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  2. Internal
  3. Academic Policies
  4. Repeat Credit

Repeat Credit

Repeating Courses for Replacement Credit

Most courses offered in the College of Arts and Science may be repeated for replacement credit, with the exception of CORE 1010 and CORE 1020. If a student fails a course, they may retake the course to earn credit with a passing grade. Failed courses may be repeated until passed. If a course was previously passed, no new credit is earned. If a course previously passed is repeated and failed, credit originally earned for it is lost.

Students are cautioned that while repeating for grade replacement a course previously passed may improve their cumulative grade point average, it may also lead to a problem in meeting minimum credit hours requirements for class standing because no new credit is earned.

Furthermore, all grades earned at Vanderbilt are shown on the transcript. Under conditions explained below, the most recent grade in a course replaces the previous grade in determining credit, computing the grade point average, and verifying the completion of degree requirements and progress toward the degree.

The policy of grade replacement applies when all of the conditions below are met:

  • Failed courses may be repeated until passed; passed courses may be repeated only once.
  • Only the same course (same department and course number) is eligible.
  • The course is repeated on a regularly graded basis. This limitation applies even if the course was originally taken on a P/F basis.
  • The course is not an independent study or directed study course.
  • A non-W course is taken as repeat credit for a Writing version of the same course that was previously passed. The student loses credit for the writing requirement.
  • A W course is taken as repeat credit for a non-Writing version of the same course that was previously passed. The student earns credit for the writing requirement.

Courses taken in the College of Arts and Science may not be repeated elsewhere for grade replacement.

Repeating Courses for Additional Credit

Certain courses (e.g., ensemble, performance instruction, independent study, and special topics) are designated as repeatable as they contain evolving or iteratively new content. These courses may be taken multiple times for additional credit. The total number of credit hours that may be earned will be specified by the course description and decided by the program of study.  

Overlapping Course Content

It is the responsibility of the student to avoid duplication in whole or in part of the content of any course counting toward the degree. In some instances, enrollment in a course similar to one already completed but with a different course number will result in the award of no credit for the second course and will have no effect on the grade point average. These are designated in the departmental course listings.