Academic Policies

Class Attendance and Student Absences

Each faculty member determines class attendance policy.  Any absence can only be excused on a basis of negotiation between student and faculty member.

Excused Official Absence
An official absence occurs when a student officially represents the University through an academic department, sponsored University program, or officially registered student organization.  An official absence must be recognized as excused by a faculty member.  Requests for an official absence shall be submitted to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs on the Student Travel Authorization form.  This form should be obtained from the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (McMullen 203) at least one week in advance of the expected absence.  This procedure will assure students the opportunity to make up examinations given when official University activities are scheduled.

Extent of Official Absence
When issued, an official absence is an excuse for time only and does not mean that a student is excused from the study assignment for that period.  Each student is responsible for making up all work missed, as required by the instructor.

Class Enrollment Lists

At the beginning of each semester, the Office of Admissions and Records furnishes each instructor with a list of students who have registered in each course.  Only students who are regularly registered for a course may attend.  No grade or credit will be given to students for any course in which they are not properly registered.

Course Load Limits

The maximum course load for graduate students in the College of Education is 16 credits per semester.  During the summer sessions, no more than 9 semester credits may be taken at any one time and no more than 15 credits from combined summer sessions may be taken.  Any credits beyond these limits must have signed approval by the student’s graduate advisor and department chairperson in which the student is enrolled.  Use the “Request for Credit Overload” form for this purpose.  It may be obtained in the Graduate Studies Office.  When required signatures are obtained, it is then returned to the Office of Graduate Studies.  A graduate student who devotes time to other occupations is expected to limit the course load according to time available for graduate work.

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