College of Charleston Undergraduate Catalog

College of Charleston Undergraduate Catalog

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Academic Regulations

See www.cofc.edu/AcademicAffairs for more information.

Students at the College of Charleston undertake a rigorous course of study that demands a significant time commitment to the academic regimen. As a part of their academic responsibility, all students must devote adequate time to their studies. Many support services on campus are devoted to helping students achieve academic success. Information on specific support services may be found in the student support services section of this catalog.

All undergraduate students at the College of Charleston are required to be familiar with and adhere to the following academic policies.

Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science Degrees
The trustees and faculty of the College of Charleston are authorized by the charter of the College to confer the bachelor of arts and the bachelor of science degrees. (See individual schools for a complete list of majors and degrees offered.)
In order to graduate with either a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree, the student must meet three types of degree requirements:

  1. Liberal arts and sciences general education degree requirements: a core curriculum of 14 to 18 courses designed to introduce the student to the principal areas of intellectual inquiry and to teach the student basic intellectual skills.
  2. Major requirements: the courses specified for the student's major program, which are designed to provide concentrated study in a specialized field.
  3. Electives: courses chosen by the student as a means of studying subjects of particular interest.

To be eligible for graduation, the student must have:

  1. Satisfied the general education degree requirements by earning credit in the courses specified and/or successfully passing approved placement exams offered in their stead.
  2. Earned credit in courses required for the major, with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in all major courses (or for interdepartmental majors such as urban studies, all courses in the area of concentration). Some programs require a GPA greater than a 2.0; see specific major requirements in the "Schools" section of the catalog.
  3. Earned a total of 122 semester hours of credit, with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in all courses taken at the College (i.e., at least twice as many quality points as quality hours).

It is the responsibility of the student to meet the requirements for graduation as listed above.

Courses numbered 100 or below may carry credit, but are not counted as part of the 122-hour minimum needed for the degree nor do they count toward the GPA. No more than eight hours of physical education and health (PEHD) 100-level courses, including dance (THTR), may be counted as part of this minimum.

Senior-Year Residency
The senior year of work for the degree must be completed in residence at the College of Charleston. However, candidates who have earned more than 60 credit hours at the College of Charleston may petition the Office of the Registrar and the chair of the department of their major to complete up to seven of their final 37 hours at another institution. For study abroad, the determination in advance for credit in excess of seven hours to be awarded during the senior year will be made by the College academic department concerned (see "Study Abroad").

Second Bachelor's Degree

A student who has previously earned a bachelors degree from the College of Charleston and wishes to pursue further undergraduate work may either complete an additional major and have it noted on the permanent record (with date of completion)* or earn a second degree if it is different from the first (i.e., a B.A. if the first degree was a B.S. and vice versa**). This student must apply for re-admission for the second degree, and then:

A College of Charleston student may earn more than one baccalaureate degree (i.e., B.A., A.B., B.S.) concurrently at the College of Charleston, if he or she meets the following requirements:

Students who hold a baccalaureate degree from another institution may earn a second baccalaureate degree at the College of Charleston by meeting the following requirements:

*CofC students completing a major in the same degree program previously awarded will not receive a second diploma. However, the permanent record (transcript) will reflect the additional major. In the case of multiple majors in different degree programs, the student will choose the degree to be earned and posted on the diploma if the student has not satisfied the requirements to be awarded more than one degree as noted above (earned less than 152 semester hours).

**Students earning an A.B. degree will earn that degree in place of the B.A. or B.S. normally earned with the major.

Undergraduate Catalog Requirements

Students with continuous enrollment have the option of fulfilling all the graduation requirements from the Undergraduate Catalog under which they entered the College or all the requirements from any subsequent catalog. Students who withdraw and then return to the College must follow the graduation requirements from the Undergraduate Catalog under which they are re-admitted or any subsequent catalog, provided the student maintains continuous enrollment.

Statement of Purpose for the Common Requirements of the College of Charleston’s Undergraduate Curriculum

Graduates of the College of Charleston complete a challenging course of study that will prepare them to function intelligently, responsibly, creatively, and compassionately in a multifaceted, interconnected world. While their work in the major of their choice will give students specialized knowledge and skills in that discipline or profession, the College’s core curriculum will equip each student, regardless of major, with crucial intellectual skills in analysis, research, and communication. Their coursework in the liberal arts and sciences will offer students a broad perspective on the natural world and the human condition, and will encourage them to examine their own lives and make useful contributions to their own time and place. Over the course of their undergraduate careers, all College of Charleston students will develop the following intellectual skills, areas of knowledge, and dispositions:

I. Research and Communication in Multiple Media and Languages, including proficiency in
   Gathering and using information
   Effective writing and critical reading;
   Oral and visual communication
   Foreign language

II. Analytical and Critical Reasoning, including
    Mathematical and scientific reasoning and analysis
    Social and cultural analysis
    Interdisciplinary analysis and creative problem-solving

III. Historical, Cultural, and Intellectual Perspectives, including knowledge of
     Human history and the natural world
     Artistic, cultural, and intellectual achievements
     Human behavior and social interaction
     Perspectives and contributions of academic disciplines

IV. International and Intercultural Perspectives, gained by
     Knowledge of international and global contexts
     Experiencing, understanding, and using multiple cultural perspectives

V. Personal and Ethical Perspectives, including experiences that promote
     Self-understanding, curiosity and creativity
     Personal, academic, and professional integrity
     Moral and ethical responsibility; community and global  citizenship

VI. Advanced Knowledge and Skills in Major Area of Study, consisting of
      Skills and knowledge of the discipline
      Sequence of coursework that fosters intellectual growth
      Coursework that extends and builds upon knowledge and skills gained from the core curriculum
      The ability to transfer the skills and knowledge of the major into another setting

Liberal Arts and Sciences General Education Requirements

Students are urged to pay special attention to both the selection of and scholastic emphasis on the courses within the liberal arts and sciences general education degree requirements. These courses are designed to provide the students with a solid foundation for further study and an essential part of the undergraduate's education.
The College may administer placement examinations to determine the level at which entering students are prepared to begin their work in a foreign language and mathematics.
For all undergraduate degrees, the total number of semester hours must include the following:
English: complete ENGL 110, Introduction to Academic Writing, a four-semester-hour course in effective writing, critical reading, gathering and using information. (A degree candidate must enroll in ENGL 110 in the first year and each semester after that until the English requirement has been fulfilled.)
History: six semester hours: complete one course in pre-modern history and one course in modern history from the list of approved courses satisfying the history requirement. The two courses do not have to be taken from the same department or in sequence.
Natural Science: eight semester hours: an introductory or higher sequence from one of the following: astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, or physics, of which two semester hours must be earned in the accompanying laboratories.
Mathematics or Logic: six semester hours in either mathematics or logic. (This requirement may not be met by a combination of coursework in mathematics and logic.)
Foreign Languages, Classical or Modern: (ENGL and HNDI excluded) 0 – 12 semester hours: satisfactory completion of 202 or its equivalent, or demonstration of proficiency at that level. (For foreign language courses that range from 101 – 202, successful completion of a higher-level course prohibits the student from taking a lower-level course in the same language for credit.)
NOTE: Native Speakers of Languages Other Than English: No native speaker of a language other than English will be awarded foreign language placement credit for proficiency in his or her first language. However, a student whose native language is not English, who has received formal instruction or can demonstrate a high level of literacy in his or her first language, may be exempted from further language study. Such students may exempt the general education requirement for language study by successfully completing a minimum of 12 semester hours at the College. For waivers, contact the School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs.
Social Science: six semester hours from one or two of the following: anthropology, communication (selected courses), economics, political science, psychology, or sociology.
Humanities: 12 semester hours from the following nine areas with no more than six semester hours in any one of the following areas:

  1. British or American literature
  2. Any foreign literature
  3. Art history (not courses in studio art)
  4. Music (not courses in practice or performance of music)
  5. Theatre (not courses in practice or performance of theatre)
  6. History (excluding the classes used to satisfy the general education history requirement)
  7. Philosophy (excluding 215 and 216)
  8. Religious studies
  9. Communication (selected courses)
    (Certain interdisciplinary courses may also be applied to the humanities requirement. For a listing of humanities courses, visit the Web: www.cofc.edu/~advising/humnties.htm.)

Major Requirements
By the second semester of the sophomore year, each student must declare a major through the office of the department of that major. Since the major department must advise the student concerning post-sophomore courses, the declaration of major should be accomplished before the student is enrolled as a junior. Failure to do so may result in a delay of graduation.
A major program requires at least 27 semester hours in one department. No major program, including interdepartmental programs, requires more than 54 semester hours in the major area except business administration and accounting due to accreditation requirements. Every department that offers a major requiring more than 36 hours also offers a major of not more than 36 hours for the student's choice, except those within the School of Business and Economics. Within these minimum and maximum limitations, each department specifies the number of hours in its major program or programs, and in some instances specifies the actual courses required. See specific major requirements in the "Schools" section of the catalog.
At least 15 hours in the major at the 200 level or above must be earned at the College of Charleston.
Students may complete a double major by fulfilling the requirements of two major programs. If both are completed at the time of graduation under one degree, both majors will be listed on the diploma. If the two majors are in different degree categories (BS, BA, AB), the student will choose which degree he or she will earn, unless the requirements have been met for two degrees (i.e., 152 hours, including all degree requirements). Please see the policy for Second Bachelor's Degree on the previous page.  All majors completed will be recorded on the transcript.

Concentrations and Minors
A degree seeking student may elect to pursue a program of study organized around a particular theme within the major discipline (a concentration) or outside the major discipline (a minor). Either program must include a minimum of 18 hours selected from a formally designated group. At least nine hours in the minor at the 200 level or above must be earned at the College of Charleston. Successful completion of such a program of study requires a grade point average of at least 2.0 in all courses taken; which comprise it. Credit may be received for up to two concentrations or minors, and courses used to satisfy the requirements of one may not be applied toward a second. These courses may be selected from a single department or from several, and interdisciplinary courses may be included. Students must formally declare the concentration area or minor with the individual department in order to have the transcript reflect credit for work done in that concentration or minor.

Application for Graduation and Degree Audit
Students should formally apply to graduate on Cougar Trail early in the first semester of their senior year. The application deadline is October 1st for fall graduation and February 1st for spring graduation. All students are issued College of Charleston e-mail accounts and are expected to read their e-mail routinely. All official notifications about graduation are e-mailed to this account.
Students can obtain a printed copy of their Degree Audit on Cougar Trail. After printing the Degree Audit, they should review the audit with their major academic advisor and report any discrepancies to the Graduation Coordinator in the Office of the Registrar. This audit will list remaining degree requirements as well as requirements completed and in progress. The audit assumes successful completion of courses in progress. The Degree Audit is dynamic and changes as students revise their course schedules and progress with their academic career.
While academic advisors and the Office of the Registrar continue to assist students with requirements for graduation, students are ultimately responsible for ensuring that they have met all degree requirements for graduation.

Artium Baccalaureatus (A.B.)
For all majors except classics, completion of all required courses in any major, 18 hours in Latin or 18 hours in Ancient Greek, and six hours in courses in classical civilization such as:
ARTH 220 Greek and Roman Art
CLAS 101 Greek Civilization
CLAS 102 Roman Civilization
CLAS 103 Classical Mythology
CLAS 104 Introduction to Classical Archaeology
CLAS 121 Classical Greece (travel course)
CLAS 122 Bronze Age Greece (travel course)
CLAS 221 Field Methods in Classical Archaeology I
CLAS 222 Field Methods in Classical Archaeology II
CLAS 242 Images of Women in ClassicalAntiquity
CLAS 253 Ancient Epic
CLAS 254 Tragedy
CLAS 255 Comedy
CLAS 256 Satire
CLAS 270 Romans in Cinema
CLAS 301 Topics in Ancient Greek Literature
CLAS 302 Topics in Latin Literature
CLAS 303 Topics in Classical Civilization
HIST 230 Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia
HIST 231 Ancient Greece
HIST 232 Ancient Rome
PHIL 201 History of Ancient Philosophy
NOTES: The registrar as well as the classics department maintains a list of courses that can be used to satisfy this requirement. Classics majors should refer to the School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs section of this catalog for A.B. degree requirements. An AB Degree will replace the BA or BS degree normally earned with a major, unless the student meets the requirements for a second degree.
The student must have earned a grade point average of 2.5 or higher in the courses used to satisfy the classical languages and classical civilization requirements. After the student has declared a major within a department, the student must declare the A.B. degree through the office of the Classics Department.
A declaration should be made prior to the student's final semester at the College.

In the Classroom

Attendance
Since class attendance is a crucial part of any course, students are expected to attend all classes and laboratory meetings of each course in which they enroll. During the first week of classes, instructors will announce and distribute their attendance policies, including criteria to be used in determining excused absences. The professor determines whether absences are excused or unexcused, whether make-up work will be permitted, and whether both excused and unexcused absences count in determining the basis for a grade of "WA." If attendance is used for grading purposes, the professor is responsible for keeping accurate attendance records. Each student, whether absent or not, is responsible for all information disseminated in the course. If a student has more than the maximum allowed absences, as defined in the course syllabus, the professor may assign a grade of "WA" for the student. The grade of "WA" is a failing grade. The procedure for assignment of this grade requires that the professor submit the "WA" on Cougar Trail on the Web on or before the last meeting day of the class. The registrar will then send an e-mail notification to the student, if the WA is assigned prior to the end of the semester. The students are responsible for keeping addresses current through the Office of the Registrar and for reading all administrative college e-mail communication from their College of Charleston Edisto account.
If students who participate in athletic competitions or other College-sponsored events want to be assured that they are in compliance with the faculty members attendance policy, they must provide written notification to all course instructors of dates and times when regularly scheduled classes and labs will be missed.
Semester Hours (Credit Hours)
The credit that a student earns by the satisfactory completion of the work in any course is measured in units called semester hours. The semester-hour value of most courses is the same as the number of hours per week that the course meets during the fall or spring semester. However, three hours a week of required laboratory work have a credit value of only one semester hour.
Full-Time Status
Students at the College are considered full time if they are enrolled for 12 or more hours and are paying full tuition. However, it should be noted that an academic schedule of only 12 hours is not sufficient to allow a student to graduate within four calendar years without attending summer school. Full-time attendance in summer school is defined as 12 hours enrollment across the five May and summer terms.
Class Rank
Advancement to sophomore rank requires credit of at least 30 semester hours; to junior rank, 60 semester hours; to senior rank, 90 semester hours. Students are required to declare a major before they advance to junior rank. A minimum of 122 semester hours of credit is required for graduation.  (See Second Bachelor's Degree policy above.)
Auditing Courses
Permission to audit a regular academic course must be received from the instructor teaching the course on a Permission to Audit Form, available on the registrar's website. This form must be completed and submitted to the registrar no later than the end of the drop/add period. A student may switch from grade to audit status or audit to grade status only within the drop/add period.
An audit will be recorded on a student's permanent record at the College. Faculty may set attendance and/or other requirements for audit students; an audit may be revoked if the student does not comply with these requirements. Full tuition is charged for audited coursework.
NOTE: No audits are permitted in studio courses or independent study-type courses.

The Grading System

The College of Charleston initiated a new grading scale that includes minuses as well as pluses for all undergraduate students in fall 2006. Notification of this upcoming change has appeared in "The Grading System" section of the catalog every year since fall 2002. This change to a new grading scale was approved by the Faculty Senate in 2001 and supported by the Student Government Association.
Grades are available on Cougar Trail on the Web at https://cougartrail.cofc.edu beginning with the date set by the Registrars Office for the term specified. For a complete academic record of their grades, students may request an official academic transcript from the Office of the Registrar or they may view their unofficial transcript on Cougar Trail on the Web.
Students receive letter grades for every course in which they enroll. Each letter grade has a numerical "quality point value" as shown below. The following grading system, with quality values as indicated, was implemented in the fall of 2006.

Letter Grade Quality Points
A Superior 4.00
A-   3.70
B+ Very Good 3.30
B Good 3.00
B-   2.70
C+ Fair 2.30
C Acceptable 2.00
C-   1.70
D+   1.30
D Barely Acceptable, Passing 1.00
D-   0.70
F Failure 0.00
WA Withdrawn Excessive Absences (equivalent to an F) 0.00
XF Failure Due to Academic Dishonesty 0.00
Grade Status Indicator
I Incomplete
IP In progress
W Withdrawn
P Passed
NP Not Passed
X Absent from final exam
NG No grade required
NR No grade reported
AU Audit
PT Pending Transcript
CP Completed program
S/U Satisfactory/unsatisfactory

The grade "I" indicates that only a small part of the semester 's work remains to be done, that the student is otherwise doing satisfactory work in the course, and that an extension of time is warranted to complete the course. The grade of "I" also signifies that an agreement has been established between professor and student as to the quantity of work remaining to be done, the deadlines established for its completion, and a schedule of meeting times. It is recommended that this agreement be made in writing with both professor and student having a copy. The student is allowed 60 days from the date of the last scheduled examination day of the semester in which this grade is received to complete the work in the course. If the student does not complete the work within 60 days, the "I" is automatically changed to an "F." Exceptions must be approved in advance by the faculty member and the director of undergraduate academic services.

The statute of limitations for grade changes is two calendar years from the original grade submission deadline. After this period of time has elapsed, normally no grade issued to a student may be changed. Requests for any change of grade should be initiated by the faculty member who assigned the grade. All requests must be adequately documented.

An "IP" may be assigned for courses that overlap terms. Any bachelor 's essay, independent study, or honors course that, by definition, transcends more than one semester is eligible for an "IP"; at the end of the first semester of study. An "IP" should not be assigned to students who have failed to complete coursework within a standard course. "IPs" are not automatically changed to "Fs" after 60 days.

A grade of "P" carries only earned hours; does not carry quality hours or quality points.

A "PT" indicates that a student is enrolled in a program such as international study or cross registration with another institution for which the attempted hours may be applied toward those required for financial aid or insurance coverage. "PT" indicates Pending Transcript and serves as a placeholder until the official transcript arrives and transfer credit is applied for courses earning a grade of "C" (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better. The "PT" is then changed to a "CP." A "CP" indicates that a student has completed a program such as international study, cross-registration, or a College of Charleston co-op. The grade status indicator of "CP" carries no quality points, quality hours, or earned hours.

A grade of "S" or "U" may be assigned in certain courses that do not count toward earned hours for graduation.

An "AU" indicates that the student is auditing. Audited coursework carries no quality points, no quality hours, and no earned hours, but carries full fees and tuition. Please see the "Auditing Courses" section of the catalog.

An "NR" indicates that no grade has been reported because the student has just registered for a future semester or the coursework is actually in progress. A missing (or blank) grade may also indicate that no grade was reported by the instructor by the grades due deadline for a specific term. Missing grades are converted to "Fs" at the end of 60 days if the instructor does not turn in a grade change form indicating the correct earned grade.

The grade of "XF" is intended to indicate that a student failed a course for academic dishonesty. For serious and intentional violations of the Honor Code, the faculty member for the course involved will be instructed by the Honor Board to assign the grade of "XF." The grade "XF" shall be recorded on the student 's transcript with the notation "failure due to academic dishonesty." A student may petition the Honor Board for removal of the "XF" after two years. The implementation of the "XF" grade strengthens the College 's commitment to academic integrity.

Final Examinations

Examinations must be taken at the time scheduled (refer to the appropriate copy of "course information" or go to the Web at www.cofc.edu/~register/courseCalendars.htm) except when:

  1. Two or more exams are scheduled simultaneously.
  2. The student has three or more examinations within a 24-hour period.

Note: Forms for permission to reschedule one exam may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar with written permission of the instructor and must be obtained prior to the first day of the exam period.
If a student is absent from a final examination, the temporary mark of "X" may be assigned electronically by the instructor and the "X" will immediately translate to an "F" that will remain until the faculty member initiates a change of grade and forwards to the Registrar 's Office within the 60-day period designated for missing and incomplete grades. After the 60-day deadline, the change of grade request should be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Academic Services. The Associate Dean of Students will grant an excused absence if the student has a documented illness on the day of the examination or if documentable extenuating circumstances prevented the student 's presence at the examination. An excused absence entitles the student to a make-up examination, which will be held as soon as possible. Any student who has not been granted an excused absence will fail the course and will be able to obtain credit only by repeating the course and earning a passing grade.
NOTE: Re-examinations are not allowed.

Pass-Fail Option
The pass-fail option is provided to encourage students to enrich their educational experience and to venture outside their major areas of concentration or competence. To earn a pass under the pass-fail option, students must perform at the "C (2.0)" level or above. A grade of "P" carries only earned hours; does not carry quality hours or quality points. A grade of not passing ("NP") will be recorded on the transcript, but will carry no grade points and will not be used in calculating the GPA.
The following restrictions apply:

  1. A student electing the pass-fail option must be in good standing (not on academic probation) and must be of sophomore standing or above.
  2. A student electing the pass-fail option must do so at registration by completing a pass-fail option petition (available at the Office of the Registrar), and no change may be made after the drop-add period.
  3. No more than 12 credit hours may be taken under the pass-fail option, and no more than one course in any one semester.
  4. No course taken on the pass-fail option may be used to satisfy the general education requirements or be taken in one 's major or minor fields. If a student who completes a course under the pass-fail option later changes his/her major and that course is required for the major, he/she may petition the department for the course to be accepted.
  5. No course may be repeated on a pass-fail option. A course for which the grade "P" has been received may not be repeated.

Withdrawal from Courses

Students may voluntarily withdraw from individual courses and/or labs until the official withdrawal deadline for the semester (see "academic calendar") through Cougar Trail on the Web, or by submitting the required paperwork to the Registrar 's Office. A grade of "W" will be entered on their record unless the student has been found responsible for an Honor Code violation. In that case, the professor determines the grade entered on the student 's record for that class. Students wishing to drop or withdraw from Express II courses after the deadlines for full-semester courses must fill out a request in the Registrars Office by the deadline for these processes. This cannot be done via Cougar Trail on the Web.
Students may petition for withdrawal after the official deadline through the Office of Undergraduate Academic Services. This permission will be granted only if continued enrollment in the course would be detrimental to the student 's health or if documented extenuating circumstances prevent the student 's continued enrollment.
If a student discontinues enrollment from the College of Charleston, whether voluntarily or not, re-entry for future semesters may be contingent on satisfying conditions outlined by the Offices of Student Affairs and Undergraduate Academic Services.
NOTE: A decision not to attend a course does not constitute a withdrawal from it. Failure to properly withdraw from or drop a course can result in financial responsibility for full tuition for the course as well as a resulting grade of "F."

Course Repetition Policy

It is the policy of the College of Charleston that students may repeat up to 12 hours of passed coursework excluding:

There are two types of transcript coding for repeated courses:

A passed course may be repeated only once, regardless of the outcome. A subsequent registration will result in a drop. Repetition of passed courses will not increase earned hours, but students will receive quality hours and quality points in order to calculate the grade of the repeated course into the overall GPA. Repeated course grade points will not be used to calculate honors at graduation.
Students may repeat any course they have previously failed. The grade for the repeated course, as well as the failing grade, will be computed into the student 's cumulative GPA and recorded on the student 's transcript. Any student who does not want the grade for a repeated, previously passed course calculated must complete a form available in the Office of the Registrar before the drop-add deadline.
Scholarship students (academic and athletic), financial aid students, and veterans may repeat courses under this policy; however, they should check with the Departments of Financial Aid or Athletics to see how this will affect their eligibility.

Transfer Credit or Placement Credit That Repeats CofC Courses
Students who are given transfer or placement credit need to pay particular attention to the College 's course equivalents awarded, and be careful not to register for a course that is considered a repeat or a duplicate of the credited coursework (i.e., taking the same course twice results in only one granting of credit, not two). Students may petition the Registrar 's Office, with approval of their advisor, to decline placement, AP, or transfer credit. Such petitions must be made before the course is repeated.

General Repeat Rules:

Some additional limitations include, but are not limited to:
Physical Education/Theatre activities courses (e.g., yoga, dance, etc.)

Languages

Mathematics

Business, Economics, Business Law, Accounting, International Business

Art History and Music

Sciences and Psychology

Philosophy

NOTE: This is not a complete list of specific situations resulting in repeated or duplicate coursework. Please consult your personal degree audit, the specific course information in this catalog, and your advisor for additional information.

Course Overload

The normal course load for degree candidates in fall and spring semesters is 14-17 credit hours. Enrollment in courses totaling more than 18 credit hours requires special permission from the student 's academic advisor and the department chair. This permission must be obtained before registration for the semester in which the overload is to be carried. Failure to obtain permission may result in cancellation of any courses not specifically authorized over 18 hours.

Course Overload During Summer

Students may take only one course during Maymester. Students are advised to take no more than two courses concurrently during any of the other summer terms. Taking more than two courses concurrently is considered an overload. Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or less are advised against taking an overload. Students with a cumulative or major GPA of 2.0 or less are strongly advised against taking an overload.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

The number of quality points earned for each course is calculated by multiplying the semester-hour value of the course by the number of quality points assigned to the grade received for the course. For example, a grade of "B" received in a three-semester-hour course would earn 9.0 quality points (3.0 quality points x 3 semester hours).
At the end of each semester, the student 's GPA for the semester is calculated. To compute the semester GPA, the total number of quality points earned for the semester is divided by the total number of quality hours carried. For instance, a student who earns 36 quality points while carrying a course load of 15 semester hours would earn a GPA of 2.40 for the semester.
The student 's cumulative GPA is also computed at the end of each semester. This is the grade point average the student has earned up to that point at the College. The cumulative GPA is computed by dividing the total quality points the student has earned at the College by the total number of quality hours carried. For example, a student who has earned a total of 180 quality points over 90 semester hours would have a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
For information on the S.C. LIFE Scholarship GPA calculation, visit www.cofc.edu/finaid. Individual student GPA calculations for the LIFE Scholarship can be found on Cougar Trail on the Web, accessed by student log-in. The LIFE Scholarship GPA is not to be confused with the College of Charleston GPA maintained on the degree audit and on the academic transcript. Students may access the College GPA calculator online at www.cofc.edu/%7Eundrgrad/GPA.html.

Faculty Honors List
After the end of each semester, the Office of the Registrar releases the faculty honors list. Students are named to this list who were enrolled in and completed at least 14 semester hours and who earned a GPA of 3.80 (highly distinguished) or 3.60 (distinguished). In neither case may there be an "I" (Incomplete) or a grade lower than "C."

Dean 's List
The honor of inclusion on the College of Charleston 's Dean 's List is awarded to students who have earned highly distinguished faculty honors for both the fall and spring semesters of the academic year. Students who enter the College in the second semester are consequently ineligible for the yearly class honors for that academic year.

Graduation with Honors
Students who earn a cumulative grade point average of 3.900 to 4.000 will graduate summa cum laude. Students who earn a cumulative grade point average of 3.750 to 3.899 will graduate magna cum laude. Students who earn a cumulative grade point average of 3.500 to 3.749 will graduate cum laude. To be eligible for graduation with honors, at least 62 quality hours of the coursework to be applied to the degree must have been completed at the College of Charleston. Note that a course graded with a "P" carries no quality hours. For the purpose of calculating the GPA for graduation with honors, all coursework taken at the College of Charleston will be included in that calculation.

Departmental Honors
Designed for mature individuals who are capable of sustained and independent work, the program of departmental honors is designed to give upperclassmen of exceptional ability an opportunity to explore intensively a field of their particular interest. Students take the initiative in outlining their proposed research, experiment, or special study; in enlisting the support of a faculty advisor; and in securing the approval of the department. At the conclusion of the program, departmental honors can be awarded only with the approval of the department. To be eligible, students must have earned a grade point average in the major of at least 3.5 and completed a minimum of 12 semester hours of exceptionally fine work in any combination of seminar, independent study, tutorial, and bachelor 's essay. Whichever format is chosen, the project should develop the student 's proficiency in library research or laboratory methodology, and the finished composition should be distinguished by its organization, reasoning, and expression.
The recommended capstone for earning departmental honors is the bachelor 's essay. Students must seek one of the professors in their major department to supervise the undertaking and must submit in writing a proposal for the project. Once the plan is accepted, students must work closely with their advisor. Since researching and writing the essay extends over both semesters of the senior year, students should submit one or more preliminary drafts for critical examination in order to allow time for proper revision of the essay. The department may also prescribe additional requirements for ensuring the quality of the work. Satisfactory completion of the bachelor 's essay entitles the candidate to six semester hours of credit. Bachelor 's essays are catalogued and retained in the collection of the College library.

College Graduation Awards
High scholarship and exceptional achievement in extracurricular activities are traditionally important at the College. Prizes that recognize such achievements are also a part of the College tradition. Announcements of the recipients of cups, medals, and other awards are made each year at the awards ceremonies, part of commencement week activities.

Transcripts

Students may obtain the unofficial transcripts of their academic record free of charge via Cougar Trail on the Web. Official transcripts may be obtained when the student completes and signs a request form in the Office of the Registrar or by printing and filling out the Transcript Request Form found online at http://www.cofc.edu/~register/TranscriptRequest.pdf, which can then be printed and faxed or mailed to the Registrar 's Office. An official transcript may also be requested on Cougar Trail and processed post-submission of the Transcript Signature Release Form. Official transcripts incur an $8.00 per copy fee with additional charges for faxing or Fed-Ex. A student 's record may be released by the registrar only upon the specific signed request of the student. This request must be made in writing at least two weeks before the date the transcript is needed. Transcripts will not be issued for any student who has overdue financial obligations to the College of Charleston.

Degree and Enrollment Certifications

Students may obtain certification of enrollment (or proof of full-time enrollment) for insurance, scholarship, and loan purposes by logging onto Cougar Trail on the Web and selecting "Enrollment Verification" from the menu. Follow the prompts provided by National Student Clearinghouse. Enrollment Verifications are available immediately following the drop-add deadline for spring and fall terms. Questions should be directed to the Office of the Registrar.

Transfer Credit for Work at Another Institution and for Study Abroad: Transient Student Status

Courses Taken Elsewhere
A degree candidate at the College of Charleston who wishes to receive College of Charleston credit for courses at another institution must submit the Coursework Elsewhere form available on the Office of the Registrar 's website: www.cofc.edu/~register/forms.htm. The senior year of work for the degree must be completed in residence at the College of Charleston. However, candidates who have earned more than 60 credit hours at the College of Charleston may petition to complete up to 7 of their final 37 hours at another institution (Senior Petition form).
Coursework completed at other institutions must have a minimum grade of "C" (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or its equivalent. Credits awarded at another institution as a result of placement testing are not acceptable. Courses graded on a pass/fail basis are acceptable only if the institution where the courses were completed will assign a minimum equivalent of "C" (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) to the "pass" grade.
The institution the student wishes to attend must be regionally accredited. College of Charleston credit will be granted for the courses taken only if those courses are ones receiving credit toward graduation in the other college or university conducting the instruction. In order to ensure that the courses will be accepted at the College of Charleston for transfer credit, they must be approved in the Registrars Office before actual enrollment. Acceptance of credit for an approved course will become final only when the Registrar of the College of Charleston receives an official transcript of the student 's record from the accredited institution where the course was taken. Duplicate courses (repeats) will not transfer. Credits will be awarded based upon actual credits earned, with grades of "C" (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better. Grades do not transfer, only credits. The maximum number of transfer credits acceptable toward a College of Charleston degree is 92 semester hours total from all institutions; 60 semester hours are the maximum from a two-year program or institution. Students may decline transfer credit prior to enrolling at the College of Charleston in order to add another course that did not transfer due to the maximum number of transfer credit allowed policies. Students may not decline transfer credit after enrolling at the College of Charleston in order to take a course at another institution as a transient or cross-registered student.
Official permission to take coursework elsewhere is reflected via Cougar Trail through the Transfer Credit link. If you are required to submit proof of permission (transient permission) in order to register at another institution as a transient student, submit the transient permission form (www.cofc.edu/~registerFORMS_students.htm) and attach a printed copy of your approved transfer credit on Cougar Trail. If a transient institution also requires proof of your academic standing and your eligibility to return to the College of Charleston, you may submit your College of Charleston transcript to verify this request.

Study Abroad
For study abroad, the International Student Exchange Program, and the National Student Exchange Program, students must apply through the Center for International Education (CIE). The determination in advance that credit may be awarded will be made by the Director of CIE and in consultation with the academic department concerned when courses are not listed in the course inventory. The Coursework Equivalency form is available from the Center for International Education for this purpose. Once the transcript is received, on completion of the work, the Registrars Office verifies and enters the credits as noted above.
Students with more than 87 earned hours at the time they study abroad must seek approval from the Center for International Education and the chair of the major department if more than 7 of the last 37 hours are taken away from the College.

Minimum Scholastic Attainment and Probation

Students are placed on academic probation when the level of their academic work is endangering their opportunity to earn a degree from the College and their continuation at the College is in jeopardy. The conditions of probation are intended to provide for counseling and enrollment in Learning Strategies at a sufficiently early date for assistance to be effective; to give students who are experiencing difficulties further opportunity to demonstrate adequate performance; and to provide assistance to students who have had significant problems interfering with their ability to study.
Students enrolled at the College of Charleston must earn a minimum grade point average (GPA) to avoid being placed on academic probation. These requirements are on a sliding scale based upon the total credits earned by the student. For more information, see www.cofc.edu/~undrgrad/probation.html.
Minimum Scholastic Attainment Standards
Credits earned GPA required
0-19 1.50
20-59 1.80
60 and up 2.00

Probation
If a student 's cumulative GPA at the end of any semester is less than the grade point average required as listed above, the student is placed on academic probation.

  1. Once placed on probation at the end of a fall or spring term, a student must show satisfactory academic improvement by the end of the next major semester (excluding Maymester and summer sessions), regardless of the number of hours earned or attempted, or the student will be subject to dismissal. Generally, satisfactory academic improvement is defined as continuous, significant improvement in GPA earned at the end of each semester during the probationary period (15 credit hours excluding EDLS 100). The improvement must be great enough so that the student makes progress toward achieving academic good standing. The decision regarding satisfactory academic improvement will be made by the director of Undergraduate Academic Services.
  2. The student must make up the GPA deficiency in the next 15 credit hours attempted. Depending on the student 's circumstances, it may be advisable to take fewer than 15 credits in the next fall or spring term.
  3. The student is required to enroll in and successfully complete EDLS 100: Learning Strategies during the next fall or spring semester if the student has not already successfully completed the course. EDLS 100 is not counted toward the 15 credits above.

If, at the end of the fall or spring semester during or after which the 15th credit hour is completed, the student 's cumulative GPA is not at or above the grade point average required, the student will be subject to dismissal for academic deficiency.
Students on probation may receive transfer credit for courses at another institution but are not normally eligible for cross registration or leave privileges. Students who are dismissed from the College for academic deficiency are not eligible for financial aid or for transfer credits during the period of suspension. The period of suspension for a first dismissal is two semesters, of which the entire summer may count as one. The period of suspension for subsequent dismissals is three full calendar years.
Students who are readmitted after any period of suspension may be evaluated for financial aid eligibility upon completion of 12 hours with a 2.0 or better GPA.
Visiting students to the College of Charleston for summer sessions must adhere to the same academic standards as College of Charleston degree-seeking students. Students who have previously earned less than a 2.0 GPA while attending the College or who are not in good standing at their home institutions will normally not be permitted to enroll for summer sessions. However, instances where these students have gone on to demonstrate a proven academic record at other universities or who have been granted permission to complete courses as part of their degree programs at other universities may petition the Office of Maymester/Summer Sessions along with the Office of Undergraduate Academic Services for permission to enroll. Petitions will be handled on a case-by-case basis. A student granted permission to enroll in a summer session is not guaranteed admission or readmission during a subsequent semester.

Withdrawal from the College

Students may decide to withdraw from the College for a variety of reasons. In order to protect the integrity of the transcript and ensure that the record on file at the College is in order, any student who is considering a withdrawal should visit the Office of Undergraduate Academic Services to officially withdraw rather than merely drop out. An accurate student record will be especially important if the student decides to return to the College or transfer to another college. If the student is requesting to withdraw from the College after the official withdrawal period and he/she is currently enrolled, the student may petition the Office of Undergraduate Academic Services for late withdrawals in all classes (see "Withdrawal from Courses Procedure"). Usually a student who is granted a withdrawal from all courses may reenter the following semester without applying for readmission, if the student is not withdrawn from the College.
When a student withdraws from the College, grades for the courses affected will be assigned according to the regulations stated under "withdrawal from courses."
If a student discontinues enrollment from the College of Charleston, whether voluntarily or not, re-entry for future semesters may be contingent on satisfying conditions outlined by the Offices of Student Affairs and Undergraduate Academic Services.
Before a student officially withdraws, appropriate arrangements must be made with the Offices of the Treasurer, Financial Assistance, and Residence Life to ensure that all obligations to the College have been satisfied.

Leave of Absence
All requests for leaves of absence must be addressed to the director of Undergraduate Academic Services. Students participating in exchange programs with other universities may have leave status approved through the Office of International Education and Programs. When official leave is granted, students need not apply for readmission. However, students should notify the Office of the Registrar at the time of registration that they are returning from leave.
A written request for leaves for periods of time up to one year are normally granted prior to the "W" date in the semester. For students having a GPA of 2.0 or better, a written request filed with Office of Undergraduate Academic Services will normally be approved. For students having a GPA less than 2.0, a request should be addressed to the Office of Undergraduate Academic Services for possible approval. This request should be in writing and should explain the circumstances. Appropriate documentation should accompany the request. If a leave of absence is not approved, the student will be withdrawn from the College.
Leave requests presented after the "W" date should be addressed to the Office of Undergraduate Academic Services for possible approval. These requests should be in writing and should explain the circumstances. Appropriate documentation should accompany the request. It may be necessary to follow procedures for late withdrawal from classes (see "Withdrawal from Courses" procedure).
NOTE: If a leave of absence is not taken, a student will have to reapply through the Office of Admissions, be charged another admission and new student fee, and the student will also have to register through academic orientation upon returning to the College.

Readmission

Any student at the College of Charleston who voluntarily withdraws from the College or is dismissed for any reason must apply for readmission in order to re-enroll. If a student discontinues enrollment from the College of Charleston, whether voluntarily or not, re-entry for future semesters may be contingent on satisfying conditions outlined by the Offices of Students Affairs and Undergraduate Academic Services. The College does not admit students who are ineligible to return to the last college or university attended.
This rule applies to all students, including those applying for readmission. All students who have done previous work at other colleges or universities must have their transcripts sent to the Office of Admissions. All applicants must meet transfer GPA requirements and all admission deadlines. In making decisions on those applying for readmission, the following guidelines will be used:

  1. Students who voluntarily withdraw from the College while in good standing and with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above will be approved for readmission.
  2. Students who have been dismissed from the College for academic deficiency or separated for disciplinary reasons and who complete the suspension period will be considered for readmission. Because the simple passage of time cannot ensure that dismissed students will improve their academic record or complete sanctions granted to them, applicants for readmission must submit with their applications for readmission, a personal letter addressed to the Office of Undergraduate Academic Services outlining how they have used their time while out of school and giving their reasons for believing that they will now be successful at the College. Those students whose records at the College of Charleston indicate that successful completion of a College of Charleston degree in a reasonable length of time is impossible or extremely improbable will not be accepted. They will be advised accordingly and urged to seek alternative plans. Those whose records indicate that they can reach graduation standards in a reasonable period of time and those that have met the conditions required for reconsideration must meet the following conditions for readmission:

    a. They must complete a special one-day workshop that contains information on the services that the College provides for students with academic difficulties, the academic requirements they must satisfy, and their personal responsibilities in reaching good academic standing. Most students will be required to enroll in the course, Learning Strategies (EDLS 100), to attain the skills necessary to succeed at college.

    b. Each student must sign a readmission contract prepared by the Office of Undergraduate Academic Services. The contract specifies the grade point average (GPA) and other specific requirements that readmitted students must meet in order to remain at the College of Charleston.
  3. Grades for readmitted students on contract are reviewed every semester or until students bring their GPAs into compliance with the College 's standard minimum scholastic attainment. In effect, readmitted students on contracts are placed on probation when returning and are subject to immediate dismissal if they do not meet the conditions of their contracts.
  4. Students who voluntarily leave the College while on probation may be readmitted but under conditions in 2 (a, b) above.
  5. Students who voluntarily leave the College and who are not on probation, but who have less than a 2.0 cumulative GPA, may be readmitted conditionally in accordance with 2 (a, b) above.
  6. Students who previously attended the College as provisional students but failed to meet the conditions of the program must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 30 semester hours at another institution before applying for readmission. They will be considered for admission only if they meet the admission standards applied to transfer students and then will be considered under 2 (a, b) above.
  7. College of Charleston or transfer credits earned ten or more years prior to re-enrollment at the College may be evaluated and revalidated by academic departments to be applicable for graduation credit. This is due to changing graduation requirements or professional certification requirements.

NOTE: See Three-Year Option.

Readmission of Students Dismissed for Academic Deficiency
Students who have been dismissed once for academic deficiency may apply for readmission only after the lapse of two semesters (for this purpose, the 10-week summer session is considered one semester). Students who have been dismissed twice for academic deficiency may apply for readmission only after the lapse of three calendar years from the second dismissal.
Additional information and letters of recommendation may be required from some applicants.
Those applicants who are conditionally readmitted to the College will be required to attend a full-day workshop before re-enrollment to make sure that they understand the retention and graduation standards they will be required to meet. The workshop will include academic advising and registration in classes. Failure to attend this workshop will mean a student must either defer their return until the next fall or spring semester or apply for readmission for a future fall or spring semester.
Credits earned at another institution during a student 's dismissal period will not be accepted toward a degree at the College of Charleston.

Three-Year Option for Readmits (Academic Forgiveness Policy)
Students readmitted to the College after an absence of three or more years may choose to have their previous College of Charleston record treated as transfer credit if they achieve a GPA of 2.50 or better upon completion of 15 semester hours earned after their return. Previous work at the College will remain on the students' permanent records; however, only coursework completed since readmission will be used to calculate their cumulative GPA. Students choosing this option must request it in writing to the Office of Undergraduate Academic Services once the 15 semester hours are completed.
NOTE: Students who choose to apply the three-year option to their record should be aware that any coursework done prior to readmission in which a grade of "C-" or lower was earned will not count toward graduation. For the purpose of calculating GPA for graduation with honors, all coursework taken at the College of Charleston will be included in that calculation.