FAQs

How is math placement determined?

Math placement will be determined by the math subscore on the ACT or SAT exam and/or math placement exam, according to the following rules:

What constitutes quantitative reasoning in University Studies?

Students must complete a minimum of three credits in quantitative reasoning as part of University Studies. For all students, quantitative reasoning courses may include:

• Biology 240
• Finance 340
• Interdepartmental 102
• Mathematics courses numbered above 098 
• Music Theory 111 and 112
• Nursing 201
• Philosophy 113
• Psychology/Sociology 201
• Theatre 453

What constitutes "natural science" in University Studies?

Students complete a minimum of four credits in the natural sciences as part of University Studies. Natural science courses MUST incorporate a lab component. Courses include, but are not limited to:

• Biology 102, 105/155, 108/158, 125, 130, 204
• Chemistry 105, 114, 121/151
• Physics 100/104, 101/105, 111/171, 112/172, 151/171, 152/172

What constitutes "creative arts" in University Studies?

Students complete a minimum of three credits in music, art, theatre or dance as part of University Studies. Courses include, but are not limited to:

• Art 101, 103, 104, 105, 106, 131, 201, 210, 236, 320
• Arts Technology 109, 110, 157, 234, 334
• Communication 110
• Dance 110
• English 201
• Music History 100, 316
• Music Theory 100, 212
• Theatre 103, 131, 308, 354

To see the course offerings for a specific semester that will fulfill the creative arts requirement, you can do a search by selecting the attribute under the Course Schedule.

How does one determine which courses count as International Cultures and Structures?

To see the course offerings for a specific semester that will fulfill the International Cultures and Structures University Studies requirement you can do a search by selecting the attribute under the Course Schedule. 

What constitutes "historical studies" and "literature" in the Arts & Sciences distribution requirement?

To see the course offerings for a specific semester that will fulfill the historical studies and literature requirements for students with a major in the College of Arts & Sciences, you can do a search by selecting the attribute(s) under the Course Schedule.

What are the "double dipping" rules?

"Double-dipping" refers to utilizing a single course to satisfy multiple requirements.  Please see the following Double Dipping Table for more information.

What is the distinction between a "Bachelor of Arts" and a "Bachelor of Science" degree?

Some majors are designated as Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees, while others are designated as Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees. Certain majors allow students to choose either a B.A. or a B.S. degree, while others do not. The B.A. degree requires successful completion of a modern language. Modern Languages faculty determine course placement (Beginning, Continuing, Intermediate) based on evaluation of high school transcripts. Although students may not enroll in a level above or below their placement, they may start the study of a new language at the Beginning level. Students needing the complete three-semester sequence are strongly urged to begin the study of their chosen language no later than the fall semester of their sophomore year.  The requirement for the B.A. degree (0-12 credits) is a matter of proficiency equivalent to three college semesters of a single modern language.  Students may demonstrate required proficiency by successful completion of a modern language course numbered 223 or above.  Note: Placement at the 300 level does not meet the requirement.  The student must either complete the course(s) or take the proficiency exam.

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree has a science distribution requirement.  All students are required to complete 4 credits in science for University Studies.  Candidates for the B.S. degree are required to complete a minimum of 10 additional credit hours, including at least one laboratory science course, from at least two different departments in biology, chemistry, mathematics, or physics, in addition to the University Studies requirements.  Courses offered by the major department that are not required for the major may be used to satisfy this requirement.  Credits earned in Mathematics 098 count toward graduation, but do not count toward the Science Distribution requirement.  Bachelor of Science degree students, particularly those planning to go to graduate school or better prepare themselves for international awareness, may want to choose modern language courses as electives. 

What are the policies and procedures for taking courses "Pass/Fail"?

Full-time students with a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and junior or senior standing may elect to take pass/fail courses. A grade of P will not be computed in students' grade point averages.

Restrictions to the pass/fail option are as follows:

• The pass/fail option does NOT include courses in the major except by permission of the department chair or major coordinator.
• The pass/fail option does NOT include core courses in the Tabor School of Business (including MA130) and the School of Music except by permission of the Dean.
• Students taking a course pass/fail MUST earn at least a C- in the course in order for the Registrar to post a P grade. Grades below C- WILL be recorded in students' academic history and WILL be counted in the cumulative grade point average.
• Students repeating a course may NOT opt to complete the course pass/fail.

Students planning to transfer or students planning to pursue advanced degrees should be aware that some institutions might not be willing to consider those students with pass/fail grades on their official transcript.
 

What are the policies and procedures relating to incomplete grades?

A temporary course grade of incomplete (I) may be given as the result of illness or other factors beyond a student's control as determined by the instructor. Incomplete grades must be removed within the first eight weeks of the following semester. After the eighth week, incomplete grades automatically become an F unless an extension is granted. The course instructor and the Dean of the appropriate school must approve requests for extension.

How many credits can I take in a term?

A student may use the online registration system to register for 22 credit hours in the Fall or Spring terms, and 7 credit hours in the January or Summer terms.  Students may register for up to 18 credit hours per term at the normal, full-time undergraduate tuition rate. Any student registering for more than 18 hours per term is considered to be in a heavy schedule or overload situation. Once a student reaches 19 credits, they will be charged an additional $1000.00 per billable hour.  Written permission of the student's academic dean, academic advisor, dean of students, and director of financial aid are required for registrations exceeding 22 credit hours in the Fall or Spring terms, or registrations exceeding 7 credit hours in the January or Summer terms. 

What is "registration validation"?

Each semester, all returning undergraduate students must validate their registration prior to the first day of class. Students validate by accessing their secure site at MU Online. Students who do not validate their registration may have their schedules withdrawn. In addition, students who do not validate and who do not officially withdraw prior to the start of classes may be liable to pay all tuition and fees. 
 

What is "academic progress" as it relates to class level and financial aid?

Academic progress as it relates to class level (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior) is determined by number of credits completed:

In order remain eligible for financial aid, students must complete 2/3 (67%) of the credits that they attempt. Students who fail to meet this standard for the first time will be given a semester of "probation" in which financial aid eligibility is retained. Students on financial aid "probation" must then complete 3/4 (75%) of the credits that they attempt.

Please note that students who average 12 credits per semester will NOT complete their degree in four years. Students who fall behind are encouraged to attend winter immersion and summer semesters to earn needed credits.

What are the procedures relating to repeating a course?

When a student repeats a course at Millikin to replace their prior grade, the second grade received will determine the student’s grade and the credit earned for the course. All course grades will appear on the transcript. A course may be successfully repeated beyond the second attempt to satisfy degree requirements, but credits will not be earned nor will the grade affect the student’s grade point average. The failure of a course beyond the second attempt will negatively affect a student’s grade point average.

A course repeated at an institution other than Millikin does not eliminate the previous grade from being computed in the student’s grade point average. The repeated course will be recorded for zero earned credits, but can be used to satisfy degree requirements. Transfer courses do not affect the overall grade point average.

Repeating of a course(s) will affect academic progress. All repeated courses must be reported to the Office of the Registrar prior to the end of the registration period. Failure to do so may jeopardize a student’s ability to make acceptable progress towards their degree.

How do I request an official academic transcript?

Official transcripts must be obtained by going to getmytranscript.org.