Using the Catalog
The Lehigh University Catalog lists degree requirements, rules for graduation, and other policies and procedures affecting students at Lehigh University. The University normally updates the Catalog on an annual basis, to reflect changes in course descriptions, degree programs, and academic guidelines. Most policies and procedures are governed by the language in the current Catalog.
Understanding Catalog Years and Graduation Requirements
In order to be eligible to graduate, a student must complete requirements defined in a specific Catalog. In general, students follow the requirements for graduation listed in the Catalog current at the time they matriculate, that is, at the time they first enroll as a degree-seeking student at Lehigh. Previously non-matriculated students who then matriculate at Lehigh University will be governed by the graduation requirements of the Catalog in effect at the time of their matriculation. Graduation requirements for the academic colleges are listed in the individual sections of the Catalog.
With the departmental advisor’s consent and approval from their college dean's office or college advising office, students may elect a later Catalog under which to fulfill the degree requirements; they may not elect an earlier Catalog, nor use a combination of requirements from different Catalogs. Should a student receive an exception to combine requirements from different Catalogs, the student must follow the University’s degree exception process for each individual change to the original requirements outlined on the degree audit. All exceptions must be approved by the student’s advisor, the academic department, and the Associate Dean of the college. If a student wishes to pursue a program that has been newly added to the catalog, they must adhere to all requirements outlined in the effective catalog. Once a student selects a more current catalog, they are unable to return to their previous catalog requirements.
Students returning to the University after an approved leave of absence maintain their catalog of entry. Students who leave for more than two consecutive calendar years without an approved leave of absence must return under the current catalog requirements.
In addition to the academic and semester-hour requirements for a student's degree program, all undergraduate students also must meet the residency requirements of the University (either a minimum of ninety semester hours, or at least sixty of the last seventy-five semester hours) and complete all work to be credited toward a baccalaureate degree within an eight-year period. Graduate students must adhere to Lehigh University's published graduate degree completion timelines, satisfy all program requisites, and complete all course requirements outlined for their catalog year. If work is not completed within the specified time period the student may petition for an extension. If an extension of time to complete the degree is approved, then the advising office of the college in which the student is enrolled, in consultation with the student’s departmental advisor, will determine which Catalog will govern degree requirements.
The University reserves the right at any time to make changes deemed necessary in the regulations, fees, courses, or programs described in the Catalog, and to cancel any course if registration does not justify its continuance or if qualified faculty members become unavailable. The University will make efforts to give notice of all substantive changes as appropriate. The Catalog is ordinarily updated annually.
