University Honors Program

The Honors Program offers interdisciplinary seminars, a special track of core cur riculum courses, and opportunities for independent research that lead to a Certificate in University Honors. The program is designed to provide for the stimulation and chal lenge of academically motivated students so that they achieve their full academic potential, while at the same time providing recognition for such students' endeavors. The Honors Program encourages connections between disciplines, interdisciplinary programs, innovative and unusual approaches to subject matter, and a reliance upon experiential learning that is fully integrated into the course content. The courses and seminars are designed to give all students in the Honors Program a shared intellectual experience in order to develop a community of learners and to encourage a spirit of collegiality in the pursuit of knowledge, a spirit that is essential for intellectual growth and personal fulfillment. Offerings include:

1. Limited-enrollment classes in anthropology, art, biology, chemistry, economics, health, history, literature and languages, mathematics, philosophy, political sci ence, psychology, and sociology. All of these courses satisfy core curriculum requirements, depending on the student's major.

2. Special honor seminars with an interdisciplinary focus. These explore a wide range of interesting, controversial, and timely issues. These seminars can satisfy elective credit in a variety of major degree programs.

3. Honors Fora, a series of discussions and lectures led by faculty, visiting scholars, and distinguished members of the community.

The University Honors Program also sponsors the Honors Student Association, open to all students with a grade point average of 3.0. The Honors Program is affiliated with the National Collegiate Honors Council, the Southern Regional Honors Council, and the Georgia Honors Council. These affiliations afford wide opportunity for travel to academic conventions and conferences. Application forms and additional informa tion about the Honors Program can be found in West Hall 120 (Office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences) and at the VSU Honors House, 2 Brookwood Circle.

ACADEMIC PROBATION, AND SUSPENSION

Valdosta State University seeks to provide an environment suitable for promoting the systematic pursuit of learning. To ensure this primary goal, the University requires of its students reasonable academic progress. The retention of those students who re peatedly demonstrate a lack of ability, industry, maturity, and preparation would be inconsistent with this requirement.

Academic probation serves as the initial notice that the student's performance is not currently meeting the minimum grade point average required for graduation. Con tinued performance at this level will result in the student's being placed on academic probation. Academic probation is designed to serve three purposes: (1) to make clear to

all concerned the inadequacy of a student's performance; (2) to provide occasion for necessary counseling; and (3) to give students whose success is in doubt additional opportunity to demonstrate performance.

Academic suspension is imposed as a strong indication that the student incurring such suspension should withdraw from the University, at least for a time, to reconsider the appropriateness of a college career or to make necessary fundamental adjustments in attitudes toward the academic demands of college.

I. Stages of Progress with Minimum Grade Point Averages Required

An individual's stage of progress is determined on the basis of the number of aca demic semester hours attempted, including those transferred from other institutions. Transfer credits are not included in computing grade-point averages.

Semester Hours attempted at VSU Cumulative grade-point

and hours transferred to VSU average required on VSU courses

1 - 29 1.60

30 -59 1.75

60 - 89 1.90

90 - graduation 2.00

II. Academic Probation

A student will be placed on academic probation if, at the end of any semester while the student is in good standing, the cumulative GPA falls below the minimum specified in the table above or the semester GPA falls below 2.00. Even though a student on probation is making some progress toward graduation, it should be clearly understood that without immediate academic improvement, suspension may result.

III. Academic Suspension

a. A student will be suspended if at the end of any term, while on academic probation, the cumulative GPA falls below the minimum specified in the table above, and the term GPA falls below 2.00.

b. A first suspension will be for one semester. (See readmission procedures below.)

c. A second suspension shall be for two academic semesters.

d. A third or subsequent suspension shall be for one calendar year.

e. Should another institution permit a student on suspension from Valdosta State University to enroll, work taken at that institution during any period of suspension shall not be counted as degree credit at Valdosta State University unless prior ap proval was obtained from the student's Dean at Valdosta State University.

f. Any Valdosta State University students on academic suspension may enroll during any summer term at VSU; however, they must schedule and complete two 3-hour courses with a minimum GPA of 2.0 to lift suspension.

IV. Right of Appeal

Upon appeal by the student, the dean or director of the respective academic unit in which the student is enrolled has the authority to waive the first or second suspension if unusual circumstances warrant. The third suspension can be appealed only by petition to the Admissions Advisory Committee.

V. Readmission Procedures

Students must make application for readmission in writing to the Director of Ad missions prior to registration for the semester in which they plan to return. Following the first or second suspension, readmission on probation may be granted for unusual and compelling reasons by the dean or director of the college or division in which the student was enrolled at the time of suspension. A suspended student readmitted on probation may have specific academic requirements imposed by the Admissions Advi sory Committee or by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. A petition to the Committee and personal appearance before the Committee are required. Any further appeals must be made by petition directly to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. A student accepted for readmission, suspended at the end of the last term of attendance, who does not re-enroll will remain on academic suspension.

WORK BY CORRESPONDENCE AND EXTENSION

Not more than 30 semester hours of undergraduate work may be earned by exten sion and credit by examination, of which not more than 17 semester hours may be by correspondence. Under no circumstances will students in the final year of residence (30 semester hours) be permitted to take more than 7 semester hours by correspondence or extension. Students in residence may not enroll for correspondence or extension work except on permission of the appropriate dean or director. No course which a student may have failed while in residence at Valdosta State University may be taken by corre spondence or extension for degree credit. The Student Affairs Office coordinates correspondence study. Credit from University of Georgia Extension Centers will be restricted to lower division (1000 and 2000 level) in addition to the 30-hour limitation.

STUDENT RECORDS

The Office of the Registrar maintains the academic records of students and issues transcripts of records and certificates for various governmental agencies.

Students are encouraged to check with the Registrar's Office when questions arise concerning academic status. All students have a permanent record to which only they and authorized personnel have access, and it is to the student's advantage to check this record periodically. Official transcripts are provided upon written request of the stu dent. All undergraduate and graduate work constitutes a complete academic record. Portions of that record will not be deleted when transcripts are provided. All grades assigned remain on the student's permanent record and transcript. Two weeks' pro cessing time should be allowed for the preparation of transcripts and certifications.

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Dr. Floyd D. Toth, Dean

From its beginnings as a two-year women's normal school to its current role as a regional university, Valdosta State University has taken an active part in the prepara tion of teachers for Georgia's schools. As the role of teacher has changed over these years, so have the educational programs offered by the College of Education. Today's programs focus on developing professionals for schools by incorporating standards from the appropriate accrediting bodies. These standards describe what beginning teach ers should know and be able to do upon completion of their studies. Most programs in the College of Education require extensive field experiences, in which preservice teachers apply the content, methods, and skills learned in college course work and receive feed back from mentor teachers and college supervisors. Prior to graduation, all students must demonstrate competencies necessary for beginning teachers in their chosen field of study.

Accreditation

Teacher preparation programs at Valdosta State University meet Georgia certifi cation requirements of the Professional Standards Commission and are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

Teaching Degree Programs in the College of Education

Major/Teaching Field Level Major/Teaching Field Level

Early Childhood Education P-5 Business Education 7-12

Middle Grades Education 4-8 Music Education P-12

Secondary Education: 7-12 Physical Education P-12

English, Mathematics, Special Education: P-12

Science Social Science Communication Disorders

Foreign Language Education: P-12 Technical, Trade, and 7-12

French, Spanish Industrial Education

Art Education P-12

Admission to the Teacher Education Program

All undergraduate students seeking a degree from a teaching field program are required to apply for Admission to Teacher Education prior to taking senior college (3000 and 4000 level) courses. Applications are available in the Dean's Office, Col lege of Education, and should be submitted when the student has accumulated 45 semester hours towards an education degree program.

The requirements for admission into Teacher Education are:

1. have a major leading to teacher certification;

2. have earned at least 45 semester hours towards an education degree;

3. have achieved at least a 2.50 Grade Point Average on all coursework. Note that majors in Communication Disorders must have a 3.0 GPA. All trans fer credits are included in the GPA calculation;

4. have passed both parts of the Regents' Testing Program;

5. have passed the Reading, Writing, and Mathematics portions of the Pre -Professional Skills Test (PPST) or the computer version, CBT, or exempted this requirement with appropriate scores on the SAT, ACT or GRE;

6. a grade of "C" or better in CIED 2000, ENGL 1101, and ENGL 1102;

7. not have a criminal background, a dishonorable discharge from the Armed Services, not have been discharged from any position for unprofessional conduct, or not have any record that indicates behaviors not compatible with those expected of a professional educator in Georgia. Any pending investigations similar to these items must be resolved before admission to Teacher Education;

8. have professional liability insurance;

9. attended orientation to Teacher Education meeting.

Admission to Teacher Education is a prerequisite for all senior-college level courses in the program of study. Students not meeting the criteria are informed of their defi ciencies and not allowed to take 3000-level or 4000-level courses until the deficiencies are removed. The Grade Point Average for admission to Teacher Education is calcu lated using all coursework taken within the past five years, including transfer credits. All grades and hours for courses that are repeated will be included in this calculation there is no "forgiveness" policy. If extenuating circumstances have led to denial of admission to Teacher Education, students may appeal to the Undergraduate Policies Committee. On registration day each semester, the Committee meets individually with all students submitting appeals. Appeal forms are available in the Dean's Office in the College of Education.

Transfer students enrolling in the College of Education with a Grade Point Aver age below 2.50 will not be allowed to take senior-college level courses in their programs of study until they are admitted to Teacher Education.

Special Admission Requirements in Certain Programs

To be admitted to the major program in Health Fitness, students must have a Grade Point Average of at least 2.5.

To be admitted to the major program in Communication Disorders, students must have a GPA of at least 3.0.

Advising Center

The Advising Center in the College of Education was created specifically to help new students and transfer students who have not been admitted to Teacher Education. The Center assists students in planning their program of study and provides a strong support system for addressing individual concerns. College faculty members with ex cellent advising skills are selected from each department to assist students in the Advising Center. Also, students who have been successful at VSU are recruited as peer advisors to provide additional assistance to students in their critical first years at the university.

Promoting Diversity in Teacher Education

The College of Education establishes an environment that is accepting of differing life experiences and cultures and encourages the successful participation of any under -represented groups. Any student who is denied admission to Teacher Education may appeal for an exception. The Undergraduate Policies Committee will review each ap peal and determine if the student's background or other circumstances created a barrier for entering Teacher Education. The Committee will grant exceptions to students who demonstrate potential for success, in order to promote diversity in the College of Edu cation.

Retention in Teacher Education Programs

Education majors are required to earn minimum grades of "C" in all professional education courses and those courses related to the major. Student progress will be monitored through (a) GPA, (b) observations, and (c) faculty and public school teach ers' recommendations.

With each field-based course, students will be evaluated on their interactions in the public school environment. Faculty members responsible for the course will report any concerns to the student's advisor and discuss the concerns with the student and depart ment head. Repeated concerns in field experiences can jeopardize students' progress in completing their programs of study.

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Graduate

Excerpt from Valdosta State University Graduate Bulletin, 1998-1999 pp.17-19, 49

Irregular - has not submitted all application requirements for admission to the Gradu ate School. Students in this category will not be admitted to a degree program until they have met all admission requirements. A maximum of 9 hours of course work may be applied toward a degree while the student is in this category.

Probationary - has met all entrance requirements for probationary admission as out lined above. There is no probationary admission for Education Specialist or Doctor of Education programs.

Transient - is currently enrolled as a graduate student in good standing at another college or university and desires to participate through the VSU Graduate School for the purpose of taking no more than six semester hours of graduate work.

Non-Degree - holds an undergraduate degree and wishes to take graduate or under graduate courses for add-on certification, personal enrichment, or the post-master's certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy without pursuing an advanced degree . A student who maintains a cumulative average of B or better in graduate courses taken may later be granted entry to a degree program upon proper application to the Graduate School. A maximum of 9 semester hours may be considered by the appropriate department involved for transfer into a degree-granting program.

ENROLLMENT BY UNDERGRADUATES

A student with senior standing at Valdosta State University, with an overall aca demic grade-point average of 3.0 or better, may register for graduate courses during the final two semesters of undergraduate work under the following conditions:

1. No more than a total of 9 semester hours may be taken for graduate credit, and not more than 6 semester hours of graduate work may be taken in a given semester.

2. A student registering for one or more graduate courses is limited to the normal graduate academic course load of 12 semester hours per semester.

3. Permission for a student to take graduate courses under this provision is granted only by the Dean of the Graduate School.

4. Permission must be obtained for each semester in which the student desires to take graduate courses.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS

Grading System

The semester hour is the basic unit of work, in which each course offered has credit value in terms of a certain number of semester hours normally conforming to the num ber of contact class hours per week. For example, courses meeting three hours a week carry three hours credit. A typical exception occurs in laboratory work, in which two or three hours of class contact time would have a one-credit-hour value.

Grades and quality points represent the instructor's final estimate of the student's performance in a course. All grades assigned remain on the student's permanent record and transcript. The following letters denote grades which are included in the computa tion of the grade-point average.

A = Excellent: 4 quality points per hour D = Passing: 1 quality point per hour

B = Good: 3 quality points per hour F = Failure: 0 quality points per hour

C = Satisfactory: 2 quality points per hour WF= Withdrew failing: 0 quality points

Students may calculate their graduate grade-point average by dividing the number of graduate semester credit hours taken into the total number of quality points earned.

The following letters denote cases in which the grade is not included in the compu tation of the grade point average:

I = Incomplete

IP = In progress (course scheduled for more than one semester)

K = Credit by examination

NR = Not reported by instructor or course ending date is

after the scheduled end of the semester

S = Satisfactory

U = Unsatisfactory

V = Audit

W = Withdrew without penalty

For graduation, the overall grade-point average must be 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Throughout their program, students' performance must be acceptable on a con tinuing basis. Students must at all times maintain an overall grade-point average of not less than 2.5. No grade below C will be credited toward a graduate degree. Any student acquiring any combination of two grades D, F, WF, or U will be dismissed from the Graduate School.

All grades received for graduate courses taken at Valdosta State University, after the student is admitted to the Graduate School, will be used in the calculation of the graduate cumulative grade-point average. Courses may be re-taken, if desired or re quired, but all graduate grades received will affect this average.

Cumulative grade-point averages are calculated at the close of every semester in which course work is taken. This calculation appears on the permanent record card of each student. It also appears on each grade slip sent to the student. A student may review this grade record and grade-point average by requesting an unofficial tran script from the Registrar's Office. Matters requiring interpretation of a graduate record should normally be referred to the student's advisor or the Graduate School. Under graduate grades will not be calculated as part of the graduate student's semester or cumulative average.

A grade of I indicates that a student was doing satisfactory work, but for non -academic reasons beyond his or her control, was unable to meet full requirements of the course. If an I is not satisfactorily removed within one calendar year, it will be changed to the grade F.

A grade of IP indicates that credit has not been given in courses that require a continuation of work beyond the semester for which the students signed up for the course.

The use of the symbol is approved for dissertation and thesis hours and project courses. It cannot be substituted for an I .

Students dropping a course within the time limit noted in the University Calendar, while performing satisfactorily, will receive a grade of W (withdrawal from a course, having completed work to that point satisfactorily); otherwise they will be given a grade of WF (withdrawal, having not done satisfactory work). The computation of the overall grade-point average treats WF and F grades identically; grades of W do not affect the computation.

Students who have just cause to appeal the assignment of a grade must first discuss the problem with their professor. Further appeals are then directed, in order, to their professor's Department Head, Dean, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Presi dent of the University.

WITHDRAWAL FROM COURSES POLICY

Students may withdraw from courses following the drop/add period until mid -term by obtaining the instructor's signature on the withdrawal form available from the Office of the Registrar. The instructor may assign a W at the time of withdrawal. A withdrawal is not official until received and processed by the Office of the Registrar.

Before mid-term, instructors may assign a W on the proof roll or by memorandum to the Office of the Registrar for students not attending class.

Students will not be allowed to withdraw after the mid-term point of the semester as published in the school calendar as required by Board of Regents' policy; however, students may petition an exception to the Board of Regents' withdrawal deadline for cases of hardship by completing a petition for withdrawal form available in the Office of the Registrar. The petition will become a permanent part of the student's file. Any student who discontinues class attendance after mid-term and does not officially with draw may be assigned a grade of F.

No fee adjustment will be made for withdrawals except as outlined in this bulletin. The Business and Finance Office will receive a copy of the withdrawal form for refund ing if applicable. Refund checks are prepared the fifth week of the semester.

AUDITING CLASSES

Students may be permitted to audit selected courses, provided regular enrollment in the course concerned permits, and provided such arrangement is completely agree able to the instructor concerned. Fees for auditing are the same as for regular registration. Students are not permitted to change from audit to credit or from credit to audit after the last day for course changes as specified in the official calendar.

College of Education Requirements in addition to

University Requirements for Retention and Graduation (M.Ed.)

1. A person admitted on a probationary basis may remain in this category for no more than 9 semester hours of coursework. He/she must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher to be classified as "regular" student.

2. The maximum time allowed for completion of the Master's degree is seven calendar years. No work completed more than seven years prior to degree completion will be accepted toward the degree, except with special permis sion from the student's major professor and the Dean of the College of Education and approval from the Dean of the Graduate School.

3. No more than 6 semester hours of academic work may be transferred from another institution into a COE graduate program. This credit must be pre sented to the department for evaluation at the time of admission.

All students who pursue the Master of Education degree, in a teacher preparation field, must hold an appropriate 4-year teaching certificate. Students who do not hold one of these certificates must take the necessary steps to secure the appropriate certifi cate or an approved alternative from the department in which they are seeking acceptance before being admitted as a regular, degree-seeking graduate student. Courses used to meet certification standards may not be used to meet requirements for the master's degree. Each department requires a capstone experience (e.g. comprehensive exam, portfolio, thesis, internship, etc.).

EDUCATION SPECIALIST (Ed.S.) DEGREE PROGRAMS

The Education Specialist degree is designed to enhance and extend the knowledge and skills of students beyond the master's level. The core course at the specialist level is designed to develop the students' ability to apply research skills in the field to solve problems and improve services in a variety of settings. The degrees offered are as follows:

Department of Early Childhood and Reading Education

Ed.S. Early Childhood Education

Ed.S. Reading Education

Department of Educational Leadership

Ed.S. Educational Leadership

(Building Option)

(System Level Option)

Department of Middle Grades Education

Ed.S. Middle Grades Education

Department of Secondary Education, Curriculum, and Instructional Technology

Ed.S. Secondary Education

(English, Mathematics, Science, & Social Studies)

Ed. S. Instructional Technology