GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
ACADEMIC
DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES
GENERAL
CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS
General requirements for graduation are included in this chapter of the catalog. The curriculum and specific requirements for each program are listed in the subsequent chapters for the five schools and colleges of the University: Arts and Sciences, Business, Health Sciences, Information & Mathematical Sciences, and Technology. Each student is responsible for both the general requirements in this chapter and the specific requirements for his or her chosen program of study.
Clayton State offers several types of
academic degrees and certificates:
1.
Baccalaureate degrees: Depending on the major of the
graduate, the baccalaureate degree will be a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science
(B.S.), Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), Bachelor of Science in Nursing
(B.S.N.), Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (B.S.D.H.), Bachelor of Music (B.M.),
Bachelor of Information Technology (B.I.T.), or a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.). Baccalaureates take four years of full-time study
or longer for part-time enrollment. Unless
otherwise stated, all upper division courses in baccalaureate degree programs require a
minimum grade of C.
2. Associate of Arts and Associate of Science
degrees: The Associate of Arts (A.A.) and Associate of Science (A.S.) degrees are
designed as the first two years of work (core curriculum) for baccalaureate degrees
(except the B.A.S., B.I.T. or R.N.-B.S.N. track). The transfer-focused associate degree is
available in many fields from Art to Sociology. This wide range of programs of study,
mostly in the School of Arts and Sciences, gives students the opportunity to spend their
freshman and sophomore years at Clayton State even when the University does not have a
major in their chosen baccalaureate field. (Clayton State University does not offer the A.A. or A.S. in fields
for which the University offers the bachelor’s degree.) Transfer to another institution in the University
System of Georgia is facilitated by the University System's Core Curriculum, which is
listed with each program. Associate degrees can normally be completed in two years of
full-time enrollment.
3.
Applied Associate degrees: The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) is a
career-focused degree designed to prepare students with the technical and professional
skills necessary to immediately enter the world of work in a chosen field. Career associate degrees contain a significant
component of general education, but most of the course work is in the occupational field. Clayton State University offers
career associate degrees in numerous fields. Career
associate degrees usually require two years of full-time attendance. In addition to being prepared for skilled
employment positions, graduates with A.A.S. degrees
are eligible to pursue the Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) degree. The A.A.S. in Information Technology (A.A.S.I.T.)
is designed to lead directly to the B.I.T.
4. Academic certificates in career fields: Academic certificates are awarded for
completion of programs of study similar to career associate degrees but normally with fewer courses. Clayton State offers more than a dozen certificate
programs; the courses taken in most certificate programs can later be applied to Associate
of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees, but there are certain restrictions to which students
should pay close attention. All courses in
the Certificate in Information Technology (C.I.T.) apply to the A.A.S.I.T.
5. Post-baccalaureate certificates: In certain fields such as Health Care
Informatics or Not-for-Profit Service (American Humanics), students who already hold
baccalaureate degrees in related fields can earn post-baccalaureate certificates.
In pursuit of its core mission “to provide superior career-oriented studies
that will prepare students to succeed in the world of work in the 21st
Century,” Clayton State University focuses all academic programs on
student learning outcomes that are identified by the Clayton State University faculty. Briefly stated, an
outcome is what the University wants the student “to know and be able to do”
upon graduation. The outcomes for some programs are listed in this catalog, and others are
listed in materials published by the appropriate school or department. (For the full text
of the University’s Mission Statement, see Chapter One.)
Required Participation in Assessments
In order for the University to assess and improve its academic programs, regular measurements of students' perceptions and intellectual growth must be obtained. In their general education programs and major fields of study, students may be required to participate in surveys and in assessments of course and/or program effectiveness. At a certain point in a student’s program, participation in assessment activities may be required prior to continuing registration. The results of such assessments may be used to require or recommend that a student take refresher or remedial course work or engage in other activity. In addition, the aggregate information obtained through such assessment instruments is used to improve the quality of the educational experience for all Clayton State University students.
The general education portion of the Core Curriculum is especially important at
Clayton State University because general education forms the foundation for
all specific programs of study. Specifically,
the University’s mission commits it to providing “career-oriented education with
a solid liberal arts foundation.” After
completing the courses in Areas A-E at Clayton State, students will be able to exhibit
effective performance in communication and critical thinking, the learning outcomes that
the faculty has identified as the essential elements of a superior general education. The abilities to think critically and communicate
effectively are the foundation outcomes of general education, and these outcomes are
stressed in major programs as well as in the Core Curriculum.
The Communication Outcome
Communication is much more than
setting forth information: it involves an interchange of ideas or thoughts between a
sender and a recipient. Whether the
communication takes the form of a written paper or report, a letter, an oral presentation,
or a problem-solving discussion in a small group, the ultimate goal is a clear, meaningful
exchange of ideas between the sender(s) and recipient(s). Regardless of its purpose or its
form, communication is characterized by the following five components:
·
Knowledge Base
·
Awareness of
Recipient
·
Organization
·
Mechanics/Delivery
·
Style
The Critical Thinking Outcome
Critical Thinking is a systematic process used to find the answers to questions as well as to solve problems or reach informed decisions. The purpose of critical thought can be to reach a judgment based on careful reflection (e.g., reacting to a work of art or a poem) or to fulfill a very specific goal (deciding whether or not to administer a particular drug to a patient). It is important for each of us to develop the ability to think critically as well as to evaluate the quality of the critical thinking of others. No matter what the purpose for critical thought, it is characterized by the following four components:
·
Question/Issue
·
Method
·
Evidence
·
Conclusion
In order to graduate with a
baccalaureate or associate degree from Clayton State University, a student
must meet all of the following general requirements.
Specific programs may have additional requirements.
1. Core Curriculum. All baccalaureate degree graduates and all
A.A. and A.S. degree graduates must complete Areas A-F of the Core Curriculum. A.A.S. graduates must complete the portions of
Areas A-F as listed for the specific program. Areas
A-F of Core Curriculum for all majors are listed in the catalog chapters for each school.
Guidelines for the Core Curriculum are established by the University System of Georgia in order to insure a solid general education foundation for all graduates. Courses taken within the Core are guaranteed to transfer within the University System in accordance with guidelines. To a great extent, Areas A-E of the Core are “major free,” meaning that they will apply regardless of major; however, certain majors do have specific mathematics, science, and other requirements in Areas A-E. (Students with questions about acceptance of Clayton State University courses should contact the Transfer Ombudsperson, at 770-961-3538.)
The basic areas of the Core are as
follows (See the chapters for each school for specific course listings in Areas A-F.):
Area
A.
Essential Skills
-- courses in mathematics and English
composition
B.
Critical Thinking and Communication
-- courses in critical thinking,
communications (including computer skills), and foreign language. (The University System refers to Area B as
“Institutional Options.”)
C.
Humanities
(including intermediate foreign language)
D.
Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Technology
E.
Social Sciences
2.
Major Requirements.
Each graduate must complete all curriculum and related requirements for one
specific major as listed in the appropriate chapter of the catalog. In addition to courses, graduation requirements
may include GPA minimums, experiential learning, residency regulations, assessments,
examinations, remedial work, or other requirements as explained in the catalog or official
program handbooks. (Bachelor’s degree students who are referred to WLAB 2999 must
satisfactorily complete the course in order to graduate even if they are allowed to
complete all other requirements first.)
3.
Total Hours Requirement.
The student must have earned the total number of semester credit hours specified
for his or her major. The minimum is 60 hours
for the associate degree and 120 hours for the baccalaureate degree; some programs require
more hours. (Exception: A student who completed part
of his or her degree program under the quarter system at Clayton State University or another University System
of Georgia institution will be allowed to graduate one or two hours short of the total if
all other graduation requirements have been met and the shortage results from calculations
made in the transition from quarters to semesters.)
4. Grade
Point Average. The student must achieve an
institutional GPA of at least 2.00 in the courses used to meet degree requirements. A student must be in good academic standing at the
time of graduation. Some programs may require
a higher GPA.
5. Grade Requirements for ENGL 1101 and other
courses. The student must have a grade
of C or better (or K) in ENGL 1101 in order to graduate. In addition, the student must also meet any
minimum grade requirements for the student's major including grade requirements embedded
in prerequisites. (See the appropriate
chapter of this catalog.)
6. Constitution and History Requirement. The student must complete the Georgia and U.S.
Constitution and History requirement. (This is often called the "Legislative
Requirement" since it is required by law.) The requirement is normally met by taking
POLS 1101 and HIST 2110 in Area E of the Core Curriculum at Clayton State University.
Alternative methods to meet the legislative requirement include the following:
a. Passing HIST 3110, Georgia History and Government, at Clayton State University.
b.
Passing CITZ 1001, Citizenship, at Clayton State University.
c.
Passing American government and U.S. history courses by transfer from a
non-University System of Georgia institution or earning credit by examination and passing Clayton State’s Georgia History
and Government competency examinations. Contact
the Testing Center in the lower level of the Library (770-961-3445) for details.
d.
Meeting the requirement at another institution of the University System of Georgia.
7. Residency Requirement. Residency refers to courses (including online
courses) offered by Clayton State University.
Transfer courses (including correspondence courses, on-line courses, transient
courses, or cross-registration courses*) are not considered to be in residence. Credit by examination or experience is not
considered to be in residence even if the examination was taken at Clayton State University.** (In this context, “residence” has
nothing to do with a student’s residence for fee payment purposes.)
a. Associate degree. A minimum of 21 semester credit hours in residency is required. At least 12 of the 21 hours must be in Area F for the A.A. or A.S. or in program requirements other than electives for the A.A.S.
b.
Baccalaureate degree: A minimum of 30 semester credit
hours in residence at Clayton State University. At least 21 of the 30 must be upper division hours
counted toward program requirements other than free electives. Individual programs of the University may specify
additional residency requirements. (See the
appropriate chapter of this catalog for any additional residency requirements that apply
to specific degrees and/or majors.)
* The Integrative Studies B.A./B.S. program has special provisions for counting some cross-registration courses as in residence.
** In exceptional cases, credit by exam designed and administered by Clayton State University may be counted toward residency if the credit is awarded as part of a designed plan approved in advance by the dean of the school of the student’s major.
NOTE: Certain residency requirements may be modified for students officially in the Servicemembers Opportunity College (SOC) program.
8. Regents'
Test. The University System of Georgia
requires that each student receiving a degree must have successfully completed or be
exempt from all parts of the Regents’ Test, a competency examination in reading and
English composition. The Regents' Testing
Program (RTP) of the University System of Georgia is administered at Clayton State University each semester through Testing Center in the lower level of the Library. Testing dates for each semester are announced in
the Schedule of Classes. In accordance with University System guidelines students with
high SAT-V, ACT-E, and AP-English scores will be exempt from taking the Regents’
Test. For additional details, see the
Regents' Test Policy heading later in this chapter.
9.
Application for Graduation. All students pursuing a certificate or
degree from Clayton State University must submit an Application for
Graduation to the Registrar’s Office two semesters in advance of the intended
graduation. The deadlines for submitting an
application are June 1, for Fall; September 15, for Spring; and January 30, for Summer.
Important Note: All graduation applications are based on semester requirements even if the
student entered Clayton State University prior to the semester system. Quarter
courses will be substituted into semester requirements as appropriate. Graduation
may be delayed for students who fail to file their Graduation Applications on time.
Students may be graduated at the end of any semester in which they fulfill the degree requirements of the University. Currently, formal commencement ceremonies are held in May and December each year. Diplomas are available for pick up in the Registrar's Office six to eight weeks after the end of the semester. Diplomas not picked up will be mailed to the current address on file.
To earn an academic certificate from Clayton State University, a student must meet the following general requirements in addition to the curricular requirements listed later in this catalog with the program of study.
1. Grade Point Average. Certificate graduates must have an
Institutional Grade Point Average of 2.00 or better in the courses counted toward
certificate requirements. A student must be
in good academic standing at the time of graduation.
If ENGL 1101 is counted toward the certificate, the graduate must have earned a
grade of C or better (or K).
2.
Residency. At least one-half of the credit hours applied to
the certificate must be earned in residence at Clayton State University. Individual programs may have additional
restrictions. (See the Residency item of the
Degree Requirements section for the definition of residency.)
3.
Application for Graduation. A student seeking to graduate with an
academic certificate must file an Application for Graduation form with the University
Registrar no later than the second week of the semester prior to the semester that the
student plans to graduate. For example, a
student who plans to graduate at the end of Spring Semester must file an application for
graduation by the second week of Fall Semester.
Since
full-time students can complete most certificates in two semesters, a full-time
certificate student must apply for graduation immediately after beginning his or her
certificate program. This advance notice is
necessary to insure that all requirements will be satisfied and to allow time for
processing. The appropriate documentation
must be on file for any course substitutions required.
Graduation may be delayed for students who
fail to file their Graduation Applications on time.
4. Graduation Ceremony. Certificates are not awarded at the University’s formal commencement program for degrees; however, a certificate ceremony is normally held each Spring and may be scheduled at other times also. Certificates are available for pick up in the Registrar's Office six to eight weeks after the end of the semester. Certificates not picked up will be mailed to the current address on file.
Semester System
Starting Fall Semester 1998 Clayton State University and the rest of
the University System of Georgia began operating on the semester calendar system. For students who began their programs of study
under the quarter system, appropriate course equivalencies and substitutions will be
utilized to insure that the student is not penalized by the conversion process.
All graduation evaluations are based on semester requirements. (Students who completed Areas I-IV under quarters
will not have the Core Curriculum reevaluated for semester requirements.) Graduation will be evaluated first in terms of
specific course requirements and then in terms of total hours. The student must meet the total hour requirement
except that shortages of less than three semester hours will be waived if the shortage is
due to semester conversion calculations on University System of Georgia courses.
Any student wishing to receive a second or subsequent degree from Clayton State University must complete in residence at Clayton State University a minimum of 24 additional credit hours for the associate degree or 30 credit
hours for the bachelor's degree. Hours
counted for residency must apply to the requirements for second degree; free electives do
not count toward second degree residency. Credit
which has been used to satisfy the requirements of a previous degree cannot be applied
toward the minimum resident hours needed for the second or subsequent degrees. Students must meet all requirements for the second
degree, including prerequisite courses or skills. The graduation application process for a
second degree is the same as for any degree. Specific "dual degree" programs
listed in this catalog may have different residency requirements.
See the Academic Honors
heading in the Academic Policies Chapter.
Certain programs are designed to satisfy the present educational requirements that
enable students to take licensure examinations. (Current
programs at Clayton State University include Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Middle
Level Education, and Aviation Maintenance Technology.) It is possible that the licensing
board may change requirements prior to a student’s completion of his or her course of
study. While reasonable efforts will be made
to enable students to satisfy additional requirements, no assurances can be made that the
University will be able to offer additional courses or, if taken, that such courses will
entitle students to take licensure examinations.
Clayton State University encourages students to enroll in appropriate
physical education (PHED) courses in order to improve their overall health and wellness.
The University has no general physical education requirement. Students planning to transfer to institutions that
require PHED may complete hours at Clayton State but should check with the receiving
institution in advance to determine which courses are appropriate.
Each student at Clayton State University is responsible for learning
and observing all current, published regulations and procedures required by the University
and by the program in which he or she is enrolled. A
current, published regulation will not be waived nor will an exception be granted because
a student pleads ignorance of the regulation or asserts that he or she was not informed of
a specific requirement by a faculty advisor or by a University staff member.
Each student must become familiar with (1) this section of the academic catalog,
(2) the offerings and requirements of his or her major or program of study as stated in
the catalog and official program handbooks, and (3) the contents of the semester Schedule
of Classes, which may contain notices of changes in academic regulations or procedures.
While the provisions of the appropriate catalog will normally be applied as stated,
Clayton State University reserves the right to change any provision listed
in a catalog, including but not limited to academic requirements for graduation, without
actual notice to individual students. Changes
are often necessary in order to keep up with changing knowledge in fields and to improve
instruction. In practice, this provision
normally means that any courses that a student has already taken that applied to
graduation when taken will continue to count toward graduation. The University may, however, change requirements
concerning courses in the major program that the student has not yet taken.
The University will make a reasonable effort to keep students advised of any such
changes, and information on changes made by the University will be published in the
semester Schedule of Classes, posted on the University website, and made available in the
Office of the Registrar. Each student must be
aware that it is his or her own responsibility to remain informed about current graduation
requirements for his or her particular degree program.
A candidate for graduation is normally subject to the catalog graduation
requirements that are in effect at the time the student entered his or her major program. A student may elect to satisfy the graduation
requirements specified in a subsequent catalog. (Required
Learning Support students are not considered to be in a major program). A student not enrolled for two or more consecutive
years is subject to the graduation requirements in effect at the time of readmission. When changes in curriculum or other regulations
are made and/or University course offerings are modified so that a student cannot finish
the exact requirements of the applicable catalog, Clayton State University will endeavor to make appropriate
substitutions so that a student can finish his or her degree requirements in a reasonably
timely fashion. This assurance, however, does
not bind Clayton State University to continue to offer any specific course,
track, or major.
Changes in catalog regarding policy matters such as academic standing, appeals,
Learning Support attempts, etc., go into effect immediately upon publication in the
catalog and/or Schedule of Classes. Although
new policies will not go into affect retroactively, all students are bound by new
published policies and not by those in
previous publications.
There is no time limit on course work completed in Areas A-E of the Core
Curriculum. For all other courses, work
completed more than ten years prior to the date of graduation may be credited toward the
degree only in the following cases: (1) with the approval of the student's major
department head/associate dean and dean, or (2) if the student's enrollment at Clayton State University has been continuous since initial enrollment, i.e., no
interruption of two or more consecutive years.
Purpose
The Regents' Testing Program (RTP) is designed to certify the basic college-level competency in reading and writing of all students in institutions of the University System of Georgia. The Regents' Test is administered at a very limited number of specific times each semester. Students must register in advance for the Regents' Test. Consult the Semester Schedule of Classes for information on dates, time, and registration procedures.
Who is required to take the
Regents’ Test?
All students who wish to earn an associate degree or baccalaureate degree from Clayton State University must pass or exempt all parts of the Regents’ Testing Program. The only exempti