ACADEMIC INFORMATION

Chapter 4

Academic Info

ACADEMIC INFORMATION

NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS AT Clayton State University

ACADEMIC ADVISING AND CHOOSING A MAJOR

REGISTERING FOR COURSES

ONLINE INSTRUCTION

WITHDRAWAL FROM COURSES

GRADING SYSTEM

LEARNING SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS

ACADEMIC STANDING

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

STUDY ABROAD AND INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

ACADEMIC HONORS

OTHER ACADEMIC POLICIES

R.O.T.C.

Notebook Computers at Clayton State University

In January 1998, through the Information Technology Project (ITP), Clayton State University became one of the first public universities in the nation to require all of its students to have and use notebook computers. This innovative and exciting approach to learning has been dubbed “ubiquitous mobile computing.” Electronic communication between faculty and students and among students has become the normal way of doing business at Clayton State University. Over the past three years, ITP has developed into an unqualified success in its most important measure–the improvement of the learning and teaching process. Indeed, a recent survey of students and faculty found that more than three-quarters of them believed that ITP had enhanced learning at Clayton State. Clayton State is proud that ITP has won wide recognition, including a “Pioneer Award” from the national Conference on Ubiquitous Computing.

In the initial years of ITP, the University charged students a $300 per semester technology fee and then issued University-owned computers to students along with a standard software load and Internet service provider (ISP). While that approach was appropriate for a pilot program nearly four years ago, circumstances have changed. Since 1998 prices on computers and ISP services have fallen considerably, and the typical incoming student has become more computer savvy. In response to these changes, the University has modified its approach to insuring ubiquitous computing. The new program is called ITP Choice. Under ITP Choice the technology fee has been reduced to $38 per semester to cover basic infrastructure and services, and the student is personally responsible for insuring that he or she has ready access to an appropriate notebook computer. The details of the policy follow:

Notebook Computer Policy

The basic Clayton State University notebook computer policy is listed here. For hardware and software specifications and additional details, go to the University's ITP Choice website (www.clayton.edu and click ITP-Choice).

1. Computer Access. Each Clayton State University student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access.

· A student has a variety of options for “access.” Student ownership of an appropriate computer will be the most common approach, but students may also lease, rent, or share a notebook computer that meets minimum requirements as long as the student has regular, unrestricted access to the machine.

· For students who choose ownership, a list of vendors of notebook computers is provided to all students on the University's ITP Choice website. Note the "Preferred" vendor status next to some of the vendors' names. Vendors are given preferred status only after training and authorizing the Clayton State University help desk (the HUB) to perform in-warranty repairs on notebook computers purchased by Clayton State University students. Use of a Clayton State University preferred vendor is not required.

2. Standard Software. The notebook computer that the student has ready access to must include the Clayton State University standard software load (MS Office 2000 Professional) plus additional software needed for the student’s major program.

· Clayton State University will make the standard software load available to currently enrolled students as part of the $38.00 technology fee. It will be the student’s responsibility to bring the notebook computer to the help desk (the HUB) to obtain the software.

· Additional software necessary for specific courses and/or programs will be available for purchase from the Clayton State University Campus Store and/or other vendors.

3. Internet Access. Each Clayton State University student is required to have ready access to the Internet (World Wide Web) and to use a Clayton State University e-mail address.

· Each student will be responsible for making his or her own arrangement with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) such as AOL, Juno, Bell South, or Yahoo. No specific ISP is considered preferred by Clayton State University although students are cautioned to pay careful attention to the ISP’s reputation for reliability and customer service.

· Clayton State University will provide each student with an e-mail address through the Clayton State University electronic post office. The student will be responsible for monitoring this address on a regular basis for official communications from Clayton State University faculty and administrators.

4. Computer Skills. Students will be responsible for having or obtaining basic computer skills including e-mail, Web surfing, and word processing. Higher level skills will be expected for many courses.

· Clayton State University will make training opportunities in basic computer skills available to students for no additional cost.

· Through a variety of means including free workshops, fee-based workshops, for-credit computer courses, and modules in courses. Clayton State University will make training opportunities available in the computer skills necessary for the student’s chosen program.

· Clayton State University will provide a computer help desk (the HUB). The HUB will assist students with software problems. The HUB will assist with hardware problems only if the machines are under warranty and the HUB is certified by the vendor to service those machines.

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Academic advisors, usually faculty members in the program, are available for each of the programs of study offered by the University. Advisement is optional or required depending on major and/or stage of program. In addition, students who have not selected a program of study will be assisted in the Office of Counseling & Career Services. Faculty advisors maintain regular office hours during the academic term to encourage student conferences whenever questions arise or further information is needed. Students are strongly urged to see their advisors well in advance of registration for classes.

Although academic advisement is available at Clayton State University, each student is responsible for knowing and for fulfilling the curriculum requirements of a program of study and the graduation requirements of the University as explained in this catalog, in the semester Schedule of Classes, and in any supplements to this catalog.

Students should declare their major programs of study as soon as possible since the choice of major may affect recommended or required course choices in the Core Curriculum as well as in the major field itself. Major declarations must be filed with the Registrar by paper form or by online process. Majors are listed in the chapters for each school of the University.

A student must submit a Change of Major form (available online or in paper form) to the Office of the Registrar as soon as possible after deciding to make a change. Making the change quickly will help the student to be advised properly and will also prevent delays in the registration process.

Students who are undecided about their programs of study should follow the general guidelines for Areas A-E of the Core Curriculum until they have selected a program of study. Please note that choices in Areas A, B, and D and recommendations in Areas C and E may be influenced by choice of major. Special assistance is available to undecided students in the Office of Counseling & Career Services. The office offers academic planning information, referrals to appropriate departments on campus, assistance with time management and study skills, and intervention strategies for students experiencing academic difficulty.

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A Schedule of Classes is published in paper form and on the University's website each semester (www.clayton.edu). Instructions on how to register are included in this schedule. Registration is accomplished online using the Clayton State University system known as the DUCK (Digital University Campus Kiosk).

Students are responsible for all information published in the Schedule of Classes. Policy and program changes that occur during the academic year are announced in the semester Schedule of Classes.

The University also publishes tentative advance schedules to assist students in their planning for future terms. Every effort is made to implement the current and future schedules as published, but circumstances such as staffing, funding, enrollment, and program changes may result in some changes.

Many courses are listed as having prerequisites, corequisites, or absolute corequisites. See the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog for definitions and specific listings. In exceptional circumstances, a dean or associate dean may grant a waiver of a prerequisite or corequisite. Faculty members are not permitted to waive prerequisites or corequisites on their own.

In most cases, the University's computer system (the DUCK) is programmed to block a student's registration for a course if he or she has not satisfied the prerequisite or corequisite requirements. However, this computer blocking is not perfect, and students are personally responsible for complying with the prerequisites or corequisites for a course even if they are not electronically blocked from registration. Students who register for courses for which they do not qualify are subject to removal from the course and are responsible for any problems that may result, including the loss of course credit and fees.

Each semester the Schedule of Classes specifies a date as the last day to register for classes or to change schedules through the drop/add process. After this date, the student’s class schedule becomes official and can be changed only by official withdrawal (see below). See the Financial Information chapter for refund policies.

Students may schedule up to 18 hours per semester (15 in the Summer) without special permission. A student who wishes to accelerate his or her study by taking more than 18 hours in a semester (or 15 in the Summer) must have a written overload request approved by the dean or associate dean of the school of the major. In general, a student must have been at Clayton State University for at least two semesters and have achieved an overall B average before an overload will be approved although the dean/associate dean may make exceptions in special circumstances. (Note: Audited courses count in load for purposes of this policy.)

Cross-Registration in the Atlanta Regional Consortium for Higher Education (ARCHE)

The Atlanta Regional Consortium for Higher Education (ARCHE) is a group of colleges and universities in metropolitan Atlanta. Clayton State students may take courses from member institutions on a cross‑registration basis. Cross‑registration courses are considered transfer credit. It is usually more advantageous to the student to take a course by cross-registration than by transient status because cross-registration fees are paid to Clayton State rather than to the institution offering the course. (The Integrative Studies program has special provisions for cross-registration; see the Arts & Sciences chapter of this catalog.) For more information and regulations about how to cross–register, contact the Registrar’s Office in the Student Center Building, 770-961-3504.

Students may choose to take courses on an audit basis. Courses that are audited are assigned a grade symbol of V, and no credit toward graduation is awarded. To audit courses, students indicate their intention at the time of registration. Requests to change to audit status will not be accepted after the drop/add period. All regular fees apply to audited courses.

Courses taken on an audit basis will not be used for certification for financial aid, Social Security, or Veterans’ Administration benefits.

Students may not receive credit for courses in which they were registered as auditors unless they repeat the course for credit.

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Many courses at Clayton State University are offered "online" as well as on campus. In online courses the majority of the instruction is delivered by online computer connection via the Internet. The Internet may be supplemented by television, video conferencing, or other distance learning methods. Use of this technology allows the University to offer learning experiences that are more convenient for many students.

Courses offered via online instruction are identified in the Schedule of Classes each semester. Additional fees will accompany online courses with video components.

Online courses are often attractive for students who cannot conveniently attend on-campus courses. Students can take all of their courses online for a given semester, or they can mix online and on-campus sections. It is important to keep in mind, however, that even though online courses offer schedule flexibility, the total time commitment and academic expectation for an online course is the same as it is for a traditional on-campus class.

Although routine classroom attendance is not required for online courses, some physical presence is required on campus for orientation, testing, and, in some cases, "hands-on" experiences (labs, clinicals, observations, etc.). In addition, some online courses may have additional, optional, or required on-campus sessions for discussion and/or review. For details, please consult the notes in the official Schedule of Classes each semester and the online syllabus for each course.

To take an online course, students must be admitted to the University and be eligible to register for credit courses, including having met all prerequisites and/or corequisites. Students may register for online courses through the University’s online registration process, which is called the DUCK. Details about registration are published each semester in printed and online versions (www.clayton.edu).

Students should not register for online courses unless they are already thoroughly competent at sending and receiving e-mail, navigating the Internet, and using Windows-based programs. No class time will be spent on basic computer instruction. Students may be required to complete online preparation modules before registering for some online courses. Also, students should be aware that taking online classes requires excellent time management skills and good self-discipline.

Printed texts, special software, or other supporting material needed for online courses can be obtained in person or from the Campus Store or online at www.Clayton State Universityestore.com. Many research resources are available online through GALILEO, but some projects may require on-site library work at Clayton State University or elsewhere.

Some online courses include some instruction provided via television or video tapes and are called "online courses with video components." Some of the content for these courses is broadcast over satellite in cooperation with GPTV. If students do not have access, they can still take these courses by obtaining the videotapes from the Clayton State University library circulation desk and playing them at their convenience. There is an additional $22.00 per course fee for online telecourses to cover Clayton State University’s costs for broadcast and distribution rights.

When students register for an online course, they MUST contact the instructor by e-mail to confirm that they are registered and to make sure that they have established electronic communication. In some cases, students will receive a communication from the instructor, and their response to that message can constitute their initial contact. However, even if students do not receive a message from the instructor, it is their responsibility to contact the instructor BEFORE any scheduled orientation session. (If there is no orientation session, students must contact the instructor before the end of the first week of the semester.)

Most online courses have a mandatory orientation session. Students must attend any such session in person.

If students do not contact the instructor and meet all orientation requirements during the first week of the semester, they must withdraw from the online course or receive an F.

The instructor’s e-mail address and information about orientation sessions are usually included with the appropriate course listing in the Clayton State University Schedule of Classes or on the Online Instruction Website. If students have difficulty contacting their instructor by e-mail, they should call the school that offers the course (Arts & Sciences, 770-961-3420; Business, 770-961-3410; Health Sciences, 770-961-3484; Technology, 770-361-3415; New College, 770-960-4200).

All of Clayton State University's online courses require physical attendance for orientation and examinations unless a special exception has been established. In addition, as mentioned above, some courses that are delivered substantially online also require attendance at Clayton State University (or other sites) for the purposes of review, discussion, laboratories, practica, or other activities that necessitate direct "hands-on" or "face-to-face" experiences. Please note the explanations with each course in the Schedule of Classes and pay careful attention to information in course syllabi.

Important Note: If an on-site meeting of an online course conflicts with the time of another course, it is the student’s responsibility to notify both instructors well in advance so that arrangements can be made to accommodate the conflict.

Courses marked by the in the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog are offered as online courses. (Subject to change.)

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After the end of the late registration and drop/add period, a student may withdraw from a course (or all courses) only by processing an Official Withdrawal Form. Forms can be obtained in person or online from the Office of the Registrar (Student Center Building, 770-960-5110.) See the Financial Information chapter for refund policies.

No Automatic Withdrawal: Students must not assume that they will be automatically withdrawn if they quit attending a course. Any student who is registered for a class and quits attending, or who never attends, will be assigned a grade of F unless an official withdrawal form is processed. It is the student’s own responsibility to initiate the withdrawal process, complete the withdrawal form, and make sure that the form is turned in to the Registrar. Students should pay careful attention to the information below regarding the time of withdrawal.

Returning University-Owned Equipment: A student who withdraws from all classes for a term is no longer considered an enrolled student. The individual must immediately return any University-owned equipment that may have been issued to the student. The withdrawal process is not complete until all equipment has been properly returned.

Withdrawal before Midterm: A student who completes the official withdrawal process prior to the published midterm date for the term of enrollment will be assigned a grade of W (withdrew) regardless of the reason for withdrawal or how the student is performing in the class. A grade of W does not figure in GPA, but it may have implications for continued financial aid eligibility. (Consult the Financial Aid Office.)

Withdrawal after Midterm: As noted above, prior to midterm a student may withdraw for any reason whatsoever and receive a grade of W. However, withdrawal after midterm is subject to academic penalty (accountability) as follows: A student who completes the withdrawal process after the published midterm date for the term of enrollment will be automatically assigned a grade of WF (withdrew failing) unless a hardship exception is granted. (See below for hardship request procedure.) A WF counts in GPA just like a grade of F.

Hardship Withdrawal Policies: A student desiring to be considered for a hardship withdrawal must complete the official withdrawal process and submit a Hardship Withdrawal Request Form to the dean of the school of the student’s major. The Hardship Request form may be obtained from the Registrar online (www.clayton.edu) or in person (STC-216). Call 770-960-5110 to obtain a form if in person or online is not feasible.

To be eligible for hardship withdrawal, a student must have met ALL of the following conditions:

1. experienced an emergency or other unanticipated hardship that makes continuation in the course or courses ill-advised,

2. been passing the course at the time that the emergency or other hardship arose,

3. acted responsibly by notifying his or her instructors or other University officials about the hardship situation as soon as possible after it arose, and

4. filed the hardship request with the appropriate dean as soon as it is feasible to do so. Hardship requests that are not filed in a timely manner are subject to denial even if the student was passing and the hardship was legitimate.

Hardship withdrawal does not involve special consideration for refunds. Any refund due will be granted in accordance with the refund regulations and schedule printed in the semester Schedule of Classes booklet.

For purposes of this policy, “passing” is defined to include not only recorded grades but also satisfactory progress toward course assignments (papers, reports, projects, etc.) that have not yet actually been graded at the time the hardship arises. The dean’s office will contact the appropriate faculty member(s) to determine the student’s status.

“Hardship” refers to an unexpected event or circumstance beyond the student’s control that directly interferes with the student’s ability to continue to make satisfactory progress in class(es). This generally includes, but is not necessarily limited to, serious illness or accident of the student or a close relative that requires the student’s extended attention, unavoidable and unexpected job change or change of job assignment that conflicts with class, or significant disruption of family life that prevents regular class progress. The following sorts of cases do not constitute “hardship”: getting behind in class due to taking on more than one can handle; doing poorly in class due to inadequate background, difficult material, or poor time management; taking extensive time away from class for a personal situation that could have been expeditiously handled with a minimum of class interference. The dean may request documentation of the hardship.

A student should contact the dean of the school of his or her major or the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs (770-961-3538) for questions about hardship withdrawal.

All of the regulations listed above for withdrawing from any course also apply to Learning Support courses. In addition, regulations provide that a student required to take Learning Support courses may not withdraw from a Learning Support course and remain in any course numbered 1000 or higher.

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Every course listed on a student’s official semester schedule will be listed on the student’s permanent record with some grade

designation or symbol, even though the student may not complete the semester‘s work.

*In many cases, D grades will not count toward graduation; see the specific program for details.

The following grade symbols show on the transcript but are not included in the determination of the grade point average:

S — Satisfactory. Indicates satisfactory completion of a course graded on a “satisfactory/unsatisfactory” basis.

Use of S/U grading is limited to certain laboratory, clinical, activity, and field‑based courses. Hours earned with a grade of S may count toward graduation, but they do not affect grade point average.

I — Incomplete. Indicates that a student was doing satisfactory work, but due to non-academic reasons beyond the student’s control, the student was unable to meet the full requirements of the course. The I is appropriate only when the unfinished requirements can be clearly delineated and constitute a relatively small part of the course; otherwise withdrawal is appropriate. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate the request for an I by contacting the relevant instructor, department head, associate dean, or dean in a timely manner before the end of the term or session. The assignment of an I requires the written approval of the dean or associate dean of the school. To remove an I and convert it to a grade, the student must contact the instructor (or department head or associate dean or dean if the instructor is unavailable) in a timely manner and arrange to complete the course requirements. (An individual who has an I pending but is not otherwise enrolled may not retain possession of University-owned equipment, and the individual has access to campus facilities and services only to the extent necessary to complete course requirements.) A grade of I that is not converted to another grade during the next semester of attendance or within one calendar year (whichever comes first) will automatically be changed to the grade F.

W — Withdrew. Indicates that a student withdrew before midterm or withdrew after midterm but with hardship approval. (See the heading above for details on withdrawal policy.)

V — Audit. Indicates that a student audited a course. Students may not change from audit to credit status or vice versa.

K — Credit by Examination/Experience. Indicates that the student was given credit for the course via a credit by examination or experience program (CLEP, AP, or other proficiency exam).

IP— In Progress. This applies only to Learning Support courses. The student is required to repeat the course. A grade of IP counts as an attempt for purposes of Learning Support suspension.

NR— Not Reported. This symbol indicates a grade was not reported to the Office of the Registrar.

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The scholastic standing of a student is expressed in terms of GPA, which is calculated by

dividing the total number of quality points earned by the total number of semester credit hours attempted in courses numbered 1000 or higher at Clayton State University. Following is an example:

Clayton State University normally calculates two types of overall grade point average: Regents’ and Institutional Standing.

The Regents’ Grade Point Average (sometimes called cumulative GPA) is the average of the grades in all courses (numbered 1000 or higher)* attempted at Clayton State University. Regents’ GPA is used to determine whether a student is eligible for academic honors.

The Institutional Grade Point Average is the average of the grades in the most recent attempts of all courses (numbered 1000 or higher)* attempted at Clayton State University. Institutional GPA is used to determinethe following:

a. academic standing status (good standing, warning, probation, and suspension); and

NOTE: Learning Support grades, earlier attempted grades, and transfer grades may be considered in GPA for such

purposes as evaluation for program admission or consideration for academic awards and scholarships.

* Grades in Learning Support courses are not calculated in any GPA. Grades in transfer courses are not calculated in

A student may repeat any course* regardless of the previous grade. However, only the most recent attempt counts toward graduation and in the Institutional GPA even if the most recent grade is lower. The grades for all courses will remain on the student’s permanent record. Some specific programs may have limitations on course repeats, and students are subject to the admission and retention policies of such programs. Students should consult the appropriate chapter of this catalog and/or program materials.

* Semester courses that are directly equivalent to quarter courses will be considered repeats. Similar courses that are substituted but not directly equivalent are not considered repeats. Some courses (Selected Topics, Independent Study, Internship) provide for repeats for credit. In such cases, all grades count in GPA.

Students wishing to file an appeal of a grade or other academic action must first attempt to work out the matter informally with the appropriate instructor. If that is not satisfactory or if the instructor cannot be contacted, the appealing student must contact the relevant department head or associate dean. The appeal must be initiated as soon as possible. The appellant must put his or her case in writing and supply documentation unless the matter is resolved informally before an official appeal

is filed. Written appeals should be directed to the relevant department head or associate dean with a copy to the dean. The department head/associate dean in consultation with the dean will provide the appellant with a written answer. Students may appeal the school/department-level response by submitting a written statement to the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Appeals initiated more than one semester following the time that the dispute arose will not normally be considered. (This “statute of limitations” will not be extended unless there is clear and convincing evidence that it would not have been

reasonable to expect the student to have raised the appeal in a more timely manner.)

Full details about the appeal process are contained in the Student Handbook, which can be obtained from the Office of the Vice President for Campus Life or via the University homepage. Students with questions about the academic appeal process should contact the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs (770-961-3538).

In most cases, the Clayton State University Institutional GPA will serve the needs of a student whose academic performance was weak in previous years. However, another option is available to students through the Academic Renewal Policy of the University System of Georgia. This policy allows degree-seeking students who have experienced academic difficulty to make a fresh start after an absence of five calendar years from any and all colleges or universities to have one final opportunity to earn an associate or baccalaureate degree. Former Developmental Studies/Learning Support students may apply for Academic Renewal only if they successfully completed all Learning Support requirements before the

commencement of the five-year period of absence. University System policy is as follows:

1. All previously attempted coursework continues to be recorded on the student’s official transcript. A cumulative grade point average including all courses taken and an Academic Renewal Cumulative Grade Point Average must be shown on each Academic Renewal student’s permanent record.

a. An Academic Renewal Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) begins when the student resumes taking coursework following the five-year period of absence once approval for Academic Renewal has been granted. The institution will place a statement on the student’s transcript indicating the Academic Renewal status and the beginning of a separate Academic Renewal CGPA.

b. The Academic Renewal CGPA will be used for determining academic standing and eligibility for graduation.

c. Academic credit for previously completed coursework–including transfer coursework–will be retained only for courses in which A, B, C, or S grades have been earned. Retained grades are not calculated in the Academic Renewal CGPA.

d. To earn a degree, a student must meet the institution’s residency requirement.

3. Any scholastic suspensions that occurred in the past shall remain recorded on the student’s permanent record.

4. If a student does not request Academic Renewal status at the time of re-enrollment after a five-year or greater period of absence from any college or university, the student may do so within two academic semesters of re-enrollment or within one calendar year, whichever comes first. The Academic Renewal CGPA begins with the first term following re-enrollment.

6. The granting of Academic Renewal does not supersede financial aid policies regarding satisfactory Academic Progress.

7. The granting of Academic Renewal may supersede the admissions requirements of certain programs (e.g., teacher education, nursing), which require a specific minimum grade point average based upon all coursework. This decision will reside at the institutional level.

8. Any currently enrolled student who was not enrolled at a college or university for a period of five calendar years may apply for an Academic Renewal CGPA. The Academic Renewal CGPA for currently enrolled students begins with the first timefollowing re-enrollment after the five-year period of absence from any college or university.

9. United States and Georgia history and constitution requirements met prior to the granting of Academic Renewal will remain on the student’s permanent record even though the courses may not count in the Academic Renewal CGPA.

a. Hours earned prior to Academic Renewal will count toward Regent's Test, College Preparatory Curriculum, and/or other Board of Regents policy requirements that state a specified number of hours earned.

b. Academic Honors are calculated on the cumulative GPA, not the Academic Renewal CGPA.

Procedure: Students who wish to seek Academic Renewal must submit a completed Academic Renewal Application form to

the Office of the Registrar at least six weeks prior to the semester in which the student intends to begin taking classes under the

Academic Renewal Policy. Contact the Office of the Registrar for additional information.

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Who is Subject to Learning Support Requirements? As indicated in Chapter 2 (Admissions Information), students in the limited and non-traditional admission categories must take the entry placement examination (COMPASS) to determine if they will be required to take Learning Support courses, i.e. any course numbered below 1000. Students who score high enough on the placement examination will be exempted from some or all Learning Support courses; students whose scores indicate the need for remediation will be required to take the appropriate courses. Any combination of the following may be required: READ 0099, ENGL 0099, MATH 0096, MATH 0097, MATH 0099, and CSOR 0098. Once it is determined that a student is required to take Learning Support courses, the regulations in this section apply.

Note: These regulations do not apply to students who volunteer to take Learning Support courses except that the volunteer is limited in the number of attempts allowed in a given course and/or content area.

Learning Support Advisement. All students required to take any Learning Support course must be advised each term by advisors in the Department of Learning Support.* Students required to take Learning Support courses may declare a major, but they are not officially considered to be in that major until they have exited Learning Support and met any other requirements for the major.

* Learning Support students in certificate programs (excluding C.I.T.) may be advised by School of Technology faculty in conjunction with Learning Support.

Learning Support Regulations. The Department of Learning Support offers college preparatory instruction in certain critical basic skills areas–written and oral communications, mathematics, and reading–as well as personal development and study skills. (See the Learning Support courses in the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog.) Learning Support courses are not applicable to any degree programs offered by the University; however, they do constitute prerequisites that Learning Support students must satisfy before they are fully accepted into degree or certificate programs.

Students required to take Learning Support courses are subject to the following regulations:

1. Students who are required to take Learning Support courses must do so during their first semester of enrollment and continue taking them for each subsequent semester of enrollment until all requirements have been completed (exited).

2. Students who are required to take Learning Support courses must take CSOR 0098, College Skills Orientation, in the first semester of enrollment. (Students whose only Learning Support requirement is in mathematics may petition the Learning Support Department Head for exemption from CSOR 0098.)

3. Students who successfully complete (exit) all Learning Support requirements can schedule graduation-applicable courses during the next semester of enrollment. Some students may be allowed to schedule some graduation‑applicable courses while also taking Learning Support courses.

4. Students who are required to take READ 0099 must exit the reading area before they enroll in any courses in the Core Curriculum (Areas A-F). Students who are required to take Learning Support math and/or English are restricted from many Core Curriculum courses.

5. Students who are required to take Learning Support courses must complete all required Learning Support content areas (English, mathematics, reading) before they earn 20 semester hours of graduation-applicable credit. Students who have not done so by that point may enroll only in Learning Support courses until all content area requirements are complete.

6. Students required to take Learning Support courses may not drop or withdraw from Learning Support courses and remain in any course numbered 1000 or higher.

7. After students have passed all other requirements for their required Learning Support courses, they must then pass the exit examinations (currently COMPASS) for the required content areas. In other words, a student is not allowed to take the exit examination unless he or she has satisfactorily completed all course work up to that point.

A student who does not pass an exit examination in a content area must repeat the course regardless of the grade earned in other course requirements.

Learning Support Suspension. Students who are required to take Learning Support courses have a limited number of attempts to pass and complete courses in content areas. An “attempt” is any course enrollment that results in a grade other than W or V. (For purposes of this policy, an IP is considered an attempt.)

Mathematics: Students are allowed a maximum of three attempts to pass the MATH 0096–MATH 0097–MATH 0099 sequence subject to the following conditions:

· Students who begin in MATH 0096 or MATH 0097 and do not exit this level in two attempts will be suspended from the University and not allowed to attempt MATH 0097 again or take MATH 0099. (Note: MATH 0096 includes all material from MATH 0097 but begins at a more basic level.) After at least one semester of suspension, students may appeal for one attempt to take and exit MATH 0099. (This will constitute the third and final Learning Support math attempt prior to a three-year suspension.) Appeals to take MATH 0099 following suspension due to failure to exit MATH 0096/0097 must be directed to the Head of the Department of Learning Support, who will approve the appeal only if the applicant has participated in substantive mathematics remediation during the semester(s) of suspension and can demonstrate compelling evidence of a high likelihood of success in exiting MATH 0099. Such evidence will include, but not necessarily be limited to, the score earned on a required mathematics re-entry test. Students who are unsuccessful in this attempt of MATH 0099 will be suspended for three years.

English, Reading, and College Skills: Students are allowed a maximum of three attempts in each of the following courses: ENGL 0099, READ 0099, and CSOR 0098. Students who do not pass any course in three attempts will be suspended from the University for three years.

Period of Suspension: Suspended students are dismissed from the University for a minimum of three years. (In extraordinary cases in which there is compelling evidence of a high likelihood of success if the student is granted one more attempt before the three-year period begins, students may appeal the suspension. Appeals must be filed with the Head of the Department of Learning Support; appeals will be evaluated by the Admission Appeals Committee.)

Following the three-year period of suspension, a student may re-apply to the University and file an appeal with the Admission Appeals Committee; readmission is not automatic and is only granted when there is evidence of a high likelihood of success.

NOTE: Attempts are cumulative across colleges and universities in the University System of Georgia. The limit on number of attempts also applies to students who volunteer for Learning Support courses.

NOTE: It is possible to be in good standing according to GPA and still be suspended by Learning Support regulations.

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The academic standing of a student is determined on the basis of the number of degree-credit semester hours attempted at Clayton State University plus transfer hours. GPA is based on Clayton State University only.

(Transfer credit accepted by Clayton State University prior to Summer 1996 is not used in the calculation of attempted hours for academic standing.)

A student will be given an Academic Warning if at the end of any semester his or her institutional or term GPA falls below 2.00 but the student is not subject to probation or suspension. Although students on “warning” remain in good standing, they should be aware that once below 2.00, a student’s grade point average is very difficult to raise without making course grades of A and B. Without immediate improvements, academic probation may result. (Note: It is possible to go directly to probation without academic warning.)

Any student whose institutional GPA falls below the minimum acceptable GPA for Good Standing as indicated in the chart under the Good Standing heading above will be placed on academic probation. Probation students are urged to consult the Office of Counseling and Career Services and may be required to see special advisors.

Any student required to take a Learning Support course will be placed on Learning Support probation if he or she fails a Learning Support course the first time he or she takes it. (Note: Attempts at Learning Support courses are cumulative within the University System of Georgia.) See the Learning Support Requirements heading earlier in this chapter.

Probation is a very serious matter. The Office of Counseling & Career Services can work with students on probation to help them find ways to bring up their grades. If performance does not improve, the student will be suspended from the University.

A student will be placed on academic suspension and barred from enrollment for the upcoming semester if at the end of any semester while on academic probation both of the following two criteria apply: (1) the student‘s institutional GPA falls below the minimum acceptable level for Good Standing as indicated in the chart above, and (2) the student’s GPA for the term just completed is below 2.00.

First suspension: The first academic suspension bars enrollment for one semester. A student who returns to the University following the normal period of exclusion for the first suspension must apply for readmission and will be on academic probation. The student may be required to consult a special counselor/advisor prior to registration. A readmitted student may have his or her enrollment restricted until he or she achieves an institutional GPA of 2.00 or higher.

Second suspension: The second academic suspension bars enrollment for two semesters. A student who returns to the University following the normal period of exclusion for the second suspension must apply for readmission and will be on probation. The student may be required to consult with a special counselor/advisor prior to registration and may have his or her enrollment restricted until he or she achieves an institutional GPA of 2.00 or higher.

Dismissal: Any student receiving a third academic suspension will be dismissed from the University and barred from further enrollment.

Appeal of first or second suspension: A student who has been suspended for the first or second time may petition for waiver or reduction of the exclusion period. Such appeals are granted only in exceptional cases in which there is clear evidence that the reasons for the suspension have been ameliorated and are not likely to be repeated. If readmission is granted, the student will be on probation, and enrollment may be restricted. Students who wish to petition for waiver of the exclusion period must file the appropriate appeal form with the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and schedule a personal appeal session (ADM-28, 770-961-3538).

Appeal for readmission following dismissal: There is no automatic readmission following dismissal regardless of how long the student has been out of the University. However, after at least one full calendar year out of the University, a dismissed student may petition for readmission. A student seeking readmission following dismissal must complete a regular Clayton State University Application for Readmission form and a special appeal form. The appropriate forms must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the deadline for application for admissions for the semester for which the student is seeking readmission.

Petitioners should be fully aware that readmission is not automatic. The petition will be evaluated by the Admission Appeals Committee and will not be granted unless there is clear and compelling evidence of the likelihood of academic success upon readmission. If readmission is granted, enrollment may be on a restricted basis. A readmitted student will be on academic probation and will be immediately dismissed again if his or her semester and institutional GPA fall below 2.00.

Students who fail to complete Learning Support courses within the number of attempts specified by the Learning Support policies explained earlier in this chapter will be dismissed from the University for a minimum of three years. (In extraordinary cases in which there is compelling evidence of the likelihood of success if one more attempt is granted before the three-year period begins, students may appeal the suspension. Appeals must be filed with the Head of the Department of Learning Support; appeals will be evaluated by the Admission Appeals Committee. The committee may restrict the enrollment of a student if readmitted.) Following the three-year period of suspension, a student may re-apply to the University and file an appeal with the Admission Appeals Committee; readmission is not automatic.

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Experiential Learning at Clayton State University provides students with opportunities to create durable and meaningful connections between education and all other aspects of life. Students complement their academic learning with practical experience in a work setting related to their programs of study or career goals. Experiential learning benefits the local community by encouraging cooperation between the University and area organizations while providing the regional employment community with better prepared employees.

Experiential Learning includes cooperative education, internships, applied learning, service learning, and volunteerism. Most programs of study offer credit for experiential learning, and may include experiential learning as a degree requirement. Students should refer to specific program requirements regarding required and optional internships. Students who do not earn credit may receive non-credit transcript documentation for participating in cooperative education or internship.

Students interested in cooperative education and/or internships should work with their academic advisors and the Office of Experiential Learning (ADM-28, 770-960-4186).

Students must have met the following minimum standards to be eligible for participation in Experiential Learning:

· Earn the appropriate number of credit hours (baccalaureate program—30 hours; associate program—18 hours; certificate—12 hours);

· Obtain prior approval from the Director of Experiential Learning and a faculty coordinator. This involves providing evidence that the experience is directly related to the student’s area of study.

Note: Academic departments as well as local organizations and businesses reserve the right to establish higher minimum requirements. The Grade and Academic Appeals process described earlier in this chapter applies to appeals related to experiential learning.

After a student is offered and accepts an experiential learning position, he or she must articulate clear learning objectives on the Experiential Learning Agreement Form. The Form provides a statement of understanding between the student, the University, and the host organization and is used to document student progress. Any student who fails to submit a completed Agreement Form by the deadline is subject to being withdrawn from the course.

Clayton State University currently participates in study abroad programs sponsored by the European, African, Asian, and Americas Councils of the University System of Georgia. Information on these programs may be obtained from the office of the Director of International Studies. These summer programs offer students the opportunity to enjoy up to five weeks of residence in a college environment abroad while earning academic course credit. Financial aid and HOPE scholarship funds may be used for these programs. Clayton State also participates in a student exchange program with the University of Northumbria in Newcastle, England, in which students can study for a semester or academic year abroad, with the credit earned counting toward their academic program at Clayton State University.

The Director also maintains information on numerous other study abroad programs offered by colleges and universities throughout the state and country.

Clayton State students have participated in programs in England, France, Italy, Spain, and Russia. For complete information on the opportunities available to Clayton State students, contact the Director of International Studies, Arts and Sciences Building, Room 110C (770-960-5189).

A limited number of qualified students are admitted to the Clayton State University Honors Program, which offers special sections of classes and other activities. See the Financial Aid, HOPE Programs, Scholarships, and the Honors Program chapter of this catalog for additional information.

A student with a semester average of 3.60 or higher who is in good academic standing will be placed on the Deans’ List for that semester. Students who take only physical education courses are not eligible for the Deans’ List. Students who are taking any course numbered lower than 1000 are ineligible for the Deans’ List.

To qualify for graduation with honors, students must meet the following requirements:

a. attain the Regents’ Grade Point Average specified for the given level of honors on all work attempted at Clayton State University; and

b. attain the grade point average specified for the given level of honors on the Regents’ Grade Point Average calculated on all college courses attempted at Clayton State and all other institutions attended, including accepted and non‑accepted transfer credit.

NOTE: Graduation with Honors is officially calculated on all grades up to the point of graduation. However, Honors announcements at the commencement ceremony are normally based on grades earned through the last semester prior to graduation. Students participating in the ceremony who think that their final semester’s grades will qualify them for Honors may file a petition for Honors calculation prior to the ceremony. Contact the Registrar for details.

During the latter part of Spring Semester of each year, an Honors Convocation is held to recognize those students from all disciplines who have achieved overall records of academic excellence.

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OTHER ACADEMIC POLICIES
Credit Hours
Credit for study at Clayton State University and at all institutions in the University System of Georgia is measured quantitatively in semester hours. One semester credit hour presumes one hour (actually 50 minutes) in class per week plus about two hours (100 minutes) outside of class in study, review, project preparation, and related activities. Most courses are three credit hours, meaning that the class will normally meet 150 minutes per week and that the student should normally plan to spend an additional 300 minutes studying, reviewing, and preparing. A laboratory or activity period of two or three clock hours is normally considered the equivalent of one class hour, since extensive out-of-class preparation is usually not required.

This rule of thumb for time management will, of course, vary from student to student and course to course depending on student background and course content. Although many studies have shown that the amount of time that a student spends on task is a critical factor in determining the likelihood of success, students should remember that success in a course is ultimately measured by the degree of mastery of educational objectives, not just by the time spent.

Online courses, including telecourses and Web courses, are also measured by semester hours, but the in-class/out-of-class calculation is obviously not the same. Although the delivery method is non-traditional, the general calculation of spending about 150 minutes per week on task per semester credit hour is still a useful rule of thumb.

Clayton State University welcomes both full-time and part-time students. Students scheduling 12 or more hours of credit per semester are classified by the University as full-time students for fee payment purposes; those with fewer than 12 semester hours of credit are classified as part-time students. This definition of “full-time” is derived from the semester credit hour calculation as explained above. Since each three-hour course should take about 450 minutes per week of a student’s time in class and out of class, a student who takes twelve semester hours (four three-hour courses) should be spending approximately 1,800 minutes (30 clock hours) per week on college work. The time required for a fifteen-semester-hour load should be roughly equivalent to a forty-hour work week. This calculation will help students plan their time to balance school, work, and personal responsibilities.

In order to stay on track for graduation in one, two, or four years, depending on the program of study, a student must complete at least 30 credit hours per calendar year. Typically, this involves two 15-hour semesters with a summer off. (Some programs will require more hours to stay on track.) Students who attend during Summer Semester can take fewer hours in fall and spring to stay on track, or they can take additional summer hours and speed up graduation. To meet their personal needs, many students choose to extend their programs and take fewer hours per semester. Outstanding students may accelerate their timetable by taking course overloads with approval.

Courses numbered in the 1000s and 2000s are considered lower division courses. Courses numbered in the 3000s and 4000s are considered upper division.

Some courses may have junior standing or senior standing as a prerequisite. Junior standing constitutes 60 degree credit hours completed; senior standing constitutes 90 degree credit hours completed. In certain circumstances, the junior or senior standing prerequisite may be waived by the dean of the school that offers the course.

Policy on Class Attendance

Being prepared for class in advance and participating on a regular basis is a vitally important ingredient for academic success. Research continually shows that poor attendance and/or limited participation usually results in low grades. However, because the delivery mode, content, assignments, and other particulars for each class section vary so widely, Clayton State University does not specify an official campus-wide attendance standard. Attendance records are not maintained except to the extent that an individual instructor may keep records for the purposes of his or her own classes. The attendance policy for each course will be stated in the syllabus; it is your responsibility as a student to inquire of the instructor if you have any questions.

Special note for online courses: Actual physical attendance in the classroom is limited (or in some cases non–existent) for online courses, but time on task and active, regular participation is just as important to success as it is in traditional on-campus classroom courses.

Clayton State University recognizes that learning can take place in a variety of settings other than the traditional classroom. Within guidelines established by the University, credit may be earned for some classes by examination or experience. These non‑traditional sources of credit include nationally recognized standardized tests, certain military training, selected professional certifications, and in some cases, special examinations developed at the University.

Credit by examination is available for a number of national programs, including the following:

• Advanced Placement Program of the College Board (AP). In some basic courses, Clayton State University accepts an AP grade of 3 for credit. Grades of 4 or 5 are required for many courses. The current required scores are posted on the Registrar’s web page (www.clayton.edu). Students seeking credit must have their official scores sent directly from AP to the Office of the Registrar. (The University does not accept scores forwarded by high schools.) Additional information and a list of examinations are available from the Office of the Registrar.

• College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Clayton State University awards credit for several CLEP subject examinations. (The University does not accept the CLEP general examination.) CLEP examinations are administered by Assessment Services approximately once per month. Scheduled times and other information are available from Assessment Services (LIB-141).

• Credit by examination for lower division course work may be awarded to nurses and dental hygienist who have passed the applicable state licensing examination and have valid Georgia license. Additional information is available from the School of Health Sciences (BHS-61).

• Certified Professional Secretaries Examination (CPS). Clayton State University awards credit for the CPS examination program. Information is available from the School of Technology (TEC-211).

• Students are issued block credit for certain Emergency Medical Services courses by virtue of National Registry Paramedic Certification and/or National Registry EMT Intermediate Certification. Additional information is available from the School of Technology (TEC-211).

Credit by examination or experience may be available for a number of other programs, including the following:

• As a Servicemembers Opportunity College (SOC) institution, Clayton State University accepts Armed Forces training (including DANTES and USAFI). The University consults the American Council on Education (ACE) Guide and considers its credit recommendations. Clayton State University, however, reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of military training for credit at the University. Students seeking credit for Armed Forces experience and training must supply documentation (including but not necessarily limited to the DD-214) to the Office of the Registrar for evaluation.

• In certain instances, credit by examination is available through validation of previous registered nursing experience and nursing specialty certification. Additional information can be obtained through the School of Health Sciences (BHS-61).

• Other Clayton State University programs may develop validation examinations and procedures in order to grant credit for competencies learned in non-academic courses.

Information about possible credit by examination or experience is available in the appropriate academic school or in Assessment Services (LIB-141).

1. Credit by examination or experience may be awarded only in areas that fall within the regular curricular offerings of the University, and any credit awarded must be appropriately related to the student’s current educational goals.

2. A student must meet all prerequisites for a course before credit by examination or experience can be awarded for that course.

3. Credit by examination or experience is not awarded for any course for which the student has previously earned credit or for which the student has already completed a higher course in sequence. (For example, a student with credit for MATH 1113 could not earn credit by examination for MATH 1101. The only exception to the sequence rule is for required courses in which a C or K or better is required for graduation. In such cases, a student may use credit by examination to override a D in the first course of a sequence.)

4. Although appropriate credit earned by examination or experience may be applied to meet graduation requirements, such credit may not be used to meet the minimum number of hours required “in residence” at Clayton State University. This regulation applies even if the credit by examination or experience is earned at the same time that the student is in residence for other courses.

5. Credit by experience must have occurred in a formalized setting that maintains verifiable records. In addition, the experience must be validated as equivalent to college credit by a recognized outside entity or by an institution-required validation examination. Clayton State University does not award credit based on generalized life experience.

6. Credit by examination or experience is recorded on transcripts at Clayton State University by the symbol K. Grades of K do not alter the student’s semester, Regents’, or Institutional Grade Point Average (GPA).

Credit obtained through traditional correspondence courses taught through other regionally accredited colleges or universities may be counted toward graduation. Correspondence credit is considered transfer credit, and normally a maximum of 12 semester hours of correspondence credit will be accepted in a program of study. Currently enrolled students seeking permission to take courses through correspondence must complete a Transient Authorization Form and obtain approval from the appropriate dean and the Registrar prior to registering for correspondence work.

Currently enrolled Clayton State University students in good standing who wish to attend another institution on a temporary basis to take courses that will count toward their degree at Clayton State may request to do so as transient students with the advance approval of Clayton State and the other institution. Students wishing to take courses on a transient basis must apply to and be accepted by the other institution as a transient student. Prior to enrolling at the other institution, the Clayton State University student must complete a Transient Request Form (available from the Office of the Registrar) and obtain approval. The transient request must be approved by the dean of the school offering the major and by the Office of the Registrar. Approval or disapproval is based on the administrator’s judgment of the appropriateness to the student’s academic program. Ordinarily, transient status is granted for only one semester although exceptions may be approved in special circumstances. Normally, transient status is not granted for one part of a science or foreign language course sequence.

Students who are required to participate in the Learning Support Program are not eligible for transient status until all program requirements have been completed. Students on F-I visas are not eligible for transient status.

(For information about coming to Clayton State University as a transient student from another institution, see the Admissions Information chapter.)

Clayton State University is a member of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Program. Participation in this program means that Clayton State University has shown a special interest in providing higher education options for members of the armed forces. Clayton State University is listed in the SOC Guide, which announces to military education professionals and their thousands of potential students that the University understands their special needs and is receptive to working with them. Contact the Office of Counseling & Career Services in the Student Center Building for additional information (770-961-3515).

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R.O.T.C

Clayton State offers its students the opportunity to participate in the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) program at Georgia State University (GSU). The courses are offered by the GSU. Department of Military Science and Clayton State University students enroll in R.O.T.C. courses through the Atlanta Regional Consortium for Higher Education (A.R.C.H.E.). Currently all courses are offered at GSU.

For information about registering via A.R.C.H.E., please contact the C.C.S.U. Registrar (STC–216, 770-960-5110). For information about the Army R.O.T.C. program, please call 770-651-2276 or visit the office of the second floor of the Courtland Building on the GSU campus, downtown Atlanta. (Clayton State University students can also participate in R.O.T.C. at Georgia Tech: Army, 404-894-9938; Air Force, 404-894-4175; and Navy, 404-894-4771.)