Quality Point Averages

In addition to passing all courses taken, the student is also required to maintain a specified grade average leading to graduation with a college degree. The average is derived from the grades and credit hours of the courses taken and is known as the quality‑point average. It is determined by multiplying the number of credits for each course attempted by the allotted quality points for the grades received and dividing the total quality points by the total credit hours attempted. Quality points for grades are as follows:

Class Rank

A student's rank in class is determined by the cumulative quality‑point average, which is computed each July for Juniors and Seniors. The rankings for seniors will appear on the transcript. Only credits earned with Villanova University or in formally approved inter‑institutional programs will be considered in determining the cumulative quality‑point average. Credits and grades earned in the summer at other colleges are not counted in the quality point average.

Academic Progress

To earn a Bachelor's degree, a student, in addition to completing all the studies prescribed for the degree sought, must earn a cumulative quality‑point average of at least 2.00. For students who have entered Villanova University through the Academic Advancement Program, satisfactory progress of the student will be determined by the Academic Standing Committee and/or Dean of the college in which the student is matriculated. If, due to poor high school preparation, additional time is necessary for the student to complete the requirements towards graduation, the student will be viewed as being in a 5-year program. Satisfactory progress will be viewed accordingly.

Academic Probation

For students whose cumulative or semester quality-point average falls below 2.00, will have their records reviewed by the Academic Standing Committee for appropriate action. Students in science or engineering whose technical course quality-point average falls below 2.00 will also come before the committee (technical courses include all science, mathematics and engineering courses). Typically the student will either be placed on academic probation or dismissed.

A student on academic probation will normally be allowed only one semester to achieve the required quality-point average. While on academic probation, the student is limited to a schedule of 5 courses and is ineligible to participate in any extracurricular activities. In the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences a student on probation is limited to a schedule of four courses.

Honors

At graduation, students receive honors of three kinds — summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude — if approved for such honors by the faculty and administration of the University. To be eligible for these honors, students must attain a minimum cumulative quality‑point average of 3.90, 3.75, 3.50, respectively, and at least 60 credits of course work (not including Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory courses) must have been taken at Villanova University.

Repeat Freshman Year

The Academic Standing Committee may allow a freshman student to declare academic bankruptcy and repeat the year with a new start on the cumulative average (though a record of the year's work will remain on the transcript).