Academic Policies

Registration

The Office of the Registrar is the central administrative office responsible for registering students, maintaining the permanent academic records, administering the Regents’ Testing Program Policies and test registration, performing degree audits, enforcing the academic policies of the university and generally ensuring that students’ academic issues are dealt with accurately and professionally. In addition, the Registrar’s staff handles transfer evaluations and Veterans’ Affairs. Requests for data from the computerized student record system are approved by this office.

All registration at KSU is conducted over the web through Owl Express. There are two phases of registration at KSU:

• Early Registration: available to students who are currently enrolled and in good standing. These students are strongly encouraged to register within the Early Registration phase.
• Registration: available to new, readmitted, and all currently enrolled students.

A Drop/Add session is offered to all students eligible to enroll for the given semester. A Late Registration Fee of $100 is assessed to students registering during the Drop/Add period who have not previously registered for the semester. After each registration phase, fees must be paid to avoid cancellation of classes. Please refer to the Schedule of Classes located on the Registrar’s website at www.kennesaw.edu/registrar for specific instructions and dates. Undeclared majors must be advised by Student Success Services. Students who have been dismissed must remain out of school as indicated by the dismissal policy.

NOTE: See the academic calendar, which lists specific registration dates, at www.kennesaw.edu/registrar, or the Schedule of Courses.

Graduate Course Auditing Policy

Auditing of courses will be permitted for regularly enrolled graduate students, as well as on a space-available basis for those who hold a graduate degree from Kennesaw State. Auditing of courses is not allowed in the Coles Doctor of Business Administration, the Coles Executive MBA, the Master of Science in Conflict Management (MSCM), the Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS), the Master of Science in Applied Computer Science (MSACS) programs, or any of KSU’s Master of Education (M.Ed.) programs. Students must have completed all prerequisites necessary for the course to be audited and are expected to complete all course requirements as noted on the course syllabus. A student may audit no more than 6 credit hours of graduate course work in a given term.

The permission to audit form, available in the Office of the Registrar, must be submitted before the end of final registration. The form must be signed by the Graduate Program Director of the program offering the course to be audited. Audited courses count at full value in computing the student’s course and fees load. The student’s name will appear on the official class rolls of the courses audited, as well as the student’s approved schedule of courses. No credit is granted for audited courses, and students are not permitted to change to or from an auditing status except through the regular procedures for schedule changes.

The grade for auditing is “V” (visitor), and this grade will at no time be changed to a “W” on the basis of the auditor’s attendance in the course. The grade of “V” will have no effect upon the student’s grade-point average, and students will not be permitted to have the audit grade changed at any future date. Audited courses will not count toward degree completion for any of KSU’s graduate programs.

Full-Time Load

The basic unit of all college classes is the “semester credit hour.” The full-time load for a graduate student is 9 semester hours.

Candidacy

The minimum requirements for admission to candidacy in any degree program shall be the successful completion of 9 semester hours of graduate credit in a degree program at KSU with a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 and a grade of “C” or better in each course presented for candidacy. Individual degree programs may establish additional requirements for candidacy (e.g., interview or examination).

Residency Requirement

To receive a graduate degree from Kennesaw State University, a student must complete at least 27 semester hours of program requirements at KSU. All of these 27 hours must be completed after the student has been admitted to the degree program. Students in the MAcc or WebMBA must complete 24 hours.

Time Limit

All requirements for a master’s degree must be completed within six years, beginning with the first registration in graduate-level classes following admission to the degree program. Extension of time may be granted only on conditions beyond the student’s control. Only courses in which credit has been earned within six years of the date of graduation will be counted for degree credit.

Transfer Credit

Graduate work taken at other Commission of Colleges (COC) regionally accredited institutions must be evaluated and approved by the program director and/or graduate committee of the respective program in order to satisfy degree requirements at KSU. Such transfer credit cannot be for courses over five years old and must satisfy the six-year rule above to count towards degree credit; cannot exceed 9 semester hours (6 semester hours for the MAcc and the WebMBA), and cannot reduce residency requirements. No grade below B may be accepted. Transfer grades are not used in calculating semester, summer term, or cumulative grade-point averages. Individual degree programs may have additional specific requirements or limitations for transfer credit.

Refer to the program descriptions in this catalog for additional information.

Transfer credit is not permissible for any part of the Coles Executive MBA or the Master of Science in Conflict Management programs.

Cross Registration—Atlanta Regional Consortium for Higher Education (ARCHE)

Kennesaw State University is a member of the Atlanta Regional Consortium for Higher Education, an association of colleges and universities in the Atlanta area offering a combination of reciprocal academic services, such as cross registration, interlibrary loans and visiting scholars program.

The cross registration program is available to students officially enrolled in Atlanta Regional Consortium Institutions. This program is distinct from transient status in that it is possible for a student to register for an approved course at any of the 21 consortium schools and receive credit, while paying tuition costs to the home institution. The intent is to allow qualified students to take course work in their area of study that is not available on their own campus.

To be eligible to participate, the student must be in good standing and must have the recommendation of the faculty adviser or department chair at the home institution. Cross registration may be pursued only for courses not offered at the home institution for the given term and is not recommended for students in their last semester before graduation.

Students who wish to enroll in courses at member institutions of the Atlanta Regional Consortium should obtain a Cross-Registration form from the cross registration coordinator in the Office of the Registrar. Check with the coordinator for individual member college cross registration deadlines.

Member Colleges

Agnes Scott College
Atlanta College of Art
Brenau University
Clark Atlanta University
Clayton College & State University
Columbia Theological Seminary
Emory University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia State University
Institute of Paper Science and Technology
Interdenominational Theological Center
Kennesaw State University
Mercer University of Atlanta
Morehouse College
Morehouse School of Medicine
Morris Brown College
Oglethorpe University
Southern Polytechnic State University
Spelman College
State University of West Georgia
University of Georgia

Course Load

Full-time enrollment for graduate students is 9 semester hours. Graduate students in good standing may enroll for 12 semester hours in any semester. In order to enroll for more than 12 semester hours, students must obtain approval from their graduate program director.

Course Repetitions

Graduate students may repeat for credit no more than two graduate courses, one time each. Only courses in which students previously earned a grade below “B” may be retaken for credit. Students who have received 9 credit hours of grades below “B” are not eligible to retake a class and will be dismissed from further graduate study at Kennesaw State University.

All grades received for work attempted at KSU are calculated in the cumulative grade point average. Grades for repeated courses are considered as work attempted and do not replace grades already received. Individual degree programs may establish more stringent requirements. Students enrolled in KSU’s executive programs (Coles Executive MBA, MSCM, and MSACS) may not repeat courses for credit toward a degree.

Withdrawal from Courses

Students may withdraw from one or more courses any time before the last three weeks of the semester. To completely or partially withdraw from classes at KSU, a student must withdraw online at www.kennesaw.edu, under Owl Express, Registration and Student Records. Students who officially withdraw from courses before mid-semester will receive a “W” in those courses and receive no credit. They will not, however, suffer any academic penalty. Students who officially withdraw after mid-semester (and before the last three weeks of the semester) will receive a “WF,” which will be counted as an “F” in the calculation of their grade point average. Exact withdrawal dates will be published in the official academic calendar and are subject to approval by the Board of Regents. Students who simply stop attending classes without officially withdrawing usually are assigned failing grades.

The only exceptions to these withdrawal regulations will be for instances involving unusual circumstances that are fully documented.

Students will receive refunds only when they withdraw from all their classes and only by the schedule outlined in the University System refund policy.

IP (In Progress) Grade

In most graduate courses, the grades “A,” “B,” “C,” “F,” “I” (Incomplete), “W” (Withdrawal), and “WF” (Withdrawal with an “F”) are awarded. In some graduate courses, particularly thesis, dissertation, and project courses that are intended to last more than one semester and are not completed during the semester in which the student is first registered for the course, the notation “IP” (In Progress) is used. A student then has to pay to enroll for a specified number of hours in each consecutive semester in which work is still in progress. While the work is in progress, the instructor will report a grade of “IP” for these credit hours at the end of each term. Thesis, dissertation, and project course credit hours taken during the semester that the work is completed will be awarded a grade of “S” (satisfactory) or “U” (unsatisfactory). Grades of “IP,” “S,” or “U” shall not be computed in the student’s grade-point average.

Grading System

All graduate students are required to maintain a 3.0 grade-point average. The university is organized on the semester system, with two semesters extending 15 weeks (plus exams) and a summer term extending approximately eight weeks. The semester hour is the unit of credit in any course. The following grading system is used:

“I”: incomplete grade. The grade of “I ” will be awarded only when the student has done satisfactory work up to the last two weeks of the semester, but for nonacademic reasons beyond the student’s control, is unable to meet the full requirements of the course.

The grade of “I ” must be removed by the end of the next semester or term. The grade of “I” will not be included in the calculation of the student ’s scholastic average at the end of the semester in which the grade of “I” is received. Upon completion of the outstanding requirements within the specified time limit, a final grade of “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” will be assigned in the course on the basis of the student ’s total performance, and the grade will then be included in the calculation of the student’s cumulative grade point average. If the outstanding work is not completed by the end of the following semester or term, then the “I ” will be changed to an “F ” and calculated into the student ’s cumulative grade point average. An “I ” cannot be removed by reenrolling in the course.

“W”: indicates that the student was permitted to withdraw from the course without penalty with the approval of the program director and registrar within the first 28 working days (including registration days) of the semester. Withdrawals without penalty may be permitted after the official withdrawal period in hardship cases only with approval of the registrar. A course in which the grade of ”W’ has been assigned will not be included in calculating the student’s scholastic average.

“WF”: indicates that the student was permitted to withdraw from a course after the first 28 working days of the semester. The dropping of a course under these circumstances is equivalent to failure and will be included in the calculation
of the student’s scholastic average.

“S”: indicates that credit has been given for completion of degree requirements other than academic course work. The use of this grade is approved for thesis hours, student teaching, clinical practicum, internship and proficiency requirements in graduate programs.

“U”: indicates unsatisfactory performance or progress in an attempt to complete degree requirements other than academic course work. The use of this grade is approved for thesis hours, student teaching, clinical practicum, internship and proficiency requirements in graduate programs.

“V”: indicates that the student was given permission to audit the course and is not included in the calculation of the scholastic average. Students may not transfer from audit to credit status or vice versa.

Grade-Point Average

The grade-point average (GPA) is the average grade made by the student on all graduate course work for which he/she has enrolled. It is calculated by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the total number of semester hours attempted. Courses carrying “S,” “U,” “W,” or “I” grades are not included.

Grade Appeal Procedure

Any student has the right in any course of instruction to appeal a final grade in a course for either, or both (if both reasons are to be raised then the student must assert both from the initiation of the grade appeal) of the following reasons. (1) The student believes that the faculty member has violated his/her stated grading policy. (2) The student believes that his/her final grade in a course is unfair because of the faculty member’s discriminatory practice(s) or harassment on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, or national origin, or retaliation because of the student’s prior report of discrimination or harassment, or because of the student’s cooperation in any investigation. In such cases the following procedures will be applied. Each faculty member must specify his/her grading policy at the first of the semester. He/she may change his/her grading policy for cause after that time, but he/she must do so uniformly, with ample notification to students, if at all possible.

If a student intends to pursue a grade appeal based on the faculty member’s discriminatory practice(s)/harassment/retaliation but also wants to claim as an alternative that the faculty member violated his/her grading policy even if there may be no finding made of discriminatory practice/harassment/retaliation, then he/she should follow the procedure outlined in section II of these grade appeal procedures. This is called a combined grade appeal.

It is the student’s responsibility to prove his/her allegation. Any student grade appeal under these procedures will be successful only if the student provides sufficient evidence that the faculty member violated his/her stated grading policy or that the faculty member’s discriminatory/harassment/retaliatory practices occurred and affected the student’s final grade.

I. GRADE APPEAL PROCEDURE WHEN THERE IS AN ALLEGATION OF A VIOLATION OF STATED GRADING POLICY, BUT NO ALLEGATION OF DISCRIMINATORY OR RETALIATORY ACTION.

1. If a student believes that his/her final grade in a course violates the faculty member’s stated grading policy, he/she should first discuss the matter with the faculty member. If the student remains dissatisfied with his/her final course grade, he/she may immediately appeal to the faculty member’s immediate supervisor (usually the department chair) for discussion and possible resolution. If the faculty member is a chair then the immediate supervisor is the dean of the college. If the faculty member is a dean, then the immediate supervisor is the associate vpaa or dean of the graduate college (based on the undergraduate/graduate student status of the person who initiated the appeal).
2. If the student remains dissatisfied with his/her final course grade, he/she may file a written appeal (including supporting evidence or documents) with the immediate supervisor of the faculty member’s immediate supervisor (usually the dean of the appropriate college) within sixty days from the end of the semester in which the final course grade was assigned. If the faculty member is a chair then this would be the associate vpaa or dean of the graduate college (based on the undergraduate/graduate student status of the person who initiated the appeal). If the faculty member is a dean then this would be the provost/vpaa.
3. If the immediate supervisor of the faculty member’s immediate supervisor (see B. above) or his/her designee believes that the student has not shown that the faculty member violated his/her stated grading policies then he/she must so inform the student in writing within thirty days of his/her receipt of the student’s written appeal.
4. Alternatively, if the immediate supervisor of the faculty member’s immediate supervisor (see B. above) or his/her designee believes that the student may have reasonable cause for an appeal based on the issue of a violation of stated grading policies, then he/she must appoint a hearing committee consisting of three faculty/administrative faculty members and two students. The intent of the committee is to engage in fact-finding in order to resolve the issue. The committee selection process must begin within thirty days of his/her receipt of the student’s written appeal. The members of the committee should be selected in a manner determined by the immediate supervisor of the faculty member’s immediate supervisor (see B. above) or his/her designee.
5. The committee should meet and elect a chair from among the five members. The chair will conduct the committee meeting(s). The chair may participate in all deliberations, but will not vote except in the case of a tie.
6. The committee may draw up its own rules or procedure, and the committee is not bound by any formal rules of legal proceedings and may hear any information that may be of value in determining the issues involved.
7. Each party has the right to obtain a non-attorney advisor to assist him/her in the preparation and presentation of his/her case to the committee. The committee shall determine whether it meets with the parties, their respective advisers, and any witnesses in one meeting or in a series of meetings. The members of the committee shall decide who shall be present in any meeting of the committee with the understanding that whenever the student or faculty member is present his/her adviser has the right to be present also.
8. A hearing committee has the right to decline to make a decision in a case that a student presents to the committee, when it regards the complaint as frivolous and irresponsible on the basis of evidence that the student presents to the committee. Such a decision must be communicated in writing to both parties in the case, the immediate supervisor of the faculty member’s immediate supervisor (usually the dean, see B. above) or his/her designee and the immediate supervisor of the faculty member (usually the department chair, see A. above) within five business days from the committee’s decision. The chair of the hearing committee shall act to make certain the written report is delivered to the proper persons. In such circumstances, the committee may want to recommend that the student talk to one of the university counselors.
9. All decisions will be based only on the issue of whether the faculty member violated his/her grading policy (see A. above), be based on a majority vote, and be rendered according to the principle of the preponderance of evidence.
10. The hearing committee will be expected to produce a written report summarizing the testimony, indicating and explaining its decision, and making recommendations, if desirable, to either or both parties. Copies of the written report will be submitted to both parties in the case, the immediate supervisor of the faculty member’s immediate supervisor (usually the dean, see B. above) or his/her designee and the immediate supervisor of the faculty member (usually the department chair, see A. above) within five business days from the completion of the meeting(s). The chair of the hearing committee shall act to make certain the written report is delivered to the proper persons.
11. If, after the receipt of the committee’s report, or when no hearing committee is appointed, after the student receives the written decision of the immediate supervisor of the faculty member’s supervisor or his/her designee (usually the dean, see B. above), and the student remains dissatisfied with his/her final course grade, the student may file a final written appeal to the person at the next higher level of supervisory rank (usually the associate vpaa or dean of the graduate college or his/her designee based on the undergraduate/graduate status of the student who initiated the appeal). If the involved faculty member is a chair of the department then the next higher level of supervision is the provost/vpaa or his/her designee. If the involved faculty member is a dean then the next higher level of supervision is the president or his/her designee. The appeal must be made in writing within ten business days of the student’s receipt of the decision of the committee’s report, or when no hearing committee is appointed, after the student receives the written decision of the immediate supervisor of the faculty member’s immediate supervisor (see C. above). This is not a new hearing and the person at the next higher level of supervisory rank or his/her designee will issue a written decision based only on the written record to both parties in the case, the immediate supervisor of the faculty member’s supervisor, and the faculty member’s immediate supervisor within thirty days. His/her decision is final. No further appeals are available.
12. Nothing in this grade appeal process prohibits the parties from settling this matter at any stage with the assistance of mediation through the Office of University Ombuds (770-423-6112). Mediation may also address issues other than violation of stated grading policy. However, any attempt to settle the matter through mediation does not affect time deadlines for this grade appeal process.

II. GRADE APPEAL PROCEDURE WHEN THERE IS AN ALLEGATION OF DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICE(S)/RETALIATION, OR A COMBINED GRADE APPEAL.

1. If the student believes that his/her final grade in a course is detrimentally affected because of (1) discriminatory or harassing practice(s) on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, or national origin, or (2) retaliation by a faculty member because of the student’s prior report of discrimination or harassment, or because of the student’s cooperation in any investigation, he/she should first discuss the matter with the faculty member’s immediate supervisor (usually the chair of the faculty member’s department). If the faculty member is a chair then the immediate supervisor is the dean of the college, if the faculty member is a dean then the immediate supervisor is the associate vpaa or dean of the graduate college (based on the undergraduate/graduate student status of the person who initiated the appeal). The student should contact the Office of the University Ombuds (770-423-6112) to arrange a facilitated discussion (a neutral party would be present) if the student is not comfortable discussing the allegation with the faculty member’s immediate supervisor by himself/herself. The faculty member’s supervisor should notify the faculty member of the student’s allegation(s). The faculty member’s supervisor will render a decision concerning the grade and the discrimination/retaliation allegations. If this grade appeal also includes an allegation of a violation of stated grading policy, the faculty member’s immediate supervisor must address that issue as well.
2. If a student remains dissatisfied with his/her final course grade, he/she may file a written appeal (including supporting evidence or documents) within sixty days from the end of the semester in which the final course grade was assigned with the immediate supervisor of the faculty member’s immediate supervisor (usually the dean of the appropriate college). If the faculty member is a chair then this would be the associate vpaa or dean of the graduate college (based on the undergraduate/graduate student status of the person who initiated the appeal). If the faculty member is a dean then this would be the provost/vpaa.
3. The immediate supervisor of the faculty member’s immediate supervisor or his/her designee (usually the dean of the appropriate college, but see B. above) must then contact the KSU chief diversity officer (CDO) (678-797-2614) as soon as possible and share the student’s written grade appeal based on discrimination/harassment/retaliation with that office. The immediate supervisor of the faculty member’s immediate supervisor (usually the dean of the appropriate college, but see B. above) must then notify within one week of receiving the complaint in writing the faculty member and the faculty member’s immediate supervisor (usually the department chair, but see A. above) of the allegation of the grade appeal based on discrimination/harassment/retaliation and of the pending investigation.
4. The immediate supervisor of the faculty member’s immediate supervisor or designee (usually the dean of the appropriate college, but see B. above), in consultation with the chief diversity officer or designee, will conduct an investigation of the student’s allegation that his/her final grade in the course is unfair because of (1) discriminatory practice(s) or harassment based on race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, or national origin, or (2) retaliation by a faculty member because of the student’s prior report of discrimination or harassment, or because of the student’s cooperation in any investigation.
5. If after investigation, the immediate supervisor of the faculty member’s immediate supervisor or designee (usually the dean of the appropriate college, but see B. above) in consultation with the chief diversity officer or designee finds that the student does not have reasonable grounds for the complaint based on discriminatory (including harassing) or retaliatory conduct of the faculty member as reflected in the student’s final course grade, then he/she shall so notify the student, the faculty member, and the faculty member’s immediate supervisor in writing within sixty days of the receipt of the student’s written allegation. In that case, if the student is dissatisfied with the decision, he/she may choose to file a written appeal to the provost/vpaa or his/her designee. However, if the involved faculty member is a dean then the immediate supervisor of the faculty member’s immediate supervisor is the provost/vpaa and so in that case only, the final written appeal is to the president or his/her designee. The appeal must be made in writing within ten business days of the student’s receipt of the decision of the immediate supervisor of the faculty member’s immediate supervisor (usually the dean, but see B. above). This is not a new hearing and the provost/vpaa (or president when appropriate or his/her designee) will issue a written decision based only on the written record to both parties in the case, the immediate supervisor of the faculty member’s immediate supervisor, and the faculty member’s immediate supervisor within thirty days. If the grade appeal also includes an allegation of a violation of stated grading policy, the provost/vpaa (or president when appropriate) or designee must address that issue as well. The Office of Diversity shall retain all records associated with the complaint and the investigation for such length as required by the law.
6. If, after investigation and consultation with the chief diversity officer or designee, the immediate supervisor of the faculty member’s immediate supervisor or designee (usually the dean of the appropriate college, but see B. above) finds that the student may have reasonable cause for the complaint based on the claim of discriminatory (including harassing) or retaliatory conduct of the faculty member as reflected in the student’s course grade, he/she shall so notify the student, the faculty member, and the faculty member’s immediate supervisor in writing within sixty days of the receipt of the student’s written allegation. Additionally, the immediate supervisor of the immediate supervisor will contact the EEO Officer and provide the EEO’s office with a copy of his/her written decision and all other relevant evidence and materials. The EEO Officer will follow-up with further investigation if warranted and within one week of receiving the dean’s (but see B. above) written decision and all other relevant evidence and materials from the CDO’s office will contact the chair of the university council.
7. The chair of the council will be responsible for establishing an ad hoc committee of three faculty/administrative faculty and two students to hear the grade and discrimination/harassment/retaliation complaint and make recommendations. The names and contact information of the five members of the ad hoc committee shall be communicated by the chair of the university council to the EEO Officer or designee. If, as part of his/her complaint, the student also alleges that the faculty member has violated his/her stated grading policy, the ad hoc committee must hear and make recommendations on that issue concurrently.
8. Prior to the hearing the EEO officer or designee will arrange that the ad hoc committee shall meet and elect a chair from among the five members. The chair will conduct the hearing. The chair may participate in all deliberations, but will not vote except in the case of a tie.
9. The hearing committee may draw up its own rules of procedure, and the committee is not bound by any formal rules of legal proceedings and may hear any information that may be of value in determining the issues involved. But minimum due process shall include the right of both parties and the immediate supervisor of the faculty member to be notified in writing at least ten business days in advance of the date, time and place of the hearing; the right of the faculty member to be informed in writing of the specific nature of the complaint against him/her and of the evidence and/or witnesses on which it is based; and the right of both parties to present evidence and witnesses on their behalf and to question witnesses. The EEO Officer or designee shall act to make certain these due processes rights are met. The EEO Officer or designee will attend the hearing and may present any report created or evidence or information obtained during the investigation if requested to do so by either party or by the committee. The EEO Office shall retain all records associated with the complaint, the investigation, the hearing, the committee’s written report, and the president’s written decision for such length as required by the law.
10. Both the faculty member and the student have the right to a non-attorney adviser to assist in preparing and presenting his/her case before the committee. Those present during the hearing will be the members of the ad hoc committee, the EEO officer or designee, the parties to the complaint, one non-attorney adviser for each party, and such witnesses as are necessary. Each witness shall be present only when his/her presence is necessary to present information and/or answer questions. No other persons shall be present unless agreed upon in writing by the chair of the committee, both parties, and the EEO officer or designee.
11. All decisions and recommendations will be based on a majority vote, and be rendered according to the principle of the preponderance of evidence. Only the five members of the ad hoc committee should be present during deliberation. During deliberations should committee members require clarification related to policies and/or procedures, questions may be directed to any necessary person or office.
12. The hearing committee will be expected to produce a written report summarizing the information presented, indicating and explaining its decision, and making recommendations, if desirable, to either or both parties. Copies of the written report will be submitted to both parties in the case (student and faculty member), the faculty member’s immediate supervisor, the chief diversity officer, the EEO officer, the chief legal officer for the university, and the president of the university within five business days from the completion of the hearing. The chair of the hearing committee shall act to make certain the written report is delivered to the proper persons. The opinions and recommendations of the ad hoc committee are advisory and in no way bind the president to the recommended actions.
13. After consideration of the ad hoc committee’s written report, the president shall make a decision and communicate it in writing within five business days to the student, the faculty member, the faculty member’s immediate supervisor, the chief diversity officer, the EEO officer, the chief legal officer of the university, and the chair of the faculty member’s department. If the faculty member is the chair of the department it shall be communicated to the dean of the appropriate college. If the faculty member is a dean it shall be communicated to the provost/vpaa.
14. Should the aggrieved student remain dissatisfied with the president’s decision, further redress may be sought through internal channels by applying to the Board of Regents for a review of the decision, pursuant to the Bylaws of the Board of Regents, Article VIII. and section 407 of the BOR Policy Manual.
15. If the student has also included a grade appeal based on an allegation that the faculty member has violated his/her stated grading policies then the immediate supervisor of the faculty member’s immediate supervisor or designee (usually the dean of the appropriate college, but see B. above) may find that the student has reasonable cause for such an appeal even if the student does not have reasonable grounds for the complaint based on discrimination/harassment or retaliatory conduct of the faculty member (see F. above). If so, rather than the EEO officer or designee contacting the chair of the university council to establish an ad hoc committee, the immediate supervisor of the faculty member’s supervisor shall notify the student, the faculty member, and the faculty member’s immediate supervisor in writing within sixty days of the receipt of the student’s written allegation of reasonable cause for a violation of stated grading policy. Then the immediate supervisor of the faculty member’s supervisor shall follow the hearing committee process as set out in section I.D. through L. of the Grade Appeal Procedures guidelines (section I.) if the student does not choose to appeal the decision that he/she (the student) does not have reasonable grounds for the complaint based on discrimination/harassment or retaliatory conduct of the faculty member as reflected in the student’s final course grade to the vpaa/provost or his/her designee (or president if appropriate) within ten business days of the student’s receipt of the decision. If, instead, the student appeals the decision that he/she (the student) does not have reasonable grounds for the complaint based on discrimination/harassment or retaliatory conduct of the faculty member as reflected in the student’s final course grade to the vpaa/provost or designee (or president if appropriate), then the vpaa/provost or designee (or president if appropriate) must decide the appeal of both the discrimination/harassment/retaliation allegations and at the same time whether there was a violation of the stated grading policy. This is not a new hearing and the decision will be based only on the written record.
16. If any university administrator involved in resolving a grade appeal at any point in these Grade Appeal Procedures comes to believe that the student undertaking a grade appeal may have been subject to discriminatory action (including harassment) or retaliation, even though there was no impact on the student’s grade, then the administrator shall inform the student of the Student Grievance Procedures for Discrimination and/or Retaliation found under the heading of Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities in the KSU catalog. The grievance procedures outline the process for resolving a student allegation of discrimination (including harassment) and/or retaliation when the issue of a grade is not involved.
17. Nothing in this grade appeal process prohibits the parties from settling this matter at any stage with the assistance of mediation through the Office of the University Ombuds (770-423-6112, if appropriate. However, any attempt to settle the matter through mediation does not affect time deadlines for this grade appeal process.

Expectations for Satisfactory Graduate Level Student Performance

Graduate students are expected to earn grades of at least “B” in most of their course work for their degree. For graduation, a graduate student must have earned a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.0 in all graduate course work at Kennesaw State University and a grade of “C” or better in each course presented to meet degree requirements. (See Academic Regulations for non-degree students in the College of Education.)

Earning grades below “B” in graduate courses will result in the following consequences:

I. Academic Warning

Upon earning a grade lower than “B” in at least two credit hours of graduate course work, the student will receive a letter of warning and be advised of the consequence that will result if additional grades lower than “B” are earned in graduate courses at Kennesaw State University.

Upon earning a grade lower than “B” in at least six credit hours of graduate course work, the student will be given a letter of warning. Upon earning a grade lower than “B” in nine or more hours of graduate course work, the student will be dismissed from further graduate study at KSU and will not be eligible for readmission as a graduate student.

II. Academic Probation

Whenever a graduate student’s cumulative graduate grade-point average drops below 3.0, that student will be placed on academic probation and be advised of the significance and potential consequences of this action. While on probation, the student will not be permitted to apply for admission to candidacy, take comprehensive exams, or obtain a graduate degree. Graduate students can have their probationary status removed by raising their cumulative grade-point average to at least 3.0.

III. Academic Exclusion

If a graduate student earns nine credit hours of grades below “B” in graduate course work, or if a graduate student on probation earns a semester or summer grade-point average below 3.0, that student will be dismissed from further graduate study at KSU and will not be eligible for readmission as a graduate student. Individual graduate programs may have additional grading policies. Please see specific graduate program section of the catalog for additional information on grade expectations.

A student who wishes to appeal after the first exclusion must submit a letter describing the situation and stating the reasons for requesting the appeal to the appropriate graduate program director who will forward his/her recommendation to the dean of graduate college. The dean of graduate college will then notify the appropriate graduate program director, the office of the registrar and the student of his/her decision. The decision of the dean of graduate college is final and students may not appeal a second exclusion.

Graduation Requirements

Each candidate for a master’s or doctoral degree must petition to graduate through the individual program. A student may request in absentia status by writing to the registrar prior to the graduation exercises.

Subject to the limitations and qualifications stated elsewhere in this catalog, the requirements for an advanced degree are as follows:

1. A Petition to Graduate will be accepted and may be filed during the semester preceding the final semester or summer term of enrollment but must be filed before the end of the first week of his/her final semester. This form may be obtained from the program director’s office.
2. A student must complete a minimum of 27 hours of degree requirements at Kennesaw State University. Candidates for a second master’s degree at Kennesaw State must earn a minimum of 18 additional hours in excess of any hours used toward the first master’s degree (the exact number of hours will depend on specific degree requirements).
3. Degree candidates must have earned a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 calculated on all graduate courses attempted at KSU and a grade of “C” or better in each course presented to meet degree requirements. With the approval of the Graduate Policy and Curriculum Committee, individual degree programs may establish additional graduation requirements (e.g., comprehensive exams, thesis).

Double Majors and Concentrations in a Single Degree Program

In graduate programs with specific concentrations or majors (the MAPW, MPA, and MSIS programs), a student may qualify for an additional major or concentration (within the specified graduate program) by completing a minimum of 12 additional hours of appropriate course work beyond that required for the original concentration or major and by completing any special requirements of that major or concentration.

The earning of a second concentration or major will be confirmed by the Office of the Registrar, upon written request by the student, and only if the additional courses are completed before any of the student’s graduate credits will be more than six years old. Double Major/Concentration Request Forms are available from the program director. The grades in the additional hours must not cause the student’s grade point average to fall below a 3.0. All grades must be “C” or higher.

Multiple Graduate Degrees

A student may earn a particular master’s degree at Kennesaw State only once. If a student wishes to complete a second master’s degree program, he or she must meet all admission requirements in effect for the second degree and thereafter fulfill all requirements for the second master’s degree. Along with other requirements as specified by the degree program, the student must complete a minimum of 18 hours of appropriate course work beyond that required for the original masters degree (the exact number of hours will depend on specific degree requirements). Expectations for Satisfactory Graduate Level Student Performance, as outlined above, apply to all second master’s degree students. Students who have completed a master’s degree elsewhere must meet all admission requirements in effect for the second master’s degree at Kennesaw State and thereafter fulfill all requirements for the second master’s degree. The student must also meet the 27-hour minimum residence requirement at Kennesaw State with appropriate grades and course work. MAcc and WebMBA students must complete 24 hours to meet the residence requirement.

Each candidate for a second master’s degree must apply for graduation. A student may request in absentia status by writing to the registrar prior to graduation exercises. An application for graduation will be accepted and may be filed during the semester preceding the final semester or summer term of enrollment but must be filed before the end of the first week of his/her final semester. This form may be obtained from the program director ’s office.

Academic Fresh Start for Readmission

A currently enrolled student who has been previously enrolled in a graduate program at KSU, who discontinued graduate college for at least six years, may petition in the Office of the Registrar for a onetime “academic fresh start” upon admission or readmission to a graduate program. The student’s adjusted grade point average will be readjusted after the end of the semester in which the petition was approved retroactive to the readmission term. Although the student’s transcript will retain all previous graduate course attempts and grades, only courses completed and grades received after readmission will be considered in the final degree audit. In addition, only grades received after readmission will be considered in decisions regarding academic warning, probation, and dismissal.

Academic Fresh Start for Second Degree

A student who returns to KSU for a second graduate degree may request that the Adjusted GPA (AGPA) restarted at the time of re-entry. In order to restart the AGPA, students must petition the Office of the Registrar.

KSU Telecommunication Policies

The rules for use of all telecommunications equipment, including telephones, computers and FAX equipment, are found the KSU Web site at http://www.kennesaw.edu/resources/policy.shtml or they can be reached from the KSU Intranet Home Page by choosing the topic Telecommunications Policies from the Technology Resources section.

Use of any of these facilities implies an understanding of and compliance with these policies.

Additional Academic Regulations

Individual degree programs may impose additional academic regulations. Consult with the program director, department head or advisor for this information.