The bulletin includes information which, at the time of printing, describes
as accurately as possible the course offerings, policies, procedures, regulations,
and requirements of Mississippi University for Women. The University reserves
the right to alter or change any of its rules or regulations at any time
to promote the best interest of the students or the institution. Many courses
listed in the bulletin are offered only when there is sufficient demand
for them. Consequently, not every course is offered every year. Course
descriptions are accurate at the time of publication, but are subject to
change.
ACADEMIC RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY
Students are responsible for knowing their standing with regard
to the published rules, regulations, policies, and standards of the University
and of their degree program.
Each academic program has procedures and degree requirements
that must be satisfied for the degree to be awarded. While the University
provides faculty and staff advisers to assist students in planning their
programs of study, it is the student's responsibility to know the specific
requirements and plan accordingly. The student is responsible for
following procedures and meeting degree requirements.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY POLICY
Students enrolled at Mississippi University for Women agree to
abide by the university’s Honor Code “to uphold the highest standards of
honesty in all phases of university life” and, therefore, agree to refrain
from any dishonest behavior in academics.
Academic Dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, or other actions that violate commonly accepted intellectual and ethical standards within academic and scientific communities. Any student who is party to academic dishonesty, whether having given or accepted assistance, shall appear before the Academic Standards Board for appropriate action. This policy applies to work in progress as well as completed work. Policy #3534 sets forth procedures for appeal to the Academic Standards Board.
Cheating is taking credit for work which has been done
by another person. Examples include, but are not limited to (1) giving
or using prohibited written and/or oral information during tests, quizzes,
or examinations; (2) stealing, buying, selling or any other use of an examination
before it has been administered; (3) copying ideas or facts from another’s
paper during a test situation; (4) obtaining or giving specific information
which will be on a test before the test is administered; (5) deceitfully
altering any assignments or the instructor’s markings; (6) copying computer
programs or writing computer programs for another student; (7) substituting
for another person during an examination or allowing such substitution
for oneself; or (8) stealing, buying, or selling essays, artwork, or other
assignments.
Academic dishonesty includes any fabrication and falsification
of laboratory and clinical experiences, internship records, attendance
records, research data, survey results, research methods, research results,
research conclusions, documentation of sources, and other information and
processes in the collection and presentation of academic, scientific, and
professional material.
Other examples of academic dishonesty include but are not limited
to (1) misrepresenting, giving false information, or withholding information
concerning admission requirements, enrollment or status in the university,
financial aid applications, health records, or other material required
by the university; (2) misrepresenting research data and results; (3) misappropriating
privileged information or making use of information in breach of confidentiality;
(4) interfering in any way with the research or academic performance of
another student; (5) violating any federal, state, university, or program
policies and regulations governing research and academic procedures, integrity,
and misconduct; (6) obstructing the investigation of allegations of academic
dishonesty.
Plagiarism is defined as the use of ideas, facts, phrases,
or additional material (such as maps, charts, artwork, or computer programs)
from any source without giving proper credit for such material. Any material
in a paper, report, artwork, or computer program which is not acknowledged
is understood to be the original work of the author, unless such material
is considered general knowledge. Allowing another person to compose or
rewrite a student’s assignment or copying material previously used in class
reporting and submitting it as the student’s own work is considered plagiarism.
Students who are unsure whether they have used and documented
source material correctly should consult with their instructors before
turning in the assignment.
For undergraduate students the following procedures for
dealing with plagiarism will apply:
1. A student who violates university, division, and/or course policies
regarding plagarism will receive a grade of “0" (zero) for the assignment.
The grade for the assignment will be averaged in the final grade according
to the grading policy defined in the instructor’s syllabus.
2. The faculty member will notify the Vice President for Academic Affairs
that the student has committed plagiarism in violation of university policies
regarding academic standards. This notification will remain confidential
according to policies protecting confidentiality of student grades.
3. If a student disagrees with the instructor’s judgement that he or
she has committed plagiarism on an assignment, the student should consult
with the division head to try to resolve the disagreement. If a resolution
is not achieved at the division level, the student may appeal directly
to the Academic Standards Board through the VPAA.
4. There will be no further action for the first violation of the rules
against plagiarism except as outlined in section 5 below. For any subsequent
offense, the student must appear before the Academic Standards Board for
a hearing and possible additional disciplinary action. The VPAA will initiate
the hearing process.
5. Flagrant Act: For flagrant acts of plagiarism where the intent
to plagiarize is clear, such as turning in another student’s work as one’s
own or copying significant portions of published material without documenting
sources, the faculty member may assign a grade of “0" on the work and request
that the case proceed immediately to the Academic Standards Board for disciplinary
action.
ACADEMIC GRIEVANCES
Students who wish to appeal the grade received for a project,
paper, course, etc. should attempt to resolve the issue with their instructors.
If satisfactory arrangements cannot be made, they should go to their Division
Head. Grievances should be taken to the Vice President for Academic Affairs
only after these channels have been followed. Any appeal of a grade must
be submitted in writing within twelve months of the end of the semester
in which the grade was awarded. If a grievance hearing is required, the
process will be initiated by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The
following grievance committees and procedures have been established to
provide a hearing for students who feel their academic rights have been
violated.
The Student Grievance Committee consists of faculty members
and three students representing different Divisions appointed by the President
of the University. Its purpose is to consider student academic grievances
that have not been resolved at the program level and to make decisions.
Procedure:
1. Students who believe that their academic rights have been violated
and their complaints have not been resolved to their satisfaction at the
program level (i.e., via faculty person involved and Division Head) may
petition the Student Grievance Committee to consider their complaints.
Requests stating the grievance and the procedure the student has followed
in trying to resolve the problem must be made in writing within twelve
months of the end of the semester in which the alleged violation of academic
rights occurred. Requests must be addressed to the Student Grievance Committee
and submitted to MUW’s Office of Academic Affairs.
2. If the grievance involves any member of the Committee, that member
will abstain from participation on the Committee while that particular
grievance in being considered. The Vice President for Academic Affairs
will recommend a replacement.
3. Upon receipt of a request for consideration of a grievance, the
Student Grievance Committee must meet within three regularly scheduled
school days to determine what data and materials to request from the student
and faculty member. Such requests for materials will be made in writing
from the committee to the persons involved.
4. The Committee Chairman shall set a hearing time that does not conflict
with the class schedules of any committee member, student, or faculty member
involved. All persons shall be notified in writing of the hearing time
at least three days prior to the date of the hearing.
5. Evidence and background material concerning a case should be submitted
to the Committee at least three days prior to the hearing. This will allow
the Committee adequate time to examine the facts prior to being required
to make a decision on the matter.
6. At the time of the hearing, students appearing before the Grievance
Committee have the right to have a representative or advisor of their choice
with them at the meeting. However, students are expected to speak for themselves.
Students and faculty members will be given full opportunity to present
evidence and witnesses that are relevant to the issue at hand. Evidence
introduced at the hearing must be confined to the particular ground or
charge that has been predicated.
7. The decision of the committee must be based on sufficient and credible
evidence. The decision will be made by the Committee in closed session.
All persons involved in the grievance will be notified in writing of the
decision of the Committee within one week of the hearing.
8. Decisions made by the Committee must be immediately enforced by
both faculty and students; however, both students and faculty have “right
of appeal.”
9. The final level of appeal for both students and faculty members
will be the President of the University.
PRIVACY RIGHTS OF PARENTS AND STUDENTS
Mississippi University for Women complies with all provisions
of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. The
records affected by this law, the student’s rights and obligations, and
the University’s rights and obligations are published in the Student
Handbook.
The University will release directory information about individual
students upon request unless they have notified the Registrar in writing
that they do not want any such information released. This written request
must be filed within two weeks after the student registers each semester.
It should be noted that such a request will be followed to the letter.
Any future requests from non-university persons or organizations for such
directory information will be refused.
Directory information includes the student's name, address, telephone
number, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in
officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members
of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees received, honors and awards
earned, the most recent educational agency attended by the student, and
other similar information.
SUMMER DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAM AND YEAR-LONG ACADEMIC SUPPORT
The summer developmental program is an option for students who
do not meet admission criteria of the University for fall term enrollment
and wish to demonstrate basic academic competencies appropriate for entry
in the fall term. The program consists of courses in developmental reading,
developmental English, developmental mathematics, and a learning skills
lab, totaling twelve (12) credit hours for the nine week term of instruction.
Students must enroll for the entire 12 hour program. The credits earned
in the summer developmental program do not count toward graduation. Students
successfully completing the program and entering in the fall term will
be required to enroll in and satisfactorily complete the year-long academic
support program. Consult the Office of Admissions or the Office of Academic
Affairs about program dates and other requirements.
TRANSCRIPTS
Current students or former students may receive transcripts of
their MUW academic work by requesting these in writing from the Registrar.
A charge of $5.00, payable in advance, will be made for each copy. However,
the University reserves the right to withhold transcripts for students
who do not satisfy their obligations to the University. These obligations
include, but are not limited to, the settling of all University accounts,
payment of fines, and returning of books to the library. Transfer university/college
transcripts may be reviewed in the Registrar's Office. Copies of such transcripts
are not released by MUW, but may be obtained from the institution originally
issuing the record.
REGISTRATION POLICIES
ACADEMIC ADVISING
New students are assigned a faculty adviser who will counsel
them regarding their academic program, progress, and general academic welfare.
Students with a declared major will be assigned a faculty advisor in thier
academic area by the appropriate academic division office. Students with
an undeclared major will be advised by a faculty advisor in the Advising
Center. The Advising Center in Reneau Hall is open daily for questions
regarding academic schedules, programs and requirements.
Before each registration, students have an opportunity for consultation
with their faculty advisers. All MUW students should see their adviser
not only for program planning prior to each registration, but also for
discussion and evaluation at intervals throughout the school year.
Students who have questions regarding their major fields of interest
or who want help with decisions are invited to consult their advisers or
Division Head at any time during the school year.
PRESCHEDULING
All students are encouraged to preschedule courses and must meet
with their academic adviser for schedule approval before schedule entry.
An advising and prescheduling period is published during the fall and spring
semesters. See the Academic Calendar in this bulletin for specific dates.
REGISTRATION PROCEDURE
Students who have previously been in residence at MUW, transfer
students, and new students will schedule classes during the time allotted
their class. Students prepare a tentative schedule and meet with their
advisors to receive schedule approval and to receive their registration
access pins (RAP). Students are responsible for entering their approved
courses in the Banner system and for consulting with their advisors regarding
schedule changes. The student finalizes registration by paying fees to
the Comptroller. All fees and expenses are due at registration. Classes
will be dropped if students do not finalize the with Comptroller.
Each student, except under special conditions, should enroll
for at least fifteen semester hours of course work. A full-time student
may not enroll for more than a total of 19 hours without special recommendation
from the Head of the Division.
Students will not be given credit for courses in which they are
not properly registered.
CROSS REGISTRATION
Cross registration with Mississippi State University is available
during the fall and spring semesters for full-time students enrolled at
either MUW or MSU who need a course not offered on their home campus. Students
interested in cross registration should contact the Registrar on their
home campus for more information. Hours taken at MSU may not be used to
fulfill the required number of hours of enrollment for MUW scholarships.
CHANGE OF REGISTRATION
Courses may be added or dropped without penalty during the first
days of classes in a semester. Students should check the academic
calendar, student handbook, and/or the student activities calendar for
all important dates concerning dropping a course, adding a course, or changing
the status of a course.
AUDITING
With permission of the Division Head, and on a space available
basis, an MUW student may enroll in a course as an auditor. Auditors do
not attempt examinations and do not submit written assignments. The fee
charged for auditing is the same as if the student were taking the course
for credit. Auditors must attend at least 70% of classes or a grade of
NA (Non-Attendance) will be recorded on the transcript. Note: Audit classes
carry no credit, do not count toward graduation and are excluded from total
credit hours when certifying enrollment for VA, loans, insurance, etc.
WITHDRAWAL FROM MUW
Students who wish to withdraw from the University must do so
through the Office of Student Affairs. The last day to withdraw from
the University is listed on the Academic Calendar.
Leaving the University without filing a formal withdrawal notice
will result in a grade of F in all courses in which the student is registered.
Withdrawing from a residence hall is not the same as withdrawing
from the University.
ACADEMIC FRESH START
Students who have not been enrolled in any post-secondary institution
at any time for at least 48 consecutive months may request admission or
readmission to Mississippi University for Women through the Office of Academic
Affairs under the academic fresh start policy. The petition must be accompanied
by transcript(s) from all post-secondary institutions attended. If the
request is granted, all college credits earned prior to being granted academic
fresh start will be eliminated from the computation of the student’s grade
point average and may never be used toward graduation at Mississippi University
for Women. Prior grades (MUW and transfer) of former MUW students readmitted
under the academic fresh start policy will remain on the transcript, but
they will not be used to calculate the grade point average, and prior courses
will not be applied to any MUW degree. Prior grades may be used to determine
admission into professional programs and may be used for determining eligibility
for scholarships. Prior grades will be used in calculating SAP (Satisfactory
Academic Progress) for Federal Financial Aid.
Once a student has entered MUW under the academic fresh start
policy, the student’s status may not be changed to apply courses taken
previously at MUW or any other institution toward a degree from MUW. The
student’s catalog of record will be the one in effect at the time of entry
under the academic fresh start policy or any catalog in effect during the
subsequent period of attendance at MUW, with the same limitations on time
period applicable to a first-time freshman who entered at the same time.
A student may enter MUW under the academic fresh start policy only one
time.
Note: Under Veterans’ Administration rules and regulations,
students receiving VA educational benefits will not be eligible for Academic
Fresh Start.
ACADEMIC SECOND CHANCE
Students may apply for academic second chance for one semester only during their academic career. Students applying for academic second chance must meet the following conditions:
1. The semester considered for academic second chance must have been
completed at least one year before application.
2. The student must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA for the equivalent
of two semesters of full-time study at MUW or at least 24 consecutive semester
hours immediately before application.
Application for academic second chance must be filed with the student's academic Division Head at least one week before the registration date of a new academic term. Students may obtain an Academic Second Chance Request form from the Office of the Registrar. The Registrar will verify that the conditions stated above have been met. Application for academic second chance must include the request form and a letter from the student, explaining in detail the circumstances for which the second chance is necessary. The student must have the approval of his/her adviser, the program director (if applicable), the academic division head and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
If an application is approved, all courses of record and the grades earned for the semester will remain on the student's transcript. The courses for that one semester will be eliminated from the computation of the student's grade point average and may never be used toward graduation at Mississippi University for Women. However, the grades may be used to determine admission into professional programs. In addition, the student must repeat any required courses from the semester. The following statement will be entered on the student's transcript. "This course qualifies for administrative council policy dated December 5, 1995, and is not used in MUW and cumulative quality point totals."
Academic second chance applies to courses taken at MUW or transferring institutions. In addition, it is the student's responsibility to make sure that he/she meets scholarship and/or financial aid guidelines.
LATE ADMINISTRATIVE WITHDRAWAL
While the University does not encourage late withdrawals, the University acknowledges that there are special circumstances for which a late withdrawal is appropriate. Students may apply for a late administrative withdrawal for one semester only during their academic career. The University will only take applications for late withdrawals for students who were unable to complete the semester because of special circumstances. It is the responsibility of the student to notify his/her adviser within four weeks of the next period of enrollment of the circumstance that interferes with his/her ability to complete the semester. Students who do not enroll in the University immediately following the semester in question will have a period of the next twelve months to apply for a late administrative withdrawal. The following circumstances are reasons for which a student may appeal for a late administrative withdrawal.
1. Medical (documentation must be provided).
2. Family relocation (documentation indicating the relocation was required
by an employer must be provided).
Application for a late administrative withdrawal must include the following:
1. A letter from the student explaining in detail the circumstances
for which the late withdrawal is necessary and appropriate documentation
to support the request.
2. The student's last date of attendance must be noted by each instructor
for courses taken during the semester for which the late withdrawal is
requested.
3. Approval of his/her academic adviser, division head, program director
(if applicable) and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Application for a late administrative withdrawal must be filed with the student's academic adviser at least one week before the registration date of a new academic term. The Student Scholastic Appeals Committee will decide if the documentation provided is appropriate and may request additional information from the student. The Committee rules on all requests for late administrative withdrawal. The decision of the Student Scholastic Appeals Committee is final.
If the application is approved, all courses of record and the grades earned for the semester will remain on the student's transcript. The courses for that one semester will be eliminated from the computation of the student's grade point average and may never be used toward graduation at Mississippi University for Women. However, the grades may be used to determine admission into professional programs. In addition, the student must repeat any required courses from the semester. The following statement will be entered on the student's transcript. "This course qualifies for administrative council policy dated December 5, 1995, and is not used in MUW and cumulative quality point totals."
Late administrative withdrawal applies only to courses taken at MUW. In addition, it is the student's responsibility to make sure that he/she meets scholarship and/or financial aid guidelines.
COURSE ADMINISTRATION
CLASS ATTENDANCE
Students are expected to attend all classes, laboratory periods,
and other meetings which constitute a regular part of their University
program. Parents cannot relieve students of the obligation to attend University
classes and exercises without withdrawing them from the University. Excessive
absences from classes can lead to dismissal from the University or loss
of course credit.
Any division within the University may formulate a policy governing
attendance in the division. An instructor may establish his or her own
policy, subject to the approval of the Division Head. In no instance may
a student who misses 50% or more of the class meetings receive course credit.
Divisions or individual instructors, with approval of the Division Head,
may set higher class attendance minimums. Any higher class attendance minimums
established by divisions or individual instructors, with the academic consequences
of failure to meet them, will be communicated to students in written course
syllabi provided during the first week that a class meets.
Except in the case of illness, absences may be excused only
by the Head of a Division, and the Division Head’s approval must be secured
in advance. After the Division Head has approved the absence, the student
must consult the instructor concerning required makeup work. The student
is held responsible for all work missed.
DEAD PERIOD
Dead Period is a designated time immediately before final examinations
in which activities and tests are curtailed in order for students to have
time to prepare for examinations. The following guidelines are in effect:
1) no extracurricular activities are scheduled, 2) no hour examinations
or graded assignments are given, 3) term papers are due before dead period,
and 4) evaluations in laboratory or skill performance courses are permitted.
GRADING POLICY
The following grades are used in reporting students' records in their
courses:
|
|
Per Credit Hour |
|
| A+, A, A- | Excellent |
|
| B+, B, B- | Above Average Competency | 3 |
| C+, C, C- | Average Competency | 2 |
| D+, D, D- | Below Average Competency | 1 |
| F | Failure | 0 |
| I | Incomplete | 0 |
| NA | Non-Attendance | - |
| NC | No Credit | - |
| P | Pass | - |
| W | Withdrew from Class | - |
| WP | Withdrew Passing | - |
| WF | Withdrew Failing | 0 |
Grades once reported to the Registrar may not be changed except
to correct a clerical error. The instructor must specify, in writing, the
nature of the error.
Each semester's record stands alone. Students who make a grade
of F on the work of the first semester cannot raise the grade to a passing
point by counting in the work of the second semester and attaining an average
for two semesters.
A grade of C gives the minimum average or number of quality points
required for graduation.
Repeated Course
No credit is given for any course with a grade of F until and
unless the course is repeated and the grade becomes a passing grade. A
student who receives an F in a course in his/her required curriculum must
repeat the course. Correspondence work and by-pass examinations cannot
be used to pass a course that has been failed.
Any course not passed at MUW may be repeated at MUW or at another
accredited college.
Repetition of a passed course, in an attempt to raise a grade,
is permitted. The second grade will stand as the official grade, and both
grades earned will be calculated in the cumulative quality point average.
However, credit hours for the course will be counted only once in the total
number of hours earned.
Incomplete Grade
A grade of I, for Incomplete, indicates that the student, for
reasons satisfactory to the instructor and the instructor's Division Head,
has been unable to complete the requirements of the course by the end of
the semester. For credit in an undergraduate course, the work must be completed
within four weeks of the beginning of the next period of enrollment at
MUW; otherwise the grade of I is automatically calculated as an F. Students
who do not enroll in the University immediately after receiving an I on
a course will have a period of the next twelve months in which to take
the examination or complete the work. After the lapse of that time, if
the course is not completed, the grade of I automatically becomes an F.
For credit in a graduate course, the work must be completed within
a period of one year, or it is automatically changed to an F. Thesis
research is the only exception to the incomplete policy.
Until a grade of I has been removed from the student's record,
it is evaluated as F in computing the student's quality point average for
the semester. Students who receive a grade of I in the work of a given
course and complete this work within the prescribed time may receive any
grade deserved by their performance in the course.
Any student who has not completed all of the work of a course
by the end of the semester and whose reasons are not satisfactory to the
instructor and to the instructor's Division Head, must receive a grade
of F in the course.
Withdrawal Grade
A grade of W, indicating that the student has withdrawn from
the course, will count neither for nor against the student, provided the
course is dropped by the date indicated in the academic calendar. After
that time, any student withdrawing from a course in which the current grade
is an F will have this course counted as a failure and recorded as a grade
of WF. A student withdrawing from a course in which the student's current
grade is D or above will have a grade of WP for the course. A date is established
in the Academic Calendar beyond which a student may not withdraw from a
course without special permission from the Head of the Division and the
Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Pass-Fail Grading
With permission of the Division Head, a student of junior or
senior standing who has a 2.0 cumulative quality point average may instruct
the Registrar during registration to designate courses as pass/fail. A
passing grade is recorded as “P” and carries credit toward graduation.
It is not used in computing the grade point average. A failing grade is
recorded as “F” and is computed in the quality point average in the same
manner as other failing grades. A student may not request or apply pass-fail
grading in any course in the student’s major or minor program, in any course
used to meet a specific requirement of the University, in any course required
for teacher certification, or in any course requiring a grade of “C”or
higher. A student may not request pass-fail grading in a course in which
a grade, including a grade of “I”, has been received.
No Credit Grade
A student will receive a grade of NC, No Credit, when the student
does not earn a C or higher in specific courses whose designated grading
scale is A, B, C, No Credit. An NC grade earns no credit toward graduation
and is not calculated into the grade point average. If a course uses
the NC grade, it will be noted in the course description.
Non-Attendance Grade
Auditors who do not attend 70% of the audited class periods will
be assigned a grade of NA, Non-Attendance. This grade is recorded on the
student's transcript, but is not computed in the grade point average.
INTERMEDIATE COURSES
ED 100 Reading for College, EN 100 Basic Writing and MA 100 Intermediate
Algebra are considered developmental courses. Unless exempt through
performance on an authorized placement exam, all entering freshmen enrolled
with an ACT Mathematics subtest score of 16 or below will be required to
take MA 100 during their first semester of enrollment; all entering freshmen
enrolled with an ACT English subtest score of 16 or below will be required
to take EN 100 during their first semester of enrollment; and all entering
freshmen with an ACT Reading subtest score of 16 or below will be required
to take ED 100 during their first semester of enrollment. In addition,
students taking two or more intermediate courses must enroll in and satisfactorily
complete the year-long Academic Support Program and will not be permitted
to take more than 15 semester hours per semester, including intermediate
courses and the Academic Support Program. While each intermediate course
carries 3.0 hours of enrollment credit, no academic credit is earned.
These courses cannot be used to satisfy any graduation requirements, including
total hours required for the degree. Note: Students must continue
to enroll in the required intermediate course(s) until a satisfactory grade
is earned.
ACADEMIC STANDING
CLASSIFICATION
FRESHMAN: a student who has completed fewer than 30 semester
hours of academic work.
SOPHOMORE: a student who has completed as many as 30 but fewer
than 60 semester hours.
JUNIOR: a student who has completed as many as 60 but fewer
than 90 semester hours.
SENIOR: a student who has completed as many as 90 but fewer
than the number of hours required by the curriculum for graduation.
Classification as a senior gives no assurance of graduation at a particular
time.
SOPHOMORE EVALUATION
As a part of the assessment of outcomes of the curriculum for
accreditation purposes, MUW has instituted a sophomore evaluation. The
Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP) Test is used for this
purpose. All students who have completed 43 to 64 semester hours are required
to take this test. If a student fails to take the test, the student will
be given a chance to complete the test in the subsequent semester. If the
test is not taken in the subsequent semester, the student cannot take upper
level courses until the test is completed.
SENIOR EVALUATION
As a second part of the assessment of student outcomes for purposes
of accreditation, MUW will administer the Academic Profile to graduating
seniors. The results of the Academic Profile exam will reflect our students’
general knowledge base and the strength of our curriculum. Seniors must
take the exam prior to graduation from MUW. It is a graduation requirement.
For information regarding the Academic Profile, contact the Office of Academic
Affairs.
ACADEMIC HONORS
Recognition for outstanding academic achievement is granted to
full-time students each semester during the regular academic year. The
levels of recognition are:
President's List-- To be eligible for the President's
List, a student must be full time and must have a GPA of 4.0.
Dean's List-- To be eligible for the Dean's List, a student
must be full time and must present a GPA of 3.5 to 3.99.
PROBATION AND SUSPENSION
This probation/suspension policy became effective June 2001.
All students, whether part-time or regularly enrolled, are expected
to maintain a quality of work necessary for reasonable progress toward
graduation. In order to graduate, a student must show a total number of
quality points that is at least twice as great as the total number of academic
credit hours attempted. Accumulation of fewer quality points than this
ratio at any time in a student's college experience indicates subnormal
progress toward a degree.
Probation
Students whose cumulative MUW GPA is less than 1.90 will be placed
on academic probation. Students who have served one period on probation
with a semester GPA of less than 2.0 who fail to meet the following MUW
Cumulative GPA will be placed on academic suspension.
| Cumulative Semester Hours Attempted
(Including Transfer Work) |
MUW
Cumulative GPA |
| 0 - 29.99 (Freshmen) | 1.00 |
| 30 - 59.99 (Sophomores) | 1.30 |
| 60 - 89.99 (Juniors) | 1.70 |
| 90 & above (Seniors) | 1.90 |
Veterans' Academic Status
Veterans and other VA eligible students will be limited to two
semesters of probation, after which they will not be certified to the VA.
Suspension
Students on probation with a semester GPA of less than 2.0 who
fail to meet the following MUW Cumulative GPA will be placed on academic
suspension.
| Cumulative Semester Hours Attempted
(Including Transfer Work) |
MUW
Cumulative GPA |
| 0 - 29.99 (Freshmen) | 1.00 |
| 30 - 59.99 (Sophomores) | 1.30 |
| 60 - 89.99 (Juniors) | 1.70 |
| 90 & above (Seniors) | 1.90 |
A student’s first academic suspension shall be for at least one
regular (fall or spring) semester. Readmission to MUW will be automatic
following the first suspension period. The student will be placed
on academic probation when readmitted to the institution. A student
who has one academic suspension and who does not earn a current semester
GPA of 2.0 or higher and has less than the required Cumulative GPA will
be suspended from the University for one calendar year. Readmission
to the University after this second suspension period requires the approval
of the Student Scholastic Appeals Committee. If the Committee allows
the student to re-enter the University and he or she fails to earn a current
semester GPA of 2.0 or higher and has less than the required Cumulative
GPA after the first readmission semester, the student will be suspended
for a period of three calendar years. Readmission to the University
after this three-year suspension period will again require the approval
of the Student Scholastic Appeals Committee. If the Committee again
approves readmission, and the student fails to meet the requirements listed
above, the student will be suspended for a five-year period.
A student who has been suspended for academic reasons may not
again be admitted to MUW until the expiration of the penalty period.
Academic credit earned during the penalty period will not count toward
degree requirements. Under unusual or extenuating circumstances,
however, any student who has been suspended for academic reasons may request
a review of the case by the Student Scholastic Appeals Committee.
Such requests for scholastic reviews must be received in writing
by the Head of the Division and the Scholastic Appeals Committee no later
than the last regularly scheduled day of semester registration for which
the student intends to register.
In the event the Student Scholastic Appeals Committee votes
to readmit the student following the appeal, regardless of the length of
the suspension period, no further appeals on the part of the student will
be necessary so long as the student continues to meet the minimum semester
and Cumulative GPA for each semester in attendance at MUW or a 2.0 (calculated
by MUW standards) at any other accredited college or university.
Failure at any time to meet these requirements will automatically result
in suspension from MUW for the next most severe penalty period.
Once a student has appealed a suspension to the Student Scholastic
Appeals Committee, and the Committee votes not to readmit the student,
no further appeals on behalf of the student will be accepted until the
end of the suspension period, regardless of length.
Special circumstances may arise in certain cases of academically
deficient transfer students, or students who attended this or any other
university several years ago and compiled records of substandard academic
performance. In these instances, the Vice President for Academic Affairs
may petition the Student Scholastic Appeals Committee to review the student's
past academic performance and determine if the student should be admitted
to MUW. Students who are allowed to enter MUW under these circumstances
will automatically be placed on academic probation.
Mississippi University for Women makes every effort to quickly
inform any student who has been suspended for academic reasons. This is
done in the following manner.
(1) The student's final semester grade slip, mailed to the permanent
address as indicated by University records, carries a written statement
indicating suspension from the University for unsatisfactory academic performance,
and
(2) A letter from the Head of the Division, also mailed to the
permanent address as indicated by University records, will give reasons
for suspension and inform the student as to the date for re-entering Mississippi
University for Women.
It is the responsibility of the student to supply
Mississippi University for Women with an accurate, up-to-date, permanent
mailing address and telephone number for each semester in attendance. Mississippi
University for Women cannot be held responsible for failure to notify a
student regarding possible suspension if the University's records contain
either inaccurate and/or incomplete information about mailing addresses
or telephone numbers.
Students may be suspended for reasons of conduct as well as
for academic deficiency. However, only academic suspensions are noted on
a student’s academic record. All students are held responsible for the
regulations printed in the Student Handbook, a copy of which is presented
to each student at the beginning of each session and is also available
upon request. The retention of students must be considered by the University
authorities as in keeping with the best interests of the University.
ADVANCED STANDING
A student may obtain advanced standing through the acceptance of transfer credit, credit for military experience, and standardized and institutional examination. Professional credit may be awarded according to standards set by the American Council of Education and the New York Board of Regents. MUW does not award credit for experiential learning.
TRANSFER CREDIT
General Guidelines
All academic credit is evaluated in the Office of the Registrar
according to current standards and policies of Mississippi University for
Women. Academic credit is accepted only from university parallel programs
offered in institutions which are accredited, at the time of coursework
completion, by a regional accrediting association. MUW uses recognized
guides which aid in the evaluation of credit. These guides are published
by the American Council on Education, and the American Association of Collegiate
Registrars and Admissions Officers. If the transfer institution uses a
4.0 or modified 4.0 grading scale, then academic credit is transferred
and quality points are assigned accordingly. Other grading systems are
converted to the 4.0 scale. Transferable community/junior college coursework
is accepted at the freshman and sophomore level and may not be used to
satisfy junior and senior level requirements. Credit earned by correspondence
from another institution is considered transfer credit. Transfers from
a community/junior college must earn at a senior institution at least 50%
of the semester hours required for a specific degree program, including
25% of the semester hours at MUW, to be eligible for any baccalaureate
degree. No more than 64 semester hours of community/junior college coursework
may be applied to any baccalaureate program. MUW does not award credit
for technical or vocational courses.
MUW Students Attending Other Institutions
Credit may be given students for work done at another accredited
college or university, provided the credits claimed meet the requirements
of this institution.
Students planning to take courses at other institutions should
secure the approval of the Head of the appropriate division in advance
to ensure that these courses will be acceptable to MUW.
Official transcripts of credits for this course work must be
filed with the Registrar at the end of the term of enrollment. Students
are responsible for requesting these transcripts and for paying all charges
assessed for them.
CREDIT FOR MILITARY EXPERIENCE
Credit for military experience may be awarded in accordance with
guidelines published by the American Council on Education. Students need
to submit copies of their military transcripts or Form DD214 to the Office
of the Registrar. A student may earn a maximum of 27 hours for military
experience.
CORRESPONDENCE WORK
Not more than six semester hours of credit earned by correspondence
may be applied toward graduation from MUW. Such work must have advance
written approval of the Head of the appropriate division. Correspondence
courses taken while a student is in residence may not be used to fulfill
any part of the residence requirement. Correspondence work cannot be used
to pass a course that has been failed. English 101 may not be taken by
correspondence.
CREDIT BY EXAMINATION
Upon completion of appropriate requirements, an undergraduate
student may earn as many as sixty semester hours of credit toward graduation
in certain courses by examination. Credit earned by examination is not
considered residence credit. This amount of possible credit by examination
must be reduced by the number of semester hours earned by correspondence
courses. Further information concerning the requirements for earning credit
by examination may be obtained by writing the Head of the division in which
the student wishes to be tested. All entering freshmen are automatically
considered for advanced standing in English.
CLEP tests, by-pass examinations, and any form of advanced
placement tests may not be used to pass a course that has been failed.
No student will be allowed take by-pass examinations who has not first
submitted a completed application form and a fee of $10.00 for each examination.
Application forms may be obtained from the office of the Head of the appropriate
Division. Note: The total number of hours earned through a combination
of examination credit and community/junior college credit cannot exceed
50% of the semester hours required for a specific degree.
Advanced Placement Program
Mississippi University for Women will grant credit to students
for a score of 3 or higher on the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB)
Advanced Placement Program offered through their high schools.
CLEP Examinations
Credit is awarded for an acceptable performance on certain general
and subject examinations of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
according to MUW standards. A ten dollar ($10) fee is required before CLEP
credit can be recorded on the student's transcript. Transfer students must
have copies of CLEP scores sent by the CLEP Testing Center to MUW for evaluation.
CLEP scores are evaluated by the office of the Vice President for Academic
Affairs, and a list of acceptable CLEP exams may be obtained from this
office. Any CLEP credit may be used as a free elective.
By-Pass Examinations (Advanced Standing)
By-pass examinations may be allowed, upon approval by the Division
Head. Arrangement for the examination will be made by the division head
in consultation with the student's adviser and the registrar. A grade of
P is entered on a student's record when credit is awarded by examination;
credit is withheld until a student has earned 3 hours credit at MUW. In
order to receive a grade of P, the student must earn a grade of C or better
on the advanced standing examination. Credit must have been earned in any
or all courses prerequisite to the course to be by-passed. A course may
not be by-passed after credit has been earned by CLEP tests, or any form
of advanced placement tests in the respective subject area. One may not
take an advanced standing examination for a course in which he/she is currently
enrolled. A student will be expected to furnish evidence of laboratory
or field experiences in order to by-pass a course in which these experiences
are required.
A student who wishes to take by-pass examinations (advanced standing)
before the first semester registration must submit a completed application
and the $10.00 fee to the office of the Head of the division in which the
by-pass examination is being given no later than August 15. No fee is charged
an entering freshman who takes an advanced standing examination by invitation
of a department during the orientation period.
A student who wishes to take a by-pass examination before the
second semester registration must submit a completed application and the
$10.00 fee no later than December 5.
A student who wishes to take a by-pass examination before the summer
school registration must submit a completed application form and pay the
$10.00 fee no later than April 3.
REQUIREMENTS FOR UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES
CURRICULUM AND ACHIEVEMENT REQUIREMENTS
Academic Program Requirements: For conferral of degree,
a student must complete satisfactorily all core and general degree requirements
as well as requirements of the selected major.
Credit Hours: In order to receive an undergraduate degree
from Mississippi University for Women a student is required to earn at
least the minimum number of credit hours required in the chosen curriculum,
never to be less than 128 credit hours for the baccalaureate degree and
60 credit hours for the associate degree. For specific curriculum
requirements, see "Academic Programs" in this catalog. In addition,
the academic standards of the university must be maintained. Completion
of academic work gives no assurance of graduation at a particular time
unless all requirements for graduation have been met.
Grade Point Average (GPA): Any student who receives an
undergraduate degree or certificate from Mississippi University for Women
must present a minimum 2.0 grade point average on all college work attempted,
on all the work attempted at Mississippi University for Women, and on all
the courses attempted in the major field (see appropriate division section
for specific grade point average requirements).
Transfer Credit Policy: Students transferring to Mississippi
University for Women from another accredited college will be given all
quality points to which their transferred grades may entitle them according
to the transfer evaluation policy of MUW. Credit earned by correspondence
from another institution is considered transfer credit. Transfers
from a community/junior college must earn at a senior institution at least
50% of the semester hours required for a specific degree program, including
25% of the semester hours at MUW, to be eligible for any baccalaureate
degree. Transfer students who wish to receive a degree from Mississippi
University for Women must take at MUW at least fifty percent of the credit
hours in each major they wish to declare. Transfer students who wish to
declare a minor must complete a minimum of fifty percent of the credit
hours at MUW in each minor declared. No more than 64 semester hours of
community/junior college coursework may be applied to any baccalaureate
program.
Catalog of Record: Students may select only one catalog
to follow during their period of attendance at MUW. All the requirements
of that catalog must be completed. Students who first enter a community/junior
college and transfer to MUW without an intervening period may graduate
under the terms of the MUW catalog that applied to the first semester they
entered community/junior college.
Students may have five years from the date on which they normally
would have been graduated to meet the requirements of that date (nine years
from the first date of enrollment). After a lapse of five years from the
normal date of graduation, the bulletin in effect for the current date
of graduation must be followed.
Effective December 2003, all students graduating from
MUW must meet the core curriculum requirements published August 2000 or
later.
RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS
First Baccalaureate Degree: To qualify for an undergraduate
degree, all students must earn through coursework at MUW at least 25% of
the semester hours required for a specific degree program. Correspondence
courses cannot be used to satisfy any portion of the residence requirements,
nor can credit gained by advanced standing exams. Twenty-four hours of
credit must be taken in the senior year unless the student has completed
60 hours at MUW. In this event, the student may earn a minimum of 15 semester
hours at MUW during the senior year.
The only exception to this residence requirement is that those
students who are admitted to approved schools of law, medicine, dentistry,
engineering, and medical technology on the completion of three years of
college work need earn in residence at Mississippi University for Women
only thirty hours of credits after having attained junior classification.
Second Baccalaureate Degree: In order to qualify for
a second baccalaureate degree, a student must earn through coursework at
MUW at least 25% of the required program hours in residence after completing
the first bachelor's degree and meet all academic requirements for the
second degree.
FINANCIAL/ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS
The student is required to satisfy all financial and administrative
responsibilities prior to conferral of the degree. These responsibilities
include, but are not limited to, the settling of all University accounts,
payment of fines, and returning of books to the library. The University
reserves the right to withhold diplomas or transcripts for students who
do not satisfy their obligations to the University.
APPLICATION FOR DEGREE
A student must complete an application for a degree in order
for a diploma to be ordered. Applications are available in the Registrar's
Office or at registration each semester or summer term. Students may graduate
in December, May, or August, depending upon the completion date of requirements.
Should a student not complete graduation by the date indicated, another
application must be filed. See the Academic Calendar for deadlines.
DEGREE WITH HONORS
Students who establish throughout their academic careers both
an overall (includes MUW and any out-of-residence work) and an MUW quality
point average of 3.50 are graduated cum laude; those who establish a quality
point average of 3.80 are graduated magna cum laude; those with a quality
point average of 3.95 are graduated summa cum laude. Only students
earning their first baccalaureate degree are eligible for these honors.
In addition to the general Latin honors listed above, the University
awards departmental honors to students who have been enrolled in the Honors
College and have maintained the required quality point average in their
major fields. They must also complete satisfactorily the Honors Curriculum,
and be approved by the Director of the Honors College.
VETERANS AFFAIRS
SCHOOL STANDARDS OF PROGRESS
Minimum Requirements Established By The State Approving Agency For
Students Receiving Educational Benefits From The Department of Veterans
Affairs
Examination of Records: The Office of the Registrar will
maintain a list of all veterans and persons enrolled at the University
who have applied for VA Benefits. School standards relating to academic
records and attendance records will be on file in the Registrar's Office
and financial records will be found in the Office of the Comptroller. The
Registrar is responsible for academic and attendance records, and the Comptroller
is responsible for financial records.
Entrance Requirements: Proof that entrance requirements
have been met is maintained in the Admissions Office. See the section of
this catalog pertaining to University admission requirements.
Previous Education and Training Records: Date of high
school graduation, in the case of freshmen, and evaluation of all previous
college work, in the case of transfer students, are part of the permanent
record. The amount of credit for previous education and training is entered
on all Enrollment Certificates submitted to VA. Students will not be certified
for more than two semesters without filing all transcripts of previous
work.
Progress Records: A permanent record maintained in the
Registrar's Office shows final grades for each course taken during the
semester. The MUW grading system (see "Grading Policy") provides for the
assigning of grades of WP and WF after a period of six weeks from the beginning
of a semester, with a WF being averaged in to the semester average and
a WP being disregarded. For terms of probation see "Probation and Suspension."
To remove probation a student receiving VA benefits must meet the academic
standards of the University.
Attendance Records: Determination of a student's last
attendance in a class is based upon the student's completion of a drop
or withdrawal slip. The Head of the Division will report to the Registrar
any student who has dropped a course or has withdrawn from the University
without having used a drop or a withdrawal slip. Cumulative attendance
data are maintained in the Registrar's Office in the form of copies of
mid-term grade reports and semester grade reports, on which absences reported
by all teaching faculty are recorded.
Reports to the Veterans Administration: Any change in
status of a student from the last certification will be reported to the
VA.
Responsibilities of Students Receiving VA Benefits: The
student must follow the curriculum for selected major which is outlined
in the MUW catalog. Any student desiring continuous enrollment should notify
the VA certification official in the Registrar's Office two months prior
to the date of registration.