1340 Classification of Students and Courses

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:

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;
• Re-enters the university after an absence of three or more semesters;
• Re-enrolls 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;
• Re-enrolls 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.

1340.30 Declaration of Major

All applicants other than freshman must declare a degree and major at application. All freshmen must declare a degree and major one calendar year after their first enrollment at Georgia State. Students are encouraged to declare a major as early as possible. This is especially true for students following a track in natural sciences, health sciences, or mathematics. Colleges and departments may require students to declare a degree and major earlier than indicated above. The Director of the University Advisement Center is authorized to grant exemptions to this policy.

1340.35 Change of Degree Major and College

Students may request to change majors within one college at Georgia State University or change to another college. If the request is approved, students will transfer their academic standings (good, warning, supervision, or probation). Some programs have special requirements for admission, so students should contact the University Advisement Center or the Office of Academic Assistance of the desired college to determine if special criteria apply.

To request a change of degree, major, or college, students should contact the University Advisement Center or the Office of Academic Assistance of the college in which they are currently enrolled. Students who change degree, majors or colleges will be required to satisfy the degree requirements in effect at the time the change is officially recorded. Students who have applied to graduate must declare their degree, major, and minor/concentration (if applicable) with their advisement office prior to their final semester to avoid a possible delay in graduating.

1340.40 Double Major

A double major consists of two separate majors in the same baccalaureate degree (for example, B.S. with majors in Criminal Justice and Psychology), regardless of the college or colleges in which that degree is awarded. A double major is earned when the student completes all requirements for each of the majors and all requirements for the degree. The minimum residence requirement of 39 semester hours at Georgia State University in courses numbered 3000 or above must be met for the first major. If the second major is completed concurrently with the first major, or within five calendar years of the first major, this requirement shall be deemed to have been satisfied for both majors.

After five years from the date of the awarding of the first major, credit that was used to satisfy the university’s academic residence requirement cannot be applied toward the university’s residence requirement for the second major. Regardless of when the second major is completed.

At least one-half of the courses comprising both majors must be taken at Georgia State.

Whether in one degree or two, a student may not graduate with more than two majors. (For example, a student may not earn a B.S. with a double major in Economics and Psychology and also a B.A. in English. This would constitute three majors and would not be permissible.)

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

The Dean of the Honors College may, in exceptional circumstances, allow a student in the Honors College to complete three majors in one or two degrees.

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 Undergraduate/Graduate Degree Programs

Associate’s Level

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

Bachelor’s Level

Georgia State offers a number of dual undergraduate/graduate degree programs where select, high caliber students can complete both the bachelor’s degree and one of several prestigious graduate degrees in up to a year’s less time than it would take to pursue the two degrees consecutively. A list of the specific dual degree programs offered and information regarding admission qualifications can be found at enrollment.gsu.edu/catalogs/dual-undergraduate-graduate-degree-programs/.

1340.60 Classification of Courses

Courses are numbered as follows: