E. Master’s and Doctoral Degrees

A.  The University Studies Program: General Education at UW Oshkosh

Summary of Degree Requirements Common to All Colleges

1. All baccalaureate degrees require the completion of at least 120 earned term credits (passing grades of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, or P or their equivalents). Credits from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, other accredited institutions, and the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh approved Prior Learning programs may be used to meet this requirement. Note: Remedial courses do not count in the 120 credits required.
2. At least 37 credits of the 120 credit total must be earned in University Studies Program coursework.
3. At least 30 credits of the 120 term credits applied to the degree must be earned in University of Wisconsin Oshkosh courses.
4. At least 15 of the last 30 term credits applied to the degree must be earned in the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh courses.
5. A minimum of 35 of the 120 term credits must be earned in upper level courses (those earned at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh numbered 300 and above or credits earned at a transfer institution and defined as upper-level by the standards of that institution).
6. All degrees require that a minimum grade point average of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) be achieved in each of the following categories;
   • official UW Oshkosh grade point average. Credits attempted shall be defined as any credits for which a grade of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, or F, or their equivalents, has been assigned;
   • all upper-level credits attempted;
   • all credits attempted in courses identified by departments or programs as applicable to the major and/or minor requirements; (unless otherwise specified)
   • all courses eligible for application to the English composition requirement portion of the University Studies Program requirement.

NOTES: All calculations of the official grade point average will be based upon the academic record as maintained by the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. If a course is repeated, the best grade received will be the one calculated in the grade point average. A grade of Incomplete from another institution will not be carried into the record maintained at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.

7. All baccalaureate degrees require the completion of the University Studies Program (USP) requirements.
In addition, special course and grade point requirements of a particular degree, curriculum, major and/or minor selected by the student must be met.

8. The Bulletin used to determine these requirements must have been current during the student’s attendance at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, or at any other regionally accredited college or university, and may be no more than 6 years old at the time of graduation. Within this 6-year time frame, students may choose a more recent Bulletin published for degree, major, minor or general education requirements.

Exceptions to this policy include:

• Changes in policy and/or procedures made during the six-year period will automatically be effective for the transfer or readmitted student unless the policy change(s) specifically allows continuance under the old policy and/or procedures.

• When outside agencies such as the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) or professional accrediting agencies mandate changes in major/minor or curriculum requirements, the six-year period is not applicable.

C. Specific College and Program

Baccalaureate Degree Requirements
The University offers eleven baccalaureate degrees; all degrees require a minimum of 120 credits for graduation. Specific requirements for all degrees may be obtained from this Bulletin, the appropriate School or College, or from an academic advisor.

Many program areas have special requirements, which must be met before students can begin a particular area of study. For example, some professional, clinical, and other sequences accept students into the program only after a period of prior academic preparation. Such programs have academic requirements for admission, which are published, either in the Bulletin or in a separate document available from the appropriate college, school, or program.

School of Education and Human Services
Students completing a baccalaureate degree with a College of Education and Human Services major must earn at least 35 credits in upper-level courses. In addition, all grade point and other requirements must be met prior to entry into Admission I, Practicum, Clinical, and Admission II for education majors. Also, all course and grade point average requirements must be met by Human Services majors prior to entry into intermediate, and major fieldwork.

Additional degree requirements include the following:

• Earning a “C” or better in Communication 111
• For students in Foreign Languages, Music Education, and Art Education Programs: Complete an English literature course
• For students in Foreign Languages, Music Education, and Art Education Programs: Complete one Biology course (XL) and one non-Biology (XL) course from the following (Anthropology 202, Chemistry, Geography (Physical), Geology, Physical Science 101, Physics/Astronomy, Engineering Technology
• For students in Foreign Languages, Music Education, and Art Education Programs: Complete 12 credits of Society from three different departments

School of Nursing and Health Professions
Requirements must be met as published at the time of the student’s application for acceptance into the nursing clinical sequence.

D. Second Bachelor’s Degree

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh who wishes to complete a second and different undergraduate baccalaureate degree must:

• earn a minimum of 16 credits in residence (the credits must not have been applied to the requirements of the first degree);
• meet all specific requirements of the new degree.

Both degrees may be awarded at the same commencement ceremony.
A graduate of another accredited college or university may be awarded an undergraduate baccalaureate degree in the same or another academic area at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh by successfully completing:

• 28 weeks (e.g., two semesters) in residence on the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh campus;
• a minimum of 30 term credit hours;
• all requirements of the degree being sought;
• The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh General Education Requirements.

NOTE: If degree is from a Universities of Wisconsin institution, general education requirements have been met.

NOTE: Completion of an additional major within the same University of Wisconsin Oshkosh baccalaureate degree will not result in the awarding of a second degree. Before embarking on a program leading to a second degree, students should contact an advisor in the Undergraduate Advising Resource Center (UARC), Student Success Center, Suite 202.

IV. COURSES, GRADES AND ACADEMIC STANDARDS

A. Interpreting Course Numbers

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh courses are designated by a subject code, which identifies the program offering the course, and a three-digit course catalog number. Some 300- and 400- level courses also provide graduate level credit. In these cases, two course numbers will appear; e.g., International Studies 302/502. Students enrolled in such courses for graduate credit must meet requirements beyond those for undergraduate credit.

The subject codes are assigned to the various departments or programs according to the following key:

Abbreviations

B. Prerequisites

A number of courses have class level, school, college or specified course(s) as a pre-registration requirement. These prerequisites are determined by each appropriate school or college based on educational or curricular reasons. Students desiring an exemption from a course prerequisite should discuss their interests with the professor of the course in question.

C. Grade Policies

1. Grade point averages are calculated by dividing the number of grade points earned by the number of units (crs.) attempted. The University’s grading scale changed from an 8 point scale to a 12 point scale effective Fall 2009. This does not affect grades awarded prior to Fall 2009. Letter grades and corresponding point values are as follows:
   Grade Scale Effective Fall 2009

    

   Letter Grade	Grade Points per Credit
   A	4.00
   A-	3.67
   B+	3.33
   B	3.00
   B-	2.67
   C+	2.33
   C	2.00
   C-	1.67
   D+	1.33
   D	1.00
   D-	0.67
   F (Failure)	0.00

   Grade Scale Prior to Fall 2009

   Letter Grade	Grade Points per Credit
   A	4.00
   AB	3.50
   B	3.00
   BC	2.50
   C	2.00
   CD	1.50
   D	1.00
   F (Failure)	0.00

2. Students transferring to the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh campus from a college or university, that has a different grading system, may calculate the transferred grade points as follows:
   

   Letter Grade	Grade Points per Credit
   A	4.00
   A-	3.67
   AB	3.50
   B+	3.33
   B	3.00
   B-	2.67
   BC	2.50
   C+	2.33
   C	2.00
   C-	1.67
   CD	1.50
   D+	1.33
   D	1.00
   D-	0.67
   F (Failure)	0.00

   Grades for courses transferred to the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh are not calculated in the official grade point but may be used in calculating the student’s combined (cumulative) grade point average on the Advisement Report.

3. The transfer student’s Advisement Report will display:
   1. Transfer institution(s) credits earned, and grades;
   2. University of Wisconsin Oshkosh course numbers and titles, credits earned, grades, grade point average;
   3. All institutions’ credits earned, and combined (cumulative) grade point average.
4. The Official Transcript of the transfer student will display:
   1. Transfer institution(s) course numbers and titles as transferred, credits attempted, credits earned, and grades;
   2. University of Wisconsin Oshkosh course numbers and titles, credits attempted, credits earned, grades, grade points and term grade point averages;
   3. All institutions’ credits attempted, credits earned, grade points;
   4. The official grade point average.
5. Several other grade designations are assigned in special circumstances. They may include the following:
   1. Pass/Fail (P/F).  Some University of Wisconsin Oshkosh courses are offered on a Pass/Fail basis. Credits in these courses are included as part of the credit load. Pass credits are recorded as credits earned but credits passed are not considered as credits attempted in computing the term and cumulative grade point averages. Grades of Failure (F) in a Pass/Fail course are considered as credits attempted in computing the term and cumulative grade point averages.
   2. Incomplete (I).  The designation of Incomplete (I) is assigned when a student is unable to complete the course work because of illness, injury, or other extenuating circumstances. Incomplete “I” designations may also be assigned to students in project-centered courses in which instruction is highly individualized, or in individually paced courses in which the material is extensively organized and students can progress at rates determined by their abilities. In the latter case, an Incomplete “I” may be assigned only if at least two-thirds of the course objectives have been accomplished within the grading period, and the student has maintained a consistent rate of progress in the course. The student and instructor will make written arrangements allowing the Incomplete “I” to be replaced with a final (official) grade within the next 14-week term. These arrangements must be described in full on a “Work Incomplete” form (form available from each college) to be filed with the appropriate school director before the final (official) grade is recorded. Courses for which an Incomplete “I” has been assigned are included as part of the term credit load. Incomplete “I” designations are not included in grade point computations. NOTE: A student may not graduate from the University if an Incomplete “I” appears on the student’s transcript. In order to qualify for graduation, all Incomplete “I” grades must be recorded as a final (official) letter grade before the end date of the term in which the student wishes to graduate. The student may request that an Incomplete “I” be converted to an “F” grade in order to be allowed to graduate. AFTER GRADUATION, NO GRADE CHANGES ARE PERMITTED. Incomplete “I” designations that have not been changed to final (official) grades through instructor action by the end date of the following 14-week term, will automatically lapse to an “F” grade. The Registrar’s Office will alert students and school directors to the impending grade assignments at least two weeks prior to the deadline. Extensions of time must be arranged through the appropriate school director or equivalent.
   3. Audit (AU). Students may wish to audit a course to learn more about a subject of personal interest, or to prepare for future courses, which they may wish to take or are required. The signature of the instructor is required prior to enrolling in a course taken for audit. If a course is taken for audit, the student will receive a designation of AU on their grade report and transcript. An Audit (AU) is not a grade and is not calculated in the grade point average; it carries no degree credit. Students who audit courses are expected to attend class regularly but need not take examinations or complete course work that requires instructor evaluation. The instructor may withdraw the student for non-attendance. Students may change the status of a course from audit to credit during the first 20 class days of a 14- week term; during the first 10 days of 8- or 7-week term, or during the first 3 days of a 4- or 3-week term. The signature of the instructor is required to change registration of a course from audit to credit. Students changing from credit to audit after the first week of a term will be charged the full per credit fee for the course.

D. Repeated Courses

Students may register to repeat courses to improve their grade(s) on a space available basis at the time they are scheduled to register. However, students should check with their advisor to find out if their major has additional regulations on course repeats. Each course may be repeated only once. Students may appeal that restriction through the Program, School or College which offers the course.

Students may only repeat a course if they have received a grade lower than a C. The best grade awarded will be used in the computation of grade point averages and credit earned. If a student repeats a course and earns a lower grade, the higher grade will be used in the computation of grade point averages. Although grades earned at other post-secondary institutions will be included on the credit evaluation and on the official transcript, the official UW Oshkosh grade point average is not affected by grades earned elsewhere (See Official Grade Point Policy). Undergraduate courses repeated after graduation will not change the undergraduate official grade point average.

Note: Although TitanWeb will allow registration for all repeats of courses, students may only repeat courses in which they received a grade lower than a C. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of this policy and to adhere by the rules. Courses repeated with a C or higher will not be counted in any University academic requirements and flagged as such on the transcript. Any request to repeat a course with a C or higher, needs to be appealed to the appropriate college and approved before registration in the course. Students are responsible for any fees associated with repeated courses dropped due to lack of appeal.

Note: Courses that are repeatable for credit may not be repeated to improve a student’s grade point average unless content is the same in both courses.  Appeals must be approved prior to registering for the course.

E. Class Standing

A student’s class standing is determined by successful completion of credits.

F. Requirements of Colleges, Schools or Professional Programs

Each college, school, program, or professional program may establish its own grade point average requirements for admission, retention or graduation and/or licensure, but computation of the official grade point average will be based upon UW Oshkosh courses only. The combined (cumulative) grade point, which will appear on the Advisement Report, will include all credits attempted in all applicable courses.

G. Honors

1.  Graduation Honors

d. A minimum of 60 credits must be earned at UW Oshkosh for a transfer student to be eligible for Graduation Honors.

3.  Term Honor Roll – A student who has completed a program of at least 12 Term credit hours (not including P/F courses) during that term and has received a term grade point average of 3.30 or better, with no individual course grade below “C”, no grades of ”I” incomplete, and no non-reported grades at the time the process is run, is placed on the University Honor Roll.

4.  Dean’s List – A student who has completed a program of at least 12 Term credit hours (not including P/F courses) during that term and has completed a term grade point average of 3.75 or better, with no individual term course grade below a “C”, no grade of “I” incomplete, and no non-reported grades at the time the process is run, is placed on the Dean’s List.

H. Graduation From the University

Students planning to graduate from the University should obtain information regarding the Application for Graduation online at www.uwosh.edu/registrar. The graduation application is completed online using the TitanWeb Student Center.  The completed online application must be submitted before the application deadline in which the student plans to graduate-October 31 for Fall graduation and March 31 for Spring graduation.

A graduation status review will be completed in the Registrar’s Office and emailed to the student. Students whose records are incomplete (e.g., course incomplete, official transcripts for transfer courses not on file, grades not recorded) or who fail to meet degree requirements may be considered for graduation in a subsequent term provided the graduation examiner is notified via email, gradexaminer@uwosh.edu. These students may need to file another Application for Graduation.

A student may not graduate from the University if an incomplete grade appears on the student’s transcript. In order to qualify for graduation, all Incompletes must be recorded as a final letter grade before the official end of the term the student wishes to graduate. The student may request that an Incomplete be converted to a grade of F in order to be allowed to graduate. After graduation, no grade changes are allowed.

Oshkosh Commencement ceremonies are held in December and May at the end of each 14-week semester. Students whose graduation date is at the end of the J-term will attend the December ceremony and students whose graduation date is at the end of the May-term will attend the May ceremony. Students whose graduation date is at the end of the summer term have the option of participating in the graduation ceremony of either the spring or fall commencement nearest their graduation date.

A student’s official graduation date will be the final day of classes of the 14-week fall or spring term, or the end of the 3-week J-term/May-term, or the 8-week summer term in which they complete the graduation requirements. All requirements for graduation must be completed by the final day of the term in which the student wishes to graduate.

Students may apply for and be granted their degrees at the end of a term without having been registered for course work during that term.

I. Good Standing Requirements

Students are expected to meet requirements to remain in good academic standing. Requirements involve both academic and credit completion standards. All students enrolled for 6 or more credits are reviewed each term following completion of the 14-week term.

The official grade point average is used for determination of academic standing.

Academic standards

1. Maintain a minimum 2.0 official cumulative grade point average.
2. Earn a minimum of 1.0 term grade point average.

Credit completion standards

1. Earn a minimum of 9 credits per term if a full-time student (enrolled for 12 or more credits).
2. Earn a minimum of 5 credits per term if a part-time student (enrolled for 6-11 credits).
3. The credit completion requirement must be met each term and is cumulative. Thus, a student who enrolls for 12 or more credits each term must complete the following: after 1 term – at least 9 credits after 2 terms – at least 18 credits after 3 terms – at least 27 credits after 4 terms – at least 36 credits.
4. Courses taken during May/J-terms or summer session contribute to the cumulative credit totals but do not eliminate a prior term’s failure to satisfy the credit completion requirements.

J. Probation and Suspension Policies

Students are placed on probation or suspension following the 14-week term when they fail to satisfy the Good Standing Requirements. However, if, by the end of the May-term or J-term, additional course work has been completed and/or a grade(s) has been changed which improves the student’s academic record, the status will be reviewed and adjusted appropriately. Academic probation status is determined through a review process by the appointee of all the colleges. The Review Process includes the following:

1. Probation A student whose record does not meet the requirements for good standing will be placed on probation in accordance with the particular requirements of the University.
2. Suspension Suspension is a classification of probation resulting in the complete severance of the student from the university for at least one term and a summer session. Suspension will generally occur when:
   1. A student fails to achieve Good Standing in three consecutive semesters; or
   2. A student fails to achieve Good Standing in one or two consecutive semesters if he/she was admitted to the university as a transfer or reentry student who did not meet the Good Standing Requirements; or
   3. A student who, after having been academically suspended and allowed to continue or reenter the university, fails to meet the Good Standing Requirements; or
   4. A student who has a term grade point average below 1.00; or
   5. A student has failed to meet satisfactory academic progress standards.
3. Notification of probation/suspension status  Each student who has been placed on probation or suspension will be notified by email from the Registrar’s Office. For students enrolled in interim this status is subject to change.
4. Suspension Appeals University suspension may be appealed if the student believes there are circumstances that warrant an appeal. Normally, such circumstances would involve situations external to the student, which prevented the achievement of minimum academic standards. Students must document the situation with second party confirmation. Students who are appealing need to file a Suspension Appeal. The Suspension Appeal and supporting documents (e.g. second party confirmation) must be submitted on or before the established appeal deadline to the appropriate University designee specified in the email notification. The suspension appeal decision is final.

Reentry to the University after Suspension After a term and summer session of suspension, a student may request re-admission to the University by completing the REENTRY APPLICATION, which is available from the Admission Office, Dempsey 135. THE APPLICATION FOR REENTRY MUST BE SUBMITTED BY JULY 15 FOR THE FALL TERM AND DECEMBER 15 FOR THE SPRING TERM. In order to be formally considered for reentry, a student must provide evidence that the problems leading to suspension have been resolved and that they are now prepared to be successful. Requests for reentry should only be made when one or more of the following have been accomplished:

1. UW Oshkosh “Incomplete” grades have been completed, resulting in an academic record, which meets the required grade point standards and the academic standards of the University.
2. Courses completed at another college or university (or through correspondence work), with acceptable grades and academic progress, are documented on an official transcript reentry application. Note: transfer courses will not affect the UW Oshkosh official grade point.
3. Progress has been made toward resolving personal concerns, which previously had hampered academic achievement. Written confirmation by the appropriate professional must be submitted with the reentry application (Example: medical statement).

For additional information contact: The Registrar’s Office, Phone: 920-424-2463, Dempsey Hall 130.

K. Developmental Education Policy

In accordance with UW System Policy, UW Oshkosh requires students who place into developmental courses to successfully complete these courses before they earn 30 credits at UW Oshkosh.

Based on scores from the required Regional Placement Test, and ACT score for reading remediation, students are placed into appropriate developmental courses.  The following UW Oshkosh courses require completion before the 30 credit threshold: