Courses: Withdrawal from

This policy and form is for undergraduate students ONLY!

You may only withdraw to an underload (fewer than 4.0 credits) one time during your undergraduate career without being required to provide documentation of specific and exceptional circumstances.

NOTE: A withdrawal is not the same thing as dropping a course.

  • Withdrawing from a course entails a particular process, because the drop/add deadline has passed
  • A course withdrawal is noted on your official Duke transcript (as a W)
The deadline to request withdrawal from a course in a fall/spring semester is 11:59 p.m. on the day four (4) weeks prior to the last day of classes - published in the Academic Calendar. 
The withdrawal deadline is strictly adhered to. 
  • To be valid, the completed form must be submitted by the withdrawal deadline! If you miss the deadline, you must remain in and complete the course.
  • If considering a withdrawal, confer with your instructor, Quad or Major Advisor, and/or Academic Dean about your ability to continue with this class. Consider whether support offices and resources would be helpful.
  • Withdrawal from a course will not be approved by your Quad Advisor (if undeclared) or Academic Dean (if declared) if disciplinary action is pending or has been initiated, a Faculty-Student Resolution has been completed, or a sanction has been imposed by the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards related to the course in question.
  • You do not need professor approval for a withdrawal, but all students are urged to talk with professors about their course progress.
*For the process on withdrawing from a course, open the dropdown below titled Procedure for Course Withdrawal, and follow the steps accordingly:

STEP 1: Confer with your instructor, Quad or Major Advisor, and/or Academic Dean about your ability to continue with this class. Consider whether support offices and resources would be helpful.

STEP 2: What you do here will depend on if you are withdrawing to an underload or not…

If you intend to withdraw from an overload to a normal load (at least 4.0 credits), complete the online Request to Withdraw form.

If you are considering withdrawing from a normal load to an underload (fewer than 4.0 credits), schedule a meeting with your Quad Advisor (if undeclared) or Academic Dean (if declared) to discuss the policy and implications on underloads.

If and when you are ready, complete the online Request to Withdraw form.

The deadline to request to withdraw from a course is 11:59 pm on the day four weeks prior to the last day of classes in a fall or spring semester. The withdrawal request deadline date during a summer session will depend on the summer term. Deadlines for all course withdrawals are published in the Academic Calendar.  

 

STEP 3: Your Quad Advisor or Academic Dean will then process the form, and if approved, will send confirmation to you and the course instructor. A W will be noted in DukeHub and on your transcript in place of a final grade for the course.

 

See also:

  • In making a decision to withdraw, you might discuss your situation with your instructor, for example:
    • How are grades determined in this course?
    • What grades do you have to-date?
    • What is the best- and worst-case scenario at the end of the semester?
    • Does your instructor have suggestions for how you might better study?
  • You can also talk with your Quad Advisor (if undeclared) or Academic Dean (if declared). You might also consider support offices and resources where you can improve your study skills and time management.
Students often worry that a course withdrawal will tarnish their Duke transcript.  However, students withdraw from courses for a host of good reasons, and consequently receipt of a W grade in a course is not a blemish on a record. 
  • Withdrawing from a course overload to a normal load (4.0 credits) is permitted in multiple fall/spring semesters. Withdrawing from a course during a summer session is also permitted, with the only restriction that the withdrawal be implemented by the withdrawal deadline.
  • Withdrawing from a normal course load to an underload (3.0 to 3.75 credits) is generally permitted only once in a fall or spring semester. However, you may begin another semester in an underload, with certain restrictions. You may also be permitted to withdraw to an underload more than once if there are significant medical reasons (see below).
  • Note that withdrawal to an underload is a serious step that can have implications for your ability to continue at Duke. Beginning in your second semester of enrollment, you must receive passing grades in 3.0 credits every semester to remain enrolled as a student. If you are unable to do this, you would be dismissed for academic reasons. This policy on continuation requirements may have an impact if you are having difficulty in more than one class. Be sure to discuss your situation with your Quad Advisor (if undeclared) or Academic Dean (if declared).
  • Students on academic probation are expected to remain in a full course load during their semester of probation and will be permitted to withdraw to an underload by their Quad Advisor (if undeclared) or Academic Dean (if declared) only in compelling circumstances. If the course withdrawal is approved, your probation status will be extended to the following semester.
  • Withdrawal from a course will not be approved by your Quad Advisor (if undeclared) or Academic Dean (if declared) if disciplinary action is pending or has been initiated, a Faculty-Student Resolution has been completed, or a sanction has been imposed by the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards related to the course in question.
  • If you have a Duke merit scholarship (e.g., AB Duke Scholarship) or other special scholarship that requires you to maintain a normal course load, check with that scholarship office to see if withdrawing from a course might be in breach of the terms of that scholarship.
 Before the Withdrawal Deadline:
  • If you experience medical problems that seriously interfere with your ability to meet your academic responsibilities, you should schedule an appointment with your Academic Dean as soon as possible to discuss all of your options. You must meet with your Dean before the withdrawal deadline.
  • All students can withdraw from one course to an underload (regardless of reason) once during their time at Duke. An underload is less than 4 courses, but more than two. If this is your first withdrawal from a course, you should follow the regular course withdrawal procedure (see procedure above).
  • If you are requesting a second or subsequent withdraw to an underload, it can only be for medical reasons and must occur before the withdrawal deadline. Schedule an appointment with your Academic Dean as soon as possible to discuss this option.
  • If you are requesting an exception to the withdrawal policy, please consult with your Academic Dean.

Forms: 

Online request to withdraw form