Credit/No Credit Policy

COVID-19 has changed all our lives and your experience as a BJU student. As we adjust to the circumstances, we want to be as academically flexible and supportive of our student body as possible. Learning is still our primary objective, but we acknowledge the academic challenges the next month presents. To that end, we are instituting a Credit/No Credit grade option for students second semester 2020. While the policy outlined below might be helpful to some, it will NOT benefit everyone. Please read how the policy works and think through the ramifications carefully. Your advisor is available to help you decide whether this option is in your best interest or not.

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Important Considerations

If you select the Credit/No Credit option, the requirements for the course remain the same. Faculty will use the same standard to evaluate your work that they use for students receiving a letter grade.

All South Carolina students must contact the Financial Aid office to see how Credit/No Credit may impact their Life Scholarships, Palmetto Scholarships, and Hope Scholarships.

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How does the Credit/No Credit option work?

  • The Credit/No Credit option is available to all undergraduate “resident” students. It is not available to dual-enrollment students because of the complications for high school transcripts.
  • Students may choose to switch up to two individual courses from letter grade to Credit/No Credit.
  • Students may not choose No Credit for these courses. A No Credit grade will be assigned by the Registrar’s office if the final grade in a course is an F.
  • Courses switched to Credit/No Credit do not impact the student’s GPA.
  • Students must earn a grade of D- or higher to receive credit for a course. With the Credit/No Credit option:
    • Students earning a passing grade from A to C- will receive credit for the course and a Credit (Cr) grade.
    • Students earning a passing grade of D or D- will receive credit for the course and a Credit-D (Cr-D) grade.
    • Students earning a D or D- in courses that require at least a C- final grade (for example, major, minor, prerequisite, or upper-level Bible Core courses) will receive course credit and a Credit-D (Cr-D) grade; however, those courses must be repeated or replaced, as appropriate.
    • Students earning an F will receive no course credit and a No Credit (NC) grade.
  • Some courses may be excluded from the Credit/No Credit option because of licensure or accreditation issues.
  • Capstone courses are excluded from the Credit/No Credit option.
  • Students must declare their intent for a Credit/No Credit grade no later than April 24, 2020, by filling out an application found on StudentCentral or Canvas course “Finishing Second Semester 2020.” Email the completed application to [email protected].
  • BJU will not include second semester 2020 GPA when calculating ongoing eligibility for BJU merit aid.
  • Students with South Carolina Merit Aid (Life, Hope and Palmetto Scholarships) must consult with the Financial Aid office prior to choosing the Credit/No Credit grade option. Failure to do so may endanger current and future scholarships funds from South Carolina.
  • Students with other types of scholarships and aid should consult with the Financial Aid office prior to choosing the Credit/No Credit grade option.
  • Before students switch to the Credit/No Credit option, it is highly recommended that they consult with their advisors to discuss any unforeseen consequences, such as how a Credit grade may affect applying to graduate school or professional program.

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Is a Credit/No Credit (Cr/NC) option right for me?

I am concerned that my GPA might suffer as a result of converting to online courses.
  • Then Cr/NC might be a good option for you. You will receive academic credit toward completing your degree with no negative impact on your GPA.
I am concerned that a lack of consistent Internet or other conditions at home will prevent me from doing my best.
  • Then Cr/NC might be a good option for you. You will receive academic credit toward completing your degree with no negative impact on your GPA.
I need to raise my GPA to enter/remain in a program.
  • Then the Cr/NC option may not be a good fit for you. A Credit grade has no impact on your GPA, so it will not help you raise your GPA.
I plan to enter graduate school or a professional program after graduation.
  • Be aware that accreditation and licensure requirements prevent many professional programs from accepting Cr/NC work.
  • Accounting, Nursing, and Engineering are among the professional programs that may not accept Cr/NC coursework.
  • Be sure to check with your advisor before selecting the Credit/No Credit option.
Will this have an impact on my financial aid eligibility?
  • Contact the Financial Aid office for details.
  • Students with South Carolina Merit Aid (Life, Hope, and Palmetto Scholarships) MUST consult with the Financial Aid office prior to choosing the Credit/No Credit grade option. Failure to do so may endanger current and future scholarship funds from South Carolina.
Will this affect my ROTC standing?
  • According to the ROTC instructor at Furman: Credit/No Credit will NOT impact your university GPA, however, when you complete your junior year, and your transcript is sent to Cadet Command for accessions, your GPA is re-calculated and any Credit/No Credit classes will equate to a 2.0 GPA grade. This will lower your GPA and could be the difference between getting your branch or not. Please contact your BJU ROTC advisor prior to switching a course to Credit/No Credit.
How will this affect my NCCAA/NCAA eligibility?
  • The Cr/NC option falls within NCCAA/NCAA eligibility requirements. All other university requirements toward degree completion are the same.
What if I am a veteran using the GI Bill?
  • At present, the stipulations of the GI Bill do not allow for Cr/NC coursework. There is some belief that the federal government may change that policy because of COVID-19, but it has not yet done so.

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