Registration
Registration dates are specified in the calendar provided in this catalog.

Measure of Quarter Units
The university currently operates on the quarter system. There are four regular quarters per year. Each quarter consists of 11 weeks. Each quarter unit represents 10 hours of lecture.

Academic Load Policy
The normal academic requirements for a full-time student is as follows:

Undergraduate Students: 12 units or more per quarter.
Master Students: 9 units or more per quarter.
Doctoral Students: 8 units or more per quarter.
Students with less than the specified units above are considered part-time students.

Grading System
Classification of Class Standing for Undergraduate Programs:

Freshmen: 0 - 45 units
Sophomore: 46 - 90 units
Junior: 91 - 135 units
Senior: 136 or more units

Incomplete Grades
Any course that has an assignment due and has not been turned in by the time of final examination or failure to take the final examination will be assigned the grade of “F”. A student who obtains an approval from the faculty in charge to turn in the required work within a stipulated later time or take a late final examination may receive the grade of “I”. The “I” grade is awarded for compelling reasons such as medical or deemed appropriate by the faculty in charge of the course. All course requirements that are due must be completed no later than the end of the next quarter. Otherwise, the “I” grade will be changed to an “F” grade automatically.

Passing Grade
A student who receives a “D” grade our above in a course means he has passed the course.

Repeating Courses to Raise Grade Point Average
A student who receives a grade of “C” or lower may repeat courses to raise the grade point average. Whenever a course is repeated in an attempt to raise the grade point average, only the highest grade earned will be recorded as the official grade and the lower grades will be removed from the students record. A course may be repeated one time.

Scholastic Honors
Life University graduates receiving degrees will be honored in accordance with the following categories:

Graduate Honors Cumulative GPA
Summa Cum Laude 3.90 - 4.00
Magna Cum Laude 3.70 - 3.89
Cum Laude 3.50 - 3.69

Directed Independent Study
An Independent Study course allows students to study one or more topics of importance that are related to the students major field of study. Independent study classes may be arranged under special circumstances with the permission of the Dean of Academic Affairs or the School Dean. Independent study classes may not be taken at the same time that the class in question is being offered. All students that register for an independent study class will be under the direct supervision of the instructor as assigned by Dean of Academic Affairs or the School Dean. Students may not exceed 12 units of Independent Study courses.

Independent study class will begin on the first day of the academic quarter and end on the last day of the academic quarter. The student will be required to meet at least weekly with the assigned instructor and to complete all assignments and pass the test as prescribed by the course syllabus. Independent study may not be substituted for a class which is being regularly offered at the time.

Only those students who maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher will be permitted to take an independent study course. All Directed Independent Study projects must be completed before the end of the term in which students are enrolled.

Directed Independent Study is not an option for international students, veterans or other students whose tuition is paid by third parties.

Distance Learning
University of Western California offers a number programs through Distance Learning. A list of programs offered through Distance Learning may be referred to through the relavent section of the university website (online learning).

Language of Instruction
The primary language of instruction is English. However, University of Western California offers instructions in foreign languages for those students who are not fluent in English.

Language Requirements
Students are required to be proficient in the language of the course in which the student will be registered.

Students whose primary language is not English and wish to enroll in an English taught course and international students must first successfully complete the ESL300 program or provide a copy of their TOEFL exam results showing a minimum score of 500 (173 on computer based exam or 61 on the Internet Based Exam).

Grade Reports
Grades are reported within two weeks of the end of the quarter. Students are notified of any grade deficiency.

Transcripts
Transcripts will be sent at the student’s written request or that of any other institution authorized by the student by applying on the corresponding form. Transcripts are sent within ten working days. The first official transcript will be free of charge. There will be a charge for every additional official transcript requested. Transcript fees are listed in the financial section of this catalog.

Transfer Credit Policy
Students may transfer coursework credits earned at other institutions towards Western California University programs if the institution meets or exceeds the standards of University of Western California and has jurisdictional/state approval to operate at the time of the students attendance or if the institution is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Coursework from other institutions must have a minimum grade of 2.0 on a scale of 4.0 and must be applicable to fulfilling the degree requirements for the respective degree programs offered at UWC.

Copies of course descriptions from a catalog that were current for the year of attendance along with copies of course syllabi are required.. Work completed at exempt institutions will be evaluated on an individual. Coursework from foreign institutions require transcripts to be translated by a professional service that has current membership in the National Association of Credit Evaluation Services (NACES).

Each request for a transfer of credits must be received by the Office of Admissions and Records no later than the commencement of classes for new students and by the last quarter of their program for current students who have taken one or more courses at another institution while working toward their degree at Western California University. Transfer credits are awarded by the Admissions Committee after review.

Adding or Dropping Courses
Any course can be added to your schedule within five business days of the first class session. After the fifth business day, courses cannot be added. Courses can be dropped up to four weeks after commencing classes. After that day no more changes can be made to your schedule.

Students may add or drop courses after the Add/Drop course deadlines by securing an approval from the instructor in charge or from Dean of Academic Dean or the School Dean and completing the add/drop form, available at the Registrar’s office. Deadlines for adding or dropping courses are listed in the academic calendar.

The difference in tuition resulting from a reduction in the number of credits registered will be refunded to the student in accordance with the published refund policy. If the number of units is increased after the program change, the student must pay the difference in tuition.

Course Withdrawal
After the deadline to drop courses, students may withdraw from a course. If the student withdraws a course before the start of the sixth week from the first day of commencing classes, the student may receive a passing withdrawal “WP” with the permission of the instructor in charge. All courses withdrawn after the start of the sixth week will be assigned a grade of failing withdrawal “WF”, unless reasons for withdrawing are accepted by the Dean of the school, at which time the course will be assigned a grade of “WP”. Students planning withdrawal from a course should contact Dean of Academic Dean or the School Dean and submit a completed withdrawal form. Students who withdraw officially will receive refunds in accordance with the posted prorated refund schedule.

Attendance and Tardiness
Students who accumulate more than six (6) unexcused absences from a regularly scheduled class are considered unofficially withdraw from the course will be given the grade of “F, unless, necessary evidence is given for the reasons that lead to the absence, reasons such as medical or other personal reasons will be considered to reverse this.
Students who do not officially withdraw from a course will automatically receive a grade of “F” and not be entitled to any refund.

Graduation Requirements
Students must meet the following requirements prior to graduating:

1. Successfully complete all specified requirements for the enrolled program within the time limit;
2. Complete a graduation assessment;
3. Timely file all necessary forms for graduation;
4. Submit the graduation and commencement fees;
5. Settle all financial obligations with the university.