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FAQ's

An academic renewal program is available to qualified undergraduate students. Academic renewal prevents the voided coursework from counting toward graduation and the computation of the grade point average; however, the voided coursework will remain a part of the transcript. Qualified undergraduate students must have either at least 60 credit hours (counting hours before and after readmission) or not attended any accredited college or university for at least two previous years. If further courses are required to graduate, students must have a cumulative grade point average, since readmission, of at least 2.0 (with no grade below "D"), computed at the end of the term in which the student completes the lesser of 12 semester hours of courses numbered 100 or above or the number of such hours required to fulfill all other graduation requirements with the exception of GPA.
Registration in a course obligates the student to be regular and punctual in class attendance. Faculty may establish specific requirement for attendance, and those requirements are usually specified on the course syllabus. Students who cease attending class are expected to report to the Office of the Registrar to initiate withdrawal procedures. Withdrawal deadlines are published each semester in the Registration Guide.
You can sign up to audit a class without special permission prior to the first day of the term. After that time, the instructor must grant permission for you to audit a class by signing the course audit form. You should obtain this form in the Office of the Registrar, complete the form, obtain the instructor’s signature, and return the form to the Office of the Registrar prior to the deadline for changing from credit to audit, printed in the Academic Calendar in the Registration Guide.
You do not need to drop the course. Once the course is officially canceled in the student information system, the Office of the Registrar will drop the course from your schedule. If you desire to replace this course, you should process the registration prior to the deadline printed in the Academic Calendar in the Registration Guide.

A student's catalog term/year is based on when the student entered Western Kentucky University as a degree-seeking student. An iCAP student should follow the undergraduate catalog that coincides with his/her catalog term/year.


Can my catalog term/year be changed?
Students should consult an advisor before changing a catalog term/year. Changing a catalog term/year will affect all degree requirements (major, minor, and general education).

Information regarding changing your major may be found at https://www.wku.edu/advising/change-of-major.php.

Spring, Fall—Undergraduate students may register for 19 hours without special permission. To register for 20-21 semester hours, you must have a 3.3 GPA or special permission.  
Winter—A student is permitted to enroll in a maximum of four semester hours.
Summer—A maximum of 4 semester hours in May, June I, June II and July I sessions (3-week courses), a maximum of 6 semester hours in May, June I, June II, July I and II sessions (4,5 or 6-week courses), a maximum of 6 semester hours in May, June I and June II sessions (7 or 8-week courses). Overall summer maximum -- 15 semester hours.

To exceed maximum hours, students must complete the Overload Approval Form. The form can obtained through the 'Forms' link in the left navigation menu. 

Undergraduate students will use iCAP ( www.wku.edu/registrar/icap/). iCAP reports are accessed through TopNet. After filing an Application for Graduation, your iCAP report will be audited by the dean's office of your first major the semester prior to your graduation date. The Office of the Registrar will review your iCAP the semester in which you graduate. You will be notified via your WKU email of deficiencies. Students who are seeking a second baccalaureate degree or who entered WKU prior to 1990 are required to file a degree program.

Diplomas are mailed approximately six to eight weeks following commencement, and Josten's will send diploma tracking information to your student email.

I graduated but have not yet received my diploma. What could be the problem?
The diploma is mailed to the address you provided on the Application for Graduation unless you subsequently updated the address in the Office of the Registrar or on TopNet. Diplomas are not issued if the student has outstanding obligations such as unpaid accounts, parking fines, unreturned books to the library, etc. Contact the Office of the Registrar at (270) 745-5411 to check on the status of your diploma.

"Student directory information" includes the student's name, address, e-mail address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, enrollment status (including full-time, part-time, not enrolled, withdrawn and date of withdrawal), degree and awards received and the most recent previous education agency or institution attended by the student.

How can I restrict my directory information?
When you want any part of the directory information to remain confidential, you must complete an official request form within the first five days of class. You can obtain the form in the Office of the Registrar or access the form online at https://www.wku.edu/registrar/registrar_forms.php.

If you are in Good Standing with the University, you may request a Visiting Student Letter by using the form located here: https://www.wku.edu/registrar/enrollment_verification.php

If you are not in Good Standing with the University, you will need to contact the Advising and Career Development Center at (270) 745-5065. 

Information on obtaining Enrollment Verification can be found here: https://www.wku.edu/registrar/enrollment_verification.php.  

After the instructor initiates the grade change, it is submitted to the department head for approval, and then submitted to the Office of the Registrar for processing. You may also review your transcript on TopNet.
If you need an Official Grade Report, you may obtain one through TopNet by following the steps below. The date final grades and cumulative grade point average will be available on TopNet will be printed in the Registration Guide each term. To access your final grades, follow the steps below:
 Access TopNet:
  1. Enter User ID and PIN. Login 
  2. Select Student Services, then Student Records.
  3. Select Final Grades.
  4. Enter the desired term.
  5. If an official report is needed, click Obtain Official Grade Report.

iCap is an acronym for Interactive Curriculum and Academic Progress. Students who entered the 2005 fall semester and thereafter can obtain personalized, interactive audits displaying progress toward a selected degree. An audit shows all the requirements needed to fulfill a major, minor or concentration and displays the transfer and WKU courses that have been used to satisfy those requirements. Students can run "What-If" audits to compare their coursework against other majors and minors.

How do I access my iCAP report?
To access your iCAP report, log in to TopNet. Under Student Services, select iCAP. If you are eligible to run an audit, you will be prompted to follow the on screen instructions. For more information on iCAP or to view a tutorial, go to  Registrar's Office iCAP site.

Students are strongly encouraged to register prior to the first day of the term. Ample opportunity is provided for registration prior to the opening of the term. Students who are unable to register in advance are given an opportunity to register during the first six days of the term, but will be assessed a late registration penalty of $50. Refer to deadlines in the Registration Guide.

You must complete a “Name Change” form. You may pick up the form in the Office of the Registrar, Potter Hall, 2nd floor. You may also access the form online at https://www.wku.edu/registrar/registrar_forms.php. The form may be mailed or faxed to us for processing. You must be currently enrolled, and you must provide one of the pieces of documentation as specified on the "Name Change" form.

Will the processing of a name change also change my name on my e-mail account or Blackboard account?
Yes. Once your name has been changed through the Office of the Registrar, you will need to contact IT Helpdesk at (270) 745-7000 to update your e-mail account.

You may register without penalty any time after your scheduled date up through the day prior to the first day of the term. There may, however, be periods of time when TopNet is down for maintenance.

Do I have to see my advisor before I register?
All undergraduate degree-seeking students are required to see an advisor. After you have been advised, the advisor will release your advising hold. Provided you have no other obligations with the university, you will be permitted to register on your scheduled date. All associate degree-seeking students must see an advisor.

All obligations with the University that prevent registration should be cleared prior to your registration for classes. If you believe your situation justifies an exception, you should contact the area that initiated the obligation and explain your situation. Any alternative arrangement should be made with the obligating office.
If a course is repeated, the higher of the two grades will be counted in computing the grade point average. If the course is repeated a second time, the two higher grades combined will be used in computing the grade point average.  The course that has been removed from the GPA will have an "E" beside it on the academic transcript.  Go to TopNet, login and view Student Services, Student Records, Unofficial Transcript.
Some courses have been restricted by the offering department for specific reasons. For registration in one of these courses, you should contact the academic department offering the course. Explain your need for the course. If your need is deemed appropriate for admission to the class, a restriction override will be placed in the registration system for you. You should then be permitted to register via TopNet.

You are charged a schedule change fee of $50 per class to withdraw from a course after the drop period for that term (full or bi-term). If you are granted a schedule exception appeal to add a course, you will also be charged this $50 fee.

If my original registration for the term takes place after the sixth class day, am I charged both a late registration fee of $50 and a schedule change fee of $50 per class to register?
If you register after the deadline for adding a course, a schedule exception appeal must be approved by the instructor and department head and reviewed by the Dean. If approved, you will be charged only the late registration fee of $50. After your original registration date, any changes made will be subject to the $50 schedule change fee.

I do not believe I should have to pay the schedule change fee. How do I appeal the charge?
The Tuition/Schedule Change Fee Appeal Committee will review your schedule change and determine if the fee assessed to you is appropriate. You should obtain the form and directions for submitting an appeal to this Committee from the Office of the Registrar, second floor, Potter Hall. Be sure to include all documented information with your appeal.

Schedule changes for full-semester courses (drops or adds) can be made at any time through the first six days of the term. Drops made during this time will not be reflected on your academic record. Course withdrawals after the sixth class day will be recorded with a grade of “W” and will be reflected on your academic record. Refer to the Academic Calendar in the Registration Guide for the deadlines to add, drop, or withdraw from a full semester course. Schedule changes for bi-term courses can be made at any time through the first three days of the bi-term. Drops made during this time will not be reflected on your academic record. Course withdrawals after the third class day will be recorded with a grade of “W” and will be reflected on your academic record. Refer to the Academic Calendar in the Registration Guide for the deadlines to add, drop, or withdraw from a bi-term course.

Go to TopNet. Select TopNet Login. Enter your WKU ID and PIN or NetID and password.  Click Login. From the Main Menu, select Personal Information. Select Change your PIN. Enter Old PIN, Enter New PIN; Re-enter New PIN. Click Change PIN.

How do I create my TopNet PIN?
Go to TopNet. Select TopNet Login from the menu. Follow instructions for a first-time user. Enter your full student ID. Tab down and enter the last six digits of your ID. Click Login. On the next page re-enter the last six digits of your ID (TopNet will tell you your PIN has expired) and tab down to the next box. Enter a six digit number that you can remember. Keep this PIN confidential.

I have forgotten my PIN. How do I access this information so that I can use TopNet?
Follow the directions on the TopNet home page under Forgot My PIN. A new PIN will be assigned for you and you can then change the PIN to a number more familiar to you.

Faxed transcripts are not official; therefore, we do not fax them.

How can I obtain my official transcript?
Students may request an official transcript through the National Student Clearinghouse or in person in the Office of the Registrar. Information on how to obtain official transcripts can be found on the Registrar’s website, https://www.wku.edu/registrar/transcript_request.php.  

How long does it take to receive my transcript?
Normally, transcripts will be mailed from our office within two working days of receiving the request.

I have taken classes at another college. Have you received my transcript?
You may check your unofficial transcript on TopNet to see if the credits from your transfer institution have been applied. If the credits are not showing, request that an official transcript be sent from your transfer institution to WKU. You may do so using https://tsorder.studentclearinghouse.org/school/select. If you have further questions, please contact the Office of the Registrar at 270-745-3351.

How can I view my unofficial transcript?
Unofficial transcripts are available online for students enrolled from the Summer of 1990 until present. This information can be found on the Registrar’s web site by clicking here:  Unofficial Transcripts.

The Tuition/Schedule Change Fee Appeal Committee will review your change in enrollment status to determine if a refund is appropriate. You should obtain the form and directions for submitting an appeal to this Committee from the Office of Student Billing and Account Services, second floor, Potter Hall. Be sure to include all documented information with your appeal.
If the course(s) you plan to take applies toward general education and you are in good academic standing, you should contact the Office of the Registrar, 2nd floor Potter Hall or 270-745-3351. In addition, if the course(s) you plan to take applies toward your major/minor, you need to receive written confirmation from the academic department of your major/minor that the course(s) will apply toward your graduation requirements. A letter of good standing can then be prepared for you by the Office of the Registrar. If you are on academic probation, you will need to contact the Advising & Career Development Center (ACDC) for the visiting student letter.

To withdraw from a course, you should adhere to the withdrawal dates printed in the Registration Guide for the current term. You may process your withdrawal by going to http://topnet.wku.edu/.

If it is past the deadline and I have a need to withdraw, what procedure do I follow?
Students are expected to adhere to the withdrawal deadlines. If you believe your situation would justify an exception to the withdrawal policy, you should obtain a schedule exception appeal form from the academic department offering the course and process this form according to the directions on the form.

If you withdraw after the “W” period begins and prior to the deadline, a grade of “W” will be recorded on your academic record. The “W” grade will not be reflected in your overall grade point average. If you find a need to withdraw after the deadline and obtain the permission to do so from the instructor, department head and dean, you will be given a grade of “W” or “F”. If an “F” grade is recorded, this grade will be reflected in your cumulative grade point average.

 


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 Last Modified 6/26/24