Course Attempt

John Carroll University encourages students to strive for excellence but also recognizes that students must complete their degrees and start their post-bachelor careers in a timely fashion. To achieve this dual objective, JCU provides academic resources to help students succeed in their courses. It also offers students the option to attempt a course a second time when the first attempt’s final grade did not satisfy their degree requirements or was below a C. 

In general, students may only retake courses in which they earned grades C- or lower unless a higher minimum grade is required for a specific class within a program or to satisfy an entry requirement to a JCU undergraduate program. In most cases, a passing course grade below C (i.e. C- to D-) does not require students to retake the course, and repeating it may affect the cost of their education and the financial aid they receive. Thus, students are encouraged to consult with their advisor and Student Enrollment and Financial Services before requesting and registering for a course repeat.

Students intending to retake a course must submit their request through an academic petition. Only the highest of the two graded attempts will be factored into the grade point average (GPA) and total credit count, though all attempts and grades will remain visible on the transcript. It is important to note that students repeating a course they have already passed (i.e. grade of D- or higher) will not earn additional credit hours for that course. Only coursework repeated at JCU impacts the John Carroll GPA.

Third Attempts

Requests to take a course for a third time will be considered only in serious, extenuating circumstances and must be approved by the academic advisor; the chair of the department which offers the course; and the Assistant Dean for Academic Success. This determination is final and may impact a student’s ability to continue in any major or minor for which the course is a requirement. In cases of a third attempt, the first and the highest graded attempts are factored into the grade point average, though credit hours can only be earned once.

More than three course attempts are not allowed.

Discretionary Repeat Requests

Requests to retake a course when the first attempt was above a C- (or other minimum grade required by a JCU undergraduate program) will be considered on a space-available basis and must be approved by the academic advisor; the chair of the department which offers the course; and the Associate Dean of the appropriate college. This determination is final. Students are not eligible to attempt a course for a third time when the second attempt was above a C- (or other minimum grade required by a JCU undergraduate program). Students approved for a discretionary repeat will be given the opportunity to register starting the week before the start of the class.