will not replace the grade of the course taken at Whitworth. Check the section on financial aid to determine if/how your level of aid will be affected if you repeat courses in which you received a passing grade. 

  1. In order for a student to repeat a course, they must have received a grade no higher than a "C" in the class. 

  2. Grades for all courses taken at Whitworth will appear on the permanent record.

  3. When computing the grade-point average and total hours earned, the student repeating a course will be credited with the highest grade earned for all attempts and with course credits for only one attempt.

  4. The GPA will reflect the credits and quality points in the term during which the student earns the best grade unless the credits have expired, which can happen in graduate programs.

  5. There is no limit on the number of times a student can repeat a course.

Course Withdrawals

Traditional semester programs have the following course withdrawal policy:

Withdrawal from a full-semester course during the first two weeks of the term will not appear on the student's transcript. A withdrawal from a full-semester course after the first two weeks through the ninth week of the term will be noted with a "W" (withdrawal) grade on the transcript. A withdrawal from a full-semester course after the ninth week and before final exams will be noted with a "WF" (withdraw failing) grade on the transcript. Deadlines for half-semester courses can be found on the academic calendar. If a student stops attending a course or never attends but does not officially withdraw from the course by completing a drop form and submitting it to the registrar's office, a grade of "WW" (withdrew without permission) will be noted on the transcript. The student will still be bound by any financial obligations they have assumed.

Accelerated semester programs have the following course withdrawal policy:

Due to the variety of sessions available to students in accelerated programs, students should pay close attention to the accelerated term academic calendars. Withdrawals completed prior to the posted "W" deadline will not appear on the transcript. Withdrawals after the "W" deadline and prior to the posted "WF" deadline will be noted with a "W" (withdrawal) grade on the transcript. Withdrawals completed after the posted "WF" deadline will be noted with a "WF" (withdraw failing) grade on the transcript. If a student stops attending a course or never attends but does not officially withdraw from the course by completing a drop form and submitting it to the Office of the University Registrar, a grade of "WW" (withdrew without permission) will be noted on the transcript. The student will still be bound by any financial obligations they have assumed.

Hardship Hiatus or Hardship Withdrawal

In rare circumstances, a student may be granted a hardship hiatus or withdrawal, given when a debilitating medical, psychological condition or family emergency makes it necessary for them to withdraw from all of their non-graded courses and get the off-campus support/help necessary to their return as a student.

Matriculated day students seeking a hardship hiatus or hardship withdrawal should apply to university’s designated official  or designee within a week of the anticipated withdrawal, providing written documentation of the condition. Under a hardship status, the student will receive a "W" in all non-graded classes for the term, and financial officers will determine charges to be paid, based on the current Tuition and Fee Refund Policy. A hold will be placed on the withdrawing student's account until reinstatement criteria are met and reinstatement is approved by the university’s designated official or designee. Hardships will not be granted after the Friday before finals week, and no hardships are granted during the January term.

School of Continuing Studies, graduate and doctoral students seeking a hardship hiatus or hardship withdrawal should apply to the dean of their school/college or their designee within a week of the anticipated withdrawal, providing written documentation of the condition. Under a hardship status, the student will receive a "W" in all non-graded classes for the term, and financial officers will determine charges to be paid, based on the current Tuition and Fee Refund Policy. A hold will be placed on the withdrawing student's account until reinstatement criteria are met and reinstatement is approved by the dean of students or their designee.

Reinstatement Process following a Hardship Hiatus or Hardship Withdrawal

Students should contact the appropriate dean or their designee when they are ready to request reinstatement. Students must provide documentation that demonstrates their readiness to return to academic work and, if applicable, a residential environment. The student will also create a reinstatement plan outlining strategies and/or support systems that will provide the best possible opportunity for success. The student will be restricted from enrolling in courses until these materials are provided and reinstatement is approved by the dean of students or the dean's designee.

Official Withdrawal from Whitworth University

To withdraw officially from Whitworth University, the student must complete the process applicable to their program. Information regarding the withdrawal process may be found on the Office of the University Registrar website.

Hiatus Policy

Students who have completed at least one semester at Whitworth are eligible to take a leave of absence for up to one academic year and to return without reapplying for admission. This leave, known as a hiatus, allows students to maintain their access to Self-Service and their Whitworth email accounts while they are away. To be placed on an official hiatus from Whitworth University, a student must complete the process applicable to their program. Information regarding the hiatus process may be found on the Office of the University Registrar website.

Pass/No Credit Option

This option is designed to encourage students to explore areas of study outside their majors. Students may choose to take one P/NC course each academic year at Whitworth. Courses in the student’s major and education courses are excluded from this option. A grade of "Pass" will be assigned in a P/NC course on the basis of a grade of “C” or higher. A grade of "No Credit" will be assigned in a P/NC course on the basis of a grade of “C-” or lower. Once a P/NC has been declared, it is irreversible. Check the academic calendar for the deadline to declare P/NC.

NOTE: If students never attend or stop attending a class in which they have declared a P/NC, they will receive a "WW" grade and not the No Credit grade; the "WW" grade equates to unofficial withdrawal from the class.

Step-Up Policy

An undergraduate senior may take up to six credit hours in selected graduate business or education programs (if they have met the prerequisites). These six credits will count toward the total credit required for the student's undergraduate degree. They will not be counted again for graduate credit. However, the total credits required for a student’s graduate degree will be reduced by the number of credits they complete in Step-Up, up to six credits, within the chosen graduate program. The course requirements for the completed Step-Up classes will be waived, and a minimum of 30 additional graduate credits must be completed.

Students interested in participating in the Step-Up program must obtain special permission from their academic advisor as well as the director of the graduate program in which they are interested. Step-Up is traditionally reserved only for seniors, but in special circumstances juniors might also be eligible to participate. Graduate classes eligible for Step-Up will be designated by the program director and based on availability. The primary function of Step-Up is to assist students in deciding on graduate programs and to prepare them for the academic rigor. Step-Up is not intended as a method of substituting graduate classes to fulfill undergraduate degree requirements. Therefore, Step-Up classes will only count toward the total credits required and toward the 36 required upper-division credits; they will not count toward any major or minor requirements.

Note: P/NC grading is not allowed for graduate-level courses even when they apply to an undergraduate program.

Student Holds

Circumstances may cause a hold to be placed on a student’s account. Each hold may prevent the student from participating in a university privilege such as registration, adding/dropping classes, receiving official transcripts and participating in campus activities. The list below shows the types of holds and the offices to contact regarding these holds.

Type of Hold Department
Academic Suspension Academic Affairs
Business Office Hold Student Accounts Office
Loan Office Hold Student Accounts Office
Financial Aid Hold Financial Aid Office
Registrar's Hold Registrar's Office
Student Life Hold Student Life Office
Compliance Hold International Education Office
Health Center Hold Health Center

General Course Numbers

Lower-Division Courses

100-199: Primarily for first-year students. May not be taken for graduate credit.
200-299: Primarily for sophomores. May not be taken for graduate credit.

Upper-Division Courses

300-399: Primarily for juniors/seniors. 
400-499: Primarily for seniors. 
500-999: Graduate or doctoral level. 

Special Course Numbers

At undergraduate and graduate levels, course numbers ending in 80, 86, 90, 91, 95 or 96 indicate special courses. Subject matter in these courses varies.

All departments may offer these types of courses, but +because not all may be listed in this catalog, students are urged to ask individual department offices about the availability of courses of the type and level desired. Their designations are as follows:

80 Field Study
86 Readings
90 Internship
91 Independent Study
95 Teaching Assistantship/Research Assistantship
96 Special Topics (offered at the 100, 200, 300 and 400 levels)

Transfer and Alternative Credit

Academic Credit and Evaluation

Academic credit is awarded on the basis of semester credits. Course evaluation is completed by the Office of the University Registrar in partnership with corresponding academic departments.

Acceptance of Transfer Credits

Whitworth will accept applicable undergraduate and graduate work transferred from regionally accredited institutions. For institutions without regional accreditation, the transfer of credit will be considered if the credibility of the institution can be supported by the “three-letter rule,” which states that it is the responsibility of the student to provide letters from three regionally accredited institutions certifying that they will accept credit from the institution from which the student is seeking credit.

For coursework completed at non-regionally accredited Bible schools that hold an ABHE accreditation, a total of two-thirds credit will be awarded. For the full policy on transfer graduate credit, please visit catalog.whitworth.edu/graduate.

If transfer credit is taken from an institution using quarter credits, Whitworth University will use a two-thirds conversion calculation to convert the credits to semester credits.

Conversion of Quarter Credits to Semester Credits
Quarter Credits Conversion Semester Credits
1 x 2/3 .67
2 x 2/3 1.33
3 x 2/3 2
4 x 2/3 2.67
5 x 2/3 3.33

A maximum of 64 lower level semester credits and 30 upper level semester credits may be transferred from a community college; a total of 94 semester credits may be transferred from a four-year college or combination of two- and four-year colleges. Credits earned more than 15 years prior to matriculation at Whitworth may require department approval if they are to fulfill a requirement in the major. Courses in which the student received a grade lower than “C,” vocational-technical courses, non-college-level courses, credit earned by exam or categorized as prior learning at another institution, and incomplete courses are not transferable. Official transcripts must be received by the Office of the University Registrar from the transferring institution in order to have credit evaluated for final acceptance.

Students wishing to transfer credit back to Whitworth after matriculation must complete a Transfer Credit Application with their advisor and return it to the registrar's office for review. Thirty-two of the last 40 credits required for degree completion must be taken at Whitworth.

Transfer Policies for Students Holding Associate of Arts Degrees

A student transferring to Whitworth with an associate of arts (A.A.) degree from a community college in Washington (approved by the Intercollege Relations Commission for the State of Washington), Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, or with an associate of science (A.S.) degree from a community college in Washington or North Idaho college (excludes AST-Track I & II), will receive the following:

  • Junior standing (60 semester credits)

  • Transfer credit of a maximum of 96 quarter credits or 64 semester credits

  • Waiver of all shared curriculum requirements, with the following exceptions:

    • First-year seminar(s) or transfer seminar​

    • One course in Biblical Literature

    • One course in Faith, Reasoning and Contemporary Issues (FRCI)

Students who transfer from other institutions or states not mentioned above and who hold A.A. or A.S. degrees will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis.

In order to be eligible for DTA shared curriculum waivers, transfer students must earn an approved associate degree prior to initial matriculation at Whitworth. Students who begin at Whitworth University, then leave and return at a later date with an A.A. or A.S. degree, or who complete an A.A. or A.S. degree while attending Whitworth University, will have credits evaluated on a course-by-course basis, and they will not receive DTA shared curriculum waivers.

For students pursuing a degree through the School of Continuing Studies, see the Adult Degree Programs section of the catalog. 

Policy on Credit Transfer for Exchange Students

When a student studies abroad on an university approved, non-faculty-led program, the credit they receive will be based solely on the transcript issued by the host institution or program. When applying credit from exchange partner universities, Whitworth will use widely-accepted credit conversion rates for academic systems around the world.

Washington 45

Students who transfer Washington 45 courses must still meet Whitworth’s admission requirements and satisfy all shared curriculum and degree requirements. A student who completes courses from within the shared curriculum categories in the Washington 45, and earns a "C" or better for each course, will be able to transfer up to 45 quarter credits to Whitworth. The ratio of quarter hours to semester hours is 2/3. So for every quarter-credit earned, Whitworth will award 0.67 semester credit in transfer. A total of 30 semester hours is awarded for 45 quarter-credit hours; this is equivalent to sophomore standing at Whitworth.

Although the courses in the Washington 45 are listed under various categories, the actual course may satisfy a different shared curriculum requirement at Whitworth. Whitworth, like many institutions, has its own shared curriculum requirements, so students should check with the Office of the University Registrar regarding how these courses will transfer.

Alternative Course Credit

A maximum of 32 alternative semester credits (48 quarter credits) may be counted toward graduation. Alternative credit includes Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) degree courses, College Level Examination Program (CLEP) credit, and DANTES credit, portfolios and credit for military service and schools. Alternative course credit is calculated as part of the transfer-credit limit of 94. Contact the Office of the University Registrar for further information.

Advanced Placement (AP)

Whitworth is an active participant in the College Entrance Examination Board Advanced Placement program. A score of four or above on an AP test is accepted for credit in some disciplines at Whitworth. In many cases, this score will also satisfy a general graduation requirement and/or a requirement for an academic major. Refer to Whitworth’s website for details.

Test Name Test Score Credits Given at Whitworth Course Equivalency Shared Curriculum Requirement
African American Studies 4 3 HI 208 Historical Analysis
2D Art and Design 4-5 3 AR 196 Fine Arts
3D Art and Design 4 3 AR 196 Fine Arts
Art History 4 3 AR 261 Fine Arts or Historical Analysis, G-tag
Biology 4 3 BI 196 Natural Science
Biology 5 4 BI 140 Natural Science
Chemistry 4 4 CH 161 Natural Science
Chemistry 5 8 CH 161 & CH 181 Natural Science
Chinese Lang/Culture 4-5 4 CN 196 World Language
Computer Science A 4 3 CS 171 none
Computer Science A 5 6 CS 171 & CS 172 none
Computer Science Principles 4-5 3 CS 196 none
Drawing 4 3 AR-101 Fine Arts
Macroeconomics 4-5 3 EC 211 Social Science
Microeconomics 4-5 3 EC 210 Social Science
English Lang/Comp 4 3 EL 196 none
English Lang/Comp 5 6 EL 196 none
English Comp/Lit 4 3 EL 196 none
English Comp/Lit 5 6 EL 196 none
Environmental Science 4-5 3 BI 120 Natural Science
French Lang 4-5 4 FR 111 World Language
German Lang/Culture 4-5 4 GR 196 World Language
Government & Politics 4 3 PO 196 Social Science
Government & Politics 5 3 PO 102 Social Science
Government & Politics Comp 4 3 PO 196 Social Science
Government & Politics Comp 5 3 PO 102 Social Science
History, American 4-5 3 HI 131 Historical Analysis, U Tag
History, European 4-5 3 HI 196 none
History, World 4-5 3 HI 102 World Language and Cultural Competency, G Tag
Human Geography 4-5 3 PO 196 Social Science
Italian, Lang/Culture 4-5 4 Elective credit World Language
Japanese, Lang/Culture 4-5 4 JA 196 World Language
Math, Calculus AB 4-5 4 MA 171 Math & Statistics
Math, Calculus BC 4-5 8 MA 171 & MA 172 Math & Statistics
Music Theory 4-5 3 MU 110 Fine Arts
Physics 1 4-5 3 PS 131 none
Physics 2 4-5 3 PS 133 none
Physics C (Mechanics) 4-5 3 PS 151 Natural Science
Physics C (Electricity & Magnetism) 4-5 3 PS 153 none
Pre-calculus 4-5 4 MA 150 Mathematics
Psychology 4-5 3 PY 101 Social Science
Spanish Lang or Lit 4-5 4 SN 111 World Language
Statistics 4-5 3 MA 256 Mathematics

  1. Maximum credit given is 32 semester credits.

  2. If a department name is listed, general department credit is given. If not, general elective credit (non-departmental) is given.
    A course number indicates a specific course at Whitworth that has received credit.

  3. If a score of 5 is earned in biology, a student would receive credit for  BI 140. If the student needs to take BI 140  at Whitworth, they then earn BI 196.

  4. In chemistry, documentation of lab experience is required for the fourth credit.

  5. In music, ear training is required.

  6. Both of the computer science A exams are in the Java language. The student must learn C++ for further classes.

  7. A student must petition the physics department for PS 151; default course equivalency is PS 131. 

  8. Students can petition departments for lab credit.

  9. If a student is a declared education major who earned a 5 on the Government & Politics exam, PO 102 will be awarded.

Note: Students cannot receive AP credit if they're taking the equivalent course at Whitworth. Nursing students cannot count AP test toward any courses for a nursing major.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Whitworth recognizes the international baccalaureate diploma and subject examinations; the university awards credit on a course-by-course basis for only high-level courses passed with a score of 5 or higher. Refer to the table below or to Whitworth's website for details.

Test Name Test Score Credits Given at Whitworth Course Equivalency Shared Curriculum Requirement
Biology 5 4 BI 196 Natural Science
Business Management 5 3 BU 196 none
Chemistry 5 3 CH 196 Natural Science
Chemistry 6 4 CH 161 & CH 161L Natural Science
Chemistry 7 8 CH 161 & CH 161L and CH 181 & CH 181L Natural Science
Classical Languages: Greek 5 0 N/A none
Classical Languages: Latin 5 0 N/A none
Computer Science 5 3 CS 171 none
Dance 5 3 TA 381 none
Design Technology 5 3 CS 196 none
Economics 5 6 EC 210 & EC 211 Social Science
Film 5 2 FVNS 196 none
Further Mathematics 5 3 MA 196 Math & Statistics
Geography 5 3 SO 196 none
Global Politics 5 3 PO 196 none
History: 20th Century World History 5 0 N/A none
History: Europe and the Islamic World 5 0 N/A none
Information Technology in a Global Society 5 3 CS 274 none
Language A: Language and Literature 5 0 N/A none
Language A: Literature 5 3 EL 196 none
Language B 5 4 SN 111 or FR 111 World Language
Mathematics 5 8 MA 171 & MA 172 Math & Statistics
Music 5 6 MU 196 Fine Arts
Philosophy 5 0 N/A none
Physics 5 3 PS 121 none
Physics 6 8 PS 151 & PS 151L and PS 153 & PS 153L Natural Science
Physics 7 8 PS 151 & PS 151L and PS 153 & PS 153L Natural Science
Psychology 5 3 PY 101 Social Science
Psychology 6 6 PY 101 Social Science
Social and Cultural Anthropology 5 3 SO 200 none
Theater 5 3 TA 100 Fine Arts
Theory of Knowledge 5 (must have received IB diploma) 3 PH 196 none
Visual Arts 5 See Art Department
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Whitworth grants academic credit for sufficiently high scores on CLEP general exams and selected CLEP subject examinations. These cutoff scores are determined by the College Entrance Examination Board. Information regarding taking CLEP exams may be obtained on our website or by contacting the Whitworth Continuing Studies Office at 509.777.3222. Credit for CLEP general and subject exams will be awarded only if the exam is taken before a student has earned 120 credits. Students must complete an application to take a CLEP exam and have it approved by the Office of the University Registrar prior to taking the exam. The College Board allows an exam to be taken only once every three months.

Test Name Test Score Credits Given at Whitworth Course Equivalency Shared Curriculum Requirement
College Composition 50 3 EL 196 none
Humanities 50 6 Elective Literature & Storytelling or Fine Arts
College Mathematics 50 3 MA 107 Math & Statistics
Natural Sciences 50 6 Elective Natural Science
Social Sciences & History 50 6 Elective Social Science
Subject Exams
Test Name Test Score Credits Given at Whitworth Course Equivalency Shared Curriculum Requirement
American Literature 50 3 EL 196 none
Analysis & Interpretation of Lit 50 3 EL 196 none
English Literature 50 3 EL 196 none
College Algebra 50 3 MA 130 Math & Statistics
College French (Level 1) 50 6 FR 111 World Language
College French (Level 2) 59 12 FR 111, FR 201, FR 202 World Language
College German (Level 1) 50 6 GR 102 World Language
College German (Level 2) 60 12 GR 102, GR 201, GR 202 World Language
College Spanish (Level 1) 50 6 SN 111 World Language
College Spanish (Level 2) 63 12 SN 111, SN 201, SN 202 World Language
American Government 50 3 PO 196 Social Science
American History I 50 3 HI 196 Social Science
American History II 50 3 HI 196 Social Science
Intro to Educational Psychology 50 3 EDU Elective none
Principles of Macroeconomics 50 3 EC 211 Social Science
Principles of Microeconomics 50 3 EC 210 Social Science
Introductory Psychology 50 3 PY 101 Social Science
Introductory Sociology 50 3 SO 120 Social Science
Western Civilization I 50 3 HI 196 Historical Analysis
Western Civilization II 50 3 HI 196 Historical Analysis
Biology 50 6 BI 102 Natural Science
Calculus 50 4 MA 171 Math & Statistics
Chemistry 50 6 CH 101 none
Pre-Calculus 50 4 MA 150 Math & Statistics
Financial Accounting 50 3 BU 230 none
Info Systems and Computer App 50 3 CS 125 none
Intro Business Law 50 3 BU 240 none
Principles of Management 50 3 BU 274 none
Principles of Marketing 50 3 BU 218 none
DANTES Exam (DSST)

Whitworth awards academic credit for DANTES exams. Students must complete an application to take a DANTES exam and have it approved by the Office of the University Registrar prior to taking the exam. The exam must be completed before a student has earned 120 credits. In order for any credit to be awarded, the minimum score must be obtained. Contact the Office of the University Registrar for questions regarding DANTES exams.

Test Name Test Score Credits Given at Whitworth Course Equivalency Shared Curriculum Requirement
A History of the Vietnam War 44/400 3 HI 196 none
An Introduction to the Modern Middle East 47 3 SO 296 none
Art of the Western World 48/400 3 AR 196 none
Astronomy 48/400 3 PS 196 none
Business Ethics and Society 400 3 BU 196 none
Business Law II 44 3 BU 196 none
Business Mathematics 400 3 MA 196 none
Criminal Justice 49/400 3 SO 296 none
Environment and Humanity: The Race to Save the Planet 46 3 BI 196 none
Environmental Science 400 3 ENS-196 none
Ethics in America 46/400 3 PH 196 none
Ethics in Technology 400 3 CS 196 none
Foundations of Education 46/400 3 EDU 196 none
Fundamentals of College Algebra 400 3 MA 196 none
Fundamentals of Counseling 400 3 PY 296 none
Fundamentals of Cybersecurity 400 3 CS 196 none
General Anthropology 47/400 3 SO 296 none
Health and Human Development 48/400 3 HS 196 none
History of the Soviet Union 47/400 3 HI 196 none
Human Resource Management 46/400 3 BU 196 none
Introduction to Geography 48/400 3 SO 196 none
Introduction to Business 46/400 3 BU 196 none
Introduction to Computing 400 3 CS 196 none
Introduction to Law Enforcement 400 3 SO 196 none
Introduction to World Religions 48/400 3 TH 296 none
Lifespan Developmental Psychology 46/400 3 PY 296 none
Management Information Systems 46/400 3 CS 196 none
Money and Banking 48/400 3 EC 296 none
Organizational Behavior 48/400 3 BU 196 none
Personal Finance 46/400 3 BU 196 none
Physical Geology 46 3 GL 196 none
Principles of Finance 46/400 3 BU 296 none
Principles of Financial Accounting 47 3 BU 296 none
Principles of Physical Science I 47 3 PS 196 none
Principles of Public Speaking 400 3 COM 196 none
Principles of Statistics 400 3 MA 296 none
Principles of Supervision 46/400 3 BU-196 none
Substance Abuse 49/400 3 HS 196 none
Technical Writing 46/400 3 EL 196 none
The Civil War and Reconstruction 47/400 3 HI 196 none
Western Europe Since 1945 45 3 HI 196 none
Cambridge International

Whitworth recognizes Cambridge subject exams; the university awards credit on a course-by-course basis for only Advanced Level (A-Level) courses passed with a grade of "B" or higher. Refer to the table below for equivalencies.

Test Name Test Score Credits Given at Whitworth Course Equivalency Shared Curriculum Requirement
Biology A 8 BI 140 & BI 143 Natural Science
Biology B 4 BI 140 Natural Science
Business A, B 3 BU 274 none
Chemistry A, B 3 CH 161 (no lab) Natural Science
Computer Science A, B 3 CS 196 none
Economics A, B 3 EC 210 Social Science
English Literature A, B 3 EL 196 none
English Language A, B 3 EL 196 none
Geography A, B 3 Elective Credit none
History A, B 3 HI 196 none
Mathematics A, B 4 MA 171 Math & Statistics
Physics A, B 3 PS 121 Natural Science
Psychology A, B 3 PY 101 Social Science
Sociology A, B 3 SO 120 Social Science

Transcripts and Diplomas

Transcript Requests

Transcript requests may be made using the National Student Clearinghouse online ordering system. Please visit the Transcript Orders webpage for more information about how to request a transcript.
Online Transcript Request

  • Official: $10*

Unofficial Transcript Request

  • Free

  • Unofficial transcripts may only be obtained in Self-Service or in person with photo ID in the Whitworth Office of the University Registrar.

Please allow at least one week of processing time during the term and two weeks at the beginning or end of a term (September, December, February and May).
Note: Transcripts and diplomas are released only when financial accounts are current and all holds on a student's record have been removed.
*Whitworth contracts with a third party which may charge an additional processing fee for each transcript order.

Diploma Reorder

Replacement diplomas are available through the Office of the University Registrar for a fee. The current fee is is listed on the university Schedule of Charges & Fees website. The replacement will be issued in the current format and with current signatures.