Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

34 CFR 668.34

To remain eligible for financial aid, a student must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and must be in good academic standing as defined by the policies outlined in the Scholastic Requirements section below. The Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) regulations require that a student make qualitative (grade-based) and quantitative (pace) progress toward their degree each academic year. The qualitative (grade-based) requirement is measured by a cumulative GPA. The quantitative (pace) requirement is the pace at which you progress toward your degree and earn units. Students must also not exceed the maximum timeframe of attendance. The Satisfactory Academic Progress policy requires students to complete a certain number of units and maintain a certain grade point average after each academic year. The institution does not consider a student's paying for classes on their own or sitting out for an enrollment period as sufficient to re-establish eligibility for Title IV aid.

Frequency of Monitoring and Evaluation

34 CFR 668.34(d)

Federal and state regulations governing student financial aid programs require the Institute to ensure that each student who is receiving financial aid maintains Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward their degree.

The SAP check occurs annually after grades are posted at the end of the academic year. Failure to meet the standards of satisfactory academic progress may disqualify a student from enrollment at the Institute and/or additional federal, state, and institutional financial aid. A student who successfully appeals their ineligibility for registration will be placed on probation or continued on probation status for financial aid purposes.

Financial Aid Probation

34 CFR 668.34(d)(2)

Students who are found not to be making satisfactory academic progress at the end of the academic year will be ineligible to register. For the first such ineligibility, the reinstatement petition may be acted on by the dean or associate dean of undergraduate students, after consultation with the student and examination of the record. At the dean's discretion, such cases may be referred to the UASH Committee for action. If given permission to register, students will be on academic and financial aid probation. A student may continue to receive financial aid while on financial aid probation. Students should use this opportunity to re-establish SAP.

Students who fail to make satisfactory academic progress at the end of the academic year will be ineligible to register and ineligible for financial aid. Students may appeal this status as outlined in the Scholastic Requirements.

Continued Financial Aid Probation

34 CFR 668.34(d)(3)

Students who fail to make satisfactory academic progress while on financial aid probation for one academic year but are reinstated as a result of a UASH petition, will be continued on financial aid probation and be ineligible for federal and state aid. A student may be continued on financial aid probation for one academic year.

Financial Aid Suspension

Students who fail to make satisfactory academic progress after being continued on financial aid probation for one academic year and are again reinstated by the UASH Committee will be ineligible for federal, state, and institutional financial aid at Caltech until such time as they make satisfactory academic progress.

Students may appeal the financial aid suspension to receive institutional aid.

Appealing Financial Aid Suspension

To appeal your Financial Aid suspension, please complete this form: SAP Appeal Request

If the appeal is denied, students may request a second review from the Vice President of Student Affairs (VPSA). The VPSA's decision is final and cannot be appealed.

Scholastic Requirements

All undergraduates are required to meet certain scholastic standards as outlined below.

Qualitative standard

34 CFR 668.34(a)(4)(i)

GPA: Cumulative GPA of at least 1.9.

Caltech includes all courses taken towards the student's program of study regardless of any institutional academic amnesty or renewal policy when reviewing SAP. Students cannot have their lowest grade excluded or retake a passed course to try for a higher grade.

Quantitative Standard and Pace

34 CFR 668.34(a)(5)(ii)

Units per year: Students must earn a total of 108 units per year; this averages to 36 units per term. All students must complete at least 27 units per term.

Maximum Timeframe

34 CFR 668.34(b)

A student has a limited time frame to complete all degree requirements and remain eligible for financial aid. As defined by federal regulations, the maximum time frame is 150 percent of the published program length for degree completion.

To qualify for a Bachelor of Science degree, students must complete a minimum of 486 units which translates to 486 x 150% = 729 maximum attempted units.

An "attempted" unit is defined as any unit that a student remains enrolled in AFTER the Add Period, including units the student withdraws from each term. Units that a student is retroactively enrolled in after the Add Period are considered attempted units.

https://catalog.caltech.edu/current/information-for-undergraduate-students/scholastic-requirements/

UASH flowchart for determining academic ineligibility and options for continued enrollment.

Grades and Grading

All permanent grades recorded for first-year students in Core classes during the first and second terms they are enrolled will be either P, indicating "passed," or F, indicating "failed." The temporary grade of I ("incomplete") may be used as it is for other students. The temporary grade of E may be given to first-year students as described below for other students. It may also be used in a continuing course if the performance of the first-year student concerned is not significantly below the current passing level, and if the student is maintaining a steady and substantial improvement; an E given for this reason will be automatically changed to an appropriate grade if the first-year student earns the grade for the following term, and will change to an F if the student receives an F for the following term. The grade may not be used in this way for two successive terms nor for the last term of the course.

If a first-quarter or second-quarter First-Year student is enrolled in a course from the list of introductory courses below and the instructor for that course gives letter grades, then the registrar will record P for all passing grades. No grades given to a First-Year student for such a class during the first and second quarter in which they are enrolled will be used in computing the cumulative grade-point average. Computation of grade-point averages begins at the end of the third term of the first year; the cumulative grade-point average will include any letters grades received for non-Core non-introductory classes taken for letter grades during the first two terms of the first year.

The list of introductory courses to which this policy applies is:

• Bi 8
• Ma 2
• Ma 3
• Ph 2ab
• Ph 12ab
• Ch 41ab

Classes that are not part of the Core curriculum or the list of introductory classes above, even if taken in the first two quarters of the first year, can only count towards fulfilling graduation requirements if their grading scheme meets the requirement of the particular option.

First-quarter and second-quarter First-Year students receive pass/fail grades in all Core and introductory courses listed by virtue of their classification as First-Year students by an admissions committee or, for students whose status after the first year is uncertain, by the Undergraduate Academic Standards and Honors Committee.

For all students beyond the first and second quarters of their first year (as a first-year student), graduate and undergraduate, letter grades will ordinarily be used to indicate the character of the student's work: A, excellent; B, good; C, satisfactory; D, poor; E, conditional; F, failed; I, incomplete. P may also be used as described below under Pass/Fail Grading. In addition, grades of A+ and A–, B+ and B–, C+ and C–, and D+ may be used. In any situation in which no grade is reported, the grade shall be assumed to be F.

https://catalog.caltech.edu/current/general-information/grades-and-grading/

E and I Grades

E Grades. At their discretion, instructors may give students who have not completed their work for a course by the end of the term a grade of E. The grade E indicates deficiencies that may be made up without repeating the course. If the instructor does not specify a date on the grade report sheet for completion of the work, students receiving an E will have until Add Day of the following term to complete their work for that course. Instructors may, however, require the work for the course to be completed by an earlier date. In addition, students should be aware that E grades can impact ability to meet eligibility requirements. If an E grade impacts a student's academic standing, the grade may be due by the first day of classes. See section Scholastic Requirements for additional information.

If a student receives an E and does not complete the work by the date specified by the instructor or by Add Day (or a different date specified by the instructor), the grade will be changed to an F. Adequate time must be afforded to instructors to grade the work and to submit the final grade to the registrar.

It is the responsibility of a student receiving an E to confirm that the registrar has recorded the terms for satisfying the completion of the work in the course.

With the written permission of the instructor, a student may extend the E grade past Add Day of the following term, but doing so will cause an additional E grade to be registered. Each additional extension of the E will be until the date specified by the instructor or until Add Day of the following term, but in each case will require the written permission of the instructor and the registering of an additional E grade.

E Count Limitations. After an undergraduate student has been awarded the grade of E six times, they are not eligible to receive E grades in any subsequent term. A petition for an E in a subsequent term may be approved by the Undergraduate Academic Standards and Honors (UASH) Committee in an exceptional case. Such a petition requires the support of the instructor and the dean or associate dean of undergraduate students.

I Grades. The grade I is given only in case of unexpected sickness or other emergency, occuring near the end of the term, that impedes the completion of the work in the class. An I grade is not intended to allow students to make up missed work from the majority of the term. If a student has not completed the majority of the work, they are not eligible for an incomplete and they will be advised to late drop the class or take a leave. It is given at the discretion of the instructor, after approval by the dean or associate dean of students or the dean of graduate studies. If a student is seeking an I grade due to a severe exacerbation or onset of a disability that occurred near the end of the term, they should contact Caltech Accessibility Services for Students (CASS) at cass@caltech.edu.

The time period within which the grade of I is to be made up should be indicated on the grade sheet, or students receiving an I will have until Add Day of the following term to complete their work for the course. In addition, students should be aware that I grades can impact ability to meet eligibility requirements. If an I grade impacts a student's academic standing, the grade may be due by the first day of classes. See section Scholastic Requirements for additional information.

Students receiving grades of E or I should consult with their instructors, and one of the deans, at the time of issue regarding the work required and the time allowed. This time should, in most cases, coincide with the date fixed in the calendar for removal of conditions and incompletes (Add Day), and in fact if no other time is specified, this date will be assumed. However, except under extraordinary circumstances, the time for the completion of the work will not be extended beyond one year after the date in which the grade of E or I was given. In the absence of an earlier deadline, an E will turn into an F one year after the date on which the E was given, and an I grade will turn into a W (standing for "withdrawn") one year after the date on which the I grade was given. For undergraduates, waiving of this one-year rule is done in only the most exceptional of circumstances and requires the agreement, before that one year anniversary, of the Dean of Undergraduate Students, chair of UASH, and executive officer of the department in which the course was taken. For graduate students, a change may be made only with the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies, in consultation with the Graduate Studies Committee.

Grades of E and I shall not be considered in calculating a student's grade-point average.

Petitions and Exceptions

Once recorded, a grade will only be changed on the basis of error. For undergraduates, a change may be made only with the approval of the Undergraduate Academic Standards and Honors Committee.

Petitions by undergraduate students for late drops (i.e., requests to drop a course after Drop Day) will be considered by the UASH Committee, but will only be approved if circumstances beyond the student's control prevented them from dropping a course or courses by the posted deadline. Such petitions must be submitted before the end of the term following the term when the course was taken, or within the first term of return, if the student is on leave in the term following the term when the course was taken. If approved, a W will be recorded on the student's transcript in place of a grade for that course. W's will not be included in the computation of the student's grade-point average. Courses will be expunged from the student's record only in exceptional circumstances, at the discretion of the UASH Committee.

Petitions from graduating seniors submitted later than the first UASH meeting following graduation (which normally takes place shortly after graduation) will not be accepted for consideration, except to correct an error by the Institute.

Grade-Point Average

Grade-point average is computed by dividing the total number of credits earned in a term or an academic year by the total number of units taken in the corresponding period. Units for which a grade of F has been received are counted, even though the course may have subsequently been repeated. Grades of P or F obtained in courses graded on a pass/fail basis are not included in computing grade-point average.

Each course at the Institute is assigned a number of units corresponding to the total number of hours per week devoted to that subject, including classwork, laboratory, and the normal outside preparation. Credits are awarded as shown in the table below.

Pass/Fail Grading, the following regulations apply

• First-quarter and second-quarter First-Year students receive pass/fail grades in all Core and introductory courses listed by virtue of their classification as First-Year students by an admissions committee or, for students whose status after the first year is uncertain, by the Undergraduate Academic Standards and Honors Committee.
• All other students, undergraduate and graduate, in courses with numbers under 200 will receive letter grades unless the course is designated "graded pass/fail'' or unless, when it is allowed, the student submits a change to the course's grading scheme on or before Drop Day.
• In courses with numbers 200 or greater that are not designated either "graded pass/fail" or "letter grades only," the instructor may decide separately for each student what class of grades to use.
• All research courses shall be designated "graded pass/fail.'' All reading courses, seminar courses, or other courses that do not have a formal class structure shall be designated "graded pass/fail'' unless the option secures an exemption from the Curriculum Committee or the Graduate Studies Committee and from the Faculty Board.
• A grade on the pass/fail system should be P if it would have been a D or better on the letter grade system. (Note that there is no D– grade.) The standards of failure in courses in which only pass/fail grades are used should be the same as they would be if the course were letter graded.
• Any instructor may, at their discretion, specify prior to registration that their course, if not classified by the above regulations, is to be graded on a "letter grades only" basis or is to be graded pass/fail only, subject to possible review by the responsible option. The registrar must be notified of such specification two weeks before the beginning of registration. (Note: A course's grading scheme is not changed after it has begun.)
• Each term, any student may select, subject to requirements imposed by the student's option, two elective courses in which they are to be graded on a pass/fail basis if the course is not designated as "letter grades only" and is not specifically required for the degree in their option. To make this election, a student must submit a change to the course's grading scheme in REGIS, or submit a written request to the Registrar's Office, on or before Drop Day. This election may be reversed or reinstated at any time before the deadline. Students must resubmit their schedule in REGIS after all changes, and the pass/fail election must be approved by the student's adviser. The instructor must allow any eligible student to make this election.
• Of the units offered to satisfy the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree, no more than 90 may be in courses graded pass/fail because of the student's election (this does not include those courses taken in the first two terms during an undergraduate's first year (as a first-year student) or those designated pass/fail by the instructor, option, or curriculum committee).
• The Institute has approved changes to the Core Curriculum for the incoming class entering 2024. If you are interested, the details may be found in Appendix A.

Procedures for Resolving Disputes over Grading

At Caltech, the instructor has full responsibility for assigning grades to students enrolled in a course. On occasion, a student may not understand how a grade was determined and may seek further information. The student should first meet with the instructor or teaching assistant to discuss the grade. If after doing so the student believes the grade is unjustified or capricious, the following procedures are available.

Before the end of the term following the term when the grade was issued, the student should contact the academic mediator, appointed by the provost, who will work with the student and instructor to resolve the problem. If the mediation effort is unsatisfactory to the student, they may request a formal review by an appropriate executive officer or academic officer. The executive officer will review the case and report the decision in writing to the student. If the executive officer decides that a change of grade is warranted, or if the student requests a further appeal, these shall be requested of the division chair. At the discretion of the division chair, a committee may be appointed to review the case. The committee members should interview everyone involved in the case (the student, the course instructor, the teaching assistant, and anyone else with relevant information), and make a written recommendation to the division chair. Only the division chair can authorize the registrar to enter a new grade in the student's transcript.

https://catalog.caltech.edu/current/general-information/grades-and-grading/#e-and-i-grades

Changes in Registration (Course Withdrawals)

34 CFR 668.34(a)(6)

All changes in registration must be reported to the Registrar's Office by the student prior to the published deadlines. A grade of F will be given in any course for which a student registers and which they do not either complete satisfactorily or drop. A course is considered dropped when a student drops the course in REGIS or notifies the Registrar's Office in writing. A student may not at any time withdraw from a course that is required for graduation in their option, without permission of the registrar.

A student may not add a course after the last day for adding courses or withdraw from a course after the last date for dropping courses, without the approval of the Undergraduate Academic Standards and Honors (UASH) Committee. In cases where the late addition of a course would have put the student in a position of overload by Add Day of the term concerned, the student must also obtain an approved retroactive overload from the dean or associate dean of undergraduate students. Registration for added courses is complete when a student registers for the course on REGIS or sends a written request to the Registrar's Office with the proper approvals. No credit will be given for a course for which a student has not properly registered. The responsibility for registering or dropping courses (in REGIS or by direct communication with the Registrar's Office) is on the student. Failure to fulfill the responsibility because of oversight or ignorance is not sufficient grounds to petition for permission to drop or add courses after the deadline.

https://catalog.caltech.edu/current/information-for-undergraduate-students/registration-regulations/

Undergraduate Student Leaves of Absence

General Information

Formal separation from the Institute is effected by filing a completed undergraduate student leave form to be for­warded to the registrar and other appropriate offices. The effective date of a withdrawal is entered by the undergraduate dean or designee. A student withdrawing from the Institute at any time during the term without filing a formal undergraduate leave form will not be considered withdrawn. In such a case, any grades reported by the instructors will be recorded on the official transcript, and the grade of F will be recorded for all other courses.

A student who withdraws or is absent for a term (or longer), without an approved undergraduate student leave must petition for reinstatement to return to the Institute. Reinstatement rules are listed under scholastic requirements. Return from involuntary, medical and/or personal leave requires approval through the Undergraduate Deans' office.

If the withdrawal occurs after Add Day of any term, a W (standing for "withdrawn") will be recorded on the student's transcript for all courses in which the stu­dent is enrolled. A grade of W is not included in the computation of the student's grade-point average. The record will also indicate wheth­er an undergraduate student leave was granted.

Caltech considers students on an approved leave to be matriculated; however, students on leave for any reason are not currently enrolled and therefore do not enjoy all the rights and privileges of enrolled students. Unenrolled students, and accordingly, students on leave, have limited access to Caltech's educational activities, programs, and services. In some cases, the dean or designee may also require that unenrolled students apply for permission in advance of visiting campus.

Students on leave should only be on campus as an occasional visitor. Students on leave may not attend classes or labs, live in Institute housing, retain leadership positions, or access certain student resources, including Student Wellness Services or Residential Experience activities or programs during their leave.

They also may not obtain employment or do volunteer work on campus unless they have been given permission to do so via an approved "Permission to Participate while on Leave" Form: https://deansoffice.wufoo.com/forms/request-to-participate-while-on-leave/. Failure to gain a dean's permission to be active on campus will be considered when a student on any type of leave applies to return.

Career Achievement, Leadership and Exploration (CALE) is, by default, open to all students who have not been permanently separated from the Institute, regardless of leave or enrollment status, unless otherwise revoked by the Director of CALE or the deans' office.

Students may consult with their advisor and otherwise plan for their academic future; however, they will not receive credit for courses unless they are properly enrolled. Students who are on leave are still subject to all Institute policies, including the Institute Sex- and Gender-Based Misconduct Policy. Violations of policy while on leave may affect a student's eligibility to re-enroll.

Voluntary Leaves

Personal Leaves

A student may request a voluntary leave of absence for personal reasons (personal leave) by submitting a written petition via completion of the undergraduate student leave form. International students should consult with the International Student Programs Office regarding visa implications prior to submitting the leave petition.

The deans may grant a personal leave provided (a) the student is in good standing, in other words does not have to meet special academic or disciplinary requirements as a result of reinstatement, (b) the leave is for one year or less, although special circumstances can be considered for a longer leave, and (c) the leave extends over a period that includes at least one full term. Leaves will not be granted retroactively and must be filed by the last day of classes of the term.

Students who elect to take a personal leave while involved in pending conduct processes will be expected to participate in the pending conduct process until its completion. However, the Deans' Office may excuse students from participation while on personal leave if extenuating circumstances justify the pause.

A petition to return from a personal leave should be submitted six (6) weeks before the first day of the term for which the student intends to return. Return from a personal leave is subject to the approval of the Deans' Office.

Medical Leaves

If a student is unable to complete their coursework due to medical reasons, the student may petition for a medical leave of absence by submitting a written petition via completion of the undergraduate student leave form. International students should consult with the International Student Programs Office regarding visa implications prior to submitting the medical leave petition.

The duration of a medical leave should be determined primarily by the student's improvement in treatment. In general, however, medical leaves are expected to include at least one full term.

The Institute may impose conditions on return from a medical leave, which may include confirmation from the student's health care provider that the student is following the recommended course of treatment, the student's consent for the provider to discuss the student's condition or progress during the leave with Caltech officials, including representatives of Student Wellness Services and the Deans' Office, and an independent evaluation of the student's readiness to return by a qualified medical professional. Any conditions of return will be specified at the time of the leave approval.

To request a leave, a student can take the following steps:

1. Submit the leave form.
2. The student should then meet with either:

• The Medical Director of Health Services or designee (for leaves related to medical conditions), or
• The Clinical Director of Counseling Services or designee (for leaves related to emotional, psychological, or psychiatric conditions).

This meeting is to help the student make plans for their treatment during their leave, to discuss the need for any conditions placed on the leave, and to answer any questions the student has about the leave process. After this meeting, the student should give written consent for the Director to communicate their recommendation to the Deans' Office by filling out the release of information and records consent form available on the Student Wellness website.

1. The Dean or designee may then authorize the medical leave.
2. If a student taking medical leave wants to participate in any Caltech educational activities, programs or services, they must meet with a dean and other appropriate administrators to determine any necessary support or accommodations needed while on leave and submit a "Petition to Participate While on Leave" for approval. Failure to gain a dean's permission to be active on campus will be considered when a student on leave applies to return.

While on Medical Leave

It is the expectation that a student on medical leave will focus on managing the condition(s) that precipitated the leave. Any impending or ongoing conduct processes will ordinarily be suspended while a student is on medical leave, unless the student requests otherwise in writing, and their medical provider agrees it is appropriate.

Return from Medical Leave

This requires the following steps:

1. Submitting a completed Return from Medical Leave form to the deans.
2. Signing a release of information form authorizing any treatment providers to communicate with Caltech, including representatives of Health and Counseling Services to determine the student's readiness to return and recommendations for reasonable accommodations. This form is available on the Student Wellness Services website.
3. Submitting a provider recommendation form to either the Medical Director of Student Health Services or the Clinical Director of Student Counseling Services, or their designee. The student's healthcare provider should fill out this brief form to summarize their work together; to outline any progress the student has made in treatment; and to state any recommendations for returning to the Institute. This form is available on the Student Wellness Services website.
4. After Student Wellness Services has received the provider recommendation form, the student should schedule a meeting with either the Medical Director of Health Services or designee (for leaves related to medical conditions), or the Clinical Director of Counseling Services or designee (for leaves related to emotional, psychological, or psychiatric conditions). In this meeting, the student and the Director will discuss their healthcare provider's recommendations and will discuss the need for any continued treatment. The student should sign a release of information form allowing the Director to communicate a summary of this meeting to the deans. This form is available on the Student Wellness Services website.
5. Final approval of the petition is the responsibility of the dean or designee.

A student returning from a leave for medical reasons will maintain the same academic standing that they had previously-i.e., if on academic probation, the student will remain on probation upon return from leave.

Pregnancy Leave

Consistent with Caltech policy and the requirements of Title IX, students who are unable to complete their coursework or other course of study for a period of time due to a pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions are eligible for a medical leave of absence. Students who are pregnant or who have recently given birth are also eligible for reasonable accommodations.

A pregnant student who wishes to take a medical leave should submit a completed after obtaining a recommendation from the Medical Director of Health Services. Medical documentation from the student's treating medical provider is required.

The Institute also provides reasonable accommodations to pregnant students consistent with federal and state law. Reasonable accommodations may include allowing pregnant students to maintain a safe distance from hazardous substances, allowing them to make up tests and assignments that are missed for pregnancy-related reasons or excusing of absences that are medically necessary.

Bonding

An enrolled student in good academic standing who chooses to take a leave of absence because of the birth of his or her child may request a bonding leave by submitting a completed petition form for approval.

Involuntary Leave

The dean or designee may determine that it is necessary to place a student on an involuntary leave in a variety of circumstances, including when a student demonstrates behavior that poses a threat to health or safety, causes significant disruption to the Caltech community, for the personal safety or welfare of the student involved, as an interim measure, or as a result of a disciplinary action.

The dean may impose an involuntary leave in appropriate circumstances, such as where a student's behavior: (1) has, or threatens to, cause significant property damage; (2) significantly disrupts the Caltech community; (3) presents a substantial risk of harm to self or others; (4) indicates the student is unable or unwilling to carry out self-care obligations; or (5) violates a Caltech policy or the honor system. An involuntary leave also may be imposed when that the student requires a level of care from the Institute community that exceeds the reasonable accommodations, resources and staffing that the Institute can reasonably be expected to provide for the student's well-being.

Review and Decision Process

In making an informed decision to place a student on involuntary leave in such circumstances, the dean will conduct an individualized assessment and consider relevant information including information provided in a timely manner by the student. If the conduct has been the subject of an investigation under an Institute process or procedure, the dean will consider the findings and conclusions reached in that process.

The dean may consult with other Institute personnel, including but not limited to, security and residential life personnel, staff, faculty, and other individuals or departments. If appropriate and feasible, the dean may seek cooperation and involvement of parents or guardians of the student.

Medical information, including medical information provided in a timely manner by the student, may be considered if the behavior is associated with a physical or mental condition. In appropriate cases, the dean may consult with the director of Wellness Services, or designee, and/or require a physical or mental evaluation from a health professional if the dean believes such an evaluation is necessary to make an informed decision. Students are expected, if necessary, to sign a release of information to facilitate discussions between Caltech and the health professional conducting the evaluation. The dean will also consider whether relevant risk factors can be eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level through reasonable accommodation.

Written Decision

The student will be advised in writing of the decision to impose an involuntary leave. The dean may stipulate conditions that must be met before the student may return. An involuntary leave may be a permanent separation from the Institute (i.e. expulsion); for a specific duration or until certain conditions have been met. If the involuntary leave is not a permanent separation, the student will be advised of the length of the leave and/or any conditions for return.

Emergency Leave

If the dean determines that a student's continued presence is likely to pose a substantial risk to the safety and well-being of the student or others, the dean may place the student on an emergency interim leave before a final determination is made. The dean will make reasonable attempts to meet with the student and consider relevant information, including in appropriate cases medical information provided by the student, before deciding on an emergency interim leave. An emergency interim leave will remain in effect until a final decision has been made.

While on Leave

A student placed on involuntary leave as a disciplinary sanction will not be allowed to participate in Caltech educational activities, programs or services without the express permission of the dean or designee. Requests for an exception to this policy should be discussed at the time of the leave decision, and a "Petition to Participate While on Leave" must be approved prior to any such participation. Failure to gain permission, and consequently being active on campus, will be taken into consideration when a student on involuntary leave applies to return. The same applies to students placed on involuntary medical leave.

Return from Leave

A student on involuntary leave will not be allowed to return until the dean makes a fact-specific assessment of the circumstances, considers relevant risk factors, and concludes that the student does not pose a significant disruption to the functioning of the Institute community and/or does not pose a substantial risk to the health and safety of the student or others. The dean will consider relevant information, including information provided by the student. In cases where a student has a physical or mental condition associated with the behavior triggering the leave, the dean will also consider whether the relevant risks can be eliminated by a reasonable accommodation. The student will be notified in writing if the dean determines that the student will not be permitted to return from a leave or will be permanently separated from the Institute.

Appeal

A decision by the dean to place a student on involuntary leave may be appealed in writing within ten days to the vice president for student affairs (or designee). If the leave is imposed as a sanction resulting from a finding of responsibility under an Institute process any applicable limitations on grounds for appeal will apply.

Course Repetitions

34 CFR 668.34(a)(6)

Failed. Means that no credit will be recorded for the course. The units, however, count in computing the student's grade-point average, unless the course was taken on a pass/fail basis. The student may register to repeat the subject in a subsequent term and receive credit without regard to the previous grade, the new grade and units being counted as for any other course, but the original F and units for the course remain on the record.

https://catalog.caltech.edu/current/general-information/grades-and-grading/

Transfer of Credit

34 CFR 668.34(a)(6)

The courses for which enrolled transfer students will receive credit, and the corresponding class standing, will be determined at the time of enrollment. Final transcripts must be submitted to Undergraduate Admissions. Syllabi must be submitted to the Registrar, who will present the material to the faculty for evaluation. After a student is admitted, they may work with Admissions to obtain a preliminary evaluation of class standing. Preliminary class standings are not guaranteed. Actual class standing will be based upon the formal transfer credit evaluations over the summer. If the standard of work taken elsewhere is uncertain, additional examinations may be required before the question of credit is finally determined. Once a student has enrolled, faculty members review each course submitted for credit on an individual basis. Therefore, we cannot answer questions about the acceptance of coursework from other institutions prior to admission.

All transfer students must complete at least 216 units at Caltech, regardless of the number of units they are transferring in from another institution.

Graduation Requirements

Admitted transfer students must meet the following requirements in order to receive a Caltech Bachelor of Science degree.

A Caltech undergraduate degree is based on a four-year residential experience (study abroad included) in which students have the time to explore their academic interests in a deep and rigorous way. Students who are admitted as transfer students or 3/2 students may be granted advanced standing and term credit for academic work accepted in transfer to Caltech. However, transfer and 3/2 students must enroll for a minimum of six terms at Caltech. Any exceptions must be approved by the dean of undergraduate students and the vice president for student affairs.

Regardless of the amount of credit awarded upon matriculation, transfer students must spend at least two years (six terms) in residence at Caltech. Students must also earn at least 216 units at Caltech, not including courses taken to satisfy math and science core curriculum requirements.

Students must take, or have taken the equivalent of, all core curriculum courses.

Students must satisfy all of their chosen option's degree requirements. Transfer students may choose from among all Caltech undergraduate options.

https://catalog.caltech.edu/current/information-for-undergraduate-students/admission-to-upper-classes-by-transfer/#transfer-of-credit

Allowance and Transfer of Credit

34 CFR 668.34(a)(6)

Transfer of Credit from Other Institutions

Regularly enrolled students who want to obtain credit for college courses taken elsewhere should obtain the permission of the dean of students and have a copy of the transcript of their work sent to the Registrar's Office. The student should then obtain an Allowance of Credit form from the Registrar's Office and take this, with the transcript as well as any supporting class materials required by the option representative, to the representative of the option in which credit is desired. Pending approval by the option representative, credit will be granted when the Allowance of Credit form, with the appropriate signatures, is returned to the office.

Allowance of Credit in the Humanities and Social Sciences

In general, Caltech students should fulfill Caltech course requirements by taking courses at Caltech. Students are expected to have a well-reasoned educational goal for taking classes elsewhere. The only exceptions are transfer students admitted to advanced standing. Credit for comparable work done at other institutions with similar academic standards is not granted automatically.

Students who wish to take courses elsewhere (whether on leave, in the summer, or during the academic year) should consult, in advance, with the executive officer for the humanities or the executive officer for the social sciences, or their designees, to minimize any misunderstanding regarding the nature of credit they may receive. Upon completion of the course, the student must obtain an Allowance of Credit form from the registrar, obtain the signed approval of the executive officer, or their designee, for transfer credit, and return the completed form to the Registrar's Office. The executive officers are the final authority in the allowance of credit in HSS courses.

Guidelines and specific information about allowance of credit are available from the Division of the Humanities and Social Sciences.

Other Allowances of Credit

Except for transfer credit and credit based on Caltech placement exams upon admission, credit will not be granted for Caltech courses in which the student is not officially enrolled, except in special circumstances by arrangement with the instructor. Such arrangements must be approved by the Curriculum Committee, and the student must petition the Committee before the work is undertaken.

https://catalog.caltech.edu/current/information-for-undergraduate-students/scholastic-requirements/#allowance-and-transfer-of-credit

Change of Major

Change of Option

An undergraduate in good standing at the Institute shall be permitted to transfer into any option of their choice provided they have (a) a 1.9 GPA in subjects required for graduation in that option or in a specific group of subjects designated by that option or (b) permission of the option representative or committee. A change of option is effected by obtaining a Change of Option petition from the Registrar's Office. The completed petition must then be signed by the option representative for the new option (who will assign a new adviser), and filed with the Registrar's Office. Institute regulations require that a student who has made normal progress at the Institute be able to change options at any time up to the end of the sophomore year without penalty either as to time until graduation or as to excessive unit requirements in any term.

Additional Degrees

Joint B.S./M.S. Degree

In exceptional cases, undergraduate students may be eligible to pursue a joint B.S./M.S. program of study to be completed within the four years (12 terms) of the undergraduate program. The M.S. degree may be in a different field than the B.S. option. Students should contact the respective graduate Option Representative to find out if the joint B.S./M.S. degree is offered in a particular option by the start of junior year. If so, students must follow the normal procedures for admission to the graduate program. Students admitted to the joint B.S./M.S. degree must complete a minimum of 486 units for the bachelor's program and an additional 135 units for the master's program with no overlapping of courses. In addition, a written plan of study must be submitted to the Registrar's Office for approval no later than the fall term of the senior year. The plan of study should provide detail of the courses that are proposed to satisfy each degree requirement within the 12 terms of the bachelor's program and once approved shall constitute the requirements for the degree. Additional terms and overloads are not permitted. Any changes to the plan require written approval by the Registrar. If not completed within the four years, students will be removed from the joint program and they, and all their courses, will be attached to the bachelor's program. Students enrolled in the joint B.S./M.S. degree will be considered undergraduate students and will not be eligible for graduate financial aid, graduate housing, or other graduate student privileges.

Caltech only offers B.S. Degrees so students cannot double major in an undergraduate program.

Remedial Courses

Caltech's SAP calculation does not include remedial courses since all courses offered at the Institute are considered college level.