Registration
Early registration. A special advisement and early registration period
is held each semester. Before early registration begins, all advisors set
aside ample time to be available for academic advisement for the upcoming
semester. Students are encouraged to make an appointment each semester to
take advantage of this opportunity.
Late registration and schedule change. Students who do not register
early may register during late registration prior to the first day of
classes. Additionally, students who wish to change their schedules may do
so during the late registration and schedule change periods.
Students may register through
CougarNet using the
Integrated Student Information System (ISIS) on the university's Web.
Please refer to the Columbus State University Schedule of Courses book or
see Registration Information under the
Class Schedules page on the Web for specific dates and information
regarding early registration, late registration and schedule change.
Course Eligibility
Courses numbered 6000 and above are open only to graduate students.
Courses with 5000 numbers are open to both graduate and advanced-standing
undergraduate students. In these courses, however, graduate students must
do more extensive reading, prepare additional reports, and produce papers
or other projects requiring more intensive research.
Undergraduate Students and Graduate Work. Undergraduate students
with a minimum institutional grade point average of 2.75 who are within
six semester hours of completing the baccalaureate degree from Columbus
State University may register for graduate courses upon recommendation
of their advisor. The total course load may not exceed 12 semester
hours. A grade of B or better in the graduate course is required for use
toward a master's degree. No more than nine semester hours of graduate
credit may be earned before completion of the baccalaureate degree.
Under no circumstances may a course be used for both graduate and
undergraduate credit. Students must submit an application for graduation
prior to registering for graduate courses; the registrar will verify
eligibility for enrollment. Students desiring to take College of
Education courses must fulfill graduate admission requirements and be
accepted for graduate studies in their desired program area prior to
enrollment.
Graduate Assistantships
A student holding an appointment as a graduate assistant must be fully
admitted to a graduate degree program, be in good academic standing, and
earn a minimum of nine and maximum of 10 semester hours of graduate course
work (or required prerequisites) during the period in which the
assistantship is held. Work assignments cannot exceed 19 hours per week.
Students interested in seeking an assistantship should contact the dean of
the college offering the graduate program in which they are enrolled.
Study Loads
Maximum Study Load. The maximum course load for any graduate
student is 12 semester hours. Students holding graduate assistantships
must register for at least nine, but no more than 10 semester hours of
graduate credit. In all cases, graduate students are urged to register
only for the number of hours they can complete successfully.
Enrollment Status. Enrollment status for graduate students is based
on the number of hours enrolled, as follows:
Number of Semester
Hours Enrolled |
Graduate
Enrollment Status |
|
9 or more |
Full-time |
|
5 to 8 |
Half-time |
|
Less than 5 |
Less than Half-time |
* For summer terms, enrollment status certification other than for
financial aid is determined as follows: 6 semester hours or more, full
time; 3-5 semester hours, half time; and 1-2 semester hours, less than
half time.
Students on financial aid seeking information about
how enrollment status may affect financial aid should contact the
Financial Aid office.
Class Attendance and Withdrawal
Attendance policy. Attendance policy is ordinarily established
by individual faculty. If an instructor does not provide a written
attendance policy statement during the first week of classes, a student is
permitted to accumulate a total of nine hours of absences in a three
credit-hour course, or the equivalent in courses carrying fewer credit
hours. Regular attendance at class or laboratory is a student obligation.
Students are expected to account to individual instructors for absences
and, at the discretion of the instructors, to make up all work missed
because of absence. Students absent from a previously announced quiz or
test may be given a zero on the quiz or test. To be permitted to take a
final examination at a time other than the date and time published on the
Web under the
Class Schedules page, students must have permission of the instructor
and the dean of the college offering the course.
Excessive Absence Policy. Anytime during the semester that a
student exceeds the total number of hours of absences allowed, an
instructor may drop the student for excessive absences with a grade of WF.
Students may regain admittance to a course only by permission of the
instructor and the dean of the college offering the course. A student
auditing a course who fails to meet class participation and assignment
requirements or who exceeds the total number of allowed absences may be
dropped from the course by the instructor and assigned a grade of W.
Absence for Military Duty. Military Reservists who are called to
active duty or active duty military personnel who receive
change-of-station orders during an academic semester may officially
withdraw with a full refund of matriculation fees upon showing official
orders. Those who have completed sufficient work may be awarded a grade
and credit or an I (Incomplete) grade.
Course withdrawals. Students who wish to drop a course after the last
official day of schedule change must officially withdraw from the course.
Students must withdraw through
CougarNet using the
Integrated Student Information System (ISIS) on the university's Web.
Prior to the W grade deadline as published on the Web under Registration
Information on the
Class Schedules page, a grade of W will be assigned by the registrar
unless a grade of WF has already been assigned by the instructor for
excessive absences. A grade of WF will be assigned when a withdrawal form
is submitted after the deadline. A student
may appeal the assignment of a WF grade by submitting to the Academic
Advisor documentation of non-academic hardship. The Academic Advisor will then forward the appeal to the Academic Standards Committee for review. Refer to the
Registration, Policies, and Services section on the Web under the
Class Schedules page for specific dates and additional information
regarding course withdrawal.
Administrative withdrawal. An academic dean may withdraw a student
from a course when, in consultation with the instructor, the dean
determines that the student has not satisfied the prerequisites for the
course.
Grades and Grade Point Averages
Grades Averaged in the GPA
Grades Not Averaged in the GPA
Explanation of Grade Point Averages
Grade Changes
Repetition of Courses
Columbus State University uses a 4.0 grade point system.
Grades Averaged in the GPA
| |
| Grade |
Grade
Points Per
Semester Hour |
|
A, Excellent |
4 |
|
B, Good |
3 |
|
C, Average |
2 |
|
D, Poor, passing |
1 |
|
F, Failing |
0 |
|
WF, Withdrawal, failing* |
0 |
| * WF is assigned
when a student withdraws from a course after the W grade deadline
or when an instructor drops a student for excessive absences. |
Grades
Not Averaged in the GPA
|
Grade
|
Description |
|
I |
Indicates that a student was doing satisfactory work but, for non-academic reasons, was unable to meet the full requirements of the course. The requirements for removal of an I grade are left to the instructor; however, if an I grade is not satisfactorily removed within the next 12 months, the grade I will be changed to the grade F by the registrar. A course with an unresolved I grade may not be repeated.
|
|
IP |
Indicates that credit has not been given in a course that requires a continuation of work beyond the semester for which the student signed up for the course. The use of this grade is approved for dissertation and thesis hours, directed studies, internships, practica, project courses, and exit examinations. This grade cannot be substituted for an I grade.
|
|
W |
Indicates that a student was permitted to withdraw without penalty. Withdrawals without penalty will not be permitted after the W grade deadline except in cases of hardship as determined by the Academic Standards Committee. A W grade may also be awarded in the case of credit by examination courses and for excessive absence when auditing a course.
|
|
S |
Indicates that credit has been given for completion of degree requirements other than academic course work. These are limited to clinical practica, internships, and exit examinations as specified in the course descriptions section of the catalog.
|
|
U |
Indicates unsatisfactory performance in an attempt to complete degree requirements other than academic course work. These are limited to clinical practica, internships, and exit examinations as specified in the course descriptions section of the catalog.
|
|
V |
Indicates that a student audited a course. Students may not change from audit to credit status or vice versa after the first week of the semester.
|
|
K |
Indicates that a student was given credit for a course through examination.
|
|
NR |
Indicates grade not reported by instructor. |
|
WM |
Withdrawn for military purposes/deployment. |
Explanation of Grade Point Averages
The following grade point averages are computed and are
used to determine the fulfillment of academic requirements:
Semester grade point average is computed using GPA hours attempted
and grade points earned for the semester.
Graduate cumulative grade point average is computed using the total
number of graduate GPA hours attempted at Columbus State University and
the total number of graduate grade points earned at Columbus State
University, regardless of the number of times a course is attempted.
Graduate institutional grade point average is computed by dividing
the total number of graduate grade points earned at Columbus State
University by the total number of graduate GPA hours attempted at
Columbus State University after omitting grades in previous courses
which have been taken and repeated at Columbus State University.
Graduate overall grade point average is computed by dividing the
total number of graduate grade points earned at Columbus State University
and all other institutions attended by the total number of graduate GPA
hours attempted at Columbus State University and all other institutions
attended.
Degree progress grade point average is computed using the total
number of credit hours applied to the degree and the total number of grade
points applied to the degree.
An explanation of
how to compute a
GPA can be found under the Undergraduate Academic Regulations section.
Grade Changes
Final grades will not be changed after one calendar year from the date assigned
except by appeal to, and subsequent approval by, the university's Academic
Standards Committee. A grade that appears to be incorrect should be reported to
the instructor promptly.
Grade Reports and Transcripts. Reports of final grades are available
through
CougarNet using the
Integrated Student Information System (ISIS)
on the Web. The academic transcript includes all undergraduate and graduate
credit courses taken at Columbus State University. Transcripts should be
requested at least one week prior to the date needed. University policies
regarding release of academic records and compliance with regulations under the
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as amended (the "Buckley
Amendment") are published in the Columbus State University
Student Handbook
in print and on the Web at
http://studentservices.colstate.edu/06-07_handbook.pdf.
Repetition of Courses
Students repeating a course for which credit has already been earned either
at Columbus State University or by transfer of credits from another institution
forfeit the previous credit in that course (except in the case of courses that
may be repeated for credit). The student's final grade in the course will be the
one made on repetition (even if the grade in the previous course is higher).
After earning a graduate degree at Columbus State University, a student will
forfeit credit earned for courses taken as repeats after graduation (except in
the case of courses that may be repeated for credit).
Academic Misconduct
The university recognizes honesty and integrity as central virtues of academic
life and as fully necessary to its very existence. The university also
recognizes and accepts that cooperation, discussion, and group studying outside
of the classroom are essential elements of the academic experience, and that
students may seek assistance in their studies, such as tutoring and peer review.
However, while such practices are acceptable and even encouraged, students must
understand the parameters of accountability in their academic performance and
need to respect the academic freedom of the faculty. Students are responsible
for adhering to the regulations pertaining to academic misconduct published
under Student Rights and Responsibilities in the
Student Handbook
available in the Student Life Office and on the Web at
http://sa.colstate.edu/.
Academic Standing
Required Academic Standing. Students enrolled in a degree program must maintain
a minimum graduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and have earned a grade of
�C� or below in no more than one graduate course. A maximum of two courses (not to
exceed eight semester credit hours) with a grade of �C� may apply to a masters degree.
A maximum of one course (not to exceed four semester credit hours) with a grade of �C�
may apply to a specialist degree in education. Courses earned with grades of �D� may
not be used toward a graduate degree or certificate, but will be calculated in the
overall grade point average. Non-degree students must maintain a minimum graduate
cumulative grade point average of 3.0. Courses with earned grades of �C� or below
may not be transferred from another institution for credit toward a graduate
degree or certificate.
Academic Probation. Occurs when a student enrolled in a degree program
earns a grade of "C" or below in two graduate courses or the cumulative grade
point average falls below 3.0. A non-degree student is placed on probation
when the graduate cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0.
Removal from
Probation. Occurs when, at the end of a probationary term, a student�s graduate
cumulative grade point average equals or exceeds 3.0. A student enrolled in a
degree program with a grade
of �C� or below in two graduate courses will continue on probation.
Academic Exclusion. Occurs when a student enrolled in a degree program
earns a grade of "C" or below in more than two graduate courses or after
nine graduate semester hours have been attempted while on probation and
without attaining a 3.0 graduate cumulative grade point average. A
non-degree student is placed on exclusion after nine graduate semester hours
have been attempted while on probation and without attaining a 3.0 graduate
cumulative grade point average. The length of exclusion will be a minimum of two terms.
Reinstatement on Academic Probation. After the mandatory period of exclusion,
a student on academic exclusion must apply and be reinstated by the appropriate program
director, either to a degree program or to non-degree status, in order to continue
graduate study. Students, enrolled in a degree program, who earn a grade of "C" or
below in a graduate course after reinstatement will be placed on exclusion, and
must meet with the appropriate program director to determine eligibility for continued enrollment.
Residence and Time Limits
Residence requirement. A minimum of 75 percent of
the graduate credit hours required for a master's degree must be taken at
Columbus State University. For the specialist degree, the minimum residence
requirement is 20 graduate credit hours taken at Columbus State University.
Asynchronous (online) and distance learning courses administered through
Columbus State University constitute courses taken in residence.
Time Limits. All work credited toward a graduate degree must be completed
within seven years. Extension of time may be granted only on conditions beyond
the control of the student. In each instance a formal statement outlining the
conditions upon which the extension of time is requested should be addressed to
the director of the specific graduate program.
Graduation
Applications for graduation should
be submitted in CougarNet through the Enrollment Services Tab one semester prior to the anticipated semester of
completion; the last day of classes of the prior term is the final deadline for
submission. . Students who intend to participate in the graduation ceremony must
purchase a cap, gown and hood through the Columbus State University Bookstore.
Candidacy requirements must be completed no later than the official graduation
candidacy deadline of
the intended term of graduation. Candidacy requirements are:
-
Enrollment
in all courses required for degree completion. Students enrolled in
other institutions during the final term must submit proof of
enrollment.
-
Removal of
all �Incomplete� grades applying towards degree requirements from their record.
-
Verification of approved substitutions.
Students who satisfy
the above requirements will be considered candidates for graduation and will be
eligible to participate in graduation ceremonies.
Graduation Ceremony. A graduation ceremony is held at the end of the fall
and spring semesters. Students who do not plan to attend the ceremony must
indicate so on the application for graduation.
Students completing the requirements at the end of a summer term may elect to participate in either the fall or spring graduation ceremonies.
If the student wishes to participate in the spring ceremony, he or she must apply by the
graduation application deadline of the spring semester and
meet all candidacy requirements as described above. The student must also have all areas complete with the exception of the last nine (9) semester hours and
register for the remaining required courses during the early registration.
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