Academic Policies & Procedures

Class Size

Most classes at Hilbert College are small, typically ranging from 15 to 20 students. This intimate setting allows for personalized attention and meaningful interactions between students and faculty. Our student to faculty ratio varies depending on the year.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend all classes. Each instructor is responsible for establishing the specific attendance policy for each course and communicating it to the class at the beginning of the semester. It is a student’s responsibility to be informed of and comply with those policies. Poor attendance can negatively affect a student’s grades. Because Hilbert is concerned with the welfare of your child and wishes to provide assistance in case of absence for valid reasons, they are encouraged to notify the instructor or the college’s Office of Student Life in the event of an extended absence or unusual series of absences due to health or personal reasons. The Student Life Office will then notify the appropriate instructors.

Average Academic Load

An average academic load for a student is 15 credit hours per semester. Averaging 15 credit hours per semester will allow a student to graduate in four years. The minimum load for a full-time student is 12 hours. Dropping below 12 credit hours may affect a student’s financial aid. A student who has established a good record may be permitted to enroll for 18 hours or more with approval of the vice president for academic affairs.

Schedule Changes

Students may drop courses through the Office of the Registrar. Dates for dropping a course without penalty are announced yearly. Courses dropped will be removed from a student’s permanent record. After the dates for drop/add, a student may withdraw (W) from a course but a final grade of W will be recorded on the student’s permanent record.

Withdraw Procedures

Official withdrawal from Hilbert maintains a student’s good standing and eligibility for readmission. To officially withdraw, a student must secure a withdrawal form from the Office of the Registrar, complete and return the form, and fulfill all financial obligations with the business/finance and student finance offices.

Refund Policy for Withdraw from College

Refund of all tuition and fee payments other than non-refundable deposits, is only allowed for those students officially notifying the registrar of the college of their non-attendance prior to the first day of classes. On or after the first day of the semester, refunds or credit will be issued on cancellations, withdrawals or changes that have been properly filed in writing in the Office of the Registrar. The effective date of cancellations, withdrawals or changes will be the date on which the completed form is received by the registrar. If done by letter, it must be sent a certified return receipt. Refunds or credit amounts will be based on that date. The calculation of amounts of refund and credit due will be based on a refund schedule published in the college catalog. Learn more about our refund policies.

Grading System

Hilbert employs a standard four-point system in evaluating academic work:

• A     carries 4.0 quality points per credit hour
• A-    carries 3.7 quality points per credit hour
• B+   carries 3.3 quality points per credit hour
• B     carries 3.0 quality points per credit hour
• B-    carries 2.7 quality points per credit hour
• C+   carries 2.3 quality points per credit hour
• C     carries 2.0 quality points per credit hour
• C-    carries 1.7 quality points per credit hour
• D+   carries 1.3 quality points per credit hour
• D     carries 1.0 quality points per credit hour
• D-    carries 0.7 quality points per credit hour

Quality point average for a semester is determined by dividing the total quality points earned by the number of credit hours carried that semester. Cumulative quality point average is found by dividing the total points accumulated to this point in the student’s college career by the total number of credit hours carried, including courses failed.

Grade Point Average

To obtain a qualitative index of the student’s academic achievement, the total of credit points (quality points) accumulated by a student is divided by the total number of credit hours attempted by the student to give an index known as the grade point average (GPA). For example, if a student earned 42 quality points for 16 hours attempted, the student’s GPA is 42 divided by 16 or 2.625.

A GPA of:

• 4.0 is equivalent to a A average
• 3.0 is equivalent to a B average
• 2.0 is equivalent to a C average
• 1.0 is equivalent to a D average

Credit Hour

More than 18 credit hours may be carried with approval of the department chairperson. There is a fee for each credit hour beyond 18.

Major

A major is an academic discipline in which a student concentrates his or her coursework. Each major consists of a core of required courses plus a number of electives. The average major requires 36 credit hours of coursework but this varies. Should a student be undecided as to a major, it does not present any serious problems. Because of the basic courses required of all students, there are at least two semesters to discuss this important decision with an adviser. By the time a student has been at Hilbert three semesters, a choice should have been made as to a major. If not, vocational guidance is available to help make a decision. This is a service provided by Hilbert’s Career Development Center, director of advising, and individual academic departments. Every student must complete a major in order to graduate from Hilbert.

Academic Standards and Probation

Probation or dismissal occurs when the cumulative quality point average is below the designated figure for the appropriate credit hours. Right of appeal for reinstatement following dismissal may be exercised by contacting the college’s Office of Academic Affairs. Hilbert reserves the right to exclude at any time students whose academic standing, conduct, attitude, or health does not meet the standards upheld by the college. Students are guaranteed due process. A student not making satisfactory progress toward a degree is subject to academic dismissal.