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It is important that all Arts and Sciences students be aware of their academic progress and completion of degree requirements. This helps students select appropriate courses and work towards graduation. The tools and resources on this page are available to help students determine where they are in their academic plan and to assess their academic progress.
Program Evaluations
GPA Calculations
· Calculating Your GPA Manually
· Term and Cumulative GPA Calculator
Core Curriculum
· Core Worksheets
· Common Student Questions about the Core Curriculum
Applying for Graduation
If you have questions about the information below, plan to contact your assigned academic advisor or stop by the AASC in Casey 1W, call 206-296-2840, or email at ASCAdvising@seattleu.edu.
A Program Evaluation is a computer-generated report that enables students to review their academic progress and unfulfilled degree requirements. The program evaluation is a valuable tool for academic planning and course selection because it matches the courses that student has taken with the requirements of his/her degree program.
Program Evaluations are available for all students on SU Online. Students are expected to be able to locate their program evaluation and know how to comprehend the information included in the evaluation.
Select How to Read your Program Evaluation - this is step-by-step guide provides an overview of the different sections of the Program Evaluation and how to read the codes and information included on the evaluation.
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Grade point average is calculated by dividing the total amount of quality points earned by the total amount of credit hours attempted. Your grade point average may range from 0.0 to 4.0
Quality points are determined using the scale below.
Seattle University Grading Scale and Quality Point Values
A = 4.0
C+ = 2.3
F = 0.0
A- = 3.7
C = 2.0
B+ = 3.3
C- =1.7
B = 3.0
D+ =1.3
B- = 2.7
D =1.0
1. To calculate the quality points earned in each class, multiply course credits by the quality points earned:
CLASSES
CREDITS
GRADE
Credits x Quality Points
PHIL 110
5
A-
5 x 3.7 = 18.5
CHEM 121
4
B
4 x 3.0 = 12.0
SOCW 301
3
3 x 3.7 = 11.1
ENGL 120
B+
5 x 3.3 = 16.5
Total
17
58.10
2. To calculate the GPA for this term, divide total quality points by total credit hours attempted.
Following the example above: 58.10 Quality Points / 17 credits = 3.42 GPA
Students can also use an electronic GPA calculator to calculate their term and cumulative GPA. Review the below the instructions and then click here to access the online GPA Calculator.
All Seattle University students are required to complete a set of general education requirements called the Core curriculum. The Core curriculum at Seattle University is grounded in the Jesuit Catholic mission, rooted in a fundamental vision of the nobility of the human person who is always grounded in the particularities of place, culture, and time, and yet it destined for a goal that transcends these limits. The Core curriculum seeks to provide students with a solid grounding in the knowledge and perspectives of the liberal arts and sciences and to equip them with the skills of self-reflection, imaginative and critical thinking, effective written and oral communication, scientific literacy, and mathematical competency.
For more information about the Core curriculum, click here.
Below are links to worksheets that, in conjunction with your Program Evaluation, can be used to review your Core requirements. Select the Core worksheet that appropriately reflects when you started at Seattle University.
•Freshmen •Transfers with less than 45 credits•Transfers with 45 to 89 credits•Transfers with 90 or more credits
Where do I go to obtain more information about the Core requirements I need to complete? Your academic advisor is your best source of information. You should also review the description of your major in the course catalog. In addition, the “Program Evaluation” function in SU Online gives you a customized list of courses that are required for your major. You can also use this function to see how a change of major would alter your Core requirements.
Is there any flexibility in the Core requirements? If so, how do I choose among the options? In some cases there is relatively little flexibility in the Core. For example, all students take ENGL 120 to fulfill the literary studies requirements in the Core. The same is true for several other requirements: composition and argument (ENGL 110), critical thinking and philosophical reasoning (PHIL 110), and philosophy of the human person (PHIL 220). However, for some other courses there are a wide range of options. There are a variety of courses students can take to fulfill the fine arts requirement, the social science requirements, the theology/religious studies requirements, and several other requirements. When registering for courses you should be sure to select Core courses that are listed as fulfilling Core requirements in the “comments” section of the SUOnline listing. It’s also important to know that even in those cases where only one course fulfills the requirement there may be significant differences between sections. Check the section information on SU Online to see if the professor has listed any details about that section.
May I use Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate or Running Start credits to fulfill Core Curriculum requirements? Yes. AP, IB, and Running Start credits can be used to complete some, but not all, of the Core requirements. There are different minimum AP/IB scores/grades required to fulfill the individual requirements (an AP score of 3 is not adequate in all categories) and some majors also require different scores to receive credit for the Core. Your Program Evaluation on SU Online will indicate how your credits have been applied to the SU curriculum. Talk to your advisor if you have questions or consult the appropriate policy. It is your responsibility to make sure that Seattle University has received official transcripts/scores for any non-SU credit.
Are transfer students required to complete the Core Curriculum? Yes, but there are special provisions for transfer students. Students transferring to SU with fewer than 45 credits complete the regular Core Curriculum, but individual transferred courses may fulfill many of the Core requirements. These courses are evaluated on a case-by-case basis to fulfill specific requirements. Students arriving at SU with between 45 and 89 credits receive Core credit for a range of courses they have taken elsewhere (for example, a wide range of courses can be used to fulfill the literary studies, critical thinking and philosophical reasoning, and fine arts requirements). Students who transfer to SU with 90 or more credits are generally exempted from many of the Core requirements. However, some Core courses are considered the “essential Core” and must be completed at Seattle University. This includes the requirements in philosophy of the human person, ethics, interdisciplinary study of a social issue, the senior synthesis, and at least one theology and religious studies course.
Can a SU student take Core Curriculum courses at another college or university? Yes, it is possible for SU students to take courses over the summer at another institution and transfer them to Seattle University. Those courses must be approved in advance, and there are some limitations on what credits are transferable. See your advisor and be sure to complete a Transfer Verification Request form before registering for classes at another institution.
Can study abroad courses fulfill Core requirements? Yes, in some cases. If you are taking part in a study abroad program sponsored by Seattle University the courses that fulfill Core requirements will be identified in advance. If you are taking part in any other kind of study abroad program you need to submit the courses for review in advance of the program. Consult with the Education Abroad office and your advisor.
Can Core Curriculum courses be taken pass/fail? No. All courses that count for Core credit must be taken for a letter grade.
What if the Core classes I want to take are full and I can’t register for them? First, have options in mind when you go online to register. There are many sections of Core courses. You may not get your first choice of section or time or professor, but there are other alternatives. Have a backup plan in mind before you register. Second, visit the Academic Advising Support Center or the Core Solution Center. The Core Solution Center operates for limited periods of time during the pre-registration and drop/add periods in the lobby of Bellarmine Hall. The staff of the Center may be able to get you into a section that is listed online as being closed. Please attempt to register yourself before visiting the Center.
Who can I talk to if I have questions or concerns about the Core? Your first contact should be your academic advisor. Advisors understand the Core and are familiar with the specific requirements in your area. They also can help you with issues regarding university policies. If you have questions or concerns about a Core course you are taking, please talk directly with the faculty member teaching that course. Questions or concerns about the Core can also be addressed to the Core Curriculum Director, Dr. Jeff Philpott (x5342 or jphilpot@seattleu.edu) or to Stasha McBride, Core Assistant (x4601 or mcbridem@seattleu.edu).
Are you within a year of graduation? You must log into SU Online and submit your application to graduation at least three terms prior to when you intend to graduate. For example, if you intend to graduate in May 2011, apply to graduate no later than November 1, 2010.
By applying to graduate in a timely manner, the Registrar’s office will work with you and your academic advisor to make sure that you are ready to graduate. This will allow you sufficient opportunity to make any class schedule adjustments that may be necessary to meet your intended graduation date.
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The College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest undergraduate and graduate college affiliated with Seattle University, the Northwest's largest independent university. The College offers 42 undergraduate majors, 37 undergraduate minors, 7 graduate degrees, and 1 post-graduate certificate. The College of Arts and Sciences provides a solid grounding in liberal arts education along with a host of majors and minors to best fit the needs of individual students in the 21st century.
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