Academic Regulations
Most of the academic regulations that apply in the fall, winter and spring quarters also apply to the summer terms. Courses taken during Summer Sessions are included in the records of matriculated Santa Clara University students for the determination of GPA, class level, honors, probation, and disqualification. Any student who is not permitted to register during fall, winter, or spring quarters (e.g., disqualified, suspension) may not enroll in summer courses at SCU.
Administrative Cancellation of Course Enrollment- The Administrative Cancellation of Course Enrollment policy is not in effect in the summer as it is during the fall, winter and spring quarters. Students who are officially enrolled in a class and fail to attend the first and any subsequent class meetings will remain enrolled in the class, and be responsible for paying all tuition and fees associated with the class.
- Students are responsible for dropping a course if they are unable to attend due to changes in the class schedule or personal obligations.
- Non-attendance does NOT relieve a student of the obligation to pay tuition and fees. In addition to paying full tuition and fees, an academic hold will be placed on the student's account to prevent any further registration transactions.
- Students who do not formally drop a class for which they are officially enrolled will receive an "F" grade for the course(s), and be liable for all tuition and fees incurred during the summer.
- Students must formally drop a course via Workday prior to the published deadlines.
Course Load Limits Policy/Overload Policy
There are NO EXCEPTIONS TO THE COURSE LOAD POLICY for Summer Sessions. Students who register for more than the maximum course load will be administratively withdrawn from the course that creates the overload. Students who add overload units in violation of this policy may not receive credit for the course that causes the policy violation.
The intensive pace of Sessions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 require the following restrictions on summer course loads:
- Session 2: Students may not enroll in more than 10 units during this session.
- Session 3: Students may not enroll in more than 10 units during this session.
- Sessions 4, 5 and 6: Students may not enroll in or attend more than one Session 4, 5, or 6 lab science (chemistry or physics) course at a time. If enrolled in or attending a Session 4, 5, or 6 lab science course, students may not be simultaneously enrolled in or attending a Session 1, 2, or 3 course.
Auditing Courses
Non-SCU and non-degree seeking SCU students may not audit courses. Degree-seeking students may audit one course in addition to the Summer Sessions course load limit on a space available basis. No credit is assigned for an audited course, but the successful completion of an audit will be indicated on a student's transcript by the notation AUD. Students may not audit a course and then decide to take the final examination for credit. A maximum of three courses may be audited during a student's academic career.
Permission to audit must be given by the instructor by the last day to add a class. Students are responsible for completing and submitting the Course Audit Option (Undergraduate) form online by the by the last day to add a class as listed on the Summer Sessions calendar. Course audits may not be declared through Workday. Students may not audit an internship, independent study (including directed reading, directed research, and practicum), or private instruction during the summer.
Course Cancellations
Santa Clara University reserves the right to make changes in the schedules or policies without prior notice or obligation. If a course is canceled, the Summer Sessions Office will immediately send a notification to your @scu.edu address. Please check your SCU email daily.
Course Numbering System
Courses numbered 1 through 99 are lower-division courses for which students generally receive four quarter units of credit. Lower-division courses are recommended for first-year students and sophomores. Upper-division courses are numbered 100 through 199, and students generally receive five quarter units of credit. Upper-division courses are recommended for juniors and seniors.
Enrollment Confirmations Via Workday
All students can retrieve their course schedules online via Workday to confirm their enrollment in Summer courses. Course confirmations will not be mailed by the University.
Returning summer students will be notified at the email address listed in the application along when your Workday ID has been activated for the Summer 2025 term. If you did not receive this email, contact the Summer Sessions Office at scusummer@scu.edu.
If you are a new summer student: your Workday ID and password will be sent to the email listed in the application by the system and may be in your spam filter. If you did not receive the ID, contact the Summer Sessions Office at scusummer@scu.edu.
Enrollment and Course Restriction Policy
Students may not sit in classes without formally enrolling. Credit is not given to students who attend class without formally enrolling and paying tuition. Students must be officially registered in classes based on the procedures outlined on the Summer Sessions website and must have paid all tuition and fees by the published deadlines.
Initial registration or class additions will not be accepted beyond the late registration/add period as set forth on the Summer Sessions calendar.
Students who enroll in a course for which they are not eligible are subject to administrative withdrawal from that course. This includes:
- Students who have not satisfied course prerequisites
- Students who have not obtained the instructor's permission as specified in certain courses.
Independent Study
Eligible Santa Clara University students may pursue an independent study with the approval of a faculty member. Interested students should review the Independent Study section in the Undergraduate Bulletin for additional information.
Internships
Interested current Santa Clara University students should inquire with individual departments and programs for information about summer internships.
Pass/No Pass Grading Option
A grade of "P" signifies that the quality of work done is equivalent to a letter grade of "C" or higher, while a grade of "NP" denotes work at the level of "C-" or lower. A maximum of six courses taken under the pass/no pass option in which the student receives a mark of "P" can be used to fulfill the unit requirements for graduation.
Some courses are offered only on a pass/no pass basis. If a graded option is not available, a course can satisfy Core, major, and/or minor requirements. A student with junior or senior standing and a declared major may choose to take an elective course on a pass/no pass basis. Students may enroll in only one elective course on a pass/no pass basis per quarter. The P/NP option must be selected by the last day to drop a class without a W as listed on the Summer Sessions calendar and is not reversible after that time. Students can a change their grade option to P/NP by completing a form at www.scu.edu/
Performance Standards in the Sciences
Prerequisites for courses in lower-division sequences in Biology (21,22,23,24), Physics (31,32,33,34; 11,12,13), and Chemistry (11,12,13,14; 31,32,33) will include successful completion of the prior course in the sequence. Students who do not meet this standard may not be permitted to enroll in the next course of the sequence. For further information, contact the Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, or Physics departments.