Academic Policies

Academic Advising

Advising at Georgia College is a shared responsibility between students and advisors. Students communicate with advisors to obtain information and guidance aimed at the student’s successful completion of degree requirements and preparation for post baccalaureate opportunities. An inherent goal of the advising process is for students to gain self-understanding that will inform their decisions regarding academic, career and life goals.

All students will be advised by professional advisors in the Advising Center in Lanier Hall. The Advising Center provides quality advisement through the core curriculum, as well as provides career exploration opportunities for students to assist them in making sound choices about majors and career directions. Once the student is approaching 45 earned credits, he or she will then be connected to an upper-level professional advisor for guidance navigating the academic major, progressing toward degree completion and graduation. In addition to the professional advisors in the Center for Student Success, upper-level students may also have faculty mentors within their academic department.

Advisor assignments are listed on the student’s Tranguide in PAWS. If an incoming student is not informed regarding his/her advisor assignment, he or she should contact the Advising Center in Lanier Hall

Academic Honors

President’s List

Students who make a term average of 4.0 on 12 or more semester hours at Georgia College are included on the President’s List. Students may not have a grade of “I” or “F” or “WF” during the semester.

Dean’s List

Students who make a term average of at least 3.5 on 12 or more semester hours at Georgia College are included on the Dean’s List. Students may not have an “I” or “F” or “WF” during the semester.

Latin Honors

Georgia College honors graduates who have high academic achievement by conferring the Latin designations of Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude. These designations apply only to students receiving baccalaureate degrees; Latin honors are not granted for graduate degrees. These designations are included in the commencement program and on the diploma. Students who receive these designations will wear a blue collar stole during the commencement ceremony.

Latin honors are determined by the student’s overall grade point average and the student’s Georgia College Regents’ Cumulative grade point average. The overall GPA is calculated using courses from Georgia College and all transfer courses accepted for credit. The Georgia College Regents’ Cumulative grade point average is calculated on all Georgia College courses, including repeats. Credits earned on a pass-fail basis or through AP, CLEP and other similar examinations are not counted since quality points are not assigned for these credits.

To be eligible for the baccalaureate degree with any of the aforementioned honors, a student must have earned a minimum Georgia College Regents Cumulative grade point average and an overall grade point averages as follows:

Cum Laude 3.60 to 3.74
Magna Cum Laude 3.75 to 3.89
Summa Cum Laude 3.90 to 4.00

If a student’s overall cumulative grade-point average and the Georgia College & State University regents cumulative grade-point average differ, the lower of the two averages will determine the honors designation awarded. Georgia College truncates all grade point averages at the second decimal point (a 3.749 is a 3.74 GPA).

Phi Kappa Phi

The Georgia College chapter of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi was chartered on May 23, 1973. Selection for membership is based on scholarship. Members are elected from undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, administration, and alumni. To be considered for membership, undergraduate students must rank in the top 7.5% of the juniors in their respective college and have more than 72 overall semester hours earned at the time of election (including at least 24 institutional hours earned at Georgia College), or rank in the top 10% of the seniors in their respective college.

Academic Petitions

Any student or former student of Georgia College has the right of timely petition. Petitions are available from the Dean of the appropriate college and are to be used by the student, in consultation with the advisor, to remedy undue hardship and specific inequities that may adversely affect the student’s ability to fulfill the academic requirements of the University. Petitions must be used to secure approval of special agreements between faculty and students on academic matters and to provide for emergency situations caused by unforeseen complications in fulfilling academic requirements. Petitions must have the signed approval of the appropriate University officials.

Petitions regarding course registration, withdrawals, or grades must be made no later than the next semester of enrollment or by the end of one calendar year if not enrolled, whichever comes first.

Academic Renewal Policy

The University System of Georgia allows degree-seeking students who have experienced academic difficulty to make a fresh start and have one final opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree. Academic renewal signals the initiation of a new grade point average to be used for determining academic standing. Academic Renewal is available only to undergraduate students. Students who initially attended Georgia College and who have been readmitted or reinstated after a period of absence at least five (5) calendar years are eligible for academic renewal. Students who left Georgia College on academic exclusion must apply and be accepted for Academic Renewal prior to reentering Georgia College. Students who previously attended another University System of Georgia institution may also be eligible for academic renewal at Georgia College if they have had a period of absence of at least five (5) calendar years from their last date of enrollment at a University System institution and they meet the requirements for transfer admission to Georgia College.

Students who wish to participate in the Academic Renewal program must file an application for academic renewal directly to the Registrar’s Office within three semesters after re-enrollment or one calendar year, whichever comes first. Applications may also be submitted at the time the student applies for readmission or admission. Georgia College applications for Academic Renewal will be reviewed by the Registrar and the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management.

A student can be granted Academic Renewal status only one time in the University System. If a student with Academic Renewal is admitted or readmitted to a USG institution, the institution shall honor the Academic Renewal granted at another USG institution such that the coursework for which Academic Renewal has been granted at one institution shall also be granted Academic Renewal at any other USG institution subsequently attended.

1. All previously attempted course work and all prior academic standing decisions continue to be recorded on the student’s official transcript.
2. The Academic Renewal Grade Point Average begins when the student resumes taking course work following the five-year period of absence and Academic Renewal has been granted. A statement will be placed on the student’s transcript indicating the Academic Renewal status.
3. The Academic Renewal GPA will be used for determining academic standing and also will be used to determine eligibility for graduation.
4. To earn a degree, a student must meet Georgia College’s residency requirements. Renewed courses do not count towards the institutional residency requirement.
5. At least 50% of work toward a degree must be completed after the granting of Academic Renewal status for a student to be eligible for honors at graduation.
6. Academic credit for previously completed coursework (including transfer course work) will be retained only for courses in which an A, B, or C grade has been earned.
7. Retained grades are not calculated in a Renewal GPA. Such credit is considered in the same context as transfer credit, credit by examination, and courses with grades of “S”.
8. Applicability of retained credit to degree requirements will be determined by the degree requirements currently in effect at the time Academic Renewal status is conferred on the student. Specific institutional program regulations must also be met.

Transfer credit:

1. Coursework taken at other institutions during the period of absence is not eligible for renewal. Transfer credit for any coursework taken during that period of time shall be granted in accordance with the prevailing USG and institutional policies and procedures regarding the awarding of transfer credit.
2. Re-entry into University or any program is not automatic. All students, including those granted Academic Renewal, must meet BOR and institution admission requirements. The granting of Academic Renewal does not supersede the admissions requirements of certain programs, e.g., teacher education and nursing, which require a specific minimum grade point average based upon all coursework.
3. A decision to participate in the Academic Renewal program is irreversible.
4. The granting of Academic Renewal does not supersede financial aid policies regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Academic Standing

A student’s academic standing is determined by the institutional grade-point average at the end of each semester.

Good Academic Standing

A student will be classified in good academic standing if the institutional grade point average is at least a 1.75 for students with 0-29 overall hours earned or at least a 2.0 with 30 or more overall hours earned.

Academic Warning

A student incurs academic warning at the end of any semester in which the institutional average falls below the standard for good standing. To avoid being placed on academic probation the student must earn sufficient grade points during the next semester of enrollment to raise the institutional average to the minimum standard for good standing. If the student achieves the minimum standard at the end of the next semester of enrollment, the academic warning is lifted and the student returns to good standing. A student who fails to return to good standing by the end of the warning semester will be placed on probation. Academic warning is noted on the student’s official transcript.

Academic Probation

Academic probation recognizes that a student is in serious danger of being dismissed from the University and notifies the student that a plan must be developed and implemented to improve the quality of his/her academic work. A student will be placed on probation at the end of any semester in which the institutional average remains below the stated minimums and academic warning has been issued during the previous semester. Students who achieve the required grade average for good standing will have their probation status removed. A student who fails to return to good standing by the end of the probation semester will be dismissed. Academic probation is noted on the student’s official transcript.

Students on probation will be placed on restricted enrollment which means that the student will only be able to enroll in courses which he/she previously earned a D or F. The student will also be expected to develop a plan for obtaining academic good standing. This plan will be developed with the assistance of the student’s advisor. The plan will include retaking courses, use of campus resources, monitored grades at mid term, and regular contact with the advisor.

A student will remain on academic probation for more than one semester if:

1. the student is enrolled in eight or fewer hours for the term in which he or she is on academic probation, and
2. the student earns a grade of C or higher in all classes in which he or she enrolled, and
3. the student’s institutional GPA remains under the required level for good standing. In this case, the student will remain on academic probation (with restricted enrollment) and not proceed to academic dismissal.

Academic Dismissal

Students who fail to achieve good academic standing while on probation will be dismissed. Academic dismissal is the involuntary separation of a student from the University. Dismissal means the student is not in good standing and requires the student to stay out of school for one calendar year. Academic dismissal is noted on the student’s official transcript. Students may apply to return after one year and must develop a plan that will ensure their return to good standing within two semesters of their return. Students not returning to the status of good standing will be placed on academic exclusion.

Academic Exclusion

Academic exclusion is the final involuntary separation imposed upon a student who having previously been dismissed and readmitted fails to meet the minimum standards of good standing. Exclusion means that a student is permanently dismissed from Georgia College. Exclusion will remain permanent unless the student has been away from Georgia College for five years or more and elects to return to the University under the policy of academic renewal. Academic exclusion is noted on the student’s official transcript.

Advanced Placement (AP)

Advanced Placement (AP) program examinations are administered through high schools. For information regarding the courses or examinations, prospective students should contact their high school counselor or principal. Additional information may be obtained through the Advanced Placement Program, (609) 771-7300, or www.collegeboard.com.
Georgia College awards credit for most Advanced Placement examinations. Equivalencies are reviewed and posted each year on the GC website; published equivalencies are subject to change as a result of changes in Advanced Placement test content and Georgia College course or curriculum changes.

To receive credit for Advanced Placement, a student must obtain the minimum credit-earning score (usually a 3, although some disciplines require higher scores), and send an original College Grade Report directly from the College Board to Georgia College (CEEB 5252). This request may be made when students register for the exam.

A “K” grade will be awarded for AP credit. This grade will not affect the student’s grade point average but will count toward total hours and will fulfill degree requirements.

Math Accommodation

University System of Georgia policy allows students who are unable to complete the three-hour Core IMPACTS mathematics requirement as a result of a documented disability to petition for a substitution of the requirement. To be eligible for a core mathematics substitution, a committee composed of the directors of three Regents’ Centers for Learning Disorders must determine that a student has a disability currently impacting his or her mathematics skill that precludes the potential for academic success despite reasonable accommodations and good faith effort. Documentation of this decision is provided to the Director of Disability Services at the student’s home campus.

In addition, the student must be enrolled in a major program for which the substitution of the core curriculum mathematics course does not result in a fundamental alteration of the nature of the program of study. At Georgia College, these majors are:

Art
English
History
Liberal Studies
Music
Philosophy
Rhetoric
Theatre
World Languages & Cultures

The following courses are appropriate substitutes to fulfill the Area A core mathematics requirement for students who qualify for the exemption and are enrolled in the majors listed above:

Career Planning Milestones

Expectations for Students

Georgia College believes that career planning is a lifelong process and desires for all graduates to secure fulfilling careers post-graduation. Therefore, prior to graduation, undergraduate students are expected to complete a set of career planning benchmarks that follows a four-year career planning model. Known as the GC Career Planning Milestones, these benchmarks provide students an opportunity to engage in career development activities on annual basis so that they are prepared for internships as well as transitions to a career or to graduate / professional school. Career Center advisors and staff, academic advisors, and faculty will check students’ progress through the milestones, and students will be reminded of their need for timely completion of milestones through their official GC e-mail account.

In their first year, GC students complete a career assessment and review the results through an individual or group planning session with a career advisor. First-year students also register in the Career Center’s job and internship database, Career Connection. In their sophomore year, students participate in resume review sessions that include an introduction to LinkedIn. As juniors, students complete a career planning appointment in which they work with an advisor to discuss career plans and complete a mock interview focused on articulating transferable skills gained through their liberal arts education. In their final year, students complete a senior-year check-in in which they consult with career advisors on their resumes or CVs, LinkedIn profiles, and career plans. Lastly, each student uploads his or her final resume to Career Connection so that they are included in Employer Resume Books.

While the university expects all students to complete these Career Planning Milestones, the university encourages students to go beyond the milestones to take full advantage of the Career Center’s services. The Career Center works closely with employers and provides multiple opportunities for students to attend career fairs and interview on campus for job and internship opportunities. To help prepare specifically for job, internship, or graduate / professional school searches, students can complete a Career Boost program. Career Boost activities include attending career fairs as well as meet-ups focused on LinkedIn, professionalism, search strategies, and other career transition issues. The university strongly encourages all students to complete a practical work experience such as an internship prior to graduation.

Students transferring into GC are also expected to complete the Career Planning Milestones. Career center staff will work with students to ensure they have opportunities to complete all components of the four year plan so long as the student takes an active role in his/her professional development.

The Career Center is located in Lanier Hall, Room 110. Hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Center staff can also be contacted at (478) 445-5384, or through their website at www.gcsu.edu/career.

Catalog

Undergraduate students are automatically assigned to the catalog in effect during the term they matriculate at Georgia College, and remain under the curricular requirements for that catalog as long as they are continuously enrolled. All of a student’s degree requirements including core curriculum, major(s), and/or minor(s) must be completed using the same catalog. A students may elect to “move up” to a later catalog with the permission of his or her advisor and department chair; however, student who take this option will be required to complete all curricular requirements as listed in that catalog.

Challenging Courses / Prior Learning Assessment

Students may challenge undergraduate courses, i.e., receive credit for a course without enrolling in it, under certain conditions. A student who wishes to challenge a course must present to the chairperson of the department that offers the course sufficient information to enable the department chairperson to determine the student’s mastery of the material provided in the course. If the student is approved for credit by examination, the student will pay an examination and recording fee per course challenged. Receipt of payment from the Business Office must be presented to the department chairperson before the examination. The student is then examined on the course by the faculty of the department according to a procedure established by the department. The result of the examination is recorded on the Credit by Examination Form provided by the Dean of the College. The Dean of the College will notify the Registrar of all successful challenges.

If the student successfully challenges the course, the course credit is recorded in the student’s permanent record, but no grades or quality points are awarded.

No more than 30 semester hours credit may be awarded through the course-challenge procedure.

There is a limit of one challenge per course.

Students may not challenge courses that are offered through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).

See also: CLEP Exams

Class Attendance Policy

Although it is recognized that absences will sometimes be necessary, students are expected to attend classes regularly. It is the responsibility of students to be cognizant of their own record of absences and to consult the instructor regarding work missed. The decision to permit students to make up work rests with the instructor. At any time during the semester an instructor has the right to assign a grade of F for excessive absences when a student exceeds the number of allowable absences specified in the instructor’s attendance policy distributed to the student in the instructor’s course syllabus. If a student is representing the University in an official capacity, as verified on a list released from the Office of the Provost, the instructor will not penalize the student for those absences. However, students should consult their instructor before anticipated absences.

Students who wish to have their instructors notified of a medical or family emergency necessitating their absence from classes, or who wish to provide documentation in support of a request for excused absences, make-up work, or grades of “W” or “I” due to an emergency, may contact the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. The Student Affairs staff will inform students about procedures, assist with communication to instructors, receive and file documentation, and advise students regarding their own self-advocacy; however, the final determination of excused absences, make-up classwork, and grading is determined by the instructor.

Class Organization

CLEP Credit

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a national program that allows students to obtain academic credit for college-level achievement. Additional information may be obtained through the College Board, (609) 771-7300, or www.collegeboard.com.

Georgia College awards credit for most CLEP examinations. Equivalencies are reviewed and posted each year on the GC website; published equivalencies are subject to change as a result of changes in CLEP exam content and Georgia College course or curriculum changes.

To receive credit for CLEP, a student must obtain the minimum credit-earning score on a CLEP exam (usually a 50, although some disciplines require higher scores), and send an original College Grade Report directly from the College Board to Georgia College (CEEB 5252). This request may be made when students register for the exam.

A “K” grade will be awarded for CLEP credit. This grade will not affect the student’s grade point average but will count toward total hours and will fulfill degree requirements.

Commencement

Students who have completed all degree requirements will be invited to participant in commencement exercises.

At commencement, the University community, family and friends recognize students who have completed, or who are nearing the completion of, their degree programs. The University holds formal commencement ceremonies each year at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters. Students who are expected to complete all degree requirements during the Fall semester are eligible to participate in the December commencement ceremony. Students who are expected to complete all degree requirements during the Spring or Summer semesters are eligible to participate in the May commencement ceremony.

Students who are unable to attend the ceremony of their expected semester of graduation may participate in a later commencement ceremony; students may not participate in commencement ceremonies earlier than their anticipated graduation term. Most students take part in commencement, but participating is not required in order to graduate.

Participation in the commencement ceremony does not imply that a student’s degree will be awarded.

Graduation is the process of verifying that students have completed all degree requirements and formally posting the degree to students’ records. To be eligible for graduation, candidates are required to apply for graduation by the deadline and to complete all requirements by the last day of the term in which it will be conferred.

Diplomas are mailed following graduation. Graduating students are responsible for maintaining a current mailing address with the Registrar’s Office. Georgia College reserves the right to withhold a diploma and refuse to forward transcripts for any student who has an unsatisfactory conduct record or who is in financial arrears to the university.

Course Load

An undergraduate student may enroll in a maximum of 18 credit hours per semester. During the Summer semester, which is divided into three four-week sessions, a student may enroll in a maximum of 8 semester hours in each of the four-week sessions, up to 18 hours total. Any hours in excess of these limits must also have the approval of the student’s advisor and department chairperson.

A minimum of 30 semester hours per year is needed to graduate within four years; therefore, a normal course load is 15 semester hours each Fall and Spring semester.

Course Numbering

Courses are identified by a four-letter prefix and a four-digit number.

Freshman and sophomore courses are numbered 1000 to 2999. They are designed to be taken by students having fewer than two years of university credit. Courses numbered 3000 to 4999 are courses for major programs and are designed to be taken by students having two or more years of university credit.

Graduate courses are numbered 5000 or higher.

Credit

Georgia College uses the Carnegie standard to determine the appropriate amount of credit awarded for undergraduate and graduate course work. Academic credit is awarded in semester credit hours.

Semester credit hours will be granted as follows:

Lecture, seminar, and recitation courses:

A minimum of 750 minutes of instruction (excluding final examinations), with a minimum of 1500 minutes of out of class work, for each semester credit hour earned.

Laboratory and studio courses:

A minimum of 750 minutes of instruction (excluding final examinations), with a minimum of 1500 minutes of out of class work, for each semester credit hour earned, OR A minimum of 1500 minutes of instruction (excluding final examinations), with a minimum of 750 minutes of out of class work, for each semester credit hour earned, OR A minimum of 2250 minutes of instruction (excluding final examinations), for each semester credit hour earned.

Supervised independent study, research, individual studio, private lessons:

The amount of effort required for one unit of undergraduate academic credit is determined by the supervising faculty and the department chair of the discipline in which credit is awarded. Instructors should make adjustments so that the total hours of work required by students is equivalent to that of a traditional class.

Practicums, internships, student teaching:

A minimum of forty hours of supervised, discipline-appropriate academic activity for each semester credit hour earned.

Courses conducted through alternative delivery methods, including, but not limited to, online, hybrid, and distance education, should be structured so that the total number of minutes of instruction and out of class work is equivalent to that of a traditional face-to-face class.

Fully and partially distance classes must be approved through a formal institutional faculty review process and must demonstrate that the learning outcomes and level of student achievement are equivalent to a traditionally delivered course. Hybrid courses need to undergo the standard course review process.

Courses offered in an abbreviated format are expected to contain the same number of minutes of instruction and out of class work as classes scheduled for a full term.

At its discretion, Georgia College will award semester credit hours for proficiency demonstrated through credit-by-examination, including Advanced Placement, College Level Proficiency Examinations, International Baccalaureate, and course challenges. Credit provided will be equivalent to the hours of credit currently assigned to the course in which the student demonstrates proficiency. Decisions regarding credit-by-examination will be made by the academic department responsible for the subject matter addressed in the examination

Departments may present educational justification for departures from this policy to the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. This policy is consistent with Federal Guidelines established in 34 CFR 600.2, as well as University System of Georgia Policy 3.4.1.

Declaration or Change of Major/Minor

A major may be declared or changed by submitting a request to the academic advisor for the proposed major. The Advising Center is located in 200 Lanier Hall.

A second major or minor may be declared by following the same procedure.

Some majors, including those in the College of Education and some in the College of Health Sciences, have additional admissions requirements that must be met before a student will be admitted to the major.

See also: Multiple Majors

Enrollment Status

A full-time undergraduate student is one who is enrolled in twelve or more semester credit hours at the end of the add/drop period for a given semester. Undergraduate students who later drop below twelve credit hours will no longer be reported as full-time students from that date forward.

Undergraduate students who are enrolled in six or more semester credit hours, but less than nine semester credit hours, will be reported as half-time students. Students enrolled in nine hours but less than twelve hours will be reported as three-quarter time students. Students enrolled in less than six hours will be reported as less than half-time students.

A student may be classified differently for financial aid, housing, or other University functions (such as athletic eligibility). Students who are considering dropping from full-time to below full-time during a semester are strongly encouraged to contact these offices before making this decision.

FERPA

Georgia College, in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 which is designed to protect the student’s rights with regard to educational records maintained by the institution. Under this Act, a student has the following rights:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s educational record within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access.
   Students should submit to the Registrar, Dean, and head of the academic department, or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The University official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the University official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Students may ask the University to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the University official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.
3. If the University decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the University will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
4. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the University has contacted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.
5. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an educational record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
6. Upon request, the University discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll. (FERPA) requires an institution to make a reasonable attempt to notify the student of the record request unless the institution states in its annual notification that it intends to forward records on request.
7. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Georgia College to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
600 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605

Directory Information

At its discretion Georgia College may provide directory information in accordance with the provisions of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. Directory information is defined as that information which would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. Designated directory information at Georgia College includes the following:

• student name
• date and place of birth
• hometown
• major field of study
• class status
• participation in officially recognized activities and sports
• weight and height of members of athletic teams
• dates of attendance
• enrollment status (including hours enrolled)
• degrees and awards received
• most recent previous school attended

Questions on the University’s procedures regarding release of academic information may be directed to the Registrar’s Office, 107 Parks Hall, (478) 445-6286.

Foreign Language Accommodation

Foreign language proficiency requirements are described in this catalog (p. 56). Only students who have been certified by an authorized University System of Georgia diagnostic center as being incapable of learning a foreign language may substitute courses from the following lists to meet the foreign language requirements at Georgia College. The courses must be taken from the appropriate groups depending on the student’s degree objectives.

Courses taken to substitute for foreign language courses must be in addition to those taken to fulfill core, major, minor or cognate requirements. No course may be taken to fulfill both core, major, minor or cognate requirements and to substitute for a foreign language. Students required to complete the second level of foreign language must complete two courses from Group I. Students required to complete the fourth level of language requirement must take two courses from Group I and two courses from Group II.

Foreign Language Requirement

All students seeking a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Arts and Sciences must demonstrate minimum proficiency in one foreign language at the level of a fourth university course (2002). All students seeking a Bachelor of Science degree through the College of Arts & Sciences must demonstrate minimum proficiency in one foreign language at the level of a second university course (1002). Other degree programs may also require foreign language. In some majors, the language requirement may be fully or partly counted in their field of study requirements.

This proficiency can be demonstrated in one of three ways:

1. Coursework. Students who have had two years of high school foreign language and who wish to continue that language must enter the sequence at the 1002 level. They may audit the 1001 course without credit. Students with three or more years of high school language are urged to choose the most advanced possible language course appropriate for their language competence, upon consultation with the Chair of the Department of World Languages & Cultures. The 1001 course of a foreign language will not be accepted for credit if the student has taken two years of that same language in high school.
2. Testing. Students may also demonstrate proficiency and possibly exempt one or more courses by (a) submitting an appropriate score on an approved national test, such as an Advanced PLacement or CLEP exam, or (b) by challenging the appropriate course(s) beyond 1001 when an approved national test is not available, for which they must consult with the Chair of the Department of World Languages & Cultures. Students who successfully fulfill the all or part of the foreign language requirement through testing receive credit hours but no letter grades.
3. International Student Waiver. The International Education Center will evaluate the academic credentials of all international students entering on a student visa to verify the language of instruction for the equivalent of the U.S. high school education (the last four years of secondary education).
   1. Students whose language of instruction is determined to have been English will be required to complete the foreign language requirement.
   2. Students presenting academic documents indicating the equivalent of a minimum of four (4) years of a language of instruction other than English will be exempt from the foreign language requirement as stated in the GC Catalog. The International Educational Center will notify the Office of the Registrar of any foreign language exemption. Students who are granted an exemption from the language requirement will not receive credit toward the core or graduation requirements for introductory courses in their language of exemption. They may enroll in intermediate and advanced courses offered by GC with the approval of the Chair of the Department of World Languages and Cultures.
   3. Students presenting academic documents that do not clearly specify the language of instruction may petition a committee comprised of the International Student Advisor and the Chair of the World Languages and Cultures Department to review all available educational documents in an effort to determine the student’s eligibility for a waiver of the foreign language requirement.

See also: Challenging Courses, Foreign Language Accommodation

Freshman English Requirement

Students should take ENGL 1101  during their first term at Georgia College unless they have prior college or test credit for this class. All students must earn a grade of C or better in ENGL 1101  in order to fulfill graduation requirements. Students should take ENGL 1102  the term after they pass ENGL 1101  with a C or better.

Students who have earned 30 overall semester credit hours but have not completed ENGL 1101  or ENGL 1102  must enroll in the next course in that sequence every semester in which they take classes until both requirements have been satisfactorily completed.

Freshman Mathematics Requirement

Students who have earned 30 overall hours but have not completed a Core IMPACTS Mathematics course must enroll in an approved Mathematics course every semester in which they take classes until they satisfactorily complete this requirement.

Grade Point Averages

GCSU calculates separate grade point averages for undergraduate and graduate coursework.

Georgia College truncates all GPAs to the second decimal point.

Georgia College records three grade point averages on student transcripts. One is the term average, based upon all work attempted in a particular semester.

The second is the Regents’ cumulative average. The regents cumulative grade-point average is calculated by dividing the number of credit hours in all courses attempted in which a grade of A, B, C, D, F, or WF has been received into the number of grade points earned on those hours scheduled. When courses have been repeated, all attempts are included in this calculation. Transfer credit is not included in the calculation of the Regents’ cumulative grade point average.

The third is the institutional average, which is used to determine academic standing and graduation eligibility. Under the institutional average, students may repeat a course or courses and have only the last earned grade count toward the institutional grade point average and credit awarded. The institutional average is the basis for determining academic standing and eligibility for graduation.

Students should be aware that when transferring to other institutions or when applying to graduate or professional school, many receiving institutions make admission decisions based on the Regents’ cumulative grade point average or their own internal calculation method.

Grades

Equating letter grades earned at Georgia College to the following numerical code computes the grade-point average:

The following symbols are used in the cases indicated, but they are not included in the determination of the grade-point average.

Incomplete Grades

An incomplete grade may only be assigned if:

1. the student was doing satisfactory (passing) work at the time of the request, and
2. the student was unable to meet the full requirements of the course due to non-academic reasons beyond the student’s control

The process of assigning an incomplete grade will include the following:

1. normally the student requests the incomplete grade from the instructor before the completion of the course, and
2. the student and the instructor complete an incomplete grade agreement form approved by the instructor and the instructor’s department chair and file the form with the Office of the Registrar.

Graduation Application

Each applicant for a baccalaureate degree from Georgia College must make a formal application for graduation by the deadline printed in the Official University Calendar. After paying the application fee at the Business Office, the applicant should meet with his adviser to complete the application and obtain the signature of both the adviser and department chairperson. The graduation application must be returned to the Office of the Registrar for processing. The Office of the Registrar will complete the evaluation of the application and forward a copy to the student showing approval, missing requirements, or denial.

Students will not be allowed to graduate with any outstanding requirements. Any student unable to complete all requirements for graduation after formally applying for a degree will be unable to graduate. Students will be notified if graduation requirements are not completed, and the student will be required to resubmit an application for graduation for a future semester.

Graduation Requirements

To qualify for a baccalaureate degree from Georgia College, students must fulfill all of the following requirements:

• Satisfactorily complete the Core IMPACTS general education, field of study, major, and all other degree requirements listed in the student’s program of study.
• Maintain a minimum 2.0 institutional grade point average.
• Earn a grade of C or higher in ENGL 1101 .
• Satisfactorily complete any grades of I (Incomplete), IP (In Progress), TN (Transcript Needed), or NR (Not Recorded).
• Satisfactorily complete a minimum of 120 semester hours for the degree. Music Therapy requires a greater number of hours to complete all requirements. Wellness courses (WELL or ELEW), first year seminar courses (0001), orientation courses, and graduate coursework do not count toward the minimum hours for a degree.
• Satisfactorily complete a minimum of 39 semester hours at the 3000-4000 level, including at least 21 semester hours at the 3000-4000 level in the major field of study.
• Satisfactorily complete a minimum of 40 semester hours in residence at Georgia College.
• Satisfactorily complete a minimum of 18 semester hours in the major (excluding field of study requirements) in residence at Georgia College.
• Satisfactorily complete a minimum of 10 semester hours in residence at Georgia College for any minor.
• Satisfactorily complete 21 of the last 30 semester hours of 3000-4000 level coursework in residence at Georgia College.
• Satisfactorily complete a first year seminar course. Students who have earned 30 or more hours at another institution after high school graduation and who are accepted to Georgia College as transfer students are exempt from this requirement.
• Satisfactorily complete the US and Georgia History and the US and Georgia Constitution requirements (p. 60), either through approved coursework or examination.
• Satisfactorily complete a senior exit requirement, as specified by the major.
• Submit a graduation application to the Registrar’s Office, 103 Parks Hall, by the dates indicated in the official University Calendar. Students must also pay the required graduation fee.
• Satisfactorily complete all requirements within ten calendar years from the date admitted to Georgia College.
• Satisfactorily complete all requirements using the catalog in effect when the student was admitted to Georgia College, or a later catalog, provided that enrollment is continuous. Students who are not enrolled for one semester or longer, excluding the summer term, must use the catalog in effect at the time of their return to the University.
• Satisfactorily complete all requirements for the degree no later than the last day of finals in the term in which the degree is to be awarded. Students who fail to meet this deadline will not receive their degrees until the next posting period.

Grievances and Appeals

Non-Academic Grievances or Appeals Process

Georgia College recognizes the importance of providing a prompt and efficient procedure for fair and equitable resolutions of a non-academic grievance or appeal. A non-academic grievance or appeal alleges discrimination by a University employee on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, physical handicap/disability or involves personal behavior and/or University policy. Accordingly, students are encouraged to use the non-academic grievance or appeal process without fear of prejudice or reprisal for initiating the process or participating in its resolution.

A non-academic grievance or appeal is an allegation by a student concerning (1) a University employee, (2) administrative policies, procedures, regulations or requirements of the University, (3) student employment, or (4) a University program, service or activity.

Following are the proper procedures for resolving a non-academic grievance or appeal:

1. The student shall submit a complaint in writing to the appropriate University official responsible for the action which forms the basis of the grievance or appeal. The complaint shall contain a clear and concise statement of the grievance or appeal, the remedies sought, and a request for a meeting with the involved person or persons or a written response. The complaint must be submitted within five days of the event unless there are extenuating circumstances. Students may also use the University’s student complaint portal.
2. The respondent shall schedule a meeting with the student within ten class days of receipt of the written grievance or appeal to discuss the matter. A written reply by the respondent to the student, indicating the results of the meeting and including further action, if any, to be taken, shall be attached to the written grievance or appeal.
3. If the student is not satisfied with the results of the discussion and reply and wants the grievance or appeal to be considered further, the student shall appeal in writing to the respondent’s supervisor to seek a resolution. This consultation must begin within 10 class days after the conclusion of the discussion with the respondent. A written reply by the respondent’s supervisor to the student, indicating the results of the meeting and including further action, if any, to be taken, shall be attached to the written grievance or appeal.
4. If the student is not satisfied after seeking consultation at the supervisor’s level and wants the grievance or appeal to be considered further, the student shall appeal in writing to the secondary supervisor to seek a resolution. This consultation must begin within ten class days after the supervisor has completed consideration of the grievance or appeal. A written reply by the secondary supervisor to the student, indicating the results of the meeting and including further action, if any, to be taken, shall be attached to the written grievance or appeal.
5. If the student is not satisfied and wants the grievance or appeal to be considered further, the student shall appeal in writing to the next appropriate supervisor. This grievance or appeal must be filed within ten class days after the secondary supervisor has completed consideration of the grievance or appeal. A written reply by the next appropriate supervisor to the student, indicating the results of the meeting and including further action, if any, to be taken, shall be attached to the written grievance or appeal.
6. The decision of the President will become the final campus decision on the grievance or appeal. A written reply by the President to the student, indicating the results of the meeting and including further action, if any, to be taken, shall be attached to the written grievance or appeal. The student and appropriate University officials shall be notified in writing of the decision within ten class days after the last consideration of the grievance or appeal.

Students should be aware that their faculty advisor, the Office of Counseling Services, the Student Government Association, and the Office of Student Affairs may be resource areas whereby students may receive assistance on a grievance or appeal. The time limit may be extended upon approval of a written request submitted to the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students.

These policies and procedures are subject to revision from time to time. Please refer to the Student Handbook for the most recent version.

Academic Grievances or Appeals

An academic grievance or appeal is an allegation by a student of substantial and/or unjustified deviation, to the student’s detriment, from policies, procedures and/or requirements regarding admission, grading policies (not grade changes), special agreements, instructor’s requirements, and academic requirements of the University. Students shall have the right to file academic grievances or appeals according to the following procedures approved by the University. Appeals regarding course registration, withdrawals, or grading policies must be made no later than the next semester of enrollment or by the end of one calendar year if not enrolled, whichever comes first.

The student shall petition in writing the appropriate academic or administrative official responsible for the action which forms the basis of the grievance or appeal. Students may submit their request by email if it is sent from their University email account. An appeal form is available on the Registrar’s Office page - Other Forms. Alternative, appeals can be submitted through the University’s student complaint portal. The request must include:

• student’s name as it appears on University records
• Georgia College ID number
• student’s University email address
• course name and number (if applicable)
• a clear and concise statement on the nature of the grievance or appeal
• time, location, and date the grievance occurred (if applicable)
• desired outcome

The respondent shall meet with the student to discuss the matter or provide the student with a written response within ten class days of receipt of the written grievance or appeal.

A class day is any Monday through Friday in which the University is open and classes are held, including summer classes.

If the student is not satisfied with the results of that discussion or response and wants the grievance or appeal to be considered further, the student shall appeal in writing to the respondent’s supervisor within ten class days to seek a resolution. This appeal should include the student’s previous request with the information outlined above. The supervisor shall meet with the student to discuss the matter or provide the student with a written response within ten class days of receipt of the written appeal.

If the student is not satisfied after seeking consultation at the supervisor’s level and wants the grievance or appeal to be considered further, the student shall appeal in writing to the secondary supervisor within ten class days to seek a resolution. This appeal should include the student’s two previous requests with the information outlined above. The secondary supervisor shall meet with the student to discuss the matter or provide the student with a written response within ten class days of receipt of the written appeal.

If the student is not satisfied and wants the grievance or appeal to be considered further, the student shall appeal in writing to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. This grievance or appeal must be filed within ten class days after the secondary supervisor has completed consideration of the grievance or appeal. The decision of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs will be the final decision on behalf of the institution. A clear statement of the reasons for the decision shall accompany the decision as to the resolution of the grievance or appeal. The student and appropriate University officials shall be notified in writing of the decision within ten class days after receipt of the grievance or appeal.

Academic advisors, Counseling Services, the Student Government Association, and the Office of Academic Affairs can provide students with guidance on navigating the grievance or appeal process.

The time limit for a grievance or appeal may be extended upon approval of a written request to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

History and Constitution (U.S. and Georgia) Legislative Requirements

Georgia law requires that each candidate for a degree from a University System of Georgia institution demonstrate knowledge of the history and constitution of the United States and Georgia by course work or examination.

The U.S. and Georgia constitution requirements can be satisfied by earning a passing grade in POLS 1100 American Government, POLS 1150 Politics & Society , or its equivalent taken at another University System of Georgia institution. Transfer students who receive credit for POLS 1100 or POLS 1150  from a non-University System of Georgia institution or Advanced Placement will only satisfy the U.S. constitution portion of the requirement, unless the transfer institution’s catalog specifically states that appropriate content on the Georgia constitution is included in their course. The Georgia constitution requirement can also be satisfied by passing POLS 2201 State & Local Government  or by passing an examination. Contact the Center for Testing to schedule the exam.

The U.S. and Georgia history requirements can be satisfied by earning a passing grade in HIST 2111  or HIST 2112  U.S. History or its equivalent taken at another University System of Georgia institution or by passing the U.S. and Georgia history examinations. Transfer students who bring credit for the U.S. History course from a non-University System of Georgia institution or Advanced Placement will only satisfy U.S. portion of the requirement, unless the transfer institution’s catalog specifically states that appropriate content on Georgia history is included in their course. The Georgia history portion can also be satisfied by passing HIST 4415  or by passing the Georgia history examination. Contact the Center for Testing to schedule the exam.

Students will be allowed no more than three attempts at each exam. After the 3rd attempt, students will be required to pass the appropriate course to complete the requirement. Students who are registered for one of these courses will not be allowed to sign up for a corresponding exam during the semester they are taking the course.

Honor Code

All students are expected to abide by the requirements of the Georgia College Honor Code as it applies to all academic work at the University. Failure to abide by the Honor Code will result in serious penalties.

Matriculation Pledge

In enrolling at Georgia College, I solemnly pledge that I will conduct myself in such a manner as to reflect credit on the Georgia College community, and I will uphold the Honor Code of the University. If I violate this Honor Code, I will accept the imposed penalty, which may include expulsion from the University.

Preamble

Since 1942, there has been an Honor Code at Georgia College. This Code is a dynamic aspect of the University that helps to define its character as an institution of higher learning in the best liberal arts tradition. Through the years, this Code has given rise to an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust on the Georgia College campus.

And, as a result of periodic examination and review, the Honor Code continues to grow stronger. After undergoing thoughtful study and meticulous revision during the 1998-99 academic year, the new Honor Code reflects a renewed desire of the present student generation for an honorable community and also guarantees stiff punishments for dishonorable actions.

The commitment to honor has its own rewards, but the Honor Code also brings responsibilities - a respect for the ideas, values and property of others; a readiness to subordinate one’s own interests to the interests and well-being of the whole University community; and a dedication to abide by the rules of the University. In order to maintain an honorable campus, student commitment is vital. This commitment begins with personal integrity, extends to the refusal to condone violation of the rules and ends with support of an appropriate punishment for those who violate the spirit and provisions of the Honor Code. Anything short of full commitment undermines the very essence of Georgia College’s honor.

Those who engage in dishonorable behavior may be banned from the University for one or two semesters, or permanently.

Students who are unfamiliar with the concept of honor or who have a history of dishonorable behavior are urged to consider alternatives to Georgia College. However, those wishing to renew themselves in the spirit of honor will be invited to join the community of Georgia College by formally embracing the Honor Code and signing the Honor Roll at the beginning of their academic career at GC (the Honor Code, however, is applicable to all students who matriculate at GC).

The Honor Code

It is presumed that any student who matriculates at Georgia College is willing to conform to a pattern of mutual trust and honor and shall deal honorably with all members of the University community. It must be understood that it is the responsibility of each student, faculty and staff member to preserve, nurture and strengthen this spirit of honor. Georgia College students shall at all times refrain from, discourage and as far as possible, prevent all attempts at lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism and vandalism. When a violation of the Honor Code is detected, a student should take steps to bring the matter to the attention of the Judicial Council or the Vice President for Student Affairs.

Violations Defined

“Lying” is defined as any attempt to deceive, falsify, or misrepresent the truth in any matter involving University business. University business includes but is not limited to, financial aid information, excuses for absences, statements to professors in order to reschedule tests or assignments and responses to the queries of Public Safety officers.

“Cheating” is defined as the employment of or rendering of any illicit aid in any assigned work.

“Stealing” is defined as the appropriation of money or property belonging to another person, organization, or the University, or the borrowing of property without the knowledge of the owner.

“Plagiarism” is defined as presenting as one’s own work the words or ideas of an author or fellow student without proper documentation through quotation marks and footnotes or other accepted citation methods. Ignorance of these rules concerning plagiarism is not an excuse. When in doubt, students should seek clarification from the professor who made the assignment.

“Vandalism” is defined as intentional, malicious damage to University property or property belonging to others.

Penalties

The Judicial Council may, for any first offense violation of the Honor Code, impose immediate suspension for the remainder of the current semester and possibly for one additional semester (depending on the severity of the violation). If suspended in the fall, one would be suspended for the remainder of the fall semester and possibly the spring semester; if suspended in the spring, one would be suspended for the remainder of the spring semester and possibly the following fall semester.

The normal penalty for a second Honor Code violation is immediate expulsion from the University.

HOPE and Zell Miller STEM Courses

Georgia House Bill 801 was implemented to incentivize students to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) coursework and ultimately STEM careers by providing a 0.5 point HOPE and Zell Miller GPA boost for select STEM courses.

Beginning with the Fall 2017 semester, certain introductory courses in STEM fields have been approved to receive an additional 0.5 point per credit hour for students who earn a B, C, or D grade in these courses. HOPE and Zell Miller STEM courses are identified on the semester course schedule and in catalog course descriptions.

This credit addition affects only the HOPE and Zell Miller GPA. It will not appear on a student’s transcript, and it will not be used in calculating academic standing; eligibility for the Dean’s List or President’s List; eligibility for various honors organizations; or eligibility for graduation or graduation honors.

Transfer courses will be given the GPA bump if and only if a course was approved as a HOPE and Zel Miller STEM course at a participating Georgia institution and was taken in or after the Fall 2017 semester. Transfer courses from non-participating institutions that equate to Georgia College STEM courses will not receive additional GPA points at Georgia College. Students interested in transferring credit from another Georgia institution should consult that institution to determine if a course will carry the STEM bump at that institution.

International Baccalaureate IB

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program’s examinations are administered through high schools. For information regarding the courses or examinations, prospective students should contact their high school counselor or principal. Additional information may be obtained through International Baccalaureate North America, 212-696-4464, or www.ibo.org.

Georgia College awards credit for most International Baccalaureate higher-level examinations. Equivalencies are reviewed and posted each year on the Georgia College website; published equivalencies are subject to change as a result of changes in IB test content and Georgia College course or curriculum changes.

To receive credit for an International Baccalaureate exam, a student must obtain a minimum of a 4 on a higher-level or a minimum of a 5 for standard-level examinations. Some disciplines may require higher scores for credit.

Students must send an original College Grade Report directly from IB to Georgia College (CEEB 5252) for credit to be received and posted to their records. This request may be made when students register for the exam.

A “K” grade will be awarded for IB credit. This grade will not affect the student’s grade point average but will count toward total hours and will fulfill degree requirements.

Military Credit

Georgia College is an institutional member of Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC), a group of over 1900 colleges and universities providing voluntary postsecondary education to members of the military. As a SOC member, Georgia College recognizes the unique nature of the military lifestyle and is committed to easing the transfer of relevant course credits, providing flexible academic residency requirements, and crediting learning from appropriate military training and experiences.

If you desire credit for your educational experience in the armed forces, you need to provide the Registrar’s Office with your Joint Service Transcript (JST), DD-214, or transcripts from the Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System (AARTS), Community College of the Air Force (CCAF), Coast Guard Institute (CGI), and/or other appropriate transcripts that summarize the skills and experiences obtained during military service. The University Registrar will evaluate the courses taken in consultation with the faculty and appropriate department chairs and determine the appropriate amount of credit to be awarded. Georgia College awards credit for military experiences as recommended by the American Council on Education when these recommendations are consistent with our mission and course outcomes. Because most of our liberal arts coursework is grounded in the theoretical and foundational nature of knowledge, rather than the practical application of skills, the experiences completed through military training are not always consistent with the types of experiences a student would have in Georgia College classes.

There is no limit on the number of hours of armed forces education experience credit that can be awarded at Georgia College; however, a student must meet minimum residency and other degree requirements as outlined in the graduation requirements section of the university catalog.

Students should speak with their Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within your branch of military service prior to enrolling at Georgia College or any institution. Since military funding is limited, it is important for all service members to use all their resources in making any educational decision.

Minor Requirements

Minors may only be earned and will only be awarded in conjunction with a bachelor’s degree. They will not be awarded as an independent credential.

To qualify for a minor from Georgia College, students must satisfy all of the following requirements:

1. Satisfactorily complete a minimum of 15 semester hours for the minor. Some minors will require additional hours.
2. Satisfactorily complete a minimum of 9 semester hours at the 3000-4000 level.
3. Satisfactorily complete a minimum of 10 semester hours in residence at Georgia College.
4. Include the minor when submitting a graduation application to the Registrar’s Office, 107 Parks Hall, by the dates indicated in the official University Calendar.
5. Satisfactorily complete all requirements within ten calendar years from the date admitted to Georgia College.
6. Satisfactorily complete all requirements using the catalog in effect when the student was admitted to Georgia College, or a later catalog, provided that enrollment is continuous. Students who are not enrolled for one semester or longer, excluding the summer term, must use the catalog in effect at the time of their return to the University. All of a student’s degree, major, minor, and core requirements must be met using the same catalog year.
7. Satisfactorily complete all requirements for the degree no later than the last day of finals in the term in which the degree is to be awarded. Students who fail to meet this deadline will not receive their degrees until the next posting period.

Courses used to satisfy core Areas A -E may not be counted as coursework in the minor. Departments may specify additional requirements for a minor; these additional requirements are included in the minor program of study in this catalog.

Federal financial aid will not pay for a minor course unless that course is also necessary to complete the required number of hours or the required number of upper-level hours required for a degree. Contact Financial Aid  if you have questions about your federal aid eligibility.

Multiple Majors

Students may major in more than one subject area. All degree requirements must be met for each department in which a major is declared. The student will be assigned an advisor in each subject area.

Non-Discrimination

Georgia College is committed to the fundamental principle of equal opportunity and equal treatment for every prospective and current employee and strives to create a campus environment which understands, fosters, and embraces the value of diversity. No person shall, on the grounds of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, be excluded from employment or participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination, under any program or activity conducted by Georgia College.

Orientation and Wellness Courses

According to Board of Regents policy, wellness courses, first year seminar courses, and orientation courses cannot be used towards the total hours required for graduation. At Georgia College, wellness courses carry the prefix WELL or ELEW, and most, but not all, orientation courses are numbered 0001 or are titled “First Year Academic Seminar.” While the hours for these courses will still count toward full-time enrollment status and will still appear in a student’s overall semester credit hours earned, they will be manually excluded when calculating a student’s total hours earned toward graduation.

Overloads

A student who has earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher on at least 15 overall semester credit hours may petition his or her academic advisor and department chair for permission to overload, or to enroll in more than 18 hours in a given semester.

Registration

POUNCE

POUNCE is the registration process for all newly admitted freshmen. Using preferences a student indicates on an online POUNCE form, an advisor registers the student for classes based on those preferences, chosen major and available courses. Students receive POUNCE instructions and information via regular mail. For more information on POUNCE, contact the Center for Student Success at success@gcsu.edu or 478-445-2361.

INTRO

INTRO is the registration process for all newly admitted transfer students. Incoming transfer students will use the INTRO form to accept their offer of admission and to provide their advisor with information needed to properly advise the student for his or her first semester of study at Georgia College. Transfer students receive INTRO information and instructions after acceptance.

Registration

Continuing students may register for the upcoming term on line from their PAWS account. Registration instructions, including information on viewing holds, are available on line. See the University Calendar for registration dates or visit the Office of the Registrar in Parks Hall, 107. Students may not register if they have holds on their record that block them from registering.

Adding Courses

A student may add courses to his/her schedule through the last day of Add on the Academic Calendar for the term or part of term. Students may add classes via PAWS or by submitting an Add/Drop form to the Registrar’s Office for processing during this period. Students with an advisor hold must obtain approval from their academic advisor to add a class; no additional approvals are required during the add period. Changing sections of the same course does not require the approval of the advisor when using the Add/Drop form.

To add courses after the add period, a student must submit an Add/Drop form to the Registrar’s Office. During this period, the approval of the department chairperson for the course, the student’s academic advisor (only if an advisor hold exists), and the instructor of the course are required on the Add/Drop form. Following the last date to drop without academic penalty (last day to drop with a W), the signature of the dean of the college is also required.

Courses added after the payment deadline must be paid for in full on the day that the course is added to the student’s schedule.

Students may not attend, participate in, or receive credit for courses in which they are not properly registered.

Dropping Courses

Dropping courses refers to reducing one’s course load for a single term or discontinuing enrollment in one or more courses while remaining registered in others courses for the same term. For information on withdrawing from all courses, see Withdrawal from the University.

There are three distinct drop periods for each term. Specific dates for each period are included in the Academic Calendar.

Dropping courses with no penalty: A student may drop courses from his/her schedule with no penalty through the last day to drop without penalty as published in the academic calendar for each term or part of term (usually the fifth of classes in the fall/spring and the second day of classes in the summer). Students with an advisor hold must obtain approval from their academic advisor to drop a class; no additional approvals are required during the add period. Courses dropped during this period do not receive a W grade, do not count in the student’s 5W count, do not count in the student’s attempted hours and do not appear on the academic transcript. Students will not be charged tuition and fees for courses dropped during this period.

Dropping courses with a W grade: After the last day to drop a course with no penalty, but on or before the last day to drop a course with a W grade as published in the academic calendar for each term or part of term, students may drop courses by submitting an Add/Drop form to the Registrar’s Office. Approval of the instructor and academic advisor (only if an advisor hold exists) are required. Students will receive a W grade for courses dropped during this time period, and these courses will count in the student’s 5W count. Courses dropped during this time will also count in the student’s attempted hours, which will affect the student’s financial aid and HOPE eligibility. They will also appear on the academic transcript. No refunds will be issued for courses dropped during this period. Students may not drop courses during this period if they have previously been assigned a grade of F for excessive absences by their instructor.

Dropping courses with a WF: After the last day to drop a course with a W grade, students may drop courses and receive a WF by submitting an Add/Drop form to the Registrar’s Office. Approval of the instructor and academic advisor (only if an advisor hold exists) are required. A student who drops a course after the last day to drop a course with a W will receive a grade of “WF” (Withdrew Failing) for the course. A grade of WF counts the same as a grade of F in the student’s grade point average. Courses dropped during this time will count in the student’s attempted hours, which will affect the student’s financial aid and HOPE eligibility. They also appear on the academic transcript. No refunds will be issued for courses dropped during this period. Students may not drop courses during this period if they have previously been assigned a grade of F for excessive absences by their instructor.

Students attending classes that do not meet until after the published drop/add dates are allowed 24 hours following their first class meeting to adjust their course load.

Limit to Dropping Courses (5 W Policy): Undergraduate students may accumulate no more than five W grades. Once a student has accumulated five W grades, all subsequent drops will be recorded as WF. If a student withdraws from the university or drops a class due to an approved documented hardship, those W grades will not be counted as part of the five maximum.

Auditing Courses

Any student may audit any course with the permission of the instructor and registration for course as Audit. Audited courses will not be counted as part of the normal course load and no grades will be awarded. Instructors may set special conditions for students who audit their courses. Audited courses are designated with a grade of V. Auditing a course will not prevent a student from taking the course for credit at a later term. Students must register in the Registrar’s Office for the course as an audit student and pay regular tuition and fees. Changes from audit to credit or vice-versa cannot be made after the last day to add courses.

Withdrawal from the University

To withdraw from the University, a student must complete a Withdrawal Request. Failure to withdraw officially will result in the grade of ‘F’ in all courses.

A student who withdraws from the University either temporarily or permanently at any time after the last day to drop a course without academic penalty (unless previously assigned an ‘F’ by the professor for excessive absences) will receive a grade of ‘WF’ (Withdrew Failing) for each course being carried at the time of withdrawal. However, the student may petition for a ‘W’ (Withdrew) if the withdrawal is due to nonacademic extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control and the student is passing all courses at the time of withdrawal.

The timing of withdrawals in order to avoid academic penalty is the responsibility of the student. Deadlines are published in the University Calendar.

Involuntary Medical Withdrawal Policy

A student may be administratively withdrawn from the University and/or from University housing when, in the judgment of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students and a professional member of the University’s Health Services or Counseling Services staff, it is determined that the student’s physical, mental, emotional or psychological health:

• poses a significant danger or threat of physical harm to the student or to the person or property of others; or
• causes the student to interfere with the rights of other members of the University community or with the exercise of any proper activities or functions of the University or its personnel.

Except in emergency situations, a student shall, upon request, be accorded a meeting with a University official or a hearing prior to a final decision concerning his or her continued enrollment at the University. If the student requests a hearing on such a matter, the Georgia College Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students shall appoint a hearing body, consisting of students and faculty.

Individual Instruction

Departments may offer courses by individual instruction only in an emergency situation in which a student must have the course immediately and only with the consent of the appropriate instructor and department chairperson.

Independent Study

Independent study offerings are found in the undergraduate course description section of the Catalog. Independent study courses include those areas of research, study, or investigation beyond those normally offered in the department curriculum.

Pending Payment Compliance

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679(e), Georgia College adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from VA. Georgia College will not:

• Prevent the student’s enrollment;
• Assess a late penalty fee to the student;
• Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding;
• Deny the student access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.

However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:

• Produce the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) by the first day of class;
• Provide a written request to be certified;
• Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies.

Religious Observance Policy

Georgia College values the religious diversity of our students. Major religious holidays that will be observed on class days are included on the academic calendar for each term.

Students are permitted to miss class in observance of religious holidays and other activities observed by a religious group of which the student is a member without academic penalty. Observance is limited to the date(s) of the holiday; supplemental time (e.g., travel time to go home to observe the holiday with family) is not eligible for accommodation. Exercising one’s rights under this policy is subject to the GC Honor Code.

Students who will miss class in observance of a religious holiday or event are required to notify each instructor in writing within the first week of class of the semester in which the observance occurs and to make up the coursework missed as a result of the absence. The Religious Observance Faculty Notification Form may be used to facilitate this notification. The nature of the make-up assignments and the deadline for completion of such assignments are at the sole discretion of the instructor. Given the time limitations inherent in completing end-of-semester assignments and final exams, this policy does not apply during finals week. Students are expected to take final exams at the scheduled times and complete end-of-semester work by the deadlines set by each instructor.

Failure to follow the prescribed procedures voids all student rights under this policy. Students may appeal actions taken by an instructor under this policy through the GC academic grievance process.

Residency Requirements

A student is in residence at Georgia College if enrolled in courses offered at an approved Georgia College facility, such as the Milledgeville residential campus, the Robins Residence Center, the Robins Graduate Center, the Logistics Education Center, and The Center for Graduate and Professional Learning in Macon.

To qualify for graduation, an undergraduate student must complete a minimum of 40 semester credit hours at the undergraduate level in residence at Georgia College. In addition, a student must complete at least 21 of the last 30 earned credit hours toward a degree at the 3000-4000 level in residence at Georgia College.

At least 18 semester hours of required courses for the major field, professional component, or area of concentration, and 10 semester hours of those required for the minor, must be earned in residence at Georgia College.

Second Baccalaureate Degree

A student who has been awarded a baccalaureate degree from Georgia College or another accredited institution may be granted a second baccalaureate degree provided the following conditions have been fulfilled:

1. The student has met all requirements for the second degree.
2. The student has not previously earned a degree of the type sought. For example, a student who has already earned a Bachelor of Science degree may not earn another Bachelor of Science degree, but that student may pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Senior Exit Requirement

All undergraduate degree candidates must complete a Senior Exit requirement in their major field of study during one of their last two semesters prior to the completion of degree requirements. This requirement is determined by the major department and may be an examination, a portfolio, completion of a course, or other method of assessment. The Senior Exit requirement is an important part of the student’s participation in assessing institutional effectiveness and fostering program improvement. Results of exit requirement will be part of the student’s permanent record.

Students who are required to take an exam to complete their senior exit requirement should check with the Center for Testing to determine the type of test, application procedures and deadlines required for their majors. These students are encouraged to register for the exam the semester before they plan to test. Timely inquiry, correct application, and registration are the responsibility of the student.

A student who fails to successfully complete his or her senior exit requirement by the last day to complete coursework or degree requirements (as published in the academic calendar) will not be allowed to graduate that term.

Student Code of Conduct

General Statement

Georgia College may discipline a student in non-academic matters. This normally involves matters which occur on the GC campus or at GC-sponsored events, but may be extended to off-campus matters which could reasonably be expected to impact the GC community. Repeated off-campus arrests generally result in GC judicial charges as well as criminal charges. For the purposes of this section the term conduct shall include acts which knowingly or unknowingly violate federal, state, or local laws and/or Georgia College rules and regulations, or which the student knew or reasonably should have known would result in occurrences prohibited by this section. All students are expected to adhere to the stipulations of the GC Honor Code, which addresses lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism and vandalism. All residence hall students are expected to adhere as well to the contract terms and stipulations listed in the University Housing Handbook for Residence Hall students and The Village residents.

Students are subject to disciplinary action for violating the following Code of Conduct:

1. Underage possession or use of alcohol; illegal possession, use, or sale of controlled substances; or conduct that violates local, state, or Federal laws or GC regulations regarding alcohol and other drugs.
2. Conduct that constitutes a danger to the personal safety of other members of the University community. This may include assault, attempted assault, or the threat of assault.
3. Conduct that obstructs, seriously impairs, attempts to obstruct or seriously impair University-run or University-authorized activities or University business on any University property, indoors or out.
4. Acts which violate University provisions concerning parking, traffic, ID cards, University keys, smoking in unauthorized places, carrying firearms, unauthorized peddling, unauthorized use of sound amplifying equipment and other acts which violate local, state or federal laws, or which violate appropriate conduct.
5. Intentional harassment of another person. Harassment includes, but is not limited to, threatening, intimidating, verbally abusing, impeding, telephoning, communicating electronically, following or persistently bothering or annoying. Harassment may represent but is not limited to acts based on sex, race, religion, national origin, handicap or sexual orientation.
6. Failing to abide by disciplinary sanctions imposed by a GC judicial body or authority.

Student Arrests

If a student is arrested, whether on-campus or off-campus, the university may judge the student’s behavior a violation of a university regulation and in conflict with the recognized mission of the university. The university may initiate disciplinary procedures.

When a student is charged both with a criminal offense off the campus and charged with a violation of the student code of conduct or honor code at the university, the two processes are unrelated and conducted independently of each other. A student found not guilty in one setting may be found guilty in the other.

Disciplinary Sanctions

Disciplinary action or sanctions shall mean any action affecting the status of an individual as a student which is taken by Georgia College in response to student misconduct. The term shall include, but is not limited to reprimands, personal probation, revocation and/or limitation of privileges, restitution, probation, suspension or expulsion, denial of particular university privileges and other less severe actions. The sanctions of this policy may or may not jeopardize the student’s progress in his course of study.

Student Academic Dishonesty

1. Policy Statement
   
   Georgia College acknowledges the need to preserve an orderly process with regard to teaching, research, and public service, as well as the need to preserve and monitor students’ academic rights and responsibilities. Since the primary goal of education is to increase one’s own knowledge, academic dishonesty will not be tolerated at Georgia College. Possible consequences of academic dishonesty, depending on the seriousness of the offense, may range from a revision of assignment, an oral reprimand, a written reprimand, an F or a zero for grade work, removal from the course with a grade of F, to suspension or exclusion from the University.
   
   Academic dishonesty includes the following examples, as well as similar conduct aimed at making false representation with respect to academic performance:
   1. Cheating on an examination;
   2. Collaborating with others in work to be presented, contrary to the stated rules of the course;
   3. Plagiarism. For the purposes of this document, plagiarism is considered the act of representing ideas, writings, artistic designs, or any other creative endeavors that were created by someone or something else as one’s own. This includes, but is not limited to, materials created by artificial intelligence. When direct quotations are used, they must be indicated; and when the ideas of another are incorporated in any submission, they must be acknowledged, according to a style of documentation appropriate to the discipline.
   4. Stealing examination or course materials;
   5. Falsifying records, laboratory results, or other data;
   6. Submitting, if contrary to the rules of a course, work previously presented in another course;
   7. Knowingly and intentionally assisting another student in any of the above, including assistance in an arrangement whereby any work, classroom performance, examination, or other activity is submitted or performed by a person other than the student under whose name the work is submitted or performed.
   8. Students accused of academic dishonesty may appeal through the student academic dishonesty procedures in effect at Georgia College.
2. Procedures for Academic Misconduct Appeal
   1. Informal conference
      
      A student accused of academic dishonesty shall first participate in an informal conference with the instructor. If an informal conference, designed to explore academic dishonesty with the instructor and the student, does not end in satisfactory resolution, the following procedures for an academic misconduct appeal will apply. Options at the conclusion of an informal conference may include the following: a revision of assignment, an oral reprimand, a written reprimand, an F or 0 for the graded work or an F for the course, and/or referral to the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students in accordance with paragraph II (F).
       
   2. Formal conference
      
      If the student is dissatisfied with the results of the informal conference, the student must state in writing to the instructor his/her dissatisfaction within ten class days following the informal conference. The instructor shall schedule a formal conference within ten class days of the informal conference or receipt of the student’s written complaint. The Vice President/Dean of Faculties may extend the ten class-day period in unusual circumstances. The purpose of the formal conference shall be to review the evidence against the student, to review the evidence and argument presented by the student in his/her defense, and to review the appropriateness of the penalty which may be imposed by the instructor. The instructor and the student may both be accompanied at the formal conference by a student, faculty member or staff member of their choice.
       
   3. Notice
      
      At least five class days in advance of the formal conference, the instructor shall inform the student in writing of the alleged offense and of the facts or conduct on which the allegation is based. The student shall be informed of the date, time, and place of the formal conference. This notice shall be served on the student in person or by certified return-receipt requested mail and shall be accompanied by a copy of the Academic Dishonesty Policy and Procedures.
       
   4. Academic penalties imposed by the instructor
      
      The instructor may give the student a revision of assignment, an oral reprimand, a written reprimand, an F or 0 for the graded work or an F for the course. An academic penalty may or may not be imposed where the student’s own academic performance was not affected, such as in the following instances: (1) the student assisted another student to engage in academic dishonesty, (2) the student stole a copy of an examination, and the theft was discovered before the exam so that the student did not take the exam. In such cases, if the student is enrolled in the course, the instructor may impose the penalties permitted by this section, or if the student is not enrolled in the course, the instructor may refer the matter to the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students.
       
   5. Instructor’s decision
      
      If after the formal conference, the instructor believes that the student has not violated the Academic Dishonesty Policy, he/she shall so inform the student in writing within five class days. If the instructor believes that the student has violated the Academic Dishonesty Policy he/she shall inform the student of his/her decision in writing with a copy to his/her supervisor. Such decisions shall be served in person or by mail and shall include: (1) a full explanation of the facts on which the instructor’s conclusions were based; (2) specifications of the penalty or penalties imposed; (3) further action in the case, if any, which the instructor has recommended; and (4) notice that the decision may be appealed to the instructor’s supervisor.
       
   6. Referral to Vice President/Dean of Students
      
      If the instructor believes that the student should be considered for non-academic disciplinary sanctions, including but not limited to suspension or expulsion of the student from the College or University, the instructor may request that the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students proceed in accordance with the University’s non-academic disciplinary procedures. In such event, the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students shall receive and maintain copies of all correspondence and final decisions on academic misconduct. If the instructor concludes that the conduct in question may constitute a violation of the Honor Code or the Student Code of Conduct, but (1) does not constitute academic dishonesty as defined in this policy, or (2) does constitute academic dishonesty but cannot be sufficiently addressed by an academic sanction under this policy, then the instructor shall request that the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students proceed in accordance with the University’s non-academic disciplinary procedures; in this event, the instructor shall forward in the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students all documentation and correspondence regarding the accusation.
       
   7. Appeal from the instructor’s decision
      
      The instructor’s decision to impose an academic sanction may be appealed to the instructor’s appropriate supervisor, either as to the issue of whether the student did engage in conduct as alleged or as to the penalty or penalties. Appeals shall be in writing and must be filed with the office or person designated within 10 class days of the instructor’s decision. While such appeal is pending, the penalty or penalties shall be stayed and no grade assigned for the course. If the student does not file an appeal within ten class days of the instructor’s decision, the instructor’s decision shall become final. If the instructor’s decision is affirmed in whole or in part, the supervisor (if the instructor has not done so) may request that the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students proceed in accordance with the University’s non-academic disciplinary procedures.
       
   8. Appeal from the supervisor’s decision
      
      The supervisor’s decision may be appealed within 10 class days by either party to the appropriate Dean of the College who may refer it to an appropriate academic misconduct hearing committee for review and recommendation. The committee shall act within the bylaws of the school or college in which the alleged violation occurred. The committee must include student representation.
      1. Jurisdiction. The committee shall hear appeals of the supervisor’s decision.
      2. Penalty. The penalty recommended to the Dean of the College by the appropriate committee may exceed the penalty imposed by the instructor. Further, the committee may modify the academic penalty imposed by the instructor. If the instructor’s decision is affirmed in whole or in part, the Dean (if neither the instructor nor the supervisor has done so) may request that the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students proceed in accordance with the University’s non-academic disciplinary procedures. If the committee finds that no violation of the Academic Dishonesty Policy occurred, and if the Dean concurs, the instructor shall eliminate any academic penalty which was based on the alleged academic misconduct.
   9. Appeal from the Dean of the College the Dean’s decision may be appealed by either party to the Vice President/Dean of Faculties within 10 class days of the decision of the Dean.
   10. Appeal from the Vice President/Dean of Faculties
   11. The Vice President/Dean of Faculties’ decision may be appealed by either party to the President of Georgia College within ten class days of the decision of the Vice President/Dean of Faculties. The President’s decision on Academic Dishonesty shall be the final decision on the Georgia College campus.
3. Notice to Students
   
   Georgia College shall publish the Academic Dishonesty Policy in the current Catalog and/or Student Handbook.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Students are expected under all circumstances to show a proper respect for law and order, care of property, rights of others, and a sense of personal honor and integrity as is required of good citizens. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner becoming a university student. Students at GC can expect that they will be treated with reason and respect, and that the faculty and staff of the University will act responsibly toward them. The University expects students will employ reason, show respect to others, and to take responsibility for their actions.

Students who disregard the expectations placed upon them as good citizens subject themselves to the disciplinary process. Georgia College has a policy on the standards and procedures for student non-academic discipline. The policy acknowledges both the need to preserve the orderly processes of the University with regard to its teaching, research, and public service missions, as well as the need to observe the student’s rights. While the rules and regulations of Georgia College are not meant to duplicate general laws, there are some respects in which the lawful interests of the institution as an academic community coincide with the broader public interests treated in general laws. Students who commit offenses against the laws of municipalities, states, or the United States are subject to prosecution by those authorities and are liable for disciplinary action under Georgia College rules.

The Vice President for Student Affairs is the administrative official with primary responsibility for student discipline.

Students accused of misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct may choose between an administrative hearing or a Student Judicial Board hearing. Honor code cases are typically heard by the Student Judicial Board. Charges of lying, stealing, or vandalism are heard in order to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused student. In charges of cheating or plagiarism, the appropriate faculty member(s) will determine that academic dishonesty occurred. The Student Judicial Board hears these cases to determine whether additional sanctions are warranted under the honor code. The Office of Student Affairs may decide to refer any case to an administrative hearing panel if it determines that it would be inappropriate to be heard by a student panel. The administrative hearing will be one in which the Vice President for Student Affairs or his designee chairs the case, and a faculty/staff panel determines guilt or innocence and imposes sanctions. The judicial board hearing will be conducted by the Student Judicial Board, chaired by a designated faculty advisor.

Sanctions against a student judged guilty of misconduct could include oral or written reprimands, personal probation, revocation and/or limitation of privileges, restitution, probation, suspension or expulsion. A student may be temporarily suspended, pending final action on the charges, if potential harm to self or others is judged to exist. The student shall be afforded an opportunity for a preliminary hearing prior to temporary suspension.

Further, the Vice President for Student Affairs shall have power to impose such temporary sanctions, including suspension, pending a hearing, when a student engages in conduct that materially and substantially interferes with the requirements of appropriate discipline in the operation of the University.

It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with the university student disciplinary procedures.

These policies and procedures are subject to revision from time to time. Please refer to the Student Handbook for the most recent version.

Transfer Credit

Georgia College accepts transfer credit in accordance with the polices, rules, and practices of the University System of Georgia, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS), and its mission as a public liberal arts institution. The GC course equivalency for each transfer course is determined by the faculty of the respective department and is based on criteria such as course content, course outcomes, system-wide agreements and the level at which the course is taught. The Registrar’s Office processes transfer credit based on these faculty decisions.

General Transfer Policies

Georgia College only accepts credit hours transferred from regionally accredited institutions.

Georgia College uses the University System of Georgia uniform grading scale and does not accept plus/minus grades. When courses with plus/minus grades are transferred to Georgia College, these grades are equated to standard grades of A, B, C, D, or F on a 4.0 scale. Therefore, a grade of B- earned at an institution with plus/minus grades would become a B at Georgia College; a grade of B+ would also become a B.

All courses attempted at previous institutions will be listed as transfer credit on the Georgia College transcript, along with the grade earned at the previous institution equated to a standard A-F grade. If a course is not accepted in transfer, it will be listed as “No Credit Given.”

Course work transferred from another institution will transfer to Georgia College with the same number of semester credit hours the student received at the previous institution.

Quarter hours are converted to semester hours with a ratio of .667 quarter hours per semester hour. Therefore, a 5 quarter hour course will receive 3.33 semester hours at Georgia College.

Learning support, developmental, and remedial courses will not transfer to Georgia College for credit, but they will appear as transfer courses on the student’s Georgia College transcript.

Georgia College does not accept transfer work granted through other institutions for life experience, work experience, or portfolios or credit granted by business or governmental agencies. Students may use the Georgia College Course Challenge option if they believe they have already mastered the course content for a Georgia College course prior to admission.

Wellness, first year seminar and orientation courses will be accepted in transfer, but will not count toward the hours required for graduation.

Credit earned by examination, including but not limited to credit earned through Advanced Placement (AP), CLEP, and International Baccalaureate (IB), will be evaluated according to Georgia College’s policies and equivalencies for exam credit at the time the student was admitted. As a result, a student may not receive the same type or amount of credit for this work at Georgia College that he or she received at a previous institution.

Credit completed through the armed services will be evaluated according to Georgia College’s policy and equivalencies for military credit at the time the student was admitted. As a result, a student may not receive the same type or amount of credit for this work at Georgia College that he or she received at a previous institution.
Credit may not be earned from more than one institution or source (AP, CLEP, IB, military) for the same course.

Transfer grade point average (GPA) is the average of the student’s grades in all transferable courses. The transfer GPA is used in the holistic process to determine admission to Georgia College. Once the student has been admitted, the Georgia College Registrar’s Office will evaluate students for academic standing using his or her institutional (Georgia College) GPA only. However, a student’s cumulative GPA, which consists of his or her institutional and transfer GPA, will be one factor that determines whether the student is eligible for graduation honors.

If a student repeated a course at the same institution, only the last attempt is counted in the student’s transfer GPA.

Courses transferred from University System of Georgia Schools or Georgia Military College:

Courses transferred from a USG system institution or Georgia Military College with a common course name and number are guaranteed to transfer if those same courses are included in the Georgia College curriculum.

A student who transfers from a USG institution or Georgia Military College with an accredited transfer Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree will transfer into Georgia College as core complete (Areas A-E). However, if the student changes his or her intended major or program of study from a non-science major to a science, computer science, mathematics or health professions major, the requirements regarding math and science courses are subject to change.

A student who completes a non-transferable degree, such as an Associate of Applied Science or an Associate of Science in Nursing, from a USG institution or Georgia Military College will have his or her coursework evaluated on a course by course basis. Non-transferable degrees are “Career degrees that include the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) and Associate of Science in allied health areas (A.S. in designated fields, such as an A.S.N.). Career degrees are designed to prepare students for immediate employment.” BOR Policy 303.0602

If the student completes a core curriculum course at a USG institution or Georgia Military College, that course will fulfill a core curriculum requirement at Georgia College as long as the course is within the area hour limitations of the sending institution, and the student does not change from a non-science major to a science, computer science, mathematics or health professions major.

Courses transferred from a Non-USG System Schools:

Courses taken from a non-USG system institution are evaluated and applied to a student’s curriculum on a course by course basis.

Courses transferred from Technical College System of Georgia Institutions:

Georgia College complies with the USG statewide transfer agreement with Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) to accept the equivalent freshman English and Math courses, also known as “Mini-Core.” As such, GC accepts the following courses from TCSG institutions:

ENG 1101 (TCSG) for ENGL 1101 English Composition I 
ENG 1102 (TCSG) for ENGL 1102 English Composition II 
MAT 1101 (TCSG) for MATH 1101 Intro to Mathematical Modeling 
MAT 1111(TCSG) for MATH 1111 College Algebra 
MAT 1113 (TCSG) for MATH 1113 Precalculus 

The following courses were approved for the “Mini Core” beginning in Fall 2011. Transfer credit will only be granted to students who take these courses at TCSG institutions in Fall 2011 or later semesters.

ENGL 2130 (TCSG) for ENGL 2130 American Literature 
PSYC 1101 (TCSG) for PSYC 1101 Intro to General Psychology 
ECON 1101 (TCSG) for ECON 1101 Introduction to Economics
SOCI 1101 (TCSG) for SOCI 1101 Introduction to Sociology  
SPCH 1101 (TCSG) for RHET 1110 Fndmtls of Public Speaking 

The following courses were approved for the “Mini Core” beginning in Summer 2012. Transfer credit will only be granted to students who take these courses at TCSG institutions in Summer 2012 or later semesters.

POLS 1101 (TCSG) American Government
ARTS 1101 (TCSG) Art Appreciation
BIOL 1111 w/Lab (TCSG) Biology Introduction I
BIOL 1112 w/Lab (TCSG) Biology Introduction II
MATH 1131 (TCSG) Calculus
CHEM 1151 w/Lab (TCSG) Intro to Chemistry I
CHEM 1152 w/Lab (TCSG) Intro to Chemistry II
ECON 1199 (TCSG) Economics (Macro)
ECON 1198 (TCSG) Economics (Micro)
HUMN 1101 (TCSG) Intro Humanities
PHYS 1111 w/Lab (TCSG) Intro to Physics I
PHYS 1112 w/Lab (TCSG) Intro to Physics II
MATH 1127 (TCSG) Intro to Statistics
HIST 2111 (TCSG) US History I
HIST 2112 (TCSG) US History II
HIST 1111 (TCSG) World History I
HIST 1112 (TCSG) World History II

Additional courses outside of the “Mini-Core” are not accepted for transfer unless permission is granted by the student’s departmental chair, dean of the student’s college and University Registrar.

Transient Credit

Students who want to attend another institution as a transient student to take courses that will count toward their degree at Georgia College:

• must be in good standing
• must complete the Transient Permission Form available from the Office of the Registrar
• must obtain the approval of their department Chairperson and their faculty advisor prior to enrolling at the other institution. The form must specify the course or courses to be taken at the other institution.
• The student must request that an official transcript be sent to the Office of Admissions at Georgia College immediately upon completion of the course.

Ordinarily, students are permitted to be transient students for only one semester. Students approved for Academic Renewal are not eligible to take transient coursework.

Georgia College will accept only the credit hours from transient courses that are passed, and not the quality points. Grades earned in these courses will have no effect on the student’s regents’ cumulative or institutional grade-point average at Georgia College. Retaking a course that was originally taken at Georgia College at another institution will not affect the student’s GC institutional grade point average.