Academic Policies

Course Numbers

Texas State University follows a four-digit numbering system. The first digit indicates the level of the course: 1–freshman, 2–sophomore, 3–junior, 4–senior, 5 and 6– graduate and post-graduate, 7–doctorate. Courses numbered 5000 are open to all graduate students, while courses numbered 7000 are open only to doctoral students and students seeking an M.S. degree in Geography. The second digit of the course number indicates the semester credit hours the course carries. For example, a course numbered 7300 would carry three semester hours of doctoral-level credit. The last two digits usually indicate the location of the course in the departments curriculum. A letter (A, B, C, etc.) attached to a course number indicates an area of concentration within the course. Numbers in parentheses following a course title, listed in this publication, indicate the clock hours per week spent in lecture and laboratory, respectively.

Course Grades

Grades are indicated by the following symbols: "A," excellent; "B," good; "C," average; "D," passing (not at the graduate level); "F," failure or withdrawn failing; "I," incomplete; and "W," withdrawing passing. A grade of "PR," in progress, which is temporary and non-punitive may be assigned in selected courses where the required clock hours needed to complete the requirements extend beyond the regular semester or summer session. A grade of "CR," credit, is assessed when credit only is given for a course after completion as in the case of the dissertation course. While no longer assigned, the grade of "X" on a transcript was used if a student left a class or the university under extremely unusual circumstances and failed, through no fault of the student, to withdraw officially.

Incomplete Grade

If any course work is incomplete during any semester, the work must be completed by an indicated deadline arranged between the student and the course instructor. The "I" grade may be assigned when due to unusual circumstances beyond the student's control, a significant portion of a course, such as a term paper or final examination, has not been completed. An "I" grade from Texas State will not count as hours attempted until another grade is substituted for the "I." If the "I" grade has not been removed in twelve month’s time, the grade will automatically change to "F."

Withdrawal Grade

A "W" grade is assigned only if a student drops a course by the published deadline. Also see "Registration and Course Credit 'Withdrawal'" section.

Change of Grade

An individual course grade may be changed when the involved faculty member certifies to the Registrar that an error was made in computing the original grade. The grade change must be approved by the department chair/school director and the appropriate college dean. Students who wish to protest a grade earned in a course should first discuss the grade with the instructor. If no resolution is reached, the student may appeal the grade to the department chair/school director. If no satisfactory conclusion can be reached at this level, the student may appeal to the college dean whose decision is final. In accordance with Texas State’s records retention policies, a student appeal for a change of grade must be filed no later than two years after the grade is issued.

Grade-Point Average (Four-Point System)

The grade-point average (GPA) is the number of grade points earned divided by the number ofsemester hours attempted. Semester grade symbols have the following values:

A = 4 points C = 2 points F = 0 points
B = 3 points D = 1 point

Neither hours nor grades are calculated for "I," "CR," "PR," or "W."

Probation and Suspension

Graduate students are required to maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average for all Texas State 5000 to 7000-level courses (excluding required background courses) listed on your degree outline. Cumulative GPAs are computed at the end of the fall semester, spring semester, and the second summer session (both summer sessions combined are treated as equivalent to one semester in determining satisfactory academic progress).

Probation

If your cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 during any semester of enrollment at Texas State, you will be placed on academic probation. When you have achieved a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 at the end of your semester of probation, you will be notified that you have been removed from probation status.

Suspension

After probation, by the end of your next semester of enrollment, you must raise your cumulative Graduate College GPA to 3.0 or above or be suspended from the Graduate College.

Financial Aid

If you receive financial aid, you must also meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements for financial aid. See the "General Information 'Financial Aid'" section for further details.