Academic Programs Catalog

Application Processing Fee

An application fee, not applicable to any other charge and not refundable, is required of everyone requesting admission as an undergraduate, graduate-professional or graduate student. Payment must accompany the application that is submitted to the Office of Admissions. A person requesting admission as an undergraduate, graduate-professional or graduate student who is financially unable to submit the application processing fee may request an application fee waiver.

All entering undergraduate students are required to pay a $250 Advanced Enrollment Deposit (AED). Payment by the student confirms acceptance of admission, reserves the student a place in both the entering class and a residence hall (if the student chooses to live on-campus), and allows the student to register for a required New Student Orientation (NSO) Program which fill on a first-come, first-serve basis. An admitted student who is financially unable to submit the AED may request a deferral. The $250 AED is fully refundable to fall freshman students who cancel their admission prior to May 1.  There is no refund for summer or spring semesters, or for transfer students any semester.

Each student is assessed charges each semester on the basis of the credit value (or credit value equivalent of zero credit hour carrier courses) of all courses carried and state residence. Charges will be assessed on a credit hour basis, except for graduate-professional student fees which are assessed on a semester basis and some graduate student fees which are assessed on a semester or program basis and differentiate between "Core" and "Professional and Other" units.

If there is any question of the student's right to an in-state classification, it is the student's responsibility to contact the Office of the Registrar at least one month before enrolling.

As amended by the Board of Trustees in the 2020-21 Budget Guidelines. Amounts subject to change for future years.

For current tuition rates, visit the Student Accounts Web site at ctlr.msu.edu/COStudentAccounts/Tuition_Fees_MainMenu_Year.aspx.

The rates listed below are for the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 year. In addition, students living in undergraduate housing will be charged a Residence Halls Association tax of $25 per semester.  Students living in Owen Graduate Hall will be assessed a $8 ($2.50 in summer) Owen Graduate Association tax per semester, and students in Spartan Village Apartments and 1855 Place Family Apartments will be charged a University Apartments Council of Residents tax of $3 ($2.00 in summer) per semester. 1855 Place single student apartment residents will be charged a Univeristy apartments Council or Residents tax of $17 per semester.

Dining Service for 2020-2021 includes expanded serving hours of 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week, in at least one location per residential zone (East, South, Brody, North, and River Trail). Choices include cooked-to-order stations, retail coffee shops, grab-n-go options, pizza and subs, as well as new selections reflecting emerging dining trends. Note: All plans include free daily access to a Combo-X-Change meal at any of the Sparty's, Union Pizzeria, Serrano's, Union Deli, or Riverwalk Market retail dining locations on campus.

    Silver Plan - Anytime access. This is the base plan.
    Gold Plan - Anytime access, four guest meal passes and $150 per semester in Spartan Cash.
    Platinum Plan - Anytime access, eight guest meal passes and $300 per semester in Spartan Cash.

Residence Halls — Room and Board (per semester)^{1, 2, 3}

*  Designated Single Room (add $1,416 per semester)
    Permanent Single Room (add $869 per semester)

Owen Graduate Hall (per semester)^{1, 2, 5}

1855 Place Single Student Apartments (monthly rates)⁶

University Apartments,^{2, 4, 7}
1855 Place Family Apartments (monthly rates)⁶

University Village Apartments (monthly rates)³

¹   Although these rates are for each semester, the Housing Contract is signed for fall and spring. To determine costs for fall and spring, multiply the rate by two.

²    The Housing Contract details the contract termination procedure. Further appeals shall be subject to judicial review as provided in Student Rights and Responsibilities at Michigan State University.

³    Rates do not include resident student government taxes of $25 per semester for undergraduate students who live in residence halls and in University Village Apartments. 
⁴    Quoted rates are student rates.
⁵    Dining plans for Owen Hall residents, however, an on-campus housing contract. Room rates do not include student government taxes of $8 ($2.50 in summer) per semester for students who live in the graduate hall.
⁶    Rates do not include $3 per semester for University Apartments Council of Residents tax. The University Apartments Council of  Residents tax for Summer session is $2.
⁷   Rates do not include $17 per semester for University Apartments Council of Residents tax.

 

For more information on living at MSU visit www.liveon.msu.edu. 

Field Trips

Certain courses require field trips. The costs must be paid by the participating students in addition to the usual course fees.

Administrative Fee for Sponsored International Students

Health Insurance Program

International students, and students in the Colleges of Human, Osteopathic, and Veterinary Medicine are required to purchase the Michigan State University health insurance plan unless they have other comparable insurance coverage. Health insurance coverage is provided from August 16 through August 15. Insurance premiums for student annual coverage are collected in two installments.

These amounts are included in the Minimum Amount Due on the Registration Bill and must be paid to complete registration. Insurance premiums for coverage of spouse/dependents are to be paid directly to the insurance company.  Students may waive the MSU plan (within certain deadlines) by providing proof of comparable health insurance coverage through another plan. For information on waivers and spouse/dependent coverage, visit www.hr.msu.edu/benefits/students.index.html or contact the MSU Human Resources, 1407 South Harrison, 1-517-353-4434 or e-mail Student Insurance at Human Resources at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu.

Student Motor Vehicle Registration^{2, 3}

Vehicles and Mopeds operated or parked on MSU property by MSU students must be registered with the MSU Parking Office. Failure to do so may result in parking violations and/or visit www.police.msu.edu  to register your vehicle and to view the Student Parking and Driving Regulations. Refer to the Web site for dates to register vehicles.

2020-2021 STUDENT VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEES

Bicycle Registration

Any bicycle possessed, operated, or left unattended on campus must be registered, parked and locked at a bike rack and in operable condition; otherwise, it may be impounded and fees assessed to retrieve it. MSU, City of Lansing, City of East Lansing, Lansing Township and Meridian Township registrations (permits) are acceptable. Permits must be current, valid and adhered to the bike's stationary frame-post below the seat, facing the handlebars. Failure to properly display and/or affix the permit may result in bicycle impoundment. Visit www.police.msu.edu to register a bike (make, color and serial number must be included). There is no charge for the permit.

Campus Bus Service⁴

Spartan Marching Band Fees

Specific charges are listed in the Marching Band Handbook sent to qualifying students. Early arrival housing fees vary depending on student's housing accommodations. See the Marching Band Handbook for more information.

Student Activity Admission

Student discounts on tickets at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts:

MSU students are able, WHEN APPLICABLE, to purchase up to two $19.00 Performing Art Series and up to two $29.00 MSU Federal Credit Union Broadway tickets per valid ID.

Athletic Event Admission

Students who are assessed fees for 12 or more credits (6 or more credits for doctoral students) are eligible for:

• Student discounts on football, basketball, and/or hockey season tickets for themselves and their spouses.
•  Free admission to MSU Olympic Sports regular-season, non-championship home games when presenting a current MSU Student ID card. 

¹    For additional information refer to Student Health Service at Olin Health Center in this section and in the Other Departments and Offices for Research and Services section of this catalog.
²    Permits purchased subsequent to fall semester are reduced in price proportionately.
³    First-year students residing in Residence Halls are not eligible to operate a motor vehicle on campus.
⁴    For additional information refer to the Transportation Services on Campus section of this catalog.

A.    AUTHORITY FOR HOLD USE

1. Financial Holds
   The Vice President for Finance and Treasurer is responsible for the collection, custody, and accounting for all monies due the University. Holds may be employed to collect any financial obligations due to the University's operating funds or to student loan funds.
2. Conduct Holds
   The procedures for student discipline are specified in Michigan State University Student Rights and Responsibilities (SRR), Graduate Student Rights and Responsibilities (GSRR), Law Student Rights and Responsibilities (LSRR), and Medical Student Rights and Responsibilities (MSRR). Administrators and hearing bodies are specifically authorized under this administrative ruling to request of the Office of the Provost or the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services the use of the conduct hold related to a specific aspect of the student conduct process (outlined in “Criteria for Hold Use”).
3. Academic Holds
   Academic holds are used to assure that students abide by reasonable rules and regulations as a condition of admission to and retention in the University. Agencies of the University and academic administrators are authorized under this administrative ruling to initiate use of the academic hold for this purpose.
4. Administrative Holds
   Administrative holds are also used to assure that students abide by reasonable rules and regulations as a condition of admission to and retention in the University. Agencies of the University and academic administrators are authorized under this administrative ruling to initiate use of the administrative hold for this purpose.

B.    CRITERIA FOR HOLD USE

1. Financial Holds
   Criteria for use of the financial hold shall be as follows:
   1. Holds may be employed to collect any financial obligations due to the University's operating funds or to student loan funds.
      Examples of these obligations are: student tuition, residence hall room and board, deferred payments, traffic violations, charges for damages to University property, University housing apartment rent, past due loans (including ASMSU Student Loan Fund), library fines, bad checks cashed by students or presented in payment of student indebtedness, charges originating in various operating units (such as the Health Center, MSU Union, Veterinary Clinic, etc.), overdrafts in student organizations accounts, etc.
   2. Holds may not be used for collection of debts owed to any non-University agency. For purposes of this administrative ruling, registered student organizations, and student media groups (newspapers and radio) are defined as non-University agencies.
   3. Except in the case of bad checks or debts turned over to Delinquent Receivables within the Controller’s Office, holds may be used only in those cases in which the student has been given or sent adequate notice of his or her indebtedness and warning of hold use prior to issuance of the hold.
   4. A current list of all University agencies authorized by the Vice President for Finance and Treasurer to issue financial holds shall be maintained by the Student Receivables Division, Controller's Office.
   5. Students are entitled to appeal the legitimacy of charges placed against them through established due process procedures. Students are expected to exercise these rights at the time of original notification of indebtedness.
   6. A student will not be permitted to enroll for courses, be registered, be readmitted to the University, have an application for admission to a new program of study processed, or receive services such as transcripts and diplomas, if a financial hold has been placed on the student. Additionally, in some circumstances, financial aid processing may be withheld if a financial hold has been placed.
   7. If a student has enrolled for courses and has not paid the financial obligation which created the financial hold by a specified due date, the student will be dropped from the courses in which he/she is enrolled. If a student is disenrolled after the quarter of a term for non-payment, an enrollment hold will be placed to prevent re-enrollment in that term.  The hold can be lifted if the student provides proof of financial resources to pay for the courses (and Housing, if applicable).
2. Conduct Holds
   The following three types of conduct holds are available to administrators and hearing bodies pursuant to this document:
   1.  Suspension/Dismissal Hold: A suspension/dismissal hold may be imposed for a student who has been suspended or dismissed under the procedures outlined in the SRR, GSRR, LSRR, or MSRR to prevent the student’s reenrollment and/or registration.
   2. SCCR Hold: A Student Conflict and Conflict Resolution (SCCR) hold may be imposed in order to (1) require a student to respond to an allegation that the student violated University regulations, in accordance with the due process guidelines outlined in the SRR, GSRR, LSRR, or MSRR or (2) ensure that a student complies with all sanctions imposed per the procedures outlined in the SRR, GSRR, LSRR, or MSRR.
   3. Investigation Hold: An investigation hold may be imposed until the conclusion of the investigation and appeal process involving an alleged violation of the University’s Anti-Discrimination Policy (ADP) or Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy (RVSMP).
   4. For all conduct holds except the Investigation Hold, a student will not be permitted to enroll for courses, be registered, be readmitted to the University, have an application for admission to a new program of study processed, or receive an official transcript, or receive a diploma if a conduct hold has been imposed.  For the Investigation Hold, the student will not be permitted to receive an official transcript or receive a diploma until the hold is lifted.
   5. The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services or the Office of the Provost shall authorize the issuance of holds under the terms of the criteria in the above sections.
3. Academic Holds
   1. The Provost and College deans and their designees are authorized to issue an academic hold which prevents a student from enrolling in courses and registering (paying of fees) because the student (1) has not met or needs to complete an academic requirement, e.g., has not declared a major, has failed to meet conditions of reinstatement or readmission, has failed to take the international student English proficiency test, has failed to supply required transcripts; (2) has been recessed or dismissed; (3) needs to see an academic advisor due to academic-related issues; or (4) has not met or needs to complete a recognized obligation incurred in the regular course of an academic program or in using an academic service.
   2. The student shall have had reasonable opportunity to be informed of and to comply with the academic requirement and shall have been given or sent warning prior to issuance of a hold.
   3. To ensure that the above conditions and criteria are being met, the persons and agencies authorized to issue academic holds shall provide a copy of their hold use procedures to the Office of the Provost for review and approval.
4. Administrative Holds
   1. The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services will authorize agencies which may place an administrative hold which prevents students from enrolling in courses and registering (payment of fees) and/or financial aid processing. Administrative holds are placed on students who have failed to meet a requirement which has been established by University policy or regulation such as, but not limited to, financial aid requirements, student housing policy, and international student health insurance. Within this category are those regulations with which a student must comply prior to enrollment. A current list of all University agencies authorized by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services to issue administrative holds shall be maintained by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services.
   2. The student shall have had reasonable opportunity to be informed of and to comply with the administrative requirement and shall have been given or sent warning prior to issuance of a hold.
   3. To ensure that the above conditions and criteria are being met, the persons and agencies authorized to issue administrative holds shall provide a copy of their hold use procedures to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services for review and approval.

C.    FURTHER GENERAL STIPULATIONS

1. Agencies and authorized personnel of the University shall make every effort to minimize the use of holds and shall employ alternative methods to accomplish their purposes whenever feasible.
2. Procedures for financial hold use shall be developed by the Office of the Vice President for Finance and Treasurer. Procedures for judicial hold use shall be developed by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services and the Office of the Provost. Procedures for academic hold use shall be developed by the Office of the Provost. Procedures for administrative hold use shall be developed by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services. All procedures shall include provision for the following:
   1. Adequate prior notice to the student (including all pertinent details) of pending placement of a hold, prior to issuance except in the case of bad checks.
   2. Procedures for the student to challenge the placement of a hold, prior to the issuance of a hold.
   3. While a student is in the process of appealing the case in question, the hold will not be issued.
   4. Review by the offices responsible for developing hold use procedures to ensure that the administrative ruling on holds is being accurately and consistently followed.
3. When a student has satisfied the conditions which precipitated a hold, the responsible agency or administrator placing the hold will ensure that the hold is removed.

D.    JUDICIAL REVIEW
        This administrative ruling and all procedures and administrative decisions stemming therefrom shall be subject to judicial review as provided in
        Student Rights and Responsibilities at Michigan State University.

These regulations establish the criteria for eligibility to receive in-state tuition rates at Michigan State University.  Based on information supplied in the application for admission, a student will be classified as an in-state or out-of-state student. Any student who believes he/she has been incorrectly classified may complete an Application for Classification to In-State Fee Status (see section V., below).

Students may qualify for in-state tuition status in any of the following ways:  

1. Establishing domicile in Michigan;
2. Establishing that they (a) have attended for at least three (3) years an accredited Michigan high school; (b) have graduated from an accredited Michigan high school, or obtained a Michigan General Educational Development High School Equivalency Certificate (GED); and (c) will start their education at the University within forty (40) months of high school graduation or receipt of a GED; or
3. Establishing that they have met one of the criteria listed in section III.

For purposes of these Regulations, “domicile” is defined as the place where an individual intends his/her true, fixed, and permanent home and principal establishment to be, and to which the individual intends to return whenever he/she is absent from the University.

Generally, an individual whose activities and circumstances, as documented to the University, demonstrate that he/she is domiciled in Michigan will be eligible for in-state tuition status. An individual whose presence in the State is based on activities or circumstances that are indeterminate or temporary will not be eligible for in-state tuition status. 

A.  Dependent Students. 

The domicile of a dependent student¹ is presumed to be the same as that of the student's natural or adoptive parents.² If only one parent is domiciled in Michigan, the student will be presumed to be a Michigan domiciliary whether or not that parent is the student's custodial parent.

A parent will be considered to be domiciled in Michigan if he/she:

(1) is permanently employed in Michigan; 
(2) has established a household in Michigan; and 
(3) has severed out-of-state ties.

B.  Non-dependent Students. 

A non-dependent student will be considered domiciled in Michigan if he/she has resided in Michigan for the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the first day of classes of the semester for which he/she is seeking in-state tuition status,³ and also meets either of the following criteria:

1. The student, or the student’s spouse, is employed in Michigan in a full-time, permanent job, and the employment is the primary purpose for the student's presence in Michigan; or
2. The student has not enrolled in any academic courses at any two-year or four-year degree granting institution during this twelve-month period.

Non-U.S. citizens who are entitled to reside permanently in the United States are eligible for in-state tuition by showing that they have established a Michigan domicile as defined in sections I(A) or I(B) of these Regulations. At present, non-U.S. citizens who are entitled to reside permanently in the United States include:
 

1. Permanent Resident Aliens: must be fully processed and possess Permanent Resident Alien card or stamp in passport verifying final approval by filing deadline for applicable term.
2. Refugees: I-94 card must designate "Refugee."
3. A, E (primary), G, and I Visa holders: Based upon current law, these non-immigrant visa classifications are the only ones that permit the visa holder to establish a domicile in the United States. The Registrar shall update this list as changes occur in applicable law. 

D.  Circumstances that do not Demonstrate Michigan Domicile. 

None of the following conclusively demonstrates Michigan domicile:

1. Enrollment in a Michigan high school, community college, or university.
2. Employment in Michigan that is temporary or short-term.
3. Employment in Michigan in a position that is normally held by a student.
4. Ownership of property in Michigan.
5. Presence of relatives (other than parent of a dependent) in Michigan. 
6. Possession of a Michigan driver's license or voter's registration.
7. Payment of Michigan income or property taxes.
8. A statement of intent to be domiciled in Michigan.
9. The payment of University fees on behalf of a student.

II.  Establishing Eligibility through Michigan High School Attendance and Graduation.

Students who meet all of the following three (3) requirements will be eligible for in-state tuition status:

1. Attend an accredited Michigan high school for three (3) years;
2. Graduate from an accredited Michigan high school, or obtain a Michigan general Educational Development High School Equivalency Certificate (GED); and
3. Start their education at the University within forty (40) months of high school graduation or receipt of a GED.  

Students are eligible to receive in-state tuition under this section regardless of whether they are domiciled in Michigan, residents of Michigan, or citizens of the United States.

III.  Other Ways to Establish Eligibility.

Students who meet any of the following standards will receive in-state tuition:

1. If a student, or the parent of a dependent student, is a missionary funded by a Michigan church, and the student or parent was domiciled in Michigan at the time he/she went on the mission.
2. If the parent of a dependent student, or an independent student (as defined by the Higher Education Act of 1965, section 480(d)), has been employed as a migrant worker⁴ in Michigan for a minimum of two (2) months each year for three (3) of the five (5) years prior to the date of the proposed in-state tuition status, or for a minimum of three (3) months each year for two (2) of the five (5) years prior to the date of the proposed in-state tuition status, the student shall be classified as in-state. Proof and verification of employment is required.
3. A person using educational assistance under either Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill^® - Active Duty Program), Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill^®) of Title 38 of the United States Code, and/or the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9)), Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation) while attending Michigan State University (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).
4. A student who, or whose spouse, or parent in the case of a dependent student:
   (1) is serving on active duty in the United States Uniformed Services;
   (2) is serving in the guard or reserves in one of those reserve components; or
   (3) has received an honorable discharge from one of those Services or reserve components.
5. A student who has served as a volunteer of the Peace Corps and who has satisfactorily completed his/her Peace Corps contract.
6. Graduate students during the period of their appointment as Graduate Assistants.
7. A student who is employed full-time by the University, or whose spouse, or parent in the case of dependent student, is employed full-time by the University.

IV.  Absences from Michigan. 

If a student, or the parent of a dependent student, is domiciled in Michigan, but has been temporarily transferred outside Michigan by his/her employer (but has not become domiciled outside Michigan), the student will receive in-state tuition.

If the student, or the parent of a dependent student, moves out of Michigan after the completion of the student’s sophomore year in an accredited Michigan high school, the student will receive in-state tuition if: (1) the student and his/her parent resided in Michigan for a minimum of ten (10) years prior to departure; and (2) the student attends the University the fall semester following high school graduation.

If a student, or the parent of a dependent student, moves out of Michigan during the time the student is enrolled as a full-time student at the University, the student's in-state tuition status will be maintained as long as he/she continues to be enrolled. If a student moves out of Michigan for more than twelve (12) months while enrolled as a less than full-time student, the student will not be eligible for in-state tuition, unless the student presents clear and convincing evidence that he/she has maintained his/her domicile in Michigan despite the move.

A prospective student who qualifies for in-state tuition under sections I., II., or III. above will be eligible for in-state intuition even if he/she attends a college or university outside of Michigan prior to enrolling at the University.

V.  Applying for In-State Tuition Status. 

Any student who has been classified as out-of-state and who believes he/she is eligible for in-state tuition status under the above provisions must submit:

1. An Application for Classification to In-State Fee Status;
2. A written statement explaining how he/she meets the criteria for in-state tuition status as set forth in these Regulations; and
3. A copy of the student’s driver's license.

A student requesting in-state status based on his/her residence, or a dependent student who is establishing domicile through his/her parent(s), must also provide:

1. A copy of a lease agreement(s), mortgage, property deed, or property title;
2. In the case of a dependent student, a copy of the parent’s driver’s license; and 
3. A copy of the first, second, and signature pages of the most recent year’s federal and State income tax returns (forms US 1040 and MI-1040) with all accompanying W2s (including Schedules C and E, if self-employed).

A student requesting in-state status based on the permanent, full-time employment of herself or himself, a parent, or a spouse must provide all of the above items listed in this section, and:

1. A letter from the employer on letterhead that provides the employer’s physical address; and
2. A copy of the most recent pay stub showing Michigan taxes being withheld.

The application and documentation should be submitted to the Office of the Registrar, Hannah Administration Building, 426 Auditorium Road, Room 150, East Lansing, MI 48824, at least thirty (30) days before the start of the semester for which in-state tuition status is sought. The average processing time is two (2) to four (4) weeks after all documents have been received. In-state status applies only to entire semesters. Students will not be granted in-state status for part of a semester. The application and documentation will not be returned. The student is advised to keep a copy for his/her records.

The application will be given to a Review Committee comprised of at least three (3) members, including an Associate Registrar. In cases where the documentation appears to be unclear or incomplete, a member of the Review Committee will attempt to contact the student and explain the need for further clarification and/or supportive documentation.

VI.  Appeal of a Decision of Ineligibility for In-State Tuition. 

A student desiring to challenge the decision of the Review Committee shall have the right to appeal the determination. The appeal should consist of a written statement and any supporting documentation explaining why the decision of the Review Committee is wrong.  

The appeal will be reviewed by the Out-of-State Fees Committee.  The Out-of-State Fees Committee consists of the Executive Vice President, Administrative Services, Chairperson; the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services; the Associate Controller; the Dean of the Graduate School; the Dean of Undergraduate Studies; one (1) undergraduate student representing ASMSU; one (1) graduate student representing COGS; the Director of Admissions, ex officio; and the University Registrar or his/her designee, ex officio. Ex officio members are non-voting.

If a student's appeal is denied by the Out-of-State Fees Committee, the student may ask to appear in person before the Out-of-State Fees Committee to further clarify his/her position. A student wishing to appear in person should file a written request with the Office of the Registrar. The request should specify the documentation about which the student intends to speak.

VII.  Miscellaneous. 

The University will correct any errors that have occurred in determining eligibility for in-state tuition. When a student provides evidence that he/she was eligible for in-state tuition in a prior semester, the student may seek retroactive in-state tuition status and a refund of the out-of-state tuition differential.  The student should send a written request with supporting documentation to the Office of the Registrar, Hannah Administration Building, 426 Auditorium Road, Room 150, East Lansing, Michigan 48824-2603.

If a student has accepted a bona fide offer of permanent, full-time employment in Michigan following graduation from the University, the student may seek a payment of the out-of-state tuition differential paid in any semesters falling completely within the twelve (12) months preceding the date of the student's acceptance of the offer of employment. All requests for this payment must be made within one (1) calendar year of graduation date.

Falsification of records is prohibited. According to Article 5.01 of the University's General Student Regulations, "No student shall provide false information for the purpose of gaining benefit for oneself or others to any office, agency, or individual acting on behalf of the University." The University reserves the right to audit enrolled or prospective students at any time with regard to eligibility for in-state tuition.

Each residence hall has a team comprised of a community director, neighborhood administrative coordinators, community support staff, residence hall directors or assistant community directors, resident assistants, and service center representatives. These staff members are responsible for community building, linking students to support services across campus, and responding to emergencies that may arise in the building. 

 

The MSU Residence Halls Association (RHA) is the on-campus student government at Michigan State University. Representing more than 14,000 students, MSU RHA is one of the largest Residence Halls Associations in the country. MSU RHA is dedicated to improving the on-campus living experience, and providing many services to students. Campus Center Cinemas, RHA TV, and a number of on-campus events are all services that are provided to the students by RHA.

Michigan State University’s living-learning, academic and special interest programs allow students who share similar academic interests to live together in a designated residence hall or on a particular residence hall floor. Many of the living-learning options allow students to attend class with the same group of peers in their residence hall, which enhances friendships, networking and facilitated ease of gatherings and study time. For more information on living-learning communities at MSU, visit www.liveon.msu.edu. 

 

New students, including transfers and graduate students, receive housing application information after being admitted to the university. Applications for housing at MSU are completed online through the My Housing portal, which is accessible via liveon.msu.edu. Any questions regarding the housing application process should be directed to the Housing Assignments Office at 517-884-5483, 877-954-8366 or liveon@msu.edu.

 

Housing is available for summer session, although reservations are handled separately from those for the regular school year. Students can apply for summer session in the middle of the spring semester. At the end of summer session, students must move out of their summer residence hall and move to their fall placement.

The Off-Campus Housing Office, 101 Student Services Building, has current listings of housing available to all members of the University community. Staff members in the office also provide general advice and information to persons with problems arising from off-campus housing situations. Off-campus dining plans are available for purchase.

MSU’s dining plan allows unlimited access to each of our ten residential dining halls. It also includes Combo-X-Change, which allows a meal access as a combo at all Sparty’s locations, Sparty’s Market (an urban-style grocery store), the MSU Union Food Court, and for takeout from the dining halls. Six Combo-X-Changes are available to use each week (no more than one can be used per day) for on-the-go meals or quick snacks during a study break.

Wherever you eat on campus, your health is one of our top priorities. In each campus neighborhood, an executive chef oversees the creation of daily menus, including vegetarian, vegan and allergy-friendly offerings. Our nationally-recognized food allergy program creates a personalized experience for diners, and nutrition and allergen information is always available at eatatstate.com.

 

University Housing Assignments Office

Housing Assignments Office
1855 Place
550 S. Harrison Road
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48823
Telephone:  1-517-884-LIVE (5483) or
877-9 LIVE ON (954-8366)
E-mail: liveon@msu.edu
Web: www.liveon.msu.edu

Culinary Services

Culinary Services Office
1855 Place
550 S. Harrison Road
East Lansing, MI 48823
Telephone:  1-517-884-0660
E-mail: info@eatatstate.com
Web: www.eatatstate.com

Off-Campus Housing

Off-Campus Housing Office
101 Student Services Building
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1113
Telephone:  1-517-355-8303

Michigan State University's housing system seeks to provide an educational environment which is maximally conducive to the learning process of students. Consistent with this philosophy, a variety of living options supported by student fees, is made available in university housing. The university has requirements for on-campus residence to promote an optimal learning environment for students. Any undergraduate student enrolled for seven or more credits at Michigan State University for a semester, summer session excluded, is subject to the university's housing regulations. Compliance with the university housing policy is a condition of enrollment.

As members of a learning community, students may be asked to participate in periodic and ongoing institutional self-studies designed to promote program improvement.  Michigan State University continually assesses itself in order to evaluate the effectiveness of its programs.  Students are expected to participate in these assessment efforts should they be selected to do so.

A full-time faculty member of Michigan State University may not carry course work in residence, or in absentia, amounting to more than an average of four course credits a semester with a maximum of eight credits during fall and spring. There is no maximum number of master's thesis or doctoral dissertation research credits that may be carried each semester. See Admission of Faculty Members of Michigan State University to Graduate Study in the Graduate Education section of this catalog.

LEGAL NAME. Students are required to provide their legal name at the time of application and to process official name changes while enrolled, as appropriate. Name change requests must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar with appropriate documentation. Documentation consists of a current driver’s license, official state ID card, Social Security card, court order of legal name change, current passport, or official proof of identity certified by U.S. embassy abroad or by the appropriate foreign embassy in the United States.

DIPLOMA NAME. Students indicate their diploma name on the Michigan State University Application for Graduation. The student name listed on a diploma or certificate must match the legal name as it is recorded on the student’s official university record, with the following exceptions: option of first name or initial; option of middle name or initial; inclusion of former or maiden name(s); and inclusion of proper capitalization and accentuation of name.

PREFERRED NAME. The university recognizes that many of its students use names other than their legal names to identify themselves. Students may indicate their preferred first name on the Michigan State University Application for Admission or by accessing STUinfo.

Once established, preferred name will be used across university systems, where possible. The university reserves the right to remove a preferred name if it is used inappropriately, including but not limited to, avoiding a legal obligation or misrepresentation. The legal name will continue to be used for certain university records, documents, and business processes such as reporting, financial aid, official transcripts, and other records where use of legal name is required by law or university policy.

Students may update or remove their preferred name via STUInfo or in person at the Office of the Registrar, Hannah Administration Building, 426 Auditorium Road, Room 150, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824-2603.

No person is allowed to attend a class unless officially enrolled on a credit or non-credit basis with the appropriate fees paid. Students who attend, participate and strive to complete course requirements without formal enrollment will not receive credit for their work.

There is no university-wide regulation requiring class attendance. However, attendance is an essential and intrinsic element of the educational process. In any course in which attendance is necessary to the achievement of a clearly defined set of course objectives, it may be a valid consideration in determining the student's grade. It is the responsibility of the instructor to define the policy for attendance at the beginning of the course.

REPORTING NON-ATTENDANCE. In compliance with federal regulations governing financial aid and veterans education benefits, instructors are required to report students who stop attending or who have never attended class. After the first week of classes, through the middle of the term of instruction, instructors who identify a non-attending student should notify their departmental office. Upon receiving a report of non-attendance, departmental representatives are encouraged to initiate an administrative drop.

Attendance is defined as physical attendance or participation in an academically-related activity, including but not limited to the submission of an assignment, an examination, participation in a study group or an online discussion. Instructors who do not take attendance may utilize key assessment points (e.g. projects, papers, mid-term exams, and discussions) as benchmarks for participation.

DROP FOR NON-ATTENDANCE. Students may be dropped from a course for non-attendance by a departmental administrative drop after the fourth class period, or the fifth class day of the term of instruction, whichever occurs first.

CLASS NOTES AND UNIVERSITY SUPPLIED MATERIALS. As a condition of continued course enrollment and allowed class attendance, a student will refrain from commercializing notes of class lectures and university-supplied materials, by direct sale or by contract with a third party or otherwise, without the express written permission of the instructor. Students may be removed from a class only after a hearing in the department or school, as described in the Student Rights and Responsibilities at Michigan State University, Article 2.4.

FIELD TRIPS. Field trips involving absence from classes must be authorized in advance by the dean of the college in which the course is given. The cost of field trips which are part of organized courses of instruction must be borne by the participating students and are additional to the usual course fees.

Students who must change from one section to another in the same course may do so using the enrollment system through the first 1/14th of the term of instruction (the 5th day of classes in the fall and spring semesters).  After the period ends, changes of section must be made in the department responsible for teaching the course.

Undergraduate Students: To initiate a late drop or withdrawal, the student must obtain approval from the office of the associate dean of his or her college or if not yet admitted to college, the associate dean of the Neighborhood Student Success Collaborative. Exceptions are James Madison College, Lyman Briggs College, the Residential College in Arts and Humanities.

Graduate Students: To initiate a late drop or withdrawal, students must obtain approval from their advisor or major professor and their graduate program director. 

DROPPING ALL COURSES. See the statement on Withdrawal from the University.

Cancellation of enrollment includes the administrative cancellation of a student's registration due to nonpayment of fees, or because of academic recess or dismissal. Courses in which the student is enrolled will be deleted from the official record. The cancellation of a student's registration may be processed by the Office of the Controller or the Office of the Registrar.

WITHDRAWAL PRIOR TO THE MIDDLE OF THE TERM OF INSTRUCTION. A withdrawal from the university occurs when students drop all of their courses within a semester. Students may drop all of their courses through the middle of the term of instruction using the online enrollment system or in person at the Office of the Registrar, 150 Administration Building. For withdrawals that occur before the middle of the term of instruction, courses in which the student is enrolled will be deleted from the official record.

Undergraduate students are strongly advised to seek guidance regarding the impact of withdrawal from the university by contacting either the associate dean of their major college or academic advisor. For most students who have fewer than 56 credit hours, the Associate Dean’s function is served by the Neighborhood Student Success Collaborative (NSSC). Exceptions are James Madison College, Lyman Briggs College, the Residential College in Arts and Humanities. Graduate students should consult with their advisor, major professor, or graduate program director; this is especially important if appointed as a graduate assistant.

Graduate students should consult with their advisor, major professor, or graduate program director; this is especially important if appointed as a graduate assistant.

Additionally:

• Fees are subject to refund according to the refund policy.
• A student living in a residence hall should consult the manager regarding the policy on the refund of room and board fees.
• A student living in an off-campus organized living unit should consult the individual unit for policies regarding room and board refunds.
• A graduate student appointed as graduate assistant forfeits his/her assistantship upon withdrawal from the university.
• Any student whose enrollment at this university is interrupted for any reason so that he or she has not been enrolled for three consecutive semesters, including the summer sessions should submit a readmission to the Office of the Registrar at www.reg.msu.edu.

WITHDRAWAL AFTER THE MIDDLE OF THE TERM OF INSTRUCTION. A student may drop a course or withdraw after the middle of the term of instruction only to correct errors in the enrollment or because of events of catastrophic impact, such as serious personal illness. If the student is passing the course, or there is no basis for assignment of a grade at the time of the drop, a W grade will be assigned. If failing, a 0.0 (or N in a P-N graded course) will be assigned. The course will remain on the student’s academic record.

Undergraduate Students: To initiate a late withdrawal, the student must obtain approval from the office of the associate dean of his or her college or the Neighborhood Student Success Collaborative. Exceptions are James Madison College, Lyman Briggs College, the Residential College in Arts and Humanities.

Graduate students should consult with their advisor, major professor, or graduate program director; this is especially important if appointed as a graduate assistant.

There is no formal procedure for withdrawal at the end of a semester; however, a student living in university housing should notify the manager of the appropriate unit.

UNAUTHORIZED. Students who leave the university during a semester or summer session without officially dropping their courses will be reported as having failed those courses and will forfeit any fees or deposits paid to the university. The withdrawal procedure will not take place automatically for the student who leaves campus because of illness, of either one's self or family member, or for interim or final suspension for disciplinary reasons, but must be initiated by the student. Fees are subject to refund according to the refund policy.

INVOLUNTARY. Students who are called into the armed forces during the semester should submit a copy of their orders to the Office of the Registrar for appropriate action.

ACADEMIC RECESS OR DISMISSAL. If a student is academically recessed or dismissed, courses in subsequent semesters are dropped without grades and fees are subject to refund according to the refund policy.

In keeping with university practice, entry into, and participation in, course examinations is controlled through electronic and visual means and by proctored examination site procedures.

In certain courses, such as those offered online, an individual student may be required to arrange to take examinations in a proctored environment on-campus or off-campus. Any costs associated with taking such proctored examinations are the responsibility of the student. The Michigan State University Testing Office is a proctored-testing site for distance learning, www.testingoffice.msu.edu/. It is a member of the Consortium of College Testing Centers which is a free referral service provided by the National College Testing Association to facilitate distance learning, www.ncta-testing.org.

During the final week of each fall and spring semester all courses shall meet for one 2-hour period. The  Final Examination Policy is available at https://reg.msu.edu/ROInfo/Calendar/FinalExam.aspx. During summer sessions, final examinations are scheduled in the last class sessions.  This period should be used for examination, discussion, summarizing the course, obtaining student evaluation of the course instruction, or any other appropriate activity designed to advance the student's education. If an instructor requires a written report or take-home examination in place of a final examination, it shall not be due before the final examination period scheduled for that course. Exceptions to this paragraph may be approved by the department or school chairperson, or in a college without departments, by the dean.

In the event that a final examination is deemed appropriate by the instructor, it may not be scheduled at any time other than the date and hour listed in Schedule of Courses. Any deviations from the final examination schedule must be approved by the Office of the Registrar based on the recommendation of the assistant/associate dean of the college responsible for the course offering.

No student should be required to take more than two examinations during any one day of the final examination period. Students who have more than two examinations scheduled during one calendar day during the final examination period may contact the Academic Student Affairs Office in their colleges for assistance in arranging for an alternate time for one of the three examinations.

Faculty members shall schedule office hours during the final examination period (or in some other way attempt to make themselves accessible to their students) as they do in the other weeks of the semester.

Common final examinations are scheduled in certain courses with several class sections. In case of a conflict in time between such an examination and a regularly scheduled course examination, the latter has priority. The department or school giving the common  examination must arrange for a make-up examination.

A student absent from a final examination without a satisfactory explanation will receive a grade of 0.0 on the numerical system, NC on the CR-NC system, or N in the case of a course authorized for grading on the P-N system. Students unable to take a final examination because of illness or other reason over which they have no control should notify the associate deans of their colleges immediately.

For information on other examinations, see the Undergraduate Education and Graduate Education sections of this catalog.

All currently approved courses can be found in online Course Descriptions at: https://reg.msu.edu/Courses/Search.aspx.

For current scheduling information for all courses, visit the Schedule of Courses at www.schedule.msu.edu.

001-099 Non-Credit Courses

Courses with these numbers are offered by the university to permit students to make up deficiencies in previous training or to improve their facility in certain basic skills without earning credit.

For information about remedial-developmental-preparatory courses, consult the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog.

100-299 Undergraduate Courses

Courses with these numbers are for undergraduate students. They carry no graduate credit, although graduate students may be admitted to such courses in order to make up prerequisites or to gain a foundation for advanced courses.

For information about remedial-developmental-preparatory courses, consult the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog.

300-499 Advanced Undergraduate Courses

Courses with these numbers are for advanced undergraduate students. They constitute the advanced portion of an undergraduate program leading to the bachelor's degree. A graduate student may carry 400-level courses for credit upon approval of the student's major department or school. In exceptional cases, a graduate student may petition the dean of his or her college, in writing, for approval of a 300-level course for graduate credit.

500-699 Graduate-Professional Courses

Courses with these numbers are courses in the graduate-professional programs. A graduate student may carry these courses for credit with approval of the major department or school.

800-899 Graduate Courses

Courses with these numbers are for graduate students. Advanced undergraduates with Honors College status or a grade-point average in their total programs equal to or greater than the minimum requirement for graduation with honors may be admitted to 800-899 courses. The student must obtain approval of the relevant department. More than half of the credits of the total required for a master's degree shall be taken at the 800-and 900-level except as specifically exempted by the dean of the college.

900-999 Advanced Graduate Courses

Courses with these numbers are exclusively for graduate students and primarily for advanced graduate students. A master's degree student may take these courses with the approval of the major department or school, with the exception of courses numbered 999 (doctoral dissertation research). Admission to a doctoral degree program is a prerequisite of all courses numbered 999.

Courses at Michigan State University are given on a  "semester" basis, and credits earned are semester credits. To convert semester credits to the “term” or “quarter” basis employed in certain other institutions, multiply by 3/2. To convert term credits to semester credits, multiply by 2/3.

Each course usually carries a specific number of credits based upon the number of instructional contact hours and study hours required each week per semester. The earning of a credit requires, as a minimum, one instructor-student contact hour per week per semester plus two hours of study per contact hour; OR two hours of laboratory contact hours per week per semester, plus one additional hour spent in report writing and study; OR other combinations of contact and study hours which constitute an equivalent of these experiences. In all courses taught in the time frame of the regular semester, regardless of format, provision will be made for contact hours and/or study hours which reflect optimal use of the class and study time provided for in the official university calendar. In courses in other time frames provision will be made for contact hours and study time in a combination, which is equivalent to the semester experience.

The number of credits normally carried in a semester is defined in the Undergraduate Education and Graduate Education sections of this catalog.

Persons who are assessed fees for 7 or more credits (6 or more credits for doctoral students) in a semester:

1. Are subject to the housing regulations as stated in University Housing Policy.
2. May utilize the facilities of the Olin Health Center. Information on services available and the charges made may be obtained at the Olin Health Center.
3. May purchase football, basketball, and/or hockey season tickets for themselves and their spouses at 50 percent of the public rate.
4. Are eligible for free admission to other regularly scheduled athletic events.
5. Are eligible for student discounts on series tickets to professional performing arts events at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts.
6. Are eligible to purchase one guest ticket to professional performing arts events at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts and Institute for Arts and Culture. One validated student ID card must be presented with every two student-rate tickets when attending a performance.

For each variable credit course, the range of credits for which a student may enroll in a given semester and the maximum number of credits that a student may earn in a course with a reenrollment provision shall be specified.

The formats described in this document apply to courses in which credits are earned. (For the definition of a credit, refer to Credits.)

In all courses for credit, regardless of format, there will be instructor evaluation of individual learning. In this document, instructor is defined as a person authorized to teach the course by the administrator of the academic unit that administers the course.

The formats acceptable for courses offered for credit are those listed below. Two or more of the formats listed may be combined; for example, lecture and laboratory, discussion and online and/or lecture and hybrid.

Lecture
Definition:  A regularly scheduled class in which the instructor takes the dominant role and the primary emphasis is on transmitting a body of knowledge or information and explaining ideas or principles. Student comments or questions will be accommodated as circumstances permit. In some courses, students may be expected to participate in classroom activities by means appropriate to the subject matter, such as discussion, performance, etc. Information regarding required text and reading list is provided.

Recitation
Definition: A regularly scheduled interactive class in which the instructor supplements lectures by clarifying concepts and responding to student questions. Students may be expected to participate in classroom activities by means appropriate to the subject matter through discussion, solving problems, or group learning. Papers, projects, etc., may be assigned.

Discussion
Definition:  A regularly scheduled class in which a group of students, under the direction of the instructor, considers predetermined topics, issues, or problems and exchanges evidence, analyses, reactions, and conclusions about them with one another. Papers, projects, etc., may be assigned.  A list of topics for discussion; basic texts, reading list, or other materials are specified. Enrollment normally limited.

Seminar
Definition:  A regularly scheduled class in which a small group of students is engaged, under the leadership of the instructor, in research or advanced study. Topics may be interdisciplinary or highly specialized. Maximal opportunity for peer exchange is provided. Instructor provides broad outline of possible topics and procedures. Enrollment normally limited to 15 students.

Laboratory
Definition:  A regularly scheduled class with primary emphasis on learning by doing or observing, with the burden of course activity placed on the student, under the direction and supervision of the instructor, for the purpose of giving first-hand experience, developing and practicing skills, translating theory into practice, and developing, testing, and applying principles.  Manuals, needed materials, instruments, equipment, and/or tools are provided, or recommendations are made for their acquisition.

Studio
Definition:  A regularly scheduled class with primary emphasis on student activity leading to skill development and the enhancement and encouragement of the student's artistic growth. Needed materials, instruments, equipment, and/or tools are provided, or recommendations are made for their acquisition. Evaluation of individual learning may include public display of proficiency and/or evaluation by faculty other than the student's instructor. Each student receives from the instructor an end-of-semester assessment of accomplishment.

Online
Definition:  A class in which all instruction is delivered in an online environment. Texts, reading lists, in-person orientations, proctored examinations and/or other non-instructional experiences may be required as stipulated. Online courses are classified as on-campus courses.

Hybrid (Blended)
Definition:  A class that blends online instruction with required or scheduled in-person contact, including examinations, laboratories, etc. At least 50% of the class is delivered through online instruction. Proctored examinations, texts, reading lists, and/or other materials are stipulated. Hybrid courses with on-campus meetings are classified as on-campus courses.

In the following course formats (except master's thesis research and doctoral dissertation research), a minimum combined total of 30 instructor-student contact hours and student class/study/work hours per credit per semester is expected. The division among these hours will be determined by the instructor, in consultation, as needed, with other qualified supervisors.

Workshop
Definition:  An organized learning experience with the same purposes and methods as the laboratory or studio, usually offered in a concentrated period shorter than a semester. Broad outline of possible activities and procedures is provided.

Institute
Definition:  An organized learning experience which brings together specialists in a given area for instruction for a concentrated period shorter than a semester. Broad outline of possible topics and procedures is provided.

Field Study
Definition:  A learning experience arranged by an instructor for a student or group of students to carry out a project outside the classroom by observation, participation in a work experience, or field research.  Advance planning, involving instructor and students, for activity are required.

Professional Practicum
Definition:  Professional practice under supervision of an instructor, assisted, where necessary, by additional experienced professionals. Broad outline of possible topics and procedures is provided.

Clinical Clerkship
Definition:  An organized learning experience which employs professional practice as a means to acquire clinical skills and apply knowledge. Broadens knowledge acquired in prior course work by providing additional instruction and experiences. Activities include supervised clinical practice, small-group instruction, lecture, independent study, etc. Instruction is delivered by multiple faculty and/or other qualified professionals in a campus or community-based clinical facility (hospital, ambulatory care center, health professional's office, practice environment, etc.) Objectives, instructional materials, and evaluation procedures are determined by faculty assigned to the clerkship.

Internship
Definition: Professional activity, under general supervision of an experienced professional, in a job situation which places a high degree of responsibility on the student. Specific job description must be approved by instructor or instructional unit. Evaluation by instructor with assistance of supervisor.

Teaching Internship
Definition: Sustained observation and practice in a classroom under supervision of an experienced teacher and a university field supervisor.  Careful advance planning involving a university field supervisor, the school system and supervising teacher, as well as procedures for evaluation by the field supervisor, with the assistance of the supervising teacher are required.

Independent Study
Definition: Planned study, highly individualized, which is not addressable through any other format. Advance planning between instructor and student, with goals, scope of the project, and evaluation method are specified in writing. At least two contact hours are required for the first credit of Independent Study. Contact hours thereafter are to be determined by agreement between instructor and student.

Competency-Based Instruction (CBI)
Definition: Objectives, materials, procedures, and methods of evaluation are specified at the beginning of the course. The requirements are satisfied at the student's own pace, subject to arrangements with the course supervisor and to the university's time-period requirements. This format, as distinguished from Independent Study, will ordinarily be used in established courses. Courses by correspondence and some online courses are generally included in this format. Instructional materials and procedures developed by instructor. Frequency and nature of student-faculty contact determined at the beginning of the course.

Master's Thesis Research
Definition: Highly individualized, investigative study, usually continuing over more than one semester. Subject of research agreed to by student and research supervisor (instructor), in consultation, when required, with guidance committee. Grade deferred until completion of master's program. Exclusively 899 course number. Advance planning occurs between research supervisor (instructor) and student, with goals and scope of project prearranged; minimum contact hours per semester determined by agreement between supervisor and student.

Doctoral Dissertation Research
Definition: Highly individualized, investigative study, usually continuing over several semesters. Subject of research agreed to by student and research supervisor (instructor), in consultation with student's guidance committee. Grade deferred until completion of doctoral program. Exclusively 999 course number. Advance planning occurs between research supervisor (instructor) and student, in consultation with guidance committee.

The university offers selected degree programs, certificate programs, minors, and individual courses online. All university regulations, policies, and procedures described in this catalog that apply to on-campus programs also apply to online programs, unless specified otherwise. For more information about online learning, visit https://reg.msu.edu/ucc/onlineprograms.aspx.

Michigan State University courses offered online are considered on-campus courses. Applicability of specific online Michigan State University courses is determined by the requirements of specific programs. For more information about course formats and credits, visit https://www.reg.msu.edu/AcademicPrograms/Text.aspx?Section=112#S506.

Distance education includes face-to-face, online, and hybrid instructional delivery.

For a face-to-face program, participants meet for instruction at an off-campus site.

For an online program, instruction is offered totally online. Texts, reading lists, proctored examinations and/or other non-instructional experiences may be required as stipulated.

For a hybrid program, online instruction is blended with required or scheduled in-person contact, including examinations, laboratories, etc. At least 50% or more of the courses required for the degree or certificate are delivered through online instruction. Texts, reading lists, in-person orientations, proctored examinations and/or other non-instructional experiences may be required as stipulated.

Online and hybrid programs are classified as on-campus programs.

The terminology below is used to describe majors, specializations, teaching minors, and sub-categories within them as noted.

For detailed information on academic program terminology, visit www.reg.msu.edu/Read/UCC/terminology.pdf

Area of Emphasis

A set of disciplinary or interdisciplinary courses exclusively for teacher certification programs. Final approval is integral to the degree certification process.

Cognate

A set of related disciplinary or interdisciplinary courses. Final approval is integral to the degree certification process.

Concentration

A set of disciplinary or interdisciplinary courses within a major. Final approval is integral to the degree certification process.

Graduate Certificate
 

Constructed in selected fields as complements to degree programs or as distinct offerings. Issuance of a graduate certificate signifies completion of course work, specified professional training, skills, or competency levels.
Type 1 - Directly related to a degree program as part of the degree program's requirements. Final approval is integral to the degree certification process.
Type 2 - Distinct entity not related to a degree program. Final approval may be separate from or concurrent with the degree certification process.
Type 3 - Distinct entity not related to a degree program. Final approval is granted by the academic unit.
Type 4 - Distinct entity at the University level not related to a degree program. Final approval is recommended by the administering unit and The Graduate School and is separate from the degree certification process.

Major

A primary field of study named as a specific degree program. Final approval is integral to the degree certification process.

Minor

A secondary field of study at the undergraduate level. Final approval is concurrent with the degree certification process.

Graduate Specialization

An interdisciplinary program of thematically related courses. Final approval is concurrent with the degree certification process.

Teaching Minor

A group of single subject or group subject courses required by the State of Michigan exclusively for teacher certification programs.  Final approval is separate from the degree certification process.

Michigan State University provides information about students receiving educational assistance benefits to the Department of Veterans Affairs, in accordance with federal regulations and university policy. Only credits in courses that are in accordance with Department of Veterans Affairs regulations will be certified. Students receiving Department of Veterans Affairs educational assistance benefits are held to the same standards of academic progress and social conduct as all other students.  

Veterans’ education benefits are based upon the actual start and end date for each course and may vary throughout the semester. In order to receive benefits as a full-time student under programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, students must carry the following minimum credits in full semester or summer session courses: undergraduate and graduate-professional students, 12 credits; master’s level students, 9 credits; and doctoral level students, 6 credits.

A person may be permitted to enroll in credit courses as a visitor on a non-credit basis with appropriate approval. Credit may not be earned in courses taken as a visitor except by re-enrollment for credit in the course, and completion of the course with a satisfactory grade. See the Grading Systems section for additional information.

Students enrolled as visitors are expected to attend classes regularly. Those so enrolled who do not attend regularly may be dropped from the class at the request of the instructor.

To be enrolled as a visitor, a student must enroll in the same manner as for credit courses at the university. Students enroll for the course through the enrollment system and then contact the Office of the Registrar to have the visitor code added to the record. Enrollment in a course may not be changed to or from a visitor basis except during the first 1/14th of the term of instruction (the 5th day of classes in the fall and spring semesters). Such credits as the course normally carries are included as part of the total credit load for which fees are assessed.

The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) was created by a national task force. CEUs are granted by a large number of colleges and universities. The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) provides compliance guidelines and certification of CEU programs. Michigan State University follows the CEU guidelines developed by IACET in awarding CEUs.

Definition:  One CEU equals 10 contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction. CEUs and academic credits are separate and distinct measures of participation in instructional experiences.

The CEU exists to: 1) establish permanent records for noncredit education experiences, 2) provide a basis for uniform data for institutional program planning, and 3)  provide data for  national analysis and policy development related to continuing professional development.

For information about the criteria for both Michigan State University and Michigan State Board of Education CEUs and administrative procedures related to CEUs, visit the Office of the Registrar at www.reg.msu.edu. You may also contact the Coordinator of Continuing Education Units at 1-517-432-3987, or in 150 Administration Building.

For information regarding guest status at Michigan State University, see the Lifelong Education Status section in the General Information, Policies, Procedures and Regulations section.

Lifelong Education enrollment status is designed to provide all non-Michigan State University degree students, with the exception of High School students, access to Michigan State University courses. (High School students should refer to the Opportunities for High Achieving High School Students section of this catalog). It is important to note that Lifelong Education is not a college, a major, or an office on campus. It is an enrollment status and the term Lifelong Education is applied to students who are not pursuing a university degree or an Agricultural or Veterinary Technology certificate.

Students enrolling under the Lifelong Education enrollment status should complete the application available on the web at https://admissions.msu.edu/application/app.asp?AL=L. Select either "New Application," or "Saved Application."

The Lifelong Education enrollment status permits and facilitates access to Michigan State University courses and workshops (on-campus, off-campus, online, and Study Abroad) for persons not wishing to pursue an undergraduate or graduate Michigan State University degree.This status is limited to persons who have attained a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Students who have obtained a baccalaureate degree will enroll under the Graduate Lifelong Education enrollment status. All others will be enrolled under the Undergraduate Lifelong Education enrollment status.

A person who has been denied admission to an undergraduate degree program at Michigan State University may not enroll under the Lifelong Education enrollment status until at least two years have elapsed from the date of the denial.

Students pursuing Michigan State University degree programs, students pursuing programs in the Institute of Agricultural Technology or English Language Center, students pursuing the Veterinary Technology certificate program, and students who have been recessed or dismissed from Michigan State University or any other college or university are not eligible for enrollment under the Lifelong Education enrollment status.

Rules of Application, Enrollment, and Fees:
(These rules do not apply to High School students. All High School students should refer to the Opportunity for High Achieving High School Students section of this catalog.)

1. Students wishing to enroll under the Undergraduate Lifelong Education enrollment status must have a high school diploma or its equivalent.  This information is collected as part of the application procedure.  The high school transcript is not normally required as proof.
   
   Students with a baccalaureate degree will enroll under the Graduate Lifelong Education enrollment status. This information is collected as part of the application procedure. The degree granting transcript is not required as proof.
   Students enrolled under the Lifelong Education enrollment status who wish to be admitted as undergraduate or graduate degree candidates must make regular application for their desired degree programs with the Office of Admissions. They must do so in accordance with established application deadlines for the given semester
2. All students enrolled under the Lifelong Education enrollment status are assessed fees at the Lifelong Education rates. These rates are set at a per credit amount. There are no additional fees associated with this status (i.e., no late enrollment fees, student taxes, etc). There are surcharges on some online courses.
3. Prerequisites, grading standards, class assignments, and attendance requirements   of a course apply to all students in that course including those enrolled under the Lifelong Education enrollment status.
4. Colleges, departments, and schools determine rules of access to courses for which they are responsible, and may limit enrollment of students enrolling under the Lifelong Education enrollment status.
5. The Office of the Registrar will monitor students’ academic progress each semester to ensure that once nine or more credits have been attempted, acceptable progress has been maintained.
   1. An undergraduate student enrolled under the Lifelong Education enrollment status and who has attempted nine or more credits and has not maintained a 2.0 GPA, will be issued a letter stating he/she is no longer eligible to take courses at Michigan State University. An Academic Advising hold is placed on the student's record.
   2. A graduate student who has attempted nine or more credits and has not maintained a 3.0 GPA, will be issued a letter stating he/she is no longer eligible to take courses at Michigan State University. An Academic hold is placed on the student's record.
6. Students enrolled under the Lifelong Education enrollment status are not eligible for most sources of financial assistance including federal financial assistance programs, graduate assistantships, and most fellowships.
7. Students who have completed course work while enrolled under the Lifelong Education enrollment status and who contemplate subsequent admission to degree programs must seek advice from the admitting department or school and college as to the applicability of courses/credits taken while under the Lifelong Education enrollment status. There is no guarantee that these credits will be acceptable. Applicability is subject to the following general limits.
   1. No more than 16 credits taken while enrolled under the Lifelong Education enrollment status may be applied to the undergraduate degree program.
   2. No more than 9 credits taken while enrolled under the Lifelong Education enrollment status may be applied to the graduate degree program. Refer to the Graduate Education section of the catalog for the aggregate limit.
   3. Courses taken under the Lifelong Education enrollment status may not be transferred to Human, Osteopathic, or Veterinary Medical Programs but may be used to waive program requirements at the discretion of the college.

For information regarding education abroad, see Education Abroad in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog.

Satisfaction of teaching responsibilities by instructional staff members (herein referred to as instructors) is essential to the successful functioning of a university. This University conceives these responsibilities to be so important that performance by instructors in meeting the provisions of this Code shall be taken into consideration in determining salary increases, tenure, and promotion.

1. Course content:  Instructors shall be responsible for ensuring that the content of the courses they teach is consistent with the course descriptions approved by the University Committee on Curriculum and the University Council. Instructors shall direct class activities toward the fulfillment of course objectives and shall evaluate student performance in a manner consistent with these objectives.
2. Course syllabi:  Instructors shall be responsible for distributing a course syllabus (either in print or electronic form) at the beginning of the semester. The syllabus shall minimally include:
   (a)    instructional objectives;
   (b)    instructor contact information and office hours;
   (c)    grading criteria and methods used to determine final course grades;
   (d)    date of the final examination and tentative dates of required assignments, quizzes, and tests, if applicable;
   (e)    attendance policy, if different from the University attendance policy and especially when that attendance policy affects student grades;
   (f)     required and recommended course materials to be purchased, including textbooks and supplies; and
   (g)   any required proctoring arrangements to which students must adhere. 
3. Student Assessment and Final Grades:  Instructors shall be responsible for informing students, in a timely manner so as to enhance learning, of the grading criteria and methods used to determine grades on individual assignments.  Instructors shall be responsible for assessing a student’s performance based on announced criteria and on standards of academic achievement. Instructors shall submit final course grades in accordance with University deadlines. Assessment methods should be appropriate to the learning objectives of the course. In that context, instructors are expected to take reasonable steps to create an assessment environment that promotes academic integrity. When proctoring or other security measures are necessary to ensure integrity of assessments, then such measures should be administered in a manner consistent with the design and delivery of the course.
4. Testing Documents:  Instructors shall be responsible for returning to student's answers to quizzes, tests, and examinations with such promptness to enhance the learning experience.  Instructors shall retain final examination answers for at least one semester to allow students to review or to retrieve them.  All testing questions (whether on quizzes, tests, or mid-semester or final examinations) are an integral part of course materials, and the decision whether to allow students to retain them is left to the discretion of the instructor.
5. Term Papers and Comparable Projects:  Instructors shall be responsible for returning to student's term papers and other comparable projects with sufficient promptness to enhance the learning experience.  Term papers and other comparable projects are the property of students who prepare them.  Instructors shall retain such unclaimed course work for at least one semester to allow students to retrieve such work.  Instructors have a right to retain a copy of student course work for their own files.
6. Class Meetings:  Instructors shall be responsible for meeting their classes regularly and at scheduled times.  To allow units to take appropriate action, instructors shall notify their units if they are to be absent and have not made suitable arrangements regarding their classes.
7. Applicability of  the Code of Teaching Responsibility to Student Assistants:  Instructors of courses in which assistants are authorized to perform teaching, grading, or other instructional functions shall be responsible for acquainting such individuals with the provisions of this Code and for monitoring their compliance.
8. Instructor Accessibility to Students:  Instructors shall be responsible for being accessible to students outside of class time and therefore shall schedule and keep office hours for student conferences.  Office hours should be scheduled at times convenient to both students and instructors with the additional option of mutually convenient prearranged appointments for students whose schedules conflict with announced office hours.  Each teaching unit shall determine the minimum number of office hours for instructors in that unit.  Instructors who serve as academic advisors also shall be responsible for maintaining appropriate office hours before and during enrollment periods.  In addition to office hours, instructor accessibility through e-mail and other means is encouraged.
9. Commercialization of Course Notes and Materials:  The University prohibits students from commercializing their notes of lectures and University-provided class materials without the written consent of the instructor.  Instructors may allow commercialization by including permission in the course syllabus or other written statement distributed to all students in the class.

Hearing Procedures

1. Students may register complaints regarding an instructor's failure to comply with the provisions of the Code of Teaching Responsibility directly with that instructor.
2. Students may also take complaints directly to teaching units' chief administrators or their designates. If those persons are unable to resolve matters to the student's satisfaction, undergraduate students may request a formal grievance hearing before the University Academic Grievance Hearing Board (see SRR Article 7. III). Unsatisfied graduate students may request a formal grievance hearing before their department hearing board (see GSRR Article 5). Before doing this, all students are encouraged to meet with the University Ombudsperson.
3. Such complaints must normally be initiated no later than the middle of the semester following the one wherein alleged violations occurred. Exceptions shall be made in cases where the involved instructor or student is absent from the University during the semester following the one wherein alleged violations occurred.

Preamble

The principal objective of the student instructional rating policy is to secure information which is indispensable to implementation of the University's policy of providing its students with instruction of the highest quality. This information is put to two principal uses:  (1) providing instructors and teaching units with an accurate account of student response to their instructional practices, to the end that classroom effectiveness be maintained at the highest level of excellence; and (2) providing teaching units with one kind of information to be considered in deciding on retention, promotion, salary, and tenure, to the end that effectiveness in instruction constitutes an important criterion in evaluating the service to the University of members of the teaching faculty. In order to accomplish these objectives more fully, the following procedures were established.

1. Every teaching unit shall approve one or more common student rating instruments through its own channels of participation, in accordance with unit bylaws and customs of collegial decision making. Regardless of the type of instrument adopted, it must prominently display the following notation:
   The Michigan State University CODE OF TEACHING RESPONSIBILITY holds all instructors to certain obligations with respect to, e.g., course content consistent with approved descriptions, timely statement of course objectives and grading criteria, regular class attendance, published office hours, and timely return of examinations and semester papers. This Code is printed in full in the Academic Programs catalog or is available online at https://www.reg.msu.edu/AcademicPrograms/Text.aspx?Section=112#s514. It includes specifics about complaint procedures available to students who believe that their instructors have violated the Code.
2. Each teaching unit shall make regular and systematic use of student instructional ratings as part of the unit's evaluation of instructional performance. Each teaching unit shall formulate and promulgate a comprehensive policy covering all aspects of student instructional rating procedures, and shall be responsible for implementing that policy within the framework of the provisions contained in this document. Students shall not be required or requested by faculty members to identify themselves on the rating forms.
3. All instructors, regardless of rank, including graduate assistants, shall use unit-approved student instructional rating forms in all classes (every course, every section, every semester). For team-teaching situations, units shall develop procedures consistent with the intent of these provisions.
4. Individual instructors may use other instruments to gather additional information.
5. Results of student instructional ratings shall be used in accordance with the following provisions:
   1. Results shall be returned promptly to the instructor for information and assistance in improving course design and instruction.
   2. Instructors shall have the opportunity to comment, orally and/or in writing, upon the ratings received. These comments shall be taken into account by persons or groups charged with making or advising on personnel decisions.
   3. Results of student instructional ratings shall be systematically consulted, with due regard for strict confidentiality, in conjunction with other means for assessing individual effectiveness, according to the review criteria promulgated within each unit. Other means might include, e.g., classroom visits or consideration of course syllabi, assignments, and examinations.
6. Procedures for implementing the rating process and for utilizing the results shall be promulgated by each teaching unit, subject to the following provisions:
   1. Duly promulgated unit procedures shall be filed in the offices of the appropriate Dean and the Provost, where they will be matters of public record.
   2. Unit administrators are responsible for implementing in their units SIRS procedures which follow fully the requirements of this document.
   3. Teaching units may have the required SIRS instruments administered by a person other than the instructor. If the unit does not administer the instruments, instructors are obligated to do so, and to return all results to unit offices within the time period specified in the unit procedures.
   4. At the time instruments are administered, students shall be informed who will have access to the results and how the results will be used.

Preamble

The following policy operates as a complement to the Student Instructional Rating System (SIRS) policy to provide selected public information for students as an aid to choosing courses.

Policy on the Student Public Evaluation System

Students at Michigan State University have an interest in being able to make informed judgments in selecting courses and faculty members as students pursue their academic programs. To this end, the University Committee on Undergraduate Education has framed a set of questions that should provide the type of information that students seek. In order to facilitate the transmission of this information to the students, the following procedures are established:

1. In addition to using standard university or unit-based SIRS forms in every class each semester in compliance with the Student Instructional Rating System policy, faculty members at the rank of instructor or above, and specialists who are assigned to teach, shall administer a standard form (Student Opinion of Courses and Teaching) in all of their regular undergraduate classes.
2. The SOCT forms shall be administered within the last two weeks of classes. Instructors should leave the room until the forms have been completed and collected. The forms should be collected by a neutral party, turned in to a predetermined location, and should not be accessible to the instructor until grades are submitted. 
3. Results will be disseminated in summary form, displayed by instructor and department, once per year through a Web site, https://soct.msu.edu, accessible to students and other members of the University community with the appropriate identification. A maximum of two recent semesters taught by that instructor over a maximum of two years with a minimum of five student responses will be displayed.

The credit-by-examination option is available to qualified students. Examination may take the form of course or laboratory projects, written or oral reports, evidence of satisfactory skill performance, etc. Enrollment is subject to the provisions detailed below.

Some courses are especially designated for credit by examination in the Schedule of Courses (sections numbered 999). Students who wish to avail themselves of this option must do so through the regular enrollment procedure.

The credit-by-examination option may also be made available in courses not so designated in the Schedule of Courses. Instructors will consider requests from interested students, and may recommend to the unit administrator the offering of an ad hoc credit-by-examination section to accommodate the needs of particular students. Following approval by the unit administrator, regular enrollment procedures apply.

Provisions

1. The credit-by-examination system is designed to serve students who have the capability and discipline for independent learning. Students who are in academic difficulty should not use it.
2. Enrollment must be by approval of the department or school. Before approval is given, department and school offices and/or designated instructors will provide the student with a written statement of the materials and skills to be mastered, and the manner in which proficiency is to be demonstrated.
3. The credit-by-examination procedure is not intended, and should not be construed, as a tutorial system, or as a system comparable to regular class enrollment: students must not expect tutorial assistance from professors, and professors must not expect students to attend class.
4. Units should exclude from this option those courses in which class attendance and participation are an integral part of the instruction.
5. Academic standards shall be comparable to those applying to regular courses.
   5.1    A failing grade should be reported to the Registrar in cases of failure to appear for the examination, or failure to demonstrate stipulated minimum proficiency. The I-incomplete or DF-deferred or ET-extension symbol for the postponement of a grade may be used in extraordinary circumstances, providing appropriate documentation is placed in the record by the instructor and approved by the assistant or associate dean.
   5.2    Credit-by-examination may not be employed as a means of repeating a course in which a low or failing grade was received, either through regular enrollment or by examination.
6. Implementation of the policy is the responsibility of unit administrators, Deans, and the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education and Dean of Undergraduate Studies.

Credits Passed

Total Michigan State University credits passed on the numerical system, the Credit-No Credit (CR-NC) system, the Pass-No Grade (P-N) system, and by examination plus all credits accepted in transfer from other institutions. For a course that was repeated, only the credits associated with the last enrollment are counted in the total number of credits passed.

Credits Repeated

Total credits repeated at Michigan State University and all Michigan State University credits repeated at and accepted in transfer from other institutions.

Credits Attempted

Total Michigan State University credits for which a grade was recorded or for which the W (no grade) symbol was recorded. Credits accepted in transfer from other institutions are included in the total number of Michigan State University credits attempted. Credits in courses taken on the CR-NC system count as credits attempted irrespective of whether the outcome is CR or NC. Similarly included are all credits in courses taken on the P-N system. Credits in courses for which a V symbol was recorded are not included in credits attempted.

Grade-Point Credits

Total number of credits in all Michigan State University courses for which a numerical grade was recorded.  Credits for courses repeated on the numerical system count only for the last grade recorded.

Grade-Point System

The grade-point system and the  numerical grading scale are identical. Grade points for each course are determined by multiplying the numerical grade by the number of credits for the course.

Grade-Point Average

A measure of the student's  academic performance in Michigan State University courses for which the student received a numerical grade.

Semester

To compute the grade-point average for a semester, divide the total grade points for the semester by the total grade-point credits for the semester.

Cumulative

To compute the cumulative grade-point average, divide the total grade points for all semesters by the total grade-point credits for all semesters.

A cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 is required for graduation from the university for bachelor's degrees.  A cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 is required for graduate degrees.

For information on Grading Systems and Repeating a Course, refer to those statements.

Definition

At Michigan State University, Independent Study is planned study, highly individualized, not addressable through any other course format, proposed in writing by the student on a standard form, accepted for supervision by a faculty member, and approved by the student's academic advisor and the teaching unit at the beginning of the semester.

Guidelines

Independent Study should:

1. Consist of work not described in the university catalog in any other format;
2. Be taken under a course number commensurate with the student's class level, major field, and experience;
3. Relate to a subject for which the student has adequate preparation;
4. Be directed by a faculty member with whom there is periodic contact and consultation throughout the study;
5. Not exceed 8 semester hours of credit in a single semester or summer session;
6. Not exceed 10 percent of the credits earned in a bachelor's program;
7. Be applied for on the form provided by the department or school or college;
8. Be approved on this form before the student enrolls for the course; registration should be completed by the end of the period for adding courses.

Michigan State University employs three systems of grading: a numerical system, a supplemental credit-no credit system, and a limited pass-no grade system.

All grades are final and may not be changed by re-examination or by the submission of additional work. See Repeating a Course.

When special or unusual circumstances occur, the instructor may postpone assignment of the student's final grade in a course by use of an I-Incomplete, a DF-Deferred, or an ET-Extension marker.

An undergraduate student who received a grade of 2.0 or above, CR, or P in a course may not repeat the course on a credit basis. An undergraduate student may repeat no more than 20 credits in courses in which grades below 2.0 were received.

A  graduate student who received a grade of 2.0 or above, CR, or P in a course may not repeat the course on a credit basis with the following exception: with the approval of the associate dean, a graduate student may repeat a course in which a grade of 2.0 or 2.5 was received.  The number of credits that a graduate student may repeat is determined by the student's academic advisor or guidance committee, in accordance with unit policies.

Whenever a course is repeated on a credit basis, the last grade and credits earned completely replace the previous grade in the satisfaction of requirements and computation of the cumulative grade-point average. All entries remain a part of the student's permanent academic record. 

Any course repeated for credit must be taken on the same grading system under which the course was taken the first time, except where standard requirements to the contrary must be satisfied in order to meet graduation requirements.

Credit by Examination may not be used to repeat a course in which a grade below 2.0 was received.

A student who has taken a course as a visitor may subsequently enroll in the course for credit with the approval of his or her advisor.

Financial Aid and Repeats

Federal financial aid regulations limit the number of times a student may repeat a course and receive financial aid for that course.  The following guidelines apply to students eligible for federal aid.

1. A student may receive aid when repeating a course for the first time.
2. A student may receive aid when repeating a course that was previously failed (received a 0.0 or No Pass), regardless of the number of times the course was attempted and failed.
3. A student may receive aid to repeat a previously passed course one additional time.
4. Once a student has completed any course twice with a passing grade, he/she is no longer eligible to receive aid for that course.
5. If a student retakes a course that is not aid eligible, a recalculation of aid is done to exclude the credits for the repeated course.  Students are notified by the Office of Financial Aid if their aid needs to be reduced.

Once recorded in the Office of the Registrar, a student's grade may not be changed unless the first grade was in error.  An Administrative Action must be submitted certifying the reasons why the first grade is in error. The request must be approved by the instructor, the chairperson of the department or school offering the course, the associate dean of the college in which the course is offered, and the student's associate dean. The time limit for the correction of grades is 30 days after the start of the subsequent semester or summer session.

The Office of the Registrar reserves the right to audit student records and to correct them as necessary.

(Note: This policy is not applicable to students in the MSU College of Law degree programs.  The Law College follows American Bar Association requirements and the Law Students Rights and Responsibilities document. http://splife.studentlife.msu.edu/law-students-rights-and-responsibilities

The following statement of university policy addresses principles and procedures to be used in instances of academic dishonesty, violations of professional standards, and falsification of academic or admission records, herein after referred to as academic misconduct. [See General Student Regulation 1.00, Protection of Scholarship and Grades.]

1. The principles of truth and honesty are recognized as fundamental to a community of scholars. The university expects both instructors and students to honor these principles and, in so doing, to protect the validity of university education and grades. Practices that maintain the integrity of scholarship and grades include providing accurate information for academic and admission records, adherence to unit-approved professional standards and honor codes, and completion of original academic work by the student to whom it is assigned, without unauthorized aid of any kind. To encourage adherence to the principles of truth and honesty, instructors should exercise care in planning and supervising academic work, and implement proctoring standards appropriate to the design of the course.

2. If an instructor alleges a student has committed an act of academic misconduct, the instructor is responsible for taking appropriate action. Depending on the instructor’s judgment of a specific instance, the instructor may give the student a penalty grade. A penalty grade may be a reduced score or grade for the assignment or a reduced grade for the course. [For a definition of “penalty grade”, see Student Rights and Responsibilities (SRR) 11 and Graduate Students Rights and Responsibilities (GSRR) 8.1.18.]

3. When an instructor gives an undergraduate or graduate student a penalty grade for academic misconduct, the instructor must complete and submit an Academic Dishonesty Report (available on the Registrar’s Form Menu under Instructor Systems). The report will be sent to the student, the student’s dean, the Dean of the Graduate School (for graduate students) or Dean of Students (for undergraduate students) and be added to the student’s academic record provisionally.  It will remain in the student’s record unless: a) the student successfully grieves the allegation; b) the instructor filing the report requests it be removed; or, for undergraduates only, c) upon conferral of their degree if only one report has been filed, the student has successfully completed the required course on academic integrity, and no additional sanctions were requested.

4. When completing the Academic Dishonesty Report, if the instructor gives a failing grade in the course, the instructor may request the student’s academic dean to impose sanctions in addition to the failing grade.

5. When in the judgment of the student’s academic dean, a sanction in addition to a penalty grade is warranted (e.g., dismissal from a unit or program), the dean may call for an academic disciplinary hearing. In calling for an academic disciplinary hearing, the student’s academic dean may act independently or in response to a request by the instructor. [See SRR 7.V., GSRR 5.5., and Medical Student Rights and Responsibilities (MSRR) 5.3.]

6. A student accused of academic misconduct may request an academic grievance hearing to contest the allegation before the appropriate hearing board. In cases involving academic misconduct, no student may be dismissed from a course or program of study without an academic disciplinary hearing.

7. On the first offense of academic misconduct, the student must complete an educational program on academic integrity and academic misconduct provided by the Dean of Students for undergraduate students or the Dean of the Graduate School for graduate students.

8. In cases involving undergraduate students in which the student’s academic dean, or designee, calls for an academic disciplinary hearing, the student’s academic dean will refer the case to the Dean of Students. The Dean of Students will notify the student in writing of the call for a disciplinary hearing and will invite the student to a meeting to determine the appropriate judiciary for the hearing. [See SRR 7.V.]

9. In cases involving graduate students in which the student’s academic dean, or designee, calls for an academic disciplinary hearing, the student’s academic dean will inform the student and then refer the case to the Dean of the Graduate School. The Dean of the Graduate School will notify the student in writing of the call for a disciplinary hearing and will invite the student to a meeting to discuss the hearing process. [See GSRR 5.5.]

10. Either party may appeal a decision of an administrative disciplinary hearing or a disciplinary hearing board to the appropriate appellate board. [See SRR 7.VII., GSRR 5.4.12., and MSRR 5.8.]

The principles of truth and honesty are fundamental to the educational process and the academic integrity of the University; therefore, no student shall:

17.01 Unauthorized attainment of
17.02 Unauthorized transfer of
17.03 Prima facie evidence

.01 No person shall procure in any unauthorized manner any examination question or answer related to any course of study offered at Michigan State University, regardless of the form or format in which such question or answer may originally have been maintained.

.02 No person shall furnish to any unauthorized person any examination question or answer related to any course of study offered at Michigan State University, regardless of the form or format in which such question or answer may originally have been maintained.

.03 The unauthorized possession of any of the aforesaid examination documents shall be considered prima facie evidence of an attempt to violate the provisions of this section.

The university expects student conduct and behavior to reflect qualities of good citizenship. The out-of-classroom activities of Michigan State University students should reflect favorably upon the institution and should indicate the personal integrity of the individual.

See Spartan Life for specific policies, ordinances and regulations that define some of the relevant university expectations.

A Grade Report of a student's grades earned in each course is available to the student at the end of each semester or summer session at www.stuinfo.msu.edu.

Due to unsatisfactory work, a student may be warned, placed on probation, academically recessed, or academically dismissed from the university.

A permanent record of all the student's courses, credits and grades earned is maintained by the Office of the Registrar, 150 Administration Building. The permanent record reflects all courses taken while enrolled at any academic level at Michigan State University. Records are regularly audited and corrected as necessary. The student should maintain a record of courses, credits and grades each semester or summer session and check from time to time to see that this record agrees with that of the university. The record may also help the student determine eligibility for any activity that requires meeting specific scholastic standards.

A copy of a student's complete permanent record is available to the student upon receipt of a request. The permanent record reflects all courses taken while enrolled at any academic level at Michigan State University.  Transcripts can be requested at https://reg.msu.edu/Transcripts/Transcript.aspx. Requests can also be made in person or by writing to the Office of the Registrar, Hannah Administration Building, 426 Auditorium Road, Room 150, East Lansing, Michigan 48824-2603. The university reserves the right to withhold the transcript in case of delinquent student indebtedness to the university. However, the Student Accounts Office may authorize release of a transcript directly to a prospective employer on an exception basis.

A certified copy of the student's diploma is available to the student. The student must bring the original diploma and the $25 fee for each copy to the Office of the Registrar, Hannah Administration Building, 426 Auditorium Road, Room 150, East Lansing, Michigan 48824-2603. (See Costs in the General Information, Policies, Procedures and Regulations section of this catalog.)

Michigan State University has been awarding honorary degrees since 1885 to honor distinguished persons for their contributions to their field and to society. Nominees exemplify the values inherent in MSU’s mission. Past recipients include accomplished scientists, humanists, scholars of the arts, members of the professions, and persons in public life or business. Invitations to nominees are issued only by the President.

For more information on the nomination process, visit www.msu.edu/~vprgs/honorarydeg/HonoraryDegrees.htm.

On rare occasions, a deceased student who is ineligible for a posthumous degree may be recognized for his/her academic work by means of receiving a Mark of Achievement certificate.

With the support of the academic unit, a request is initiated by the student’s college dean. Undergraduate and graduate students who are in good academic standing and in the judgment of the college dean may be recommended for a Mark of Achievement. The college dean shall provide a recommendation along with a verification of the student’s academic standing to the Associate Provost for Academic Services for review and recommendation and then to the Provost for approval.  The Provost shall notify the Registrar and the Mark of Achievement shall be mailed or delivered to the academic unit for distribution to the family.

Michigan State University complies fully with the letter and spirit of the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy (FERPA) which governs access to, and confidentiality of, student records.

As a means of complying with this act, the university has developed the Michigan State University Access to Student Information. These Guidelines are reproduced below.

1. To protect a student’s right to privacy of information in the University’s possession concerning the student; and 
2. To provide guidance on release or disclosure of student information required by law and as necessary for the effective functioning of the campus community.

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records.
2. The right to request amendment of education records the student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.
3. The right to provide written consent before personally identifiable information from the student’s education records is disclosed except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning any alleged violation of the student’s rights under FERPA.

Functions, services, and processes of the University must be protected if the institution is to be effective in discharging its responsibilities; therefore, no student shall:

14.01 False copy
14.02 Possession of false copy
14.03 Unauthorized keys

.01  No person with intent to injure or defraud shall falsely make, forge, manufacture, print, reproduce, copy, tamper with, or alter, any writing, record, document or identification used or maintained by Michigan State University.

.02  No person shall knowingly possess, display or cause or permit to be displayed any writing, record, document, or identification form used or maintained by Michigan State University knowing the same to be fictitious, altered, forged, counterfeited or made without proper authority.

.03 No person without proper authority shall knowingly possess, make, or cause to be made, any key, card, or unlocking device, to operate any lock or locking mechanism used or maintained by Michigan State University.

It has always been the policy of the University to permit students and faculty to observe those holidays set aside by their chosen religious faith.

The faculty and staff should be sensitive to the observance of these holidays so that students who absent themselves from classes on these days are not seriously disadvantaged. It is the responsibility of those students who wish to be absent to make arrangements in advance with their instructors. It is also the responsibility of those faculty who wish to be absent to make arrangements in advance with their chairpersons, who shall assume the responsibility for covering their classes.

As Michigan State University has become increasingly multicultural, the incidence of conflicts between mandatory academic requirements and religious observances has increased. In the absence of a simple and dignified way to determine the validity of individual claims, the claim of a religious conflict should be accepted at face value. Be aware that some degrees of observance may have a more extensive period of observance. Instructors may expect a reasonable limit to the number of requests by any one student. Some instructors attempt to cover all reasons for student absences from required academic events such as quizzes or exams with a blanket policy, e.g., allowing the student to drop one grade or two quizzes without penalty. If this is meant to extend to religious observances, the instructor should state this clearly at the beginning of the term. If instructors require make-up exams, they retain the right to determine the content of the exams and the conditions of administration, giving due consideration to equitable treatment.

The faculty and staff should be sensitive to and accommodate the bereavement process of a student who has lost a family member or who is experiencing emotional distress from a similar tragedy so that the student is not academically disadvantaged in their classes or other academic work (e.g. research). For undergraduate and master’s (Plan B) students without research responsibilities, it is the responsibility of the student to: a) notify the Associate Dean or designee of their college of the need for a grief absence in a timely manner, but no later than one week from the student’s initial knowledge of the situation, b) provide appropriate verification of the grief absence as specified by the Associate Dean, and c) complete all missed work as determined in consultation with the instructor. It is the responsibility of the Associate Dean or designee to: a) determine with the student the expected period of absence – it is expected that some bereavement processes may be more extensive than others depending on individual circumstances, b) notify the faculty that the student will be absent, and c) receive verification of the authenticity of a grief absence request upon the student’s return. It is the responsibility of the instructor to work with the student to make reasonable accommodations and to include appropriate language describing such accommodations in their course syllabus, so that the student is not penalized due to a verified grief absence.

For master’s (Plan A), master’s (Plan B) with research responsibilities, and doctoral students, it is the responsibility of the student to: a) notify their advisor/major professor and faculty of the courses in which they are enrolled of the need for a grief absence in a timely manner, but no later than one week from the student’s initial knowledge of the situation, b) provide appropriate verification of the grief absence as specified by the advisor/major professor and faculty, and c) complete all missed work as determined in consultation with the advisor/major professor and faculty. It is the responsibility of the advisor/major professor to: a) determine with the student the expected period of absence – it is expected that some bereavement processes may be more extensive than others depending on individual circumstances, b) receive verification of the authenticity of a grief absence request upon the student’s return, and c) make reasonable accommodations so that the student is not penalized d