Academic Requirements

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It is the responsibility of all Macon State College students to read, understand, and observe the rules and regulations of the College as published in the Catalog and in other official announcements. The College reserves the right to change at any time any regulations and requirements as necessitated by the College or by the University System of Georgia.

Academic Advising

• New students are assigned to the academic divisions or to the Academic Advising Center for advising. The Admissions Office will notify new and transfer students where they should be advised. Students should make an appointment for an advising session to discuss programs of study, selection of courses, academic plans, and other topics related to academic achievement.
• Although advisors are available, students are responsible for knowing and fulfilling all graduation requirements.

Academic Credit

Academic credit is the number of hours which students earn by taking courses. These hours count toward the students’ graduation requirements.
Learning Support courses do not have academic credit.

Academic Recognitions

• President’s List: A student who earns an institutional grade point average of 3.80 or above on an academic load of at least nine semester hours in any one semester will be placed on the President’s List for the following semester provided the student has a cumulative institutional academic grade point average of 3.00 or higher and no outstanding “I” grades for the semester. No student with an institutional average (including Learning Support grades) of less than 3.50 for the semester will be eligible.
• Dean’s List: A student who earns an institutional grade point average of 3.50 or above on an academic load of at least nine semester hours in any one semester will be placed on the Dean’s List for the following semester provided the student has a cumulative institutional academic grade point average of 2.50 or higher and no outstanding “I” grades for the semester. No student with an institutional average (including Learning Support grades) of less than 3.30 for the semester will be eligible.
• President’s Scholar: Students who complete the associate or baccalaureate degree program provided they have a cumulative institutional academic grade point average of 3.80 or above will be designated President’s Scholars and will graduate with high honors.
• Dean’s Scholar: Students who complete the associate or baccalaureate degree program with a cumulative institutional academic grade point average of 3.50 or above will be designated Dean’s Scholars and will graduate with honors.
• Graduation with Honors: Scholastic recognition at graduation will be given to all baccalaureate students who complete at least 60 semester hours of course work at Macon State College and who earn a cumulative institutional GPA of at least 3.50. Credit by examination, credit by validation, CLEP credit, AP credit, and courses specifically excluded by College policy cannot be used to meet the hours requirement for graduation with honors.
• Honors Program Graduate: Students who complete the Honors Program will receive a certificate. All graduating students who have completed the Honors Program at the associate or baccalaureate degree level at Macon State College and who also have a cumulative institutional GPA of at least 3.50 will be designated an “Honors Program Graduate” and accorded the privilege of wearing an Honors Program medallion at the graduation ceremony. The designation “Honors Program Graduate” will be placed on the permanent academic record.

Academic Record

The academic records of students are maintained in the Registrar’s Office. The records include a chronological listing of all courses taken and the cumulative GPA.

Academic Renewal Policy

The Academic Renewal policy allows University System of Georgia degree seeking students who have experienced academic difficulty at an institution to have one opportunity to make a fresh start at that same institution after an absence of five calendar years from any postsecondary institution. Students can be granted Academic Renewal only once. A student who has been suspended/dismissed from a System institution and has attended one or more System institutions during the period of suspension/dismissal will not be eligible for academic renewal.

All previously attempted coursework remains on the student’s official transcript. The Board of Regents’ cumulative grade point average, CGPA, that includes all credit courses taken, excluding Learning Support courses, and an Academic Renewal Grade Point Average (AR-GPA) must be shown on each Academic Renewal student’s academic record.

Students must apply for Academic Renewal in the Office of the Registrar. Academic Renewal will be granted upon application by the student if the student is eligible.

An Academic Renewal Grade Point Average (AR-GPA) is begun when the student resumes taking coursework following the five-year period of absence once Academic Renewal has been granted. Macon State College will place a statement on the student’s transcript indicating the Academic Renewal status and the beginning of a separate CGPA. (The Academic Renewal GPA will replace the institutional GPA for those students who are granted Academic Renewal.)

The Academic Renewal GPA will be used for determining academic standing and eligibility for graduation. At least 50% of work toward a degree must be completed after the granting of Academic Renewal status for a student to be eligible for honors at graduation.

Academic credit for previously completed coursework, including transfer course work, will be retained only for courses in which an A, B, C, or K grade has been earned. Credit for D grades will be forfeited. Retained grades are not calculated in the Academic Renewal GPA but are counted in the Academic Renewal Hours Earned. Further, all remaining courses for the current degree objective must be completed at the Academic Renewal institution, i.e., no transient credit will be accepted.

To earn an associate degree, students must fulfill Macon State College’s residency requirement of 20 semester hours. To earn a baccalaureate degree, students must fulfill Macon State College’s residency requirement of 30 semester hours, including 21 hours in upper division courses in the major area. The retained hours earned prior to Academic Renewal (i.e., A, B, C grades) will not apply toward the residency requirement.

Any scholastic suspensions that occurred in the past will remain recorded on the student’s academic record.

If a student does not request Academic Renewal status at the time of reenrollment after a five-year or greater period of absence from any postsecondary institution, the student may do so within two academic semesters of re-enrollment or within one calendar year, whichever comes first.

A student who has not been suspended/dismissed from a system institution but who has been absent from that institution five years or more and who has attended a school other than that institution may choose only one of the following options:

1. A student may return to the same institution subject to all relevant transfer and re-entry policies. No renewal GPA is calculated and transfer credit will be granted for applicable courses taken during the absence.
2. A student may apply for Academic Renewal. If Academic Renewal status is approved, no transfer credit will be granted for coursework completed during the absence.

The Academic Renewal GPA begins with the first term following reenrollment.

Reentry into any program is not automatic.

The granting of Academic Renewal does not supersede financial aid policies regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Once granted Academic Renewal, students must complete twelve semester hours of academic courses for an associate degree (in the specific program’s core curriculum) at Macon State College with a 2.00 or higher GPA before being considered for admission to a specific allied health program.

Academic Standing

• Grade Point Average
  
  Students are expected to make reasonable academic progress; therefore, students must maintain the following Institutional Grade Point Averages:

Status	Required Grade Point Average
Freshman (1-29 semester hours) Sophomore (30-59 semester hours) Junior (60-89 semester hours) Senior (90 and above semester hours)	1.50 1.80 1.90 2.00

• Academic Probation
  When a student fails to maintain a sufficient Grade Point Average, the student’s status changes from Good Standing to Academic Probation. The student’s Grade Point Average must then be brought up to the Required GPA (as listed above) by the next semester in order to avoid Academic Dismissal. Students will receive notification of their Academic Probation through the grade mailer sent by the Registrar’s Office at the end of the term.
• Academic Dismissal
  When a student fails to maintain a sufficient Grade Point Average after having been placed on Academic Probation, the student will be dismissed from the College. The first dismissal is for one term. The subsequent dismissal is for one year. Students will receive notification of their Academic Dismissal through the grade mailer sent by the Registrar’s Office at the end of the term.

Add/Drop

Students are allowed to add or drop a class during the published add/drop period. Students without HOLDS may add or drop a class online through their Banner Web account. Otherwise they should see their advisor to make a change or submit a Change of Schedule (Add/Drop Form) in person to the Registrar’s Office on the Macon Campus or the administrative offices at the Warner Robins Campus or the Robins Resident Center during the specified Add/Drop period.

• Students with holds cannot add or drop a class online.
• Students in Learning Support must maintain enrollment in at least one Learning Support class unless they are withdrawing from the College.
• If students drop a class during the add/drop period, no entry of the course is made on the student’s record.
• If students drop a class after the add/drop period has ended or on or before mid-term, the course is entered on the student’s academic record with a grade of W (withdrawal without penalty).
• If students drop classes after mid-term, a grade of WF (withdrawal with penalty) is assigned. A grade of WF is computed the same as an F in the Grade Point Average.
• Students will not be allowed to drop classes during the last two weeks of class.
• The official date a class is dropped is the date on which students properly execute the drop procedure online (only if the student has no HOLDS) or in the Office of the Registrar, the main office at the Warner Robins Campus, or the main office at the Robins Resident Center.
• Students who have a College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) requirement are not permitted to drop a CPC required class if they have exceeded 30 earned hours unless they are withdrawing from all classes for all sessions during the semester.

Attendance Policy

The classroom experience is a vital part of college education. Interaction with instructors and other students is an important element of the learning process. Students are expected to attend all class sessions. Students whose number of absences is more than twice the number of class meetings per week may be assigned a failing grade for the course at the discretion of the instructor. Students who have more absences than the number of class meetings per week but less than twice the number of class meetings per week may be penalized at the discretion of the instructor. Students who have absences which are less than or equal to the number of class meetings per week will not be penalized.

Faculty will include information about absences and penalties in their syllabi at the beginning of every semester. Faculty are expected to maintain an attendance record for all their classes.

Auditing

Students may register for and attend a class without being responsible for the work required in the course. No credit is given, but tuition must be paid. Students who audit a course may not subsequently register for credit in that course nor apply for credit by examination during another term. A grade of V appears on the transcript.

Computer and Network Usage Policy

Authorized users may use College computing facilities and resources, including transmission over the College network, for scholarly purposes, for official College business, and for personal purposes so long as such use:

• Does not violate any law or College policy
• Does not involves significant use of College resources, direct costs, or substantial interference with the performance of College duties, work, or data communications networks
• Does not result in commercial gain or private profit

With the exception of individuals authorized by the College to perform system and computer maintenance, users may not allow any other person to use their passwords or to share their accounts. It is the user’s responsibility to protect the account from unauthorized use by following security procedures established by Technology Support Services (TSS) and the Computer Services unit.

Any attempt by any person or group to circumvent system security, guess passwords, or in any way gain unauthorized access to local or network resources is forbidden. Users may not access another person’s computing account, attempt to forge an account, or use a false account or e-mail address.

Transferring copyrighted materials to or from any system or via the College network without express consent of the owner may be a violation of federal law and/or state law.

It is forbidden to use electronic mail or other network communications facilities to harass, offend, or annoy other users, including impeding their computing systems, software, or data.

Each user of College resources is encouraged to report violations of College policies to College unit representatives on duty, appropriate faculty or staff, or the Office of Technology Support personnel. The TSS telephone number is 757-2634. Technical support can be requested online at www.maconstate.edu/technology/help.asp.

Certificate Programs

Admission Requirements for Certificate Programs

In order to be considered for admission to certificate programs offered by Macon State College through the Institute for Business and Information Management, applicants must:

1. be admitted to Macon State College
2. be in “good academic standing” with the College
3. have satisfied Learning Support requirements in English, mathematics, and reading (unless exempted)
4. meet any additional requirements established for entry into specific certificate programs
5. submit an application form to the Institute for Business and Information Management.

Students transferring to Macon State College from other institutions must meet all criteria for admission to certificate programs as outlined above and are subject to the College’s transfer credit policies.

Certificate Requirements

• Restriction
  Except where noted, students who have fulfilled the requirements for a degree may not apply major area credits used for the degree toward fulfillment of certificate requirements.
• Application for Award of a Certificate
  Students should file an application for a certificate in the Office of the Registrar at least one semester before they expect to complete certificate requirements. An application fee must be paid in the Business Office before filing the application in the Office of the Registrar. Students who do not complete their requirements for the certificate must file a new application for certificate if they expect to complete certificate requirements during a subsequent semester.
• Choice of Catalog
  Effective Fall 2007, a student must 1) meet graduation requirements using the catalog in effect at the time the student entered Macon State College, provided the catalog is not more than five years old as of the semester the student plans to graduate, OR 2) meet graduation requirements using the catalog in effect during the semester the student plans to graduate.
• Residence Hour Requirement
  Applicants for certificates requiring 30 semester hours must be residents at Macon State College for at least two semesters and earn the last 18 semester hours of work applicable to the certificate at this College. Applicants for certificates requiring 15 semester hours of work must complete the last 9 semester hours of work applicable to the certificate at this College. Credit earned via examination cannot be applied to, or included in, the required number of residence hours.
• Quality Point Requirements
  Students must earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 on all courses used to meet graduation requirements and a minimum cumulative GPA of 1.80.
• Credit Allowances for Certificate-Seeking Students

1. Students enrolled in a certificate program requiring completion of 30 semester hours may apply up to 12 hours of other undergraduate or graduate coursework toward meeting certificate requirements as long as the restriction above applies. That is, students may not use major area credits to fulfill certificate requirements.
2. Students in 30-hour certificate programs who choose to earn credit by examination may earn up to 12 hours of credit through passing CLEP or departmental examinations in areas where such examinations exist.
3. Students in certificate programs requiring completion of 15 semester hours may apply for up to 6 hours of other undergraduate or graduate coursework toward meeting certificate requirements as long as the restriction above applies. That is, students may not use major area credits to fulfill certificate requirements.
4. Students in certificate programs requiring completion of 15 semester hours may choose to earn up to 6 semester hours of credit by examination through passing CLEP or departmental examinations in areas where such examinations exist.

Students transferring to Macon State College from other schools must meet all criteria for admission to certificate programs as outlined above and are subject to stated transfer credit policies.

Cooperative Education Program

In order to promote, encourage, and improve the education of students in cooperation with industry, business, and government agencies, Macon State College offers qualified students the opportunity to participate in the Cooperative Education Program. Cooperative education is an academic program in which students alternate periods of full-time study with periods of full-time employment. The program offers work that is related to the student’s academic major or career interests, thus greatly enhancing the student’s employment prospects after graduation from MSC. The prospective employer and Internship/Co-op Coordinator must approve the student co-op prior to registration for the program.

Further information is available at the Career Center in SLC-230, by calling (478) 471-2714, or by visiting the website at www.maconstate.edu/careercenter/.

Core Curriculum

This is an established set of courses that all students in the University System of Georgia pursue during their first two years. More information about the core curriculum is available in this catalog in the Transfer Program.

Corequisite

This is a course which must be taken at the same time as another course.

Course Load Status

To graduate in two years with an associate degree or in four years with a baccalaureate degree:

• Students must carry an average class load of fifteen to seventeen semester hours.
• Students carrying twelve or more semester hours are considered full-time.
• A load in excess of seventeen hours must be approved by the students’ advisors and division chairs.
• A load of twenty or more semester hours also must be approved by the Office of Academic Affairs.

Course Numbering

0000-0999 Learning Support courses
1000-1999 Freshman level courses
2000-2999 Sophomore level courses
3000-3999 Junior level courses
4000-4999 Senior level courses

Credit by Examination

Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board
Students may apply for Advanced Placement Program credit only after being accepted and enrolled by Macon State College.

• When Advanced Placement Program credit is awarded, a grade of K will be recorded on the permanent academic record.
• No more than 40 semester hours of credit may be earned by examination (inclusive of CLEP and departmental exams).
• Credit will be awarded for scores of 3, 4, or 5 on tests of Advanced Placement Programs comparable to college courses.

Advanced Placement Examination	Score	Equivalency	Credit Hours
Art/History of Art	3-4-5	ARTH 2145	3
Art/Studio (Drawing or General Portfolio)	3-4-5	ARTS 1341	3
	4-5	ARTS 1342	3
Biology	3	BIOL 2107K	4
	4-5	BIOL 2107K-2108K	8
Calculus AB	3-4-5	MATH 1251	3
Calculus BC	3-4-5	MATH 1251	3
	3-4-5	MATH 1252	3
Chemistry	3-4-5	CHEM 1211L	4
	4-5	CHEM 1212L	4
Computer Science A	3-4-5	CPSC 1301	3
Computer Science AB	3-4-5	CPSC 1301	3
Economics/Macroeconomics	3-4-5	ECON 2105	3
Economics/Microeconomics	3-4-5	ECON 2106	3
English/Language and Composition	3-4-5	ENGL 1101	3
English/Literature and Composition	3-4-5	ENGL 1101	3
	4-5	ENGL 1102	3
Environmental Science	3-4-5	SCIE 2154	3
French Language	3-4-5	FREN 1001	3
		FREN 1002	3
French Literature	3-4-5	FREN 2001	3
	4-5	FREN 2002	3
German Language	3-4-5	Humanities Elective	3
Government and Politics/Comparative	3-4-5	POLS 2301	3
Government and Politics/U.S.*	3-4-5	POLS 1101*	3
History/European	3-4-5	Social Sciences Elective	3
History/U.S.*	3-4-5	HIST 2111*	3
	4-5	HIST 2112*	3
History/World	3-4-5	HIST 1111	3
	4-5	HIST 1112	3
Human Geography	3-4-5	Social Sciences Elective	3
Latin/Literature	3-4-5	Humanities Elective	3
Latin/Virgil	3-4-5	Humanities Elective	3
Music Theory	3-4-5	MUSI 1211	2
	3-4-5	MUSI 1212	2
Physics B	3-4-5	PHYS 1111L	4
	4-5	PHYS 1112L	4
Physics C (Mechanics)	3-4-5	PHYS 1111L	4
	4-5	PHYS 1112L	4
Physics C (Elect. & Magn.)	3-4-5	PHYS 1111L	4
	4-5	PHYS 1112L	4
Psychology	3-4-5	PSYC 1101	3
Spanish Language	3-4-5	SPAN 1102	3
Spanish Literature	3-4-5	SPAN 2001	3
	4-5	SPAN 2002	3
Statistics	3-4-5	MATH 1200	3

* In addition, an exam is required to satisfy state legislative requirements.

Advanced Standing by Examination

1. Students may apply for advanced credit examination only after being accepted and enrolled by Macon State College.
2. A grade of “K” (denoting credit by examination) for credit granted by individual examination will be recorded on the student’s academic record after the student has enrolled.
3. No more than 40 semester hours of credit may be earned by examination (including CLEP, AP, DANTES, and departmental credit exams).
4. Credit by examination may not be received for a course in which the student has previously enrolled.
5. An advanced credit examination, CLEP, DANTES, or departmental may not be retaken in order to earn credit.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) “Subject Examination” and the courses for which they are the equivalent are listed below.

MSC Course	Credit Hours	CLEP Tests	Scores
Accounting 2101, 2102	6	Financial Accounting	50
Biology 1001K, 1002K	8	Biology	50
Chemistry 1211K, 1212K	8	General Chemistry	50
Economics 2105	3	Prin. of Macroeconomics	50
Economics 2106	3	Prin. of Microeconomics	50
English 1101*	3	English Composition*	50
English 2131, 2132	6	American Literature	50
French 1001, 1002	6	College French, Level I	50
French 2001, 2002	6	College French, Level II	62
History 1111, 1112	6	Western Civilization	50
History 2111**	3	History of the U.S. I**	50
History 2112**	3	History of the U.S. II**	50
Math 1111	3	College Algebra	50
Math 1113	3	Trigonometry	50
Math 1251	4	Calculus	50
Political Science 1101**	3	American Government**	50
Psychology 1101	3	General Psychology	50
Psychology 2103	3	Human Gro. & Develop	50
Sociology 1101	3	Intro to Sociology	50
Spanish 1001, 1002	6	College Spanish, Level I	50
Spanish 2001, 2002	6	College Spanish, Level II	63

* Before taking CLEP or DANTES, students must contact the Chair of the Humanities Department.
** In addition, an exam is required to satisfy state legislative requirements.

DANTES “Subject Examinations” and the courses for which they are the equivalent are listed below.

MSC Course	Credit Hours	DSST	Scores
Education 2403	3	Foundations of Education	46
Psychology 2103	3	Lifespan Developmental Psych.	46
Anthropology 1102	3	General Chemistry	47
Criminal Justice 1100	3	Intro to Law Enforcement	45
Communications 1110*	3	Principles of Public Speaking	47
Finance 3131	3	Principles of Finance	46
Accounting 2101	3	Principles of Financial Acct.	49
Business 4135	3	Business Law II	52
Business 2201	3	Introduction to Computing	45
Economics 999U	3	Money and Banking	48
Mathematics 1111	3	Fundamentals of College Algebra	47
Mathematics 1200	3	Principles of Statistics	48

* Before taking CLEP or DANTES, students must contact the Chair of the Humanities Department.

Students must register for the CLEP and DANTES examinations with the Academic Testing Center in the Student Life Center. Fees for the examinations are the responsibility of the student. Students desiring credit for a CLEP Examination not listed in the catalog may petition the Office of Academic Affairs.

Courses for which there are no CLEP examinations may be exempted by departmental credit examinations when examinations approved by the Chair or Dean and the Vice President for Academic Affairs are available. Interested students should apply to the appropriate Chair or Dean to see if there is an approved examination. Students must pay a fee to the Business Office, where they will get a receipt and a “Credit Examination Notice” card stamped as paid. The stamped card must be presented to the Chair or Dean before the test. If students pass a departmental exam, their cards will be signed by the Chair or Dean and submitted to the Office of the Registrar. If students fail a departmental exam, the Chair or Dean will file their cards to indicate that those students are ineligible to take a second exam on the same subject.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit Policies

Macon State College recognizes and awards academic credit to International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma holders in accordance with the following credit schema. Bother Higher level course assessments and Standard level course assessments are considered for academic credit in cases where the student has been awarded the IB diploma.

Semester Credit Awarded for IB Diploma Holders

Assessment Score	Standard Level Course	Higher Level Course
4	No Credit	3-4 semester hours*
5	0-4 semester hours*	3-8 semester hours*
6-7	3-8 semester hours*	3-12 semester hours*

*Variable credit hour allowances are provided to account for labs and for the depth of material covered in the individual subject area.

The maximum number of credit hours that may be awarded for IB course assessments is 24 semester hours.

Higher level IB coursework and assessment scores will be considered for academic credit for both IB diploma completers and for IB students awarded a certificate of completion in a particular subject area.

Standard level IB coursework and assessment scores will not be considered for college credit unless the student holds and IB Diploma.

For additional information regarding specific IB course equivalencies, please contact the Registrar’s Office at 478-471-2853.

Early Registration

A period of registration prior to regular registration which is available to currently enrolled and re-admitted former students.

Elective

These courses are related to the curriculum in a major program or count as general credit toward a degree.

Full-Time Status

The enrollment status of students who are taking twelve or more credit hours in a semester.

Grades

• Grade Appeals
  • Grade Appeal Policy
    In reviewing appeals relating to the receipt of grades, the process will be concerned entirely with alleged violations of institutional policy or procedure rather than with content or with matters of the instructor’s judgment.
    
    When a student believes that an instructor has not followed proper procedure in the classroom (e.g.: failure to follow stated grading policy or other procedures and objectives as outlined in the syllabus) and if the student wishes to appeal, the student should adhere to the following procedure:
     
  1. The student will discuss the matter with the course instructor within ten working days of the receipt of the grade. (If the student is unable to contact the instructor, the student should seek the aid of the chair of the appropriate department or dean of the School if there is no department chair.) The student will provide the instructor with a written statement that expresses the concern in very specific terms within ten working days of the discussion with the instructor. The instructor will respond in writing to the student within ten working days. A copy of this communication will also be forwarded to the chair or dean with a copy of the student’s original written inquiry.
  2. If the matter is not resolved between the instructor and the student, the student will appeal to the chair, or dean if there is no department chair, within ten working days of receiving the instructor’s written response. The chair or dean will attempt to resolve the issue and will give the student a written response within ten working days of receipt of the communication from the student and the faculty member. If there is both a chair and a dean in the academic unit and the matter is not resolved at the department level, the student will need to appeal to the dean of the School within five working days of receipt of the response of the department chair. The dean will provide a written response to the student within ten working days after receipt of the communication from the student, the instructor, and the department chair.
  3. If the matter cannot be resolved at the School level, the student should complete a Petition Form (available in the Office of Academic Affairs and also online) and submit it to the Office of Academic Affairs within ten working days after receipt of the dean or chair’s response. All documentation, the student’s inquiry, the instructor’s response, and the dean or chair’s response will be submitted along with the Petition Form.
  4. The VPAA will appoint a three-member panel selected from the associate vice presidents and the deans or chairs (excluding the academic unit from which the appeal originated).
  5. The panel will determine if there is just cause for further appeal. If there is just cause, the panel will collect information concerning the appeal by research and interview. All information so gathered should remain completely confidential.
  6. After gathering the relevant information, the panel will make a recommendation to the VPAA who will decide whether the appeal has merit and if any further action should be taken. The VPAA may approve or deny the appeal.
  7. The instructor, the dean or chair, and the student will be informed in writing of the result of the appeal.
  8. If there is further appeal, the student should complete another Petition Form (available in the Office of Academic Affairs and also online) and submit it along with a copy of all documentation, the student’s inquiry, the instructor’s response, the dean or chair’s response, and the VPAA’s response to the President of the College. The President will make the final decision. There is no further appeal at the institution.
      
  • WF Grade Appeal
    After officially dropping a course or withdrawing from the College after midterm, if a student wishes to appeal the WF grade because of hardships or non-academic circumstances beyond his or her control, the student must:
    1. Obtain and complete an Appeal of WF Grade Form from the Registrar’s Office or the Office of Academic Affairs.
    2. Attach documentation which supports the reason for withdrawing.
    3. Submit the completed form and supporting documentation to the Office of Academic Affairs within five days of withdrawing.

Appeals of WF grades because of academic difficulty are not permitted. 

• Grade Point Average (GPA)
  Academic Standing is based on this average. The GPA is calculated by dividing the total number of academic credit hour quality points a student has earned by the total number of academic credit hours the student has attempted. (See Academic Standing for further information).
• Grade Reports
  Final grades are available to students through Banner Web, the Macon State College online registration system at www.maconstate.edu.
• Grade Symbols
  The following grade symbols are used but are not included in computing the grade point average:

I -		An I stands for an Incomplete and indicates that the student for non-academic reasons was unable to complete the requirements for a course. The instructor of the course and the student are to arrange for the course’s completion before the midterm of the next semester the student is enrolled or by the end of one calendar year if the student is not enrolled. If the I is not removed in the defined time period, a grade of F is assigned to the course;
IP -		This indicates that the student has made progress in a Learning Support course; but the student has not exited Learning Support and is required to enroll in that course the next semester of enrollment.
S -		This indicates that a student has passed the Regents’ Writing Skills course and/or the Regents’ Reading Skills course and passed the corresponding Regents’ Test.
U -		This indicates that a student has not passed the Regents’ Writing Skills course and/or the Regents’ Reading Skills course and has not passed the corresponding Regents’ Test.
W -		This indicates a withdrawal without penalty and is assigned when students withdraw from courses by the midterm date.
WF -		This indicates that the student withdrew from a course after the midterm date. In cases of hardship, approved by the Office of Academic Affairs, students may receive the W after midterm.
V -		This indicates that the course was audited, and the student receives no quality points.
K -		This indicates that the credit was granted via an Advanced Standing Credit Examination or a CLEP Examination.
NR -		Grade Not Reported by instructor by grade deadline for the term.

• Grading System
  

A - B- C- D- F - I- W- WF -

Excellent work; four quality points per semester hour (4.0) Good work; three quality points per semester hour (3.0) Satisfactory work; two quality points per semester hour (2.0) Passing work; one quality point per semester hour (1.0) Failing work; does not yield quality points (0.0) Incomplete work; does not yield quality points until the course is satisfactorily completed Withdrawal; no quality points Withdrawal failing; no quality points

Graduation

• Degree Requirements

  Application for Degree: Macon State College sponsors commencement exercises at the end of the spring semester each year. Students should complete an application for degree in the Registrar’s Office at least two semesters before their expected graduation term and must complete the application no later than the dates outlined below.
  
  In order to participate in the commencement ceremony, students must have completed all degree requirements in the preceding summer or fall or be “on track” to complete degree requirements during the current spring semester. A student who files an application to graduate in the spring term after the published deadline of April 1 may not participate in the annual commencement ceremony. If the spring degree application is filed by April 30, however, and all degree requirements are met by the end of the semester, the student’s degree information will be posted on the academic transcript and a diploma will be provided. Spring semester degree applications received between April 2 and April 30 will be held for review until after spring semester grades have been fully processed. Spring semester degree applications will not be accepted after April 30.
  
  To graduate at the end of the summer term, the application for degree must be on file in the Registrar’s Office by July 1. To graduate at the end of the fall term, the application must be on file by October 15. Please note that while these deadlines represent the last opportunity to apply for a degree in the term specified, it is strongly recommended that students apply two semesters in advance of the expected graduation term in order to have adequate time to meet all degree requirements. Failure to complete the degree application at least two semesters in advance may prevent graduation in the anticipated term. Students who do not complete the degree application until the published application deadline may not be able in that term of enrollment to resolve deficiencies discovered in the degree audit.
  
  A fee of $30.00 must be paid in the Business Office at the time of application. After the application is accepted and has been approved, it becomes the student’s official degree program. Students who do not complete degree requirements at the end of the semester designated on their application for degree must file a new application for degree if they expect to complete degree requirements during a subsequent semester.
  
  When participating in the Graduation Convocation, students may only wear regalia representing MSC distinctions and/or recognized student organizations.

• Choice of Catalog

  Effective Fall 2007, a student must 1) meet graduation requirements using the catalog in effect at the time the student entered Macon State College, provided the catalog is not more than five years old as of the semester the student plans to graduate, OR 2) meet graduation requirements using the catalog in effect during the semester the student plans to graduate. 

• Hour Requirements

Associate Degree
Applicants must complete a minimum of sixty semester hours including the core curriculum and major requirements. Applicants must also have earned two semester hours in physical education.*

*Veterans of twelve months or more active duty in the armed services may have the physical education requirement waived and be granted two semester hours credit in physical education courses by furnishing a copy of their DD-214 or CCAF transcript to the Registrar’s Office prior to their application for degree.

Baccalaureate Degree
Applicants must complete a minimum of 120 semester hours of academic work which must include a minimum of thirty-nine semester hours of upper division courses overall and twenty-one semester hours in the major. Applicants must also have earned two semester hours in physical education.*

• Grade Point Average
  
  Associate Degree
  Applicants must present a graduation GPA of at least 2.00 on all courses used to meet graduation requirements and a minimum cumulative GPA of 1.80.
  
  Baccalaureate Degree
  Applicants must present a graduation GPA of at least 2.00 on all work attempted at Macon State College.

Graduation Requirements to Graduate with Honors
To graduate with honors, students must have a grade point average of:

Honors Distinction:		Required Institutional Grade Point Average:
Cum Laude Magna Cum Laude Summa Cum Laude		3.50 - 3.69 3.70 - 3.89 3.90 - 4.00

• Residence Hour Requirement
  
  Associate Degree
  Applicants must be a resident at Macon State College at least two semesters and earn twenty of the last thirty hours of work applicable to the degree from the College.
  
  Baccalaureate Degree
  Applicants must be a resident at Macon State College at least two semesters and earn thirty semester hours including twenty-one hours in upper division courses in the major area.
  
  Credit earned by examination cannot be applied to or included in the residency requirement for the certificate, associate degrees, or the baccalaureate degrees.
   
• Department Mathematics Test for All Students
  
  All students whose SAT mathematics score is between 430 and 550 exclusive, or whose ACT mathematics score is between 18 and 24, exclusive, are required to take the Mathematics Department Test before registering for college algebra (MATH 1111). Any of these students scoring less than 12 on the
  Mathematics Department Test must enroll in Math 1101 (Mathematical Modeling) or MATH 0099 (Intermediate Algebra) as the entry level math course.
  
  Any student required to take the COMPASS Test in Mathematics who is placed in Learning Support courses must take the Mathematics Department Test after satisfying all Learning Support requirements. Any student required to take the COMPASS Placement Examination in Mathematics who exempts Learning Support mathematics must then take the Mathematics Department Test in order to determine placement into the correct course. All students required to take the Mathematics Department Test are bound by the results if placement in MATH 1101 (Mathematical Modeling) or MATH 0099 (Intermediate Algebra) is indicated.
   
• History and Constitution Requirements (State of Georgia Legislative Requirements)
  
  Before being certified as having met all degree requirements, students must satisfy the Georgia legislative requisites of demonstrating proficiency in United States and Georgia history and United States and Georgia Constitutions.
  
  Students must meet the United States and Georgia history requirement in one of the following ways:
  • Successfully completing History 2111 or History 2112 at Macon State College, OR
  • Transferring in an equivalent course from a University System institution, which designates that course as fulfilling the history requirement, OR
  • Transferring in an equivalent course from a private institution in Georgia, whose catalog specifically indicates that the course satisfies the Georgia legislative history requirement.

  Students have satisfied only the United States component of the history requirement under the following circumstances and must still successfully pass an examination on Georgia history:

  • Transferring in a United States history course from an out-of-state institution.
  • Transferring in a United States history course from a private institution in Georgia whose catalog does not specify that the course meets the requirement.
  • Obtaining credit for History 2111 and/or History 2112 through Advanced Placement or CLEP exams.

  Students may meet the United States and Georgia Constitutions requirement in one of the following ways:

  • Successfully completing Political Science 1101 at Macon State College, OR
  • Transferring in an equivalent course from a University System institution, which designates that course as fulfilling the Constitutions requirement, OR
  • Transferring in an equivalent course from a private institution in Georgia, whose catalog specifically indicates that the course satisfies the Georgia legislative Constitutions requirement.

  Students have satisfied only the United States component of the Constitution requirement under the following circumstances and must still successfully pass an examination on the Georgia Constitution:

  • Transferring in an equivalent political science course from an out-of-state institution.
  • Transferring in an equivalent political science course from a private institution in Georgia whose catalog does not specify that the course meet the requirement.
  • Obtaining credit for Political Science 1101 through Advanced Placement or CLEP exams.

Students needing to take either the Georgia history or the Georgia Constitution exam, or both, should contact the Academic Testing Center at (478) 471-2050 for information about the tests and the test schedule. The Academic Testing Center is located in the Student Life Building.

If a Macon State College degree program permits students to exempt either the United States history and/or the United States government course(s), students must still satisfy both the United States and the Georgia components of the legislative history requirement and/or legislative constitutions requirement. Students should contact the Academic Testing Center at (478) 471-2050 for information about the tests and the test schedule. The Academic Testing Center is located in the Student Life Building. Students opting to exempt History 2111 or History 2112 will be required to pass a CLEP test and pass the Georgia History test offered in the Academic Testing Center. Students opting to exempt Political Science 1101 will be required to pass a CLEP test and pass the Georgia Constitution test offered in the Academic Testing Center.

Students are limited to two attempts at passing the U.S./Georgia history exams or the U.S./Georgia Constitutions exams. After that, students must enroll in either History 2111 or History 2112 and/or Political Science 1101.

• Regents’ Test
  Students must pass the Regents’ Test before they can be certified as having completed all degree requirements and graduate from the College.
• Technology and Oral Competency
  Students must demonstrate computer literacy and oral competency before they may receive a degree from the College.
• Approval of Faculty
  The names of all candidates for degrees are submitted to a vote of the faculty. If this vote is favorable, the President of the College is authorized by the Board of Regents to grant the degrees.

Honors Program

The Honors Program at Macon State College is designed to help academically advanced students develop their intellectual potential through challenging educational activities. Its main goal is to encourage these students in individual, rational, and creative thinking. In addition, the Honors Program seeks to promote academic excellence and intellectual independence on the part of each student.

• Honors Admission
  All entering students with a high school GPA of at least 3.50 and/or one of the following will be invited to participate in the Honors Program:
• a combined math and critical reading score on the SAT of 1100 or above, with a verbal (critical reading) score of at least 580
• an ACT score of 24 or above

Students who do not meet the high school GPA, SAT, or ACT requirements listed above may apply for admission to the program after earning fifteen or more semester hours of college-level work. Decisions on admission are made by the Honors Program Director and members of the Honors Program Committee after a review of the application, including the student’s cumulative GPA, the SAT or ACT scores, faculty recommendations, and interview with the student.

The Honors Program is intended to serve all students who qualify for admission any time during their enrollment at Macon State College. Students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative academic GPA of 3.00 in order to remain in the Honors Program. All Honors Program students in good standing are eligible for membership in the Honors Student Association.

• Honors Courses
  Honors courses are usually honors sections of the core curriculum or honors sections of courses in some specific major areas. These classes are designed to be more innovative, enjoyable, and rewarding since students of similar abilities are grouped together in small classes. Honors courses provide an opportunity for students to do different types of work suited to their individual abilities and interests.
  
  Please refer to the Schedule of Classes to check the availability of Honors courses for any given semester.
   
• Honors Designated Courses for Students Pursuing the Associate Degree
  A student enrolled in an associate degree program who has earned grades of A or B in three freshman or sophomore level honors classes and is in good standing in the Honors Program may petition the Honors Program Director to have an academic course of three or more semester hours(at the freshman or sophomore level) designated as an honors course.
  
  A committee composed of the professor of the course, the Division Chair, the Honors Program Director, and at least two members of the Honors Program Committee will consider the student petitions. With the approval of this committee and the Vice President for Academic Affairs, students can proceed to take the course for Honors credit.
   
• Honors Designated Courses for Students Pursuing the Bachelor Degree
  A student enrolled in a bachelor degree program who has completed the requirements of the Honors Program at the associate level and is good standing in the Honors Program may petition the Honors Program Director to have up to four academic courses of three or more semester hours designated as honors courses.
  
  A committee composed of the professor of the course, the Division Chair, the Honors Program Director, and at least two members of the Honors Program Committee will consider the student petitions. With the approval of this committee and the Vice President for Academic Affairs, students can proceed to take the course or courses for Honors credit.
   
• Honors Designated Courses for Transfer Students Pursuing the Bachelor Degree
  A student enrolled in a bachelor degree program who has completed the associate degree at Macon State College but who has not completed the Honors Program at the associate level or a student enrolled in a bachelor degree program who has transferred into Macon State College from another college with an associate degree (or equivalent) and who meets the admission requirements of the Honors Program may petition the Honors Program Director to designate selected courses for honors credit.
  
  A committee composed of the professor of the course, the Chair or Dean, the Honors Program Director, and at least two members of the Honors Program Committee will consider the student petitions. With the approval of this committee and the Vice President for Academic Affairs, students can proceed to take the course or courses for Honors credit.
   
• Honors Program Graduates
  An eligible student enrolled in an associate degree or bachelor program can exercise one of the following options to meet the requirements for graduation as an Honors Program student:

Associate Level Honors Program Graduate

• Completing twelve semester hours (four honors courses) at the freshman or sophomore level from four different disciplines with grades of A or B in each course and with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 0or higher.
• Completing twelve semester hours consisting of at least three honors courses and one “honors designated” course at the freshman or sophomore level from four different disciplines with grades of A or B in each course and with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Baccalaureate Level Honors Program Graduate

1) Honors Program Graduate

• Completing twenty-four semester hours (eight honors courses) offered in four or more different disciplines with grades of A or B in each course and with a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher.
• Completing twenty-four semester hours consisting of at least twelve semester hours (four or more honors courses) from four different disciplines, as well as up to four “honors designated” courses, with grades of A or B in each course and with a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher.

2) Honors Discipline Graduate

• Completing twelve semester hours (four or more honors courses or “honors designated” courses at the junior or senior level and in a specific program of study with grades of A or B in each course and with a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher.

Internship Program

Participating in the Internship Program helps students explore and experience career possibilities firsthand through experiential learning. Internships prepare students for work in their chosen fields in business, industry, public service agencies, and governmental institutions. Students may also earn academic credit while developing an understanding and appreciation of corporate business practices and while developing personal and professional values. The program offers students an opportunity to address real life issues under the supervision of professionals from both the business world and Macon State College. The prospective employer and the Internship/Co-op Coordinator and/or faculty advisor must approve student internships prior to registration for the program.

Listings of internship opportunities are available through the Counseling and Career Center website. More information is available by contacting the Career Center in SLC-230, by calling (478) 471-2714, or by visiting the website at www.maconstate.edu/careercenter/.

Some academic divisions at MSC also have ongoing internship programs for their majors. Students should contact division chairs to obtain information on these internships.

Learning Support

Program
The Division of Learning Support offers courses to students who have been accepted by the College but whose placement scores suggest a need for a stronger foundation in English, Reading, or Mathematics. Courses in the Division of Learning Support include Fundamentals of English, Reading, Basic Mathematics, and Intermediate Algebra, all of which are designed to help students succeed in their college coursework.

The division of Learning Support also offers RGTE and RGTR courses designed to prepare students for the Regents’ English and Regents’ Reading test.

In addition to those courses required by institutional or University System policy, several elective enrichment courses are available: Math Study Skills, College Vocabulary, Understanding the Computer, and Core Knowledge.

Learning Support courses carry institutional credit but do not apply toward degree requirements.

Policy
The Learning Support (LS) program is designed so that students can complete all requirements in an area (English, reading, or mathematics) in a maximum of two semesters. A maximum of twelve semester hours or three semesters, whichever occurs first, may be taken in any area. Students may not accumulate more than twenty hours of college-level credit before completing all Learning Support requirements.

Transfer LS students who have enrolled in fewer than three semesters at an institution and who have earned fewer than twelve semester hours of credit in an area may be granted an additional semester (up to a total of sixteen semester hours) if making appropriate progress at the sending institution and ready for the exit-level course at the receiving institution. (The purpose of this is to allow for variations that may occur in credit hours for courses at various institutions.)

If students do not complete requirements for an area in twelve semester hours or three semesters, whichever occurs first, they will be suspended. They may not be considered for re-admission within three years of the suspension.

Prior to suspending students who have not exited an LS area within the twelve semester hour or three-semester limit, the institution may allow them to appeal for two additional courses. Students must:

• be individually evaluated and determined to have a reasonable change of success.
• be in an exit-level course.
• have reached the limit in only one LS area.

If granted the additional course(s), students may enroll only in the LS course(s).

Major

• Choosing a Major
  Students should select a major field of study as early as possible in their academic careers. Students who are undecided about a major should concentrate on the core curriculum. A visit to the Career Center may be helpful in determining a career goal and a major.
  
  When students have earned thirty hours of academic credit, they will be required to declare a major. Students will have a hold placed on their registration which will be lifted when a major is declared. The hold will prevent “web registration” only.
   
• Changing a Major
  To change a major or to declare a major, students must file a Change of Major Form. The major change does not become effective until the semester following the current enrollment.
  
  Students who change their majors may have difficulty in completing the degree program in the prescribed time. Students are responsible for knowing and completing all requirements for a degree at Macon State College.

Online Courses

Online courses are conducted primarily through the use of the computer and the Internet. Students who are planning to take an online course must have a valid, current email address and must enter this address in the Personal Data Section before registering for classes on Banner Web. Students must also contact the instructor by email before the semester begins. Students should monitor the course web page often to be well informed about assignments and other important information.

• Who should take online courses?
  Online courses are for students who are very self-disciplined, who do not need the classroom presence to keep them on schedule, and who can study independently. Online courses are for students who are comfortable with Internet technology and who use email regularly.
• Are online courses less time-consuming?
  No. It takes as much time and effort to do well in an online course, and, in fact, it may take more time. Some online courses also require occasional face-to-face meetings with classmates and the instructor.
• Who should enroll in online courses?
  For students who are willing and able to make the extra commitment required, online courses are a convenience which offers flexibility and saves travel time.
• Who should not take online courses?
  Online courses are not for students who need face-to-face interaction with the instructor and with other students. Students who need the structure of the classroom should not take online courses. Also, online courses are not for those who are new to computers or to Internet technology.
• How do students know when class starts and what the assignments are?
  Online classes usually start on the same date as do regular classes. Instructors will attempt to contact students on the first day of class. However, it is the student’s obligation to go to the class web page and contact the instructor no later than the first day of class. Students must ensure that the instructor has a valid email address for them. They should also ensure that the instructor has another valid means of contacting them.

Assignments and other instructions will be posted on the class web page. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor with any questions.

NOTE: It is recommended that students contact the instructor to find out more about the class before enrolling in an online section.

Orientation

Orientation is mandatory for all new and transfer students attending Macon State College. Orientation is designed to provide essential information about academic programs and requirements, students organizations and activities, and the wide range of campus resources, both academic and non-academic, available to students. Most of all, orientation is intended to help new students connect with the campus community and to be well prepared for success. Students may elect to attend a traditional face-to-face orientation session or participate in an online orientation. Students may visit www.maconstate.edu/orientation/new_transfer.aspx to learn more about the in-person orientation schedule and sign up online for the session they wish to attend, or they may visit orientation.maconstate.edu/login.aspx to complete the online version of orientation.

While students will be able to register and attend classes the first semester of enrollment without participating in orientation, they will not be allowed to register for second semester classes unless they have completed the orientation requirement.

For more information, please call the Office of Student Life at (478) 471-2710 or click here to send an email.

Overload

A course load of more than eighteen semester hours. See Course Load Status.

Prerequisite

A course which students must take before taking a more advanced course. Prerequisites are listed with the course descriptions in the catalog.

Regents’ Test

• Definition
  The Regents’ Test is an examination to assess the competency level in reading and writing of all degree-seeking students enrolled in undergraduate programs in the University System of Georgia institutions. Satisfactory completion of the Regents’ Test is required of all degree-seeking students before they can be certified for graduation.
   
• Regents’ Test Exceptions
  Students with SAT-I Verbal scores of at least 510 or ACT Reading scores of at least 23 will be considered to have fulfilled the reading comprehension requirement of the Regents’ Test and do not need to take the reading portion of the Regents’ Test. Scores must be from a national administration of the SAT or ACT. (Scores from institutional SAT or residual ACT tests will not be acceptable for this purpose.)
  
  Students with a score of at least 24 on the ACT Combined English/Writing exam, a score of at least 22 on the ACT combined English/Writing for students who also earned an ACT Reading score of at least 23, College Board Advanced Placement (AP) English scores of at least 3, International Baccalaureate (IB) higher-level English scores of at least 4, SAT II English Writing scores of at least 650, SAT Reasoning Test, Writing Section score of at least 560, or students who have an SAT Reasoning Test, Writing Section score of at least 500 and at least a score of 510 on the SAT Reasoning Test, Critical Reading Section will be considered as having fulfilled the essay requirement of the Regents’ Test and do not need to take the essay portion of the Regents’ Test. (There is no implication that such students should be given any course credit or exemption from English.)
  
  The following four exemptions for the essay portion of the Regents’ Test are available only for students who entered USG institutions before Summer 2008: Students with SAT-I Verbal scores of at least 530 or ACT English scores of at least 23 and a grade of ‘A’ in English 1101 or SAT-I Verbal scores of at least 590 or ACT English scores of at least 26 and a grade of ‘B’ in English 1101 will be considered as having fulfilled the essay requirement of the Regents’ Test and do not need to take the essay portion of the Regents’ Test. Scores must be from a national administration of the SAT or ACT. (Scores from the institutional SAT or residual ACT tests will not be acceptable for this purpose.)
   
• Regents’ Test Hold for the 2008 Fall Semester
  Students who have not taken the Regents’ Test by the first semester of enrollment after completing 30 semester hours of degree credit will have a “Regents’ Test Hold” placed on their registration. When the student registers online for the next administration of the Regents’ Test, the “Regents’ Test Hold” will be removed. The “Regents’ Test Hold” can be bypassed by an advisor to allow the student to register for classes for the next semester.

• Regents’ Test Hold for the 2009 Spring Semester
  Beginning in the 2009 spring semester, students who are not enrolled in Learning Support English or Reading classes will have a “Regents’ Test Hold” placed on their registration for their first and second semesters. The Regents’ Test Hold will automatically be removed from the registration after the student signs up online for the next administration of the Regents’ Test. The online registration Regents’ Test Hold removal process normally takes twenty-four hours. Students may also see their advisor to bypass the Regents’ Test Hold. Bypassing the Regents’ Test Hold through an advisor does not satisfy the Regents’ Test requirement.
  
  Students in Learning Support English or reading must take the Regents’ Test in the semester after they have exited LS English or reading (math LS is not relevant here).
   
• Regents’ Test Skills Courses for the 2008 Fall Semester
  Students on “Regents’ Test Hold” who did not honor the commitment to take the Regents’ Test will be prohibited from registering for subsequent semesters until they have signed up to take the test. Students with fewer than forty-five semester hours who do not pass the Regents’ Test may retake the test once without remediation, except that students with fewer than forty-five semester hours having at least a “B” in both English 1101 and English 1102 may retake the test twice without remediation.
  
  Students who have not taken or passed both parts of the test by the time they have earned forty-five semester credit hours must take RGTR 0198 (Advanced Reading Skills) and/or RGTE 0199 (Writing Laboratory) each semester of enrollment until they have passed both parts.. These students are not permitted to take the reading skills course one semester and the writing skills course the following semester. The only exception is for part-time students taking one skills course and no more than one degree credit course in a semester.
  
  Students who do not pass the reading portion of the Regents’ Test and have at least forty-five semester hours of academic degree credit may not retake the Regents’ Test until they have registered for RGTR 0198 (Advanced Reading Skills) and obtained certification from the RGTR 0198 instructor that these students have attained a degree of reading proficiency approximating that required by the Regents’ Test.
  
  Students who do not pass the writing portion of the Regents’ Test and have at least forty-five semester hours of academic degree credit may not retake the Regents’ Test until they have registered for RGTE 0199 (Writing Laboratory) and obtained certification from the RGTE 0199 instructor that these students have attained a degree of writing proficiency approximating that required by the Regents’ Test.
   
• Regents’ Test Skills Courses for the 2009 Spring Semester
  Students on “Regents’ Test Hold” who did not honor the commitment to take the Regents’ Test will be prohibited from registering for subsequent semesters until they have signed up online to take the test.
  
  Full-Time students who have not passed both parts of the test by the time they have completed two semesters must take RGTR 0198 (Advanced Reading Skills) and/or RGTE 0199 (Writing Laboratory) each semester of enrollment until they have passed both parts.. These students are not permitted to take the reading skills course one semester and the writing skills course the following semester. The only exception is for part-time students taking one skills course and no more than one degree credit course in a semester.
  
  Effective Spring 2009, students who receive low-failure scores, with these scores confirmed by the institution’s validation check, must take a skills course for that part of the test in the next semester of enrollment and each semester of enrollment until they have passed that part of the test.
  
  Full-time students who have completed two semesters at Macon State College and who do not pass the reading portion of the Regents’ Test may not retake the Regents’ Test until they have registered for RGTR 0198 (Advanced Reading Skills) and obtained the signature of the RGTR 0198 instructor certifying that these students have attained a degree of reading proficiency approximating that required by the Regents’ Test.

Full-Time students who have completed two semesters at Macon State College and who do not pass the writing portion of the Regents’ Test may not retake the Regents’ Test until they have registered for RGTE 0199 (Writing Laboratory) and obtained the signature of the RGTE 0199 instructor certifying that these students have attained a degree of writing proficiency approximating that required by the Regents’ Test.

Part-Time students who have earned 20 or more semester hours of academic degree credit (excluding Learning Support courses) and who do not pass the reading portion of the Regents’ Test may not retake the Regents’ Test until they have registered for RGTR 0198 (Advanced Reading Skills) and obtained the signature of the RGTR 0198 instructor certifying that these students have attained a degree of reading proficiency approximating that required by the Regents’ Test.

Part-Time Students who have earned 20 or more semester hours of credit (excluding Learning Support courses) and who do not pass the writing portion of the Regents’ Test may not retake the Regents’ Test until they have registered for RGTE 0199 (Writing Laboratory) and obtained the signature of the RGTE 0199 instructor certifying that these students have attained a degree of writing proficiency approximating that required by the Regents’ Test.

• Regents’ Test and Transfer Students for the 2008 Fall Semester
  All transfer students are subject to the Regents’ Test policy. Transfer students with thirty or more semester credit hours transferring from outside the System or from a System program that does not require the Regents’ Test should take the test during their first semester of enrollment at Macon State College. Students who have not passed both parts of the test before the third semester of enrollment at Macon State College are subject to the same skills course requirements previously outlined. Having passed the Regents’ Test is not a condition of admission to Macon State College. While both the reading and writing section of the Regents’ Test must be passed, they need not be passed simultaneously. Once a section is passed, it need not be retaken; this provision is retroactive to the beginning of the Regents’ Test program.
   
• Regents’ Test and Transfer Students for the 2009 Spring Semester
  All transfer students are subject to the Regents’ Test policy. Students transferring from outside the System or from a System program that does not require the Regents’ Test must pass the Regents’ Test during their first semester of enrollment at Macon State College. Students who have not passed both parts of the test before their second semester of enrollment at Macon State College are required to take the skills classes for the subject not satisfied. Having passed the Regents’ Test is not a condition of admission to Macon State College. Students transferring from another System school will follow the same guidelines for full-time and part-time students at Macon State College as discussed previously.
  
  While both the reading and writing section of the Regents’ Test must be passed, they need not be passed simultaneously. Once a section is passed, it need not be retaken; this provision is retroactive to the beginning of the Regents’ Test program.
   
• Regents’ Test Essay Review
  If students fail the essay portion of the Regents’ Test, they may request a formal review of the essay portion of the Regents’ Test only if their essays received at least one passing score among the three scores awarded and if the students have successfully completed English 1101. The review will be conducted in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Regents and may be initiated by contacting the Chair of the Division of Learning Support no later than the tenth day of the student’s first semester of enrollment after the semester in which the essay was not passed. No review may be initiated after one calendar year from the semester in which the student did not pass the essay.
   
• Non-Native English Speakers
  Students whose native language is other than English may petition the Vice President for Academic Affairs for permission to demonstrate their literacy competence in an alternative manner. Students in this category should supply necessary documentation (medical records, birth certificates, naturalization papers, or professional evaluation) to support their petition.
   
• Students with Disabilities
  Students with documented disabilities must register for Regents’ Test accommodations through Disability Support Services. Please call (478) 471-2985 for assistance in this area.
   
• Registering for the Regents’ Test
  Students register for the Regents’ Test online. Advisors may assist students with test registration but the online registration tool on the Regents’ Test webpage is the only way to sign up for a test date.
  
  Students need not be enrolled the semester during which they take the test unless Regents’ Test unless skill courses are required.

Registration Process

Before the scheduled date for registration, a schedule of the classes to be offered for the next semester is made available on the MSC website. When registration opens, students without registration HOLDS may register online using Banner Web or through their advisors. Students with HOLDS must register through the Academic Advising Center or an advisor in a division and in the main office located at the Warner Robins Campus and Robins Resident Center. New students are required to register through the Academic Advising Center or an advisor in a division. When using Banner Web, students may register online at www.maconstate.edu/banner and by clicking on the Banner Web Secure Login link. Detailed instructions are available at that page. Registration information is available on the Registrar’s homepage at www.maconstate.edu/registrar.

Students are responsible for registering for the correct courses consistent with their programs of study as outlined in the MSC catalog. All students must abide by course prerequisites. Students must also pay attention to scheduling sessions (regular session, first session, second session) as well as to time and location (Macon campus, Robins Resident Center, or Warner Robins Campus). Students are responsible for checking their printed schedules after they register to ensure that they intended courses are listed.

Students should understand that they will receive a grade in each class recorded on their class schedules. Students who do not attend those specific classes and sections will receive a grade of “F” in each class not attended unless they officially drop the class. After classes begin, courses may be officially dropped only in the Office of the Registrar, the Night Office, the Robins Resident Center Office, or the Warner Robins Campus Office.

Regents’ Engineering Transfer Program

The Regents’ Engineering Transfer Program was designed to increase access to engineering education throughout the state. The program offers eligible students the opportunity to begin work toward a Georgia Institute of Technology bachelor of engineering degree.

Repeated Courses

As of Fall 1999, a student who repeats a course will have the cumulative Grade Point Average calculated using the grade from the last attempt. The grade of the first and subsequent attempts that are excluded from the GPA will remain on the student’s official permanent record.

Schools/Departments/Divisions

Academic units within the College. The Schools at Macon State College are Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Information Technology, and Nursing and Health Sciences. There are five departments within the School of Arts and Sciences: History and Political Science, Humanities, Mathematics and Computer Science, Natural Sciences and Engineering, and Psychology and Sociology. There is one division, the Division of Learning Support.

Second Degree

Requirements
Graduates of any program may earn an additional degree in any other program by satisfactorily completing all course requirements and other degree requirements, as listed in the catalog which is most current at the time application is made, and by satisfying any additional requirements set forth by the Chair of the Division in which the degree is sought and by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

• Associate Degree
  Students must earn a minimum of 18 hours in residence at the College in course work related to the degree being pursued. Credit earned via examination cannot be applied to or included in the 18-hour residence requirement. Where part of the degree requirement is offered by Macon State College and part by Central Georgia Technical College or Middle Georgia Technical College, students must complete additional semester hours of course work relevant to the program.
• Baccalaureate Degree
  Students who have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution may earn a second baccalaureate degree from Macon State College by meeting the following requirements:

1. Completing all lower division major requirements (Area F) required by the degree.
2. Completing lower division prerequisite courses required by the degree.
3. Completing all upper division major requirements for the degree.
4. Meeting Georgia legislative requirements in History and Constitution.
5. Meeting the MSC baccalaureate residence requirement.
6. Meeting technology and oral competency requirement.

Students seeking a second baccalaureate degree may, under some special circumstances, use credits applied toward the first degree to meet requirements for the second degree. Students must meet all requirements for the second degree which were in effect at the time that they began to work on the second degree. The second degree must include a minimum of an additional thirty semester hours not applicable to the first degree.

Application for a Second Degree

1. Obtain two student copies of Macon State College transcripts from the Registrar’s Office. One transcript is for the Division Chair and one for the Office of Academic Affairs.
2. Complete section one of the Application/Degree Plan for an Additional Degree.
3. Division Chair should complete section two.
4. The program outlined by the Division Chair must be approved by the Office of Academic Affairs.
5. Pay the degree fee of $20 to the Business Office.
6. File the completed Application/Degree Plan in the Registrar’s Office at least ninety days before graduation.

Study Abroad Program

Macon State College students may participate in study abroad programs sponsored both by colleges and universities in the University System of Georgia and by the European, African, and Asian Councils of the University System.

These study abroad programs are designed to offer students an opportunity to experience life in another culture, to see the world and human relationships from a broader, more informed perspective, and to add an international or cross-cultural dimension to their educational experience. Students may choose from a wide variety of available programs for summer, semester, or academic year study.

Withdrawal

Students who wish to withdraw from the College must complete the withdrawal procedure online through Banner Web if they do not have HOLDS or in the Registrar’s Office, the Night Office, the Warner Robins Campus Office, or the Robins Resident Center Office. Withdrawal is not complete until all withdrawal procedures have been properly executed. Students may not withdraw from the College during the last two weeks of a semester.

Students may be administratively withdrawn from classes and/or College when, in the judgment of the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs or the Dean of Students, after consultation with appropriate college personnel, it is determined that because of physical, mental, emotional, or psychological health conditions, a) the student poses a significant danger or threat of physical harm to the student or the person or property of others, or b) the student interferes with the rights of other members of the college community or with the exercise of any proper activities or functions of the College or its personnel, or c) the student is unable to meet institutional requirements for continued enrollment as defined in the Student Handbook or other publications of the College. Students may make a request in writing for an appropriate hearing prior to the final decision concerning continued enrollment.