Academic Policies
Undergraduate PoliciesClassification of StudentsAdmitted undergraduates are classified as follows: freshman, 0-29 credits completed; sophomore, 30-59 credits completed; junior, 60-89 credits completed; senior, 90 or more credits completed. Full-time undergraduates are classified as those students enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester. Please note: Different criteria for full-time status may apply for tuition, verification, and financial aid purposes. Contact Student Accounts, Registrar, and Student Financial Aid, respectively, for questions regarding student-specific status. Academic AdvisingAdmitted undergraduate students should meet regularly with an academic advisor to discuss academic programs, educational goals, and career plans. In conjunction with their advisors, students plan academic programs to meet the general university degree requirements and specific requirements within their major fields. Responsibility for reading the catalog, and knowing and fulfilling the requirements of a specific baccalaureate degree rests with the student. To assist in the advising process, the university provides a computerized analysis of academic progress (a degree audit). Students may access their individualized reports through the university's secure web site (webgmu.gmu.edu). Individual departments establish their own advising processes; students should check with their departments for the appropriate procedures. During their freshman and sophomore years, students in the Honors Program in General Education plan their schedules with Honors advisors. Every department coordinates advising of its honors students through the Honors office (Enterprise Hall, Room 305). Some departments require that students should be advised prior to registration each semester. See Advisor's Permission to Register in the section Registration and Attendance for categories of students who may not register until they have seen an advisor. Academic Advising CenterStudent Union Building I, Room 304, MS 2E6 Admitted students who have not yet declared a major or who are considering a change of major are advised in the Academic Advising Center. Students are encouraged to make an appointment for information about general education requirements, programs, policies, procedures, and other academic concerns. Advisors in the Academic Advising Center also provide information and guidance for students who are interested in pre-professional programs in the health fields. Advising is available by appointment Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Tuesday until 8 p.m., when classes are in session. Student Academic AffairsJohnson Center, Room 245, MS 2C4 Student Academic Affairs consists of three centers: The Freshman Center, the Center for University Scholars, and the University Course Office (UNIV 100, 200, 300, and 400). Student Academic Affairs also oversees the Supplemental Instruction and Peer Advisor Programs. In addition, all academic actions submitted by students not in a declared major are ruled on by Student Academic Affairs. Advising upon Entrance into the Upper Division (Junior Standing)Upon entrance into the upper division, every student should meet with an advisor to adopt a program of study. This meeting should include:
This advising session occurs in the semester in which the student will have completed 60 or more acceptable credits. The results are a matter of record, with any approved modifications being entered into the student's computerized degree plan. Although an upper-division student who has filed an approved program of study is normally not required to consult again with an academic advisor, it remains the student's responsibility to seek approval for any change to the program, so that the computerized degree plan may be kept up to date. In particular, once a student has completed 60 credits, a change of major requires an extended session with an advisor in the new major, and approval of a new program of study before the change is complete. A student in lower-division status may change majors by filing a Change/Declaration of Academic Program form with the registrar. These are minimal advising procedures to be followed in all undergraduate segments of the university; individual units may require additional advising sessions. Medical Sciences Advisory CommitteePhone: 703-993-2470 The Medical Sciences Advisory Committee reviews qualified candidates for admission to health profession programs in allopathic and osteopathic medicine, dentistry, and podiatry, and writes a composite letter of evaluation in support of the applicant. The committee comprises university faculty and professional advising staff. Committee members also function as pre-med advisors. Students seeking information about admission to professional medical programs are encouraged to contact the chair of the Medical Sciences Advisory Committee, George Mason University, Student Academic Affairs and Advising, MS 2E6, Fairfax, Virginia 22030-4444. Requirements for RetentionThe following system of academic progress is newly effective in fall 2004 and applies to all undergraduate and non-degree students at the university, including those formerly categorized as extended studies. Academic retention is based solely on the cumulative grade point average. The significance of the cumulative grade point average (cumulative GPA) varies according to the credit level, which is a combination of institution GPA hours earned at the university plus credits transferred from other institutions or obtained by testing. Dean's ListStudents in degree status who take at least six credits in a semester, and earn a semester GPA of 3.500 or higher, merit placement on the Dean's List. This notation will be placed on the individual's permanent record. Good Academic StandingStudents are in good academic standing unless academically dismissed, suspended or on probation. Students on academic warning are still considered to be in good academic standing. Student Retention CategoriesThe university's minimum standard for academic achievement is 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students with a credit level of at least seven hours and a cumulative GPA of less than 2.000 fall into three categories: Warning, Probation, and Suspension. All notations of academic standing are included in a student's permanent record. The cumulative GPA range that defines each of the categories varies according to the credit level as noted below: GPA Retention Levels
Periods of Academic SuspensionStudents who incur a first suspension following a spring semester or summer term serve a period of suspension through the next fall semester. Students who incur a first suspension following a fall semester serve a period of suspension through the next summer term. A second suspension is for one calendar year: two semesters and a summer term. Students returning from suspension are on probation for one academic period. Course credits earned at other colleges during the period of suspension from the university (for academic or non-academic reasons) are not accepted for the degree program. Academic DismissalA third suspension results in academic dismissal, a status that is normally permanent. In exceptional cases students who have been dismissed may apply for readmission after a minimum absence of three calendar years from the university, but only if they meet one or more of the following conditions after having been dismissed:
Meeting the above requirements does not guarantee a return. The Office of Admissions and the appropriate school or college dean will make individual decisions in the best academic interests of the student and the university. For students seeking readmission to a new school or college, their new dean will make the decision in consultation with the former dean and the Office of Admissions. See "Academic Clemency Policy." Academic PeriodAcademic Period refers to fall semester, spring semester or summer term. For determining the duration of academic warning, probation and suspension, an academic period is defined as follows: Each academic period begins on the 15th day following the last scheduled day of final examinations for the previous period. Each academic period ends on the 14th day after the last scheduled day of final examinations. Example: Assume that the last scheduled day of final exams for a semester is Monday, December 23. That period then ends on Monday, January 6. The next period begins on Tuesday, January 7. Effect of Academic Performance on Next Semester's Credit LimitUndergraduate students on warning, probation, or returning from suspension are limited to a maximum of 13 credit hours for following semesters until they achieve good standing. Students pre-registered for 14 or more credit hours are responsible for seeking academic advisement and adjusting their enrollment to a maximum of 13 credit hours. The Registrar's Office will reduce credit hours to a maximum of 13 for students who have not done so before the beginning of the semester. Effect of Academic Standing on Student ActivitiesOnly students in good academic standing are eligible to hold or run for elective or appointive office in any organization or activity associated with the university, or to compete in any athletic or other activity representing the university on either an intercollegiate or club level, or to serve as a working staff member of any student organization. Note that students on warning are considered to be in good standing. A student whose eligibility for an activity requires the completion of a semester will have fulfilled that requirement when the student's publicly scheduled exams are over, unless the student's continued eligibility depends on the grades received. In the latter case, the student will not become eligible until the end of the semester as defined under "Academic Period." Academic Clemency PolicyUndergraduate students returning to George Mason University after a separation of a minimum of three calendar years may petition their academic dean to have a number of previously earned grades and credits removed from the calculation of their cumulative grade point average. Up to 16 credits and corresponding grades from courses previously completed at George Mason University may be removed from calculation of the grade point average and will not be counted toward graduation requirements. Note that the courses, with their original grades and the notation "Academic Clemency," will remain listed on the student's transcript permanently. The petition for clemency must be filed in the first semester of return to the institution; approval may depend upon successful completion of that semester. Approval of the request is neither automatic nor guaranteed. Transition ClemencyUndergraduates who have 90 or more overall earned hours before the Fall 2004 semester, and who complete their degrees by May 2006, will have a degree GPA computed on the courses that apply to the degree. Graduation eligibility and university honors will be computed from the degree GPA. All students, including those with 90 or more overall earned credit hours mentioned in this section, are eligible to improve their cumulative grade point averages through the university's new repeat policy. See "Repeating a Course" in this section of the catalog. All students are also subject to the New Retention Requirements for academic standing. See "Requirements for Retention" in this section of the catalog. The Undergraduate Academic ProgramSelection of a MajorTo plan a sound academic program, the undergraduate should select a degree and major as soon as it is practical, but no later than four weeks before the end of the sophomore year. For declaration of a major, a student should confer with the appropriate advisor or designate of either the new major program or, if undeclared, the Academic Advising Center (in Student Union Building I, Room 304). Students should obtain signatures from both departments in the Change of Major section of the Change/Declaration of Academic Program form, available in the Registrar's Office and in the Academic Advising Center. Change of Academic ProgramStudents considering a change in their academic program (major and/or degree) are encouraged to see an advisor in the Academic Advising Center or a faculty advisor in their prospective discipline. Departmental sections of this catalog contain requirements for acceptance into each program. A student not meeting the requirements may appeal to the department chair for an exception. Once a student has completed 60 credits, a change of major requires a meeting with an advisor in the new major before the change is complete. To file a change of major, signatures of advisors or designates in both the new and former major programs must be obtained on the Change/Declaration of Academic Program form, available in the Registrar's Office and in the Academic Advising Center. Credit for More than One Undergraduate MajorA student who desires to graduate with a BA degree or a BS degree in two or more subjects must meet departmental requirements for the major in each field. See also the section Second Bachelor's Degree. Students given permission to pursue two or more concurrent majors must complete the Declaration of Second Major section of the Change/Declaration of Academic Program form, available in the Registrar's Office. The applicant must present a detailed program of study for both majors and obtain the authorizing signature from the chair or director of the second major program (and from the dean or director, if required by the college, school, or institute). When required, department chairs and deans/directors must also approve all changes to the programs of study. A student may begin a program at any time that permits its completion before the anticipated graduation date. MinorsStudents may elect minor programs of study in addition to their major fields by completing the Declaration or Change of Minor section of the Change/Declaration of Academic Program form, available in the Registrar's Office. Minors normally require between 15 and 21 credits of study, at least 8 credits of which must be applied only to that minor and may not be used to fulfill requirements of the student's major, concentration, or another minor. Students must complete at least 6 credits in their minor at George Mason and achieve a minimum 2.0 GPA in courses applied to the minor. Students interested in a minor should consult the college/school/institute chapters and the Program of Study listing in the front of this catalog to determine which minors are offered and their specific requirements. Baccalaureate Degree RequirementsTo qualify for a bachelor's degree, a student must have been admitted, completed at least 120 credits that count toward graduation, fulfilled all degree requirements, and achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. Students seeking a bachelor's degree must apply at least 45 credits of upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above) toward graduation requirements. Some programs may have higher standards for grades allowable in majors, minors, or certificates. Please refer to the appropriate section of the catalog for further information. Note: Seniors who have completed at least 90 overall earned credit hours before the fall 2004 semester begins, and who graduate by May 2006 will have a degree GPA computed on all courses applicable to the degree. For these students, the degree GPA will be used to determine eligibility for the degree and for graduation with university honors. For all other students, the cumulative GPA will be used. University General Education RequirementsAll undergraduates seeking a baccalaureate degree at George Mason University must complete the University General Education requirements. Please see the catalogue chapter on the university undergraduate general education program for specific details. Additional requirements for specific degree programs can be found in the description of each college or school in this catalog. English Composition RequirementThe university requires students to complete at least two semesters of English composition. Students enrolled in the Honors Program in General Education or in New Century College learning communities complete the English composition requirement as specified in those programs. All other students, unless they have received equivalent credit through transfer or proficiency examination, must enroll in ENGL 101 (or 100) upon admission and, after meeting its prerequisites, ENGL 302. Students must attain a minimum grade of C in composition courses to fulfill university degree requirements. Writing-Intensive Course RequirementIn addition to English composition, and as part of the university's commitment to literacy in all programs, at least one course in each major has been designated "writing intensive." While other courses in the major may require written projects, "writing-intensive" courses emphasize the process of drafting and revision. Faculty in these courses give constructive comments on drafts of at least one course project, which the students then revise and resubmit, or use for future submissions. Writing-intensive courses are numbered 300 and above. See the description of each major for the specific courses that fulfill the requirement for that major. Residence RequirementsAt least one-fourth of the total credits applied to the degree must be completed at the university and must include at least 12 upper-level credits (courses numbered 300 or above) in the major program. See the section "Credit to Be Earned at Other Institutions." Second Bachelor's DegreeA second bachelor's degree may be earned, either concurrently or sequentially. To graduate with two degrees, students must present at least 30 George Mason credits beyond those required by either degree alone. Students who are concurrently pursuing two bachelor's degrees at George Mason must present a detailed program of study for both degrees and obtain authorizing signatures from the chair or director of each degree program (and from the dean or director, if required by the college, school, or institute). Students may declare the second concurrent degree by completing the Declaration of Second Bachelor's Degree section of the Change/Declaration of Academic Program form, available in the Registrar's Office. Application for a second bachelor's degree declared after graduation from a first degree must be conducted through the Office of Admissions. Determination of academic standing starts anew for George Mason graduates who return for a second bachelor's degree. University HonorsGraduation with DistinctionA student graduates with distinction from the university when at least 60 credits applied toward graduation are earned at George Mason University and the student's cumulative GPA is at least equal to one of three values:
Graduation with RecognitionA student graduates with recognition from the university when between 45 and 59 (inclusive) credits applied toward graduation are earned at George Mason University and the student's cumulative grade point average is at least 3.800. Seniors with at least 90 overall earned credit hours before the fall 2004 semester and who graduate May 2006 or sooner will have a degree grade point average computed on courses applied to the degree. For these students, the degree GPA will determine graduation with university honors. |
