Forms & Academic Policies

Advanced Standing Credits

Advanced standing credits are college credits earned before entering NYU, and credit may be awarded toward your NYU degree for the following:

• Satisfactory work completed at another accredited college or university
• Credit by examination, which includes AP, IB, and some foreign maturity examinations

For more information on the LS Advanced Standing Credits policy, visit New Students.

Pass/Fail Guidelines

Students may elect no more than one pass/fail option each term, including summer sessions, for a total of no more than 16 credits while they are enrolled in LS. The pass/fail option is not available for the following:

• courses required for a major or minor
• core requirements outlined by the degree-granting NYU school, including LS Core Program
  
• courses completed at other institutions
• more than 1 course per semester/session
• more than 16 credits total while you are enrolled in LS

For details on classes eligible for Pass/Fail grading, refer to Pass/Fail Option in the LS Bulletin.

How to Elect Pass/Fail Grading

Prior to submitting the request, you must consult with an LS academic advisor about the likely impact of a Pass/Fail grade on your academic and career plans. If you are studying away, you must consult with the LS Office of Global Programs prior to submitting the Pass/Fail request.
To elect Pass/Fail Grading for a course, electronically submit the Pass/Fail Request Form prior to the deadline:

• Fall/Spring semester deadline: no later than the end of the 9th week of classes
• Summer Session deadline: no later than the end of the second week of classes

Once the Pass/Fail Request Form has been submitted and processed by the LS Advising Office, grading for that course cannot be changed back to a letter grade. Note: A grade of “P” is not factored into your GPA; however, “F” grades do count toward the GPA.

LS policies are below. Consult NYU Grades for information about your transcript and University grading policies.

Passing Grades

In Liberal Studies, “D” constitutes a passing grade, with the following exceptions and qualifications:

• Writing as Critical Inquiry (formerly "Writing II") in the LS Core requires a minimum grade of C to show proficiency
  • Note: Students planning to transition to the College of Arts & Science may transition with a passing grade below C, but a qualifying score on the NYU Writing Proficiency Exam will also be required
• Global Writing Seminar (GLS) requires a minimum grade of C
• Courses being applied toward most majors and minors typically require a minimum grade of C

Failing Grades

If you fail a required course, you must retake the course and receive a passing grade to be allowed to transition onto a degree program (LS Core) or earn your bachelor’s degree (GLS). Failing non-required courses impacts your grade point average such that you may need to retake them in order to satisfy minimum GPA requirements for transition or graduation.

Repeating Courses for Grades

For students who matriculate in Liberal Studies as of fall 2016 or later: A student who has taken a course for credit or who has obtained a W (withdrawal) in a course is permitted to repeat that course. Students may not repeat courses in a designated sequence after taking more advanced courses, and students with questions regarding course sequences should consult with the particular department offering the course. When a student repeats a course, no additional credit will be awarded. Both the original and subsequent grade will be displayed on the transcript; however, only the subsequent grade will be computed in the grade point average.

Incomplete Grades

If unexpected circumstances will prevent you from completing a course, it is at the discretion of the instructor whether to grant an “incomplete” at the end of a semester. Incomplete grades may only be awarded through written agreement between the student and the professor before the end of the course; use the Incomplete Grade Agreement Form (PDF). For more information, refer to the Incomplete Grade policy in the LS Bulletin.

Grade Appeals

If you disagree with your grade awarded in a class and cannot resolve it by speaking with your professor, you must meet with either the Associate Dean of Students or an LS academic advisor—the Dean's Designee—to discuss your concerns. Only then can you appeal the grade by filing a Petition for Change of Grade. For more information, refer to the Grade Appeal policy in the LS Bulletin.

A formal request to pursue independent study must be submitted in the form of a proposed syllabus. Please review the Independent Study Guidelines (PDF).

Leaves of absence must be obtained officially through the LS Advising Office. A leave may be requested for one semester or the entire academic year. If you do not obtain an official leave of absence, you will need to apply for readmission to NYU following your leave.

To withdraw from the University, speak with an LS academic advisor about your plans as early as possible. The advisor will advise you on the next steps. In addition, if you are staying in University Housing, you will be asked to provide proof of withdrawal from the LS Advising Center so that you will not be charged for future semesters.

Leaves of absence may be granted under various circumstances. Review the guidelines for common circumstances below:

• Health-related leaves (PDF)
• Health-related leaves for study away students (PDF)
• Personal leaves (PDF)
• Personal leaves for study away students (PDF)

For more information, refer to the Leave of Absence policy in the LS Bulletin.

In the process of learning, students acquire ideas from many sources and exchange ideas and opinions with others through reading, writing, and discussion. Students are expected—often required—to build their own work on that of other people, just as professional researchers and writers would. Not giving credit to someone whose work has helped your scholarship is considered plagiarism, which corrupts values of the University and violates Academic Integrity policy. The LS community expects that you will be scrupulous in crediting those sources that have contributed to the development of your ideas. To align your work with LS academic integrity policies, review the LS Academic Integrity Guide.

Plagiarism is not, however, the only form of academic dishonesty. Any violation of, or attempt to, circumvent a course, program, or University academic policy is considered a breach of academic integrity. For examples of violations and associated sanctions, refer to the Academic Integrity policy in the LS Bulletin.