ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY Lorman, Mississippi “Serving the People Since 1871” GENERAL CATALOG 2014-2016 This catalog is not an unchangeable contract but, instead, an announcement of present policies only. Implicit in each student’s matriculation with the university `is an agreement to comply with university rules and regulations that the university may modify to exercise properly its educational responsibility. The university complies with all laws regarding affirmative action and equal opportunity in all its activities and programs and does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of age, creed, color, national origin, race, religion, gender, handicap, or military status. The Alcorn State University 2014-2016 General Catalog is published by Alcorn State University, 1000 ASU Drive, Lorman, Mississippi 39096-7500 Publication Editor: Dr. Donzell Lee, Ph.D. Associate Editor: Dr. John G. Igwebuike, Ph.D., J.D. Managing Editor: Ms. Patricia Ann Keys, M.S. Publisher: Office of the Executive Vice President/Provost for Academic Affairs Alcorn State University © 2014 Alcorn State University. All rights reserved. For information regarding errors, changes, etc., please check the University Catalog Errata Page at http://www.alcorn.edu/errata. DR. ALFRED RANKINS, JR. President 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS FACULTY .................................................................................................................................... 11 GENERAL INFORMATION ..................................................................................................... 34 LAWS OF MISSISSIPPI ............................................................................................................ 34 ASSURANCE OF COMPLIANCE ............................................................................................ 34 DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE POLICY ..................................................................................... 35 MISSION ................................................................................................................................... 35 VISION ...................................................................................................................................... 35 UNIVERSITY GOALS .............................................................................................................. 35 CORE VALUES......................................................................................................................... 36 GEOGRAPHIC REGION SERVED .......................................................................................... 36 ACCREDITATION AND AFFILIATIONS .............................................................................. 36 THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ................................................................................................ 37 LOCATION AND MEANS OF ACCESS .................................................................................. 38 UNIVERSITY PRESS OF MISSISSIPPI ................................................................................... 38 SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES FOR TEACHING, RESEARCH, AND SERVICE ................................................................................................................................... 38 FACILITIES MANAGEMENT ................................................................................................. 40 NOTEWORTHY HISTORICAL EVENTS ............................................................................... 41 COMMUNICATION ................................................................................................................. 44 STUDENT AND LIFE SERVICES ............................................................................................ 46 STUDENT AID PROGRAMS .................................................................................................... 50 ACADEMIC REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES: UNDERGRADUATE ...................... 63 ADMISSION TO THE UNIVERSITY ...................................................................................... 63 ADMISSION TO FRESHMAN STANDING ............................................................................ 63 REQUIRED COLLEGE PREP CURRICULUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES TO ATTEND ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY ....................................................................... 63 EARLY ADMISSION ............................................................................................................... 64 ADMISSION POLICIES ............................................................................................................. 64 ADMISSION OF FRESHMEN .................................................................................................. 64 ADMISSION OF TRANSFER STUDENTS.............................................................................. 64 ADMISSION OF FORMER STUDENTS ................................................................................. 66 ADMISSION OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS .................................................................. 66 ADMISSION OF SPECIAL STUDENTS .................................................................................. 66 ADMISSION OF VETERANS .................................................................................................. 66 LEGAL RESIDENCE OF STUDENTS ..................................................................................... 67 REGISTRATION AND ADVISEMENT ................................................................................... 69 CHANGE OF PROGRAM ......................................................................................................... 69 WITHDRAWAL ........................................................................................................................ 70 CLASSIFICATION OF STUDENTS ........................................................................................ 70 DEGREES GRANTED .............................................................................................................. 70 DEGREES BY MAJOR ............................................................................................................. 70 REQUIREMENTS FOR A BACHELOR’S DEGREE ............................................................... 71 GENERAL EDUCATION CORE .............................................................................................. 71 ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM ................................................................................ 73 DEPARTMENTAL EXAMINATION OR WRITTEN SENIOR PROJECT ............................. 74 GRADE POINT AVERAGE ...................................................................................................... 74 RESIDENCE .............................................................................................................................. 74 COURSE LEVELS .................................................................................................................... 74 CONTINUITY OF PROGRAM ................................................................................................. 74 COURSES AT OTHER INSTITUTIONS .................................................................................. 75 SCHOLASTIC HONORS .......................................................................................................... 75 DEGREES WITH HONORS ..................................................................................................... 75 CLASS ATTENDANCE REGULATIONS ............................................................................... 75 5 SPECIAL ASSEMBLIES .......................................................................................................... 76 STUDENT LOAD ...................................................................................................................... 76 THE MAXIMUM LOAD AT ANY TIME IS 19 SEMESTER HOURS .................................... 77 GRADING SYSTEM ................................................................................................................. 77 ACADEMIC AND FINANCIAL AID PROBATION AND RETENTION POLICIES ............. 78 GRADES .................................................................................................................................... 78 INCREMENTAL PROGRESS .................................................................................................. 79 TIME FRAME ........................................................................................................................... 79 AUDIT COURSES ..................................................................................................................... 79 INTERMEDIATE COURSES ................................................................................................... 79 REPEATS .................................................................................................................................. 79 INCOMPLETES ........................................................................................................................ 79 APPEALS .................................................................................................................................. 80 REFUNDS ................................................................................................................................. 80 DESCRIPTION OF COURSES ................................................................................................. 80 ACADEMIC CREDIT ..............................................................................................................