Enrollment policies
Table of contents
Policies
Academic advising
At matriculation, every student is assigned an academic adviser who will help the student plan their course of study while at Earlham. It should be noted that while academic advisers assist students in this way, the responsibility for meeting all graduation requirements rests finally with the student. Once a student is ready to declare a major, they should arrange to have an academic adviser within that field or department. Forms for changing academic advisers are available from the Registrar’s Office.
Academic audits
An Academic Audit outlining outstanding General Education and credit requirements for degree completion is available to students and advisers in DegreeWorks. The audit informs the student of their standing in terms of graduation requirements, indicating which requirements have been completed and which are still in need of completion. Students are advised to pay very close attention to the audit, and to remember that it is, finally, a student’s responsibility (not the academic adviser’s) to fulfill all graduation requirements in a timely way.
Academic majors and minors
The major usually consists of 10 to 14 courses, and may include one or more capstone requirements, such as a senior seminar, senior thesis or comprehensive examination. Guidelines for the major are established by the department/program. Students declaring an intention to major must receive approval from the department/program convener and must submit a Declaration of Major to the Registrar’s Office no later than the end of their fourth semester.
Minors are available in 36 departments and programs. Students should file their intention to minor in a field with the Registrar’s Office no later than the fifth week of the eighth semester.
Academic mediation: Appealing a grade
Students may appeal grades and evaluations on procedural grounds. That is, they may question whether the grade was awarded fairly, according to clear standards, and in a manner consistent with Earlham’s stated practices, such that, a grade may not be appealed simply on grounds of disagreement of the instructor’s evaluation. An appeal should begin with a conversation between student and instructor. If this discussion leads to no agreement, the student, possibly along with their adviser, should contact one of the deans in Academic Affairs. The associate academic dean or registrar may advise the student on the merits of the case and shall, at the request of the student, mediate between student and instructor. This mediation must occur within one semester after completion of the course. A meeting of all parties or separate meetings of the dean with each party may be arranged. Sometimes the dean from Academic Affairs may recuse themselves and refer the case to another dean within the academic administration.
If this mediation does not lead to a result agreeable to the parties, either or both may request a mediation hearing before an ad hoc Academic Mediation Board. A dean from Academic Affairs (or their designee) shall convene a board, composed of two faculty members and two students. The dean shall choose two faculty members and invite the student members from a short-list selected from the Student Judicial Council. Either the student appellant or the faculty member whose grade is being appealed may reject nominations to the board. Board hearings shall be recorded during the presentation and discussion of evidence with all parties present. The board shall meet in executive session for deliberation.
The Mediation Board will review the documents of the case and listen to both parties. It then meets by itself and frames a recommendation. The board shall consider itself charged to act equitably and in the interest of both parties as it seeks to determine if grading procedures were somehow faulty and if a remedy is feasible. By Earlham’s bylaws, grading is in the province of the faculty, and a Board’s recommendations may not force an instructor to change a grade.
If the board finds itself unable to reach a consensus, or if either party is unwilling to accept the recommendation of the Board or the other party’s response to it, then the convening dean shall confer with the provost and the clerk of the faculty to devise a way forward.
If the faculty member is no longer at the college, a dean from Academic Affairs will consult with the department convener to review work and work toward a resolution.
Accelerated degree
Highly motivated students who matriculate with credits (through Advanced Placement [AP] scores, the International Baccalaureate, or other transferred credit) may choose to accelerate the time in which they earn their Earlham degree. Please meet with the registrar as soon as possible to outline your degree plan.
Advanced transfer credits
Students may transfer up to 60 eligible credits completed prior to matriculation at Earlham College. This includes credits earned through dual enrollment programs and credits awarded on the basis of scores earned on the Advanced Placement (AP) test and International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations.
Notes:
- If a student subsequently takes a course at Earlham for which transfer credit has previously been awarded, the transfer credit will be removed from the student’s transcript. Students should consult with their academic adviser and/or the Registrar’s Office to decide whether or not to accept transfer credits for AP and IB scores.
- AP and IB credits may not be used to satisfy any general education requirements and will be transferred as elective credits.
- Dual enrollment credits may be applied towards the College general education requirements with the following limitations:
- A student can not fully satisfy any of the four divisional distribution requirements with advanced credits
- Every new first-year student must complete an Earlham Seminar I and II in their first year.
- The Language component of the diversity requirement may be waived by the Department of Languages and Cultures upon completion of a language placement test.
- Students may seek departmental approval for placement into non-introductory courses.
- Earlham College does not accept or award credits for the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) general or subject examinations.
Note for students who matriculated prior to Fall 2023:
Dual credits and credits awarded for AP and IB exams may be applied toward the 120-credit degree requirement, but may not be used to satisfy General Education Requirements. A maximum of 30 combined AP/IB/Dual Credits will be awarded.
Advanced Placement Program (AP)
Advanced placement is available to students with a score 4 or 5 on the AP exam. In order to receive credit for your AP exam score, you must request the College Board to send your official score report to Earlham. The CEEB code for Earlham is 1195.
- A maximum of 60 combined AP/IB/Dual Credits may be awarded.
- AP and IB credits may not be used to satisfy any general education requirements and will be transferred as elective credits.
- All incoming students with foreign language experience must take the Earlham Language Assessment to be correctly placed in or out of language classes, irrespective of AP credits.
- Students may seek departmental approval for placement into non-introductory courses.
| AP exam | Required score | Credits earned | Earlham course equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-D Art and Design | 4, 5 | 3 | Elective |
| 3-D Art and Design | 4, 5 | 3 | Elective |
| Art History | 4 5 | 3 6 | Elective |
| Biology | 4 5 | 3 6 | Elective |
| Calculus AB * | 4, 5 | 3 | Elective |
| Calculus BC * | 4, 5 | 6 | MATH 180 |
| Calculus BC: AB Subscore * | 4, 5 | 3 | Elective |
| Chemistry | 4 5 | 3 6 | CHEM 111 |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 4 5 | 3 6 | Elective |
| Comparative Government and Politics | 4, 5 | 3 | Elective |
| Computer Science A | 4 5 | 3 6 | Consult Department Convener |
| Computer Science Principle | 4, 5 | 3 | Elective |
| Drawing | 4, 5 | 3 | Elective |
| English Language and Composition | 4 5 | 3 6 | Elective |
| English Literature and Composition | 4 5 | 3 6 | Elective |
| Environmental Science | 4, 5 | 3 | Consult Department Convener |
| European History | 4 5 | 3 6 | Elective |
| French Language and Culture | 4 5 | 3 6 | Elective |
| German Language and Culture | 4 5 | 3 6 | Elective |
| Human Geography | 4, 5 | 3 | Elective |
| Italian Language and Culture | 4 5 | 3 6 | Elective |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 4 5 | 3 6 | Elective |
| Latin | 4 5 | 3 6 | Elective |
| Macroeconomics | 4, 5 | 3 | Elective |
| Microeconomics | 4, 5 | 3 | Elective |
| Music Theory | 4 5 | 3 6 | Consult Department Convener |
| Physics 1: Algebra-Based Physics 2: Algebra-Based | 4,5 4,5 | 3 3 | Elective |
| Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 4, 5 | 3 | Consult Department Convener |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 4, 5 | 3 | Consult Department Convener |
| Precalculus | 4,5 | 3 | Elective |
| Psychology | 4, 5 | 3 | PSYC 115 or 116 |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 4 5 | 3 6 | Elective |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 4 5 | 3 6 | Elective |
| Statistics | 4, 5 | 3 | Elective |
| United States Government and Politics | 4, 5 | 3 | Elective |
| United States History | 4 5 | 3 6 | Elective |
| World History: Modern | 4 5 | 3 6 | Elective |
* If a student earns credits for the BC exam, the AB sub-score credits are not awarded. A maximum of six credits will be awarded for all AP Calculus scores.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Students who receive scores of 5, 6 or 7 on higher-level subject examinations of the International Baccalaureate (IB) may receive a range of credits as indicated below.
| IB score | Credits |
|---|---|
| 5 | 3 |
| 6 | 4 |
| 7 | 5 |
An official copy of the test results must be sent to Earlham’s registrar for evaluation of credits.
- No credit is awarded for subsidiary-level courses.
- It is not required that students be granted the IB diploma to receive transfer credit for an individual higher-level subject.
- IB credits do not fulfill Earlham general education requirements and will be transferred as elective credits.
- A maximum of 60 combined AP/IB/Dual Credits may be awarded.
Athletic eligibility
All students participating in a varsity sport are required to be registered as full-time students who are enrolled in a minimum of 12 academic credits prior to any competition.
Attendance policy
Students are expected to attend classes on a regular basis. Individual faculty may set specific requirements for their courses as indicated on course syllabi. Students who do not attend classes on a regular basis are reported to the Registrar’s Office. This behavior may jeopardize academic standing, federal financial support and continued matriculation at the College.
Auditing a course
- With an instructor’s consent, a registered, full-time student may audit a course for no additional charge.
- Students who intend to audit a course must confirm this intention before the close of a semester’s registration period.
- Students who are enrolled in a credit-bearing course may not change their status from credit-bearing to an audit status after the close of registration.
- Students who have audited a course may not retake the course for a letter grade.
- Audited courses are reflected on a student’s transcript.
- Non-Earlham students may request permission from both the instructor and the registrar to audit courses for a fee of $225 per course.
- Persons 65 and older are charged $100 per course.
Course cancellation policy
- If a course is canceled due to lack of adequate enrollment, the faculty member will consult with the registrar and academic dean. Upon approval, the faculty member will notify the registered students and copy the registrar. Students should be advised to add another course to maintain full-time status.
- If the College cancels a course, the registrar will notify students and work with the Academic Dean and the faculty member in determining alternate arrangements for the academic semester.
Course fee
Some courses have additional fees that cover costs of specific materials. These fees are indicated on the Course Schedule.
Course load
To make normal progress toward the Bachelor of Arts degree, students should earn 30-32 credits each year. Students must be registered for at least 12 credits and up to 18 academic credits during a semester to maintain a full-time status. Registering for more than 18 credits requires both an adviser’s signature and the registrar’s approval, and an overload fee will be charged. Applied music lessons are not considered a part of an overload. Only graduating seniors in their last semesters may apply for part-time status (fewer than 12 credits). Exceptions to this policy are not granted
Course numbering system
- 100-200 level courses: First-year and sophomore courses
- 300 level courses: Sophomore – junior courses
- 400 level courses: Junior – senior courses;
includes senior research, thesis or projects, and independent studies
Course by special arrangement
In rare instances, a student may arrange to take a course at a time when it is not normally offered. This arrangement requires the written approval of both the instructor and a dean from academic affairs. This arrangement requires a fee of the part-time rate multiplied by credit hours. Permission of the instructor must be obtained and the fee paid before such arrangements are added to a student’s schedule and transcript upon completion.
Credit by examination and credit by evaluation
Students may petition to have the option of studying independently and successfully passing a special examination prepared by the instructor of a course in order to be granted credit for a regular Earlham course. Students pursuing this option are not permitted to sit in on the regular course before taking the examination.
- Permission of the instructor must be obtained and the fee paid before such examination is given.
- Requests for credit by evaluation must be submitted to the registrar. A dean from Academic Affairs and the department review these requests. Such credit is considered if the academic work is determined as equivalent to a regular Earlham College course.
- Special forms for credit by examination and evaluation are available in the Registrar’s Office.
- A fee of the overload rate per credit is charged and must be paid before the exam is taken or credit recorded.
Credit Hour
One credit hour expects a minimum of 50 minutes of classroom or direct faculty instruction and 100 minutes of out-of-class student work per week.
Credit/no credit
Students may, with good educational reasons, petition to take up to two courses in their Earlham career on a Credit/No Credit basis, in addition to courses that are now offered as CR/NCR. Such registration will require both the approval of the advisor and the instructor in the course, with the instructor’s decision as final. Students must earn the equivalent of at least a ‘C’ grade to be granted credit. Credit/No Credit grades will be recorded on the transcript, but will not be computed in the GPA. The petition form must be submitted by the close of the tenth week of the semester. Once the CR/NCR option is elected, it cannot be changed back to the letter grade option. A student may not take the credit/no credit option in their major or minor.
Enrollment confirmation
Students are expected to confirm their enrollment online through Self-Service in theheart (Earlham’s portal) before the first day of classes for each semester. During Enrollment Confirmation students verify their mailing/billing addresses, emergency contact information, and their full-time status for financial aid, scholarship and insurance purposes. Students will also be made aware of their rights according to FERPA.
Students should review their accounts through Self-Service online, prior to enrollment verification to avoid delays. To be eligible to confirm enrollment, student accounts must be paid or cleared by the published deadline or appropriate arrangements made with the Accounting Office.
Enrollment Confirmation clearing through the Accounting Office (including approved payment arrangements) must be completed within 48 hours of the close of Enrollment Confirmation Day or the student is removed from all class lists until enrollment is cleared. Enrollment must be verified by the fifth-class day or the student may be withdrawn from the semester.
Grades
The traditional letter grades “A” through “F” may be assigned alone, or with a plus or a minus.
F Grade
Course requirements are not met and the student receives no credit. The F grade is included is averaged into the GPA as 0. In cases where an F is assessed, the faculty member forwards a written assessment of the student’s work, including reasons for failure to achieve a passing grade. A copy of the F assessment is sent to the student, to their adviser and to the student’s file in the Registrar’s Office.
CR Grade
A CR grade designation is equivalent to a grade of C or better, courses with CR grades are not computed into the grade point average (GPA). A CR may be given ONLY for an approved Credit/No Credit course and for AWPE activities courses.
NCR Grade
No credit earned; this grade appears on a student’s transcript but is not computed in the student’s GPA.
I Grade
Incomplete (I) is reserved for students who submitted an incomplete petition by the end of final exams and whose petition was approved by the Registrar and the Associatecademic Dean for Students.
Incomplete petitions should be sent to the Registrar’s Office. Incomplete petition forms are available during the last week of classes of the semester only to students who have experienced a medical emergency or some other circumstance beyond their control that prevented them from completing coursework.
Normally, an extension granted for incomplete work should not extend beyond the beginning of the next semester. Under extraordinary conditions, responsibilities for one semester may be carried over into the next semester.
When the student completes the work, a letter grade is recorded. If the work is not completed by the deadline agreed upon with the course instructor the I grade will revert to the default grade submitted by the instructor on the petition form.
W Grade
Withdrawal (W) is assigned when a student withdrew from a course by the end of the course withdrawal period (Friday of the tenth week of classes for the Fall and Spring terms and end of the first week of classes for May terms). No credit is given and the student’s GPA is not impacted.
M Grade
The M grade is assigned to a student whose work is somehow implicated in a breach of academic integrity. For example, if a teacher is grading papers the week after graduation and discovers two identical papers, then the teacher should assign M grades to those papers. Once the truth about their integrity has been established (which might be delayed until fall semester), the teacher submits a final grade for the work. Teachers must notify the registrar’s office and the associate academic dean before assigning an M grade.
NG Grade
The NG (no grade) is reserved for those occasions when teachers find they are missing a piece of work from a student, which they believe the student did, in fact, submit. The NG serves as a placeholder on the student’s transcript until the teacher has figured out what happened to the work and is prepared to give the student a final grade. The NG is NOT intended for students who missed the incomplete deadline or for students who have missed deadlines for submitting work. Faculty members must convert all NGs to final grades by the end of the semester following the semester in which the NG was given. An unconverted NG automatically is recorded as an F or failing grade.
RT Grade
The RT (retake) indicates that a course has been retaken. Students must complete the petition to retake a course. Petitions are available in the Registrar’s Office and should be completed in a timely manner. A course may be retaken only one time to improve a grade. the course will be recorded on the student’s transcript each time it is taken and a grade is received. The highest grade will be computed into the student’s grade point average – the previous course will appear on the student’s transcript as 0 credit with a grade of RT (retake).
Grade point average (GPA)
The GPA for the semester and the cumulative GPA are calculated by dividing the total number of honor points by the number of graded courses. Each letter grade is assigned the following numerical value:
| A+, A | 4.00 |
| A- | 3.67 |
| B+ | 3.33 |
| B | 3.00 |
| B- | 2.67 |
| C+ | 2.33 |
| C | 2.00 |
| C- | 1.67 |
| D+ | 1.33 |
| D | 1.00 |
| D- | 0.67 |
| F | 0.00 |
Honors
College Honors are awarded to graduating seniors with cumulative grade point averages of 3.40 or higher.
Departmental Honors are awarded to students at the recommendation of the department, and only if they have met the following criteria:
- Earned a 3.40 GPA in all graded courses during the junior and senior years.
- Earned a 3.65 GPA in all upper-class courses within the major.
- Passed the Senior Capstone Experience with distinction.
- Earned honorable individual achievement in research study, creative performance, etc., as designated by the academic department or program.
May term enrollment policies
May Terms are attached to the spring semester they follow. The maximum number of credits for the spring semester overall (Spring Semester + May Term) is 18 credits. A per-credit overload tuition fee will be charged for any additional credit beyond 18 credits. Students may only enroll in one May term.
If the student enrolls in May Term after the close of Spring Semester registration (end of 5th day of classes in spring semester), a late registration fee of $50 will be charged. Enrollment in a May term on campus course is allowed until the first class day of the May Term.
If a May Term is dropped after the 5th day of class of the Spring Semester, any overload fee that had been charged will be refunded up to the last day to drop a May Term.
Students enrolled in a May term course who wish to drop the course must do so by midnight on the first day of class to have the course removed from their academic record. There will be no refunds for course fees after that time. The last day to withdraw from a May Term is the end of the 5th day of classes. Please consult the Academic Calendar for exact dates.
A May Term may be cancelled if the course is under enrolled. If a May Term course is cancelled by the college, any tuition and fees paid will be issued as a refund.
The student is responsible for completing the housing request for on campus residence during May Term. Expenses for housing and meals are the student’s responsibility.
Phi Beta Kappa
Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest and most respected undergraduate honors organization in the United States. The Society has pursued its mission of fostering and recognizing excellence in the liberal arts and sciences since 1776. Earlham is among nine percent of four-year colleges and universities nationwide and is one of only three liberal arts colleges in Indiana that have been granted a Phi Beta Kappa chapter. Approximately 10 percent of each graduating class is elected to Earlham’s Phi Beta Kappa Chapter each year.
Qualifying students have studied broadly and deeply in the liberal arts, and are of “good moral character.” Beginning in 2017, students also will have to have taken a college level math course before graduation. The math requirement can be met with the following courses and AP exam scores:
Math 120 (Elementary Statistics), 130 (Symbolic Logic), 180 (Calculus A), 190 (Discrete Mathematics), 320 (Differential Equations), or CS 310 (Algorithms and Data Structures) or 380 (Theory of Computation) or the AP exams as specified by the national organization (a Calculus AB score of 4 or 5, or a score of 3 in Calculus BC).
For more information, visit the Phi Beta Kappa website.
Registration
Students register for classes through Self-Service, available at theheart (Earlham’s portal) online. Academic advisers work with students to assist in decision-making about the courses to be taken. Each semester, students are notified via e-mail of the two-week academic advising period, one-week registration period and policies associated with registration. Continuing students typically register in November for the spring semester and May term, and in April for the fall semester.
Seniors (88 earned credit hours and above) and rising seniors will be given priority registration to ensure their access to the classes they need to complete their degree. The credit count includes any transfer credit that has been awarded.
All students must meet with their academic advisor prior to registering to build a course schedule that will help them progress to graduation on time, and to receive their registration pin.
Students not registered by the end of the one-week registration period will be charged a fee of $25, with the following exceptions: students enrolled in off-campus programs, readmits, returnees from leave and new students.
Registration fees
For all fees associated with enrollment policies, please consult the registrar’s web site.
Registration holds
Registration holds prevent students from registering for classes. If you have a hold, contact the office who placed the hold on your account:
- Accounting Office 003 Carpenter Hall 765-983-1333
- Registrar’s Office 018 Tyler Hall 765-983-1515
- Student Life Earlham Hall 765-983-1311
Once a hold is resolved, registration can occur during the designated dates.
Changes in registration
Students, in consultation with their advisors, may make changes to their course schedule within the deadlines specified as follows:
- ADD/DROP: Courses may be added or dropped during the first five class days of the Fall and Spring semesters. During this period, courses dropped will not appear on the student’s transcript and course fees will be refunded. The add/drop period for May terms runs through the first day of classes.
- WITHDRAW: After the Add/Drop period has passed, students may withdraw from a course until the Friday of the tenth week of classes for the Fall and Spring terms. For May term the last day to withdraw from a class is the end of the first week of classes. Students are expected to consult with their academic advisor prior to doing so. When a student withdraws from a course, a grade of W will be recorded on the transcript. The student’s GPA will not be impacted. Withdrawals may be processed through Student Self-Service or through the Registrar’s Office, withdrawals are effective the day on which they are made. Course fees will not be refunded.
- CREDIT/NO CREDIT: With the consent of the instructor, academic adviser and the registrar, students may select the CR/NCR grading option in an on-campus course up to the Friday of the end of the tenth week of classes. Once the CR/NCR option is elected, it cannot be changed back to the letter grade option. Students may only petition for one course within a semester and only two during their Earlham career. A student may not take the credit/no credit option in their major or minor.
Students are not permitted to withdraw from a course (without approval) if doing so will reduce their course load to less than a full-time status.
Please be advised that a course withdrawal may impact the student’s satisfactory academic progress and financial aid eligibility. Students should consult with the Financial Aid Office regarding any possible impact.
Retaking courses
A student may petition to retake any Earlham course — except an Earlham Seminar — as part of their regular semester course load. In such cases, the highest grade earned for the same course appears on the student’s transcript; only the highest grade is calculated into the student’s GPA. The lowest grade is replaced with RT (Retake). The petition for retaking a course is available in the Registrar’s Office. A course may be retaken only one time toward grade improvement.
A course being retaken will be counted in the course load for tuition charges for the semester in which the student is enrolled, but the student will receive credit ONLY ONE TIME for a given course.
If a student fails an Earlham Seminar, they are required to complete a Writing Intensive course in their sophomore year for degree completion (this doesn’t eliminate the need to take a Writing Intensive course within the student’s declared major). At the time of this completion, the “failing grade” in the Earlham Seminar will be changed to a RT.
Satisfactory academic progress for financial aid eligibility
Policy found under financial aid eligibility.
Senior capstone requirement
Effective August 2004, Earlham’s Comprehensives was re-labeled the “Senior Capstone Requirement.” Every academic major at Earlham culminates in a senior-year demonstration of proficiency and accomplishment in an area of study. This demonstration may be an examination, a public presentation or exhibit, completion of a thesis, or successful participation in a designated senior seminar. It may be some combination of these.
The faculty of the department or program shall determine the form of the Capstone Requirement and advise majors in a timely manner of its form. It is consistent with variety of majors that there be a variety of Capstone Requirements. All Capstone Requirements, however, must have these common features:
- Every program should devise and use means that adequately demonstrate achievement in the student’s work. The objective is to measure accomplishment. Results will continue to be accorded the grades of NP, P, HP or H. Completion with an H (Honors) will continue to be one of the requirements for Departmental Honors. (The grade of HP, that is “High Pass,” may be used to indicate greater discernment among passing grades.)
- Faculty in every program shall discuss Capstone results annually as part of its ongoing self-assessment.
- The Capstone Requirement will normally be completed in the student’s final year of residency, though preliminary work may begin a semester earlier.
- If it is practicable, programs should devise Capstone Requirements that students will complete at least 30 days before Commencement so that unsuccessful students may amend their performance in time for graduation. If such an arrangement is not practicable, then programs must provide sufficiently continual advice that errant students may improve their work in a timely fashion. Students who fail the Capstone Requirement twice may petition the associate academic dean, registrar and major department or program for permission for a third attempt. If the petition is approved, the student must wait six months before the third attempt.
- Accompanying the petition must be a detailed plan of preparation (or a plan for completing the seminar, project or thesis), a plan that has the written approval of the department or program convener. The petition must be submitted to the associate academic dean and registrar for approval at least six months before the student expects to receive his or her degree.
Student classifications
Class Standing
A degree-seeking undergraduate student’s academic level (or class standing) is based on the number of credits earned. This level is used to meet requirements for enrollment, financial aid, housing, etc. A student’s academic level includes awarded transfer credit.
| Total Credits Earned | Academic Level |
|---|---|
| 0-27 | First-year student |
| 28-57 | Sophomore |
| 58-87 | Junior |
| 88+ | Senior |
Transfer
Transfer students are defined as those who are admitted to the College having completed a minimum of a semester of academic work in a degree-seeking program at an accredited college or university. Students seeking transfer status must be enrolled as degree-seeking students at an accredited college or university. Transfer students may seek credit toward general education and degree requirements from credits earned elsewhere.
The residency requirement for all students is satisfied upon completion of 60 semester credit hours at Earlham College (“in residence”). This means that students may not transfer more than 60 credits towards the undergraduate degree.
Full-time
Full-time students are defined as those taking 12 or more credits during a semester.
Half-time
Half-time students are defined as those taking between 6 and 11 credits during a semester.
Less than half-time
Less than half-time students are defined as those taking less than 6 credits during a semester.
Part-time
Part-time students seek the degree while enrolled in fewer than 12 credits during a semester. Part-time status is generally granted only to seniors in their final semester as they complete degree requirements. These students must seek permission from the Registrar’s Office to pursue a degree as a part-time student. Students with disability status who seek part-time status must request a recommendation from the Director of the Academic Enrichment Center.
Dual enrollment
Dual enrollment students are high school students who complete college-level work that is counted toward the completion of their high school diploma. The student may add up to 60 combined credits (AP/IB/Dual Enrollment) toward their Earlham degree.
Special
Special students include non-degree-seeking and postgraduate students.
High ability
High ability students: Local high school students who enroll in Earlham courses and choose to matriculate at Earlham can count those courses toward a maximum of 60 combined credits (AP/IB/Dual Enrollment) toward their Earlham degree.
Transferring credits – Current Earlham Students
Earlham students who take part of their coursework, whether traditional or online classes, at another accredited college or university with the intent of transferring credit to Earlham should obtain approval in advance from the registrar and from the department(s) concerned. A maximum of 16 credits may be transferred by matriculated students
Note: Grades do not transfer.
Credit alone will transfer only if:
- The coursework falls within the scope of a liberal arts curriculum
- An Official Transcript is received by the Registrar’s Office directly from an accredited college or university after the coursework is completed
- The student has received a grade of C or better
- A course description and syllabus is provided to the registrar on request.
Courses submitted for transfer without prior approval are not accepted toward the Earlham degree.
No more than 60 course credits in total may be applied to an Earlham degree from outside sources. This includes dual enrollment credits, transfer credits by enrolled students or any credit by examination other than Earlham-administered exams.
Transferring general education credits
It is the intent of the Earlham Faculty that General Education courses be completed within the Earlham curriculum and that a student cannot meet an entire requirement area with transfer credits.
The importation of General Education credits by transfer students presents special difficulties, thus considerations of this shall be left to the registrar. However, the importation of outside credits by enrolled students should be avoided whenever possible. This may occur only with the prior consent of the Curricular Policy Committee on grounds of strong academic need and may in no case exceed eight semester hours of work. Outside credits also may not count for any of the first-year requirements.
Petitions for credit from non-Earlham courses in general education for the senior year must be presented by April 1 of the student’s junior year. CPC considers such petitions from seniors only if the senior fails a required General Education course. In that case, the senior may petition to have comparable work at another campus satisfy Earlham’s requirement. Questions may be directed to the Registrar’s Office.