TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prologue:  Academic Governance                           1

 

Absences from Classes and Class Attendance               2

General Attendance Policy

Attendance Policy Relating to Participation
in University Sponsored Activities

Emergency Absences

 

Academic Load                                            4 

 

Academic Standing (Probation Policy)                     5

 

Advanced Placement Program/College Level Examination

Program                                                  6

 

Associate Degree Policy                                  6

 

Awarding of Degrees Posthumously                         7

 

Catalog Adoption                                         7

 

Change of Course                                         8

 

Change of Major                                          9

 

Classification                                           9

 

Contact Time                                            10

 

Course Examinations                                     10

 

Credit by Examination                                   10

 

Credit for Prior Life Experience                        11

 

Credit Limitations                                      11

 

Dean's List                                             13

 

Grades and Grade Point Average (GPA)                    13

 

Grade Changes                                           15

 

Grade Reports                                           16

 

Graduation                                              16

 

Graduation with Honors                                  17

 

Graduation with Honors for Students Seeking

Second Degree                                           17

 

Honorary Degree Policy and Procedure                    18

 

Incomplete Grades                                       27

 

Inclement Weather Policy and Procedure Statement        19

 

Independent Study                                       20

 

Individual Study                                        21

 

Institutional Credit                                    22

 

Instructional Assistance Program                        22

 

Internship                                              23

 

Major Tests and Assignments Prior to Exams              23

 

Numbering of Coursework                                 24

 

Pass-Fail Grading Option                                25

 

Repeat Policy                                           26

 

Residency Requirements                                  27

 

Scheduling of Courses to be Offered for Credit          27

 

Second Degree                                           27

 

Second Major                                            28

 

Second Master's Degree                                  28

 

Selected Topics Courses - Guidelines                    28

 

Short Term Courses for Academic Credit                  29

 

Student Records                                         30
Policies and Procedures Concerning the Release
of Student Information

 

Veteran's Academic Credit                                       31

 

Withdrawal from the University                          32

 

APPENDIX A                                              34

The Academic Policies and Procedures Committee

Operating Procedures for the AP&P Committee

 

APPENDIX B                                              36

Guidelines for Preparing AP&P Forms

AP&P Form:  Instruction Sheet, Part A, and Part B

 

APPENDIX C                                              41

Flow Chart of Academic Governance

 

APPENDIX D                                              43

Form:  Request to Take Coursework at Another School

 

APPENDIX E                                              45
Miscellaneous


 

PROLOGUE:  ACADEMIC GOVERNANCE

Since the basic mission of the university is instruction of students, the procedures for curriculum modification are most important and should be clear.  In order to provide some clarification in this important area, this statement is being issued. The basic and most important unit in determining curricula is the academic department. For some time, departments have recommended their own departmental courses and programs after careful consideration by the faculty of that department. In the past few years, however, some departments have chosen to add students to departmental committees and meetings. It has been suggested that all departments develop plans for involving students in academic governance at the departmental level.  Since that suggestion has been endorsed by the Chancellor, the Faculty Senate and the Student Government Association, it is hoped that all departments will have begun to involve students. As this is being accomplished, all segments of the university should find the following guidelines reasonable and acceptable.

 

GUIDELINE I 

 

Any proposal for changes in a department's courses or programs must first be acted upon by the department before being submitted to the college advisory council. Any proposal for changes (excluding course changes within existing programs) in a college withdraws without making proper arrangements with the dean of Graduate Studies and Research.

 

GUIDELINE II 

 

Recommendations for changes in general academic policies or academic programs must be submitted to the Academic Policies and Procedures Committee by any of the following:

A. Department, college, or school

B. Faculty Senate

C. Student Government Association

D. Council of Deans

 

A faculty member, student, or ad hoc faculty or student group will channel proposals through the appropriate body above (A., B., or C.)

 

GUIDELINE III 

The Academic Policies and Procedures Committee is, in most circumstances, the final recommending body to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and the Chancellor.  The faculty members and the students on this committee serve as the representatives for the faculty and students, respectively.  As such, these groups should make their respective views known through their appointed representatives (except as provided in Guideline II, B. and C.) and should make arrangements for their respective representatives to be held accountable to them.

 

GUIDELINE IV 

 

If a proposal for changes in a department's courses or programs is not approved by that department, then the group initiating the proposal may appeal (within 90 days after rejection) first to the advisory council of the college to which that department belongs. If the proposal is rejected by the college or school, then the group may appeal (as above) to the Academic Policies and Procedures Committee.

 

When a departmental proposal is not recommended at the college advisory council level, the department may appeal to the Academic Policies and Procedures Committee.

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ABSENCES FROM CLASSES AND CLASS ATTENDANCE

 

GENERAL ATTENDANCE POLICY 

 

1. It is the policy of Appalachian State University that class attendance is considered to be an important part of a student's educational experience. Students are expected to attend every meeting of their classes, and are responsible for class attendance. No matter what bases exist for absence, students are held accountable for academic activities, and faculty may require special work or tests to make up for the missed class or classes. Faculty, at their discretion, may include class attendance as a criterion in determining a student's final grade in the course. On the first day of class, faculty must inform students in writing of their class attendance policy and the effect of that policy on their final grade. If class attendance is to affect a student's final grade, then a statement to this effect must be a part of the course syllabus distributed to each student.

 

(NOTE: A student who does not attend a class during one of its first two meetings may, at the discretion of the academic department, lose her or his seat in that class. Further, if a class meets only one time per week-e.g., a laboratory or an evening class-the student must attend the FIRST meeting of that class or risk losing her or his seat.)

 

2. A syllabus is to be prepared for each course and distributed at the first of the semester.  The syllabus should include the following:  an explanation of course goals and objectives, the name of the text and any other materials required of each student, the instructor's office hours, an explanation of how the grade is to be determined, and an explanation of any additional reading, papers, projects and examinations which the instructor expects to give or assign.

 

3. Syllabi for courses taught in the present and previous semester should be on file in the departmental offices and should be made available to students who request them.  These syllabi would indicate the structure of courses as they are being or ­have been taught.

 

4. The Registrar's Office is allowed to assign an administrative withdrawal to the "audit" student who has not been "regular in attendance."  Documentation will consist of an appropriate notation by the faculty member of record on the final roll. 

 

5. The Student Health Services DOES NOT write medical excuses for students who miss a class for illness or injury. However, faculty may call Health Services(262-3100)

to verify the day and time the student was seen. The nature of the student’s illness or problem will not be divulged unless the student has signed the appropriate release of medical information.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY RELATING TO PARTICIPATION IN UNIVERSITY SPONSORED ACTIVITIES

 

As an integral part of the academic program at Appalachian State University, the university sponsors and otherwise supports co-curricular programs, athletic programs, and other out-of-class activities such as field trips.  Participation in such activities occasionally requires a student to miss one or more class meetings.

 

A student who expects to miss one or more class meetings because of participation in a university sponsored activity has several responsibilities:  The student (in person) will notify the instructor in advance of any absence; the student is expected to complete all work missed by making up the work in advance or by completing any compensatory assignment which may be required by the instructor; the student is expected to maintain satisfactory progress in the course; and the student (otherwise) is expected to maintain satisfactory attendance in the class if so required.  In the event that a student anticipates that participation in a university sponsored activity will require missing more than 10% of the class meetings, the student is required to discuss this matter with his or her instructor at the beginning of the semester and may be advised to drop the course.

 

If the above responsibilities are met, it is expected that the instructor will excuse the absence and permit the student to make up missed work in whatever manner the instructor deems appropriate.

 

EMERGENCY ABSENCES 

 

When a student is out of town and unable to return to campus due to hospitalization, death in the family, or other extenuating circumstances, the student or her/his parents may contact the Office of Student Development to request that professors be notified as to the reason for the absence.  This notification is conveyed to the appropriate departmental office as a matter of information only and does not serve as an official excuse for class absence.  Only individual faculty members make this determination, and documentation may be requested by the faculty members.  The Office of Student Development does not provide this service when notification is received after the absence has occurred.  Also, if a student is in town, that student is responsible for notifying the individual faculty members that she/he will be missing class.

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ACADEMIC LOAD

 

Undergraduate:  An undergraduate student usually takes from 15 to 18 hours a semester.  In special situations, an undergraduate student may take more than 18 hours a semester.  To do this, the student must have prior approval of the dean of the college in which she/he is enrolled.  Registration for less than 12 hours places the student on part-time status.

 

An undergraduate student must take 12 semester hours during a regular semester (and if in summer school, six semester hours each session) in order to be a full-time student.

 

During one of the student's last three semesters, each undergraduate student who is taking a program leading to teacher certification will student teach at least one semester in the area and at the level for which the student has been preparing.  This work will consist of full-time teaching activities under the guidance of a competent and experienced teacher.  A student must earn 12 semester hours of credit for student teaching.  No student teaching will be permitted during the summer.

 

The summer session at Appalachian is composed of various terms of different lengths; therefore the academic load for a student is based on the length of study in weeks.  For example, a five-week period of study may include a five-week course, a three-week course and a two-week course.  Hence, the maximum undergraduate student load for this combination would be the load limit (shown below) for a five-week period of time.

 

Period of Time                  Maximum Academic Credit for                                                            Undergraduate Students

   10 weeks                          12 semester hours

   5 weeks                            7 semester hours

3, 2 or 1 week                     1 semester hour per week

 

Graduate:  The maximum course load for a graduate student during the regular academic year is 15 hours per semester for a student without an assistantship, and 12 hours for those holding assistantships.  For each summer session, the course load is six semester hours.  Graduate degree candidates may not earn more than 12 hours for the entire summer.

 

For full-time resident credit, graduate students must be registered for a minimum of nine semester hours.

 

The maximum load for graduate students during the regular academic year and the summer session is outlined below.

 

Academic Year 

Full-time without assistantship . . . . . .15 hours

Full-time with assistantship  .  . .  9 to 12 hours

Summer Session 

5-week term . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .  6 hours

2-week term . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2 hours

A graduate degree candidate may not earn more than 12 hours for the entire summer.

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Academic Standing

 

Undergraduate: To continue at Appalachian in good academic standing, a student must earn, as a minimum, the following cumulative grade-point average (GPA) at the end of the semester indicated:                                  

 

                                  Cumulative GPA

 

Semester 1                              1.50

Semester 2                              1.75

Semester 3                              1.90

Semester 4 (and thereafter)           2.00

 

(NOTE: For the purpose of academic standing, a student who enters Appalachian as an undergraduate transfer will have the credit hours accepted from other collegiate institutions converted to semesters in residence at Appalachian. The conversion ratio is fifteen to one:i.e.,

fifteen semester hours of transfer credit is equivalent to one semester in residence.)

 

Failure to earn a grade-point average indicated above will automatically place the student on academic probation during the semester that follows.  (The grade-point average at Appalachian is computed only on the basis of coursework taken at Appalachian; i.e., grades earned on coursework taken at other collegiate institutions or by correspondence will not be computed in or allowed to affect the grade-point average at Appalachian.)

 

While on probation, however, a student will, within the limits prescribed below, be allowed to continue:

 

1. An undergraduate student, whether admitted as a freshman or a transfer, will be allowed to enroll for a maximum of two (2) academic terms while on probation.

 

2. The dean of a college or school can attach specific requirements before enrollment on probation is approved.  These requirements may include special advising sessions, a limitation on the number of hours for which the student may enroll, the requirement that certain courses be repeated, enrollment in developmental courses, etc.

 

If a student uses the two terms of academic probation mentioned above, but again fails to earn a cumulative grade-point average sufficient to place her or him in good academic standing, that student will be automatically suspended from further enrollment at Appalachian.  At that point, the student's only recourse is to enroll during the University's summer terms until such time that the grade-point average places her or him in good academic standing.  (A summer term does not count as a semester in residence for the purpose of computing academic eligibility.  Undergraduate students in academic difficulty--probation or suspension--may always attend Appalachian during the summer.)

 

Students may apply for readmission under specific “Forgiveness Policies.”

 

Graduate:  Graduate students who fail to maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.00 may not be permitted to re-register as degree candidates without the written recommendation of the advisor and the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research (see Probationary Status).  Normally, degree candidacy is discontinued for the student who has received as many as four grades of C, and if a graduate student receives a grade of “F” or “U”, the student may not continue in graduate school unless the advisor submits in writing an acceptable recommendation to the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research.  In no case may a graduate student be permitted to repeat more than one course to improve the grade, and the student who receives a second grade of “F” or “U” may not continue toward the graduate degree under any circumstances.

 

Graduate credit accepted in fulfillment of the requirements for a graduate degree shall average not lower than 3.00, and no credit toward the degree shall be granted for a grade of F or U.  Course work reported "Incomplete" must be completed within a semester of the official ending of the course.  The grade of D is not given in Graduate School.  A grade of F is assigned to a student who arbitrarily discontinues meeting a class or who withdraws without making proper arrangements with the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research.

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ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM/COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION

PROGRAM/ DEFENSE ACTIVITY FOR NON-TRADITIONAL EDUCATION SUPPORT/ INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

 

Appalachian participates in the Advanced Placement Program, the College Level Examination Program, the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support, and the International Baccalaureate Program. Students who have demonstrated their achievement on specific tests in any of these programs may have their test results submitted to the University Testing Center for consideration with regard to placement into advanced courses and for college credit. All students are encouraged to take these tests and to submit their scores for evaluation.

 

Students may also qualify for advanced placement and course credit by taking departmental tests in their areas of extensive specialization. Based upon these test results, the amount and the nature of the credit granted is determined by the committee on academic policies and procedures and the pertinent department of instruction.

 

Test scores submitted from testing programs will remain valid for only ten years.

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ASSOCIATE DEGREE POLICY

 

An undergraduate student enrolled at Appalachian can transfer to another accredited collegiate institution, earn an acceptable associate degree, return to Appalachian, and request that her or his prior GPA be deleted.  In essence, this student would return with the hours earned at Appalachian, plus the hours earned at the institution awarding the associate degree, but without her or his prior GPA.

 

NOTE:  It is the intent of the AP&P committee that the act of returning under this policy should not increase either the total number of times a student can enroll while on probation or the total number of courses which can be used under the repeat policy.  In essence, a student at the undergraduate level should have an absolute maximum of two terms of enrollment while on probation (excluding summer), and five courses to which the repeat policy may be applied.

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AWARDING OF DEGREES POSTHUMOUSLY

 

Over the years, there have been times when members of our senior class have died prior to graduation.  The following criteria and procedures will be used in the awarding of degrees posthumously.

 

Requests to award degrees posthumously may be made by a surviving family member or a member of the Appalachian State University faculty or administration following their having been so notified of the possibility of doing so by the Vice Chancellor for Student Development.  Such a request must be considered by the faculty of the department in which the student was majoring and be recommended to the chair of that department.  The chair must concur and recommend to the appropriate dean.  The dean must concur and recommend to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, who will present the recommendation to the Chancellor.  Final approval must be given by the Chancellor.  Once the Chancellor approves the action and the dean has been notified of this, the dean will contact the Registrar's Office to make certain that a diploma will be prepared.

 

If approval is given, the family will be notified by the appropriate chair and be informed that the degree will be awarded in a private ceremony to take place on the day (or as soon thereafter as possible) of the next commencement.  The diploma will be presented by the appropriate dean.

 

The minimum criteria for considering such a request is as follows:  The student must have been within 30 semester hours of graduating; been a student in good standing at the time of death; and, must have had an overall GPA of 2.00.

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CATALOG ADOPTION

 

A new catalog is issued biennially; and, while course offerings are fairly continuous from year to year, the faculty reserves the right to make changes in curricula, degree requirements and academic policies.  The information in any given catalog is, therefore, usually valid only for the two-year period of its issue, and is superseded by subsequent issues.  Any interested person should consult the most recent issue of the University catalog for current information about the instructional program.

 

Any changes in degree requirements do not, however, affect a student already enrolled in a degree program.  In those rare cases where specific required courses are no longer available, the dean's office will identify suitable substitutes which do not increase the overall credit requirements.  All students may elect to graduate in accordance with the degree requirements as recorded in the catalog that is current at the time of their first registration or any subsequent edition (provided the student is enrolled during a period in which the catalog is in force) except that any catalog chosen must not be more than six years old.  Students electing to graduate under a new catalog must meet all requirements of the catalog under which they wish to graduate subject to the exception noted above for those cases when specific courses are no longer available.  In order to change the catalog under which they intend to graduate, students must notify the office of the dean of the college in which they are enrolled.  Graduate students will notify the dean of Graduate Studies and Research of their intent to change catalogs.

 

A student returning to Appalachian under either the "Four-Year Policy" or with an acceptable Associate's degree must graduate under the catalog in force at the time they re-enter.  (Subsequent catalogs are, of course, acceptable.)

 

Changes in academic policies become effective for all students on the date approved for implementation.

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CHANGE OF COURSE

 

Students may add courses or change sections until the first five days of a fall or spring semester-i.e., through the end of the published “drop-add” period.  Students may drop courses without academic penalty through the first five days of a fall or spring semester-i.e., through the end of the published “drop-add” period. AFTER THE FIRST FIVE DAYS, A STUDENT WILL BE ALLOWED TO DROP A CUMULATIVE TOTAL OF FOUR COURSES DURING HER OR HIS UNDERGRADUATE CAREER AT APPALACHIAN. Further a course dropped after the “drop-add” period must be dropped by the end of the ninth week of the academic term. Exceptions to this policy will require the approval of the instructor, department chair, and the dean of the college/ school in which the course is offered. (Note: This policy went into effect during the fall semester, 1995-courses dropped prior to fall, 1995 will not be counted in the above mentioned limit of four.)

 

Any drops approved for exceptional circumstances will not be used in computing the grade-point average and will not be recorded on the permanent record.

 

During the “drop-add” period, a course may be changed from credit to audit with no academic penalty.  To accomplish this, the student must obtain the necessary form from the Registrar’s Office. Permission of the instructor is required for a student to change a course from credit to audit.

 

Failure to complete a course that has not been officially dropped will automatically result in a grade of "F", which will be computed in the student's grade-point average.

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CHANGE OF MAJOR

Undergraduate Major

 

Students who are in General Studies will be sent information about officially declaring a major and having their records forwarded to the appropriate degree-granting college.

 

To make a change within one of the upper division colleges, the student should go the appropriate dean’s office to inform them of the change.

 

To make a change from one college to the other, go tho the dean’s office where the new major is located. The personnel in the receiving college’s dean’s office will request the academic file from the college of the student’s previous file. 

Graduate Major 

 

A graduate student who has been approved for admission to one graduate major but who wishes to transfer to another must request approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research and the department into which they propose to transfer before the change may be made. Change of Major request forms are available in the Graduate School.  A student not eligible to continue toward the degree in the major to which she or he has been admitted would not normally be permitted to transfer to another major.

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CLASSIFICATION

 

At the end of each semester, students are classified on the basis of semester hours.  All students admitted as degree-seeking and who have completed less than 30 semester hours are classified as freshmen.  Students who have completed at least 30 semester hours are classified as sophomores.  Students who have completed at least 60 semester hours are classified as juniors.  Students who have completed 90 semester hours are classified as seniors.

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CONTACT TIME

 

The university requires the following amount of contact time per credit hour generated.  Please remember that the amount of contact time remains constant, regardless of the academic term in question.

 

One semester hour     --  Minimum of 750 contact minutes                
(15 weeks x 50 minutes)

Two semester hours        --     Minimum of 1500 contact minutes

Three semester hours  --  Minimum of 2250 contact minutes

Four semester hours   --  Minimum of 3000 contact minutes

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COURSE EXAMINATIONS

 

All scheduled examination periods will be met at the assigned time.  A final examination period is provided at the end of each semester.  After the schedule for examinations has been made, an instructor may NOT change the date or time of an examination without permission of the department chairperson and dean. Instructors determine how they will use the assigned period, but all scheduled examination periods will be met at the assigned time.  A student may take an examination outside of the scheduled time only by permission of the instructor of the course.  Permission is granted only in case of emergency.

 

A student who is absent from a final examination because of an emergency takes the make-up examination at the convenience of the instructor.

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CREDIT BY EXAMINATION

 

Undergraduate Students 

Not all courses are amenable to credit by examination, but many are.  Students who wish to challenge a regularly listed course should consult with the appropriate chair.  If arrangements can be made, a fee of $50.00 is charged for each examination and a receipt from the Student Accounts  Office must be shown to the department chairperson before final approval can be given.  If the examination is passed, credit without grade will be noted on the student's transcript.  The chairperson will notify the Registrar's Office, in writing, to enter the credit on the permanent record and notify the cashier, in writing, to reimburse the faculty member who administered the examination.  If the examination is not passed, no notation is made on the transcript.  In the case of freshmen who take advanced placement examinations during the freshman orientation period, the fee is waived. 

 

Anyone seeking to credit examination must be either a candidate for a degree at Appalachian or taking courses for

Teacher licensure. Credit by examination cannot be used to repeat a course, nor can it be used to meet the University’s residency requirements for graduation.

 

Graduate Students 

Upon the recommendation of a graduate student's committee and with the approval of the chairperson of the department in which it is listed, one course numbered 5000 and above may be challenged by examination.  Grades are not recorded for credit earned by examination.  Credit by examination may not be used to repeat a course.

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CREDIT FOR PRIOR LIFE EXPERIENCE

 

In exceptional cases credit can be awarded for prior non-college-based learning, if the credit sought is related to the student's degree program (i.e. core curriculum, major or licensure requirements).  Assessment of prior learning can commence only after a student has been admitted to the University and has declared a major.

 

The student will first meet with a academic advisor who will help in defining the areas or disciplines in which appropriate creditable learning may have occurred.  Actual assessment is done by a faculty member in the appropriate academic area, for which a $100.00 fee for each area of assessment will be charged. Payment is made to the Student Accounts Office.

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CREDIT LIMITATIONS

1. A maximum of 20 semester hours of correspondence work from recognized institutions may be credited toward meeting the requirements for graduation.  Some correspondence courses are offered by the University.  Before registering at another accredited institution for a correspondence course to be transferred to Appalachian, students must have the written permission of the dean of their college or the Director of General Studies if they have not declared a major.  In order to obtain this permission, the student must first secure the proper form from the Registrar's Office. The combined load of residence courses and correspondence courses may not exceed the maximum load allowed.

 

2. Except for physical education majors, not on more than six hours in physical education activity courses (limited to courses numbered PE 1000-1099) may be included within the 122 semester hours required for graduation.

 

3. A candidate for the Bachelor of Arts degree may count not more than a total of 40 hours above core curriculum requirements in any one discipline.

 

4. Validation of credits earned more than 10 years prior to the date of graduation may be required if and when they are submitted to fulfill baccalaureate degree requirements.

 

Academic work for graduate degree students, including transfer credit, taken more than six calendar years before the year in which the graduate degree is awarded, may not be used to satisfy the degree requirements. Coursework that is beyond the seven-year limit cannot be used for the degree.

 

5. All baccalaureate degrees granted by Appalachian require the completion of a minimum of 60 semester hours at a senior college or university.(Note that credit awarded for military service or "Prior Life Experience" does not count as part of the required 60 hours.)

 

6. Degree-seeking students at Appalachian may NOT enroll at another collegiate institution unless prior approval has been obtained from Appalachian.  Appalachian students who wish to attend another collegiate institution should contact the Registrar's Office at Appalachian to 1) secure the proper application forms, and 2) have the intended transfer courses are acceptable. (Students who wish to study abroad should contact the Office of International Programs to secure the proper application and determine whether the intended courses from abroad are acceptable.) The intended coursework, once evaluated, will be forwarded to the appropriate Appalachian college to the Office of General Studies for approval. Failure to obtain prior approval may result in the coursework being deemed unacceptable for transfer to Appalachian.

 

A graduate student enrolled in a non-thesis degree program may usually be permitted to transfer from another graduate school up to nine semester hours of appropriate graduate credit. A student in a thesis program may be permitted to transfer up to six semester hours of appropriate resident work completed in another approved graduate school, provided the work has not been included in a previous degree.  Students wanting to transfer more than nine semester hours or thesis students who want o transfer more than six semester hours may appeal to the Dean of the Graduate Studies and Research.

 

7. Seniors with a grade point average of 3.00 or above may, with written permission from the course instructor, chairperson of the department offering the course, and the graduate dean, be permitted to take one or more graduate courses for undergraduate credit.  Credit earned in this manner will be used to meet baccalaureate degree requirements and may not be applied toward a graduate degree.

 

Seniors with a grade point average of 3.00 or above desiring to enroll in graduate level courses for graduate credit to be applied to a graduate degree may do so provided they have:  (1) made application for admission to the Graduate School; (2) made application to take the GRE or GMAT; and (3) obtained written permission from the course instructor, chairperson of the department offering the course, and the graduate dean.

 

8. If a student has received a bachelor’s degree from Appalachian, a second (or subsequent) bachelor’s degree can be earned by completing all catalog requirements for the second (or subsequent) degree.

If a student who wished to earn two (or more) undergraduate degrees at Appalachian concurrently, she or he must complete all catalog requirements stipulated for the respective degrees. 

 

A second (or subsequent bachelor’s degree must differ in type from any degree previously awarded by the University. The University will not, for example, award a second Bachelor of Arts(B.A.)degree: it will, however, award both a Bachelor of Arts AND a Bachelor of Science(B.S.)degree, either simultaneously or in sequence.

 

9. An undergraduate student may include a maximum of 3 semester hours credit under the Instructional Assistance Program toward meeting graduation requirements.

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DEAN'S LIST

 

An undergraduate student who carries 12-14 hours of coursework on which grade points are computed and who attains a grade-point average of 3.45 or better is placed on the dean’s list of honor students for that semester.

 

An undergraduate student who carries 15 hours or more of coursework on which grade points ate computed and who attains a grade-point average of 3.25 or better is placed on the dean’s list of honor students for that semester.

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GRADES AND GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA)

 

The grade-point average (GPA) is a general measure of the student's academic achievement while at Appalachian.  The GPA is determined by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the total number of quality hours attempted ("quality points" and "quality hours" are derived from courses graded A-F or WF).  The GPA is computed only on the basis of coursework taken at Appalachian.

 

Undergraduate grades and grade points given in the university are as follows:

 

A  Excellent, 4.0 grade points per semester hour

A- Excellent, 3.7 grade points per semester hour

B+ Above Average, 3.3 grade points per semester hour

B  Above Average, 3.0 grade points per semester hour

B- Above Average, 2.7 grade points per semester hour

C+ Average, 2.3 grade points per semester hour

C  Average, 2.0 grade points per semester hour

C- Average, 1.7 grade points per semester hour

D+ Below Average but Passing, 1.3 grade points per semester hour

D  Below Average but Passing, 1.0 grade point per semester hour

D- Below Average but Passing, .7 grade point per semester hour

F  Failure, 0 grade point

F* Failure, 0 grade points (*indicates only that the course was taken    on the Pass-Fail basis; this grade is equivalent to the F above)

P  Pass, 0 grade points (used only for courses taken on Pass-Fail    basis)

AU Audit, no credit

I  Incomplete, because of sickness or some other unavoidable cause.
 
An I becomes an F if not removed within the time designated by the    instructor, not to exceed a semester, except that

   all incompletes must be removed at the time of

   graduation. An incomplete is not given merely   

   because assignments were not completed during the

   the semester.

     IP in progress

     NR Grade Not Reported (hours not counted in computing GPA)

W  Withdrawal, either from a course or from the University

WP Withdrew passing

WF Withdrew failing

@F Administrative F

S  Satisfactory, 0 grade points (used for student teaching, screening    proficiencies, and specially designated courses in the curriculum)

U  Unsatisfactory, 0 grade points (used to indicate unsatisfactory    performance in student teaching, screening proficiencies, and    specially designated courses in the curriculum)

WU Withdrew Unsatisfactory

CR Credit (pass)

NC No credit (fail)

 

To be official, drops and withdrawals must be formally approved and filed in the Registrar's Office.

 

The following graduate grades are given:

A  Superior Graduate Accomplishment, 4.0 grade points per semester hour

A- 3.7 grade points per semester hour

B+ 3.3 grade points per semester hour

B  Average Graduate Accomplishment, 3.0 grade points per semester hour

B- 2.7 grade points per semester hour

C+ 2.3 grade points per semester hour

C  Below Average But Passing, 2.0 grade points per semester hour

C- 1.7 grade points per semester hour

F  Failing grade. An “F” in the approved graduate

   Program of Study must be removed at the time of

   graduation.

@F Administrative F

AU Audit, no credit

I  Incomplete, given because a student has not completed the    quantitative requirements of a course due to sickness or some other    unavoidable cause. Except for graduate thesis courses (5999 or    6999), an I becomes an F if not removed within the time    designated by the instructor, not to exceed one

   semester, except that all incompletes must be

   removed at the time of graduation. An incomplete is

   not merely given because assignments were not

   completed during the semester.            

IP In Progress grade assigned for graduate thesis, 

   Dissertation, product of learning or continuation

   courses.

NR Grade Not Reported (hours not counted in computing GPA)

W  Withdrawal, either from a course or from the University

WF Withdrew Failing, course dropped with failing grades more than
   nine weeks after registration closes.

WP Withdrawal/passing

WU Withdrew Unsatisfactory

S  Satisfactory, given for a practicum and a thesis and other    designated courses

U  Unsatisfactory, given for a practicum and a thesis and other    designated courses

 

To be official, drops and withdrawals must be formally approved and filed in the Registrar's Office.

 

Graduate credit accepted in fulfillment of the requirements for a graduate degree shall average not lower than 3.00, and no credit toward the degree shall be granted for a grade of “@F”,”F”,”U”,”WF” or “WU”.  Coursework reported "Incomplete" must be completed within a semester of the official ending of the course. Any extension of this period must be approved  by the appropriate dean and the Registrar. The grade of D is not given in Graduate School and graduate students may not elect the Pass/Fail option.  A grade of “F” or “U” is assigned to a student who arbitrarily discontinues meeting a class or who withdraws without making proper arrangements with the Registrar’s Office.

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GRADE CHANGES

 

Faculty members are urged to exercise extreme care in evaluating students and in reporting grades.  In all circumstances, except those stipulated below, the grades recorded shall be those assigned by the professor.  Any action taken by the university to withhold transcripts for any reason shall not involve any changes in the recorded grade.

 

In the event that a professor has not turned in a grade or grades on time, and if the professor cannot be located, an interim grade of "NR" (Grade Not Reported) will be assigned by the Registrar's Office.  If a graduating student is involved, the departmental chairperson may, with the concurrence of two other departmental faculty members, assign a letter grade.

 

In the event that a professor becomes incapacitated prior to the time grades should have been assigned, the departmental chairperson, along with two other departmental faculty members, shall jointly decide the action to be taken.

 

In the event that a grade change is necessary, the faculty member must secure the form for changing a grade from the Registrar's Office, and all grade changes must be approved by the Registrar and are subject to review by the dean of the college.  Except for changes from "I" (Incomplete), the only admissible reason for a grade change is an error on the part of the faculty member in computing or in reporting the student's grade.

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GRADE REPORTS

Final semester grades are reported to the Registrar's Office not later than 1:00 P.M. on the day following the last day of the semester. At the end of each semester, the students grades are available via AppalNET or the telephone registration system. (Note, however, that North Carolina law prohibits the release of grades, transcripts and diplomas to students with unpaid accounts.)

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GRADUATION

 

Degrees are conferred at the close of each academic term (fall, spring, summer).  Formal graduation ceremonies, however, are held only at the close of the Fall and Spring terms.  Candidates for baccalaureate degrees and/or North Carolina teacher certification must file an application with the Registrar's Office at the beginning of the term in which graduation requirements will be completed. Candidates for graduate degrees must file application for degrees and North Carolina teaching certificates in the Graduate School, where appropriate forms are available.  At the time of filing the application, all requirements except current work should be completed.

 

At the beginning of each term, the Registrar's Office will notify all seniors ostensibly eligible to graduate -- i.e., those currently enrolled for a sufficient number of hours to meet the University requirement -- of the required procedure and deadline date.  Exceptions to the deadline date would be made ONLY by the Registrar's Office.

 

All candidates for degrees are expected to be present to receive their degrees in person unless arrangements to graduate in absentia have been made with the Registrar, for undergraduate students, or with the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, for graduate students.

 

Faculty expected to be present at a commencement exercise are determined by their respective departments.

 

Commencement "Walkers" 

Commencement "walkers" should be allowed to participate in commencement ceremonies but ONLY if they meet the following criteria:

 

1. Persons who wish to participate in the spring commencement must:  1) apply for graduation, and  2) have completed all graduation requirements or be able to complete graduation requirements by the end of the summer sessions.

 

2. Persons who wish to participate in the December commencement must: 1) apply for graduation, and  2) have completed all graduation requirements or be able to complete graduation requirements by the end of that fall semester.

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GRADUATION WITH HONORS

 

To be eligible for graduation with honors, an undergraduate student must complete, in residence at Appalachian, a minimum of either four semesters in full-time attendance (defined as twelve or more credit hours per semester), or a total of 58 semester hours.  (Note:  Credit for which a grade is not awarded will not be used in the determination of honors -- e.g., APP, CLEP, credit by examination, credit for military service, credit for prior learning, etc.)  A grade-point average of 3.45 is required for graduating cum laude; a grade-point average of 3.65 is required for graduating magna cum laude; and a grade-point average of 3.85 is required for graduating summa cum laude.

 

All graduate students must maintain grade-point averages of 3.0 or above, and all are considered to be honor graduates.

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GRADUATION WITH HONORS FOR STUDENTS SEEKING SECOND DEGREE

 

In determining qualification for graduation with honors for Appalachian State University students seeking two degrees or a second degree, all work taken at Appalachian must be considered in the calculation of their respective GPA.

 

Students who have completed one degree at another institution and are seeking a second degree at Appalachian must complete, in residence at Appalachian, a minimum of either four semesters in full-time attendance or a total of 58 semester hours to be eligible to graduate with honors from Appalachian State University.

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 HONORARY DEGREE POLICY AND PROCEDURE

 

All nominees for an honorary degree must meet one or more of the following criteria to be considered:

 

1. Must have made a notable contribution to society and the welfare of mankind.

 

2. Must have achieved distinguished success in chosen career field or profession.

3. Should have made significant contribution to Appalachian    State University through service, leadership and/or    financial support.

 

Active members of the university staff or faculty who are under retirement age are deemed to be ineligible to receive an honorary degree.  In no case will a degree be conferred upon an individual to enhance her or his chances for promotion, job tenure or salary consideration.

 

The procedure for the accepting, screening and approving of nominees and the awarding of honorary degrees is as follows:

 

1. Nominees must meet established criteria.

 

2. Individuals may be nominated by faculty, staff, students, alumni or friends of the university.

 

3. Nominations may be received by the Chancellor of the University or any member of the Administrative Cabinet.

 

4. All nominations will be acknowledged and filed by the Vice Chancellor for Development.

 

5. The Vice Chancellor for Development will assume responsibility to check the credentials and eligibility of nominees.

 

6. The Vice Chancellor for Development will report names of nominees to the Administrative Cabinet.  The Chancellor will recommend nominees to the development committee of the Board of Trustees.