All DKU students are responsible for adhering to the Duke Kunshan University Community Standard (see section on Community Standard, Part 1). Each student admitted to DKU is required to sign the Community Standard before classes begin. The DKU Community Standard stresses the commitment that students share with all members of the community to enhance the climate for honesty, fairness, respect, and accountability at DKU. Students affirm their commitment to foster this climate by signing a pledge that includes taking constructive action if they witness or know about behavior they perceive to be inconsistent with the DKU Community Standard, which may include violation of university policies. Students are responsible for maintaining high standards of academic honesty and personal integrity in all matters, including reporting the results of their studies, signature work, laboratory work, and research; completing assignments; writing papers; and taking quizzes, tests, and examinations. When confronted with a possible violation of academic integrity, it is important that faculty members deal fairly and consistently with students.
The University’s disciplinary process is independent of, and in addition to, an instructor’s decision on how to grade academically dishonest work. Instructors are expected to communicate with students their policy regarding grading of an academically dishonest assignment (e.g., zero on the assignment, reduced/failing grade for the course, or other approach). An instructor may only implement this penalty if the student has accepted responsibility for academic dishonesty (by accepting the penalty) or has been found responsible for such through the proceedings of the Undergraduate Academic Review Board (UARB).
Any case reviewed by the UARB shall be kept strictly confidential and only those parties involved in investigating and resolving the case should know the details of the case and its resolution.
Violations of academic integrity that occur while the student is residing at Duke University or at another institution (for example, during a study-abroad program) will be handled by the host institution according to the host institution’s policies, although DKU reserves the option to investigate the case and impose additional penalties if such action is deemed warranted. In the event a DKU student is suspected of an academic integrity violation at Duke University, DKU may share information regarding previous academic integrity violations that occurred at DKU. Duke University, at its discretion, may use this information in the resolution of disciplinary proceedings.
Members of the faculty teaching undergraduates are expected to consult with the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies regarding cases of possible academic misconduct. Minor, first-time infractions (those that would not be grounds for suspension or more severe censure if proven true) may be resolved between the faculty member and the student. The faculty member should submit a written record of the violation and how it was resolved using the Faculty-Student Resolution Form to the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies, who maintains a record and determines if there have been previous violations. If the student is dissatisfied with the resolution, he or she may appeal to the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies. Cases that are more serious, second-time offenses or student appeals must be handled more formally through the Undergraduate Academic Review Board (UARB).
For more information, please visit the Academic Integrity page.
A student whose academic performance record indicates marginal scholarship, as assessed by grades, as well as term and cumulative grade-point averages, will be subject either to academic warning or academic probation. Failure to clear probationary status in the term of probation will result in a student’s suspension for academic reasons. Students who are not making satisfactory progress meeting Signature Work milestones will be issued an academic warning12 .
In determining whether a student should be placed on academic warning, a grade of NC earned in a course, whether that course is offered only on the CR/NC basis or the student elects to take it on the CR/NC basis, is considered equivalent to a grade of F (see also the section on CR/NC Grading system).
For purposes of determining academic standing, incomplete work in a course indicated by a grade of I is considered equivalent to a grade of F until the I is resolved (see section on Incomplete Coursework). Grades in PE courses are not considered in determining academic warning, probation, or suspension.
Failure to meet any of the following standards will result in academic warning by the Office of Undergraduate Advising:
All students issued an academic warning are required to meet with the Director of Academic Advising or delegate to discuss their academic progress. Students should also consult with their academic advisor.
At the end of each fall and spring term, a student must have both a term and a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.000. Failure to meet either of the two following standards will result in academic probation for the following fall or spring term:
In a case where probation may be in question because of an incomplete grade, the student will be notified by the Office of the Registrar of the need to have the incomplete replaced by a satisfactory grade in order to avoid academic probation. That is, the satisfactory final grade must be sufficient to raise both the term and the cumulative grade-point averages to or above 2.000.
The probationary status will be reflected on those academic records used for internal purposes only. Students placed on academic probation must acknowledge their probationary status in writing to the Office of Undergraduate Advising in order to continue at the University. They are also required to meet with the Director of Academic Advising or delegate and are expected to seek assistance from campus resources, have their course selection approved by their advisors and meet periodically with a designated academic coach. They may not study away during the probation period. Students are expected to clear their probationary status during the term of probation. In order to do so, they must enroll in 16 credits (plus up to one PE credit), of which no more than 4 credits may be taken on a Credit/No Credit basis, and achieve term and cumulative grade-point averages of at least 2.000.
Probationary status cannot be cleared in a term in which students seek permission and are allowed to withdraw to an underload. In such cases, the probationary status continues through the next fall or spring term of enrollment. Students on probation, whether in a normal load or an underload, are required to achieve the minimum term and cumulative grade-point averages of at least 2.000. Students whose probationary status continues to a second term for reason of an underload must adhere to the conditions and standards previously outlined for clearing probation. Failure to do so will result in academic suspension.
Students who fail to meet the minimum requirements to clear their probationary status are subject to academic suspension for a period of at least two terms (excluding summer term). Those desiring to return to the University after the suspension period must apply for return. Such students are placed on academic probation if reinstated. Please contact the Office of Academic Advising for more information. Deadlines for filing this application are 5:00 p.m. China time May 1 for return in the subsequent Fall Term and October 1 for return in the subsequent Spring Term (see section on Return). If after return the student fails again to meet the minimum academic requirements and is suspended a second time, the student is eligible to apply for return no sooner than two years or four terms (excluding summer terms) after the term of the second withdrawal.
Though rarely granted, a student suspended for failure to clear their probationary status may appeal for immediate reinstatement. Students should contact the Director of Academic Advising or delegate and adhere to deadlines stated in their suspension letter.
12 Please refer to AY 2023-2024 version of the Bulletin for Academic Warning, Probation, and
Suspension policies for the Class of 2024.
In determining a student’s eligibility for academic recognition and honors, only grades earned in Duke Kunshan University courses and Duke University courses are considered.
Graduation with Signature Work Distinction accords recognition to up to 10% of students in each graduating class who achieve excellence in their signature work. Graduation with Signature Work Distinction is separate and distinct from Latin Honors (see below).
Latin Honors by Overall Academic Achievement accords recognition for academic excellence achieved over the duration of an entire undergraduate career. Unlike the Dean’s List honor, which recognizes academic excellence achieved over the short term (one term), eligibility for the three categories of Latin Honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude) is based on the cumulative grade point average for all work at Duke Kunshan University. Recipients are determined by the following procedure: (1) The grade point average included within the highest five percent of the graduating class is used to specify the grade point average needed by those students of the current graduating class to be awarded the summa cum laude honor; (2) The grade point average included within the next highest ten percent of the graduating class is used to determine the grade point average needed by those students who will graduate with the magna cum laude honor; (3) Finally, the grade point average included within the next ten percent of the graduating class will be used to determine those students eligible for graduating with the cum laude honor. Thus, about 25 percent of each graduating class will receive Latin Honors.
Students who wish to withdraw from the university must give official notification to the Office of Academic Services. Notification must be received prior to the beginning of classes in any term, or tuition and housing fee will be refunded only partially (see section on Refund in Part 5). For students withdrawing on their own initiative after the beginning of classes and up to the last teaching day of the fifth week of 7-week classes or of the tenth week of 14-week classes in the fall or spring terms, a W is assigned in lieu of a regular grade for each course. After these dates, up until the end of the last day of classes of that session, an F grade is recorded unless withdrawal is caused by an emergency beyond the control of the student, in which case a W is assigned by the University Registrar. Alternatively, students withdrawing for medical reasons during this period will have the option, upon obtaining the appropriate approvals from the instructor, to choose to receive the grade of I in one or more courses instead of the W grade. The student may then complete the course as described in the section on Incomplete Coursework. Withdrawals from the university during a term or session will not be approved after the last day of classes. In such cases, the student is expected to finish the term or session, or a grade of F will be recorded. These policies also apply to courses offered in Summer terms.
Students who withdraw from the University may have to apply through the Admissions Office if they wish to return. Students who intend to return to Duke Kunshan University are advised to take a Leave of Absence if possible.
Students may be involuntarily withdrawn, suspended, or placed on involuntary Leave of Absence for academic reasons or disciplinary reasons, as well as administratively. Refunding will follow that of voluntary withdrawal or leave of absence except under circumstances where students are withdrawn, suspended, or placed on involuntary leave of absence for disciplinary reasons (see section on Refund in Part 5). For students who are suspended, involuntarily withdrawn for disciplinary reasons, put on involuntary leave of absence, or dismissed from the University due to violation of University policies and regulations, no refund will be granted. Students’ withdrawal or leave of absence will be noted accordingly on the official academic record.
Students wishing to transfer in credit for study at another accredited college or university while on involuntary leave of absence or suspension for academic reasons are eligible to apply to transfer in up to a maximum of 8 credits. Students who are involuntarily withdrawn are ineligible to undertake any coursework scheduled at Duke Kunshan University and may not enroll again in the future.
Students who wish to take time away from their studies but intend to return to Duke Kunshan University are advised to take a Leave of Absence if possible. Most leaves of absence are granted for two reasons: personal or medical. After finishing the first term of the first year, students in good standing may request a personal leave of absence for one or two terms by completing a leave of absence request form and submitting it to Office of Academic Services prior to the first day of classes of the session in which the leave is granted. A personal leave of absence starts after one term ends and before the next term begins. A personal leave of absence is not granted for a term in which classes have begun, except in extreme cases such as family death or recent diagnosis of terminal illness.
A medical leave of absence with proper documentation may be granted at any time but with one restriction. Students requesting a medical leave of absence during a current term or session13 must file the leave of absence forms with the Office of Academic Services prior to the end of the last day of classes of that term. No requests for leaves of absence will be considered after this deadline. In such cases, students should request an incomplete grade (see section on Incomplete Coursework). Students who request a medical leave of absence for a current term or session and submit their leave request prior to the last day of classes will be assigned W in lieu of a regular grade for each course. Students taking a medical leave of absence during the final four weeks of classes for 14- week long courses and the final two weeks of classes for 7-week long courses will have the option, upon obtaining the appropriate approvals from the instructor, to choose to receive the grade of I in one or more courses instead of the W grade. The student may then complete the course as described in the section on Incomplete Coursework. In most cases, students electing to take a medical leave of absence will be expected to remain on medical leave of absence through the following fall or spring term. For a medical leave of absence commencing after the start of classes in any term, tuition and housing fees will be refunded only partially (see section on Refund in Part 5).
A medical leave of absence will not be retroactively granted for a term for which the last day of classes has already occurred. There are no exceptions to this policy. Students returning from a medical leave of absence, at the discretion of university officials, may not be allowed to participate in university programs such as, but not limited to, study away for the term immediately following their return to active status.
Students called to military service can request a leave of absence as early as the first term in the first year. If the leave of absence starts from the first term in their freshmen year, students should first complete all the new student registration procedures before applying for a leave of absence.
A student may receive transfer credit for no more than two courses, up to a maximum of 8 credits, taken at another accredited four-year institution in the US or similarly accredited institution abroad and with a liberal arts and general education curriculum while on voluntary leave of absence for personal or medical reasons or while a Duke Kunshan University student is suspended or on involuntary leave of absence for academic reasons. Students must complete and receive approval through the credit-transfer review process. Policies and procedures for course approvals are available from the Office of Global Education. (See also Transfer of Work Taken Elsewhere, Part 6.)
Students who undertake independent study under Duke Kunshan University supervision and for Duke Kunshan University credit are not on leave of absence even if studying elsewhere.
13 or who are approved for a personal leave of absence due to extreme circumstances such as
family death or recent diagnosis of a terminal illness.
Return from any type of leave of absence, including suspension or an involuntary leave of absence, is contingent upon approval of a Return from Leave of Absence application. The deadlines to file such applications, including all supporting materials, are 5:00 p.m. May 1 (BJT) for Fall Term and 5:00 p.m. October 15 (BJT) for Spring Term. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted, except in extreme cases such as family death, recent diagnosis of terminal illness, or a delay in obtaining the necessary medical documentation due to reasons beyond their control. Rising senior students who wish to be reinstated early so that they can participate in course registration in April for the upcoming fall term must file the return applications, including all supporting materials, by 5:00 p.m. May 1 (BJT). The University reserves the right to request necessary documentation and have conversations with appropriate parties, determined on a case-by-case basis, to confirm that the student is qualified and/or ready for return. Registration information will be provided by the university registrar to all students who are approved to return from a leave of absence. All returning students must register prior to the first day of classes for the term of intended enrollment. Students who are scheduled to return from leave of absence who fail to apply to return from leave of absence, extend their leave of absence, voluntarily withdraw from the university, or register for courses by the end of drop/add of the term they are expected back will be administratively withdrawn from the university and must apply for readmission if they wish to return.
Students returning from a leave of absence taken during their junior or senior year should consult with the Office of Signature Work and their signature work mentor about their progress, including alternative deadlines for signature work, senior capstone courses, and other signature work requirements needed for graduation.
Candidates for degrees must enroll in a normal course load (i.e., at least 16 credits) each term unless they are eligible and have received permission from their academic advisor and the Registrar and Dean of Academic Services or delegate to be enrolled in fewer than 16 credits. Students who intend to change from full-time to part-time status must request permission from the Office of Academic Services. Except for extraordinary circumstances, such permission is given only to students for the final term of their senior year. Students must register their intention to be part-time prior to the first day of class of the term in which the part-time status is requested. Part-time students may register for no less than 4 credits and no more than 11 credits. Part-time students may be denied university housing (see section on Progress toward Degree).
An undergraduate student admitted to Duke Kunshan University Undergraduate degree programs officially becomes a Duke Kunshan University undergraduate student at the point of matriculation and is accorded all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of a Duke Kunshan University student at that time. When an undergraduate has completed all of the requirements of the bachelor’s degree and is no longer enrolled in coursework toward the degree, the student ceases to be a Duke Kunshan University undergraduate student in the strict sense of the word.
As per the regulations outlined by the Chinese Ministry of Education, all Chinese mainland and HMT (Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan) students are required to complete 16 credits of CHSC courses to fulfill graduation requirements. To that end, the university currently offers four compulsory CHSC courses: CHSC 101, CHSC 102, CHSC 104, and CHSC 105. Additionally, HMT students who do not undergo military training must take extra CHSC courses, specifically CHSC 106 and CHSC 107, to substitute for the required credits. All CHSC courses are conducted in Chinese.
CHSC 101 and CHSC 102, each worth 6 credits, are taught by faculty members from Wuhan University. Attendance is mandatory for these courses, requiring students to participate full-time in person on campus during the summer sessions following their first year.
CHSC 104, a 2-credit course known as ‘the course of 8 lectures’, is typically scheduled in the Fall Term each year. Students must complete all 8 lectures before 5 pm BJT on the last teaching day of the first session of their final term before graduation. Failure to do so will result in an “F” grade on their transcript, necessitating the repeat of the course in the subsequent session.
CHSC 105 is a 2-credit MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) offered concurrently with CHSC 101 and CHSC 102. Unlike the former courses, students have the flexibility to pace themselves through this course.
For HMT students not participating in military training, CHSC 106 and CHSC 107, both 2-credit MOOC courses, are available. CHSC 106 is offered during even-numbered years, coinciding with the military training period, while CHSC 107 is offered during odd-numbered years, coinciding with the military training period.
Responsibility for class attendance rests with individual students, and since regular and punctual class attendance is expected, students must accept the consequences of failure to attend. Instructors who are concerned about a student’s attendance should first reach out to the student. If in their opinion, the student absence is excessive, instructors may contact the student’s academic advisor and/or the Office of Undergraduate Advising. A student who has failed to attend a course for the equivalent of 2 or more weeks may be assigned a grade of F in that course. A student who has failed to attend any class meetings for the equivalent of 2 or more weeks may be placed on involuntary administrative leave of absence for the remainder of the term. Students placed on involuntary leave of absence will be eligible to submit a Return from Leave of Absence application at the next application deadline. (See sections on Involuntary Withdrawal, Involuntary Leave of Absence or Suspension or Suspension and Return, Part 6.).
Because a DKU education is designed to be a residential experience, most courses are designed to be offered with in-person instruction. The University offers only a limited number of courses in remote format. All students must be on campus taking courses in person. Any student who cannot be on campus is required to take a leave of absence, unless all their courses are offered remotely. There are no exceptions to this policy. If a student is registered exclusively for courses offered only in remote format, they may, under extenuating circumstances, submit a petition for an exception to the requirement to reside on campus. Approval is not guaranteed. Faculty may not accommodate requests for remote or hybrid instruction in courses that are offered in person. A single absence might be accommodated remotely at the discretion of the instructor according to the university’s policies regarding class absences.
Missed work associated with absence from class is accommodated in two circumstances: 1) illness or other extraordinary personal circumstance, and 2) religious observance. Missed work associated with any other absence is not covered by this policy. In courses where a defined number of absences is permitted, students should make judicious use of them and save them for unavoidable circumstances. Students are encouraged to discuss any absence, planned or unexpected, with their instructor to determine whether accommodation is possible. The nature of the accommodation, if any, is to be determined by the faculty member in accordance with their attendance policy as outlined in the course syllabus. It should be noted that personal travel arrangements, including before or after school breaks, are not an excuse for missed work or class absences; students are advised to consult the syllabus when making such arrangements to avoid missing class or graded work. Except under extenuating circumstances (e.g., the student is incapacitated), faculty must be notified prior to the start of the class meeting; absences are not accommodated retroactively.
If a student will miss 2 or more consecutive instructional days due to illness, s/he should obtain official documentation from either Campus Health Services/Counseling and Psychological Services or from an external health care provider. The Campus Health Services/Counseling and Psychological Services will work with the Registrar and Dean of Academic Services or delegate to review the documentation and coordinate with the student’s instructors and academic advisor to support the student. Absences of a single day or less due to illness are generally handled directly between the student and faculty.
Class level refers to the four undergraduate years of first-year, sophomore, junior, and senior. Students’ class level classification is determined by the expected year and term of graduation. In Duke Kunshan, class level is used in defining students’ eligibility for study away, calculating Class Ranking and Dean’s List, assigning registration windows etc.
In the 2024-25 academic year, the following definitions apply:
Class times are officially scheduled at registration unless designated “to be arranged” (TBA). After registration begins, no class time may be changed without prior permission of the Office of the Registrar. Within-class tests (except for the final exam) are to be given during the regular class meeting times.
All students are required to take each of the three common core courses during the designated year (China in the World (Year 1), Global Challenges in Science, Technology and Health (Year 2), and Ethics, Citizenship and the Examined Life (Year 3)). Common Core courses provide opportunities for students to develop a degree of common knowledge and shared experiences. Students who fail to register for a common core course in the designated year may have their registration adjusted administratively to ensure they take the course at the proper time. Students who ignore the requirements will, at the least, have their registration for the next academic term blocked until after the close of the last window of that registration period. Completing the first two Common Core classes is an eligibility requirement for all study away. Students planning to study away in their 5th semester who have not completed the first two common core courses by the end of their 4th semester will be withdrawn from any study away commitments. Students planning to study away in their 6th semester who have not completed all three of the common core courses by the end of their 5th semester will be withdrawn from any study away commitments, and will not be eligible to study away.
Under no circumstances may students ignore official rules and requirements, as this is a breach of the Duke Kunshan University Community Standard. Students who ignore official rules and requirements (including not taking common core courses in the designated year or not completing 72 signature work requirements by stated deadlines) will at the least have their registration for the next academic term blocked by the Registrar and Dean of Academic Services until after the close of the last window of that registration period. They could also be subject to grade reductions (in the case of signature work deadlines), involuntary leave of absence or suspension for a period of two terms and/or other possible disciplinary or academic action.
With the written consent of the instructor and permission of the academic advisor, a full-time degree student is allowed to audit one or more courses in addition to the normal program. An audited course counts as part of the course load (see section on Undergraduate Course Load). Students who audit a course submit no daily work and take no examinations but are expected to attend class sessions. They do not receive credit for the course, but the audited course will appear on the transcript with the designation of AD. Students should not sit in on courses for which they are not formally registered as either a student or an auditor. Students must register for audited courses by submitting a signed course audit form to the Office of the Registrar. The prohibition against registering for two courses meeting at the same time applies. After the Drop/Add period in any term, no student classified as an auditor in a particular course may take the course for credit, and no student taking a course for credit may be reclassified as an auditor. Physical education activity and studio art courses may not be audited. A student may not repeat for credit any course previously audited. Undergraduates who have been dismissed, suspended, or placed on leave of absence may not audit or enroll in a course for credit at Duke Kunshan University.
Students are permitted to repeat courses they’ve taken at Duke Kunshan University in which they have received a grade of C- or below. A course may be repeated only at Duke Kunshan University, although in rare cases and only by petition to the Registrar and Dean of Academic Services or delegate, a student might be permitted to repeat a Duke Kunshan course at Duke University or repeat a Duke University course at Duke Kunshan University. Such requests will only be considered if there is an equivalent course offered at both universities.
Students who failed a course need permission from their academic advisor before registering for the same course a second time. Students who received a passing grade (C-, D+, D, D-) for a course but who wish to repeat it to achieve a sufficient understanding of the course content necessary for progression to subsequent courses for which this course serves as a prerequisite may do so only with permission from both their academic advisor and the Registrar and Dean of Academic Services or delegate. The student should appeal in writing to their academic advisor, who will make a recommendation to the Registrar and Dean of Academic Services or delegate, whose decision is final. A student may not repeat a course for which the grade of record is CR, regardless of what the original grade was.
The grade earned in the repeated course as well as the grade earned originally appear on the transcript, the former identified as a repeat; both grades count in the grade point average, but the credit for only one counts toward the required number of courses for term credit requirements and the 136 credits required for graduation. A student may not use a CR/NC option on a course being taken for a second (or more) time (see section on Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) Grading System).
A student may not repeat a course after having passed another course for which the original course is a specific prerequisite. Except in the rare case of a successful petition to repeat a DKU course at Duke or a Duke course at DKU, a student may not substitute a different course or a course taken at another institution for a repeat of a course taken at Duke Kunshan University. If a student repeats a course at another institution, the credits will not transfer; the previous DKU grade will not change and will remain in the student’s GPA calculation. A course taken at another institution with a grade of C- or above and not transferred to Duke Kunshan University may not be repeated at Duke Kunshan University. If it is determined such a course has been taken elsewhere and repeated at Duke Kunshan University, the Duke Kunshan University course will be removed from the academic record. A course previously passed at another educational institution, however, may be audited at Duke Kunshan University.
If the student wishes to repeat a course for a second time, that individual must submit an appeal in writing to their assigned academic advisor explaining the purpose of repeating the course and outlining a plan of study, including a plan to seek help from either the professor and/or the Academic Resource Center to demonstrate intention to improve their chance of passing the course. The advisor will make a recommendation to the Registrar and Dean of Academic Services or delegate, whose decision whether or not to grant permission is final. The course will count only once towards the 136 credits required for graduation and for fulfillment of term credit requirements.
Certain courses as designated in the course description (such as Research Independent Study, certain WOC courses, and applied music courses) may be repeated for credit without special permission.
All undergraduate students enter Duke Kunshan University without a major and are assigned an academic advisor. When preparing to declare a major in the sophomore year, students work with their advisors, and potentially others who have advised them, to develop a long-range academic plan. This plan lays out the courses they anticipate taking in their remaining terms and is reviewed by their advisor to confirm that it will meet established requirements for graduation. Although students may declare a major as early as the beginning of fall term of the sophomore year, all students must secure formal approval of their long-range plans and declare a major no later than the last teaching day of the first seven-week session in their fourth term. Until then, students should be exploring different options of majors to ensure that they are making the best choice for themselves. Students who do not declare their major may be prevented from registering for classes for their fifth undergraduate term and from participating in a term or study away program.
Students who have declared a major and wish to change it may do so by submitting a form to the Office of the Registrar. No changes in majors can be made after the end of the Drop/Add period of the first session of the fall term in the senior year. Students receive three confirmations of their graduation: a Duke University diploma (issued by Duke University), a Duke Kunshan University diploma (from the Ministry of Education of the PRC), and a Duke Kunshan University graduation certificate (from the Ministry of Education of the PRC).
Duke Kunshan University adheres to a policy permitting students access to their education records, health record, and their confidential financial information while at Duke Kunshan University. Students may request to review any information that is contained in their Duke Kunshan University education, health, and financial records and may, using appropriate procedures, challenge the content of these records. An explanation of the complete policy on education records may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar.
No information, except directory information (see below) contained in any student records is released to unauthorized persons outside the university or to unauthorized persons on the campus, without the written consent of the student. It is the responsibility of the student to provide the Registrar and other university offices, as appropriate, with the necessary specific authorization and consent.
Directory information includes name, addresses, Duke Kunshan University student ID, e-mail addresses, telephone listing, photograph, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and most recent previous educational institution attended. This information, except addresses and telephone listing, may be released to appear in public documents and may otherwise be disclosed without student consent unless a written request not to release this information is filed in the Office of the Registrar.
Students are responsible for ensuring that they have the stated prerequisites for a course. Students must check the course description to determine if they have taken the necessary prerequisites before enrolling in the course. As prerequisites may get revised periodically, the most up-to-date information about course eligibility is provided in DKU Hub. Students may direct additional questions about course sequencing to their academic advisors, the Office of Undergraduate Advising, or the appropriate major convenor.
In certain subjects, such as the sciences, mathematics, and the foreign languages (particularly at the introductory and intermediate levels), some lower level courses must be taken in sequence because the content presented at one level is necessary for successful work at the next level. Given this circumstance, it follows that students who complete a higher level course in a sequence may not subsequently enroll in a lower one that is a prerequisite for the higher course in that sequence. For example, a student cannot take Chinese 101 after having successfully completed Chinese 102. Students earning a C- or below in a course that is a prerequisite for another course should consult with their academic advisor and/or the course instructor before enrolling in the subsequent course in the sequence.
Students may not register for two courses officially listed as meeting at the same time.
First-year students may only enroll in 300- to 400-level courses with instructor consent. Juniors and seniors may enroll in 500- to 600-level (graduate-level, open to advanced undergraduates) courses, subject to the required approval set for these courses. Sophomores wishing to enroll in a 500- to 600-level course must secure permission of the instructor of the course, the Director of Graduate Studies in the corresponding program, and their academic advisor. Undergraduates are not allowed to enroll in 700- to 900-level courses. Under rare and exceptional circumstances, however, permission to do so may be granted to a junior or senior, provided the instructor, the Director of Graduate Studies in the corresponding program, the Registrar and Dean of Academic Services, and the student’s academic advisor give their signed permission. Seniors who, at the beginning of the final term, lack no more than 12 credits toward the fulfillment of the requirements for the bachelor’s degree may enroll in graduate courses, for a maximum course load of 20 credits.
Duke Kunshan University recognizes three types of college-level work you may have completed prior to matriculation at Duke Kunshan University:
Scores on the tests listed below, documented previous educational experience, and DKU placement tests are the criteria that can be used to determine a student’s qualifications for certain advanced courses. In addition, a limited amount of elective course credit may be awarded on the basis of precollege examination and/or credits earned of the three types listed above. Duke Kunshan University will record on students’ permanent Duke Kunshan University records courses of these three types completed prior to their matriculation at Duke Kunshan University. The three types of precollege work are regarded as equivalent and may be used for placement into higher-level coursework and to satisfy major requirements at Duke Kunshan University to the extent allowed by each major. Additionally, students may be granted up to 8 elective credits toward the degree requirement of 136 credits for any combination of AP, IPC, or prematriculation credit. AP, IPC, and prematriculation credits may not be used to satisfy the quantitative reasoning requirement or any other general education requirements. Enrollment in a course for which AP, IPC or prematriculation credit has been given will cause the AP, IPC, or prematriculation credit to be forfeited.
All AP, IPC, and prematriculation credits that Duke Kunshan University recognizes, along with the equivalent course, will appear on the DKU transcript. The University does not recognize any AP or IPC exams that are taken after a student begins at DKU nor does it recognize equivalent exams granting degree credit (CLEP, locally administered placement tests, etc.).
For any of the above three types of college-level work, students are expected to submit their scores and/or any other required documents during their first term on campus. After the first term, no entrance credits will be accepted.
Students who successfully complete a course at Duke Kunshan University for which they received precollege credit may not use that precollege credit or any higher precollege credit in that subject to satisfy degree requirements, but the precollege work will remain on the Duke Kunshan University transcript. A student who enrolls in a course for which precollege credit was awarded and who subsequently fails or withdraws from the course after the Drop/Add deadline will not be allowed to apply the precollege credit toward graduation requirements according to the policy governing use of such credits (see above).
Duke Kunshan University recognizes the Advanced Placement program of the College Board. A score of four or five on College Board Advanced Placement Program Examinations, taken prior to matriculation at Duke Kunshan, is the basis for consideration of placement in advanced courses. Approval of the faculty and the corresponding division chair or the Director of the LCC is required before final placement is made. Scores must be submitted directly from the appropriate testing service to the Office of the Registrar.
Duke Kunshan University recognizes the International Baccalaureate Program; the French Baccalaureate; the British, Hong Kong, or Singapore A Level Examinations; the Cambridge pre-U; the Caribbean Advance Proficiency Examination; the German Abitur; the Swiss Federal Maturity Certificate; the All India Senior School Certificate Examination; the Indian School Certificate examination; and the Israeli Matriculation Certificate. Scores acceptable for consideration are determined by the faculty and evaluated by the Office of the Registrar. Course equivalents for these programs may be recorded on a student’s permanent Duke Kunshan University record for placement and credit according to the same policy governing use of AP (see above). These credits may not be used to satisfy the quantitative reasoning requirement or any other general education requirements. Any combination of two IPC or AP courses may be used toward the required 136 credits for graduation.
First-year Duke Kunshan University students may submit for evaluation college courses taken at another accredited college or university after commencement of the student’s junior year of high school (for details concerning transferring this work, see the section “Work Taken During High School”). Prematriculation credits awarded for such work may be used as electives and, thus, may not be used to satisfy the general education requirements. Any combination of eight prematriculation, IPC, or AP credits may be used toward the 136 credits required for graduation (credits do not have to be designated by the student). No prematriculation credit will be awarded for college coursework completed on a study away program undertaken prior to matriculation at Duke Kunshan University.
Entering students who attended Chinese high schools where English is normally not the medium of instruction will typically be assigned to the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) track. The written and oral English skills of EAP track applicants will be assessed during the application process, and applicants will need to demonstrate strong written and oral English skills in order to be admitted to Duke Kunshan University.
In cases where students assigned to the EAP track feel they should be assigned to another track, they may make a request in writing to the Director of the Language and Culture Center. Standardized test scores such as TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, and ACT can be included as supporting evidence in the request. However, the key question is whether or not students have had substantial training in academic English, especially training in writing papers in English, and so the request should provide evidence of such training. Passing scores on tests such as TOEFL and IELTS are not, in and of themselves, sufficient evidence of adequate academic English skills such as the ability to write course papers in English, give effective presentations in English, and so forth.
Entering International students who attended high schools where English was the medium of instruction will normally be assigned to the Chinese as a Second Language (CSL) track. During orientation at Duke Kunshan University, the Chinese skills of CSL track students will be assessed through a placement process that includes an interview, and they will be assigned to appropriate Chinese courses based on the results. In cases where students assigned to the CSL track feel they should be assigned to another track, they may make a request in writing to the Director of the Language and Culture Center.
CSL track students who are placed above CHIN 402 normally satisfy their language requirement by taking eight credits of advanced Chinese course electives above the CHIN 402 level.
International students who demonstrate that they already have a full academic/professional command of both Chinese and English can fulfill their language requirement by taking eight credits of a combination of the following kinds of courses:
Students whose first language is not Chinese (CSL-track students) are eligible for Advanced Chinese Certification to be included in their transcript, if they complete the necessary requirements. For details, see the Language Courses section in Part 3: The Curriculum.
Duke Kunshan University may offer additional placement tests in selected subjects for incoming students. Such tests will generally be offered during orientation, although some might be available online during the summer preceding matriculation. Students may be allowed to register for designated advanced courses based upon their scores on these tests. However, placement test results do not carry any academic credit. Placement tests give placement based on formal coursework taken prior to matriculation at Duke Kunshan and may not be taken by upper class students.
The successful conduct of a course depends upon a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation among its participants. If a student disrupts a class in such a way that it seriously compromises the educational experience of the course for other students and/or prevents the instructor from accomplishing the goals of the course as outlined in the syllabus, the instructor may require the student to leave the class meeting. Disruptive behavior includes violation of Chatham House Rules. The instructor and the student are then expected to meet to discuss and prepare in writing the conditions under which the student may return to the course. If the disruptive behavior continues, the instructor may report the matter to the Office of Academic Services for further resolution.
The instructor and the student are then expected to meet to discuss and prepare in writing the conditions under which the student may return to the course. If the disruptive behavior continues, the instructor may report the matter to the Office of Undergraduate Studies for further resolution.
The times and places of final examinations for each session are officially scheduled by the Office of the Registrar, generally according to the day and hour of the regular course meeting; changes may not be made in the schedule without the approval of the Registrar. If a final examination is to be given in a course, it will be given during the official final exam period. Take-home examinations are due at the regularly scheduled hour of an examination, based on the time period of the class. In courses in which final examinations are not scheduled, an exam that substitutes for a final examination may not be given in the last week of classes. Hourly tests may be given in the last week of classes, whether or not a final examination is administered during the exam period, but they may not exceed 75 minutes. Such exams should be restricted to recent material; they cannot be comprehensive exams covering material from the entire course. In the summer session, final examinations are held on the last two days of the term.
No later than the end of the first week of classes each session, the instructor is required to announce plans for the final examination exercise. The form of the final exercise is determined by the instructor. However, a final written examination may not exceed three hours in length and a final take-home examination may not require more than three hours in the actual writing.
Any student late for an examination may not expect time beyond the end of the scheduled period. A student who fails to take any scheduled final examination shall receive a grade of F in the course, unless they are excused for reasons deemed sufficient by the instructor. If they are excused, they shall receive an I (Incomplete) (see section on Incomplete Grades). Students must take final exams at the officially scheduled times. Because end-of-the-term travel arrangements are not the basis for changing a final examination date, students are advised to consult the final examination schedule when making such arrangements. Deferral of a final examination will not be authorized if the student has a history of excessive absences or failure to complete coursework in a timely fashion for the course in question.
Grades received on individual assignments are not eligible for appeal by students. Students are always encouraged, however, to discuss their work with their instructors so that they can better understand faculty feedback on individual assignments. The procedure below applies only to final course grades.
Faculty are expected to maintain fair and consistent grading standards. With the exception of I (Incomplete), changes in end-of-term or end-of-session grades may be made by the instructor only because of an error in calculation or an error in transcription. Changes in these grades may not be based on the late submission of required work, the resubmission of work previously judged unsatisfactory, or on additional work.
A student who questions a final grade received in a course should first discuss the matter– either by email or by an in-person meeting—with the instructor(s) within five days of the grade being released. If a student wishes to petition for a formal grade review, they must do so within seven days of the grade being released. Faculty are obliged to respond to student grade appeals in writing within five days of receiving notice of an appeal.
Students may appeal the decision of the faculty member by directing an appeal to the appropriate unit head. This appeal must be submitted no later than 14 days after the grade is released. The only bases for a successful appeal are:
The unit head or associate unit head will review the case with the instructor(s) involved. The review will focus on whether the grade assigned by the instructor was arrived at in accordance with the course grading policy as articulated in the syllabus and/or as discussed with the students in class and calculated in the same way that the grades other students received in the course were calculated. Generally speaking, the review will not focus on how individual pieces of work in a course were graded, as it is the responsibility solely of the instructor to evaluate the quality of students’ work within the context of his/her course.
If the unit head or associate unit head agrees with the instructor(s) that there are no legitimate grounds on which to change the grade, the grade stands as recorded. If the unit head or associate unit head believes there are grounds to consider a change and the instructor(s) is unwilling to change the grade, the unit head or associate unit head will notify the student that he or she may request a review of the case in writing to the Dean of Academic Services or delegate. A written request must be submitted before the end of the Drop/Add period of the term following that in which the instructor(s) recorded the grade.
The Registrar and Dean of Academic Services (or delegate) will review the case and decide whether there are grounds to convene a faculty committee to review the grade. If the Registrar and Dean of Academic Services (or delegate) decides there are no grounds, then the grade is not changed. If the Registrar and Dean of Academic Services (or delegate) decides that there are grounds to proceed, the case will be referred to a committee consisting of three faculty members of the Undergraduate Academic Review Board. This committee will then evaluate and review the case, and the Registrar and Dean of Academic Services (or delegate) may initiate a grade change if that is the recommendation of the committee. The decision of the committee is final.
Final grades on academic work are provided to students via the Student Information System after the examinations at the end of each session. While there are no formal midterm grades, at the middle of each session faculty are asked to notify the Office of Undergraduate Advising about students whose academic performance at that point in the session is C- or below. Such students will be contacted by their academic advisors.
Passing grades are A, exceptional; B, superior; C, satisfactory; CR, pass (see Credit/No Credit grading system below); and D, low pass. These grades (except CR) may be modified by a plus or minus.
Although the D grade represents low pass, not more than 8 credits passed with D grades (D+, D, D-) may be counted among those required for term credit requirements or among the 136 credits required for graduation. Courses for which a D grade is earned, however, may satisfy other requirements. For information on repeating a course with a D grade, see the section on Course Repeat.
A grade of F or NC (see section Credit/No Credit grading system below) indicates that the student has failed to meet the requirements for the course. The grade is recorded on the student’s record. The course must be repeated and a passing grade earned in order for credit to be awarded, for the course to be used as a pre-requisite for a subsequent course, or for the course to satisfy any graduation requirements. If the student registers for the course again, the second entry of the course and the new grade earned are posted on the record, but the first entry is not removed. In such cases, both grades are included in the calculation of the cumulative grade point average, but the credit for only one is counted for term credit requirements or among the 136 credits required for graduation.
The grade point average is based on grades earned in courses offering credit at Duke Kunshan University and Duke University and may be calculated based on the following numerical equivalencies to the grading system:
| A+ | 4.0 | C+ | 2.3 |
| A | 4.0 | C | 2.0 |
| A- | 3.7 | C- | 1.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 | D+ | 1.3 |
| B | 3.0 | D | 1.0 |
| B- | 2.7 | D- | 1.0 |
| F | 0 | ||
All grades that appear on the record, with the exception of CR and NC, military training (or designated substitutions for students from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan), and the designated Chinese society and culture courses specified by the education administration authorities of China9.(see section on Credits Required for Degrees), are included in the calculation of the cumulative grade point average. For repeated courses, both grades will be calculated into the cumulative grade point average, but only one will count toward the credits required for graduation. The term and cumulative grade point averages are determined at the end of each term and displayed for students.
In order to encourage students to explore the richness and variety of Duke Kunshan University’s curricular offerings without worrying unduly about grades, students may elect to take up to four credits each session on a Credit/No Credit basis. No more than sixteen credits (in either two-credit or four-credit courses) towards the 136 credits requirement may be taken on a Credit/No Credit basis. The limit of sixteen credits does not apply to courses that are only offered on the Credit/No Credit basis.
All students will register for regular graded courses on a graded basis, and faculty will assign regular grades throughout the term, as well as a final grade for the course. However, a student may elect to change the grading basis to Credit/No Credit at any time up until the course withdrawal deadline of the session in which the student takes the course. Once this declaration is made, the grading basis cannot be changed back to a regular grade.
First-year students in the first session of their first term must be enrolled in no less than a normal course load of 6 credits to be approved to change the grading basis of a course to CR/NC. In all subsequent sessions, a student must be enrolled in no less than a normal course load of 8 credits to be approved to change the grading basis of a course to CR/NC. In order to receive a CR (Credit), a student must have received a grade of C- or better in the course. A grade of D+ or below will be reflected on the transcript as NC (No Credit). Neither CR nor NC will be factored into the grade point average. Students who receive NC will receive no credit for the course and will be ineligible for the Dean’s List in that term. Students who receive CR may still be eligible for the Dean’s List if they have completed at least 16 credits for a regularly assigned grade in that term (see section on the Dean’s List). In determining whether a student should be placed on academic warning, a grade of NC earned in a course (other than PE courses), whether that course is offered only on the CR/NC basis or the student elects to take it on the CR/NC basis, is considered equivalent to a grade of F.
In their first year (two terms, 4 sessions), students may use the CR/NC credits for any course except GCHINA 10110, up to a maximum of 4 credits per session. For students in their 3rd term and beyond, CHINESE 201A-B and CHINESE 202A-B may also be taken on a CR/NC basis. Courses taken on a CR/NC basis from the 3rd term onward (except those courses offered only on this basis and the previously mentioned 200-level Chinese language courses) may not count toward general education requirements or any other degree requirements (major, including prerequisites). A student who has taken a course on a CR/NC basis and later declares or changes their major may petition the Registrar and Dean of Academic Services or delegate to change the grading basis back to graded if the course is required for the new major. Such petitions should be submitted at the time of the major declaration and will only be considered if the original grade is still available from the original instructor. For students in any year, courses in which a CR is earned do count toward the requirement for 136 credits and term credit requirements.
Students may elect to take up to a maximum of 4 credits on a CR/NC basis for the CHSC courses offered in the summer session. These credits will be included in the total limit of 16 credits that students can take on a CR/NC grading basis. As with other courses offered in regular DKU terms, students must declare the grading basis change by filing the appropriate form by the deadline as notified by the Office of the Registrar.
A student who has taken a course on a CR/NC basis and earned a CR may not retake the course. A course for which a grade of NC is assigned cannot be used to satisfy the prerequisite for another course, even if the original grade was a passing grade (D+, D, or D-). A student may not use a CR/NC option on a course being taken for a second (or more) time (see section on Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) Grading System).
With the exception of study at Duke University, students studying away may not receive credit for courses taken on a CR/NC (or Pass/Fail or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) basis. Courses taken while a DKU student is studying away at Duke University may be taken on a Duke Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis, subject to Duke’s processes, regulations and deadlines – which may differ from those at DKU. Courses taken at Duke on a S/U basis will transfer back to DKU and be recorded using DKU’s CR/NC system. Such courses will be subject to all regulations and limitations stated for the DKU CR/NC policy in the DKU Bulletin, including all restrictions on the number of credits and which courses can be taken on this basis. Students declaring S/U at Duke are required to consult their DKU academic advisor to ensure that they will be using a DKU CR/NC option in an appropriate manner. Students who use S/U on a Duke course that cannot be transferred over as CR/NC at DKU will not earn credits for the course and may be ineligible to retake it at either institution.
The change of grading basis to CR/NC can be done through filing a form with the registrar, but students need to get approval from their advisors. Students who receive a NC (by changing a grade of D+ or below) should be mindful of their progress toward degree, e.g., that they may be subject to academic warning (see section on Progress toward Degree), or that they may have to take an extra course in a later term or during the summer in order to ensure that they graduate on time. Once a student has notified the Registrar to change the grading basis to CR/NC, it may not be changed back to a regular grade. Students are especially encouraged to make use of the CR/NC option in their first year to take courses they feel might lie outside of their areas of perceived interest, strength, or expertise.
The designation W is recorded when a student officially withdraws from a course after the Drop/Add period. (See the sections on course changes in the section on Registration). WA indicates withdrawal from an audited course.
9 In some cases, students’ DKU transcripts will need to go through third-party transcript evaluation processes before being submitted to some graduate programs. These services might recalculate the GPA and include the CHSC courses.
10 Students who took GCHINA 101 in Spring 2022 or earlier were allowed to take it on a CR/NC basis.
Commencement exercises are held once a year in May when degrees are conferred upon and diplomas are issued to those who have completed degree requirements by the end of the spring 68 term. Students who complete requirements by the end of the summer term or by the end of the fall term receive diplomas in December and are eligible to participate in commencement exercises in the following May. Students who are within 20 credits of graduation at the end of the spring term may request to participate in the annual commencement exercises.
If, because of illness, emergency, or circumstances outside a student’s reasonable control, a student cannot complete work for a course or cannot attend the final examination, the student may request in writing to the instructor the assignment of an I (incomplete) for the course. The student is expected to also discuss the I grade with their academic advisor. An incomplete grade will not be authorized if the student has a history of excessive absences or failure to complete coursework in a timely fashion in the course in question. Once an I grade is assigned, the course must be completed and a student can no longer withdraw from the course.
If the request for an incomplete (I) grade is approved by the instructor in the course, then the student must satisfactorily complete the work by the last class day of the fifth week of the subsequent seven-week session except when an earlier deadline has been established by the instructor. An earlier deadline will be established when there is a question of the student’s ability to clear their academic probation and avoid academic suspension, or the professor decides an earlier deadline date is appropriate. An I assigned in the second session of fall or spring must be resolved in the first session of the succeeding spring or fall term, respectively. An I assigned in the summer must be resolved in the succeeding fall term. If the I is not completed by the deadline, it will be converted to an F by the Office of the Registrar. A student who is not enrolled in the university, including a student who experiences a voluntary or involuntary separation, withdrawal, or leave of absence from Duke Kunshan University in the session following receipt of an I, or who is studying away during the session following receipt of an I must still clear the I by the designated deadline. Students may not complete work in a course after graduation.
Once a final grade is available, it will replace the I grade and be displayed on students’ transcripts. In addition, an I cancels eligibility for the Dean’s List and the Dean’s List with Distinction in the semester in which the I grade was issued.
For purposes of determining satisfactory progress each term and toward graduation, incomplete work in a course indicated by a grade of I is not presumed to be satisfactory performance in that course. Because a grade of I is not presumed to be satisfactory performance, a course with an unresolved I grade may not be used to fulfill a prerequisite requirement. A student registered for a course with a prerequisite in which they have an I grade must either drop the course or resolve the I with a passing grade before the end of the drop/add period. For cases in which probationary status or academic suspension is in question, incomplete work must be resolved in time for final grades to be submitted to the Office of the Registrar no later than the weekday preceding the first day of classes of the subsequent fall or spring term (see section on Academic Warning, Probation, and Suspension).
Independent study enables a student to pursue for course credit individual interests under the supervision of a faculty member. Independent study is of two types: Independent Study (non-research) and Research Independent Study. Both require approval of the instructor involved as well as the advisors and the appropriate division chair or Director of the Language and Culture Center; student-faculty meetings at least once a week for a 7-week course or once every two weeks for a 14-week course; completion of a final product during the term for which a student is registered for the course; and evaluation by the instructor of the work, including the final product, associated with the independent study.
Courses entitled Independent Study or INDSTU are individual non-research directed study in a field of special interest on a previously approved topic taken under the supervision of a faculty member and resulting in an academic and/or artistic product. Courses entitled Research Independent Study or RINDSTU are individual research in a field of special interest under the supervision of a faculty member, the central goal of which is a substantive paper or written report containing significant analysis and interpretation of a previously approved topic. Research Independent Study courses may be repeated for credit. Students may not do a Research Independent Study related to their Signature Work topic in the same term in which they are registered for a capstone course.
The “Apply for Graduation” form submitted by students in the Duke Kunshan University student information system is the official notification that they expect to have completed all requirements for the degree and to receive the diploma on a particular graduation date. They will be confirmed for that specific graduation if basic requirements, i.e., general education, one major, number of credits earned through courses taught or co-taught by Duke faculty, signature work, and any additional requirements for students from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan have been completed (see section on Degree Requirements, part 3). It is the responsibility of students to submit the form on or before established deadlines. Information regarding the location and date of availability of the online diploma form is sent to prospective graduates at their Duke Kunshan University e-mail address. Students may only participate in one commencement.
Duke Kunshan University is committed to providing a learning environment in which concerns related to academic matters (issues pertaining to a course, academic instruction or other activities that receive academic credit) are resolved promptly and with support to all parties. Because Duke Kunshan University is committed to its students and the implementation of consistent and nondiscriminatory academic policies and processes, the university has created procedures for resolving academic complaints. This policy refers to academic complaints that are not related to grading. Grade complaints are covered by the separate Undergraduate Student Grade Appeal Resolution Process.
Students are encouraged to resolve academic complaints directly with the course instructor(s) or appropriate staff member (e.g., tutors, teaching assistants, advisors, etc.) involved in the matter. Direct communication is a basic expectation of conduct in an academic community. Whenever possible, therefore, students ought to approach the relevant instructor or staff person, either by email or by an in-person meeting, within five days of identifying the concern. After the meeting has occurred, the instructor or staff member is obliged to respond to the student in writing within five days, offering a resolution of the dispute.
Under three conditions a student may advance their concern to the relevant unit head (Division Chair [or Associate Chair, if designated by the Chair], or the Director of the Language and Culture Center for language related courses, or the Director of Academic Advising for complaints regarding tutoring or advising staff).
The relevant unit head shall consider all appeals regarding academic concerns. At minimum, they will review the student’s concern, interview relevant faculty or staff members, and review any relevant course content. They may also choose to interview other members of the community before reaching a decision. Their deliberations ought to be guided by consulting the relevant academic rule, policy, or established practice. Within 14 days of receiving notice of a student concern, students ought to receive notice of a final decision and resolution from the relevant unit head. The unit head’s substantive judgment is final. If applicable, the unit head may advance their concerns about instructors or staff members to the Dean of Faculty Affairs or the VCAA for further action or remediation.
If the student is dissatisfied with the resolution outcome, the student may choose to file a formal appeal with the Registrar and Dean of Academic Services. The Registrar and Dean of Academic Services (or delegate) will consider appeals on the following grounds:
Should the Registrar and Dean of Academic Services (or delegate) determine that the appeal has merit, they will return the case to the unit head for re-adjudication. The Registrar and Dean of Academic Services (or delegate) may also advance their concerns about instructors or staff members to the Dean of Faculty Affairs or the VCAA for further action or remediation.
Students have the right to make any formal or informal complaint they deem important without fear of retaliation or any other adverse consequences. If a student has questions or concerns about the policies and procedures related to the academic complaint resolution process, the student may consult their academic advisor or the Registrar Dean of Academic Services (or delegate) at any point during the process or before initiating a formal or informal complaint.
Issues related to academic integrity will be resolved according to the Undergraduate Academic Integrity Policy14. Issues related to non-academic behaviors as described in the student handbook will be resolved according to the student complaint and conduct processes15. Issues related to harassment and discrimination will be resolved according to the Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Policy16. Issues related to grading will be resolved according to the Undergraduate Student Grade Review Procedure.
14 Refer to Duke Kunshan University Academic Policies, Approved by the Faculty August 29, 2018
15 Refer to Duke Kunshan University Student Handbook
16Refer to the Part 1 of Bulletin of Duke Kunshan University Undergraduate Instruction, or the Student Handbook.
| To be on track for an on-time graduation, at the start of the | A student should have earned at least 11 | An academic warning will be issued to students who have earned less than |
| 2nd term at Duke Kunshan | 16 credits | 12 credits |
| 3rd term at Duke Kunshan | 34 credits | 30 credits |
| 4th term at Duke Kunshan | 52 credits | 46 credits |
| 5th term at Duke Kunshan | 68 credits | 62 credits |
| 6th term at Duke Kunshan | 84 credits | 78 credits |
| 7th term at Duke Kunshan | 102 credits | 96 credits |
| 8th term at Duke Kunshan | 116 credits | 112 credits |
11 A maximum of 8 credits passed with a D grade (D, D+, D-) can be counted. The credit count may include (1) no more than 2 credits in physical education activity courses (i.e., four halfcredit activity courses); (2) no more than 16 credits taken on a CR/NC grading basis (not including courses offered only on that basis); (3) no more than 40 credits combining any allowable transfer credits, including AP/IPC, transfer credits for study away, etc.; and (4) no more than the Duke Kunshan University equivalent of 24 credits in graduate and professional school courses not listed in the Duke University Undergraduate Programs Bulletin (see Section 3, Credits Required for Degrees).
Students are expected to register at specified times for each successive term. Prior to registration each student receives instructions via e-mail. Students prepare a course plan via the Student Information System and should discuss it at an appointed time with their academic advisor prior to registration.
Those students who have not paid any fees owed to or fines imposed by the university (such as student residence fines, library fines, and other possible fines) by the date specified for registration for the following term will not be permitted to register for the following term until such fees and fines have been paid in full, notwithstanding the fact that the student may have paid in full the tuition for the following term. Students with any types of holds, including but not limited to registrar holds, bursar holds, advising holds and signature work holds, will not be permitted to register for the following term or make registration changes until all holds have been removed.
Students who fail to register during their assigned time slot, regardless of whether such a failure is due to a hold or inaction on the part of the student, will not receive any special accommodation in registering for desired or required courses. Such students might have their graduation date delayed.
Students who, for any reason, fail to register for the fall or spring term are placed on involuntary administrative leave of absence and must apply for reinstatement if they wish to return. The deadlines to file return applications, including all required supporting materials, are 5:00 p.m. May 1 (China Standard Time (CST)) for Fall or Summer Term and 5:00 p.m. October 15 (CST) for Spring Term. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Students may drop and add courses during the Drop/Add period at their own discretion. Courses dropped during this period do not appear on the official Duke Kunshan transcript. After the Drop/Add period, no course may be added; also, a course may not be changed to, or from, the audit basis. A student may elect to change the grading basis to Credit/No Credit following the deadlines outlined in the section on Credit/No Credit Grading System.
Withdrawing from a course differs from dropping a course. Students may drop a course themselves during the Drop/Add period, and the course does not appear on their official transcript. After the Drop/Add period, students may only withdraw from a course. To withdraw from a course after the Drop/Add period, the student must obtain permission from his or her academic advisor. After the Drop/Add period, students permitted to withdraw from a course receive a designation of W for that course on their academic record. The deadline for requesting withdrawal from a course in a fall/spring term is four weeks prior to the last day of classes for 14-week courses and two weeks prior to the last day of classes for 7-week courses. The deadline applies to course withdrawals for any reason other than medical. Coursework discontinued without the permission of the course instructor and the academic advisor will result in a grade of F.
Withdrawing from a course is permitted in multiple fall/spring terms, as long as a student maintains a course load of at least 16 credits per term (and no more than 10 credits in a session). Withdrawing from a course to an underload (fewer than 16 credits) is generally permitted only once in a fall or spring term. However, a student may begin another term in an underload with certain restrictions (see below). A student may also be permitted to withdraw to an underload more than once if there are significant medical reasons (see below). Students are cautioned that taking an underload may result in a delayed graduation date (see section on Satisfactory Performance Each Term – Term Credit Requirements).
If a student notes errors in his/her course schedule, he/she should immediately consult with his/her advisor and no later than three days following the end of the drop/add period.
Summer terms are structured for first-year Chinese students to take designated Chinese Society and Culture (CHSC) courses to meet the MOE requirements. First-year students who wish to delay taking the required CHSC courses must submit a petition form to the Office of the Registrar. The deadline for withdrawal from a CHSC course will be before the end of the fifth week for summer term courses. All course changes need to be approved by the student’s academic advisor and processed by the Office of the Registrar.
In recognition that observances of religious holidays may affect classroom attendance and the submission of graded work, at or before the beginning of each term members of the various religious affiliations should inform their instructors of major religious holidays that occur when classes are being held at or before the beginning of each term. In the event of a conflict, students wishing to observe a specific religious holiday should request that their instructors arrange for a postponement or makeup of work. Duke Kunshan University encourages all faculty to make reasonable accommodations necessary for students’ religious observances. However, it is the student’s responsibility to make such requests prior to the holiday. If an instructor is unable or unwilling to grant the request, students should consult the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services.
Like a Research Independent Study, capstone courses require student-faculty meetings at least once a week for a 7-week course or once every two weeks for a 14-week course (see section on Independent Studies).
The grade for signature work is reflected in the grades issued for the two capstone courses and includes the SW project proposal, final public presentation, e(DKU)-portfolio and final SW product. Grading of the two capstone courses will be based on the academic letter grade system (see section on Grading and Grade Requirements). Students who do not successfully pass signature work and all the required components will be required to repeat failed capstone courses and requirements, resubmit the final SW product, and complete any missing signature work requirements the next academic year.
Students who wish (under unusual circumstances) to submit a single paper for credit in more than one course must receive prior written permission from each course instructor. The student must indicate the multiple submission on the title page of the paper. Failure to do so is considered a violation of the DKU Community Standard (see section on Academic Integrity).
Undergraduates at Duke Kunshan University are expected to complete the bachelor’s degree in eight terms of enrollment. This period may be extended with approval from the Office of Academic Services for legitimate reasons, but the maximum length should typically not exceed six years, including the time taken for leave of absence. For students who are taking a leave of absence for military service reasons or starting a business, the maximum length could be further extended by two years. Students who need more than six years to complete the program due to extenuating circumstances should get approval from the Registrar and Dean of Academic Services.
It is primarily the responsibility of students to keep parents and guardians informed of their academic standing and progress as well as any difficulties that may affect their performance. The Registrar does not release end of term or midterm grade information to parents and guardians without students’ written permission. Students who so choose may provide delegated access of select academic records to third parties (including family members) using the Guest User Setup Instructions for Students available on the Registrar’s website. Parents and guardians may be alerted to emergency and extraordinary situations that may impinge upon a student’s well-being.
First-year students are required to take a required 2-credit writing course (W) during their first session at DKU. The primary goal of the 2-credit writing courses is to give students a chance to practice and develop their writing skills (e.g., stating positions clearly, explaining ideas well, supporting arguments) through studying and then writing about an interesting topic. Writing assignments include any kind of expository writing that fits the subject matter of the course (e.g., position papers, argument papers, policy briefs, critiques, summaries, reports, editorials, literature reviews). These courses will require weekly writing assignments and student writing is the main factor in the course grade. Students will also learn citation practices and how to find and evaluate references for their writing.
A Duke Kunshan University student may receive credit for a maximum of 40 credits taken elsewhere, through a combination of AP/IPC/prematriculation credit or approved transfer or study away credit. Of those 40 credits, a maximum of 8 may be from AP/IPC/prematriculation credits (see section on Entrance Credit and Placement) prior to matriculation, and a maximum of 8 may be from coursework undertaken while on voluntary leave of absence for personal or medical reasons or while a Duke Kunshan University student is on academic suspension, or on involuntary leave of absence.
College-level courses taken elsewhere prior to matriculation at Duke Kunshan University may be considered for prematriculation credit provided they meet each of the following criteria: were taken after the commencement of the junior year of high school and yielded a grade of B- or better, not used to meet high school diploma requirements, taken on the college campus, taken in competition with degree candidates of the college, taught by a regular member of the college faculty, offered as part of the regular curriculum of the college, and not taken on a study away program completed prior to matriculation at Duke Kunshan University. Formal review of courses meeting these criteria will proceed after an official transcript of all college courses taken and documentation pertaining to these criteria are received by the university registrar (see also the section on entrance credit in this chapter for a discussion of the number of prematriculation credits that can transfer and how they may be used at Duke Kunshan University).
All coursework undertaken after matriculation as a full-time degree-seeking student at Duke Kunshan University must be at another accredited four-year institution in the United States or similarly accredited institution abroad and with a liberal arts and general education curriculum.
Duke Kunshan University students may study away for a fall or spring term and/or during the summer, either at Duke University or on a Duke Kunshan University-approved program sponsored by another university. In no instance may a student transfer more than 40 credits when combining study away, the allowable number of independent transfer courses, and AP/IPC/prematriculation credit. Courses taken at other institutions could count toward the major if approved by the relevant academic unit. However, specific majors may place limits on the types of courses taken at Duke or other universities that can be counted toward the major.
For courses taken at Duke University: All grades earned at Duke University are entered on the official record at Duke Kunshan University and are used in determining the grade point average. Courses taken at Duke University with CR/NC grading or the equivalent are accepted for transfer credit (see more information in the section on Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) Grading System).
For courses taken at universities other than Duke University: Only those courses taken in which grades of C- or better have been earned are acceptable for transfer credit; courses taken at other institutions with CR/NC grading or the equivalent are not accepted for transfer credit. All other courses approved for transfer are listed on the student’s permanent record at Duke Kunshan University, but grades earned are not recorded or used in determining the grade point average.
Credit transfer is awarded by the Office of the Registrar, based upon recommendation of the faculty and outcome of the Host-DKU Credit Transfer Approval review process coordinated through the Office of Global Education. Courses may be determined to be approved as fully equivalent to a DKU course, approved to fulfill a thematic area major requirement at DKU, approved as a general elective, or, denied eligibility for credit transfer. Courses approved for credit transfer at Duke Kunshan University may be given a 100 to 300 number from lower to upper level. Once the limit of transferred credit has been reached, no additional transferred work will be displayed on the record or used as a substitute for a previously transferred course. Further information is available from the Office of Global Education.
Approval forms for Duke Kunshan University students taking courses at institutions other than Duke Kunshan University and Duke University may be obtained online or from the Office of Global Education. Students wishing to transfer credit for study at another accredited college or university while on voluntary leave of absence for personal or medical reasons, on suspension or involuntary leave of absence, on a DKU-approved study away program, or during the summer must complete and receive approval through the credit-transfer review process.
Students who are on academic suspension are able to take up to a maximum of 8 transfer credits in their permanent place of residence (i.e., within the student’s home country), if they have not already used them. Exceptions to permanent place of residence due to emotional, physical, or financial health will be offered on a case-by-case basis. All students seeking transfer credits are required to follow the transfer credit approval process and cannot exceed the transfer credit limit of 8 credits. Approved transfer credits would be awarded upon a student’s return to Duke Kunshan University. Students need to complete any Duke Kunshan University classes that are Incomplete before being approved to take transfer classes while on academic suspension. Students are limited to taking a maximum of 8 credits during each academic suspension period.
The ability to take classes while on disciplinary suspension or on involuntary Leave of Absence for disciplinary reasons will be determined by the Student Conduct. Generally, it would be very rare that students would be approved to take classes while on disciplinary suspension or on involuntary Leave of Absence for disciplinary reasons.
The same rules that apply to the transferring of courses to meet other curriculum requirements apply to foreign language courses. Foreign language courses taken elsewhere and approved for transfer as credit to Duke Kunshan University may be considered in language placement, but students will still be asked to go through Duke Kunshan University’s language placement process in order to ensure that they are placed into the most appropriate Duke Kunshan University course for their proficiency level. Students may not receive transfer credit for foreign language courses that are at a level below their prior proficiency, regardless of whether a more advanced course has been formally taken.
Students are reminded that it is their responsibility to be certain that their course load conforms with academic requirements. In fall and spring terms, the normal course load is 16-20 credits (8-10 credits in each 7-week session). In addition, students may enroll in up to one credit of PE courses without special permission from their advisor. In the first 7-week session of their first term, first-year students are restricted to a maximum of 8 credits (one four-credit course, one two-credit language course, and one additional two-credit writing course), plus one PE course. The maximum number of credits a student can take in any subsequent 7-week session without special permission is 10 (two 4-credit courses and one 2-credit course), plus one PE course. Students should note that in order to reach the 136 credits required for graduation, they will need 8 additional credits beyond the minimum course load of 16 credits per term for eight terms. These additional credits can be earned by any combination of terms in which a student registers for greater than the 16-credit minimum, AP/IPC/prematriculation credits, or transfer credits. Students who enroll in, or withdraw to, an underload, earn a failing grade (F or NC), or repeat a course in any term should work with their academic advisor to develop a plan to make up credits in order to avoid a delayed graduation date.
Students studying abroad at other institutions may be subject to that institution’s policies.
Students on academic probation may register for no more than 16 credits plus one PE course during the term of probation. The Registrar and Dean of Academic Services or delegate may also limit the course load for a student who has previously received an academic warning. Students on academic probation are expected to remain in a full course load during the term of probation and will be permitted to withdraw to an underload only in extenuating circumstances.
Only in exceptional cases and with special permission of both the academic advisor and the Registrar and Dean of Academic Services or delegate could a student enroll in an overload (defined as more than 10 credits in a 7-week session or more than 20 credits in a term, exclusive of PE) with the maximum not exceeding 24 credits. In determining whether to approve an overload, the academic advisor and the Registrar and Dean of Academic Services or delegate will carefully consider the student’s academic history, including grades and the number of courses taken in the past, along with other factors. Students should not count on an overload later to compensate for a previous underload.
Two categories of underloads (defined as a course load between 12 and 15 credits in a term or fewer than 6 credits in a session, exclusive of PE credits) may be authorized: withdrawal to underload and enrollment to underload. With the exception of medical, the maximum number of underloads under any circumstances (withdrawal or enrollment to an underload) is two terms. Students may make a request to their advisors to enroll in an underload up to twice during their time at Duke Kunshan University. A student may withdraw to an underload only once during their undergraduate career, although medical withdrawals are not counted in this number. Thus, there are only two possible enrollment patterns involving two underloads:
Students should take note that an underload may affect a student’s scholarship or ability to graduate on time; 8 additional credits above the minimum of 16 per term are needed in order to meet the 136 credits requirement for graduation. Students should not count on an overload later to compensate for a previous underload. Students taking an underload will be ineligible for the Dean’s list and the Dean’s List with Distinction during that term. Each term, the Office of the Registrar will review all students with an enrollment under 16 credits. Students in an unauthorized underload may be placed on involuntary administrative leave of absence and have to apply for reinstatement if they wish to return (see section on Leave of Absence).
Seniors needing only 3 courses to graduate may request an underload for their last term. Seniors who anticipate that they will need fewer than 3 courses to graduate must apply before the first day of classes in the last term for part-time degree status (11 or fewer credits, exclusive of PE), which is not affected by, or a part of, the underload enrollment policy described here.
During the term, upon recommendation from the academic advisor, the Registrar and Dean of Academic Services or delegate may permit a student “for compelling reasons” to withdraw from a normal course load to an underload. Such a withdrawal to an underload is possible only prior to the final four weeks of classes for 14-week long courses and the final two weeks of classes for 7-week long courses. Students are permitted to withdraw to an underload only once in their academic career. The only exception to this policy is when a student is granted special permission to withdraw from a course to an underload for medical reasons (see Medical Withdrawal from a Course).
Withdrawal from a course in the summer is not subject to the underload policy.
A student who experiences medical problems that seriously interfere with their ability to meet their academic responsibilities should schedule an appointment with their advisor as soon as possible to discuss all of their options. Depending on how debilitating the medical situation is, and when in the term the health concerns emerge, it may be the case that other types of relief, such as an incomplete or a medical leave of absence, are more appropriate than medical withdrawal from a course. A medical course withdrawal will not be authorized if it results in a course load below 12 credits for the semester and/or below 4 credits for the session.
The decision whether to approve a course withdrawal for medical reasons is an administrative one to be made by the Registrar and Dean of Academic Services or delegate, informed by the opinion of the student’s attending health care provider but not driven by it. Beyond information provided by the health care professional, the Registrar and Dean of Academic Services or delegate will take into account all that is known about the student’s situation at Duke Kunshan University including such factors as medical history, use of resources in the past, compliance with medical expectations, how the student has conducted their academic responsibilities in courses to date, and other such indicators of how responsibly the student has been managing their condition and academic affairs.
Medical course withdrawals will be approved no later than 5:00 pm BJT on the last teaching day of the session. There are no exceptions to this deadline. Such courses receive a designation of W on the student’s academic record. Students deemed eligible to take a medical Leave of Absence (see Leave of Absence) after the regular course withdrawal deadline will have the option, upon obtaining the appropriate approvals from the instructor, to choose to receive the grade of I in one or more courses instead of the W grade. The student may then complete the course as described in the section on Incomplete Coursework. An incomplete grade will not be authorized if the student has a history of excessive absences or failure to complete coursework in a timely fashion in the course in question.
Under certain specific circumstances, students with a strong academic record may start a term enrolled in an underload of between 12 and 15 credits (exclusive of PE). This is permitted a maximum of two times in a student’s academic career and requires approval of both the academic advisor and the Registrar and Dean of Academic Services or delegate. To enroll in an underload, a student must meet the following minimum criteria for eligibility:
When considering whether to enroll in an underload, students should note that they:
