ENROLLMENT- GENERAL INFORMATION

Semester Credit Hours

The semester hour is the unit of credit and is defined as the amount of credit given for one recitation hour a week for one semester. Each recitation hour requires two hours of preparation on the part of the average student. Three hours of carefully planned and supervised laboratory work are equivalent to one hour of lecture or recitation.

Normal Load: The normal load for an undergraduate student for a long semester is fifteen (15) hours except during student teaching when a twelve-hour block is a normal load. The normal load for summer school is six (6) semester hours per session.

Full-Time Student: A full-time undergraduate student is one who is registered for at least twelve (12) semester hours during a fall or spring semester; to be full-time in a summer session, a student must be registered for six (6) semester hours.

Transfer Students: A transfer student may not register for more than the normal load during the first semester at Texas A&M International University. In any succeeding semester, the student may be permitted to register for the normal load plus one additional course, provided the cumulative grade average is 3.0 or better and with the approval of the appropriate Department Chair and Dean.

Maximum Number of Hours: The maximum load for an undergraduate student is eighteen (18) hours a semester. Maximum number of hours in a summer session is six (6).

Exceptions to this policy will require a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and the approval of the appropriate Department Chair and Dean.

COURSE INFORMATION

The term “course” shall be understood to mean a definite unit of work in a subject and may continue through two semesters. Credit allowed for each course is written out in full immediately following the title of the course. Example: HIST 3301, Mexico. Three semester hours. The first digit of the course number is the course level. The second digit is the number of semester credit hours (SCH).

Advanced Courses: An advanced course is one which is numbered 3000 or 4000 and which requires junior or senior standing and the completion of any prerequisite course or courses in the subject. In some cases, the completion of courses in another field serves as the prerequisite.

Cross Listed Courses: Students enrolled in a course which is cross listed with one or more courses may receive credit in only one course.

Repetition of a Course: If a student repeats a course that may not be taken for additional credit, it is the policy of the University to count only the last grade received in the course, whether passing or failing, other than a grade of “W”.

GRADING POLICIES

Grades are recorded from “A” to “F”, inclusive and available via the web to each student at the end of each semester. Numerical values corresponding to these letters are as follows:

CR/NC, Credit/No Credit: Courses taken in residence on credit/no credit basis are not computed in the grade point average. Special projects designed to provide staff development for teachers and which carry academic credit will be taken on the credit/no credit basis. Grades assigned will be “S/CR” for satisfactory completion of the objectives and “U/NC” for unsatisfactory completion of the objectives. These grades may be used to satisfy degree requirements only for credit by examination and courses so designated in this catalog.

S/U, Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory: This grading criterion applies only to courses in the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Business Administration. This grade can be given for only predesignated courses and may be used to satisfy degree requirements (e.g., business internships). For undergraduate students, a grade of “S” indicates achievement of 70 percent or greater for the course requirements; for graduate students, a grade of “S” indicates achievement of 80 percent or greater for the course requirements.

IP, In Progress: Given to a student in a thesis course who is passing but has not completed all required work. Student must re-enroll in thesis.

W, Dropped/Withdrawn: Given when a student has officially dropped or withdrawn from the University by the deadline in the official University calendar, regardless of student’s standing in class.

I, Incomplete: Given to a student who is passing but has not completed a term paper, examination, or other required work. Students electing to complete unfinished work in the course must sign an incomplete contract along with the instructor specifying assignments to be completed and the due date. Failure to sign contract, and have on file in the Office of the University Registrar, will result in the “I” being converted to an “F” through an administrative action of the University Registrar. For the student, the grade of “I” may be removed under certain conditions:

• If the student elects to complete the course, he/she may, within the time specified by the instructor, but not exceeding twelve months from the date the “I” was recorded, complete the work in the course and request that the instructor submit a change of grade form to the University Registrar. Extensions of time in cases of merit may be granted by the Dean of the appropriate College.
  
• If the student elects not to complete the course and the signed contract within a period of twelve months, the “I” will be converted to a grade of “F” through an administrative action of the University Registrar.
  
• A student may not register for a course for which he/she has a current grade of “I”.

Change of Grade: After being reported to the Office of the University Registrar, grades other than “I” may not be changed unless a computation error has been made by the instructor.

Grade Points: A student’s grade average on university work is expressed in grade points. Each semester hour of “A” counts four points, “B” three points, “C” two points, “D” one point, and “F” zero points. Thus a “C” average, which is the minimum overall average for any bachelor’s degree, is expressed as a 2.0 grade point average.

Dean’s List and Honor Roll: Full-time undergraduate students of high academic caliber are honored each long semester by the publication of their names on the Dean’s List and the Honor Roll. The Dean’s List requires a grade point average of 3.65 on all work attempted for a particular semester, with a minimum of fifteen hours completed.

The Honor Roll requires a GPA of 3.50 on all work attempted for the semester with a minimum of twelve hours completed. The Dean’s List and the Honor Roll are compiled as quickly as possible after the close of the semester.

Classification of Students: Students are classified according to the number of credit hours completed.

ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Students are expected to familiarize themselves thoroughly with the regulations of the University, to accept responsibilities for course requirements for their degrees, and to make inquiries in case of doubt. It shall not be the University's responsibility should complications arise because of failure to follow regulations and requirements. Regulations will not be waived nor exceptions to requirements made on a plea of ignorance. Students, therefore, should become familiar with all of the information related to their program of study contained in the printed university bulletin and on-line.

Each student, by registering, enters some college of the university and, except as to conduct, is thereafter under its jurisdiction with regard to the student's program of study and degree requirements. Students should work directly with the person in their major department who is assigned the responsibility of supervising their programs concerning course requirements and options, deficiencies, degree plan and special regulations. Requests to waive regulations and/or requirements should be directed in writing to the appropriate Chair and, in some cases, to the Dean of the College.

REGISTRATION

Degree Plan: The student should select his or her major field of study as early as possible or at the latest, the spring semester of their sophomore year. The planning of a course of study should be exercised in consultation with a faculty advisor. Final degree plans must be approved by the Dean or Chair of the appropriate department. Students will be required to present it during faculty advisement. A degree plan may be superseded by a new one according to the provision explained under Graduation Under a Particular Catalog in this section.

Schedule: The student's class schedule should be worked out in conference with a faculty advisor. Students are urged to confer with their advisors well in advance of registration in order to avoid difficulties in scheduling.

Early Registration: A period of early registration is scheduled each semester for the following semester(s). During that time a currently enrolled student is responsible for making an appointment with the assigned faculty advisor to discuss the degree plan, determining the courses to be taken during the next semester, and completing the registration process.

A student is not officially enrolled until all fees have been paid.

New transfer students should contact the Office of the University Registrar for an appointment with an advisement counselor who will assist new students in the early registration process. New freshman students should contact the Freshman Counselor in the Office of Admission for first time enrollment advisement. Then, during the first semester at the University, students are advised by faculty within the college of their major.

Registration for a Course: The only way to become a member of a class is to officially register for it or by adding a course after registration is completed. In any case, the instructor receives the students' names on the official class rosters distributed by the Office of the University Registrar.

Waitlist Policy: A student may request to be waitlisted for a closed course. If space becomes available, waitlisted students will be added in the order the requests were received without prior notification to the student. It is the student's responsibility to check his/her status in the course. Requesting to be waitlisted makes the student liable for all tuition and fees due if a space becomes available. A drop must be processed by the student is the class is no longer desired. Please note: a student may not be waitlisted for one section of a course and registered in another section of the same course.

Adding a Course: To add a course to a schedule after initial registration, an add form is obtained in the Office of the University Registrar. A student should obtain permission from their assigned faculty advisor to add the course. The faculty advisor must sign the add form. (See Maximum Number of Hours in this section.)

Auditing a Course: Any person may audit a course except for individual instruction courses. Auditors do not have the privilege of submitting papers, taking part in class discussions, or participating in laboratory or field work. Auditors pay tuition and fees according to the published semester credit hour fee schedule.

REGISTRATION POLICIES

Definitions - Dropping and Withdrawal
A student is "dropping" a course or courses if he or she remains enrolled in a minimum of one (1) credit hour at the end of the course change process. A student is considered withdrawn from the University if no semester credit hours remain at the completion of the course change process.

Dropping a Course
A course may be dropped by completing a drop form with the Office of the University Registrar in person, by mail, or fax. Courses cannot be dropped by phone.

All course drops must be completed by the deadline stated in the University calendar published in this catalog.

If a student chooses not to attend a class or classes, he or she is responsible for officially dropping or withdrawing through the Office of the University Registrar. Students who decide not to attend and do not officially notify the Office of the University Registrar may be responsible for tuition, fees, and any other circumstances resulting from failure to officially drop or withdraw. Students must not assume that they will "automatically" be dropped from their classes if they do not attend or do not pay. (Although the student may not have paid for classes personally, payment may have been posted to his or her account by a financial assistance agency. It is important that the student officially notify the Office of the University Registrar of his or her intention not to attend.) Refer to the published Schedule of Classes for refund schedules.

Withdrawal from the University
Students who find it necessary to withdraw from all courses must notify the Office of the University Registrar in person, by mail or by fax. Refer to the published Schedule of Classes for refund schedules.

Financial Aid Impact of Dropping or Withdrawal
Students who have received a federal student loan through Texas A&M International University and are dropping below six hours or withdrawing from the university must also receive approval from the Office of Financial Aid and attend loan exit counseling at the time of the drop or withdrawal. Failure to do so will cause the student to have a hold placed on the release of their student records and may impact the awarding of future loans.

ATTENDANCE POLICY
It is assumed that a vital part of every student’s education is regular attendance of class meetings. Every faculty member keeps a current attendance record on all students. Any absences tend to lower the quality of a student’s work in a course, and frequent or persistent absences may preclude a passing grade or cause a student to be dropped from one or more courses by the respective faculty with approval of his or her Chair and Dean. Additional information is available in the current Student Handbook.

A student who abandons courses without officially withdrawing will receive a grade of “F” in each course, regardless of when that student ceases to attend classes. (See regulation entitled Refund of Fees on page 39).

CONTINUATION OF UNDERGRADUATE ENROLLMENT

Minimum Grade Point Average for Good Standing

To be in good standing, a student must have a 2.0 grade-point average on his/her cumulative record.

The grade point average for a semester is computed by dividing the total grade points earned by the number of semester hours of courses with “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, and “F” grades.

The cumulative, or overall, grade point average is computed by dividing the total grade points earned by the number of hours of “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, and “F”. Transferred hours, as well as hours earned from Texas A&M International University, are included.

Academic Probation
A student will be placed on academic probation if his/her cumulative grade point average is below a “C” (2.0/4.0) or if work for any semester falls below a “C”.

Removing Academic Probation: A student who has been placed on academic probation will be removed from such probation at the conclusion of the semester or summer term at Texas A&M International University when the cumulative grade point average required for their classification, as well as the current semester has been achieved.

Academic Suspension: If a student who has been placed on academic probation again fails to achieve the minimum requirement for their classification on at least one of the two standards (that is, the cumulative grade point standard or the current semester standard), he/she will be placed on academic suspension during the next semester.

The student may petition through the Office of the University Registrar to register again on academic probation after an absence from the University of one long semester, or longer.

OTHER PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

Incapacitation of a Student

Texas A&M International University allows a currently enrolled student to be administratively withdrawn from the University, as a result of a prolonged illness or a serious, incapacitating injury. The student should request this action in writing through the Office of the University Registrar. A time limitation for use of this policy is one academic year from the time of the illness/accident.

After receiving confirmation in writing from a competent authority (e.g., attending physician, licensed psychologist/psychiatrist, etc.), the Office of the University Registrar takes the following steps:

1. Notifies the appropriate faculty.
   
2. Sets all grades for the current term to a nonpunitive mark of “W.”
   
3. Notifies the Business Office to determine if a refund is applicable. State law sets the criteria for granting refunds. Please see “Refund of Tuition and Fees” for information on refunds.
   
4. Notifies the Financial Assistance Office, if the student is a recipient of financial assistance. This policy, however, in no way supersedes State and Federal laws.

Death of a Student
When the death of a currently enrolled student is reported, the Office of the University Registrar is notified immediately. After confirming the death, the Office of the University Registrar takes the following steps:

1. Notifies the President, the Vice President for Student Affairs, the appropriate faculty and academic dean.
   
2. Sets grades for all current courses to a nonpunitive mark of “W” and updates directory data to block mailings to the deceased.
   
3. Notifies the Business Office of the effective date of the assignment of the mark.
   
4. Notifies the Financial Assistance Office.

Official Summons
Answering an Official Summons: Occasionally, it is essential that a student be summoned to one of the administrative or academic offices on the campus. A student who fails to answer an official summons promptly will be subject to suspension from all classes until the particular matter of business has been concluded and the student has been granted permission to return to classes.

Change of Address
Students who change their home address while attending Texas A&M International University are expected to notify the Office of the University Registrar immediately. Changes of local address must also be made with the Office of the University Registrar. Address updates may be made via the web.

Student Conduct
Upon registration, students automatically become members of the University community and, as such, assume full responsibility for proper conduct until their separation from the University. All University students should be familiar with the ordinary conventions of adult society governing their behavior.

In addition, all University students must be acquainted with and bound by the University rules and regulations covering student conduct as stated in the Student Handbook which is available on-line or at the Office of Student Life.

Texas A&M International University reserves the right, through due process, to place on probation, suspend, or expel any student for improper conduct.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION

Core Curriculum: Mission Statement
At Texas A&M International University, the core curriculum introduces students to academic disciplines which form the foundation of human thought: mathematics, science, history, language, literature, the arts, and social and behavioral sciences. Our core is conceived to open new areas of learning for our students and to foster skills necessary for success in higher education.

As they move through this course of study, students are encouraged, as their knowledge increases, to develop the capacity to articulate and to support a thesis, to think critically, to synthesize their observations and to perceive analogies and relationships between seemingly diverse ideas and intellectual pursuits.

University Core Curriculum Requirements
These requirements must be met by every student pursuing a baccalaureate degree at A&M International, regardless of his or her major. A specific course may be used to satisfy only one core requirement. Individual academic programs may require courses contained in parts of the University Core Curriculum to satisfy particular degree requirements. Students may be required to take extra courses if they fail to select these courses.

In accordance with Texas Education Code, Chapter 61, Subchapter S, each Texas public general academic institution and community/technical college was required to design and implement a core curriculum, including specific courses. Institutions were required to implement the core curriculum requirement by Fall 1999.

Transfer of the Core Curriculum
A student who successfully completes a 42- to 48-semester-credit-hour common core curriculum at a state-assisted institution of higher education in Texas may transfer that block of courses to TAMIU. The student will receive academic credit for each of the courses transferred. A student transferring to TAMIU who has not completed the common core curriculum will be required to complete his or her common core curriculum as specified by TAMIU.

College or School Requirements
Students must satisfactorily complete all degree requirements specified by the school or college in which the degree is offered. In many instances, the college/school/department academic program requirements may exceed the university core requirements. Individual academic programs may require courses contained in part of the University Core Curriculum to satisfy specific degree requirements. Students may be required to take additional courses if they fail to select these courses.

Computer Literacy Requirement
The computer has become a fundamental resource for learning in all disciplines. Students seeking admission to the University must demonstrate basic computer literacy, a requirement satisfied by at least one-half high school credit in computer literacy, taken as part of a student's college preparation program. (Keyboarding will not satisfy this requirement.) An entering student not able to show mastery of basic computer skills will enroll in MIS 1305, or a similar course, before beginning the third semester of University study.

Foreign Language Requirement:
Students seeking admission to Texas A&M International University must demonstrate beginning college-level proficiency in one foreign language. Beginning proficiency is defined as the equivalent of 6 college level semester credit hours (SCH). Beginning college-level proficiency may be demonstrated by:

1. completion of three years of high school study of a single foreign language with a minimum grade of 80 (3.0) at the end of the third year.
   
2. earning a minimum grade of "C" in 6 SCH in one foreign language
   
3. CLEP, University of Wisconsin, or AP exam scores that award 6 SCH in one foreign language

Foreign language course credits may be used to fulfill the second Romance language requirement of the B.A. in Spanish or certain other lower-level general electives in other degrees. In some degree programs, however, the foreign language credits will count as additional credits above and beyond those required for the degree.

OTHER GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Majors and Minors:  A major when specified as a degree requirement shall consist of a minimum of twenty-four (24) or more semester hours in one subject, six (6) of which must be taken at Texas A&M International University.  For English degrees, the required freshman courses may not be counted as part of the major.

A minor or concentration shall consist of eighteen (18) or more hours, six (6) of which must be taken at Texas A&M International University, in a subject selected by the student.  For English degrees, the required freshman courses may not be counted as part of the minor.

At least fifty percent of the work taken in the major field must be advanced (3000- or 4000-level) coursework, and at least twelve (12) semester hours of advanced work must be taken in the minor field.

Grade Average:  An overall average of “C” (2.0) or above on all work attempted must be maintained for a degree, and, in the case of transfer students, a minimum overall grade average of “C” must also be maintained on the work attempted at this University.

The grade average in the major and minor field where required must be “C”  (2.0) or above on work taken at this University.

Second Bachelor’s Degree:  No second bachelor’s degree will be conferred until the candidate has at least twenty-four (24) hours, and satisfies any additional requirements, in addition to those counted toward the bachelor’s degree which requires the higher number of hours credit.

Residence Requirement:  The applicant for a bachelor’s degree must have been in residence at Texas A&M International University for at least twenty-five (25) percent of the total semester credit hours required for the degree. Twenty-four semester hours of the last thirty (30) advanced hours required for the degree must be completed at Texas A&M International University. The College of Business Administration requires that a minimum of 50% of both the business SCH and the major/concentration SCH be completed at Texas A&M International University.

Advanced Work:  A student must complete a minimum of forty-five (45) semester hours of advanced work (course work numbered 3000-4000) to be eligible to receive a bachelor’s degree.

Graduation under a Particular Catalog:  A student may have the privilege of being graduated according to the curricular requirements as stated in the catalog of the year in which he/she first registered for work in residence at a college/university, or he/she may be graduated under any later catalog of a year in which he/she was registered for residence work, provided that requirements are met within five years of the date of the catalog chosen, and provided further that the institution offers courses listed as requirements in previous catalogs.

Application for Candidacy for Bachelor’s Degree:  A student intending to have a baccalaureate degree conferred at Texas A&M International University must file an Application for Candidacy with the Office of the University Registrar and pay the graduation fee to the University Business Office by the designated deadlines.

Graduation In-Absentia:  Students intending to graduate in-absentia should notify the Office of the University Registrar upon application for candidacy.

Graduation with Honors:  Requirements for graduation with honors include an overall minimum grade point average of 3.25 on work completed at Texas A&M International University as well as an overall minimum 3.25 GPA.  Also required is the completion of at least 45 semester credit hours at Texas A&M International University.  The grade point average on work transferred to this University must be less than the grade point average on Texas A&M International University work to be considered for honors. If the grade point average on transferred work is higher, only the grade point average on Texas A&M International University work will be used to determine eligibility for honors.

The criteria for graduation with honors are:

Cum Laude (with honors):a grade point average of 3.25 or higher but less than a 3.5.

Magna Cum Laude (with high honors):a grade point average of 3.5 or higher but less than 3.65.

Summa Cum Laude (with highest honors):a grade point average of 3.65 or higher.

Degree Conferral and Eligibility for Participation in Graduation Ceremonies: It is the policy of Texas A&M International University that only students who have completed their degree requirements participate in graduation ceremonies. There are two graduation ceremonies each year. May graduates attend the May ceremony. Students who finish requirements in any of the summer terms receive their diplomas in late August and are invited to attend the following December ceremony along with the December graduates.

GRADUATE STUDY FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
A senior student in the last semester or summer session of the undergraduate work may complete a normal load with graduate work provided that the student has a cumulative grade point average in upper-division work of 3.0 or better, and that written approval is obtained from the dean of the college in which the work is offered.  Undergraduates cannot count their work in graduate courses toward the bachelor’s degree.  Such work will be reserved for credit toward a graduate degree.

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