Records and Registration

The Office of Records and Registration (ORR) serves as the official steward of student undergraduate and graduate academic records ensuring the integrity and security of all related documents at the University.

The primary functions of the office are registering students; maintaining/updating academic records; certifying requirements for graduation and scheduling classes. In addition, the ORR coordinates veterans’ affairs, the academic calendar, NCAA compliance verification, consortium/inter-institutional registration, bio- demographical changes, students’ reinstatement to the University special programs, National Student Clearinghouse reporting and residency changes.

Course Numbers

Courses numbered 100 - review courses designed to eliminate basic skills deficiencies and to prepare freshmen for university-level course work.

Course numbers 101 to 199 - Introductory level requirements; primarily for freshmen.

Course numbers 200 to 299 - Mid-level requirements; primarily for sophomores.

Course numbers 300 to 399 - Upper-level requirements: Core or major courses; primarily for juniors. These courses are also open to qualified or eligible students and may, with the permission of the chairperson of the appropriate department, be elected by second semester sophomores who have completed all prerequisites.

Course numbers 400 to 499 - Upper-level requirements: Major or capstone courses; primarily for seniors. These courses are also open, with the permission of the chairperson of the appropriate department, to qualified juniors and graduate students. However, no 400 level courses will be accepted for graduate credit.

Semester Credit Hour

A semester credit hour is defined as one 50-minute period per week (or its equivalent) for fifteen weeks (one semester). A three-hour class meets for three 50-minute periods per week or two 80-minute periods per week for one semester. Laboratory and studio classes normally require two or three hours in class for the equivalent of one semester hour. For the average student, two hours of preparation are usually necessary for each hour in class.

Classification of Students

Matriculating students are classified according to the number of credits earned. The classifications are as follows:

Grading System

The following rubric is an overall assessment of students’ academic performance course work.

Incomplete Grades

Incomplete grades are given under extenuating circumstances when a student fails to complete one or more requirements of the course by the end of the semester. The student must request the incomplete grade in writing by completing the appropriate form. The instructor will work with the student to complete all outstanding work by the designated deadline on the academic calendar. If the work has not been satisfactorily completed by the deadline, the student will receive a grade of FTC which is is calculated into the GPA.

Grade Point Average

In determining grade point averages the following computation is used:

The current semester grade point average is computed by following three steps. First, find the sum of the quality points obtained by multiply the hours assigned to each course by the quality points assigned to the grade earned in the course. Second, find the total number of quality hours by adding the total number of hours for all courses taken during the semester. Third, divide the total number of quality points by the total number of quality hours. For example:

4 credit (quality) hours of A (4 points) =16 quality points
4 credit (quality) hours of B (3 points) =12 quality points
3 credit (quality) hours of C (2 points) =06 quality points
3 credit (quality) hours of D (1 point) =03 quality points
2 credit (quality) hours of F (0 points) =00 quality points
16 total credit (quality) hours=37 quality points
Current semester grade point average=2.31

The student’s grade point average for this semester, 2.31, is the result of dividing 37 by 16. The student’s cumulative grade point average is found by dividing the total quality points earned in all courses completed at Coppin by the total number of quality hours at Coppin. Quality hours are associated only with courses that earn graduation credit.

Mid-Term Grades

At each mid-semester period, instructors submit interim grades of “letter grades” to indicate the quality of the student’s work at that time. These mid-semester grades are used only for advising students and for referring them to appropriate academic support services. They do not become part of a student’s permanent record. Instructors are required to enter their mid-term grades into the student information system within 48 hours of the administration of the mid-term exams. Mid-term grades are not mailed to students. A student must log into his/her EagleLINKs account to view mid-term grades.

Final Grades

The final exam period is scheduled, in compliance with the University System of Maryland’s common calendar. Letter grades are used to indicate the quality of students’ work. Instructors are required to enter their final grades into the student information system within 48 hours of the administration of the final exams. Final grades are a part of students’ permanent records. Final grades are not mailed to students. A student must log into his/her EagleLINKs account to view final grades.

Change of Grade

An instructor may change a grade already submitted to the Office of Records and Registration only after approval by the department head and the appropriate dean. A grade change, along with a written justification, must be submitted no later than four weeks into the semester after the semester in which the grade was originally submitted. Once students’ degrees have been awarded, grades cannot be changed.

Grade Appeal

A student may appeal a grade if he/she believes that the grade that has been given is not reflective of their Course work. The Grade Review Form may be submitted to the Professor by the prescribed date on the Academic Calendar. The Grade Review Form is located on the Registrar’s webpage.

Regulations Governing Academic Standing

Satisfactory Academic Progress for Students

Satisfactory Academic Progress for Students The minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) to maintain satisfactory progress is a 2.0. The determination of satisfactory progress is based on the number of credits attempted at CSU and grades earned. Students who fall below the level required for good academic standing is subject to the following actions: Academic Alert, Probation, Suspension, and Dismissal.

Academic Alert

An incoming freshman who earns less than a1.50 cumulative grade point average is considered to be on Academic Alert and will be notified by letter. A notation of Academic Alert is placed on the student’s permanent record. A student on Academic Alert may enroll for the subsequent semester but is required to meet with his/her advisor in the major department or the Office of Academic Advising to develop a prescriptive plan to assist him/her in improving the grade point average.

Probation

A student who earns less than a 1.8 cumulative grade point average based on the chart above is considered to be on Academic Probation and will be notified by letter. The notation of Academic Probation is placed on the student’s permanent record. A student who is on probation must meet with his/her advisor in the major department or the Office of Academic Advising to develop a prescriptive plan to assist him/her in improving the grade point average. Students on probation will not be suspended if they attain a semester grade point average of 2.0 or higher and show progression toward raising their cumulative grade point average to 2.0.

Suspension

Students who earn less than a 2.0 cumulative grade point average are considered to be on Academic Suspension and will be notified by letter. A notation of Academic Suspension is placed on students’ permanent record. Students who have been suspended must remain out of the University for one semester. Suspended students who have been absent from the University for one or more semesters must follow the procedures for reinstatement outlined below. Student must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average.

Dismissal

Students who are reinstated to the University after being suspended and fail to earn a 2.0 semester grade point average and whose cumulative grade point average is below 2.0 will be Academically Dismissed from the University. Students will be notified in writing of the dismissal and a notation of the dismissal will be placed on the permanent record. Students who have been Academically Dismissed may be considered for reinstatement after an absence from the University for at least one year. Students who have been dismissed for academic reasons and who wish to be reinstated to the University must file an application for reinstatement with all supporting documentation to the Office of Records and Registration by July 1 for the fall semester or by November 1 for the spring semester. This application must be submitted with a typed and signed letter which includes a comprehensive plan for attaining good academic standing within a year. The Student Academic Review Committee will determine if a student will be reinstated to the University. After reinstatement, the students must meet with their advisor in the major department or the First Year Experience Office to develop a prescriptive plan to assist him/her in improving the grade point average. Students who are reinstated after dismissal must earn a 2.0 semester grade point average and show progression toward raising his/her cumulative grade point average to a 2.0 at the end of the semester in which they return to the University. Failure to maintain the 2.0 grade point average will result in dismissal from the University.

Appeal Process

Students who feel they have been wrongfully Academically Suspended or Dismissed from the University may submit a typed and signed letter of appeal along with any documents to support your claim to the Student Academic Review Committee. The appeal letter must be submitted to the Student Academic Review Committee by November 1St for the spring semester and by July 1st for the fall semester. The decision of the Student Academic Review Committee may be appealed to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Procedures for Reinstatement

Students who have not maintained satisfactory academic progress must submit an application for reinstatement and fee to the Office of Records and Registration by July 1^st for the fall semester or November 1^st for the spring semester.

Students on Academic Suspension who have attended another institution and completed 12 academic credits with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher will be reinstated to Coppin State University upon receipt of an application for reinstatement, fee and official transcript(s) from the institution attended. Students on academic suspension, who have not attended another school after the suspension, must submit the following:

Reinstatement Application and Fee

A typed and signed letter to the Student Academic Review Committee that includes a comprehensive plan for attaining good academic standing within a year. The application for reinstatement must be submitted to the Student Academic Review Committee by November 1^st for the spring semester July 1^st for the fall semester. After reinstatement, a student must meet with their advisor in the major department or the Office of Academic Advising to develop a prescriptive plan to assist him/her in improving the grade point average. Previously suspended students must earn a 2.0 semester grade point average and show progression toward increasing their cumulative grade point average to 2.0. A reinstated student who fails to earn a 2.0 semester grade point average at the end of semester that he/she returns to the University and whose cumulative grade point is below 2.0 will be dismissed from the University.

Course Repetition

Students should meet with their academic advisors before re- taking courses in which they have earned a grade of “C” or higher or have received a PS grade. When students repeat courses and receive grades lower than the original grades, the higher grade will be calculated into the GPA. The lower grade will remain on the student’s record.

Academic Clemency Policy

A returning undergraduate student who has not enrolled at the University for five (5) consecutive years or more may reduce the burden of unsatisfactory or failing grades (D or F) earned previously by excluding not more than sixteen (16) semester hours of previously attempted credits. Prerequisite to academic clemency, a readmitted student must complete at least twelve (12) semester hours with a grade point average of 2.5. To be eligible for academic clemency, the student must submit a written request to the Office of Records and Registration during the first semester following the successful completion of twelve (12) semester hours as a readmitted student. This procedure may be implemented by an individual student one time only.

Catalog Option

Students have six years in which to graduate from Coppin following academic regulations and descriptions of academic programs in the catalog in effect at the time of their initial enrollment. Students with continuous matriculation who do not graduate in 6 years must follow the catalog in effect at the end of the six-year period. Students who have been absence for a period of 6 years must follow the catalog in effect at the time of their return to the University. A readmitted student who left the University in poor standing is, at the time of his/her return, governed by the current policy on academic standing.

Veterans Affairs (VA)

A veteran is an individual who has served in one of the branches of the armed forces (army, navy air force, marines, reserves or national guards) and has at least 180 days of regular active duty service. Students must disclose their veteran status during the admissions (or re-instatement) process to ensure they are properly coded.

An active duty service member is an individual who is currently serving at the full-time status in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Active Reserves or National Guards. A dependent of an active duty service member or veteran is a spouse or child who is listed on the veteran’s or active duty members’ military records as dependents and/or Federal income tax return for the most recently closed tax year. The VA Certifying Official for Educational Benefits and Student Veteran Affairs (located in the Office of Records and Registration) serves as the liaison for veterans, active duty service members and dependent students, reporting veteran specific data to the Baltimore Regional Office of the Veterans Administration.

The VA Certifying Official coordinates the processes that ensure eligible students to receive educational benefits and entitlements for each semester of enrollment. Eligibility to use any of the educational benefits must have been determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs (via the Certificate of Eligibility) prior to requesting certification of enrollment. The educational benefits are as follows:

Chapter 30 - Montgomery GI Bill
Chapter 31 - Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 GI Bill
Chapter 33 - Yellow Ribbon Program
Chapter 35 - Survivor & Dependent Assistance
Chapter 1606 - Reserves Education Assistance Program Federal Tuition Assistance Active Reserves and National Guards

Persons entitled to the veteran educational benefits must apply and be admitted to the university, enroll in courses and pay University fees using the same procedures as non- veterans. In addition the veteran or service member must activate their education benefits via the Veterans On-Line Application (VONAPP) website at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/. Students are required to complete and submit an enrollment verification form for each semester that they are requesting to use the benefit. Students may visit the office daily from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. without appointments.

Change in Enrollment Status

When students decrease their credit load during a semester, it is students’ responsibility to notify the Certifying Official. Failure to do so will result in an overpayment to the student and create a financial debt to the Veterans Administration.

Approved Program

The VA will pay eligible students for courses listed in the University Catalog that meets degree requirements. Students enrolling into courses that are not approved for their major will not be covered by the VA educational benefit.

Reporting Unsatisfactory Progress

Veterans are not eligible to receive educational benefits for courses in which a grade of “W” has been assigned. A “W” grade in a course will reduce the veteran’s total number of credit hours pursued for any given semester. Should the reduction result in a change in enrollment status reported in his original certification, the Veterans Administration will be duly notified of the credit hours change.

Academic Action

Students entitled to the VA educational benefit, which are placed on Academic Probation or who is officially dropped from the University for any reason(s) will be reported to the Veterans Administration within 30 days of the University action.

Academic Regulations and Requirements

Registration

Registration includes the selection of courses to be taken during a particular semester or session. Students are admitted to classes only after they have officially registered. Registration is an on-line process by which students enter their classes into the student information system (EagleLINKs). Students access EagleLINKs with assigned User IDs and passwords The USER ID is generated when students are admitted to the University. Upon admission to the University, students receive by mail the instructions for setting up their passwords and e-mail accounts. Students may also register in- person during the registration period at the Office of Records and Registration during the scheduled office hours. Entering freshmen, as well as entering transfer students with fewer than 25 credits (Sykes), are required to take placement tests before registering. These students must also participate in scheduled orientation sessions before the first registration. Students must confer with faculty or staff advisors when planning their schedule of courses for each semester.

Priority Registration

Only continuing students register during the priority registration period. Advising holds are placed on students’ records to prevent registration without consulting with their advisors. Students must meet with their faculty or staff advisor prior to registration for advising and to have their holds released. On-line registration is the most convenient means to register for courses. The on-line registration process is available to students 24-hours a day 7 days a week during the registration period. Students may also register in person during the scheduled office hours. During priority registration, students register for classes based on their classification.

• Graduate Students, Seniors, and Juniors 1^st week of November for spring and 1st week of April for fall
• Sophomores & Freshmen 2^nd week of November for spring and 2nd week of April for fall
• Priority registrants complete the registration process by paying their tuition and fee charges.

Open Registration

Continuing, readmit, and new students can register during the open registration period. Students must consult with their advisors prior to registering for classes. Advising holds are placed on students’ records to prevent registration without their advisors’ approval. On-line registration is the most convenient means to register for courses. The on-line registration process is available to students’ 24-hours a day 7days a week during the registration period. Students may also register in person during the scheduled office hours.

Late Registration

Continuing, readmit, and new students register during the late registration period. A late fee is assessed. Students must consult with their advisors prior to registering for classes. Advising holds are placed on students’ records to prevent registration without their advisors’ approval. On- line registration is the most convenience means to register for courses. The on-line registration process is available to students’ 24-hours a day 7days a week during the registration period. Student may also register in person during the scheduled office hours.

Student Credit Hour Load

A normal academic work-load that students are permitted to enroll into ranges from 15 to 19 credit hours per semester. Fewer than 12 credit hours are considered less than a full load. Full-time students who have a cumulative average of at least 3.0 may take work above the normal load, not to exceed 21 credit hours in any given semester. It is recommended that students register and satisfactorily complete 15-18 credits consisting of general education requirements, core requirements and elective requirements each semester to earn a degree within 4 years

Policy on Duplication of Credit

Students should meet with their academic advisors before re-taking courses in which they have earned a grade of “C” or higher. Nor may students duplicate pass/fail courses for which they have earned credits. If students receive grades lower than the original grades when repeating courses, the most recently earned grade will take precedence

Independent Study

Students who has accumulated 64 or more credits and has a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher may apply through their respective department and the office of the appropriate division dean to take courses on independent study. The course load may not exceed 18 credit hours during the semester in which independent study is attempted. Only one course per semester may be taken on independent study, and no more than 12 credits hours of independent study will be granted to any one student during his/her course of study at the University.

Because of the time and work requirements involved in independent study, a limited number of such opportunities are offered during any semester and only in exceptional cases. To initiate independent study, when granted, the supervising instructor must submit for review to the department chairperson and division dean a plan of work to be followed, conforming in scope, level, and quality to work required in a regular classroom course. Students who have been given permission to pursue a course through independent study are required to enroll in the desired course at the time of registration.

Dean’s List

The criteria for inclusion in the Dean’s List are as follows:

• Semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher
• Full-time degree seeking student (enrolled in 12 or more credits for the semester)
• Completion of at least 12 graduation credits
• No grades of ‘D’, ‘F’, ‘CS’, or ‘I’

The Dean’s List is compiled as soon as grades are posted to students’ records. Students who receive grade changes after the list has been compiled will not be added to the list unless the grade change was the result of instructor error.

Auditing a Course

Students may obtain approval to audit certain courses. To audit a course, the student must complete & sign the Consent to Audit Course Form, obtain approval of the instructor teaching the course, the chairperson of the department, and submit the form to the Office of Records and Registration prior to the registration deadline. Students must register in-person for the course and pay the required tuition and fee charges. Students auditing a course may not take the final examination or receive credit. Documentation is maintained in the Office of Records and Registration for all students auditing courses. Students who previously audited a course and wishes to earn credit for the course may register for the credit valued course in a future semester and pay the tuition and fee charges for the credit valued course.

Withdrawl From a Course

Students may withdraw from course(s) after the drop/add period during any given semester, and will receive a grade of ‘W’, indicating official withdrawal. Exact dates and deadlines governing withdrawal from a course appear in the University Calendar. Students failing to meet the deadline for withdrawing from a class will receive the final letter grade earned in the class. Withdrawal from a class does not release a student from his or her financial responsibility for tuition and fee charges. In extenuating circumstances (such as an emergency or a serious illness that can be documented), students may request an ‘Incomplete’ (I) grade from the instructor providing that the criteria has been met to receive an incomplete grade.

Challenge Examinations

Full-time, matriculating undergraduates who have completed at least 12 semester hours of regular course work at Coppin with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 are eligible to take Coppin administered challenge examinations to establish credit toward graduation. No more than 30 credit hours can be granted by examination, and no student may challenge a course in which he/she has previously registered. In the case of the transfer students, credit by examination will not be accepted for any part of the final 30 credit hours. The final 30 credit hours must be completed in residence. The passing grade (PT) for credit by examination is not used in computing the student’s average and will not be applied toward the minimum number of Coppin credits required for honors at graduation. The lists of courses that can be challenged by examination for each discipline are maintained in the following offices: the Chairpersons, the Division Deans, and in the Office of Records and Registration. The form maybe obtained in the Office of Records and Registration applications for a fall semester Challenge Examination Form must be completed by the first week in August, and for the spring semester examination by the first week in January. In each case, the reporting of examination results must be completed prior to the end of the “Drop/Add” period so that students have a reliable basis for making any indicated changes to their current registration. A fee for each examination is assessed.

Class Attendance

Students are expected to attend class regularly and punctually. However, the Institutional Undergraduate Class Attendance Policy (IUCAP) allows students to have a specified number of unexcused absences: students are allowed unexcused absences up to two times the number of lecture hours for a course. Students who have unexcused absences exceeding two times the number of lecture hours for a course have surpassed the number of allowable unexcused absences and are in violation of the class attendance policy. Students who exceed the allowable number of unexcused absences may receive a grade of ‘AW’ or ‘FX’ based on unsatisfactory class attendance. The course instructor determines whether students’ absences are excused or unexcused. The number of allowable unexcused absences is based on the number of class lecture hours per week, not on the number of class meetings. Students may receive the following grades: Administrative Withdrawal (AW) given by the instructor or a Failure to Attend (FX) due to attendance; grades are not reversible.

Student Absence to Participate in Official University Activities

Students who are absent from classes to participate in official University activities shall be deemed to be excused from those classes. Students are responsible for making up any work missed as assigned by the instructors. Students shall not be excused from more classes than the University attendance policy allows for unexcused absences. Official University activities include the following: required instructional activities, scheduled athletic competitions, dance or theatrical or musical performances, and scheduled academic competitions. Student club meetings and rehearsals or practice sessions are not included.

Permission to Enroll at Another University

Students enrolled at Coppin State University who wish to take courses at other institutions for the purpose of receiving transfer credit must obtain approval to take courses at another institution. The form for taking courses at another institution is called a Permission to Enroll at Another Institution and can be obtained from the Office of Records and Registration. This form must be completed in its entirety and signed by the appropriate official before submitting to the Office of Records and Registration and prior to enrolling in classes at another institution.

Inter-Institutional Registration

Full-time degree-seeking undergraduates who have earned at least 30 credits and are in good academic standing may take courses at other University System of Maryland (USM) sister Institutions. ROTC participants are exempted from the 30- credit requirement. At least half of the semester credits must be taken at Coppin. All credits and grades earned shall be defined as resident credit, computed in the calculation of the grade point average, and posted on students’ permanent records.

Program Transfer

Students in good academic standing in one undergraduate school may apply for transfer to another school and major by filing the appropriate form in the Office of Academic Advising. The appropriate department chairperson usually gives final approval for all such program transfers. However, the Dean of Nursing must approve all requests for entry into the School of Nursing and the Teacher Education Council must approve all requests for entry into any Teacher Education program.

Credit Limitations for Special Students

Special students will receive credit toward a degree for no more than 55 undergraduate credits taken at Coppin or a total of 55 credits taken at Coppin and any other institution before he/she officially applies for admission as a degree-seeking student and declares a major course of study. It is the student’s responsibility to make application to the Admission’s Office early enough to be accepted as a degree-seeking student before accumulating more than 55 credits.

Academic Dishonesty

Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken in cases of dishonesty in academic work. (For details, see the STUDENT HANDBOOK.)

Transcripts of Academic Record

The University requires at least 48-hour notice to issue a transcript. A fee is charged for same day transcript. Transcripts are sent only upon receipt of a written and signed request from the student. Students who depart from the University with outstanding indebtedness are not eligible to receive transcripts of their record. Transcript request forms may be obtained from the Office of Records and Registration. Written and signed requests are also accepted.

Requirements for Graduation

Requirements for graduation at Coppin vary according to the character of work in the different colleges, departments, and other academic units. It is the responsibility of the colleges, departments, and other academic units to establish and publish clearly defined degree requirements. These requirements must be approved by the Provost of the University. The responsibility for knowing and meeting all degree requirements for graduation in a particular curriculum rests with the student. Specific degree requirements are listed in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs, with the description of each program. General education requirements for undergraduate programs at Coppin are outlined under each specific major. All students seeking a degree from the University must submit a graduation application and pay the fee regardless of if you intend on participating in the commencement ceremony.

Application for Graduation

The application for graduation is available in each academic department. The application for graduation is approved for the following anticipated graduation periods: Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer I & II. The anticipated graduation date and commencement may not be the same. The application must be approved by the Department Advisor, Chairperson, and Dean. Students who wish to participate in the commencement ceremony must submit the approved application for graduation and proof of payment of the application fee to the Office of Records and Registration by the deadline printed in the academic calendar. If the applicant fails to satisfactorily complete all requirements for the degree within the session or semester in which they applied, another application with the date of completion must be submitted. Failure to earn a degree within a year of your initial application will result in an additional application payment. The application fee is subject to change. Eligible candidates for participation must be enrolled in or completed:

1. all general education requirements, major, minor, concentration/track, electives, and University requirements
2. earned at least 120 credits or more at the conclusion of the semester or session of the specified graduation date
3. Earned at least a 2.0 or higher grade point average.
4. Departmental exit assessment

Undergraduate Degree Requirements

In addition to completing the General Education Requirements (GER) as described in the catalog, candidates for either the Bachelor of Science or the Bachelor of Arts degree must have completed MISY 150  (Technology Fluency) or its departmentally approved equivalent and specific course and subject area requirements of their majors and of their minors (if a minor is required), which are listed under the program descriptions of individual academic departments.

1. Residency Requirement - Final Thirty-Hour Rule
   1. All candidates for undergraduate degrees from Coppin must take their final thirty credits at Coppin. Included in these thirty semester hours will be a minimum of fifteen semester hours in courses numbered 300 or above. At least twelve of the fifteen semester hours must be in the major field. Exceptions or exemptions are made by the department chairperson, dean and vice president.
   2. Students who, at the time of graduation, will have completed thirty hours in residence at Coppin may, under unusual circumstances, be permitted to take a maximum of six of the final thirty credits of record at another institution. In such cases, written permission must be obtained in advance from the Vice President for Academic Affairs. This requirement will be relaxed in the instance of students in dual-degree programs.

2. Enrollment in Majors
   Students must be enrolled in the major program from which he/she plans to graduate when registering for the final fifteen hours of the baccalaureate program.
3. Credit Requirements
   No baccalaureate degree will be awarded in instances where fewer than 120 credits have been earned. It is the responsibility of the student to become familiar with the requirements of their particular curricula.
4. Grade Point Average
   A minimum grade point average of 2.0 is required for graduation in all curricula. A higher average may be required by the individual department, college, or program. Such requirements are stated in the catalog under the major.
5. Departmental Assessment Requirement for Graduation
   All seniors must satisfy the departmental exit assessment requirement set forth by their major departments
6. Additional Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree
   In addition to meeting all other baccalaureate degree requirements, candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree must have passed an upper level philosophy course as well as the GER philosophy option and must have completed the intermediate level (or the equivalent) in at least one foreign language.

Second Bachelor’s Degree Taken Simultaneously

Students who wish to receive simultaneously two baccalaureate degrees from Coppin must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 150 credits. The regularly prescribed requirements of both degree programs must be completed. As early as possible, and in any case, no later than one full semester before the expected date of graduation, the student must file completed Declaration of Major forms with the Office of Records and Registration.

Second Bachelor’s Degree Not Taken Simultaneously

Coppin State University will issue a second baccalaureate degree to graduates of Coppin State University or any accredited college or university who:

Satisfactorily complete a minimum of 30 credit hours in residence beyond the first awarded baccalaureate degree that include at least half of the major credit requirements for the second degree at Coppin State University.

Financial Clearance

All candidates for graduation are required to obtain clearance from the following offices to certify that they do not have outstanding obligations to the University: Office of the Bursar, Financial Aid, Library, and Parking and Transportation Services.

Graduation with Honors

To graduate Summa Cum Laude (“Highest Honors”), students must be eligible for graduation from the University, must have earned at least 48 credit hours at the University, and must have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 to 4.00 in all university work.

To graduate Magna Cum Laude (“High Honors”), students must be eligible for graduation from the University, must have earned at least 48 hours at the University, and must have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 to 3.74 in all University work.

To graduate Cum Laude (“Honors”), students must be eligible for graduation from the University, must have earned at least 48 hours at the University, and must have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 to 3.49 in all University work.

Consideration for honors at graduation for any Coppin undergraduate student (transfer or non- transfer) will be determined by the cumulative grade point average of all University work entered into the undergraduate student’s permanent academic record, regardless of where the work was pursued. In addition to meeting the appropriate grade point average, any student graduating with honors shall have earned not more than one grade of ‘D’ or ‘F’. Academic clemency, for purposes of honors, shall apply to students who have not attended any college or university r a period of ten years or more immediately prior to the current period of attendance at Coppin.

Commencement Ceremony

The University holds a commencement ceremony in the spring. Students who complete their graduation requirements in the summer, fall, winter and the spring will participate in the spring ceremony. Students who intend on participating in the graduation ceremony must be enrolled in or completed all the University’s graduation requirements. Candidates for the baccalaureate degree are encouraged to attend the commencement ceremony in the prescribed regalia.