Definition of a unit of credit

UTH Florida University measures its programs in the equivalent of “semester credit hours”. Typically, a “semester” lasts 15-weeks and credits are awarded at a rate of one credit hour for every 15 hours of formal instruction such as lectures, independent study, and online study. In the 15-week academic period, each unit of credit requires 30 hours of additional homework or independent research.

At UTH Florida University courses are taught in eight-week academic periods, which deliver the same instruction in half the time and thus require an adjustment to the workload of a traditional 15-week academic period. Each unit of credit at UTH Florida requires 2 hours of formal education per week to achieve the same 15 hours of formal instruction in the traditional 15-week semester. Additionally, homework or independent study hours increase to 4 hours per week to achieve the same 30 hours in a traditional 15-week semester.

As such, the expected amount of work for a 3-credit hour course requires a weekly workload of 6 hours of formal instruction and 12 additional hours of homework. Students typically enroll in two 3-credit courses per eight-week academic period and thus are expected to carry a weekly workload of 12 hours of formal instruction and 24 hours of homework.

Add/Drop Period

Students may only add or drop registered courses during the first week of classes of a term, given the intensive eight-week academic period. This is known as the “add/drop” period, and it ends at midnight on the eighth day of each academic period. Within this period, students may withdraw from any class in which they are registered and receive a full tuition refund for those classes. Additionally, withdrawal during the “add/drop” period will not result in a grade being issued and will not affect the student’s Grade Point Average (“GPA”) or Satisfactory Academic Progress (“SAP”). For more information, please refer to the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Withdrawal from Courses

A student desiring to withdraw from a course may do so, without affecting the student’s GPA or SAP, during the period ending at midnight on the eighth day of the eight-week academic period. This is known as the “add/drop” period.

Should a student withdraw after the add/drop period has ended, but before the beginning of the sixth (6th) week of classes, a grade of “W” will be assigned in that course. This withdrawal will not affect the student’s GPA but will be counted towards SAP calculations. A student who does not comply with the withdrawal procedure will be considered as having failed that course and will be assigned a grade of “F”, which will affect both GPA and SAP computation. A more detailed description of the grading system and its administration is detailed in the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Administrative Withdrawal from Courses

UTH Florida University reserves the right to withdraw courses from those offered in a particular eight-week academic period due to low enrollments in a particular course or due to unexpected circumstances. If students are withdrawn from courses because of the administration’s adjustment, a refund will be granted in accordance with the university’s refund policy.

Enrollment Withdrawal

Any student who decides to withdraw completely and officially from UTH Florida University is expected to notify the Registrar’s Office, in writing, prior to or immediately upon the date of withdrawal from classes. Failure to follow this procedure may cause the student to receive failing grades unnecessarily. If applicable, tuition will be refunded in accordance with the Refund Policy.

Suspension or Dismissal

UTH Florida University reserves the right to suspend or dismiss any student, at any time, for misconduct or any other behavior not considered to be in the best interest of the student body or the University. Students may also be placed on probation, suspended, or dismissed for excessive unexcused absences defined as more than 10% of the total program hours, unsatisfactory academic progress, or failure to make timely tuition payments as contracted on the Enrollment Agreement.

A student who has been suspended for any of the above reasons may apply, in writing, for reinstatement. Notwithstanding the reason for disciplinary action, the suspended student may be readmitted only at the discretion of the Executive Director of UTH Florida University.

UTH Florida University reserves the right to dismiss a student for medical, emotional, psychological, and/or other behavior not considered to be in the best interest of the student body or University. If, in the judgment of the Executive Director remaining at UTH Florida University could lead to a significant deterioration of the student’s physical or mental wellbeing, or if the student’s presence represents a threat to self or others or is detrimental to the University’s interest (either online or in presence), then the student will be required to leave the University until such time as the University can be assured that the problem is no longer a significant issue.