Academic Advising
Academic advising a cooperative effort between the advisor and the student.
Our advisors empower you to make decisions and have experiences that lead you to be academically successful in both the HPEX program and at VCU.
Your advisor can help you establish educational goals, explain Degree Works and other course planning tools, choose appropriate classes, answer questions about degree requirements and academic policies, and introduce additional campus resources to assist in your educational, professional and personal experiences here at VCU.
You should plan to meet with your HPEX advisor in addition to any other advisor you have, so we can make sure you understand the curriculum requirements for earning your Bachelor of Science degree.
Students are assigned as follows:
- Donielda Tripp-Leino: Students with last names beginning with A-C
- Pamela Cornell: Students with last names beginning with D-J
- Kevin Peggs: Students with last names beginning with K-Q
- Emily Garcia: Students with last names beginning with R-Z
- Seth Leibowitz, Ed.D.: Sophomore students in the health science concentration
After you make an appointment, you will receive an email the day before your scheduled appointment to remind you of the date, time and location. You can also use the system to cancel appointments.
I need help with...
Where can I get help in a course I am struggling with?
The Campus Learning Center has group and individual tutoring available for in many subjects, including anatomy, physiology, general chemistry, pre-calculus and psychology. Check their drop-in schedule for exact times. To schedule a one-on-one session, visit the CLC on the first floor of Hibbs Hall.
What are the course grade requirements for HPEX courses if I am an HPEX major?
You should always strive to get the best grades possible in all of your courses. You need to have, at the time of graduation, an overall GPA of at least a 2.0 and a major GPA of at least a 2.0, which includes all HPEX courses in addition to major elective courses. You must earn a C or better in all HPEX and major elective courses to be eligible to graduate. Although some prerequisite courses allow you to move on to the subsequent course by earning a D, if the course is being used as part of your major you will have to repeat it to earn a grade of C or better to complete the requirement for the degree. You should check the Undergraduate Bulletin for prerequisite grade requirements for specific courses.
I recently earned a “D or F” in a course. Is there a process to repeat this course?
The effective Undergraduate Bulletin states the following about repeating a course: A student may repeat a course in which a D or F was earned by filing a Historical Repeat Course Form at any time during a semester prior to the awarding of the undergraduate degree. This form must be filed before the last week of classes in any semester so the cumulative GPA can be adjusted at the end of that semester. It is available through the Records and Registration website. Please refer to the Undergraduate Bulletinfor further details regarding historical repeats.
How many times may I repeat a course and how will it affect my financial aid?
Federal regulations now state that if repeated coursework falls under the following condition, it cannot be included in a student’s enrollment status for Title IV aid eligibility: Any course that has already been passed (D or higher) can only be taken one additional time. Any repeated attempts after that will not be eligible for financial aid. Please note that all coursework attempted is included in your overall Satisfactory Academic Progress calculation, which is completed on an annual basis. Students are required to meet minimum SAP requirements to remain eligible for financial aid.
I am thinking about withdrawing from a course I’m currently enrolled in, what should I do?
Please make an appointment with your advisor as soon as possible, preferably before you withdraw. There are a wide variety of reasons a student may want or need to withdraw from a course. Your advisor can discuss the impact withdrawing may have on your academic progress and assist you in making an informed decision.
What is the best way for me to ensure I have met all of my degree requirements and can graduate on time?
Meeting with your advisor each semester to review your academic progress is critical in ensuring you will graduate when expected. This will keep you aware of the remaining requirements that you must fulfill prior to graduating and keep you on track to do so. It is especially important to meet with your advisor before or during the registration period prior to the semester in which you plan on graduating. Finally, it is important to keep in mind that the student has the ultimate responsibility of his/her schedule and academic plans, including adherence to all deadlines set by the University as indicated on the academic calendar and meeting degree requirements as specified in the VCU Undergraduate Bulletin.
When do I need to apply for graduation?
You should apply for graduation at the beginning of the semester in which all requirements are to be completed. Your advisor will email you with detailed instructions on how to apply to graduate as well as how to complete the graduation application packet.
What are the degree requirements that I should be aware of when applying to graduate?
HPEX students should have met the following requirements prior to graduation:
- All university core, general education, HPEX collateral, and major concentration requirements
- Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
- At least 120 total earned credit hours at the end of their final semester
- At least 45 upper level credits
- A minimum grade of “C” in all HPEX courses including internships
- At least 30 of final 45 credits must be completed at VCU
- Complete at least 25% of credits at VCU
What if I realize I am not going to complete my degree requirements by the end of the term for which I applied? What should I do?
Contact your advisor for further information as soon as possible.
What is the difference between a diploma ceremony and a commencement ceremony?
The KHS department will hold a diploma ceremony for all HPEX graduates. This ceremony is usually held on Friday evening before the university commencement ceremony on Saturday. Students will receive a letter from the department with information about the diploma ceremony. The KHS diploma ceremony gives our department the opportunity to recognize our students individually and celebrate alongside friends and family. The commencement ceremony is held at the Richmond Convention Center and brings together the entire university.
Can I walk during the spring commencement even though I plan to graduate during the summer?
Yes, the student’s dean may grant permission to participate in spring commencement exercises, provided the student will complete their degree with six or fewer credit hours during the summer semester.
Can I graduate and still take courses in a future semester at VCU?
Yes, however you must re-enroll as a non-degree seeker or be admitted to another degree program. Courses taken after the awarding of your degree cannot be applied to that degree program.
Is there a commencement ceremony for students who graduate in August?
No, there is no commencement ceremony held in August. August graduates are included in the following December ceremony or if they are completing six or fewer credits in the summer semester they may take part in the May ceremony.
Will I receive my diploma at the commencement ceremony?
No. May, August and December diplomas are available for pickup during allotted times or mailed approximately 6 to 8 weeks after the graduation date. Otherwise they are mailed to the address you provided when applying to graduate. Please refer to the Commencement website for up-to-date information.
What should I do if I want to register for a non-HPEX course (i.e. PHIS 206) and it is closed/full?
Contact the department (e.g., Department of Physiology and Biophysics) that offers the course in question. Each department handles courses that are full differently, and contacting them will ensure you receive accurate information and improve your chances of possibly getting into the course.
Does the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences give size overrides for courses that are full?
The department does not grant size overrides for HPEX courses. We feel confident that if you meet with your assigned advisor prior to registration each semester that you should be able to enroll in your preferred courses. Your advisor will give you additional options if a preferred course does fill up and closes. Together, you and your advisor can determine other courses that can be taken to work toward degree requirements. We encourage you to aggressively check eServices during registration and the add/drop period for courses that may open up due to other students dropping them.
I have previously taken or am currently taking prerequisites (e.g., BIOL 141 and BIOL 142) for a specific course (e.g., HPEX 375) at another institution and they are not on my transcripts. How can I register for the HPEX course I need?
You need to send an official transcript to the Transfer Center so the course can be added to your VCU transcripts. In the meantime the department can issue you a prerequisite override so you can register for the course. However, if that prerequisite is not on your transcript by the beginning of the semester you will be dropped from the course.
How do I get a prerequisite override?
You must contact your assigned advisor and provide them with an unofficial transcript showing that you have previously taken or are currently taking the prerequisite course in question.
If an HPEX course has a lab associated with it, am I required to enroll in the lab during the same semester that I enroll in the lecture?
Yes. All HPEX lecture courses that have labs associated with them must be taken concurrently in the same semester. In many cases the lab reinforces the concepts taught in the lecture and aids in the understanding of the lecture.
If I enroll in a lecture course (e.g., HPEX 375) that has a lab associated with it, am I automatically enrolled in the lab (HPEZ 375)?
No. You are required to register for the lab in eServices.
How many credit hours am I allowed to transfer into VCU from another institution?
According to the Undergraduate Bulletin, you may transfer a maximum of 64 semester hours of credit from two-year institutions and up to 90 credit hours from four-year colleges and universities. University policy requires degree candidates to complete at least 25 percent of the credit semester hours required for their bachelor’s degree program at VCU, including at least 30 of the last 45 credits. During a student’s last 45 credits at VCU, transfer credits attempted elsewhere must be approved in advance by the appropriate school dean, department chair or program head via the “Request to Take Courses at Another Institution” form, available online. Bring this completed form to your HPEX advisor.
I took a heath, physical education, exercise science or nutrition course at another institution. It transferred in as HPEX 1XX or HPEX 2XX. Can I have this changed to reflect an equivalent VCU HPEX course?
As a general rule, HPEX courses taken at another institution are brought in as VCU elective credits. Although courses may have similar titles or subject matter, the level of instruction or depth of topic may vary widely from program to program, school to school. If you are bringing in a lot of HPEX 1XX, 2XX, or 3XX courses, or if believe one or more courses taken at a previous institution are equivalent to HPEX courses here at VCU, the courses may be evaluated by the department on a case-by-case basis. Please talk with your academic advisor who can help you get started with the process.
What are the course equivalents for the Virginia Community College system?
Please see the Transfer Center's course equivalents page.
I was just admitted to VCU as a transfer student. How do I register for classes, and what do I register for?
Congratulations and welcome to VCU! Please be on the lookout for information from VCU Admissions and New Student Programs. All transfer students should attend a new student orientation, where you will meet your academic advisor, learn about the department and program, and register for classes. For more information, visit VCU Orientation.
I want to take a course at another institution and transfer it in for credit here at VCU, what do I do?
Many current VCU students choose to take courses at a community college or other institutions during the summer or even during a semester. First, visit the course equivalents page to research which course will transfer to VCU. You will also need to complete the Request to Take Courses at Another Institution Form. Your advisor will need to approve your request, so make an appointment to discuss your plans and bring the completed form with you. Once you have completed the courses, send an official transcript to: VCU Transfer Center, 900 Park Ave., Box 842532, Richmond, VA 23284. Remember you must earn a C or better in a course for the credits to transfer to VCU.
I would like to take BIOL 205 (Anatomy) at community college, how does that work?
In the Virginia Community College System, anatomy and physiology are combined as one subject. This is different than VCU, where anatomy is its own separate subject/course (BIOL 205) and physiology is its own separate subject/course (PHIS 206 and PHIZ 206). In order to earn VCU credit for anatomy (BIOL 205) at a community college in Virginia, you must take both Anatomy and Physiology I and Anatomy and Physiology II. This means you will also transfer in credit for VCU physiology (PHIS 206/PHIZ 206). If you were to only complete Part I with a C or better, the course would transfer to VCU as biology elective credit BIOL 1XX and BIOZ 1XX, not anatomy. Please be aware that some psychology courses are also two parts at a community college. Please see the course equivalents page for more information or make an appointment with your advisor.
Do transfer courses help my overall GPA at VCU?
No. Your GPA at VCU is only affected by the courses you take at VCU. You cannot use transfer courses as part of a historical repeat course option.