ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY Lorman, Mississippi “Serving the People Since 1871” GENERAL CATALOG 2016-2018 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 2016-2018 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. Martha Ravola, Ph.D. Managing Editor: Ms. Patricia Ann Keys, M.S. Publisher: Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Alcorn State University © 2016 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. 2 DR. ALFRED RANKINS, JR. President 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS FACULTY ............................................................................................................................. 15 GENERAL INFORMATION ................................................................................................ 35 ASSURANCE OF COMPLIANCE ....................................................................................... 35 DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE POLICY ................................................................................ 36 MISSION ............................................................................................................................... 36 VISION ................................................................................................................................. 36 UNIVERSITY GOALS ......................................................................................................... 36 CORE VALUES .................................................................................................................... 37 GEOGRAPHIC REGION SERVED ..................................................................................... 37 ACCREDITATION AND AFFILIATIONS .......................................................................... 37 THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ........................................................................................... 38 LOCATION AND MEANS OF ACCESS ............................................................................. 39 UNIVERSITY PRESS OF MISSISSIPPI .............................................................................. 39 SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES FOR TEACHING, RESEARCH, AND SERVICE .............................................................................................................................. 39 FACILITIES MANAGEMENT ............................................................................................ 41 NOTEWORTHY HISTORICAL EVENTS ........................................................................... 42 COMMUNICATION ............................................................................................................ 45 STUDENT AND LIFE SERVICES ....................................................................................... 47 STUDENT AID PROGRAMS .............................................................................................. 52 UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSION TO THE UNIVERSITY ............................................. 55 ADMISSION TO FRESHMAN STANDING ....................................................................... 55 REQUIRED COLLEGE PREP CURRICULUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES TO ATTEND ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY ........................................................................ 55 ADMISSION POLICIES ....................................................................................................... 56 ADMISSION OF FRESHMEN ............................................................................................. 56 ADMISSION OF TRANSFER STUDENTS ......................................................................... 56 ADMISSION OF FORMER STUDENTS ............................................................................. 58 ADMISSION OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ............................................................. 58 ADMISSION OF SPECIAL STUDENTS ............................................................................. 58 ADMISSION OF VETERANS ............................................................................................. 58 LEGAL RESIDENCE OF STUDENTS ................................................................................ 59 REGISTRATION AND ADVISEMENT .............................................................................. 61 CHANGE OF PROGRAM .................................................................................................... 61 WITHDRAWAL ................................................................................................................... 61 CLASSIFICATION OF STUDENTS .................................................................................... 62 DEGREES GRANTED ......................................................................................................... 62 DEGREES BY MAJOR ........................................................................................................ 62 REQUIREMENTS FOR A BACHELOR’S DEGREE .......................................................... 63 ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM ............................................................................ 63 DEPARTMENTAL EXAMINATION OR WRITTEN SENIOR PROJECT ........................ 64 GRADE POINT AVERAGE ................................................................................................. 64 RESIDENCE ......................................................................................................................... 64 COURSE LEVELS ................................................................................................................ 65 CONTINUITY OF PROGRAM ............................................................................................ 65 COURSES AT OTHER INSTITUTIONS ............................................................................. 65 SCHOLASTIC HONORS ..................................................................................................... 65 DEGREES WITH HONORS ................................................................................................. 65 CLASS ATTENDANCE REGULATIONS .......................................................................... 66 THE MAXIMUM LOAD AT ANY TIME IS 19 SEMESTER HOURS ................................ 67 GRADING SYSTEM ............................................................................................................ 67 GRADES ............................................................................................................................... 68 INCREMENTAL PROGRESS .............................................................................................. 69 TIME FRAME ....................................................................................................................... 69 AUDIT COURSES ................................................................................................................ 69 4 INTERMEDIATE COURSES ............................................................................................... 69 REPEATS .............................................................................................................................. 69 INCOMPLETES .................................................................................................................... 70 APPEALS .............................................................................................................................. 70 REFUNDS ............................................................................................................................. 70 DESCRIPTION OF COURSES ............................................................................................. 71 ACADEMIC CREDIT ........................................................................................................... 71 NUMBERING SYSTEM ...................................................................................................... 71 NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS UNDER FERPA FOR ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY ... 71 PLAGIARISM ....................................................................................................................... 72 ACADEMIC PROGRAMS ................................................................................................... 73 UNIVERSITY COLLEGE............................................................................................................ 74 GENERAL EDUCATION CORE ......................................................................................... 74 GLOBAL PROGRAMS ........................................................................................................ 77 PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM ..................................................................................... 80 HONORS CURRICULUM PROGRAM ..............................................................................