Academic Policies

The general degree requirements are the same for the BA and BS.

To be eligible for the bachelor’s degree, students must complete 128 credits with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. Within these, students must fulfill the requirements of both a major and the core curriculum. The degree requirements to be fulfilled are those in effect during the term of the student’s first registration in NYU Shanghai. Registration in another division of NYU does not constitute registration in NYU Shanghai. Students may petition to follow the graduation requirements of a later cohort but must abide by all of the graduation requirements of the later cohort and may lose requirements (but not credits) earned for courses which meet requirements for the earlier cohort but not for the later one.

Readmitted students must fulfill the requirements as listed in the Bulletin published during the year of their readmission, unless their readmission letter states otherwise.

In very exceptional cases, a student may petition the Academic Standards Committee for approval of a change in the requirements as stated in the Bulletin.

Conferring of Degrees 

Degrees are conferred in August, January, and May. The NYU Shanghai graduation ceremony occurs in May and the formal conferring of degrees takes place annually at Commencement in May.

All graduated students receive: a New York University diploma (issued by New York University), a NYU Shanghai diploma (issued by Shanghai New York University), and a NYU Shanghai graduation certificate (from the Ministry of Education of the PRC). 

The Major

Major requirements, varying from subject to subject, are specified in the sections devoted to the course listings of individual majors. Generally, one-third to one-half of the total credits are earned in the major concentration.

Every student must complete a major with a cumulative grade point average in the major of at least 2.0. The student must be approved as a major and should review his or her program with an academic advisor each term.

It is not possible to guarantee that any particular course listed will be offered in a particular academic year. If failure to offer a course in a student’s approved minor will delay their graduation, they should consult with their advisor to consider available options.

Declaration

Students should discuss their major plans with their advisors. It is best to concentrate on completing breadth and general education requirements in the first two years since interest in majors may change as students take classes in different disciplines and changing majors may delay graduation for some students.

Students may declare a major prior to registration for the next semester if they are registered for enough credits in the current semester so that at the end of it they will have completed at least 32 credits (typically when registering for fall of their second year). They must have a final grade of C, or current semester midterm grade of B, or higher in a designated prerequisite course for that major.

Students must declare a major prior to registration for the next semester if they are registered for enough credits in the current semester so that at the end of it they will have completed 64 credits (typically registering for fall of their third year). They must have a final grade of C, or current semester midterm grade of B, or higher in a designated prerequisite course for that major.

Petition for Late Major Change

Any major declaration or major change after the sophomore year requires a petition process. Students petition through their academic advisor for approval by the Area Head for the major which the student wishes to join, and final approval by the relevant Dean for the new major. The petition should show how the student can graduate in a reasonable amount of time and how the student has the ability to be successful in the required major courses. The same petition process is required for students seeking to switch their primary and secondary major. 

Students may attempt a double (second) major. A second major requires completing all of the major requirements except capstone and thesis paper requirements. Students are not permitted to do a capstone or thesis paper in their second major, instead they must take an approved upper level elective or electives in the major equal to the credit value of the capstone course or courses required for the second major. In some cases, courses may be applicable to both majors but no more than two major courses may be approved for double counting unless otherwise specified in the major section of the Bulletin.

Students should consult with their advisor before attempting a double major as the requirements of the first major and the second limit the options for students to pursue varied intellectual interests. It is also difficult to complete two majors in the standard 128 credits. 

Core Curriculum classes do not count against double counting limits to fill major or minor requirements, but no single course may be used to meet more than two requirements.

The second major is declared the same way as the first but students do not receive priority in enrolling in second major classes before their last semester. Therefore, the ability to satisfy the requirements for an additional major cannot be guaranteed for any student and will be based upon course availability and the time that the student is willing to invest to satisfy all of the requirements of the additional major. In some cases, pursuing a double major will require a delay in graduation and/or limit study away opportunities.

Requirements for Minors

Students may minor in subjects outside of their major. A minor in a secondary subject enables a student to acquire a useful understanding of concepts and analysis without the same degree of coverage as would be obtained in a major. A grade of C or better is required for a course to be counted toward a minor. If a student fails a course required for the minor, the course must be retaken at NYU; a course taken outside the University will not normally be allowed to substitute for a minor requirement. No course for the minor may be taken as pass/fail. Students may use Core Curriculum classes to fill minor requirements but at least 12 credits of the minor must be unique to the minor, meaning that it is not double-counted with any other major, minor, or core requirement.

Additionally, no single course may be used to meet more than two requirements.

Regulations Pertaining to Both Major and Minor

The major and minor requirements to be followed are those stated in the major sections of the Bulletin in effect during the semester of the student’s first registration in NYU Shanghai. A student may petition through their advisor to follow major graduation requirements as set out in a Bulletin from a subsequent year after their first semester of registration. If approved, they must meet those requirements as outlined in that edition of the Bulletin. Any courses they may have completed, or complete, which were required under the old major requirements but not under the new will be counted as general elective rather than major credit.

No credit toward the major or minor is granted for grades of C- or lower, although such grades will be computed into the grade point average of the major or the minor, as well as into the cumulative grade point average.

No course to be counted toward the major or minor may be taken on a Pass/Fail basis. (See “Pass/Fail Option” under Academic Policies in this Bulletin.)

In order to ensure that students do not have to compete for access to their required courses, registration priority is given to students who are registering for courses in their primary major. Although the university encourages the exploration of other disciplines, access to courses outside a student’s primary major (including those courses that fulfill requirements for an additional major, minor, etc.) is on a space-available basis and is not guaranteed.

Time Limit

All requirements for a degree at NYU Shanghai must be met within a period of eight years from the date of matriculation. For students who are re-admitted to NYU Shanghai, the length of time is proportionately reduced.

Honors and Awards

Matriculated students with superior academic records are honored in various ways, such as by placement on the Dean’s Honors List, election to honor societies, and admission to major honors programs.

Additional information may be obtained from a student’s advisor and from the Academic Affairs Office.

Honors

Dean’s Honors List

A Dean’s Honors List is compiled at the end of each academic year, in June. This is an honors roll of matriculated students who have achieved an average of 3.65 or higher for that academic year (September to May) in at least 28 graded credits. To be listed, a student must not have any grades of Incomplete or N at the time when the list is compiled. Note that grade point averages are carried to two decimal places (but are not rounded off ).

Eligibility for Graduation With Latin Honors

All graded courses taken before a student’s final semester while enrolled either in NYU Shanghai [or in another school of NYU] will be used in computing the grade point average on which Latin honors are based. Pass grades are not counted; grades received in courses taken at other institutions are also not counted. The student must also have a clean record of conduct.

The GPA cutoffs for each category are determined by the combined GPA distribution from all graded courses taken through the J-term before the graduating cohort’s final spring semester. This means that final spring semester grades are not used for determining Latin Honors and no adjustments are made to a student’s status regarding Latin Honors based on final spring grades. Latin Honors are calculated once a year and only students who have at least 110 earned credits before the spring semester and have their degree conferred that spring or earlier are eligible for consideration. Students who complete their graduation requirements before the beginning of the final spring semester have all grades counted toward calculating Latin Honors.

The GPA cutoff for summa cum laude is the GPA included within the top 5 percent of the graduating class. The cut off for magna cum laude is the GPA included within the next 10 percent of the class. The cutoff for cum laude is the GPA included within the next 15 percent of the class.

Major Honors

Students may be awarded degrees with major honors if they complete the designated honors sequence in the major, maintain the requisite grade point average, and are selected by their major faculty. No more than 10 percent of students in a major may graduate with major honors.

Students seeking admission to and graduation with major honors are expected to have a minimum grade point average of 3.65, both overall and in the major. Majors may exercise some flexibility in admissions, as follows. In rare cases where a candidate for admission to a major honors program falls short of the expected minimum GPA, the major leader may petition the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs for an exception. In all cases, once admitted, students are expected to maintain the GPA at the stipulated level in order to graduate with major honors. Should there be an exceptional circumstance in which the stipulated GPA is not maintained, the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs may be petitioned for an exception. If the case is compelling, the latter will inform the Registrar’s office of the waiver.

All students completing departmental honors must make public presentations of their work, preferably at the NYU Shanghai Undergraduate Research Symposium held at the end of the academic year, or in a major forum (e.g., oral defenses or presentations) held in conjunction with the Undergraduate Research Symposium.

Provost’s Award for Scholarship and/or Service

Presented by the Provost of NYU Shanghai to a graduating senior for outstanding accomplishment in either or both of these areas.

Dean’s Award in Arts and Sciences

Awarded to the graduating senior who has excelled in arts and sciences and who has contributed in a noteworthy way to the life of the campus during four years.

Dean’s Award in Business

Awarded to the graduating senior who has excelled in business and who has contributed in a noteworthy way to the life of the campus during four years.

Dean’s Award in Computer Science, Data Science, and Engineering

Awarded to the graduating senior who has excelled in computer science, data science, and engineering and who has contributed in a noteworthy way to the life of the campus during four years.

Requirements for Residence

All coursework used to satisfy the 128-credit degree requirement must be completed in the NYU network. The courses used to complete the major or the minor must be taken in that disciplinary area. Students must be registered as full-time students in a minimum of six fall or spring semesters at the NYU Shanghai campus. 

Graduation

Conferring of Degrees

Degrees are conferred in August, January, and May. The NYU Shanghai graduation ceremony occurs in May and the formal conferring of degrees takes place annually at Commencement in May.

All graduated students receive: a New York University diploma (issued by New York University), a NYU Shanghai diploma (issued by Shanghai New York University), and a NYU Shanghai graduation certificate (from the Ministry of Education of the PRC).

Awarding of Credit

Credit for Advanced Placement Examinations

NYU Shanghai does not assign credit for the Advanced Placement (AP) Program (College Entrance Examination Board), the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program, or the results of foreign maturity certificate examinations. In some cases students may be able to fulfill a core curriculum requirement based on their performance on one of these tests.

Credit for Courses at NYU Shanghai

To receive credit for a course, the student must register before attending, meet the requirements for attendance, and creditably complete all examinations and assignments prescribed by the instructor. Some majors also offer independent study for exceptional students.

Students receive credit for any course passed with at least a D or a P grade. Courses may not be used to meet major or minor requirements or as prerequisites for more advanced classes unless a grade of C or higher is earned. This means that grades of P or C- and lower may not be used to meet major or minor requirements or as a prerequisite for more advanced courses including in core curriculum sequences. Core courses must be taken graded on A-F scale and may satisfy the core requirement with grade of D or better.

Restrictions on Receiving Credit (Including Course Repeat Policy)

A student who has taken a course for credit or who has obtained a W in a course is permitted to repeat that course once. Students may not repeat more than two courses during their undergraduate careers. Students may not repeat courses in a designated sequence after taking more advanced courses. The majors determine the sequencing of courses. Students with questions regarding the repetition of courses or course sequences must consult their advisor. When a student repeats a course, no additional credit will be awarded. Both grades are recorded on the transcript and computed in the grade point average. 

Students register for repeated courses. If the credit value of the repeated course causes the total number of credits to exceed 18, an overload petition is required and overload charges apply.

Credit for Courses at Other Schools and Divisions of New York University

NYU graduate courses may be taken with approval of the respective graduate program and NYU Shanghai undergraduate major and following the practices of that bulletin. Enrollment is dependent on availability and completion of any required prerequisites. If graduate courses are applied toward the completion of requirements for the baccalaureate degree, no advanced credit is typically allowed for them in the University’s graduate programs.

Students may take a total of 36 credits in other divisions of NYU, including any courses for particular minors approved by NYU Shanghai. Students seeking additional credits beyond the 36 credit limit must file a petition with their academic advisor. 

Please note that restrictions apply. For details, students must check with their advisor before registering for any courses in other divisions. If a course is not approved in advance, students will not receive credit for it. If such courses are taken at schools outside NYU, the credit will not transfer to NYU Shanghai.

NYU Shanghai students only earn credit for courses taken within NYU's School of Professional Studies Cross School Minors, other SPS courses will not be counted toward major requirements, the GPA, or the minimum 128 credits required for graduation. 

Credit for internet and online courses from other divisions or schools of NYU will not be counted toward the baccalaureate degree unless approved by petition.

Credit for Transfer Students

Inquiries regarding transfer applications should be directed to NYU Shanghai Office of Undergraduate Admissions (shanghai.admissions@nyu.edu).

Credit for Non-NYU Study Abroad

Once admitted to NYU Shanghai, all courses counted toward the degree must be taken on campus or during an approved study abroad semester at one of NYU’s degree-granting campuses, Global Academic Centers or exchange partners, including those they need or wish to take during the summer.

Summer Session

Students who elect to take summer courses for credits must take them on campus or at one of NYU’s Global Academic Centers, NYU New York, or NYU Abu Dhabi. Students who plan to take summer courses within the NYU Global Network need to get their course plan approved by their academic advisor for summer registration clearance before the appointed time.

Transfer Credit and Articulation Agreements

Inquiries regarding transfer applications should be directed to NYU Shanghai Office of Undergraduate Admissions (shanghai.admissions@nyu.edu).

Grading

Policies on Examinations

Preamble

The following policies represent an understanding between faculty and student concerning an important but often stressful period, especially at the conclusion of each academic semester and at mid-semester. There should be no expectation that the following points will cover every conceivable situation. The student should anticipate the demands of the exam schedule, plan accordingly and early, and be prepared. The faculty should recognize that the student is encumbered with many tightly orchestrated and intensive obligations during this period over which he or she has no control: expectations should be reasonably consistent with the number of course units and, of course, should be made known to the student well in advance of the final examination period, preferably as part of the course syllabus.

In order to help students plan their time and study optimally for examinations, this document lays out in some detail the policies regarding final and in-term examinations. Instructors are requested to provide notification of the major in-term examinations in the course syllabus. The final examination date is posted early in the semester. It is the responsibility of the student to give his or her instructor sufficient notice and to work with the instructor to reschedule examinations if this is needed.

Definitions

• NYU Shanghai’s official final examination period begins on the reading day immediately following the last day of classes and continues through the last day of scheduled final examinations, with the exception of reading day(s).
• Scheduled final examinations are those scheduled by the Registrar. An instructor may choose not to fix a schedule for final examination, but instead allow each student to choose the examination time; such exams are called self-scheduled examinations.
• Final examinations can either be comprehensive, covering all course materials, or non-comprehensive, covering only a part of the course.
• Major examinations during the semester are referred to here as in-term examinations.

In-term Examinations

In-term exams may only occur during regularly scheduled class hours. This means that exams may not run longer than the regular class period for the course and that instructors may not schedule alternative exam times. It is possible to administer an exam that takes longer than scheduled class times if the instructor divides the test into two parts and students take them over different class dates.

The only exception to the in-term testing policy is for students with registered academic accommodations that cause them to need additional time for tests.

Final Examinations

1. All scheduled final examinations are held at the end of the semester during NYU Shanghai’s official final examination period. The last day of a class is not normally used for a final examination. Comprehensive final examinations are not required for each course, but are given at the option of the instructor. The reading day and weekend preceding the examination days are not used for examination purposes of any kind, unless a student chooses (and the instructor agrees) to take a self-scheduled examination during this time. Non-comprehensive final examinations or final projects (but not both) are allowed during this final examination period only in courses that do not give a final comprehensive examination.
2. Instructors return all work assigned no later than the last regular day of classes in courses for which there is a final examination. In cases when this is not possible, an answer key, solution sets or equivalent feedback should be provided unless the final examination will not cover material in work that has not been returned.
3. No other coursework, including laboratory or studio work, will be due during the final examination period unless it is assigned in advance and in lieu of the course’s final examination. Regardless of whether there is a final examination in the course, no classes other than review sessions are held during the final examination period. Review sessions are scheduled for optimal attendance, and a serious effort should be made to accommodate students who cannot attend. In appreciation of the time required to prepare for final examinations, no other examinations, portfolio reviews, critiques or juries shall be scheduled for the last class day of a course with a final examination.
4. Instructors do not exert or submit to pressures to move an examination so that students can leave earlier nor pressure students to take an examination on a reading day or weekend preceding the final examinations period.
5. Students are expected to present themselves at the place assigned at the start of the examination; late arrival will reduce the total time a student has to complete the examination, unless the instructor’s course policy indicates otherwise. Instructors reserve the right to require attendance within a specific time period. Students who miss an examination with a reasonable excuse and wish to petition for a make-up final examination should check with the instructor.
6. Any student may review his or her corrected, graded final examination in the presence of an instructor or a teaching assistant. Any controversy arising from this review is dealt with in accordance with NYU Shanghai procedure for the appeal of grades and academic actions. A final examination that is not returned to a student will be kept available until the end of the next semester for review. In the event that the instructor or teaching assistant is not available for the review, the responsibility shall rest with the major leader of the instructor offering the course or his or her designee. Since instructors return all work assigned before the final examinations, they are not responsible for retaining unclaimed coursework.
7.  Concerns related to a final examination, complaints about violations of the final examination policy or alterations of the final examination schedule should be directed to the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs.

NYU Shanghai Student Guidelines for Taking Exams

NYU Shanghai has developed the guidelines below for in-class tests worth 10% or more of the final grade in a class so that students will share a uniform test-taking experience that creates a quiet, less stressful, and fair test site.

1. Tests that are worth more than 10% of the final grade will be held in a room or rooms that provide at least twice as many seats as students enrolled in the class.
2. Students follow an assigned seating chart for the test that randomizes the classroom and seating assignments for students. Students are seated in every other seat so that they are not in close proximity to others taking the same exam.
3. The tests are pre-marked with each student’s name and assigned seat.
4. Students should arrive at the classroom at least 5 minutes before the exam starts.
5. Students must leave their backpacks/purses/ bags/laptops at the front of the room – taking with them to their seat only something to write with (no pencil cases are allowed). If other materials are permitted, the instructor will inform the proctors of specifically what is allowed.
6. Students must leave all hats, coats, and jackets at the front of the room as well. Students who normally wear scarfs for faith or cultural reasons may do so but must alter to expose ears.
7. An unlabeled bottle of water is permissible; food/gum/candy is not.
8. Any student who is not taking the exam should not be in the test room.
9. Proctors are not responsible for supplying any test-taking materials (pencils, calculators, etc.) to students who have arrived unprepared for the exam.
10.  All electronic devices and technological aids, including but not limited to: smartphones, watches, tablets, earbuds and glasses should be switched off and left at the front of the room, so that students do not have access to them during the exam. If a student is found with any such device with them during the exam, this will be considered a violation of the exam guidelines.
11. A quiet test environment must be maintained. Students are not allowed to speak to each other (even to request to borrow a pencil from another student). If students need to speak, they should raise their hand and wait for the proctor to come over to them and help them with whatever question or problem they have.
12. The start time and finish time will be written on the board at the front of the room. The proctor should update the time remaining (in 15 minutes intervals) throughout the exam on the board so that students may gauge their progress and manage their time during the exam.
13. Any student arriving late will be permitted to take the exam, but they must finish at the prearranged time and will not be given any extra time.
14. Students must sit in their assigned seat with their named test. They have to show a proctor their NYU Shanghai University ID if asked.
15. Students in the wrong test room must go to the correct test room even if that means they start the test late.
16. Students cannot move their seat. There needs to be enough space between seats so that the purpose of the every other seat protocol is met.
17. Bathroom breaks are permitted only in what the proctor deems is an emergency. When permitted, the back-up/relief proctor will escort the student to and from the bathroom. When this is not possible, the proctor will note the time that the student left the exam room, and when they returned.
18. If a student finishes an exam early, they may leave the room once they have turned in their exam papers. They will not be readmitted once this occurs.
19. In the last 15 minutes of the exam, the remaining time left will be updated in 5 minute intervals.
20.  Once time is up, the exam is finished and students must stop working. The proctor will make a note of individuals who did not stop working when told to and report this to the instructor.
21. All exam materials (answer sheets, scratch paper, test question paper) are to be collected by the proctor. Students should not leave the room with any test materials.

Penalties for Students Violating the Protocols

• The penalty for the first violation of test protocols (sitting in wrong seat, in possession of non-approved test taking materials, talking, failure to show their NYU Shanghai University ID when requested, etc.) is a letter grade reduction on exam.
• Additional violations or refusal to comply with protocols will lead to additional penalties.
• Test protocol penalties are independent of, and in addition to, penalties for academic integrity violations. Both types of penalties are applied in as confidential a manner as circumstances permit.

Makeup Examinations

When examinations are missed because of illness, students are expected to notify professors in advance of the exam, if at all possible. If the instructor grants an excused absence or if a student has a recommended accommodation for a makeup examination from the NYU Moses Center for Student Accessibility (see “Students With Disabilities” section), then the student must arrange a makeup examination with the professor prior to the last day of the semester. The time and place of any makeup examinations are set by the instructor or the major area head. If the student is unable to sit for a final examination during the semester and requires a grade of incomplete, see below policy under “grades” and “incompletes.”

Grades

Students may obtain their final grades for each semester on Albert.

The following symbols indicating grades are used: A, B, C, D, P, F, and W. The following symbol indicates incomplete work: I. Only grades of A, B, C, D, or F earned in any NYU course while matriculated in NYU Shanghai, or earned in any of NYU Shanghai’s courses (courses suffixed by “-SH”) while matriculated in another division of NYU, are computed in the average. The following grades may be awarded: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, F. In general, A indicates excellent work, B indicates good work, C indicates satisfactory work, and D indicates passable work and is the lowest passing grade. F indicates failure. The weights assigned in computing the grade point average are as follows:

Grades Earned in Fall 2018 and Later

Shanghai: Grading

Grade	Grade Points
A	4.000
A-	3.667
B+	3.333
B	3.000
B-	2.667
C+	2.333
C	2.000
C-	1.667
D+	1.333
D	1.000
F	0.000

Grades Earned Prior to Fall 2018 and Earlier

Shanghai: Grading

Grade	Grade Points
A	4.0
A-	3.7
B+	3.3
B	3.0
B-	2.7
C+	2.3
C	2.0
C-	1.7
D+	1.3
D	1.0
F	0.0

Courses for major, minor, or core requirements must be taken on an A-F grading scale. Courses may not be used to meet major or minor requirements or as prerequisites for more advanced classes unless a grade of C or higher is earned. This means that Grades of P, C- or lower may not be used to meet major or minor requirements or as a prerequisite for more advanced courses (see “Pass/Fail Option” for more details).

Computing the Grade Point Average

The grade point average can be obtained by determining the total of all grade points earned (quality points) and dividing that figure by the total number of credit hours completed (quality hours). For example: A student who has completed 8 points of A (4.0), 4 points of B (3.0), and 4 points of C (2.0) has a grade point average of 3.25. This is obtained by adding 8 (points of A) x 4.0 (point value of A), 4 (points of B) x 3.0 (point value of B), and 4 (points of C) x 2.0 (point value of C), which totals 52 (the total of all grade points earned), and then by dividing 52 by 16 (the total number of credit hours completed). This gives the grade point average of 3.25.

Policies on Assigned Grades

Once a final grade has been submitted by the instructor and recorded on the transcript, the final grade cannot be changed by turning in additional coursework.

To appeal an assigned grade (only final semester grades are assigned grades, midterm and individual assignment and paper grades are not appealable) the student should first consult with the instructor who assigned the grade to discuss the grading requirements for the course and how the grade was determined. If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of the discussion and wishes to appeal the grade further, a formal written appeal should be submitted to the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs within one month of the date the grade was posted. An independent review of the grade will be undertaken. All of the student’s work will be eligible for review to clarify how the grade was determined and to ensure the grade is consistent with academic guidelines and policies. The result of the appeal may be that the grade is lowered, raised, or stays the same. The decision of Academic Affairs in matters related to a course grade is final.

The grades for courses taken abroad in one of NYU’s programs or at one of the exchange sites are recorded on the transcript and are also included in the grade point average. The grades for graduate courses taken at other divisions in the University are included in the grade point average, provided that permission to enroll is obtained prior to registration for the courses.
 
Not included in the undergraduate grade point average are grades for work done at institutions outside NYU’s global network.

When a student repeats a course, no additional credit will be awarded. Both grades are recorded on the transcript and computed in the grade point average. 

Grade of P

The grade of P (Pass) indicates a passing grade (A, B, C, or D) in a course taken under the pass/fail option. It is also used to indicate non-graded courses. The grade of P is not computed in the average. The grade of F under the pass/fail option is computed in the average. For more information and procedures to obtain the pass/fail option, see end of this section under “Pass/Fail Option.”

Grade of W

The grade of W indicates an official withdrawal of the student from a course in good academic standing. Please see “Change of Program” and “Withdrawing from Courses” for information on the regulations and procedures for withdrawing officially from courses.

Grade of I

The grade of incomplete (I) is a temporary grade that indicates that a student has not yet completed all requirements for a course as outlined on the syllabus but could pass the course if they were to complete those outstanding requirements. The “I” grade is only appropriate where unexpected and/or unavoidable circumstances—in most cases occurring near the end of the semester/term—have prevented a student from completing a limited number of remaining course requirements that can reasonably be completed by an agreed-upon deadline. 

Additional information can be found on the Undergraduate Incomplete Policy page.  Graduate students should consult their school's specific policy for additional information. 

Independent Study

Some majors offer independent study courses for students with exceptional qualifications. In these courses, the work is planned specifically for each student. Independent studies should build on previous course work, not replace existing courses, and may not substitute for required major courses or required core curriculum requirements. With prior approval they may count for general elective, minor, or major elective requirements.

Independent study courses allow the student to work independently with faculty supervision and counsel. The courses typically carry variable credit of 2 or 4 credits each term. They are normally limited to upper-class majors but may be open to other well-qualified upper-class students. To register for an independent study, a student must complete an independent study form and obtain the approval of all relevant faculty and the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.

The result of the independent study course should be a paper or other objective, tangible evidence of completion of the work. In general, students are not permitted to take more than 12 credits of independent study during their four years, and no more than 8 credits may be taken in any one major. More specific information can be found by speaking with your academic advisor.

Pass/Fail Option

Students may elect one pass/fail option each term, including the summer sessions, for a total of not more than 32 credits during their college career. The choice must be made before the semester P/F deadline of the term; after that time, the decision cannot be initiated or changed. No grade other than P or F will be recorded for those students choosing this option. P includes the grades of A, B, C, and D and is not counted in the grade point average. F is counted in the grade point average.

The pass/fail option is not acceptable in coursework in fulfillment of requirements toward a major, minor, prerequisites for more advanced coursework, or the Core Curriculum requirements. Students considering the pass/fail option in their area of study or in required preprofessional courses should consult with their advisor about the effect of such grades on admission to graduate and professional schools. Students who change their majors may not be able to use courses taken under the pass/ fail option to satisfy the requirements of their new majors. The form for declaring the pass/fail option may be obtained from the NYU Shanghai Advising or Registrar’s website.

Chinese language (through Intermediate II) and English for Academic Purposes courses cannot be taken P/F. Courses in other languages and Advanced Chinese classes can be taken P/F but grades of C or higher must be earned for prerequisite to advance to higher level courses. Grades of P will not fulfill language course prerequisites.

Petitions

The NYU Shanghai Academic Standards Committee will consider petitions of students to waive graduation requirements or modify academic policies and regulations of NYU Shanghai. Students should be aware that only very exceptional cases, supported by valid and documented reasons, will be considered. After deliberation, the Committee’s decisions on such matters are final. Petition instructions may be obtained from the Office of Academic Advising.

Withdrawals

Dropping or Withdrawing from Courses

Students are expected to maintain a full-time program as described above and are unable to reduce their program to part-time status if enrolled full-time at the beginning of the semester. Occasionally, they may drop or withdraw from a course if, because of reasons beyond their control, they cannot continue. Withdrawing from a full semester course during the first two weeks of the term is treated as a drop and will not appear on the transcript. Those courses withdrawn from during the third week through the semester withdrawal deadline of the term will be recorded with a grade of W. After the semester withdrawal deadline, no one may withdraw from a course except in cases of full semester withdrawal as recommended by the Student Health Center or Moses Center for Student Accessibility and accompanied by appropriate documentation. Students who are ill or have other serious personal circumstances should contact their advisor.

Complete Withdrawals

Students who wish to withdraw from all of their courses must meet and discuss their plans with their advisor, complete the required forms, and get the approval of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.

A student who withdraws officially from all courses in a term may register for the following term, subject to any limitations attached to their withdrawal approval. If the student is unable to attend NYU Shanghai during the term following the withdrawal, he or she should request a leave of absence from their academic advisor. For more information, see next page under “Attendance.”

Standards of Conduct

The Academic Standards & Discipline policies of NYU Shanghai are summarized here. Unless otherwise noted, students should direct all questions or concerns regarding these policies to their Academic Advisor, who will liaise with the appropriate members of the university administration as needed.

Academic Standards

The NYU Shanghai Academic Standards Committee reviews student records throughout the academic year. All of its actions are based on the grades to date at the end of the term.

Academic Integrity

This policy sets forth core principles and standards with respect to academic integrity for students at NYU Shanghai.

NYU Shanghai is a “community of the mind.” Its students, faculty, and staff all share the goal of pursuing truth through free and open inquiry, and we support one another’s endeavors in this regard. As in any community, membership comes with certain rights and responsibilities. Foremost among these is academic integrity. Cheating on an exam, falsifying data, or having someone else write a paper undermines others who are “doing it on their own”; it makes it difficult or impossible to assess fairly a student’s interest, aptitude, and achievement; and it diminishes the cheater, depriving him or her of an education. Most important, academic dishonesty is a violation of the very principles upon which the academy is founded. For this reason, violations of these principles are treated with the utmost seriousness.

At NYU Shanghai, a commitment to excellence, fairness, honesty, and respect within and outside the classroom is essential to maintaining the integrity of our community. By accepting membership in this community, students take responsibility for demonstrating these values in their own conduct and for recognizing and supporting these values in others. In turn, these values will create a campus climate that encourages the free exchange of ideas, promotes scholarly excellence through active and creative thought, and allows community members to achieve and be recognized for achieving their highest potential.

In pursuing these goals, NYU Shanghai expects and requires its students to adhere to the highest standards of scholarship, research and academic conduct. Essential to the process of teaching and learning is the periodic assessment of students’ academic progress through measures such as papers, examinations, presentations, and other projects. Academic dishonesty compromises the validity of these assessments as well as the relationship of trust within the community. Students who engage in such behavior will be subject to review and the possible imposition of penalties in accordance with the standards, practices, and procedures of NYU and its colleges and schools. Violations may result in failure on a particular assignment, failure in a course, required leave or dismissal from NYU Shanghai, or other penalties.

Faculty are expected to guide students in understanding other people’s ideas, in developing and clarifying their own thinking, and in using and conscientiously acknowledging resources - an increasingly complex endeavor given the current environment of widely available and continually emerging electronic resources. In addition, students come to NYU Shanghai from diverse educational contexts and may have understandings regarding academic expectations that differ from those at NYU Shanghai. NYU values and respects all academic traditions; however, while at NYU Shanghai, students are expected to adhere to the norms and standards of academic integrity espoused by the NYU Shanghai community and will be assessed in accordance with these standards. Students should ask their professors for guidance regarding these standards as well as style guide preferences for citation of sources for assignments in their courses.

Following are examples of behaviors that compromise the academic and intellectual community of NYU Shanghai and that are unacceptable.

1. Plagiarism: presenting others’ work without adequate acknowledgement of its source, as though it were one’s own. Plagiarism is a form of fraud. We all stand on the shoulders of others, and we must give credit to the creators of the works that we incorporate into products that we call our own. Some examples of plagiarism:
   • A sequence of words incorporated without quotation marks
   • an unacknowledged passage paraphrased from another’s work
   • the use of ideas, sound recordings, computer data or images created by others as though it were one’s own
2. Cheating: deceiving a faculty member or other individual who assess student performance into believing that one’s mastery of a subject or discipline is greater than it is by a range of dishonest methods, including but not limited to:
   • Bringing or accessing unauthorized materials during an examination (e.g., notes, books, or other information accessed via phones, watches, glasses, earbuds, tablets, computers, other technology or any other means)
   • providing assistance to acts of academic misconduct/dishonesty (e.g., sharing copies of exams via phones, computers, other technology or any other means; allowing others to copy answers on an exam)
   • submitting the same or substantially similar work in multiple courses, either in the same semester or in a different semester, without the express approval of all instructors
   • submitting work (papers, homework assignments, computer programs, experimental results, artwork, etc.) that was created by another, substantially or in whole, as one’s own
   • submitting answers on an exam that were obtained from the work of another person or providing answers or assistance to others during an exam when not explicitly permitted by the instructor
   • submitting evaluations of group members’ work for an assigned group project which misrepresent the work that was performed by another group member
   • altering or forging academic documents, including but not limited to admissions materials, academic records, grade reports, add/drop forms, course registration forms, etc.
3.  Any behavior that violates the academic policies set forth by NYU Shanghai.

NYU Shanghai Honor Code

Adopted from the CAS Honor Code

As a student in NYU Shanghai, you belong to a community of scholars who value free and open inquiry. Honest assessment of ideas and their sources is the foundation of what we do.

NYU Shanghai is a community of mutual trust and respect in which personal prejudice has no part in the critical evaluation of ideas. It is a place where differences of opinion can be subjected to deliberate and reasonable examination without animus.

As scholars, it is therefore as a matter of honor and good repute that we each commit ourselves to assuring the integrity of our academic community and of the educational pursuits we undertake together.

As a student in NYU Shanghai, I pledge that:

• I will perform honestly all my academic obligations. I will not represent the words, works, or ideas of others as my own; will not cheat; and will not seek to mislead faculty or other academic officers in their evaluation of my course work or in any other academic affairs.
• I will behave with decorum and civility, and with respectful regard for all members of the University—faculty, staff, and fellow students— our guests, and members of our wider communities.
• I will abide by NYU Shanghai and by NYU rules of conduct and policies on academic integrity and by the special requirements of any individual course of study or other academic activity.
• I will endeavor earnestly to uphold the values, standards, and ideals on which our university community depends and call on others to do so.

Procedures and Sanctions

The penalty for academic dishonesty is severe. The following are the procedures followed at NYU Shanghai:

1. If a student cheats on an examination or in laboratory work or engages in plagiarism, appropriate disciplinary action should be taken. The following actions may be taken:
   1.  The faculty member, with the approval of the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs, may reduce the student’s grade or give the student an F in the course.
   2. If after lowering the grade or assigning an “F”, the faculty member or the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs believes a more severe penalty (i.e., notice of academic concern, required leave, dismissal) is warranted, they can refer the case to the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs for further action.
2. In all cases of either (a) or (b), the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs will inform the student of any action in writing and send a copy of this letter to the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs. The letter will include the nature of the offense, the penalty, and the right of the student to appeal such penalty. A copy of the letter will be kept in a confidential file. The Vice Provost’s copy will also be kept in a confidential file. (The faculty member and/or the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs will meet with the student and discuss the nature of the offense and the action taken.)
3. For cases involving a second offense, the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs will determine if a mediated outcome is possible or proceed as follows:
   1. Convene a five-member ad hoc committee of three faculty members, one staff member, and one student to examine the evidence. This ad hoc committee will consider if there are reasonable grounds to believe that an academic integrity violation has occurred and if so, will affirm the penalty. If the committee affirms the penalty, the Vice Provost will send the student by e-mail a penalty letter. The letter will advise the student of his or her right to appeal. The student will have two business days from the letter’s delivery to request an appeal. The penalty will ordinarily be stayed during the pendency of appeal.
   2. If the committee does not affirm the penalty, the report will be kept on file for a one-year period.
4. The student in all cases has the right to appeal to the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.

Community Standards

Academic communities exist to facilitate the process of acquiring and exchanging knowledge and understanding, to enhance the personal and intellectual development of its members, and to advance the interests of society. In order to realize its purpose, the University and its members must be free from personal injury or harm; bias or harassment; intimidation or coercion; damage or loss of property; disruption of educational and social activities; unreasonable interference with the exchange of concepts and ideas; and unreasonable interference with the administrative and supporting services offered by the University. Accordingly, all student members of the University community are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that demonstrates mutual respect for the rights and personal/academic well-being of others, preserves the integrity of the social and academic environment, upholds the core values of the institution and supports the mission of the University. The University has an inherent right to address behavior that impedes, obstructs, or threatens the maintenance of order and attainment of the aforementioned goals by violating the standards of conduct set forth in the NYU Shanghai Student Conduct Policies and the Academic Standards set forth in this bulletin as well as other policies that may be established by the respective NYU Schools, Global Sites, and administrative offices of the University. Students are expected to familiarize themselves and comply with all University policies; the NYU Shanghai Student Conduct Policies and Process are available at Community Standards.  

Disciplinary Measures

Notice of Academic Alert

Students with cumulative grade point averages of 2.0 to 2.25 will receive a notice of academic alert with recommendations for achieving an appropriate standard for academic performance. Students with an academic alert are invited and encouraged to participate in the Academic Support Program to support them in improving their GPA.

Notice of Academic Concern

Any student whose record is deemed unsatisfactory will receive a notice of academic concern and will be so informed by letter. A record will be deemed unsatisfactory if, in any semester, the student fails to meet standards for good academic standing, defined as cumulative and semester grade point average above 2.0 and maintaining steady and substantial progress toward the degree. Steady and substantial progress toward the degree entails the completion, with satisfactory grades, of more than half of the courses (and credits) for which a student registers in any semester. In addition, it entails satisfactory progress in the student’s major.

Failure to satisfy the conditions of a notice of academic concern will result in further academic sanctions and possibly dismissal from NYU Shanghai. The conditions usually require that the student

1. achieve a cumulative and semester grade point average of at least 2.0 during the notice of concern term,
2. not receive any grade below a C or any grade of I or P,
3. not withdraw from any course without securing the permission of the NYU Shanghai Academic Standards Committee prior to the withdrawal, and
4. participate fully in the Academic Support Program. More specific requirements may be imposed.

Students with a notice of academic concern may engage in co-curricular activities but may not hold office in university clubs or organizations without the approval of the NYU Shanghai Academic Standards Committee.

NYU Shanghai follows the Office of Global Programs policy regarding notices of academic concern and study away admission. Students currently with a notice of academic concern are ineligible for study away.

Students with a notice of academic concern should be aware that they are usually ineligible for financial aid.

Students with a notice of academic concern are required to participate in the Academic Support Program, which includes additional meetings with advising and engaging with other resources to which students are referred.

Required Leave

If a student fails to meet the minimal standards stated above at the end of the academic concern semester, the student will be placed on required leave. Required leave is for a minimum of two semesters (Fall/Spring or Spring/Fall) and the student is required to follow NYU Shanghai procedures for departing from campus.

Students on required leave may not:

• register for courses
• attend classes
• live in residence halls
• use campus facilities, such as athletic facilities, the library, and computer labs (and including all NYU facilities in other cities as well)
• participate in student activities
• be members of student organizations
• have student jobs

Note: Students on required leave may appeal to complete a summer/J-term course or hold a summer campus job if they started the class or job before they were placed on required leave.

At the end of the two semesters, the student may petition to return to NYU Shanghai by completing the following steps:

1. Ask the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs in writing for permission to resume their studies.
2. Provide transcripts for any courses taken at other colleges or universities during the required leave even though academic credits earned during a required leave do not transfer back to NYU Shanghai.

To get approval to resume their studies the student must demonstrate that they are better prepared to perform above the minimum standards for graduation than before they were on required leave. Students return from required leave on a notice of academic concern. They may only resume studies during a fall or spring semester and must study in Shanghai.

Academic Dismissal

A student who fails to meet minimum standards at any point after returning from a required leave is subject to a dismissal action. A dismissal action is a permanent severance; the student is required to follow NYU Shanghai procedures for departing from campus and may not enroll again in the future.

The typical progression of academic actions is Notice of Academic Concern, Required Leave, and then Dismissal but the intent of the academic actions are to take measures that are in the student’s best interest and therefore the school may bypass one or more of these steps in an unusual case.

Students on required leave or dismissed from NYU Shanghai for failing to meet academic performance standards will be informed via e-mail two to three weeks after their most recent grades are posted for the enrolled semester. Students who have paid tuition for the next term at the time of dismissal will receive a full refund of those tuition and fees

Internships

The visa requirements of the People’s Republic of China do not allow international students to hold off-campus part-time jobs or paid internships. International students who wish to participate in off-campus internships must follow the Internship Registration Process to ensure that the position meets legal criteria and is registered with the Chinese government. There are currently no restrictions on Chinese national students participating in paid positions.

Placement Examinations, Degree Progress, and Transcripts

Placement Examination for Chinese Language

Entering students who are not native speakers of Mandarin take an online placement exam prior to their first registration in NYU Shanghai. Online tests result in placement into the appropriate-level course. The online placement exam is used for new incoming students only to assess their language proficiency for a preliminary placement into Chinese language courses. In the case a student would like to demonstrate proficiency beyond the intermediate two level, thereby fulfilling the language requirement, the student must take an in-person place-out exam.