Frequently Asked Questions

Students and advisors can find answers to questions about BIS academic policies and regulations in the relevant section of the University of Virginia Undergraduate Record and in What Advisors and Students Need to Know.    

How do I change my concentration?

• Discuss this decision with your advisor.
• Notify the BIS Student Services Coordinator and review requirements for your new concentration with her.
• Previous concentration credits will be counted as degree electives up to the allowable number in that particular concentration.

How many credits are required for graduation?

• A minimum of 120 credits are required for graduation from U.Va.
• BIS students transfer a maximum of 60 semester credits from other institutions and AP and/or IB test scores.
• BIS students then earn 60 or more U.Va. credits, for the 120 total.

How do I add or drop a class?

• If you are within the add/drop deadlines, go to ISIS online and click on add/drop.
• For information on add/drop deadlines, go to the BIS Academic Calendar.
• If adding a class will put you over the 9 credit limit (only possible with permission), or dropping a class will put you at 0 credits, fill out a Course Action form and submit it to the BIS Student Services Coordinator.

How do I know what the deadlines are for adding, dropping or withdrawing from a class?

Go to the BIS Academic Calendar. 

How do I obtain permission to take more than 9 credits in a given semester?

See Credit Limit, BIS in What Advisors and Students Need to Know 

Can I take a course pass/fail instead of for a grade?

• Students can choose a credit/no credit (CR/NC) option instead of receiving a grade.
• Students need instructor permission to select this option.
• This option must be selected at the time of registration.
A maximum of 9 credit hours may be taken on a CR/NC basis during a student’s time in the BIS program.

What options do I have if I can’t finish the course work on time?

• If you have a compelling reason for not being able to complete your class work before the end of the semester, you may be able to submit the work at a later date by asking your instructor for a grade of Incomplete.
• Students must initiate the request to the instructor for permission to make up missed work after the course ends.
• Only the instructor can authorize an Incomplete grade.
• If your instructor approves, he/she and the student should set a date for submitting the work.
• Both the student and instructor should complete and sign the Request for an Incomplete Grade Form.
• Students must submit a copy of the form to the BIS Student Services Coordinator.  BIS fax number (434-982-5335)
• Once the student completes the work and submits it to the instructor, the instructor will assign a grade.  The instructor will notify the BIS Student Services Coordinator of a grade change and a Grade Change form will be submitted to the Registrar’s Office. This grade will appear in ISIS.
• If the student does not complete the work by the stipulated deadline, the instructor may submit a grade of F.

If I receive a D or an F in a course, can I repeat the class?

• Students should discuss this option with their advisors.
• Credits for the course only count once for the degree.
• If a course is passed and repeated, only the first grade is calculated for the student’s cumulative GPA.
• If a course is failed and repeated, both grades are calculated in the student’s cumulative GPA.
• In each scenario (above), both courses and grades will appear on the transcript.
 

What grades do I have to earn in the requirements for the first four semesters?

• Students must earn a C or better on each of the courses that fulfill the requirements for the first four semesters.
• Students who earn less than a C (2.0) in any of these courses must take another course in the same category and earn a grade of C (2.0) or better to fulfill this requirement.
• The cumulative U.Va. GPA by the end of the fourth semester must be 2.0 or better.

What happens if I earn lower than a 2.0 grade in the Proseminar (ISPS 399) or the Capstone Project (ISCP 400)?

• Students who earn less than a C or 2.0 in either of these classes must repeat the class.
• Students who earn less than a C or 2.0 in the Proseminar cannot register for the Capstone Project (ISCP 400). 

What does an academic warning mean?

• An academic warning indicates a student’s failure to make academic progress in a given term.  A student who receives two consecutive academic warnings may be subject to suspension from the BIS program.
• Warnings are placed when a student earns:
• less than a 1.8 term GPA
• less than a 2.0 cumulative GPA
• two or more grades of D or less in any given semester
• a grade below C- in any course during two consecutive semesters
• and/or fails to complete by the deadline an admission requirement or requirements to be completed during the first four terms

What is the BIS suspension policy?

• Students are subject to suspension after two consecutive semesters on academic warning.
• While on suspension, BIS students may not earn credits to advance their progress towards the BIS degree.
• Suspended students may apply for readmission to the BIS program no earlier than one calendar year after the date of suspension. Suspended students are not guaranteed readmission.

How do I transfer courses to BIS/U.Va. after I’ve enrolled in the BIS program?

• Complete a Request for Transfer of Credit form before enrolling in the class.
• Submit the form to the BIS Director of Admissions for approval.
• Be sure the course is approved for transfer and fulfills requirements missing at admission before enrolling in the course.
• When the course is completed, submit an official transcript to the BIS Director of Admissions (P.O. Box 400764, Charlottesville, VA 22904).

What is the advising code?

• The advising code is used for fall and spring registrations to indicate that students have had advising contact with their advisors.
• The BIS Student Services Coordinator sends advising codes to each advisor.
• The advisor will give the student this code after advising contact has been made.
• The advising code is entered in ISIS online at the time of registration for the fall and spring semesters only.

How can I withdraw from the BIS program?

• Students should discuss the issue first with their advisor.
• If the decision to withdraw is made, students should contact the BIS Student Services Coordinator.
• The Withdrawal form should be completed and submitted to the BIS Student Services Coordinator.
• Students who withdraw also are asked to schedule an appointment with the BIS Director, to discuss their situation and concerns.

Can I take a semester off?

• Students may take a one semester Leave of Absence IF they are on-track to complete the requirements for the first two- and four-semester requirements and graduation requirements.
• Students should contact their advisors to discuss the issues involved.
• Students should notify the BIS Student Services Coordinator that they plan to take a Leave of Absence and complete the On Leave request Form.
• On-Leave requests must first be brought to the attention of the student’s advisor. Once permission has been obtained, this form with the advisor’s approval must be submitted to the BIS office for Director approval prior to the beginning of the term for which the student requests leave. If a student expects to require leave for the following consecutive term, he/she must submit a separate form. Students receiving official leave are charged a fee by the registrar’s office for which they will be billed. This fee ensures the student’s account will remain active including their U.Va. email account.

When should I sign up for the Proseminar?

• Under normal circumstances you should take the Proseminar one or two semesters prior to your enrollment in the Capstone Project (ISCP 400). Most students elect to take the Proseminar in the semester immediately preceding the Capstone Project. If you have a clear sense of your research area and would like some additional time to pursue relevant readings between the end of the Proseminar and the beginning of your Capstone Project, a semester hiatus may be useful.  
• Students should speak with the Proseminar instructor, the BIS Director, and/or their advisors regarding plans to enroll in this class.

Whom can I talk to about ideas for my capstone project?

• Your faculty advisor can help you sort through ideas and focus on a research question.
• The Capstone coordinators can help you create a research question
• Go to Capstone Project for more information.

How do I get a registration block removed?

• Students with a registration block should contact the department that placed the block. Only the department that placed the registration block in ISIS can remove it.
• The exception is a Student Health Block. This block is placed in error; students should contact the BIS Student Services Coordinator to have it removed.

Where can I find the BIS course schedule?

• The BIS course schedule for each semester is posted online.
• Course information is also available from the online Course Offering Directory.

Where do I find out about U.Va. course offerings?

Go to the online Course Offering Directory on the U.Va. Registrar’s web site.

Can I take non-BIS courses during my first semester in the BIS program?

• No, BIS students must take only BIS courses during their first semester.
• See Non-BIS Classes in What Advisors and Students Need to Know

Where do I get information about Financial Aid?

The U.Va. Student Financial Services Office can be contacted at 434-982-6000.

Where can I buy my textbooks?

• Textbooks ordered by faculty can be found in the U.Va. Bookstore. The bookstore is located on top of the Emmet Street Parking Garage.
• BIS books are located on the second floor of the bookstore in the School of Continuing & Professional Studies section.
• Students can purchase books at other locations, if they choose to do so.

How can I find out about using the U.Va. library system?

See Library Resources in What Advisors and Students Need to Know

Can I go to U.Va. Career Services?

• Yes, all BIS students are eligible to utilize the resources at University Career Services.  Career Services can help with resumes, preparing for interviews, and other job search activities.
• Gigi Davis, at the Curry School of Education, serves education majors and concentrators.

How can I get help with my academic writing?

• The U.Va. Writing Center may be able to serve you.
• Your teaching faculty are also good resources, as are faculty advisors.

My U.Va. email account doesn’t work.  What should I do?

•  Make sure you have followed the steps for Setting Up Your Email account.
•  If you still are experiencing problems, contact Information Technology and Communication at 434-924-3731 or consult@virginia.edu.