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ACADEMIC REGULATIONS
UNDERGRADUATE

ACADEMIC PROBATION - ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITIES - ACADEMIC SUSPENSION
ADVANCED COURSES - ATTENDANCE POLICY -CHANGE OF ADDRESS
CORE CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS - CROSS-LISTED COURSES - COURSE DROP LIMITATIONS
DEATH OF A STUDENT - DEGREE PLAN - DROPPING AND WITHDRAWAL -
ENROLLMENT GENERAL INFORMATION - FINANCIAL AID IMPACT OF DROPPING OR WITHDRAWING
FULL-TIME STUDENT - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION - GRADE POINT AVERAGE -
GRADING POLICIES - GRADUATION WITH HONORS
GRADUATION UNDER A PARTICULAR CATALOG - HAZING - MAJORS AND MINORS -
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF HOURS - MINIMUM GPA FOR GOOD STANDING - NORMAL LOAD -
OFFICIAL SUMMONS - OTHER GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS -
OTHER PROCEDURES AND POLICIES
- REGISTRATION FOR A COURSE
REPETITION OF A COURSE - RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT - SECOND BACHELOR'S DEGREE -
STUDENT CONDUCT
- TRANSFER OF CORE CURRICULUM
TRANSFER STUDENTS
- WAITLIST POLICY - WRITING INTENSIVE COURSES


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). The maximum number of hours in the A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business in a summer session is seven (7).

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 as part of a student’s cumulative grade point average only the last grade received in the course, whether passing or failing, other than a grade of “W”. However for purposes of grade point average calculation on course work for graduation, grades stand as recorded unless the same course is repeated at this university.

Students who have received their first bachelor’s degree from this institution cannot repeat courses that were used to earn the first degree for purposes of grade point average calculation.

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:

A 90-100, excellent
B 80-89, good
C 70-79, average
D 60-69, passing (not a passing grade for Nursing courses and certain other courses)
F Below 60, failure
S/CR/P Satisfactory/credit/pass
U/NC Unsatisfactory (no credit)
IP In Progress
W Dropped or withdrawn
I Incomplete
   

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 A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business. This grade can be given for only pre-designated 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.

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.

   
Freshman: Less than 30 semester hours of credit
Sophomore: Thirty to fifty nine (30-59) semester hours of credit
Junior: Sixty to eighty nine (60-89) semester hours of credit
Senior: Ninety (90) or more semester hours of credit
   

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 on-line university catalog.

Personal Announcements sent to students through TAMIU’s UConnect Portal and TAMIU E-mail are the official means of communicating course and university business with students and faculty – not the U.S. Mail and not other e-mail addresses. Students and faculty must check UConnect and their TAMIU e-mail accounts regularly, if not daily. Not having seen an important TAMIU e-mail or UConnect message from a faculty member, chair, dean or other University administrator is not accepted as an excuse for failure to take important action. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to sign-up for Dusty Alert (see www.tamiu.edu). Dusty Alert is an instant cell phone text-messaging system allowing the university to immediately notify you if there is an on-campus emergency, something of immediate danger to you, or a campus closing.

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. Students will be required to present updated degree audits 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 Recruitment and School Relations for first time enrollment advisement. During the freshman and sophomore semesters, students should contact the Advising and Mentoring Center for early registration, and degree plan assistance.  After 60 hours of course credit, 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 and immediately on their online rosters.

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 if 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. Deadline to request instructor permission to audit a course is the Census Date of the semester.

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 academic calendar published online.

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 Refund of Fees section for refund schedules

Course Drop Limit Provisions
Students who enroll as entering freshmen or first-time in college students in undergraduate courses offered through an affected institution of higher education for the first time during the Fall 2007 semester or any subsequent semester are subject to the course drop limit of six course drops including any course a transfer student has dropped at another affected institution.

Institutions Affected: Texas public community colleges, technical institutes/colleges, health science institutions offering undergraduate course work, and universities must comply with the legislation of TEC 51.907.

Students Affected: Students who enroll as entering freshmen or first-time in college students in undergraduate courses offered through an affected institution of higher education for the first time during the Fall 2007 semester or any subsequent semester are subject to the course drop limit restrictions. Transfer students who first enrolled at a Texas public institution during the Fall 2007 semester or subsequent semester are considered first time in college and are affected by the six course drop limit. Students who elect to use the provisions of Academic Fresh Start who have coursework prior to the Fall 2007 semester are grandfathered and are not subject to TEC 51.907. Students who have completed a baccalaureate degree at any recognized public or private institution are not considered affected students whether or not taking additional undergraduate courses.

Course Drop Definition: A course drop, which will be recorded on the transcript, is defined as an affected credit course not completed by an undergraduate student who:
1. is enrolled in the course at the official date of record*, and
2. will receive a non-punitive grade of W.
*Date of Record varies according to the semester/session.

Semester/Session Date of Record*
Spring 12th Class Day
Summer Sessions 4th Class Day
Fall 12th Class Day

Other Factors Regarding Course Drop Limit: Transfer students who are affected by this legislation shall be required to submit all transfer institution transcripts for processing of the transfer course drops which apply to the limit prior to being allowed to utilize any drops at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU). If the transfer transcript does not indicate any drops toward the limit, TAMIU will set the drop count for that institution at zero.

If a student was granted a drop at TAMIU and the Office of the University Registrar later learns that the drop counter was set incorrectly, the office will update the student’s record to correct the counter. If the student has exceeded the six course drop limit, the drop will be removed and the faculty member of the associated course will be contacted to issue the appropriate grade.

Withdrawal Definition: A student is considered to have withdrawn from the institution when the student drops all courses during the semester.

Excluded Courses From Limit: Drops from the following types of courses are excluded from the course drop limit.
A) Courses taken by students while enrolled in high school – whether for dual credit, early college credit, or for college credit alone.
B) Courses dropped at private or out-of-state institutions.
C) Remedial or developmental courses, workforce education courses, or other courses that would not generate academic credit that could be applied to a degree.
D) Courses taken as required co-requisites such as a lecture class with a required laboratory are counted as one drop whether or not identified as separate courses or as separate sections of a course.
E) Courses which meet the definition of complete withdrawal.

Student Exceptions: Students may petition to drop more than the 6-course limit, or to drop a course and not have the drop count against the 6-course limit. These petitions will be reviewed by committee.
The following circumstances will be considered:
· A severe illness or other debilitating condition that affects the student’s ability to satisfactorily complete the course.
· The student’s responsibility to provide the care of a sick, injured, or needy person such that providing the care affects the student’s ability to satisfactorily complete the course.
· The death of a person considered to be a member of the student’s family or someone who is otherwise considered to have a sufficiently close relationship to the student.
· The student’s active duty service as a member of the military or of a person considered to be a member of the student’s family or someone who is otherwise considered to a have a sufficiently close relationship to the student.
· A change of the student’s work schedule that is beyond the control of the student and that affects the student’s ability to satisfactorily complete the course.
· Other good causes as determined by the University on an individual basis.
* Please note that documentation must be provided in support of any of the circumstances noted above.

The following circumstances will not be considered valid reasons for requesting an exception to the 6-course drop limit:
· An attempt to avoid scholastic probation.
· Failing a course.
· Possibility of receiving a grade that will lower the grade point average.

Please note that this policy may vary from other institutions. For more information on this policy, contact the Office of the University Registrar.

Appeal Process:
1. Students will appeal in writing and provide appropriate documentation to support their appeal.
2. The appeal should state the course(s) that should be considered for not counting and the reason(s) why they should not count.
3. Documentation is required for medical/family emergencies.
4. Dropped courses may only be appealed in the term they were dropped.
5. A student may not drop from a course in which a final grade has been assigned.
6. Committee will approve/disapprove based on information provided.
7. Committee decision(s) are considered final and binding.

Withdrawal from the University
Students who find it necessary to withdraw from all courses must notify the Office of Student Success in University Success Center 224. Refer to the Refund of Fees section of the catalog 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).

CONTINUATION OF UNDERGRADUATE ENROLLMENT

Minimum Grade Point Average for Good Standing

Standards for good standing are based on an institutional 2.0 GPA

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”. Effective Fall 2007, only hours earned from Texas A&M International University will be included.

Grade Point Average
The grade point average accumulated on the permanent record of a student at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) will be based on course hours and grade points earned by a student on work taken only at this university. Transfer work will be accepted for fulfilling degree and graduation requirements only.

Academic Probation
Students will be placed on Academic Probation at the conclusion of any long semester (Fall or Spring) when their institutional cumulative grade point average at Texas A&M International University falls below 2.0. Such students are encouraged to participate to the fullest in academic support programs and to seek academic advising. Students who have been placed on Academic Probation will be allowed to enroll for one additional one semester in an attempt to achieve the required institutional cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better.

Academic Suspension
Students who have been placed on Academic Probation, and fail to achieve the minimum institutional cumulative grade point average during the next long semester will be placed on Academic Suspension. Students on Academic Suspension will be required to sit out one long semester and may re-enroll after such absence under Academic Probation. Prior to enrolling, the returning student must meet with an academic advisor to develop an academic improvement plan. The advisor will then meet with the student throughout the semester to monitor the student’s progress in meeting established goals and determine appropriate subsequent actions.

The student may appeal the Academic Suspension to the Dean of the College/School, or the Dean’s designate, in which he/she is pursuing a degree by submitting a petition for academic reinstatement and a student self assessment. If the petition is approved, the student will be permitted to enroll on Academic Probation. Prior to enrolling, the returning student must meet with the dean to develop an academic improvement plan. The dean or designate will meet with the student throughout the semester to monitor the student’s progress in meeting established goals and determine appropriate subsequent actions.

Removal of Academic Suspension Status by Summer Study
Students placed on Academic Suspension at the end of the spring semester are eligible to attend the subsequent summer sessions at TAMIU. If the student achieves an institutional cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better at the conclusion of the summer terms, the Academic Suspension status will be removed.

OTHER PROCEDURES AND POLICIES
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 of Student Success, the appropriate faculty and college 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 Aid 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 Affairs.

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

Hazing
Hazing is a criminal violation under Texas law. A person may be found guilty of criminal conduct for hazing, encouraging hazing, permitting hazing, or having knowledge of the planning of hazing incidents and failing to report in writing his/her knowledge to the Dean of Student Success.

Both failing to report hazing and hazing that does not result in serious bodily injury are Class B misdemeanors. Hazing that results in serious bodily injury is a Class A misdemeanor. Hazing resulting in a death is a state jail felony. An organization found guilty of hazing may be fined $5,000 to $10,000 or, for incident causing personal injury or property damage, an amount double the loss or expenses incurred because of the hazing incident.  It is not a defense to prosecution that the person hazed consented to the hazing activity.

Any person reporting a specific hazing incident to an appropriate institutional official is immune from civil and criminal liability unless the report is in bad faith or malicious.

This state law does not limit or affect an education institution’s right to enforce its own penalties against hazing.

The Education Code defines hazing as “any intentional, knowing, or reckless act occurring on or off the campus of an educational institution by one person or acting with others, directed against a student, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in an organization.” The statute contains a list of conduct which constitutes hazing.

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.


CORE CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS

 
NOTE: For specific core requirements, consult appropriate degree program.

 

Component Area Course Options
SCH
   
Communication ENGL 1301 and 1302
9
  and one of the following:
ENGL 2311/HUM 2301/ MATH 2371/ COMM 1311/ COMM 1315
   
Mathematics* College Algebra or above
3
   
Natural Science* Courses with laboratories can be taken from:
ASTR, BIOL, CHEM, EPSC, GEOL or PHYS
8
   
Humanities ENGL 2322, 2323, 2327, 2328, 2332, 2333, 2365
3
  PHIL 1301
   
Visual, Literary and Performing Arts* Courses can be taken from:
ARTS, COMM, DANC, ENGL, MUAP, MUEN, MUSI, SPAN or THAR
3
   
History HIST 1301 and 1302
6
   
Political Science PSCI 2305 and 2306
6
   
Social & Behavioral Science* Courses can be taken from:
ANTH, CRIJ, ECO, GEOG, HIST, HUM, LEDR, PHIL, PSCI, PSYC, SOCI, URBS or UNIV
3
   
Institutional Option* Activity or wellness course
1

TOTAL
42

 
*See eligible courses in Appendix A.

University Core Curriculum Requirements
In accordance with Texas Education Code, Chapter 61, Subchapter S, core curriculum 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 as options in the University Core Curriculum to satisfy particular degree requirements. Students may be required to take extra courses if they fail to select these courses.

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. Individual academic programs may require courses contained as options in the University Core Curriculum to satisfy specific degree requirements. Students may be required to take additional courses if they fail to select these courses.

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, or
  2. earning a minimum grade of "C" in 6 SCH in one foreign language, or
  3. CLEP or AP exam scores that award 6 SCH in one foreign language, or
  4. completion of two foreign language courses in one language with a "C" or better from the University's International Language Institute, or
  5. completion of two American Sign Language courses with a "C" or better.

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.

International students who have completed their academic studies in a language other than English will have met the foreign language requirement.

University Seminar
First-time freshmen and transfers with less than 30 semester credit hours are required to enroll in University Seminar 1101 and 1102.  These two one-hour courses are scheduled within learning communities.  The first course focuses on models of academic success, founded on an understanding of learning theories from the fields of education and psychology and the application of those theories to core curriculum content through writing, discussion groups, information literacy, cognitive self assessment tools, and other related issues.  The second course is an introduction to ethics, memory, communication and the role these topics play in successful academic progress. Both courses promote academic and student life success through a variety of academic support interventions, peer mentoring and awareness of university resources.

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 earned at least twenty-four (24) additional hours at Texas A&M International University, satisfies any additional requirements, including specific course requirements of the second degree, and meets the required grade point average.

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 A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business 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.

Writing Intensive Courses: Effective Fall 2010, to earn a baccalaureate degree from Texas A&M International University, a student must complete, at TAMIU, three courses beyond freshman English that are identified in the course schedule and on the transcript as “writing intensive” courses.  Only one of these courses may be at the 1000- or 2000-level, and at least one must be in the major/concentration in which the student is earning a degree.*

Enrollment in a 1000- or 2000-level WIN course requires completion of ENGL 1301 English Composition I and ENGL 1302 English Composition II, or department approval. A minimum grade of ‘C’ is required to earn credit for a WIN course. At least 50% of the WIN course grade must be devoted to the evaluation of written work.

*Chairs, with their dean’s endorsement, may approve transfer courses at the 3000-4000 level as meeting up to two of the three required writing intensive courses if the student can provide documentation deemed adequate to justify such a substitution. The requirement that at least one of the writing intensive courses must be taken at TAMIU in the student’s major may not be met by the substitution of a transfer course.

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 Census Date of the semester in which the student wishes to graduate.

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 the completion of at least 45 semester credit hours with an overall minimum grade point average of 3.50 at Texas A&M International University.

The criteria for graduation with honors are:

Cum Laude (with honors): a grade point average of 3.50 or higher but less than a 3.70.

Magna Cum Laude (with high honors): a grade point average of 3.70 or higher but less than 3.90.

Summa Cum Laude (with highest honors): a grade point average of 3.90 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 undergraduate work may complete a normal load with graduate work as provided below:

  • Must be within 15 semester credit hours of graduation.
  • Must have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in upper-division work.
  • Must not enroll for more than 15 semester credit hours total and must not enroll for more than 6 semester credit hours of graduate work.
  • Cannot count work in graduate courses towards the bachelor’s degree. Graduate courses will be reserved for credit toward the graduate degree when fully accepted into a graduate program. (Not applicable to students pursuing the BA/MA degree.).
  • Must have approval from the Department/Division Chair and the Dean of the College in which the work is offered.

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