Policies

The University will award advanced standing to entering freshmen based on Advanced Placement Examination results.

1. Credit By Examination Students who are eligible may earn college credit through Advanced Placement (AP), American College Testing (ACT), Cambridge International Examination, College Level Examination Program (CLEP), DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST), Excelsior’s Exam Programs, International Baccalaureate Program (IB), Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), and Thomas Edison College Exam Program (TECEP). A student is awarded a letter grade of “P” for credit received. The credits are applied towards the student’s degree program as applicable. According to the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Guideline A-030 l: H-4, “credit based on PLA at another TBR institution will be accepted in transfer and applied toward the student’s degree in the same way that any other type of transfer credit is accepted.” At Tennessee State University, students can earn 60 semester hours for a Bachelor’s Degree and 30 semester hours for an Associate’s Degree. In all cases, a student must earn 25% of the hours required for a degree in an institution delivered by the institution awarding the credential. PLA credit will not count toward this 25% minimum. Academic credit attained through standardized examinations will be given to TSU students provided: Scores are equal to or greater than the required minimum score shown in the accompanying Credit by Standard Examination tables. Standardized and department-generated examinations do not duplicate any college credit counted for admission. Credit earned through standardized examinations will be entered on the student’s permanent record, but will not be computed in the grade point average. A maximum of 60 semester hours for a Bachelor’s Degree may be gained through a combination of standardized and departmentally generated examinations for credit. These examinations may not be taken to repeat coursework or to remove a grade of “F” or “I”. Certain exams earn credit for two TSU courses; students who have already earned credit for one of the two courses with a grade of “C” or above are eligible to take the CLEP exam to earn credit for the second course. Examinations for credit may not be used for: research or independent study courses, Any coursework from which the student has been exempted Repeating courses Removal of deficiency grades any course in which the student is currently enrolled any course that the student attempted or was enrolled in for four or more weeks prior to withdrawal The examination must be completed, and the recorded results must be received by the Office of Admissions and Records according to the following schedule: Regular semester (prior to the end of the 9 th week of classes) Summer Sessions I & II (prior to the end of the 3 rd week of classes

For more information concerning these programs, a student may contact the Prior Learning Assessment Advisor in the academic department or the Prior Learning contact in the Office of Student Support Services for Adult and Distance Learners at (615) 963-7001 or email adult studentsupport@tnstate.edu . Students with military experience should contact the Veterans Certifying Official in the Office of Records.

Transfer students are not required to submit ACT/SAT scores, although they are encouraged to do so if they have valid scores. Advanced Placement Credit The University will award advanced standing to entering freshmen based on Advanced

Advanced Standing Students who are eligible may earn college credit through approved recommendation services/examinations and educational experiences in the armed services. A student is awarded a grade of “P” for credit received. Transcripts, military documents, and original score reports must be submitted to the Office of Admissions and Records for evaluation and review. Approved programs are: College Level Examination Programs (CLEP) of the College Entrance Examination Board, DANTES (DSST) Standardized Tests administered by the Educational Testing Service, Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board, Military training courses in the Armed Services of the United States as recommended by the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services published by the Commission on Educational Credit of the American Council on Education (ACE). For evaluation purposes: U.S. Army Veterans should present the Army/ACE Registry transcript. (ARTS); U.S. Air Force Veterans should present a Community College of the Air Force transcript. The DD214 or other official documentation should be submitted to support request for credits via a and b above. For more information concerning these programs, a student may contact the Prior Learning Assessment Advisor in the academic department, or the Prior Learning contact in the Office of Student Support Services for Adult and Distance Learners at (615) 963-7001 or email adultstudentsupport@tnstate.edu. Students with military experience should contact the Veterans Certifying Official in the Office of Admissions and Records.

Advanced Standing Students with a degree in a health-related field or other fields may be admitted to the program if they meet the admission criteria. Individuals with an associate degree in medical records/ health information technology and who are interested in pursuing a baccalaureate degree in Health Information Management must complete a minimum of 60 semester hours, including a directed professional practicum. These individuals are required to complete general education requirements for a BS degree, as well as management, science, or other prerequisite courses required for the program, in addition to all the 3000-4000 level courses as indicated in the curriculum.

A student who wishes to earn credit by examination begins the process through discussion with his/her department chair. The department chair will provide written instructions on the credit by examination process for both standard and locally generated examinations.

Courses Taken at Other Institutions Students who wish to take courses at other institutions while attending Tennessee State University must complete a Permission to Enroll at Another Institution Form. The courses must be approved and the form signed, in advance, by the Chairperson of the department in which the student expects a degree. The form must be submitted to the Office of Records and validated by the Registrar. This also applies to registration in the summer at another institution. Students are to adhere to the following instructions and regulations: Instructions The student must submit the course description for which enrollment is desired. The student must receive approval, on this form, from the appropriate Department Chair. The student must sign the form. The student must return the form to Records for verification of eligibility and signature of the Registrar. Approval is only required when course equivalency information is not available on the website. Regulations The student cannot be on academic probation while attending another institution and have a minimum GPA of 2.000 The student must earn the last 30 hours needed for graduation at TSU. Six of these hours may be taken at another institution if prior permission is provided by the Department Chair. All courses/grades received will be posted on the student’s records at TSU. However, the GPA will not transfer to Tennessee State University. The grade and quality points for those courses will be included in the calculation of the grade point average at Tennessee State. It is the student’s responsibility to request that a transcript be sent to the Office of Records, to the attention of the Registrar. Coursework in which a grade of “F” has been earned at Tennessee State University may not be repeated at non-TBR institutions to replace the Tennessee State University grade. Approval will not be provided for repeating courses with a grade of “C” or better at another institution outside the TBR system.

Credit by Examination Students who have mastered knowledge and skills covered in a college-level course may earn degree credit for that course by taking either standard or local examinations (Departmental Exams). Local examinations are generated by faculty in the department that offers the course.

Also, see Prior Learning Assessment. To assist in defraying the cost of tuition and fees, students enrolling in a course for which college and high school credit will be earned are eligible for the dual lottery scholarship, which provides $100 per semester credit, up to $300 per term, and $600 per academic year.

INDS 1000 - Prior Learning Assessment Theory and Practice 3 An accelerated course that will help students identify areas of learning they may want to have evaluated for college-level equivalency. This course will also guide students through the preparation and compilation of all components required for the evaluation of a portfolio of prior learning through LearningCounts.org. Print (opens a new window) Help (opens a new window) T

Academic Common Market Auditing a Course Normal and Minimum Class Loads Probationary Student Class Loads Maximum Class Loads Classification of Students English Proficiency Requirements Examinations Class Attendance Policy on Excessive Absences Academic and Classroom Conduct Grade Appeal Withdrawing from a Course Withdrawing from the University Repeating Courses Correspondence Courses Courses Taken at Other Institutions Grading System Substitution of Courses Policy Concerning Student Access to Education Records Procedures for Accessing Education Records Rights of Access Do Not Include Informing Students Applicable Catalog Dean’s List Degrees with Honors Philosophy of General Education Learning Outcomes and Courses University Requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree Tennessee Board of Regents’ Minimum Degree Requirements University Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree Second Major Second Associate Degree Dual Degree Option Second Bachelors Degree Advanced Graduate Admission for Undergraduates Maximum External Credit Allowed From Various Sources for the Associate Degree Program at Tennessee State University Requirements for the Associate Degree Falsifying Academic Records Academic Policies and Requirements Registration Procedures Any person who anticipates registering as a Tennessee State University student should be sure that the University requirements for admission have been met. The following must be observed before registration to avoid delay: Freshmen and transfers must be accepted for admission before registration.

Maximum External Credit Allowed From Various Sources for the Associate Degree Program at Tennessee State University No more than a total of 30 semester hours of credit can be granted by a state university through any combination of external sources (Advanced Placement Program and College-Level Examination Program of the College Entrance Examination Board). Credit by examination is determined by University policy as stated in the University Catalog. Should a student be granted the maximum total of 30 semester hours of credit through external sources, he/she must still complete all specific degree requirements as given in an outlined Program of Study to receive an associate degree at TSU. Students must meet the 24 semester-hour residence requirement, and a minimum of 20 of the final 26 hours must be completed at Tennessee State University.

Prior Learning Assessment ” (PLA). PLA represents nationally recognized methods of consideration that save students from having to take courses in subjects they already understand. TSU has three major PLA categories: Credit by Examination - includes Advanced Placement (AP) Program (See page 26 of the Undergraduate Catalog for details), College Level Exam Program (CLEP), Local Exams (Academic Department Exams), and DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) (See page 26 of the Undergraduate Catalog for details); Advanced Standing - American Council of Education (ACE) Military Credit; Portfolio-Based Assessment through “LearningCounts”/Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL). PLA credits are applied towards the student’s degree program as applicable. According to the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Guideline A-030 I: H-4, “credit based on PLA at another TBR institution will be accepted in transfer and applied toward the student’s degree in the same way that any other type of transfer credit is accepted.” At Tennessee State University, the maximum limit of 60 semester credit hours (SCH) may be gained through a combination of credit by examination - CLEP, DSST, and Local Exams. For ACE Military Credit and Portfolio-Based Assessment, the maximum number of semester credit hours accepted will be determined by the academic department. In all cases, a student must earn 25% of the hours required for a degree in instruction delivered by the institution awarding the credential. PLA credit will not count toward this 25% minimum. No other limitations are to be placed on student eligibility for PLA credit, such as minimum age or work experience.

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Policy and Procedures for Implementation and the PLA Handbook may be reviewed at http://www.tnstate.edu/atadistance/prior_learning_assessment-newhome.aspx . Contact the Office of Student Support Services at www.adultstudentsupport.edu or 615-963-7001 for more information. Minimum Scores Required on CLEP and DANTES (DSST) Examinations University Course Title/Number Credit Hours CLEP Subject Exam Title Minimum Score BIOL 1110, 1111 BIOL 1120, 1121 8 hrs. Biology 50 BIOL 1010, 1011, BIOL 1020, 1021 8 hrs. Natural Sciences 50 BLAW 3230 3 hrs. Business Law 51 CHEM 1110, CHEM 1120 8 hrs. Chemistry 50 ECON 2010 3 hrs. Macroeconomics, Prin. of 50 ECON 2020 3 hrs. Microeconomics, Prin. of 50 ENGL 1010, ENGL 1020 6 hrs. College Composition 50 ENGL 2210, ENGL 2220 6 hrs. English Literature 50 ENGL 2110, ENGL 2120 6 hrs. American Literature 50 FREN 1010, FREN 1020 6 hrs. French Language 50 FREN 2010, FREN 2020 6 hrs. French Language 62 HIST 1000 3 hrs. Global Culture in History 50 HIST 2010 3 hrs. History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 50 HIST 2020 3 hrs. History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present 50 HIST 2050 [Inactive] 3 hrs. World History I 50 HIST 2060 3 hrs. World History II 50 HIST 2700 3 hrs. African American Experience 50 MGMT 3010 3 hrs. Management, Principles of 50 MKTG 3010 3 hrs. Marketing, Principles of 50 MATH 1110 [Inactive] 3 hrs. College Algebra 55 MATH 1910, MATH 1920 8 hrs. Calculus 50 PSYC 2010 3 hrs. American Government 50 PSYC 2010 3 hrs. Introductory Psychology 55 PSYC 3730 3 hrs. Educational Psychology 50 SPAN 1010, SPAN 1020 6 hrs. Spanish Language 50 SPAN 2010, SPAN 2020 6 hrs. Spanish Language 66 SOCI 2010 3 hrs. Introductory Sociology 50 University Course Title/Number Credit Hours DANTES Exam Title Minimum Score ACCT 2010 3 hrs. Principles of Financial Accounting 50 ECON 3200 3 hrs. Money and Banking 50 FINA 3300 3 hrs. Principles of Finance 50 MGMT 1010 3 hrs. Introduction to Business 50 MGMT 3010 3 hrs. Organizational Behavior 50

The request must meet the following conditions: All courses being considered for substitution must meet the University’s requirements for transfer credit.

*All associate level transfer students who satisfactorily complete 2 years of college are required to enroll in RC courses outlined in the junior and senior years as outlined in Plan I . *Transfer credits may be given for all equivalent courses taken at the associate degree level.

The Office of the Registrar at Tennessee State University evaluates transfer credits for degree-seeking students who have been admitted to the University. Tennessee State University accepts transfer credit from institutions of higher learning based upon the following considerations: The educational quality of the institution from which the student transfers. Beginning the Summer of 2015, new transfer credits are indicated with a leading “T” on the grade. A petition may be made by submitting the Application for Acceptance of Transfer Credit Form available in the Registrar’s Office. For more information on the awarding of college credit for work experience, certifications/training, military, and other, see the section on Prior Learning Assessment.

Transfer of Credit Policy The specific credit for work done at other institutions that will apply toward the BBA degree is determined by the Office of Admissions and Records and the appropriate Department Chair in the College of Business. Allowance of transfer credit by the Office of Admissions and Records does not necessarily mean that all such credit will be applied toward the BBA degree. The College of Business reserves the right to test the proficiency of any student in coursework transferred from other colleges or universities and the right to disallow transfer credit in such coursework if the student cannot demonstrate acceptable proficiency. Courses transferred from the community and junior colleges may only be used to meet 3000- and 4000-level business course requirements if they are approved as substitutions by the Department Chair and Dean or validated either by (1) the successful completion of an acceptable CLEP or DANTES examination or (2) the successful completion of a departmental examination. Students will be allowed to apply up to 18 credit hours of upper-division business credit earned through a combination of approved substitution, CLEP, DANTES, and/or credit by exam for their upper-division business course requirements. No more than 9 hours of the transferred course credit may be applied to fulfill the 30-hour requirement in the business major or concentration area. Transient Status: BBA students who wish to attend another institution as “transient” or “visiting” students to take upper-division business courses for degree credit must get written approval in advance from their Department Chair. Approval is not automatic. MGMT 4500 (Business Strategy) must be taken at TSU. Re-enrollment after Transferring Elsewhere: BBA students who enroll at another institution as regular students (as opposed to transient or visiting status) will be considered as having transferred to that institution. If such students later re-enroll in the BBA program, they may be subject to the curricular degree requirements in effect at the time of their re-enrollment. Such students are encouraged to discuss their transfer to the other institution with their Department Chair in advance if they intend to apply this work toward the BBA degree at TSU. The College of Business subscribes to the philosophy that a student’s undergraduate program below the junior year should include no advanced, professional-level courses. This philosophy is based on the conviction that the value derived from these advanced courses is materially enhanced when based on a sound foundation.

Transfer of Credit Policy The specific credit for work done at other institutions that will apply toward the BBA degree is determined by the Office of Admissions and Records and the appropriate Department Chair in the College of Business. Allowance of transfer credit by the Office of Admissions and Records does not necessarily mean that all such credit will be applied toward the BBA degree. The College of Business reserves the right to test the proficiency of any student in coursework transferred from other colleges or universities and the right to disallow transfer credit in such coursework if the student cannot demonstrate acceptable proficiency. Courses transferred from the community and junior colleges may only be used to meet 3000- and 4000-level business course requirements if they are approved as substitutions by the Department Chair and Dean or validated either by (1) the successful completion of an acceptable CLEP or DANTES examination or (2) the successful completion of a departmental examination. Students will be allowed to apply up to 18 credit hours of upper-division business credit earned through a combination of approved substitution, CLEP, DANTES, and/or credit by exam for their upper-division business course requirements. No more than 9 hours of the transferred course credit may be applied to fulfill the 30-hour requirement in the business major or concentration area. Transient Status: BBA students who wish to attend another institution as “transient” or “visiting” students to take upper-division business courses for degree credit must get written approval in advance from their Department Chair. Approval is not automatic. MGMT 4500 (Business Strategy) must be taken at TSU. Re-enrollment after Transferring Elsewhere: BBA students who enroll at another institution as regular students (as opposed to transient or visiting status) will be considered as having transferred to that institution. If such students later re-enroll in the BBA program, they may be subject to the curricular degree requirements in effect at the time of their re-enrollment. Such students are encouraged to discuss their transfer to the other institution with their Department Chair in advance if they intend to apply this work toward the BBA degree at TSU. The College of Business subscribes to the philosophy that a student’s undergraduate program below the junior year should include no advanced, professional-level courses. This philosophy is based on the conviction that the value derived from these advanced courses is materially enhanced when based on a sound foundation. Print (opens a new window) Help (opens a new window) T

All students seeking advanced standing must submit official transcripts of all college credits earned. A student will be considered a transfer student if any college work has been taken at another institution after high school graduation.

Applications are accepted from transfer students from other colleges or universities, or other departments at Tennessee State University. Transfer credits for non-major courses will be accepted according to University policies on admission with advanced standing. All transfer credits from accredited Respiratory Care programs will be accepted when evidence is provided that the content of the courses previously taken is essentially the same as the content for courses in the curriculum. No credit will be given for required courses in which the student has received a grade lower than a “C.” A Tennessee State University student who transfers to Respiratory Care is required to complete a Change of Major form.

Transfer Students and Transfer Credit: Credits in Social Work earned at other higher education institutions are accepted toward the Social Work degree at Tennessee State University on the same basis as work taken at TSU, provided the courses are of the same content and quality. Departmental Requirements for Bachelor of Science in Social Work: 120 Semester Hours A student must complete a minimum of 120 semester hours to receive a degree. A minimum of 60 of the semester hours must be in courses on the 3000 and 4000 levels. A minimum of 45 semester hours is required in social work courses, 15 related liberal arts semester courses, 42 semester hours of general education courses, and 18 hours of other lower-division required courses.

All other students seeking advanced standing will be admitted to Tennessee State University provided they meet the minimum requirement of a 2.00 grade-point average. In addition, no upper-division credit will be granted for any lower-division credit transferred from any other university or college; any exceptions to this particular provision must be approved by the Office of Registrar and the appropriate department chair. The Records Office will provide all transfer students with an equivalency evaluation of all transfer credits during the first semester of enrollment at the University. All transfer credits from institutions not on the semester system will be converted to semester credits. Specific questions regarding transfer credit should be addressed to the Records Office and the appropriate department chair.

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Tennessee State University (TSU) recognizes that students have diverse learning, life, and professional experiences. These paths are grouped under the category “Prior Learning Assessment” (PLA). TSU has four major PLA categories: Credit by Examination, Credit Recommendation for Past Training, StraighterLine, and Portfolio-Based Assessment. According to the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Guideline A-030 l: H-4,” credit based on PLA at another TBR institution will be accepted in transfer and applied toward the student’s degree in the same way that any other type of transfer credit is accepted.” At Tennessee State University, students can earn 60 semester hours for a Bachelor’s Degree and 30 semester hours for an Associate’s Degree.

A (1) credit hour Orientation course is required for all students including transfer students who transfer in less than 60 credit hours from other colleges and universities. A degree-seeking student may not register concurrently at Tennessee State University and another institution and receive transfer credit for work taken at the other institution unless permission is granted in advance by the Dean of the school. A transfer student with a grade of “D” or “F” in either course must repeat it until a minimum grade of “C” is achieved. Any transfer student for whom there is a question in English Proficiency will be required to complete a writing sample which is scored holistically.