Academic Regulations

The University reserves the right to make changes in curricula, degree requirements, course offerings, and all academic regulations at any time, when in the judgment of the faculty, the President, or the Board of Trustees, such changes are for the best interest of the students and the University.

By enrolling and registering at Coastal Carolina University, each student assumes responsibility for having knowledge of and observing all academic and non-academic regulations, policies and schedules. These may be published in official University publications or on official University websites, including but not limited to this catalog, the Teal Pages, the Code of Student Conduct, the Office of the Registrar, the Office of Student Affairs, the Dean of Students Office, or the University Policies website.

Coastal Carolina University offers baccalaureate degrees in over 50 major fields of study. These degree programs are based on a minimum of 120 credit hours or the equivalent at the baccalaureate level.

An undergraduate student may choose to obtain a degree in accordance with the curricular requirements in force for the particular degree at the time the student first enrolls as a baccalaureate degree-seeking student or under subsequent requirements published while enrolled. However, the student’s choice is restricted to a specific catalog and the curricular requirements described therein. Undergraduate students have a period of eight years, inclusive and continuous, in which to claim the curricular rights of a specific catalog.

Within the eight-year limit, an undergraduate student who is absent from the University for no longer than three years, and who returns to complete the program of study, shall have the right to continue under the catalog in effect at the time of the student’s original enrollment as a baccalaureate degree-seeking student. Alternatively, the student may elect the degree requirements under the catalog in effect at the time of return. If the period of absence is longer than three years, the student will be subject to the curricular requirements in force at the time of return. Under no circumstances will students be allowed to appeal short-lived rules and regulations which were adopted and abandoned during the period of their absence.

If drastic revisions of curricula or program requirements have occurred during a student’s absence (even if for less than three years), or during the period between the student’s original enrollment as a baccalaureate degree-seeking student and the eventual movement to a different degree program, a reasonable effort will be made by the academic dean to permit the student to undertake transitional coursework that is equivalent to the educational experience intended under the catalog in force at the time of the student’s original enrollment as a baccalaureate degree-seeking student.

Unforeseen circumstances may interfere with the scheduling of a course or degree offering. Students must accept such developments even if doing so will mean a delay in some of their academic goals or a modification of those goals. The departments concerned will work closely with students facing such problems in an effort to resolve them with a minimum of difficulty.

Right of Petition

A student who wants relief from any academic regulation of the University may submit the case for consideration to the appropriate universitywide committee that governs the regulation (e.g. Core Curriculum Committee, Suspension Appeals Committee, etc.). Relief from all other academic regulations may be sought through the Academic General Petition process, wherein a student completes the Academic General Petition form and submits it and all supporting materials to the college of their major. Academic General Petition forms are available from the offices of the academic deans.

General Information

Students are expected to follow the programs outlined by their colleges as closely as possible, particularly in the first two years when satisfying basic degree requirements and prerequisites for advanced work.

Students must pursue required courses in the prescribed sequence. Failure to do so may lead to future scheduling difficulties and students may find that the courses in which they wish to enroll are not available to them.

Starting with the first semester on campus, all students will take the required English courses consecutively and in sequence until they have credit for both ENGL 101  and ENGL 102 . A grade of ‘C’ or better is required in each course. A grade of ‘C’ in ENGL 101  is a prerequisite for ENGL 102 .

Students who enroll in courses for which prerequisites or other defined requirements have not been met will be removed from these courses.

Baccalaureate degrees are required to have 120 credit hours. Any degree going above must have the approval of the Provost.

FINAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR SATISFYING DEGREE REQUIREMENTS, AS OUTLINED IN THE UNIVERSITY CATALOG, RESTS WITH THE STUDENT.

Required Texts

It is necessary for students to have access to these items, as they are crucial to the successful completion of the course. The instructor of the course will expect students to use them for the course; specific major assignments may be attached to them; and/or specific test questions, graded homework assignments, and background information can be referenced from these items. The instructor of the course will assume every student has these items and organize the course accordingly. It is the student’s responsibility to have these items as a classroom requirement.

Recommended Texts

It is desirable for students to have access to these items. They may provide useful background information or reference materials that will supplement lectures and explanations given in class, or they may make the understanding and usefulness of such explanations much easier for students. In some cases, these items represent basic texts or materials directly related to the discipline and, therefore, they are important for all further study in that discipline. The instructor of the course believes any student in the course would benefit from these materials, but the student is not required to have these items as a classroom requirement.

Electronic Communication

All students are assigned an individual Coastal Carolina University email account. The university utilizes email to those accounts as an official means of communication with the student. Students are responsible for checking their Coastal email accounts frequently and acting upon any information received.

Change of Name or Address

It is the obligation of every student to notify the Office of the Registrar of any change in name or address. Failure to do so may cause serious delay in the handling of student records and in notification of emergencies at home. Change of name may only be accomplished by presenting proper legal documentation.

Indebtedness

It is expected that every student will discharge any indebtedness to the University as quickly as possible. No diploma, certificate, grade report, or transcript will be issued to a student or for a student who has not made satisfactory settlement with the Office of Student Accounts for all indebtedness to the University. An individual who has not officially enrolled may be administratively removed and prohibited from attending classes or taking final examinations after the due date of any unpaid obligations.

Registration

Every student is academically and financially responsible for his/her course registrations, to enroll in courses for which the student seeks to earn credit, and to terminate enrollment in courses which the student does not intend to complete. Every student is responsible for his/her own registration and its accuracy.

To be officially enrolled in the University, a student must be academically eligible, complete the registration process, and possess a receipt issued by the Office of Student Accounts for payment of current academic fees. Enrollment by proxy is not allowed unless permission has been obtained in advance from the Office of the Registrar. Students will be removed from any class for which prerequisites or other defined requirements which have not been met.

A student is expected to complete his/her registration (including the payment of all required fees) by the dates prescribed in the University’s Academic Calendar and the payment dates listed on the Office of Student Accounts website. A student failing to do so will have all course enrollments cancelled for non-payment.

Failure of a student to properly register and appear on class rosters and failure to pay tuition disqualify the student from receiving credit for any coursework, even if the student attends class and takes exams and earns a grade with the permission of the instructor.

The University reserves the right to withdraw any course for cogent reasons, such as in the case of inadequate enrollment.

Registration in any course may be closed when the maximum enrollment has been reached.

Auditing

All auditors must be admitted to the University and go through the regular registration process. Auditors will be charged the same fees as students taking courses for academic credit.

The request for the privilege of auditing a course should be made to the instructional department concerned and should be for a specified semester.

Auditing a course consists of attending classes. An auditor, however, is not responsible for assignments or examinations. No credit may be earned in an audited course by examination or otherwise. No audited course may be repeated for credit at a later date. Coursework not taken in a traditional format may not be audited.

A student who has registered for a course on an audit basis and who wishes to change the registration to take the course for credit (or who wishes to change from credit to audit) must do so no later than the semester’s last day of late registration, drop/add, or drop with no academic record, as published in the University’s Academic Calendar. The change must be requested on a Registration Form properly signed by the student, the course instructor, and the student’s academic adviser, and the form must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar. Students obtain Registration Forms through their academic departments or their academic advisers.

Course Load

An average course load for a fall or spring semester is 15 credit hours. A legal full-time academic course load is 12 credit hours. All international students on F-1 student visas must maintain a full-time academic course load (12 credit hours) each fall and each spring semester. No student may take over 18 credit hours without the permission of the department chair or assistant/associate dean of the major college. Fall or spring course loads greater than 18 credit hours will incur additional tuition costs.

For summer semesters that are four weeks in length, or for other such abbreviated semesters, enrollment in three credit hours is considered full-time for academic purposes (Note: Up to four credit hours may be taken without seeking prior academic overload approval to account for one three credit hour course plus an accompanying one credit hour lab. One course and lab combination is the normal academic course load for four week and other such abbreviated semesters. However, during summer II semesters, students may register for up to six credit hours without seeking prior academic overload approval). For summer semesters that are five weeks in length, enrollment in six credit hours is considered full-time status for academic purposes (Note: Up to seven credit hours may be taken without seeking prior academic overload approval, to account for one three credit hour course, plus a three credit hour course with an accompanying one credit hour lab).

Students seeking to take a higher course load during summer and other such abbreviated semesters should discuss their plans with their academic adviser, and seek advance authorization via academic overload approval from their academic department chair or associate dean prior to registering.

Repetition of Coursework

Repeat Forgiveness Option

Degree-seeking undergraduate students may repeat any course taken at Coastal Carolina University. All grades will appear on the student’s transcript, but a course that has been repeated will be counted only once for the graduation requirement. For financial aid and scholarship purposes, duplicate credits do not count as credits completed for satisfactory academic progress except in certain cases. As specified in the university catalog, some courses, such as those requiring physical skills, performance, or working on student publications, may be repeated for credit and grades. All grades will be included when calculating the student’s grade point average with the following possible exception.

Students may exercise “repeat forgiveness” for up to 13 undergraduate credits during their enrollment at Coastal Carolina University. For credits taken under this option, Coastal Carolina University will exclude the grade and credit hours earned for the first enrollment in the course when calculating the student’s cumulative GPA and earned credit hours. Both grades will appear on the transcript. Only course grades of C, D, D+, F, or WF are eligible for “repeat forgiveness.” “Repeat Forgiveness” is not available for courses in which the student received a CX, D+X, DX, or FX grade.

Students employing the “repeat forgiveness” option should be aware that professional schools, graduate programs, and future employers may apply their own criteria that may not recognize a “repeat forgiveness” option in evaluating credentials for prospective students and employees. The course repeat forgiveness privilege may be used by students to achieve the Dean’s List or President’s List in the current semester the course is repeated. Previously posted academic standings will not be modified as a result of a course repeat forgiveness. Eligibility for Graduation with Honors is based on the student’s cumulative grade point average of all coursework with grade hours and grade points taken at Coastal Carolina University (which includes both original and repeated grades that were taken under the University’s Course Repeat Forgiveness Option). Other factors also determine eligibility for Graduation with Honors. For complete details, please see the Graduation with Honors section of this catalog.

“Repeat forgiveness” will be applied automatically whenever students register for a class which they have taken previously but in which they failed to earn the required grade (usually at least a ‘C’). The final grade of the current class will automatically replace the grade of the previous class. However, if any student chooses to “opt out” of this automatic process and not use the current grade to replace the previous grade, then that student must select this option within WebAdvisor, either at the time of initial registration or by utilizing the “Opt Out of Repeat Forgiveness” menu. “Opt Out of Repeat Forgiveness” must be selected by the last day to drop with a grade of “W” for the semester in which the course is being repeated. This date varies by semester. Check the Academic Calendar to determine the appropriate date. GPA Calculators are available on WebAdvisor to assist students in making their “repeat forgiveness” decisions.

Standard Repeat

Outside of the “repeat forgiveness” option or once a student’s 13 undergraduate credits of “repeat forgiveness” have been exhausted, a student may repeat a course which has been passed in order to raise the grade only in the event that the degree college requires a higher grade in the course. A student who repeats the course will have both grades entered on the permanent academic record and computed into the grade point average.

Certain courses, such as those requiring physical skills, performance, or working on student publications may be repeated, except as noted in the course description. However, course credit toward graduation will be given only once, unless otherwise stipulated in the course description.

Non-Traditional Coursework

Traditional course delivery at Coastal Carolina University requires student adherence to established attendance policies and the specific communication of course expectations from instructor to student through the course syllabus. However, it is recognized that, at times, university study may be taken in a manner that departs from this tradition. All of these situations require that an instructional/course contract be developed before the study begins.

These situations typically are:

1. when students engage in an independent learning experience in an area not represented by established coursework at the University, such as through courses numbered 399 (Independent Study), 499 (Directed Undergraduate Research), or special or selected topics,
2. study in established university courses on an independent, non-traditional basis, or
3. cooperative and internship study.

These courses are designed for the self-motivated student, usually a junior or senior, who has an intense interest in conducting scholarly work in an academic area not offered in the traditional course format. The course will result in a document, performance, or body of work that reflects the student’s research or summarizes the knowledge synthesized during a structured, sequenced order of study.

The student, in consultation with the supervising professor, must complete and file a contract for the course with the department chair in the discipline area and with the dean of the college in which the work is to be performed prior to registration for the course. The contract must be signed by the student, the student’s adviser, the supervising professor, the course department chair, the department chair of the student’s major, and the dean or the dean’s designee of the student’s major. (Signature of the college dean or designee is not required for the College of Science majors.) It must include the course objectives, course requirements, the number of credits to be earned, the date of completion, and the method(s) of student evaluation. The student should consult the adviser for any restrictions on the number of such credits acceptable to the major. These courses cannot be used to fulfill University core curriculum requirements.

While it is expected that the study of established university courses will be taken in a traditional format, occasionally, for compelling reasons, such study may be allowed via an independent, non-traditional format. In such cases, students and instructors involved will follow the same procedure as stated above for study. Essentially, a contract for the work must be filed outlining the course content based on an existing syllabus, the specific expectations that have been established for the student, the date of completion expected, and the method(s) of evaluation. Further, the instructor is to attach to the contract a statement of explanation as to why the course is not being taken in the traditional format. As above, the contract developed is to be signed by the student, the student’s adviser, the supervising professor, the course department chair, the chair of the student’s major, and the dean or the dean’s designee of the major BEFORE registration for the course. (Signature of the college dean or designee is not required for the College of Science majors.)

Distance Learning

Distance education or distance learning refers to the interaction of students and instructors separated by time and/or place in educational processes that leverage instructional technologies and strategies to maximize learning. Most of the work is done independently by the student using self-instructional materials prepared by the instructor. For some courses, attendance at on-campus workshops or class sessions during the semester is required with a possibility of additional sessions for testing/examinations. Many of the distance learning courses require basic computer literacy, internet, and email access. A student interested in enrolling in distance education courses should consult with his/her adviser.

Summer Semesters

The summer semesters are normally comprised of: May (4 weeks), Summer I (5 weeks), and Summer II (4 weeks). Shorter sessions and workshops are also offered. Students regularly enrolled in the University may take work applicable to the degree sought during summer terms.

Except in abbreviated sessions (less than 5 weeks) or in cases of adjustments for holidays, each course meets four periods a week, Monday through Thursday.

A maximum of two courses (up to seven credit hours) is permitted during any summer semester that is five weeks or greater. One course (up to four credit hours) is the normal load for four week and other abbreviated semesters.

The University reserves the right to withdraw any course for cogent reasons, such as inadequate enrollment. Additional courses may be offered upon request by a sufficient number of students. Registration in any course may be closed when the maximum enrollment has been reached.

Students seeking admission to the University for the first time during a summer semester should refer to the Categories of Admission section  of this catalog.

Transitional Study

Transitional Study involves undergraduates enrolling in graduate courses. Students who have earned a minimum of 90 credits and are within 30 credit hours of completing the requirements for the bachelor’s degree or who have an earned bachelor’s degree may be permitted to enroll in course or courses for graduate credit. Students are typically expected to have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and be adequately prepared for graduate work in the field concerned as determined by the graduate program director/coordinator. Some programs may require supporting documents demonstrating the student is prepared for graduate study. Graduate courses available for Transitional Study are numbered 500-699. Transitional Study allows qualified undergraduates 1) to pursue advanced studies enhancing their undergraduate degree, or 2) to begin work towards completing a graduate degree, certificate, or endorsement. Credits earned through Transitional Study can only be used to satisfy one degree, undergraduate or graduate. The application of credit, once chosen, cannot be changed.

Students wishing to pursue Transitional Study must:

1. Complete and submit the Application for Transitional Study to the Office of Graduate Studies. 
2. Limit the total credits earned under Transitional Study to 12.
3. Limit the total credit hours (undergraduate and graduate) taken in the fall or spring semester to 16; limit the total credit hours (undergraduate and graduate) taken in the summer I or summer II semester to nine.
4. Indicate clearly how the credits will be applied (e.g., as undergraduate, or as graduate credits).

Courses Outside a Degree Program

Students wishing to enroll in courses outside the degree program to which they have been admitted should do so only with the permission of their advisers and the dean of the course. Students are advised to seek guidance from the graduate coordinator/director of the college sponsoring the course regarding eligibility and prerequisites.

An individual who has been denied admission to a program may not continue to enroll in courses in that program without special permission from the dean of that college. This permission is needed even if the student enters another degree program at the institution.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite courses are intended to provide students with the necessary academic background for a satisfactory completion program. If a student believes that he/she has the knowledge and/or skills represented by a prerequisite course obtained via other courses or methods, this should be discussed with the professor prior to registration regarding special permission to enroll.

Changes in Registration

Changes of Enrollment

Adding a course, changing from credit to audit or audit to credit, changing from one section to another, and changing the number of credits in any variable credit course must be completed by the last day to late register as published in the Academic Calendar.

Electing or revoking the Pass-Fail option must be completed no later than the last date for dropping a course without receiving a grade of WF, as published in the Academic Calendar. This change must be recorded with the Office of the Registrar on a Pass-Fail Option form bearing all required signatures.

Students must consult with their advisers concerning any change of enrollment.

Dropping a Course

Dropping courses after the last day of classes for a semester (as listed in the Academic Calendar) is not permitted.

Courses dropped during the official late registration period of a semester will not be recorded on a student’s permanent record. A grade of W will be recorded on the permanent record after the official late registration period and up to the last date to drop without a grade of WF and will not enter into the computation of credits attempted, grade point average, or any other total. The time allowed for dropping any course with a grade of W will be equal to two-thirds of the total number of class days from the beginning of the semester. A grade of WF (U for Pass/Fail option) will be recorded for any course dropped after the close of the prescribed “drop with W” period and through the last day of class. For Pass/Fail courses, a grade of U will be assigned. A WF is treated as an F in computing the student’s grade point average. A student who stops attending classes without officially dropping will have the grade of F (U for Pass/Fail option) recorded for each course. This grade is included in all calculations and totals. The Academic Calendar lists the prescribed deadline dates in each semester.

Students must consult with their advisers concerning any change of enrollment.

Change of Major

Students who desire to change their majors must request admittance into the desired major through the chair of the new major. Students must: (a) obtain a Change of Major form from the office of the dean of the current major; (b) have this form signed by the chair of the academic department of the college in which they are currently enrolled (for release) and then the chair of the academic department of the college in which entry is desired (for acceptance). Upon acceptance into the new major, the college of the new major will make the necessary computer entry to reflect the new major and assign the new adviser. To be valid, a “Change of Major” must not only follow the procedures indicated but must also be completed in advance of registration in the major to which the change is desired.

Credits earned in one degree program may not be applicable toward other degree programs. Verification of credits applicable to the new major should be obtained in writing from the dean of the college in which the new degree or major is offered.

Course Substitutions

Only under unavoidable and exceptional circumstances will the faculty permit substitution for or exemption from the prescribed curricula. When it becomes necessary to request a deviation from the prescribed course of study, the student should consult the dean of the major college before preparing a petition listing the substitutions or exemptions sought and the reasons. Academic General Petition forms are available from the offices of the deans.

Deviations from the University core requirements must first be approved by the universitywide Core Curriculum Committee, and then, the Provost.

Withdrawals

Withdrawal from the University or from a course after the last day of classes for a semester (as listed in the Academic Calendar) is not permitted.

Standard Withdrawals

All students, both full-time and part-time, desiring to withdraw from the University or to discontinue enrollment in all courses must first meet with a University College retention counselor, located in Kearns Hall, room 213. An exit interview will be conducted to assist the student in completing the withdrawal process and to resolve any outstanding concerns. A student who leaves the University without following this procedure may prejudice any further attempt to re-enter the University and will receive a grade of F (U for Pass/Fail option) in all courses.

The date of withdrawal from the University will be posted on student transcripts. Courses from which the student withdraws during the late registration period will not be recorded on a student’s permanent record. Thereafter, through two-thirds of the total number of class days from the beginning of the semester, the grade of W will be recorded on a student’s transcript but will not be used in computing the grade point average. Specific dates are listed in the University’s Academic Calendar. Students withdrawing after the close of the prescribed “withdraw with W” period and prior to the last day of class will receive a grade of WF (U for Pass/Fail option) for each course in which they are enrolled. A WF is treated as an F in computing the student’s grade point average. Students who stop attending classes without officially withdrawing will have the grade of F (U for Pass/Fail option) recorded for each course. This grade is included in all calculations and totals.

Exceptions to the assignment of a grade of WF are possible only for verifiable, documented reasons. If a student must withdraw from the University for medical reasons or for another acceptable major cause after the last day to receive a W, the grade of W still may be assigned after appropriate evaluation of the circumstances. Students must meet with a University College retention counselor, located in Kearns Hall, room 213, to discuss their circumstances.

Withdrawals Due to Medical or Psychological Reasons

Policy Summary (Click here to view the complete policy)

A withdrawal for medical or psychological reasons is only granted for verifiable, documented medical or psychological reasons. Universitywide policies may be accessed through the University Policies website at www.coastal.edu/policies.

Withdrawals Due to Student Military Deployment

Policy Summary (Click here to view the complete policy)

A withdrawal for students who are concurrently enlisted in the military and enrolled at the University who are either non-voluntarily activated or who have been requested by their military chain of command to volunteer for activation due to possessing a specialized skill. Universitywide policies may be accessed through the University Policies website at www.coastal.edu/policies.

Involuntary Medical/Psychological Withdrawals

Policy Summary (Click here to view the complete policy)

A student who poses a significant risk to the health or safety of himself/herself or others, or substantially impedes the educational process or activity for apparent medical, psychological, or behavioral reasons may be subject to Involuntary Medical/Psychological Withdrawal from the University. Universitywide policies may be accessed through the University Policies website at www.coastal.edu/policies.

Class Attendance

Policy Summary (Click here to view the complete policy)

Students are obligated to attend class regularly. Absences, excused or not, do not absolve a student from the responsibility of completing all assigned work promptly. Universitywide policies may be accessed through the University Policies website at www.coastal.edu/policies.

Final Examinations

Final examinations for the fall and spring semester are held over a five-day period at the close of each semester; summer semester examinations are held at the close of each session. Examination schedules are published online at the Office of the Registrar. No final examination may be held outside the stated time without special permission of the instructor’s dean.

In any course or laboratory which meets three times per week, no quiz, test, or examination may be given during the last two class meetings prior to the regularly scheduled examination period. In any course or laboratory which meets once or twice a week, no quiz, test, or examination may be given during the last class meeting prior to the regular examination period. This provision applies to all examinations except laboratory examinations. With the approval of the dean, laboratory examinations may be given during the last week of class. Self-paced courses are exempt from this regulation.

Re-examination for the purpose of removing a grade of F or raising a grade is not permitted.

A student who is absent from any final examination will be given the grade F on the course if an excuse acceptable to the instructor has not been offered. If excused, the student will be assigned a grade of Incomplete and may complete the course through a Deferred Examination (see details in section below). The definition and description of an Incomplete grade may be found in the Grading Information section of this catalog.

If an instructor teaches more than one section of the same course, a student may be transferred from one examination section to another upon permission of the instructor.

Any student with three examinations scheduled on the same day may arrange for an alternate examination time with the instructor of the second examination. The instructor of the second examination will make the necessary arrangements upon the student’s request.

Student Life Exam Week Policy

Policy summary (click here to view the complete policy)

The goal of this policy is to help improve students’ success by giving them more time to prepare for final examinations. This policy addresses issues related to student organizations and sport clubs regarding events, meetings, practices, etc. during the time leading up to and through finals week. Policies related to finals week for academics can be found in the Schedule of Courses, and for athletics policies concerning finals week, please contact the Athletic Department. Universitywide policies may be accessed through the University Policies website at www.coastal.edu/policies.

Deferred Examinations

A student who has received an Incomplete in a course as a result of being excused from an examination may be eligible for a deferred or special final examination. For a deferred or special final examination, the instructor and the student mutually agree on a date and time for the exam. A deferred or special final examination may be taken during the next regularly scheduled final examination period for that course. The examination must be taken within one major semester from the time that the Incomplete was assigned.

Graduating Seniors

No early examinations are given for graduating seniors. Students who have submitted a degree application may attend the graduation ceremony. After the ceremony, and once the Office of the Registrar has verified that all degree requirements have been met, diplomas are normally mailed within eight weeks (times may vary based on graduating class size).

Course Credit

The credit value of each course is usually determined by the number of class meetings per week during one semester. Two or three laboratory hours (one period) are equivalent to one class meeting. The credits for each course are included in each course description.

The instructional hour is identified as 50 minutes. One semester credit hour will be identified as 700 minutes of classroom instruction or equivalent laboratory time, plus an exam period. The University has the flexibility to use alternative schedules within the semester as long as each semester credit granted allows for a minimum of 700 minutes of classroom instruction or an equivalent amount of laboratory time, plus an exam period.

When the University offers courses in a concentrated or abbreviated time period, or non-traditional/hybrid formats, the outcome of the instruction must demonstrate that students in such courses have acquired competencies and levels of knowledge comparable to those that would be required of students taking similar courses in the traditional formats.

The University does not award credit for coursework taken on a noncredit basis. If a student feels that knowledge gained through noncredit study is equivalent to that gained in a credit course at the University, the student may validate this through a Departmental Examination or the College Level Examination Program.

Coastal Carolina University awards course credit only to currently enrolled students and only through “in residence” coursework (see “in residence” under the Graduation section of this catalog for details), credit by examination (Advanced Placement, CLEP, Departmental Examination, International Baccalaureate), academic transfer credit, transient study, and military educational experiences as stipulated below.

Credit Sharing

University course credit will count in multiple programs, including the core curriculum; majors; foundations for majors; minors; specializations or concentrations; and certificates unless otherwise stipulated by the program. Students can earn multiple specializations/concentrations in a major unless otherwise stipulated. No student can earn both a major and a minor under the same C.I.P. code.

Course credit hours only count once toward the total University graduation credit hour requirements.

Credit by Examination

An enrolled student may be awarded credit by examination (CLEP, Departmental Exam, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate) for courses:

1. in which there has been no class attendance or semester standing at a regionally accredited institution, or
2. which were taken at an institution not accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association.

Credit by examination must be authorized by the department chair or the dean of the student’s major to ensure applicability toward degree requirements. Credit awarded by examination is recorded with credits earned only and does not affect GPA.

Credit by examination cannot be earned while on suspension from the University, cannot be used to earn credit for previously audited courses, cannot be awarded for courses that have been failed previously, nor be used to raise a grade earned previously in a college course.

Credit by examination may be earned by College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), Departmental Exam, Advanced Placement, and/or International Baccalaureate. Coastal Carolina University does not award credit for DANTES Standardized Tests (Subject or General).

Credits earned through Credit by Examination do not meet “in residence” requirements.

Advance Placement and International Baccalaureate credit is awarded in accordance with The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education’s Policies on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Credit Awards.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Credit by examination may be awarded after the student obtains the required score on the appropriate CLEP Subject Examination. Credit is not awarded for CLEP General Examinations. There is a fee for taking a CLEP Subject Examination; this fee is non-refundable. CLEP credit can only be posted after the Office of the Registrar has received the official score report from Educational Testing Service; credit cannot be transferred from another college/university transcript. Non-native English speaking students may not CLEP the Foreign Language test(s) of their native language. Information regarding specific CLEP Subject Examinations may be obtained by contacting the University’s Academic Testing Center at 843-349-4004. A student who does not achieve the required score on a CLEP Subject Examination may not attempt a corresponding Departmental Examination. Students may not repeat CLEP examinations for CCU credit.

A complete list of recognized College Level Examination Program examinations and the associated scores necessary to award credit may be found on the Office of the Registrar’s website.

Departmental Examination

A Departmental Examination may be given for students:

1. seeking credit for coursework from an institution not regionally accredited, or
2. seeking specific course credit for knowledge gained through life experience.

These Departmental Examinations would only be administered if a CLEP Subject Examination does not exist. A grade of ‘B’ or better on the Departmental Examination is required to receive credit for the course.

Credit by Departmental Examination costs $30 per credit hour; this fee is non-refundable. Before the examination is administered, the department must determine student eligibility and requires an Office of Student Accounts receipt specifying payment of fees and the course to be examined. Examination results and proof of payment must be forwarded by the Department to the Office of the Registrar in order for credit to be posted to the academic record.

Departmental Examination credit cannot be transferred from another college/university transcript.

Advanced Placement Examinations (AP)

The University will accept appropriate undergraduate credits earned through Advanced Placement Program Tests completed prior to high school graduation. Students must request that official Advanced Placement test results be sent directly to the Office of the Registrar for evaluation. Advanced Placement credit cannot be transferred from another college/university transcript.

A complete list of recognized Advanced Placement examinations and the associated scores necessary to award credit may be found on the Office of the Registrar’s website.

International Baccalaureate Program (IB)

Coastal Carolina University recognizes the IB as a rigorous and challenging program and will provide credit after the student is enrolled as a baccalaureate degree-seeking student. Credit awarded at Coastal Carolina University is dependent upon the scores received in the IB program. Only scores of 4, 5, 6 and 7 on Higher Level exams may earn credit. No credit will be awarded for Standard or Subsidiary Level examinations.

Students must have an official IB Transcript issued by the N.Y. Office of the International Baccalaureate forwarded to Coastal Carolina University’s Office of the Registrar for assignment of credits.

A complete list of recognized International Baccalaureate programs and the associated scores necessary to award credit may be found on the Office of the Registrar’s website.

Transfer Credit

A student transferring to the University from another college or university should, before enrolling in any course at the University, have transcripts evaluated by the Office of Admissions. It is only through such evaluation that a student will know which transferred courses may be applicable toward Coastal degree requirements. A Transfer Guide and Academic Plan may be obtained through the Office of Admissions. Students wishing to view courses that transfer into Coastal Carolina University may visit www.sctrac.org and enter their school information to find current equivalencies. School profile information, programs offered, and general transfer information may also be viewed on www.sctrac.org. The database is updated as new information is obtained; please contact an admissions counselor if you have additional questions.

Students from regionally accredited colleges and universities may transfer credit for academic courses completed with grades of C (meaning C-, C or C+) or better, but the University reserves the right to determine what credit, if any, for courses taken elsewhere will be counted toward its degrees. A maximum of 76 credits may be transferred for degree credit from any regionally accredited two-year college transfer program. A maximum of 90 credits may be transferred for degree credit from any regionally accredited four-year college or university.

The regional accrediting associations are: Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, the Higher Learning Commission (formerly the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools), New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Students cannot receive degree credit for a course taken at Coastal Carolina University if they have received transfer credit for an equivalent course taken previously at another institution. Similarly, transfer credit will not be awarded if a Coastal Carolina University equivalent appears on the Coastal Carolina University academic record (with the exception of courses with grades of W earned at Coastal Carolina University, which are eligible to be taken at another institution and considered for transfer back to Coastal Carolina University). A student can never be awarded more transfer credit for a course than the original institution awarded. In some instances, the originating institution may have granted more credit for a course than Coastal Carolina University awards for the equivalent course. In these situations, Coastal Carolina University’s lower level of credit shall be used to meet appropriate requirements such as core curriculum or major/minor/ cognate credits. Excess credits will not be forfeited, but rather applied to the elective category.

Courses taken at another institution while under academic suspension may transfer to Coastal Carolina University in accordance with the university transfer policies.

A maximum of 30 credit hours may be applied toward a bachelor’s degree from the combined sources of military credit and correspondence credit.

In order to be eligible to receive a degree from Coastal Carolina University, a student must earn a minimum of 25 percent of the degree program’s requirements “in residence” at the University, including 12 credit hours of the student’s major courses and six credit hours of minor courses offered by Coastal. Some programs impose higher student residence and/or major requirements.

Credits earned through Transfer Credit do not meet “in residence” requirements (except in the case of credits earned through sanctioned Coastal academic exchange programs).

Grade point average (GPA) is calculated on the basis of all work in the student’s academic career at Coastal Carolina University (factoring in any repeat forgiveness). Former USC-Coastal Carolina College students should consult with their adviser and the Office of Admission regarding their former coursework and their GPA calculation. Coastal Carolina University students granted approval to complete coursework at other institutions (transient/visiting students) will not have this work calculated in the GPA.

Credits earned at other institutions and transferred to Coastal may be used to satisfy program requirements but will not be calculated as part of the GPA.

College Parallel Course Credit - Regionally Accredited Institution

Academic courses completed with a grade of C (meaning C-, C, or C+) or better at regionally accredited institutions normally are transferable to Coastal Carolina University.

Courses that usually are not accepted for transfer are those which are:

1. occupational or technical in nature;
2. essentially remedial in nature; or
3. from a two-year institution and are not recognized in that institution’s catalog as a part of its college parallel (transfer) program.

Exceptions to this rule may be made only by the dean of the student’s major or the Provost, and only in specific cases where such courses are judged to be uniquely relevant to the student’s degree program.

Certain degree programs do not recognize transfer credit from a two-year institution for courses which are considered upper division or upper level courses at Coastal Carolina. In no Coastal degree program may such courses fulfill any upper level requirement within the major concentration, the minor, or the cognate, unless course equivalency is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the dean of the college where the course resides or their designee. However, some degree programs will grant transfer credit for such courses in the lower level elective category or within the core curriculum requirements.

Non-College Parallel Course Credit - Regionally Accredited Institution

Non-college parallel courses taught at regionally accredited institutions are not acceptable for transfer credit unless validated by examination. If credit is to be awarded for a Coastal equivalent course, validation will be by Departmental Examination. The examination will be administered and success will be determined by the department offering the equivalent course. When there is no Coastal equivalent course, the department chair or dean of the major may validate the course through their departmental process. Validation by departmental process will award elective credit only and only for the specific major in which the student is enrolled at the time of validation. There is no fee for examinations taken to validate non-college parallel courses taken at a regionally accredited institution.

Course Credit - Non Regionally Accredited Institution

With the exception of international institutions, and domestic institutions with active articulation agreements with Coastal Carolina University, the University does not accept transfer credit from institutions which are not accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association. Students may validate credits earned at an institution which is not regionally accredited by obtaining the required score on the appropriate CLEP Subject Examination. Only if the appropriate CLEP Subject Examination does not exist may a Departmental Examination be administered. See Departmental Examination section of this catalog.

Specific guidelines may be found in the Credit by Examination section of this catalog.

Transient Study

Credit for work completed at other institutions by Coastal Carolina University students will not be accepted for transfer if the student has previously received a grade (other than W) in an equivalent course at Coastal Carolina University. Credit for transient study courses will be accepted only under the conditions that (a) each course has been approved in advance by the dean or the Provost and such approval is filed in writing with the Office of the Registrar, (b) each course has been passed with a grade adequate for transfer purposes (normally a grade of C or better), and (c) each course was taken for “academic credit.” (Note: A grade of C means a C-, C or C+.)

Foreign Institution Credit

Students who have attended post-secondary educational institutions, colleges or universities outside the United States are required to submit a professional credential evaluation of all work completed (or a course-by-course report). The course-by-course evaluation report, which must be completed by an organization that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to conduct foreign credit evaluation (such as NACE or AICE), should be sent directly to the Office of Admissions at Coastal Carolina University.

Foreign credits are evaluated by the Center for Global Engagement. As with transfer credit hours from a U.S. institution, foreign credits may be determined to be transferable, yet not be applicable toward satisfying degree requirements. The department chair or dean determines whether specific transferable credit hours will satisfy degree requirements. (Courses posted on the transcript of a foreign institution which are not accepted for transfer credit may be challenged by Departmental Examination even though the specific CLEP Subject Examination exists. There is no fee for this Departmental Examination. The student must earn a grade of ‘B’ or better on the Departmental Examination in order to receive credit for the course.)

Military Credit

Hours of credit which may be awarded for educational experiences in the military will be in accordance with recommendations published by the American Council on Education and will be consistent with University policy on the transfer of credit. Hours awarded for educational experience in the military may include credits not applicable in certain degree programs. The student must consult the dean of the appropriate major to determine applicability.

Credits earned through educational experiences in the military do not meet “in residence” requirements.

A maximum of 30 credit hours may be applied toward a bachelor’s degree from the combined sources of military credit and correspondence credit.

Grading Information

Enrollment in a course obligates the student not only for prompt completion of all work assigned but also for punctual and regular attendance and for participation in whatever class discussion may occur. It is the student’s responsibility to stay informed concerning all assignments made. Absences, whether excused or unexcused, do not absolve the student from this responsibility.

With the exception of the Fx grade, the grading system outlined below has been in effect since the Fall semester, 1978. Under this system, undergraduate course credit will be granted only for earned grades of A, B+, B, C+, C, D+, D or S. Each of the following symbols will become a permanent part of the student’s academic record when assigned.

A, B+ and B, C+ and C, D+ and D, and F carry the traditional academic connotations of excellent, good, average, poor, and failing performance, respectively.

S and U indicate, respectively, satisfactory (passing) and unsatisfactory (failing) performance in courses carried under the Pass-Fail option. Courses carried under the Pass-Fail option will not affect a student’s grade point average.

W is assigned for withdrawal from a course after the official late registration period and through two-thirds of the total number of class days from the beginning of the semester. Courses dropped during the official late registration period (as published in the University’s Academic Calendar) will not be recorded on a student’s permanent record. In exceptional cases, the grade W may be assigned for total University Withdrawals after two-thirds of the total number of class days of the semester. (See withdrawal procedures.) A grade of W will not enter into the grade point average computation but will be recorded on the student’s permanent record.

WF is assigned for withdrawal from a course after the last date to withdraw grade of W (as prescribed in the University’s Academic Calendar) and is treated as an F in the grade point average computation.

I, incomplete, is assigned at the discretion of the instructor when, in the instructor’s judgment, a student is unable to complete a limited portion of the assigned work in a course because of an unanticipated illness, accident, work-related responsibility, family hardship, or some other impediment to progress that is beyond the student’s control. The grade of I (incomplete) is not intended to give students additional time to complete course assignments unless there is some indication that the specified condition or event prevented the student from completing course assignments on time. In those instances when the faculty member agrees to assign the grade of I (incomplete), the faculty member must prepare with the student a completed Assignment of Incomplete Grade form stating specific expectations that the student must meet before the I (incomplete) grade is changed to a letter grade. Additional forms may be required by the department. This Assignment of Incomplete Grade form must also include a deadline for completion of the work. Students who receive an I (incomplete) grade have up to one major semester to complete the work required, and this may be extended at the discretion of the instructor to one more full semester, but no longer. Copies of the completed form are then distributed to the student, the Office of the Registrar, the department chair or college dean, and the instructor at the time grades are reported. Re-enrolling in the course will not make up an I (incomplete). The grade I (incomplete) will not affect the student’s GPA during the one semester, or during the contractually agreed upon time limit. After one major semester (or the agreed upon limit), a grade of I (incomplete) for which work has not been completed is permanently changed to a grade of F. Work to be completed must be submitted in sufficient time for the grade to be assigned and processed prior to the conversion of the I to an F. The responsibility for completing the requirements and assuring removal of an I (incomplete) rests directly with the student. Suspension does not extend the time allowed to make up an Incomplete.

FX is assigned for courses where failure occurs as a result of academic dishonesty. The Fx grade is treated as an F in the grade point average computation. With regard to Repetition of Coursework, courses that receive an Fx grade are not eligible to be repeated under the university’s “Repeat Forgiveness” option, and instead may only be repeated via the “Standard Repeat” option. When assigned, the Fx grade will become a part of the student’s internal academic record and will appear on unofficial transcripts and within the student information system. The Fx grade will not appear on the student’s official transcript.

AUD indicates a course was carried on an audit basis. A grade of AUD will not enter into the grade point average computation.

Grade Changes

A grade may be changed by the instructor of record of a course for a period of one year after the completion of the course. In the case of a deceased faculty member, or in extreme cases and for cogent reasons, the department chair, in consultation with the dean of the college offering the course and the University Registrar, may act in place of the instructor of record.

While enrolled and prior to graduating, students may utilize the General Petition process to appeal a grade, provided the petition is submitted within three years of the semester the course ended. After graduating, only the final semester’s grades can be appealed (within six months of the graduation date).

Note: Grades that resulted from a violation of the academic integrity code are not subject to the General Petition process.

Pass-Fail Grading

The Pass-Fail option is designed to encourage students to investigate fields outside their major curricula in which they have a specific personal interest without affecting their grade point averages. The only grades assigned on courses taken on the Pass-Fail option are S and U; a grade of S indicates a satisfactory performance and a U indicates unsatisfactory performance. A student will be given credit for courses in which the grade of S is earned, but these courses will not affect the computation of the GPA.

Specific provisions of the Pass-Fail option are as follows:

1. The Pass-Fail option is in effect for an indefinite period of time, subject to periodic review.
2. The Pass-Fail option is available to all undergraduate students except those whose semester or cumulative GPA is less than 2.0.
3. Students are permitted to exercise the Pass-Fail option only on undergraduate, elective courses.
4. Students are permitted to take no more than eight courses on a Pass-Fail basis during their undergraduate career.
5. A student wishing to exercise the option must have the permission of the dean.
6. The option may be elected or revoked by the student on or before the last date for withdrawing from the course without receiving a grade of WF.
7. Normal prerequisites may be waived for students taking a course on a Pass-Fail basis.
8. No course carried on a Pass-Fail basis will be counted toward the hours required for either the President’s or the Dean’s Honor List.
9. Courses taken on a Pass-Fail basis do not receive grade points or grade hours, do not contribute to the grade point average, and cannot be used for consideration of Graduation with Honors.

Grade Point Average

The Grade Point Average is determined by dividing the total number of Grade Points by the total number of Grade Hours.

GPA = (Grade Points) ÷ (Grade Hours)

Grade Points are calculated by multiplying the number of credit hours assigned to a course by the value of the grade earned in the course.

Grade Hours are calculated by adding the credit hours of all courses with an earned grade.

Only grades of A, B+, B, C+, C, D+, D, F, WF, and Fx are used in the calculation of Grade Hours, Grade Points, and the Grade Point Average. Grades of I, S, U, W, and AUD do not affect Grade Point Average.

Obtaining Grades

Following each semester of enrollment, grades are available to students within their online WebAdvisor accounts. No grades will be available to students who have outstanding financial obligations to the University.

Enrollment Certification

Certification of enrollment is based upon the total number of credit hours for which a student is registered at the time of the certification. Beginning and ending dates reported in enrollment certification conform to the University’s Academic Calendar dates for the semester requested.

Transcripts

A transcript of a student’s record carries the following information: a detailed statement of the Coastal Carolina University scholastic record showing courses pursued with credits carried, credits earned, grades, grade points, grade point average, grade point deficits, academic status as appropriate, and an explanation of the grading system. All failures, incomplete grades, and penalties such as academic suspensions are also indicated. Students who were enrolled at Coastal Carolina University prior to Summer II 1993 and who did not return to Coastal until the Fall 1997 semester or later will be considered transfer students and their USC System/Coastal Carolina University coursework taken prior to Summer II 1993 will not be included in the Coastal Carolina University academic totals.

All requests for transcripts must be in written form. Any student who needs a transcript or a certified copy of the end-of-semester grade report must complete a Student Transcript Request form or send a signed and dated letter containing all pertinent identifying information to the Office of the Registrar. In addition to the written consent, each transcript request should include full name or names used, student number, dates of attendance, location of attendance, and date of birth to ensure proper identification of the record requested.

Transcripts will not be issued to a student who is indebted to Coastal Carolina University. Partial transcripts will not be issued.

Information on requesting an official transcript is available through the Office of the Registrar.

Classification of Students

Students are classified at the beginning of each semester and maintain that classification until the next semester begins. Classification is based on the total number of semester credits earned. Classifications are as follows:

Notification of Student Rights Under Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Coastal Carolina University education record policies comply fully with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, as amended, enacted as section 438 of the General Education Provisions Act. The University provides official notice to students of their rights under FERPA by publishing such notice in the Coastal Carolina University catalog and on the Office of the Registrar’s website under FERPA.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access.

Students should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The University official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the University official to whom that request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.

2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading.

Students may ask the University to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the University official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.

If the University decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the University will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his/her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.

3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

Coastal Carolina University will disclose information from a student’s education records only with written consent of the student, except:

1. To school officials with legitimate educational interests;
2. A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including campus law enforcement and health staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his/her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his/her professional responsibility.
3. To officials of other institutions in which the student intends to enroll provided that the student has previously requested a release of his/her record to the requesting institution;
4. To authorized representatives of the U.S. Department of Education, the Comptroller General of the United States, the Attorney General of the United States, the U.S. Census Bureau, state/local educational authorities, organizations conducting studies for or on behalf of the University, and accrediting organizations;
5. In connection with a student’s application for, and receipt of, financial aid;
6. To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;
7. To parents of dependent students as defined by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, Section 152;
8. To appropriate parties in health or safety emergency; or
9. To the alleged victim of any crime of violence of the results of any disciplinary proceedings conducted by the University.

Coastal Carolina University has designated the following items as Directory Information: a student’s name, mailing addresses (local, permanent, electronic), telephone numbers, photograph, electronic image, semester(s) of attendance, enrollment status (full- or part-time), date of admission, date of graduation, college, major and minor fields of study, whether or not currently enrolled, classification (freshman, etc.), type of degree being pursued, degrees, honors, and awards received (including scholarships and fellowships), the most recent educational institution attended, weight and height of members of athletic teams, and whether the student has participated in officially recognized activities and sports sponsored by the University.

The University may disclose any of these items without prior written consent unless the student has submitted a written request to the Office of the Registrar not to release directory information pertaining to them. This request must be made at the time of registration but no later than 14 days after the beginning of the semester.

The University may publish a Student Directory annually. Students who do not wish to have information printed in the Student Directory should complete a Student Directory Privacy Request form, available through the Office of the Registrar. Student Directory Privacy Request forms must be completed no later than 14 days after the beginning of the semester.

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Coastal Carolina University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
600 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington DC 20202-4605

Questions concerning this law and the University’s procedures concerning release of student education records may be directed to the Office of the Registrar, Baxley Hall, room 222, 843-349-2019.

Appeals: an appropriate hearing board will provide students with an opportunity to challenge the content of their University education records, to ensure that the records are accurate, and provide an opportunity for the correction or deletion of any inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise inappropriate data contained therein. Hearing requests should be made to the University Registrar.

Academic Status

The following standards regarding scholastic eligibility, probation, and academic suspension are applicable to all degree-seeking undergraduate students. Administration of these regulations is the responsibility of the Provost.

Good Academic Standing

Continued enrollment in Coastal Carolina University is a privilege that is granted to a student who is making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree. A degree-seeking student enrolled at Coastal Carolina University is in good academic standing unless placed on academic suspension.

Academic Advisory, Probation and Suspension Status

Academic Advisory

Students are placed on academic advisory when their academic performance indicates that there is a high risk that they will be placed on academic probation in a future semester.

A student is placed on academic advisory if:

1. The student earns a semester GPA of less than a 2.0 on graded hours at Coastal Carolina University; and
2. The student has a cumulative GPA of greater than or equal to 2.0 and less than 2.5 on graded hours at Coastal Carolina University.

Academic advisory appears on a student’s academic record at the end of the regular semesters (fall and spring). Students on academic advisory must complete a set of requirements to help them succeed academically, as outlined by their college; see academic policy College Requirements for Academic Advisory.

Academic Probation 

Students are placed on probation when their academic performance is endangering their opportunity to earn a degree from the university. When a student’s academic level of achievement falls below a 2.0 cumulative grade point average on graded hours at Coastal Carolina University, the student is placed on probation. Probation appears on a student’s academic record at the end of the regular semesters (fall and spring).

Students who are on academic probation:

1. May not enroll in more than 16 credits per semester. (Students who pre-registered for more than 16 credits must drop to 16 credits. Should the student fail to drop to 16 credits, the University may adjust the student’s course schedule to 16 credits);
2. Are required to have their course schedules and credits reviewed and approved by their academic advisers at the beginning of each semester;
3. Are required to meet at least two times per semester with their academic adviser;
4. Are required to attend a one-day Dean’s Academic Counseling Seminar at the beginning of each semester; and
5. Complete any additional requirements for academic probation as outlined by their college; see academic policy College Requirements for Academic Probation.

In addition to the requirements listed above, students who have earned less than 30 credits and are placed on probation will be enrolled in a designated section of ACED 101  and assigned an academic coach during any semester that they are on probation. They are required to meet at least four times with their academic coach as well as successfully complete ACED 101.

A student who enrolls while on probation must demonstrate progress toward the attainment of a degree by earning at least a 2.0 semester grade point average in each subsequent regular semester to be allowed continued enrollment and to avoid academic suspension. Once the student has earned at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average in a regular semester, the student is considered to be making satisfactory academic progress and is no longer subject to the rules of probation.

Academic Suspension

Students are suspended from Coastal Carolina University at the end of the fall or spring semesters if, while on probation, the student fails to earn a minimum 2.0 semester grade point average in the regular semester (fall or spring).

The first academic suspension means a required separation from Coastal Carolina University for the regular semester (fall or spring) immediately following the semester in which the suspension occurs. After the first suspension is served, a student must be readmitted to the University through the Office of Admissions. 

A subsequent, or indefinite, suspension means a required separation from Coastal Carolina University for a minimum of one calendar year. Students who have served an indefinite academic suspension must seek readmission through the Academic Suspension Petitions Committee and be readmitted to the University through the Office of Admissions. Admission is not automatic or guaranteed. Students on academic suspension may not attend summer courses at Coastal Carolina University except by action of the Academic Suspension Petitions Committee. Suspended students who are granted permission to take summer courses will be admitted to those courses through the Office of the Registrar.

Suspension, including reinstatement by petition or administrative action, remains on the academic record and is considered as a suspension for subsequent decisions.

Students who enroll after academic suspension are admitted under the status of probation. Students are required to earn at least a 2.0 grade point average each regular semester (fall or spring) to avoid a subsequent suspension, until their cumulative GPA on graded hours at Coastal Carolina University reaches 2.0 or higher. Students who are readmitted after suspension are subjected to all the rules of academic probation, which are previously outlined.  

Under extenuating circumstances, appeals for readmission or other exceptions to academic policies may be presented to the Academic Suspension Petitions Committee. Students must contact the Office of the Dean in the college of their major for information and deadlines for submitting an appeal. Students on academic suspension may not be admitted to, or continue in, any program at Coastal Carolina University for credit or grade point average purposes. Suspension does not extend the time allowed to make up an I (incomplete) grade. Credits earned at other institutions while a student is on academic suspension from Coastal may be applied towards a degree from Coastal Carolina University, provided the coursework meets all transfer eligibility and degree program requirements. Credits earned at other institutions cannot be used to improve the Coastal Carolina University grade point average. Students are reminded that these rules are for suspension from Coastal Carolina University. Some degree programs may impose more stringent requirements for retention in the program. Students suspended by this policy have the right to petition the Coastal Carolina University Academic Suspension Petitions Committee to waive the application of the suspension rule. Any such request must be received before the beginning of the semester in question in order for the committee to have adequate time to process the request. Requests for petitions, specific deadlines and other information should be directed to the Office of the Dean in the college of the student’s major.

Academic Discipline

Infractions of academic discipline at the University are dealt with in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct. Examples of such infractions include but are not limited to cheating, plagiarism, and illegal use of old laboratory reports. Further information is contained in the Academic Integrity Office or from the Dean of Students Office.

Academic Forgiveness for Former Coastal Carolina University Students

Academic Forgiveness means that a student’s past failures are forgiven to allow the student to resume his/her college career with a realistic possibility of completing a degree. In essence, the program will allow the calculation of a grade point average (GPA) based on the student’s performance in courses taken after being granted forgiveness.

A student must meet the following conditions to apply for academic forgiveness.

1. The student was separated from Coastal Carolina University for at least 48 consecutive months and had less than a 2.0 cumulative grade point average on work completed at Coastal.
2. The student must be readmitted to Coastal Carolina University, must declare a major, and must complete at least 24 hours of graded coursework.

• The 24 hours of graded coursework must meet the progression requirements of the student’s declared academic program.
• The cumulative GPA on the 24 hours of graded coursework completed after readmission must be 2.0 or better prior to applying for academic forgiveness.

3. The student must apply in writing for academic forgiveness prior to application for graduation.
4. The student has not previously been granted academic forgiveness.

A student who has met these conditions and desires academic forgiveness must submit a written request for academic forgiveness to the dean of the student’s major. After verification of the student’s eligibility, the dean will forward all information to the Provost, who will inform the Registrar of the decision.

Once academic forgiveness has been granted, the following apply to the student’s academic record:

1. All curriculum requirements will be in accordance with those in force at the time the student was readmitted.
2. The student may not receive academic honors upon graduation.
3. The student’s grade point average for graduation purposes is recalculated beginning in the semester in which the student was readmitted to Coastal Carolina University.
4. Courses in which the student received a grade of ‘C’ or better prior to being readmitted and granted academic forgiveness may be used for academic credit, but are not used in the calculation of the grade point average.
5. ACADEMIC FORGIVENESS GRANTED will appear on the academic record of any student granted academic forgiveness.
6. The permanent academic record (transcript) will remain an unmodified record of all work attempted at Coastal Carolina University.

Academic Honors

Honor Lists

The names of students who achieve high GPAs are entered on the Honor Lists each fall and spring semester.

Students who have earned, during the fall or spring semester, a GPA of 4.0 on a minimum of 12 grade hours at the time of official grade production are listed on the President’s Honor List.

Students who have achieved, during the fall or spring semester, a GPA of 3.5 or higher (3.25 for freshmen) on a minimum of 12 grade hours at the time of official grade production are listed on the Dean’s Honor List.

No course carried on a Pass-Fail or audit basis, taken through correspondence, or passed by examination or exemption will be counted toward the 12 credit hours required for either the President’s or Dean’s Honor List.

Grades of I (incomplete) changed to letter grades beyond the semester’s official grade production date will not qualify a student for honors.

Graduation

In order to be eligible to receive a degree from Coastal Carolina University, a student must earn a minimum of 25 percent of the degree program’s requirements “in residence” at the University, including 12 credit hours of the student’s major courses and six credit hours of minor courses offered by Coastal. Some programs impose higher student residence and/or major requirements.

All degree applicants are urged to confer with the chairs of their respective departments about their programs and degree requirements prior to the beginning of their last semester of residence at the University.

“In residence” means that the student was regularly enrolled in Coastal Carolina University courses. “In residence” requirements may not be met by courses for which credit is earned by exemption or exam, courses taken by correspondence, credits earned through military credentials, or courses for which transfer credit was awarded (except in the case of credits earned through sanctioned Coastal academic exchange programs). Courses taken under Pass-Fail option meet “in residence” requirements for graduation, but do not contribute towards Graduation with Honors eligibility.

All candidates for degree(s) must file a formal Graduation Application with the dean(s) of their respective major(s) during the regular semester prior to their expected graduation date. For example, to be considered for May graduation, candidates must submit their graduation applications the previous fall semester (both August and December graduations require spring semester filings). Graduation Applications must be submitted by the date specified in the University’s Academic Calendar. The Graduation Application is submitted by the student online and must be accompanied by payment of the graduation application fee before processing by the student’s academic college occurs.

Commencement exercises at the University are held each year in May for those completing all requirements of their program in the spring semester, in August for those completing all requirements of their program in any summer semester, and in December for those completing all requirements of their program in the fall semester. Please check the University Commencement website for more specific commencement information.

All requirements for graduation must be complete at the time of commencement, including the payment of all financial obligations to the University, or the student will not be allowed to participate in the commencement ceremony.

Candidates who are eligible to be recognized for Graduation with Honors at a commencement ceremony, as noted in the section below, may wear the embroidered official white honor stole with the university seal at graduation. Also, students who are members of the University Honors Program, the Wall Fellows, the Jackson Scholars, Swain Scholars or other selected university honors programs are eligible to wear the university stole.

Graduation will be based on a cumulative GPA calculated on the basis of all coursework in the student’s college career at Coastal Carolina University. Students who were enrolled at Coastal prior to Summer II 1993 and who do not return to Coastal Carolina University until Fall 1997 semester or later, will be considered transfer students and their USC System/Coastal Carolina University coursework taken prior to Summer II 1993 will not be included in the calculation of this cumulative GPA. Coastal Carolina University students granted approval to complete coursework at other institutions will not have this work calculated as a part of the GPA. Credits earned at other institutions and transferred to Coastal may be used to satisfy program requirements but will not be calculated as part of the GPA. Students attending the University in any non-degree candidate admission category will not be considered for graduation. Students are responsible for their own academic program and for meeting the requirements of their major department. It is recommended that they meet with their faculty adviser at least once each semester. In order to be eligible for graduation, students must meet all course requirements, meet all “in residence” requirements, meet all departmental or program requirements, and have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Coastal.

Diplomas will not be issued to students who are indebted to Coastal Carolina University.

In order to be eligible to graduate, all coursework (including incomplete coursework) must be completed by the last day of final examinations for the semester the candidate applied to graduate in. The last day of final examinations is listed in the Academic Calendar. Candidates who do not meet the academic requirements necessary for graduation within the semester for which they have applied will not graduate that semester and must reapply for graduation in a subsequent semester’s graduation cycle.

Graduation With Honors

Eligibility for Graduation with Honors is based on the student’s cumulative grade point average of all coursework with grade hours and grade points taken at Coastal Carolina University (which includes both original and repeated grades that were taken under the University’s Course Repeat Forgiveness option). For an understanding of grade hours, grade points and the grade point average, please see the Grade Point Average found within the Grading Information section of the catalog.

The following designations indicate a consistently high level of academic achievement throughout the student’s academic career at the University. To graduate with such honors, a student must have earned at least 60 grade hours (which can include credits earned through officially recognized Coastal Carolina University academic exchange programs) applicable toward the degree “in residence” at Coastal. Courses taken at other institutions, by correspondence, by examination, by exemption, or credits earned through military credentials are not considered in the calculation for graded hours.

Note: Courses taken with Pass-Fail grading, taking at other institutions, by correspondence, by examination, by exemption, or credits earned through military credentials do not receive grade points or grade hours, do not contribute to the grade point average, and cannot be used for consideration of Graduation with Honors eligibility.

Summa cum Laude: a cumulative GPA of 4.0
Magna cum Laude: a cumulative GPA of 3.75 - 3.99
Cum Laude: a cumulative GPA of 3.5 - 3.74

Graduation with Honors that are recognized at commencement ceremonies are based upon the student’s cumulative grade point average available at the beginning of the semester of graduation. Actual Graduation with Honors are calculated after the final semester’s grades have been received and certified, and will be indicated on the diploma and official transcript.

The President’s Award for Academic Achievement is a separate award given at each graduation in recognition of students who have achieved a perfect 4.0 collegiate grade point average throughout their entire collegiate careers. The collegiate grade point average differs from the Coastal grade point average in that it includes all coursework taken, and grades received, from every institution the student has ever attended.

Degrees

Baccalaureate degrees may be earned at Coastal Carolina University in the designated majors shown in the Programs A-Z section of this catalog. Master’s, Specialist, and Doctoral degrees may be earned in the designated majors shown in the Graduate Programs A-Z section of the Graduate Catalog.

Minors

A minor requires a minimum of 18 credits outside of the major subject area (with the exception of Marine Science). Course requirements for the minor are specified by the college offering the minor. If the degree requires a cognate, the student may choose either the cognate or a minor. A grade of ‘C’ (meaning C-, C or C+) or better is required in all courses to be applied toward the minor or cognate.

Certificates

Certificates, which document that a student received specific education in a content area, may be earned at Coastal Carolina University at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Undergraduate level certificates may be earned in the designated certificates shown in the Programs A-Z section of this catalog. Certificates available to be earned at the graduate level may be found in the Graduate Programs A-Z section of the Graduate Catalog.

Second Baccalaureate Degree

At times, the University confers a second baccalaureate degree upon candidates who have completed all requirements for the second degree, provided that the additional requirements for the second degree include a minimum of 24* credits beyond those required for the first degree and a minimum of 144 credits total. A student must complete core curriculum requirements for each degree. Courses accepted toward the first degree (cognates, minors, electives) may be applied toward the category of “MAJOR REQUIREMENTS” of the second degree, provided minimum credit limits of the second degree are observed. It should be noted that satisfying requirements for a second major will not by itself lead to the conferral of a second degree. Under this policy, a student may apply for two degrees at one time or separately. In either case, two diplomas would be awarded.

* Some majors require more than this number.

Double Major

A student may elect to complete a double major by satisfying the departmental requirements in each of two departments. This will include at least 48 credit hours of major work under the following options:

1. both majors in the same college;
2. two majors in different colleges.

In cases where one degree program leads to a B.A. and the other to a B.S. degree, the student must designate one as the official degree of record. Fulfillment of the requirements for the second major will be indicated on the student’s official transcript. Approval of the dean(s) is required for a double major. A double major eliminates the minor and/or the cognate requirement.

Students who complete the degree requirements for a double major will receive one diploma.