Academic Policies

Classification

Undergraduate class standing is determined by the number of credit hours completed. The following table indicates that classification:

	Classification		Credits Needed
	Freshmen		0-25 credits
	Sophomore		26-57 credits
	Junior		58-91 credits
	Senior		92- credits

Credit Load

Students may enroll in courses up to a limit of 18 credits within a fifteen (15) week semester without special permission. However, students with a GPA below 2.0 may not enroll in courses that exceed 16 credits per semester. Any enrollment of over 18 credits per semester requires the approval of the Academic Dean. Only students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, with a minimum of 30 credits completed, may apply for this permission. An enrollment of over 21 credits in a semester requires the approval of the Academic Dean. Only students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, with a minimum of 30 credits completed, may apply for permission. Exceptions to these credit load standards may be approved, however, by the Academic Dean.

Credit Hours

"Credit hour" is the basic unit of academic credit. In most cases, one credit hour represents 50 minutes of class time per week for the length of a 15 week semester (or the equivalent thereof). It is expected that each hour in the class also involves two hours of preparation time by the student. Thus a "three-hour class" means three fifty-minute periods of instruction and six hours of preparation per week for the duration of a semester.

Laboratory Courses are an exception to the above.

Grades

Grades and corresponding grade points follow:

	Letter Grade		Grade Point		Description of Letter Grade
	A		4.0		Superior Achievement
	B		3.0		Above Average Work
	C		2.0		Average Work
	D		1.0		Minimum Acceptable Work
	F		0.0		Failed; Unacceptable Work
	I*		0.0		Incomplete; Unfinished Satisfactory Work

The grade of Incomplete (I) is not counted under credits attempted and does not carry any grade point. When the grade is changed and the I is removed from a student's record, it will carry the grade points authorized and will be counted under credits attempted and included in the cumulative GPA. See 'Incompletes' below.

WD grades may be applied if a student withdraws from class prior to the end of the thirteenth week of classes. WD does not count either for credits attempted or for grade points. See "Changes in Enrollment" below.

The grade of P (Pass) may be given for some credits. This grade does not count as credits attempted or toward the GPA, but the credits for such courses do count toward graduation requirements.

Academic evaluation or the assigning of grades belongs exclusively to the instructor of the course. However, should any student feel that he/she has been evaluated by an instructor in an incorrect or unfair manner, either on an individual assignment or in the final grade, and if the issue cannot be resolved in a conference with the instructor or the division chairperson, an appeal may be made to the Academic Dean.

Change of Grade

After final grades are recorded, no grade may be changed for any reason except for an error in recording.

Grade Point Average
"Grade Point Average" or GPA means a student's scholastic average computed by dividing the total grade points by the total credit hours attempted. The GPA is calculated on the basis of grades for courses actually completed in which the letter grades A, B, C, D, or F are received.

There are two kinds of GPA: Semester GPA and Cumulative GPA.

1. Semester GPA:
Based on the credit hours attempted within a semester
2. Cumulative GPA:
Based on the total number of credit hours attempted during the student's entire enrollment at Kyoto International University.

Incompletes

The grade of I may be petitioned for by a student or given by an instructor. "Incomplete" means that a student has done satisfactory work in a course but has failed to do a portion of the course requirements because of extenuating circumstances. Incompletes must be removed within eight weeks of the end of the semester for which they are given. Any incomplete that is not removed by the required time will be changed to an F by the registrar after communication with the instructor concerned.

Any student with a grade of I in an EFL/JFL course must complete the grade before the end of the drop-add period in order to advance to the next course in the EFL sequence.

Courses Repeated

Students may repeat courses which they have failed or for which they already have credit. Only the grade reported in the subsequent course will be counted in hours attempted, hours for credit, and for determining GPA. Because students must have a 2.0 GPA in order to graduate, repeating courses and achieving higher grades will help raise the cumulative GPA. As students must have grades of D or better in general education requirements and grades of C or better in major requirements, a student who does not attain that grade level must repeat the course before he/she can graduate. It is recommended that students repeat courses as soon as possible after the semester in which they receive the low grades.

Probation , Suspension, and Reinstatement

I. Probation
Any student who falls below certain standards will be placed on academic probation. Those standards are:

1. The failure to maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA
2. Making nine or more hours of F in one semester, regardless of cumulative GPA.

Students on academic probation may not enroll in more than 16 credits in a semester.

II. Suspension
Students are ordinarily suspended from Kyoto International University under the following circumstances:
1. Failure to attain the retention standard for academic good standing after a semester on probation. The following chart indicates the standards of academic good standing:

	Credits Attempted		Minimum GPA
	24-45		1.8
	46-64		1.9
	65+		2.0

2. Making nine or more credits of F two semesters in a row, regardless of cumulative GPA.

Students suspended from the university may appeal to the President in order to continue their studies without interruption.

Whether denied or not, the suspension will be limited to one semester. However, after failing to attain the retention standard for good academic standing the third time, the length of the suspension will be for not less than one academic year.

III. Reinstatement
A student who has been suspended from the university for a year or more may appeal to the President to request reinstatement. A reinstated student who achieves a 2.0 or better during the first semester of their reinstatement but whose cumulative GPA does not meet the above required GPA will be eligible to continue his/her studies.

Advanced Standing by Examination

Kyoto International University offers students the option of earning college credit through examination for lower level courses if they have attained college-level proficiency. Credit hours earned in this manner satisfy the same degree requirements as comparable courses. KIU accepts scores submitted by the TOEFL, CLEP, and CEEB examination programs.

Kyoto International University also offers its own advanced standing examinations for language classes and mathematics. Other courses can be "challenged," meaning the student can petition to test out of that subject.
Examinations may be taken under the following conditions:

1. The student must have the consent of the Academic Dean and the appropriate full-time professor.

2. Advanced standing examinations may not be taken to raise grades or remove failures in courses.

3. The student may take the test only one time.

4. A student who has credit for a more advanced course(s) in a subject area cannot take the examination in that subject area.

5. Examinations are given for Kyoto International University courses only, and a fee equal to half of the regular tuition is charged.

6. No more than 32 credit hours will be accepted toward graduation for courses taken by extension, correspondence, service credit, and advanced standard examinations. Students may petition the Academic Dean to waive this regulation in individual cases.

Transfer of Credits

Credit for courses equivalent to those taught at Kyoto International University may be transferred from an accredited institution if the student has received a C or better in the course. Kyoto International University transfers credit hours only, not grades or quality points.

Changes in Enrollment

I. Dropping and Adding
During the first ten days of a semester, a student may change his/her schedule by dropping and adding courses. During this period no courses from which a student withdraws will be recorded on their transcript. Adding a course is permitted only when there is space in the class for additional students and when the course(s) added are within the student痴 allowable load (see Credit Load above). In order to drop or add a course it is necessary? to complete a 'Drop/Add' form, including the signature of instructors. If an instructor is not available, the student may see the Academic Dean.

II. Withdrawing from a class
After the tenth class day, all courses in which a student is enrolled will be entered on the student's record. A student may withdraw from a course with the following limits:

1. Through week nine
A student may withdraw from any class for any reason. In such cases, a WD will be recorded on the student's transcript. The student must complete the necessary 'Withdrawal' form.

2. Weeks ten through thirteen
During these weeks a student may withdraw from a class or classes only for verified extenuating circumstances of a non-academic nature.

3. Weeks fourteen through the End of the Semester
Students may not withdraw from classes during this period for any reason. At this point, an evaluation of the student's work is required. Incompletes may be granted if the provisions of the KIU Incomplete Policy apply.

4. Automatic Withdrawal
Students are automatically withdrawn from courses in which they get a "F" in at the Midterm report, exceptions are those whom seek and receive instructor's approval to remain in the course.

III. Withdrawal from the university
When a student finds it necessary for one reason or another to withdraw from all classes, he/she must officially withdraw or the academic record will indicate that the student failed all courses. To apply for a Withdrawal, the students must submit an official Withdrawal form with a guardian's signature and the student ID card to the Academic Affairs Office.

When the withdrawal is completed during the first nine class days of the semester, no courses or grades will be recorded on the student's transcript. When the student withdraws after the ninth class day and before the beginning of final exams all courses will be recorded on the student's transcript and grades of WD will be entered. No withdrawals from the university will be accepted once the final examination period has begun.

Refunds

If a student withdraws from school, tuition charges will be credited as follows:

	Time of  Withdrawal		Amount Refundable
	Before classes begin		Full refund
	1st Week of Classes		80% refund
	2nd Week of Classes		50% refund
	3rd Week of Classes		No refund

The intensive semester refund schedule differs. Please refer to the course schedule.

Leave of Absence

If a student needs to take more than a seven week leave of absence during the semester due to extenuating circumstances such as illness or financial need, the student must complete the process of withdrawal described above and submit an official request for a Leave of Absence to the Academic Affairs Office. All policies for withdrawal from classes will apply.

If a student takes a leave of absence for a full semester or more, appropriate arrangements must be made with the Academic Affairs Office and appropriate fees must be paid to maintain a position in the university student body. When a student returns from such leave, he/she will be readmitted upon the payment of any outstanding fees.

Non-Registration due to Non-Payment

If a student has not paid the required fees by the stated date, he/she will not be considered registered. In cases where the student fails to pay all fees due to the university, no official documents (such as transcripts) will be issued. However, grades for all courses for which the student is registered will be recorded.

Independent Study Courses

A student may be allowed to arrange a course on an independent basis. Such courses will be offered only with the written consent of the Academic Dean. Reasons for offering independent study courses include a student's need to complete a graduation requirement in a semester in which the designated course is not offered in the university's regular class schedule.

Cancellation of Classes

If an instructor cancels a class, usually it will be posted on the bulletin board; however, in the case the instructor does not appear within thirty (30) minutes after the class is scheduled to begin, the class is considered canceled.

Classes for the entire school may be cancelled for reasons such as the following:

1. Strikes against transportation companies. When such an event is expected, class announcements will be posted on the bulletin board.
2. Weather watches (keiho) in the immediate Kyoto area. Students in outlying areas should refrain from going to school in the event of weather watches, and will be given an excused absence. If the weather watch is lifted by 7:00 a.m., classes will meet as usual, If the weather watch is lifted between 7:00 - 10:00 a.m., morning classes will be canceled but afternoon classes will meet as usual. If the watch is not lifted by 10:00 a.m., all classes will be canceled for the day.

The university itself is not able to handle telephone inquiries concerning weather watches. Reference to the media is requested.