| ACADEMIC POLICIES |
READMISSION TO GRADUATE SCHOOL
A student previously registered in a graduate program at Georgia College & State University who has failed to maintain continuous enrollment and who wishes to resume studies after one or more semesters of absence must file an application for readmission. Applications for readmission are available in the Office of Student Records and must be submitted to that office prior to the published deadlines for each term. The student will register during the usual registration period. If the student has attended any other institution during the period when not registered at Georgia College & State University, official transcripts must be submitted before being classified as having regular status.
[ Back to Index ]
Students wishing to attend another college/university and take courses to count toward their degree at Georgia College & State University must be in good standing, petition the degree program coordinator and obtain the approval of their faculty adviser prior to enrolling at the other institution. The petition must specify the courses to be taken at the other college/university and the student must have the other college/university send a transcript of the courses taken to the Office of Admissions at Georgia College & State University to receive credit for the work at Georgia College & State University. Ordinarily, students are permitted to be transient students away from the university for only one semester.
Transient status means that a student is admitted to Georgia College & State University for a specified period of time, normally a single semester, with the understanding that the student is to return to the student's own institution at the opening of the next term.
[ Back to Index ]
| ACADEMIC LIFE |
The university year is divided into two semesters (fall, spring) of approximately fifteen weeks each, as well as summer terms. Daytime classes generally meet Monday through Friday. Afternoon and evening classes may meet from one to four days a week.
SUMMER PROGRAM
The Georgia College & State University Milledgeville Campus offers a summer term in which courses may be taken in either the eight week term, or two four week sessions, or three week Maymester. Courses are offered in all programs in both daytime and evening programs enabling students to pursue summer studies on either a full-time or part-time basis. The summer program is designed to allow students to engage in continual study for the graduate degree, seek teacher certification, take refresher courses and pursue further study. Programs are also offered in the summer in Macon, at the Robins Center.
Academic credit assigned to a subject is expressed in semester hours. A passing grade on a subject that requires three one-hour meetings a week (or the equivalent) for one semester earns credit for three semester hours. A laboratory period of two or three hours is equivalent to one class hour.
A normal course load is nine to twelve credit hours each semester. Students are encouraged to use their own judgment in deciding the course loads they will take each semester. The advice of the student's faculty adviser should be given serious consideration. Nine semester hours is considered a full-course load for graduate students and for Veteran's Certification purposes. Students may take 3 semester hours during the Maymester.
Veteran Students-The University System will grant credit according to the recommendations of A Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services, published by the American Council on Education. Recommendations as to the amount of credit have already been made for many of the service schools. Credit for other service educational programs may be established through examinations administered by the college in which the student is enrolled.
Any student whose academic grade point average falls below 3.0 will receive an academic warning. If the grade point average falls to or below the equivalent of 6 hours of uncompensated Cs, the student will be academically dismissed from the degree program. An uncompensated C is one letter grade below a B where there is not an A to bring the grade point average up to a 3.0. For example, one C without an A equals one uncompensated C; one D without an A would equal two uncompensated Cs. Academic credit towards a graduate degree will not be granted for any grade below a C. However, these grades will be used in determining the academic average for courses that have not been repeated.
In order to be considered for readmission to the program the student must petition the degree program coordinator and be approved by the Dean of the Graduate School.
[ Back to Index ]
A student's academic standing is determined by the institutional grade-point average at the end of each semester. The grade-point average is computed by equating letter grades earned at Georgia College & State University to the following numerical code:
| A | = | 4 points (Excellent) |
| B | = | 3 points (Good) |
| C | = | 2 points (Satisfactory) |
| D | = | 1 point (Passing) |
| F | = | 0 points (Failing) |
| WF | = | 0 points (Withdrew failing) |
Each point represents a quality point earned per semester hour credit. Total quality points are determined by multiplying the number of points awarded for the grade in the course (a student who receives an A in a three-hour course would earn twelve quality points for work in that course). It should be noted that students may earn credit through wellness activities, internships, student teaching and similar experiences which generate grades of either S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory). When an S (satisfactory) grade is earned for courses in which credit toward graduation is received, the credit will be counted but there will be no quality points given. The institutional grade average will thus be determined by the total quality points for those courses in which A through F grades were given divided by the number of credit hours in which those grades were given. Students may repeat courses under the institutional average as described below. In the calculation of the institutional average only the last grade earned will count toward the institutional grade-point average.
The following symbols are used in the cases indicated, but they are not included in the determination of the grade-point average.
Note: registering in a subsequent semester for a course in which an I has been received will not remove the I in the Regents cumulative grade-point average.
W -- Indicates that a student, doing passing work, was permitted to withdraw from the course without penalty. Withdrawals without penalty will not be permitted after the mid-point of the total grading period (including final examination), except in cases where hardship status has been determined by the Dean of the Graduate School and the student is doing passing work, as determined by the student's instructor. Students withdrawing after mid-term for hardship reasons must file a petition with the Dean of the Graduate School.
S -- Indicates that credit has been given for completion of degree requirements other than academic course work. This symbol is used for thesis hours, student teaching, clinical practicum, internship, wellness activity courses, academic workshops and proficiency requirements in graduate programs.
U -- Indicates unsatisfactory performance in an attempt to complete degree requirements other than academic course work. This symbol is used for thesis hours, student teaching, clinical practicum, internship, wellness activity courses, academic workshops and proficiency requirements in graduate programs.
V -- Indicates that a student was given permission to audit. Students may not transfer from audit to credit status or vice versa after the last date to add a course. Students may register on a credit basis at a later time.
K -- Indicates that a student was given credit for the course via a credit-by-examination program approved by the faculty, (CLEP, AP, Proficiency, etc.).
IC -- Indicates an institutional credit course. Credit received is not counted toward a degree.
IP -- Indicates that work is in progress.
NR -- Indicates that the instructor did not report the grade for the course. An NR grade must be removed during the next semester of enrollment or by the end of one calendar year if not enrolled, whichever comes first, or the symbol NR will be changed to the grade of F in the calculation of the regents cumulative grade-point average and the institutional grade-point average.
[ Back to Index ]
Policies of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia state:
Regents Cumulative Grade-Point Average. The Regents cumulative grade-point average in each institution of the University System of Georgia will be calculated by dividing the number of hours scheduled in all courses attempted in which a grade of A, B, C, D, F, or WF has been received into the number of grade points earned on those hours scheduled. The Regents cumulative grade-point average will be reflected on the transcript. Institutional credit shall in no way affect the Regents cumulative grade-point average.
Other averages may be computed by each institution for internal uses as may be required.
Georgia College & State University calculates three averages each semester. One is the term average, based upon all work attempted in a particular semester. The second is the regents cumulative average, as defined in the above statement from Regent's regulations. The third is the institutional average which is described later in this catalog and is used to determine academic standing and graduation average.
[ Back to Index ]
Georgia College & State University uses the institutional average. Under the institutional average, students may repeat a course or courses and have only the last grade earned count toward the institutional grade point average. The official transcript reflects both the Regents cumulative grade-point average and the institutional average. The institutional average is the basis for determining academic standing and eligibility for graduation. The institutional average applies to all students. The institutional average became effective with the fall quarter, 1993; the policy is retroactive and all students who are currently matriculated or who have yet to graduate from Georgia College & State University are eligible for the calculation of the institutional average. The decision to use the institutional average for purposes other than academic standing and graduation is covered in other sections of this catalog. Students should be aware that when transferring to other institutions or when making application for graduate school, most receiving institutions make admission decisions based on the regents cumulative grade-point average. The institutional grade point average is for internal use at Georgia College & State University and is based on all 5000-7999 level courses.
[ Back to Index ]
Effective Fall quarter 1995, the University System of Georgia implemented the Academic Renewal policy that allows degree-seeking students who have experienced academic difficulty at an institution to have one opportunity to make a fresh start at that same institution after an absence of five calendar years from ANY postsecondary institution. Georgia College & State University has adopted this new Academic Renewal policy.
Former Learning Services students may apply for Academic Renewal only if they successfully completed all Learning Services requirements before the commencement of the five-year period of absence.
Students who wish to participate in the Academic Renewal program must file application for academic renewal directly to the Office of Admissions within two academic semesters after re-enrollment or one calendar year, whichever comes first.
All previously attempted coursework continues to be recorded on the student's official transcript. The transcript will contain both the Regents Cumulative Grade-Point and the Institutional Average.
The Academic Renewal Grade Point Average begins when the student resumes taking coursework following the five-year period of absence once Academic Renewal has been granted. A statement will be placed on the student's transcript indicating the Academic Renewal status.
The Academic Renewal GPA will be used for determining academic standing and eligibility for graduation.
Academic credit for previously completed coursework including transfer coursework will be retained only for courses in which an "A", "B", "C", or "S" grade has been earned. Retained grades are not calculated in the Academic Renewal GPA but are counted in the Academic Renewal Hours Earned.
To earn a degree, a student must meet Georgia College & State University's residency requirements. Hours earned prior to Academic Renewal may apply provided they are within the seven-year guidelines.
Any scholastic suspensions that occurred in the past shall remain recorded on the student's permanent record.
Reentry into any program is not automatic.
The granting of Academic Renewal does not supersede financial aid policies regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Currently enrolled students have a one year window of opportunity for requesting Academic Renewal. The Academic Renewal GPA for currently enrolled students begins with the first term following re-enrollment after the five-year period of absence from any postsecondary institution.
Students on academic exclusion must apply for Academic Renewal prior to reentering Georgia College & State University. A decision to participate in the Academic Renewal program is irreversible.
[ Back to Index ]
Currently enrolled, new, and returning fully accepted students may register for the upcoming term by meeting with their adviser during the designated Schedule Planning and Registration period each term during a mutually agreed upon time. See the university calendar. Each adviser will post a list of available times on the office door, and students are expected to keep these appointments.
New, returning and currently enrolled students who do not take advantage of the Schedule Planning and Registration period will register for classes during Late Registration, the day before classes begin.
ADDING COURSES AFTER REGISTRATION
A student may add courses to the schedule for a period of three class days after late registration during Fall and Spring semesters (for a period of two days after late registration during the Summer semester and for a period of one day after late registration during Maymester.) Adds must be approved by the student's faculty adviser and may be processed via the web or by submitting a Course Change Card to the Records Office for processing during this period. Changing course sections does not require the approval of the adviser when using the Course Change Card.
Adding courses after the add period requires submitting a Course Change Card to the Records Office. The approval of the Graduate Dean, adviser, and the instructor are required on the card. No credit will be awarded in any course for which a student is not properly registered.
A student may drop courses from the schedule for a period of three class days after late registration during Fall and Spring semesters (for a period of two days after late registration during the Summer semester and for a period of one day after late registration during Maymester.) Drops may be made using the web or by submitting a Course Change Card to the Records Office for processing. No approval is required on the Course Change Card to drop a course during this time period.
After the drop period, but on or before the last day to drop a course without academic penalty (unless previously assigned an 'F' by the professor for excessive absences), students may drop courses using the Course Change Card. Approval of the instructor and faculty adviser are required.
A student, who drops a course after the last day to drop a course without academic penalty (unless previously assigned an 'F' by the professor for absences), will receive a grade of 'WF' (Withdrew failing) for each course being carried at the time of withdrawal. However, with the approval of the class instructor, the student may petition the Dean of the Graduate School in which the student will be advised for a 'W' (Withdrew) or 'I' (Incomplete) if the drop is due to nonacademic extenuating circumstances and the student is passing all courses at the time of withdrawal. Supporting documentation will be maintained by the Dean of the Graduate School.
The timing of dropping a course in order to avoid academic penalty is the responsibility of the student. Deadlines are published in the university calendar.
[ Back to Index ]
To withdraw from the university, a student must report to the Student Records Office to complete a Withdrawal Request. Failure to withdraw officially will result in the grade of 'F' in all courses.
A student who withdraws from the university either temporarily or permanently at any time after the last day to drop a course without academic penalty (unless previously assigned an 'F' by the professor for excessive absences) will receive a grade of 'WF' (Withdrew failing) for each course being carried at the time of withdrawal. However, with the approval of the class instructor, the student may petition the Dean of the Graduate School in which the student will be advised for a 'W' (Withdrew) or 'I' (Incomplete) if the withdrawal is due to nonacademic extenuating circumstances and the student is passing all courses at the time of withdrawal. Supporting documentation will be maintained by the Dean of the Graduate School.
The timing of withdrawals in order to avoid academic penalty is the responsibility of the student. Deadlines are published in the university calendar.
[ Back to Index ]
AUDITING COURSES FOR NON-CREDIT
Any student may audit any course with the permission of the instructor. Audited courses will NOT be counted as part of the normal course load and no grades will be awarded. Instructors may set special conditions for students who audit their courses. Audited courses will be designated by a V and will be considered in fee assessment. Auditing a course will not prevent a student from taking the course for credit at a later time. Students must register as an audit student and pay regular matriculation. Changes from audit to credit or vice-versa cannot be made after the last day to add courses.
[ Back to Index ]
Georgia College & State University has been designated as an institutional member of Service Members Opportunity Colleges (SOC), a group of over 400 colleges and universities providing voluntary postsecondary education to members of the military. As a SOC member, Georgia College & State University recognizes the unique nature of the military life-style and is committed to easing the transfer of relevant course credits, providing flexible academic residency requirements, and crediting learning from appropriate military training and experiences. SOC has been developed jointly by educational representatives of each of the Armed Services, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and a consortium of thirteen leading national higher education associations; it is sponsored by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges (AACJC).
[ Back to Index ]
To qualify for a graduate degree at Georgia College & State University it is the student's responsibility to know and satisfy the following requirements:
Each applicant for a graduate degree from Georgia College & State University must make formal application for graduation by the deadline printed in the official catalog of the year in which the student plans to graduate. This application is submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office by the applicant. The degree program coordinator approves the applicant's plan to graduate for the Graduate Dean.
Any student who is unable to complete final requirements for graduation after formally applying for a degree will be ineligible to graduate. Students will be notified if graduation requirements are not completed and will be required to resubmit the application for graduation for a future semester.
[ Back to Index ]
The University holds two formal commencements each year: Spring ceremony and December ceremony. Students graduating during the spring semester are invited to participate in the spring ceremony. Students graduating maymester, summer and fall semester are invited to participate in the December ceremony. Diplomas are mailed following graduation each semester. Graduating students are responsible for maintaining a current permanent home address or informing the Records Office of a diploma mailing address.
[ Back to Index ]
Any student or former student of Georgia College & State University has the right of timely petition. Petitions are available from the dean of the appropriate school and are to be initiated by the student, in consultation with the faculty adviser, to remedy undue hardships and specific inequities that may adversely affect the student's ability to fulfill the academic requirements of the University. Petitions may be used to secure approval of special agreements between faculty and students on academic matters and to provide for emergency situations caused by unforeseen complications in fulfilling academic requirements. Petitions must have the approval of the Dean of the Graduate School.
An academic grievance or appeal is an allegation by a student of substantial, and/or unjustified, deviation to the student's detriment, from policies, procedures and/or requirements regarding admission, grading policies, special agreements, instructors' requirements and academic requirements of the University. Students shall have the right to file academic grievances or appeals according to the following procedures approved by the University.
[ Back to Index ]
Following are the proper procedures for resolving academic grievances or appeals:
1. The student shall petition in writing to the appropriate academic or administrative official responsible for the action which forms the basis of the grievance or appeal. The petition shall contain a clear and concise statement of the grievance or appeal, the remedies sought and a request for a meeting with the involved person or persons.
2. The respondent shall schedule a meeting with the student within ten class days of receipt of the written grievance or appeal to discuss the matter.
3. If the student is not satisfied with the results of the discussion and wants the grievance or appeal to be considered further, the student shall appeal in writing to the respondent's supervisor to seek a resolution. This consultation must begin within ten class days after the conclusion of the discussion with the respondent.
4. If the student is not satisfied after seeking consultation at the supervisor's level and wants the grievance or appeal to be considered further, the student shall appeal in writing to the secondary supervisor to seek a resolution. This consultation must begin within ten class days after the supervisor has completed consideration of the grievance or appeal.
5. If the student is not satisfied and wants the grievance or appeal to be considered further, the student shall appeal in writing to the next appropriate supervisor. This grievance or appeal must be filed within ten class days after the secondary supervisor has completed consideration of the grievance or appeal. The decision of the next appropriate supervisor will become the final decision on the academic grievance or appeal. The decision as to the resolution of the grievance or appeal shall be accompanied by a clear statement of the reasons for the decision. The student and appropriate University officials shall be notified in writing of the decision within ten class days after consideration of the grievance or appeal.
Students should be aware that their faculty adviser, the Office of Counseling Services, the Student Government Association and the Office of Student Affairs may be resource areas from which students may receive assistance. The time limit may be extended upon approval of a written request to the Vice President/Dean of Faculties.
[ Back to Index ]
I. Policy Statement
Georgia College & State University acknowledges the need to preserve an orderly process with regard to teaching, research, and public service, as well as the need to preserve and
monitor students' academic rights and responsibilities. Since the primary goal of education is to increase one's own knowledge, academic dishonesty will not be tolerated at Georgia College & State University. Possible consequences of academic dishonesty, depending on the seriousness of the offense, may range from a revision of assignment, an oral reprimand, a written reprimand, an F or a zero for grade work, removal from the course with a grade of F,to suspension or exclusion from the University.
Academic dishonesty includes the following examples, as well as similar conduct aimed at making false representation with respect to academic performance:
Students accused of academic dishonesty may appeal through the student academic dishonesty procedures in effect at Georgia College & State University.
II. Procedures for Academic Misconduct Appeal
A. Informal conference
A student accused of academic dishonesty shall first participate in an informal conference with the instructor. If an informal conference, designed to explore academic dishonesty with the instructor and the student, does not end in satisfactory resolution, the following procedures for an academic misconduct appeal will apply. Options at the conclusion of an informal conference may include the following: a revision of assignment, an oral reprimand, a written reprimand, an F or 0 for the graded work or an F for the course, and/or referral to the Vice President/Dean of Students in accordance with paragraph II (F).
B. Formal Conference
If the student is dissatisfied with the results of the informal conference, the student must state in writing to the instructor his/her dissatisfaction within ten class days following the informal conference. The instructor shall schedule a formal conference within ten class days of the informal conference or receipt of the student's written complaint. The Vice President/Dean of Faculties may extend the ten class-day period in unusual circumstances. The purpose of the formal conference shall be to review the evidence against the student, to review the evidence and argument presented by the student in his/her defense, and to review the appropriateness of the penalty which may be imposed by the instructor. The instructor and the student may both be accompanied at the formal conference by a student, faculty member or staff member of their choice.
C. Notice
At least five class days in advance of the formal conference, the instructor shall inform the student in writing of the alleged offense and of the facts or conduct on which the allegation is based. The student shall be informed of the date, time, and place of the formal conference. This notice shall be served on the student in person or by certified return-receipt requested mail and shall be accompanied by a copy of the Academic Dishonesty Policy and Procedures.
D. Academic penalties imposed by the instructor
The instructor may give the student a revision of assignment, an oral reprimand, a written reprimand, an F or 0 for the graded work or an F for the course. An academic penalty may or may not be imposed where the student's own academic performance was not affected, such as in the following instances: (1) the student assisted another student to engage in academic dishonesty, (2) the student stole a copy of an examination, and the theft was discovered before the exam so that the student did not take the exam. In such cases, if the student is enrolled in the course, the instructor may impose the penalties permitted by this section, or if the student is not enrolled in the course, the instructor may refer the matter to the Vice President/Dean of Students.
E. Instructor's decision
If after the formal conference, the instructor believes that the student has not violated the Academic Dishonesty Policy, he/she shall so inform the student in writing within five class days. If the instructor believes that the student has violated the Academic Dishonesty Policy he/she shall inform the student of his/her decision in writing with a copy to his/her supervisor; such decisions shall be served in person or by mail and shall include: (1) a full explanation of the facts on which the instructor's conclusions were based; (2) specifications of the penalty or penalties imposed; (3) further action in the case, if any, which the instructor has recommended; and (4) notice that the decision may be appealed to the instructor's supervisor.
F. Referral to VP/Dean of Students
If, the instructor believes that the student should be considered for nonacademic disciplinary sanctions, including but not limited to suspension or expulsion of the student from the school, college or University, the instructor may request that the Vice President/Dean of Students proceed in accordance with the University's nonacademic disciplinary procedures. In such event, the Vice President/Dean of Students shall receive and maintain copies of all correspondence and final decisions on academic misconduct. If the instructor concludes that the conduct in question may constitute a violation of the Honor Code or the Student Code of Conduct, but (1) does not constitute academic dishonesty as defined in this policy, or (2) does constitute academic dishonesty but cannot be sufficiently addressed by an academic sanction under this policy, then the instructor shall request that the Vice President/Dean of Students proceed in accordance with the University=s nonacademic disciplinary procedures; in this event, the instructor shall forward in the Vice President/Dean of Students all documentation and correspondence regarding the accusation.
I. Appeal from the instructor's decision
The instructor's decision to impose an academic sanction may be appealed to the instructor's appropriate supervisor, either as to the issue of whether the student did engage in conduct as alleged or as to the penalty or penalties. Appeals shall be in writing and must be filed with the office or person designated within ten class days of the instructor's decision. While such appeal is pending, the penalty or penalties shall be stayed and no grade assigned for the course. If the student does not file an appeal within ten class days of the instructor's decision, the instructor's decision shall become final. If the instructor=s decision is affirmed in whole or in part, the supervisor (if the instructor has not done so) may request that the Vice President/Dean of Students proceed in accordance with the University=s nonacademic disciplinary procedures.
H. Appeal from the supervisor's decision
The supervisor's decision may be appealed within ten class days by either party to the appropriate Dean of the School or College who may refer it to an appropriate academic misconduct hearing committee for review and recommendation. The committee shall act within the bylaws of the school or college in which the alleged violation occurred. The committee must include student representation.
I. Appeal from the Dean of the School
The Dean's decision may be appealed by either party to the Vice President/Dean of Faculties within ten class days of the decision of the Dean.
J. Appeal from the Vice President/Dean of Faculties
The Vice President/Dean of Faculties' decision may be appealed by either party to the President of Georgia College & State University within ten class days of the decision of the Vice President/Dean of Faculties. The President's decision on Academic Dishonesty shall be the final decision on the Georgia College & State University campus.
III. Role of the Vice President/Dean of Students
With regard to academic misconduct, at the request of the instructor, supervisor, or Dean, the Vice President/Dean of Students may proceed in accordance with Georgia College & State University disciplinary procedures if the charge includes nonacademic misconduct and/or may warrant suspension or expulsion. He/she may do so under the following circumstances:
If the Vice President/Dean of Students receives notice of a matter involving academic dishonesty (other than notice given by the instructor, supervisor, or Dean pursuant to this policy), the Vice President/Dean of Students shall refer the matter initially to the instructor for proceedings in accordance with this policy.
IV. Notice to Students
Georgia College & State University shall publish the Academic Dishonesty Policy in the current catalog and/or Student Handbook.
[ Back to Index ]