Credit Load
The maximum load per semester for full-time students who are not graduate assistants is 15 hours of combined credit earned in course work and research. Graduate assistants are limited to 12 hours. The minimum number of credits which may be taken in a semester by a graduate assistant is eight hours, unless otherwise approved by the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies.

Fully employed students, such as in-service teachers, will be limited to a maximum of six hours per semester. The Tennessee State Board of Education’s rules limiting in-service teacher’s registration state:  “Training acceptable for licensure and for salary ratings shall be limited to six hours during any one semester of the school year. However, teachers wishing to exceed six hours of work may do so provided prior approval of the local board of education is granted before the teacher enrolls in classes offered by institutions of higher learning.”

Academic Time Status Classification and Maximum Load
   Graduate Hours¹

Course Offerings and Schedule of Classes
Courses offered during the Fall and Spring Semester and Summer Terms, together with the time and place of class meetings and official calendar, are published in a SCHEDULE OF CLASSES which is distributed before the registration period of each semester.

The University reserves the right to withdraw any course listed in the SCHEDULE OF CLASSES.

Prerequisites and Corequisites
It is the student’s responsibility to check for satisfactory completion of prerequisites and necessary corequisites as listed in the BULLETIN. Students must have passed or be currently enrolled in the appropriate prerequisite(s) or meet specified conditions prior to registration. Corequisites are courses in which students must register concurrently.

Problem Courses
The maximum total of semester hours credit allowed for all types of problem courses is six.

Inclement Weather
During severe inclement weather the University will remain open, classes will be held and the faculty and staff will be expected to perform their normal duties. Unless a modified schedule or an official closing due to catastrophic conditions (such as loss of heat, power outage, etc.) is announced over radio or TV broadcasts, all employees are expected to report for work at the normal times. Should the University close due to catastrophic conditions, certain key personnel will still be expected to report to work.

In cases of severe inclement weather of hazardous roads, students are to exercise their own judgment in making decisions about class attendance.

Course Registration/Dropping and Withdrawal

Registration
Students are responsible for the schedule of courses for which they register, unless they officially change it. To make an official change in schedules the students must use AP Web for Students or submit required forms. This process must be completed within the required time for adding or dropping a course as stated in the University Calendar in the SCHEDULE OF CLASSES publication.

Undergraduates Registering In Graduate Courses
Undergraduates interested in registering in graduate course must have prior approval of the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies and meet minimum requirements as listed in the GRADUATE BULLETIN.

Dropping Courses
After a student has officially registered for a class, the student is considered to be a member of the class unless the student officially drops the class or withdraws from the University. Discontinuing class attendance without officially dropping or withdrawing from the University will be an unofficial withdrawal, and the student will retain financial obligation. Failure to file a notification on the approved form in the Office of the Registrar will result in the grade of “F” or “FA.”

Reporting Grades for Courses Dropped

1. A student who officially drops a course or withdraws from the university no later than the last day for withdrawing from a course with an automatic grade of “W” shall be assigned a “W” (withdrawal) for the course. This period during which a student may withdraw from the University or drop a course with a “W” will usually be five or six weeks after registration. Refer to information listed in the SCHEDULE OF CLASSES.
2. A student who drops a course after the date in (1) and before the mandatory grade of “F” date as shown in the University Calendar will receive a “W” or a grade of “F” or “FA” at the discretion of the instructor. A grade of “F” or “FA” should be given when the student is failing at the time of withdrawal.
3. Students who officially or unofficially drop courses or withdraw after the mandatory dates for grades of “F” shall be given the grade of “F” or “FA.” Very limited exceptions to this rule may be made when the student who is not failing the course at the time of the drop or withdrawal, presents to the Dean of the College in which the course is offered, acceptable reasons that establish the existence of unavoidable circumstances for the drop or withdrawal. The Dean will determine if such circumstances exist, and, if so, will then report the findings to the instructor who will make the decision of awarding a “W”, “F”, or “FA.”
   

Withdrawal from the University
Any student who wishes to withdraw from the University and drop all courses must file promptly, in the Office of the Registrar, an Application for Withdrawal from the University Form. Refunds will be based on the published schedule and date the completed withdrawal form is submitted to the Office of the Registrar. Students may initiate the formal withdrawal process in the Office of the Dean for Student Development, located in the Morgan University Center. Failure to officially withdraw will result in the student’s receiving “F” or “FA” grades in all courses.

Grade-Related Information

The Grading System
At the end of each semester the student’s quality of work is graded by the instructor. The grades are indicated by letters, with a four-point system being used:

Grades of “A”, “B”, and “C” carry the appropriate quantity and quality credits. No credit will be given for the grades of “D” or “F” and students will not be allowed to receive a graduate degree with these grades on their record. Students may repeat one course in which a grade of less than B was made. Permission of the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies is required.

Grade Point Average (GPA)
The grade-point average (GPA) is determined by dividing total quality points earned by total hours attempted.

Pass-Fail Grading
Students taking the practicum experience in education, psychology or counseling have the option of taking the course on a pass-fail basis. To exercise the option, the student must sign a Pass-Fail Card the first week of the semester at the Office of the Registrar.

Class Attendance and Grading
Statement of Policy
The matter of class attendance is in the purview of the teaching faculty. Faculty members will inform students of policies applicable to their classes through a syllabus distributed early in each semester/term.

Absence from announced Tests and Examinations
Students who are forced by circumstances beyond their control to be absent from announced tests and examinations should request approval from the instructor. At the discretion of the instructor, the student will receive the grade of “I”, “F” or “FA.”

Auditing a Course
An auditor is one who enrolls in a course without expecting to receive academic credit. The same registration procedure must be followed and the same fees are charged as for courses taken for credit.
 
Audited courses cannot be used toward any degree. Audit hours will not be considered part of the minimum credits required for full-time enrollment but will be counted in determining overloads. Courses may be audited provided instructor gives consent to enroll, space is available, and students satisfy any necessary prerequisites.
 
Regular class attendance is expected of an auditor. Auditors are not required to take examinations and do not receive a regular letter grade. The student and the instructor should reach a precise agreement as to the extent and nature of the student’s participation in the course, including class discussion, projects and readings. A successful audit will be recorded on the transcript with the designation AU. Audited courses may be repeated for credit.
 
After the published “Last Day to Add a Course” students may not change their enrollment status in a course from credit to audit or from audit to credit.

Incomplete Grades
A temporary grade of I/IP indicates that a student has performed satisfactorily in the course, but due to circumstances beyond the student’s control, was unable to complete the course requirements. It also indicates that the student has received consent from the instructor to complete the work for which an I/IP has been assigned.
  
The I/IP grade cannot be used to enable a student to do additional work to raise a deficient grade. The course will not be counted in the cumulative grade-point average until a final grade is assigned.
  
An I/IP must be removed no later than one calendar year from the time the grade was initially assigned. Time extensions must be submitted and approved by the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies before the time expires. An I/IP not removed within the specified time will be converted to an F, except in courses involving theses, field study reports, research project papers, and research literacy papers. A student cannot make up an I/IP by registering and paying for the course again. No student may graduate with an I/IP on their academic record.

Proficiency in English and Grading
Students are expected to maintain satisfactory standards of oral and written English in all of their courses. The faculty of the University has agreed to accept English usage as a University-wide responsibility. Deficiencies in the use of English will be taken into consideration in assigning course grades, and students who fall below acceptable standards may make low grades or fail.

Grading Reporting
Students may obtain their grades via AP Web for Students after each semester/term. Grade reports are not automatically mailed to students. Copies may be requested via AP Web for Students.

Grade Appeal
Students may appeal course grades with their instructor within one calendar year from the date the grade was submitted to the Office of the Registrar. Once a degree has been posted to the transcript, the academic record is deemed complete and changes will not be made on grades earned prior to the posted degree. Review the Academic Grievance Policy section in the STUDENT HANDBOOK for appeal procedures.

Academic Status and Retention
The academic status of a student is denoted by one of four conditions:

1. Good Standing
2. Academic Probation
3. Academic Suspension
4. Academic Dismissal

Students who fail to meet prescribed academic standards are subject to disciplinary action. Official notification of academic probation, academic suspension and academic dismissal is sent to students at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters, Summer term or Fort Campbell term.

At any time a student’s academic performance becomes deficient, he/she is placed on probation. When established standards are met, probationary status is removed. Two terms of deficient academic performance results in a one semester suspension, after which a student is eligible for readmission. More than two suspensions result in dismissal from Graduate School.

Good Standing
Students are in good standing as long as their cumulative grade point average is 3.0 or higher. Good standing indicates only that the student is meeting the minimum standard for retention.

Academic Probation
Students whose cumulative GPA in graduate courses falls below 3.0 are placed on academic probation. During their next and all subsequent semesters or terms of Graduate School enrollment, probationary students must achieve a minimum 3.0 GPA per semester/term. Students remain on academic probation for as long as their cumulative GPA is less than 3.0

Academic Suspension
Probationary students, whose cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for two consecutive semesters or terms, are suspended. Suspended students may petition the Graduate Dean for readmission. Accompanying the request must be written supportive recommendations for readmission from the student’s graduate committee chair and the department chair. The Graduate Dean presents the appeal to the Graduate and Research Council for its review and action. Decisions of the Graduate and Research Council regarding suspension are final and may not be appealed.

Students suspended for the first time may not enroll in Graduate School for at least one semester following their suspension. The University reserves the right to cancel a student’s registration with full refund should the student enroll prior to being notified of an academic suspension. A student on academic suspension from Graduate School may not be admitted to, or continue in, any graduate program at APSU for credit or grade point average.

Readmission.
After an absence of at least one semester, suspended students may request readmission by appealing to the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies. The Graduate Dean presents the appeal to the Graduate and Research Council for its review and action. Decisions of the Graduate and Research Council regarding readmission are final and may not be appealed.

Upon a second suspension, students seeking readmission must follow the same procedure specified herein, except that the student will have been suspended from Graduate School for a minimum of one calendar year.

Academic Dismissal
Graduate students with two suspensions must maintain a minimum 3.00 GPA each semester for the remainder of their academic career or be dismissed from Graduate School. This dismissal is final and may not be appealed.

Care Policy
Persons seeking admission to the College of Graduate Studies who have not taken graduate courses for at least six years and who have grades of “D” or “F” in previous graduate courses may appeal to the graduate dean for consideration within the CARE (Credentials Analysis and Re-Evaluation) Policy. Appeals will be granted only in cases where special circumstances exist. Courses and grades will remain on the student’s transcript but the grades and hours earned will neither be calculated into the GPA nor counted as credit toward a graduate degree. Only one semester of graduate course work may be removed from the GPA calculation but all credit earned during that semester will be lost.

Student Due Process
Students have the right to due process. If a student believes their rights have been violated, he/she may appeal that perceived violation to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Judgments at the VPAA level will be made only in relationship to procedural matters. All decisions made by the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies or the Graduate and Research Council that are substantive in nature, are not subject to appeal at the level of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Research Requirements

Research Plans
To meet research literacy and writing requirements for a graduate degree, the student must select one of the following research plan options. All options are not necessarily available in each department. The Tennessee Conference of Graduate Schools’ Guide to the Preparation of Theses and Dissertations and current literary and/or research style manuals are to be used when completing the graduate research requirement. All students seeking a master’s degree must register for the appropriate research foundations course the first time it is offered, after they are admitted to the College of Graduate Studies.

Plan I (Demonstration of Research Literacy)
The student must complete a minimum of 32 hours, including the research foundations course (5000 – 3 hours). Some departments require a research literacy paper. Other departments administer a comprehensive examination. The penultimate draft of the research literacy paper must be approved by the student’s graduate committee chair or the instructor of the research course and be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies at least three weeks before the end of the semester in which the student expects to complete degree requirements. All final research literacy papers must be approved by the graduate dean and will be filed in the College of Graduate Studies office.

Plan II (Research Project)
The student must complete a minimum of 32 hours, including the research foundations course (5000-3 hours) and a research project paper. A research project proposal must be approved by the student’s graduate committee chair and the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies. The penultimate draft of the research project paper must be approved by the student’s graduate committee chair and be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies at least three weeks before the end of the semester in which the student expects to complete degree requirements. All final research project papers must be approved by the graduate dean and will be filed in the College of Graduate Studies office.

Plan III (Thesis)
The student must complete a minimum of 32 hours, including the research foundations course (5000-3 hours) and a three or six semester hour thesis. A thesis proposal must be approved by the student’s graduate committee and the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies. The penultimate draft of the thesis must be approved by the student’s graduate committee and be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies at least three weeks before the end of the semester in which the student expects to complete degree requirements. All final theses must be approved by the graduate dean. It is the student’s responsibility to duplicate four copies of the thesis. Information regarding the duplication and binding of theses is available in the College of Graduate Studies office.

Plan IV (Field Study Report)
The student must complete a minimum of 32 hours beyond a master’s degree, including a four-hour field study. A field study proposal must be approved by the student’s graduate committee chair and the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies. The penultimate draft of the field study report must be approved by the student’s graduate committee chair and be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies at least three weeks before the end of the semester in which the student expects to complete degree requirements. All final field study reports must be approved by the graduate dean. It is the student’s responsibility to duplicate four copies of the field study report. Information regarding the duplication and binding of field study reports is available in the College of Graduate Studies office.

Resarch Involving Humans and Animals
All research concerned with human subjects must be approved by the Austin Peay Institutional Review Board. Most departments with graduate programs have representatives on this review board. Forms for submitting human research proposals and guidance in their preparation are available in the Office of Grants and Sponsored Programs, located in Room 212 of the Browning Building.

All research involving animals must be approved by the University Animal Care and Use Committee. Departments that conduct animal research are represented on this committee. Forms for submitting animal research proposals and guidance in their preparation also are available in the Office of Grants and Sponsored Programs, located in Room 212 of the Browning Building.

Continued Enrollment to Complete Graduate Research Requirement
There will be an assessment of tuition and fees for the continued enrollment of those graduate students who have completed all course work, but not the research literacy component of their degree requirements. During a two-semester “grace period,” tuition and fees will be waived. Summer terms are not considered to be semesters. Beginning the third semester, students who have not completed their theses, field study reports, research project papers, or research literacy papers will be assessed tuition and fees for a one credit hour course each semester until completion of the requirement.

Residency, Candidacy, and Degree Completion

Residency for Academic Purposes
The graduate student must earn a minimum of 32 graduate hours to complete a program with at least 23 graduate hours earned at Austin Peay State University.

Residency for Fee Purposes
A student’s classification for fee purposes is made upon admission in accordance with Tennessee Board of Regents regulations. “IN STATE” fees are assessed to Tennessee residents classified “in state,” as well as military personnel, their spouses and dependents stations in Tennessee or at Fort Campbell, residents from the Kentucky counties of Christian, Logan, Todd or Trigg (within 30 miles of APSU), and part-time students employed full-time in Tennessee. Appeal of the student’s residency classification may be made before registration by completing the Application for Residency form and submitting it to the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies.

Admission to Candidacy
Students admitted to a degree-seeking program must complete the following prior to the completion of 15 semester hours of graduate credit.

1. Admission to Candidacy
2. Program of Study and Graduate Committee
3. Verification of Certification Status (for Education students only)

Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed) degree programs, with the exception of the Instruction Technology Specialization, require proof of teacher licensure. All Education Specialist degree programs (within Education), with the exception of Administration and Supervision Non-Licensure Specialization, also require proof of teacher licensure. A copy of a valid teaching license, if held, must be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies at the time admission to candidacy is sought. Students seeking a teaching license while pursuing the M.A.Ed degree must provide a copy of a valid license to the Office of the Registrar prior to the awarding of the master’s degree. The same is true for students pursuing the Ed.S. degree.

Candidacy packets are available from the College of Graduate Studies office and from academic departments. All forms must be approved by the student’s graduate committee, chair of the department, dean of the academic college and the graduate dean.

Transfer Credit
A maximum of nine hours credit earned at another regionally accredited graduate college of university may be accepted for transfer with written approval by the student’s graduate committee and the Dean of Graduate Studies. To be acceptable, this credit must fall within the time limit governing the completion of requirements for the degree and not be used for a previous degree.

Time Limit for Completing the Degree
The requirements for the degree must be completed within six calendar years from the date of initial enrollment in graduate courses at Austin Peay. This includes all required course work, research and comprehensive examinations. Appeals to extend time limit for completion of the degree are made in writing to the graduate dean for review by the Graduate and Research Council.

Earning a Second Masters Degree
A graduate student who has been awarded the Master of Science in Counseling and Guidance may receive the Master of Arts in Psychology by completing only those additional courses which are required for that major and recommended by their graduate committee. They may only utilize credit that is no more than six years old at the time of completion of the second degree.

Departmental Comprehensive Examination
During the last term in residence, or as otherwise specified, the candidate must pass a departmental oral and/or written comprehensive examination on all work used to meet the requirements for degree. The examination is a test of the candidate’s ability to integrate knowledge of the major and related fields, including material in the research literacy paper, research project paper, thesis or field study report. If the performance is unsatisfactory, the candidate may be reexamined after a minimum of three months and before a maximum of twelve months, unless otherwise approved by the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies. The result of the second examination will be final. Unanimous agreement by the student’s graduate committee is necessary for passing the examination.

Application for Degree and Commencement
Students must file formal written application for degree with the Office of the Registrar according to the published University Calendar during the term prior to the semester of completion. Applications for the degree will not be accepted from students who do not have at least a 3.0 GPA. All applicants for the degree must notify the Office of the Registrar in writing whether they will or will not participate in Commencement. Students currently enrolled in courses that are completed prior to graduate exercises or have only one course to complete in the Summer term are eligible to participate in the May Commencement.

After the application for degree is filed, the student’s record is audited against his/her Program of Study, the student will be notified by the Office of the Registrar of their graduation status.

Graduating with Honor
Graduate students who complete their degree with a minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.85 or higher will be awarded their degree “with honor.”