Academic Regulations

Click on a link to be taken to the entry below.

Official course requirements for baccalaureate degrees are given in Section VIII. To achieve a baccalaureate degree, the student must:

1. Successfully complete the General Education Requirements detailed in Section VII, including the senior seminar.1
2. Successfully complete one of the degree programs listed in detail in Section VIII, “Academic Program Requirements,” and attain a minimum GPA of 2.00 in his/her major area. A GPA of at least 2.65 both cumulative and in the major is required for graduation from a teacher education program. Other curricula may also require a cumulative GPA higher than 2.0 for acceptance to the major and/or graduation. Consult the catalog description for specific information.
3. Successfully complete a minimum of 12 semester hours in residence in courses applicable to the GPA in his/her major discipline.
4. Successfully complete at least 40 semester hours in upper division courses (3000-4000 numbered courses).2
5. Earn a minimum of 42 semester hours in residence with a minimum of 32 in the junior and senior years, 12 of which must be in residence during the senior year. Cooperative degree candidates must complete 38 semester hours in residence.
6. Successfully complete at least 120 hours with a CGPA of 2.0 in all courses attempted.
7. Successfully complete two courses in a single foreign language.3
8. Earn a “C” or better in English 1001G, English 1002G, and Speech Communication 1310G or in accepted substitutions.
9. Successfully complete the Electronic Writing Portfolio4.
10. A transfer student must successfully complete a minimum of 56 semester hours applicable to a baccalaureate degree in senior institutions, with at least 42 semester hours earned at EIU.5

¹ Because the terminal year is taken off-campus in cooperative programs, students completing cooperative degree programs, i.e., Engineering and Clinical Laboratory Science, will not be required to take a Senior Seminar or to submit the 4th writing sample for the Electronic Writing Portfolio.

² Courses from a community college or other two-year institution will not count in the 40 semester hours of upper-division credit.

³ Students entering as freshmen in Fall 1993 and thereafter must have completed two years in a single foreign language in high school with an average grade of C or better for the two years’ work in order to have previously satisfied this requirement.

⁴ The first essay/document will come from a writing-centered course in the General Education curriculum, ENG 1001G, ENG 1002G, ENG 1091G, or ENG 1092G (generally completed before the student has earned 30 hours); the second essay/document will come from a writing-intensive course at the 2000 or 3000 level or from an introductory, writing-intensive course in the major field (generally completed when the student has earned between 30 and 59 hours); the third essay/document will come from an upper-division, writing-intensive General Education course or from a 3000- or 4000- level writing-intensive course in the major (generally completed when the student has earned between 60 and 89 hours); the fourth essay/document will come from the Senior Seminar (generally completed after the student has earned 90 hours). Further information about the Electronic Writing Portfolio is available at www.eiu.edu/~assess.

⁵ All military service credit based on the recommendations in the American Council on Education’s Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experience in the Armed Services, and accepted by EIU, is senior institution credit.

It is the responsibility of the student to know and to observe the requirements of his/her curriculum and the rules governing academic work. Although the advisor will attempt to help the student make wise decisions, the ultimate responsibility for meeting the requirements for graduation rests with the student.

An undergraduate student shall indicate the major program for which the appropriate bachelor’s degree will be awarded when all degree requirements have been met. This shall be recorded as the “degree major.”

An undergraduate student who has declared a “degree major” may earn a “second major” by completing the requirements for that second major as listed in the catalog. Only one degree will be awarded– that degree to be determined by the “degree major.” Both majors will be listed on the student’s transcript.

Depending on the degree requirements and the student’s background, a “second major” may, in many cases, be earned with a minimum of 120 semester credits. However, in some cases a student may need to complete more than 120 semester credits to be entitled to the notation of the “second major.”

It is the student’s responsibility to indicate the “degree major” and a “second major,” if any, at the time of application for graduation. Certification for graduation is a dual process: the dean responsible for the “second major” certifies that requirements for that major have been met; final responsibility for certification for graduation lies with the dean responsible for the “degree major.”

A student will be awarded all degrees for which he/she has completed requirements, except that the Board of Trustees B.A. in General Studies degree may not be awarded simultaneously with another degree or awarded to a student who already holds a bachelor’s degree.

Simultaneous Degrees: A student who is currently enrolled at EIU may apply for and receive two bachelor’s degrees at the same time by making arrangements with the appropriate certifying dean(s). The degrees may be the same (e.g., two B.A. degrees) or different (e.g., a B.A. degree and a B.S. degree). All specified major requirements for both degrees must be met as well as the general requirements for the bachelor’s degree. The program of study must include a minimum of 150 semester hours of courses with at least 60 of these hours in upper-division courses (3000-4000 courses) and with at least 72 of the 150 semester hours completed at EIU. All requirements for both degrees must be completed at the time of graduation.

Consecutive Degrees: A student who has already received a bachelor’s degree from EIU, or from another regionally accredited college or university, may receive a second bachelor’s degree from EIU. All specified major requirements for the second degree must be met, and the program of study completed for the second degree must include at least 30 semester hours of courses taken at EIU after the granting of the first degree. At least 20 of the 30 hours presented for the second degree must be upper-division courses (3000-4000 level courses) with at least 12 semester hours of work in courses applicable to determining the GPA in the major. Admission is through the Graduate Office.

A native student may choose to graduate under the requirements stated in the EIU catalog current at the time of his/her entrance to the University or under the requirements stated in a subsequent catalog published prior to his/her graduation. All requirements of the catalog selected must be met in full.

An undergraduate transfer student may choose to graduate under the requirements stated in the EIU catalog current at the time he or she initially enrolled at another college or university provided that catalog did not precede his/her enrollment at EIU by more than three years. Such a student may choose to graduate under subsequent catalogs on the same basis as native students. All requirements of the catalog selected must be met in full.

The catalog options for a student who was concurrently enrolled at any college while still enrolled in high school begin with the catalog in effect during the first semester of college enrollment subsequent to graduation from high school.

In no case may a student combine or choose various requirements from several catalogs in order to achieve minimal curriculum. During periods of transition, deans, in consultation with department chairpersons, are authorized to make such curriculum adjustments to graduation plans as will insure academically meaningful programs. Copies of all such authorizations must be filed with the Records Office.

Credit Earned at Eastern Illinois University

The unit of credit measure is the semester hour, which approximates the effort expended in 50 minutes of class work and 100 minutes of study during each week of a semester. One semester hour also approximates the effort expended in at least a 50-minute laboratory or other scheduled class activity per week (for example, art studio). Laboratories or other scheduled class activities often require more scheduled instruction and fewer minutes of study outside the time scheduled; therefore, laboratories or other scheduled class activities may be scheduled for more instructional minutes for one semester hour of credit depending on the discipline and nature of the laboratory. In general, 2-4 hours of laboratory time per course correspond to 1 sh of credit.

Students may count toward graduation no more than four semester hours credit in chorus, orchestra, band, and four semester hours in physical education activity courses. However, Music majors and minors may count six semester hours in music ensemble activities; Physical Education majors and minors and Recreation Administration majors may count no more than six semester hours in physical education activity courses toward graduation.

Transfer Credit

Credit for Courses in Other Colleges and Universities. Advanced standing and transfer credit are granted for acceptable courses passed in colleges and universities accredited by the North Central Association or other regional accrediting agencies.

Optional Catalog Rule

The choice of the catalog year is very important since a student must follow the graduation requirements and the major requirements from the same catalog, and a curriculum may differ from year to year.

New Transfer Students - An undergraduate transfer student may choose to graduate under the requirements stated in the EIU Catalog at the time of initial enrollment at another college, provided that catalog did not precede enrollment at EIU by more than three years. A transfer student may also choose any subsequent catalog.

Re-admit Students - A Re-admit student has the option to continue under the catalog year he/she originally began course work with at Eastern Illinois University, or he/she may choose a subsequent catalog year. Students should discuss this matter during the advisement session.

Students transferring to Eastern who have received an Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Sciences (AS), or Associate in Science and Arts (ASA) degree in a baccalaureate-oriented program from an Illinois public community college, Lincoln College, or Springfield College in Illinois and/or students transferring from any Illinois university or college who have completed the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) are considered as having met lower-division general education requirements.* This provision is applicable to students who meet all of the following criteria:

1. Their initial term of enrollment at Eastern was Summer 1982 or thereafter;
2. Their cumulative Eastern GPA is 2.00 or higher.

Effective Fall 2001 - Students can use Eastern credit and transfer it back to complete a transfer agreement. There is no hour or time limit for completion of transfer agreement. Waivers will be necessary for students following earlier catalogs.

*NOTE: Successful completion of two courses in a single foreign language is a requirement for graduation.

Associate Degree Benefits

Transfer students who receive an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, or Associate in Science and Arts degree from an Illinois public community college, Lincoln College, or Springfield College in Illinois will be guaranteed the following:

• A minimum of 60 semester hours in transfer credit;
• Junior status;
• All lower division EIU general education requirements are automatically waived; and
• The cultural diversity and the constitution requirements are automatically waived.*

*Students transferring the IAI GECC from a participating institution in Illinois will have met both the cultural diversity and the constitution requirements.

Students Who Transfer to Eastern without an AA, AS, ASA degree or the IAI GECC
Transfer work will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. Courses will be placed into the comparable general education and major requirements listed in the EIU Catalog the student chooses (see Optional Catalog Requirements).

Cultural Diversity/Constitution Requirements
Catalogs prior to Fall 2000
Eastern will recognize the certification of the sending institution as to students having satisfied the cultural diversity and/or constitution requirement.

Fall 2000 and subsequent catalogs
If all nine-semester hours of the Social and Behavioral Science component are complete, then students are exempt from the general education constitution requirement. If an IAI course is taken that has the “D” or “N” designation, then the general education Cultural Diversity requirement will be met. If requirements have not been satisfied, the student will be expected to complete appropriate course work to complete EIU general education requirements.

Note: A teaching certificate requires 3 semester hours in a culturally diverse course and 3 semester hours in an American Government course. The AA, AS, ASA degree or IAI General Education Package does not automatically meet teacher certification requirements.

Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI)
Eastern Illinois University is a participant in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), a statewide agreement that allows transfer of the completed Illinois General Education Core Curriculum between participating institutions. Completion of the transferable General Education Core Curriculum at any participating college or university in Illinois assures transferring students that lower-division general education requirements for an associate’s or bachelor’s degree have been satisfied. This agreement is in effect for students entering an associate or baccalaureate degree-granting institution as first-time freshmen in summer 1998 (and thereafter). Students beginning prior to the summer 1998 may request a waiver. Additional information can be found at www.iTransfer.org.

IAI “Phase I” Benefits
Transfer students who complete the 37 - 41 semester hour package of the Illinois Articulation Initiative from any participating college or university in Illinois will be guaranteed the following:

• All lower-division EIU General Education requirements are automatically waived.
• The cultural diversity requirement for both the integrated core and the new general education program, and the constitution requirement for the new general education program will be met.

IAI “Phase II” Benefits
Transfer students who complete the General Education and approved Major courses of the Illinois Articulation Initiative from any participating College or University in Illinois will be guaranteed the following:

• All lower-division EIU General Education requirements are automatically waived.
  
• The cultural diversity requirement will be met.
• Comparable course matches in the major will be granted credit at the lower level

Important Points About Eastern and the IAI

• If only a portion of the IAI General Education is completed upon transfer, then Eastern will evaluate on a course-by-course basis to see how each course will fit into general education.
• Students who are seeking a degree from Eastern may not complete the IAI at Eastern.
• The same rules apply for acceptance of Transfer Credit for the IAI and AA, AS, or ASA Degrees.
• IAI does not guarantee completion of the constitution for the old integrated core. The constitution requirement is a graduation requirement under the 1992-1999 catalogs.
• Phase II is designed for students who know their major but not where they are transferring.

Who Must Complete Eastern’s General Education Program

• All students who enrolled at Eastern prior to attendance at another college.
• All students who transfer from an out-of-state community college or any four-year college.
• All students transferring from Illinois public community colleges prior to completion of transferable Associate’s Degree (See Acceptance of Transfer Credit).
• All students transferring from an IAI participating Illinois University or College prior to completion of the IAI General Education Package (See acceptance of Transfer Credit).
• Students who completed an Associate in Applied Science Degree.

3 Ways To Complete General Education

• Complete the AA, AS, or ASA. Degree
• Complete the IAI GECC 37 - 41 hour package
• Complete the Integrated Core for Catalogs prior to Fall 2000 or complete the New General Education program beginning Fall 2000

Students who transfer without the IAI or the AA/AS/ASA may use the substitution sheets to select courses that meet Integrated Core Components or New General Education Requirements, or select IAI approved courses from parent institution at www.iTransfer.org.

IAI Implementation

• Eastern began accepting the IAI in Summer 1998 retroactively. Students who have taken credit prior to Summer 1998 may apply previous credit if approved by waiver.
• If completion of the IAI is not noted on the transcript, Records will complete an IAI audit upon request.
• The Official Evaluation of Transfer Credit will note that the General Education Requirement is met if the IAI General Education is complete.

Credit for Out-of-State and non-IAI Colleges
Transfer credit from any accredited college or university will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. Out-of-state associate degrees do not automatically meet Eastern Illinois University’s lower- level general education requirements. Content of courses will be compared to course offerings at Eastern. Transferable courses will be placed in the appropriate corresponding component of general education and major requirements. Courses will count towards general education if they clearly match an Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) general education course description. Descriptions of the IAI courses can be found on the IAI website at www.iTransfer.org.

NOTE: Transfer students who have only partially fulfilled general education requirements by transfer approved credit must complete the requirement in approved EIU distribution courses, or, as of the 1992-93 catalog, approved general education courses.

Because major requirements vary, students with AA, AS, or ASA or AS degrees from Illinois public community colleges should be aware that they may not necessarily graduate with only an additional 60 semester hours of academic work. Further, all transfer students who enter teacher certification programs must meet all requirements for teacher certification.

The University requires a minimum of 56 semester hours in a senior institution or institutions, 42 of which must be earned at EIU, in order to qualify for a baccalaureate degree. See Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree for additional information.

*Note: A grade of “C” or better in English 1001G, English 1002G, and Speech Communication 1310G or in accepted substitutions is a requirement for the Bachelor’s degree at Eastern as well as a general education requirement.

Credit from a College or University Taken While a High School Student. Students admitted to EIU will receive credit for appropriate courses in which they earned grades of “C” or better while still in high school, provided they completed these courses at or through the auspices of a regionally-accredited college or university.

Credit for Military Service. Certain experiences in military service may be submitted to the Records Office for evaluation for advanced standing. The recommendations contained in “A Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services” by the American Council on Education are used as a basis for such evaluation. Credit is allowed when the recommendations can be considered as reasonable substitutes for work ordinarily accepted by the University.

Credit for Correspondence and Extension Courses.
Correspondence and extension courses taken from regionally accredited colleges and universities may be submitted for evaluation for advanced standing toward a baccalaureate degree. The total credit accepted toward graduation may not exceed 32 semester hours in correspondence and/or extension courses. Credit toward graduation for such courses, if taken in whole or in part during a period of resident study at EIU, is subject to permission granted by the Director of Academic Records, in advance of enrollment and to subsequent completion in accordance with the conditions governing the permission. When students are enrolled simultaneously in any combination of residence, extension, and correspondence courses, the total credit accepted may not exceed the maximum residence credit for which the student would be eligible during the period in question. Credit received in EIU courses taught by EIU staff members, either on or off campus, may be counted as credit in residence.

Application for permission must include the proposed starting date of the course, the proposed completion date, and the proposed periods of work. If the course is not completed in accordance with this schedule, an extension of time granted by the Director of Academic Records is required in order for the course to be considered subsequently for credit toward a degree. Documentary verification of compliance with the regulations may be required by the Director of Academic Records.

Credit for Nationally Standardized Tests. Students who submit scores for Advanced Placement Tests and/or College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Tests administered by the College Entrance Examination Board and/or Proficiency Examination Program (PEP) tests administered by the American College Testing Program will have their records evaluated by Records in accordance with standards established by the appropriate departments to determine proper placement and credit. College credit granted will be treated as credit without a grade; such credit will count toward graduation and may be used in fulfilling requirements. Credit may be allowed as indicated above only if the student was not obliged to use the credit to meet minimum high school graduation requirements. Eastern does not allow a student to re-take a CLEP exam for Eastern credit if the first score is unsatisfactory.

Students should check with Records or with Testing to determine which Advanced Placement Tests, CLEP Subject Exams, and PEP Exams are honored by EIU and whether essay portions of the exams are required. Only the Humanities test of the CLEP General Exams may carry credit.

The following conditions apply to the granting of credit for CLEP, PEP, and/or Advanced Placement examinations:

1. Credit will be awarded only if the original test scores are sent directly to Eastern. Credit will not be awarded based on scores listed on another institution’s transcript.
2. The applicant may receive credit only once in a given course in a given subject.
3. Credit will not be granted if:
   • The course substantially duplicates one or more courses accepted for college entrance or for transfer credit.
   • There is an entry on the applicant’s permanent record for the course.
   • The applicant has earned college credit in one or more courses in the subject more advanced than the given course.
   • The applicant is currently enrolled in the course or in a course in the subject more advanced than the given course and more than one month of the semester has elapsed.

Evaluation of Transfer Credit
The Records Office will complete an official evaluation of transfer credit after admission. A copy will be provided for each student on the orientation/advisement day. Students are invited to attend an advisement day during the semester prior to enrollment.
General education courses are identified on student transfer evaluations. Courses that fulfill general education requirements are noted under the “Comment” area on the evaluation, using a special “tag.”

PREFIX:
G - Course is counted toward Eastern’s general education requirements.

I - Course is approved by the Illinois Articulation Initiative

SUFFIX:
D or N - Course meets cultural diversity requirement (D for Diversity, N for Non-Western)
Students are required to complete a course with a focus on cultural diversity. If an IAI course is taken that has the “D” or “N” designation, then the general education cultural diversity requirement will be met. If requirements have not been satisfied, the student will be expected to complete appropriate course work at Eastern.

N/W - Course approved to meet teacher certification requirements in non-western/3rd world.

GENERAL EDUCATION SEGMENTS

• LANGUAGE: 9 semester hours (LG)
• MATHEMATICS: 3 semester hours (MA)
• SCIENTIFIC AWARENESS: 7 semester hours (at least one of the courses must be a laboratory course)
  Biological Sciences (BS)
  Physical Sciences (PS)
• HUMANITIES AND FINE ARTS: 9 semester hours
  Humanities (HU)
  Fine Arts (FA)
• SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES: 9 semester hours (SB)
• SENIOR SEMINAR: 3 semester hours

FOREIGN LANGUAGE is a Graduation Requirement: 0 - 8 semester hours (FOR LG). The requirement is two courses in a single foreign language.

Exemptions:

• All students who have completed TWO YEARS in a single foreign language in high school with a “C” average are exempt.
• All students who have completed the SECOND SEMESTER of a single foreign language in college with a passing grade have met this requirement.

Credit by Proficiency Examinations

Proficiency examinations, if approved by an academic department, offer the student an opportunity to obtain credit for experience relevant to certain courses, for individual study of subjects, or for study of relevant courses in non-accredited institutions.

Credit by proficiency examination in a course is equivalent to credit earned by enrollment in that course for purposes of satisfying a major requirement, a minor requirement, a general education requirement, the advanced credit requirement, and the total hours for a baccalaureate degree requirement. It does not apply toward any residence requirement, and is not included in determining honors, probation, GPA, etc.

Proficiency examinations for credit in undergraduate courses are given in accordance with the following rules:

1. The student who desires such credit must first report to the Records Office and complete an application.
2. The applicant must be in good academic standing at EIU.
3. Generally the applicant must be enrolled as a student in the University at the time the application is filed.
4. The applicant may apply only once for a proficiency examination in a given course in a given subject.
5. An applicant is not eligible for credit by proficiency examination in a given course in a given subject if any one or more of the following conditions is satisfied:
   • The course is a physical education service course.
   • The course is a foreign language course numbered below 3000 and the applicant is a native speaker of the language.
   • There is an entry on the applicant’s permanent record for that course.
   • The course substantially duplicates one or more courses accepted for college entrance or for transfer of credit.
   • The applicant has credit in one or more courses in that subject more advanced than the given course.
   • The applicant is currently enrolled in the course or in a course more advanced than the given course and more than one month of the semester has passed.
6. The Director of Academic Records checks the application, and, if appropriate, certifies the eligibility of the applicant for the requested examination prior to returning the form to the applicant. If the applicant is deemed ineligible, his or her returned application will indicate the reason for ineligibility.
7. The non-refundable fee for a proficiency examination is $30/semester hour; the exam must be taken within two weeks from the date of paying the fee.
8. An eligible applicant must obtain the approval of the appropriate department chairperson before the examination is taken. Generally such approval is contingent upon presentation of evidence of independent study, relevant experience, or relevant study in non-accredited institutions.
9. If the course is ordinarily taught by more than one member of the faculty, a committee of at least two members is appointed by the department chairperson to give the examination and assign the grade. The examination must be comprehensive, and for approval of proficiency credit the grade must be C or higher.
10. The application form is completed and forwarded through the department chairperson and dean to Records.
11. Credit by proficiency examination is entered on the permanent record with “CR” as the grade entry.

Credit/No Credit Option

To encourage students to participate in areas of learning outside their major interests and to stimulate intellectual curiosity, the University has the Credit/No Credit system. To receive Credit (CR), the grade must be C or better. A grade of D or F will carry a No Credit (NC) designation. Please note that the Credit/No Credit designations are not figured into students’ GPAs. In addition, the following rules apply:

Eligible Students. Sophomores, juniors, seniors.

Procedure. Credit/No Credit option may be requested using PAWS until the 10th class day of the semester. The time periods for Summer Session, which are reduced proportionately, are established by the Enrollment Management Office. Changes from Credit/No Credit to traditional grade status are permitted through the last class day to withdraw from classes.

Limits. A student may take a maximum of 12 semester hours of undergraduate course work Credit/No Credit. Courses offered on Credit/No Credit basis only, as well as one physical education course per semester or term, are not counted against the above limits.

Courses Excluded*:

1. English 0990, 0995;
2. University Foundations 1111;
3. General Education courses;
4. Professional education courses including departmental methods courses required in teacher certification programs;
5. Any course which qualifies as being applicable toward fulfillment of a given major or in the determination of the GPA in a given major, as specified in the major requirement description in the catalog, irrespective of whether a student wishes to apply the course to the major or is taking it as an elective. (This exclusion is also applicable to minors.)

(*Does not apply to courses offered only on Credit/No Credit basis.)

Independent Study

Independent study enables a student to pursue individual research and reading in a field of special interest under the guidance of a faculty member. As an independent study involves relatively self-directed student effort in the pursuit of some clearly defined goals, it is important for the student to specify the learning objectives of the study. A proposal for an independent study project must be accepted in advance by the faculty member who agrees to serve as the project advisor. The project must also be submitted to the department chairperson for approval prior to the student’s registration.

Note: No more than three semester hours of independent study may be applied toward a minor.

Internship

An internship is a work experience related to the student’s major or approved minor. This work experience must be directly related to the potential professional opportunities for graduates with the major or minor. While internships may vary in duration, credit, and requirements, a minimum of one week of full-time employment is required for each semester hour of credit. Therefore, the maximum number of semester hours of credit for an internship is 15 for a regular semester. All internships will be graded on a credit/no credit basis.

Students wishing to register for an internship must secure a form from the department chairperson or division head. Working with a faculty advisor, the student makes arrangements for the work experience and fills out the form. The form is then returned to the chairperson or division head for his/her approval prior to the first day of classes for a given term.

Note: No more than three semester hours of credit may be earned toward a minor.

International Students must contact the international student advisor prior to registering for an internship.

Academic Waivers

Undergraduate students seeking waivers of academic rules or procedures may obtain waiver forms from their deans, department chairpersons or advisors. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the form, obtain the necessary signatures, and present the form to the student’s certifying dean for processing. Copies of the guidelines/rules regarding waivers (including submission deadlines) are available in the deans’ offices.

If an undergraduate student waiver is denied by the student’s certifying dean, the student may submit an appeal (following approved guidelines for submission) to the Director of Academic Records, who serves as corresponding secretary for the Undergraduate Academic Waiver Appeals Committee (UAWAC). Decisions made by the UAWAC are final.

If an undergraduate is listed as undeclared and wants to declare a major, he/she must do so at the Academic Advising and Learning Assistance Center (Ninth Street Hall).

If an undergraduate is presently a declared major in another department and wants to change that major or declare a second major, he/she must fill out the appropriate forms in the Registration Office, north basement of McAfee.

Undergraduate students are classified as follows:
Freshmen - 0-29 semester hours
Sophomores - 30-59 semester hours
Juniors - 60-89 semester hours
Seniors - 90 and above semester hours

Graduate students are those students who have completed a bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution.

Grades
The grades given in courses are as follows:

Deferred Credit

Students in undergraduate courses such as field-experience, independent study, thesis, or research requiring work of a continuing nature over several terms before the final project is completed may receive the grade of “DC” or “Deferred Credit.” “Deferred Credit” designates that the student remained enrolled for credit throughout the term and that the project is continuing into another term. Upon completion of the final project, the instructor will file a “Grade Correction Form” with the Records Office no later than four days prior to the official close of the term published in the Class Schedule. If a Grade Correction Form is not submitted, then any “DC” grades remaining on the transcript will be changed to “NC” or “F” at the time the degree is completed. Undergraduate students admitted in or after Spring 2004 may not be certified for degree completion if any grades of “DC” remain on the transcript.

Policy on Incomplete Grades

Incomplete for Courses Earning Letter Grades
The grade “I” or “incomplete” for undergraduate courses in which letter grades are earned is given only by the course instructor when, because of documented illness or other valid reason, a student’s progress in a course is delayed so that not all requirements for the course are fulfilled by the official closing date of the term. In no case may an “I” be substituted for a failing grade. Procedures for assigning and removing incomplete grades are outlined below.

• Assignment of Incomplete and Default Grades: Instructors who assign a grade of “I” are required to submit the “Assignment of Incomplete/Alternate Grade Form” to the Records Office. This form specifies a default grade for the incomplete work at the time that the grade of “I” is recorded. A grade of “F” shall be the default grade if the instructor fails to provide a default grade. The instructor also completes step 1 of the “Assignment of Incomplete/Alternate Grade Form” and provides a copy to the program chair.
• Submission of a Completion Plan: The instructor and student complete step 2 of the “Assignment of Incomplete/Alternate Grade Form” and develop a completion plan. Copies should be submitted to the program chair by the mid-term date published in the Class Schedule of the next term the student is in residence but no later than mid-term one calendar year from the end of the term in which the grade of “I” was received.
• Decision on Completion of the Required Course Work: Students receiving a grade of “I” should execute the completion plan by the last class day published in the class schedule of the next grading period in which the student is in residence but no later than the Last Class Day one calendar year from the end of the term in which the grade of “I” was received. The instructor completes step 3 of the “Assignment of Incomplete/Alternate Grade Form” and provides a copy to the program chair. If the work is successfully completed, the instructor also submits a “Grade Correction Form” to the Records Office no later than four days prior to the official close of the term. Students who fail to implement the completion plan by the stated deadline will be issued the instructor supplied default grade or a grade of “F” if no default grade was issued.

Students may not be certified for graduation so long as an “I” remains on their academic record. Students also should be aware that changing an “I” to another grade may affect their grade point average and thus the awarding of their degree and/or graduation honors.

Students who withdraw for military service will be awarded incomplete grades in accordance with Internal Governing Policy 95, “Student Withdrawal for Military Service.”

Grade Appeals

Bases for Grade Appeals. The bases for appealing a grade are:

1. An obvious error in the calculation of the grade.
2. The assignment of a grade to a particular student by application of more exacting requirements than were applied to other students in the course.
3. The assignment of a grade to a particular student on some basis other than performance in the course.
4. The assignment of a grade by a substantial departure from the instructor’s previously announced standards.

The grade appeal process is not to be used to review the judgment of an instructor in assessing the quality of a student’s work.

Prior to initiating a formal grade appeal, the student should discuss the grade issue with the faculty member to determine whether it can be resolved informally. If not, the student must follow the procedures outlined in Internal Governing Policy Number 45, “Grade Appeals.” Formal appeals must be initiated on or before the official closing date of the next term whether or not the student is enrolled during that term.

Grade Point Average¹

The number of grade points for a grade in a given course is found by multiplying the grade-point value by the number of semester hours which may be earned in the course. The cumulative grade-point average is computed by dividing the total number of grade points which a student has earned in all courses taken at EIU by the total number of semester hours represented by those courses (excluding courses in which a student has grades of “I”, “CR”, “NC”, “W”, “WF”, “WP”, “AU”, or “X”).

A student reinstated following academic dismissal has the same cumulative GPA status as he/she had at the time of dismissal.

1An example of these computations: If grades of A, B, C, D, and F are earned in courses of 2, 3, 4, 1, and 3 semester hours respectively, the grade-point average is computed as follows: Grade A, 2 semester hours yields a grade-point total of 8; grade B, 3 semester hours yields a grade-point total of 9; grade C, 4 semester hours yields a grade-point total of 8; grade D, 1 semester hour yields 1 grade point; grade F, 3 semester hours yields no grade points; and the grand totals are 26 grade points for 13 semester hours. The GPA is then 26 ÷ 13=2.00.

Grade Corrections

Faculty may correct grades when an error in a grade assignment has been made. Grade Correction Forms are available through the departmental office. The form requires the signature of the faculty member and department chair. Any change of a final grade from A, B, C, D, or F to a grade of I, W, WP, or WF must be accompanied by written documentation and receive approval from the student’s academic dean’s office (in addition to the approvals of the instructor and department chair).

Faculty members are responsible for mailing or delivering the form to the Records Office. Forms presented to the Records Office by students will not be accepted.

Definition of Grading Period

Any semester or summer term in which a student registers in the University and remains beyond the day on which the official count is taken will be considered a grading period attended.

Good Standing

A student whose cumulative GPA is at least 2.00 in courses taken at this University is in academic good standing.

Dean’s List

The top 10% of each college with a GPA of 3.50 or above in a semester will be on the Dean’s List. In order to be eligible, the student must complete at least 12 semester hours during a semester of courses not graded Credit/No Credit and have a declared major.

Honors List

The top 10% of all undeclared majors with a GPA of 3.50 or above in a semester will be on the Honors List. In order to be eligible, the student must complete at least 12 semester hours of courses not graded Credit/No Credit.

Dean’s Lists and Honors Lists are not generated for Summer Terms.
Note: The calculation of GPA for honors determination will be based only on work taken at EIU.

The following rules apply to students as soon as they attempt at least nine semester hours of academic courses at EIU. Students who attempted less than nine semester hours prior to Fall 1985 and who were on Probation will be governed by these rules.

Academic Warning
If, at the end of a grading period (semester or summer term), a student’s cumulative GPA in courses taken at the University falls below 2.00, but not so low as to warrant academic dismissal, that student will be placed on academic warning.

Academic Probation
If, at the end of a grading period (semester or summer term) on academic warning, a student’s cumulative GPA in courses taken at the University is still below 2.00, but not so low as to warrant academic dismissal, that student will be placed on academic probation.

A student on academic probation must achieve the following grading period GPA each grading period until good academic standing is reached or he/she will be academically dismissed:

• Freshmen and sophomores MUST earn a minimum GPA of 2.10.
• Juniors and seniors MUST earn a minimum GPA of 2.25.

Academic Dismissal
A student will be academically dismissed if:

• at the end of any grading period the student’s GPA is 0.00 and the cumulative GPA is below 2.00; or
• at the end of any grading period the student on academic probation fails to make satisfactory academic progress toward good academic standing as defined under

Academic Probation.
Reinstatement Following Academic Dismissal
Students dismissed for poor scholarship must remain out of the University for at least one regular semester. After the inactive semester, students dismissed for the first time will be automatically eligible for reinstatement and may re-enter the University at the beginning of a fall or spring semester provided they indicate their intentions to do so prior to established deadlines and have the required GPA from any other institutions they have attended. Students dismissed for poor scholarship will not be allowed to re-enter during a summer term. Any student dismissed from EIU for academic reasons should enroll in General Studies 1000 during the term in which he or she re-enters the University as a condition of reinstatement. Reinstated students re-enter the University with the cumulative GPA they had upon dismissal and are placed on academic probation. This probationary status will continue so long as the student satisfies the conditions specified in the section on “Academic Probation.” Students failing to make satisfactory progress are dismissed and may not be reinstated a second time except by approval of the Academic Reinstatement Committee.

A student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better to participate in intercollegiate activities. Consequently, a student who is on academic probation is not eligible for such participation. This exclusion does not apply to a first-time entering freshman who has attempted fewer than 30 semester hours at EIU.

It is assumed that students will honor the tradition of academic honesty. Should incidents of suspected classroom cheating or plagiarism occur, however, the following steps will be taken:

1. The instructor who has witnessed academic dishonesty or who has other evidence that academic dishonesty has occurred will confront the student to inform him/her of the allegation. Time permitting, the instructor will contact the Judicial Affairs Office prior to talking with the student. If the student admits the violation, the instructor will assess an appropriate academic penalty and will inform the Judicial Affairs Office using a Notation of Academic Misconduct form.
2. If the student disputes the allegation, or if a sanction greater than a failing grade for the course is warranted, a hearing will be provided by the Judicial Affairs Office in accordance with provisions of the Student Conduct Code. If as a result of the hearing the student is found responsible for the violation, the instructor will assess an appropriate academic penalty. Other sanctions such as disciplinary probationary status or separation from the institution can be imposed by the University’s disciplinary system. Full conditions and explanations are cited in the Student Conduct Code. A student accused of academic dishonesty in a course may not drop the course until such time as disciplinary action, if any, is concluded. A grade (A, B, C, D, F, CR, NC, AU, I, W, WP, WF, X) may be changed to reflect the disciplinary sanction, if any, imposed as a result of academic dishonesty. In the event that the alleged violation occurs at the end of a term, no grade shall be assigned pending conclusion of the disciplinary process. All students are subject to the provisions of the University’s Student Conduct Code, available in the student handbook and online at www.eiu.edu/~judicial.

(Note: The summer load policy will change Summer 2005 per CAA approval on 9/2/04)

For purposes of certifying that a student is full time academically, such student must be enrolled for at least 12 semester hours each semester and during the summer term.

For loan deferments, a student must be enrolled in 12 semester hours during Summer Term for full-time or six semester hours for half time.

Undergraduate Student in Good Standing
Normal Load: The normal load during a semester is 15-18 semester hours.
Maximum Load–Student Teaching Semester: Students may enroll for no more than 15 semester hours during the semester in which they student teach except Special Education, Early Childhood Education majors, Early Childhood majors with dual certification in Elementary Education, and Family and Consumer Sciences majors, who may enroll for a maximum of 17 semester hours.

Summer Term: The normal load for summer term is 15-18 hours. The maximum load is 18 hours. Students may enroll for no more than six hours during any four-week session including the four-week intersession. Students may enroll for no more than 12 hours when taking courses concurrently during the eight-week session and the two four-week sessions. Thus, a student may enroll for a maximum of six hours during the intersession and up to a maximum of 12 hours during the eight-week summer session. Overloads are not permitted during the summer term.

A student may enroll for as many as 12 semester hours in a summer internship course providing the internship is a full-time experience of ten weeks or more.

Semester Overload: An undergraduate student with a minimum of sophomore standing may enroll for up to and including 21 semester hours during the fall or spring semesters (except during the student teaching semester) providing he/she has earned the following cumulative grade point average at EIU:

Freshman - No overload
Sophomore - 3.00
Junior - 2.75
Senior - 2.50

No student may enroll for more than 21 semester hours.

Concurrent Enrollment. The above academic load limits also apply to a student who is concurrently enrolled at Eastern and another college or university.

Undergraduate Student on Academic Warning or Academic Probation: The maximum load for which an undergraduate student on academic warning or academic probation may enroll is 15 hours during a semester or summer term.

An undergraduate student on academic warning or academic probation may enroll for no more than 12 hours during the eight-week summer session and the two concurrent four-week sessions. The student may enroll for no more than three semester hours during either four-week session. The student may enroll in no more than three semester hours during intersession.

Fees for auditing are the same as those for students taking an equivalent amount of work for credit. Students enrolled for full-time academic work must include any courses they wish to audit as part of the maximum load permitted them; change of enrollment from “audit” to “credit” or from “credit” to “audit” may be made only during the six calendar days following the first day of classes.

Students must have the approval of the instructor for auditing a course. If, in the opinion of the instructor, student exposure and effort expended in the course deserve the entry of Audit, the student will receive the course entry “AU” on his/her permanent record. If not, no entry will be made.

Students are expected to attend class meetings as scheduled. When an absence does occur, the student is responsible for the material covered during the absence. When possible, the student should notify the instructor in advance of an anticipated absence.

Instructors will grant make-up privileges (when make-up is possible) to students for properly verified absences due to illness, emergency, or participation in an official University activity; and such absences will not militate against students in classes in which attendance is used directly in determining final grades. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate plans for make-up work and to complete it promptly. If in the instructor’s judgment the duration or number of absences renders make-up unfeasible, the instructor may contact the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Department Chairperson to determine an appropriate action.

Except for the above stipulations, each instructor sets his or her own policy with respect to class attendance and make-up work; excuses for absence are handled between the instructor and the student. At the beginning of each grading period, the instructor shall announce, in writing, his or her policy regarding absence, make-up, and late work. Instructors planning to use attendance directly in determining final grades must have written departmental approval and must indicate this intention and the reason, in writing, on the first day of class.

If the instructor believes verification of an illness treated by the University Health Service is warranted, the instructor must ask the student to sign a release at the Health Service so that the instructor can call for verification. If a student establishes a record or pattern of absences of concern to the instructor, the instructor may ask of the Vice President for Student Affairs that inquiries concerning the absences be made. The Vice President for Student Affairs also serves as the University contact person when catastrophic events result in extended student absences.

Any student who feels that he or she has been treated unfairly concerning absences or has been misinformed by a faculty member regarding that instructor’s absence policy shall have the right to appeal through the department Chairperson, or in the event the instructor is the Chairperson, through the appropriate Dean.

A student may not enroll in, take a proficiency examination in, or repeat a course which is prerequisite for a course for which he/she has credit or which substantially duplicates, at a lower level, a course or courses which he/she has successfully completed. Should a student violate this regulation, he/she will not receive credit for the course toward graduation and the grade will not be included in any grade point computations.

Generally, courses numbered 1000-1999 are freshman courses; 2000-2999, sophomore courses; 3000-3999, junior courses; 4000-4999, senior courses; and 5000-6999, graduate courses. However, if prerequisites are met, students may enroll according to the following schedule:

1. Courses numbered 3000-4999 in chemistry, foreign languages, mathematics, and military science may be taken by students who have prerequisites and permission of the department chairperson.
2. Courses numbered 5000-5499 may be taken by students who have a 2.75 GPA and permission of instructor and Dean of the Graduate School.

Field trips which are required class activities are stated with the course description and announced in the class schedule when the course is offered. The cost of the field trip will also be included in the class schedule.

The final examination schedule is published in the Class Schedule prior to the beginning of each term. Students are urged to review the schedule prior to registration to avoid conflicts.

Students with three final examinations on a single day may change the date of one of the final examinations with the approval of the instructor. Requests must be made at least five working days prior to the first final exam period. Requests for changes for medical or personal emergencies may also be considered. In cases not resolved between the student and the instructor, the Department Chair will seek resolution.

All Students
Unless otherwise stipulated in the catalog description, only courses in which grades of D, F, or NC (NOT A, B, C, or CR) were received may be repeated. A student who receives a grade of D or F in an undergraduate course may repeat the course at Eastern. The higher of the two grades received for the course, taken at Eastern, will automatically be included in the computation of the cumulative GPA. The initial grade and the repeat grade will appear on the student’s record. Grades for subsequent repeats of a course will both appear on the student’s record and be included in the computation of the cumulative GPA.

The student must not have been enrolled in or received credit for a higher level course for which the repeat course is a prerequisite, nor may he/she repeat a course which substantially duplicates, at a lower level, a course or courses which he/she has already successfully completed.

1. During a Fall or Spring Semester, a student may withdraw from a course by 4 p.m. on the 10th class day and not receive a grade.
2. From the 11th class day until the close of business on the Friday of the ninth class week of the semester, a student may withdraw from a course with a grade of “W.”
3. A student who withdraws after the Friday of the ninth class week but by the Friday of the 11th class week of the semester shall receive a grade of “WP” if work in the course is passing, or a grade of “WF” if work in the course is failing. No student may initiate withdrawal from a course later than the Friday of the 11th class week of the semester. Cutoff dates for intersession and summer terms are reduced proportionately. Specific withdrawal dates are established for each term. These dates are published in the class schedule for the appropriate term.

For information regarding the billing of tuition and fees, see the REFUNDS section of this catalog.

A student may request a late/retroactive withdrawal through the course instructor when a documented illness or extraordinary circumstance prevents withdrawal from a course by the established deadlines. Failing a class is not an appropriate reason to seek a late/retroactive withdrawal. Students who are failing a course should follow the “Repeating Courses” policy stated in the catalog.

The Registration Office will forward all appeals of the Registrar’s determination of Late/Retroactive Withdrawal to the Appeal Committee, whose decision is final.

Procedures for submitting/responding to late/retroactive withdrawals requests are available at http://www.eiu.edu/~registra/retro.html

Rules governing grading practices upon withdrawal from the University are the same as those listed above for withdrawal from a course. For information regarding the billing of tuition and fees, see the REFUNDS section of this catalog.

A student who wishes to withdraw completely from the University before the end of a semester or summer term should drop all classes using PAWS or contact the Registration Office. The Registration Office shall notify appropriate departments and agencies of the withdrawal. The student is responsible for making sure all obligations to the University have been met.

Notice of intention to withdraw should be made in person, although a letter addressed to the Registration Office declaring intention to withdraw and postmarked within the stated period is deemed equivalent to notice submitted personally.

Policies governing withdrawal because of a call to active military duty are administered by Enrollment Management. Requests for complete withdrawal for medical reasons are processed by the Medical Director, University Health Service. Given appropriate clinical circumstances, the Counseling Center will assist students in obtaining a medical withdrawal for psychological reasons.

Degrees are granted at the close of the Fall and Spring Semesters. Students entitled to participate in commencement exercises are only those whose current enrollment in correspondence, continuing education, and residence at this University or elsewhere makes possible the completion of all graduation requirements by the close of the semester in which commencement is held. Participation in graduation ceremonies does not obligate the University to confer a degree unless all requirements have been satisfactorily completed.

Students should apply for review of their degree requirements by the first semester of the junior year. A student may expect to receive a Degree Requirements Review, indicating the student’s progress toward completion of degree requirements. Application forms are available in the certifying dean’s office. The application form is completed by the student, approved by the certifying dean, and validated by the Cashier when the non-refundable graduation fee is paid.

All requirements for degrees must have been completed by the close of the grading period in which graduation is sought. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Records Office and the certifying dean of any courses being taken at other institutions which will complete the requirements for graduation. Documentary evidence that all degree requirements have been completed must be in the Records Office no later than the Friday immediately preceding the first day of the next succeeding semester or term following the Summer Term or Fall Semester graduation and no later than May 31 following Spring Semester graduation. The diploma will not be given to the student and the conferral of the degree will not be recorded on the student’s permanent record until all such documents have been received.

If the student does not complete graduation requirements at the end of the grading period, he/she must make re-application for graduation. No additional fees will be charged.

The deadline date for applying for graduation is listed in the calendar in the University Catalogs and/or class schedules.

To be eligible for a degree with distinction, a student must have completed at least 56 semester hours of course work at EIU, including at least 40 semester hours of graded courses (exclusive of work taken on the Credit/No Credit Option). The 56 semester hours at EIU and the 40 semester hours of graded courses may not be waived.

Eligible students who have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.90 to 4.00 are graduated summa cum laude; those with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.80 through 3.89 are graduated magna cum laude; and those with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.65 through 3.79 are graduated cum laude. Students who qualify for degrees with distinction wear an appropriate chevron as part of their academic attire at commencement and their names appear in the commencement program as being awarded Degrees with Distinction. All grades earned at EIU are counted in computing the cumulative GPA. Grades earned during the final grading period are not used for compiling the tentative list developed for commencement. Transcript notations of graduating cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude are based on the student’s total cumulative grade-point average, including the final grading period.

Note: The calculation of GPA for degrees with distinction will be based only on work taken at EIU.

The graduation fee for the bachelor’s degree is $25. This fee must be paid at the time the student initially applies for a Degree Requirements Review (see above) and does not include the cost of cap and gown rental.

Students may be required to take one or more of the following examinations:

1. All students in teacher certification programs are required to take the Illinois Certification Testing System (ICTS) of basic skills. Students are required to pass this test for selection and/or Formal University Admission to Teacher Education. Under Illinois law, no student will be allowed to student teach without first passing the Basic Skills Test.
2. All students in teacher certification programs are also required to take the ICTS subject-area examination and the Assessment of Professional Teaching Test. Effective Fall 2004, the subject-area exam must be passed before an individual can commence to student teach. Information on all of the ICTS tests and registration materials are available at www.icts.nesinc.com or in Room 1420 Buzzard Hall.
3. Undergraduates may be required to complete an examination as part of Eastern’s goal to assess student learning outcomes.
4. Students who plan on attending graduate school are encouraged to contact the Graduate School Office for information concerning graduate school admission tests (GRE, GMAT, MAT, etc.)

Candidates for certification as teachers, administrators, or school service personnel should apply for certification early in the term in which they will complete their requirements. The University, however, will not approve and release the application until all work actually has been completed and the student has met all requirements of the appropriate program and degree.

The Records Office will make a transcript of the academic record of a student when requested to do so. Unless specific instructions are given to the contrary, it is understood that the Records Office has permission of the student to send his/her transcript to employing and certifying agencies, such as schools, boards of education, businesses, and the state department of education, when such an agency requests it.

All requests for transcripts must be in writing, either by letter or on the request form supplied by the Records Office. The time required for preparation and mailing of transcripts varies; during enrollment and at the end of grading periods there may be a delay of several days.

A fee of $5 is charged for each transcript issued. The fee for rush transcripts, processed within 24 hours, is $10.00. Immediate transcripts are available for $15.00. Transcripts will be issued only for students whose records are clear.