GRADES AND GRADE POINTS
The grade system in use employs five grades. The mark X represents an incomplete course; the mark IP is given in thesis and other courses which cannot be completed within one semester; credit awarded by examination and hours earned with the mark CR are counted in determining classification, but are not included in determining grade point average. The Q mark is given for courses dropped from the thirteenth class day and until the last day for dropping courses without penalty as stated in the Academic Calendar. The mark NC may be given only for failure to complete satisfactorily the requirements for selected courses in the College of Education and Applied Science, including student teaching. Courses with the mark NC and the marks Q and X are not included in determining grade point average.
The marks of S, N, F (Satisfactory, Needs Improvement, Failure) which are utilized in developmental courses (MTH, ENG, RDG 031D/032D) are not counted as hours attempted in figuring the cumulative grade point average.
| A | Excellent | 4 |
| B | Well above average | 3 |
| C | Average | 2 |
| D | Barely passing | 1 |
| F | Failure | 0 |
3. To calculate a grade point average, divide the total number of semester hours attempted into the total number of grade points. The grade point average is carried out two decimals (2.00) and is not rounded off.
4. A student may repeat at Sam Houston one time any course in which a grade of F was earned without counting additional hours attempted. Any subsequent repetition of such course will be counted as additional hours attempted. Courses repeated in which the student has earned the grade of D or better are not counted as additional hours attempted and the student may not receive additional credit but will be given grade points earned above the original grade received. Deficient grade points must be made up in residence at Sam Houston State University.
5. The mark X indicates that the student has not been able to complete the course because of emergency circumstances beyond his/her control. These circumstances usually prevail over other drop dates and opportunities to withdraw from the course. When the student is given the X mark, it is assumed that he/she will be able to finish the course without further instruction or tutoring from the faculty member in charge of the course. It is to the advantage of the student to complete a course at the earliest opportunity in which the mark of X has been given. Permission to award the mark of X is granted only by the college dean involved with the recommendation of the instructor. If the student meets the prescribed requirements of the course before the end of the next academic semester (Summer school, two sessions, is considered a unit equivalent to a long semester.) after the X is given, the student will receive the grade earned; otherwise, the mark X will be automatically changed to the grade of F.
6. A student receiving a grade believed to be in error after the grade is reported should request a review of this grade upon receipt. The review of the grade should be made with the instructor involved.
In order to achieve and remain in academic good standing at Sam Houston State University, an undergraduate student must maintain an overall grade point average of at least 2.0 (C). A 2.0 overall grade point average is the absolute minimum required for graduation. An undergraduate student who falls below a 2.0 overall grade point average at the close of any semester or summer school during which one or more semester hours are attempted will be placed on probation. Summer school (two sessions) is considered to be a unit equivalent to a semester. If an enrolled student on probation fails to achieve a minimum of a 2.0 overall grade point average at the close of the next semester or summer school attended following the starting of the probation, the student will be suspended.
Undergraduate transfer students who are admitted with less than a 2.0 overall grade point average will be admitted on probation. An undergraduate transfer student must achieve a minimum overall grade point average (including all transfer work) of 2.0 at the close of the semester or summer school for which the student is admitted or the student will be suspended.
The cumulative grade point average is based only on course work at Sam Houston State University for which the student earns the grade of A, B, C, D, or F. The marks of Q, WP, WF, NC, and X are not counted as hours attempted in figuring the cumulative grade point average. The marks of S, N, F (Satisfactory, Needs Improvement, Failure) which are utilized in developmental courses (MTH, ENG, RDG 031D/032D) are not counted as hours attempted in calculating the cumulative grade point average.
Deficient grade points on transferred work must be made up sufficiently in order to earn a degree at Sam Houston State University. Grades earned at other institutions may not be used to remove grade deficiencies earned at Sam Houston State University.
Any student who has accumulated a total of 30 or more deficient grade points at the end of any long semester or summer school will be automatically suspended. Deficient grade points which may have been transferred in from other institutions are added to those received at Sam Houston State University in order to determine total grade point deficiency.
Academic actions are based on the total Sam Houston State University record and are implemented at the close of the fall semester, the spring semester, and the summer school.
Academic good standing is defined as follows: If a student is allowed to enroll, a letter of good standing will be issued.
The appropriate academic dean may place on probation or retain on probation or suspend any student deficient in grade points without regard to the regulations previously stated.
Summer Transient Students are not subject to academic action while in that status.
Only hours earned at Sam Houston State University and hours accepted in transfer from other institutions will count toward the student’s classification.
The official classification is determined by the Registrar.
Credit awarded by examination and hours earned with the grade of CR are counted in determining classification, but are not included in determining grade point average.
REMOVAL FROM ACADEMIC PROBATION
The student will be removed from academic probation at the close of the semester in which the cumulative grade point average reaches a 2.0.
READMISSION AFTER ACADEMIC SUSPENSION
The period of academic suspension and the subsequent readmission of a student on academic probation are based on the entire Sam Houston State University academic record.
2. If suspended a second time, the student may not enroll for a period of at least twelve months.
3. If suspended a third time, further enrollment should not be contemplated at Sam Houston State University.
4. Readmission from suspension may be approved by the appropriate academic dean. The petition for readmission must be made in writing and supported by a transcript of all college work completed at Sam Houston State University. If the student’s petition for readmission is approved, he/she must reapply for admission through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
5. A suspended student requesting to change his/her major to another college of the University must obtain approval for readmission from the appropriate academic dean through which the desired major is offered.
6. Students who are subject to suspension under the stated terms of the Academic Probation and Suspension Policies and who register for enrollment at the University do so at their own risk and monies paid for fees and tuition are subject to the refund regulations as stated in the Sam Houston State University catalogue.
Advanced Credit
Courses numbered 300 and above are advanced courses. These are normally taken during the junior and senior years. See "Advanced Hours," page 37.
Audit, Course
An individual must receive prior approval from the appropriate department chair and the instructor involved in order to audit a course. The audit fee for each course is $50; senior citizens who are 65 years of age or older are exempted from paying the audit fees. An individual auditing a course:
b. is not permitted to take tests or examinations in the course being audited;
c. who is not enrolled as a regular student at Sam Houston State University is authorized to receive a courtesy library card permitting use of the Newton Gresham Library for the duration of the course audit;
d. is not authorized to be issued a Sam Houston State University Student Identification Card unless also enrolled as a regular student at Sam Houston State University.
e. is not authorized to use Sam Houston State University medical, athletic, or recreational facilities unless also enrolled as a regular student at Sam Houston State University.
f. will not have a record of course audit in the Registrar’s Office.
Classification of Students by Hours Completed
Freshman: 1-31; Sophomore: 32-63; Junior: 64-93; Senior: 94 up.
Course Numbers
Course numbers consist of three digits. The first digit (reading from left to right) indicates the year level of the course; as, for example, 100’s freshman; 200’s sophomore; 300’s junior; 400’s senior; 500’s master’s; 600’s advanced and post-master’s and doctoral; 700’s doctoral. In some degree programs, freshmen may be advised to take 200 level courses.
The middle digit indicates the credit value of the course, except in the case of three-hour courses, where the middle digit may be three or any number from six to nine inclusive; as, for example, 111, one-hour course; 121, two-hour course; 131, 161, 171, 181, 191, three-hour courses; 141, four-hour course; 151, five-hour course.
The last digit serves to distinguish one course from another within a department.
Degree
A degree is an academic title awarded to a student who has successfully completed a degree program. Sam Houston State University is authorized to award six baccalaureate degrees - BA, BAAS, BBA, BFA, BM, and BS; seven master’s degree - MS, MBA, MFA, MA, MM, MED, MLS; and two doctoral degrees - EdD, PhD.
All baccalaureate degrees awarded by Sam Houston State University include a baccalaureate core of 52-54 semester credit hours (SCH); from 30-80 SCH in a major area of study; where applicable, not less than 18 SCH in a minor area of study, and other courses as required or elected for a total minimum number of 128 SCH.
All master’s degrees awarded by Sam Houston State University include a minimum of 30 semester credit hours of graduate credit, of which a minimum of 24 must be in courses numbered 500 or above.
Degree Plan, Undergraduate
A complete plan of studies must be established by the student, the major department, the minor department, and the office of the academic dean of the major. This formal written plan should be completed as soon as the student becomes well established within the major, but not later than the beginning of the junior year. It is the responsibility of the student to originate the degree plan within the major department. After this initial conference, the plan is presented by the student to the minor department for written approval, after which a second conference is scheduled with the major department during which the plan is finalized and presented to the major academic dean for approval. A copy of the degree plan should be on file in each of the following locations: the major department, the minor department, the Registrar’s Office, and the office of the major academic dean. Those students pursuing teacher certification should also have a copy on file in the office of the Dean, College of Education and Applied Science.
Degree Program
Texas Education Code, Section 61.003, defines a degree program as "any grouping of subject matter courses which, when satisfactorily completed by a student, will entitle him/her to a degree from a public senior college or university or medical or dental unit.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board considers any alternate grouping of related subject matter courses within a major area of study to be a separate degree program if (1) upon satisfactory completion, a student is entitled to a degree from the institution, (2) the course grouping includes the equivalent or substantively the same requirements as those required by the institution for a degree in a similar discipline, and (3) the course grouping includes requirements equivalent to or substantively the same as those required for comparable degree programs in the same discipline at similar institutions.
All degree programs require approval of the Board of Regents, The Texas State University System, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Degree Title
A degree title is the name of the degree and the major area of study under which one or more programs may be offered.
Elective
An elective is any course not specifically required for completion of a degree. Electives allow the student flexibility, within the total semester credit hours required for the degree, to pursue special interests outside the specific requirements for the major and minor areas of study.
Major
A major is a grouping of related subject matter courses which characterizes and distinguishes a principal field of study. It may include a course grouping from only one academic discipline or from two or more related disciplines, i.e., interdisciplinary major.
A baccalaureate major must contain an approved course grouping of not less than thirty semester credit hours, of which a minimum of twelve must be advanced and taken in residence.
A master’s major must contain an approved course grouping of not less than twelve semester credit hours.
Minor
A minor is a grouping of related subject matter courses which characterizes and distinguishes a second field of study. It may include a course grouping from only one academic discipline or from two or more related disciplines, i.e., interdisciplinary minor.
A baccalaureate minor must contain an approved course grouping of not less than eighteen semester credit hours, of which a minimum of six must be advanced and taken in residence.
A master’s minor must contain an approved course grouping of not less than six semester credit hours in a field that logically supports the major.
Normal Load
The normal undergraduate course load during a regular semester is fifteen semester credit hours exclusive of the following:
2. Military Science lower division courses
3. Musical ensembles, not to exceed three during any one semester
The normal undergraduate load for the summer school is two courses per session.
The maximum load for graduate students is five courses during a long semester and two courses each session of the summer school.
Overload
The number of courses in any semester or summer session will include those from all sources. Any combination of correspondence courses, extension courses, and residence courses must be totaled into a student’s maximum load.
An overload is a course taken in excess of a normal load as defined above. It is recommended that before an undergraduate student enrolls in courses in excess of the defined normal load, the student should have attained a grade point average of B (3.0) over his/her total university work. Exceptions to the normal load should be approved by the student’s academic dean.
Off-Campus Courses
Courses taught at locations away from the main campus carry residence credit but are denoted on the transcript with "OC" after the course title. Students may register for off-campus courses on the Sam Houston State University campus during the regular schedule of registration periods. If it is not convenient for students to register on the campus at these times, they may register during the first organizational meeting of the class at the place and time it is held. Off-campus tuition, fees, and procedures for resignations, "Adds" or "Drops," are the same as for students attending classes on campus. See the current Schedule of Classes for a complete listing of courses and their locations.
Sam Houston State University has approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to offer various degree programs at the University Center-North Harris Montgomery County Community College District at Montgomery College. Courses completed as part of these programs carry residence credit and will not be denoted OC on the transcript.
Part-Time Student
Any undergraduate student who carries fewer than twelve semester hours during an academic semester is classified as a part-time student. Such a student is not considered to be making normal progress toward the degree.
Residence Classification
The responsibility for registering under the proper residence classification is that of the student. For additional information, see page 65.
Residence Credit
Residence credit is predicated upon the utilization of residence facilities on the campus of Sam Houston State University. Accrediting agencies expect the University to indicate that students and faculty loads are so constructed that facilities and laboratories can be effectively utilized.
Residence credit may be awarded for work off-campus at the discretion of Sam Houston State University under especially approved conditions. At least one-third of the semester hours required for the degree program for any student enrolling in any of the proposed courses will be completed in course work on the campus, except in cases where the Coordinating Board approves the offering of an external degree.
Semester Hour
The unit of credit is the semester hour, defined as one class meeting a week (or its equivalent) for one semester of fifteen weeks. Most courses meet three hours per week and have a credit value of three semester hours. For each hour in class, at least two hours of preparation are expected on the part of the student. Many students will find it necessary to spend more than this amount of time in study.
Support Area
A support area is a grouping of courses for which there is no degree authority. It includes a limited number of related subject-matter courses offered to provide flexibility for the student to pursue special interests within the major, the minor, or the elective areas of an authorized degree.
Undergraduate studies are organized into four academic organizational units: College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business Administration, College of Criminal Justice, and College of Education and Applied Science.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]