Academic Year  

The University year is divided into two semesters of approximately 15-16 weeks each, and a 9-10 week summer session.  

The programs listed in this Bulletin reflect the AGSC decisions known at the time of printing. TSUD will keep students informed of additions and changes as these occur on the state level. The University will work closely with students impacted by the statewide general studies curriculum (effective for students entering Alabama two-year colleges on or after Fall 1998), as well as with students who began their programs of study prior to that date. Students must be proactive in seeking information and following prescribed programs of study to insure effective transferability of freshman and sophomore level courses up to the maximum 50% of any TSUD program.  

              Classification  

The word ‘‘classification’’ is used to indicate class level, i.e., freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior.  

Students who have earned 30 hours of credit are classified as sophomores, those who have earned 60 hours are classified as juniors, and those who have earned 90 hours are classified as seniors.    

                                                          Sequence of Courses  

Advanced Course means sophomore level or above. Upper Level Course means junior level or above.  

Courses in the 1100 sequence are freshman courses; 2200 sequence, sophomore courses; 3300 sequence, junior courses; 4400 sequence, senior courses; 5500 sequence, graduate courses (open to seniors by permission). Courses in the 6600 sequence are open to graduate students only. Certain slashed courses (i.e., 4460/5560) with differentiated assignments are open to upper level undergraduate and to graduate students. Courses in the 9900 sequence are for workshop or continuing education credit.  

College Credits

Regular Credits  

College credits are expressed as semester hours or credit hours. Three quarter hours are equivalent to two semester hours. A credit hour is equivalent to one recitation a week for 16 weeks.  

Two hours of laboratory work are usually accepted as the equivalent of one hour of regular class work. The actual numbers of hours will be determined by the instructor and student in order to satisfy the course objectives.  

A semester’s ‘‘residence’’ may be earned in any one term while the student is enrolled for not less than 12 semester hours credit at TSUD or the Fort Rucker location. Credit earned as a transient student to TSUD is not considered resident credit.  

Troy State University Dothan recognizes the educational benefits of many experiences that occur outside the formal structure of accredited colleges and universities. The University offers a number of applied science programs in which documented experiences of direct value to the program may be credited in lieu of certain required courses.  

Credit may be granted for military experience based on MOS (Army), AFSC (Air Force), or equivalent ratings by Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. (Contact the Fort Rucker location for specific details.)  

Service school courses will be evaluated according to the recommendations of the American Council on Education when official credentials have been presented by the student. Such recommendation, however, is not binding upon the University.  

Entering students with superior preparation and participation in the College Board’s Advanced Placement Program in high school may be awarded advanced credit depending on their AP examination scores. It should be noted that colleges award credit differently for acceptable Advanced Placement credit. For more specific information, students should contact the Office of Academic Records.  

Credit is allowed for CLEP General and Subject Examinations and DSST as approved by the Academic Council. CLEP or DSST  may not be taken for credit after the course has been taken or an advanced course in that particular subject area has been taken. This restriction applies whether the course work was passed or failed. Credit for CLEP Examinations  or DSST will not be granted for examination(s) taken which duplicate courses already taken for degree credit.  All restrictions as stated apply.  Students wishing to use CLEP/DANTES test scores must have scores submitted to the TSUD Records Office prior to filing their Intent to Graduate.  Any test reports received after this date will not be considered for credit. For more specific information entering students should write, and students currently enrolled should contact the Office of Academic Records.  

The number of credits allowed for satisfactory performance on the General Examination may be reduced by the amount of credit the student has previously earned in the subject matter areas covered by the examinations.  

The University does not offer courses by correspondence study; however, certain correspondence courses may be taken with other accredited universities. Students currently enrolled should consult the Office of Academic Records for course availability and required prior approval.  

A student currently enrolled who wishes to study at another Troy State University System location or at another institution for a term should consult with the Office of Academic Records concerning procedures and required prior approval. If a TSUD student takes coursework at another institution without proper transient authorization, TSUD reserves the right to deny credit for these courses. Transient coursework must be counted as a part of a student’s semester load for load-limit purposes.    

TOP OF PAGE

All students who transfer will have their credits evaluated for General Studies equivalences on an individual basis. Students who earn the Associate of Arts degree from Alabama institutions will not be granted credit for having completed the non-teaching General Studies program. It must be clearly understood that acceptance to the University and application of credits to degree programs are two separate and distinct processes.  Also see AGSC, in the Admissions Information section of this Bulletin.  

Troy State University Dothan observes the following guidelines for evaluating credit and preparing checksheets:

Checksheets will be prepared only for those persons who apply for admission to the University and who pay the application fee.  

TSUD students are allowed only two checksheets. A charge of $25.00 will be assessed for preparing each additional checksheet after the first two.  

Checksheets are considered valid only when they are prepared from transcripts acceptable as documentation for admission to the University.  

Troy State University Dothan will consider student-initiated requests for course substitutions. Decisions regarding the appropriateness and acceptability of course substitutions, whether courses are taken at TSUD or at another institution, are made by the Dean of the academic division. These decisions are final. Decisions regarding substitution of general studies courses,  regardless of a student’s particular degree or discipline, are made by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

NOTE: Any courses (including correspondence and transient) taken by a student after his initial registration with Troy State University Dothan must have prior approval by the University and must be counted in with the student’s semester load for load-limit purposes.  

NOTE: Any student on scholastic probation or on a conditional admission is limited to a maximum of 13 SCH.  

1.   Minimum:      9 semester hours to be a full-time student.    
2.   Normal:         9 semester hours.  
3.   Maximum:     With approval of advisor                              12 SCH                                                          With approval of advisor, Academic Dean, and grade point average of at least:

Students are advised that “full-time” for tuition purposes during the summer may differ from full-time requirements for federal financial aid.  See the “Financial Information” section of this Bulletin.  

A student may be placed in an advanced section of a given study if his record indicates a high degree of achievement or if it indicates he has successfully completed studies which should not be duplicated.    

TOP OF PAGE 

                     *Impacts GPA calculation

The grade point average is computed by dividing the total number of credit hours attempted with Troy State University Dothan into the total number of grade points earned with Troy State University Dothan. See ‘‘Graduation with Honors’’ for the computation of grade point average for graduation with honors.  

Repetition of Courses from other Institutions:

A student may repeat courses at TSUD that he took for credit from another institution; however, the following will apply in this case: 

1. A student may receive credit only once for the same course.
2. Once a course has been repeated at TSUD, the credit from the course taken at another institution will 
    be subtracted from the hours earned from that institution.
3. The repeated transferred course will still count toward the overall grade point average of that student. 

Repetition of courses taken at TSUD:    

A student may repeat  a TSUD course in which he received a D or F, but certain restrictions and guidelines apply.  

1. Students who wish to repeat a course earned at TSUD before summer 1996 must make prior written application with the Office of Academic Records. Failure to implement this process will result in both grades being counted as hours attempted in determining the overall grade point average. If proper procedure is followed, the repeated grade will be identified on the student’s record and the hours attempted for the repeated course will be excluded in determining the overall grade point average.  

Students who wish to repeat a course earned at TSUD summer quarter 1996 or after are not required to make prior written application. In this case, hours and grade for the initial attempt are automatically subtracted from the cumulative totals of hours attempted and quality points are replaced with the hours and grade of the last attempt. The first attempt remains on the transcript but is flagged as a repeated course. The grade earned on the last attempt stands regardless of the grade earned. (NOTE: The Alabama State Department of Education requires a different method of GPA calculation for progression in education programs. See sections in this Bulletin on “Teacher Education Program” and “Internship Program” for more details.)  

2. To repeat a TSUD course more than once, a student must receive written approval from his Academic Dean and the Executive Vice President.  

3. To repeat a TSUD course in which a C or better has been received, a student must secure written permission of the Dean of the school from which the student will receive his degree.  

4. Veterans' benefits will not pay for repeating a course for which a student has already received a passing grade.  

5. TSUD policy mandates that all attempts will be counted as hours attempted when determining honors at the time of graduation.  

6. Because of State Department of Education regulations, certain  restrictions for repeating courses apply to education students. Education students should contact  the School of Education regarding these restrictions.  

An incomplete grade means that the student has not finished all of the assigned class work or has not taken all class examinations.

A grade of incomplete may be assigned at the discretion of the instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor regarding the deadline for completing all course requirements. Any student who receives a grade of incomplete must adhere to the work completion deadline set by the instructor, not to exceed the end of the sixth week of the following term. This deadline applies whether or not the student re-enrolls for the semester following the assignment of the incomplete grade(s).  For information regarding an extension of completion time, contact the office of the dean of the appropriate college.  

The instructor is required to report the completion grade no later than the eighth week of the following term.  

Faculty have the authority to grade student work and to assign grades; these are academic judgments. A faculty member’s syllabus enumerates student academic performance expectations and consequences. Faculty render academic judgments when a student’s academic performance violates established standards or fails to meet stated expectations. Academic judgments, made by faculty, are based on academic content, course requirements, and student performance. Students may not appeal grades based on allegations concerning the competence of a faculty member, the fairness of examinations, the difficulty of a course, or other matters of a purely academic nature. While it is recognized that faculty hold the right and responsibility to grant a grade, a student who receives a course grade that he or she believes to be unwarranted for reasons other than those listed above may appeal that grade using the TSUD procedure adopted for this purpose. Grades for individual assignments and exams may not be appealed.  

Step 1. Within the first three weeks of the start of the following semester in which the grade is received, the student shall have informally appealed the grade to the instructor. If that instructor is not teaching at TSUD during the term following issuance of the grade, the student will make contact with the instructor through the Dean’s Office.  

Step 2. If the issue is not resolved at this informal level and the student wishes to pursue the appeal, the student shall request in writing a meeting with the respective department chairperson. This request shall be addressed to the chairperson directly and shall be received no later than the end of the fifth week of instruction for the term following issuance of the grade. The request must summarize the student’s complaint and the student’s informal appeal to the instructor.  

Step 3: Within two weeks of receipt of the request, the department chairperson shall meet personally with the student and with the instructor, separately or at the same time. If the chairperson upholds the decision, the matter is closed.  

Step 4: If the chairperson does not support the decision of the instructor, the matter shall be appealed to the dean of the college. Within two weeks of the meeting between the instructor and the chairperson, the Dean shall meet with the student, the instructor, and the chairperson, separately or together. If the Dean supports the original grade, the matter is closed. If the Dean does not support the original grade, the Dean will inform the instructor of the decision and attempt to find a reasonable solution. If this is not possible, the Dean will determine the appropriate academic remedy, which may include change of grade, and inform the instructor, in writing, of this decision. The instructor then will have two weeks to appeal the decision to the Faculty Advisory Council that will convene the Faculty Personnel Advisory Subcommittee to hear the issue and determine a ruling. (While this is an appellate right of faculty, the due process rights of the student will be observed during this process.) The decision of the Faculty Personnel Advisory Subcommittee is final.  

Barring unusual circumstances, the matter shall be resolved before the end of the first full semester following issuance of the grade. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate the appeals process within the timelines set forth in this procedure.  

NOTE: Students may not use this procedure to appeal grades resulting from violations of Academic Honesty. Students should refer to the Student Handbook for these appeals.  

Each student is expected to attend his classes at the designated time and place scheduled. A student will be excused if he has been delayed by reason of circumstances beyond his control or if he has been required to attend an activity sponsored by the University. Faculty members who sponsor activities that require class absences must send a list of student names to each faculty member concerned at least three days before the scheduled absence.  

Permission will not be granted to miss classes and/or examinations in order to attend events not related to college work. Students who find it necessary to attend non-college events which conflict with college attendance should not register for college during the term involved.  

The institution reserves the right to cancel any course for insufficient enrollment and also to close or divide sections when it is deemed that the interest of the students will be better served.    

TOP OF PAGE

All students are urged to register during designated registration times. Accounts unpaid will not be voided due to nonpayment. A student may not register after one calendar week after the first day of the semester. Any student who fails to attend a course for which he is registered without filing an approved schedule change (drop and add or withdrawal) will receive an ‘‘FA’’ in the course and will be responsible for all applicable tuition and fees.  

For a period of one calendar week immediately following registration, as specified in the University Calendar, students may drop courses and add other courses by completion of the following:  

Dropping a class only:  

1. Obtain the appropriate form from the Financial Aid Office and fill it  out completely.
2. Check with the Director of Financial Aid before making a change of schedule and have form stamped.    
3. Obtain instructor’s signature on completed form.    
4. Take the form to the designated computer entry station for data processing.    
5. Leave the completed form in the Business Office (M118).  

Adding a course, or dropping and adding:  

1. Obtain the appropriate form from the Financial Aid Office and fill it  out completely.    
2. Check with the Director of Financial Aid before making a change of schedule and have form stamped.    
3. Obtain advisor’s signature on completed form.    
4. Take the form to the designated computer entry station for data processing.  
5. Leave the completed form with the required $15.00 fee plus tuition for the added course in the Business Office. (M118).  

Note:  During the first week after registration, if a course is dropped and another added in its place after classes begin, only the added course will show  on a student’s transcript since no tuition is forfeited.

Those attending the University and receiving veterans’ benefits or financial aid must check with the Director of Financial Aid prior to making a change of schedule.  

In the event that TSUD does not offer a program that will meet a student’s specific needs, he may contact one of the University’s academic deans to discuss the possibility of developing a contract program.  

A.    General Requirements: This program will consist of a regular academic major consisting of at least 30 hours and at least 18 hours of agreed-upon electives which contribute to the student’s special needs and interests. The credit hours of the academic major and electives for the contract program will not exceed 48 hours. In addition to the contract program hours, the student must complete the 60 hours General Studies program and sufficient free elective hours to complete the number of hours required for graduation. For enrollment in this program, complete the following procedures:  

        (1)   Consult major department concerned.   
        (2)   Work with an advisor in outlining the program desired.   
        (3)   Seek approval of the department chairman, the appropriate dean, and the Executive Vice  
               President.  

B.    Restricted Use:  

        (1)   Students nearing graduation may not elect the contract program as a means of decreasing the  
               number of hours required for graduation.   
        (2)   Contract programs are not available to students in certain areas. Contact department chairs for 
               availability.   
        (3)   A student transferring to Troy State University Dothan as a senior must declare a contract 
               program before completion of the first semester in residence.  

1. ‘‘Accelerated Study for Superior Students’’ permits enrollment in an accelerated or broadened program through registration for credit hours above the normal load. For specific credit loads permitted, see ‘‘Credit Load.’’  

2. Independent Study and Research: This program consists of several special study and research courses. Guided Independent Research (4491 & 4492) and Guided Independent Study (4493 & 4494) are offered in various departments. Students are permitted to take no more than two (2) independent studies for a maximum of six (6) hours for any degree.  

4491-4492 Guided Independent Research (1 to 3 credit hours per course) Undergraduate research with attention to critical evaluation of research techniques, methods and procedures. Prereq: Senior standing with a minimum TSUD overall GPA of 3.0, permission of guiding professor, approval of the Department Chairman and Dean. A written request must be submitted to the Department Chairman; application forms are available in the Office of Academic Records. Guided Independent Research may be taken only in the applicant’s major or minor field.  

4493-4494 Guided Independent Study (1 to 3 credit hours per course) Supervised study through internship, field or laboratory projects, guided readings, creative endeavors, or achievement in specific skills. Prereq: Senior standing, with a minimum TSUD overall GPA of 3.0, permission of guiding professor, approval of the Department Chairman and Dean. A written request must be submitted to the Department Chairman; application forms are available in the Office of Academic Records.  

3. Non-Traditional Study: (See ‘‘Credit by Examinations.’’)  

4. Off-Campus Courses: The University is prepared to offer off-campus classes, with the exception of courses requiring special equipment. Those individuals or groups desiring off-campus courses should write to the Executive Vice President.  

A.  General Requirements: In off-campus classes a minimum of 15 students is required.  

B.  Students admitted to a Troy State University Dothan off-campus course may be admitted on a conditional basis and must earn a minimum of 24 semester hours with a grade point average of 2.0 or better to be admitted as a regular student to the campus.  

Students with a conditional admission are limited to 13 hours (10 hours during a summer semester) and must earn a 2.0 (4.0 scale) grade point average on the first 18 hours attempted at Troy State University Dothan after the conditional admission is issued. (Hours attempted constitute the hourly value for any coursework for which a student is assigned a grade of A, B, C, D, F, FA, or WF.) Students failing to achieve this average will be dropped from the program and will not be permitted to re-enroll unless their overall GPA is raised to at least 2.0 (4.0 scale) by credits earned at another institution.  

Probation: A student admitted in good academic standing will receive probation status if his overall grade point average falls below a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. This probation status will be printed on the term grade report. A student on probation is limited to 13 semester hours per term (10 hours during a summer semester) and must earn a minimum of a 2.0 average each subsequent term until his overall grade point average is raised to the 2.0 level on a 4.0 scale. A student will be removed from the probation status at the end of any term in which his overall grade point average is raised to the 2.0 level on a 4.0 scale.  

Suspension: A student on probation who fails to earn a semester grade point average of 2.0 or higher will be suspended. A student’s first academic suspension will be for one semester; the second suspension will be for two semesters; a third suspension will be for an indefinite period.  

Suspension Period Regulations: Students are encouraged to continue to study and improve their backgrounds for college work while on suspension; however, any course(s) taken by a Troy State University Dothan student during a suspension period will not be accepted for credit. A student who has been suspended may be readmitted through the regular admission procedure after having served the first or second suspension period. Students placed on indefinite suspension may petition for readmission following a period of twelve months.  

Readmittance after Suspension: A student returning after a suspension will remain on probation as long as he earns at least a C (2.0) average each semester following his suspension. When his overall grade point average reaches at least a 2.0 (4.0 scale), he will be removed from probation status.  

A student who leaves the University without following University withdrawal procedures will be assigned the grade of ‘‘FA’’ in each course in which he is registered.  

Any student who desires to drop a course or withdraw from the University for any reason must initiate the procedure in the Financial Aid Office. Withdrawal is not official until the entire withdrawal process is completed.  

Any student who wishes to drop a course or withdraw from the University after ‘‘drop-add week’’ and up to two weeks prior to the beginning of final examinations must first secure the approval of the instructor of the course in which the student is enrolled. Thereafter, withdrawal is permitted only under extraordinary circumstances with the approval of the Executive Vice President.  

1. Before Mid-semester: The symbol ‘‘W’’ (Withdrawal) will be entered upon the student’s record for each course, and he will not be charged with hours attempted.  

2. After Mid-semester: Any student who withdraws or drops a course after the middle of the semester, as designated on the University calendar, will receive the grade(s) of ‘‘W’’ or ‘‘WF,’’ as determined by the instructor(s) on the basis of the student’s standing in class at the time of withdrawal or drop.  

In determining the scholastic standing of the student who has officially withdrawn from a course or from the University after mid-semester, a grade of  ‘‘WF’’ is counted as work attempted and failed; a grade of ‘‘W’’ is regarded as passing, but the student is neither charged with work attempted nor awarded quality point credit.  

Undergraduate students who have not attended TSUD for at least a semester may re-enroll with TSUD if they fall within the following categories and complete any required procedures as outlined below.  

A former TSUD student in good standing who:  

      has been out of school less than three years and has not attended another institution of higher
      education since he last attended TSUD may be readmitted to the University without additional
      paperwork. 

      has been out of school for three years or more and has not attended another institution of higher education since he last attended TSUD may be readmitted to TSUD after completing a new application 

has attended another institution of higher learning since he last attended TSUD must submit a new application and provide an official transcript from the institution before re-enrolling at TSUD.  

Any student who has been suspended from TSUD may be readmitted under probation only after serving the required suspension. For further information, students should contact the Office of Academic Records or refer to this section under “Retention.”  

A student who has studied at another institution as a transient student from TSUD may re-enroll only after an official transcript is received from the transient institution.    

TOP OF PAGE

An ‘‘Intent to Graduate’’ form should be filed with the Office of Academic Records a full term prior to the term of graduation. College of Education students should file their “Intents to Graduate” two terms prior to graduation. The deadline for filing an Intent to Graduate form is the end of the sixth week of that term. See the University calendar for exact dates.  

Course Requirements: In order to receive the associate degree, the student must complete any competency or comprehensive examination(s) that may be required by the college. ENG 1101 & 1102 must be completed with a grade of ‘‘C’’ or better.  

Credit Hours: The student taking an associate degree must have earned a minimum of:  

1.   Sixty (60) semester hours (excluding ENG 1100 and MTH 1100).  

2.   Eighteen (18) to thirty-six (36) semester hours of traditional credit (excluding credit by correspondence, challenge exams, etc.), of which a minimum of 15 semester hours must have been completed at Troy State University Dothan.  

3.   Six (6) semester hours must be completed in residence at Troy State University Dothan in the minor 
  area of concentration.  

1.   A candidate for graduation must have an overall 2.0 (4.0 scale) grade point average at Troy State 
      University Dothan.  

2.   A candidate for graduation must have a 2.0 (4.0 scale) grade point average in his minor area of 
      concentration.  This includes hours and grade points earned at other universities and colleges as 
      converted to the Troy State University Dothan grading system.  

Credit Hours Earned after Last Semester of Residence: Three (3) semester hours may be completed at other institutions after the completion of the last semester of residence.  

Second Degree: In order to earn a second associate degree, a student must, after completion of the first degree, earn a minimum of 15 semester hours at Troy State University Dothan and satisfy all requirements for the second degree.  

Course Requirements: In order to receive the baccalaureate degree, the student must complete all course requirements for the degree being taken and complete any competency or comprehensive examination(s) that may be required by the college. ENG 1101 & 1102 must be completed with a grade of ‘‘C’’ or better.  

Credit Hours: The student taking a baccalaureate degree must have earned a minimum of:  

1.   One hundred twenty (120) semester hours (excluding ENG 1100 and MTH 1100).  

2.   Sixty (60) semester hours of traditional credits, 30 semester hours of which must have been completed at Troy State University Dothan.  

3.   Eighteen (18) semester hours of work must be completed in residence at Troy State University 
      Dothan in each major field or concentration.

4.   Junior college transfers must earn a minimum of 50 percent of all degree program hours with a senior 
      college.  

1.   A candidate for graduation must have an overall 2.0 (4.0 scale) grade point average at Troy State 
      University Dothan.  

2.   A candidate for graduation must have a 2.0 (4.0 scale) grade point average in his major fields. This 
      includes hours and grade points earned at other universities and colleges as converted to the Troy 
      State University Dothan grading system.  

Note: Students taking a degree in education should refer to appropriate pages for special requirements.  

Residency Requirements: A candidate for graduation must have attended this University in residence for at least two semesters and must have earned at least 25% of the total hours required for this degree in residence. This may include the semester in which he is scheduled for graduation. The minimum of semester hours in residence shall be exclusive of hours earned in MTH 1100 and/or ENG 1100. Credit earned as a transient student to TSUD is not considered residence credit.  

Credit Hours Earned after Last Semester of Residence: Six (6) semester hours may be completed at other institutions after the completion of the last semester of residence. On the recommendation of the academic dean, the Executive Vice President may approve the completion of up to nine (9) additional hours. No more than fifteen (15) total hours and not more than one-half of the required major field hours may be completed at other institutions after the completion of the last semester of residence.

Second Baccalaureate: In order to earn a second baccalaureate degree, a student must: (1) complete the first degree as certified by the Registrar; (2) apply for admission to the second degree program after the first degree has been certified as completed; (3) earn a minimum of 25% of total degree requirements (beyond the first degree) at TSUD; (4) earn a minimum of 18 semester hours (beyond the first degree) in the major field; (5) meet all current General Studies and major/minor requirements for the second degree. Students cannot earn two degrees simultaneously.  

Senior College Credit Required for Graduation: A transfer student who has attended a junior college must earn a minimum of 50 percent of all degree program hours at a senior college in order to graduate from Troy State University Dothan with a baccalaureate degree.  

Examinations: As a requirement for graduation, all students must take the Senior Exit Exam and complete the Graduating Student Exit Survey. Students with majors in the College of Arts and Sciences must pass the Senior Exit Exam. Students with majors in the School of Education must pass the Senior Exit Exam in order to be certified.  

Full-time undergraduate students who earn a grade point average of 4.0 qualify for the President’s List, which is published each term. Post-baccalaureate and transient students are excluded.  

Full-time undergraduate students who earn a grade point average of 3.66 or higher qualify for the Dean’s List, which is published each term. Transient and post-baccalaureate students are excluded.  

To be eligible for graduation with honors, a student must have earned a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours of non-pass/fail work at Troy State University Dothan. To determine honors, a student’s grade point average with TSUD is first computed. Duplicated courses are used in this computation. If this grade point average qualifies a student for graduation with honors, a cumulative grade point average is determined from all hours attempted at all colleges and universities attended. If the cumulative grade point average still merits honor status, the student will graduate with honors; however, one’s honor status cannot exceed the honor category determined by the TSUD grade point average. Students will have their scholastic averages computed on all hours attempted at Troy State University Dothan. However, because of the time factor concerned during commencement semester, the final grades cannot be included when computing GPA’s for honor students graduating  spring and fall semesters. If a student achieves honor status only after the final grades are posted, the honors will be noted on the permanent record and diploma after the final semester is completed.  

Undergraduate honor students are awarded differentiated diplomas as follows:  

Honors calculations vary throughout higher education and within the University. For example, the formulas used to determine eligibility in honor societies often differ from one another and may not be the same as the calculation used for graduation honors. This is sometimes confusing to students. However the methods of calculation are outlined in TSUD publications, and students new to TSUD are encouraged to ask questions of counselors, admissions officers, and organization faculty advisors regarding the method of calculation used for any particular honor.  

The Servicemembers’ Opportunity College (SOC) networks, which include SOCAD-2 and SOCAD-4 programs, are designed to permit active duty servicemembers and their dependents to pursue college level programs without penalty for military reassignments.  Since Troy State University Dothan is an affiliate member of the SOC, an active duty servicemember or his/her dependent, through a contract with the University, must complete a minimum of 25% of total degree requirements in residence with Troy State University Dothan, of which 18 semester hours must be in each major field of study.  They may then complete the remaining course work required to meet their degree requirements at other accredited colleges or universities and transfer this credit back to Troy State University Dothan.  For associate degree candidates, a minimum of 25% of total degree requirements, of which 6 semester hours must be in the area of concentration, are required to meet residency requirements.  

  An undergraduate student not enrolled with Troy State University Dothan for three years or more must meet all degree requirements current at the time of readmission. A student who has attended another institution between his original admission and his requested readmission must re-enter TSUD under the current Bulletin requirements. A student not completing degree requirements with Troy State University Dothan within seven years must meet all requirements of the current Bulletin. These limitations do not apply to SOC students. SOC students must complete degree requirements within seven years of their last enrollment at TSUD.  

To assess and improve its academic programs, the University must obtain periodic measurements of student perceptions and intellectual growth. As a requirement for graduation, all rising juniors must complete the College BASE exam; all seniors are required to take a Senior Exit Examination and complete a Graduating Student Exit Survey. Students with majors in the College of Arts and Sciences must pass the Senior Exit exam. Additionally, some programs may require that their majors take a comprehensive test of achievement in the discipline. Students may also be required to participate in other evaluations of University programs and services.  The University strongly urges students to perform at their optimum on these exams because the results are used to assess programs at TSUD. The information obtained through these assessment procedures is used solely to improve the quality of the educational experience for future generations of TSUD students.  

TSUD makes every effort to insure that the information in this Bulletin is accurate at the time of printing. However, errors and omissions may occur, and policies or procedures may need alteration during an academic year. Fees and other charges, courses,  requirements and conditions are subject to change without notice.  

TOP OF PAGE