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Fort Lewis College Official Seal


Policy identification number: To come
File: Academic Policies > Degree Completion

Course Repetition and Grade Replacement

Policy Summary

This policy outlines the regulations and procedures for repeating a course and replacing a course grade.

Policy Owner

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Approval Date

August 2021

Effective Date

Fall 2021

Search Terms

vpaa, provost, course, repetition, grade, replacement, c

Scheduled for Review

Fall 2026

I. Policy Statement

Course Repeat

 A student who wishes to repeat a course must adhere to the following policies and procedures:

  1. The original course and the repeat course must be taken at Fort Lewis College.
  2. The course being repeated must be the same course taken previously; no substitutions are allowed.  If a course is cross-listed, however, students may register for either section.
  3. Students may repeat a course twice, unless the course has been limited to a maximum number of times or credits for which it can be taken.  Exceptions to this limit require approval of the chair of the department offering the course and the appropriate dean.
  4. All grades received in repeated courses will be used to compute the quality point average, unless the student applies successfully for a grade replacement (see grade replacement policy below).
  5. If a required course for a major, minor, or certificate is repeated, only the attempt with the highest grade is included in the major, minor, or certificate GPA.
  6. Students will receive credit (earned hours) for a course one time, and the highest grade will be used in meeting graduation requirements.  An exception to this would be courses approved as repeatable.
  7. All grade entries remain a part of the student's permanent record.

Grade Replacement

A student who wishes to replace a grade must adhere to the following policies and procedures:

  1. Students must follow all policies regarding the repetition of course work.
  2. Some courses may be taken more than once for full credit (e.g. some special topics courses, independent studies, and internships); these courses are not eligible for grade replacement.
  3. The semester hours and quality points in repeated courses are counted only once, and the highest grade and its corresponding quality points are used in computing the quality point average and meeting graduation requirements.
  4. Students have the option of replacing a maximum of 3 classes up to 12 credit hours (“cumulative replacement hours”) with improved grades earned by repeating courses.
  5. The credit hours associated with each repeated course will count toward the cumulative replacement hours.
  6. Students must complete a form, which can be obtained from the Registrar's Office or accessed online, to initiate the grade replacement process. The form designating specific course grade replacements will be maintained in the student’s permanent file.

All grade entries remain a part of the student's permanent record.

II. Reason for Policy

The College is committed to student success, which includes successful completion of course and degree requirements.

III. Responsibilities

For following the policy: Bachelor's degree candidates

For enforcement of the policy: Registrar

For oversight of the policy: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

For notification of policy: Registrar

For procedures implementing the policy: Policy Librarian

IV. Definitions

Bachelor's Degree Candidate: Undergraduate students pursuing their first bachelor's degree and post-baccalaureate students pursuing a second or subsequent, non-duplicative, bachelor's degree who are attending less than half time, half time, three quarters time, or full time.