Advising

Will I have an advisor?
All students are assigned a faculty advisor prior to the beginning of their first academic year. Once a student has declared a major, he/she should have the same faculty advisor for the duration of his/her academic career. All advisors in the College of Arts and Sciences have chosen the opportunity to work closely with students, to assist you as you explore personal and professional goals. For those times when you want a quick reference regarding your advisement questions, please see the Student Guide and/or Campus Resources.
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Am I required to meet with my faculty advisor?
It is important that you communicate frequently with your advisor. Your advisor will be able to answer questions regarding majors and minors, University services, College policies, and many more. Also, each semester, prior to the university’s pre-registration period, students must meet with their faculty advisor to discuss course scheduling and to receive their registration PIN for on-line registration.
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What is NOVASIS?
NOVASIS is the University’s student information system available on the World Wide Web. It works in conjunction with the student record system and allows students to access and update personal information. In addition, students can access their financial aid award information, their housing assignments & housing contracts, and look at their class schedules through the various links on the NOVASIS website. Students can register for classes and work-study students can enter their employee information online. New students should become familiar with all of the different functions that NOVASIS serves as it can be an important tool to organizing one’s college experience and receiving important information concerning student records.
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What is CAPP?
Curriculum, Advising and Program Planning (CAPP) is a web-based degree-auditing tool. It tracks a student’s progress toward the completion of his/her degree. CAPP compliance forms are available for both students and their Faculty Advisors through NOVASIS. A student’s current academic information is compared to student's degree requirements indicating the remaining courses. CAPP can also perform a “What-If” function which checks a student’s academic record against the requirements for a new major and highlights the remaining courses.
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What if I struggling academically?
Your first resource is always your professor. Your professor wants you to succeed as much as you do. The departments within the College are also eager to see you succeed. To that end, each department provides contact information and/or academic support for your assistance. Students are also encouraged to visit the Math Learning and Resource Center (MLRC) and the Writing Center. Finally, from Learning Support Services to Study Skills help is available to help you succeed academically.
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Curriculum

Am I required to take a foreign language?
Yes, you are required to take a foreign language. Specific information regarding this requirement is listed in the Student Handbook, the Enchiridion. If a student has completed two years of a language in high school, credit for introductory courses in that language taken at the College will not satisfy degree requirements.
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Can I study abroad?
Yes. The College encourages all students to participate in an overseas experience during the summer, fall, or spring semester. The Office of International Studies provides assistance to students desiring to study in a foreign country.
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Majors / Minors

Will I have many majors, minors and concentrations from which to choose?
Every student is unique and our academic course choices are as varied as our students. With the help of your faculty advisor you will be able to navigate the wealth of choices.
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Can I major in more than one discipline?
Yes. Students have the opportunity to double major. Students may apply for a double major during the initial major selection process (or after).  Such students should contact an Associate Dean in Room 103, St. Augustine Center to discuss this possibility.  The department chair of the second major will review the student's academic record and accept or deny request.
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When and how do I declare/change my major?
Students in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Biology, Chemistry, Comprehensive Science, Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics enter into the College as a declared major; however, most students begin their academic career as an Undeclared Arts major. These students need not declare/change their major until the end of the sophomore year.
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Policies

I took a college course in high school. Can I get credit for the course?
To earn Villanova University credit for a college course taken while a high school student, the following items must be submitted to the Dean’s Office:

• An official letter from the high school principal or guidance counselor stating that the credits are not counted towards high school graduation requirements.
• An official letter from the college or university stating that the courses were taught on its campus by a member of the regular faculty, open to enrollment by and graded in competition with regularly matriculated undergraduate students at the college and a regular part of the normal curriculum published in the college catalog.
• An official, seal-bearing transcript from the college or university.
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I took AP courses in high school. Can I get credit for these courses?
Students may receive credit for AP courses completed in high school as long as the necessary grades have been achieved in the College Board Advanced Placement Tests. No limit is placed on the number of advanced placement credits awarded.
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While a student at Villanova, can I take courses at another institution during the summer?
Students may take summer courses at another four year accredited institution if they have at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA). Permission is required before enrolling. Forms are available in the Dean’s Office, Room 103 St. Augustine Center. Grades of "C' or better (not "C-") are required to receive transfer credit. Only credits, NOT grades are transferable.
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As a transfer student, how many credits can I transfer into Villanova University?
A transfer student may transfer up to 60 credits, which include AP credits, study abroad and summer courses taken elsewhere. The last 30 credits, senior year, 50 percent of all courses required for the degree and at least 50 percent of major courses must be earned at Villanova University. Grades of “C” or better (not a “C-“) are required to be considered for transfer credit.
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What’s the minimum Grade Point Average I need to graduate?
Students need an overall cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 to graduate. Students in the sciences must also have a technical grade point average (TGPA) of at least 2.0. Academic records of all students falling below a 2.0 GPA in any semester will be reviewed by the College’s Academic Standing Committee for appropriate action, which may include being placed on academic probation or dismissal from the College.
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How many credits can I take each semester?
To be considered a full-time student, students are required to take a minimum of 12 credits. A normal load for a Liberal Arts or Sciences student is between 15 and 18 credits. A course overload is possible and should be discussed with your faculty advisor.
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Does the College have an attendance policy?
Regular class attendance is expected of all students. Freshmen are required to be present regularly at all class sessions and will receive a grade of “Y” (failure) whenever the number of unexcused absences in a course exceeds twice the number of weekly class meetings for that course. The faculty member for upper class students determines attendance policies.
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Does the College have an Academic Integrity Policy?
Inspired by the spirit of Saint Augustine, academic honesty and integrity lie at the heart of the values expressed in the University mission statement. Villanova University has adopted a Code of Academic Integrity that applies to all students. The University does not tolerate any form of academic dishonesty or misconduct. Dishonesty (including plagiarism) in any assignment, test, or examination will result in a zero for the given assignment and is reported to the Dean. In addition, the student will be expected to complete an academic integrity education program. A second offense will result in dismissal from the University with the reason noted on the student's official transcript.
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Registration and Scheduling

How do I register for classes each semester?
The Office of the Registrar creates a fall semester class schedule for each incoming freshman. This schedule may be accessed through NOVASIS in mid-August. Pre-registration for the spring semester takes place in October. All freshmen are required to meet with their faculty advisor to review the curriculum requirements and to receive their registration PIN. Using this PIN, students register on-line through NOVASIS. New registration PINs are assigned each semester.
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What if I need to register for a course and the section is closed?
Students are not permitted to enroll in closed sections. In extenuating circumstances, an exception can be made by the chair of the academic department offering the course. Faculty members teaching a course cannot make exceptions.
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Can I change my schedule?
Incoming freshman schedules can only be changed based on a curriculum need. This must be determined through conversation with their advisor. For all other semesters, during the first five days of each semester, students may drop and add classes through NOVASIS. This is referred to as the drop/add period. If a course is dropped before the end of the drop/add period (by 5:00 pm on day five of the semester) the course will not be part of a student’s permanent record, i.e. the course will not show up on a student’s transcript.
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Can I withdraw from a class after these first five days (after the drop/add period)?
Students may withdraw from a class after the drop/add period. The last day for Authorized Withdrawal without Academic Penalty (WX grade) is usually two days after the close of pre-registration for the forthcoming semester. The course with a grade of “WX” will appear on a student’s permanent record; however this grade is not calculated into the student’s grade point average (GPA).

If a student withdraws from a course after the authorized deadline, it is considered an authorized withdrawal with academic penalty. A grade of “W” will be designated on a student’s permanent record. A grade of “W” is the equivalent to an “F” grade and is included in computing a student’s grade point average (GPA). Withdrawal forms, (available in the Dean's Office, Room 105 St. Augustine Center) require the signature of your Advisor and a Dean.
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Transfer Students

What if I want to transfer into the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences from another College at Villanova?
The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences accepts internal transfers from all of the other colleges at Villanova. In order to be considered for admission, students must submit both the Internal Transfer Policy and the Internal Transfer Application to the Dean’s Office (Room 105 St. Augustine Center) for review.
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What if I want to transfer into the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at Villanova University from another College or University?
 Villanova welcomes applications from students with previous college experience. Candidates are selected for admission on the basis of individual merit as determined by their complete college coursework and an evaluation by the Dean of Students at the last college attended. Interested individuals are encouraged to link to the Admission Overview for Transfer Students and the transfer students’ FAQ.
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