Questions About Academics | Questions About Registration
Questions About Transcripts and Credits

What is an academic advisor?

An academic advisor is a professional who is here to help you understand university academic requirements, assist you in making appropriate academic choices, help you choose or change your academic major and refer you to other offices where appropriate.

How do I find out who my academic advisor is?

To find out who your academic advisor is contact the University Advising Center, Building 18, Room 131, 474-3170. Every freshman is assigned an academic advisor during the Orientation process. Students are assigned randomly unless they fall into the following categories:

• Honor students are assigned to Dr. Westcott with the University Advising Center.
• Athletes and international students are assigned to Ms. Anna Shiplee with the University Advising Center.
• Students who have been accepted to the Student Success Program are assigned to Ms. Lusharon Wiley in the Student Success Program office.

What is the CLAST test?

The College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) is designed to ensure that students have achieved certain math, English language, essay and reading skills. All students seeking an Associate of Arts or Baccalaureate degree from UWF are required by the State of Florida to satisfy the CLAST requirement. Information regarding preparation and registration for the CLAST exam may be obtained in the Testing office at (850) 474-2384. Questions regarding alternative means for meeting the CLAST requirement may be answered by the Registrar's office at (850) 474-2244. The CLAST is offered statewide once per semester. Students must register in advance at the Student Affairs office located in building 21 room 292.

What is a SASS audit?

The SASS audit is not your official UWF transcript, but a map to show you what requirements you must successfully complete in order to graduate from UWF. It provides you with important information such as:

• Your cumulative grade point average (GPA)
• The courses that are required for your degree
• The courses you need to complete for your degree
• How everything you have taken or registered for counts toward completion of your degree
• All University and departmental requirements for graduation

You can receive an audit at any time from your academic advisor.

When can I add or drop a course?

A student may add a course anytime during Early Registration, Regular Registration, or during the official Drop/Add period (as listed in the academic calendar). After the Drop/Add period, no other courses may be added.

A student may drop a course anytime during the Early Registration, Regular Registration, or during the official Drop/Add period. When you drop a course during Early Registration or during the Drop/Add period, it will not appear on your permanent records. To drop a course after the Drop/Add period, you must withdraw.

How do I withdraw from a course?

A student may withdraw from a course while remaining in other course(s) before the end of the ninth week of instruction in the fall and spring semester (see the academic calendar for summer and short term dates). Students adhering to the published deadlines will receive a grade of "W" on their academic record. Students must complete a Withdrawal form available in the Registrar's office building 18 (474-2244) according to established deadlines. Withdrawals are not automatic.

Do I need a signature to add/drop a course?

Students assigned to an advisor in the University Advising Center must make an appointment with their assigned advisor to obtain a signature to add a course. The only exception to this procedure is if you are simply changing sections of a course you are currently registered for.

Students are not required to obtain an advisor's signature to drop a course.

How do I get my grades at the end of the semester?

Students are mailed grade reports approximately one week after the conclusion of the final exam period. The Registrar's office will mail grade reports to the student's address currently on file. Students should make sure their address is current with the Registrar's office. Students with financial obligations will not have grades mailed to them until their obligation to the University is met.

Additionally, you can access your grades through the internet on COMPASS. The web address is http://nautical.uwf.edu/compass/main.cfm. You will be unable to access your grades if you have a financial obligation to UWF.

What do I do if I think I have received an incorrect grade?

If you think you have received an incorrect grade, you must:

1. Bring it to the attention of the instructor for the course as soon as possible
2. Attempt to resolve the problem with the help of the instructor in a timely and satisfactory manner

If you are dissatisfied with the instructor's decision or if you can't reach the instructor, you may continue to pursue an informal solution with the chair of the department. You may consult the "Student Grade Appeals" section of the student handbook.

Is UWF the only institution in which I can fulfill my summer attendance requirement?

No. Students entering the State University System with fewer than 60 semester hours of credit are required to enroll in a minimum of nine hours of credit in the summer as a graduation requirement. Students may complete those hours at any state university in the Florida system (FAMU, FAU, FGCU, FIU, FSU, UF, UNF, USF, UWF). Courses taken in the summer at a Florida Community college or my out-of-state Community College or University do not count toward the SUS summer course requirement. Petitions for exemption of this requirement may be forwarded to the University Appeals Committee. The petition form is available in the Registrar's office.

I'm ready to go to (FAMU, FAU, FGCU, FIU, FSU, UCF, UF, UNF, USF) to fulfill some or all of my degree requirements.Do I have to fill out any paper work?

Yes, you do. Students taking courses at other institutions must complete a "Student Transient Form." This form is available and must be certified in the Registrar's office.

When does a student go on academic probation and how long does the student stay on probation?

Academic probation occurs when a student's UWF GPA drops below 2.0. Academic probation will continue normally until the GPA reaches 2.0 or better. While it is true that a student may continue on probation as long as he/she earns at least a 2.0 each semester, remember that to graduate a student must have a UWF GPA of 2.0 or better.

What if I don't make a 2.0 my next semester while on academic probation?

A student on academic probation is normally suspended from the university upon failure to achieve a 2.0 GPA during a subsequent semester. Upon suspension, a student may not enroll at the university for one semester following suspension. A suspended student must apply for reinstatement through their respective college. The form is available in the University Advising Center. The form must be completed with an academic advisor and requires the following information:

• A letter from the student indicating the reasons for previous academic difficulty.
• Plans for achieving a 2.0 or better GPA
• A recommendation from the academic advisor

A student's academic record will be reviewed and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences will make the decision regarding reinstatement.

I need to leave UWF due to medical reasons. How do I get a medical withdrawal?

If you have to withdraw because of illness, you must apply for withdrawal within the semester from which the withdrawal is sought. Students seeking a late withdrawal because of medical conditions must have their physician provide the university with the appropriate information using a University withdrawal form (Registrar's office located in building 18).

It's after the withdrawal deadline and I need to return home for a family emergency. How can I do this without my academic record being adversely affected?

If you are faced with a circumstance that is truly extraordinary and beyond your control, you may consider filing a petition for a late withdrawal if other arrangements cannot be made with your instructors. If you do need to petition for a late withdrawal, your academic progress will be assessed by your instructors to determine whether a "WF" (withdrawal-failing) or a “W” (withdrawal) will be assigned if the petition is approved. If you receive a "W" grade, your GPA will not be affected. However if you receive a "WF" grade for any of your courses, it will be calculated as a failing grade. The petition form may be obtained from the Registrar's office located in building 18. A petition for late withdrawal is not an option simply because you are not satisfied with your academic progress.

How do I meet UWF's foreign language requirement?

Florida Statutes require that students admitted to UWF demonstrate competency in a foreign language. You can meet that requirement several ways:

1. Take two years of a single foreign language in high school or take one year in high school and the second semester of the same language at UWF or any other post-secondary school.
2. Satisfactory completion of two semesters of a single foreign language at a postsecondary school prior to admission to UWF.
3. Satisfactory completion of two semesters of a single foreign language at UWF.
4. Demonstration of proficiency through a CLEP or departmental exam.

Can American Sign Language be used to meet UWF's foreign language admission requirement?

American sign language can be used to fulfill a student's admission foreign language requirement. Students who have not met the admission foreign language requirement can be accepted to UWF. The requirement must then be completed before the student can graduate from UWF. Some major departments may have additional language requirements which do not accept American Sign language for their requirements. Students must check with their major department for additional language requirements.

How is my financial aid affected if I fail or withdraw from a course, or have less than 12 hours?

How your financial aid is affected depends on the type of aid or scholarships you have received. You must speak with a Financial Aid advisor concerning your particular situation. Student Financial Aid is in Building 21, Room 120, 474-2400.

When can I start taking courses in my major?

Generally, you can take a course in your major at any time as long as you meet the prerequisites of that course. Check the course description in your catalog to see what prerequisites there are for a course. Keep in mind that some majors also require specific general studies courses. Check with your advisor each semester to make sure you are selecting the right courses.

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Questions for Everyone About Registration

How do I find out when I'm able to register for upcoming semesters?

The University Advising Center notifies its students (via mail) of the upcoming registration period. UAC students are required to make advising appointments with their assigned advisor for approval of their next semester's schedule prior to registration. During the advising session, your advisor will inform you of your registration date.

When can I register?

There are three phases to registration:

• Early registration is normally held immediately after midterm of the current semester for the next semester.
• Regular registration begins the week after early registration and concludes the week prior to Drop/Add.
• Drop/Add is conducted the first week of classes during each semester.

Currently enrolled students may register for courses during the early registration period.

Students are registered according to their current classification. Typically the schedule is as follows:

• Graduate students, honor students, athletes, and Student Success students register on Monday.
• Seniors register on Tuesday.
• Juniors register on Wednesday.
• Sophomores register on Thursday.
• Freshmen register on Friday.

For official registration dates, you should consult the university calendar in the current UWF catalog. You should be aware of the first day of registration as well as the last day.

Please note that Summer and Fall registration periods are at the same time and begin immediately after midterm in the Spring semester. Students may register for both semesters concurrently.

When and where can I pick up a class registration book?

The "Schedule of Classes" is distributed by the colleges, departments, academic advising centers, and Registrar's office and is published twice a year. One edition contains the Summer and Fall term courses and is available around mid-March. Another edition contains Spring term courses and is available around mid-October.

How do I verify the class(es) that I have registered for?

After registering, you need to make sure that you have obtained a copy of your schedule. The class schedule is proof of registration. When you receive it, please check to make sure that everything is correct. You can also check your schedule through COMPASS (http://nautical.uwf.edu/compass/main.cfm). If you are still unsure if you have registered for classes or think there is a mistake, check with the Registrar's Office, Building 18, Room 186.

How do I register for courses at another institution?

Students should pick up a "Transient Student" form from the University Advising Center, Building 18, Room 131, or the Registrar's Office, Building 18, Room 101. You should talk to your advisor before choosing courses at the other institution. Your advisor can assist you in filling out the form and give you more specific information on transferring classes. In addition, you need to be sure that you have applied and are admitted to the other institution. It is your responsibility to apply and register yourself for courses. Don't forget to have a transcript sent back to UWF that shows your final grade for those courses.

How do I get into a closed class?

You need to ask the instructor of the course very nicely and have a good reason. If a course section is closed, you may ask about an "override." An override is when an instructor agrees to teach more students than the stated course limit and is given only in exceptional circumstances. To check the possibility of an override:

1. Contact the department which teaches the course
2. Ask "What is the policy for overrides into ... (name the course and section)?"

The department will know the override policy for that course and section. They may tell you that overrides are not an option for that section of the course. If overrides are an option, the department will instruct you on how to obtain the required signatures.

What is the "third attempt surcharge?"

All students enrolled in the Fall 1997 term and after, regardless of when they started at UWF, are subject to third attempt surcharges. This includes all undergraduate courses that you either repeat or register for a third time, including completed courses, withdrawals, and grades of incomplete. Courses taken before the Fall of 1997 do not count toward the total. At this time, when you enroll in a course the third time, you will be charged a rate of $224.50 per credit hour for Florida residents and $446.36 per credit hour for non-residents. Now more than ever, it is important that you carefully plan your program of study with the assistance of your academic advisor and complete the courses in which you enroll.

Where do I go to take an interest test or find out what careers I would be good at?

The Career Center is located in building 19 (474-2254). The Center normally conducts a "Career Fair" once each academic year. The Center provides testing to determine possible career choices. Upon completion of this test, students who are still undecided my contact the Counseling Center located in building 19 (474-2420) for more in-depth testing.

Where do I go for tutoring?

The Learning Center located in building 52 (474-3488) provides free individualized and small group tutoring in statistics, chemistry, biology, physics, algebra, study skills, and speed reading. Assistance is provided through instructional support materials, instructional software, books, pamphlets, audio-visual equipment, and computers. The Center also provides support for students seeking assistance with CLAST, ACT, and SAT tests.

For writing assistance, contact the Writing Skills Laboratory located in building 51 room 157 (474-2029). The lab provides assistance with critiquing papers as well as writing skills and content.

There is also a math lab located in building 38 room 147 (474-2622). The lab is dedicated to assisting students who need guidance in many different fields of mathematics.

I have an insurance form that needs to be completed by UWF officially indicating that I'm student here. Who can help me?

Enrollment verification for insurance purposes can be processed by the Registrar's office located in building 18 (474-2245).

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Questions for Everyone about Transcripts and Credits

If I am a new student, when will I know what courses transferred to UWF?

Transfer credits are normally processed within two weeks of receipt. Transfer credit is then updated after enrollment when all final transcripts and scores have been received. Your academic advisor will inform you of the results of transfer evaluation (assuming its completed) during your advising appointment at Orientation. Any discrepancies or questions must be handled by the Admissions office, located in building 18 (474-2230).

If I take a course outside of UWF as a continuing student, when will I know about this transfer credit?

If you complete a course outside of UWF after you've enrolled here, the credits for the course will be processed by the Admissions office located in building 18. The credit(s) for the course will only be awarded after you have sent an official transcript with the grades posted from the school you attended. Upon receipt of the transcript, the Admissions office will evaluate the course work and your academic record will be updated. Please remember that you must complete a Student Transient form from the Registrar's office prior to enrolling in courses away from UWF.

How long does it take for the processing of my dual enrollment college credit, AP credit, CLEP credit or IB credit?

The Admission's office evaluates all dual enrollment, AP, IB, and CLEP credit. A student's credit evaluation, on average, is completed within 2 weeks of receiving all required official documents for evaluation. Transfer credit, AP, IB, or CLEP credit submitted by currently enrolled students will be evaluated within 5 working days of receiving official documentation.

Who do I contact if there is a problem with UWF not receiving a high school or college transcript?

Contact the Admissions office (474-2230) to be sure that they do not have your transcripts.

Admissions receives many transcripts everyday and yours could be the next in line for processing. If Admissions indicates they have not received it, contact your former institution and ask them to resend your transcripts.

How do the grades from my previous college course work factor into my UWF grade point average?

Grades that you earn for any college-level course work taken at any other accredited college or university do not factor into your UWF grade point average.

When will my international transfer credit appear on my academic record?

International transfer credit is evaluated prior to admission of a student and any credit awarded will appear on a student's record once the student is accepted.

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