East Tennessee State University
Office of Registrar

Classification of Courses by Level

All courses in the 1000 series are freshman courses, all in the 2000 series are sophomore courses, all in the 3000 series are junior courses, and all in the 4000 series are senior courses. All 4xx7 courses are for undergraduate credit but may include students who are taking the class for graduate credit under a 5xx7 number. Graduate students in 5xx7 courses may expect that the course will include undergraduate students taking the course under a 4xx7 number. Graduate students shall be required to do specified work over and above that required of undergraduate students in these courses. All courses in the 5000, 6000, and 7000 series are graduate courses.

Undergraduate students may not enroll in courses numbered higher than one year above their current classification. For example, a sophomore may enroll for junior courses, but may not enroll for senior courses. This policy does not apply in the College of Business where 3000 and 4000 level courses are open only to juniors and seniors who have completed the appropriate course prerequisites. Enrollment in the 5000, 6000, and 7000 series is limited to graduate students. At least 70 percent of all courses taken in a master's program must be in the 5000 series; at least one-half of all courses taken on the doctoral level must be in the 6000 and 7000 series.

Courses numbered below 1000 are offered through the Division of Developmental Studies and are not credited toward the degree.

Major, Area Concentration, Minor

A "major" is the curriculum of study a student wishes to follow in pursuit of a degree. The minimum number of credits for a major is 24 but the total varies according to the area. A "concentration" is a specialized area of study within a major. Most majors require a "minor." A minor is a secondary area of study which requires a minimum of 18 credits. Students must consult the appropriate academic section of this catalog to determine the major and minor requirements for each specific area of study. Close consultation with an advisor in the subject of the chosen major is considered necessary and prudent in order to select the appropriate courses leading to completion of a degree.

Declaring a Major

Undergraduate students must declare a major no later than the first term after completion of 60 semester credit hours. Transfer students who transfer in excess of 60 semester credit hours must declare a major by the end of their first semester at East Tennessee State University.

This policy also applies to students in preprofessional programs. Students seeking a second bachelor's degree must declare a major at the time of application.

Grades

Grade Points Grade points are numerical values assigned to letter grades in order to provide a basis for quantitative determination of grade (quality) point averages. The four-point system is used. A plus/minus grading system went into effect with grades processed in Fall 1992.

Unless qualified with an exact grade point value, a `C -' is included when "a grade of `C' or better" is stipulated.

GRADE		GRADE POINTS
A		4.0
A-		3.7
B+		3.3
B		3.0
B-		2.7
C+		2.3
C		2.0
C-		1.7*
D+		1.3*
D		1.0*
F		0.0
*Developmental Studies and Graduate Studies do not assign these grades.

How to Compute Grade Point Average (GPA)

GPA is computed as follows:

Step 1. Grade Points (see above) x Course Credit Hour = Grade Points for Course
Step 2. Sum the Grade Points for all Graded Courses = Total Grade Points
Step 3. Total Grade Points divided by Credit Hours Attempted (quality hours) = GPA

Example:

		Grade	Credit Hours		x		Grade Points	=	Grade Points for Course
ENGL	1010	A	3		x		4	=	12
BIOL	1040	B	4		x		3	=	12
HIST	2010	C	3		x		2	=	6
MATH	1710	D	3		x		1	=	3
PHED	1140	F	1		x		0	=	0
Total			14						33
33 divided by 14 = 2.35

Grades that do not influence Grade Point Average:

P - Pass. No grade points; degree credit hours. (See Undergraduate Pass/Fail Policy.)
Cr - Credit. No grade points; degree credit hours. Used to record credit established by nontraditional means. (See Advanced Standing.)
I - Incomplete. Indicates a passing grade at the end of a semester, but an important part of course was not completed, e.g., term paper, outside reading, etc. (See section on Incomplete Grades.)
Au - Audit. (See section on Noncredit-Audit.)
W - Withdrawal. (See Drop-Add and Withdrawal Policies.)
WF - Withdrawal Failing. (See Drop/Add and Withdrawal Policies.)

Grade Appeal Process

A student may appeal a course grade if the student has evidence that the grade was assigned in a malicious, capricious, erroneous, or arbitrary manner. A copy of the grade appeal process for students may be obtained from the following offices: the school or college deans, the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Vice President for Student Affairs, or the Vice President for Health Affairs. The grade appeal process is outlined in Spectrum (ETSU Student Handbook) and the Faculty Handbook.

Please Note: A deadline exists for filing a grade appeal. The student should begin the process within 21 days after the beginning of the next term, excluding summer school.

Grade Report Concerns

Grades are provided to all registered students via GoldLink-OnLine or GoldLink-Touchtone, the university's web system and interactive voice response system. Using a computer with Internet access or touchtone phone, students access their grades once they have been posted and may secure a printed copy by clicking on Request Grade Mailer on the grade viewing screen in GoldLink-OnLine or by exercising the grade print option at the end of hearing grades on GoldLink-Touchtone. The option to request a grade mailer is limited to approximately two weeks after the end of the term. Academic departments are required to retain grade documentation for a period of one year. Specific student concerns regarding academic records, other than the Grade Appeal process described above, will only be addressed within one academic year from the date of posting of grades for the term in question.

Undergraduate Pass/Fail Policy

The purpose of this policy is to allow qualified undergraduate students to explore, in a limited manner, their interests and ability in courses of study that are unfamiliar to them and to receive a pass or fail grade instead of a regular letter grade. This purpose must not impair the need to maintain qualitative and rigorous academic standards of the university. Accordingly, the policy will be regularly evaluated for continuation by the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

The policy regulates the qualifications of undergraduate students applying for the P/F grade option, the limitations on the types of courses taken for P/F grades, limitations of P/F credit hours earned, the registration process, and the grading basis limitations. In addition it places academic advising in a critical role in approving requests for the P/F grading option.

The policy applies only to the limited P/F grading option available to individual students and is distinct from any use of non-letter grades for an entire course at the university. The regulations cited here shall not apply to grading in such courses.

1. Student Qualification.

For the undergraduate student pursuing a degree, a 2.5 overall GPA is required. All ETSU credits plus any credits earned elsewhere and accepted by ETSU for transfer to a university program are counted.

For the undergraduate student not pursuing a degree there is no GPA requirement; however, in the event of a subsequent program change to pursue a degree, the GPA requirement becomes effective.

2. Courses Excluded and Included.

For the undergraduate student pursuing a degree, all General Education Core courses are excluded; that is, Writing, English 1010 and 1020; Using Mathematics, three to four credits; Using Information Technology, CSCI 1100; Science, eight credits; Heritage, nine credits; Arts and the Artistic Vision, three credits; Identity, Ethics and Social Response, three credits; Institutions and Society, six credits. Humanities Elective, three credits; Physical Education, two credits. Also excluded are courses in a student's major or minor. In the event that a subsequent program change places a completed P/F course in a student's major or minor, the student may petition the dean of the college or school in which the newly declared major or minor is offered to have the original letter grade earned substituted for the previously earned P/F grade.

For the undergraduate student not pursuing a degree, any course may be included to a maximum of 12 semester credit hours; however, all courses taken at ETSU and graded P/F which are then brought into a degree program at ETSU are subject to the regulations governing students pursuing a degree.

3. Registration Process and Limitations.

For undergraduate students either pursuing a degree or not pursuing a degree, the P/F grading request must be made at the time of registration. Registration is for no more than one P/F course in a semester, and the registration for the P/F grade in a course must be approved by a student's assigned department or college advisor who must sign the drop/add form to certify review of qualifications and other applicable limitations.

4. Grading Basis.

For both the undergraduate student pursuing a degree and the undergraduate student not pursuing a degree, the P/F grade option cannot be requested or approved for a class that is added after the first week of classes. In addition, a regular letter grade basis cannot be changed to P/F, nor can P/F grading basis be changed to regular letter grade basis after the first five days of classes of the semester.

The instructor will not know the identity of students enrolled on a P/F basis, and will record letter grades for all students which will be converted to P/F by the Office of the Registrar. P/F courses may be repeated for a regular letter grade at the student's own option.

5. Credit Hour Regulations.

For the undergraduate student pursuing a degree, no more than 12 credit hours earned on a P/F basis at ETSU may count toward graduation. Courses with P/F grades cannot be applied toward a major or minor.

P/F graded courses will be counted as degree credit hours earned, and a failing grade (F) will be computed in a student's GPA. A pass grade (P) will not be computed in the GPA.

In the event that a subsequent program change places a completed P/ F course in a student's major or minor, the student may petition the dean of the college or school in which the newly declared major or minor is offered to have the original letter grade that was earned substituted for the previously recorded P/F grade.

P/F grades awarded for departmental challenge exams or other advanced standing examinations are not counted as credit hours earned.

For the undergraduate student not pursuing a degree, any credit hours earned with P/F grades that are brought into a degree program at ETSU are subject to all regulations governing students pursuing a degree.

Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism is defined as follows by Black, Henry Campbell, Black's Law Dictionary, West Publishing Company, St. Paul; Minnesota, 1968 (p. 1308): "The act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts of passages of his writing, or the ideas or language of the same, and passing them off as the product of one's own mind."

To be liable for "plagiarism" it is not necessary to exactly duplicate another's literary work, it being sufficient if unfair use of such work is made by lifting of substantial portion thereof, but even an exact counterpart of another's work does not constitute "plagiarism" if such counterpart was arrived at independently. O'Rourke v RKO Radio Pictures, D.C. Mass., 44 F. Supp. 480, 482, 483.

In other words, plagiarism involves using someone else's ideas or words, without giving proper credit to the original author. Even if you do not copy the words exactly, or even if you copy only a small part of someone else's work, you must cite the name of the original author and follow with a reference to that person's work (such as title, year and name of publisher) using an acceptable standardized referencing format in a publication manual of a nationally recognized association (such as the American Psychological Association or the Modern Language Association). Exact quotations should either be enclosed within quotation marks or by appropriate indentation, depending upon the requirement of the style manual in use. The page number or numbers should be cited clearly for each quoted passage.

Credit by Correspondence or Extension

Credit earned by correspondence or extension from an institution that is regionally accredited may be accepted toward the completion of a four-year senior college curriculum, provided that the total hours earned by correspondence and extension or a combination of the two, may not exceed one-fourth of the hours required for a degree.

Student Classification

Graduate Non-Degree: (SPG)
A student who holds a bachelor's or higher degree, who is not working toward a degree, and who is not a postdoctoral student, and who is enrolled in graduate courses.

Master's Candidate (Graduate Student): (MS)
A student who has been formally admitted to graduate school for the purpose of pursuing a master's degree.

Undergraduate Special Student: (SPU)
A student who is not working toward a certificate or degree and who is enrolled in undergraduate courses.

Doctoral Candidate, Early Stage: (DE)
A student formally admitted to graduate study whose major academic endeavor consists of formal coursework directed toward fulfilling requirements for a doctorate.

Candidate for Specialist in Education: (SED)
A student who has been formally admitted to graduate school for the purpose of pursuing a specialist degree.

Doctoral Candidate, Late Stage: (DL)
A student who has been advanced to candidacy for a doctoral degree, or one whose principal academic endeavor consists of independent study, research, or work toward completion of a dissertation.

Postdoctoral Student: (PD)
A student who holds a doctoral degree and who is pursuing a program of study or training for which a doctoral degree is requisite.

Visiting Undergraduate: (SPU)
An undergraduate student taking work to transfer to another school.

Visiting Graduate: (SPG)
A graduate student taking work to transfer to another school.

Class Load
Fall and Spring Semesters

Standard Load

In order for a student to anticipate graduating in the traditional four-year time frame, a course load of 16-17 hours is recommended. The minimum course load for full-time enrollment is 12 semester hours. The maximum course load is 19 semester hours, unless permission for an overload is approved.

Overload

The academic advisor and the dean of the student's college/school must approve registration for an overload. Following completion of 45 semester hours, students with a cumulative 3.0 GPA may be approved for a load of up to 21 semester hours. Graduating seniors who do not have grade point deficiencies may be approved to enroll for up to 21 semester hours in order to complete graduation requirements during that semester.

Audit enrollment will be used in determining all class loads.

Probationary Load

Any student on academic probation at the time of registration may enroll for not more than 13 hours, including audits, except by approval of the student's advisor and college/school dean.

Summer Term

The maximum course load for the summer term is 17 hours, subject to the maximum for each session as follows:

Pre-Summer, three semester hours
First five-week session, seven semester hours
Second five-week session, seven semester hours

Overloads in summer term, up to a maximum of 21 semester hours,
must be approved by the academic advisor and the college/school dean.

Exceptions

Exceptions to the class load policy, as stated above, require approval of the academic advisor, college/school dean, and the vice president of Academic Affairs (or designee).

Class Attendance Policy

1. General Statement of Policy

Class attendance is a contract between faculty and students. It is expected that students will attend class regularly and provide the faculty with a reason for any absence. Failure to attend class regularly can affect students' grades and financial aid. East Tennessee State University does not specify a fixed number of class absences as university-wide policy, but each department within the university has the right to set a maximum number of absences (including absences due to university activities and illnesses) permitted during an academic term. Departmental class absence policy is subject to approval by the dean of the school/college. At the beginning of the course each faculty member must provide a written statement governing attendance policy (including laboratory/clinical sessions where applicable) for the course so that all students may be fully informed of their attendance responsibilities, including penalties which may be imposed for failing to meet these responsibilities. If a student is not in attendance during the class meeting in which the class attendance policy is discussed, it is the student's responsibility to ascertain the policy in that class.

2. Absences Occasioned by University-Sponsored Activities

2.1 For the purpose of this policy university-sponsored activities include those activities sponsored either by a university department or by a student organization officially recognized by the university.

2.2 Absences occasioned by university-sponsored activities must be excused by all faculty members as long as the number of absences does not exceed the number prescribed in an established and previously announced departmental policy and the faculty member has been informed in advance of the intended absence. An excused absence means only that students must be allowed a reasonable opportunity to complete all assignments and tests missed because of the excused absence. It is the responsibility of the student and of the faculty or staff sponsor of the activity to inform the faculty member in charge of the course of the upcoming absence. This information should be provided by transmitting a Class Absence Authorization form to the faculty member. Class Absence Authorization forms can be obtained from the office of the vice president for student affairs. However, it is not necessary to obtain permission for absences from the office of the vice president for student affairs, nor does the office inform the faculty member of the expected absences.

3. Absences Due to Emergency, Special Circumstances or Illness

In case of an emergency (e.g. death in the family or illness) absence from class may be excused, and the student allowed a reasonable opportunity to complete all assignments and tests missed. In such cases it is the responsibility of the student to explain the situation to the faculty member as soon as possible. The faculty member may require verification of the emergency situation or illness from the student. Students confined at home or in a hospital for an extended period of time should notify the faculty member from whose class he/she will be absent so that arrangements can be made for completion of assignments if feasible. The number of such absences may not exceed stated policy for the class and the student must make arrangements to complete missed assignments.

4. Appeal of the Faculty Member's Decision.

If the student has evidence that a faculty member has not excused an absence which should have been excused within the guidelines stated above, the student can appeal the decision of the faculty member to the chairperson of the department and/or dean of the college or school in which the course was offered.

Minimum Size of Class

The size of classes, both graduate and undergraduate, will be in accordance with the prevailing regulations of the Tennessee Board of Regents.

Repeating a Course

The following regulations apply to repeating courses:

1. A course in which an undergraduate student has an `A' or `B' grade may not be repeated.

2. If a course in which the student has a `C,' `D,' or `F' grade is repeated, only the most recent attempt (excluding `I,' `W,' or `WF' grades) will be used in calculating the grade point average. However, all grades earned in the third and subsequent attempts will be used in calculating the summary line (grade point average). Note: All courses attempted count in hours attempted and all attempts will continue to show on the record.

Incomplete Grades

The incomplete grade indicates that a student was passing the course at the end of the semester, but due to circumstances beyond the student's control, was unable to complete a course requirement such as a term paper, outside reading assignment, projects, or an examination. It also indicates that the student received consent from the instructor to complete the work for which an `I' grade was given. The `I' grade is not to be used to allow a student to do additional work to raise a deficient grade or to repeat the course.

Following consultation with the student, the instructor will determine the date by which the incomplete shall be removed, but in no case will that date exceed one calendar year or the time of graduation, whichever is earlier. After this period, the incomplete grade becomes an `F' and is recorded on the cumulative record. Incomplete grades are not removed until the new grade is recorded in the Office of the Registrar.

Noncredit (Audit)

Students are permitted to enroll in regular university courses as auditors. Registration fees are the same for audit as for credit. Regular attendance is required. Audit enrollment will not be considered part of the 12-hour minimum required for a full-time load. Audit enrollment will be counted in determining overloads.

After the published "Last Day to Add a Course" students may not change their enrollment status in a course from credit to audit or from audit to credit.

Persons 60 years of age or older who are domiciled in Tennessee may audit courses without payment of registration fees, if space in the classroom is available. Additional information is available from the Office of Admissions or the Office of the Registrar. Other unclassified part-time students may enroll for noncredit seminars by paying the fee designated for each semester.

Auditors may be administratively dropped for unsatisfactory class attendance by the instructor.

Drop/Add Policy

Adding a Course

A course(s) may be added during the late registration/late add period without special permission, unless the course has reached the established maximum enrollment. To add any class that has reached the enrollment limit requires permission of the instructor and department chair. After the late registration/late add period, special permission must be obtained from the instructor, the department chair, the dean, and the registrar.

Dropping a Course

A course(s) may be dropped during the first eight calendar weeks of a regular semester. Developmental studies courses cannot be dropped without written permission of the director. Courses dropped during the first four weeks will not appear on the student's permanent record. All drops after the end of the fourth week must be processed in person in the Record's Office. The drop function of GoldLink-OnLine and GoldLink-Touchtone is not available after the fourth week of each term. Students who drop a course after the fourth full week of classes through the eighth calendar week will receive the grade of `W.' (During the summer session, or when courses do not conform with established term dates, this schedule is adjusted appropriately to fit the condensed time frames.)

After the eighth week, a student may not drop a course except where verifiable, extenuating circumstances can be demonstrated. A petition for a late drop may be presented by the student for consideration to the dean of the college or school in which the student is majoring as of the beginning of the semester. Verifiable extenuating circumstances must be reasons beyond the control of the student, such as illness or accidental injury. Poor performance in a class is not an extenuating circumstance. A student whose major is undecided must apply to the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

If approved by the dean, the student will receive a grade of `W' (Withdrawal) or `WF' (Withdrawn - Failing), as assigned by the instructor of the course. All approved petitions for late drops must be received in the Office of the Registrar no later than 4:30 p.m. two days before the end of classes for all academic terms. Under no circumstances will a student be permitted to drop a course after that time.

Withdrawal Policy

Students withdrawing from the university discontinuing matriculation in the university during the first eight weeks of classes will receive a grade of `W' in all courses. Withdrawals from the university after the eighth week will be recorded with `W' or `WF' at the discretion of the instructor. (During the summer session or other shortened terms, this schedule is adjusted appropriately to fit the condensed time frame.) All requests for withdrawal must be received in the Office of the Registrar no later than the close of business hours two days before the last day of classes of any academic term. Under no circumstances will a student be permitted to withdraw from the university after that time.

A student who does not withdraw by the official procedure will receive an `F' for each course. (See the Schedule Bulletin for more details.)

Student Proficiency in English

By the end of the freshman year, every student enrolled at East Tennessee State University is expected to have a command of the English language that is commensurate with the quality of speech and writing of educated adults.

Deans List

In order to qualify for the Dean's List at ETSU, a student must meet the following criteria for the term:

1. Undergraduate classification
2. No grade below `C' in any course
3. Must pass a minimum of 12 credits (excluding audits, incompletes, repeats, pass/fail, and developmental studies courses)
4. Minimum GPA of 3.700 for the semester in applicable courses (recalculated if courses are excluded)

Academic Probation and Retention Standards

All Undergraduate Programs

Baccalaureate, Associate, and Certificate students who fail during any semester to attain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) at or above the level indicated below on the following table for the credit hours attempted will be placed on academic probation for the subsequent semester (including summer session) of their enrollment.

At the end of the next semester of enrollment, a student on academic probation who has failed to attain the cumulative GPA standard or a 2.0 GPA for that semester will be suspended. A student who attains a 2.0 GPA for that semester, but fails to meet the cumulative GPA standard, will remain on probation.

Baccalaureate and Associate Programs
Semester Quality Hours Attempted						Required  Cumulative GPA
0		-		29		1.4
29.1		-		45		1.7
45.1		-		59.9		1.9
60		+				2.0

Certificate Programs
Semester Quality Hours Attempted						Required  Cumulative GPA
0		-		15		1.4
15.1		-		30		1.7
30.1		-		Above		2.0

At the end of the next semester of enrollment, a student on academic probation who has failed to attain either the cumulative GPA standard or a 2.0 GPA for that semester will be dismissed.

Students seeking a second baccalaureate degree must maintain a 2.0 GPA each semester regardless of the number of semester hours attempted.

Period of Suspension

Students on probation who do not meet academic retention standards shall be suspended from the university for one semester. The summer session may not count as a term of suspension. On the second (or subsequent) suspension for failure to meet academic retention standards,
the period of suspension is for two semesters or longer and requires that the appeal procedure for reinstatement be followed.

Appeals for Readmission Following Suspension

Where extenuating circumstances are established as primary factors relating to low grades, a student may petition to waive the period of suspension. This petition must describe the verifiable, extenuating circumstances which may include: illness as evidenced by medical documentation; personal problems, such as divorce or serious domestic problems; accidental injury; or other circumstances beyond the student's control.

Upon the receipt of
1. the written petition,
2. a current academic transcript, and
3. any supporting documents,

a preliminary decision will be made as to whether there are satisfactory, extenuating circumstances to warrant a formal appeal hearing. If granted, the student will be notified of the time and place of the appeal hearing before representatives of the Office of Student Affairs and the dean's office of the student's major area of study. If the appeal hearing is declined, the student may contact the academic dean in the college in which the student is majoring for a review of the decision.

Work in Other Institutions

If credits earned at other regionally accredited institutions during a period of academic suspension from East Tennessee State University are found to be acceptable for transfer and if such credits are sufficient to remove the student from academic probation, the student may be readmitted as a transfer student by the Director of Admissions.

The Honor Code

East Tennessee State University is committed to developing the intellect and moral character of its students. To that end, all instances of plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic misconduct shall be punished in accord with Tennessee Board of Regents policy. Any knowledge of conduct of this nature should be reported to the proper authorities. Not reporting instances of academic misconduct represents a fundamental break with honor code policy, and although this offense is not punishable, reflects a callous disregard for yourself, your classmates, and your professors.