Academic Policies

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University of Silicon Valley strives to foster excellence in our students by maintaining high standards of creativity, visual prowess, cultural literacy, critical thinking, professionalism and industry competence.

We have an array of academic resources for our students and faculty that fuel a thriving, project-centered, team environment.

Statement of Nondiscrimination

University of Silicon Valley is an equal opportunity institution of higher education and employer and is firmly committed to non-discrimination in its delivery of educational services and employment practices. These practices include, but are not limited to, hiring, employment promotion and transfer, admissions policies, the administration of its scholarship and loan programs and participation in the benefits and services of educational programs or related activities sponsored by the University. In compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, decisions will be made irrespective of the individual’s sex, race, color, religion, religious creed, age (over 18 years), mental or physical disability, medical condition as defined by law, national origin, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other basis prohibited by federal or state law or local ordinance. This policy is in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Executive Order 11246, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1975; and any applicable state and local laws. When necessary, the College will reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities if the individual is otherwise qualified to meet the fundamental requirements of the University’s educational program and/or is able to safely perform all essential functions, without undue hardship to the University.

Academics

Class Standing

The class standing is determined by the number of credits successfully completed:

0 – 30 credits – Freshman
31 – 60 credits – Sophomore
61 – 90 credits – Junior
Above 90 credits – Senior

Attendance

On-Campus Attendance Policy

University of Silicon Valley students are expected to attend every class session scheduled for each course in which they enroll. Students who miss a class must arrange with instructors to take any examination or complete any make-up work at an alternate time. The following are the attendance policies that apply to all students at University of Silicon Valley:

A student that does not attend an individual class for 14 consecutive calendar days may be withdrawn from the class by the University. A withdrawal “W” grade will be given if withdrawal occurs on or prior to the last day to withdraw deadline. A withdrawal after the last day to withdraw will be assigned a withdrawal fail “WF” grade.
A student that is absent from all classes for 14 consecutive calendar days may be withdrawn from the school and subject to the refund policies. For each registered course, a withdrawal “W” grade will be given if withdrawal occurs on or prior to the last day to withdraw deadline. A withdrawal after the last day to withdraw will be assigned a withdrawal fail “WF” grade for each registered course.

Online/Hybrid Attendance Policy

USV provides two distance learning delivery methods with the utilization of a Learning Management System (LMS): e.g., ‘Online’ and ‘Hybrid.’ Distance learning courses are held Monday through Sunday.

University of Silicon Valley students registered for online courses are encouraged to participate often in each course they enroll. At a minimum, a student must submit a gradable item each week. A gradable item is defined as a threaded discussion, assignment, test, or quiz.

University of Silicon Valley students registered for hybrid courses will require students to attend, at the least, once a week in class lecture while submitting assignments via LMS.

The following are the attendance policies that apply to all students at University of Silicon Valley enrolled in any distance learning delivery method:

A student that does not participate in an individual class for 14 consecutive calendar days (two (2) weeks) may be withdrawn from the class by the University. A withdrawal “W” grade will be given if withdrawal occurs on or prior to the last day to withdraw deadline. A withdrawal after the last day to withdraw will be assigned a withdrawal fail “WF” grade.
A student that is absent from all classes for 14 consecutive calendar days (two (2) weeks) may be withdrawn from the school and subject to the refund policies described below. For each registered course, a withdrawal “W” grade will be given if withdrawal occurs on or prior to the last day to withdraw deadline. A withdrawal after the last day to withdraw will be assigned a withdrawal fail “WF” grade for each registered course.

Grading System & Grade Points

The University uses the following four-point grading system:

Grades Used in GPA Calculation:

Grade / Grade Points
A+ / 4.0 (with distinction)
A / 4.0
A-/ 3.7
B+ / 3.3
B / 3.0
B-/ 2.7
C+/ 2.3
C / 2.0
C- / 1.7
D+/ 1.3
D / 1.0
D- / 0.7
F / 0.0

Grades Not Used in GPA Calculation:

AF – Administrative “F”, no credit received
AU – Audit, no credit received
CR – “C” or better, credit earned
I – Incomplete
P – Pass, “C” or better, credit received
NP – No Pass, “C-“ or below no credit received
R – Retaken
T – Transfer, credit awarded
W – Withdrawal, no credit received

Midterm Academic Performance

Midterm academic performance is reported by faculty before the eighth week of the semester. Following this point, students that are not maintaining a C average or higher GPA are notified by the Registrar’s Office.

Student Success Services will schedule meeting time with any student that falls below the minimum midterm standard to create a Student Success Plan and advise students towards a successful academic progress.

Students are also encouraged to meet with Academic Advisors to create a Student Success Plan.

The action plan may include, but not limited to, the following:

Review current schedule to identify, if any, course issues that may be impacting academic progress
Review future schedule to identify possibility of changes, dropping, or repeating course
Schedule regular meetings during the semester to monitor student’s academic progress
Assist students with arranging tutoring sessions or any other form of support the University can provide

Grade Point Average (GPA) Calculations

The GPA is calculated according to the following formula:

GPA = Sum of (Grade Point Value X Course Credits for Each Course) / Total Credits

Example Grade Point Average Calculation

ENG1003 credits A-(3.7 grade value) 3 X 3.7 =11.1
MATH1153 credits B(3.0 grade value) 3 X 3.0 =9.0
DAA1103 credits A (4.0 grade value) 3 x 4.0 =12.0

11.1 + 9.0 + 12.0 = 32.1 / 9 credits = GPA=3.57

Academic Honors

The President's Honor Roll

Recognizes students who have completed twelve (12) or more credits coursework during the semester with a 3.80 grade point average or better.

The Dean's Honor Roll

Recognizes students who have completed twelve (12) or more credits coursework in a semester with a 3.50-3.79 grade point average.

Graduation & Degree Requirements

Undergraduate Graduation Requirements

To receive a degree in the program of study the student must achieve the following:

Complete the course as prescribed in the academic catalog under which the student enrolled.
Complete unit and course requirements with a minimum of a 2.0 cumulative GPA
Complete their program of study within 150% of the published length of their program.

Graduate Graduation Requirements

To receive a degree in the program of study the student must achieve the following:

Complete the course as prescribed in the academic catalog under which the student enrolled.
Complete unit and course requirements with a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA
Complete their program of study within 150% of the published length of their program.

Application for Graduation Procedure

The graduation audit is the official confirmation of the completion of all the requirements for a degree. A graduation audit is also necessary to ensure all appropriate documents have been submitted to the Registrar’s Office, and to ensure the student’s academic file is complete before a diploma is awarded. Students should keep close track of all coursework completed and keep in regular contact with their advisor. A student may initiate a graduation audit when he/she is within eighteen (18) credits of graduation.

To initiate a graduation audit a student must:

Request an Application for Graduation form from the Registrar’s Office (also available from the website)
Submit appropriate fees to the Business Office
Return the completed Application for Graduation form to Registrar’s Office.
A verification letter with the results of the graduation audit will be sent within one month of applying for graduation.

Fees: Students must pay a one-time $100.00 graduation fee.

Graduation with Honors

A student who maintains a 3.50, 3.80 and 4.0 at degree completion will graduate with honors cum laude (honors), magna cum laude (high honors), or summa cum laude (highest honors) respectively.

Student Academic Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of students to:

Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures, deadlines, and graduation requirements found within this catalog and the Student Handbook.
Monitor progress toward completion of graduation requirements
Comply with the content of the Student Handbook and Student’s Rights and Responsibilities.

University of Silicon Valley expects high standards of honesty and integrity from all members of the community. The University is committed to creating an environment that facilitates the academic and personal growth of its members. The College, therefore, has a duty to protect its educational purpose through the setting of standards of scholarship and conduct. To this end, it is each student’s responsibility to read and comply with the Code of Student Conduct. The latter can be found in the Student Handbook which is available through the Admissions Office and the Office of Student Life.

Academic Honesty

Academic honesty is a fundamental principle of the educational process. It is essential to maintaining the value of the academic degree students receive and the credibility of the institution.

Academic honesty is vital to the proper evaluation of the level of knowledge and understanding a student acquires in a course. This evaluation may be based on quizzes, exams, reports, homework, projects, discussions and any other assignments used by the faculty to ascertain the student’s command of the course material. Any act that invalidates the process of evaluation is an act of academic dishonesty.

University of Silicon Valley forbids all forms of academic dishonesty including cheating and plagiarism. Examples of academic honesty include but are not limited to:

Copying from another student’s exam, enabling unauthorized access to test or assignment answers, submitting work from a previous class, use of false identity online, and accessing unauthorized materials during a closed-book exam.
Plagiarism; representing another’s academic or creative work as your own, and incorporating another’s ideas, words, or phrasing without giving credit to the author.
Alteration of grades or official records
Changing already graded documents
Use of purchased or acquired papers
Submission of homework, take-home exams, reports, and projects mostly prepared by another student
Facilitation or assistance in any act of academic dishonesty

Students caught engaging in academic dishonesty may be subject to failure for the assignment, failure for the class, and/or additional disciplinary procedures as laid out in the Student Handbook.

Academic Freedom

Academic freedom is the cornerstone of higher education. It guarantees that faculty and students may engage in the classroom in candid discussions of issues important to society, even if their views are controversial, without fear of censorship or reprisal. The University endorses the 1940 Statement of Principles and 1940 and 1970 interpretive comments of the American Association of University Professors on academic freedom.

It is the policy of University of Silicon Valley that in the context of classroom discussion and written assignments students may freely express their own perspectives or opinions on substantive issues. Students may be evaluated or challenged by their professors based on the quality of their reasoning and verbal or written skills. Faculty may not penalize or censor students for dissenting or controversial views.

Independent Study

In Independent Study, with the supervision and guidance of faculty, a student develops a research project, field study, practicum, or special readings proposal which centers on an area of study not included in the regular course(s). Independent Study is not to replace a course that was not successfully completed. In some cases, independent study may be used as a substitute course. A student may enroll for one course of independent study in a semester. Students will be required to keep log of time, and submit assignments once or twice a week as required by faculty.

Independent Study presupposes a developed competency and maturity; consequently, participation in the program is restricted to students who have accrued a cumulative point average of 3.0 in the student’s major. A student who does not meet the qualifying criteria, but develops a proposal which merits Independent Study status, should consult with a prospective faculty to assess the possibilities for successful completion of the project.

Procedures to be followed are:

Students requesting to take an Independent Study must request for a Permission Form from the Registrar’s Office. The form must be completed prior to reviewing with a faculty member.
The student reviews the proposal of the Independent Study with faculty
With the agreement of the faculty sponsor, the proposal is submitted to the Dean of the College for approval.
Students must meet/submit assignments no less than once or twice per week.