Academic FAQs

The Academic Transition (AT) program is designed to assist first- and second-year students with transitioning to non-science majors and maintaining good academic standing. As an extension of the Exploratory Studies program, AT will support you with major exploration, academic recovery, and academic persistence.

Typically, students not in good academic standing with the university (less than a 2.0 GPA) and those who have completed three or fewer semesters are candidates for this program.

AT is not an option for juniors or seniors—however, we invite you to schedule a meeting with one of our academic advisors to discuss your options.

We're committed to helping you find the right major and complete your degree as soon as possible. That said, because the timeline for degree completion has multiple variables unique to each student, this answer will depend on your situation.

There are quiet spots in all the academic buildings, the University Center, Wolfgram Library, and even in the Office of Student Success, where you'll find sofas, comfortable chairs, standing desks, and desktop computers.

Make an appointment with your academic advisor or the Office of Student Success and Academic Enrichment to discuss exploring different majors and the change of major process.

To withdraw from a class, make an appointment with your academic advisor, or with the Office of Student Success and Academic Enrichment.

Every student has one opportunity to appeal a dismissal. Contact your academic advisor, associate dean, or the executive director of student success to learn more about this process.

An excused absence is an officially recognized reason for missing class, such as illness, family emergencies, or other serious circumstances.

If you need to take an extended absence from your courses, reach out to your academic advisor or the Office of Student Success & Academic Enrichment to discuss your situation and next steps. They can help you understand university policies, coordinate communication with your professors, and connect you with any needed support resources.

There are many caring faculty and staff you can turn to for guidance on your situation, from your academic advisor to the Office of Student Success and the Office of Career Design & Development. Email studentsuccess@widener.edu to start the conversation.

Widener is dedicated to cultivating a campus community of equal learning opportunities free of harassment and discrimination. You are encouraged to report any instances of harassment and/or discrimination by reaching out to the Title IX Office at titleix@widener.edu or completing the confidential Report It form. You can also contact the Office of Student Success for guidance at studentsuccess@widener.edu.

Absolutely. At Widener, we understand that your health and wellbeing plays a vital role in your academic and personal success which is why we offer many helpful resources free of charge to support you. Learn more about mental health, physical health, and spiritual wellness resources, such as our Student Health Services, Counseling & Psychological Services, as well as helpful Widener partnerships like TELUS Health, a confidential, 24/7 virtual counseling services for Chester campus students with immediate and short-term mental health and wellbeing needs.

If you are unable to attend class due to illness, contact your professor. If you need to miss class for an extended period of time or are experiencing a situation that requires extra support please contact the Office of Student Success at studentsuccess@widener.edu for help navigating your challenge with you.

Your wellbeing is essential to your academic success, so seeking a quick resolution is important. You can talk with your classmate or instructor directly and try to resolve the issue. If you feel uncomfortable having these conversations, contact the Office of Student Success for help and guidance. We'll review university policies regarding conflict, harassment, and student conduct, and help you navigate what steps can be taken within the institution.

All Widener students have access to personalized support at no extra cost. 

Support includes academic advising, academic coaching with a trained professional, tutoring with a qualified student mentor, as well as access to Widener's Math Center and Writing Center. First-year students also have the option to participate in the PRIDE Mentors Program. 

Learn more about academic advising, tutoring, and coaching

Trained student tutors are available to provide personalized, one-on-one support and walk-in sessions to help you excel in your course material. Sessions can either be scheduled ahead with as assigned tutor or you may participate in walk-in tutoring hours.

With scheduled peer-to-peer tutoring sessions, students are assigned an individual tutor and they are free to work with the tutor as needed and at mutually agreed upon times. With walk-in hours, tutors are available weekly at designated days/times and appointments are not required.

To begin working with a tutor, please complete the tutor request form. 

Learn more about tutoring services

Academic coaching conversations empower you to further enrich your Widener experience. When you meet with an academic coach, you’ll partner to develop a plan that establishes a path to achieving your academic goal. Along the way, we’ll help you identify personal barriers that may be impacting your success and work with you navigate these challenges.  

The time you spend with an academic coach is personalized—it can be as long or as short as you need! With that said, an initial academic coaching conversation typically lasts between 30-60 minutes, depending on the academic support you need. Follow-up coaching conversations generally last 30 minutes. You can also meet with various coaches throughout the semester.

Request academic coaching

Academic faculty advisors are here to help you navigate your academic journey, translating your goals and interests into a successful educational experience.

Academic advising plays a key role in helping you make informed decisions to meet your educational and career goals, such as helping you determine which courses to take and when to ensure you're on track to graduate on time, navigating the complexities of university policies such as program requirements, graduation criteria, adding and dropping courses, change of majors, and much more. 

Undergraduate students can find their personal academic advisor by going to Student Planning > Advising or by searching for "PSST" on My Widener.

Here's how you can make the most of your advisor's support:

• Regular Meetings: Meet with your advisor each semester (by October/March) before registering for classes to ensure you're on track.
• Understand Requirements: Familiarize yourself with university general education and academic program requirements.
• Set Goals: Seek information and make decisions regarding your academic and career goals.
• Ask Questions: Write down questions and ask for help whenever you need it.
• Take Responsibility: Assume final responsibility for course scheduling, program planning, and successful completion of graduation requirements.

ITS provides Widener students with free or discounted access to software such as Microsoft 365, Zoom, and specialized academic tools. Visit the Software & Licenses page on the ITS website to see what’s available and how to install it on your personal device.

In addition to academic tools like Canvas and Office365, Widener’s Information Technology Services (ITS) supports all other aspects of campus technology including: 

• Wi-Fi and wired internet
• Password resets 
• Device setup 
• Computer recommendations 
• Printing
• In-person troubleshooting

Then ITS Student Technology FAQs are the best place to start for quick answers, guides, and troubleshooting steps for almost any tech-related question.

If you need help right away, Widener also offers 24/7 technology support through QuickTicket or by calling 610-499-1047.

Yes. Student Accessibility Services is committed to ensuring you can equally access everything Widener has to offer to make the most of your college experience. Academic accommodations include, but are not limited to:

• Test taking support
• Note taking assistance
• Accessible text requests

Learn more about requesting accessibility accommodations

It is highly recommended to make appointments at the Writing Center and with your Librarian Liaison.

The Writing Center has faculty members that can help you brainstorm ideas, get organized, and edit your papers—including lab reports. 

A dedicated librarian is assigned to support every degree program. They can help you navigate how to find the most up-to-date and relevant information for your research your topic. Your personal librarian can also teach you how to correctly reference your work, so you don't lose unnecessary points on your paper!

AU = Audit (no course credit)
CAPS = Counseling and Psychological Services
CAS = College of Arts and Sciences
CDD = Career Design and Development
CGCS = Center for Graduate & Continuing Studies
CHHS = College of Health & Human Services
CLEP = College Level Examination Program
Co-Op = Cooperative Education Program
CS = Continuing Studies
CX = Client Experience (technology support)
DPT = Doctor of Physical Therapy
ES = Exploratory Studies
FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid
FSEOG = Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
FWS = Federal Work Study
GMAT = Graduate Management Admission Test
GPA = Grade Point Average
GPD = Graduate Program Director
GRAD = Graduate
GSE = Graduate Student Employee
I = Incomplete
IP = In Progress
IPTE = Institute for Physical Therapy Education
ITS = Information Technology Services
LDA = Last Day Attended
Lipka = Lipka Hall
LLC = Living Learning Community
MBA = Master of Business Administration
MC = Main Campus
MLA = Medical Leave Absence
MPA = Master of Public Administration
NP = Fail (In a pass/fail course)
OLLI = Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
OSS = Office of Student Success
OTD = Doctor of Occupational Therapy
P = Pass (In a pass/fail course)
ROTC = Reserve Officers’ Training Corps
SAP = Satisfactory Academic Progress
SAS = Student Accessibility Services
SBA = School of Business Administration
SHS = Student Health Services
SLP = Speech Language Pathology
SOE = School of Engineering
SON = School of Nursing
SQ3R = Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review
TLT = Teaching and Learning Technologies
TSC = Technology Support Center
UG = Undergraduate
VLAB = Virtual Lab Environment
W = Withdrawn
XF = Failure: Academic Fraud

Grading policies and procedures differ depending if you are an undergraduate, graduate, or adult and continuing studies student. Information about grading systems can be found in your relevant academic catalog. 

Information on grading policies for a particular course will be listed on the syllabus, and any questions about a specific assignment should go directly to your professor. 

You can also talk to your academic advisor about how your grades impact your plan of study.

You can access your grades via the Student Planning portal or in your active Canvas course.

Widener faculty are here to support your learning. We encourage you to first speak directly with your course instructor for questions related to grades, assignments and assessments, and overall course progress. You can then connect with your assistant/associate dean for additional support if the situation remains unresolved.

If you feel uncomfortable having these conversations, email studentsuccess@widener.edu to have a confidential conversation on navigating difficult conversations and identifying next steps.

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) is a law that protects your privacy when it comes to your academic records, including your grades. Basically, no one—whether it's your parents, a potential employer, or even a friend—can access your grades or other personal academic info without your permission. 

You have the right to control who sees your records, and you can also ask to review or correct them if something’s not right. FERPA keeps your academic info safe and private.

If you wish to grant permission for someone to view your information, you can fill out a Student Information Release (FERPA) Waiver on myWidener

View Widener's FERPA policy

To see your GPA, go to Student Planning. 

Alternatively, to calculate your GPA based on the given letter grades and their corresponding grade points, follow these steps. 

1. List Courses: Write down each course you've taken.
2. Credit Hours: Write down the number of credit hours each course is worth.
3. Assign Grade Points: Assign the appropriate grade points to each letter grade based on the scale provided:

   1. Letter grades and their equivalents in grade points are:

      A = 4.0
      A– = 3.7
      B+ = 3.3
      B = 3.0
      B– = 2.7
      C+ = 2.3
      C = 2.0
      C– = 1.7
      D+ = 1.3
      D (Passing) = 1.0
      F (Failure) = 0.0
      I (Incomplete) = 0.0
      W (Withdrawn) = 0.0  

4. Total Quality Points: Add up all the quality points from step 
5. Total Credit Hours: Add up all the credit hours from step 2.
6. Calculate GPA: Divide the total quality points by the total credit hours.
    

Example:

39.1 Total Quality Points ÷ 16 Total Credits = 2.44