FINAL EXAMINATION POLICY
Final written examinations are valuable for university credit courses because they can fulfill two important academic objectives: student integration of instructional material and end-of-semester evaluation of student achievement. However, valid means other than the final examination exist for accomplishing these objectives (e.g.,term paper, final project report, take-home examinations, etc.). Course instructors should determine which of these methods is most appropriate and effective for each undergraduate (including 400-level) credit course taught. Regardless of which type of activity is chosen, care must be taken not to interfere unduly with the full complement of scheduled instruction of the student.
To provide for student integration of institutional material, end-of-semester evaluation of student performance, and instruction extending to the end of the scheduled period, course instructors will:
- Determine a method of providing for meaningful integration of course topics and evaluation of student performance.
- Offer a full schedule of instruction (i.e., fifteen weeks in a fifteen week semester.)
- Schedule no examinations during the last week of classes. According to the University final examination policy, final exams are not to be given in the 15th week of the semester. Quizzes and narrowly limited tests in support of classroom instruction may be given during the final week.
- Schedule any end-of-semester written examinations during the final examination period. Final exams will be given in 110 minute periods scheduled by the University registrar.
- Where end-of-semester written examinations are not required, require the submission of any alternative integrative and evaluational means (e.g., term papers, final project reports, take-home examinations, or studio projects) no earlier than the first day of the final examination period, unless an exception for educational reasons has been authorized by the faculty of the program offering the course.
