Pairing business, technology and creativity, our students come to the heart of Silicon Valley to deepen and grow their passions. The result? A skilled and dynamic community with a social life that is surprisingly robust.
Immersive, collaborative and designed to unlock your creativity—for over 130 years USV has been helping people turn their passion into their professions. Today, it’s your turn. Explore our program offerings to help you develop the skills you need for the job you’ll love.
We have an array of academic resources for our students and faculty that fuel a thriving, project-centered, team environment.
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.
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
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:
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:
The University uses the following four-point grading system:
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 WF / 0.0
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 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 advice 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:
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
The President's Honor Roll
Recognizes students who have completed six (6) 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 six (6) or more credits coursework in a semester with a 3.50-3.79 grade point average.
UNDERGRADUATE GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
To receive a degree in the program of study the student must achieve the following:
GRADUATE GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
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 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:
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.
A student who maintains a 3.50, 3.8 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.
It is the responsibility of students to:
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 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:
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 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.
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, 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:
