ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT READY REFERENCE MANUAL

TABLE OF CONTENT

ACADEMIC ADVISING AT GEORGIA SOUTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY GSW

• Academic Advisement Mission Statement
• Importance of Advisement for Freshmen
• Assignment of Advisees
• Required Knowledge for Advisement
• Tips on Advisement or How to be a Great Advisor
• Types of Advisors

RESPONSIBILITIES OF ADVISORS

RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS

LIST OF YOUR ADVISEES

YOUR ADVISEES’ GRADE

ADVISEE TRANSCRIPT

ADVISEE FILES

REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES

STAYING ON COURSE

• Minimum High School Requirements for Regular Admission to University System of Georgia Institutions (RHSC)

ADMISSION OF STUDENTS WITH RHSC DEFICIENCIES

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social Science
• Foreign Language

RHSC PROVISIONS IN SCIENCE, SOCIAL SCIENCE, FOREIGN LANGUAGE

CREDIT BY EXAMINATION TO SATISFY RHSC

USE OF RHSC COURSES IN THE DEGREE PROGRAM

SEMESTER CORE CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS

ADVISOR GUIDELINES FOR THE SEMESTER CORE CURRICULUM

• Core Curriculum
• Core Area A Requirement in English
• Core Area A Requirement in Mathematics
• Core Area B
• Core Area D
• Core Area F

TRANSFER CREDIT FOR CORE COURSES

ORIENTATION COURSE

ADVISEMENT AND REGISTRATION DETAILS

ADVISEMENT

• Semester Hour Load
• Overload
• Schedule Changes
• Late Registration
• Audit
• Credit by Examination (CLEP, International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement)
• Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Credit
• College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
• Learning Support Program
• Students with Disabilities
• Class Rank
• Changing Major/Advisor
• Math Placement Test
• Readmission

TRANSFER CREDIT

• Transfer Credit Policy for Undergraduate Students
• Transferability
• Transfer Policy for Graduate Students

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING/ PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT

MILITARY CREDIT

ACADEMIC STANDARDS

• Schedule Adjustments
• Adding or Dropping Courses
• Withdrawal from a Course
• Withdrawal from the University
• Administrative Withdrawal from a Course during the First Week of Classes
• Excessive Absences
• Student Absence Policy for University Sanctioned Events

GRADING STANDARDS

• Grade Point Average for Undergraduate Students
• Grade Point Average for Graduate Students
• Policy on Repeating Courses for Undergraduate Students
• Policy on Repeating Courses for Graduate Students
• Required Minimum Grade Point Average for Undergraduate Students
• Total Hours Earned - Required Minimum GPA
• Required Minimum Grade Point Average for Graduate Students

ACADEMIC STANDING FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

• Good Standing
• Academic Warning
• Academic Probation
• Academic Suspension
• Restricted Enrollment
• Learning Support
• Readmission of Students on Suspension

ACADEMIC STANDING FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

• Students Under Review
• Advising Students with Poor Academic Performance
• Final Examinations
• Re-examinations for Seniors
• Re-examinations for Graduate Students
• Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses

ACADEMIC HONORS - UNDERGRADUATES

• President's List
• Dean’s List
• Academic Achievement List
• Graduation with Honors - Undergraduates

GENERAL BACCALAUREATE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

PHYSICAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

• Catalog (Curriculum Sheet) for Graduation Evaluation
• UNIV 1000 - The GSW Experience
• Georgia and United States History and Constitution Requirements
• Foreign Language Placement and Requirements
• Minor Programs
• Certificate Programs
• Double Major
• Second Baccalaureate Degree

REGENTS' TESTING PROGRAM

APPLICATION PROCESS FOR GRADUATION

• Application for Graduation – Undergraduate Students
• Application for Graduation - Graduate Students
• Advising for the Graduation Application Process

CONFIDENTIALITY OF STUDENT RECORDS FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT (FERPA)

• Advising Students According to FERPA Guidelines

POLICY ON ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

• Definitions and Examples of Dishonest Behavior
• Advising Students Who Have Been Accused of Violating the Academic Integrity Policy

ACADEMIC RENEWAL POLICY - UNDERGRADUATE ONLY

• Advising for Academic Renewal

REFERRAL SYSTEM

REFERRAL LIST

DEGREES OFFERED BY GSW

ACADEMIC ADVISING AT GEORGIA SOUTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY GSW

Academic Advisement Mission Statement

The mission of academic advising at Georgia Southwestern State University is to enable students to become full participants in the learning environment of the university and to take charge of their individual education planning. GSW recognizes that the purpose of academic advisement is to help students become self-directed and responsible decision-makers in achieving sound academic, professional, and personal goals based on their interests, strengths, and abilities. Academic advisors provide individualized assistance that encourages student success, fulfillment of degree and transfer requirements, and timely graduation.

back to top

Importance of Advisement for Freshmen

The first six weeks on a college campus are critical in determining freshman retention. Often, freshmen are entering college unprepared to make informed decisions about a major or a meaningful college experience. Quality structured orientation and advisement programs offered by Georgia Southwestern provide the assistance needed to overcome this disadvantage.

Georgia Southwestern State University requires a one credit hour orientation course (UNIV 1000 – The GSW Experience) of all new, full-time freshmen. New entering transfer students with less than nine hours of transfer credit also enroll in UNIV 1000. During the new student's first term of enrollment, the UNIV 1000 instructor works with the advisor to help the student adjust to college life, not to usurp but to compliment the advisor’s responsibility and impact.

back to top

Assignment of Advisees

When students are enrolled in the University, they are required to indicate the programs of study which they plan to pursue. On the basis of this information, students are assigned by the Office of Admissions to faculty members who will serve as their official advisors, according to the list provided by the Office of Academic Affairs.

If a student desires to make a change in his/her program of study, the student should discuss his/her intentions with the faculty advisor. When a decision is reached as to which curriculum the student will pursue, the student must complete a "Major/Advisor Change Form." This form may be secured from the Office of the Registrar or online through the student forms available on the Registration and Academic Information Network (RAIN) and must be returned to The Registrar’s Office after completion.

back to top

Required Knowledge for Advisement

While advisors are especially adept in curriculum requirements in a specialized program, they are expected to be knowledgeable of general University requirements for graduation. Some examples of these requirements are CPC requirements, core curriculum, foreign language (in all B.A. and some B.S. programs), the Regents' Testing Program, physical education, and the requirement for history and Constitution of Georgia and the United States. Particular importance is placed on the scheduling of these requirements. Hardships often result when the requirements are not met at the appropriate intervals in the student's college career. Information for each student concerning these requirements is available to both students and advisors on the GSW Unofficial/Advisor Transcript accessed through RAIN.

back to top

Tips on Advisement or How to be a Great Advisor

1. Contact your advisees at the beginning of each semester to let them know your contact information and office hours.  A list of your advisees can be found on RAIN.  Log in RAIN, click on Faculty Services, then on Advisor Menu, and finally on Advisee Listing.  You will then enter the current or past term, and your advisee list will be displayed.  If you enter a term which has not begun, you will have only of list of students assigned to you who have registered.
2. Meet with each of your advisees at least once per semester in addition to the registration conference.  A special effort will be needed to meet with those students who do not have to see their advisor prior to registration.
3. Get to know your advisees by name and face.  Learn about their interests.
4. Check your advisees’ midterm grades and contact those who are at risk of not being on good standing at the end of the semester.  Develop a remediation plan and encourage tutoring.  You can view midterm grades online by following the same procedure for accessing your advisee list but instead of clicking on Advising Listing, click on Advisee Grade Summary.
5. Be intrusive.  Don’t hesitate to contact the student or the instructor if you see a problem with the student’s performance in a course.
6. Check final grades of your advisees and contact those students if their class schedules for the upcoming term need to be changed.  Final grades can be accessed using the same procedure as for midterm grades.
7. Discuss career options for your major according to the interests and abilities of your advisee.  Connect the academic experience to outcomes.  Set goals with your advisee and assess them regularly.
8. Be up-to-date on degree and core requirements at GSW.  Give accurate information to your advisees.

back to top

Types of Advisors

Although every faculty member and every staff member of the University may become involved in academic advising at some time, there are three types of advisors to whom students are officially assigned for advising.

General Education Advisor

• Assigned to students who have not declared a major
• Assists these students in selecting appropriate courses and majors based on their interests and abilities
• Specializes in knowledge of the core curriculum but also serves as a generalist for all degree programs offered by the university

Major Curriculum Advisor

• Assigned to students after they have declared a major
• Specializes in lower and upper division graduation requirements for the specific major
• Is familiar with the general requirements of the core curriculum and the university

Learning Support Advisor

• Trained to work with the particular need of students who are required to enroll in Learning Support courses before being classified as regular students

Major curriculum advisors are selected by the academic deans and department chairs. Advisement for undeclared (undecided) students is handled by designated General Education advisors. Faculty selected by the Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs assist in this advisement. Learning Support advisors are selected by the appropriate academic deans in consultation with the Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs.

back to top

RESPONSIBILITIES OF ADVISORS

What Students Want from Advisors

• Accessibility
• Specific and Accurate Information
• Personal and Caring Relationship

Advising Responsibilities at Georgia Southwestern State University May Be Summarized as follows:

• Accessibility to students by being available during office hours and answering email and phone messages promptly.
• Provide students with information on policies, procedures, and programs of this institution.
• Assist students in choosing educational and career objectives commensurate with their interests and abilities.
• Assist students in exploring the possible short-range and long-range consequences of their choices.
• Make students aware of the range of services and educational opportunities that may be pertinent to their educational objectives at this institution.
• Be readily available to advisees, giving each an opportunity to know a faculty member and a sense that a faculty member is personally interested in his or her welfare.
• Encourage students to develop confidence in their own academic abilities and make responsible decisions.
• Monitor advisees' progress toward educational/career goals.

back to top

RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS

• Know the requirements of the degree program in which they are enrolled, including keeping track of any changes each year.
• Know when to submit required paperwork, including the application for graduation two semesters before the anticipated date of graduation.
• Work with an advisor to develop a curriculum plan which will allow them to stay on track for their planned graduation, recognizing other responsibilities they might have including family and work obligations.
• Keep careful records of their own progress toward their desired degree.
• Maintain regular contact with their advisor, including letting the advisor know of any changes since the last advising session.
• Prepare, in advance, for each session with their advisor and to bring relevant materials to advising sessions.
• Follow through with questions concerning degree requirements, grades, paperwork, or other matters.
• Become familiar with resources available to help them.

back to top

LIST OF YOUR ADVISEES

A list of your advisees can be found on RAIN.  Log in RAIN, click on Faculty Services, then on Advisor Menu, and finally on Advisee Listing.  You will then enter the current or past term, and your advisee list will be displayed.  If you enter a term which has not begun, you will have only of list of students assigned to you who have registered.

back to top

YOUR ADVISEES’ GRADES

Your advisees’ midterm and final grades for a specific semester can be found on RAIN.  Log in RAIN, click on Faculty Services, then on Advisor Menu, and finally on Advisee Grade Summary.  You will then enter the term for which you are seeking grades.  Your advisees list with grades will appear on the screen.

back to top

ADVISEE TRANSCRIPT

To view a transcript for your advisee, log in RAIN, click on Faculty Services, then on GSW Advisor’s Transcript.  You will then select a term and enter the student’s GSW ID# or name.  Under Search Type, click on “All”.  This transcript lists courses and grades, including transfer work, as well as non-course requirements, contact information, and enrollment information.

back to top

ADVISEE FILES

An advisement file for each of your advisees must be maintained in the office of your school, college, or department administrative assistant.  This file must be updated each semester.

back to top

REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES

There is a constantly changing body of information concerning regulations and procedures with which each student and advisor should be familiar. The Georgia Southwestern State University Bulletin is the official source of information. This manual contains brief descriptions of many of these regulations and provides a quick reference for the student and advisor.

back to top

STAYING ON COURSE

(Formerly College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) Requirements)

Minimum High School Requirements for Regular Admission to University System of Georgia Institutions (RHSC)

The high school curriculum is the cornerstone of the University System of Georgia (USG) admissions policy. This document reflects the minimum USG unit requirements in each of the academic subject areas. Students should pursue a challenging and rigorous high school curriculum to be best prepared for a successful college experience and should consult with their high school counselor to determine appropriate coursework. The following high school requirements must be met by all freshmen applicants and transfer applicants with less than 30 transferable semester hours.

Carnegie Unit Requirements 16 Carnegie Units should be completed by students graduating high school prior to 2012.

17 Carnegie Units should be completed by students graduating high school in 2012 or later. Carnegie Unit Requirement In Specific Subject Areas

back to top

ADMISSION OF STUDENTS WITH RHSC DEFICIENCIES

GSW no longer accepts traditional students with RHSC deficiencies for regular admission. A non-traditional student in this category must fulfill the lacking RHSC area(s) by following the appropriate procedures outlined below.

back to top

English

Students graduating with less than the four required units of English will be required to take the Compass Placement Examination in English and reading. Based upon the student's score, the student would (1) exempt Learning Support English and/or reading or (2) be placed in Learning Support English and/or reading. (Students with SAT/ACT scores that fall below institutional standards will also be required to exit the Learning Support Program.)

back to top

Mathematics

Students graduating with less than the four required units of mathematics will be required to take the Compass Placement Examination in mathematics. Based upon the student's score, the student would (1) exempt Learning Support mathematics or (2) be placed in Learning Support mathematics. (Students with SAT/ACT scores that fall below institutional standards will also be required to exit the Learning Support Program.)

back to top

Science

Students graduating with less than the three required units of science will be required to take an additional four semester credit hour course in a laboratory science chosen from the approved laboratory sciences in Area D (list A) of the GSW Core Curriculum. This course cannot be used to meet Core Curriculum Area D or F requirements, nor any other degree requirements.

GSW Courses Which Will Satisfy the CPC Requirement for Science

• BIOL 1107 and 1107L - Essentials of Biology (lecture and lab)
• GEOL 1121 - Introductory Geosciences I
• CHEM 1211 and 1211L - Principles of Chemistry I (lecture and lab)
• PHYS 1111 - Introductory Physics I

back to top

Social Science

Students graduating prior to 2012 with less than the three required units of social science will be required to complete one additional three semester hour course (for credit) chosen from the approved social science courses in Area E of the System Core Curriculum. Students graduating 2012 or later with less than the four required units of social science will be required to complete one additional three semester hour course (for credit) chosen from the approved social science courses in Area E of the System Core Curriculum. This course cannot be used to meet Core Curriculum Area E or F requirements, nor any other degree requirements.

GSW Courses Which Will Satisfy the RHSC Requirement for Social Science

• HIST 1111 - World Civilization I
• HIST 1112 - World Civilization II
• HIST 2111 - US History I
• HIST 2112 - US History II
• ECON 2105 - Principles of Macroeconomics
• PSYC 1101 - Intro to Psychology
• SOCI 1101 - Intro to Sociology
• ANTH 1102 - Intro to Anthropology

back to top

Foreign Language

Students graduating with less than the two required units of the same foreign language will be required to complete one additional three semester hour introductory foreign language course (for credit). This course cannot be used to meet any degree requirements.

GSW Courses Which Will Satisfy the RHSC Requirement for Foreign Language

• FREN 1001 - Elementary French I
• SPAN 1001 - Elementary Spanish I
• CHIN 1001 - Elementary Chinese

If a student designates FREN 1001 or SPAN 1001 as meeting the RHSC foreign language requirement and if this student chooses a major requiring a foreign language, the three hour course which meets the RHSC requirement is in addition to the baccalaureate requirement.

back to top

RHSC PROVISIONS IN SCIENCE, SOCIAL SCIENCE, FOREIGN LANGUAGE

The following provisions apply to the science, social science, and foreign language requirements: These additional required courses represent a total of 10 semester hours of course work beyond the requirements for the program in which the student is enrolled. The student must earn a C or better in each of these courses.

Students should register for courses which satisfy RHSC deficiencies in science, social science, or foreign language during the student's first and each subsequent semester of enrollment until the deficiencies are satisfied.

back to top

CREDIT BY EXAMINATION TO SATISFY RHSC

Students may fulfill College Preparatory Curriculum deficiencies in science, social science, and foreign language through credit by examination (CLEP). Students who wish to take a CLEP test to meet the RHSC deficiency should make arrangements through the Registrar's Office.

back to top

USE OF RHSC COURSES IN THE DEGREE PROGRAM

Any courses on an advisee’s transcript that have an *(asterisk) after the letter grade cannot be used toward a degree; these are the classes used to satisfy RHSC requirements. Some courses accepted in transfer may have asterisk grades, indicating the courses were used to meet RHSC requirements at the previous institutions.

back to top

SEMESTER CORE CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS

The specific courses which must be completed by all students working toward the baccalaureate degree are listed below. These courses are begun in the first semester of college enrollment and should be completed during the first two years. In certain programs or for transfer students, some substitutions in the core are accepted.

A student transferring to GSW with a transferable Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from a college or university within the University System of Georgia will have met the GSW core requirements as long as the student does not change majors. Core courses required by GSW but not by the student's previous institution might have to be taken to prepare the student for upper division course work. However, the student will not be required to complete more than the number required for native students to earn the degree, excluding physical education and orientation. Students in this category who change majors may have additional core courses to complete, particularly in Core Areas A, D, and F.

A student transferring to GSW with an Associate of Applied Science or an Associate of Science in Nursing degree from a college or university within the University System of Georgia will be required to meet GSW core requirements. Core courses already completed at the previous institution will be considered on a course-by-course basis.

Area A: Essential Skills — 9 semester hours

Note:

Quantitative Reasoning may be accepted in Area A if transferred from an USG institution.

MATH 2204 – Elementary Statistics is not acceptable to meet Core Area A requirements.

Area B: Institutional Options  — 4 - 5 semester hours

• Students with 10 hours in Area D must complete 5 semester hours in Area B.
• Students with 11 hours in Area D must complete 4 semester hours in Area B.
• Additional hours in Area B are applied toward electives.

Area C: Humanities/Fine Arts — 6 semester hours

If a student transferring from a COC-accredited technical college has credit for an approved humanities course, it can be used to meet the “appreciation” requirement.  Check with the Transfer Evaluation Specialist in the Registrar’s Office.

Area D: Science, Mathematics, and Technology — 11 or 12 semester hours

List A (4 hours each) 

• BIOL 1107 & BIOL 1107L - Essentials of Biology I Lecture and Lab
• BIOL 1108 & BIOL 1108L - Essentials of Biology II Lecture and Lab
• BIOL 2107 - Principles of Biology I
• BIOL 2108 - Principles of Biology II
• GEOL 1121 - Earth Materials, Processes, and Environment
• GEOL 1122 - Earth History and Global Change
• CHEM 1151/1151L - Survey of Chemistry I Lecture and Lab (Not for science majors)
• CHEM 1152/1152L - Survey of Chemistry II Lecture and Lab (Not for science majors)
• CHEM 1211 & CHEM 1211L - Principles of Chemistry I Lecture and Lab
• CHEM 1212 & CHEM 1212L - Principles of Chemistry II Lecture and Lab
• PHYS 1111 - Introductory Physics I
• PHYS 1112 - Introductory Physics II
• PHYS 2211 - Principles of Physics I
• PHYS 2212 - Principles of Physics II

List B (3 hours each)

• BIOL 1107 - Essentials of Biology I Lecture
• BIOL 1108 - Essentials of Biology II Lecture
• BIOL 1500 - Applied Botany
• CHEM 1100 - Everyday Chemistry
• CHEM 1211 - Principles of Chemistry I Lecture
• CHEM 1212 - Principles of Chemistry II Lecture
• ENVS 1100 – Introduction to Environmental Science
• GEOL 1142 – The Geology of Georgia
• GEOL 1211 - The Earth's Evolving Environment
• GEOL 1221 - Solar System Exploration
• PHYS 1211 - Solar System Astronomy
• PHYS 1222 - Stellar Astronomy

List C (3 or 4 hours each)

• MATH 1113 - PreCalculus
• MATH 1120 - Calculus I
• MATH 2204 - Elementary Statistics
• CSCI 2500 - Discrete Structures (Dropped from List C Fall Semester 2012)
• CIS 2000 - Desktop Publishing and Multimedia Presentations
• CIS 2100 - Microcomputer Interfacing & Configuration (Dropped from List C Fall Semester 2012)
• CSCI 2300 - Assembly language Programming (Dropped from List C Fall Semester 2012)
• CSCI 1301 - Intro to Structured Programming  (Dropped from List C Fall Semester 2012)
• CSCI 1302 - Advanced Structured Programming (Dropped from List C Fall Semester 2012)
• PSYC 1102 - Psychology as a Natural Science

Note:  Students who have taken CSCI 2500, CIS 2100, CSCI 2300, CSCI 1301, or CSCI 1302 can use these courses for credit in Area D even if they are on a curriculum sheet dated 2012 or later.

NOTE the following restrictions:

• BIOL 1107/ 1107L and BIOL 1108/1108L are not open to students with credit in BIOL 2107 or BIOL 2108.
• PHYS 1111 and PHYS 1112 are not open to students with credit in PHYS 2211 and PHYS 2212.
• PSYC  3301 Psychological Statistics and SOCI 3331 Sociological Statistics cannot be used to meet Core Area D requirements.

Area E:  Social Sciences  — 12 semester hours

Area F: Courses related the major — 18 semester hours

TOTAL:  At least 60 semester credit hours

Physical Education Requirements — 4 semester hours

Note:  Exceptions to the physical education requirement include veterans and reservists with at least one year service, Bachelor of Science in Nursing students, and students with documented recommendation for non-participation from a physician.  The latter must bring this documentation to the Registrar and will take PEDS 2000 and HPER 2040 to meet the P.E. requirement.  Students who enroll at GSW after having earned a transferable A.S. or A.A degree from any accredited institution will not be required to meet the GSW physical education requirement.

back to top

ADVISOR GUIDELINES FOR THE SEMESTER CORE CURRICULUM

Core Curriculum

Intended to give each student who earns a baccalaureate degree a broad liberal arts education, the core curriculum requirements should be met within the first two years of college.

All students are required to complete the semester core curriculum.

back to top

CORE AREA A

All students on a 2011-2012 or later curriculum sheet must earn a C or better for all core Area A courses including math. This includes those who change majors during the 2011-2012 academic year.

Core Area A Requirement in English

NEW POLICY FOR FALL 2010: Effective Fall 2010, students who have earned 60 hours but have not completed ENGL 1101 and ENGL 1102 for Core Area A must enroll in the next course necessary to make progress toward completing the requirement in this Area in every semester in which they take classes.

• Effective Fall 2011, this hour limit is lowered to 45 hours.
• Effective Fall 2012, this hour limit is lowered to 30 hours.

back to top

Core Area A Requirement in Mathematics

NEW POLICY FOR FALL 2010: Effective Fall 2010, students who have earned 60 hours but have not completed the mathematics requirement for Core Area A must enroll in the next course necessary to make progress toward completing the requirement in this Area in every semester in which they take classes.

• Effective Fall 2011, this hour limit is lowered to 45 hours.
• Effective Fall 2012, this hour limit is lowered to 30 hours.

The appropriate mathematics course for each non-Learning Support entering freshman without college credit for a math course meeting the area A requirement will be determined by the Math Placement Test results. (See below for more information on the Math Placement Test.)   See the RAIN Advisor Transcript to determine which Area A math course the student should take.

For non-science majors, the Core Area A requirement in mathematics may be met with credit for MATH 1101 (introduction to Mathematical Modeling) or MATH 1111 (College Algebra), according to the list below, or a math course for which MATH 1111 is a prerequisite (excluding MATH 2204, Elementary Statistics).

For science majors, the Core Area A requirement in mathematics may be met with credit for MATH 1113, Precalculus, or a math course for which MATH 1113 is a prerequisite (excluding MATH 2204, Elementary Statistics).

MATH 1120 (Calculus) is required for the dual degree program and the Regents Engineering Transfer Program (RETP) with Georgia Institute of Technology.

A science major is defined as a student pursuing one of the following degrees:

• B.S. Biology
• B.S. Chemistry
• B.S. Information Technology
• B.S. Computer Science
• B.S. Geology
• B.S. Mathematics
• B.S. Mathematics with Teaching Certification

Programs accepting MATH 1101-Introduction to Math Modeling to meet Core Area A requirements:

All Business programs - BBA 
Nursing program – BSN 
All BA programs 
BFA program 
BS in History with Teaching Certification 
BS in Political Science, Psychology, Sociology

Programs confirmed as NOT accepting MATH 1101-Introduction to Math Modeling to meet Core Area A requirements:

All Education programs – BSEd 
BS in Biology, Chemistry, Geology 
Dual Degree engineering programs 
BS in Mathematics 
BS in Mathematics with Teaching Certification 
BS in Computer Science 
BS in Information Technology

Math Placement Test - Math Lab Options

Most students entering as new freshman are required to take the Math Placement Test before they enroll. Based on the test scores and SAT/ACT scores students may be required to take a one hour math lab (MATH 1111L or MATH 1101L) along with MATH 1111 or MATH 1101. This requirement will be used to meet the ACAM 0999 requirement that students may have had prior to Fall 2011.

These lab classes are open, but optional, to students who need extra academic support in order to attain success in MATH 1101 or 1111. Students must register for the math course in order to enroll in the lab.

back to top

Core Area B

Students with 10 semester hours credit in Area D (non-science majors) must complete 5 semester hours in Area B.

Students with 11 semester hours credit in Area D must complete 4 semester hours in Area B. (Includes all science majors)

Students with 12 semester hours credit in Area D must complete 4 hours in Area B.

Students who earn more than the required number of hours in Area B will have the "extra" hours count as free electives or in Area F, depending on the major.

back to top

Core Area D

Non-Science Majors:

• Non-science majors must earn at least 10 semester hours in Area D. They must complete the following:
  1. A  four- hour lab science course from list A.
  2. Another four-hour lab science course from list A or a three- hour non-lab science course from list B.
  3. A four-hour lab science course from list A or a three-hour non-lab science course from list B or a three/four hour math, science, or technology course from list C.
• Non-science majors who earn more than 10 hours in Area D would use the 11th hour in Area B and the 12th hour in "free electives".

Science Majors:

Science Majors (Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Math, Computer Science, Information Technology, Math with Teaching Certification, RETP, and dual degree) must earn at least 11 hours in Area D. They must complete the following:

1. A two course lab science sequence from list A for a total of eight hours.
2. Another four-hour lab science course from list A or a three-hour science course from list B or a three/four-hour math, science, or technology course from list C.

Note: Some science, math, and technology degree programs have specified this third course for their majors. If by taking this designated course, a student earns 12 hours in Area D, this 12th hour is to be counted in Area F. If the 12th hour was taken by choice rather than requirement, this hour will be counted in free electives.

back to top

Core Area F

Area F of the core curriculum is reserved for lower division courses that are required in a student's major field of study.

back to top

TRANSFER CREDIT FOR CORE COURSES

• If a student completes an area of the semester core requirements at another University System of Georgia (USG) institution, that student receives credit for completing that same area of core at Georgia Southwestern even if the transfer courses are not identical to those in GSW's core.
• Courses taken in partially completed core areas at other USG institutions are counted in the corresponding core area at GSW whenever possible.
• The Transfer Evaluation Specialist in the Registrar’s Office determines which transfer courses apply to which core areas. The application of courses is indicated on the transfer evaluation, which is available online to administrative assistants on the GSW “public share” site.

back to top

ORIENTATION COURSE

Although not required in the Core, UNIV 1000 – The GSW Experience, a one-hour orientation course, is required of all new full-time freshmen and transfer students with less than nine semester hours of credit. The one hour of earned credit for this course is counted above and beyond the hours required for the degree program. UNIV 1000 is not offered summer term.

Credit for orientation courses taken at other institutions is not accepted in transfer.

back to top

ADVISEMENT AND REGISTRATION DETAILS

back to top

ADVISEMENT

• Registration for the following semester is scheduled during the second half of each semester, with specific dates for registration listed on the academic calendar available at www.gsw.edu and on that term's schedule of classes on RAIN.  During the Spring Semester, a currently enrolled student may register for Summer Term and Fall Semester. Each student is expected to schedule a conference with his/her advisor to discuss the student's academic plan, select classes, and register. Certain groups of students may choose to register online through RAIN or be registered by their advisors. Students not allowed to register online must do so through their advisors.
• Students should check RAIN for any holds on their registration and resolve the holds prior to their advisement conference.
• Currently enrolled students who choose not to register at that time will register during late registration and pay the late registration fee.

back to top

Semester Hour Load

The "normal" class load for the undergraduate student is 15 semester hours of credit. An undergraduate student is considered to be "full-time" if registered for 12 or more hours; a graduate student, 9 or more hours. Students who plan to complete a baccalaureate degree in four years should register for 15-17 credit hours per term. It is highly recommended that beginning freshmen enroll in 12-14 hours their first semester at GSW.

back to top

Overload

A course load of over 18 hours of credit for the undergraduate students and 15 hours for graduate students must be approved during registration by either the Vice President for Academic Affairs or the Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs. An undergraduate student is eligible for an overload if he/she was on the President's List (4.00 GPA on 15 hours or more) or the Dean's List (3.5 GPA on 15 hours or more) the preceding term of enrollment or has a cumulative grade point averageof 3.5 orbetter. Exceptions to this policy may be made for graduating students or those in programs requiring a semester of greater than 18 hours.

back to top

Schedule Changes

Schedule changes (add/drop) may be made during the first three days of Fall and Spring semesters and during the first two days of summer term. A student may drop a class or add a class during this period. The procedure is initiated by the student in the Registrar's Office, with the student's advisor, or on RAIN self-registration.

back to top

Late Registration

A currently enrolled student who does not register during the designated period in the preceding term for next term may do so on the day before classes begin and during the first three class days of the semester. The process is initiated by the student with the student's advisor or in the Registrar's Office. A late registration fee of $50.00 is assessed of each returning student who registers during the late registration period or does not pay his or her fees by the published deadline.

back to top

Audit

Occasionally, a student is interested in attending a course without working for or expecting to receive formal credit. An auditor is expected to attend classes but is not required to take examinations or meet course requirements. Regular fees are paid for audit enrollment. Permission to audit a course is granted by the Vice President for Academic Affairs or Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Note: Courses taken for audit credit are not eligible to be counted in the total hours for financial aid disbursement.

back to top

Credit by Examination (CLEP, International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement)

Credit by examination for a number of core courses and some major courses is usually earned at the time the student enters college. At Georgia Southwestern State University, credit by examination is limited to ten hours in a discipline and thirty hours in the University. It is listed as such on the transcript along with the course number, title, and hours of credit. A grade of K is assigned and the credit is not included in computing the grade point average. Students should contact the Registrar's Office if they are interested in pursuing credit through CLEP.

back to top

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Credit

Academic credit in certain courses will be given for earning specified scores on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests taken in high school. Students will receive credit for the appropriate course(s), but a grade of K will be assigned and credit is not included in computing the grade point average. An official report of the scores on AP and IB exams must be sent by the student to the Registrar's Office. For more information, go to. http://gsw.edu/Admissions/GeneralInfo/APandIB/index .

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

CLEP Tests are available at a cost to the student through the Registrar’s Office. The student can register for a CLEP Test in a number of courses. If a score of 50 is attained, the student will be awarded credit for the course and a grade of K will be assigned. For more information about CLEP Tests, go to http://gsw.edu/Assets/RegistrarsOffice/files/CLEP.pdf .

back to top

Learning Support Program

Learning Support at Georgia Southwestern is part of a system-wide program established by the Board of Regents which extends the opportunity for college level work to students who, through diagnostic testing, indicate the need for instruction in basic skills in reading, writing, or mathematics. This program of compensatory education is designed to give students who are deficient in certain basic skills an opportunity to overcome their deficiencies and then enter college level work with a degree of confidence in their ability to be successful. Learning Support courses are numbered below 1000 and cannot be used to meet degree requirements. For more information about Learning Support, see the GSW Undergraduate Bulletin.

back to top

Students with Disabilities

It is the policy of Georgia Southwestern State University that faculty members or other employees do not discriminate in any way against students with disabilities. Faculty are required to make reasonable accommodations for students with officially documented disabilities.

Students are responsible for identifying themselves as having a disability. They are to contact the Office of Disability Services (located in Sanford Hall) for an interview and to determine their needs. This should take place prior to enrolling at GSW if at all possible. GSW strongly recommends that students discuss their needs with each of their professors during the first week of classes. If a faculty member is aware of a need to make an adjustment to accommodate a student with disabilities, he or she should notify the Office of Disability Services for a determination of the appropriate accommodations.

Note: There is no particular action required of the advisor, but it would be helpful in scheduling courses if the advisor is informed of the needs of these students. Advisors are encouraged to notifyacademic deans and department chairs of the areas offering courses in which students with disabilities are assigned if there are special considerations needed by said students.

back to top

Class Rank

Students are classified at the end of each term and class rank is based on semester hours of credit earned. Minimum semester hours of academic credit for the different class ranks are as follows:

back to top

Changing Major/Advisor

A student desiring to change his/her major should discuss this intention with his/her faculty advisor. When a decision is reached as to which curriculum the student will pursue, the student must complete a "Major/Advisor Change Form".  This form may be obtained online at  http://gsw.edu/Assets/AcademicResources/StudentForms/MajorAdvisorChange.pdf or  from the Registrar's Office. The process is not complete until the signed form is returned to the Registrar's Office.

NOTE: Former advisors should forward the student's advisement file to the new advisor.  For transfer students, the administrative assistant in the school/college/department of the new major can print the transfer credit evaluation from the  Transfer Evaluations folder found on the  “public share” website.

back to top

Math Placement Test

New freshmen will be given the Math Placement Test during orientation prior to registration for their first term. Requirements and recommendations based on Math Placement Test scores and SAT or ACT scores will be made by the Department of Mathematics for the most appropriate course: MATH 1101 – Introduction to Math Modeling, MATH 1111 - College Algebra, MATH 1113 - PreCalculus, or MATH 1120 - Calculus I.

The appropriate math lab – MATH 1101L or MATH 1111L – will be required for students not meeting the minimum passing scores. Advisors will receive a copy of the test results for each of their new freshmen advisees, and the requirement/recommendation will be recorded on the student’s RAIN transcript. If the student decides not to follow the recommendation of the math department, it is advisable for the faculty member to keep a statement to that effect signed by the student in the student's file.

back to top

Readmission

Former students who have not been in attendance for the previous twelve months (one calendar year) or more must reapply through the Registrar’s Office.

Students who were on academic suspension as of their last term of attendance are required to obtain the approval of the Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs for readmission and if they have been out for a calendar year or more, must submit the Readmission Application to the Registrar’s Office.

Students who have attended another college since last attending Georgia Southwestern must submit an official transcript from that institution.

Students readmitted or reinstated after being out for one calendar year or longer will be evaluated for graduation from the catalog in effect at the time of readmission or reinstatement or any catalog in effect during subsequent periods of continuous enrollment.

back to top

TRANSFER CREDIT

back to top

Transfer Credit Policy for Undergraduate Students

Transfer credit is normally awarded for all college work earned through any college or university approved by its regional accrediting association, provided the courses presented reasonably parallel the curriculum of Georgia Southwestern State University. Only courses completed at accredited institutions will be accepted in transfer. The following stipulations on the transfer of credit are upheld:

1. Transfer of D credit: All credit earned in 1000 and 2000 level courses used to satisfy Core Curriculum requirements will be accepted, except all courses used to meet Core Area A, which require minimum grades of C. Credit earned in upper level undergraduate courses and graduate courses requires a minimum grade of C.
2. Students who have only partially completed Core requirements at another unit of the University System of Georgia will receive credit in courses completed. Students who have completed one or more Core Area requirements at another unit of the University System of Georgia will receive full transfer credit for those Core Areas. Students who change their major upon transferring may be required to complete requirements in Areas A, D and F for the new major.
3. Coursework taken in two-year college technical programs is generally non-transferable.
4. Coursework taken at two-year technical colleges which are accredited through the Commission on Colleges will be considered in transfer if the course numbering is 190/1000 or above following the BOR guidelines. Courses taken at technical colleges accredited through an agency other than the Commission on Colleges will generally not be accepted in transfer, regardless of the course numbering.
5. Transfer students must meet residency requirements outlined in the Degree Requirements section of the current GSW Bulletin for undergraduates and graduates.
6. Credit earned through correspondence, credit by examination and extension work may be accepted, but limited to 30 semester hours.
7. Credits accepted in transfer by Georgia Southwestern State University do not necessarily apply as hours toward meeting degree requirements for graduation.
8. Credit hours only are transferred; grades are not.
9. A student entering GSW with a transferable Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from a college or university within the University System of Georgia will have met the GSW core requirements as long as the student does not change majors.
10. Core courses required by GSW but not by the student's previous institution may have to be taken to prepare the student for upper division course work. However, the student will not be required to complete more than the total number of semester credit hours, excluding physical education and orientation, to earn the degree. Students in this category who change majors may have additional core courses to complete, particularly in Core Areas A, D, and F.
11. A student transferring to GSW with an Associate of Applied Science or an Associate of Science in Nursing will be required to complete the GSW Core Curriculum. Core courses already completed at the previous institution will be considered on a course-by-course basis.
12. The Registrar has the responsibility for evaluating the transcripts of students who transfer from other institutions. If an advisor needs certification or clarification of a particular evaluation, he/she should contact the Registrar. Decisions concerning application of transfer work to meet core curriculum requirements are made by the Registrar's Office. Advisors along with their dean and/or chair determine the transferability of upper division courses, including graduate courses.

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates for all baccalaureate degrees who are admitted to the university during their final year of work must be in residence for a minimum of two semesters and must complete at least 30 hours of credit, including 15 hours of upper division credit in the major field. If less than a normal load of academic credit is carried, each three-hour course counts as one-fifth of a semester toward residence requirements.

back to top

Transferability

The Board of Regents requires that undergraduate students who complete the core curriculum (Areas A-F) at a USG institution are guaranteed full credit in transfer if they do not change majors or programs of study.

It is the policy of GSW to accept any core areas completed in full at another USG institution as meeting the GSW core requirements for that area as long as the student does not change majors.

Students who have questions about their transfer evaluations should see the Registrar about the transfer of core courses and lower division courses and their dean/chair about the transfer of upper division courses, including graduate courses. If the question is not resolved, students should see the designated transfer ombudsperson, Lynda Lee Purvis, in the Office of Academic Affairs.

back to top

Transfer Policy for Graduate Students

In any graduate program a maximum of 9 semester hours of graduate credit may be transferred from another accredited institution under the following conditions:

1. Courses with grades lower than B cannot be transferred or used to meet degree requirements.
2. Work must have been completed within the seven-year period allowed for the completion of degree requirements.
3. Work accepted in transfer to teacher education programs must have the approval of the Dean of the School of Education.
4. Work accepted in transfer to the Master of Business Administration must have the approval of the Dean of the School of Business.
5. Work accepted in transfer to the Master of Science in Computer Science must have the approval of the Dean of the School of Computer and Information Sciences.
6. Work accepted in transfer to the Master of Arts in English (Content Literacy) must have the approval of the Chair of the Department of English and Modern Languages.
7. Work accepted in transfer to the Specialist in Education Degree programs must have been completed by the student while fully admitted as a regular student in a sixth year or doctoral degree program at an accredited college or university and must have the approval of the Dean of the School of Education.
8. Grades in transfer credits will not be used in calculating the grade point average and do not reduce residence requirements.

back to top

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING/ PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT

Credit for prior experiential learning is available in selected undergraduate degree programs. A student in one of these degree programs should notify his or her academic advisor to determine if this policy applies. If applicable, the advisor notifies the appropriate academic dean or department chair, who convenes a faculty committee to review the student's portfolio to determine if credit for prior experiential learning is warranted and if so, the number of semester credit hours to be awarded. The total number of credit hours awarded for experiential learning cannot exceed 21 semester credit hours.

GSW grants no graduate level credit for experiential learning except under the supervision of the institution.

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is a process through which students identify areas of learning from their past experiences, demonstrate that learning through appropriate documentation, and submit their materials related to specific course objectives so that they can be assessed and possibly awarded academic credit. PLA will reduce the repetition of relevant, course-related material for students with prior learning (or with prior degrees). Students must complete PLA 2000, Prior Learning Documentation Course, to be eligible to apply for PLA credit.  Contact Dr. Chuck Huffman for more information.

back to top

MILITARY CREDIT

Credit for prior military experience and training is determined on an individual basis, following the guidelines published by the American Council on Education for the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services. Students should see the Registrar for additional information.  Contact the Transfer Evaluation Specialist in the Registrar’s Office for more information.

back to top

ACADEMIC STANDARDS

back to top

Schedule Adjustments

back to top

Adding or Dropping Courses

Following registration for the term, students may add or drop courses during the published add/drop period.

• Students must discuss adding or dropping courses with their advisors.
• Students who enter courses after the first day of class are responsible for making up missed assignments.
• Students may add or drop a Learning Support course only with the approval of their Learning Support advisors. Students enrolled in both Learning Support classes and degree credit courses cannot drop the Learning Support courses without dropping the degree credit courses as well.

After the published add/drop period, students may adjust their schedules only by "withdrawal." (See below.) Students registered for courses that have the first class meeting after the designated add/drop period will be subject to the withdrawal from class policy or the withdrawal from the university policy below. Any orientation session for online or off-campus courses is considered the first class meeting for the course.

back to top

Withdrawal from a Course

After the add/drop period, a student must officially withdraw from a course by completing the "Withdrawal from Class" form available in the Registrar's Office and online under Student Forms on RAIN. This form must be returned to the Registrar's Office upon completion. The student is fully responsible for collecting the appropriate signatures and submitting the completed form to the Registrar's office.

• Withdrawal from class without penalty requires the student to complete the Withdrawal from Class form and return it to the Registrar's Office by the published no-penalty date of one week after midterm. A student following this procedure will receive a grade of W (Withdrawn).
• Withdrawal from class without penalty will not be permitted after the published 'no penalty' date except for non-academic reasons. Documentation must be provided by the student to receive a W rather than a WF (Withdrawn Failing).
• Students with Learning Support requirements who are enrolled in both Learning Support courses and degree credit courses may not withdraw from the required Learning Support courses with a "W" unless they also withdraw from the degree credit courses.

All withdrawals from class must be approved and completely processed by the last day of classes. A student who does not officially withdraw from a class will receive a grade of F in that course for the term.

back to top

Withdrawal from the University

Students withdrawing from all classes and exiting the University after the first day of classes must complete the Withdrawal Form. The completed form should be submitted to the First Year Advocate or the Registrar’s Office. It may be faxed to 229-931-2021. The First Year Advocate is located in Academic Skills, room 126. The effective date of the withdrawal from the University is entered as the date from the Student Withdrawal from the University form.

• Withdrawal from the University prior to the no-penalty date of one week after midterm will result in grades of W (withdrawn) for all courses.
• Withdrawal from the University after the no-penalty date will result in grades of WF (withdrawn failing) except for documented non-academic reasons.

All withdrawals from the University must be approved and completely processed by the last day of classes. The student is fully responsible for supplying all pertinent documentation to the First Year Advocate.

Failure to withdraw from the University following the proper procedure will result in grades of F in all courses, and no refund will be given.

back to top

Administrative Withdrawal from a Course during the First Week of Classes

Students registered for fall or spring semesters, which attend none of the class meetings during the first week of classes and do not inform the instructor of their intentions to remain in the course or do not drop the course within the published period will be administratively withdrawn from the course. It is the responsibility of the faculty member to document such absences.

Instructors must take roll during the first week of classes, until they get final rolls. The faculty member will inform the Registrar that the student is not attending classes by notation on the verification roll provided after the first week of class.

back to top

Excessive Absences

It is the responsibility of each faculty member to determine for his or her class what constitutes an absence, what constitutes "excessive absences", and the relationship of absences to final course grades. It is also the responsibility of each faculty member to inform each student of his/her policy in writing at the beginning of the course.

The options of a faculty member for assigning a grade to a student with excessive absences include the following:

• Assign a grade of "F" at the end of the term.
• Request administrative withdrawal of the student with the assignment of a grade of" WF".

If a faculty member intends to assign a grade of "F" for excessive absences, then no further action is required by the faculty member other than to be sure the absences are documented. The last date the student attended class must be entered on RAIN when the instructor inputs final grades.

If a faculty member wishes to request administrative withdrawal from a course of a student with a grade of "WF", the faculty member should take the following actions:

1. Send a letter or email to the student to remind the student of the policy on absences and inform the student that he/she must contact the faculty member within one week or action will be initiated for administrative withdrawal and the assignment of a grade of "WF". Please note that this step might allow some reconciliation in the event that the student contacts the faculty member. The guidelines issued at the beginning of the term should reflect the possibility. The letter should be addressed to the student at the campus post office address (if applicable) and to the student's home address.
2. If the student does not contact the faculty member within one week, the faculty member should address a memorandum to the Registrar requesting that the student be administratively withdrawn with a grade of WF and send a copy to the student at the campus post office address and to the student's permanent address as listed in Banner.

back to top

Student Absence Policy for University Sanctioned Events

Faculty members will set policies for absences from class and the effect absences may have on final grades. They will make their expectations concerning absences known to their students in writing during the first week of class.

However, a student who is absent from a class as a result of representing this institution at a University-sanctioned event will not be penalized for the absence. In these cases, the student will begiven anopportunity to complete any work that may have been missed as a result of the absence. It is the student's responsibility to notify the instructor in advance of an anticipated absence.

For an event to be sanctioned by the University, approval by the Office of Academic Affairs must be obtained in advance of the event.

Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Note: This policy applies to GSW varsity athletes as they represent GSW at athletic events.

back to top

GRADING STANDARDS

Grading System and Quality Points

A grade of "I" indicates that the student was doing satisfactory work but, for non-academic reasons beyond his/her control, was unable to meet the full requirements of the course during the term scheduled. The individual faculty member assigning the "I" has the responsibility for documenting the work to be completed. This documentation is to be filed with the Academic Dean or Department Chair at the time grades are submitted. An incomplete grade must be removed before the end of the following term; otherwise, the grade will be recorded as F. Requests for an extension of an additional term must be made by the instructor and approved by the dean/chair and the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Students who for non-academic reasons stop attending class prior to midterm should withdraw from the course. A grade of "I" cannot be assigned in this situation.

Graduate students enrolled for thesis or directed study credit will receive an S for satisfactory performance or a U for unsatisfactory performance.

back to top

Grade Point Average for Undergraduate Students

The grade point average is the ratio of quality points earned to the number of credit hours for which the student is accountable. The grade point average will be calculated for each student at the end of each term and will be securely published on RAIN as follows:

1. The Semester Grade Point Average is the ratio of quality points earned to credit hours attempted that semester in courses numbered 1000 or above.
2. The Cumulative/Institution Grade Point Average is the ratio of quality points earned to credit hours attempted in courses numbered 1000 or above for which a final grade has been earned. Normally, a course is counted only once for credit hours. For this type of course, the latest grade earned replaces all previous grades and determines the quality points assigned.

A grade of WF is treated as an F in calculating grade point averages.

back to top

Grade Point Average for Graduate Students

The grade point average (GPA) for graduate students includes all attempts on all graduate courses. It is a true cumulative GPA.

back to top

Policy on Repeating Courses for Undergraduate Students

Normally, a course is counted only one time for credit hours. If a student wants to repeat a course that falls into this category, he/she may do so with the understanding that the latest grade earnedreplaces all previous grades. The number of quality points awarded and credit hours earned is determined by this final grade.

back to top

Policy on Repeating Courses for Graduate Students

Normally, a course is counted only one time for credit hours toward a degree. If a graduate student wants to repeat a course that falls into this category, the student may do so with the understanding that credit hours attempted and quality points earned in all attempts of the course will be counted in the student's grade point average (GPA).

back to top

Required Minimum Grade Point Average for Undergraduate Students

A grade point average of 2.00 (C average) is required for graduation from Georgia Southwestern State University with a baccalaureate or associate degree. (Some curricula may require a higher average.) A student whose performance is below this level exhibits academic deficiencies. The University uses the cumulative/institution grade point average as determined on the BANNER Student Records software to determine academic standing. The following table shows the minimum graduating grade point average a student must achieve to make acceptable progress toward the 2.00 average and graduation.

For a transfer student, the hours transferred from previous institutions are included with the hours earned at GSW to determine the required minimum grade point average, but grades earned before transferring are not included in the calculation of the grade point average.

back to top

Total Hours Earned - Required Minimum GPA

(including hours accepted in transfer)

The grade point average is calculated each term and appears on the online RAIN grade report to inform the student of his/her progress. The academic standing of the student will be indicated on the grade report also.

back to top

Required Minimum Grade Point Average for Graduate Students

The required minimum grade point average for graduate students is 3.0.

back to top

ACADEMIC STANDING FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

A student's academic standing appears at the end of each term on the student's online RAIN grade report. It is also entered on the student's transcript with the grades for each term. Each status is defined below.

back to top

Good Standing

A student will be placed in Good Standing when his/her cumulative/institution GPA is equal to or above the required minimum GPA for the number of hours the student has earned (Including transfer hours).

back to top

Academic Warning

A student will be placed on Academic Warning at the end of the first term in which the cumulative/institution GPA falls below the required minimum for the total hours earned. The student will have only one semester in which to raise the GPA to the required minimum and return to Good Standing. If not, the student is placed on Academic Probation. Students on Academic Warning are encouraged to take advantage of tutoring and Supplemental Instruction resources, available in the Academic Skills Center.

All freshmen who are placed on Academic Warning at the end of their first semester of enrollment are required to enroll in UNIV 1001 (Pathways to College Success).

back to top

Academic Probation

A student will be placed on Academic Probation if the student fails to return to Good Standing at the end of the semester in which the academic standing of the student was Academic Warning. The student will have only one term to raise the GPA to the required minimum and return to Good Standing. If not, the student is placed on Academic Suspension. Students on Academic Probation are strongly encouraged to take advantage of Academic Assistance resources available in the Academic Skills Center.

back to top

Academic Suspension

A student will be placed on Academic Suspension if the student fails to achieve Good Standing while on Probation. The student must stay out of school for one semester or choose to remain in school with Restricted Enrollment status.

To return to school after the term of suspension, the student must write a letter of appeal to the Office of Academic Affairs. When the student returns, the academic status of the student is Academic Warning and the Warning-Probation-Suspension process starts over. That is, the student will have two semesters of enrollment at most to raise the GPA to the Required Minimum and return to Good Standing, or the student will be suspended again. The maximum number of suspensions allowed is two. At the third suspension, the student will be suspended from GSW for a minimum of one calendar year.

Normally a student will not be reinstated after the third suspension. The student may, however, appeal this dismissal by stating his/her case to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Appeals relative to dismissal after the third suspension will be considered on a case by case basis with no guarantee of readmission.

A student on Academic Suspension will not be allowed to register for courses offered by the University, unless the student has been granted Restricted Enrollment Status.

Courses taken at other institutions while a student is on Academic Suspension from Georgia Southwestern will not be accepted in transfer.

Students returning to GSW after the first suspension are required to enroll in and successfully complete ACSK 1100, Academic Skills, during the first term of re-enrollment.

back to top

Restricted Enrollment

As an alternative to suspension, a student may request from the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs to remain in school with Restricted Enrollment Status. This status means that the student will stay in school but may enroll primarily in repeated courses and ACSK 1100, Academic Skills, in order to improve the student's GPA to return to Good Standing. Restricted Enrollment is the only alternative available to students who are suspended but wish to remain in school.

Not returning to Good Standing by the end of the Restricted Enrollment term will result in an additional suspension for the student, and the student will remain out of school for a minimum of one semester. The student accepting this status will be advised by his/her assigned academic advisor. A Restricted Enrollment Agreement will be signed by the student, the advisor, and the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs before the student is allowed to register. A student on Restricted Enrollment may drop or add courses only with the approval of the Office of Academic Affairs.

The Restricted Enrollment status is not available to Learning Support students.

back to top

Learning Support

Students who are taking one or more Learning Support courses will be given this academic status until those students exit all required Learning Support courses. The policies of the Board of Regents and GSW will have precedence over the policies of GSW concerning Academic Suspension. The Restricted Enrollment academic status is not applicable to Learning Support students. For more information about Learning Support status, go to http://gsw.edu/Academics/Academic-Resources/Learning-Support/index.

back to top

Readmission of Students on Suspension

A student on Academic Suspension who wishes to be readmitted to the University must write a letter to the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs requesting readmission. The letter must include all factors which the student wishes to be considered. Each request for readmission will be considered individually and nothing in this section should be interpreted to mean that readmission is automatic. Any student requesting readmission should complete a readmission form from the Registrar's Office. Students returning from the first suspension must take and successfully complete ACSK 1100, Academic Skills, during their first term of re-enrollment.

back to top

ACADEMIC STANDING FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

Students pursuing a Master's degree must maintain the following standards:

1. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
2. Only two courses with grades of C can be applied to the degree
3. No course with a grade below a C will be applied toward a degree
4. In any graduate degree program, all requirements, including course work at Georgia Southwestern State University, transfer credit and transient credit course work, must be completed within seven (7) calendar years from the date of initial enrollment in course work, without regard to the initial admission status and without regard to credit hours earned.

Graduate students pursuing the Specialist degree must maintain the following academic standards:

1. Maintain an overall graduate GPA of 3.25
2. No course with a grade below a B will be applied toward the degree
3. Only one course with a grade of C may be repeated one time
4. Degree requirements must be completed within seven (7) calendar years from the time of first enrollment.

Each School with a Graduate Program may have other academic requirements; please check the School website or the appropriate section of the current Bulletin.

back to top

Students Under Review

Graduate students who fail to maintain academic standards will be placed under academic review at the end of the semester in which their status falls below the required standards. 

1. Students who have been placed under review will have early registration cancelled for the following semester. These students will not be able to register on-line and must report to their advisor.
2. The Registrar will send the names of students under review to the Deans of each School, the Department Chairs with graduate courses, and the graduate advisors.
3. Students under review must meet with their advisor to develop an Individual Remediation Plan (IRP) to demonstrate how the student can be returned to good standing. The plan will be forwarded to the Dean of the School for his or her signature before being placed in the student's file. A copy of the form will also be sent to the Director of Graduate Studies and the Registrar's Office.
4. At the end of the probationary semester, if the student is not successful in returning to good standing, the Dean of the School will send a certified letter of dismissal to the student with a copy to the student's advisor and the Registrar's Office.
5. Graduate students who are dismissed from the School may write a letter of appeal within ten class days from the receipt of the dismissal letter to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Students re-admitted on appeal will have one additional semester to return to good academic standing.
6. Re-admitted students who do not return to good standing after the initial probationary semester will be dismissed from the program and the university.
7. Dismissed graduate students may re-apply for admission to the program after three calendar years. If the student is re-admitted, he or she must meet all requirements for the degree program at the time of re-enrollment. The years completed prior to dismissal will count towards the total seven (7) years to complete the degree. Re-admission is not automatic. Each application will be considered individually.

back to top

Advising Students with Poor Academic Performance

An undergraduate  student whose grade point average falls below the required minimum for the number of hours earned should be advised to repeat courses in which low or failing grades were earned. Repeating courses is the most efficient way to increase a GPA if better grades are earned. Two words of warning: (1) Do not allow the student to overload on repeated courses during a semester. Tell the student that a repeated course is not going to be any easier just because he or she has taken it before. (2) Remind the student that if a lower grade is earned in the repeated course, that grade will be the one calculated in his or her GPA. The latest grade replaces all earlier ones earned in a course.

back to top

Final Examinations

A student who has three final examinations scheduled for the same day may request a change of date for one final through the Office of Academic Affairs.

Times and dates for final examinations may not be changed to accommodate students' travel plans. Permission for a student to change his/her final exam time and/or date must be obtained from the Office of Academic Affairs. The final exam schedule is available in the printed schedule of classes.

back to top

Re-examinations for Seniors

A senior preparing for graduation within two (2) semesters who earns a final grade of F or D may have the opportunity of one re-examination in that course. After reviewing the eligibility requirements for re-examination with the instructor of the course (based on the conditions listed below), the student must request permission for the re-examination in writing from the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The instructor will be informed in writing whether permission has been granted. Conditions for re-examinations include the following:

a. The original course grade earned must not be the result of a violation of the Policy of Academic Integrity or the instructor’s written policy on course attendance.

b. It must be mathematically possible to achieve the necessary passing grade in the course using the result of the re-examination.

c. The course must be a non-core course numbered 2000 or above which is necessary for graduation.

d. There must be no opportunity to repeat the course before the scheduled graduation.

e. Graded assignments for which a re-exam may occur include an examination, a project, a presentation, a paper, or another assignment as defined by course requirements. The assignment to be repeated will be determined by the instructor of the course.

f. A student cannot apply this re-examination policy in more than two courses.

g. The request for the re-examination must be made within thirty (30) days of the end of the term in which the grade was received.

h. Graduating seniors who fail the tests given by the Department of History and Political Science to meet the U.S. history/Georgia history, and U.S. Constitution/Georgia Constitution requirements are entitled to a single retest in the deficient area during the term immediately preceding their graduation date. Retests are limited to two areas. Students in this situation should contact the administrative assistant of the Department of History and Political Science.

back to top

Re-examinations for Graduate Students

Graduate students will not be allowed a retest in any course.

back to top

Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses

A student with senior standing at Georgia Southwestern State University with an overall academic grade point average of 3.0 or higher may register for graduate courses during the final two terms of undergraduate work subject to the following regulations.

No more than nine hours of graduate credit may be earned.

The maximum course load when enrolled in one or more graduate courses is 15 hours per semester.

Courses taken for graduate credit cannot be counted toward meeting undergraduate degree requirements.

Permission to register for graduate courses must be granted by the Vice President for Academic Affairs prior to registration.

Permission forms are available in the Registrar's Office or on RAIN.

back to top

ACADEMIC HONORS - UNDERGRADUATES

back to top

President's List

During any semester, a student who completes a load of at least fifteen semester hours of credit and earns an average grade of 4.00 will be named to the President's List.

back to top

Dean’s List

During any semester, a student who completes a load of at least fifteen semester hours of credit and earns an average grade of 3.50 through 3.99 will be named to the Dean's List.

back to top

Academic Achievement List

During any semester, a student is on the Academic Achievement List if he/she is in Academic Good Standing, has previously earned at least 15 hours of credit at Georgia Southwestern, is enrolled in 3 to 14 hours of credit, and earns a semester GPA of 3.5 or better.

back to top

Graduation with Honors - Undergraduates

In order to be eligible to graduate with honors from Georgia Southwestern State University, the following two requirements must be met:

1. A student must earn a total of at least 54 semester hours of academic credit at Georgia Southwestern State University. (Note:  For spring graduation 2012, the number of hours at GSW was decreased to 30.)

2. The grade point average for honors will be determined by adding the points and hours from all work completed at all accredited colleges and universities to the graduating points and hours earned at GSW. The cumulative grade point average must fall into one of the following categories to be considered graduating with honors:

• Graduation cum laude requires a minimum grade point average of 3.50;
• Graduation magna cum laude requires a minimum grade point average of 3.70;
• Graduation summa cum laude requires a minimum grade point average of 3.90.

Only candidates for baccalaureate degrees are considered for academic honors at graduation.

back to top

GENERAL BACCALAUREATE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

In addition to specific requirements of the major and minor fields of study, the following requirements must be satisfied by all students seeking the baccalaureate degree:

1.  Candidates for a baccalaureate degree must earn a minimum of 120 semester hours of academic credit and complete three specified courses in physical education. A transfer student who has completed an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science degree in a transfer program will not be required to fulfill the physical education requirements. All first-time, fulltime freshmen baccalaureate students must complete UNIV 1000 - The GSW Experience.
   NOTE: A student who changes major may have to complete additional hours of course work beyond those required for completion of the program.
2. All baccalaureate programs require at least 21 hours of upper division courses in the major field and at least 39 hours of upper division work overall.
3. An institutional grade point average of 2.00 or higher is required for graduation. Some curricula require a higher average. Grades from transfer credit are calculated for graduation with honors purposes only.
4. A candidate must earn in residence at least twenty-seven of the forty hours of credit earned immediately preceding graduation. Candidates admitted to the University for the final year of work must be in residence for a minimum of two semesters and must complete at least thirty hours of credit including fifteen hours of upper division credit in the major field. If less than a normal load of academic credit is carried, each three-hour course counts as one fifth of a semester toward residence requirements.
5. Degree candidates may earn credit by correspondence or through transient credit, but not more than ten hours in the major discipline and not more than thirty total hours of credit earned in this manner will count toward degree requirements.
6. All candidates for baccalaureate degrees must satisfactorily complete the General Core Curriculum requirements.
7. Candidates for the B.A. degree must present credit for at least six hours of a single foreign language sequence at the level specified by individual majors. College Preparatory Curriculum foreign language deficiency requirements do not count as part of this sequence.
8. Candidates for the B.S. degree in some majors (See Bulletin requirements for specific major or the appropriate curriculum sheet available on RAIN) must present semester credit for a foreign language sequence. College Preparatory Curriculum foreign language deficiency requirements do not count as part of this sequence.
9. Certain multi-lingual students may have the foreign language requirement waived if they can demonstrate proficiency in a third language other than English and other than their native tongue.
10. A candidate following a 2011-2012 or later curriculum sheet must complete all courses used to meet Core Area A requirements with a grade of C or higher or must demonstrate proficiency on the CLEP test.  A candidate following an earlier curriculum sheet must have grades of C or better in ENGL 1101 and ENGL 1102.
11. Candidates are required to satisfy the provisions of the Georgia State Code 32-171 as amended by The General Assembly, which requires all candidates for a degree to pass either courses in or an appropriate examination on the history of the United States, the history of Georgia, the United States Constitution, and the Constitution of Georgia.
12. Candidates for the B.A. degree must complete a minor field of study or a certificate program. The minor or certificate will consist of 15-19 semester hours in the field of study with at least nine hours at the upper division course level.
13. Students in some degree programs and majors are required to take an exit examination prior to graduation. A minimum score may be required. Students should contact their advisors for specific details.

back to top

PHYSICAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

All baccalaureate students are required to take PEDS 1010, PEDS 2000 and one activity course from the PEDS activity courses. Students should complete all the requirements during their first two years of enrollment. A transfer student who has completed a transferable Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science degree will not be required to fulfill the physical education requirements.

Exceptions are granted to veterans, reservists, students barred by a physician's recommendation, and students entering the B.S. Nursing Program. There is no requirement for veterans or for reservists. Veterans and reservists must present documentation to the Registrar's Office in the form of a DD214 in order to be awarded the P.E. exemption. Students barred by a physician's recommendation are required to complete PEDS 2000 and HPER 2040. For graduation, all B.S. Nursing Program students are required to have credit for one PEDS course.

P.E. courses taken at another institution and showing on the student's transcript will count toward this course requirement.

Students who transfer with a transferable associate of arts or associate of science degrees from an accredited institution do not have to meet GSW PE requirements for graduation.

back to top

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

back to top

Catalog (Curriculum Sheet) for Graduation Evaluation

Under the guidance of the academic advisor, a student may select to be evaluated for graduation from any catalog (curriculum sheet) in effect during the time of enrollment provided the enrollment has been continuous.

Students readmitted or reinstated will be evaluated for graduation from the catalog (curriculum sheet) in effect at the time of readmission or reinstatement or any catalog (curriculum sheet)  in effect during subsequent periods of continuous enrollment.

Students changing majors will be evaluated for graduation from the catalog (curriculum sheet) in effect at the time of the change or any catalog in effect during subsequent periods of continuous enrollment.

Each student is responsible for determining the appropriate catalog (curriculum sheet)  to be used for academic advisement and for evaluation of graduation requirements. Catalog selection applies only to the course requirements of that catalog (curriculum sheet). All other academic procedures and graduation requirements must be satisfied according to regulations in effect at the time of graduation. Students desiring further information on the selection of an appropriate catalog (curriculum sheet)   are directed to contact their major department chair/academic dean or the registrar.

back to top

UNIV 1000 - The GSW Experience

Georgia Southwestern State University requires a one credit hour course (UNIV 1000) of all new, full-time freshmen. New entering transfer students with less than nine hours of transfer credit must also enroll in UNIV 1000. This highly structured freshman orientation/advisement program has been instituted at Georgia Southwestern State University to facilitate the new student's transition to college-level work.

back to top

Georgia and United States History and Constitution Requirements

Degree candidates must satisfy the provisions of the Georgia State Code 32-171 as amended by the General Assembly, which requires all candidates for a degree to pass either courses in or an appropriate examination on the history of the United States, the history of Georgia, The United States Constitution, and the Constitution of Georgia.

History and Constitution Requirements

The following chart indicates which courses will satisfy history and constitution requirements.

American history courses and American government courses do not satisfy the Georgia history requirements and constitution if taken at an out-of-state institution. Transfer students in this situation can take the appropriate class(es) listed above or take the examination listed below to meet the requirement(s). The Registrar's Office will evaluate transcripts of transfer students.

Students may satisfy the requirement in either area by passing an examination in that area. These examinations are given each semester by the Department of History and Political Science. A student is allowed two attempts to pass the examination in each area before being required to take an appropriate course. Test dates and information concerning review sessions may be secured from the Department of History and Political Science. Students should be encouraged to satisfy the history and constitution requirements as early in the college career as possible. Students who meet either requirement by passing the examination do not receive a grade or credit for a course.

back to top

Foreign Language Placement and Requirements

The exact requirements for foreign language in any specific field of study can be found in the current GSW Bulletin and in the Curriculum Sheets available on RAIN.

Students who have had two years of a particular foreign language in high school may not receive degree credit for the 1001 level course of that language.

Students who have taken more than two units of the same foreign language in high school or who have exceptionally strong backgrounds in foreign languages may take a test for placement into an intermediate course. For information regarding placement, contact the Department of English and Modern Languages.

Candidates for the B.A. degree must present credit for at least six hours of a single foreign language sequence at the level specified by individual majors. College Preparatory Curriculum foreign language deficiency requirements do not count as part of this sequence.

Candidates for the B.S. degree in some majors (See Bulletin requirements for specific major or the appropriate curriculum sheet available on RAIN) must present semester credit for a foreign language sequence. College Preparatory Curriculum foreign language deficiency requirements do not count as part of this sequence.

Multi-lingual students may have the foreign language requirement waived if they can demonstrate proficiency in a third language other than English and other than their native tongue.

back to top

Minor Programs

All B.A. degrees require a minor field of study. A minor may be required for other degrees and is encouraged where appropriate. As a multi-purpose device, the minor should be in a field of interest to the student; it should be one that meets the student's needs; and should complement the major, adding depth and/or breadth.

A. The minor will consist of a minimum of 15-18 semester hours in the field of study with at least 9 hours at the upper division course level.

B. A student's minor should be planned through consultation with the dean/chair/coordinator of the major and minor school/department. A program of study form should be completed, signed by each dean/chair/coordinator, and filed with the Registrar. The completion of minor requirements by a student should be approved by the college/school/department offering the minor.

C. A minimum grade of C is required in all courses credited toward a minor.

D. Any course counted in Areas A-E of the Semester Core Curriculum may not be counted as a part of the minor.  Course taken to meet Area F requirements for the major may be counted as coursework for the minor.

E. A minor may be taken in the same department or school as a major but not in the same discipline (as defined by catalog prefix symbol).

Curriculum sheets for all minors are available on RAIN

back to top

Certificate Programs

In place of a minor, a student may earn one of the undergraduate certificates listed below:

GSW offers undergraduate certificate programs in the following areas:

• European Union Studies through the Department of History,
• Caregiving through the Department of Psychology and Sociology and the School of Nursing,
• Women's Studies through the Department of Sociology,
• Criminal Justice through the Department of Political Science,
• Global Studies through the Department of History and Political Science

Curriculum sheets for the above are available on RAIN Contact the appropriate college, school, or department for additional information.

back to top

Double Major

A GSW student who wishes to meet the requirements for more than one major within the same baccalaureate degree classification (B.A, B.S., B.B.A, B.S.Ed) is pursuing a double major. Requirements for completion of a double major follow.

1. All degree requirements must be met for both majors.
2. Once major course requirements, exclusive of elective and minor requirements, have been met for the first major, a minimum of twenty-one semester credit hours must be completed for the second major.
3. The twenty-one hours (minimum) of credit for the second major may be taken in lieu of minor and elective requirements for the first major.
4. A minimum of fifteen of the additional hours for the second major must be at the 3000-4000 level within the degree program.

Approval to complete a double major must be granted by the appropriate department chair or academic dean and be on file in the Registrar's Office no later than the date of application for graduation.

back to top

Second Baccalaureate Degree

For Students Who Have Earned a Previous Baccalaureate Degree from GSW 

A student who has completed a baccalaureate degree from Georgia Southwestern State University may earn a second baccalaureate degree at Georgia Southwestern State University of the same or different designation (B.S., B.A., B.B.A., B.S.Ed., B.F.A., B.S.N.) conferred on the same or later date by meeting the following requirements:

• All major degree requirements in the second degree must be met, including Core Area F. Courses completed for the first baccalaureate degree can be combined with courses completed after admission for the second degree to meet requirements for the second degree.
• A minimum of thirty semester credit hours in addition to those required for the first baccalaureate degree must be earned at Georgia Southwestern State University.
• A minimum of twenty-one semester credit hours of the above thirty hours must be 3000-4000 level courses in the major for the second degree.
• If the second degree includes a minor, courses taken for the major of the first degree can be used to meet this requirement.
•  Additional requirements may be established for Core Areas A and D.

For Students Who Have Earned a Baccalaureate Degree from a University System of Georgia Institution

A student who has completed a baccalaureate degree from a University System of Georgia institution may earn a second baccalaureate degree at Georgia Southwestern State University of the same or different designation (B.S., B.A., B.B.A., B.S.Ed., B.F.A., B.S.N.) by meeting the following requirements:

• All major degree requirements in the second degree must be met, including Core Area F. Courses completed for the first baccalaureate degree can be combined with courses completed after admission for the second degree to meet requirements for the second degree.
• A minimum of thirty semester credit hours in addition to those required for the first baccalaureate degree must be earned at Georgia Southwestern State University.
• A minimum of twenty-one semester credit hours of the above thirty hours must be 3000-4000 level courses in the major for the second degree.
• If the second degree includes a minor, courses taken for the major of the first degree can be used to meet this requirement.
• Additional requirements may be established for Core Areas A and D

For Students Who Have Earned a Baccalaureate Degree at a Non-System Institution, Including International Students

A student who has completed a baccalaureate degree from a Non-System institution may earn a second baccalaureate degree at Georgia Southwestern State University of the same or different designation (B.S., B.A., B.B.A., B.S.Ed., B.F.A., etc.) conferred on the same or later date by meeting the following requirements:

• All major degree requirements in the second degree must be met, including Core Area F.  Courses completed for the first baccalaureate degree can be combined with courses completed after admission for the second degree to meet degree requirements for the second degree.
• A minimum of thirty semester credit hours in addition to those required for the first baccalaureate degree must be earned at Georgia Southwestern State University.
• A minimum of twenty-one semester credit hours of the above thirty hours must be 3000-4000 level courses in the major for the second degree.
• If the second degree includes a minor, the major from the first degree earned will be used in lieu of the minor.
• International students must present a professional evaluation of credits earned for the first degree and confirmation of the awarding of the baccalaureate degree.
• The Georgia Legislative History and Constitution requirements must be met.
• Additional requirements may be established.

back to top

REGENTS' TESTING PROGRAM

The University System of Georgia approved for GSW to be exempt from requiring the passing of the Regents' Test as a condition for graduation.  The quality of GSW's two composition courses, ENGL 1101 and ENGL 1102, has been deemed sufficient to measure a student's collegiate reading and writing skills. 

All students must still meet the current requirement of earning a grade of C or better in ENGL 1101 and ENGL 1102 if they have not already done so.

• If students have failed one or both parts of the Regents' Test, they will not be required to take the Regents' Test again or be enrolled in Regents' remedial courses.  Students will be required to pass both ENGL 1101 and ENGL 1102 with grades of C or better.
• If students have never taken the Regents' Test, they do not have to take it, but they will have to earn grades of C or better in ENGL 1101 and ENGL 1102, as is currently required.
• If students have transferred in credit for ENGL 1101 or have Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or CLEP credit for ENGL 1101 but do not have credit for ENGL 1102, these students will need to take ENGL 1102, earning a grade of C or better.  Students do not have to take the Regents' Test.
• If students have transferred in both ENGL 1101 and ENGL 1102 with grades of C or better, they do not have to meet additional course requirements at GSW and do not have to take the Regents' Test.

The Regents' remedial classes, RGTE 0199 and RGTR 0198, are  no longer be required or offered. 

If students need extra academic support in reading or writing, please send them to the GSW Writing Center in room 107 of the English Building.

APPLICATION PROCESS FOR GRADUATION

back to top

Application for Graduation – Undergraduate Students

The Application for Graduation for Fall Semester must be completed on or before December 1 prior to the academic year in which the degree is expected. The Application for Graduation for Spring Semester must be completed on or before May 1 prior to the academic year in which the degree is expected. Students who plan to graduate at the completion of Summer Term must apply on or before September 1 prior to the year in which the degree is expected. Applications for graduation are available at the Registrar’s office and on RAIN

back to top

Application for Graduation - Graduate Students

The application for graduation for graduate students must be completed one full semester prior to the academic term in which the degree is expected.

back to top

Advising for the Graduation Application Process

By applying early, students will have time to complete any outstanding requirements. Your advisees who are graduating within the next year should schedule an appointment with you to complete the Application for Graduation form found under the Student Forms listing on the Community Links drop-down box on the GSW home page, www.gsw.edu, and under GSW Faculty Forms on RAIN. Please be sure to verify the student's degree information and catalog year (curriculum sheet)..

You are to conduct a review of the student's curriculum at the time of application and complete the appropriate curriculum sheet (available on RAIN in the public domain section). Use the GSW Advisor's Transcript on RAIN to assist you with this task. It is very important that you use the correct curriculum sheet based on the catalog term listed on the GSW Advisor Transcript. The catalog term on the GSW Advisor's Transcript should fall within the effective catalog year of the curriculum sheet.

Next, complete the Advisor Graduation Checksheet found under GSW Faculty Forms on RAIN. Be sure to fill it out completely and use it as a resource for advising the student in subsequent terms. The Registrar's office will review the checksheet prior to late registration of the term the student is planning to graduate in order to determine any remaining outstanding requirements.

Below is a list of all documents that comprise the Graduation Application Packet.

• Application for Graduation
• Advisor Graduation Checklist
• Curriculum Sheet
• Course Requirement Substitution Form(s) if applicable

Once all the above have been completed, please deliver the packet to the Registrar's Office. The student must not be given the packet to take to the Registrar's Office; only GSW employees are to make the delivery.

IMPORTANT FOR ADVISORS: It is critical that you send in the graduation application packet as soon as it is completed. By turning it in on time, you allow the Registrar’s Office to review the application for outstanding requirements before it is too late for the student to meet them prior to the scheduled graduation date.

back to top

CONFIDENTIALITY OF STUDENT RECORDS FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT (FERPA)

1. Georgia Southwestern State University is covered by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended, which is designed to protect students' rights in regard to education records maintained by the institution. Under the Act, a student has the following rights:

    

   • a. the right to inspect and review education records maintained by the institution that pertains to you;
   • b. the right to challenge the content of records (except grades which can only be challenged through the Grade Appeal Process) on the grounds that they are inaccurate, misleading or a violation of your privacy or other rights; and
   • c. the right to control disclosures from your education records with certain exceptions.
2. Any student who is or has been in attendance at Georgia Southwestern State University has the right to inspect and review his or her educational records within a reasonable period of time (not to exceed 45 days) after making a written request. However, the student shall not have access to:

    

   • a. Financial records of parents.
   • b. Confidential letters of recommendation placed in record prior to January 1, 1975.
   • c. Letters of recommendation concerning admission, application for employment or honors for which the student has voluntarily signed a waiver.
3. Directory information will be treated as public information and be generally available on all students and former students, at the discretion of the university. Directory information includes the student's name; telephone number; major field of study; participation in officially recognized sports; height; weight; dates of attendance; degrees, honors and awards received; level, and full or part time status. Participation in officially recognized sports; height, weight, age, home-town and general interest items of members of athletic teams is also included in Directory Information.
4. Requests for Education Records should be made in writing to the Registrar, Georgia Southwestern State University. "Education Records" means generally any record maintained by or for Georgia Southwestern State University and containing information directly related to the students' academic activities.
5. Students who challenge the correctness of student educational records shall file a written request for amendment with the Registrar. The student shall also present to the Registrar copies of all available evidence relating to the data or material being challenged. The Registrar shall forward the information to the custodian of the record who will consider the request and shall notify the student in writing within 15 business days whether the request will be granted or denied. During that time, any challenge may be settled informally between the student, or the parents of a dependent student, and the custodian of the records, in consultation with other appropriate University officials. If an agreement is reached it shall be in writing and signed by all parties involved. A copy of such agreement will be maintained in the student's record. If an agreement is not reached informally or, if the request for amendment is denied, the student shall have the right to challenge through the Grievance Procedure outlined in the Student Handbook.
6. Release of protected information in the student's educational record without consent will be allowed to:

    

   • a. Institutional personnel who have a legitimate educational interest.
   • b. Officials of other schools where the student seeks to enroll. Efforts will be made to notify the student of the release of such information.
   • c. Representatives of Federal agencies authorized by law to have access to education records, and state education authorities.
   • d. Appropriate persons in connection with a student's application for or receipt of financial aid.
   • e. State and local officials to whom information must be released pursuant to a state statue adopted prior to November 19, 1974.
   • f. Organizations conducting studies for the institution.
   • g. Accrediting organizations.
   • h. Parents of a dependent student, as determined by the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended.
   • i. Persons necessary in emergency situations to protect health and safety.
   • j. Persons designated in subpoenas or court orders.
7. If a request for Education Records is not covered by the Annual Disclosure Statement provided by the Registrar, the written request for release of information should be submitted to the Registrar and contain the following information:

    

   • a. Specific records to be released.
   • b. Reasons for such release.
   • c. To whom records are to be released.
   • d. Date.
   • e. Signature of the student.
8. Records will be released in compliance with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena. However, reasonable efforts will be made to notify the student in advance of compliance.
9. Students have the right to obtain copies of official transcripts provided all financial obligations to the University have been met. Students will be charged at the prevailing rate for each certified transcript obtained. Copies of other information in the student's education record will be provided at a cost of $0.25 per page of copy.
10. Students who feel that their rights have been violated under the provisions of the Family Educational and Privacy Act should write to the following office: Department of Education, 330 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20201.
11. Georgia has an Open Records Act. All records kept by Georgia Southwestern State University, except those protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, are subject to public open records requests. Requests for public open records should be submitted in writing to the Director of Human Resources, Georgia Southwestern State University.

back to top

Advising Students According to FERPA Guidelines

As an advisor, you have access to your advisee's academic records, but the academic history of a student should never be discussed in public. If a parent/guardian contacts you asking for information about his or her student, before you discuss anything related to the student's academic performance, including class attendance, you must contact the Registrar's Office to determine if the student has given GSW permission to talk about academic issues with his parents or guardians. If not, you may not discuss anything with them. If the student is a dependent, the parents/guardians may take a copy of their income tax return to the Registrar to verify this status, thus allowing GSW to talk with them about their student's situation. The Registrar will notify you when this occurs. If the parent/guardian comes to see you with his or her student, before you say anything about the student, ask the student for permission to discuss academic performance in front of the parent/guardian.  Then print off a copy of the FERPA release form found at http://gsw.edu/Assets/AcademicResources/StudentForms/FERPA.pdf and have the student sign it.  Make a copy for your files and send the original to the Registrar.

If a student has chosen for his or her records to be kept private from parents/guardians, the "confidential" flag on RAIN will appear when any record is pulled up for this student. For example, the word "confidential" is listed under the student's name on the class list. All discussions with this student about academic performance must take place in person. You should not talk with them over the phone or through email.

back to top

POLICY ON ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Students at Georgia Southwestern State University are expected to conform to high standards of intellectual and academic integrity. The University assumes as a basic and minimum standard of conduct that students be honest and that they submit for credit only the product of their own efforts. Scholastic ideals and the need for fairness require that all dishonest work be rejected as a basis for academic credit. They also require that students refrain from all forms of dishonorable conduct in the course of their academic careers.

Dishonest work will be treated as a serious offense by the faculty and administration of Georgia Southwestern. Multiple infractions may be cause for permanent expulsion from the University. An instructor who receives dishonest work from a student has several options. At a minimum, the work should be rejected as a basis for academic credit. At the discretion of the instructor, the student may be given a score of zero on the assignment in question, may be required to rewrite the assignment, may be given a grade of F in the course, may not be recommended for admission to Teacher Education or the Nursing programs, or may be penalized in some intermediate way. A student found guilty of submitting dishonest work will have this information and the instructor's course of action placed on file in the Office of Academic Affairs so that if future instructors receive dishonest work from that same student, the student may be penalized by the institution, resulting in possible expulsion. Academic integrity violations may be placed on the student's academic transcript. In the event that a student is suspended from the University for violations of academic integrity, courses taken at other institutions while a student is on Academic Suspension from Georgia Southwestern will not be accepted in transfer.

Given the serious nature of infractions of this policy, students have a right to know what constitutes academic dishonesty and have a right to a fair and consistent procedure before severe penalties are imposed. The examples given below are intended to clarify the standards by which academic integrity is judged. They are meant to be illustrative and are not exhaustive. There may be cases which fall outside of these examples and which are deemed unacceptable by the academic community.

back to top

Definitions and Examples of Dishonest Behavior

Plagiarism

It is a violation of academic honesty to submit plagiarized work. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, asking someone to write part or all of an assignment, copying someone else's work (published or unpublished), inadequately documenting research, downloading material from electronic sources without appropriate documentation, or representing others' works or ideas as the student's own.

The student is responsible for understanding the legitimate and accurate use of sources, the appropriate ways of acknowledging and citing academic, scholarly or creative indebtedness, and the consequences of violating this responsibility.

Cheating on Examinations

It is a violation of academic integrity to cheat on an examination. Cheating on an examination includes, but is not limited to, giving or receiving unauthorized help before, during, or after an in-class or out-of-class examination. Examples of unauthorized help include using unauthorized notes during an examination, viewing another student's exam, and allowing another student to view one's exam.

Unauthorized Collaboration

It is a violation of academic honesty to submit for credit work, which is the result of unauthorized collaboration. It is also a violation to provide unauthorized collaboration. Unauthorized collaboration includes giving or receiving unauthorized help for work that is required to be the effort of a single student, such as the receiving or giving of unauthorized assistance in the preparation of any academic or clinical laboratory assignment.

Falsification

It is a violation of academic honesty to falsify information or misrepresent material in an academic work. This includes, but is not limited to, the falsification of citations of sources, the falsification of experimental or survey results, and the falsification of computer or other data.

Multiple Submissions

It is a violation of academic honesty to submit substantial portions of the same work for credit more than once without the explicit consent of the instructor(s) to whom the work is submitted for additional credit. If a work product is to be substantially revised or updated, the student must contact the instructor in advance to discuss necessary revisions. The faculty member may require a copy of the original document for comparison purposes.

Obligations to Report Suspected Violations

Members of the academic community (students, faculty, administration, and staff) are expected to report suspected violations of these standards of academic conduct to the appropriate authority: the instructor, department chair, academic dean, or Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Evidence and Burden of Proof

In determining whether or not academic dishonesty has occurred, the standard which should be used is that guilt must be proven by the instructor with a preponderance of evidence. That is, it should appear to a reasonable and impartial mind that it is more likely than not that academic dishonesty has occurred.

Procedures for Resolving Matters of Academic Dishonesty

When an instructor believes that academic dishonesty has occurred, the instructor will inform the student that academic dishonesty is believed to have taken place. The instructor will explain to the student what the penalties will be should the guilt be proven by a preponderance of evidence. If the student maintains that academic dishonesty did not take place, the student should discuss the matter with the instructor and present evidence (if possible) demonstrating that the work was done in an honest manner. Should the instructor and student not resolve the matter, then they will bring the matter to the Department Chair or Coordinator. If the matter is not resolved at this level, then the matter will be brought to the Academic Dean. If the matter is still unresolved, it will be brought to the Vice President of Academic Affairs. The decision of the Vice President may be appealed to the President, who would then refer it to the Committee on Academic Grievance for its recommendation before rendering a decision. The President's decision is final and binding.

back to top

Advising Students Who Have Been Accused of Violating the Academic Integrity Policy

A students who has violated the Academic Integrity Policy or been accused of doing so should contact the instructor making the judgment as soon as possible. Faculty have a clear statement written on their syllabi regarding this policy; refer the student to it. If the student has contacted the instructor already, the next step would be to speak to the appropriate academic department chair or dean.

back to top

ACADEMIC RENEWAL POLICY - UNDERGRADUATE ONLY

Any degree-seeking student who has experienced academic difficulty, who has not attended any post- secondary institution for a period of five years and who wishes to make a fresh start may apply for Academic Renewal. Former Learning Support students may apply for Academic Renewal with the Registrar only if they successfully completed all Learning Support requirements prior to the commencement of the five year period of absence.

A student re-enrolling after a five year absence from post secondary institutions must apply for Academic Renewal within two semesters after re-enrollment or one calendar year, whichever comes first.

If a student is granted Academic Renewal, a new grade point average will be established according to the following guidelines:

1. A Renewal GPA is begun when the student receives approval for Academic Renewal and includes all course work completed following the re-enrollment.
2. The Academic Renewal GPA will be used for determining academic standing and eligibility for graduation.
3. All previously attempted course work continues to be recorded on the student's official transcript.
4. To earn a degree, a student must meet the GSW residency requirements after acquiring Academic Renewal status.
5. At least 50% of work toward a baccalaureate degree must be completed after the granting of Academic Renewal status for a student to be eligible for honors at graduation.
6. Academic credit for previously completed course work -- including transfer course work -- will be retained only for courses in which an A, B or C grade has been earned.
7. Retained grades are not calculated in a Renewal GPA. Such credit is considered in the same context as transfer credit, credit by examination, and courses with grades of "S".
8. Courses with D or F grades must be repeated at Georgia Southwestern if they are required in the student's degree program. Further, all remaining courses for the current degree objective must be completed at Georgia Southwestern, i.e., no transient credit will be accepted.
9. Applicability of retained credit to degree requirements will be determined by the degree requirements currently in effect at the time Academic Renewal status is conferred on the student. Specific institutional program regulations must also be met.
10. A student can be granted Academic Renewal status only one time.
11. Transfer Credit.

     

    • a. A student who has been suspended from GSW and has attended one or more other System institutions during the period of suspension will not be eligible for Academic Renewal.
    • b. A student who has not been suspended from GSW but who has been absent from this institution five years or more and who has attended a school other than GSW may choose only one of the following options:
      • (1) A student may return to GSW subject to all relevant transfer and reentry policies. No renewal GPA is calculated and transfer credit will be granted for applicable courses taken during the absence.
      • (2) A student may apply for Academic Renewal. If Academic Renewal status is approved, no transfer credit will be granted for course work completed during the absence.
12. Any scholastic suspensions which occurred in the past shall remain recorded on the student's permanent record.
13. The Renewal GPA begins with the term following re-enrollment. If a student is denied Academic Renewal and subsequently does not re-enroll, he/she may resubmit an Academic Renewal application after no less than one calendar year has passed since the initial petition.
14. The granting of Academic Renewal does not supersede financial aid policies regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress.
15. The granting of Academic Renewal does not supersede the admissions requirements of certain programs, e.g., teacher education, nursing, which require a specific minimum grade point average based upon all course work.

back to top

Advising for Academic Renewal

If you have an advisee who is returning to GSW and has been out of school for at least five years, send the student to the Registrar to discuss Academic Renewal. It is usually in the student’s best interest to pursue Academic Renewal.

back to top

REFERRAL SYSTEM

Academic advisors are not expected to "know all the answers," but advisors are able to refer students to someone who can answer a question that the advisor is unable to answer. The following Referral List will be helpful to students and advisors in referring students to the appropriate office or person.

The recommended procedure for referring students is to make a phone call to ask the question or alert the office that the student is being referred. This may prevent sending the student to an office only to be referred elsewhere. It also indicates to the student a sincere willingness to help.

back to top

REFERRAL LIST

back to top

DEGREES OFFERED BY GSW

For a list of degrees offered at GSW, go to the list of curriculum sheets on RAIN, found at  http://gsw.edu/Academics/Curriculum/index