1340 Classification of Students and Courses - Associate’s Level

Return to: 1300 University Academic Regulations  

1340.10 Class Standing

Students are classified on the basis of total earned hours of academic credit as follows:

Student Status Semester Hours

Freshman 0-29
Sophomore 30+

The classification under which a student registers at the beginning of any semester will continue through that semester.

1340.20 Change of Catalog Edition

Students must normally satisfy the degree requirements of the catalog in effect at the time they enter Georgia State University. However, in some circumstances, revisions may be required to provide more effective programs. The term “degree requirements” refers to the courses and grades required to earn the degree. Changes in academic regulations affect all students, regardless of the catalog edition; examples include the scholastic discipline policy, procedures for removing incomplete grades, and appeals procedures.

There are several instances when a student will be required to change catalog editions and satisfy the curricular degree requirements of the catalog in effect at the time he or she:

• Officially changes colleges within the university;
• Officially changes their degree;
• Officially changes majors within a college;
• Officially changes from post baccalaureate status to any degree-seeking status;
• Reenters the university after an absence of three or more semesters
• Reenrolls at Georgia State after attending another institution as a transient student with the intention of transferring credits earned at the other institution to Georgia State without having followed protocol as outlined on the Registrar’s Transient Request Form. This regulation applies to any length of absence from the university. In such cases, students are considered to be transfer students;
• Reenrolls at Georgia State after attending another institution as a transfer student. This regulation applies to any length of absence from the university; and
• Has not graduated by the time his or her catalog edition is ten years old.

Students may choose to satisfy the degree requirements of a later catalog, but, if they choose to do this, they must meet all the requirements of the later catalog. Degree requirements of more than one catalog edition cannot be combined. Students who choose to satisfy requirements of a later catalog must notify the University Advisement Center or the Office of Academic Assistance of their college.

Any requests for exceptions to the “change of catalog edition” policy must be submitted as an appeal of academic regulations and graduation requirements and processed as a University level petition.

1340.35 Change of Pathway

Students may request to change their pathway. If the request is approved, students will transfer their academic standings (good, warning, supervision, or probation). Some pathways have special requirements for admission, so students should contact the University Advisement Center. Students who change their pathway will be required to satisfy the course requirements in effect at the time the change is officially recorded.

1340.45 Dual Degrees

Dual degrees are earned when a student satisfies all requirements for two different baccalaureate degrees (for example, B.A. and B.S.) within one or more colleges of Georgia State University. The minimum residence requirement of 39 semester hours at Georgia State University in courses numbered 3000 or above must be met for the first degree. If the second degree is completed concurrently with the first degree, or within five calendar years of the first degree, this requirement shall be deemed to have been satisfied for both degrees. After five years from the date of the award of the first degree, credit that has been used to satisfy the university’s academic residence requirement for this degree cannot be applied toward the university’s minimum academic residence requirement for the second degree. Regardless of when the second degree is completed, both degrees require that at least one-half of the courses comprising the major must be taken at Georgia State. If a department offers more than one degree, it may prohibit a student from earning more than one degree in that department. This restriction will appear in the Program Degree Requirements section of the description of the major.

Students who wish to earn dual degrees should consult with the University Advisement Center or the Office of Academic Assistance of their current college and, if the second degree is offered by another college of this university, with the Office of Academic Assistance of the relevant college for information on procedures to follow.

1340.50 Dual Degrees

Associate-level students are permitted to earn dual degrees at the two different associate degree levels (i.e. AA, AS).

1340.60 Classification of Courses

Courses are numbered as follows: